Chapter 408: A Small Connection Saved Your Life

Time flew by quickly and a week had passed.

Japan was still in a state of chaos.

When the Black Dragon Society was revealed as the shadow organization behind it all, the far-right groups they'd been supporting began protesting against Koizumi.

"Koizumi must step down! Step down!"

But Koizumi remained firm.

He mobilized the Self-Defense Forces to forcibly disperse the protesters and made the bold move of arresting all their leaders.

Until now these far-right groups had never faced arrest, conducting all manner of protests with support from the Liberal Democratic Party and the Black Dragon Society.

But Koizumi severed those ties in one clean cut.

With justice on his side no one could stop him.

Only the U.S. expressed concerns through diplomatic channels while other nations could only watch.

Through the Heavenly Group I ordered all Russian Mafia and Chinese Black Society organizations operating in Japan to cease activities and go into hiding.

Koizumi had declared war on crime and started cleaning up the Yakuza organizations whose leadership had been completely wiped out.

Before they could even recover from the losses the Yakuza scattered under the police department's iron hammer.

It was a bolt from the blue for the Yakuza.

While Japan remained in turmoil Yoo Sung-jin entered my Myeong-dong office with another man.

"Boss Yoo Sung-jin has arrived."

I set down the documents I'd been reviewing and said.

"Come in."

The door opened and Yoo Sung-jin entered with the man.

"Welcome Chairman Yoo."

"Yes Boss."

After greetings I shifted my gaze to the man beside Yoo Sung-jin.

"Yamamoto Ken?"

"Yes I'm Yamamoto Ken."

I smiled warmly and extended my hand first.

"Nice to meet you. This is our first time right?"

"Yes that's correct."

Yamamoto seemed to be sizing me up studying me from head to toe.

Yoo Sung-jin's face hardened and Manager Ma glared at Yamamoto looking ready to kill him on the spot.

I slightly shook my head signaling the two to stand down.

Then with a broad smile I said.

"My hand is getting tired."

"Ah my apologies."

Only then did Yamamoto grasp my hand.

"Glad you made it out of Japan safely."

"Thanks to Chairman Yoo I escaped safely. If I'd been caught I probably would've spent my life in prison."

Yamamoto grinned his gold teeth glinting noticeably.

After a brief handshake we took our seats.

"Though late allow me to welcome you again to Korea."

"Thank you. Never thought I'd end up in Korea but I'm just grateful to have escaped Japan alive."

"Now that you're here make yourself comfortable. Chairman Yoo will see to your needs."

At my words Yamamoto's expression grew complex.

"Tell me Kim Mu-hyeok what exactly are you plotting? For someone so young to…"

"Watch your tongue Yamamoto! How dare you speak to the Boss like…"

Yoo Sung-jin warned with a fierce expression.

Yamamoto turned to glare at Yoo Sung-jin.

"Listen here Chairman Yoo am I your subordinate? Mind your own words first. You might disappear without a trace."

Yamamoto's hostility toward Yoo Sung-jin was quite amusing. Typical Japanese lacking self-awareness.

I lightly tapped the table drawing both their attention.

"Let's not waste time with pointless power plays. You're free to leave if you don't need our help. I won't stop you."

"…"

Yamamoto bit his lip hard. He'd fled Japan with nothing.

Having barely managed to sneak into Busan he couldn't even find a place to stay without our help.

Yet here he was trying to establish dominance by using me to provoke Yoo Sung-jin. How pathetic.

I continued speaking in a calm measured voice.

"Through the Heavenly Group… ah it was the Geuksung Group back then. Anyway that small connection when you left the Yamaguchi-gumi to form the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi saved your life. Otherwise you'd have died there with the others."

"What? How dare you…"

Yamamoto raised his voice but I cut him off casually.

"You disagree? Every Yakuza boss in that meeting died. Even the great Daigo Tadashige who you all revered so much is dead. Did you think you could have survived?"

Yamamoto bit his lip again.

He seemed to be recalling the situation.

Shortly after he'd left everyone there had died.

Though the hostility in his face diminished slightly it wasn't enough. I needed to thoroughly crush his pride to make him understand his place.

"I could easily take your life even now. Why do you think I'd let a thug like you sit before me? Aren't you curious about the reason Yamamoto Ken?"

As mentioned earlier I'd spared him simply because of that small connection.

But seeing him act so arrogantly before me now I wondered if there was any point in keeping him alive.

Still since I'd saved him I might as well put him to use.

Japan was in turmoil now. Though martial law hadn't been declared tension ran high.

Even the Black Society and Russian Mafia were lying low.

If I continued to fuel the chaos Koizumi might break our agreement and act unpredictably.

So we needed to move discreetly. Fighting fire with fire meant using Japanese to deal with Japanese.

"I'm offering you a lifeline. Unless you plan to hide in Korea forever don't you want to return to Japan?"

"…How can I return when there's no way back? The police department didn't just leave us alone all this time. The Black Dragon Society handled everything behind the scenes. We could operate freely only because of them."

I nodded at Yamamoto's words.

There was good reason they called the Black Dragon Society the ruler of Japan's underground.

Ignoring Yoo Sung-jin's grateful gaze I continued.

"If you have other intentions leave now. I won't stop you."

"No please just help me return to Japan. I'll do anything Kim Mu-hyeok asks of me there."

Yamamoto spoke firmly as he raised his head. Surprisingly I saw no deception in his eyes.

Well it's typical of Japanese to bow their heads to those they perceive as stronger.

"Very well. I'll arrange a meeting here in Korea with the Black Dragon Society's Vice Chairman and the Russian Mafia's boss. You can discuss territory division then."

"Yes! I'll do that Sir Kim Mu-hyeok."

His form of address changed from 'Kim Mu-hyeok' to 'Sir Kim Mu-hyeok.'

Chuckling at his lightning-quick change in attitude I turned to Yoo Sung-jin.

"Chairman Yoo you'll judge and mediate all decisions in this meeting. Since things have come to this try creating a cartel uniting Korea Japan China and Russia. Can you handle that?"

Yoo Sung-jin bowed deeply.

"Leave it to me. I'll definitely create Asia's largest cartel."

"Good. If you need anything just ask Manager Ma for support. Make sure I don't have to get involved in this matter again. Understood?"

"Yes Boss."

I'd said all I needed to. Setting down my cup I smiled gently.

"I've taken up enough of your time. Let's wrap this up. Chairman Yoo share a drink with Yamamoto and have an honest discussion. I'll arrange for everyone to come to Korea soon."

"Understood Boss."

"Yamamoto you can get up now. Please leave."

At my dismissal Yamamoto rose awkwardly from the floor.

"I pledge my loyalty."

"Enough. I don't want empty words of flattery I want visible actions. Just keep your promises and do what's required and you'll never have to see me again."

After my cold words I signaled Yoo Sung-jin with my eyes to take him away.

"Yamamoto let's go."

At Yoo Sung-jin's urging Yamamoto bowed once more and left the office.

After they left Manager Ma asked.

"Can we trust him?"

"Yamamoto?"

"Yes Boss. He doesn't seem trustworthy."

"Trust isn't the issue. He's someone who'll fall off the cliff the moment he lets go of the lifeline I've given him. Even if not by me Koizumi could handle him so we'll leave him be."

"Understood."

I checked my watch and stood up.

Japan was dealt with and I'd told Chairman Yoon to clean up within the party. I'd also pushed Kim Hak-gwon to make his move.

I tried to think if there was anything else to do but nothing came to mind immediately.

Looks like I can wrap everything up before the presidential election as planned.

"Manager contact Russia and China tell them to come to Korea this Sunday. Also relay that we'll proceed without them if they don't show up."

"Understood Boss."

Massaging my stiff neck I walked to the window.

Beyond the office window the sun was setting.

I watched the darkness descend for a long while before turning away.