19: Fight over the title

"Yoko, what are you wearing? What happened to the outfit I sent for you?"

Amane was having a fantastic time looking at her uncle's expression. The man looked ready to cry and curse Amane out at the same time.

'This lost expression on uncle's face is seriously the best. Oops, I should do my best to control my expression. But it's so funny to see uncle getting angry like this.'

"Ah, that ugly thing? I did intend to wear that but it was not flattering my figure enough. And I also felt like I would boil in it if I wore it so I abandoned it."

Amane didn't even try to hide her dislike for that outfit. Her tone said exactly what she thought about that outfit and its sender.

And that pissed off her uncle even more. His fists were shaking at the effort it took to hold back. The only reason he had not tried to hit Amane yet was because of the presence of foreign presence in their house.

"Y-You cannot break tradition as and when you like Yoko. The clothes I sent for you were the traditional grabs used during the ceremonies. You bring shame to our house by not wearing them."

The old man was trying to be crafty now? He should sit down and not speak if he didn't want to embarrass himself further.

A lot of ears were listening in on their exchange and placing bets. Amane doubted her uncle was even aware of the implications of his words.

"Ah, so it's like that. Uncle gifted me the ceremonial robes hoping I would wear them when uncle didn't even bother wearing his one robes. Does it mean that my uncle has recognized me as the family head already? I see, I was wrong about you all along."

As soon as understanding flashed across the old man's face, it went red and then white. It finally drew on the man just what he had let past his lips.

"O-Of cour-"

"That should be enough chit-chat for now. The day is almost over and you both have not started the round yet. Not all of us have a lot of time. You girl, you are the host so you should announce this face-off to begin."

Before her uncle could make another fatal mistake, a third party stopped him from speaking.

The glare Amane felt being aimed at her made it clear that this new man was on her uncle's side.

'What perfect timing. How sad for such a competent man to be stuck at my uncle's side. Maybe I will ask Sakura to recruit these people once I take over.'

"Ah, it's Marshal Zhen. I am so glad that you could make it. Did your granddaughter Ely make it as well?"

Her uncle's tone took a 180 as soon as he faced this new man. This sudden change was all it took for Amane to figure out that this man must be an important figure in the world.

"Ely was feeling sick so she stayed behind today. She did not want to miss the Divine banquet tomorrow. I heard you got invited as well Yoko, but be careful out there. The world is not fair and it doesn't let go of easy prey."

Amane was amused to see the man issue her a warning.

'So he thinks of me as easy prey as well? Well, we'll see about that in a few minutes.'

"Yoko, stop being a creep and quit staring. Hurry up and face your beast."

Her uncle's voice spoiled her mood. But just for that, Amane made sure to give her uncle and his guest the creepiest smile she could manage.

Their flinch was considered a success in Amane's mind and she finally left the room toward the stadium.

The stadium was medium-sized and had only two openings. One for Amane to enter and the other for the beast to enter.

As long as these openings did not open, it would be impossible to leave the stadium under any circumstances.

Not only that, the VIP audience had a separate chamber to view this matchup. This place was made more for show than any actual activity but Amane was still happy to step in all the same.

After today, no one would be able to deny Amane her rightful place.

As she had expected, her opponent was a Giant Bullic Lord. it was a four-legged bull almost 3 meters tall and very muscular body.

It was the perfect beast to squish someone under. But Amane was not even worried about her life.

Compared to the beast she had already tamed, this Giant Bullic Lord was all but a child's play.

'I'm very sure I've already won here.'

When the bull charged at Amane, she stepped back and brandished her power in the form of a lasso. It hit its target and landed around the dazed bull.

'With a body that heavy, it was bound to get staggered after making an abrupt stop. I was lucky I got him on the first try.'

The huge mass of the bull did not allow him to have much agility and that was what made capturing its neck possible.

Now all Amane had to do was to pull. Her core helped her strengthen her body and pull. The bull tried to resist her, his mind slamming into Amane's willpower.

A lesser person would have let go out of shock but Amane was Amane and she held on to the bull.

In the end, the bull had no choice but to let Amane pull him under control. The lock finally slammed into place and left the stadium stunned.

"So, I think I succeeded. Now, why don't we allow my dear uncle to have his chance? I am sure there are a few untamed animals in the barn who could be a challenge for my uncle."

Amane's innocent smile was out of place when she stood at the side of such a huge beast. The Giant Bullic Lord's easy mannerism finally convinced everyone that Amane did succeed.

"Now uncle, why don't you come down and face your beast? I am sure you will be able to subdue your chosen beast easily as well."

The bull leaned into Amane's touch with ease. It didn't even protest when people led it away. It had suddenly become very obedient.

This display of power left no doubt about Amane's power but people would not be convinced until they saw their 'Lord Tsurugi' perform as well.

No one had seen him ever tame any beast successfully but he had to have some credibility in his arts. He had been the family head for so long.

"Yoko, surely we can do that later. It's getting late and these important people need to go back home. Didn't the Marshal say he was busy tonight? I am sure he is busy right now."

'Oh, so it has come to this now? Uncle is trying to deflect because he knows he will not be able to tame any beast. I cannot sense any ability on him to do that either.'

Aamen could see many of the elders getting annoyed at being dismissed so easily. But a few that had been bribed already chose to agree with her uncle.

It was a divided vote but the most unexpected person broke the tie.

"No, we should not delay this matter. As much as I do not want to admit it, the Tsurugi family is a very important family for the military might. But we have suffered a decline from their side of the business for a few years."

"If Lady Yoko's ability can help us then we should not delay any further. Besides, Akabe should have no problem proving himself to us right here and now."

The Marshal was the one who spoke up.

Up until now, Amane had been convinced that the Marshal was on her uncle's side. But that might not be the case.

Maybe the Marshal could be swayed onto her side.

"B-But! Ah, Sakura, there you are. Why don't you tell your uncle Zhen how tired he looks and he should go home. There is no need for him to doubt my abilities, right? You have seen me tame beasts before so you should be able to clarify this situation."

Sakura had incredible timing. Her arrival caused everyone to take a step back and regard her.

Even Marshel Zhen's tough facade broke at seeing the young daughter of his friend. She was the same age as his granddaughter and also Marshal's soft spot.

"Hurry up and tell them all Sakura. I am giving you a chance to correct your mistake."

Sakura had a startled expression on her face. But she soon saw through her father's schemes.

Her eyes sharpened but Amane had a good feeling about what was going to happen.

"Actually, the truth is that my father cannot tame the beasts. I am ashamed to admit it but he has been fooling everyone for a long time now. I did not want to break your heart so I never said it out loud."

Everyone went quiet at Sakura's confession. The one who looked the worst was her father. The man looked heartbroken at the betrayal.

"So, even you feel that there is a need to change leadership in the Tsurugi household Sakura? And you want the new head to be Yoko?"

Marshal Zhen asked the question as if he had a right to ask it. None of these people had any right to interfere in the Tsurugi household matters.

But their opinion would sway the public and make Amane's name spread around faster. It will also be good for the future business.

"Y-Yes, I feel like Yoko should be the new family head from now on. And also, I think it will be good for our family."

"If that's how you all feel then we will accept it as well. It is nice to see the young blood taking over the responsibility in these harsh times."

Once those words were out even those who were on Lord Akabe's side chose to fall quiet. The only one still in disbelief was Lord Tsurugi himself.

"You cannot do that to me. I am the family head and I deserve this position-"

"Akabe, give up. Yoko not only outclasses you but she also has the power to back her talks up. You should realize when you need to give up just like I did. The younger generations need space to work and we should not hinder them."

Her uncle still looked angry but he could not say anything when faced with such hard facts.

Not only had Lady Suzuki taken Yoko's side but Marshal Zhen as well. Any more and the old man would lose all credibility he had.

"Alright. Here, take this and go. But don't expect me to help you out with anything. Let's see how long you last without any expert help."

Her uncle had an acidic tongue. He was trying to get Amane to back down at the last second by trying to scare her.

"I saw the revenue records from the past few years and I am sure I can do better than them at least. Uncle, don't worry so much because I am confident that I will be able to handle it perfectly."

Akabe Tsurugi huffed at Amane's provocation but he left the scene. He had been utterly humiliated in a matter of hours and had even lost his standing.

There was nothing left for him in this broken house and Amane was even sure that he would leave her alone now.

"Yoko Tsurugi, you sure have changed. You have changed to the point that even calling you 'Yoko' will not be right. But no matter how much you change, the world is still the same. It will try to swallow you and all you are."

The Marshal's words sounded uncaring but Amane heard the tone of worry under it all.

"Don't worry. Even if the world tried to swallow me all it would get indigestion. Besides, I have no intentions of playing with the current ruleset so I will be alright in the end."

The man just glared back at Amane before he left. But Amane had a feeling that she had gained his respect just now.