Chapter 53: The Familiar Scent (Vote, Please)

Yuta Irie, who had come to deliver money, could only show an expression of disbelief when he heard Tao Zhiming’s question.

“Go on, tell me—was it something you discovered because of what happened the night before last?” Tao Zhiming pressed on. “I remember you asked those three men, ‘Why would you provoke me when you know who I am?’ Did you realize something back then? What kind of organization is the Hokuchokai?”

In the living room, Yosuke Ueno and Runa Onodera had already left, and Inoue Yayoi was watching television.

Yuta Irie stood in Tao Zhiming’s bedroom, studying his face for a long moment before finally saying, “What’s your own guess?”

After a night of reflection, Tao Zhiming had already formed some ideas.

“From our first meeting, you caught the implications hidden in what I said. Yuta, you’re not just some muscle-bound yakuza. Would a man like you let Yuma do something so reckless? Was it a warning for me?” Tao Zhiming spoke quietly. “Don’t worry. Actually, yesterday I was out expanding my influence as well, preparing against possible risks.”

He paused before continuing, “Even though I manage funds worth billions, very little of it actually belongs to me. If there’s trouble, the forces I’d be up against wouldn’t be trivial, so I’ve been preparing. But now, it seems there’s already a conspiracy being plotted against me, isn’t there?”

Tao Zhiming frowned. “It can’t be the banks, nor would it be Inoue Ryu. Since they’ve already entrusted me with their money, they’d at least give me time to prove myself. Only a day has passed—surely they have more patience than that. I’ve thought about this a lot, but there’s too little information to be sure. So, what exactly is the Hokuchokai?”

At this, Yuta Irie finally smiled slightly and replied, “The Hokuchokai is a massive syndicate with its base in Bunkyo Ward, but its power covers four northern wards of Tokyo. Their numbers exceed a thousand. The three men from the other night were just low-level thugs.”

“I see.” Tao Zhiming was puzzled. “Judging from last night, do you think those three were after me? Why?”

“That’s something you should ask yourself. Even I know too little about what you’ve been up to.” Yuta Irie thought for a moment and then said, “Actually, I had Yuma and his men keep an eye on things here yesterday, and sure enough, some unfamiliar faces were asking about you.”

With that, Tao Zhiming was convinced and asked him in surprise, “Why didn’t you just tell me directly?”

Yuta Irie laughed. “Tell you what? That someone might be coming after you? Sounds like a setup to extort some money from you.”

Tao Zhiming couldn’t help but laugh. “A big-time yakuza boss, and still so cautious...”

Yuta Irie replied meaningfully, “I’m no boss...”

Tao Zhiming’s gaze sharpened. “So, the real big shots in your Shindo Group have their eyes on me as well. Well... it’s not surprising, since Inoue Ryu was working with you to begin with. So this is a test, is it?”

This time, Yuta Irie was truly shocked.

This guy—he figured all that out in just a few words?

He fell silent, watching as Tao Zhiming tapped his forehead with a finger and began pacing slowly around the room.

After a while, Tao Zhiming said, “Let me make a few phone calls first.”

Yuta Irie, curious, followed him out of the bedroom, wanting to see how he would search for clues.

Tao Zhiming’s first call was to Kusakabe Segawa at the bank.

“Segawa-san, it’s me, Tao Taro.” He weighed his words before continuing, “Actually, I have high hopes for my talks with President Kinoshita of Mogami Holdings. The land my house is on was acquired by them. I heard they’ve adopted my suggestions and will expedite development of the site. I just wanted to confirm their commitment, and I’d appreciate it if you could keep this confidential...”

Yuta Irie listened as he probed for any signs of Mogami Holdings moving funds through the bank or other channels.

But he couldn’t see what this had to do with the information Tao Taro wanted.

Glancing at the little girl nearby, Inoue Yayoi shrank back, then scrambled up and ran back to her bedroom.

Yuta Irie took one point of damage.

After finishing his inquiries, Tao Zhiming thought for a moment and dialed another number.

Yuta Irie realized this call was to Tomokazu Trading, likely to the HR director he’d met the other night.

Tao Zhiming mentioned he hadn’t received any calls in the past two days, sounding slightly uneasy, and then the person on the other end said, “We know Tao-kun won’t make a decision until after March 20, so the president instructed us not to bother you too much.”

“Oh, I thought I’d been dropped.” Tao Zhiming replied cheerfully. “I’m really just fulfilling previous commitments to other firms.”

He then asked, “Has President Omiya been busy lately? If possible, I’d like to meet and consult with him in person.”

“I’ll check with the president and get back to you,” came the reply.

Tao Zhiming’s eyes flickered. “Alright, but I’ll be heading out soon and won’t be back until the evening. If it’s convenient for you, we can talk again tomorrow morning.”

“Understood, I’ll be in touch.”

After ending the call, Tao Zhiming dialed Sada Nick. “Nick-san, I saw you had some machines ready yesterday—can I come by for a test run? I’ve been thinking, and I really should make sure they work well.”

“Don’t worry, Tao-kun, they’re the most advanced models available! We’ve already brought the machines you’re renting out of storage for setup and testing. You’re not changing your mind again, are you?”

“Change my mind? I just want to see them in action. Can I come by now?”

“Of course, Tao-kun...”

“See you soon.” Tao Zhiming hung up, then turned to Yuta Irie with a focused look. “Is it risky for me to go out alone right now?”

“It might be.”

Tao Zhiming nodded, no wonder he’d run into Nara Yuma by chance last night.

“In that case, could I ask you to come with me?”

Yuta Irie, however, asked, “If you confirm there really is a plot against you, what will you do? After all, the Hokuchokai has already been hired to deal with you.”

Tao Zhiming just smiled. “It’s alright. Aren’t you on my side? So it’s a test, eh... Seems like your Shindo Group’s top brass have some expectations for me as well.”

He recalled Inoue Ryu’s reaction to the 10% profit share and felt reassured.

Watching the change in his expression, Yuta Irie couldn’t help but ask, “Why does it seem like... you’re not worried at all, maybe even a little excited?”

Sure enough, Tao Zhiming asked with great interest, “How powerful is your Shindo Group? How much tribute do you have to pay up the chain each year?”

Yuta Irie’s eyes went wide. “Are you joking?”

How could he possibly reveal such secrets?

And how did this guy know so much about the yakuza? Even things like tributes.

Why would he ask that?

Following Tao Zhiming out the door, he couldn’t help glancing at him now and then, worrying in his heart.

The Hokuchokai! A syndicate with over a thousand members!

Isn’t he afraid?

Tao Zhiming actually felt a thrill.

This was exactly the kind of atmosphere Tokyo should have had in the bubble era—a web of open and clandestine maneuvers all for the sake of profit.

Just as expected, this was the true flavor of the times!