Chapter 705: Uncompromising Responsibility

Yamamoto didn’t respond at all to my demand to take responsibility.

“Yamamoto, if you have no intention of taking responsibility as the leader, you shouldn’t shield your subordinates. That’s just telling me to back down entirely,” I said firmly.

Yamamoto hesitated, unable to reply, only fidgeting in place. Seeing him like that, I spoke in a chilling tone.

“No answer? Are you really daring to go against me? Fine, let’s see what you’ve got. You’ve been living like an emperor in Kobe, so I guess you’ve lost your touch. It’s quite amusing to watch you dismissed the person who helped you maintain your emperor status here.”

“President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“There won’t be a second chance. You either take responsibility or decide which subordinate you’re willing to sacrifice. My patience isn’t endless, and I won’t wait long. Choose wisely.”

I glared at him sharply, causing Yamamoto to flinch.

“I plan to stay in Japan for exactly three more days. Make your decision and find me. Now leave.”

“Are you seriously just going to walk away like this?”

Yamamoto asked urgently.

“What real conversation could happen in this chaotic mess? I’ll warn you again. If no one takes responsibility within three days, I can’t guarantee what will happen next.”

“Still, you’ve come all this way, so you should at least see the headquarters. The Heavenly Group was informed and has prepared some fine liquor. Let’s head inside.”

Yamamoto pleaded in a tone almost pitiful. It was clear he wanted to show me into the headquarters.

“I promise I will take responsibility. So please, let’s calm down and enter the headquarters to talk. You must have come for a specific purpose, right?”

“You’re right about having a purpose. But that purpose became irrelevant because I don’t think I can trust you, Yamamoto.”

“President! I have no ulterior motives…”

Thinking he was about to used me as an excuse, I raised my hand, cutting him off.

“Stop with the pointless excuses. Once you decide, come back. This is your last chance, so think carefully. Since forming the alliance, I’ve never made any requests of the members. If the fact that you treated me this way gets out, I don’t even need to say what could happen to you in the alliance, right? No, it’s not just the alliance that’s at stake. Think about what will happen if the public authority protecting you turns its back right now.”

Just as I finished speaking, Manager Ma stepped out of the car and opened the backseat door for me.

Forcing Yamamoto, still trying to say something, Manager Ma spoke firmly.

“Get out.”

His voice was polite, but there was an underlying weight of pressure there.

Yamamoto glanced between me and Manager Ma, then let out a deep sigh.

“I’m sorry. I will show sincerity. What should I do?”

Yamamoto was essentially conceding.

Getting pushed out of the alliance was a secondary issue.

Considering the current situation, any organization would find it hard to attack the Yakuza under the protection of the public authority.

However, once that protection vanishes, the smaller Yakuza organizations could pounce at any moment.

Even if their power decreased, the Yakuza who were once known as the big three still remained.

It was clear the balance of power would shift depending on whom the government favored.

I had dismantled all the influence that the Yakuza built up in politics and business.

Yamamoto was likely doing various things to build influence anew, but restoring the decades-long sway of the older Yakuza would take time.

‘The reason he clings to the public power is that he knows the current cabinet’s support is on shaky ground.’

The Yakuza weren’t propped up by the Japanese government for their love of them.

They chose to support just one large organization rather than deal with multiple petty organizations because it’s easier.

Of course, they also took political donations on the side.

“President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Despite the pressure from Manager Ma, Yamamoto did not get out of the car and spoke instead.

“Let’s go in together. Why don’t you see me taking responsibility firsthand?”

As I said nothing and merely watched, Yamamoto became even more frantic.

Yamamoto was always like this.

I gestured to Manager Ma, who bowed his head respectfully and quietly closed the door.

As the car door closed again, relief flickered across Yamamoto’s face.

“How do you intend to take responsibility?”

Yamamoto glanced at me cautiously as he maintained a formal tone.

“I will offer one of my fingers to you, sir.”

I chuckled at his attempt to take responsibility in the Yakuza way.

Looks like being pampered in Kobe has left him a bit dull-witted.

“What am I supposed to do with that finger? Yakuza fingers aren’t exactly a hot commodity.”

At my mocking words, Yamamoto’s expression turned grave.

“To us, offering a finger is akin to sacrificing our pride and our life. That’s how significant the weight of that finger is.”

“I know. It’s a very old tradition that’s been going on for ages, isn’t it? But that doesn’t hold much meaning for me.”

“…Then what do you wish for me to do?”

Yamamoto asked carefully, lowering his gaze.

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully. What should I do?

‘Kill him?’

The simplest method crossed my mind, but I shook my head.

Just killing him wouldn’t bring any meaning.

“Let’s do this. There’s something I want to take care of in Japan. Let’s have that kid do it.”

Yamamoto’s face lit up.

“You’re really going to forgive me with that?”

How could he react like that without knowing what task I wanted to assign him?

I smiled slightly as I looked at him.

“Do you know what I am planning?”

“I’ll do anything you ask.”

Yamamoto answered submissively.

I was satisfied with his crumbling resolve. Finally, he was in a position to have a proper conversation.

“Alright. Let’s head inside and talk.”

As I concluded our conversation, Manager Ma exited the vehicle and opened the back door for me.

As soon as I stepped out of the car, Yamamoto opened the door himself and got out.

Gone was the cowardly man who rubbed his hands together moments earlier; now Yamamoto surveyed the surroundings with a serious expression.

“Follow me this way, President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Not wanting to embarrass Yamamoto in front of his subordinates, I walked quietly beside him.

Yamamoto and I led the way. Behind us, the Yakuza clad in black suits walked, followed by Manager Ma and the bodyguards.

Passing through the large gates, the interior was a stark contrast to the impenetrable exterior.

The first thing that caught my eye was a beautifully maintained garden that felt straight out of the past.

‘Not bad.’

It wasn’t just decent; significant effort had gone into maintaining this garden.

Seeing my awed expression, Yamamoto beamed with pride.

“This garden has been cultivated over decades. It’s the first sight people see when they come to the headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi. Do you like it?”

His attitude pointing towards the garden exuded confidence.

“It’s lovely. I’ve seen quite a few gardens during my time in Japan, but none can compare to this one.”

“Hahaha! You flatter me.”

Yamamoto laughed exaggeratedly, as if for his subordinates to hear.

“Let’s head inside. I’ll show you what Japan’s traditions truly mean.”

I nodded slightly and, along with Yamamoto, followed him inside.

As we passed the garden, a traditional Japanese house welcomed us.

The garden was only the beginning.

The well-maintained structures gave a sense of stepping back in time, almost reminiscent of the Edo period.

‘They say the Yakuza value tradition so dearly.’

It was absolutely ridiculous.

Even if they marketed themselves as traditional and honorable, in the end, they were just violent people lurking in the alleys.

“Our Yamaguchi-gumi began as a small gang with just 50 members in 1915. The founding boss was quite the figure, you know. Though our history is brief, we’ve expanded by absorbing older organizations.”

As he walked, he shared the history of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

Halfheartedly listening to his explanation, I glanced around.

“Since I became the boss of the Yamaguchi-gumi, including all the affiliates, we’ve grown into a large organization with over 20,000 members. My predecessor had influence over about two-thirds of Japan, and now I lead an organization that encompasses all of Japan. How does it feel to see the headquarters of the Yamaguchi-gumi?”

Yamamoto’s words dripped with arrogance, finally ending as we arrived at the house.

“Not bad. I’d like to have a headquarters like this myself.”

With the times changing, the number of people adhering to tradition is decreasing.

Regardless of being Yakuza, I found it impressive that they were attempting to uphold such traditions.

But that was as far as it went. No matter how elaborate the outside looked, the inside remained hollow.

“Right? I’m relieved to hear you like it.”

Yamamoto flashed a smile at me and turned to Takayama with a serious tone.

“Takayama, you stay here, and everyone else return to your posts.”

“Yes, Oyabun!”

Dozens of Yakuza in black suits bowed in unison, responding.

They must have brought the Yakuza along just to show off this scene.

After sending the Yakuza away, Yamamoto scanned the bodyguards and gestured.

At that moment, a woman dressed in a kimono rose from the tatami mat.

Without shoes, she approached Yamamoto with brisk steps.

“You guide those men to a resting space. Offer them anything they want.”

The woman bowed her head before moving close to the bodyguards, speaking in Korean.

“Please follow me. I will guide you to a resting place.”

Her Korean was so fluent that she could easily be considered Korean.

Have those who fawned over me, calling me ‘Joseon’ or whatever, actually learned Korean?

As if picking up on my confusion, Yamamoto whispered softly.

“She’s a Korean born and raised in Japan.”

“Oh, I see?”

While we chatted, the bodyguards remained completely still.

The woman spoke once more, but the bodyguards didn’t budge.

I shot a glance at Manager Ma, and finally, he instructed the bodyguards.

“Follow her and rest.”

“Yes, Manager.”

The woman laughed, seeing the bodyguards follow her and then disappeared with them.

“Let’s head upstairs now.”

Yamamoto removed his shoes and ascended the tatami mat.

Quickly, the waiting woman organized his shoes.

‘What ridiculous display is this?’

Seeing him act as if he were a king, I chuckled inwardly and followed him up.

The interior of the massive wooden house was a labyrinth of twists and turns.

“This was designed so assassins wouldn’t be able to find their way easily.”

After passing through multiple complex corridors, we opened a sliding door to enter a large room.

The seat of honor was raised slightly, adorned with a cushion beautifully embroidered.

As Yamamoto and Takayama entered with me and Manager Ma, the door closed.

Once the door clicked shut, Yamamoto said,

“Please sit over there.”

Yamamoto gestured for me to take the seat of honor.

At that, Takayama’s eyes widened.

“Chairman!”

Yamamoto glared at Takayama as he called him.

“You shut up! How dare you take initiative? What are you going to do about this?”

“…”

Takayama fell silent and bowed his head at Yamamoto’s frigid voice.

“Is it fine for me to sit down?”

“Of course, the person who should sit in the seat of honor is clearly President Kim Mu-hyeok.”

It seemed Yamamoto was feigning anger, just to ease my mood. His intentions were pretty obvious.

I raised an eyebrow and replied.

“Thanks, but I’d prefer to keep it empty and sit across from you.”

“Hahaha. As you wish.”

I had no intention of following their Yakuza traditions.

I strolled to the cushion at the seat of honor and lowered myself onto it.

Setting the cushion down, I positioned myself across from him.

I could see the vein on Takayama’s forehead twitch in annoyance at my lack of decorum.

He still hadn’t gotten a grip. I glanced at him and then turned to Manager Ma behind me.

“Manager Ma, please sit down beside me. It might be a lengthy conversation, and standing can become tiring.”

Nodding, Manager Ma grabbed a cushion.

Seeing him sit diagonally slightly behind me, I chuckled softly.

Yamamoto, who witnessed this, fell silent for a moment before calling for Takayama.

“Takayama!”

Takayama, still at the door, promptly hurried over.

Simultaneously, a yell erupted.

“Get on your knees right now, you bastard!”