Chương 415: Chapter 415: Because I Will Make It That Way
The chaos in Japan was gradually settling down as time passed.
No one could stand against Koizumi with his approval rating exceeding 70%.
He exercised his right to dissolve the House of Representatives for political reorganization and cabinet restructuring.
After wielding the dissolution card Koizumi dismissed all opposing bureaucrats and finally seized complete control of the Liberal Democratic Party which had been deeply shadowed by the Dae Dong-hui.
The resulting general election was Koizumi's overwhelming victory.
"Hm… that country is fascinating."
I shook my head while checking the Japanese election results in the morning paper.
The Dae Dong-hui scandal and this recent Self-Defense Forces coup were both linked to the Liberal Democratic Party.
No matter how much Koizumi championed reform the Liberal Democratic Party should have taken some responsibility.
But the Japanese people chose differently. Despite the unsavory incidents the Liberal Democratic Party secured over two-thirds of the seats.
Koizumi was reappointed as Prime Minister after securing enough seats to even amend the constitution if he wanted.
I folded the newspaper considering how this election would affect my plans.
'The game board has completely changed so the plan needs to change too. I wonder how Koizumi will act…'
Though he had no reason to oppose me right now I couldn't fully trust a Japanese to stay quiet.
Lost in thought my phone on the table suddenly rang.
It was a call from Japan starting with 81.
"This is Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Kim Mu-hyeok. This is Koizumi."
His voice carried so much more authority now compared to when he'd been bowing his head. He spoke with unmistakable confidence.
"Yes Prime Minister. I saw the election results."
"Haha this is all thanks to your help isn't it?"
"What did I do? It's all thanks to your excellent work Prime Minister."
Though it started golden this conversation would end up tarnished. I deliberately responded with exaggeration.
"I was shocked to see the Self-Defense Forces attack the Prime Minister's residence. How could such a thing happen in Japan which claims to be a developed nation? You must thoroughly deal with the Dae Dong-hui this time."
I could hear teeth grinding through the receiver.
"The moment Dae Dong-hui was exposed to the world their power effectively vanished. A shadow organization only has value while it remains in shadow. But Araki worries me. We still can't confirm whether he's dead or alive… Didn't I specifically say he needed to die?"
This was a result I hadn't expected either.
We'd confirmed all the key Dae Dong-hui figures including Araki had gathered before executing the operation.
While the deaths of others were confirmed Araki's body was never found.
"We definitely confirmed his attendance there must have been some mistake."
"I'm not blaming you. I'm just disappointed. We absolutely need to capture Araki but his whereabouts are unknown…"
I couldn't help but smirk. He subtly brought up my mistake first then claimed he wasn't blaming me.
This is why I hate politicians.
"I'm also looking for him…"
Before I could finish Koizumi cut in.
"I'll handle that so stay out of Japan now."
"…What did you say?"
"Didn't you say you had no interest in Japan? Now that Dae Dong-hui has fallen there's no reason for the Self-Defense Forces to attack Korea right?"
This bastard's showing his true colors already. My blood boiled but I kept my response measured.
"True I don't have anything left to do in Japan. Should I take that to mean you no longer need my help?"
"I've already received plenty of help. Taking more would be shameless. I'm a person with a sense of shame you know."
This is driving me crazy. Without my help he'd have spent his life as Dae Dong-hui's puppet.
It irritated me how he was flexing his authority without seeing the bigger picture.
"Haha I understand. From now on no matter what happens you won't 'request' my help Prime Minister. This makes twice. There won't be a third time."
"…What do you mean?"
"I mean exactly what I said. Whatever happens I won't help Japan again. I can't trust you anymore Prime Minister."
"Now listen here Kim Mu-hyeok. I'm not trying to drive you out I'm just saying since you mentioned having no interest in Japan…"
"Of course. I have no interest in Japan. But I wonder if others involved feel the same way? I don't know what those people might do. Good luck stopping them."
"W-wait. What did you say?"
What would happen if the recently stabilized public order descended into chaos again? Would Koizumi's approval rating stay the same then?
"Are you threatening me right now?"
"How could I possibly threaten Japan's Prime Minister? Please don't misunderstand. I'm just saying those people might not stay quiet if they're betrayed."
"…Since you sent them you should handle it right?"
"Haha but you told me to stay out?"
His words weren't consistent. He must be too flustered to even realize what he's saying.
"You tell me to stay out then ask me to handle it? Why should I? Don't you think your words sound strange even to yourself?"
"Listen here Mr. Kim."
If you bare your teeth at me you'll pay the price. Who does he think he is trying to snub me?
"From now on you can handle everything that happens yourself Prime Minister. There will certainly be a war to claim Japan's entertainment districts now that the Yakuza are decimated."
"If that happens you won't be safe either. So prevent it from happening!"
Koizumi raised his voice which was thick with panic.
His attempt to maintain a clean image until the end was laughable. I deliberately let out an audible snort.
"Me? I won't be safe? Are you suggesting I'm connected to criminal organizations? You can't frame me without evidence. And even if such suspicions arise I don't care. It would be more troublesome for you Prime Minister."
"…What do you mean by that?"
"Because I'll make it that way. Evidence linking you to the center of all this will surface one by one. I wonder how much you can handle? Congratulations. After becoming Prime Minister you'll become the star of a scandal too."
Silence fell on the other end of the line. Enjoying that silence I continued with a sardonic tone.
"If you're going to attack me you should be prepared Prime Minister. I never back down from a fight that comes my way. You know who has more to lose. So go ahead try it."
"…"
"You provoked me first Prime Minister. You acted like you'd give me anything I needed then what's this about? Show some manners Prime Minister."
This is why you shouldn't work with Japanese. Should I have buried him along with Dae Dong-hui?
I wondered if it might have been better to install an idiot like Abe earlier and shake up Japan.
"That wasn't my intention at all. Don't misunderstand. I just meant since everything worked out well you don't need to worry anymore."
"…You're saying I misunderstood?"
I was briefly speechless.
"I apologize."
Koizumi quickly apologized seizing that gap. Well that makes it harder to stay angry.
"No I went too far as well."
"…Then can you stop them?"
"Stop what?"
I deliberately played dumb. He needs to know his place.
"The Russian Mafia and Chinese Black Society. If they start causing trouble again it'll be problematic for us too."
Koizumi's tone had become much more polite than at the start.
"I can't control them either."
"Mr. Kim."
"However we can't just watch foreign criminal organizations take over Japan can we? But it's not like a criminal organization that could replace the fallen Yakuza will appear right away either."
"Do you perhaps have a solution?"
A problem I'd been wondering how to bring up was solved instantly.
Since Koizumi wanted it first there was no need for me to ask.
"Put forward someone who can unite the decimated Yakuza. Use that person as a proxy to negotiate with foreign organizations. Wouldn't it be better to resolve things through dialogue rather than bloodshed?"
"Are you telling me to submit to criminal organizations?"
"Submit… Why do you think Dae Dong-hui supported the Yakuza?"
Koizumi hesitated to answer.
"It's simple. Every country every era will always have an underworld. If you can't eliminate it the best option is to keep it under your control."
"But they're still criminal organizations aren't they? How can I do the same thing as Dae Dong-hui?"
He's still trying to act clean until the end. I deliberately let out an audible snort.
"Prime Minister you need to make a choice. War or peace. Everything will be determined by your decision. Isn't that the role of a leader? Dae Dong-hui has fallen and with it Japan's centuries-old underworld. Do you think that means the dark side will disappear? No. New organizations will emerge and eventually bloody fights will break out between small groups. It's better to manage one large organization instead."
"…"
"The Russian Mafia and Chinese Black Society have already shed much blood in Japan. They won't back down easily. As far as I know Yamamoto has connections with the Chinese Black Dragon Society. If you use him well… you can keep the underworld under your control."
I could hear Koizumi sigh. His mind must be racing. But he really only had one choice.
"Do you know Yamamoto's whereabouts?"
"Yes he's in Korea. If you want I can capture and hand him over. Once he's in Korea he can't escape my sight."
"Sigh… Alright. I'll lift Yamamoto's wanted status. Please tell him to return to his home country as soon as possible to sort things out. Also relay that I won't spare any support."
Finally a satisfactory response. I smiled and answered.
"Understood. I'll proceed through the Heavenly Group."
"However I absolutely cannot allow killings or the use of firearms."
"That depends on how you handle it Prime Minister. What they want is a stable market. Violence is just a means to achieve that."
"…I'll meet with Yamamoto first when he returns. We'll decide what to do after that."
"Good. I'll send Yamamoto to Japan as soon as possible."
After hearing Koizumi's agreement I spoke again.
"Congratulations again. You've finally got Japan in your grasp. I'll help you rule for ten years or even longer."
"…Thank you for saying so. I'll hang up now. I have other appointments."
The call ended.
I put down the hot phone and smiled faintly.
In the end Koizumi put his own collar on too. If this gets out his political career is over.
I pressed the call button beside me to summon Manager Ma.
"Yes Boss."
"Manager contact Chairman Yoo Sung-jin and tell him to come to Pyeongchang-dong tomorrow morning. Yamamoto… no tell him to come alone."
"Understood I'll relay that message."
After giving the instructions I turned my attention to my watch.
Seeing the heavily tilted watch hands reminded me of my dinner appointment and I asked Manager Ma.
"What time was the dinner appointment?"
"Six o'clock. You should leave now."
Time flew by already. I put on the suit jacket Manager Ma handed me and stood up.
An upscale traditional Korean restaurant in Seocho-gu.
After checking the reservation list the staff guided me to a private room.
I hadn't waited long when the door opened and someone entered.
"Haha Mr. Kim! It's been a while!"
I stood up at the booming voice calling my name.
"Chairman you're here? It has been a while."
"I tried to come early but I didn't expect you'd be here already."
"No I just arrived myself. Let's eat first."
Park Young-geun nodded. We sat facing each other.
Park Young-geun's face looked brighter than when I'd last seen him.
"Congratulations on your appointment as Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission."
"Mr. Kim it seems you can't stand to see me resting. This old man was trying to step back and enjoy his remaining years but you have to grab me and make me work?"
"You're still so energetic though."
I laughed along with Park Young-geun's joking complaint.
I couldn't let such a capable person retire already.
Sure enough even while eating Park Young-geun couldn't hide his excitement as he thought about the work ahead.
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