Chapter 714: It’s Over Once You Kill Me

Hiroyuki’s suggestion made Takayama’s gaze waver.

“Yamamoto has rebelled against the previous boss too. He split the organization and created his own, ultimately devouring that boss and becoming the master of Yamaguchi-gumi. Why couldn’t you do the same, with my support? I think you could achieve even more,” he said.

“…Yamamoto is like a father to me,” Takayama replied.

Hiroyuki twisted his lips in a mocking smile at Takayama’s words.

“Is that your true feeling? If so, I won’t push you any further. I thought we could be good partners.”

“…”

“It’s not a difficult task. Yamamoto trusts you, so it should be easier for you.”

Takayama opened his mouth, trying to say something.

But Hiroyuki raised his hand to stop him and spoke.

“Think carefully before you answer. I’m not the type to ask twice. It’s either yes or no. Don’t bother trying to weigh your options. I won’t sit back and watch Yamaguchi-gumi infiltrate my territory through Koizumi.”

Takayama hesitated, unable to speak promptly.

Watching him struggle in silence, Hiroyuki’s smile turned increasingly sinister.

* * *

The restaurant where Hiroyuki and Takayama met was a fortress of security.

From the entrance, phones were confiscated, and thorough body searches were conducted to prevent any recording devices.

These conditions were rules that no one in the political or business sectors could evade—unique to this establishment.

And that was also the reason people from all walks of life sought this restaurant.

Since it opened, never once had a conversation held inside leaked out.

Perhaps that’s why Hiroyuki seemed comfortable discussing his plans.

‘But do I really have to follow those rules? There’s no need for that.’

I had already set up cameras and listening devices in the room where the two were talking.

I was observing their conversation, with Yamamoto beside me.

“This bastard! How dare he!”

Yamamoto shot up from his seat, enraged at Hiroyuki’s suggestion to form a new organization instead of staying with Yamaguchi-gumi.

He looked ready to storm into the restaurant at any moment.

“Sit down. Don’t do anything rash.”

I said in an emotionless voice, keeping my eyes glued to the monitor.

“Boss Kim! This bastard is plotting to kill me right now!”

Yamamoto raised his voice, agitation spilling over. His anger seemed hard to contain.

Only then did I look up at Yamamoto, who had stood up.

“Do I need to tell you twice? Sit down.”

Seeing my cold gaze, Yamamoto flinched. He sighed, returning to his seat.

“I warned you. I told you what might happen if Hiroyuki was allowed to stay alive. Do you finally understand what I meant?”

“…”

“Hiroyuki tried to use me. Do you really think someone like that would just let you, who has a close relationship with me, go untouched? Not a chance.”

Yamamoto bit his lip, listening to my words. His fist clenched tightly, turning pale from the strain.

“Will Takayama really reject that proposal? Let’s see what choice he makes. If he outright refuses, then I’ll spare him.”

“Is that true?”

I nodded instead of answering.

If he was a man of such loyalty, he deserved a chance for forgiveness.

But would he really? Takayama is Yakuza. It’s common for a son to kill his father, and then that son’s child growing up to do the same.

In a world rife with betrayal, no one maintained loyalty until the end.

To me, the bait Hiroyuki had thrown was far too enticing.

If he defies my expectations and makes that choice, I decided I would respect Takayama.

Yeah, if he does that.

‘Hiroyuki is like a father to me.’

Takayama responded, and alongside him, Yamamoto’s expression brightened.

“See? He’s not the type to betray me. He knows how much I value him.”

Isn’t this ridiculous enough to be considered a work of art?

It was laughable, how he agreed to kill Takayama to save his own skin and now acted like this.

Yamamoto, caught up in his joy, failed to notice, but I saw it clearly.

His gaze may have been steady, but the video showed Takayama’s eyes wavering.

Hiroyuki continued speaking, while Takayama offered no reply.

‘Think carefully before you answer.’

Hiroyuki finally passed the ball to Takayama.

Takayama stayed quiet, mumbling unintelligibly.

Yamamoto’s face twisted in anger at the sight.

“What are you doing? Tell him to stop messing around!”

Whether he knew how fed up Yamamoto was or not, Takayama took his time responding.

As I sipped from the teacup in front of me, I spoke to Yamamoto.

“Care for a bet? Let’s see what comes out of Takayama’s mouth.”

“…”

“He’s going to ask about the plan. He’ll want to know how it’ll play out. If he thinks it’s feasible, he’ll betray you.”

Yamamoto glared at me, biting his lips tightly.

In his fury, blood vessels burst in his eyes, turning them red.

“No way. Takayama would never betray me!”

I shrugged in response to his deliberate enunciation.

It’d be interesting to watch how Yamamoto’s trust would unravel.

Finally, Takayama opened his mouth on the monitor.

“Please share your plans. If they’re solid, and the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s promise is guaranteed, I will do everything I can.”

As I predicted, Takayama couldn’t resist the temptation.

“This bastard dares betray me?!”

Yamamoto jumped up again. He turned to leave, ready to storm out.

However, he was blocked at the doorway by Manager Ma, who stood firm.

“Go back.”

“Move! Unless you want to die!”

Yamamoto stared down Manager Ma, perhaps oblivious to the threat.

Or maybe he simply hadn’t paid enough attention to realize how powerful Manager Ma was.

“Mr. Yamamoto. Let’s follow the plan. It’s over once you kill me.”

Yamamoto turned to me at my voice.

“I need to ask directly. Why would you betray me? How can you do this to me!”

I, Won. He talks about loyalty while forgetting the wrongs he committed.

I couldn’t help but smile, lifting one corner of my mouth. It was a clear smirk that made Yamamoto flinch.

“Aren’t you the one who stepped over the old boss to be where you are now? What do you think Takayama learned from that? He just wants to walk the same path you did, Mr. Yamamoto.”

“What did you say?”

“Am I wrong? After getting pushed out of the heir competition for Yamaguchi-gumi, you split the organization and formed a new faction, didn’t you, Mr. Yamamoto?”

Faced with my relentless words, he went silent.

“Without my help, you would’ve met a lonely death on Korean soil. So, you have no reason to resent Takayama. He chose his own way to survive. Let’s follow the plan. Don’t overthink it. If you need to leave, I might have to force you to sit down. I want to respect Takayama.”

Yamamoto was known within the Yakuza as a fierce fighter.

But no matter how skilled he was, he was just an underground fighter, unable to compare to Manager Ma, who had seen countless battles on battlefronts.

Yamamoto glared at Manager Ma, then turned back to me.

“Boss. The Yakuza has its own methods. I can’t let you kill him so easily. Hiroyuki, I will personally handle him.”

Yamamoto continued trying to persuade me.

“Isn’t it enough to just kill Hiroyuki? I’ll handle it personally and ensure it’s done right. Who cares who does it?”

Yamamoto seemed completely consumed by rage, unable to think properly.

“You want to do it yourself? Mr. Yamamoto, have you forgotten your position? What if it causes trouble later?”

“There are plenty willing to take my place in prison. Nobody will know.”

I understood why Yamamoto was so agitated.

If his most loyal subordinate, Takayama, could be so easily swayed, others would likely follow suit.

It’s natural for him to feel anxious, but I had no reason to cater to his whims.

“Let’s keep it simple. I don’t want to introduce further variables to a situation easily handled. So just come and watch.”

While Yamamoto and I were speaking, the two on the monitor continued their conversation.

“Do you have a trusted subordinate? One who would take a bullet for you?”

I kept listening to their dialogue, addressing Yamamoto.

“This is your final warning. Sit down.”

“…”

Yamamoto trembled with anger, refusing to move.

I shot a glance at Manager Ma, signaling him to grab Yamamoto if necessary.

Understanding my intention, Manager Ma placed a hand on Yamamoto’s shoulder.

Yamamoto roughly shoved off Manager Ma’s hand, shouting.

“Don’t touch me! I might really kill you before it’s over!”

Yamamoto glared at Manager Ma and purposely stomped toward me, making a scene.

“Boss Kim.”

“What?”

“For this matter, I’ll follow your lead. But remember this—I am not your subordinate.”

He still had some pride. I couldn’t help but chuckle and nod.

“I know. I never thought of you as my subordinate. If I had, you would’ve disappeared from this world already after messing up.”

“…”

“Sit. My head is hurting. Besides, we’re discussing something important, so listen up. I think Hiroyuki’s confidence suggests there’s either a traitor within Yamaguchi-gumi or he has recruited another faction.”

With a sigh, Yamamoto fell heavily into his seat beside me.

“Can I trust that subordinate?”

“Yes. He follows my orders, not the president’s.”

Just as I expected. Hiroyuki nodded at Takayama’s response.

“Have him choose a lawmaker from the Koizumi camp to carry out the terror attack.”

“Huh?”

“If this succeeds, something interesting will follow. A tightly woven net won’t spare you, Yamamoto. Meanwhile, organizations that support you will rally behind you.”

So, there were indeed organizations ready to cooperate internally. The Yakuza betrays each other as easily as they breathe.

I slightly turned to Yamamoto, noticing blood dripping from his bitten lips.

“Was I right? I’ll need to clean house soon. I’ll be sending some friends over to the Prime Minister. Seems like there’s no reason to keep listening now. Contact me later.”

Yamamoto pulled out his phone to call someone.

Switching to speaker mode, the other party’s voice came through.

“…Go in and kill everyone in there.”

“Yes, Mr. President.”

“Suzuo. Your family will live with wealth they can never touch. You may go, but remember to take care of your remaining family.”

“Yes.”

“Now go.”

Without a word to wrap up the orders, Yamamoto stared intently at the monitor.

As if finishing their conversation, Takayama and Hiroyuki were amicably wrapping up their plans.

Suddenly, the door burst open.

“Takayama! You traitor! Die!”

The intruder charged in and fired at Takayama without any warning.

Surprised, Takayama ducked just in time, but couldn’t dodge the bullet.

However, it didn’t seem fatal; Takayama glared at the intruder.

“Suzuo! What are you doing?!”

“You two-faced bastard!”

Hiroyuki also wore a shocked expression, frozen in place.

“You idiot! Do you realize who you’re shooting at?!”

Takayama yelled, pressing his hand to his bleeding arm.

Suzuo’s eyes faltered. Seizing the moment, Takayama shouted once more.

“This is the Chief Cabinet Secretary! If he dies, it’ll be the end for not just you, but your family and our entire organization! Wake up! Who gave the order to kill me?!”

Suzuo hesitated, unable to pull the trigger again.