Chapter 383: You Seem Too Excited

The moment I announced my intention to assassinate Daigo Tadashige, Koizumi’s face went pale.

Perhaps he didn’t expect me to be so blatant; a heavy silence filled the room.

From the garden outside, the occasional sound of the bamboo fountain, a traditional Japanese waterwheel, could be heard.

Doru-tak!

The water trickled softly, and a cheerful clack echoed three times as the bamboo struck against a stone.

After what felt like an eternity—long or short, depending on how you viewed it—Koizumi gathered his thoughts and spoke with a slight tremor in his voice.

“Are you really going to kill Daigo Tadashige? Is that even possible? Such a violent method is not what I wanted.”

Stepping back for a moment… I couldn’t help but chuckle before I replied.

“Not what you wanted? Then, Prime Minister, please suggest a mild alternative. A method to eliminate the Dae Dong-hui’s influence withoutout any bloodshed. I’m sure you can’t think of one either, or you wouldn’t have come to me in the first place, right?”

“…”

Koizumi remained silent. I knew that would be the case, but it still left a bitter taste in my mouth.

He was clearly hoping to pin any trouble on me.

“I admire honest people. So let’s be honest with each other. You want power in Japan, and I want to remove obstacles in my path. So don’t play coy now. If you keep this up, I’ll pull away entirely.”

“…No! I was just surprised to hear you mention assassination all of a sudden!”

As expected of the Japanese—you ramped up your response the moment I took a strong stance.

Koizumi quickly nodded, his voice dropping to a whisper as he murmured.

“Truthfully, that method does seem like the best option. However, I doubt killing Daigo Tadashige will truly reduce the Dae Dong-hui’s power.”r.”

I shared that same concern.

Killing their chairman, Daigo Tadashige, wouldn’t make the Dae Dong-hui disappear overnightght.

That meant we needed to explore not just physical methods but other alternatives as well.

“What’s the relationship like between you and Abe?”

“Are you talking about Shinzo Abe?”

He nodded slightly, his fingers grazing the now-cold teacup.

“When I heard the name Kishi Nobusuke, I assumed that the current leader of the Dae Dong-hui was Shinzo Abe. It It turns out he’s a member but is sidelined from power.”

In my past life, Koizumi stepped down, and Abe succeeded him as Prime Minister.

At first, I thought he had utilized the Dae Dong-hui’s strength, but aftafter reviewing Jessica’s documents, I realized I was mistaken.

Abe’s influence was far weaker than I had initially thought.

“…Abe is an unpredictable character. I only discovered he was part of the Dae Dong-hui after I became Primrime Minister. Before that, he bowed before me like a submissive dog. Even now, he behaves similarly. Yet, I don’t trust him.”

“I’ve heard rumors that he’s viewed as your political heir.”

“Had he not been with the Dae Dong-hui, I might have consinsidered endorsing him as my successor. But that’s an unthinkable thought now.”

It seemed he had a strong aversion to Abe. I casually set my teacup down and sighed deliberately.

“Don’t tell me…”

Koizumi’s eyes widened, trailing off.

He must have sensed it when I mentioned Abe. I couldn’t help but smile as I raised an eyebrow.

“What a coincidence. Yes, let’s make Abe the head of the Dae Dong-hui.”y.”

Koizumi lamented at my shocking proclamation.

“If we can’t completely eliminate him, wouldn’t it be better to keep him under your control, Prime Minister?”

“But… Abe is far too weak a player to take the chairman’s position. Without Kishi Nobusuke’s backing, he’s a fool who can’t even maintain a foothold in politics.”

“That’s precisely why I chose him. If he’s foolish, he’s bound to be a puppet. A puppet having too much intelligence can lead to trouble, right? That’s why you’re also eyeing Abe as a successor, isn’t it? You wish to govern from behind the scenes.”

With my sharp words, Koizumi fell silent.

“You’ve been complaining about things being tough since earlier. If you’re going to give up without even trying, then why not just step aside and let me find a different partner?”

How arrogant of him to think he had chosen me.

You have no right to choose me at all. I subtly turned my statement, and Koizumi’s face grew stern.

“I have no interest in Japan. Whether you or someone else takes power, as long as you don’t encroach on my territory, I don’t care at all.”

“…”

“Are you afraid of Abe?”

“No, how could I be such a fool!”

I gently provoked Koizumi’s pride by bringing up Abe’s name.

Watching him erupt with such fury was quite amusing.

“That brat is as different from me as the heavens are from the earth. Do you really think he’ll become a challenge for me just because he has the backing of the Dae Dong-hui?”y?”

“Well, considering how you currently appear, I have serious doubts about your strength to fend him off.”

Koizumi’s face went from pale to red in an instant.

As he ground his teeth, it seemed there was enough rage in his voice to shatter porcelain.

“Hey! Kim Mu-hyeok, isn’t that a bit mch? I am the Deputy Prime Minister of Japan! Not even the President of Korea would speak to me like that!”

“Well, let’s just clear the air. Is it not true that you needed my help to come here? You came looking for me, not the other way around.”

While he was explosively animated, I maintained my calm demeanor. Koizumi continued to glare at me with smoldering eyes.

“Would you even know about the Dae Dong-hui if it weren’t for mr me? Would you know about the Self-Defense Forces making plans alongside several generals in Korea? And yet, how dare you insult me!”

“You seem a little too worked up.”

Veins bulged on his forehead, a testament to his quick temper; this was the perfect phrase to use.

As Haruki poured tea from the kettle he had left on the table into Koizumi’s empty cup, he said,

“Take a moment to think while you enjoy your tea. Consider why I’m doing this and what choices you truly have, Prime Minister…”

After filling Koizumi’s cup with cold tea, I poured some into mine as well.

I lifted my cup to my lips while observing Koizumi.

No matter how furious he was, my unruffled demeanor seemed to calm him enough to sip tea and compose himself.

After a moment, as he finished his cup, Koizumi slowly opened his mouth.

“Is it possible for Abe to take control of the Dae Dong-hui?”y?”

“No, it’s not.”

“…”

“Actually, I’m pretty sure you could create a more effective plan than I can. You know very well who needs to be removed for Abe to aim for the next chairman seat.”

I couldn’t allow him to pass off all the responsibility onto me. We had to hold each other’s weaknesses close to prevent betrayal.

Though I had boasted about being able to assassinate them, that was only referring to Daigo Tadashige, the current chairman.

Besides, even if he were to die, Abe would still remain too weak to take over as chairman.

Kishi Nobusuke’s influence had waned over time, and Godama Yoshio’s power had completely captured the Dae Dong-hui.ty.

With Godama Yoshio’s death, all power shifted to Daigo Tadashige, causing Kishi Nobusuke’s influence to diminish even more.

Ultimately, Abe continued to exist as a member without real power in the Dae Dong-hui.ty.

But if Daigo Tadashige and his core supporters disappeared?

“Who should be eliminated then?”

“…”

“We could stall by having the Self-Defense Forces throw Korea into disarray, which could be achieved by assassinating Daigo Tadashige, as you know.”

Koizumi nodded in understanding.

“But that’s barely what you want, is it? Isn’t your ultimate goal to seize total control of Japan? Then just tell me who needs to be removed, and I’ll handle it for you.”

“…If things go south, I need to cover my own back.”

“High risks mean high rewards! The greater the danger, the greater the reward. The choice is yours, Prime Minister. I’m just here to help you out.”

I glared at him, annoyed that he was trying to be sly and just take all the glory.

“So… what will you do?”

Doru-ruru-tak!

As the bamboo fountain gently trickled twice, Koizumi finally spoke up.

“Then…”

* * *

After ending the meeting with Koizumi, I returned to the hotel.

As soon as I entered, I opened the door to Han Gyeong-yeong’s office.

I smiled at the sight of Han Gyeong-yeong, absorbed in his laptop.

He used to call me a workaholic, but now he outdid me, it seemed.

“The U.S. market has opened up, right?”

Han Gyeong-yeong was so focused that he didn’t even notice me come in.

“Ah… you’re back?”

Finally acknowledging me, he turned only his eyes for a moment.

“So, did you manage to have a good talk with the Prime Minister?”

I nodded slightly.

“It went okay. We’ll need to have a more in-depth discussion later, though.”

“Why?”

“He’s a politician, after all. A Japanese politician at that. Can you really trust them? I tossed out some bait, but he picked it up too quickly to bite. This is why I dislike perceptive people.”

Han Gyeong-yeong chuckled at my disdain for astute individuals.

“Haha, is that right?”

“What’s going on with the U.S. market?”

“It has slightly decreased, but it seems not too many are worried about it. Right now, Korea’s focus is entirely on the final match tomorrow, and the media isn’t doing detailed reports on anything else.”

“We can’t help that.”

The World Cup frenzy swallowed everything whole.

The recent case of two women crushed by an American tank and today’s deaths of soldiers in the Second Yeonpyeong Sea battle were off the radar for citizens.

“Whatever the case, once the frenzy calms down, people will show interest again. We’ll be able to see market movements then.”

I patted Han Gyeong-yeong on the shoulder.

“Hang in there a bit longer. I’ll check in with Korea and get some sleep. I definitely need to watch the final match tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

Leaving Han Gyeong-yeong to his work, I stepped out of the room, washing away my worries and concerns in the bathroom.

As soon as I exited, I heard a knock, and Manager Ma opened the door.

“Boss, there’s been a call from Korea.”

“Is it the President?”

Manager Ma nodded. I took the phone and he began speaking first.

“Yes, Mr. President.”

—It seems he was in the midst of an emergency meeting. Tensions had flared in the West Sea.

“How do you intend to respond?”

—Unless there’s more provocation, I’m planning to take a wait-and-see stance. I need to head to Japan tomorrow morning.

“Don’t come over.”

—What!?

I flatly refused, raising Kim Hak-gwon’s voice.

“Don’t you know, Mr. President? It’s never a good idea for the Commander-in-Chief to leave their post during provocations from North Korea.”

—That’s true, but it would be a diplomatic breach. No wait, that’s precisely what Kim Jong-il wants. To block me from going to Japan.

“That might be the case. But we should still stand firm and weather it out.”

Kim Hak-gwon fell silent, a groan escaping his lips over the receiver, his dissatisfaction evident.

“I’ve already spoken with Prime Minister Koizumi. Even if you come tomorrow, there won’t be a summit meeting.”

—What? Are you telling me this? What nonsense are you spouting now!?

Kim Hak-gwon asked, his voice furious. No wonder, he’d been treated like this a few times before toward the end of his term.

“It’s just as I said. There won’t be any meeting, even if you come. You’ll embarrass yourself in front of everyone.”

—…”

Heavy breathing came from Kim Hak-gwon through the receiver.

“Don’t come over. This is good for you and Korea too.”

—Can you explain why?”

Clearly a seasoned politician, Kim Hak-gwon gathered his emotions and brought me back to the question.

“If the President shows up, we can predict military movements. So, I’d like you to remain stationed.”

—…You seem to know something confirmed.

“Mr. President, I believe you’re aware too, aren’t you?”

—I don’t understand what you’re implying.

“Yes, let that ignorance serve you well. It’ll assist you through your final days in office.”

Kim Hak-gwon remained quiet for a long time. The silence dragged on, and I patiently waited.

—I have no justification for this. It is not as simple as just canceling the trip…”

“The Japanese government will reach out tomorrow morning to cancel the summit. Since you are preoccupied with the final match and the closing ceremony, it’ll be a good enough excuse for an official cancellation. The Moderate Party will release a statement showing their approval of your decision.”

After swallowing his thoughts, Kim Hak-gwon finally acquiesced.

—I understand. If Koizumi sends word tomorrow to cancel, then I will oblige.

“Thank you, Mr. President.”

—No problem at all. I should attend tomorrow’s funeral. That’s the right thing to do. These soldiers died defending our country. I must pay my respects to them.

“Yes, I’ll contact you when I arrive in Korea.”

After hanging up with Kim Hak-gwon, I realized he had softened a lot since his term was nearing its end.

Who knows what knives he hides behind that calm facade.

“Did it go well?”

Manager Ma, who had come back after delivering the phone, asked. I nodded slightly.

“I guess it’s time for bed. I’m feeling tired.”

Dealing with emotional people can be exhausting.

I sighed lightly and stood up, heading to my room.