The Yamaguchi-gumi was a federation of various organizations.
Therefore, the succession being passed down to a child has only happened once, with the first boss, Yamaguchi.
Since then, it has never been inherited by a direct descendant, and the tradition is to pass it on to the boss of another organization when stepping down.
Watanabe Saoru was a person who had been designated as the successor due to his excellent political skills and charisma.
He was also known for ruthlessly killing anyone who opposed him.
ā It would be good to meet. Wouldn't it be better to resolve things through dialogue?
I had never met him before.
I thought about it for a moment, but there was no reason for me to avoid it.
"Alright. Where shall we meet?"
ā Let's meet in Myeongdong tonight.
Was it a show of confidence?
From his suggestion to meet in Myeongdong, which was practically enemy territory for him, I could tell something about his character.
"Let's meet at Myeongdong Hotel. At 6 PM."
ā Understood. I look forward to a good meeting.
After hanging up, I looked at Manager Ma.
"Manager, I have an appointment at Myeongdong Hotel tonight. Please place people around the area and contact the Dongsu faction."
"Yes, Boss."
Manager Ma bowed his head and left the room.
Alone, I pondered why Watanabe had suddenly asked to meet me.
'What's the reason? We had no connection in the past. Is he planning to eliminate me this time?'
I ran through various scenarios in my mind, but ultimately, no conclusion was reached.
That evening, I arrived at the hotel, the meeting place.
Watanabe had already arrived and booked a room.
I went straight to the room without contacting him, but he opened the door calmly.
"Welcome, Kim Muhyuk."
Watanabe's first impression was that of a 'businessman.'
"Nice to meet you, Watanabe."
There was one man with a sharp look, who seemed to be a bodyguard, but no one else was visible.
"It's an honor to meet the master of Myeongdong like this."
As soon as I sat down, he smiled warmly and praised me.
"I didn't expect to meet the successor of Japan's underworld."
"Hahaha. It's not decided yet."
"Hasn't the tide already turned?"
"You said you didn't know me, but you seem to know everything. Shall we get straight to the point?"
I nodded, and Watanabe smiled deeply.
"We plan to enter the Korean loan shark market. I intended to meet Chairman Cheon, the master of Myeongdong, but I heard that Kim Muhyuk has taken over most of it."
"Chairman Cheon is still in good health."
Watanabe didn't argue but continued with a calm expression.
"Let's put the past behind us and have a healthy competition. Is there any reason to fight to the death?"
"Your words sound like you're asking me to give up my territory. If I do, can I enter the Japanese loan shark market?"
"Hmm... There's nothing to gain in Japan. The government has strict laws on interest rates, and illegal collection is difficult due to the anti-gang laws. But Korea is different, isn't it?"
I could sense a subtle disregard for the Korean government in Watanabe's words.
While I understood, it wasn't a pleasant feeling.
"That's true. But why should I give up the Korean market to you? It's a market I can handle alone. Would you give it up if you were in my position?"
"Hahaha!"
Watanabe, who had been laughing loudly, suddenly exuded a cold aura.
"I don't mind fighting, but are you okay with it? It seems you're underestimating the power of Japan and my own power. I must achieve my goals, whether it was 100 years ago or now."
I smiled as well.
"100 years ago, you haven't moved on from the ghosts of the past. Come in whenever you want. I will do my best to stop you."
Watanabe's face grew even more fierce.
He may have pretended to be polite, but he was still the successor of Japan's largest yakuza group.
"Looks like the negotiations are off."
"Is this something that can be negotiated?"
"I thought you were a rational person, unlike Chairman Cheon. But I was wrong. It was nice meeting you. Next time we meet, we won't be able to smile at each other."
I shook Watanabe Saoru's hand.
"We won't be able to smile at each other. If you knew the relationship between the Cheongpung-hoe and me, you'd understand. I enjoyed it too."
We shook hands with smiles, but we tightened our grips and exchanged intense glances.
"I'll send you a gift soon. Look forward to it."
Before parting, Watanabe said that.
His words continued to echo in my mind as I headed home.
'A gift.'
I couldn't figure out what he was planning, but I had an uneasy feeling.
"Manager, let's send the Black Bear 1 Team to Busan immediately. Once the domestic personnel selection is complete, we'll bring them back. I'm feeling uneasy."
If someone were to attack among my people, the easiest target would be Grandma.
"Wouldn't that be inconvenient for Grandma?"
"I'll call her. Even if it's inconvenient, we have to manage until this matter is resolved."
"Yes, understood. I'll make sure to complete the domestic personnel selection as quickly as possible to minimize inconvenience for Grandma."
"Yes."
I calmed my troubled mind and looked out the window.
The red traffic light glowed in the darkness.
* * *
The Supreme Prosecutors' Office.
President Park Dae-ho sat in a chair, his face noticeably thinner, talking to his lawyer.
"How's the situation?"
"Domestic conglomerates and even overseas private equity funds are vying to carve up Joongwoo Group like a pack of wolves. The government is also seriously considering the matter."
"Have you contacted the Blue House?"
"Yes, I contacted the Secretariat, but there was no proper response."
Park Dae-ho sighed deeply.
"What about the bail application?"
"We've submitted the application, but it's likely to be denied. The prosecution is taking a much harder stance than expected."
Park Dae-ho couldn't understand how he had ended up in this situation.
He had believed that his path would remain smooth with the new government.
"Once I'm out, I can stop anything. Haven't you met the judge in charge?"
"He's refusing to meet."
At that moment, Oh Hyun-woo entered the room.
"Good to see you, President Park Dae-ho. We're about to start the investigation."
Oh Hyun-woo walked confidently to President Park Dae-ho and placed a laptop and a stack of documents on the table.
The lawyer looked at them with a bewildered expression.
"I heard you applied for bail. It's going to be difficult."
"Hey, Prosecutor Oh."
"Yes, sir."
"Can't you talk to the Chief Justice and ask for leniency? If President Park is detained, Joongwoo Group will fall apart."
"What power does a retired person have? I know you built Joongwoo Group, but you're also the one who brought it down. The more we investigate, the worse it gets."
Oh Hyun-woo pushed the stack of documents towards the lawyer with a calm face.
The lawyer's face turned pale as he reviewed the documents.
"Not only the prosecution, but also the National Tax Service and the Financial Services Commission are involved. It's a massive effort. You hid things so well that it took experts to uncover them. Even if you liquidate all the stocks and real estate you own, it won't be enough."
Park Dae-ho began to tremble as he looked at his lawyer.
Oh Hyun-woo smiled slightly.
"President, even God can't save you. It's better to give up."
That evening, Oh Hyun-woo stood in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and addressed the gathered journalists.
"I am Prosecutor Oh Hyun-woo from the Central Investigation Department of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office."
Journalists raised their hands one after another.
"I'm Lee Hana from Hanbit News. I understand there are other charges besides financial fraud and illegal loans."
"The investigation is ongoing."
"What will happen to Joongwoo Group?"
"I am a prosecutor. My job is to investigate criminal charges and ensure they face legal judgment. Economic matters are not my concern."
Another journalist raised their hand.
"There are rumors that the Blue House influenced this Joongwoo investigation."
"The prosecution is an independent body. We do not make political judgments. That's all for now."
"Wait! Prosecutor!"
Oh Hyun-woo disappeared, leaving the journalists' shouts behind.
After the prosecution's announcement, pressure on the government came from all directions, both domestically and internationally.
All newspapers and news outlets published articles about how the collapse of Joongwoo Group would affect the Korean economy, fueling anxiety.
Future Investment and major American private equity funds began to observe the situation, withdrawing their acquisition intentions.
After Eva announced the public tender offer, the stocks of all Joongwoo subsidiaries began to plummet, recording daily lows and spreading fear.
For the Kim Hak-gwon government, it was no longer a matter that could be delayed.
"Accept all of Han Kyung's demands."
Despite the concerns expressed by the chief secretaries, including the Secretary-General, the President's resolve did not waver.
"If we accept his demands, he will carry out restructuring and consolidate the subsidiaries, but he won't sell them off. If we wait any longer, it could get out of control."
"What about Future Investment?"
At Minister Lee Sung-gyu's question, the President frowned.
"Are you a spokesperson for Future Investment? Or the Minister of Korea?"
"For your sake, sir."
"Hahaha. For my sake? What have you done in this situation?"
"Sir!"
Kim Hak-gwon shook his head firmly.
"There will be no reversal of the decision. From now on, work on transferring the entire Joongwoo Group."
"There will be accusations of favoritism, sir."
"Favoritism? Go tell that to Eva of Future Investment. Ask if they are willing to acquire Joongwoo under the same conditions as Han Kyung. They were the first to back off once the financial fraud amount was announced!"
Kim Hak-gwon raised his voice and began to get angry.
Lee Sung-gyu, looking uneasy, bowed his head.
"Understood, sir."
"Listen carefully. You are government officials. Handle it appropriately. There are limits to how much we can endure."
President Kim Hak-gwon's eyes were filled with anger as he looked at the chief secretaries.
After dismissing everyone, he asked the Secretary-General.
"Have you found anything about Kim Muhyuk?"
"The connection between Kim Muhyuk and Han Kyung started when Kim Muhyuk paid off Han Kyung's debts while he was in Korea."
"Debts?"
"Yes. Han Kyung came to Korea temporarily, borrowed money from the loan shark market, and lost everything in the stock market. They became close after Kim Muhyuk paid off his debts."
Kim Hak-gwon frowned and tilted his head.
"Someone who was struggling with loan sharks in Korea became someone who can move such a large amount of money in the U.S. so quickly? Do you expect me to believe that?"
"That's the report from the National Intelligence Service. They will come to the Blue House tomorrow to give a detailed report."
"Something keeps bothering me. There's something about Kim Muhyuk. I'm sure of it."
Kim Hak-gwon stared into the air.
A small sense of unease, like a speck of dust settling in the light, slowly but surely accumulated in his heart.
* * *
"The government has contacted me. They will accept all the conditions I demanded."
"Good. Try to meet their demands as much as possible without causing inconvenience to the government."
Han Kyung, who had been staring at me, said.
"The government must be in a tight spot if they need to appease an investor like me. In a way, you're a patriot."
"Me?"
"You say you're not, but your actions suggest otherwise."
I chuckled at Han Kyung's words.
"You could interpret it that way. But I didn't choose Joongwoo for patriotic reasons. We'll see."
"What about the acquisition funds? Will you bring them from the U.S. corporation?"
"If Eva had acquired it, it would be different, but we can't use the money in tax havens. Bring 20 billion dollars from the U.S. corporation first."
"20 billion dollars?"
Han Kyung's eyes widened in surprise.
"It could be more. Even if the debt is forgiven, there's still a lot to pay. Most of it can be covered by restructuring and consolidating subsidiaries, but we can't ignore the costs for voluntary delisting."
"Is delisting necessary?"
"We're not just doing legal things, so there's no reason to run a listed company. We don't lack money."
In the end, Han Kyung nodded.
"Ah! Once this is resolved, set up a meeting with some Wall Street people."
"Wall Street?"
He looked at me with a puzzled expression.
I shrugged.
"There's an opportunity to make money. I want to see if they're interested in moving together. Dream High will be driving this time. Are they interested in joining?"