C70 The Oyabun’s Hope

The room smelled faintly of cedar and smoke. Outside, the wind whispered through the bamboo, soft and steady.

Oyabun sat in silence for a long while before speaking. “So,” he said at last, his voice calm but thoughtful, “you met the boy.”

Keiji bowed deeply. “Yes, Oyabun.”

“And what did you see?”

Keiji hesitated. “He’s… strong. Not in body alone, but in will. He speaks little