Chapter 386: I Want to Dissuade You

An old mansion on the outskirts of Tokyo. The heavy atmosphere lingered around the vintage estate.

“What kind of person was Kim Mu-hyeok during your meetingtoday?”

A man knelt before Daigo Tadashige.

The man, bowing his head, asked in a small voice.

“He was an interesting person. It was a refreshing meeting. If he were Japanese, I could even consider him as my successor.”

Daigo Tadashige’s praise of Kim Mu-hyeok revealed the man’s rowing agitation.

Seeing this, Daigo Tadashige let out a loud laugh.

“Araki!”

“Did you call for me, Chairman?”

“Are you jealous of Kim Mu-hyeok?”

“No, not at all.”

The man called Araki bit his lip in denial.

Daigo Tadashige regarded Araki with an expression of displeasure.

“You are my successor. So why are you so anxious? Someone who is meant to reign over others should not easily show their emotions. Chairmen of the Dae Dong-hui cannot wear their hr hearts on their sleeves. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, Chairman. I will heed your words seriously.”

“Indeed. It was just a brief encounter due to my connection with Chairman Cheon, but it left quite an impression. He spoke to me without flinching at all.”

Lifting his head, Araki didn’t bother to hide his shock as he cautiously replied.

“Isn’t it true that he doesn’t know who you are?”

Daigo Tadashige chuckled softly. The hostility evident in Kim Mu-hyeok’s gaze clearly indiated that he was aware of who he was dealing with.

“No, that’s not it. That was definitely a look of someone who knew me. Although he pretended to be unaware… If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have welcomed me so readily.”

Raising his teacup, Daigo Tadashige continued to speak.

“He could certainly become a worthy competitor for you. Keep a close watch, Araki.”

“Yes, Chairman.”

Though Araki bowed his head obediently, Daigo Tadashige, observing him, cleared his throat with a subtle expression.

After his meeting with Kim Mu-hyeok, Daigo Tadashige fet that Araki Sadao seemed lacking in some way, even though he had chosen him as his successor.

The intensity in Kim Mu-hyeok’s eyes made him fee a rush of youth he hadn’t felt in years.

Since taking the position as the leader of the Dae Dong-hui, no one had dared td to challenge him.

Not even the prime minister responsible for the cabinet, nor the heads of chaebols.

They had always bowed to him, which made it natural for Daigo Tadashige to control everything from behind the scenes.

However, the abrupt appearance of Kim Mu-hyeok felt too foreign.

Here was an individual who could threaten an entire nation, Japan, and uniquely extract what he desired.

“Unfortunately, he is not someone who can join us. We must proceed according to our plans.”

“Understood, Chairman.”

“This is just the beginning. We must reclaim the glory of the Empire of Japan starting now. No mistakes can be tolerated. Do you hear me?”

Araki knelt and bowed so low that his forehead nearly touched the ground.

“Yes! I will obey your commands!”

A voice unwavering, Daigo Tadashige finally smiled in satisfaction.

“You may go now. I need to rest.”

Araki responded softly, rising and backing out of the room.

Once the door closed and Daigo Tadashige was left alone, he murmured to himself.

“I must successfully abolish the Peace Constitution and succeed in the constitutional amendment this time. Yes, I have to.”

* * *

The Korea-Japan World Cup final.

As the national anthem rang out in Japan, a smile never left Song Chan-hyeok’s face.

After successfully generating buzz for the World Cup, along with the excellent performance of the Korean national football team, Song Chan-hyeok’s popularity soared

I closely observed him.

‘He isn’t thinking of running for president, is he?’

Noticing my gaze, Song Chan-hyeok turned his head andasked.

“Do you have something to say to me?”

I replied with a smile, “Your popularity is incredible. There are jokes going around that you could win the presidential election easily at this rate.”

“Haha, I’ve seen such articles myself.”

“Are you considering running for president?”

In response to my question, Song Chan-hyeok pretended to ponderseriously.

“If I ran, do you think I could be elected? What do you think, Boss Kim?”

A silent chuckle escaped me. He was clearly just joking as he spoke about it, even though he had it in mind.

“Just because you have popularity doesn’t guarantee you’ll win. I worry about you following in your father Chairman Song’s footsteps.”

Upon hearing my negative remark, Song Chan-hyeok’s eyebrows slightlytwitched.

“My apologies. I guess I shouldn’t have asked since you have personal ties with Boss Kim and Yoon Chang-ho.”

Mentioning Yoon Chang-ho directly seemed to upset him considerably.

That said, with this level of popularity, anyone would be filled with pride.

“Leaving aside my relationship with Yoon Chang-ho, it would be tough to achieve a good outcome. Would the public really stand by and watch a chaebol become president? Right now, they might overlook it due to the World Cup hype, but there are still six months until the election, Song Representative.”

I continued, watching the discomfort on Song Chan-hyeok’s face as he cringe at my blunt words.

“If someone is suggesting you run for president despite all this, they’re looking to use you. They want you to jump in based solely on public popularity, with no force or preparation behind you. It’s not going to end well.”

“Hmm.”

Someone has already gotten close, speaking in riddles like this.

I could tell from Song Chan-hyeok’s expression and acions that he had received offers to run for president.

I was uncertain what changes might come if he announced his candidacy, but politics was a living, changing entity.

Even if the support for Yoon Chang-ho surpassed 50% right now, should Choi Seon-man decide to move, the political landscape could shift dramatically.

Naturally, this would raise Song Chan-hyeok’s value considerabl.

“Ultimately, the choice is yours, Representative. However, I want to dissuade you.”

“Do you believe it’s impossible?”

“Yes, it’s impossible. There’s not even a 1% chance. If you decide to run, you’ll only serve as a pacemaker. You wouldn’t be running as an independent, right? So, regardless of which party you join, you would have to go through a primary contest. Do you really think you can do that without any backing? As someone who has served four terms, you surely know this.”

Song Chan-hyeok was a seasoned poliician, having served four consecutive terms as a member of the National Assembly, representing Ulsan, the city of Daehyeon Automotive and Daehyeon Heavy Industries.

In fact, in Ulsan, anyone from Daehyeon would likely win an election, making even a four-term politician’s renown seem lighter.

Song Chan-hyeok, who had rolled thrugh the political arena for quite a while, wouldn’t be unaware of this.

Nonetheless, for now, it was best to remain silent, and I decided it was time to conclude our conversation.

“My advice ends here. Let’s enjoy the game now.”

The whistle blew, signaling the start of the match, and I turned my gaze towards the stadium.

The match, initiated with a Brazilian attack, was surprisingly even.

Brazil dominated possession and led the offensive, while Korea defended with all their might.

By the end of the first half, Brazil had taken more than ten shots, but none found the net.

It was that intense a game. As the atmosphere grew heated, cheers for each team grew louder.

The red wave created by the Red Devils from Korea stood out vividly.

“One moment…”

After the first half ended, Koizumi’s secretary approached me.

“Kim Mu-hyeok, would you mind folowing me?”

I nodded slightly and stood up.

He guided me to a small room inside the stadium.

Upon opening the door, Prime Minister Koizumi awaited.

“Welcome.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

After quickly exchanging greetings, we sat facing each other. With no need for pleasantries, I straightforwardly asked, “Have you made a decision?”

“…Surely it won’t fail, right?”

“Of course. Even if something goes wrong, you will not be affected. But should you entertain different thoughts…”

“I have no intention of doing so, so don’t say that.”

Koizumi interrupted me firmly.

With that, he produced a memo from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“This is the core member list of the Dae Dong-hui.”y.”

Without looking at the paper, I questioned him once more, “Are you quite sure about your decision?”

During our last meeting, he had not given me a definitive reply. He seemed to be seeking an escape once again.

If he attempted that again this time, I would have no choice but to withdraw.

However, Koizumi nodded with determined eyes.

“If you eliminate just these individuals, I’ll handle the rest myself.”

“Understood.”

Only then did I pick up the memo.

Five names were written on it.

Daigo Tadashige.

Araki Sadao.

Honjo Shigeru.

Honda Kumataro.

Aoki Kazuo.

The names that also appeared in the documents Jessica had provided.

“Is it just these people I need to eliminate?”

“Yes. Once they are removed, the Dae Dong-hui will inevitably loslose influence. They are the extreme right among the right-wing factions. In particular, the chairman, Daigo Tadashige, and his successor, Araki Sadao…”

Koizumi trailed off, but I could understand clearly what he meant.

They had to be eliminated without exception.

“Understood. I’ll take care of it.”

“The sooner, the better. We never know when the Self-Defense Forces might move.”

“Do you not know the precise plan?”

“Perhaps by now, they’ve already laid out the details. I have no way of knowing for sure. But I suspect they will notify me the day before execution.”

That made sense. It was a stroke of luck that Koizumi was aware of the movements of the Self-Defense Forces.

“Once the clash among drug organizations begins, they will act. I suspect it won’t be long after the World Cup concludes. Right now, everyone is focused on the World Cup. After that, we’ll infiltrate our mercenaries into Japan and proceed with the plans.”

“Do you not need my help?”

“If you help carelessly, you might risk exposure. Not assisting is, in fact, helping.”

It could become more dangerous to receive unnecessary help from Koizumi.

Quietly resolving the matter without alerting anyone and departing Japan seemed the best strategy.

Regardless, the mercenaries coming in this time all possessed Russian nationality.

Even if the trail were to be uncovered, we would find a way to escape.

I looked at Koizumi and said, “By the way, Daigo Tadashige came to see me today. I doubt your assistance would benefit me at all, Prime Minister.”

Koizumi looked taken aback and asked, “Daigo Tadashige visited you?”

“Yes, he came to my hotel.”

“…Did he know we were meeting?”

Koizumi’s voice trembled ever so slightly.

“No. He merely mentioned that he came because of a brief connection with my grandfather. I don’t think he knew about your relationship with me.”

“He is not someone who easily moves…”

Seeing Koizumi rolling his eyes anxiously, I chuckled as I replied, “Don’t worry. In fact, I was convinced during that meeting that I couldn’t walk the same path as the Dae Dong-hui.”y.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He warned me. He said the time for merely watching was over and that I should quit meddling. Oh, and he also told me to stay away from Korea.”

“…”

“It was a gaze that expressed distrust towards anyone but himself, looking down on me. I understood well why you could not walk alongside him. So, you needn’t worry. I absolutely cannot join forces with Daigo Tadashige.”

Koizumi nodded slightly, seemingly in agreement.

Certainly, he felt more anxious about my unwillingness to cooperate with Daigo Tadashige than anything else.

“If you say so, Kim Mu-hyeok, then I will trust ou. For me, there are no options other than to join hands with you.”

The concept of power was so terrifying that even the Prime Minister of Japan had to cling to someone he despised.

Yet, ultimately, wielding power with the aid of external forces is fleeting.

This was certain to become a trap, ensnaring Koizumi’s feet.

Just then, a loud cheer erupted from the stadium.

Did Korea score? Unconsciously, I turned my head slightly.

“It’s time to get up. The second half seems to have started.”