Chapter 158: Dispute
Chapter 158: Dispute
“What the hell is a ‘Dispute Mediator’ now?”
Fang Jing naturally had no idea about it.
But seeing Higashi Yuantai’s frown getting tighter, he knew the other party was not a simple character.
“Dispute Mediator is a relatively rare profession, but for me, it’s also a trouble-level existence…”
Although called a ‘Dispute Mediator’, the actual work was similar to a private negotiator or legal advisor.
“A trouble-level existence?”
“Yes.”
Higashi Yuantai explained a bit. After the Takaha Group was suppressed, the Sunao-gumi was currently pursuing the remaining assets of the Takaha Group. It was known that although the Takaha Group had risen quickly, they had managed to control some businesses. One particular asset was highly valued by the Sunao-gumi, who really wanted to secure it.
“But we had a dispute with the local residents. The reason was that the Takaha Group had done many troublesome things in the past, angering the town’s self-governing body. Now that we moved in, the town mayor and the town office strongly opposed it. Both sides were at a stalemate…”
The trouble came from the town association in the city’s Hinano Town. Perhaps because they had been oppressed by the overbearing Takaha Group in the past, the local neighbors showed clear hostility toward the Sunao-gumi taking over the territory.
However, Higashi Yuantai handled it very cautiously, afraid of angering the town association.
This wasn’t because the Sunao-gumi, as a Yakuza organization, feared the local people. Groups like the Sunao-gumi usually had nothing to do with ordinary folks; both sides kept to their own business and mostly coexisted peacefully.
Legitimate Yakuza operations followed certain rules, unlike street thugs. Not disturbing the public was a basic principle.
At the very least, the Sunao-gumi had always maintained a peaceful approach in this regard. However, their “attitude” didn’t mean the problem could be resolved.
Because during this period, some unusual incidents occurred. Pets from several households in the town were found tortured to death, their small bodies discovered in the town’s park.
This naturally had nothing to do with the Sunao-gumi. Higashi Yuantai and his subordinates were not involved in this matter at all. But the timing of these abnormal events, just when the Sunao-gumi entered the town, meant they were naturally blamed.
“A few young people from the town association came to us very agitated, and they ended up clashing with my men. Our side taught them a lesson. Now the whole town is up in arms, trying to drive our Sunao-gumi out…”
“From what you say, I think I understand now.”
Fang Jing nodded slightly. He also noticed that the woman called the “Dispute Mediator” was slowly walking over.
Higashi Yuantai had to roll down the car window. He spoke in a flat tone, “We meet again, Miss Myoken-in Ogata.”
“Hello, Mr. Higashi Yuantai. I think we need to talk.”
The Dispute Mediator, the woman named Myoken-in Ogata, gave a light laugh. Her gaze drifted to the side, met Fang Jing’s eyes for a moment, then returned to Higashi Yuantai’s face.
“About the proposal I mentioned earlier, what do you think? The town association is willing to settle with you, but they demand that your Sunao-gumi must leave Hinano Town and compensate the injured young people.”
“Compensation is no problem, of course. But, Miss Myoken-in, it’s not just your people who were injured. Our agency’s employees were also hurt…”
Higashi Yuantai’s tone was firm, showing no intention of backing down.
“We are legitimate businessmen. We operate according to laws and regulations. The town office has no right to demand that our agency withdraw from the town. If you really have a problem, everything can be resolved through legal channels…”
“Haha, since when do you gangsters talk about the law?”
Myoken-in smoothed her hair and said coldly, “If this matter really goes through judicial channels, just filing a lawsuit could take years. I really don’t understand why your Sunao-gumi insists on staying in Hinano Town where you’re clearly unwelcome.”
“Miss Myoken-in, I’m sorry, but if there’s nothing else, I need to leave.”
Higashi Yuantai lost interest in the conversation. He knew very well that this woman was full of a sense of justice but didn’t understand how to handle her current job.
Considering her “young lady” background, it was somewhat understandable.
His time was very precious, so he naturally couldn’t waste it here.
“If there’s anything regarding town matters, please discuss it with our agency’s lawyer! Also, please don’t block the street with your car. It only hinders traffic safety.”
“Wait, listen to me…”
He didn’t let Myoken-in Ogata continue speaking. The car moved forward.
“Is this woman really a ‘negotiating’ mediator?”
Fang Jing also heard their conversation. His only thought was that this wasn’t a mediator or a negotiation expert… Hmm! More like an expert at ruining negotiations.
“Haha! The surname ‘Myoken-in’ is not simple. This ‘mediator’s’ background is very troublesome. If possible, I wouldn’t want to have any dealings with her.”
Higashi Yuantai raised his eyebrows and said with a hint of sarcasm, “She’s the great-granddaughter of a high-ranking official in the Metropolitan Police Department. Instead of living the life of a rich young lady or abusing police privileges, she insists on being a ‘Dispute Mediator’. Wherever she goes, she’s a super troublesome and dangerous figure.”
“Seems like her personality is really hard to deal with…”
She was supposed to be a dispute mediator, but right from the start, her words were full of provocation and sarcasm. Higashi Yuantai only put up with it because he knew her background.
“Thanks to this young lady, what was originally a simple matter in Hinano Town has become complicated. Some people in the town seem to have been stirred up, and their attitudes are getting tougher.”
As an experienced Yakuza figure, Higashi Yuantai had plenty of ways to deal with a bunch of ordinary townspeople. Moreover, the situation in Hinano Town wasn’t complicated. The Sunao-gumi, after all, wasn’t the Takaha Group; their style was low-key and steady. Reaching a settlement with the town association was only a matter of time.
But Myoken-in Ogata got involved, escalating the problem and making it more serious.
This young lady came from a family with high-ranking connections in the police. The name Myoken-in was undoubtedly well-known to those in the know.
“Never mind, let’s talk about some real business!”
Higashi Yuantai took a photo out of his pocket.
“I need you to help me take care of someone.”
“Could it be that woman from just now?”
He chuckled.
“Please! Don’t joke like that.”
Higashi Yuantai couldn’t help but grimace.
“Joking? I’m no murderous maniac. I don’t harm ordinary people for no reason.”
Fang Jing took the photo and said slowly, “Besides, I only choose to target society’s scum and degenerates. That kind of woman, acting all self-righteous, doesn’t even qualify.”
By now, he had long lost any psychological burden about killing. Besides, there were too many trash and degenerates in this world. Eliminating them felt justified and burden-free, so why not?
Higashi Yuantai shook his head and continued, “Don’t worry! The person I want you to deal with is certainly no ordinary figure.”
He moved his finger slightly and turned over the photo, revealing a tough-looking man with dark skin, around forty years old.
“This man is called Susaka. He’s an independent broker, mainly dealing in human trafficking and arms smuggling. Most of the firearms obtained by the Black Devourer Syndicate’s League of Nether Ghosts and the Takaha Group came from him. More importantly, he was also the one who initiated this collaboration.”
“The initiator? This man?”
“Yes.”
Higashi Yuantai said coldly, “Susaka is also one of the supporters of the Black Devourer Syndicate. If this transnational criminal group comes into the country and clashes with our local gangs, he stands to profit from it. But he’s overestimated the situation…”
Susaka’s actions had essentially made enemies of the Iwamoto Group and the Sunao-gumi. Higashi Yuantai naturally wanted to eliminate him.
“Moreover, he has many connections domestically and can serve as a supporter for the Black Devourer Syndicate’s northward and eastward expansion. With him around, the Black Devourer Syndicate would receive plenty of assistance for their operations here.”
The Black Devourer Syndicate’s power base was in the Kyushu region. They intended to expand from Kyushu into Honshu, which would inevitably lead to conflict with the Murakami Group and its subordinate forces. To curb the Black Devourer Syndicate’s momentum, Higashi Yuantai decided to strike first and cut off one of their arms.
Susaka’s role in facilitating the Black Devourer Syndicate had angered him and the Iwamoto Group.
“But if you do this, wouldn’t the Murakami Group have trouble explaining it too?”
Fang Jing chuckled softly, vaguely understanding Higashi Yuantai’s thinking.
“Of course it’s hard to explain. After all, some leaders in the Murakami Group might just lie low, call for a halt, and let our subordinate groups take the fall. After all, their territories aren’t affected.”
Higashi Yuantai merely sneered. He had long been aware of the Murakami Group’s weak approach and their corrupt internal structure.
If not for Nishizuka Tsukasa’s sudden rise, forcefully turning the tide, the current situation would be unimaginable.
But even if the Sunao-gumi and the Iwamoto Group weathered this storm, there were still higher-ups looking to take advantage and profit from their misfortune, which was truly disheartening.
“But it’s nothing. Susaka thinks he’s hidden himself well. No one knows about his dirty dealings with the Black Devourer Syndicate. If I hadn’t found a skilled Information Broker to get the information, I wouldn’t have known he pulled such a trick.”
Higashi Yuantai gave a cold laugh. “Get rid of this guy, and the Black Devourer Syndicate loses its local support. Without Susaka acting as a mediator, the Kanto Confederation and the Syndicate would find it hard to reach an agreement. Killing him would give us a long break.”
Fang Jing nodded, agreeing to Higashi Yuantai’s request. This was also within the scope of their collaboration.
He had basically taken out a top member of the Black Devourer Syndicate and made a serious enemy of the organization. Killing their contact person could deal a big blow to this transnational crime group. Besides, this Susaka was not just an arms dealer; he also seemed to be involved in human trafficking, so there was no reason to let him live.
The car stopped in front of the building where Sakaki’s Boxing Dojo was located.
He heard that Sakaki Tetsuhei had been discharged from the hospital and had come specifically to visit him.
It had been a while since he last visited the dojo. The place was almost empty, with hardly anyone around—it felt unexpectedly quiet and lonely.
Fang Jing entered the dojo and saw Sakaki Tetsuhei sitting inside.
He wore a loose jacket and sat cross-legged, as if lost in thought all by himself.
Hearing the noise from the door, Sakaki Tetsuhei straightened his back.
“Is that you, Nishizuka?”
“Teacher.”
Fang Jing walked closer. “Your eyes…”
Something was clearly wrong with Sakaki Tetsuhei’s eyes. Fang Jing knew he had eye problems, but it seemed much worse now.
“It’s nothing… My eyes have never been great. After what happened last time, the symptoms got a bit worse. I probably won’t be able to run the dojo and teach students anymore.”
Sakaki Tetsuhei spoke calmly. “And about Senior Kume… thank you for that.”
Fang Jing knew what he meant. Sakaki Tetsuhei must have heard some rumors; after all, he had connections with the Sunao-gumi and the Iwamoto Group.
“It was nothing. I was just doing what a disciple of Huanzang Style should do.”
Fang Jing didn’t elaborate and simply said those words.
Sakaki Tetsuhei stayed silent for a moment, then slowly said, “So you’ve decided to carry the name of Huanzang Style.”
“In the end, I am the last disciple of Huanzang Style.”
There was no other way—all the other members were dead. Kume Nansho died after dueling Kuki Muen, and Kuki’s disciples were all wiped out by Fang Jing himself. As things stood, he was indeed the only successor of Huanzang Style and its master, completely alone.
“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore.”
Sakaki Tetsuhei stood up and patted his shoulder.
“Nishizuka, I plan to leave this city.”
“… Teacher Tetsuhei, where are you going?”
“My eye condition is a problem. I need to rest and get treatment… I don’t plan to run the dojo anymore. I’m going abroad, probably to the United States. I might not even come back to Japan again.”
Fang Jing couldn’t help but sigh. He knew Sakaki Tetsuhei’s mind was made up.
This once energetic martial artist was now forced to quietly leave his own dojo and spend the rest of his life in a foreign country.
“Honey, who are you talking to?”
Fang Jing turned around and noticed a few figures outside the dojo. At the front, chatting and laughing with some fellow students, was a beautiful foreign woman.
She wore a white sweater on top and light blue jeans below, which perfectly highlighted her well-shaped chest and long, slim legs.
The foreign woman looked very young, but unlike the immature girls her age, she gave off a mature, charming vibe.
“Linda, you’re back!”
Sakaki Tetsuhei laughed heartily. “Oh right, Nishizuka, I haven’t introduced you. This is my wife, Linda. She just got back from the U.S.”
Fang Jing was a bit stunned. He never expected this beautiful foreign woman to be his “teacher’s wife.”
“Hello, Nishizuka-kun.”
The teacher’s wife smiled warmly, extending her hand openly to shake his.
Miss Linda had delicate features that were uncommon among Western women, with loose, smooth flaxen hair tied over her shoulders. She had a bright personality and spoke fluent Japanese.
“Please just call me Linda.”
“No, no, Nishizuka, you should call her teacher’s wife.”
Akasaka and the other disciples started arguing loudly behind them.
“No way, when you all call me teacher’s wife, it makes me feel so old.”
Miss Linda rolled up her sleeves and said softly, “Nishizuka-kun, you should stay for dinner. I’m about to start cooking. Keep my husband company. Oh, and who’s going to help in the Kitchen?”
Only then did Fang Jing notice that the older disciples were holding ingredients. They all looked excited, making weird noises and raising their hands to volunteer for Kitchen duty. Watching this, Fang Jing could only shake his head.
“These brats are so annoying!”
Sakaki Tetsuhei just laughed it off without a care.