Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 211: The Shrewd Fox

Across the Philippine Sea, Hakuji and the members of the Sasaki branch family set sail for the Ember Isles. Usually, it would take a month to reach the Philippines from Japan by ship. However, the Fumiko Clan possessed an impressive naval fleet that no one except the Amazon Tribe rivaled.

Within five days, Hakuji and the Sasaki family managed to reach the coast of Solis Island.

"What should we do now?" Ichirou asked. "Should we invade?"

Invading Fujiwara territory wasn't something new for the Fumiko Clan. For generations, strategies have been passed down to cull the clan of devils.

"This isn't an invasion, Ichirou." Hakuji said calmly. "This is a rescue."

"What?" Ichirou watched Hakuji cross his arms and walk towards his quarters. "Call for the others I'll explain everything inside."

It didn't take long for the Sasaki Clan to regroup in the council room. It was located beneath the deck on the second floor near the captain's cabin. Inside was a large oval-shaped table with a map of the island spread across with small pieces scattered on top.

Hakuji sat quietly. He was the only one sitting. Next to him were his family members. On his right was his father, Ryousuke; he was a tall, burly man with graying scruffy hair and a stubbled beard. On his left was his elder sister, Shiki; she was a woman with medium brown skin, wild blonde hair, piercings, and a dragon tattoo on her neck.

Hakuji was the youngest of six children. His two eldest siblings Ryusen and Shiori, died before he was born, making Shiki the oldest of his current siblings. After Shiki was Ichirou, and then the brother he was closest to, Naoya.

Naoya was an oddity within the Sasaki Clan. Unlike his siblings, he wasn't born from Ryousuke's current wife, Toko. Instead, he was a bastard child born from a Chinese woman Ryousuke met during a mission.

Bastardry wasn't uncommon within the Fumiko Clan. Among the great four families, bastards were commonly found within the Fumiko and Wolfe bloodlines.

Typically, when Fumiko lineage is discovered, the head of the family that they stem from will be sent after them. When found, the head of the branch family has the choice to adopt them or eliminate them. When adopted, typically, the child is brought in as a servant. They won't obtain any of the clan's secrets or will have a right to inherit the title of the head of the family.

But, the Sasaki Clan was different compared to the Sugimoto and Hindoe branch families. Unlike them, the members of the Sasaki Clan didn't look down on bastards. They were welcomed, raised, and taught like any other child.

In the Sasaki Clan, bastards were viewed as products of love and passion, not results of disloyalty and deceit. For that reason alone, Naoya was not looked down upon by anyone within his clan.

Unfortunately, the standards of the Sasaki Clan are not followed by those within the Fumiko Clan. In the Fumiko Clan, bastards are scorned and hated. As byproducts of love, their existence represents everything that the Fumiko Clan stand opposes.

Children born out of love should not exist in this world! Children are born from duty! Children live to carry on their parent's legacy! By carrying on the legacy of their predecessors, the dream of Ryuto Fumiko and those who fought at his side remain alive!

"Haku." Ichirou broke Hakuji out of his trance. "Can you continue from where you left off?" He asked. "What did you mean this isn't an invasion? Isn't the whole reason why we are here is to kill those shaitas?"

Hakuji's expression didn't change. He kept his stone-like expression as if his face was carved from a mountain. "Relations between the Fujiwara and Fumiko clans have been poor since both groups were forged."