Chapter 369: Don’t Say It’s Not True

Sepp Blatter.

He had served as FIFA's Secretary-General, achieving remarkable growth over a decade.

Competent but cunning, he was no different from the greasy politician obsessed with money. This was the public's opinion of him.

Of course, FIFA couldn't be described merely as a group of people who love football, but Blatter took things to another level.

Ultimately, he rose to the position of president, but he nearly lost his re-election recently in Seoul due to the bankruptcy of ISL, his cash cow.

But what mattered more to him was finding a new source of money.

With ISL gone, his funds must have decreased significantly.

He seemed to be desperately searching for a new money stream. That's probably when he learned about me.

It looked like he planned to use me as a cash cow, but I was no pushover.

Whether he realized my thoughts or not, Blatter kept mumbling to himself.

"…So, how about Dream High Investment partnering with FIFA?"

"Partnering? What could an investment company do with FIFA?"

"There's a lot we can do. The partnership aspect is what's important."

I looked at Blatter with a face that showed I was intrigued.

"Like what?"

"Dream High could invest and establish a sports marketing company. Then, we could monopolize FIFA's marketing."

"Just like ISL did?"

Blatter nodded exaggeratedly, sensing my expression.

In his actions and gaze, I could see his desperate desire to draw me in.

"Yes. ISL took charge of not just FIFA's marketing but also the IOC's… "

He elaborated on the benefits of collaborating with him, using every fancy word he could find.

At first glance, it seemed like a massive opportunity. But in reality, it was all just empty rhetoric.

After listening to Blatter's full explanation, I responded.

"I got it. I understand that it could be profitable. But why did such a company go bankrupt? That doesn't make sense."

For a moment, the smile on Blatter's face faltered.

I decided to shake him up further.

"There are no favors without strings attached. Ultimately, you're saying you'll throw me some bones in exchange for my money, right? Well, why should I help you?"

"… "

I smiled slyly.

"So, are you planning to toss me aside like you did with ISL if issues arise later?"

"W-What do you mean?"

"Aren't you the one who immediately filed a lawsuit against ISL for thirty million dollars claiming FIFA suffered losses as soon as they filed for bankruptcy protection? If that's not betrayal, what is?"

Blatter fell silent, unable to answer, his face turning red as he glared at me.

Stopping here would feel unfair. If I backed down now, it'd be like showing mercy to someone who provoked me first.

"Don't say it's not true. If I wanted to, I could uncover every one of your corrupt acts in just a day. Would it really end with me just reading through that information for fun?"

"… "

"You seem to be in quite a rush. You must be so desperate that you need to stretch out a hand to someone like me. Hope I don't smell like dog meat? I tried to cover that up carefully."

As I blatantly poked fun, Blatter's face turned pale.

He had lambasted Korea over the issue of consuming dog meat last year. I remembered it well because his comments had crossed the line.

But Blatter's disdainful remarks stemmed not from being an animal lover, but from his prejudices against Asians.

There was also a political nuance, aiming to tarnish Song Chan-hyeok's image.

It's ironic that in his own country, Switzerland, there are regions where people eat dog meat. Who is he to judge?

"Don't try to half-heartedly threaten or entice me. If you really need help, you must bow down. Lower your head and reach out your hand for money. Then maybe I would consider it."

"… Is that not a bit too harsh?"

"I suppose you're not in such a hurry after all. Contact me again when you gather your thoughts. Who knows, we might meet again if time permits?"

Checking my watch, I stood up. This had taken longer than I expected.

"Well, it's about time I leave."

As I turned, Blatter lowered his voice and warned me.

"Are you implying that you wouldn't care if your club suffers losses?"

I walked away without looking back and replied.

"Go ahead. Let's see who gets hurt."

I opened the office door and stepped out.

Before the office door closed, I heard the sound of him slamming his desk in anger.

"Long time no see, Prime Minister."

After ending my meeting with Blatter, I moved to the promised location to meet Prime Minister Koizumi.

It wasn't at a hotel or the Japanese Embassy. It seemed to be one of Japan's safe houses in Korea.

"Kim Mu-hyeok, it's been a while.

Koizumi extended his hand first. We exchanged a light handshake and took our seats.

With Manager Ma and Koizumi's aides excusing themselves, silence washed over the two of us left in the room.

Since Koizumi extended his hand first, it made sense for me to break the ice.

"I thought we wouldn't have any reason to see each other again."

"Haha, isn't it interesting how people are intertwined…?"

"You kept your promise, but your actions following have made it seem like you want nothing to do with me. It's like the difference in feelings when entering and exiting a restroom. Isn't that right?"

Koizumi kept his promise to meet me. That was the end of it.

We had exchanged pleasantries once, and since then, we had cut off contact.

I had no desire to get involved with a Japanese politician, and Koizumi likely found it burdensome to handle me.

Naturally, we forgot about each other's existence over time.

But the day before the opening ceremony, Koizumi contacted me saying he wanted to meet privately.

— Kim Mu-hyeok, I would like to met quietly, just the two of us.

Suddenly, I became curious about why Koizumi insisted on meeting. So, I accepted the offer.

And as a result, here we were, facing each other.

"This is an unexpected location. The home of Japan's Prime Minister is here in Seoul…"

I glanced around, trailing off my words.

Given his actions, it was absurd.

Just existing here in Seoul, or rather in Korea, could become Koizumi's weakness.

"Well, that's not what's important. I must say I've been greatly disappointed in you, Prime Minister. I thought you were a reformist, but looking at your actions, things are no different from before."

In a past life, Koizumi often acted foolishly toward Korea.

I had small hopes that maybe meeting with me would change things.

But Koizumi followed the same old path he always had.

He visited Yasukuni Shrine and claimed sovereignty over Dokdo, straining the already warming Korea-Japan relations.

Koizumi suddenly let out a deep sigh, as though silently pleading for me to ask him something.

"What's troubling you?"

"There's a reason for everything. Do you think I wanted things to go this way?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"After becoming Prime Minister, I wanted to restore the Korea-Japan and Korea-China relationships. But I lack a solid support base."

I understood that much. But no matter the factions involved, the Prime Minister was not a mere puppet.

Though Koizumi was known as a member of the Fukuda faction within the Liberal Democratic Party, he had risen to Prime Minister by calling out for reforms after Fukuda's downfall.

However, the Japanese government wasn't a role where one person could wield absolute power.

To get anything done, he had to negotiate with the factions within the party and carve out interests for each side. In my previous life, I had understood this struggle and how much Koizumi labored for factional dissolution.

"It sounds like there's significant internal opposition within the ruling party."

"If it were merely political maneuvering, would I be sighing? There was a group called Cheongpunghui in Korea, wasn't th there?"

Koizumi's mention of Cheongpunghui made my expression on solidify.

Was he unaware that the organization originated from the Japanese colonial era?

"Yes, well. That organization did exist."

"Right… The Cheongpunghui that you brought do down with your own hands. But even in Japan, there are those who operate from the shadows, manipulating the nation."

"Is that true?"

Koizumi nodded with a somber expression.

"This group is known to be called Dae Dong-hui or Ilhwa Society. Y. You can guess by the name of the organization that they are remnants of a bygone era. People who still dream of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere and imperialism."

"… Are there still such people? No, I suppose it's possible. After all, the handling of war criminals has been insufficient. But, surely the public wouldn't permit this now, would they?"

The Japanese public, having endured two atomic bombings, was no longer inclined toward war.

"Have you noticed the increase in anti-Korean or anti-Chinese assemblies lately?"

"Well, that's not uncommon in Japan."

"These movements are all being orchestrated by Dae Dong-hui. Furthermore, most st of the members of the Liberal Democratic Party are supported by them. Their orders take precedence over mine."

This seemed eerily familiar. Suddenly, I recalled President Yoon Chang-ho's frustrations.

"… So what? That doesn't seem like something I can help you with."

"Yes. That is something I must resolve myself. However, if this need for anti-Korean sentiment leads to the Self-Defense Forces preparing for military action, I would want to avoid it."

"What did you say?"

This was shocking news. If the Self-Defense Forces were on the move, it was tantamount to a military provocation.

"Are you saying they would provoke military actions? That's insane. Why would they? Do you think the U.S. would sit idle?"

This was impossible unless one had gone mad.

In my past life, Japan had committed all sorts of atrocities but did little in terms of direct military action.

Yet here was Koizumi stating that the Self-Defense Forces were preparing for military action.

Though Koizumi wouldn't be spewing nonsense in a setting like this, it was hard to believe.

"Dae Dong-hui believes that Japanpan lost its pride during Russia's military provocations. They can't retaliate against Russia, hence they target the easier target: Korea…"

""Korea? An easier target?"

"I'm sorry. That's just paraphrasing their statements."

Koizumi promptly apologized. This wasn't the time to get nitpicky, so I accepted it.

"Understood. That's not vital, so let's move on. So, you're saying they're preparing for military actions against Korea? Surely, they wouldn't risk a full-blown conflict… Is their aim Dokdo?"

Koizumi nodded.

"It seems they plan to occupy Takeshima. Though it's not certain yet… "

"You're suggesting that military actions can occur without the Cabinet Prime Minister being aware? If they're planning a coup, that's outrageous… You need to take action and stop this."

Koizumi's face faltered, revealing a sense of discomfort.

"It's difficult. If I try to stop them, it could really lead to a coup."

Koizumi's tone was firm. He meant it.

"The Minister of Defense is a core member of Dae Dong-hui. Furthermore, the he head of the Navy is also in their pocket."

"That's not even from the Meiji era…"

"Embarrassingly, that is the reality."

"Wait a moment."

Suddenly, I felt something was off.

Despite me interrupting, Koizumi showed no signs of displeasure. He merely gave a casual nod and fell into thought.

Why would Koizumi, who had come to Korea, clandestinely meet with me to discuss such matters?

'If the Self-Defense Forces really occupy Dokdo…'

The U.S. might intervene to prevent a full-blown war, but Korea and Japan would cross an irreversible line.

It was only natural that the extreme right-wingers in Japan would gain a stronger foothold, and Korea's extreme right would inevitably gain more influence.

Why would he approach someone like me, a non-politician, to talk about something that hasn't even happened yet?

Was he blaming me for something?

Or was there another reason? What was Koizumi's true intent?

I evaluated the memories of my past life and the experiences I had in this one, rapidly processing everything.

And finally, I reached a conclusion. If what I thought was true, then they were genuinely insane.

"Prime Minister."

"Yes, Kim Mu-hyeok?"

"Is someone in Korea involved in this matter?"

Koizumi smiled faintly at my question.