Chapter 4: Ten Million! "The Savage Man"

Chapter 4: Ten Million!

The Suo Group was now down to just two members—Moriyama and Suo himself.

“How could you, Osamu! Why give him so much money?”

“What’s wrong? Feeling sorry for him?”

“Of course! Who wouldn’t? That’s ten million in cash!”

“Baka! Just think of it as the money used to buy Akimoto Yasushi off, isn’t that enough?”

“But we didn’t even need that much! By the way, boss, you seem scared of that reckless kid.”

“Scared? You idiot! What do you know? Baka yarou!”

“Oh...”

Moriyama couldn’t help but lose his temper, because the original plan was for a thug to cut off a finger to enrage Takashi Iwata. Once he lost control and started a fight, they would eliminate him.

But now, Suo seemed genuinely afraid of that guy.

What on earth was going on?

In truth, Suo was a cunning old fox. He only called off the plan because he sensed something was wrong.

At the root of it all was simply the desire to give a gift to Sister Misora, hoping to curry favor with the old generation’s power.

Though the third generation was dead, the current one couldn’t quite dominate the factions.

Sister Misora wielded considerable influence; even publicly, ordinary people knew that the personal agency she once ran had the third generation’s leader as its second-in-command.

Willingly serving as the singer’s right-hand man—did that need saying?

Last year, Sister Misora was hospitalized, reportedly in poor health, so naturally her influence waned. In such times, someone like Suo reaching out to strengthen ties was classic “stoking a cold stove.”

Coincidentally, Akimoto Yasushi had a song that Sister Misora favored. So this deal fit perfectly.

They kicked the Iwata Group out, and besides, the Iwata leader had just changed to the sworn brother’s son, who wasn’t really a sworn brother at all.

According to Yakuza tradition, sworn brotherhood requires drinking sake mixed with blood. More strictly, joining the Yakuza meant severing ties with one’s old family.

Of course, those were old rules, not so strictly followed nowadays. As for cutting ties with family, no one did that anymore, but the notion still lingered.

Eliminating Takashi Iwata posed no moral dilemma.

Yet no one expected that this reckless Iwata kid had actually uncovered the truth about Sister Misora.

In fact, Misora Hibari’s illness was strictly confidential. Even within the Yamamoto Group, only a few like Suo knew she had serious issues with both legs.

In Suo’s eyes, this reckless Iwata must have aligned with some other bigwig.

Moreover, Iwata’s behavior clearly suggested a desire for reconciliation—he must be acting on orders from that bigwig. Otherwise, how could he, the “Demon Iwata,” restrain himself this much?

Suo took a deep drag from his cigar, furious.

…

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the Iwata Group was lively.

“Ahahaha… ten million! Sugoi!”

“Boss, you’re incredible!”

“To get this much money!”

With just a few words, Iwata Takashi, who demanded ten million yen, was worshipped by his subordinates like a deity.

In reality, though, his steady exterior masked a heart pounding with anxiety.

Who casually negotiates with the Yakuza, after all?

Luckily, he was clever.

He had simply held up one finger.

Suo frowned and named the price: ten million.

“Fine then,” said Iwata, “I was just about to ask for more, but no bargaining now. Fair enough?”

Seeing Moriyama’s pained look, the Iwata Group joyfully accepted the money and left.

But amidst their joy, Yellow-haired Aoki suddenly grinned and asked,

“Boss, why didn’t you want the finger?”

Clearly, Aoki thought the finger was the better deal.

Iwata narrowed his eyes. “You little rat, I’ll remember that.”

He snorted coldly and said, “Cat, explain what happened back there.”

“Yes, sir!”

Since two of the old men weren’t present—Yamashita Daisuke and Shimazu Kei—the last person to relay Iwata’s words was Yamashita.

Soon, Cat explained everything, and the two old men immediately understood.

“The young master is wise!”

“Osamu, you’re so damn sneaky!”

Yellow-haired Aoki was baffled—what was really going on?

The two old men gave a brief explanation.

Moriyama’s group had a thug cut off a finger, which was wrong—it should have been Kitajoji who cut. According to the rules, if the thug acted first, what should happen next?

Under Yakuza law, Iwata Takashi must force Kitajoji to reciprocate.

If Kitajoji cut a finger, what about the thug’s severed finger?

The Iwata Group must explain.

Meaning, Iwata had to push his men to match the other side’s action.

But even if they did, the other side would claim their sincerity was lacking and demand two fingers.

And then... it would be an endless cycle.

If it were the old Iwata, he would have just walked away.

In short, this was a deadlock—the other side had no intention of apologizing.

Normally, the Iwata Group would be finished today.

Hearing this, Yellow-haired Aoki broke out in a cold sweat, as if thrown into an ice cellar.

But the two old men soon grew curious about one thing.

“Young master, how do you know about Sister Misora’s condition?”

Indeed, it was strange.

When the two men asked, everyone else suddenly paid attention, all eyes on Iwata.

This was the key to breaking the stalemate.

As a time traveler, Iwata Takashi obviously knew about Misora Hibari.

In the original timeline, the national diva would pass away next year.

Before her death, her condition was kept strictly secret. Not only were both her legs suffering severe necrosis of the femoral head, but her liver was beyond saving.

How high was Sister Misora’s standing?

Iwata remembered that next year Emperor Hirohito would pass, and Sister Misora would sing at the funeral.

In other words, she was respected in both the lawful and underworld circles.

Moreover, looking at the third generation’s various actions toward Sister Misora...

What a pathetic sycophant!

But remember, the third generation’s wife was the daughter of the second generation—he was a model of a rising son-in-law.

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