Hollywood Zenith

[Tokyo, Japan]

The Emperor sat in the garden inside the Imperial Palace with his favorite grandchild, Princess Kako. She was holding the book that Samuel gave her as a present.

The original copy of the picture book had an authentic drawing about the Hobbit universe. He promised to gift her the first copy of the book during his visit.

She had already gone through the book countless times, but she would find something she had missed each time. Samuel made it so readers of the book would appreciate the details and hard work put into it.

There were also teasers regarding the upcoming Lord of the Rings book, as some of the characters were mentioned in the picture book, which was not present in the original Hobbit.

Emperor watched the flowers sway in the wind, but it was disrupted by the Princess.

" Grandpa, one more time. I promise I will not ask again."

" We just finished it a few minutes ago. Do you like it that much?"

" Yes, it is my favorite book."

" Don't tell me you are neglecting your studies?"

" No, I already finished my homework."

" Good. Where do you want to start?"

" The beginning!"

" Ah, ok."

He went over the whole book with her, guiding her through the story with his voice. She loved how accurately grandpa would narrate the scenes. He closed the book after finishing it.

" I feel like I could recite the whole book blindfolded if I read it one more time." He thought in his mind.

" Samuel-sama is so incredible. Mother told me that he is going to be an actor."

" Is that so?"

" Yes, he will play the main character from one of my favorite books: Harry Potter."

" I thought this was your favorite?"

" It is, but this is my favorite. I like both of them."

Emperor had also learned about it yesterday. He was surprised at first because Samuel didn't strike him as someone who would want to be in the entertainment industry. He had known about him learning acting, but he thought it was just a hobby.

Wealthy people often have such hobbies, or they would be perpetually bored in their life.

" Samuel-sama can write books; he could also act and fight. Isn't that amazing? He could do anything."

Emperor felt a chill running down his spine; her obsession with Samuel could become misplaced if she went down further.

" It is okay. Your grandfather could do it much better. You were not born then, but everyone feared grandpa's name."

" Is it different now? Father told me he had never seen someone like Samuel-sama. Even his family is very powerful." This made the Emperor flinch.

" We are a 'royal' family, one of the oldest in the world. Just like the elves that you read about in the book. Isn't that better?"

" Hmm, who is more powerful then?"

Emperor was at a loss for words; he dug himself into a corner and refused to admit the reality. He couldn't accept that they were stronger than the Rothschild in front of his grandchild.

" W-we are much stronger! You will know when you grow up."

" Yes, I want to grow up fast. So, that I could meet Samuel-sama on my own!" She dropped another bombshell.

" W-why do you say that? You have e-everything here. You don't have to go to his country."

Princess squinted her eyes as she looked suspiciously at the old man.

" Grandpa, you are acting weird."

Thus began another set of back and forth as Emperor tried to hide his mistakes. As much as he hated to admit it, someday, when the time comes, She will definitely tread outside the country, exploring the world. But that doesn't mean that he would be willy-nilly about it.

He will do everything in his power to change her mind.

-------------------------------------------

[ Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan ]

Far from the city in the woods lies the home of the third largest Yakuza organization, Kiyama-clan. They had approximately five thousand active members, excluding their members in financial sectors.

The Yakuza home was a large compound heavily guarded twenty-four-seven days a week. It was the home of the syndicate's boss, who was interested in several crimes worldwide; he had to be cautious.

Inside the inner courts, an old man sat surrounded by his men.

" Sir, this is the latest development. The kid made a public appearance for the first time in history, but the irony is that no one knows his true identity." a senior advisor presented the photos to the old man.

" Is it confirmed that this is the boy?"

" Yes sir, I have also asked our people who were present during that incident."

" He doesn't look like what I imagined." One person from the group said.

" Yet, how come he managed to do that to my cutie-pie? Do you think ordinary people could take her on?" The old man said with a stern voice.

" I am sorry, boss, I misspoke."

" It's ok. A lion would not take in a sheep. You have to remember his background."

" Haah!" everyone shouted in unison.

" Is she still the same?"

" Yes, the young lady has been practicing constantly. So much so that she lost all her weight--, no, she gained some muscles." He changed his words mid-sentence. The old man would have retaliated if he had called his granddaughter fat.

" Maybe it is good for her. Keep collecting more information; I want to see how far he could push her."

Everyone gave an affirmative response to his command.

Outside the compound in an empty plot of land, a young girl could be seen practicing her sword. She was swinging it up and down without rest. She was drenched in sweat but her eyes showed her firm determination.

" I will definitely beat you!" She only had one thought in her head.

One of her attendants came in to inform her about the news. She asked her to relay any information they found on Samuel so she could keep up with him. Knowing the enemy was the first step to defeating it.

" That's impossible. Why is he wasting his time like this?" Aika held the picture in his hand, which read the casting news about the movie.

" I don't know, miss. I sneaked in a copy when they discussed it, but I am certain I heard them talk about it. It must be true."

" Good work. Keep at it; if you find anything else, just tell me." the attendant bowed and excused herself. Aika was purposefully kept in the dark regarding Samuel's matters, so she had to employ other tactics to get the news.

" Don't think I would go easy on you the next time we meet. I am looking forward to it." Aika thought before she started training again. She smiled viciously, like a predator, when it looked at its prey as he looked forward to their future reunion.