Yamamoto gave no imdiate reply when I told him to take responsibility.
“Yamamoto-san. If you have no intention of taking responsibility as the leader, then you shouldn’t shield the subordinate who must. That would be the sa as asking to be the only one making concessions.”
He hesitated, unable to answer readily. Watching him, I spoke in a cold voice.
“No answer? Are you really saying you want to try ? Fine. Let’s do it properly. I’ll show you a real sword dance. Playing emperor in Kobe must have dulled your senses, Yamamoto. To ignore the man who helped you live like an emperor here.”
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
“There won’t be a second ti. Either you take responsibility, or you cut off one of your subordinates. Decide for yourself. My patience isn’t long, and I won’t wait very long either. Think carefully.”
I fixed him with a sharp glare. Yamamoto shrank slightly.
“I’ll stay in Japan for three more days. Decide within that ti and co find . Now get out.”
“You’re leaving just like this?”
Yamamoto asked urgently.
“In this ss? Do you think a proper conversation is possible? I’ll warn you again. If no one takes responsibility within three days, I don’t know what might happen.”
“But since you’ve co all this way, you should at least see the headquarters. We prepared fine liquor as soon as Chunha Group contacted us. Please, co inside.”
His voice had beco almost servile. He was determined to bring into the headquarters.
“I will take responsibility. So please, calm your anger and co inside to talk. You must have had business here, didn’t you?”
“I did. But it’s no longer necessary. I’m not sure I can trust you anymore, Yamamoto.”
“President, I have no ulterior—”
I raised a hand, cutting him off before he could launch into a pitiful excuse.
“Enough with the useless excuses. Make your decision and co find . This is the last opportunity I’m giving you. Think carefully. Since forming the alliance, I have never once demanded anything from its mbers. And the first ti I co in person, this is how you treat . If the alliance hears about this, what do you think will happen? No—forget the alliance. Think about what happens if the public authorities backing you turn their backs right now.”
As I finished speaking, Manager Ma stepped out and opened the rear door.
Yamamoto tried to say sothing until the very end, but Manager Ma spoke first.
“Please step out.”
The tone was polite, yet his heavy voice carried quiet pressure.
Yamamoto looked between and ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) Manager Ma before letting out a deep sigh.
“I apologize. I will show sincerity. What must I do?”
That was his declaration of surrender.
Being pushed out of the alliance would be a secondary issue.
With their position already secured and under the protection of public authority, it wouldn’t be easy for organizations from other countries to attack them.
But if that protection disappeared, minor yakuza factions could swarm back at any ti.
No matter how diminished they were, remnants of what had once been called the Three Major Organizations still existed.
It was obvious that their standing would change depending on which side the governnt chose to support.
The influence the yakuza had built up in politics and business—I had dismantled it all.
Yamamoto might be working on rebuilding influence, but restoring decades of accumulated power was not sothing that could be done overnight.
The mont I ntioned public authority, he clung to . He knew the current cabinet’s protection was hanging by a thread.
The Japanese governnt did not protect the yakuza because they liked them.
If they couldn’t eliminate them entirely, it was simply more convenient to manage one large organization.
And, of course, accept political funds along the way.
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
Despite Manager Ma’s pressure, Yamamoto did not step out of the car.
“Please co inside with . And see for yourself how I will take responsibility.”
I said nothing and rely stared at him. He grew more desperate.
This was always the kind of man Yamamoto was.
I gave Manager Ma a slight nod. He bowed his head and quietly shut the door before returning to the front passenger seat.
As the door closed again, relief flickered across Yamamoto’s face.
“How will you take responsibility?”
Maintaining formal speech, I asked. Yamamoto studied my expression before replying.
“I will offer one of my fingers to you.”
I let out a short, incredulous laugh.
Strutting around Kobe must have hardened his brain.
“And what am I supposed to do with that finger? It’s not as if a yakuza’s finger sells for much.”
At my mocking tone, his expression turned serious.
“To us, offering a finger ans offering our pride and our life. Its weight is heavy.”
“I’ve heard. An old custom passed down for generations. That doesn’t make it aningful to .”
“...Then what do you want?”
He lowered his eyes and asked carefully.
I rubbed my chin for a mont.
Kill him?
The simplest option ca to mind, but I shook my head.
Killing him outright would achieve nothing.
“Let’s do this. There’s sothing that needs to be done in Japan. We’ll have that man handle it.”
Color returned to Yamamoto’s face.
“Will you truly forgive us for that?”
You don’t even know what I intend to make him do.
I smiled faintly.
“Do you?”
“Whatever it is, we will do it.”
His compliance pleased . The edge had finally left him. Now he was ready to talk.
“Good. Let’s go inside. We’ll discuss it there.”
Manager Ma stepped out and opened the rear door.
I exited first. Yamamoto ca around and personally opened the door for .
The servile hand-wringing from earlier vanished as if it had never happened. His face turned solemn as he surveyed the surroundings.
“Please follow , President Kim Muhyuk.”
I had no intention of stripping him of face in front of his n, so I walked calmly at his side.
Yamamoto and I led the way. Behind him were dozens of yakuza in black suits. Behind followed Manager Ma and my bodyguards.
Beyond the massive gate, the interior was entirely different from the fortress-like exterior.
The first thing that greeted us was a ticulously maintained garden—so refined it felt as though I had stepped back into the past.
Not bad.
Not just not bad—considerable effort had gone into it.
Seeing the admiration in my eyes, Yamamoto spoke proudly.
“A garden cultivated over decades. It is the first sight visitors to Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters see. Does it please you?”
His pride was unmistakable.
“It’s good. I’ve seen many gardens since coming to Japan, but compared to any of them, this one doesn’t lose.”
“Ha ha! You flatter .”
His laughter was exaggerated, clearly ant for his subordinates to hear.
“Please, co inside. I will show you what Japanese tradition truly is.”
I gave a small nod and followed him.
Beyond the garden stood a traditional Japanese estate.
The garden had only been the beginning.
The buildings were so well preserved that one could almost believe it was the Edo period.
They talk about tradition.
It was almost laughable.
No matter how they wrapped themselves in talk of loyalty and heritage, their essence remained the sa—n of the back alleys who used violence.
“Yamaguchi-gumi began in 1915 with fifty mbers. Our first kumicho was an extraordinary man. Though our history is not long, we absorbed older organizations and expanded.”
He spoke of the organization’s history as we walked.
I listened with half an ear, surveying the surroundings.
“Since I beca head, including all affiliated mbers, we now exceed twenty thousand. My predecessor influenced two-thirds of Japan. Now I lead an organization that encompasses the entire country. What do you think of Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters?”
His arrogant speech ended as we reached the building.
“It’s impressive. Enough to make want a headquarters like this.”
As tis changed, fewer people held to tradition.
Even for yakuza, the effort to preserve it was notable.
But only on the surface. However grand the exterior, the inside was hollow.
“I’m glad you approve.”
Turning, Yamamoto ordered Takayama in a stern voice.
“Only Takayama stays. The rest return to your posts.”
“Yes, Oyabun!”
Dozens of n in black suits bowed simultaneously.
So he brought them just to show this scene.
After dismissing them, Yamamoto glanced at my bodyguards and gestured.
A woman seated on the veranda in a kimono rose.
She approached Yamamoto quickly, barefoot.
“Take those n to a place where they can rest. Provide anything they want.”
She bowed, then turned to my guards and spoke in flawless Korean.
“Please follow . I will guide you to a place where you may rest.”
Her Korean was so fluent she might as well have been Korean.
I wondered if they had learned the language of those they once looked down upon.
As if reading my thoughts, Yamamoto whispered,
“She is a Zainichi Korean.”
“Ah, I see.”
Even as we spoke, my guards did not move.
The woman repeated herself, but they remained still.
At my glance, Manager Ma finally spoke.
“Go rest.”
“Yes, Manager.”
The woman smiled faintly and led them away.
“Let us go up.”
Yamamoto removed his shoes and stepped onto the wooden veranda. A waiting woman quickly arranged his footwear.
Putting on airs as though he were a king.
Suppressing a scoff, I followed him.
The interior of the massive wooden estate twisted like a maze.
“Our predecessors designed it so assassins could not find their way.”
After passing several winding corridors, we entered a large room through sliding doors.
The seat of honor was elevated one step, with an embroidered cushion placed upon it.
As Yamamoto, Takayama, Manager Ma, and I entered, the doors closed behind us.
“Please, take the seat there.”
He indicated the place of honor.
Takayama’s eyes widened.
“Chairman—”
“Shut up! You dare act without orders? How do you intend to clean up this ss?”
Takayama bowed his head silently.
“May I sit there?”
“Of course. The seat of honor belongs to President Kim Muhyuk.”
He was deliberately scolding his subordinate to appease . Transparent.
“That’s unnecessary. Leave it empty. Let’s sit facing each other.”
“Ha ha. As you wish.”
I had no intention of indulging their traditions.
I walked over, removed the cushion from the elevated seat, and placed it below before sitting.
Yamamoto brought another cushion and sat facing .
Takayama’s forehead veins bulged at my actions.
Still hasn’t co to his senses.
I glanced at him before speaking to Manager Ma.
“Manager, sit as well. This conversation may be long.”
He nodded, brought a cushion, and sat slightly behind at an angle.
Yamamoto fell briefly silent, then called out,
“Takayama.”
Takayama hurried forward.
And then the shout exploded.
“Get down and bow your head to the floor, you bastard!”
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