Splash splash splash...
Suddenly, Ozuki Minoru and the others heard a noisy sound coming from ahead.
Following the sound, they saw a dense crowd ahead opening up towards the sides, making way for a group of three led by a scar-faced man.
This scar-faced man was Sasaki, who had just casually greeted Aoto and was now seriously inspecting the stalls under the protection of the Shimizu Clan.
Sasaki led his men, striding forward confidently along the street center cleared by the crowd yielding to their presence.
Ozuki Minoru and his group happened to stand in Sasaki’s path.
Although they didn’t recognize Sasaki, they did recognize the iconic Yakuza tattoos.
Not wanting to invite trouble, they quickly moved to the side of the street along with the surrounding crowd.
As they watched Sasaki leave, they overheard whispered conversations from those nearby:
“Who are these people? Why are they so imposing?”
“Shh, keep your voice down, these are members of the ‘Shimizu Clan’.”
“Gulp... the Shimizu Clan...”
“Hurry up and let’s go...”
...
“So these people are Yakuza from the ‘Shimizu Clan’...” one of Chang Ci’s friends clicked his tongue, watching Sasaki’s figure slowly disappear from view, “No wonder they have such presence...”
“Being a Yakuza, if you can reach the level of the ‘Shimizu Clan’, it’s not a wasted life,” another chimed in.
“Ha, somehow it’s a bit exciting...” Chang Ci grinned, placing a hand over his involuntarily swelling chest, “I never thought we’d have a day where we would discuss business with such a giant.”
As soon as Chang Ci spoke, his friends standing beside him revealed confident, ambitious smiles.
Chang Ci and his three friends were all wealthy heirs from affluent families.
However, unlike those wastrel heirs who only knew how to squander money aimlessly and idly, they had grand ambitions.
Aiming to achieve a greater career than their elder family members had ever done.
Thus, sharing common interests, they quickly reached consensus, planning after thorough discussion to open a wholesale liquor store in Edo specializing in ‘Upper Water’.
The so-called ‘Upper Water’ is liquor produced in the Capital Region.
Due to Kyoto’s strong influence in historical and cultural terms, which is unmatched by other cities, people in the Kantou region often refer to the Capital Region as “Upper Area” and the liquor produced as “Upper Water.”
Thanks to its superior taste, ‘Upper Water’ has always been a hot commodity in Kantou.
If one wants to open a large-scale store in Edo... it’s essential to establish a good relationship with the local bully like the ‘Shimizu Clan’.
This time, the reason Chang Ci and the others abruptly visited Edo was precisely to discuss their store opening with the ‘Shimizu Clan’.
This was the first time Chang Ci and the others handled such a major business deal... Even with their accustomed strong mentalities, they couldn’t help but feel nervous and apprehensive.
“Hehe... I hope this big business can be successfully discussed with the ‘Shimizu Clan’...” Chang Ci murmured.
“...Chang Ci.”
Ozuki Minoru, who had remained silent until now, suddenly tugged at Chang Ci’s sleeve.
“Do we... really want to associate with the ‘Shimizu Clan’?”
Ozuki Minoru’s eyes flickered with a hint of unease.
“At this point, why are you saying such things?” Chang Ci laughed wryly, “Don’t worry, it’s just business, what could happen?”
“It’s true, but... the ‘Shimizu Clan’ is Yakuza after all... they can’t be measured by ordinary standards...”
Ozuki Minoru had always held a “disapproving” attitude toward Chang Ci and the others’ plan to discuss business with the ‘Shimizu Clan’.
As a native of Edo, she had often heard the terrifying stories of the ‘Shimizu Clan’ since childhood.
Big figures from here and there who accidentally offended the ‘Shimizu Clan’ suddenly fell ill and died...
People who couldn’t repay the ‘Shimizu Clan’s’ money had their entire families sold by them...
Yakuza groups from outside wanted to establish a flag in Edo, but ended up being wiped out by the powerful martial prowess of the ‘Shimizu Clan’...
...
The ‘Shimizu Clan’s’ various atrocities could be talked about for three days and nights.
Although Ozuki Minoru knew very well that Yakuza groups like the ‘Shimizu Clan’ already had strong commercial attributes, and were not just rule-ignoring bandits.
But Ozuki Minoru still wanted to try her best to avoid associating with such a murderous organization with a heavy blood debt.
“Ashi, don’t worry.”
Seeing Ozuki Minoru’s unease, Chang Ci placed his hands on her shoulders, a confident smile on his lips.
“We’re just talking business with them, not doing something that would offend them.”
“If the business negotiations don’t go smoothly, we simply won’t proceed.”
“Relax!”
Chang Ci patted Ozuki Minoru’s shoulders firmly.
Ozuki Minoru: “Hmm...”
...
...
Switching back to Aoto’s side—
After parting ways with Ozuki Minoru, Aoto successfully met with Mukiwa.
“Aoto.” Holding a bag of grilled rice cakes, Mukiwa tiptoed, curiously peeking behind Aoto, “I think I saw you talking with someone just now... Who was that?”
“The daughter of my father’s friend.”
The moment Aoto truthfully revealed this, Mukiwa’s expression froze.

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