Chapter 38
Translator - Zofu
----------------------------------------
At a high-end ryokan in Kyoto, the key executives of the Yamaguro-kai had gathered in one place.
Contrary to the ryokan's tranquil atmosphere, the faces of the gathered executives were brimming with murderous intent.
Sawada Takeshi, the organization's leader, sat in his place, unable to conceal his fury. The incident in Busan had enraged him.
"What? You saying we got our funds jacked in Busan?"
Sawada shot up from his seat, shouting. His voice coarsely shook the ryokan's quiet air.
As the one responsible for managing funds in partnership with the Pado Clan in Busan, this crisis was immediately taken as his disgrace.
"Yes, Brother Sawada. All the funds we were moving with the Pado Clan have gone to Cheongseong. Most of our men were arrested too."
One executive reported with his head bowed. His voice trembled, and tension hung in the room like it might explode any moment.
Sawada ground his teeth at his words. His fist slammed down on the chair's armrest.
"How could this happen? Those damn Koreans dare to touch Yamaguro-kai funds!"
Sawada's rage was boiling over.
He had quickly extended his hand in Busan to aid the Pado Clan, and had been meticulously preparing to expand his influence in Korea. And yet this humiliating incident had occurred.
"Cheongseong? I'd heard they were a rapidly growing Korean organization, but I didn't think they'd be this reckless."
Even while suppressing his rage, Sawada was still underestimating their capabilities.
Matsuda, one of Yamaguro-kai's top executives, spoke calmly.
"Sawada, getting worked up won't help. Cheongseong is far stronger than we thought. Their boss, Geum Tae-yang, is no ordinary gang leader. He'd practically seized control of Korea's underworld in such a short time. An organization led by someone like that can't be weak."
Matsuda took a sip of tea before continuing.
"And I hear he's quite the businessman. Seeing how his Geumyang Group has grown tremendously in Korea recently, you must realize we can't crush them with brute force alone."
Sawada replied, unable to suppress his anger.
"So what are you suggesting? That we sit here and take this humiliation?"
Matsuda shook his head in response.
"Losing our funds is a major blow. But now is not the time to act on emotion. Attempting reckless revenge in Busan could lead to even greater losses."
Sawada clenched his fist, grinding his teeth. Yet even in his anger, he understood Matsuda's point. If he charged in recklessly and lost again, he'd have to bear that responsibility.
"Then what do you propose we do?" Sawada asked, forcibly swallowing his rage.
Matsuda nodded, setting down his tea.
"We don't need to step in directly. Cheongseong's sudden rise in Korea means there are plenty of others who resent them. Government, police, and other organizations—there are many ways to bring them down without getting our own hands dirty."
Sawada sighed at his words. His eyes were still filled with vengeance, but he knew Matsuda was right.
"Fine. For now, we'll find ways to weaken them while avoiding direct confrontation."
Sawada returned to his seat, muttering.
"For these damn Koreans to dare challenge the Yamaguro-kai... When this is over, I'll tear them apart."
"Of course."
Matsuda replied with cold eyes after hearing Sawada's words.
"They'll soon learn what price challengers to us must pay."
Matsuda continued, looking at Sawada.
"But Sawada, if you fail again next time, I think you'll understand without me saying. If the Boss learns of this incident, none of us will escape responsibility."
***
In a quiet Kyoto estate, within its classical building, Mikazuki Ayaka gazed calmly out the window.
The conference room was silent. As quiet flowed, a traditional tattoo was faintly visible on her back.
As a yakuza daughter, she traced her fingers over the tattoo etched into her skin.
The executives seated around the long conference table each hung their heads with uneasy expressions.
They were those who had served the Mikazuki clan since childhood. But now the clan faced a crisis of ruin.
The Mikazuki clan once boasted powerful influence spanning Kyoto and Tokyo, but now was continuously being pushed back by the Yamaguro-kai.
"Ayaka-sama, the situation is dire."
One of the executives cautiously spoke. His voice was laden with fear. Ayaka's powerful presence frightened him. And on the other hand, it was regrettable. In terms of ability, she was exceptional. But leading an organization as a woman was no easy task. And though she had long established her position within the organization, she remained trapped in her father Ryutaro's shadow.
"Dire?" Ayaka replied with a cold smile. "What do you mean by that?"
The executive hesitated briefly before continuing.
"The Yamaguro-kai is encroaching on our territory. There's no way to stop them anymore."
Ayaka quietly closed her eyes. She was already familiar with those words.
Her father, Ryutaro, had led the Mikazuki clan, but now was obsessed only with past glory. His leadership had already reached its limit, and the clan was slowly collapsing.
"Everyone, leave."
Ayaka spoke coldly. The executives were momentarily flustered, but soon rose and left the conference room. None of them understood Ayaka's decision, but they had no choice but to obey her command.
Alone in the now-empty conference room, Ayaka let out a deep breath and approached the window. Thinking of her father, who couldn't stop the Yamaguro-kai's attacks, a deep rage rose within her.
'I can wait no longer.'
She slowly traced her fingers over her tattoo, steeling her resolve. She could wait for her father no longer. She had to step up.
"If only to surpass the Yamaguro-kai."
Ayaka valued her clan's traditions, but the time had come to change with the times. Unlike her father, she wasn't bound by tradition and sought ways to lead her clan on a global scale.
"Korea."
She murmured softly, continuing.
"There is opportunity here."
She already held information about Cheongseong, the rising force in Korea, and their leader, Geum Tae-yang. With the Yamaguro-kai reaching into Korea, she judged that if the Mikazuki clan joined hands with a Korean force, a chance for reversal would arise.
The problem, however, was her father. Ryutaro insisted on traditional methods, focusing only on battles within Japan. But Ayaka saw a different path. Finding new alliances in Korea and using the Yamaguro-kai's downfall to revive the Mikazuki clan.
She resolved not to follow her father's way.
***
That evening, Ayaka sat across from her father Ryutaro. Ryutaro sat calmly, but his face bore the weight of years.
"Father, our organization can no longer survive within Japan alone."
Ayaka spoke quietly.
Ryutaro stared at her, slowly shaking his head.
"You're too hasty, Ayaka. We will win our way."
"Our way? Do you see where that way has led us?"
Ayaka looked at her father with sharp eyes.
"The Yamaguro-kai has already taken half of what we have. We can no longer fight with the methods of the past."
Ryutaro fell silent for a moment. He listened to his daughter, but found it difficult to admit his way was wrong.
"Then what is this new way you speak of?"
"Korea."
Ayaka spoke resolutely.
"The Yamaguro-kai is preparing for war with Cheongseong in Korea. We must exploit that opening. I will create an opportunity to join hands with Cheongseong and bring down the Yamaguro-kai."
Ryutaro fell into thought after hearing his daughter's words. Though he clearly loved and cherished his daughter, her plan did not sit well with him.
"Ayaka, we must fight our battles in Japan. Bringing in outside forces is rash."
"If we don't take risks, we end here."
Ayaka replied firmly.
"I respect your way, Father, but the time has come to find a new path."
Ayaka stood up and took the katana she had brought. And she gripped its hilt and drew it.
"Mikazuki Ayaka! What is the meaning of this!"
"Father, you are weak. You have brought our ancestral clan to this state. So please step down from that position."
She aimed the sharp blade at her father's throat.
Ryutaro bowed his head as if crumbling before his daughter's strong will. Anger filled him to the tips of his hair. But on the other hand, he realized Ayaka was no longer a young girl, but had grown into a clan head who surpassed himself.
"You are right."
Ryutaro finally acknowledged, nodding his head.
"But remember this. No matter how dire the clan's crisis, you must never join hands with outside forces."
"I know."
She sheathed the blade, gave her father a final bow, and left the room.
A few days later, she finished preparing to leave for Korea. She left Kyoto with only a few loyal subordinates from the organization. Her decision caused controversy even within the clan, but Ayaka didn't care. What was needed now, in this moment, was not tradition but survival.