Chapter 704: It’s Not a Request, It’s an Instruction

A coalition of organizations has taken control of the underworld in Northeast Asia.

Korea, Japan, China, and even the Russian Mafia—all of them coexisted, each respecting the other’s territory while ruling the underworld together.

Where there’s light, shadows are sure to linger.

If I can’t eliminate them altogether, it’s far more comforting to keep them under my control.

I had the Heavenly Group create their coalition.

Since then, I paid no mind to their alliance.

“Did the President personally ask you to come greet me?”

I crossed my arms and nodded.

“Yes. Tell him to come greet me ‘in person.’ If he doesn’t plan on doing that, then I’m not responsible for what happens next.”

“Do you know where this is? It’s the headquarters of our clan. Asking the owner to come greet you personally… that’s not something I can agree to.”

How could he not know?

I came here in person just to meet Yamamoto.

“It’s not a request; it’s an instruction. I know this is the headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi. Just contact someone inside and get those Yakuza sprawled out there organized.”

Despite the commotion, the police hadn’t responded.

No matter how much Koizumi backed me, it was still a brawl involving gunfire.

Either no one reported it, or they shrugged it off after receiving the call.

Regardless of the reason, it was a testament to the immense power of the Yamaguchi-gumi’s president here.

The man in front trembled slightly, then ordered his subordinates around.

“Get those guys out of here right now! Send the injured to the hospital, and gather up the ones who can still survive!”

“Yes, Vice Chief!”

The man standing in front was the Vice Chief of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

‘Oh! So he’s the Vice Chief.’

From Yamamoto’s perspective, it might’ve been a gesture of goodwill to send his second-in-command to greet me.

If this hadn’t been a conflict, I’d probably have followed this man inside without question.

After directing his subordinates, the Vice Chief turned back to me.

“Once more, I must insist; it’s impossible.”

The Vice Chief’s tone was firm.

“What’s your name? And what’s your position in the organization?”

“It’s Takayama Kiyoshi. My position is Vice Chief.”

Takayama Kiyoshi, huh…

“Are you the second-in-command?”

“…”

Takayama didn’t reply.

‘Isn’t the Vice Chief supposed to be the second-in-command?’

Well, the inner workings here are irrelevant.

“If you don’t want to answer, that’s up to you. Speaking of which, Mr. Takayama, you say it’s impossible? Then shall we go back?”

“…Why are you doing this?”

“Why do you think? Did you not know we were coming?”

“We received a late notice from Korea. Until then, we were unaware.”

I grinned slightly, a mocking smile creeping onto my face.

“Oh come on, come on, come on. Look over there.”

I pointed at the CCTV cameras one by one.

“How can you say you didn’t notice with all those cameras set up like spider webs?”

“…”

“Were you planning on just watching how this unfolded? Or was Yamamoto instructing you to see how I handle things?”

Takayama’s eyes quivered slightly.

Looks like they’ve got something on their minds.

“Did you have no idea about me at all? You must have heard we entered Japan because the Heavenly Group would have contacted you.”

“We were aware.”

“If you knew, then you should have expected we could show up unannounced. Even if you hadn’t anticipated it, with the CCTV, Yamamoto should be coming out to manage things, especially after shots were fired, right? Doesn’t really make sense otherwise. Tell him to come out, or I’m leaving.”

Takayama bit his lip.

“Why? Are you worried about losing face in front of your subordinates?”

“Not many in the organization know about Kim Mu-hyeok. Only key figures, including the president, are aware.”

“If they know about me, then this situation wouldn’t be an issue. So did Yamamoto give you the order to attack us?”

Takayama shook his head.

“No, he was unaware of this matter.”

“Then it was you? Did you give the orders yourself?”

“…”

This guy is hiding something, isn’t he?

“Mr. Takayama, I don’t know why you felt the need to test us, but your actions might endanger the entire organization. The only one who can clean up this mess is Yamamoto. Tell him to come out and greet me immediately.”

“President.”

I don’t like repeating myself.

“You should either contact him or stop pretending these Yakuza idiots cannot understand plain words!”

“Do I really have to? The president’s reputation is at stake…”

I cut him off.

“This is the last time I’m asking. Tell him to come out right now.”

I glanced at my watch.

“I’ll wait for exactly 20 more minutes.”

“Kim Mu-hyeok!”

Takayama tried to call me as he stepped forward, but Manager Ma blocked him.

I simply got into the car, closing the door.

‘This is amusing. Look at what they’re doing.’

Other than Yamamoto, none of the executives had met me before.

This felt like a test.

The bodyguards were not seriously injured. If I showed a hint of hesitation, this minor incident could undoubtedly be dismissed.

But why should I care?

Soon, Manager Ma opened the passenger door and climbed in.

“What did they say?”

“They’ve gone inside for now.”

I nodded.

“Boss. Just in case, I called for extra personnel to come over here.”

“Oh really? Was there a Black Bear branch in Japan?”

“No, I made the request to the Heavenly Group.”

“So Heavenly Group employees are dispatched to Japan?”

Weren’t they supposed to have agreed not to intrude on each other’s territories?

“I heard they were doing some business with the Yamaguchi-gumi. Should we check?”

“It’s not drugs, is it?”

“Heavenly Group will never get involved with drugs. Still, I’ll look into it closely.”

“Got it. Let’s just wait for now.”

I relaxed my arms on the armrest and closed my eyes.

‘Had it gone wrong, my bodyguards or Manager Ma could’ve been hurt.’

If Takayama hadn’t shown up…

They’d have probably rushed over in a panic without anticipating the situation would escalate to gunfire, but still, it left a sour taste.

I hadn’t thought I’d have to go this far for Yamamoto’s dignity.

A leader’s charisma crumbles, it’s hard for the organization to survive.

Especially for a large organization like the Yamaguchi-gumi.

‘If it weren’t for the Heavenly Church, I wouldn’t even be here.’

It’s all because of the Heavenly Church.

I opened my eyes and turned to Manager Ma.

“Did you tell them to investigate the Heavenly Church?”

“Yes. I should have a report for you by tomorrow.”

While talking with Manager Ma, I gazed out the window toward the entrance of the headquarters.

Just then, the large doors swung open, and dozens of men emerged.

The one at the front was Yamamoto Ken.

“If you’d just speak nicely, they wouldn’t be so obstinate. These Yakuza types…”

Gangsters act tough, but they’re actually the ones most concerned about how their opponents will react and how strong they are.

I watched Yamamoto approach without stepping out of the vehicle.

Yamamoto and his executives halted near the car I was in.

Takayama approached the door and knocked on the window.

“Go out and tell Yamamoto to get in the car.”

I couldn’t humiliate him in front of his guys. I didn’t want to see Yamamoto Ken collapse either.

At my command, Manager Ma opened the door and stepped out.

While he was engaged in conversation, I saw Yamamoto glance briefly toward my vehicle.

His face displayed obvious displeasure.

As if they had finished their conversation, Yamamoto walked toward my car along with Manager Ma. Manager Ma opened the opposite rear door for me, and Yamamoto hurriedly entered through the door that had just been opened.

The moment Yamamoto sat beside me, he coughed awkwardly instead of greeting me.

“Ahem.”

I looked at Yamamoto with a smile, not saying a word.

An extended silence followed, but finally, Yamamoto spoke first.

“Kim Mu-hyeok, it’s been a while since we last met.”

With a continued smile, I replied.

“Indeed, Yamamoto-san. It’s been quite some time.”

“If you were coming, why didn’t you contact me in advance? We could have avoided this misunderstanding.”

I tilted my head.

“Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?”

“I reported to my subordinates that you were attacked by another organization, thinking it was a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding, you say?”

What a joke.

“That’s quite the coincidence. Mistakes can happen, sure, but to think it’d happen to me today, in this fashion. What a remarkable twist of fate.”

I meant for him to speak sense.

Yamamoto’s face twisted with dismay as he caught my underlying message.

“It was a genuine misunderstanding. How could I possibly intend to attack you?”

“You might be capable of that, Mr. Yamamoto. But what about your subordinates? Not a single one among us, including Manager Ma, was recognized by them?”

“…”

“You’ve installed this many CCTV cameras, and think calling it a misunderstanding suffices? Quite a convenient excuse if you ask me.”

If they assumed I’d just let this go, they were mistaken.

“As they say, when you go in and out of the bathroom, your mindset can shift. You’re just like that, Mr. Yamamoto. I must’ve misjudged my assessment. Now I need to find someone more reliable.”

“Kim Mu-hyeok!”

Yamamoto shouted in surprise.

“Why are you yelling?”

“I genuinely didn’t know. I typically don’t give orders for this kind of thing myself.”

“If you had no knowledge of it, that would make you incompetent. If you did, it makes you an accomplice. Isn’t that a natural conclusion for someone in your position?”

“If I truly meant harm to you, it wouldn’t have concluded like this.”

“That’s quite the innovative form of intimidation.”

“Intimidation?”

Yamamoto waved his hands anxiously.

“How could I intimidate you? Thanks to your support, I’ve managed to take hold of Japan’s underworld and establish good relations with the government. I haven’t forgotten that kindness.”

I regarded him silently, my gaze unwavering.

“What should I do? How do I appease your anger?”

I gestured toward the executives waiting outside.

“If you’ve done something wrong, you should take responsibility, right?”

Yamamoto followed my gaze.

After confirming Takayama was at the end of my stare, he spoke.

“That person is…”

“A significant subordinate, I assume.”

“…He has been a longtime executive by my side. He has earned the trust of the subordinates.”

“Is it because of this difficulty in holding him accountable? What do you mean, ‘let it slide,’ then?”

When Yakuza makes an apology, it’s customary to offer money.

But even if he ruled the Japanese underworld, what would a few bucks mean to me? Yamamoto should know this well.

“I’ll convey my apologies in another way.”

Yamamoto stammered out the words.

I wiped the smile off my face.

“Mr. Yamamoto, do you think of me as an easy target? I’m not the kind of person who lets those who have attacked me get away. Have I forgotten what I accomplished in Japan?”

“President!”

“If you can’t hold your subordinate accountable, then it falls to you.”