The Four-Leaf Gathering, Each with Their Own Agenda (5K)

In terms of both strength and status, Esdeath is far superior to him.

However, Esdeath tacitly accepted Alpha's existence.

She is indeed skilled enough, stronger than those girls in the Assassination Squad.

Although there may be some shortcomings in technique, his overall strength has surpassed that of Kisara Tendo.

Very nice.

That girl, who was like a wild beast, was also quite something. She was physically strong. Despite being attacked, she pulled her head out of the ground as if nothing had happened and shook off the dirt and pebbles stuck to her hair.

But when he looked at Esdeath, there was still a hint of fear in his eyes.

Looking at the two girls, Esdeath had already formed an idea: to take them away and take them to war.

He recruited them into his own ranks.

This is much better than the Mez and Suzuka!

Unfortunately, the Seven Shadows all explicitly rejected Esdeath; they belonged to and would only obey Yotsuba Mahiro's orders.

After the conflict episode in Esdeath ended.

People from the Yotsuba Clan branch family also arrived one after another.

But to Mahiro's surprise, it was she who arrived first!

"Long time no see, Sister Tsukuba Yuuka. I didn't expect you to be the first one here."

"Yes, it has been a long time. It seems you've been doing well lately. I'm so glad, Mahiro."

Inside Arcadia's reception room.

The Yotsuba Clan family split up, and the eldest daughter of the Tsukuba Family, Tsukuba Yuuka, sat opposite him.

Almost exactly the same as when she gave him the CAD last time, she still had her shoulder-length short hair and a 4/6 parted fringe, and the earring on her exposed right ear was sparkling.

Her makeup was flawless; she was a very capable woman with the air of a college student.

Tsukuba Yuuka also received an invitation from Maya Yotsuba for this Spring Festival celebration.

The reason is that, like Miyuki, she is also one of the candidates for the next head of the Yotsuba Family.

However, Tsukuba Yuuka no longer held any expectations or hopes for this matter. She knew very well that she was going to be competing with her cousin, with whom she got along very well.

She had absolutely no advantage whatsoever.

Emotionally, she quite liked this cousin, at least more than she liked Shiba Tatsuya.

Logically speaking, Yotsuba Mahiro is, after all, Maya Yotsuba's child.

Even if it's not exactly honorable, it's still their direct line.

And his magical power is still so excellent...

But she still needs to confirm one thing.

Tsukuba Yuuka put down her tea and asked him with a serious expression:

"Little Mahiro, although it is presumptuous of me to ask this, I need you to answer me personally. At this Spring Festival Gathering, the head of the family is planning to appoint the next head of the family, right?"

"Hmm, that's how it is."

"So, will that person be you?"

The moment Tsukuba Yuuka asked that question, the air seemed to grow heavy and even freeze.

Just as her inner thoughts were reflected, Tsukuba Yuuka's Psions affected the surrounding environment.

But Mahiro seemed oblivious, and smiled slightly:

"If I say no, Sister Tsukuba Yuuka, would you believe me?"

"If you say it, I will believe you, because you would never lie to me."

"Alright then, I can tell you definitively, Tsukuba Yuuka, based on the results, I definitely won't be the next head of the Yotsuba Clan family."

"What's the meaning?"

"It means exactly what it says, but I can't reveal the specifics to you, Tsukuba Yuuka."

In their question-and-answer session, Mahiro didn't really hide anything.

After all, among all the branch families of the Yotsuba Clan, apart from the Kuroba Family, Tsukuba Yuuka had the best relationship with him.

Therefore, he would definitely reveal anything he could to Tsukuba Yuuka.

"I see..."

Upon hearing his answer, Tsukuba Yuuka seemed to give up, stretched heavily, and then lay back on the sofa, stretching out her legs to relax.

Although this was a bit unusual for a young woman, she had gotten used to it since leaving the Tsukuba Family to live on her own.

Moreover, to her, Mahiro was like a younger brother, so there was no need for her to act like she was part of a separate family.

However, after a brief moment of relaxation, Tsukuba Yuuka looked up at the magnificent ceiling above her and said softly:

"Then I guess... if the next head of the family isn't you, Mahiro, then it will definitely be Miyuki ~"

After all, she's the one you dote on the most.

"You really can't hide anything from you, Sister Tsukuba Yuuka."

Mahiro's smile was calm, and her words were perfectly natural.

"However, now that you know it's Miyuki, are you still planning to try and win her over, Tsukuba Yuuka?"

Will you let me fight for it?

"Won't."

"That settles it then."

Tsukuba Yuuka rolled her eyes at her cousin.

She never intended to vie for the position of family head when she came this time; the reason she accepted the invitation was for other reasons.

However...

Tsukuba Yuuka stood up and gave her cousin, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, a quick look.

She discovered something.

It seems like Mahiro has changed a little bit since I last saw him.

It was as if they hadn't seen each other for decades; the composed aura he exuded felt somewhat unfamiliar to her...

Not only that, everything on the Mashima Island has also changed drastically.

Originally, Mashima Island was the location of the Fourth Laboratory and a prison for magicians.

It can only be described as a natural scene of warbling birds.

But now, in such a short time, a city has been built on the island, and it's all run by many children.

Everything seemed to be thriving.

She believed that all of this was Mahiro related to Mahiro.

"Sister Tsukuba Yuuka, what are you looking at?"

Mahiro's sudden voice interrupted her thoughts. Tsukuba Yuuka slightly shifted her gaze and said nonchalantly:

"It's nothing, it's just that it seems like Mahiro has changed a lot in all this time, and she seems to have more secrets about her than before."

"Really? Tsukuba Yuuka, do you want to know?"

His sudden question startled Tsukuba Yuuka.

She immediately sat up, looked at him with a puzzled expression, and asked:

"What do you mean? If you have something to Mahiro, just say it directly. You know I don't like beating around the bush."

"It's very simple. I just wanted to ask you, Tsukuba Yuuka, could you stay and help me?"

"What can I do for you?" Tsukuba Yuuka asked, puzzled.

"Nothing much, just helping me manage Mashima Island."

Mahiro shrugged and stated his purpose directly.

This was also his purpose in coming to see Tsukuba Yuuka, besides seeing an acquaintance and saying hello.

Although Mashima Island has a large population and is well-developed, it also lacks management talent.

Although the Seitenshi did a good job in this regard, she was ultimately only one person and could not be perfect in every aspect.

As for the young emperor, he is still young and has much to learn.

And those kids, they can help out, but they're completely incapable of managing them.

But Tsukuba Yuuka in front of me is different.

Besides having a good relationship with him, I also served as the vice president of the student council at First High School and am about to graduate now, so I can come and help him out.

"No, I think you're managing Mashima Island quite well, you don't need me at all. Besides, although I'm about to graduate from university, I plan to pursue a master's degree."

"Do you want to stay away from the Yotsuba Family?"

"That's not what I meant. I just don't want to get involved in the Yotsuba Family's conflicts anymore."

The Yotsuba Family is not united.

At least that's how Tsukuba Yuuka sees it.

In their struggle for the position of head of the family, the various branch families were almost ready to fight each other, especially towards Yotsuba Mahiro and the Shiba siblings, whom almost all the branch families disliked.

I felt they were still quite young.

But Maya Yotsuba's gaze remained fixed on them, never once glancing at the other branch families...

Oh, except for the Kuroba Family.

After all, Kuroba Mitsugu and the Kuroba Family siblings often had to do some shady work for their main family.

Therefore, Tsukuba Yuuka had the idea of leaving, especially since her guardian was already...

"What if I said I could bring complete peace to the Yotsuba Family, and if you, Tsukuba Yuuka, were to help me, I could also grant you any wish you might ask for?"

"Anything you want to suggest?" Tsukuba Yuuka looked at him suspiciously.

Mahiro nodded and said:

"Anything is fine with me, even marrying Sister Tsukuba Yuuka would be no problem for you."

"Hmph, who wants to marry you?"

"You don't want to? What if I said I could resurrect your dead guardian?"

Upon hearing this, Tsukuba Yuuka's body visibly stiffened.

As if something had been touched on, the smile on her face froze and gradually disappeared.

"Mahiro, are you investigating me?"

"Not really, since there are no secrets between the branch family and the main family."

Mahiro shrugged, indicating his innocence.

"Little Mahiro, you've gone bad. You've actually learned the methods I hate the most and used them on me."

"There's no other way. I investigated you, Sister Tsukuba Yuuka, so that you could help me, right?"

I'm being very sincere, you know.

Tsukuba Yuuka: "..."

She didn't respond, but simply gazed silently at Mahiro.

P. S.: I'm so envious of people who went out to play during the National Day holiday... while I'm stuck here writing this in the middle of the night, sob sob.

Chapter 233 The Yotsuba Clan Clover Gathering: Each with Their Own Thoughts (5K)