Plans for the Future
Jaehyuk laid out his plan to Seung-gyu in careful detail.
“All of the Gangryonghoe’s legitimate businesses have to operate with explicit permission from Chairman Kang Jiyong.”
“True.”
“But what if someone is running operations without that permission?”
“Businesses without permission…” Seung-gyu rubbed his chin. “Whoever’s behind them would face Kang Jiyong’s full wrath. It wouldn’t end cleanly.”
“If we leak information to Kang Jiyong’s side that Choi Kyungsoo is secretly running his own businesses, it could spark a major collision between them.”
“Playing the fisherman?”
“Exactly. My plan is to strike when the clash weakens both factions enough that they can’t exert proper influence over law enforcement.”
Seung-gyu studied him for a moment.
“So, is Choi Kyungsoo really operating independent businesses behind Kang Jiyong’s back?”
“I only have circumstantial evidence so far.”
There was no decisive proof yet. But Jaehyuk remembered the future clearly: Choi Kyungsoo had been expanding his own drug empire in secret. In that previous life, Jaehyuk had obtained concrete evidence and was about to send it to the police when Choi’s men discovered he was an undercover officer.
In 2028, Jeonghan told me Choi Kyungsoo was running an independent drug operation behind Kang Jiyong’s back.
According to Jeonghan back then, Choi had been at it for roughly three years. That means he’s almost certainly already started.
“Then we’ll need solid evidence,” Seung-gyu said.
“I also think it would be smart to wait until Choi Kyungsoo’s independent operation grows larger.”
“Hmm… You want to make sure there’s no room for them to crawl back out once we wipe them clean?”
“That’s right.”
Seung-gyu gave a slow nod of approval.
“How exactly do you plan to secure that evidence?”
“We locate the site of Choi Kyungsoo’s drug operation, infiltrate it, and gather the relevant information.”
“That sounds far too dangerous. You send us the location, Jaehyuk. We’ll handle the internal collection.”
“But…”
“I’d appreciate it if you listened to me on this. The team leader already has enough to torment him with just one younger sibling. Let’s not add another.”
Seung-gyu’s expression carried a trace of bitterness. Jaehyuk fell silent for a moment as he read the older man’s face, then finally answered.
“……Understood.”
“Good. By the way, anything unusual happening inside the Gangryonghoe?”
“I’m being dispatched to Suwon this Wednesday.”
“Suwon… All right. Contact me if anything comes up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jaehyuk rose from his seat and left with Sebin. Once they were gone, Seung-gyu pulled out his phone and sent a text message.
He’s already made his move…
Seung-gyu’s expression hardened. After ending the exchange, he picked up a different phone from his desk and made a call.
“President Seo. I have a job for you.”
The next day, Tokyo, Japan. Inside the hotel building that served as the headquarters of the Katsuyama-gumi, Boss Katsuyama Junichi and his executives were holding a meeting.
“How are the Okuda-kai’s movements?”
A man in his early thirties wearing a blue suit, sunglasses, and a sleek ponytail reported to Junichi.
“They are relocating their businesses overseas.”
Kanemura Yoshio. Katsuyama-gumi, 2nd Division Leader.
Yoshio swiped across the tablet screen and continued.
“They’ve left only a few small operations behind. All the profitable ones are being moved to Southeast Asia or Hawaii.”
“Since they haven’t received word of my death, they must be feeling uneasy and trying to flee,” Junichi said. He turned to another executive. “Have you contacted Sakaguchi?”
The man was of medium build, wore a burgundy suit, and sported silver-rimmed glasses. He appeared to be in his late forties.
“Yes. He entered the country yesterday and should arrive shortly.”
Ooyama Haruto. Senior Executive of the Katsuyama-gumi.
At that moment, someone knocked on the conference room door. When it opened, a woman entered and reported to Junichi. She wore a black suit skirt, a matching jacket, a white dress shirt, and black high heels.
“The 1st, 3rd, and 5th Division Leaders have arrived.”
Yoshida Ichika. Junichi’s Secretary.
Ichika was a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties with a sleek black bob haircut, large clear eyes without double eyelids, a straight nose, thin lips, and an oval face.
“Send them in.”
At Junichi’s command, Ichika stepped out. Moments later, Sakaguchi Taiki and the other executives entered. Once Taiki took an empty seat, Junichi spoke to him.
“I’ve heard the general outline.”
“I’m sorry, Don. I tried to capture Hakuro, but…”
Junichi raised his right hand, cutting Taiki off.
“What matters now is stability within Japan. I heard the Okuda-kai, who had been quiet for some time, sent an assassin after me.”
“Yes, I heard.”
“Soon we will eliminate everyone inside Japan who could become a threat.”
Junichi looked around at the executives whose eyes were gleaming with intensity.
“Kill every last person connected to them.”
The executives answered in a thunderous chorus.
“Yes, sir!”
“Once the purge is complete, we will advance into Korea once again.”
Yoshio asked, “We already fought a war with the Gangryonghoe. Will they permit our businesses? To operate in Korea, don’t we need the Gangryonghoe’s approval?”
Haruto nodded in agreement. “If we operate without their permission, it will mean immediate war. The losses from a war with the Gangryonghoe would be difficult to recover from.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve heard that a man named Choi Kyungsoo has created businesses separate from the Gangryonghoe.”
Haruto’s eyebrows twitched. “Choi Kyungsoo… you mean the second-in-command of the Gangryonghoe? Can he be trusted?”
“I sent the 7th Division Leader to speak with him previously. He said that because he’s under some restraint from Kang Jiyong, he needs capital and influence. Further investigation confirmed there was no falsehood in his words.”
“That is fortunate, then.”
“From now on, we will re-enter Korea through the businesses Choi Kyungsoo operates.”
Taiki asked Junichi, “But how will you deal with Hakuro?”
“First we will clean up the interior of Japan. Then, some personnel will head to Korea to proceed with business with Choi Kyungsoo. Go with them and find Hakuro.”
“Understood.”
“And this time, I will go as well.”
The executives tensed sharply at the news that Junichi—the greatest assassin in Japan and their boss—would accompany them.
“Ooyama and Kanemura, you two will manage the organization while I am away.”
“Yes, Don.”
Taiki looked at Junichi and thought, If the Don himself is coming along with additional manpower… no matter how strong Hakuro is, he won’t stand a chance.
Taiki clenched his right fist tightly as he recalled the man in the white wolf mask. Hakuro. When that time comes, I will definitely capture you.
At Crown Holdings headquarters, Jiyong sat in the chairman’s office with a complicated expression, lost in thought. A knock sounded at the door.
“Chairman, it is Hwang Museok.”
“Come in.”
The door opened and Hwang Museok, chief secretary to Kang Jiyong, entered carrying documents.
“As you instructed, I have compiled the current status of each business representative and of Kang Jihun.”
“Start with the representatives.”
Museok flipped through the papers as he reported.
“The hotel, trading, construction, and entertainment divisions are quiet. However, there are some suspicious movements in the capital division.”
“Is Choi Kyungsoo running independent businesses behind my back?”
“You already knew?”
“That bastard Kyungsoo has always hated being under anyone. He lives off his own sense of superiority. Of course he does.”
Jiyong rested his chin on his hand and continued.
“He’s an elite who graduated from a prestigious university. It must grate on him to serve under a mere high-school graduate like me. I already expected this to some degree.”
“Then shall I send men to clean up the capital division immediately?”
“Not yet. We have no concrete evidence or justification. Moving without preparation would weaken my position.”
Jiyong fell silent for a moment as if pondering, then gave an order.
“For now, plant some spies in Crown Capital. Have them report Choi Kyungsoo and his subordinates’ every movement to me daily.”
“Understood, Chairman.”
After the discussion about Choi Kyungsoo ended, Jiyong asked about his son.
“What about Jihun?”
“As you feared, Kang Jihun shows almost no interest in inheriting the chairman position. He seems more concerned with spending time with his girlfriend and friends.”
Jiyong let out a deep sigh.
“No matter how many times I tell him, he refuses to understand his father’s will…”
“Chairman, if Kang Jihun truly lacks the motivation, would it not be possible to pass the successor position to someone else?”
“I have considered it… but there is no suitable person to hand it to.”
“What about Ha Seongjun, the hotel representative?”
Jiyong remained silent for a moment, deep in thought, then answered.
“Seongjun would be good… If it truly cannot be helped, appointing him as the next chairman is an option.”
At those words, Museok stared at him for a moment before speaking cautiously.
“Chairman. If Kang Jihun continues to show no enthusiasm for the successor position, removing him would not be a bad method.”
“No matter how unmotivated Jihun is, he is still my son. My only bloodline.”
“Does everyone of the Chairman’s bloodline have to become like you?”
For an instant Jiyong’s face twisted, but Museok continued calmly.
“It may be better to abandon the notion that blood relatives must inherit the position and instead find suitable talent among others. No matter how outstanding one’s ability is, if they lack the will to use it, is it not the same as not having it at all?”
Jiyong’s expression softened slightly. After a moment of contemplative silence, he gave an order.
“……I will need to speak with Jihun again later. You may leave.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Museok bowed respectfully and left the chairman’s office. Once outside, he glanced around to confirm no one was nearby, then sent a text message from his phone.
Kang Jihun, who was currently at Suyeon’s house, sat on the sofa reading the messages and let out a sigh.
He’s really stubborn. Damn it…
After the exchange ended, Museok sighed as well.
People like me who chose this life have to pay the price someday… but this child has done nothing wrong except being born to the wrong father…
Museok had watched Jihun since he was very young. Although Jihun had grown up among criminals, his mother Seo Taeyeon’s influence had allowed him to grow up relatively upright.
Come to think of it, the madam’s situation was truly tragic too. She only ended up here because of that damned younger brother of hers…
Pitying both Jihun and his mother Taeyeon, Museok let out another sigh and walked down the corridor.