Mitsui Kenji's hesitation to answer directly stemmed from his wariness of the Shinto Priest Manjyo, fearing he might be setting a trap.
Upon hearing Mitsui Kenji's counter-question, Shinto Priest Manjyo inwardly cursed him as an "old fox" before replying with a smile.
"Understood, understood. Such a grave insult naturally calls for seeking back one's honor."
After saying this with a chuckle, Shinto Priest Manjyo's smile faded slightly as he asked Mitsui Kenji,
"Mitsui, then, will you make a move on the day?"
Whether Mitsui Kenji would act was what Shinto Priest Manjyo truly cared about!
For Mitsui Kenji was not the only old fox present!
At this moment, Shinto Priest Manjyo was also wary of Mitsui Kenji.
After all, he worried that on the day they cornered the challenger, Mitsui Kenji might show up but refuse to participate.
Even more concerning was the possibility that after they had worked hard to eliminate the challenger, Mitsui Kenji would swoop in for the spoils and eliminate him instead!
Upon hearing Shinto Priest Manjyo's question, a slightly awkward smile appeared on Mitsui Kenji's face!
Having dealt with Shinto Priest Manjyo for many years, he naturally understood the latter's intentions.
It was precisely because of this that Mitsui Kenji smiled awkwardly.
Because Shinto Priest Manjyo's deductions were correct; Mitsui Kenji had indeed been thinking that way.
They had known each other for years and understood each other well. Now that his thoughts had been guessed, Mitsui Kenji naturally could not admit it.
However, he couldn't directly tell the truth or lie.
Thus, he gave a dry chuckle to Shinto Priest Manjyo and said something ambiguous.
"If you all prove useless, then I will certainly make a move."
"If you all can't handle it, only then will I, Mitsui Kenji, step in." This meant, conversely, that as long as you could still fight, I would absolutely not!
Mitsui Kenji did not conceal anything, laying his intentions bare before Shinto Priest Manjyo.
Hearing Mitsui Kenji's words, Shinto Priest Manjyo couldn't help but let out a wry laugh.
"Mitsui, the way you do things seems a bit inappropriate, doesn't it? We are to be comrades fighting side by side that day," Shinto Priest Manjyo said.
As Shinto Priest Manjyo finished speaking, Mitsui Kenji couldn't help but sneer. "This is how I operate. If you have a problem, then I can withdraw from your operation."
"Of course, if I am not on your side, then I cannot guarantee that I won't be on the side of your enemy then."
Mitsui Kenji's statement was filled with implicit threats!
Hearing Mitsui Kenji's words, Shinto Priest Kujo, who was kneeling on the ground and coughing violently, wished he could jump up and fight Mitsui Kenji to the death!
Of course, Shinto Priest Kujo did not do so.
For he knew clearly that before he could even make a move, Mitsui Kenji would sense his actions and eliminate him immediately.
Thus, Shinto Priest Kujo fell silent.
Pretending not to hear anything, he remained kneeling, maintaining his pained demeanor.
While Shinto Priest Kujo could remain silent, Shinto Priest Manjyo could not.
At this moment, Shinto Priest Manjyo was powerless against Mitsui Kenji's arrogance.
After all, he did not want to make another formidable enemy for himself.
"Heh heh, President Mitsui is joking. Actually, this matter is not that complicated."
With no other recourse, Shinto Priest Manjyo could only force a smile and say to Mitsui Kenji, "After all, our combat power that day will be sufficient. President Mitsui's presence there would simply demonstrate the unity and camaraderie of our Sakura Nation martial arts world."
Upon hearing Shinto Priest Manjyo's words, Mitsui Kenji almost burst out laughing.
He had never expected that his casual attempt to scare Shinto Priest Manjyo would lead him to utter words like "unity and camaraderie."
"Yes, you are right. It's settled then!" Mitsui Kenji said, forcing back his laughter.
Then, he turned to leave.
After a few steps, Mitsui Kenji looked down and saw the still coughing Shinto Priest Kujo. Seizing the opportunity, he said to Shinto Priest Manjyo with a smile,
"Tend to this useless fellow's injuries. I don't want us to lose a combatant then."
With that, Mitsui Kenji prepared to depart.
At this moment, Shinto Priest Manjyo, who was filled with resentment, suddenly remembered something!
He hurriedly reached out towards Mitsui Kenji's retreating back and said,
"Wait!"
Mitsui Kenji stopped his steps. He sensed that something was amiss, so he turned back with a frown and asked Shinto Priest Manjyo, "What else is there?"
"It's nothing major," Shinto Priest Manjyo smiled, deliberately adopting a very casual demeanor, and said to Mitsui Kenji.
"I've found Miyamoto's ship. It has already sailed into international waters and is heading towards the Great Xia Kingdom."
Upon hearing Shinto Priest Manjyo's words, Mitsui Kenji's heart immediately tensed!
At this moment, Mitsui Kenji knew that the challenger, Chen Fan, was also the one who had abducted his special experimental subject!
Now, the challenger had left Miyamoto Shenmaru, but there were still people on board Miyamoto Shenmaru!
What did this mean?
It meant that his special experimental subjects must be on the ship!
Mitsui Kenji felt a surge of unease.
"What do you mean?" Mitsui Kenji asked, his gaze filled with suspicion and killing intent, looking at Shinto Priest Manjyo.
At this moment, Mitsui Kenji desperately wanted to know one thing.
That was, why was Shinto Priest Manjyo telling him this?
He could sense a threat, so his tone was not friendly.
Seeing Mitsui Kenji's cold gaze, Shinto Priest Manjyo felt a chill in his heart.
"It means nothing. It's just a gesture of reciprocity."
Uncomfortably shifting his shoulders, Shinto Priest Manjyo chuckled and said to Mitsui Kenji,
"If you wish, I can have the Prime Minister order a military exercise over there, which would completely obliterate Miyamoto's ship. All those on board would fall into the hands of you, President Mitsui, without a single survivor."
Having said that much, Shinto Priest Manjyo had made his intentions very clear.
That is to say—
He could definitely arrange for a military exercise.
But whether the people would end up in your hands was uncertain.