Chapter 708: Let’s Ask One Thing First

Yamamoto stood there with a dazed expression, his mouth agape.

Seeing his reaction, I couldn’t help but raise one corner of my mouth and said,

“Do you not understand what I’m saying?”

“Wait a moment.”

Yamamoto picked up the water bottle in front of him and gulped it down.

After downing the entire bottle, he spoke with disbelief,

“Are you suggesting we kill Hiroyuki? A member of the Liberal Democratic Party… and the leader of a faction at that?”

He showed no qualms about discussing the task of killing Takayama.

It was only Hiroyuki’s death that he inquired about.

“Yes, let’s kill both of them.”

“It wouldn’t be difficult to take down Takayama. Killing one or two Yakuza isn’t headline news anymore. But Hiroyuki is a completely different issue. He’s the Chief Cabinet Secretary. Killing a faction leader, especially one that splits the Liberal Democratic Party, is no small matter. Even if Koizumi’s faction is more powerful, we can’t underestimate Hiroyuki’s side. If we make a wrong move, we Yakuza might find ourselves in deep trouble. They can make things very difficult for us if they choose to.”

I understood well what Yamamoto feared.

Koizumi had already ruthlessly crushed Yakuza groups that cooperated with the coup forces before.

Another politician’s death at the hands of the Yakuza?

No matter how much Koizumi might want to protect us, this was simply unacceptable.

Of course, while he might secretly cheer, he had to order a thorough investigation into Hiroyuki’s death publicly.

“I understand your position, Yamamoto. But this has to be done.”

As I spoke firmly, Yamamoto rolled his eyes, seemingly flustered.

“This is about the mistake that Takayama… or rather, Mr. Yamamoto made against me. What do you say? Can you handle it?”

Yamamoto fell silent, simply looking into my eyes.

Perhaps he read the sincerity in my gaze. With a deep sigh, he finally spoke,

“Is there a pressing reason you have to do this?”

“Of course there is. I really don’t like what Hiroyuki did to me.”

“I understand the circumstances. But isn’t that something you could simply ask of him, as a believer?”

Right. If Hiroyuki truly was a zealous believer resorting to intimidation, I wouldn’t have considered killing him.

But Hiroyuki dared to think of using me to seize control of the Japanese denomination.

Even thinking about it again made me livid. The way Hiroyuki had looked at me with shining eyes made my face harden instinctively.

With a stiffened expression, I shook my head.

“As you said, Yamamoto, if he was indeed a fervent believer loyal to the pope, I wouldn’t think of killing him. But that’s merely a pretext. They already know I would never grant such a request. In the end, this is just a dirty scheme to take over the Heaven Church’s Japanese denomination for themselves.”

“What do you mean by that?”

I summarized what Black Bear had reported to me.

As I listed the details, Yamamoto’s face turned pale.

“What you’re saying, Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok, is that letting go of that supposed founder is just a pretense, and that this is all an attempt to operate the Heaven Church’s Japanese denomination independently from Korea?”

Well summarized. I smirked, raising one corner of my mouth.

Despite my smile, perhaps sensing the killing intent reflected in my eyes, Yamamoto flinched.

“Yes. It’s utterly audacious. To think they would dare to use me. Initially, I only intended to warn Hiroyuki, but the moment I learned of their plans to exploit me, I changed my mind. Killing him felt like the only way to relieve my anger.”

If he truly wanted to take over the Heaven Church’s denomination, he should’ve brought something enticing to the table and asked me for a deal instead.

But daring to try to manipulate me while hiding his motives crossed the line. Hiroyuki had to be punished severely.

I needed to set an example. If I allowed such actions to go unpunished, others would think they could get away with it too.

I planned to show everyone what would happen if they tried to use me by making an example of Hiroyuki.

“Hmm. Mr. Kim Mu-hyeok, do we really have to kill him? Can’t we just give him a warning?”

After hearing about the situation, Yamamoto seemed frightened and began to shrink back.

I smiled gently at him.

“Don’t want to do it? Alright. Then I’ll handle it myself. But you should know one thing: if I take care of this myself, it means I won’t need you anymore. If I have to take matters into my own hands in Japan, you’ll no longer be a necessary ally. Furthermore, you’ll have to bear the consequences of your mistake in another way.”

Despite my smiling face, my cold warning made Yamamoto hurriedly wave his hands. Then he forced a smile as he said

“No, no. I should handle this. I just wanted to ensure that Hiroyuki’s death wouldn’t bring trouble to you, sir.”

In the world of the Yakuza, one had to continually prove their worth.

Yamamoto was well aware that if he were deemed useless, he could be discarded.

Having already handed over opposing or unfriendly faction members to the police, he certainly knew that better than anyone.

He needed to demonstrate his usefulness to me more than anyone else right now.

“How do you plan to proceed? And what do you need me to do?”

“But first, let’s ask one thing. How far do you think Takayama can go?”

“He’ll do anything I instruct him to.”

“A loyal subordinate, huh? Even for something like killing him, can he do it?”

“Of course. A Yakuza must take responsibility for their actions. That’s how they earn the title of being a samurai of the Yamaguchi-gumi.”

A samurai? It was laughable to think that those thugs were anything of the sort.

Besides, given that they had a history of making a mess, I didn’t completely trust it, but I nodded.

“Then let’s do this.”

I began explaining my plan to Yamamoto.

* * *

Japanese Church headquarters of the Heaven Church in Kyoto.

The leadership of the Japanese denomination stood in rows, waiting to greet someone at the entrance.

A short while later, a heavily tinted Benz pulled up in front of the church’s main gate.

When the car stopped, a man got out from the passenger seat and opened the rear door.

As the man stepped through the door, the Heaven Church leaders all bowed their heads.

The man who got out was Hiroyuki.

“Ha ha! Have all of you been waiting for me, our esteemed ministers of the Heaven Church? You really don’t have to rush, given how busy you all are!”

Hiroyuki managed to compose himself despite his smirk and spoke gravely to them.

“Not at all. It’s only natural to come out to welcome the Chief Cabinet Secretary during his visit to our church. Welcome!”

The man who seemed to hold the highest position spoke up, and Hiroyuki nodded pleasantly in response.

“Indeed. Now, let’s go inside. We have quite a bit to discuss today.”

“Yes. Right this way, sir.”

As they entered under guidance, Hiroyuki turned to the man who had spoken earlier and asked,

“Kitamura, it’s been a while.”

“Yes. Chief Cabinet Secretary.”

“Haha. Why be so formal with me? Just call me however you want.”

“No, that’s simply not acceptable.”

The man called Kitamura politely refused, speaking respectfully.

Hiroyuki playfully patted Kitamura on the shoulder in a friendly manner.

Surrounding them were the members of the Heaven Church observing the scene.

Aware of the onlookers, he overly praised Kitamura.

“Congratulations on taking charge of the Japanese denomination. No one could lead this Heaven Church better than you!”

“Thank you very much.”

After scanning the area with a smile, Hiroyuki said,

“Let’s go inside.”

The Heaven Church’s Japanese denomination occupied an entire building.

Nodding to Hiroyuki’s words, Kitamura took him to his office on the top floor.

Hiroyuki casually sat in the principal seat, with the leaders of the Heaven Church seated on either side.

Dropping the pretense he showed earlier, Hiroyuki asked Kitamura,

“What’s the response from the Korean headquarters?”

“They said to stop spouting nonsense. Ugh, don’t even get me started. The uproar over the Japanese denomination potentially being overthrown…”

Kitamura discarded any semblance of decorum, speaking outright.

“With President Han Seong-jin now captured, there’s no choice but to separate the Japanese denomination from the Korean headquarters. You’re aware of that, right? I can’t comprehend this Heaven Church being a Korean religion. It ought to be a religion of the Great Japanese Empire.”

“That’s right.”

“Speaking of which, President Han Seong-jin also hails from Japan. After Japan withdrew from Korea, he formed the Heaven Church, didn’t he? Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Kitamura parroted Hiroyuki’s comment as if he were a parrot.

Hiroyuki looked at Kitamura with a satisfied gaze and replied,

“I told Kim Mu-hyeok to demand the release of President Han Seong-jin.”

“Yes. I’ve been actively spreading that message among the followers. The Chief Cabinet Secretary himself has stepped in to rescue President Han Seong-jin. The believers were so moved they shed tears after hearing it.”

“Good work. But Kim Mu-hyeok will never release President Han Seong-jin. I know him well. He will never forgive anyone who draws a knife against him.”

Hiroyuki said, rubbing his chin. Yet, Kitamura knew little about Kim Mu-hyeok.

All he understood was that he was the one who detained President Han Seong-jin and pushed for Han Hyun-soo, the current leader of the Heaven Church.

Also, that he was on excellent terms with Prime Minister Koizumi.

Perhaps that was why a hint of worry creased Kitamura’s face.

“Will the Chief Cabinet Secretary be okay?”

At Kitamura’s question, Hiroyuki laughed heartily.

“What are you saying? Who am I? I’m the Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan. Who would dare kill me? This isn’t Korea; it’s Japan. If anyone dares to touch the Chief Cabinet Secretary here, regardless of who they are, they won’t leave unscathed.”

When Hiroyuki boasted of his invulnerability, Kitamura finally felt relieved and nodded.

The Hiroyuki he knew was a tenacious and ambitious person.

He was capable enough to have survived when all politicians connected to the Heaven Church were ousted this time.

That’s why Kitamura decided to align himself with Hiroyuki to separate the Japanese denomination from Korea.

“Besides, that man has no idea what I’m really thinking. I acted like a fanatic when I met him. He probably assumes I’m a believer who’s risking my life to rescue President Han Seong-jin.”

“Is that so?”

“If President Han Seong-jin were freed, I’d be overjoyed. If he comes to the Japanese denomination, everything will be resolved.”

“That’s right. Where he is is effectively the headquarters.”

Responding to Kitamura’s optimistic words, Hiroyuki shook his head.

“That’s true, but there’s no reality to it. We need to walk our own path. Don’t you think?”

“That’s correct. It’s time to stop being dragged around by Korea. Our Japanese denomination has the most followers. How long are we going to be led around?”

“Exactly. I agree completely. Didn’t I say? We can grow the Heaven Church bigger than Korea. I’ve always claimed that if it weren’t for President Han Seong-jin, we would’ve already made progress. But now that he’s no longer with us, it’s our turn to step in. We’ve understood his teachings better than anyone, haven’t we?”

Cautiously responding to Hiroyuki’s confident words, Kitamura asked,

“But… what if they call for a meeting with the Korean headquarters? What should we do?”

Hiroyuki’s eyes sparkled with interest.

“Did that fellow Han Hyun-soo decide to make a move?”

“It seems so.”

After a moment of contemplation, Hiroyuki replied,

“If he wants to talk to us, tell him to visit the Japanese denomination himself.”

“Will he come? I think he’d be asking us to enter his domain instead.”

“The one who is thirsty will come to us. We have nothing to lose. Once we separate, do you think the other countries’ denominations will just sit and watch? They will definitely come.”

The two of them, dreaming of a happy future, planned what to do once the Japanese denomination was independent.

Unaware that Kim Mu-hyeok was preparing a dagger aimed at them.