Upon hearing these words, Leo was slightly taken aback. He was somewhat surprised by Maniwa’s offer of peace.
“Leo, you Atrarians often say that harmony is precious. How about we both stop here?” Maniwa’s eyes were filled with hope, and his expression was sincere.
“So, you’re saying the Koken family won’t trouble me anymore?” Leo asked with a faint smile.
“Of course, the Koken family will no longer do anything against you,” Maniwa replied with a smile.
“I have no reason to refuse your goodwill, Miss Maniwa. How about you swear to your Shinto goddess on what you just said?” Leo’s lips curled into a smile.
“This…” Maniwa’s face changed slightly.
The Shinto goddess held a revered position in Orientia, being the sun deity. Most Orientians held deep respect for the Shinto goddess.
Seeing Maniwa’s hesitation, Leo snorted coldly, “Maniwa, stop playing games with me. State your true intentions. Otherwise, I don’t care if you’re a high-level protected investor; I won’t hesitate to let you fall in Atraria.”
Seeing that Leo wasn’t swayed by either soft or hard tactics, Maniwa bit her lip and said, “I want to cooperate with you.”
“Cooperate on what?” Leo raised an eyebrow.
Maniwa glanced at Chad and Fire Rose. “I want to talk to Leo alone…”
“Leo, you two talk. Fire Rose and I will take a walk nearby.”
Chad and Fire Rose tactfully walked away.
“Speak,” Leo stared at Maniwa.
“Leo, have you ever killed a ninja from the Hojo Clan?”
“Yes.”
“Besides that, have you also offended the Rossetti family and the True Martial Sect?”
“Hmph, the Koken family’s intelligence is quite timely. What are you trying to say?”
“I mean… aren’t you afraid of their revenge?”
“I don’t even fear your Koken family. Do you think I’d be afraid of them?” Leo’s words were filled with confidence.
Maniwa paused for a moment. It seemed this guy had always acted recklessly; how could he possibly be afraid?
“Leo, although your strength is formidable, you’re not invincible.”
“In Orientia, upper-level Earth Ninjas are not weaker than you. Moreover, we have Heaven Ninjas. With your current strength, you’re probably not a match for a Heaven Ninja.”
“Maniwa, even if your Koken family has Heaven Ninjas, do you think I’d be scared? You might as well send your Heaven Ninja to Atraria to try!” Leo said disdainfully.
“Leo, you’ve misunderstood me. As far as I know, the Hojo Clan has Heaven Ninjas. If they move against you, it would be difficult for you and the Seven Stars Sword Sect to resist.”
“Maniwa, just get to the point.”
“Leo, don’t you want an ally? The Koken family is willing to ally with you,” Maniwa finally revealed her true intention.
“An alliance, huh.” Leo chuckled lightly as if he had heard something amusing.
“Leo, after forming an alliance, you can set any conditions,” Maniwa continued to offer incentives.
“Really? What are your conditions?” Leo asked playfully.
“To be honest, from my first visit to the Seven Stars Sword Sect, I liked it there. I assume Leo has set up some magical formations there.”
“I want Leo to set up formations in the Koken family’s estate, making it as beautiful as the Seven Stars Sword Sect.”
“Maniwa, you’re really dreaming,” Leo said with a faint smile, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
“Leo, as long as you do this, the Koken family will be your most loyal ally.”
“Do you think I would do that?” Leo countered.
“Leo, my proposal benefits both of us. It’s a win-win situation. I don’t think you’ll refuse.”
“My acceptance depends on the sincerity of your Koken family,” Leo said with a strange smile.
“Sincerity?” Maniwa was slightly stunned. “What else does Leo need from the Koken family?”
“I hate empty words. If you want to show sincerity, eliminate the Hojo Clan,” Leo said flatly.
“What!? Eliminate the Hojo Clan?” Maniwa’s eyes widened in shock at Leo’s demand.
“Leo, that’s impossible!” Maniwa stared at Leo. “The Hojo Clan is one of Orientia’s oldest ninja families. Their strength is not inferior to the Koken family.”
“Even if we go all out against them, the result would likely be mutual destruction. Even if we win by luck, the Koken family would be severely weakened, which is not in our interest.”
To Maniwa, Leo’s proposal was clearly unreasonable.
If the Koken family and the Hojo Clan were mutually destroyed, other major families in Orientia would devour the weakened Koken family.
“If Miss Maniwa lacks sincerity, there’s nothing to discuss,” Leo said coldly.
“Leo, your demand is impossible. It’s not that the Koken family lacks sincerity,” Maniwa’s face turned somewhat grim.
“Impossible?” Leo looked unconvinced. “I think it’s just that you don’t want to do it. I’ll lower my demand: bring me two Earth Ninja heads from the Hojo Clan as a sign of sincerity. How about that?”
“Earth Ninja heads?” Maniwa’s face changed. Did he think Earth Ninja heads were cabbages!?
Moreover, killing two Earth Ninjas from the Hojo Clan was practically declaring war on them.
“Leo, you’re not sincere about cooperating. Your demands are excessive,” Maniwa said angrily.
“I don’t think so,” Leo chuckled lightly, his eyes flashing with mockery. “Because I don’t trust you and don’t want to cooperate with you.”
“I’ve never feared any True Martial Sect, Hojo Clan, or even your Koken family!”
“You… You… Leo, are you playing me!?” Maniwa’s face darkened.
“You were the one who started dreaming first. Maniwa, today I’ll let you go for Chad and Fire Rose’s sake. Next time you try anything against me, don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Leo’s tone was as cold as a knife.
After delivering his warning, Leo glanced at a nearby Honda car and walked away.