Going all out was already difficult for most people.
But something even harder than going all out was complete surrender.
Many people could push themselves to the limit, yet still couldn't truly let go.
Sometimes, holding on was easier than releasing.
Sanzenin Mikado was someone capable of both extremes.
He could go all out for the Sanzenin family.
And now, he could surrender just as completely.
When Jaden arrived, inside the main hall of the specially constructed Sanzenin family castle, only Mikado was present. He sat alone beside a long table.
On the table were two wine glasses.
He had been waiting for a long time.
"Sit."
Mikado watched Jaden enter through the main doors. He casually poured wine into both glasses, lifted his own, smiled, and drank it in one go.
Jaden walked to the empty seat and looked at Mikado as he spoke directly.
"Even Otto, who unilaterally declared peace with me, still hides guards out of sight every time we meet."
"Even the Supreme Speaker of the Far East comes alone, yet he's wearing thick protective gear under his clothes."
"They all know those preparations are meaningless against me. If I want them dead, no amount of preparation would matter."
"And yet, they still prepare."
Jaden paused briefly.
"'It never hurts to be careful.' 'I might be ambushed.' They give themselves plenty of reasons, but in the end, it's simple."
"They can't feel safe facing me."
"So even when they know it's useless, they still do everything they can to feel a little more secure."
Jaden smiled faintly as he looked at Mikado.
"You're different from them."
"Did you completely surrender because you realized nothing you did would matter?"
Mikado shook his head.
"No. I simply feel at ease facing you like this."
"You think I won't kill you?"
"Heh... I just feel that even if you did, it wouldn't matter."
Jaden's Observation Haki was already at its peak. Normally, he didn't listen to people's thoughts.
But with Mikado, he did.
He lifted his wine glass, drained it, and shook his head.
"What a devoted subject."
"It's a pity. I'm not the person you imagine, and you don't need to secretly call me 'King' in your heart."
"I'm not your King."
"I'm just me."
Mikado's expression didn't change.
"Who you are is for you to decide. I have no intention of deciding that for you."
"I simply believe you lack information. So I should tell you everything, and then let you make your own decision."
"That is what a subject should do."
"I know you resist this. So just treat it as an old man telling a story."
"Are you willing to listen?"
-I've already heard it.
That was Jaden's thought as his Observation Haki continued to listen.
He casually picked up the wine bottle beside Mikado, poured wine into Mikado's glass, then flicked the top of the bottle with one finger.
The neck of the bottle flew off cleanly, as if cut by a precision blade.
Only the lower half remained.
Jaden lifted it, now wide open.
Arche was a super-province of the Empire. The Far East was a super-province of Daxia. Many of their regulations aligned.
Jaden's current age met the legal drinking age of the Far East.
And if memories were counted, he had lived two lifetimes already.
He had drunk in his previous life.
So now, there was no psychological burden at all.
He wasn't a wine connoisseur, though.
So he simply tipped the bottle up and poured the remaining wine straight into his mouth.
All of it.
Then he leaned back in his chair and gestured casually.
"Go on."
Mikado smiled, drank his own glass, set it down, and began to speak.
"This story goes back a very long time."
"Long before what we now consider recorded human history."
"In that era, which history itself has forgotten, there existed a great kingdom."
"At that time, the Pangea Supercontinent had not yet split. It was a single, massive landmass."
"The center of that great kingdom lay at the heart of Pangea."
"The entire supercontinent was its territory."
"All humans were citizens of that kingdom."
"Because of that, unlike later kings and emperors, the rulers of that era held no elaborate titles."
"They were simply called the King of Man."
Mikado paused briefly.
"But as you can see from the modern world, that great kingdom eventually collapsed and vanished from history."
"Still, it didn't disappear without leaving anything behind."
"That kingdom left behind two clans of subjects loyal to the royal family."
"One was tasked with managing finances and power."
"The other was tasked with preserving the royal bloodline and cultivating talent for the royal family."
His gaze settled on Jaden.
"The clan responsible for finances and power is us."
"The Sanzenin family."
"And the clan responsible for preserving the royal bloodline and cultivating talent is the Tenousu family."
"This arrangement has continued from that era to the present day."
"During this long period, several royal descendants were born."
"But none of them ever wished to restore the kingdom or pursue any grand ambition."
"So, my King..."
"You might believe our reverence means we want something from you."
"But in truth, we are merely subjects."
"The power of choice has always rested entirely with you."
"A subject's role is only to inform the King of the situation and offer suggestions."
"The one who decides is always the King."
"Of course, you can choose to ignore us. That is perfectly acceptable."
"But before that..."
"I hope you will accompany me to the Royal Family's Land of Inheritance."
"The Royal Court City."
"After you see it for yourself and understand everything, you can make your decision."
Jaden looked at Mikado in silence.
With his Observation Haki, he could hear Mikado's thoughts.
Everything he said was true.
Jaden thought for a moment.
Then he recalled what Old Man Atem had told him.
Slowly, he smiled.
"Fine."
"Since you've gone this far, I'll go take a look."
"But if I make my decision afterward and you bother me again..."
"I might get a little aggressive."
Mikado smiled in response.
"As long as you understand everything, my objective will be fulfilled."
"As for the rest..."
"That will, of course, be your decision."