Chapter 56: Victory for the Wicked? Akina Transforms into Lady Snowblood!

Chapter 56: The Triumph of the Wicked? Akina Transforms into Lady Snowblood!

Shinichi Chiba certainly had no idea what kind of shock his portrayal of the death of Officer Watsiro caused among the jury members inside the Iwanami Hall.

Takeshi Iwata handled that sequence in this manner:

Kazuma Kiryu walks out of a building, which requires passing through a doorway.

Beyond that doorway, there is light.

This light symbolizes hope; as he steps out the door, he is, in essence, walking into hope.

Just like the scene in *Violent Cop* where Ryosuke commits suicide.

Yet, no sooner has Kiryu stepped into hope than Watsiro plunges from the sky.

Hope is instantly shattered once again!

This scene stunned not only Kazuma Kiryu on the big screen, but the audience as well.

Kinji Fukasaku, the renowned director who had come with the intention of causing trouble, had originally thought of Takeshi Iwata merely as a novice with a few eccentric ideas.

Now, he no longer dared to underestimate him in the slightest.

Nagisa Oshima thought to herself: Can a yakuza film really be shot this way?

Koki Mitani’s hands never left his hair; he was now certain that he would probably never be able to defeat this fellow Takeshi Iwata in this lifetime.

As for Ando and Kobayashi, neither of them had expected Takeshi Iwata to handle the resolution so decisively.

Watsiro dies just like that—is it surprising?

It doesn't even seem all that surprising.

His previous operation had cost the various capos of the Aoyama Syndicate hundreds of millions in lost drugs.

Moreover, there was Daigo Dojima’s betrayal.

Yet, it was still far too abrupt and direct. This... well, it was entirely Takeshi Iwata’s style!

Shinobu was currently just wishing that the big uncle would hurry up and leave that place. *Run quickly, don't let anyone see you.*

Miho Nakayama stopped worrying about her screen time; of course, right now she was mostly filled with joy.

This movie was bound to become a classic, wasn't it?

As for Akina, her thoughts at the moment were a bit more complex.

She had read the script from Takeshi Iwata's handwritten manuscript, meaning she knew most of the plot in advance.

However, a film inevitably undergoes revisions during production, and with various cinematic techniques employed, the visual frames would differ greatly from the written words.

Yet... this was simply too fascinating!

The ultimate diva herself hadn't realized that as she watched this movie, her eyes were shining brilliantly.

***

In truth, Takeshi Iwata was feeling somewhat anxious at this moment.

The success of the original *Infernal Affairs* lay in its "psychological warfare."

Through the dual-protagonist design of Chen Wing-yan and Lau Kin-ming, alongside numerous internal emotional beats, it resonated deeply with the audience's inner psyche.

There were no grand action set-pieces.

Iwata remembered that Andrew Lau had once mentioned in an interview that *Infernal Affairs* had indeed shot action sequences.

Upon seeing both Andy Lau and Tony Leung cast, the investors strongly demanded that the two engage in a knockdown fight.

That's right, the very one featuring the line: "I had no choice before. Now, I want to be a good person."

They filmed for three days—by Hong Kong cinema standards, that was definitely a major sequence.

However, it was later cut because no matter how they looked at it, it didn't fit the overall tone.

The massive success of *Infernal Affairs* proved that this excision was entirely correct.

However, Takeshi Iwata could not direct his film that way.

This was Japan, the Japan of the 1980s. If he were to faithfully replicate the original *Infernal Affairs* and heavily indulge in internal psychological drama—

He would be doomed!

With Shinichi Chiba in the cast, what were Japanese audiences waiting to see?

They were waiting for him to throw punches!

Did anyone expect him to stand around delivering deadpan manzai comedy routines?

There were also technological limitations to consider.

Playing around with Morse code in this era was fine, but how could one possibly send a text message reading, "There is a mole, abort the trade"?

If you grabbed an ordinary Japanese person off the street right now and mentioned the "net" to them, the first thing that would likely pop into their head was a "fishing net."

Japan as a country always boasted about being high-tech, yet in reality, its technological development in telecommunications was utterly bizarre—much like how they were still using fax machines during the pandemic.

Therefore, Takeshi Iwata simply opted for Morse code on both ends.

Furthermore, he discarded the dual-protagonist setup, weaving the entire narrative into the contemporary socio-political reality of Japan.

He even incorporated the hot-button current events of the Yama-I War.

Judging by the present reaction—

It was a massive success!

It was impossible to tell what Kinji Fukasaku and Nagisa Oshima were thinking.

However, look at that fellow Mitani's performance—aren't his hands entirely slick with sweat by now?

So, what comes next?

Inexplicably, Takeshi Iwata’s heartbeat quickened.

***

"Boss! Let's go! Hurry up and move!"

"What's going on?"

"It's Saejima's men. They've gone mad."

"Because of last time..."

"Never mind all that, a showdown is about to go down!"

"Huh?"

Masayoshi Tanimura was the one who dragged Kazuma Kiryu away from the scene of Watsiro’s death.

Did he not understand what was happening?

Who knows.

The crucial issue right now was: war!

Digo Saejima had lost a massive amount of money during the previous police operation, and he wanted revenge.

However, where had the intelligence regarding Watsiro come from?

Forget it; the police were cracking down hard on Saejima.

Meanwhile, Goro Taketori seized the opportunity to ruthlessly purge Saejima's faction.

Bang! Bang!

A gunfight—an intensely fierce, blood-pumping gunfight!

Kazuma Kiryu led Masayoshi Tanimura and Taketori's remaining subordinates in a hail of gunfire directed at Saejima’s men.

His shooting technique was astonishing.

Standing upright, completely motionless, expressionless, not even blinking once as he fired continuously.

He looked like a machine whose only purpose was to pull the trigger.

It sent a chill down the audience's spine, yet stirred an inexplicable sense of awe.

Was he seeking revenge?

Very likely.

Perhaps it was a form of catharsis.

Because the only person who knew his true identity was dead.

Kazuma Kiryu would probably never be able to return to a normal life again.

Perhaps he simply wanted self-destruction.

Regardless, the Saejima Syndicate quickly collapsed.

"Taketori! You bastard! You're the one who gave me that intel! We agreed to form an alliance!"

The once overwhelmingly arrogant Saejima finally let out a roar of bitter frustration.

Now everyone understood: Daigo Dojima was still Taketori's man all along; Taketori, that sinister man behind dark glasses, had simply used Saejima.

With a grim smile, Taketori pulled the trigger, sending Saejima straight to hell.

With this outcome, the position of wakagashira of the Aoyama Syndicate belonged exclusively to Taketori.

Kazuko Aoyama, played by Miho Nakayama, threw herself into his arms. Even while scrubbing his back, she praised Taketori's Buddha-head tattoo for radiating overwhelming authority.

Everyone finally realized that Taketori was the one who made that phone call at the very beginning—he had laid out this grand scheme from the very start.

planting Daigo Dojima inside the police force had been an absolute masterstroke.

And what about Kazuma Kiryu?

Shooting the way he did, without ever taking cover, naturally led to injuries. Consequently, he had several chance encounters with Yuna Kazama.

*"Aiyoh~"* The guy still hummed that tune in his spare time.

"Thank you for the recommendation." Yuna Kazama was referring to that videotape.

"Don't mention it."

"About that..."

Yuna Kazama wanted to ask why he had sustained such injuries.

Kiryu’s wounds had been treated at an underground clinic; coming to the hospital was just to pick up prescriptions, seeing as underground clinics lacked a full inventory of medicines and charged exorbitant prices.

"If I die one day, would you be willing to come to my place and clean it up?"

Kazuma Kiryu didn't answer her question, instead pulling out a set of keys.

Though phrased as a question, Yuna Kazama accepted them without the slightest hesitation.

On the very night Taketori officially became wakagashira, Kazuma Kiryu received a string of Morse code signals.

That's right, it was Daigo Dojima!

***

When Mitani reached this point in the film, he was completely conquered by Takeshi Iwata.

So Morse code could be used in such a manner.

Earlier scenes had established that Daigo Dojima had accepted a new assignment to investigate the police mole—meaning he had to investigate himself.

This brilliantly demonstrated how deeply hidden his disguise truly was.

During his investigation, he rummaged through Watsiro’s personal effects and discovered the contact method.

With two undercover operatives linked up like this, what would happen?

Mitani immediately realized that Taketori was finished.

Sure enough!

Taketori died at the barrel of Daigo Dojima's gun.

What would happen next?

"Kazuma Kiryu! You are the mole!"

Inside the Aoyama Syndicate, someone had somehow acquired this intelligence, and the person pointing the finger at him was none other than the young mistress herself, Kazuko Aoyama.

Another brutal brawl ensued.

With the assistance of Masayoshi Tanimura, Kazuma Kiryu fought his way out.

Until...

As the setting sun dipped below the horizon, a car parked in a desolate wilderness.

In the distance lay the ocean, but the two men inside the vehicle had no time to gaze at the sea.

"Boss, you must really like *City Hunter*, right?"

Having spoken these words, Masayoshi Tanimura stared straight into Kiryu's eyes with a clear, unwavering gaze.

Perhaps he wasn't handsome, perhaps he was a fool, but at that moment, tears slid down Kazuma Kiryu's otherwise expressionless face.

Tanimura had actually figured out that Kiryu was the mole, but kept his silence.

So, what would happen after that?

Mitani grabbed his own hair with both hands, gripping tightly. If he kept pulling like that, he would probably grow exceptionally strong very soon.

The young screenwriter felt an overwhelming sense of urgency regarding the rest of the film.

Next, on the big screen, Daigo Dojima actually appeared in the same frame as Kazuko Aoyama.

This neatly explained how Kazuko knew that Kazuma Kiryu was an undercover cop!

However, Kazuma Kiryu also quickly uncovered Daigo Dojima's true identity.

When Kazuma Kiryu and Daigo Dojima faced each other on the rooftop of a high-rise building, that touch of Iwata Blue made its reappearance.

***

Kinji Fukasaku unconsciously held his breath at this moment.

He had considered one possible ending: simply letting the villains win.

Besides, purely in terms of appearance, Daigo Dojima was far more handsome than Kazuma Kiryu, wasn't he?

That fellow Takeshi Iwata... that single tear just now was genuinely moving.

Still, even if they lured Dojima out now, it wouldn't change anything, would it?

Hmm?

Fukasaku caught the subtle framing of the scene.

Although both Kazuma Kiryu and Daigo Dojima were on the rooftop, Kiryu had a vast expanse of blue sky behind his back.

Dojima, on the other hand, stood right by the stairwell exit.

This shot, too, was brimming with heavy symbolism.

"Give me a chance. Previously, I had no choice, but now I really want to be a good person."

Pointing his gun straight at Dojima, Kazuma Kiryu delivered that exact line of dialogue.

"Whichever police officer shows up here is nothing more than a yakuza. I've already called the cops."

Kazuma Kiryu had taken control of the entire situation, using himself as bait to draw Dojima out into the open.

Yet, suddenly, someone appeared.

A woman.

***

Nagisa Oshima had not anticipated the appearance of Kazuko Aoyama, and even less did he expect this woman to raise a gun.

Kazuma Kiryu collapsed into a pool of blood, maintaining his expressionless face as his gaze remained fixed upward, staring straight into the brilliant blue sky.

"You must be startled. We need to get out of here right now."

With clean and decisive efficiency, Kazuko Aoyama fired her weapon—yet in the next instant, Daigo Dojima picked up the gun that had fallen from Kiryu's hand onto the ground.

Bang! Bang!

As Kazuko Aoyama collapsed, her eyes remained wide open. In her wildest dreams, she likely never expected to be killed this way.

Daigo Dojima wiped the weapon clean before placing it right back into Kazuma Kiryu's hand.

So...

Were the bad guys going to win after all?

Right now, no one knew Daigo Dojima's true identity; he was a rising star in the police force!

Just as Kinji Fukasaku, Nagisa Oshima, Koki Mitani, as well as Ando, Kobayashi, Yamaguchi, and Shimotani, had all reached this conclusion—

Yuna Kazama, portrayed by Akina, arrived at Kazuma Kiryu's apartment.

The room was sparse, and the object that caught Yuna's attention most of all was a diary.

***

Before Kazuma Kiryu's gravestone stood numerous police officers and reporters.

"With this successful crackdown on the Aoyama Syndicate, we will continue to dedicate ourselves entirely to safeguarding the safety of our citizens!"

Daigo Dojima, having secured his long-desired promotion to high-ranking official, stood before the media and delivered grandiose remarks.

"Mr. Dojima, there were previous rumors that an undercover operative within the police force played a crucial role?"

"That is correct. The sacrifice of Mr. Kiryu is worthy of the respect of us all!"

"I understand the Kazama Syndicate was also dismantled?"

"Yes! The eradication of the Kazama Syndicate was likewise the result of a joint operation between Kiryu and myself."

"Subarashii!"

The fellow shamelessly took all the credit, claiming every achievement as his own.

Naturally; after all, by this point, no one else remained alive to tell the truth.

When his speech concluded and he met up with his girlfriend—

Yuna Kazama was wearing a pristine white kimono today, breathtakingly beautiful.

And even more astonishing:

As the two embraced, Yuna suddenly drew a surgical scalpel, plunging it fiercely into Dojima's back, straight into his heart!

Dojima’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Witnessing this scene, Kinji Fukasaku, Nagisa Oshima, Mitani, Ando, Kobayashi, and every single member of the jury finally understood the purpose of that *Lady Snowblood* videotape.

This week is truly crucial; please vote, bookmark, and support in every way possible. Thank you everyone!

(End of this chapter)