{A few minutes before Jack and Wolfe’s conversation}

Talia and Roden led the first transport of loot from Heinz’s camp back to their main camp while Jim stayed behind with the thralls and some of the slaves to continue clearing the camp.

Roden followed Talia so he could begin his duty of keeping an eye on the mercenaries while they worked.

Sitting in the off-road car that they were using Roden stared at the two blades on his legs. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

He was still trying to decide if he should really let go of his mother’s fighting style.

The same way everyone had a parent they were closer to; he was also closer to his mother than he was with his father.

He was so close to her that he had picked up a sword the moment he could lift one and joined his mother whenever she trained.

Ever since he was young, he always wanted to be a protector just like she was.

And now he wanted it even more... he wanted to protect his father and sisters the way she would have protected them if she was still alive.

Since they lost everything, the fighting style was the only thing he had left of his mother, and he did not want to lose the last thing that connected him to her.

But what Jensen said to him had truly touched him.

He knew his mother would have wanted him to create his own fighting style if she was alive... But that was the core issue... she was no longer alive.

"You know he is not going to force you, right?" Talia’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"I know... but Lord Jensen is right. I can do better, but..." Roden stopped unsure of how to put his feelings into words.

Talia smiled at her brother.

"Lord Jensen said you excel at speed and rapid attack which mother did too. So... maybe instead of changing her fighting style, why not try to evolve it into dual blade style instead? Mother would love that even more." She paused.

"That would be far better than simply changing it, right?"

Roden’s eyes glowed at his sister’s suggestion.

He did not know why he had not thought of that.

Maybe because he was so focused on having to give up the sword completely after awakening the Mind Path that he had not thought of evolving it.

But now that was what he was going to do.

He grabbed the hilts of both swords as a big smile appeared on his face and he turned to his sister.

"Thank you."

Talia nodded at him with a smile before they both went silent.

Then Roden asked his own question.

"Now that we can destroy the camps on the mountain ourselves, why do we not just do it? With the blood in my Blood Storage, I should push to mid or high Level 1. Taking another camp would be far easier with two Level 3s."

He continued explaining his thoughts. "Then we would not need to pay these people to clear the bandit groups with us, not to mention we could even use the blood to get stronger making the next missions even easier."

Talia shook her head.

"As you know, Lord Jensen could probably clear the range himself with his thralls but the time it would take would be too long. Even with all of us, it would still take a good while to clear by ourselves but that is not the only reason."

She looked at her brother.

"We are also trying to spread the family’s influence and reputation as much as possible while making as much profit as possible."

"And what better way than hosting a successful war against several bandit groups without substantial loss to the family’s power?"

"The reputation and fame would stand as a guarantee for future dealings, and it would also serve as a deterrent against people who may want to cause trouble."

Roden slowly nodded in understanding.

"We will soon be at base," he said.

***

{Back to present}

Jensen stepped into the hovercraft provided by Kairi’s men.

He had not expected Daisaku to die so suddenly. He had been hoping to absorb the entire clan and XR gang but now he was not certain it would work.

It almost seemed like Daisaku already knew he would die when he made him promise to protect his granddaughter and Jensen had given his word.

So, he had to stay true to his promise.

He had to find the granddaughter and protect her and what better place to find her than her grandfather’s funeral?

From her actions Kairi seemed to know about the deal and she had prepared to have him escorted to their house.

Most likely hoping he would stay true to his promise or trying to persuade him.

He considered if Kairi would try to seize power but that did not seem very likely especially with the guard standing on that tree was still alive.

’But there is a silver lining here,’ Jensen thought and a small smile appeared on his lips. ’As long as I can seduce her, I can get her to join the family and legally have access to everything because she is the legitimate heir.’

’Now what is the best way to do that?’ Jensen began pondering... he truly wanted to make the best of the situation.

The hovercraft drove him directly to the Uesugi Clan estate and Kairi was waiting at the gate to receive him with her small hover cart beside her.

She was wearing a black kimono with subtle patterns on it, but the cedar tree symbol was etched clearly into the cloth.

Jensen got out his ride and walked until he was a few feet away then he stopped.

She bowed; her body bent at almost a sixty-degree angle with her hands rested on her knees and her head was low.

"Welcome back to the Uesugi clan, Young Master Jensen. We have been humbly waiting for you."

Jensen gave her a small nod as he sighed, "Thank you Kairi... and I am very sorry for your loss."

"Thank you, young master Jensen" She stretched her hand toward the hover cart. "Please step in... I will lead you to lady Aiko."

Jensen nodded and stepped into the cart first with Kairi stepping in after him.

Unlike previously when they sat in silence this time was different.

Kairi opened her mouth first, "Young Master, about your agreement with Master Daisaku... does it still stand?"