Chapter 382: Let’s Discuss the Future

It was no time to just wait for Kim Hak-gwon’s contact.

“Older Brother, check the stock and futures markets. We need to get in touch with American companies and also look into the Korean stock market. The U.S. market hasn’t opened yet, so it might not have significant impact, but you never know.”

Nodding, Han Gyeong-yeong grabbed his laptop and headed into the room while I discussed plans with Manager Ma.

“Contact Black Secret and have them focus on monitoring Choi Seon-man’s movements and the military’s response. If we notice any suspicious activities… just stick to the plan.”

“Yes, Boss.”

I ordered to destroy all materials related to me the moment they showed signs of movement.

Everything that could be a weakness of mine.

After issuing instructions for a while, I checked my watch; it wouldn’t be long before my meeting with Koizumi.

It was about time to head to the appointment location.

“Let’s get ready to leave for now.”

We took a car to meet Koizumi.

While I sorted out what to say in my meeting with the Prime Minister, I reviewed the materials.

“Boss.”

I looked up at Manager Ma’s call.

“It seems we’re being followed.”

“Followed? How many?”

“It looks like about two teams.”

“Hmm…”

Have they started keeping an eye on me from Dae Dong-hui?ty?

“What should we do?”

“There’s no reason to let them see me meeting with Koizumi. Let’s shake them off.”

“Understood, Boss.”

Manager Ma gave instructions over the radio. The car immediately changed direction.

What should have taken 20 minutes took nearly 40 minutes to reach the meeting place.

Behind the unassuming wooden door stood a large mansion.

As I got out of the car and rang the bell, a woman dressed in a kimono appeared.

“Are you Kim Mu-hyeok?”

I nodded, and she bowed deeply.

“I will guide you.”

I followed her, our steps slow as we passed a beautiful Japanese garden.

We stopped in front of a large room.

“The Prime Minister will arrive shortly. If there’s anything you need, please call for me.”

With those words, she exited the room.

Bowing her head, she left while quietly closing the sliding door.

I clicked my tongue. Did Koizumi have such a peculiar taste?

Now alone, my gaze naturally drifted towards the garden visible beyond the large window.

I took my time admiring the garden while waiting for Koizumi.

After a while, there was a stir outside, and the door opened as Koizumi entered.

He didn’t look too pleased.

“Kim Mu-hyeok, it’s been a while.

“Yes, Prime Minister. It has been a while.”

“Were you admiring the garden?”

“It’s a lovely, well-kept garden.”

“Haruki has been working on it as her hobby.”

So the woman who guided me was named Haruki. But isn’t the wife’s name Miyamoto Kayoko?

“Is that so? I’d almost like to take care of it myself someday.”

“Don’t get any ideas. She’s mine.”

The possessiveness was clear in his words. Clearly, she’s not just a wife.

I felt a sense of nausea inside but managed a calm smile.

After brief pleasantries, we sat facing each other.

No sooner had I sat down than Haruki entered again.

With sweets and a tea set in hand, she knelt and began making tea.

Koizumi looked at her with affectionate eyes before turning to me.

“I have some lovely tea prepared. Enjoy the sweets while waiting for the tea to brew.”

Koizumi gestured towards the sweets.

I didn’t hesitate to take a piece of sweet into my mouth as he spoke.

Seeing this, Koizumi smiled and picked up one sweet for himself.

We sat in silence while eating the sweets. Soon, Haruki came back and set the cups in front of Koizumi and me.

She then retreated, pulling back the tray and tea set quietly as she left the room.

It really was quite the odd taste.

“Please, help yourself.”

I lifted the cup with both hands and savored the aroma.

“It’s good.”

My compliment prompted a bright smile to bloom on Koizumi’s face.

Savoring it, I finished the tea over three sips and set my cup down.

“Now, let’s talk.”

I felt I had matched his hospitality. Meeting his gaze, Koizumi subtly nodded as if he understood.

“Thanks to Han Gyeong-yeong’s efforts, it’s been convenient. There were complaints from the bureaucrats, though.”

“It must be tough because of the Ministry of Finance officials?”

“Ha ha…”

Koizumi didn’t answer, just chuckled awkwardly.

I could broadly guess how difficult it must be, judging by his haggard appearance and evasive reactions.

How much pressure must the bureaucrats be putting on him for him to react in such a way?

“I have shown my sincerity. Now, please tell me what comes next.”

True to his straightforward speaking style, Koizumi put it right out there.

“I’ve looked into Dae Dong-hui. They are quite an an interesting organization.”

Koizumi asked, genuine curiosity on his face.

“What do you think?”

“If left unchecked, they wouldn’t help me at all. However, I think they might contrast starkly with you, Prime Minister.”

“That’s right. I cannot tolerate those who live in the past. We must move towards the future.”

I couldn’t help but snicker inwardly at his words.

It was amusing how he used flowery language while sharpening his knives against them to maintain his power.

“They’ve had quite a radical line since the 2nd Chairman. That would be Kodama Yoshio.”

Koizumi nodded sadly.

“Though he has passed away, he still exerts influence even in death.”

Though not widely known, he was the shadowy figure in Japanese politics and business, a fixer and a leader of the right-wing.

“I heard he personally appointed the 3rd Chairman. That would be Daigo Tadashige. He is the Chair of Dae Dong-hui.”y.”

I recalled the man’s face from the documents Jessica had shared.

“Yes. I’m aware.”

“It’s good that you’re knowledgeable. Is there a way to stop Dae Dong-hui? I can’t shake the he feeling that today’s minor skirmish between South and North Korea was their doing, acting as a pretext to mobilize the Self-Defense Forces.”

Koizumi brought up today’s clash in the Yellow Sea.

I had no choice but to respond skeptically.

“You’re overreaching. Kim Jong-il wouldn’t follow orders at anyone’s behest.”

“Is that so? I wouldn’t know. Lately, everything feels like part of their schemes. I can’t help but worry that those around me might also be a part of Dae Dong-hui.”y.”

I had thought he looked weary from bureaucratic pressures, but there seemed to be another reason for his appearance.

I could understand why Koizumi appeared so troubled.

“I understand. It’s confusing whom to trust. I experienced something similar on my way here; someone followed me right out of the hotel.”

“Really? You were followed?”

I nodded slightly.

“I shook them off. But I suspect it might have been Dae Dong-hui. They must have knoknown I was entering Japan.”

Koizumi sighed with relief at my revelation.

“Oh… thank goodness. Is there anyone else who knows about our meeting?”

“Only Han Gyeong-yeong. So, no need to worry. There’s no advantage in telling anyone else, is there?”

It was true; neither Koizumi nor I would benefit from the knowledge of our meeting leaking.

I knew that with Han Gyeong-yeong’s knowledge, no one else could be in the loop regarding our hidden rendezvous.

“That’s right. There are still many in Japanese politics who dislike Kim Mu-hyeok. In business, they urse you outright.”

“Ha ha, the Japanese government was the one to provoke me first. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have done it at all.”

“However…”

I cut off Koizumi, speaking calmly.

“It’s amusing that the one who struck first complains now. I merely retaliated. Had I been powerless, someone from my side could have ended up dead in Japan. Yet they hate me and curse me?”

“…”

The audacity of these people wanting to bury whatever they struck as they tried to sleep. When I brought up Eva’s attack, Koizumi fell silent.

Seemingly at a loss for words, he simply caressed the innocent teacup.

“Well, I’m not concerned about getting along with Japanese politicians. However, should my life or those close to me be threatened, I won’t stand for it.”

“I’m not part of that issue. You know, don’t you, that I mediated it.”

“I know. I know. That’s why I’m here facing you. Let’s leave the past behind and discuss the future now.”

Before things could escalate any further, I switched the topic. There was no need to deepen resentment between us.

“Understood. Please explain your plan now.”

Koizumi expected a plan from me as a matter of course.

When I shot him a bewildered look, he cleared his throat and continued.

“My options are limited. It would be difficult to act without being seen from Japan. Their eyes are everywhere. Do you know how cautiously I moved to meet you today?”

“Is that so?”

“Shamefully, it is.”

He must’ve worked quite hard. I looked at Koizumi with a mixture of sympathy and annoyance.

“Still, you need to act.”

“Of course. If you collaborate with me, I will work from the inside to align our actions. Please tell me your plan now.”

Once again, Koizumi urged me. I slowly opened my mouth.

“I hate to say it, but we must create chaos in Japan first. The Dae Dong-hui has ties with Yakuzkuza, right?”

“Yes, most of the Yakuza are involved with Dae Dong-hui.”y.”

“There will likely be a clash between Yakuza and foreign drug cartels.”

Koizumi gave me a puzzled look.

“That happens frequently.”

“What’s going to happen this time will be on a much larger scale. It’s practically war. Many could die.”

At the mention of war, Koizumi’s face turned pale.

“Could this be related to that?”

I shook my head.

I didn’t need to share everything with him. He just needed to do his part on the board I set up.

“This is a piece of information I stumbled upon. I can’t possibly control the crime organizations. Prime Minister, you know that the Yakuza trades in drugs, right? This will likely be a simple dispute over drug profits. The Russian mafia and Chinese triad have allied, targeting Japan, which is Asia’s largest market. The operation will start right after the World Cup ends. That’s all I know about it.”

“…”

Koizumi’s expression was complex. He looked as if he was grappling with something. I called his name in a low voice without allowing him to contemplate too long.

“Prime Minister.”

“Yes?”

“This is favorable for us. With the homeland in turmoil, the Self-Defense Forces can’t divert their attention externally. You can deploy the Self-Defense Forces under your authority for public safety. And don’t miss that chance; you can entrust this key position to someone who will carry out your orders. This is a good opportunity that depends on how you utilize it, Prime Minister.”

Strictly speaking, the Self-Defense Forces were not military.

They had the official title of a law enforcement agency deployed when maintaining public order was beyond the capacity of police forces.

It looked like military forces to anyone, but legally, it wasn’t.

Japan lacks formal military forces but has ambiguous forces for ground, naval, and air operations.

“Hmm… but an incident like this will inevitably affect my approval ratings. I want to maintain my position as Prime Minister. That’s why I’m opposed to Dae Dong-hui. I can’t stop them em with just this. They will ultimately move as planned.”

Koizumi clearly stated his goal was to keep his power intact.

Being honest is a good thing.

“That may be true. However, would the death of someone related to the Yakuza during a gang war really cause a significant uproar?”

Surprise flickered on Koizumi’s face at my statement.

I smirked, one corner of my mouth lifting.

“Daigo Tadashige, to be precise. He seems to have quite the connection to the Yakuza. During a conflict, there are always unexpected casualties, right? Isn’t that so, Prime Minister?”