Chapter 363: Ruthless Methods

The previously relaxed environment had now become filled with hostility.

The Kure clan members standing nearby could clearly feel the immense killing intent radiating from both Erioh and Rinji.

Everyone became tense—except Raian, who looked like he was enjoying the show.

"You took my adorable great-granddaughter and think you don't need to pay any price?"

"Such laughable words," Rinji sneered. "I thought you were the one most aware of the situation. Are you getting senile? Karura likes me, and I like her. That's enough. Got it? I like Karura—not the rest of your entire Kure clan."

"If you want Karura, you'll have to marry into the clan. That's been the rule of the Kure clan since ancient times." Erioh stood firm.

Of course he knew who Takamine Rinji really was—more than anyone else.

But even so, some things were non-negotiable.

Karura was the most talented girl in the Kure clan. Never mind how doting Erioh was as her great-grandfather—letting their bloodline flow outward was simply unacceptable by clan rules.

"I thought I made myself clear—I only care about Karura. Your whole Kure clan is just extra baggage."

As Rinji spoke, the crimson light in his eyes grew sharper.

"Or would you rather I destroy the Kure clan and take Karura by force?"

"..."

Erioh understood clearly—this wasn't a joke.

Even if his current school life had calmed Rinji down quite a bit, some things didn't change—like his inherent arrogance.

To Rinji, only Karura mattered. The Kure clan was just a side note.

If they didn't cause trouble, he'd be generous for Karura's sake. But if they got in the way, he'd eliminate them without hesitation.

He wouldn't go easy on them just because they were Karura's family. To him, they were just "extra."

"So arrogant, you damn brat."

"Don't you know your place, old man?"

As their murderous aura clashed, it felt like a battle could erupt at any moment.

No one dared intervene—until Karura suddenly stepped between them.

"Grandpa, Rinji, no fighting!" Karura puffed her cheeks in protest.

At her words, both Erioh and Rinji instantly retracted their killing intent like nothing had happened.

"Ah, Karura, how could Grandpa possibly fight with that brat?" Erioh immediately put on a kindly smile.

"Exactly. I'd never fight with your great-grandfather," Rinji also smiled.

Their quick shift in attitude left the onlookers stunned.

"Karura, listen to me—this little brat—"

"Karura, your grandpa doesn't seem to approve of our marriage."

Before Erioh could finish, Rinji beat him to the punch.

"Huh?"

Karura stepped back and looked at her great-grandfather in disbelief.

"Grandpa... you don't approve of me and Rinji being together?"

"N-no! That's not it!" Erioh panicked.

"If you do... I'll hate you, Grandpa."

"Hate you."

"Hate..."

"..."

Thud.

Erioh dropped to his knees and began bawling.

"Waaaahhh!! You damn brat, using such a cruel tactic—you're despicable!!"

"I didn't lie. Weren't you the one who said you didn't approve first?"

"Despicable!!"

Kure Hanjiro watched his grandfather-in-law sobbing on the floor like a child. Turning to his always-smiling wife Yakusha, he asked, "Is it really okay for Grandpa to be like this?"

"It's totally fine," Yakusha replied with a smile. "There are no outsiders here, so it's not embarrassing."

And just like that, the farce ended the moment Karura "backstabbed" Erioh.

As usual, Rinji ignored the sobbing old man and proceeded to sign the transfer documents for the office building with one of the higher-ranked Kure clan members, Kure Horio.

"Thanks for your cooperation, Mr. Takamine."

"Not at all. Just mutual benefit," Rinji smiled. "But from now on, if you want anything signed, go to Karura. The whole building belongs to her."

"Understood."

"You really spoil Karura, huh," Yakusha said with a smile, watching Rinji and her daughter clinging to his arm with a blissful face.

It seemed that Erioh was the only one in the whole clan who didn't like Rinji. Everyone else was quite satisfied with him.

"Can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"When do you and Karura plan to have a baby?"

"Uh..."

For once, the usually composed Rinji blushed.

"We're still high school students... isn't it a bit too early for that kind of thing?"

"There's nothing wrong with it," Yakusha said with a gentle smile. "I gave birth to Karura when I was her age."

"Huh?"

Rinji blinked and looked at Yakusha, then turned to Hanjiro.

Hanjiro awkwardly averted his eyes.

It wasn't like he had much choice. Most women in the Kure clan had one goal: to have a child with someone strong.

Back then, Yakusha was just a high schooler when she met the already-strong assassin Hanjiro, who was in his twenties. They married, and she had a child early.

Why so early?

Because even if Hanjiro was strong, he was still just an ordinary human—and thus no match for a Kure clan woman.

The rest was self-explanatory.

If Rinji had been weaker, Karura would probably already be on maternity leave by now.

After signing the documents, Rinji made plans to have lunch with Karura's parents before leaving.

But before he left, he found Raian.

"Kure Raian, I need to talk to you."

"Hah? You wanna fight me?" Raian grinned maniacally.

He was itching for another fight with Rinji. He knew he'd lose, but he loved the thrill of battle.

"No... I wanted to ask if you could tell your sister to stop randomly coming to my place." Rinji sighed. "Lately I barely get alone time with Karura."

"Ahahaha, I can't help you there."

"You little—!"