Chapter 526: Chapter 525 Something’s Wrong
Fujiwara Momokawa’s voice echoed in the great hall, lingering for a long time, and more than half of the Umekawa Family chose to remain silent.
Clearly, the performance of Umekawa Taro over the past few days had won the recognition of many members of the clan. Coupled with the fact that he was the biological grandson of the previous Family Head and now had the support of his maternal grandfather, Fujiwara Momokawa, who led the entire Fujiwara family, these Umekawa Family members felt that it would be quite acceptable for Umekawa Taro to assume the role of Clan Leader.
However, Umekawa Nishio wouldn’t have it, and he loudly protested, "There are many elders in the Umekawa Family, it’s not the turn of a junior to assume the role of Clan Leader."
"That’s right, hierarchy and seniority dictate that it should be we, the elders, who take on the role of Clan Leader. Although Umekawa Taro has performed exceptionally in the past few days and has made achievements for the clan, he left the family at the age of fifteen and has not established any merit for the family over the years, nor does he have a deep understanding of the family business. How could he possibly be qualified to assume the position of Clan Leader?"
"The two elders are correct. Originally, when grandfather was in charge, he groomed Umekawa Ren as the successor, and there was much opposition within the clan. But over the years, Umekawa Ren’s performance was satisfactory, and he won the clan’s approval. Now that he is dead, although Umekawa Taro is also a member of the family, he is too young and does not have sufficient prestige within the clan to take on such an important responsibility."
Fujiwara Hosokai frowned slightly before she stood out and addressed the few people opposing Umekawa Nishio, "On the day Kagaya Takeshi brought people to cause trouble, had it not been for my son Taro’s heroic efforts, the Umekawa Family would have been exterminated long ago. The only one who could withstand the Kagaya Clan’s experts that day was my son Taro alone. In this critical period, only those with a high level in the Martial Arts Realm can protect the family thoroughly. Though you few are respected and have seniority, you lack the capacity. How can you ensure the safety of our clan members, and how can you avenge the previous Family Head and restore the honor of the Umekawa Family?"
Umekawa Nishio scoffed, "Although Umekawa Taro’s combat strength is remarkable, he is not the strongest in the Martial Arts Realm within our clan. What’s more, we are living in an age of cold weapons. Protecting the family is something many people are capable of."
For a while, the Umekawa Family’s great hall was filled with incessant arguing.
There were those who supported Umekawa Taro’s rise to power, and many who opposed it.
Especially the opponents, who were elders with considerable influence in the clan. They had outstanding personal abilities, and they controlled not a small amount of family power and resources, so they also wanted to rise to the position.
Comparatively, although Umekawa Taro was of the Direct Lineage, he was young and had left the family at the age of fifteen to wander outside. He had not made significant contributions to the family over the years and, due to his absence, his relationships with clan members had grown somewhat distant. As a result, when people like Umekawa Nishio openly opposed his rise, those who supported him dared not speak out for fear of retribution from Umekawa Nishio and others in the future.
The Fujiwara family supported Umekawa Taro’s rise to power, while the family elders of the Umekawa Family opposed it, resulting in a deadlock that was embarrassingly unresolved.
Throughout it all, Umekawa Taro did not say a word. He watched his mother, who was fighting for him, as well as his maternal grandfather and uncles, and he watched these elders of his clan who denied his achievements due to his years away from the clan. He felt an immense sense of irony.
The bodies of his grandfather and brother were not yet cold, and these people were already considering the distribution of future benefits.
Of course, having mixed in the outside world for many years, he was no stranger to such matters, but he had never expected such a thing to happen to him.
As for the position of Family Head of the Umekawa Family, he had absolutely no interest in taking it.
His priority was to uncover the truth behind the deaths of his grandfather and brother and to exact revenge.
Seeing that the argument was getting nowhere and seemed about to escalate into a fight, Umekawa Taro took a deep breath and said with a composed face, "Everyone, please hear me out."
His firm voice immediately calmed the crowd, and everyone turned to look at him.
Umekawa Nishio, watching this nephew of his, asked with a complex expression, "What do you have to say?"
Umekawa Taro said, "My grandfather, brother, and the blood relatives who died in the clan are still lying in their coffins, their eyes unshut in death. Their great vendetta has not been avenged, yet here we are fighting over power and profit, not even considering how to uncover the truth to avenge them. It’s truly laughable, and if they knew, they would be unable to rest in peace even in death, wouldn’t they?"
This statement made Umekawa Nishio and the other elders who were competing for power feel somewhat ashamed, and they lowered their heads.
The others in the clan grew more fond of Umekawa Taro and nodded in approval.
"Regarding the position of Family Head of the Umekawa Family, I, Umekawa Taro, am not interested. However, the revenge for my grandfather and brother’s deaths is something that I must seek."
"Taro!" Fujiwara Hosokai’s expression changed as he spoke sharply, "Don’t talk nonsense. We must avenge our great grievance, but the position of Family Head is also yours, and no one can snatch it away."
A flash of insight crossed Fujiwara Momokawa’s eyes as he said to Fujiwara Hosokai, "Taro is a person who understands the bigger picture. Once he avenges our clan personally, he will be recognized by the family members. At that time, who would oppose him becoming the Family Head?"
Suddenly realizing the truth, Fujiwara Hosokai’s face lit up with joy and he nodded, "That’s right, what Taro said is correct. At times like this, squabbling over power and profit here will only make us a laughingstock to outsiders. Let’s discuss how to take our revenge first."
Umekawa Nishio cast a glance at Fujiwara Hosokai and Fujiwara Momokawa and others, saying with a sneer, "Who was it that brought up the matter of the successor to the Family Head just now? Yet now you claim others are vying for it, it’s truly laughable."
Fujiwara Hosokai, being mocked, felt indignant and could not help but look at his son with reproach in his eyes.
Just now, your old mother and your maternal family worried themselves sick over your affairs, yet you, boy, have nothing to say, truly like trying to prop up a lump of mud.
Umekawa Taro turned to Fujiwara Momokawa and said, "Grandfather, uncles, you have come from afar and are honored guests, please come with me inside to rest."
Fujiwara Momokawa paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Umekawa Taro a few times before nodding, "Alright."
Umekawa Taro led the people of the Fujimura Family to his living courtyard.
Fujiwara Hosokai also followed along.
After closing the door, the family sat together. Fujiwara Hosokai looked at Umekawa Taro and asked, "Taro, rest assured, only you can sit in the Family Head’s position. Mom will support you with all her might. You’ve seen that your grandfather and uncles are also here to support you, you must not give up."
"Indeed, sister asked us to come over and help you. You really need to show some initiative," said Fujiwara He.
He was the third brother of Fujiwara Hosokai and the third uncle of Umekawa Taro. Among the Fujimura Family, he was one of the strongest in the Martial Arts Realm, his power already close to catching up with Fujiwara Momokawa, and he was the future head of the Fujimura Family.
Umekawa Taro nodded. He looked at Fujiwara Momokawa and said, "Grandson wishes to avenge his grandfather and brother and deal with the Kagaya Family. May I inquire if Grandfather would be able to provide great assistance?"
Fujiwara Momokawa nodded, "As I said before outside, you are my own grandson, and your affairs are the affairs of the Fujimura Family. Now that the Kagaya Family is the prime suspect, if you seek revenge on the Kagaya Family, our Fujimura Family will certainly offer great support."
A flicker of something different gleamed deep within Umekawa Taro’s eyes, but gratitude showed on his face as he knelt and said, "Thank you for the grace of my grandfather."
Fujiwara Momokawa gestured with his hand, "We are family, mutual support is natural; there is no need for such formalities. By the way, where are those friends you’ve made these past years in the outside world? With such a big incident having occurred in your family, shouldn’t those friends come to aid?"
Umekawa Taro’s heart skipped a beat, feigning ignorance as he looked at Fujiwara Momokawa, "What friends?"
Seeing his expression, Fujiwara Momokawa chuckled and said, "Everyone here is family; there is no need for further concealment. Hahaha, you truly are my grandson, Fujiwara Momokawa’s grandson, to have made such a formidable reputation for yourself in the overseas underworld. Well done!"
"There’s no such thing..." Umekawa Taro started to explain.
However, Fujiwara He waved his hand grandly, interrupting, "There’s no need to keep hiding it, boy. We all know, you are a member of the International Madman. Although the organization faced a significant incident two years ago, it was well-known in the overseas underworld before that."
Upon hearing the words "International Madman," Umekawa Taro’s heart trembled slightly, feeling a chill.
The name "International Madman" was indeed not small in the underworld, but the names of the members had never been made public. Why do his mother and grandfather’s family now know?
And they kept hinting for the members of the International Madman Organization to provide help, which clearly was not right.