Free Web NovelJapan, along with Korea, had once been known as one of the safest countries in Asia—no, in the entire world. A nation where one could walk freely at night without fear. That, however, was a thing of the past. The Self-Defense Forces had been deployed in Tokyo, and the police had been armed more heavily than ever before. Yet, as if mocking those efforts, the gang wars only grew fiercer by the day. freewebnσvel.cѳm
It was utter chaos, and civilians were suffering as well. The Japanese government lodged diplomatic protests against China and Russia, but both denied any involvement.
And the turmoil wasn’t just physical. Because of Japan’s instability, foreign capital began to flee. For hedge funds holding massive amounts of yen, it must have been unbearable. No matter how much capital they had pooled, they couldn’t fight against the tide.
This chaos—something that had never happened in my previous life—accelerated the downfall of the hedge funds far faster than I’d anticipated.
Stock prices fell as foreign investors pulled out, but that alone wasn’t catastrophic. The Japanese still believed the disorder would soon settle down.
“Everyone’s here.”
In the midst of the chaos, Daigo Tadashige had gathered people at his residence—the bosses of ten major underworld syndicates. The air in the room was frigid. Even gangs that had been at each other’s throats until recently were present, though none dared growl before Daigo Tadashige.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve all met like this.”
“Yes, Master,” Watanabe answered on behalf of the others, bowing his head.
Daigo began calling each boss by name, one after another. Each man lifted his head when his name was spoken.
“Thank you for coming, everyone.”
Though Daigo smiled, his eyes didn’t. A cold gleam flickered in them as he surveyed the room.
“Mizoshita Hideo, President.”
“Yes, Master.”
Mizoshita Hideo, the head of the Kudo-kai based in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture—a gang notorious even among the yakuza for its militant nature. They were infamous for carrying out terrorist attacks not only on civilians but even on police.
“Is Nomura still the same?”
“Yes... he is.”
“Tch. That one’s too violent. Are you sure he’s fit to succeed you?”
“...It’s been decided since the previous generation. It’s far too late to overturn it now. Nomura’s influence is immense.”
Daigo grimaced but nodded. “So be it. Your men will play a major role in this war.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Drive the foreigners out as quickly as possible. I won’t tolerate these bastards running wild on land that belongs to Daigo Tadashige.”
“Understood.”
In terms of overall size, the Yamaguchi-gumi was Japan’s largest organization, but in sheer combat power, none could rival the Kudo-kai. Unlike the Yamaguchi-gumi, which had cloaked itself in a veneer of legality, the Kudo-kai drew most of its profits from drugs, gambling, and prostitution—pure illegality. That made them fearless and brutally efficient.
They were the natural choice to take the vanguard in this conflict.
“There will be losses,” Daigo said, “but what you gain will be worth it. I’ll be counting on you.”
“Thank you, Master.”
Mizoshita bowed respectfully.
Daigo then turned his sharp gaze toward Watanabe of the Yamaguchi-gumi and Yamamoto of the Kobe-Yamaguchi-gumi.
“You two look the same as ever.”
“...”
“Watanabe.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Yamamoto.”
“Yes, Master.”
Though each ruled his own organization, both sat perfectly still before Daigo.
“From this moment on, there will be no more fighting between your groups. Not just for now—never again. That’s an order.”
Neither man responded immediately.
“Did you not hear me?”
“No, sir.”
“No, Master.”
Both answered at once. Daigo arched an eyebrow.
“Then why the silence?”
“...”
“You share the same roots. You split because of differences in ambition, not blood. There’s no reason to keep pointing guns at each other. Understood?”
“...Yes.”
Their answers lacked enthusiasm, but Daigo didn’t press further. He already knew how deep their animosity ran.
“Yamamoto.”
“Yes.”
“I know why you left the Yamaguchi-gumi—because Watanabe tried to make his son his successor.”
Watanabe’s face stiffened. The image of his son, Watanabe Saoru, who had died in Korea, flashed through his mind. Lowering his head, he bit his lip hard.
Daigo continued coldly. “But Saoru’s dead. Which means you two can reunite the organization.”
“B-but...”
“If Yamamoto succeeds you, the problem’s solved, isn’t it? I’ll make it so.”
Yamamoto’s eyes widened. In fact, every boss in the room looked stunned.
Daigo had just declared Yamamoto the next head of the Yamaguchi-gumi.
Though the syndicate had splintered into the Yamaguchi-gumi and the Kobe-Yamaguchi-gumi, the original faction remained vastly stronger. Even all the groups here combined barely matched its scale.
“Back to how it was. Isn’t that right, Watanabe? Answer me.”
“Yes... you’re right, Master.”
He’d looked up in surprise, but Daigo’s icy stare immediately silenced him. Falling out of Daigo’s favor meant death.
Satisfied, Daigo smiled faintly. “Good. Everything should return to the way it was.”
He glanced over the other bosses.
“When this conflict ends, let’s join hands and expand once more—into Korea, into China. Leave this tiny island and reclaim the vast continent we once ruled.”
The bold declaration froze everyone in place. Then, slowly, their eyes began to gleam with desire. Seeing that, Daigo’s lips curled upward.
“So, I hope you’ll all follow my lead. Understood?”
“Yes, Master!”
Their voices boomed together. Daigo nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Araki beside him.
“Bring in the drinks.”
“Yes, Master.”
Araki stood and left. Moments later, trays were set before each boss.
Daigo rose and poured sake for each man himself before returning to his seat. freёweɓnovel.com
“Do not forget the oath you made today.”
Raising his cup high, Daigo was joined by the others, who lifted theirs as well. When he drained his drink, so did they, turning their heads aside to finish in one motion. Then, as one, they overturned their cups on the trays.
“From this moment, we are one.”
Daigo Tadashige’s booming laughter filled the hall.
Outside, others were watching the mansion. Men with sniper rifles surveyed the interior through scopes. They were mercenaries sent by Igor to assassinate Daigo and his lieutenants.
“Well, would you look at that—fortune just rolled right in.”
One of the observers muttered under his breath. The bosses of every major yakuza organization were gathered in one place. He immediately reported the situation to Igor, who in turn informed Kim Muhyuk.
Muhyuk gave a simple order: kill everyone except Yamamoto Ken.
“They’re having a grand old time, not realizing it’s their last night alive.”
The Russian mercenaries silently watched the drunken gathering below. If they pulled the triggers now, no one would leave alive—but it wasn’t time yet.
The sun dipped lower, and darkness crept over the city.
* * *
While Daigo Tadashige was drinking with the yakuza bosses—
“Koizumi’s drawn his sword,” I muttered.
Koizumi had acted faster than I expected, ordering the deployment of the Self-Defense Forces and replacing its chiefs to bring it directly under his command. Once the troops entered Tokyo, casualties among both the Russian mafia and the Black Dragon Society mounted. Countless members were dead or captured, yet gunfights still erupted throughout the cities.
The scale was larger than I’d planned—but that wasn’t necessarily bad.
Then, out of nowhere, Igor contacted me. Every major yakuza boss was currently at Daigo Tadashige’s mansion—and Yamamoto Ken, my contact, was among them. So I changed the plan slightly. Everyone but Yamamoto would die tonight.
“Boss, we’ll arrive soon.”
I was on my way to meet Choi Sunman. After passing through a police checkpoint at the gate, we continued until we reached his residence.
Stepping out of the car, I looked up. The moon was veiled by thick clouds—dark and heavy.
The main gate opened, and a man stepped out.
“Mr. Kim Muhyuk?”
I turned toward the voice.
“Hello. I’m Jang Minhyuk.”
“Ah, Director Jang Minhyuk. I’ve only ever seen you on TV. Pleasure to meet you. Kim Muhyuk.”
I greeted him with a broad smile and extended my hand. Jang Minhyuk smiled back and gripped it hard—too hard—but I didn’t yield an inch. He was the first to release his hold.
“I didn’t expect a former Director of the National Intelligence Service to still be serving as Secretary to President Choi.”
“...”
“The President’s a lucky man—to have your loyalty all to himself.”
“Please, come inside. His Excellency is waiting.”
Even with my polite jab, Jang remained calm and led the way. So he was one of those unwaveringly loyal types, like Manager Ma—though far less competent, I suspected.
“I’m sorry, but your companion will have to wait here.”
He stopped Ma at the gate. I nodded at my man, and the gate closed behind me as I followed Jang into the house alone.
“Welcome. So you’re Chairman Cheon Taesan’s grandson? I had no idea such a handsome young man existed in that family.”
It was Han Heeja, once known as the First Lady, greeting me at the entrance.
“An honor to meet you, ma’am. I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
“Oh my, even your voice is wonderful.”
She covered her mouth and laughed elegantly, though the corners of her lips curved higher with delight.
“Are you married?”
“Not yet.”
“Handsome and wealthy, and still single... I have a granddaughter who just entered university—would you like to meet her?”
Why did every older woman I met insist on talking about marriage?
I smiled awkwardly without answering, but she continued, lips parting again.
“Madam, we should go to His Excellency,” Jang interrupted firmly. He really was the loyal type—entirely devoted to Choi Sunman.
“Jang, wait.”
“He told me to bring him immediately.”
“That old man still thinks he’s President. That’s the problem.”
Pouting, Han Heeja muttered before turning back to me with a smile.
“Then we’ll talk later.”
As she walked away, Jang finally moved again, leading me down a long hallway to a separate ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) annex.
He stopped before a door and knocked. “Sir, Kim Muhyuk has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
Jang opened the door. Inside, Choi Sunman sat alone, playing a game of Go.
“Go ahead.”
I stepped over the threshold. The door closed behind me, leaving just the two of us in the room.
“Come, sit. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
When I didn’t immediately respond, Choi looked up from the board and gestured.
“An honor to meet you, sir. Kim Muhyuk.”
Though my greeting was polite, my voice was cold as ice.
