Chapter 3331: Thorny

As the largest ninja clan in Japan, the Iga Ninja had previously participated in the Tokyo Turmoil and were nearly wiped out by Ye Chen's group.

However, they promptly changed direction and pledged loyalty to the Ito family in time, thus avoiding the fate of extermination.

The Tokyo Turmoil was originally an undisclosed large-scale brawl, so after the chaos, the Iga Ninja's allegiance to the Ito family remained unknown to the outside world.

Although the Iga Ninja had nominally pledged loyalty to the Ito family as a delaying tactic without sincere intent, after witnessing Ye Chen's strength on Mount Mount Ye Ling, they became wholly devoted to the Ito family without reservation.

When the Americans found the Iga Ninja, they offered a dark bounty of one billion US dollars. Upon hearing this, Hattori Hanzo, the leader of the Iga Ninja, immediately thought this opportunity to make a fortune was once-in-a-lifetime; if the deal succeeded, it would sustain the entire clan for decades in food, drink, and expenses—naturally, it was an opportunity not to be missed.

However, upon learning that the target was to eliminate Tawana on Mitsui family territory, he immediately abandoned the idea of earning this money, as he clearly understood that the Ito family's eldest daughter, and current head, Ito Nanako, was a close confidante of the Mitsui family's eldest daughter, Mitsui Xinmei.

Hattori Hanzo knew well that he could not, for the sake of money, launch a massacre at the residence of his lord's confidante—not because he did not love money, but because he understood that with Ye Chen present, not even one billion, let alone one hundred billion US dollars, could tempt him to entertain such a treacherous thought; otherwise, it would not merely be a matter of earning money with no life to spend it, but the Iga Ninja might vanish from this world entirely.

Thus, Hattori Hanzo dared not delay and immediately informed Ito Nanako of the matter.

Upon hearing this, Nanako grew deeply concerned for her confidante's safety, especially since she already knew Ye Chen had taken his wife to Tokyo to attend Tawana's concert, so she promptly sought Ye Chen's help.

Although the Mitsui family's wealth could already be described as rivaling a nation, the opposing side had offered a dark bounty of one billion US dollars—an temptation too great to resist, certain to drive countless desperadoes to risk everything.

To many desperadoes, even one hundred thousand US dollars would be worth dying for, let alone one billion.

Ye Chen had not expected that those Americans who wanted Tawana's life would not relent.

Thus, he asked Ito Nanako over the phone: "Nanako, how exactly was this one-billion-US-dollar dark bounty issued?"

Nanako replied: "The one billion US dollars has already been entirely converted into Bitcoin, which is currently held on the largest intermediary trading platform in the underground network. The task requirements have been clearly stated: whoever kills Tawana will receive this one billion US dollars in Bitcoin, even if the killer dies during the suicide act, as long as it can be confirmed that Tawana was killed by them, the money will be recorded in their name and inherited by their legal heirs."

She added: "This platform is highly authoritative in the underground network, having successfully served as intermediary and judge in countless similar incidents, so its credibility is very high. Five percent of this one billion US dollars in Bitcoin will be used to pay the platform's intermediary fee, and the platform will fairly and justly investigate the matter to confirm exactly who killed Tawana. I estimate that many Japanese assassin organizations and even gangster groups have already received the news. Faced with such a tremendous temptation, they will surely fight to the death—even if it means dying alongside Tawana—to secure lifelong wealth and honor for their clans and families."

Ye Chen couldn't help but remark: "This makes things rather thorny, given the high bounty amount and the fact that it remains valid even after death. Many desperadoes would even sacrifice their own lives to secure this huge sum for their families, and even the Mitsui family's bodyguards, upon learning this, might seize an opportunity to kill Tawana when unprepared. To put it bluntly, whether her boyfriend can withstand this temptation remains unknown."

He continued: "Under these circumstances, we cannot seek help from the American embassy or Japanese police, for if someone there wanted to claim this one billion US dollars for their family, Tawana's life would face extreme threat. By comparison, the Mitsui family is relatively safer, as their own people would not care for this one billion US dollars, and they would certainly exert their utmost to protect Tawana's reputation—though whether the Mitsui family actually has the strength to protect Tawana remains uncertain."

"Yes……" Nanako said anxiously: "That's why I came to ask Ye Chen-kun for help……"

Ye Chen asked her: "Then what do you want me to do?"

Nanako replied: "Ye Chen-kun, I hope…… I hope you can protect Xinmei and her family's safety. I just asked Xinmei, and she said Tawana has been staying at her house these days, including tonight. I fear those seeking to earn this one billion US dollars will take desperate risks and strike at the Mitsui residence. As for my relationship with Xinmei, it goes without saying—being her confidante, I do not wish her any harm or trouble. As for Tawana, although I have no personal connection with her, she is currently the most popular female singer. If she were harmed on Mitsui family territory, the Mitsui family would face global blame and attack, so I also hope Ye Chen-kun can protect her safety……"

Saying this, Nanako asked anxiously: "Ye Chen-kun, is my request…… too much……?"

Ye Chen also felt somewhat embarrassed for a moment.

He knew all too well how great the temptation of one billion US dollars was.

It might well be that hundreds or even thousands of people would attempt to storm the Mitsui residence tonight to take Tawana's life.

Although he possessed strength beyond the ordinary, if he had to face an unknown number of enemies alone, self-preservation might still be possible, but protecting Tawana's life while preserving himself would increase the difficulty exponentially, and he had no absolute confidence.

Thus, he asked Nanako: "Nanako, does Hattori Hanzo know which people or organizations the opposing side has informed about this dark bounty?"

Nanako replied: "I asked Hattori Hanzo, and he said he doesn't know either, though the opposing side told him they had already contacted several powerful groups, and competition would be relatively fierce. However, if the Iga Ninja could eliminate Tawana before others, this one billion US dollars would belong exclusively to them; but if other groups acted first, the Iga Ninja would gain nothing, no matter how great their sacrifice."

Ye Chen said: "At least now we can ensure the Iga Ninja will not betray you—so they still have some use."

Saying this, Ye Chen added: "How about this: have Hattori Hanzo bring his people to Tokyo Dome immediately. The Iga Ninja will temporarily obey my orders from today onward. As for Tawana, she should still stay temporarily at the Mitsui residence. If absolutely necessary, I will go to the Mitsui residence tonight to keep watch!"