Chapter 99: Exposing His Grand Plan

"Haha, you seem to have similar anger issues like Jiro; I wonder why that is..."

Watanabe mocked, observing the simmering anger within Raymond's glowing crimson eyes.

Yet, he noticed a subtle difference in those pupils.

They were completely cold, and although Watanabe didn't want to admit it, they sent a chill down his spine!

"..."

Raymond didn't say anything as his figure suddenly disappeared, causing everyone to widen their eyes in disbelief. Before they could react, they found Raymond's figure already in front of Watanabe.

However, Watanabe seemed to have seen it coming as he swung his sword in response.

"Hah, you think I couldn't reac---!?"

As he was about to mock Raymond's sudden attack, Watanabe widened his eyes as his sword didn't hit anything when it should have clashed with Raymond's chopstick.

"...What?"

Before Watanabe could register anything, a kick came up to his face!

This forced him to pull back his steps knowing he wouldn't be able to do anything but get hit as he gritted his teeth in pain, feeling the stinging sensation on his muscles from making such a forceful move.

BAM!

Still, despite the pain, Watanabe's figure was sent flying across the place as Raymond's figure followed suit.

"...!"

The sudden eruption of violence left them stunned, struggling to make sense of the swift turn of events.

Sakujiro was about to join the fray alongside Raymond. However, a figure emerged to block his path before he could take another step.

It was Sajin!

"You think I'd let you slip away that easily?"

Sajin's words cut through the chaos, his conviction clear.

"Encircle the area, don't let anything get in, not even a speck of dust!" Sajin's voice boomed, sharp with killing intent.

His eyes gleamed with determination as he added, "...And don't let anything get out!"

His command spurred them into action, their movements quickening as tension crackled in the air.

"..."

Sakujiro watched in silence, his grip tightening on the kitchen knife he twirled in his hand.

He knew that a confrontation with Watanabe's right-hand man was inevitable.

A palpable pressure enveloped the area as Nen surged from Sajin's body, surrounding him like an impenetrable barrier. His skin began to shift, gradually transforming into a grey metallic hue, as if he himself had turned to steel.

"I'm quite different from the Boss, who likes to play with his prey..."

Sajin's voice was cold as he locked his killing intent onto Sakujiro, "I will kill you swiftly and painlessly!"

"You talk too much..."

Sakujiro retorted as both of their figures blurring as they clashed with a metallic sound reverberating through the area.

Shockwaves rippled outward, causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet.

"...This guy held back his speed during the first attack and blasted it all out on the follow-up," Watanabe thought as he swiftly regained his footing, lightly wiping the blood leaking from his nose from the kick, his gaze fixed on Raymond's figure in silence.

Channeling his Nen to his eyes, Watanabe observed the intimidating amount of Nen emanating from Raymond's young figure.

"So it was you, huh?" he spoke slowly.

Though, he noticed a substantial difference in Nen quantity.

Still...

There was no mistaking it—the Nen he felt earlier undoubtedly belonged to Raymond.

"If you're talking about the one who shall reap your soul, you're right..."

"Hahahaha! I like you!"

Raymond's response made Watanabe laugh out loud.

He swung his sword around slightly before sheathing it back, then opened up his arms as if beckoning Raymond with an invitation, "Why don't you join me, young man?"

"...Join you? Me?"

"That's right! You're someone with potential. If you were to join me, it should be easy to spread our influence!"

Raymond looked at Watanabe, realizing that this old man was truly had ambitions beyond the limits of Meteor City.

He couldn't help but scoff, "So, you want to expand..."

He just happened to be doing something similar here.

"So sharp, as expected of someone like you..." Watanabe smiled widely, nodding in satisfaction.

His pride was evident as he continued, "In due time, we're going to amass 10 million Jenny, and with that, we'll have enough funds to venture out into the world!"

"...How much?"

Raymond thought he had misheard and asked again.

"Hahaha, it must sound astronomical to you..." Watanabe chuckled proudly.

"It's ten million Jenny! 10!"

"..."

Raymond fell silent, contemplating, "That's the cost of my chopsticks."

10 million Jenny was about $10,000 in his previous world.

It was a significant sum for most individuals.

However, for an organization, it wasn't much.

Raymond sighed, realizing that Watanabe and his men likely had misconceptions about the outside world due to their limited knowledge.

"...I'm not interested," He responded, prompting Watanabe to furrow his eyebrows in displeasure.

"You seem to not understand the weight of your rejection," Watanabe spoke slowly, his hand moving towards his sword.

"You can make many mistakes when you're young, but making a mistake in front of me..."

A sharp killing intent emanated from Watanabe's eyes as his Nen surged as he declared, "...you will only make it once, as I shall take your life!"

The moment Watanabe made those declarations, he immediately closed his eyes.

Raymond could see with his eyes that a circle of light began to emanate from Watanabe's figure, gradually spreading and forming an ethereal dome with Watanabe at its center.

In a swift motion, Watanabe unsheathed his sword and swung it with precision.

Raymond's senses heightened as he saw the sword swing, anticipating what would follow...

...but to his surprise, the usual sword wave that emerged from Watanabe's sword didn't materialize as expected.

"...!"

Instinctively, Raymond reacted, swiftly turning his body around just in time as the sound of metal clashing echoed across the battlefield.

"What?"

Watanabe was taken aback by Raymond was able to block his attack, unable to conceal his surprise.

Within his domain, Watanabe could send forth his attacks from anywhere within range, catching even Sakujiro off guard and cutting his left arm cleanly without a sound.

Recalling Raymond's glowing crimson eyes, Watanabe muttered to himself, "So, his eyes are special, huh?"

"...Nevertheless, now that I'm aware of it, it won't matter," Watanabe muttered, relaxing his stance as he drew his sword.

The real battle was about to begin!

However...

"Arghhh!!!"

"What the fuck!"

"They've got more people coming!"

"Where!?"

"From the shadows!"

A commotion suddenly erupted from the outskirts of the battlefield as Watanabe's men shouted in alarm, panic spreading among them.

This prompted Watanabe to frown as he could distinctly hear the sound of flesh being cut, indicating that his men were being slaughtered.

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