It wasn’t the ti to just sit around waiting for Kim Hakgwon’s call.
“Hyung, check the stock and futures markets. Get in touch with the Arican firms too, and monitor the Korean market. The U.S. markets won’t open for a while yet, so there shouldn’t be much impact, but you never know.”
Han Kyungyeong nodded, grabbed his laptop, and went into the other room. I turned to Manager Ma to discuss our next move.
“Contact Black Secret. Tell them to focus on tracking Choi Sun-man’s movents and the military’s response. If they detect any suspicious activity... proceed as planned.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I ordered that if any sign of movent appeared, they were to destroy every piece of data that could be linked to .
Anything that could beco a weakness.
After giving instructions for so ti, I checked my wristwatch. Not long left until my eting with Koizumi.
It was ti to head out.
“Let’s get ready to go.”
We got into the car and drove to the eting place with the Pri Minister.
While on the way, I reviewed the materials again, organizing what I needed to say.
“Boss.”
I looked up at Manager Ma’s voice.
“We’re being tailed.”
“Tailed? How many?”
“About two teams, I’d say.”
“Hmm...”
So, Daedonghoe had started keeping tabs on , huh?
“What do you want to do?”
“There’s no benefit in letting them see eting Koizumi. Shake them off.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Manager Ma gave instructions through the radio, and the car imdiately changed direction.
What would normally take twenty minutes ended up taking nearly forty before we reached the rendezvous point.
Behind a modest wooden gate stood a large mansion.
I got out of the car and rang the bell. A woman in a kimono appeared.
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk?”
I nodded, and she bowed deeply.
“Please, this way.”
Following her, I walked slowly along a beautifully maintained Japanese garden.
We stopped in front of a large room.
“The Pri Minister will arrive shortly. If you need anything, please call .”
Leaving those words behind, she quietly left the room.
Still kneeling, she slid the door shut so carefully that not even a sound escaped.
I clicked my tongue softly. Koizumi really had a taste for theatrics, didn’t he?
Left alone, my gaze naturally wandered out through the large window to the garden beyond.
I quietly admired it while waiting for him.
A few minutes later, the sound of commotion outside signaled Koizumi’s arrival.
When the door opened, his expression didn’t look particularly good.
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, Pri Minister. It has.”
“Were you admiring the garden?”
“It’s a beautifully kept garden.”
“Haruki—she tends to it as a hobby.”
So the woman from earlier was nad Haruki. But wasn’t his wife Miyamoto Kayoko?
“I see. I almost want to hire her to manage mine as well.”
“Don’t even think about it. She’s my woman.”
The possessiveness in his tone made it clear—she wasn’t his wife.
Disgust welled up inside, but I simply smiled politely.
After a brief exchange of greetings, we sat facing each other.
Almost imdiately, the door opened again and Haruki entered, carrying a tray of Japanese confections and a tea set.
She knelt and began preparing the tea with practiced grace.
Koizumi looked at her with affectionate eyes before turning to .
“I’ve prepared good tea. Let’s enjoy so sweets while it brews.”
He gestured toward the wagashi.
I didn’t refuse and picked one up, placing it in my mouth.
Seeing that, Koizumi smiled and took one himself.
We ate in silence. A few monts later, Haruki placed teacups before us, then quietly gathered the tray and dishes before leaving again—backing out of the room so quietly it was almost eerie.
Still such a tasteless display.
“Please, try it.”
I lifted the teacup with both hands and inhaled the fragrance.
“Excellent.”
A bright smile spread across Koizumi’s face at my complint.
I savored the flavor, finishing the tea in three sips before setting down the cup.
“Now, let’s talk.”
I’d played along enough. eting my eyes, Koizumi nodded slightly.
“Thanks to Mr. Han Kyungyeong’s cooperation, things went smoothly. Though the bureaucrats had so complaints.”
“The Ministry of Finance bureaucrats are giving you trouble, I suppose?”
“Haha...”
Koizumi just laughed awkwardly without replying.
I could guess well enough how rough it was for him—his pale face and evasive manner said it all.
Even a man like him, infamous for being unyielding, looked worn down.
“I’ve shown my sincerity. Now tell what you intend to do.”
True to his reputation for directness, Koizumi didn’t mince words.
“I’ve looked into Daedonghoe. Quite ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) an interesting organization.”
Koizumi asked curiously, “What do you think?”
“If left alone, they’d be of no benefit to . But I think they’re even more at odds with you.”
“Correct. I cannot tolerate those who remain shackled to the past. It’s ti to move forward to the future.”
I almost laughed.
All that lofty rhetoric, when he was only opposing them to protect his own power.
“From the second leader onward, they took a hardline stance—Kodama Yoshio, specifically.”
Koizumi nodded gravely.
“He’s long dead, but even in death, his influence lingers.”
Not many knew it, but Kodama Yoshio was Japan’s shadow fixer—political, financial, and far-right all rolled into one.
“I heard he personally appointed the third leader, Daigo Tadashige. He’s the current head of Daedonghoe.”
I recalled the man’s face from Jessica’s dossier.
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“Good. That makes things easier. Is there a way to stop Daedonghoe? I can’t help but feel that today’s small-scale skirmish between North and South Korea was their doing—a pretext to mobilize the Self-Defense Forces.”
Koizumi brought up the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.
I had to answer cautiously.
“That’s a stretch. Kim Jongil isn’t the type to take orders from anyone.”
“Is that so? I don’t know anymore. Everything seems like their conspiracy now. Even those around —I can’t help wondering if they’re Daedonghoe’s hands and feet.”
So that was it. His haggard face wasn’t just from bureaucratic pressure—he was living under constant paranoia.
“I understand. It’s hard to know whom to trust. Even coming here, I was followed the mont I left my hotel.”
“What? Followed? You an you were tailed?”
I nodded slightly.
“I shook them off, but I’m guessing it was Daedonghoe. They must’ve known I’d entered Japan.”
At that, Koizumi exhaled in relief.
“Ah... thank goodness. Does anyone else know you’re eting ?”
“Only Han Kyungyeong. No one else. There’s no reason to tell anyone, right?”
Neither of us had anything to gain from letting this eting be known.
“Indeed. Many in Japanese politics still despise you. The business world outright curses your na.”
“Hah. It was Japan’s governnt that provoked first. I wouldn’t have done anything otherwise.”
“But still...”
I cut him off calmly.
“It’s ridiculous for the one who threw the first punch to act offended. I rely retaliated. If I’d been powerless, my people might have been killed in Japan. And now they hate and curse for fighting back?”
“······.”
Koizumi fell silent at the implicit ntion of the Eva bombing.
Speechless, he just rubbed the teacup in front of him.
“Well, I’m not interested in cozying up to Japanese politicians anyway. But if anyone threatens or those around , I won’t stand by.”
“I had nothing to do with that incident. You know I intervened to diate, don’t you?”
“I know. That’s why I’m sitting here with you now. Let’s leave the past behind and talk about the future.”
Before things could get heated again, I shifted the subject. No point in trading resentnt.
“Very well. Then please explain your plan.”
Naturally, Koizumi wanted to hear what I had in mind.
When I gave him a dry look, he cleared his throat.
“My ability to act is limited. It’s difficult to move unnoticed here in Japan. Their eyes are everywhere. Do you know how carefully I had to move just to et you today?”
“Is it that bad?”
“Embarrassingly, yes.”
He must’ve suffered quite a bit. I looked at him sympathetically.
“Even so, you’ll have to move.”
“Of course. If you move, I’ll coordinate from inside and lend my support. Now, tell your plan.”
He pressed again, and I finally spoke.
“I’m sorry to say this, but Japan needs to be thrown into confusion first. Daedonghoe’s subordinate networks include yakuza, right?”
“Yes, most of the yakuza are connected to Daedonghoe.”
“Then there’s going to be a conflict between the yakuza and foreign drug organizations.”
Koizumi looked puzzled.
“That happens all the ti.”
“This will be on a completely different scale. Practically a war. Many people may die.”
The word war made his face go pale.
“You an... this incident too...?”
I shook my head.
No need to tell him everything. He was just a piece on the board I’d set.
“It’s just intel I ca across. I have no power over criminal groups. You know the yakuza deal in drugs, right? It’s probably just a turf war over narcotics profits. The Russian mafia and Chinese triads have joined forces, targeting Japan—the biggest market in Asia. The operation starts right after the World Cup. That’s all I know.”
“······.”
Koizumi’s expression grew complicated, as if weighing his options. Before he could think too much, I called to him in a low voice.
“Pri Minister.”
“Yes?”
“This works to our advantage. With the mainland in turmoil, the Self-Defense Forces can’t afford to look outward. Under your authority, you can deploy them for internal security. And when the opportunity arises, assign crucial positions to people who will follow your lead. It all depends on how you use this chance.”
Technically, the Self-Defense Forces weren’t a military force.
Officially, they were an internal security agency—deployed when police power proved insufficient.
Of course, anyone could see they were a military by another na.
Japan had no army by law, but it did have land, sea, and air power.
“Hmm... Still, an incident of that scale would inevitably affect my approval rating. I want to stay in office. That’s why I’m opposing Daedonghoe in the first place. But this alone won’t stop them. They’ll move ahead with their plan regardless.”
He made it clear—his opposition to Daedonghoe was all about maintaining power.
At least he was honest.
“Perhaps. But if people connected to the yakuza die during the conflict, would that really spark public outrage?”
Surprise flickered across Koizumi’s face.
I smiled faintly and continued.
“Daigo Tadashige, for instance. He has deep ties with the yakuza, doesn’t he? In a war, there are always stray bullets. Don’t you agree, Pri Minister?”
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