Chapter 75: Undercover for Three Years First

Tao Zhiming made a jesting remark, his mood buoyed by the unexpected acquisition of a secret detail that could be used against Hiroshi Omiyama. He hurriedly pressed Yusuke Obata for more information, repeatedly interrogating him for specifics and then probing for other shady dealings. Yusuke Obata pleaded, "We've only done this one thing, this is just the second time. There might be other matters, but we don't even know who they're for!"

"Then recount everything you've ever done!"

"Eh?" Yusuke Obata grimaced, "I've told you all you wanted to know. Rest assured, with the protection of the Shindo Group, we won't trouble you anymore!"

Tao Zhiming smirked, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Really not going to talk? Yuta, bring the knife!"

"I'll talk! I'll talk!" Yusuke Obata deeply regretted being the one sent to gather intelligence. Frankly, what could he learn by aimlessly driving a taxi around? Was merely knowing the places someone visited really useful?

After listening for a while, Tao Zhiming went over to the tape recorder and removed the cassette.

Yusuke Obata felt a chill. "What are you doing? Did you record this? Yuta, we're all yakuza here—are you planning to hand this over to the police as evidence? That would betray our code of honor!"

The room was dim, and since regaining consciousness, he hadn't been able to see what lurked in the corners.

Tao Zhiming smiled warmly. "Actually, I didn't know nearly as much before. But, Yusuke, you're now a traitor to the Kitajo Association. Even if it was forced, there's evidence now. Time is short; make a choice. How about becoming my mole?"

Yusuke Obata stared at the cassette in Tao's hand, his heart icy cold.

Is this man a demon?

Tao Zhiming coaxed, "Look, not much time has passed. You can drive back and say you were stuck in traffic after a car accident. Your partner probably saw me return earlier, so nothing will seem amiss. Later, I'll selectively feed you information your boss wants to know, so you'll be valued and rewarded."

"Being yakuza is just a way to survive, right? Hiroshi Omiyama only targeted you to get me to reveal some business secrets he wants. When I went for the interview, I didn't disclose everything, hoping to keep some leverage for myself, and I was treated so roughly. Isn't that against the yakuza code of honor?"

He raised the cassette tape. "In any case, if you refuse to become my mole, I'll have to silence you. I already have evidence to reappear in your associates' sight—Omiyama will only be a little more suspicious. He's always had it in for me; a bit more suspicion won't change much. You've seen my ties to the Shindo Group; my safety isn't an issue."

"Are you kidding? Betraying the organization—you know what that means for me?" Yusuke Obata was unyielding; even though not betraying could mean death, the consequences of betrayal were just as terrifying.

"So I've told you, no one will know you've betrayed them." Tao Zhiming was unconcerned. "Don't exaggerate—I'm well aware that every organization has mysterious moles within. Are you really going to choose to vanish silently? On the contrary, working for me could lead you to a higher position in the future."

"He can do that." At that moment, the door swung open, and a man entered.

Yuta Irie and Yuma Nara immediately straightened and bowed. "Father!"

Yusuke Obata trembled all over, staring dumbly at the man as he approached. He carried no sword, but his oversized kimono was unmistakable. He was the man most likely to become the next Shindo Group leader, the "Dragon of the Port"—one of Shindo's two swift swords, Daiki Suzuki, the wakato's aide.

Tao Zhiming watched the calm, smiling man, who looked at him and beamed more brightly. "At last we meet, Tao."

Facing a high-ranking yakuza, Tao exhibited flawless courtesy. "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Suzuki."

"Call me Suzuki," Daiki Suzuki replied amiably, nodding and then addressing Yusuke Obata. "Do you realize what kind of power this man has? He's the rising star even our second-generation Inagawa-kai has heard of—a man whom Hidekaze Kinoshita of Moesaka Holdings couldn't recruit. If he says he can raise you up, he absolutely can."

Tao Zhiming's gaze sharpened, then he smiled. "It seems your sources are even richer than I imagined."

Suzuki simply smiled, then asked, "You aren't annoyed, are you, Tao? For a remarkable young man, I can't help but be curious."

"Not at all," Tao Zhiming replied, glad to have to say even less; after all, this was one of the reasons he dared step foot in the Shindo Group.

Hidekaze Kinoshita of Moesaka Holdings made his fortune in a way reminiscent of Ryuu Inoue, only upgraded. The yakuza bosses Tao had befriended belonged to one of the three top syndicates in all of Japan—the second generation of Inagawa-kai. Both the Shindo Group and Kitajo Association were, in the end, just small organizations under the three major syndicates, obligated to pay annual tribute.

Yusuke Obata was utterly bewildered.

Would Daiki Suzuki, of all people, need to lie to him, to build up this young man's reputation? Who was this Tao Dailang, really?

Second-generation Inagawa-kai... Yusuke Obata felt his legs tremble uncontrollably.

Tao Zhiming, seeing the opportunity, smiled gently. "Well? Have you made up your mind?"

Yuma Nara kicked him. "Even Father vouched for him, and you're still hesitating? Stop dragging your feet!"

"I..." Yusuke Obata's face was mournful.

He was truly cornered—unable to resist the intimidation, caught with incriminating evidence, and now forced to accept a dangerous role to survive.

Is being a mole really so simple? It's a one-in-ten chance for survival!

Tao Zhiming played his final card, speaking quietly, "Become my secret agent in the Kitajo Association for only three years. If my plan succeeds, you'll have 100 million yen."

Men die for wealth, birds for food.

A stick in the left hand, honey in the right.

The stick could kill outright, but the honey was seductively sweet.

Yusuke Obata looked at Tao, then at Daiki Suzuki, and finally sighed deeply. "From the moment your blade touched my throat, I had no choice left."

Tao Zhiming laughed. "Of course you have a choice—just that the other doesn't lead to tomorrow."

In that dark chamber, Yusuke Obata finally surrendered his burdens.

Time hadn't passed long; Tao Dailang would have him tell his partner he went to the bank. The excuse was valid, since Ichiro Byodoji, the wakato, had said the next mission wasn't urgent.

He now possessed a tape recording containing the secrets he'd revealed. If those secrets were handed over, he'd be ruined. But now, he was confronted with the temptation of 100 million yen and the possibility of becoming a future boss.

Yusuke Obata truly had no choice.

It could only be said that both Hiroshi Omiyama and Ichiro Byodoji underestimated Tao Dailang.

In that dark room, under Daiki Suzuki's supervision, Tao Zhiming witnessed a simple ceremony, leaving Yusuke Obata with a number to reach his mobile phone.

Afterward, Yusuke Obata hurriedly drove away.

Led by Daiki Suzuki, Tao Zhiming finally stepped into a spacious, well-lit quiet room.

After sitting, Daiki Suzuki gazed at him and said, "Tao, you've surpassed my expectations!"

"Which part?" Tao Zhiming replied with a smile.

"How did you know about the relationship between President Kinoshita and General Ishii?" Suzuki's question was clear—he truly couldn't fathom it.