After all, this wasn't truly his affair. It was the Mugen Tenshin Clan's affair.
Warning them to this extent was already the limit of what he could do.
After thinking for another moment, he continued,
"Also, seek help from the Shiranui-ryū. Although they've declined, they still have enough land to shelter the Mugen Tenshin ninjas. You should take the children from the village there as soon as possible. If necessary, you can exchange some of the secret scrolls in return."
Strictly speaking, Momiji isn't a member of the Mugen Tenshin Clan.
But because she lived nearby and served as a shrine maiden who often assisted the anti-demon ninjas with their rituals, so she's practically considered part of the village.
That was also how Ryu Hayabusa had come to know her.
"I understand!"
Only after hearing Ryu say they could exchange their secret scrolls for the Shiranui-ryu's assistance did Momiji truly realize how terrifying the situation was.
Although Ryu had already reached the level of a grandmaster, for a ninja village, handing over its secret scrolls was almost the same as handing over its life.
She glanced helplessly at Kasumi, who still had no idea how serious the situation had become, then quickly left.
After observing Kasumi for a while longer, Ryu also set off at high speed toward DOATEC's headquarters.
Earlier, he had overheard that the man named Rugal intended to meet with Douglas.
He wanted to hear what they were going to discuss.
By the time Ryu arrived at DOATEC headquarters, Douglas and Rugal had already met.
Rugal looked at Douglas and his illegitimate daughter Helena standing behind him. Although he inwardly sneered at Douglas for putting his illegitimate daughter in such a prominent position, he didn't show it.
Even so, he wasn't especially polite.
After exchanging a few formal greetings, he had his secretary hand a document to Douglas.
Douglas opened it and glanced through the contents.
His scalp immediately went numb.
The document contained virtually all of the intelligence Rugal had gathered on DOATEC, especially the information concerning the traitors' Fighter Project.
His expression instantly darkened.
"Mr. Rugal... what exactly is the meaning of this?"
Douglas stared at him with a gloomy expression.
Veteran tycoons like Rugal never acted without purpose. Once they made a move, it was always because they expected something in return.
"Mr. Douglas, this... is a gesture of sincerity."
Rugal leaned back casually on the sofa. His gaze drifted to Douglas's daughter, Helena.
Her expression was noticeably calmer than her father's, and she truly was a beautiful woman.
If becoming stronger weren't his highest priority, he might even have tried to pursue her.
"Sincerity?"
Douglas sneered, not believing him at all. But he wasn't afraid either. Although he was nouveau riche, he wasn't afraid of these old established families making a move against him.
"Yes, sincerity."
Rugal took a deep breath.
"I'll sell you most of my communications-related shares and businesses at below-market prices. I'll also help you obtain legal support from the United Nations, Congress, and most of the states. In exchange, you will hand over all of DOATEC's research projects related to cloning to me. You don't need to worry about whether the people involved are traitors or not. You only need to transfer the shares to me. After that, no matter what happens, it will have nothing to do with your DOATEC."
He interlaced his fingers and proposed terms that greatly surprised Douglas, because such conditions were practically charity.
Douglas simply couldn't understand why Rugal would make such a deal, and Helena, standing behind him, couldn't understand either.
"What exactly are you thinking, Rugal?"
Rugal chuckled. He couldn't help thinking that a third-rate family really was a third-rate family. They couldn't even understand why he was doing this.
"Because of power. Although these clone soldiers may seem weak to you, that's actually only because your technology is incomplete. For me, they're necessary... And, Douglas, have you ever heard of the Demon Realm? Do you believe gods exist in this world?"
Rugal stared intensely at Douglas.
In the past, Douglas would have thought there was something wrong with Rugal's head.
But now, he didn't. Because he had truly suffered punishment in Hell. If it weren't for Ryuji, he would still be atoning for his sins there!
"I do. Rugal, I believe gods exist in this world, and I also believe Hell exists. But what does that have to do with our business?"
Douglas genuinely couldn't understand.
"Because I want to kill a god."
Rugal's expression became ferocious.
Goenitz's contempt for him, along with the fact that the Hakkesshu and Orochi still stood on his path to becoming the strongest, filled him with rage.
Because right now, he truly couldn't defeat Goenitz.
"...Kill a god?"
"To put it simply, I need everything your company seized from the Mugen Tenshin Clan. Because among the things you took, there is information related to demons and gods..."
Rugal looked at Douglas and spoke each word clearly.
Hearing this, Ryu, who was eavesdropping outside, almost felt the urge to kill Rugal on the spot. But Rugal's next words made him freeze.
"Because we're going to cooperate, I looked into some information and discovered that the disaster that occurred not long ago was caused by something known as the Archfiend (Demon King). During that disaster, it's said that there was an Archfiend powerful enough to destroy the world. I didn't pay much attention to it before, but after following the clues and investigating the Mugen Tenshin Clan, I discovered even more."
Rugal paused.
"Ryu Hayabusa! A ninja who single-handedly slaughtered countless monsters! He may even have truly killed a god! And his clan has been allied with the Mugen Tenshin Clan for generations. Historically, the two clans have been evenly matched! Douglas, you have indeed found a good place."
Hearing this, Douglas finally understood why Rugal was being so generous.
What Rugal wanted wasn't his guarantee. It was the power of Ryuji standing behind him.
~~~~~~~~~~
You can support me by subscribing on Patreon and read up to 20 chapters ahead.
patreon.com/Ranabir_20