Sakai's fawning remarks left many people present in the old mansion stunned.
What was going on? Even if Sakai was blind, he wouldn't fail to recognize who the Master of the Fujiwara family was.
Moreover, even if he were greeting Old Master Fujiwara himself, there was no reason to be so subservient.
It was true that the Fujiwara family held great influence in Japan, but the one behind Sakai was America.
As America's dog, he was supposed to oppose the Japanese political and financial circles, to show hostility and sarcasm. Only that way would his Master be reassured and approve of his performance.
This was just like the relationship between emperors and ministers in ancient times. Only when ministers were disunited could the emperor sit securely on the throne. If the ministers were too harmonious, the emperor would feel uneasy instead.
Some people were confused, others thoughtful.
Not everyone had investigated Toru. And even if they had, they might not have had the ability to uncover anything significant.
In the eyes of many high-ranking officials and zaibatsu leaders, Toru was just an outstanding illegitimate son found by the Fujiwara family. Such things were common in big families and weren't taken seriously.
At most, they thought Toru was lucky. With no male heirs in his generation and with his own talent, he was able to rise and become the successor.
If a family had a capable son, who would choose a son-in-law to inherit the business instead? What if the daughter was too emotional and the son-in-law took over everything?
In ancient Japan, if a noble had no male heir, they would adopt one from a branch family, not bring in a son-in-law.
Soon, those with sharp instincts started asking around. And those who knew bits and pieces started to reveal Toru's identity.
The ones who didn't know were shocked. Toru was actually the adopted son of the CIA Director.
But even that didn't explain things. Even if he was the biological son of the Director, Sakai wouldn't grovel like this.
These officials and elite families knew very well that a father was a father and a son was a son. The lines were clear.
Unless it was a fully private company with no shareholders, where the son was guaranteed to inherit the father's position, there was no reason to flatter the son.
In such setups, even subordinates would only be polite to their leader's son, never fawning. Doing so would instead make the superior suspicious.
Trying to go through someone's son to influence the father? Even a fool would see the problem in that.
Many high-ranking officials had fallen because of problems caused by their children. So in their families, the younger generation was strictly taught not to interact with people who had requests.
The CIA wasn't Spencer's personal company. There were definitely opposing factions, and his Director position could be taken away at any time.
So for Sakai, who was appointed by Spencer, to fawn over Spencer's adopted son like this would easily make people suspicious.
After thinking it through, it became obvious. Toru couldn't be just Spencer's adopted son. He definitely had other identities that others didn't know about.
Everyone had their own thoughts. But seeing the Director of the Special Investigation Department, someone they all feared and avoided, fawning over a young man, they felt complicated.
Toru, however, understood Sakai's intention.
He had been appointed by Spencer as the head of the CIA Japan Branch, but Spencer didn't actually give him power. For example, Mizunashi Rena still reported to Spencer directly.
In other words, Toru's position as department head was only in name. The actual power had been stripped.
But the title still existed. And Toru was still very young. For Spencer to appoint him to that position, and for even Spencer's rivals to accept it, showed that Toru's capabilities had been acknowledged within the CIA.
Sakai believed Spencer was grooming Toru. With such a high position at a young age, he would definitely rise further in the future.
If he didn't pay his respects now and waited until Toru really succeeded, flattering him then would be pointless.
To become Director of the Special Investigation Department, Sakai was definitely not a simple person.
Many thoughts flashed through Toru's mind, but his expression remained calm. He shook Sakai's hand and said, "Director Sakai, what are you saying? If you came to visit me, how could I possibly refuse?"
His words were just polite. But Sakai was a master of seizing the moment. He immediately followed up, laughing, "Haha, then once we're back in Tokyo, I'll definitely come visit Fujiwara-kun in person."
"You don't need to call me Director Sakai, that's too formal. Just call me Sakai."
Seeing his cheerful expression, Toru realized this man truly had no shame. No wonder he had climbed so high.
With such a huge age difference, and in front of so many people, he still insisted on being called by name. He clearly didn't care about face.
Shameless people are invincible. Toru agreed with this deeply.
"Not at all. It would be my honor to receive your visit."
Against someone like this, it wasn't wise to offend them. Otherwise, they might bear a grudge and cause trouble later.
So Toru flattered him a little and remained polite, giving the other party face. Everyone stayed friendly, and nobody lost anything.
Sakai held Toru's hand, exchanged a few more pleasantries, then turned to Old Master Fujiwara.
"Old Master, today is your birthday. I didn't bring much, just some tea. I hope you'll accept it."
Old Master Fujiwara smiled. "Director Sakai, you're too kind to come and visit this old man."
He was also surprised at this moment. He could tell now that his grandson's identity was definitely not as simple as it looked on the surface.
He even vaguely suspected that Toru held a position in the CIA, and a high one, for Sakai to be acting like this.
If he were just Spencer's adopted son, this kind of behavior wouldn't make sense.
As Toru watched Sakai chatting with the Master, a chill rose in his heart.
Others might think he was basking in glory right now, but Toru wouldn't let it get to his head.
Spencer had claimed to send him back to Japan to raise campaign funds.
But looking at Sakai's devotion, it was clear that Toru wasn't necessary for that. With Sakai alone, enough money could be raised.
Though the donations came from Japan and could become an issue in the U.S., as long as the amount wasn't too high, the other candidates wouldn't bother attacking it.
Spencer promoted him to this position under the guise of training, but stripped the role of real authority. Clearly, he had no intention of actually training him.
He helped Toru return to the Fujiwara family, arranged for him to inherit vast political and financial resources, and even pushed for him to get engaged to a wealthy heiress.
On the surface, it all looked like he had a bright future. But the truth was, Spencer had already written him off.
Toru thought to himself, Spencer was a sly old fox, and his control was powerful.
But since he handed me this setup, I'll play the role he gave me and enjoy the power he gave.
Thinking this, Toru's mood brightened, and he felt enlightened.
No matter how Spencer schemed, he wouldn't guess that I have a cheat. As long as I keep improving, I can solve everything with strength.
So to continue upgrading my physical stats, what I need to do now is... date girls.
On the other side, Ōoka Naoto, the second-generation heir of the Ōoka family, walked up to the family head with his wife and daughter and whispered, "Father."
The old Master stopped him. "I know what you're thinking. You want me to go to the Fujiwara family and try to connect with the Special Investigation Department through them. That's what you want, right?"
Ōoka Naoto nodded.
Right now, the Ōoka family was in a crisis. Being targeted by the Special Investigation Department was a serious problem.
It might not destroy the family entirely, but if they continued pressing, the Master would definitely suffer.
The old Master shook his head. "Do you know how big a favor we'd owe the Fujiwara family if they helped us? That's not something we can repay."
"And besides, it's not the Fujiwara family who has connections with the Special Investigation Department. It's Fujiwara Toru. Learn to tell the difference. Do you want me to shamelessly ask a junior for help?"
"If it really comes to that, I'll accept it. Do a couple years in prison, pay some money, and that'll be the end of it."
At this moment, the old Master was very open-minded. He had made the mistake, and he would take responsibility for it.
Ōoka Naoto couldn't accept that. Watching his father prepare to go to prison, his mind raced. His eyes landed on his daughter, Ōoka Momiji, and he suddenly had an idea.
"Father, it's not suitable for you to ask, but we can let Momiji go. She and Fujiwara Toru are about the same age. They're peers."
The Master's expression changed slightly. "Nonsense. What does Momiji have that he would care about? How could she ask him for help?"
Ōoka Momiji also bit her lip. "Father, I won't do it. Fujiwara Toru already has a fiancée. What reason do I have to approach him? Even if I did, what would others think of me?"
The three generations of the Ōoka family knew very well. If Momiji approached Toru, what could she rely on? Only her youth and emotions.
Momiji's eyes drifted toward Kaguya Shinomiya, who stood nearby.
She saw the girl standing silently like a doll and let out a cold snort inwardly.
She wasn't like Kaguya. She wouldn't passively accept fate. She had her own thoughts and knew how to resist.
Toru was indeed impressive, but not so much that she'd fall for him at first sight. If he were someone she truly liked, she wouldn't care about appearances.
If you want something, fight for it. That was how the Ōoka family raised their children.
Seeing that both his father and daughter were against it, Ōoka Naoto had to temporarily give up. But in his heart, he still felt unconvinced.
It's not like Momiji has to marry him. What's the problem with young people getting to know each other? At worst, they can just break up later.
(To be continued.)