Takeshi frowned, drawing his head back in genuine confusion. "Why this fixation on Yuji, Mr. Saber? The man is a bum. A disgrace to the family name and to himself. He's not worth a moment of your time.""I understand your sentiment," Barry said, his voice flat. "I, too, have a particular distaste for men who abandon their children. Still, I like to know the full landscape of a situation. For my own... safety. Where can he be found?"Shrugging, as if discussing a stray animal, Takeshi revealed, "He spends his days and nights gambling what little he has and getting drunk at a filthy izakaya called The Rusty Koi, in the old quarter. He's homeless. The only money he makes is from letting medical students practice drawing blood from him for a few yen. He's a human pincushion." The disgust in Takeshi's voice was enough to tell Barry how terrible Yuji's life had become.Barry filed the name "The Rusty Koi" and the description away. "Noted," he said. "I'll keep that in mind."Just then, the

Takeshi’s face drained of colour, but he quickly forced a stiff smile to cover his panic. His hands trembled as he reached toward her, voice suddenly soft and desperate.“Akame… child… forgive us,” he said, his words shaky. “We—we were wrong before, in how we treated you. But you must understand, you’re a Yamamoto. Our blood runs through you. This fortune, this jade—it belongs to the family. Think of what it could do for us all. We could expand our businesses, restore our honor, strengthen the Yamamoto name across Japan. You’ll be honored, cherished. Just return the jade to us, and everything will be for the greater good.”Denji and Haru saw their chance and quickly closed in, standing on either side of him like vultures circling prey.“Your uncle speaks the truth,” Denji said smoothly. “We didn’t see your worth before, but we see it now. Let us handle the jade, Akame. You’re too young to carry such a heavy burden. We’ll protect you, guide you, treat you as you deserve.”Even Haru, wh

All eyes swung toward Chiyo.Takeshi’s wife blinked rapidly, her lips parting, her hands trembling. “Wh–what? Me? Are you insane?”Barry’s piercing eyes watched the subtle flinch in Chiyo’s shoulders, the way her pupils shrank.She was definitely guilty. There was no use trying hard to hide it.Akame took a shaky step forward. “He told me, aunt. He said you were the one who handed him his nightly tea. He said the bitterness was new, but he trusted you. And after you served him that drink, he never left his bed again.”“Lies!” Chiyo shrieked, standing abruptly. “You’re making this up to frame me! How dare you accuse me in front of everyone!”Takeshi shot to his feet beside her, his face pale but conflicted. “Akame, stop this nonsense! Do you have any proof?”But Akame didn’t back down. Her eyes glistened, yet her jaw stayed firm. “Yes indeed. I have my proof to expose the truth if anyone ever doubted me.”Her words hit like a hidden chord. Barry’s gaze narrowed slightly. “Where is thi

Barry’s eyes widened slightly as he took in the disheveled, reeking man being restrained by the guards. His gaze snapped to Akame’s pale, frozen face. “That’s your father?” he asked quietly, his tone laced with disgust.Yuji, with a surprising burst of drunken strength, finally shoved the guards off and staggered forward, taking a long swig from a bottle in a brown paper bag."So it's true," Yuji slurred, his bloodshot eyes raking over his daughter with glee. "My little girl hit the jackpot. Billions of dollars. The wealthiest girl in all of Asia. How… iconic."Akame’s lips trembled. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “Father… this is a surprise. I haven’t seen you in years.”"That's because you never tried to look for me!" he roared, spittle flying from his lips. "Your precious grandfather threw me onto the streets like a stray dog! And what did you do?” He jabbed a shaky finger at her. “You stayed in his warm lap! You abandoned your own father!”Barry’s jaw tightened as he

A soft knock sounded on the shoji screen of the ryokan's most luxurious suite."Enter," a gruff voice called from within.Akame slid the door open and stepped inside. Her father, Yuji, was seated on a cushion before a low table laden with the remnants of a lavish meal and several empty sake bottles. He was currently pouring himself another cup, his movements unsteady.Akame knelt on the tatami mat a few feet away, her back straight and her hands folded delicately in her lap. She bowed her head deeply."Father," she said, her voice soft. "Welcome home. I... I have missed you."Yuji grunted, not looking at her as he downed the cup of sake. "Missed me? Is that so?" he slurred. "You have a strange way of showing it, living in luxury while your father scrapes by in the gutters.""I did not know where you were," she pleaded gently. "But you are here now. I am so glad." She took a careful breath. "Father... I can see you are in pain. I want to help you. I can get you the best doctors, the