In the silence, Huai Shi looked down at the shamisen in his arms, looked up, and solemnly refused, "Miss, I sell myself, not my art."
"Hahaha, you’re quite an interesting fellow."
Tobio Lihua laughed, her eyes twinkling with meaning as she glanced at Huai Shi, "Playing a cello piece wouldn’t be bad either."
"Haha, cello? What’s that?" Huai Shi asked calmly, "Can you eat it?"
"I have a feeling you’d be really good at it. Could it be just an illusion?"
Lihua smiled innocently.
"Haha, Lihua, don’t pressure the newcomer too much."
The sound of steady footsteps sounded as Tobio Souhei emerged through the paper door with a spring in his step, followed by several yakuza leaders with complex expressions.
"You guys seem to be getting along well." He glanced at Huai Shi satisfactorily and asked Lihua, "How is it, Lihua? Does this young hero from the Huaizhi Gang catch your eye?"
Lihua respectfully lowered her head, her tone gentle, "Reporting to father, Mr. Huaizhi is quite elegant, just the type Lihua likes."
"Ahahaha, in that case, you have to cultivate your feelings well."
Tobio laughed heartily.
"Hey, old bastard, today is my son’s engagement ceremony, what are you so amused about!" Arakawa snapped angrily, casting a cold glance at Huai Shi, "Moreover, the final result is not certain yet, don’t get happy too early."
"Oh dear, look at you, why does young love bother you? Spreading this is like a great story."
Tobio shook his head helplessly, "Besides, since this old man dared to agree with you, I’m definitely confident of winning, how could I casually accept unfavorable terms."
"Damn you..."
Arakawa’s face flushed red, his neck tattoo darkened, and if it weren’t for concerns about decorum and others holding him back, he might have beaten this old man on the spot.
Fortunately, after a while, he calmed down and sat down in the main seat, loudly ordering the servants to bring wine and food quickly.
The banquet proceeded even more smoothly than expected.
After all, everyone’s thoughts were probably not on the food; the fine wine and cuisine tasted bland, like chewing wax. The atmosphere was especially serious and oppressive, with no one daring to talk or laugh loudly.
Regularly glancing towards the top seat of the five big leaders.
Waiting for the most important part of this banquet, which was about to decide the future and fate of the entire alliance, almost controlling everyone’s destiny and future declaration.
"It seems everyone is already impatient."
Tobio sipped his miso soup, slowly put down the bowl, and looked at the others. Arakawa’s expression was grim, Chiba Ryouni’s smile was light, Ochiai’s female general’s eyes were downcast, while Hisashiga’s expression was as calm as always.
He paused for a moment and said, "Then, for a long time, we’ve been receiving the favor of the alliance, and we five have jointly served..."
"Alright, alright, let me do it; you’ll drag on until tomorrow with your talk."
Chiba Ryouni sighed, interrupting his forthcoming nonsense, and loudly said to the others below, "Rumors, people who came here should have heard them.
To put it directly, to cope with the upcoming situation and better unite the power of the alliance. From today onwards, the alliance will abandon the past rule of five leaders collectively governing and will elect a new president.
Everyone here is yakuza, there’s no need to play with false processes and tricks, if someone believes their ability and reputation are enough, unwilling to remain under others, now you can stand out and compete for the president’s position."
He paused for a moment, looked down at those faces, and suddenly raised his voice, "Is there anyone like that here!"
In an instant, amidst the dead silence, all those kneeling bowed their heads uniformly, reverently to the five leaders above.
Only Huai Shi, still holding his rice bowl, was stunned.
Hesitating whether to raise his hand and stir the scene.
Since he’s here... trying doesn’t cost anything!
But the eerie stare from Tobio Lihua beside him made him feel prickly, like being seen through. He didn’t know if he had been exposed.
If he stood up just now, Lihua pointing at him, reporting to everyone that this dog named Huaizhi is an Astronomical Society lackey, everyone shouldn’t talk about the rules, take turns chopping him up without being polite... wouldn’t he be doomed?
In the silence, the five leaders’ gaze swept across the bowed ones, pausing on Huai Shi, who was still eating, only to quickly and indifferently move on.
Only Arakawa’s gaze grew darker.
Finally, after confirming there was no one who wanted to claim the president’s seat, Chiba Ryouni retracted his gaze and nodded slowly, "If so, then as per usual, voting begins between the five leaders."
Before he finished speaking, Tobio cheerfully raised his hand and said:
"Old man casts a vote for himself, please all kindly support."