Chapter 1801 - "Death's Toll: Tokyo's Grim Night"
In this moment, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
The Chief of the Police Department finally breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing that Takehiko Ito had been taken to the hospital and was out of danger.
He took out a cigarette, tapped it upside down on the pack to make it tighter, then lit it with a lighter and took a deep drag.
After a moment, he sighed, "Oh well, it seems this eerie day is finally coming to an end..."
Someone nearby hurriedly said, "Chief, the Salvador siblings have not been found yet..."
The Chief of the Police Department immediately snapped, "Can't you stop adding to my troubles? The Salvador siblings are still in a state of life and death!"
He added, "Life and death unknown means we don't know if they are alive or dead, at least we can't confirm any deaths yet. My simple request for tonight is, don't tell me anyone has died, and I'll be satisfied, the rest can wait until tomorrow!"
The person nearby quickly nodded and said, "Chief, you've been working tirelessly for a day and a night, why don't you go home and rest now?"
"Alright." The Chief of the Police Department took a puff of his cigarette and said, "It's time to go home and get some rest."
Just as he was about to leave the Police Department, someone rushed in frantically, blurting out, "Chief, Chief! Something big has happened!"
The Chief of the Police Department was on the verge of losing it, asking urgently, "What's happened now?!"
The person, out of breath, said, "It's the Matsumoto... the Matsumoto family is in trouble!"
The Chief of the Police Department was stunned, "First Shinzhi Takahashi, then Takehiko Ito, now Yoshito Matsumoto, can't people catch a break? Tell me, what happened to Yoshito? Is he still alive?"
To him, as long as people were alive, even if injured or disabled, it didn't matter, his only request was for no more deaths.
The person's face was filled with horror as they said, "Chief, the Matsumoto family is in a big trouble! Over thirty members of the family, all... all dead..."
"What?!"
Upon hearing this, the Chief of the Police Department threw away his cigarette in despair, grabbed his hair tightly with both hands, and exclaimed, "I'm going to lose it!!! What the hell is going on?! Is this the Tokyo I know? How can people keep dying like this?!"
The other person was also extremely distraught, blurting out, "Tonight, a huge fire suddenly broke out in the Matsumoto family. After the firefighters extinguished the fire, they found all the Matsumoto family members lying neatly in the living room, burned beyond recognition. This is clearly a case of murder followed by arson, the scene was beyond gruesome, many firefighters ended up in the hospital from vomiting!"
Upon hearing this, the Chief of the Police Department felt his blood pressure skyrocket, muttering curses under his breath, "I... I... I..."
Before he could finish his sentence, everything went black before his eyes, and he completely passed out.
...
At the same time in the ancient city of Kyoto.
Charlie and Nanako strolled through the snow for a long time.
During their walk, Nanako told Charlie that since she was injured and came to Kyoto for recuperation, she had been staying inside the mansion without going out, so she really wanted to take a walk outside.
So, Charlie took her hand and quietly sneaked out of the Ito mansion, walking hand in hand on the streets of Kyoto.
Chapter 1802 - "From Tea to Tae Kwon Do: Nanako's Journey"
Nanako had a lot on her mind that she wanted to share with Charlie, but didn't know where to start. So, she began to confide in Charlie about her childhood and past.
Despite being born into a wealthy family, Nanako's childhood was far from happy.
Her mother passed away early, and although her father didn't remarry, it couldn't fill the void in Nanako's childhood.
Moreover, her father, Takehiko, was always busy with work, leaving very little time for Nanako. His serious and stern nature meant Nanako lacked a lot of affection during her childhood.
Nanako's mother was a refined lady, so she raised Nanako in a very traditional way. Nanako learned tea ceremony, painting, embroidery, and other feminine skills from her mother since she was young, even delving into literature and poetry. It can be said that the graceful side of her character was inherited from her mother.
However, after her mother's passing, Nanako developed an interest in martial arts. She found solace in martial arts, using it as a temporary escape from the sadness and unhappiness in her life.
Initially, she practised martial arts to avoid reality, but over time, she grew to genuinely love it.
After sharing her story, Nanako turned to Charlie and asked, "Charlie, can you tell me about your childhood?"
Charlie chuckled softly, "My childhood... it was two extremes. I had a good life before the age of eight, with loving parents, wealth, and no worries about food and clothing. But when I was eight, my parents had an accident and passed away. I ended up on the streets as an orphan and grew up in a welfare institution."
"Ah?!" Nanako, surprised and somewhat heartbroken, said, "I'm sorry, Charlie, it wasn't intentional..."
Charlie smiled faintly, "It's alright, no need to apologize."
Reflecting, Nanako remarked, "In that case, my childhood was much happier than yours, Charlie. Although my father is strict and not very expressive, deep down, he cares for me a lot. It's just that his way of showing it is not as gentle..."
Finishing, Nanako looked at Charlie and earnestly said, "Charlie, the conflict between you and my father, I've heard about it from Koichi before. I pretended not to know because I didn't want you to feel awkward. But in truth, my father is not a bad person. If there's a chance, I hope you two can reconcile and become friends..."
Deep down, what Nanako truly wanted to say wasn't about wanting Charlie and her father to be friends.
In her heart, she dreamt of them having a genuine father-in-law and son-in-law relationship.
However, knowing that Charlie was already married, she kept these thoughts hidden deep within, never to be spoken aloud.
At that moment, Charlie didn't dwell on it much and simply nodded, "If the opportunity arises, I will."
Nanako immediately brightened up and sincerely said, "That would be wonderful! But Charlie, please don't misunderstand me. I hope you and my father become friends not because of the 4.5 billion dollars, that money should be kept by you, not given to my father!"
Charlie couldn't help but laugh and asked her, "Why are you being so generous? 4.5 billion dollars is not a small sum!"
Blushing, Nanako whispered, "It's okay, Charlie, you saved my life and healed my injuries. Consider this money as a token of gratitude from my father to you!"
Charlie burst into laughter, saying, "If your dad finds out, he'll probably be half angry at you."
Sticking out her tongue, Nanako was about to speak when her phone suddenly vibrated.
Puzzled, she mused, "Who would call me at this late hour? Could it be the maid noticing I've escaped?"
Quickly pulling out her phone, she exclaimed in surprise, "Oh, it's Father!"
Chapter 1803 - "A Father's Call"
Nanako was taken aback by her father's late phone call.
Feeling a bit nervous, she said to Charlie, "Charlie, I need to take my father's call..."
Charlie nodded, smiling, "Go ahead."
Nanako hurriedly answered the call, cautiously asking, "Father, why are you calling so late? Is everything okay in there?"
On the other end of the line, Takehiko's weak voice came through, "Nanako, Dad had a bit of an accident. I called to make sure you're safe. Is everything okay in Kyoto?"
Concerned, Nanako asked, "Dad, what happened to you?! Is it serious?!"
Takehiko explained, "Koichi and I were being chased. Luckily, we managed to escape, but I'm worried they might target you. That's why I called to check on you."
At this moment, Takehiko was lying in the intensive care unit of a Tokyo hospital, surrounded by the family's ninjas, bodyguards, and Tokyo Metropolitan Police officers, who had tightly secured the hospital.
Despite superficially appearing unharmed, Takehiko's legs below the knees were completely gone, with thick bandages wrapped around the ends of his thighs.
After falling from a viaduct, Takehiko's brain and internal organs were relatively unharmed, but his legs bore the brunt of the impact and were severely injured.
His feet, ankles, and lower leg bones were almost completely shattered, presenting a gruesome sight.
Given the extent of the damage, doctors concluded that his legs had no chance of recovery and faced a high risk of infection.
Therefore, immediate amputation of the severely damaged parts was necessary to save Takehiko's life.
For the average person, once a significant amount of body tissue dies, it is unlikely to regenerate.
Severe limb injuries, if left untreated, would quickly lead to systemic infection and eventual death.
When doctors consulted Takehiko about the amputation, he barely hesitated.
In critical moments, he could make clear judgments about his circumstances.
To him, surviving was already a stroke of luck, and refusing amputation could have cost him his life.
Apart from his daughter, nothing else mattered more than staying alive.
Koichi had a similar fate to Takehiko, undergoing amputation below the knees to survive and was now recovering in the adjacent ward.
Unaware of her father's amputation, Nanako anxiously asked, "Father, are you okay? Are you hurt or in danger?"
Takehiko sighed lightly, reassuring her, "Koichi and I sustained leg injuries, but we're being treated in the hospital. Thankfully, there's no immediate danger to our lives. You can relax."
He added, "The recent situation has been turbulent. Be cautious in Kyoto. I'm arranging for some ninjas to protect you!"
Nanako blurted out, "Father, I want to come back to Tokyo to see you!"
Chapter 1804 - "Drive Through the Night: Tokyo's Call"
Takehiko was busy saying, "Don't come, Tokyo is in chaos right now. In just a day or two, too many people have died. Besides, you're not well, it's better to rest in Kyoto!"
Nanako hurriedly replied, "Father, my injuries have completely healed. You don't need to worry, I will hurry to Tokyo to take care of you!"
Takehiko naturally didn't believe that his daughter's injuries had healed and simply thought Nanako was just comforting him.
So, he sternly said to Nanako, "Naanako, you must listen to me. Stay honestly in Kyoto, don't go anywhere, especially not to Tokyo!"
Nanako wanted to say something, but Takehiko angrily said, "If I find out you dare to secretly come to Tokyo, you won't be my daughter anymore!"
With that, he hung up the phone directly.
Nanako burst into tears instantly, deeply worried about her father's safety. Although she could mostly confirm that her father on the phone didn't seem to be in mortal danger, she couldn't shake off the feeling that her father's injuries were not as trivial as he made them out to be over the phone.
Beside her, Charlie asked her, "Naanako, is your father in trouble?"
"Yes..." Nanako nodded tearfully and said, "Father called saying he's being chased, and now he's in the hospital..."
After speaking, she looked at Charlie, choked up, and said, "Charlie, I'm so worried..."
Charlie couldn't help but console her, "Your father should not be in mortal danger, so you don't need to worry too much."
Nanako shook her head and said, "I'm afraid my father is hiding something from me..."
With that, she looked at Charlie longingly and asked, "Charlie, I want to go back to Tokyo, can you... help me?"
Charlie asked her, "How do you want me to help you?"
Nanako said, "Father won't let me go back. If I tell the household staff, they definitely won't agree, and might even confine me. Since we've already slipped out, I don't want to go back. I hope Charlie can lend me some money. I'll take the first Shinkansen back to Tokyo after daybreak!"
Seeing her urgent expression, Charlie sighed lightly and said, "It's just past midnight now. The Shinkansen will at least have to wait until morning. How about I drive you back? It'll only take about three hours if we're quick."
"Really?!" Nanako looked at Charlie excitedly and blurted out, "Charlie, are you really willing to drive me to Tokyo?"
Charlie smiled slightly, "I've already said it, would I lie to you?"
Nanako said, "But... But doesn't Charlie have important matters in Osaka? If you take me to Tokyo, will it delay your business in Osaka?"
"It's fine." Charlie said calmly, reassuring her, "Don't worry about me. Someone is helping me with things in Osaka. The most urgent thing now is to get you back to Tokyo to see your father, so you don't have to worry about him all the time."
Nanako grabbed Charlie's hands, extremely grateful, and kept thanking him, "Charlie, I'm so grateful..."
Charlie said, "Alright, let's not be too polite. My car is parked nearby, let's leave now."
"Okay!" Nanako nodded repeatedly, looking at Charlie with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.
At this moment, in her eyes, Charlie was the hero sent by the heavens to save her...
Chapter 1805 - "Uncertain Luck"
Late at night, Charlie drove his car, carrying Nanako, speeding back to Tokyo.
Midway, Isaac called Charlie, asking if he had finished his business and when he would return to Osaka.
Charlie told him that he wouldn't be able to return for a while, estimating that he would only be able to go back by the next day.
Isaac didn't know what exactly was going on with Charlie, but he knew Charlie was extremely powerful, and no one in Japan should be able to threaten him, so he felt relieved.
Nanako, sitting in the passenger seat, appeared nervous all the way. Even though Takehiko assured her over the phone that he was not in danger, Nanako still had some lingering worries.
After more than three hours, Charlie drove back to Tokyo and parked at the entrance of the best hospital in Tokyo, the University of Tokyo Hospital.
This hospital is the highest-ranked hospital in Japan globally, representing Japan's top medical treatment standards.
Once the car was parked, Nanako couldn't wait to get out of the car. Before getting out, she looked at Charlie and asked, "Charlie, would you come up with me?"
Charlie felt a bit awkward and replied, "Your father probably doesn't want to see me, right?"
Nanako earnestly said, "Charlie, you saved my life. Even if there were misunderstandings and conflicts, I believe my father would no longer hold any grudges!"
After a brief moment of contemplation, Charlie said, "Alright, I'll go with you."
In reality, Charlie's thoughts were simple. After all, Takehiko was Nanako's father. If his health was really in serious trouble, perhaps he could help in some way.
The two arrived at the intensive care unit floor and found the area crowded with people from the Ito family and a small group of members from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's special forces team.
When the elevator doors opened, everyone looked alertly at the elevator, only to find Nanako and a stranger, leaving them all surprised.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman hurried over, astonished, and asked, "Nanako, why are you here?!"
The woman speaking was Emi Ito, Takehiko's younger sister and Nanako's aunt.
Upon seeing her, Nanako quickly bowed and asked, "Auntie, how is Father doing?"
Emi's expression showed a hint of sorrow as she sighed and said, "Brother's vital signs are stable. The doctors say he's out of immediate danger, but..."
Nanako anxiously asked, "But what?!"
Sighing, Emi continued, "Brother's legs were severely injured. In order to save his life, the doctors had to amputate his legs below the knees. For the rest of his life, he may have to use a wheelchair or prosthetics..."
"Oh?!" Tears welled up in Nanako's eyes.
Hearing about her father's leg amputation, she naturally felt immense heartache.
She knew her father's personality well, always strong and resilient. To see such a strong-willed person spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair was indeed a heavy blow.
It was like her mentor, Kazuki Yamamoto, who dedicated his life to martial arts but never expected to be crippled due to underestimating Charlie's strength. The once skilled martial artist now struggled to live in bed, a blow that could be considered fatal.
At this moment, even Charlie couldn't help but frown.
Takehiko's luck, whether it was good or bad, was truly uncertain.
If we talk about his bad luck, he at least managed to hold onto his life. Otherwise, by now, he might have been separated from Nanako in life and death.