"Heh… working for free? Not a chance. Let alone three years," Isamu said lazily, resting his chin on his hand. "But sometimes, you need to know when to quit."
He looked at Takahashi with narrowed eyes.
"Don't you think?"
Takahashi laughed.
"Do you know how many years I crawled through the dirt to get where I am today?"
His expression hardened.
"You want me to back down? Then show me strength."
"Without that, words mean nothing."
---
Isamu smiled faintly.
"Good. I prefer it that way."
"Let's begin."
He placed his two million on the table.
Takahashi signaled his men, and another two million was brought out.
Four million sat between them.
---
"How are we playing?" Takahashi asked.
"Simple," Isamu replied. "High card wins."
"I'm in a hurry."
"No tricks. No delays."
---
"Deal the cards," Takahashi ordered.
"No need."
Isamu stood up, walked over, and picked up the deck himself.
"We draw."
"I'm betting everything."
He shuffled casually—
—but behind that casual motion, his Sharingan was already at work.
Every card. Every position.
Memorized.
He spread them out.
"Well?" he said, glancing at Takahashi. "You first—or me?"
---
"…I'll go first."
Takahashi stepped forward, hesitated briefly, then grabbed a card from the edge.
Flip.
Ace of Hearts.
A grin spread across his face.
"Hahaha! Looks like your luck's run out."
---
"Already celebrating?"
Isamu reached forward without hesitation.
"This one."
Flip.
Ace of Spades.
---
Silence.
"…Sorry," Isamu said lightly, already pulling the money toward himself. "Looks like I win."
---
"Tch. Just luck."
Takahashi waved it off, though his expression tightened.
"It's only two million."
"Again."
---
This time, he shuffled.
Flawless technique.
Clean. Precise.
He tracked every Ace.
Let's see how you win now.
"Go ahead," he said coldly. "You first."
---
Isamu didn't even pause.
"Heh… don't regret it."
He reached out—
and pulled the exact same Ace of Spades.
Flip.
---
Takahashi's pupils shrank.
Impossible…
How…?
---
"Another win," Isamu said calmly, reaching for the money again.
But—
"Wait!"
Takahashi suddenly raised his hand.
"I suspect cheating."
"This round doesn't count."
---
Isamu stopped.
Then slowly smiled.
"…I see."
He glanced toward the doorway.
A figure had appeared.
A ninja.
Not weak, either.
Everything clicked instantly.
---
"So that's it," Isamu said quietly.
"You've got backup."
He sighed.
"Honestly, I thought you were decent."
"Was even considering bringing you under me."
He shook his head.
"…Disappointing."
---
"Bring me under you?" Takahashi sneered. "Who do you think you are?"
He turned sharply.
"Fei Liu—kill him."
---
"Don't order me around."
The ninja's voice was cold.
Takahashi froze for a second, then forced it down.
"I'm paying you. Do your job."
---
Fei Liu glanced at him with open disdain.
"If you weren't rich, you wouldn't even qualify to speak to me."
Then his gaze shifted to Isamu.
"Hand over the money."
"I might leave your body intact."
---
Isamu laughed.
"…You people really don't learn."
"The last guy who said that to me?"
"He's long gone."
---
"So you're refusing."
Chakra surged.
The air tightened.
---
"Arrogance has a price."
Isamu's eyes changed.
Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Amaterasu."
---
Black flames erupted—instantly.
Right on Fei Liu's head.
---
"WHAT—?!"
He screamed, slapping at the fire.
But it wouldn't go out.
It spread.
His hands caught fire next.
"Help me! I was wrong! Please—!"
---
Too late.
Kagutsuchi.
The flames surged.
In seconds—
Nothing remained.
Not even ash.
---
Silence.
Heavy. Crushing silence.
---
Takahashi dropped to his knees.
His strongest trump card—
Gone.
Just like that.
---
"M-My lord—please spare me!"
He bowed repeatedly, panic flooding his voice.
"I was blind—I didn't recognize you!"
"I'll give you everything—my money, my business—everything!"
"Please… just spare my life!"
---
Isamu looked down at him.
Expression unreadable.
The room still smelled faintly of burnt air.
And now—
Only one question remained.
What was he going to do with him?
----------------_-_-_------------------
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