Chapter 41: The Tasteless Yakuza Battle

Although he had signed the agreement with Ryu Inoue, Tao Zhiming knew that it would be at least a few more days before the funds arrived. After all, Inoue would need to complete the formalities and receive payment from Saijo Holdings before he could arrange to transfer the money. Therefore, the rhythm of daily life would not change for the time being.

Tao Zhiming and Yosuke Ueno had practically become machines for harvesting at company tour briefings. Under Tao Zhiming’s guidance, Yosuke Ueno seemed to have leveled up, performing better in interviews than ever before. Over four days, the two of them collected another 1.8 million yen in cash and 800,000 yen in shopping vouchers.

Yuta Irie arrived with 720,000 yen. After the transaction was settled, Tao Zhiming couldn’t help but say, “Surely you can’t be that busy every night? How about joining us for a couple of drinks at the izakaya?”

This time, Yuta Irie did not refuse. “Actually, I have the information you asked for—I can hand it over now.”

“Oh? Really?” Tao Zhiming quickly called into the house, “Runa, get ready, let’s go out together.”

“What about me?” Yosuke Ueno asked, unable to contain himself.

“Stay home and look after Miko!” Tao Zhiming dismissed the poor Yosuke with a single sentence.

Yuta Irie stared in a daze as Runa Onodera, looking completely transformed, stepped out of Tao Zhiming’s house. If he remembered correctly, it was already nearly 10 p.m.

Tao Zhiming grinned. “I’ve reached a cooperation agreement with President Inoue. Runa is now our liaison and is staying here.”

Yuta Irie’s expression was complicated. Was this really the extent of a negotiation consultant’s duties?

He hadn’t expected that, after a little careful grooming, Runa Onodera would become even more captivating. Tao Zhiming and Yuta Irie walked ahead, each with a cigarette. Watching the drifting smoke, Runa Onodera couldn’t help but think: I’ve just discovered a new side of Mr. Tao.

From their conversation, it seemed their relationship had grown much closer. She recalled the first night they’d met—how tense and hostile the atmosphere had been. Yet, just over a week later, they had somehow become... friends?

Soon they reached a nearby izakaya. How could the owner not recognize Yuta Irie? He hurriedly laid out good food and sake for them.

“Brother Yuta, tell Runa about the information on those ladies you found!” Tao Zhiming, after his first sip, asked boldly.

His words drew curious glances from other patrons. Yuta Irie found it amusing. “You really are something else.”

But this forthright personality actually suited him, especially knowing Tao Zhiming’s academic pedigree and the abilities even the Wakagashira admired.

Only now did Runa Onodera realize why she’d been brought along. So, Mr. Tao had asked Yuta Irie to help gather information as well? She immediately listened intently.

“Well then… let’s start with the oldest one…” Yuta Irie took out several photos, recalling the past few days with a sense of embarrassment.

A dignified yakuza, usually someone people avoided, was suddenly asking shopkeepers and other acquaintances about single older women. The strange and wary looks he received always made him regret accepting the request.

But 40,000 yen was a significant sum…

Fortunately, in the relaxed atmosphere of an izakaya, and since their intentions were good—after all, they were helping lonely old folks—there was nothing shameful in it.

Runa Onodera listened carefully, nodding frequently. She had been asking around too, but with her focus split between overseeing President Inoue’s progress, gathering property information for Tao, and looking after both him and Yosuke’s daily needs, her time was limited. The house was much larger now, and with four people living there, household chores took up more time.

After these days of tidying up, she looked even more enchanting than before. At this moment, her attentive demeanor revealed a unique charm.

Suddenly, something unexpected occurred.

“Well, well, isn’t this Yuta from the Shindo-kai? And you’ve brought such a lovely young lady out for drinks? Mind if we join you?”

Three drunken men staggered through the door, grinning as they circled around. Tao Zhiming turned to look; all three were visibly intoxicated, their eyes roaming openly over Runa Onodera.

They clearly knew Yuta Irie and weren’t wary—probably yakuza from a different group.

Yuta Irie said coldly, “Don’t make me angry. Get lost.”

“Come on now…” one of them kept chuckling, “it’s late—let’s all go somewhere more fun. Yuta, it’s better with more people, right?”

“Look at that, Yuta, you’ve brought such a cute girl tonight. Let us foot the bill, don’t worry!”

Yuta Irie’s face grew darker. “This place is under the protection of the Shindo-kai. Leave now, unless you want to die.”

The owner was terrified, and other customers quickly settled up and left.

“What nonsense is this? We’re just here to spend money. Hey, old man, bring more sake!” The leader pushed his way toward Runa Onodera, trying to shove Tao Zhiming aside. “Is this a new recruit you’ve picked up? Move over, let me sit here.”

Tao Zhiming didn’t argue but instead took Runa Onodera by the hand and led her behind Yuta Irie. Runa, flustered and unsure what to do, found a touch of calm in the warmth of his palm.

“You little punk!” The man’s face darkened. “Are you looking for trouble?”

Tao Zhiming smiled and asked, “Can we hit them?”

Yuta Irie knew Tao was asking if he himself could fight, and a smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth. “We can.”

“And can you win?”

“I can.” Yuta Irie looked at the three, now simmering with anger. “Drunk out of their minds, forgetting where they are and who I am.”

“By yourself?”

“Fifty thousand.”

“Hey… they’re provoking you, you know,” Tao Zhiming feigned indignation, then his eyes glinted coldly. “Fine. I’ll pay extra—give them a beating worth a hundred thousand.”

“So you two are insulting the Hokucho-kai?” the three finally roared.

Yuta Irie stood, cracking his neck. “No helping it. A job’s a job.”

With that, he lunged forward, fists striking the stomachs of the men on either side, while his knee drove into the groin of the third. In an instant, the three who’d been so arrogant were reduced to whimpering heaps.

Tao Zhiming’s eyes widened.

Were these three just weak, or was Yuta Irie that strong? If they knew him, why provoke him at all? Was alcohol really such a liability?

Yuta Irie was clearly powerful and quick. The three had been on guard, but still got taken down in a flash.

With a final kick to each of the men on the side, rendering them unable to rise, Yuta Irie grabbed the one in the middle by the throat and slapped his face. “Sober now?”

“…Brother Yuta… What happened?”

“Don’t remember?” Yuta Irie squinted and kept slapping. “Think harder.”

“We were just drunk, not looking for trouble…”

“Are you awake now?”

“Awake! Awake!”

Yuta Irie sighed, glancing at Tao Zhiming while still holding the man by the neck. “But you offended an important man’s companion, and he paid me to give you a beating worth a hundred thousand.”

Tao Zhiming was speechless. “Come on! You knew exactly how weak they were and still asked for fifty thousand!”

Yuta Irie squatted down with a cheerful grin. “So, can you tell me now—why did you provoke me when you knew who I was?”

“We really were just drunk…”

“No helping it,” Yuta Irie sighed. “Then I’ll keep going until I’ve earned the hundred thousand.”

Tao Zhiming found it all rather dull. He’d thought he’d witness a brawl between rival yakuza like something out of ‘Like a Dragon’, but it was disappointingly mundane.

He sighed. “What a disorganized outfit. Is this what happens when they drink? How are they supposed to clean up the mess? Let them go—we haven’t finished our discussion.”

Yuta Irie gave him a deep look, then pressed on, “This place is under my protection. Who’s going to cover the business we just lost?”

“…Is fifty thousand enough?”

“Hand it over.”

Tao Zhiming found it even duller. What sort of organization was this Hokucho-kai, with such spineless lackeys? Even if they couldn’t win, shouldn’t they at least put up a fight? Or at least utter a few threats?

He felt a part of his imagined Tokyo had, with a snap, been shattered. Thoroughly uninspiring.

Yuta Irie took the money, straightened his clothes, and turned to see Tao Zhiming gloomily raising his glass for another drink.