CH 206

Chapter 206 – Hosen Group

A week before Torimoto and Sayuri, the founder of the Maiden’s Rebirth Order, met again and started engaging in business…

On the top floor of a five-story building in some obscure location, many tough, fearsome faces were gathered.

All of them were staring at the person who was sitting in the seat of honor.

“―I’ll get straight to the point. My father was killed.”

The man sitting in the seat of honor was the young master of the Hosen Group, Hosen Touya. He was a part of the forefront in the militant faction of the Higuchi Group, and had spent time in prison for murder. He didn’t have a good reputation in the yakuza, as he was known for not having good control over his emotions and losing his temper easily. No one knew exactly what he would do when he lost his temper.

However, everyone acknowledged his physical strength. There was a rumor that he had once gone up against a rival gang all by himself and crushed them, emerging almost entirely unharmed.

“Is that really true, young master?”

One of Hosen Touya’s subordinates sitting in the front row asked.

“Yeah. I heard he was targeted on his way back home.” (Touya)

“Which gang did it?” (Subordinate)

“It wasn’t a gang.” (Touya)

“Hah?” (Subordinate)

“…Oi.”

The one who spoke was a man with a large, muscular build named Akagiri, who was seated closest to Hosen. He stepped into the conversation and began to speak.

“When I looked into it, I learned that it was a women’s organization that killed the boss.” (Akagiri)

When the people heard that women did it, they began to mutter and whisper among themselves.

“It was a women’s group called the Maiden’s Rebirth Order. I heard that they were only killing men around these parts.” (Akagiri)

“I did hear of that… Akagiri-san, do you know why they would kill my father?” (Touya)

“No. They seem to be killing all men indiscriminately.” (Akagiri)

Akagiri started to describe the backgrounds of the men that the Maiden’s Rebirth Order were attacking. None of them had anything in common. They were all completely different from one another. It didn’t matter if they were upstanding citizens or part of the yakuza.

“Young master, are you just going to let this slide?!”

When one of the subordinates cried out, many other subordinates began to follow up one after the other.

“That’s right! We gotta get revenge for the boss!”

“Killing just because he was a man… We need to teach them a lesson!”

“Let’s gather up the boys and invade their base right now!”

Just as the uproar was growing louder, Hosen slammed his foot on the table with a loud thud and told them to shut up.

Everyone immediately quieted down, pressured by his intense spirit.

Among them, only Akagiri looked unconcerned. He calmly asked Hosen what he wanted to do.

“Of course, the other side picked this fight… No, this is a war. We can’t just sit back and let ‘em have their way with us. Besides, we can’t let these folk go wild as they please on our turf.” (Touya)

“In that case, young master.” (Akagiri)

“Yeah. I’ll make sure those women get the punishment they deserve. You guys better get ready for war!!” (Touya)

““““YEAAAAHHH!””””

The fighting spirits of all the people in the room were roused at once. They looked excited, like their blood was boiling.

“First, we gotta gather our numbers. And our weapons, too. No time to waste! Stop dawdling around and move, you bastards!”

Hosen’s orders were met with immediate action from his subordinates. At that moment, one of the men spoke to Hosen.

“Young master, may I have a moment?”

“Hah? What is it, Oshikura? You too, hurry up and get to it.” (Touya)

“Of course. But before that… If I achieve more in this war than anyone else, will you consider that previous matter?” (Oshikura)

“Previous matter?” (Touya)

“About letting me become your aide, young master.” (Oshikura)

Hosen furrowed his brows upon hearing the words of Oshikura, who was only 19 years old. Akagiri stepped in as soon as he saw Hosen’s expression, which hinted at displeasure.

“Oi, Oshikura… Don’t get ahead of yourself, you hear me?” (Akagiri)

“I wasn’t asking you, Akagiri-san.” (Oshikura)

“Hah? You think you can speak so presumptuously to me, little brat?” (Akagiri)

Sparks flew between their gazes.

“Well, let’s leave it there. Oshikura?” (Touya)

“Yes.” (Oshikura)

“You, how long’ve you been with me?” (Touya)

“Nearly three years now.” (Oshikura)

“Only three years. The underworld ain’t that easy.” (Touya)

“…” (Oshikura)

Even Akagiri, the young master’s aide, was in his thirties. He was implying that it wasn’t the position for a greenhorn in his teens.

“Well… you’re a good henchman that I personally took under my wing. I’ll think about it.” (Touya)

“…Really?!” (Oshikura)

“Yeah. That’s right. If you kill more people than anyone else, I’ll give you a reward.” (Touya)

“You can count on me! I’ll do anything for you, young master!” (Oshikura)

“Sure. I’m expectin’ great things from you.” (Touya)

After giving a resounding reply, Oshikura left the room in high spirits.

Hosen and Akagiri were the only ones left in the room.

“That greenhorn, becoming one of your aides? Are you crazy?” (Akagiri)

“It’s fine, isn’t it? We need some youthful power, don’t we?” (Touya)

“He’s too young.” (Akagiri)

“But he’s loyal to me. He’s already done a lot of killing for me.” (Touya)

“Then you’re keeping him around as a scapegoat?” (Akagiri)

(TL: Here, Akagiri says ‘尻尾切り’, which literally means ‘cutting the tail’. It’s a specific Japanese term that refers to when unlawful organizations pin the blame on one of their low-ranking subordinates and abandon them in order to avoid legal consequences due to a crime they committed.)

“As long as he doesn’t change, that is. But there’s a chance that he might. Seeing how reckless he is reminds me of how I used to be when I was younger.” (Touya)

“That small fry? Are you kidding me?” (Akagiri)

“Well, come on. There’s nothing wrong with being a good henchman. This is my era. I’ll be needing as many capable subordinates as I can get. Even if that person is a scapegoat. Akagiri, can you afford to be careless?” (Touya)

“…I’m not scared of that little brat. I can handle him any way I want.” (Akagiri)

“Kukukuk, as expected of the brains of our Hosen Group. No wonder my father viewed you with such importance.” (Touya)

“You have the nerve to say that, huh? You purposefully leaked information to the Maiden’s Rebirth Order, or whatever they’re called. About the exact time my father’s guard would be down.” (Touya)

“Is that so?” (Akagiri)

“Well, thanks to that, I was able to get the organization to myself without having to do anything. In the end, it’s best to have a follower who’s both loyal and crazy, huh?” (Touya)

“C’mon, that’s too much. I only devised the plan because you wanted to kill the boss.” (Akagiri)

“Oi, oi. Don’t go saying something so thoughtless. I wanted to kill the boss, you say? Kuhahah… Well, of course. The reputation of the Hosen Group would be at stake if such a modest man was allowed to sit at the top forever. Does he think the underworld is some kind of game of buddy-buddy? Hell no, of course it ain’t. What’s important in the underworld is power. Absolute authority and violence. My father was half-assed in everything. A yakuza without greed isn’t a yakuza.” (Touya)

Hosen stood up, picked up the sword off the display behind him, and slowly drew it from its scabbard. He looked mesmerized as he stared at the dull glow reflecting off the blade.

“It’s just like this sword. In the past, my father was amazing. A man, incredibly sharp like this sword, without a single nick in the blade. But as he got older, he changed. He became satisfied with his position and tried desperately to hold onto it. He had no ounce of ambition whatsoever and he was so depraved that it made me want to vomit just looking at him.” (Touya)

“Was the boss really that great when he was younger?” (Akagiri)

“Yeah. He… was even crazier than I am right now. He was always glaring like a sharp sword, cutting down anyone who dared to touch him. It’s pitiful… He declined until he was just like a fat pig. Why didn’t he just step aside and let me take over the group? The hell did he mean that it was too early for me? Power is everything in this world. Right, Akagiri?” (Touya)

“I agree with you. The world has changed, and that’s even truer now. The era of power that you spoke of in the past has arrived, young master.” (Akagiri)

Hosen looked pleased by Akagiri’s words and smiled, sliding the sword back into its sheath.

“Man, I really held on. My father is gone now. The Hosen Group is all mine now. And now, the world has become a place where military power is more important than money. Everything is unfolding to my liking. I’ll use this opportunity as a stepping stone to aim for the top. I will push the Hosen Group to the top of the underworld.” (Touya)

“I will be by your side, young master.” (Akagiri)

“Yeah. First comes that cult. Of course, on the outside, this looks like retaliation for my father. I’ll take the head of the leader of that cult to make things clear to the world. I’m gonna make the Higuchi Group acknowledge my existence as the backbone of the Hosen Group. Now then… It’s only up from here.” (Touya)

Hosen’s crazed laughter continued to echo out for a while from the office of the Hosen Group.