Chapter 398: Don’t Do That

The meeting arranged by Daigo Tadashige was a significant event even for yakuza groups that had long competed against each other.

For Watanabe Yoshinori, the boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi, and Yamamoto Ken of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi, it was especially meaningful.

It was the first time the two had shared a drink since their organizations had split.

They say having former allies become enemies is even more terrifying.

After their split, they constantly insulted and fought each other, leading to numerous conflicts and many casualties among their members.

Though a single meeting couldn’t mend their rift, having Daigo Tadashige as the mediator was a different story.

“To Watanabe Group, I raise my glass!”

Yamamoto stood and walked towards the table laden with drinks in front of Watanabe.

Watanabe and Yamamoto faced each other.

Watanabe extended his cup, and Yamamoto smiled as he poured sake into it.

Watanabe downed his drink in one go and then handed his cup to Yamamoto.

“You should join me for a drink too. It’s been years since we’ve shared one after you took charge of your organization. Isn’t that right?”

“Haha, please pour me a drink. It’s all in the past, isn’t it? But wasn’t it a bit much when you tried to pass the organization down to your son? If you hadn’t done that, I would have remained loyal to you, Watanabe.”

Watanabe paused, his hand freezing mid-pour for Yamamoto’s cup.

“Weren’t we on good terms, Watanabe? I supported you wholeheartedly until you got to where you are now. But now I hear you’re handing the position to Saoru. The tradition was to pass down the leadership to the regional heads honoring the first and second bosses. But you broke that tradition, didn’t you?”

Yamamoto’s cup was filled to the brim, overflowing.

“If you were so supportive, then he should have succeeded, shouldn’t he? How could he die like that in Korea? It’s a disgrace. The name Yamaguchi-gumi deserves better than this.”

Yamamoto didn’t stop talking until the last drop of sake from the pitcher was poured.

“Yamamoto… do you really want to die? How dare you mention Saoru in front of me?”

Watanabe ground his teeth, his voice cold and his eyes filled with lethal intent.

Yet, even under the pressure from Watanabe, Yamamoto kept smiling.

He lifted the overflowing cup to his lips.

Slamming down the empty cup audibly, Yamamoto curled one corner of his mouth into a sly smirk.

It was a blatant provocation.

Just before Watanabe could respond, Daigo Tadashige, who had been watching the tension unfold with amusement, intervened.

“Enough of this.”

Watanabe bit his lip in anger. With Daigo Tadashige stepping in, he couldn’t afford to speak freely.

“Yamamoto, apologize now.”

“Boss, that’s…”

“The man who will succeed me cannot be so petty! How can Yamamoto lead the Yamaguchi-gumi like this?”

“I’m sorry.”

“You should apologize to Watanabe, not me.”

Forced into submission, Yamamoto knelt before Watanabe and bowed his head.

“Boss, I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

Watanabe glared down at Yamamoto, his eyes filled with a murderous rage.

“Watanabe.”

Only after Daigo Tadashige prompted him did he finally open his tightly shut mouth.

“…No. I lost my temper as well. Lift your head. Isn’t it a good day?”

Yamamoto raised his head. Watanabe struggled to suppress the urge to tear apart the smiling Yamamoto’s lips.

“Both of you, come here and have a drink with me.”

Watanabe and Yamamoto approached silently to receive their cups.

Watching the two drink the sake he poured, Daigo Tadashige spoke.

“Let me say this once more. Once this matter is settled, we will reunite the organizations. And I’m designating Yamamoto as the successor.”

Watanabe’s expression stiffened, while a smile bloomed on Yamamoto’s face.

“Watanabe, you need to reach out to the world. Give the homeland over to Yamamoto. I’ve already set everything in place, so don’t feel bad about it.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“For now, let’s unite our strength to secure the homeland first. Everything will return to normal afterwards. Do you all understand?”

“Yes, Boss!”

With the loud responses, Daigo Tadashige raised his cup with satisfaction.

“Let’s all toast together.”

Everyone gathered there uniformly raised their cups.

“For Japan!”

“For Japan!!”

With Daigo Tadashige leading the toast, everyone shouted in unison.

The drinking party’s atmosphere gradually grew more lively as the darkness deepened.

“Boss. A moment…”

The vice-boss of the Kobe Yamaguchi-gumi cautiously called out to Yamamoto.

After excusing himself and stepping outside, the vice-boss whispered into Yamamoto’s ear.

“We received a call from Korea. It’s urgent.”

Yamamoto frowned slightly.

“What do those bastards want?”

“I’m not sure. It’s just urgent, and they know you’re here already.”

“What? How did they find out?”

“I don’t know. They insisted on talking to you right away. Or you’ll regret it…”

“Damn it. Call them now.”

Nodding, the vice-boss dialed and, after a brief moment, exchanged quick words.

Soon, Yamamoto received the phone and asked in a hushed tone.

“This is Yamamoto. Who is this?”

― Is this Yamamoto? This is Yoo Sung-jin from Heavenly Group.

“Chairman Yoo Sung-jin? What brings you to call? Are you monitoring me? How did you find out I’m here…”

Yamamoto hurriedly questioned, but Yoo Sung-jin calmly interrupted him.

― I’ll get straight to the point. You need to leave that place immediately. Or else, you will regret it. This is President Kim Mu-hyeok’s directive.

“What? Kim Mu-hyeok? Directive? Hey, doI look like your subordinate? We just helped each other out, didn’t we agree not to interfere?”

As Yamamoto’s voice raised, the vice-boss beside him tried to intervene.

“Boss, lower your voice please.”

After glaring at the vice-boss once, Yamamoto continued.

His voice was significantly lower than before.

“Explain yourself. Wasn’t that the case?”

― That’s right. We have no interest in Japan, and we don’t care what happens. We’re only warning you to save your life.

“What do you mean by that? To save my life?”

― I can’t disclose details. But everyone there will die.

“What!”

Yamamoto exclaimed in horror without realizing it.

― Quiet. If you go back and inform those inside, you’ll die too. Do you understand, Yamamoto Ken?

“…”

― Decide what you’ll do when they all die. We don’t have time, so leave immediately.

That was the last thing said before the line went dead.

“Hello!”

Yamamoto called out anxiously, but there was no response.

He stared blankly at the disconnected phone, his face in shock.

“What’s going on?”

“They told me to leave immediately. Or I might die. What do I do?”

“What? What does that mean?”

“These guys wouldn’t say something like this lightly, right? What’s happening…”

Yamamoto trailed off as he looked around anxiously.

“I need to leave right away. What excuse should I use?”

Yamamoto fidgeted, hesitating.

The vice-boss closed his eyes to collect his thoughts before opening them again and speaking slowly.

“Tell them that the headquarters has come under attack, Boss.”

“…Do you think that will work?”

“I’ll handle it. Just say that and leave.”

Yamamoto nodded and returned to the drinking party.

Daigo Tadashige, noticing Yamamoto’s stiff expression, looked on curiously.

“What’s wrong? Why do you look like that?”

“W-Well…”

Yamamoto’s voice trembled, drawing all eyes in the room towards him.

“What is it? Why does Yamamoto look so shaken?”

Whispers began as Daigo Tadashige’s gaze sharpened.

“Speak up. What’s the issue?”

“…T-the headquarters has come under attack. I think we need to return immediately.”

Everyone looked surprised. Only Daigo Tadashige looked at him with skepticism.

“Is that true?”

“They say there wasn’t much damage, but we still need to return immediately. I’m sorry.”

Yamamoto bowed his head. After a long silence, Daigo Tadashige nodded and replied.

“Alright. Seems like the little ones are causing trouble again. Go and sort it out first. We’ll contact you separately.”

“Yes, Boss.”

Yamamoto said farewell to the other bosses and hurried out. Once he left, the raucous drinking resumed.

In the chaos, Daigo Tadashige closed his eyes and fell into thought.

How much time had passed? When he opened his eyes again, he quietly called for Araki.

“Araki.”

“Did you call for me, Boss?”

“Investigate. See if headquarters was really attacked, or if there’s something more to it. That kid couldn’t look me in the eye, and it’s bothering me.”

“Understood.”

Araki left cautiously, and Daigo Tadashige returned to leading the drinking party, wearing a smile.

But the peace they had created wouldn’t last long.

* * *

“Don’t do anything. That’s the only way the President can survive.”

My warning made Jang Min-hyuk react first.

“Kim Mu-hyeok, how rude. We’re infront of his Excellency.”

The loyal dog barks. I raised the corners of my mouth as I glanced at Jang Min-hyuk.

“Manager Jang, you’re as consistent as ever. A devoted servant must correct a master’s mistakes. You can’t just stand guard. If you blindly follow wrong orders, you’ll end up in this kind of mess. Ah, perhaps being a dog means just following orders?”

The fury glared in Jang Min-hyuk’s eyes began to intensify.

“You little punk…”

Choi Seon-man raised his hand to stop Jang Min-hyuk. Despite gritting his teeth, Jang Min-hyuk took a step back.

“What do you know?”

“I know you’re planning a coup and I even know who’s executing it. The moment I see even a hint of disturbance, they’ll be arrested.”

“Where did you hear that? This matter is between me, Jang Min-hyuk, and…”

“The heavens know, the earth knows, and I know. Who else is there? Do you really think the U.S. is clueless?”

“…”

Nonchalantly responding, Choi Seon-man released a bitter laugh.

“Oh really. To have my hand so easily revealed. But if you think my hand is just the Defense Security Command, you’re mistaken. I could kill you now and start the operation at any moment.”

“President, please don’t make feeble threats. That only worked when you were in power.”

Striking at a sore spot, Choi Seon-man howled, slamming his hands down on the table.

“Kim Mu-hyeok! Do you really wantto die?”

Even a toothless tiger has claws, but apparently Choi Seon-man has lost them all.

“Don’t do that.”

“Hyung!”

Jang Min-hyuk drew a pistol from his coat.

“Do you think you could still live after this?”

Jang Min-hyuk cocked the hammer back.

A scared dog barks louder. It was ridiculous to think I had come here unprepared.

“If I can’t leave here safely today, the President’s entire family will die.”

“What?”

“I said the President’s whole family will die. Would you like me to repeat that?”

I took out a photo from my suit pocket.

Unlike my calm demeanor, Jang Min-hyuk pointed his gun squarely at me when I moved.

I smiled slightly and held out the photo to Jang Min-hyuk.

“Put the gun down. Just take this, Manager Jang.”

Choi Seon-man nodded, and Jang Min-hyuk took the photo.

After examining the picture, Jang Min-hyuk’s eyes shifted. Then he looked at me with a murderous glare.

“Hyung, what is this? Show me.”

Choi Seon-man urged, and Jang Min-hyuk handed the photo to him.

After examining the photo handed over, Choi Seon-man’s face went pale.

“Don’t cross the line, President Choi Seon-man.”