Chapter 145: Hinata Kyusho!

Chapter 145: Hinata Kyusho!

As our plane had landed and was making its way smoothly to our personal hangar, Jenifer smiled warmly at me and pulled out a small decorative box.

When she opened it, she carefully pulled out two long red-scarves specifically designed for the freezing cold weather. She took the larger of the two, leaning all the way over to my side of the cabin to adjust the material as she said, "As the Vice Leader, and next one to helm the ship, you need to show your Fire Birds pride, Master."

She reached around my neck and shoulders to loosely wrap the thick red scarf around my heavy overcoat. When she was completely done tying it, she smiled beautifully and handed me her own scarf, heavily implying she wanted me to return the gesture for her.

Taking it from her hands, I gladly returned the physical gesture to show her my genuine care and affection. My lovers only ever want simple actions like this from me, and to be perfectly honest, I genuinely like doing things like this for them.

Mei smirked from her armchair, shifting her posture to tease Jenifer across the table, "Fellow maid Jenifer, where is my scarf?"

Jen blushed a bit at the reminder, adjusting her glasses as she quickly explained the logic, "Sorry Mei, but it is a Fire Birds custom, and since you are not a Fire Birds member, I had not thought of it."

"Actually Jenifer, I am only teasing you," Mei replied, leaning back with a highly mischievous grin. "I am wearing a red bra and pantie set on for Master, Ufufu."

I could tell the flight attendant wanted in on the fun as well based on her expression, but alas, I can't catch them all like a certain Ash character from my first world. I only have thirteen Poké-Balls to work with here. Or I might end up losing two of my own in the process!

Once the private jet was fully parked inside the secure hangar, the ground staff rolled up the steps for the passengers to disembark from the aircraft. The attendant, now wearing a warm winter coat, opens the main door for us to exit the plane.

"Mr Tang, I will see you again here for the return-trip Sunday night at midnight, please walk slowly."

She and the two female pilots bowed respectfully to me as Jenifer led me off the steps with Mei tracking closely behind.

At three o'clock in the morning, the biting cold winds combined with a few scattered snowflakes clearly shows the climate of the north is its own distinct region compared to Azure State. No wonder the legendary Temple of the North is called the Snow Temple by the locals.

As we head down the metal steps, I see Bill Woo waiting on the tarmac in a thick black-suit wearing a fur-cap, his white-hair and piercing blue eyes heavily reminding me of his niece, Cat Woo. He has ten exceptionally well-dressed subordinates flanking his sides, who I instantly recognized from the high-level intelligence files of the Crimson State leadership, what? Did you seriously think I would come into a tactical zone completely blind?

I immediately activate my Acting Advanced skill to put up a completely confident and mature air, adopting a heavy presence that a Japan Empire Yakuza Boss would be incredibly proud of.

Most everyone on the tarmac is wearing thick leather gloves to help protect against the freezing cold, so I extended my right hand for a firm shake with Bill, looking him in the eye as I told him, "It is great to see you doing well, State Manager Woo."

Returning my shake with a firm grip, he said joyfully, "I think we men are close enough that you can just call me Bill like before, now let me introduce you to the Crimson State leaders. This lovely woman is Diana Ming, and this lady here is..."

And for a couple of minutes, I shook hands or received respectful bows from the many women and a couple of men gathered in the hangar. The one specific person that stood out to me was a man dressed in a bright crimson-suit, who I can easily tell is only Acting to seem friendly toward my position.

Yeah, this guy is a complete piece of work underneath his smile. Well, all the men and women in this organization are ruthless criminals, but this specific guy is definitely not one you ever want to trust your life to in a tight spot.

I adjusted my long overcoat, finally saying to the gathered circle, "It is so late at night, or early in the morning, and this weather cannot be good for the ladies' skin, so why not go somewhere warm and comfortable?"

Bill nodded his head in immediate agreement, pointing directly to the three waiting limousines as he said to everyone, "I have rented suites at the Hilton International for everyone, let us go there now. We can have an early breakfast together before resting."

So in the middle limousine sat Bill, Diana, Mei, Jenifer, and I. Thankfully the interior heat was running at full blast so the girls could properly warm up after the tarmac walk.

I have spent a lot of time using the cold weather of winter back in Star City to help temper my physical body for freezing conditions, using my Kung-Fu Grandmaster status and Medicine Advanced knowledge to regulate my internal temperature for absolute safety.

After a short, smooth ride to the Hilton, the hotel-staff waiting at the front entrance let us out, quickly taking our heavy bags and placing them onto a metal bellhop-cart.

The five of us got out onto the carpeted curb, while the other two limousines completely unloaded the remaining nine sub-leaders along with some of their personal security staff.

As our massive group made our way into the hotel restaurant area, I used my hand to double-check on the small pin attached to my left-collar. It was a gold-dragon beautifully coiled around a black-sphere. In truth, this little accessory of artistic beauty is nothing more than a high-tech body-cam, broadcasting directly to Lucy so she can see exactly what is right in front of me.

At the long dining table, I and State Manager Woo sit directly side-by-side with Jenifer then Mei occupying the seats to my left, and the remaining leaders sitting around the rest of the table. We have been served an international spread of breakfast dishes from many countries to choose from. Mei reached over with her tongs to put some traditional China Empire treats onto my dish, telling me with a smile, "Master, this is one of my favorite treats for breakfast, Twisted Dough Sticks with cinnamon and sugar."

Jenifer, seeing my curious expression, also joined in on the new food bandwagon, leaning over to plate me her own specific choice, "Master, when the Han family came to Eurasia, we brought this traditional dish that is now served heavily in the Crimson State, and in the Hilton International chain, it is called pork belly tocino, a sweet marinated meat. Here is some garlic rice to go with it on the side. This is my favorite breakfast dish as well."

Trying both women's recommendations in sequence, I found this entire trip had been completely worth it just for this happy moment at the table. I will definitely have to learn how to make both recipes for them going forward.

Bill Woo could easily see the raw affection I had for both women, and he only lets out a soft sigh at the fact that Cat had not tried to get closer to me much sooner. In his mind, he deeply wished the Woo family were allied with Rick rather than the Han branch. He then remembers to thank me for the current placement.

"Rick, I wanted to personally thank you for allowing Cat to join, and even work under Tina. I hope she has been behaving herself under you. If not, just punish her as you or Tina see fit. I would even accept it if death was the result of her failed actions."

I swallowed my food, looking back at him with a straight face, "No need to thank me or worry, Bill. Cat has been doing a great job as Jenifer's substitute."

Clop! Clop! Clop!

Just then, from the main entrance of the restaurant, the heavy sound of geta could be clearly heard echoing off the marble floor. Geta are traditional Japan Empire footwear resembling elevated wooden flip-flops.

Our entire table turned our heads to see a group of seven Japan Empire people coming in a tight V-formation, with a woman standing at five foot five inches without her wooden geta in the absolute lead. This is Hinata Kyusho, the 29-year-old half-sister of Steven Woo, featuring long black hair and fierce red eyes. She is wearing a beautifully crafted traditional blue Kimono, with a pair of matching Samurai swords, a Katana and a Wakizashi, resting on her left hip.

Her haughty eyes completely ignored everyone else in the room, scanning the entire table until they landed directly on my curious face. Then, a wave of deep anger filled her red eyes as she exhaled a sharp breath to calm her internal rage. Before she could even speak a word, Bill Woo slammed his hand on the table to address her, "Hinata Kyusho, what exactly do you think you are doing disrupting Fire Birds business?"

Her proud eyes looked down at Bill with utter disdain, and she pointed with her chin directly toward my seat, saying clearly, "I have come to challenge this child, Rick Lee, to a duel for his life. This is a matter of honor for my Kyusho family and not your concern."

Bill merely smirked, slowly holding up his left hand to signal his men. From around the entire perimeter of the restaurant, and pouring out from the back kitchen rooms, a large group of armed Fire Birds came out with guns drawn, pointing their weapons straight at the group of seven intruders.

The six swordsmen belonging to Hinata Kyusho's entourage looked really nervous under the gun barrels, but they held the scabbards of their swords with as much bravery as they could muster. Bill mockingly said, "Rick Tang is the Vice Leader of my Fire Birds, and you threatening him is a challenge against all of us, now I cannot let you act high and mighty here."

Hinata Kyusho glared at him, a distinct hint of deep irritation entering her voice as she countered, "You are a damn deceiver! You fully supported Steve, my brother, and even married your Cat Woo to him. You supported him to be the new Leader, and now you boot-lick this child. Your honor is fickle, Bill."

I remember briefly reading about this woman when I met Steve before. She and he have the exact same father, and Steve comes directly from the first wife, while Hinata comes from a concubine tied to a hidden clan located back in the Japan Empire. Their family are all official citizens here, but they cling onto the ancient Japan Empire traditions exceptionally strongly as part of their personal code. They are exactly like the Samurai from my old Earth, but Steve had completely strayed from his family tenets for personal greed.

Seeing Hinata Kyusho's current stance, weapons, calloused hands, and haughty behavior, I have already easily guessed her exact martial skills and decide to interrupt their argument with my own thoughts, "Hello Miss Hinata Kyusho, why exactly are you seeking me out for a duel?"

"You cheated my family's chance of letting my brother attain the position you have not rightfully earned," she spat back, her voice ringing with absolute venom. "You baited and tormented my brother, intentionally provoking him into your elaborate scheme to remove his qualifications. If you would have fairly fought him, he would be sitting there, and not locked in a jail cell for choices you forced on him. My family honor needs to be given back. So I challenge you, unless you are too cowardly to fight fair?!"

I look directly across the table at this completely delusional woman, adjusting my stance as I ask her, "Lady, who feeds you that delusional bullshit? Head Feng and the police all had absolute proof of him doing it entirely on his own. Seriously, he was only at an advanced level of your family's style, so he would have lost the tournament just like Alex did."

Hinata’s gaze turned freezing cold, her fingers tightening on her scabbard as she pressed further, "So, you are a coward to duel me? Is this the face the new Leader of the Fire Birds has?"

On my last Earth, a woman spouting nonsense about cowards, face, and ancient honor would be laughed at in the USA, but in Pangaea, many people still hold incredibly tight to their pride. As I said long ago, fighting with raw martial prowess is seen as highly honorable here as opposed to using cowardly hot-weapons. Naturally, my current life self wants nothing more than to slap her down in a fair duel and completely 'teabag' her high and mighty face.

Ding!

My smartphone suddenly popped up with a new text-message vibrating on the table from Lucy, reading: [She wants a duel, then give her one, ROFL!]

Seeing her message, I let out a soft sigh at her typical sense of humor. I look back up at the swords-woman, delivering my response calmly, "Miss Kyusho, do you wish to duel me as your inferior to your brother's Kyusho Jitsu, or your Master Level Kenjutsu and Iaido? Whatever is fine, I just will need a proper sword if you want to cross blades."

The exact second those skill levels left my mouth, Hinata received a sudden, freezing chill straight up her back, instantly realizing that she had completely fucked up her assessment. But she had already cornered herself by openly challenging me in front of the entire underworld leadership. If she backed out of the arrangement now, it would be even worse for her family's name, not to mention she would become an absolute laughing stock.

Only she knows that Steve had more raw talent in the hand-to-hand aspect of her clan's style, while she mainly trained with the sword. But I had just thrown out all of her hidden skill levels like they were nothing, and my completely confident face told her I already knew I could beat her. For a split second, she genuinely imagined I was hiding a sleeping Dragon inside me. She shook her head hard to clear the image, stepping forward to answer, "I had intended on fighting with my brother's hand style, but seeing you now, I must use my Katana to not shame your talent, right, Mr Lee?"

I pointed a finger directly past her shoulder to her group of six loyal followers, scanning the two men and four women before I said, "That man on your right, his Katana is perfect for my use. Lend me that weapon until our duel is over. You can get it back off my dead body, ha-ha, or let me use your own Katana that is obviously much better, your choice?"

The designated swordsman immediately holds onto his weapon tightly, looking at me as if I had just asked for his own wife to sleep with him. His Katana is undeniably the second best piece of steel in this group of seven, only behind her own premium blade.

Hinata, fully knowing a swordsman's sword is their literal life, just lets out a heavy sigh and walks directly up to my seat, with every armed Fire Birds member still training their guns on her chest for any sudden lethal moves. She fluidly pulled her Katana clean out from her Obi waistband-sash and handed the entire sheath to me, saying, "If I die, my blade is forfeit, so I will take it back off of your body. As for the challenge, where and when will we fight? Do not try and run, or my clan and I will follow you forever!"

I look over at Jenifer, and she immediately checks her phone interface for the scheduling availability before she answers, "Sunday night at 7 pm on this building's roof would be the best location and time. She has dueled there before."

I smiled warmly, looking back at Hinata as I asked her a classic line, "Have you ever danced with the Devil under the pale moonlight?"

She scrunched her brows together tightly, never having heard that poetic phrase before in her life, but she answered resolutely, "Then Devil, I will dance with you. Goodbye, Rick Lee!"

Clop! Clop! Clop!

Hinata then turned completely on her heel and left for the entrance of the restaurant, the sharp sound of her wooden geta echoing all the way out the front lobby of the hotel.

That sub-leader dressed in the bright red-suit looked across the table at me, laughing happily as he shouted, "Vice Leader Rick, you have balls! I was not sure about you before, but hot damn, I am going to watch this fight, ha-ha!"

As I sat there holding her highly valuable Katana, noting that her personal scent was still actively lingering on the wrapped hilt, Bill leaned over to ask, "Rick, shall I deal with her family for you, she could serve our brothel very well? We have the right to capture her due to Tony Feng's command?"

Due to my past life's absolute love of all things Asian cultures, traditions, and martial arts stories, I harbor a soft spot for genuinely honorable fighters. I shake my head calmly and reply, "I will never refuse honorable challenges, especially if my family and lovers are left out of it. Steven Woo was complete trash, but his half-sister is just a delusional woman, but I like her style. So I will take her life with honor."

Click!

I used my right thumb to slightly lift the polished blade from the scabbard guard to see how well she maintains her steel, and I shook my head at her throwing her talent and life away over her scum brother. I pop the blade smoothly back into the metal sheath, Click!

With that business concluded, we ended our breakfast meeting and headed straight up to our reserved suites to take a nap before the real work began.

Jenifer and I will need to work exceptionally hard to balance the private books in one single day, while Mei will handle her maid duties to take care of me during that block of time.

Later on, the three of us enter the same designed luxury suite like the one in Star City, due to the company using the exact same floor plans for all of their international hotels. Each woman will have her own adjacent room, and I can sleep with either one.

Seeing me carrying the heavy Katana in my left hand, Jenifer walked over to my side, her voice low as she asked, "Master, will you be able to defeat her?"

I walked straight up to the worried Jenifer, leaning down to plant a firm kiss on her soft lips before I held the sword up between us, confidently telling her, "This beautiful piece of art is going home with me on Monday."

Jenifer immediately wrapped her arms completely around my waist, holding me tightly against her frame as she mumbled something under her breath. I had a hard time making out her exact words against my chest, leading me to ask, "Jen, I cannot hear you?"

Her blue eyes looked straight up into mine, her cheeks flushing as she said clearly, "Later tonight, take me. I want to go to Sunday lunch as your woman, mind, heart, and body."

I just kissed her deeply as her answer, and that was the exact moment Mei came sneaking up right behind me, teasing Jenifer with a grin, "In that case, let the three of us take a nap together, since I won't have you as my Master in the evening, Ufufu."

Jenifer, remembering the wise lifestyle words from the Valentine app—which was actually Lucy’s prank advice—decided for my personal happiness to completely ignore Mei sharing the same bed. She bravely nodded her head, adjusting her stance to tell me, "Master, then please give an arm to each of us, now let's rest!"

Mei was noticeably surprised that Jenifer was actually willing to share, just grinning to herself as she harbored heavy thoughts of next Tuesday's upcoming schedule.

I was completely unaware at the moment that my Mondays and Tuesdays would start to become back-to-back threesome nights across the calendar.

And on Monday, I officially added a beautiful Katana to my collection.