Chapter 344: Black Market Business

**Port Area**

Tokyo's largest seaport terminal is the battleground today.

Two rival groups are clashing, exchanging fire from pistols, rifles, and submachine guns. The air is thick with the sound of gunshots.

Chio Hosokawa, once the dominant force in the port area, had a small army of five to six hundred people under his command. With all goods from Tokyo passing through this area, it was a lucrative position.

When Judson first established his black market operations in Japan, Chio Hosokawa was his initial contact. Every time goods were shipped, Hosokawa was responsible for their distribution. Now, with Ryohei Kuroda aiming to take control, Hosokawa was far from willing to surrender.

Kuroda Ryohei believed Judson's forces were strong, but he thought he could still profit by working with the old boss. However, the strategic importance of the port area made it imperative for Kuroda to act decisively. He didn't hesitate to launch a full-scale attack on Hosokawa.

Kuroda not only brought his own men but also enlisted the help of other district bosses he had subdued. This collaboration was as much about strengthening alliances as it was about securing territory. The combined forces numbered over two thousand.

Hosokawa was caught off guard by the ferocity of the attack and the superior firepower of Kuroda's men. In a short time, Hosokawa was killed, and many of his men were either killed or captured. The survivors either fled or surrendered.

With Hosokawa's defeat, the port area fell under Kuroda's control.

Now, the Suzuki Group has eight factions, each dominating a core area of Tokyo's black market. The once large port cargo yard of Chio Hosokawa is now under Kuroda's control.

A whistle echoed through the port as a 10,000-ton freighter docked. After unloading, the cargo was transported to Kuroda's freight yard.

Here, veteran black market operators gathered.

Warehouses were filled with large quantities of staple goods like rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, wheat, corn, sugar, and seasonings. These items were crucial as the rationing system was inadequate, and high black market prices reflected their scarcity.

In addition to staples, there were luxury items such as coffee, milk powder, candies, canned food, stockings, lipstick, and American clothing.

The top sellers were tobacco and alcohol—American cigarettes, red wine, distilled spirits, and bottled beer.

The Hardy Group's operations outmatched Judson's trading company. With its vast supermarket chain and numerous suppliers, Hardy's bulk purchases were significantly cheaper.

Seeing these goods, the black market bosses across various districts were pleased. American products had a certain prestige after Japan's defeat, and their high prices on the black market were a testament to their demand.

Due to strict import regulations, these items could not be brought into Japan legally, making them prohibitively expensive. Hardy circumvented this by smuggling goods through the Cayman Islands before shipping them to Japan, avoiding U.S. taxation and scrutiny.

This strategy highlights the advantages of using offshore havens to evade regulatory oversight.

With Tokyo now under his control, Kuroda Ryohei set his sights on expanding to other cities. Every major city in Japan now had a black market, and with a population of 80 million, the potential for profit was immense.

Osaka, Yokohama, Nagoya, Kyoto, Sapporo, Kanagawa, and Hokkaido were all targets for expansion.

Osaka, known for its Yamaguchi Group, was currently led by Kazuo Taoka. Under his leadership, the Yamaguchi Group had expanded significantly. Taoka's ambition was to solidify the group's power and challenge other gangs across Japan, positioning the Yamaguchi Group as the largest criminal organization in the country.

Upon hearing that the Suzuki Group had unified Tokyo and was making moves in Osaka, Taoka was intrigued and cautious. He received word that a Suzuki Group envoy had arrived in Osaka and was meeting with Masao Morita of the Morita Group.

Taoka, who had clashed with Morita over territory, was concerned about the implications of this new alliance. He instructed his subordinates to investigate.

They discovered that the envoy was Ryohei Kuroda, who was staying at a hot spring hotel in Osaka.

In November, with the outside temperature dropping, Kuroda was relaxing in the hot spring. A man in a bathrobe, heavily tattooed and scarred, approached Kuroda's pool. After removing his robe and clogs, he settled into the hot spring a short distance from Kuroda.

They exchanged no words initially. After a few minutes, Kuroda opened his eyes and made eye contact with the man.

"Kazuo Taoka," Kuroda said flatly.

Taoka was taken aback. He hadn't expected Kuroda to address him directly.

"Mr. Kuroda seems well-informed about Osaka," Taoka replied.

"Of course. I needed to understand the situation before coming to Osaka. Your Yamaguchi Group is one of the top three in the city," Kuroda said.

"And what brings you to Osaka?" Taoka asked.

"It's simple. I'm here to find like-minded individuals to join the Suzuki Group. Together, we can grow stronger and profit more," Kuroda said.

Taoka smirked. "So, you want us to become your subordinates and help you make money?"

Kuroda did not deny this. "What do you think a gang is supposed to be?"

Taoka was taken aback. He hadn't considered this question deeply.

"What is your view on what a gang should be?" Taoka countered.

"The fundamental goal of a gang is to make money. The methods might be unconventional, but at its core, it's a business," Kuroda explained.

Taoka frowned. He realized that Kuroda's boss, the head of the Suzuki Group, had a vision that extended beyond mere criminal enterprise.

"A gang fights for territory to do business and make money—through protection fees, gambling, prostitution, arms smuggling, drug trafficking, and usury. In the end, it's all about profit."

"There is an opportunity to make substantial money and expand. It's up to you whether you want to take it."

Taoka was unsettled. He was an independent leader who preferred making his own decisions. He was not eager to take orders from someone else.

"And if I refuse?" Taoka asked.

Kuroda raised his hand, and armed men emerged from the wooden house behind the hot spring.

Taoka was shocked. "You were prepared for my arrival?"

Kuroda admitted, "I monitor all calls from gang leaders in Osaka. When I learned you were investigating me, I anticipated a visit."

Taoka felt the disparity between their methods. While he operated traditionally, Kuroda employed sophisticated strategies.

"It seems you didn't intend to let me leave," Taoka said.

"It depends on your decision. I've been ordered to subdue all gangs in Japan, including yours," Kuroda said.

---

A few days later, a 10,000-ton ship docked at Osaka's wharf. The cargo was swiftly unloaded and transported to a warehouse.

In the warehouse, the leaders of the seven or eight gangs in Osaka gathered. Kuroda stood at the center with a confident smile.

"This is the first batch of goods: rice, potatoes, wheat, corn, sugar, coffee, milk powder, candy, canned meat, tobacco, and alcohol."

"The prices remain the same. Our goal is not to exploit but to cooperate for mutual profit. You'll find that working together will lead to greater gains without unnecessary conflicts."

The leaders nodded in agreement.

Under Kuroda's leadership, the Suzuki Group had expanded its reach, conquering over 200 gangs across Japan, including all major cities and some counties.

Duncan reported to Hardy, "Boss, the net income for the first month was $6.8 million. We expect even more next month."