Ashen Moon: Volume 2 - Chapter 10

The content warning is in the footnotes⁰.

◇:*:◆:*:◇

Kato stepped into the building in Kabukicho where the gang office was located. The elevator was stuck on the seventh floor, so he decided to take the stairs. As he climbed, Yamahira was coming down from upstairs.

“Oh, if it isn’t the underboss,” Yamahira greeted him.

Yamahira was short with stubby legs and a tough-looking face. The light purple suit didn’t suit him, but he wore it often, making it his trademark. Though his hot temper was a flaw, he had been a loyal member of the Motohashi group since the previous boss.

“Hot today, isn’t it?”

Sweat beaded on Yamahira's shaved head.

“It’s really unbearable,” Kato replied. Though Kato held a higher position, he still spoke politely to Yamahira, who had taken care of him when he was younger.

“You look cool enough,” Yamahira said, stepping down to stand alongside Kato and putting a hand on his shoulder. He brought his face closer and whispered, “Early this morning, President Shinagawa of the Guren group passed away.”

The Guren group, part of the Rano clan, was based in Shizuoka, and Shinagawa, in his fifties, had been suffering from cancer since last year. Despite undergoing surgery, he had not recovered.

“It’s not public yet, but an old acquaintance informed me. Make sure to subtly let the boss know.”

Shinagawa had been sharp enough to be part of Rano clan’s executive committee but couldn’t overcome his illness. Soichi would undoubtedly have to attend the funeral; it was a matter of duty.

“Understood.”

Yamahira sighed, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. “They should really put some air conditioning on these stairs too.”

“By the way, it seems the Guren group hasn’t decided who will take over. The eldest son is an idiot, while the second son from a mistress is more competent, which is causing a lot of trouble.”

Kato nodded. “Yes, that’s correct.”

“If the eldest son was just an idiot, the lower members could cover for him, but he’s a vile scumbag. I’d prefer the son from the mistress to take over.”

Yamahira laughed, placing his hands on his hips. “That moron bragged about getting a hostess from his own turf pregnant when he was in middle school. He’s done drugs, killed a few people, not just within the syndicate but civilians too. Several members ended up in prison covering for his messes, and even Shinagawa complained he wished the kid would just die. Many of the officers support the second son because of this. It’s bound to lead to internal conflict.”

“If the idiot eldest son takes over, the boss will likely distance himself from the Guren group.”

“Leaving fools to their own devices is the smart move.”

Yamahira slapped Kato’s back. “By the way, how’s the boss?”

Soichi had been recovering from a summer cold for about three days, resting in his apartment.

“His fever went down yesterday.”

“That’s good. The boss is thin like his sister, so you need to feed him more to bulk him up. The only thing he’s lacking is weight.”

Yamahira waddled down the stairs, followed by two younger members.

It had been nearly a year since Soichi took over the Motohashi group. The group flourished thanks to the money he generated, and he stayed clear of illegal drugs. Though it might be unusual to use such terms in the yakuza world, the Motohashi group was seen as a “wealthy, clean group,” envied by others. Members took pride in serving under a capable boss.

Soichi distributed surplus earnings as rewards to subordinate groups, which ultimately returned as tribute money. This effectively reduced the burden on the subordinate groups, allowing them to avoid reckless jobs. Soichi used financial chains to keep them loyal without overtly forcing submission, maintaining a balance. There wasn’t a single group openly criticizing Soichi under the Motohashi group.

He shared the wealth to suppress jealousy and keep members satisfied. It was a smart strategy, carefully balanced to avoid excess.

When Kato opened the office door, no one was in sight; perhaps they were either outside or in the back.

Entering the boss’s office, he locked the door and opened the safe. He sat on the guest sofa in front of the boss’s desk, quickly checking the ledger.

Normally, this was Soichi’s job, but Kato wanted to close the monthly accounts early to avoid trouble for the accountant. Though he could take the ledger to Soichi’s apartment, he didn’t want to burden a sick man with work he could do himself. The Motohashi group’s income was 80% from Soichi’s stock and real estate earnings, with the remaining 20% from protection fees from the bars and other businesses in their territory. Only non-Soichi income was recorded in the office ledger.

Frankly, they could survive without the protection fees, but that would leave the members without work. Continuation required monitoring to prevent embezzlement. Betrayal often started with small things. The ledger and cash matched. Kato locked the safe.

Leaving the boss’s office, he saw Nishida and Inoue in the office. Nishida stood in the corner, while Inoue sat on the sofa reading a newspaper.

“Thank you for your hard work,” Inoue greeted, standing up and bowing.

In a short-sleeved shirt and gray slacks, he looked like a tired office worker often seen in Kabukicho on weekends. Unlike Yamahira, who looked unmistakably yakuza, no one would suspect Inoue on a train.

Nishida and Inoue joined the Motohashi group about six months ago. They had been members of the old-school Tenpo group in Osaka, which disbanded after its elderly boss retired. Except for the young Nishida and former underboss Inoue, the rest went legitimate.

Before retiring, the Tenpo group boss asked Soichi to take in Inoue and Nishida. Though the Motohashi group had refused outside members before, they accepted these two due to Inoue’s warning that helped Soichi escape a targeted attack at a wedding.

Though Kato worried about friction between old members and the new ones, his concerns proved unfounded. Inoue was smart and quick-witted, soon becoming friendly with the older members. Unlike Inoue, the hot-tempered Nishida often clashed with younger members due to his love of women and bad habits. Inoue addressed this by publicly disciplining Nishida, defusing the tension.

“Anything unusual?”

“No, it’s peaceful everywhere,” Inoue shrugged playfully.

“But there’s a nasty wind blowing from the west.”

I wondered if he already knew about Chairman Shinagawa's death. As I stared at his face, he smirked.

"These days, information hits the internet fast. Chairman Shinagawa was a good man, but his eldest son seems to be getting along well with rival groups. Probably because they're giving him better deals."

In the office lounge, it was just me, Inoue, and Nishida.

"...Any other information?"

Inoue narrowed his eyes and added, "Well, I heard some of the leaders in the Touzen group are feeling pretty resentful of our boss. They probably don't like how much money we have."

"Even if it's just small talk, if you hear any 'interesting stories,' make sure to tell me."

"Understood," Inoue said with a bow. With his skills, Soichi would probably promote him to a higher position soon.

As I approached the door, Nishida hesitated and stepped back. His expression was tense. Our first meeting had been awful, with him hitting on hotel girls. Even after he joined us, Yamahira often complained about "that young outsider being too rowdy." Lately, such complaints had ceased, possibly due to Inoue's strict discipline.

"Could you open the door for me?"

Nishida glanced around, and when he realized I was speaking to him, he hurried to the doorknob and opened it quickly. When I thanked him, he blinked rapidly and smiled happily, bowing his head. In this world, winning people's loyalty involves acknowledging their existence. Simple words can deeply affect straightforward people.

Stepping outside, the intense sound of cicadas instantly reminded me it was summer. The sunlight was harsh. I got into the sedan waiting in the parking lot. On the way back to the apartment, I had Hachi, the driver, stop by a department store to buy some peaches and fruit desserts.

On the way, I noticed several women in yukata. It must have been three or four years ago when Soichi wore a yukata prepared by the Madam on a day the roads were jammed because of fireworks. Time flies. By the time I had finished reminiscing, the car had pulled into the apartment parking lot.

I sent Hachi home and entered the elevator with my arms full of packages. When I entered Soichi's apartment, it was completely silent. Not a sound could be heard.

I put the fruits and desserts in the refrigerator, which contained only snacks. As I walked into the bedroom, I saw the blinds were drawn, making it as dark as dawn despite it being daytime. On the bed was a human-shaped shadow. A slender male figure lay face down, breathing softly in sleep. He was wearing boxer shorts, but his upper body was bare.

He normally didn’t nap. His neck felt warm when I touched it.

The air conditioning was pleasantly cool. To prevent him from catching a chill, I gently pulled the crumpled summer blanket from the foot of the bed and covered him up to his neck. His small head moved slightly, and he turned his face sideways. His long, narrow eyes, covered by heavy eyelids, slowly opened and gazed at me drowsily.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, realizing I was looking down at the boss, I knelt by the bedside.

"...A bit better. But I'm still tired."

"Please rest properly under the blanket."

"It's hot."

He kicked off the blanket and sluggishly sat up, revealing his chest. Though I had licked and sucked on it countless times, it still seemed strange to see it again. In the dim room, the fake breasts appeared to glow.

"Where did you go?"

"To the office. I heard Chairman Shinagawa of the Guren group passed away."

Soichi ran a hand through his hair and sighed.

"It hasn't been officially announced yet, so the funeral date isn't set. We should hear soon."

Whether due to the fever or not, Soichi seemed more lethargic than usual. He licked his lips slowly, a hint of desire in his eyes that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Take off your pants."

Even when sick, his desire was undiminished.

"Your body isn't in top condition."

"I still want it. Help me."

He showed no sign of giving up. I stood up.

"...I'll take a shower."

"No. I prefer your natural scent. Take off your pants and get in here."

There was no reason to refuse. I took off my slacks and underwear, climbed into the bed, still wearing my socks. Soichi snuggled up to me, burying his face in my groin. He inhaled deeply, then started licking and sucking without hesitation, making obscene noises.

His oral skills had improved, now on par with professionals. Feeling a mixture of frustration and pride at his growth in this area, I traced the line of his back with my finger. It was supple and beautiful, though not the build I preferred for a boss. He didn’t need to be as bulky as Yamahira, but a bit more muscle would be ideal. Despite feeding him well, he remained thin and had a naturally slim build.

While stroking his back, I restrained my urge to demand "more, more" of him. Since taking over as boss, Soichi had fulfilled his role beyond my expectations. Asking for more might be too cruel.

Due to being skilled like a bitch, I grew hard and stood tall. Still unsatisfied, he lifted my scrotum, gently biting it. If he was left alone, he could probably suck on me for hours.

My right hand, idle, slipped under his round breasts. As I fondled the lifelike softness, he began to moan, "Ah, ah," and writhed in pleasure. His body was so sensitive that with enough training, he might climax from nipple stimulation alone.

Soichi looked up, wiping the saliva from his mouth. He removed his boxer shorts, revealing his erection, and climbed onto my thigh. Just as he was about to thrust down onto me, I grabbed his slender waist.

"...What?"

Just a bit more and my hard member would penetrate his lewd entrance.

"I don't think it's wise to put it in."

His face fell in dismay.

"But..."

"It might strain your body, even if you're used to it."

Biting his lip and trembling, he whispered, "I... I want it."

"When you feel better, I'll give it to you as much as you want."

"I want it now... Your..."

Ignoring his pleas, Kato forced his slender waist onto his thighs and took his small penis, full of desire, in his right hand, and stroked it roughly.

"I-I don't want it with your hands. I want something hard."

Despite his complaints, his body quickly responded, climaxing in my hand. His semen splattered onto my shirt, dripping down.

"This is... so cruel."

His genuine tears were almost laughable. I wiped off the spilled semen, spread it on his white chest, and finally pinched his nipple.

"Ah..."

Soichi's cheeks turned red. When Kato brought his soiled fingers closer to Soichi's thin lips, Soichi eagerly sucked on them, lost in the scent of semen. It was as if he might melt completely.

"If you rest quietly in bed, I'll suck you off. What do you want to do?" Kato offered, knowing there was only one answer. Soichi glared at him with a resentful look before lying down on the bed, spreading his legs wide and exposing his hairless groin boldly. Kato draped a blanket over Soichi's upper body and buried his face in Soichi's crotch. Even though Soichi had just come, he was already getting hard again. Kato sucked him, and once he was fully erect, he teased him by constricting the base and making him wait for a while before finally releasing him.

Even though Kato had taken care of Soichi's desire, Soichi still looked at him with dissatisfied eyes.

"I want you," Soichi said.

"But you've already come twice," Kato reminded him.

"I want you," Soichi repeated. "I want to keep you inside me all night."

"Shall we try it when you get better? Because if we do that now, you might get too excited to sleep," Kato pointed out.

"I want it now," Soichi insisted, grabbing Kato's shirt sleeve.

"You're kind to me when I'm not feeling well," Soichi noted.

"Perhaps that's true," Kato conceded. It's easier to be kind when there's a reason, like when Soichi is weak. Otherwise, Kato often finds himself uncertain about how to interact with him.

"Please rest now," Kato urged, covering Soichi with the blanket again. He put on his discarded underwear and slacks, intending to leave the room when he remembered the things he had bought. "Would you like something to eat?" he asked.

"No," Soichi replied, shaking his head.

"I bought your favorite fruits and peaches. If you want them, let me know anytime."

"Actually, I do want a peach," Soichi admitted.

Kato acknowledged this and went to the kitchen to peel a peach, though he struggled as the fruit was too soft and kept crushing under his hands. Predicting a messy outcome, he considered calling Hachi for help, but Hachi had already gone home. Kato returned to the bedroom with a much smaller peach than before.

"Here's the peach. Please, enjoy," he said, placing the plate on the bedside table.

"Feed me," Soichi demanded, acting spoiled. Kato inserted a fork into the much-reduced peach and brought it to Soichi's mouth. Instead of eating, Soichi stared at the peach.

"It's quite small," he remarked.

"It was bigger when I bought it, but I'm not very good at peeling," Kato explained.

Soichi drew his knees up, leaned forward, and chuckled. "So, you have things you're not good at too," he mused before taking a bite. His lips moved as he chewed. "It may look terrible, but it tastes good," he declared.

After Soichi finished the peach, Kato offered more, but Soichi declined. "No more... It was delicious though," he said with a smile, then closed his eyes while clutching Kato's shirt hem. Kato wondered how long he would be needed here. The peaceful look on Soichi's face soon turned into the defenseless expression of someone who had fallen asleep. Kato gently pulled away, covered Soichi with the blanket, and left the room. Though his apartment was next door, he decided to sleep in his room at Soichi's house tonight, as Soichi's condition still worried him.

His phone rang. It was the assistant to the underboss reporting that Shinigawa, the chairman of the Guren group, had passed away and that the funeral would be held in five days. The timing was inconvenient. Kato checked to see if it was due to a Buddhist custom but found it was not. Complicating matters, the one-year memorial service for the late Sanpa group chairman was on the same day. Normally, the funeral would be rescheduled to avoid overlapping events, but no such consideration was given this time. It seemed the Guren group were struggling to coordinate internally following their leader's death.

With the events occurring in different cities and at overlapping times, Kato realized they would need to split their attendance. Soichi should attend the Guren group funeral, while Kato himself should go to the Sanpa group memorial. However, Kato did not want to send Soichi to Shizuoka.

Last year, Soichi had nearly been attacked at a wedding in Osaka. Despite being under the same yakuza umbrella, there was still infighting and betrayal. He was careful and planted a spy in the Aso group... He had been bribing a man who had been in the group for some time to get information, but after he identified the men who had kidnapped and killed Yoshino and the others and killed them in the same way, he realized that the other side had also become aware of his actions, and they haven't been doing anything strange lately. However, there is a possibility that they will do something again.

The funeral would be a perfect target. With Soichi in Shizuoka and Kato unable to accompany him, it posed a significant risk. He thought about sending another executive to the Sanpa group's memorial, but if the leader couldn't attend and the underboss didn't go either, it would damage the relationship with the Sanpa group. He couldn't avoid attending, since Soichi wouldn't go.

He will probably be reluctant, but he will have several times as many bodyguards than usual when Soichi goes to Shizuoka. They will create a wall of people so that even if they are sniped from afar, someone in the gang can act as a shield.

He thought too much, and his head started to hurt. However, attending the funeral was unavoidable. He had to take every precaution to ensure his safety.

◇:*:◆:*:◇

Reluctantly, Kato decided to assign an extensive security detail for Soichi—thirty bodyguards, led by the trusted Hachi. Kato also included Inoue in the protective entourage, knowing he was a shrewd but useful man with good information-gathering skills and knowledge of the Osaka scene.

"Please be very careful," Kato warned Soichi before his departure. Soichi, dressed in a black suit, frowned at the number of bodyguards and grumbled, "Reduce them."

"With the Aso group incident in mind, we can't be too cautious. If things get dangerous, prioritize your safety above all else," Kato insisted.

Annoyed by the persistent warnings, Soichi got into the car early. Kato gave Hachi a firm "I'm counting on you," to which Hachi responded with a resolute nod. Since it was a large group, there were about ten cars, including a station wagon. For camouflage, two more cars, the same specifications as the Benz Soichi was driving, were driving in front and behind.

As the members bound for Shizuoka got into their cars, Nishida was called out too. He, who had been trembling with fear, was pushed forward by another member.

"Your job is to protect the boss." Nishida looked up at Kato with frightened eyes. "You're hot-headed and stupid, a typical foolish yakuza. But I think you can be used as a shield. Protect the leader with your life."

The fear suddenly disappeared from Nishida's eyes. "Understood!" he replied in an unnaturally loud voice and got into the station wagon.

With the funeral scheduled for 3 PM, Kato did not want Soichi to stay overnight in Shizuoka. After the funeral, they would return the same day. As Kato mulled over the arrangements, he began to feel the weight of the responsibilities ahead. He realized the importance of ensuring everyone's safety and fulfilling their obligations with utmost care and preparedness.

After seeing Soichi off, Kato returned to his apartment. He took out his mourning clothes and changed into them. As he donned a black jacket and tied his necktie in front of the mirror, he heard a dull thud and something flew through the air. A button rolled across the floor; it had come off his cuff. Although it could be sewn back on, he decided to change into another set of mourning clothes out of convenience.

He pushed aside the unease that came from such a trivial thing as a missing button.

Due to the overlap with President Shinagawa’s funeral, many groups had sent their deputies to the memorial service for the head of the Sanpa group. This gave the venue a somewhat more relaxed atmosphere than a typical memorial service.

Hachi contacted him every thirty minutes, informing him that Soichi had safely arrived in Shizuoka and was now inside the funeral venue.

“Mr. Kato, how are you?”

After signing the register and receiving the condolence gift, Kato was approached by Nunoshita, the deputy head of the Ryuko group, which was under the same umbrella organization. Nunoshita, who was the same age as Kato, had taken a one-sided liking to him. Despite his slick words, Kato found Nunoshita’s true intentions hard to read. A slender, suave man with good fashion sense, Nunoshita had chosen a sleek, well-fitted mourning outfit.

“Is your group’s leader also in Shizuoka?” Nunoshita asked.

“Yes,” Kato replied.

“So is ours,” Nunoshita said, passing his condolence gift to a young subordinate behind him. He then took out a cigarette and lit it, noting that they had about thirty minutes before the service started.

“The Guren group...they really are a nuisance,” Nunoshita continued, exhaling a thin stream of smoke. “Normally, you’d reschedule a funeral if it coincided with a memorial service like this. Apparently, their original plan was for yesterday, but the eldest son insisted on today, no matter how much the executives objected. The old-timers over there are tearing their hair out. My boss’s daughter married into their second son’s family, so I get all kinds of information. When a useless eldest son takes over, the whole organization goes to pieces, causing trouble for everyone else. The Guren group are going to have a tough time ahead.”

“Want a cigarette, Mr. Kato?”

Kato, having left in a rush and forgotten his cigarettes, accepted one, thinking it wouldn’t put him in debt. Borrowing a light as well, he noted that Nunoshita’s cigarette, like the man himself, was mild.

Almost simultaneously, both Kato’s and Nunoshita’s phones rang. Seeing ‘Hachi’ on his screen, Kato knew he couldn’t ignore it. They turned their backs to each other and answered their calls.

“Mr. Kato!”

Though it was Hachi’s number, the voice wasn’t his.

“Who is this?”

His voice naturally grew stern.

“There’s been an explosion!”

Behind him, Nunoshita let out a horrified shout.

“This is Nishida. The funeral hall exploded. There’s still lots of fire and smoke...I heard multiple blasts...Mr. Hachi tried to go in but was blown back and is covered in blood...he told me to report to you…”

“What about the boss?”

“I don’t know. We can’t get inside. Some people are...dead.”

Kato’s mind went white-hot with fury.

“Don’t say you can’t get in! Push past the police or whatever and find the boss. If you have time to call me, use every second to check the boss’s condition!”

He hung up angrily. He needed to get to Shizuoka immediately. As he started to run, Nunoshita grabbed his shoulder. Kato turned to see Nunoshita’s Noh mask-like face.

“...Our boss is dead...what about yours?”

“We don’t know yet.”

Nunoshita let go of Kato’s shoulder, clenched his fists, and let out a roar like a tiger. A few people turned to look.

“Who did this? I’ll kill them! I’ll tear them to pieces!”

Kato left the venue and ordered his bodyguards to head to Shizuoka.

Despite the air conditioning in the car, sweat beaded on his forehead. He repeatedly tried calling Soichi but got no response. TV news was already reporting on the explosion at the Shizuoka funeral hall.

Updates from Nishida came in sporadically. Of the Motohashi group members, only Hachi was injured, having been caught in the blast trying to enter the hall, while the others were unharmed.

All the leaders of the Rano group, including its executive members and first and second-tier groups, had attended the funeral. After the explosion, members had rushed into the hall, concerned for their leaders, finding a hellscape of dismembered bodies and blood.

The surviving leaders had quickly left the scene. Those taken to hospitals had their conditions reported, but Soichi wasn’t among them. Some had died so horribly that their faces or heads were unrecognizable, making identification difficult.

Kato arrived at the funeral hall after 4 PM. The police had cordoned off the area with yellow tape, preventing entry.

“Mr. Kato!”

Covered in dust and soot, Inoue ran up to him.

“I’m really, really sorry.”

Inoue prostrated himself on the pavement.

“The explosion happened about ten minutes into the ceremony. Five or six blasts went off...the doors opened, and amidst the smoke, people started running out. Mr. Hachi tried to go in but was blown back by another explosion…”

“Search for him,” Kato quietly ordered.

“If you have time to bow, search for the boss. He wasn’t taken to the hospital as a casualty. If he’s not confirmed dead, he might have escaped. Split up and search.”

Inoue looked up, his face filled with desperation.

“Hachi’s in the hospital, so can you take charge here?”

“If the boss is...if the worst has happened, the next target will be you, Mr. Kato. Wouldn’t it be safer if you...”

Kato kicked Inoue in the stomach, who yelped and fell backward.

“Don’t speak of the boss’s death, even hypothetically, in front of me.”

Holding his stomach, Inoue grimaced and apologized repeatedly.

“The Motohashi group can’t maintain its current state without Soichi as the leader. If anyone else took over, it would fall apart. Do you understand that?”

Inoue, rubbing his forehead against the ground, repeatedly apologized.

“Take over Hachi’s role and report to me every fifteen minutes. Go!”

Holding his stomach, Inoue ran off, bent over. Kato divided the group members into teams and sent them out in a radial search pattern from the funeral hall. He also searched, thinking about how Soichi would try to escape and where he might go.

As he searched, he endlessly regretted not being there, not delegating the memorial service to someone else.

Gradually, the chaos of the scene was pieced together from the constant updates. There were thirty-two dead and 323 injured, making it the worst domestic bombing incident of the century. And among the missing was Soichi.

Kato walked around the streets of Shizuoka every day, searching for any sign of Soichi. He had his men search in shifts, twelve hours at a time, and requested help from allied groups, but they found nothing. The situation was strange. It was odd not to find anything, even if it was a body. While other groups hunted for the perpetrators like bloodhounds after their leader was killed or injured, the Motohashi group was preoccupied with confirming Soichi’s safety.

Kato couldn't shake the thought that maybe Soichi had been found by enemies while trying to escape and captured. Imagining Soichi being beaten, bleeding, and crying out in pain made Kato feel sick.

There were countless puzzling aspects about the incident. It was undoubtedly the work of the Touzen group, yet there was no statement from them. Could it be that Touzen group wasn’t behind it? If not, then who was? Kato couldn’t direct his anger without a clear target.

As he slumped into a deep sleep on the sofa in his hotel room, which served as their search headquarters, Kato received a call from Inoue.

“I don't have a report, but I've heard a disturbing rumor. It’s about the bombing. Only our boss is missing, so people are saying he orchestrated it and then disappeared.”

His temple throbbed, likely from lack of sleep.

“Did you call to tell me worthless rumors?”

“No, that’s not it. The problem is who’s spreading it. I did some digging and it seems the source is the Guren group.”

“...That incompetent eldest son?”

“Yes. This whole thing, even the timing of the funeral, feels unnatural.”

“Capture the eldest son.”

“I thought you’d say that, so I’ve already had Nishida tailing him. We’ll catch him and rough him up just enough. I’ll call you again.”

After the call, Kato considered the situation. He instructed his men in Tokyo to compile and email him a list of those who died at the funeral.

The explosion occurred at six locations, and among the dead were several Guren group members. Kato called Nunoshita for more details. Despite being busy with his own boss’s funeral, Nunoshita gladly provided information. All the deceased were reportedly from the mistress’s side, including the second son and his wife, who was from the Ryuko group.

“I heard a rumor that your boss was behind the funeral hall explosion…” Nunoshita said with a laugh. “Who would believe such nonsense? Looking at the dead, it’s clear the idiot eldest son used his father’s funeral to get rid of troublemakers. Our group will wipe out the Guren group. The only ones left are those who sided with that fool of a son.”

After hanging up, Kato received another call from Inoue.

“... Mr. Kato, someone's been killed.”

He sounded dejected.

“The idiot eldest son of the Guren group is dead. He was shot in the head right in front of Nishida on the street. We don’t know which group’s hitman did it, but it’s a disaster.”

The picture of the incident became clearer. The Guren group’s eldest son wanted to eliminate his troublesome brother and the executives siding with him. The eldest son’s interests aligned with those of the Touzen group, who advised him to carry out the hall bombing. Afterward, he was made to take all the blame and was killed to silence him—likely by the Touzen group or a group from the Rano group that caught wind of it.

“Continue searching for the boss. Soichi is alive. Even if another group has him, he’s alive. If they wanted him dead, they could have killed him at the hall. They didn’t because he’s valuable. If I were the brain behind an enemy group, I’d keep a golden goose alive, confined, and producing money.”

Kato felt disgusted with himself for his cold analysis. After a brief silence, Inoue muttered, “You’re right…”

Footnotes

0. Content warning: NSFW, violence.

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