The moment the bunny girl's delicate hand climbed onto Simu's chest, a voice suddenly cut through the air.
"Shut up, shut up!"
Hidan walked into the private booth from outside, dangling a fried chicken leg from his mouth.
"These damn songs and smells are everywhere, it's driving me crazy!"
Chairman Sakamoto's brow furrowed slightly. However, remembering Simu's earlier words, he suppressed his anger and gave a subtle look to his staff. Several bunny girls quickly stepped forward, pressing their soft bodies against Hidan and surrounding him completely.
"My lord, please don't be so angry."
This kind of assault would be absolutely irresistible to an ordinary man. But Hidan was no ordinary man! He shoved the two charming bunny girls aside with a cold snort.
"Believe it or not, I'll slaughter you all and sacrifice you to Lord Jashin."
A chilling killing intent radiated from Hidan, instantly dissipating the flirtatious atmosphere in the room. Simu pushed his glasses up slightly and offered Sakamoto a thin smile.
"Chairman Sakamoto, I am truly sorry. My brother..."
He tapped his temple, giving an you-understand look. Sakamoto could only offer an awkward but polite smile in return.
"I understand. In that case, let's go over there to discuss business."
"Understood."
Simu stood up. Hearing their conversation, Hidan's eyes widened in rage.
"Bastard Simu, who are you calling your brother?"
Simu suddenly raised his hand. A large amount of spider silk shot out from between his fingers, binding Hidan firmly with lightning speed until he looked like a silken cocoon. If Simu hadn't been worried about exposing his full power, Hidan's head would already be in his hand.
This silk-spitting ability took Chairman Sakamoto by surprise.
Is it some special secret technique? Or a Kekkei Genkai?
Chairman Sakamoto stared at Simu's palm for a moment, only snapping out of it when Simu's voice interrupted him.
"Chairman Sakamoto, shall we?"
"Oh, yes. This way, please."
Chairman Sakamoto gestured with his hand, his attitude noticeably more sincere. To him, only those who were strong enough possessed the value to be allies. To prevent secrets from leaking, he dismissed all the bunny girls, leaving only a few subordinates by his side.
Judging by their standing posture, walking movements, and the scent they carried, these subordinates were likely ninjas similar to Miura Kikuchi. Simu and Sakamoto sat on opposite sides of a long table. Sakamoto was flanked by eight men, while Simu sat alone next to a silken cocoon that he might pick up and use as a weapon at any moment.
"You two are truly the Divine Sons of the Jashin Religion, the pillars of the faith."
"Not swayed by beauty, not lusting for pleasure; you must have grand ambitions in your hearts."
Sakamoto crossed his hands, starting off with a barrage of flattery. Simu only gave a faint smile.
"Mr. Sakamoto, you flatter us. We are here on the orders of the Leader to help resolve your troubles."
Seeing that Simu had no intention of engaging in small talk, Sakamoto cut straight to the point. "In that case, Suneo, bring the files on Gato to the Divine Son."
"Yes, sir."
The subordinate named Suneo complied, quickly producing a thick stack of documents. It was clear that Sakamoto took the foreign merchant Gato very seriously, as he had compiled a massive amount of intelligence on him. Suneo walked toward Simu and placed the files on the table.
"Please take a look, Mr. Simu. If there are no issues, I hope you can help me eliminate this thorn in my side as soon as possible."
Sakamoto's tone carried a hint of urgency. Gato's influence in the Land of Waves was significant. If he successfully expanded into the Land of Rivers, Sakamoto's business would inevitably suffer a massive blow. Facing Sakamoto's eager gaze, Simu did not open the file. Instead, he pushed his glasses up and said calmly:
"I am sorry, Mr. Sakamoto, but we have no intention of personally taking action against Gato."
The atmosphere in the conference room froze instantly. Sakamoto's face darkened like a stagnant pool.
"Is Mr. Simu playing me for a fool, then?"
Sakamoto narrowed his eyes, a trace of killing intent appearing on his pig-like face. As he spoke, his subordinates placed their hands on their weapons. The terrifying aura emanating from them made the air in the room feel even heavier.
"Mr. Simu, I respect the Jashin Religion because you are our allies. But if the religion cannot provide what the Sakamoto Company wants, then there is no need to provide the millions—or even tens of millions—in annual funding anymore."
Sakamoto gently turned his jade thumb ring. He was being very blunt. He gave the Jashin Religion money to get things done. If they couldn't do it, they wouldn't just lose future funding; they might even have to pay it back!
Faced with the collective malice of so many people, Hidan struggled fiercely inside the silken cocoon, desperate to come out and start killing. But Simu's face still held that faint smile. He leaned back in his chair, looking perfectly relaxed.
"Mr. Sakamoto, you misunderstand. I didn't say we wouldn't take action against Gato; I just said I don't plan to do it personally."
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Sakamoto sat up straight, a flicker of interest appearing in his eyes. Seeing this, Simu stopped teasing and opened his suitcase. A strong, pungent, bloody stench immediately hit everyone's noses!
Everyone stared into the case. It was divided into dozens of small compartments. In each compartment sat a heart-sized, slowly pulsing...
Egg.
Or perhaps it should be called...
A Kakuhou!
"This is?"
Sakamoto looked confused, and his subordinates became even more alert, ready to strike at any moment. Simu reached out, grabbed a Kakuhou, and tossed it gently toward Sakamoto. The crimson object traced an arc through the air and was caught by a subordinate who appeared to be a ninja.
Simu finally explained, "This is a gift from Lord Jashin, known as a Kakuhou. If an ordinary person consumes it, they will obtain the power bestowed by Lord Jashin."
"Power bestowed by Lord Jashin?"
Disbelief was written all over Sakamoto's face. His subordinates shared the same skeptical expression. In response, Simu only smiled.
"Whether it is true or not, Mr. Sakamoto will know once he finds someone to test it."
Clinging to the last shred of trust in the Jashin Religion, Sakamoto decided to run a trial. He sent a man to grab a random waiter from outside.
"Eat this, and I'll give you two hundred thousand Ryo," Sakamoto said succinctly.
The waiter's terror instantly turned into joy.
"I'll eat it!"
He suppressed his nausea and swallowed the egg in one gulp. It was just an egg; at worst, he'd have diarrhea. As long as he didn't die, he'd get two hundred thousand Ryo! He could leave the company and become a small merchant himself.
As he fantasized about his future life, the consumed egg began to decompose rapidly inside him. It traveled through his blood vessels and gathered at his lower back.
Then, a heart-wrenching wail rang out.
"AHHH!!!"