Chapter 474 - HOOKING KAITO

On Martial Island, the sun was shining brightly. The weather had not changed a lot since Kaito became an unwilling resident of the island. Of course, it would frequently rain as it often did during the final months of the year, but the sun would come out almost immediately. 

The missing Kaito was still well and alive, but he was not happy as he faced his grandfather in the study in the old house. Despite his inner feelings, Kaito had a careless smile on his face. But his mind was churning with thoughts as he evaluated Kazuki Iekami. 

The man was not unfamiliar to him because Kaito had been living in the old mansion since the birthday party. Even though he was now a free man on the island and had been for a couple of weeks, his uncle had not fulfilled his promise for his own place.

However, Kaito did not feel short-changed for not getting a house immediately because living in the house helped him understand the island more. Moreover, he came up with a clue that pointed to the answer behind the obsession with martial arts and the championships on Martial Island. 

But he was not sure yet. He was waiting for an opportunity to break the case wide open. His eyes looked at the man before him, and his mind calculated. 

"Kaito, have you thought about what you will do in the future?" His grandfather asked. 

"I have made it clear that I will return to Japan. I do not think that I belong on the Martial Island." Kaito said with that same smile. 

"Are you sure? At the Iekami Clan, we do not restrict our members. It is fine if you show up for our internal and external championships. Apart from that, you can come and go as you please. And you will receive benefits." The older man said meaningfully. 

Kaito concealed his thought within his dark eyes. His heart rate remained steady, and his breath did not change. However, he was quite excited because he knew that the old man wanted to reveal the secret concealed from outsiders.

"What benefits could you possibly offer? I have almost everything a normal man dėsɨrės. I am only lacking a fighter robot." Kaito asked. 

The person opposite him behind the large desk looked at Kaito with deep eyes. Kazuki Iekami had grown fond of this grandson since he met him. This young man was not like his other grandchildren who relied on the clan to provide resources and financing. 

If he could describe most of them honestly, he would call them leeches. They suċkėd the lifeblood of the clan and gave nothing in return. Their complacency was the reason they were declining. The children did not put any more effort into cultivating their bodies or learning medicine. 

If they all had the same determination and resilience as Kaito, their family would not be struggling to find a solution for dealing with the crisis on Martial Island. 

In the short period, Kaito was free to move around, and he had taken over the businesses that his mother left. He had a keen eye that identified problems in the operations within moments. He was also not afraid of confronting the older members of the clan who had been using his mother's resources unscrupulously for years. 

And most importantly, he fought a casual match with one of the geniuses of the Iekami clan and defeated him. At that moment, the rest of the clan had stopped trying to make things difficult for Kaito. They realised he was their only hope for remaining among the elite families. 

On Martial Island, the benefits of a family were tied together through the triennial championships. 

"Have you noticed that I look younger than a typical man in his seventies or eighties?" Kazuki looked at Kaito with a strange deepness in his eyes. 

"The cosmetic industry has come quite far since the old days," Kaito said casually. 

"You…" The grandfather was frustrated. "This is not just a cosmetic effect. Even my internal body condition is vibrant. I do not suffer the aches and pains of old age. My mind is keen and sharp, and I can jump around and fight." 

Kaito hid a glint in his eyes. "What does that have to do with the benefits that you are offering?" 

"Stop being deliberately obtuse." The old man banged a hand on the desk. "I am saying that you will get the same if you become part of the clan completely. You can live a long life and enjoy everything it offers to its fullest, just like others on Martial Island." 

Kaito already knew that the secret of Martial Island had something to do with a prolonged life. His current interest was not just the vague details he could guess. He wanted to know the specific method. He did not believe his uncle's story about cultivation manuals and secret inheritances. 

"How long can I live if I accept your deal?" He asked because he did not want to seem overly eager about the specific secret. 

The old man showed a smug expression. "You have already met your great-grandfather. Don't you think he looks great for someone hitting a hundred years? He will remain in a good condition for twenty or so years with the right care. Depending on the strength of a person, people on Martial Island can survive up to one hundred and fifty years." 

Kaito was a little shocked. It was not the same as immortality, but this matter was unheard of. Even an exceptionally healthy person would not survive past one hundred and ten years in the regular world. Furthermore, their faculties would be diminished. 

Kaito leaned with shining eyes towards his maternal grandfather. This was the appropriate reaction if one heard such a mighty secret. If he continued acting disinterested, the man would think that he had some strange motives. 

"How exactly does it work?" Kaito asked in a conspiratorial voice. 

The old man crossed his arms over his ċhėst with satisfaction. He believed that he had finally hooked the fish. He could not allow the young man to escape when he was the hope for their clan. It was a risky move, telling him about this matter. 

However, it was necessary. 

Over the past few days, he had noticed that Kaito was involved in managing his mother's businesses, but he truly did not show attachment to anything. It was expected. By all standards, he was already quite wealthy in the outside world. 

He was content and did not have to struggle for survival.

The one thing that a person could not guarantee for themselves was a long and healthy life. Even Kaito, who was indifferent to everything else, had to be attracted to the idea of a good future.