CHAPTER XIV

…

Memories of last night seemed like a dream - a strangely nostalgic one. I felt like I was a kid again, laughing and having fun with my friends. But reality came pouring right back in, and I was reminded of the truth. I woke up feeling hot and sweaty. Sunlight was streaking down from the window. I checked the time - it was past 10 o' clock! I immediately shivered. What day is it again?

Sundays would've been my favourite day of the week, if Monday didn't immediately follow after. Now, I'm alarmed to find out that I slept in again. It was bad, because I missed going to church again, and the Ieyoris must've gone without me. It's not like I'm compelled to attend such religious gatherings - after all, I am not a religious person. But when you're practically a part of a family that happens to be religious, you ought to fit in, if not just to be polite. Mama Imoguiri would be greatly irritated to find out that I've stayed up late again, but it wasn't because of video games. I couldn't sleep half the night because there's too much in my head, and so I ended up reading eight chapters of 'Lord of the Flies', which was about a group of foolish boys stranded on an island and their gradual descent into barbarity and lawlessness. What a fine depiction of human nature! Ironically it only made my insomnia worse…

I would be in more trouble if I didn't show up to Mama Imoguiri soon, so I took a shower, a quick shave, and got dressed before heading to Kemigawahama station and boarded a train. The sky was thick and gray, and it might rain later in the afternoon. I was getting more and more impatient by the minute, as my brain reminded me of the things that ought to be done and tasks that need to be finished. I must remind myself that parties are stupid, childish and a waste of time! To think that I agreed to that, when I could be doing something more productive! I remember last night, and I cringed. But I also remembered Zaimokuza and what we talked about yesterday, which now meant that it would be necessary to introduce him properly to my folks. I texted him to see if we could meet up later.

Sure enough, when I got to the house Mama Imoguiri was waiting for me with an unamused expression on her face. She was frustrated that I showed up only now. "Good heavens. Look at the time, Hachiman. It's already late!" she scolded me. "Have you stayed up late again? You know that it's a bad habit, and to miss the Sunday mass! What's gotten into you?"

I flinched when I thought she would pinch my ear again, but I was relieved. She's acting like my mother… which wasn't so bad, and besides it was good and I'm lucky to have someone like Mama Imoguiri keeping me in check. It makes me sad that I'm not with my own mother, but then again there are times when we have to accept. I apologized and told Mama Imoguiri that I was with a friend to a party yesterday, and I didn't mean to forget about the mass. She was very kind, so she let me off. I promised to go next Sunday.

But that wasn't the biggest problem. There's something going on that I have yet to know about, because Mama Imoguiri looked worried. Hanzo went with some of the crew to see a small festival in another city, Manny was out doing his businesses as usual at the cabstand and in town, and everyone else was immersed in their own duties. It was really bad to wake up late and find out that everyone was already at work, while you have yet to eat breakfast. I lied, and decided to just eat later at lunch. Besides, I wasn't feeling hungry.

Then Mama Imoguiri told me very disconcerting news. She had accidentally come across inspector Oreki Saburo this morning at Shiomigaokacho. My mouth felt dry. I was reminded again of the heavy responsibility that came with my insistence to continue on with this gun scheme. Why did I even get myself into this situation in the first place? What was wrong with me? But there was no use whining now. And for the first time, I was in charge of a major scheme that was by my own design. Manny had already entrusted to me this plan, and he would only be assisting me. I am in command, but that also means that everything depended on my decisions. This is my responsibility now.

The meeting between Mama Imoguiri and inspector Saburo was too much to be simply a coincidence. She was inside the church alone, making her closing prayers when she noticed the inspector. It was unmistakable, as most people knew who inspector Saburo is. And the only reasons as to why you are seeing his presence in the first place is that you might be involved in a crime. And as this isn't your ordinary inspector, Saburo was quick to follow leads and mark his targets precisely. He knows much that the Ieyoris are involved, one way or another in the gun robbery. I still couldn't figure out how. Maybe it was by sheer sense of suspicion, or a grudge against us. Because of all the boryokudan gangs in Chiba, why are we the no.1 suspect? Maybe it was because Manny was the boss of one of the biggest Sujikuji operations in the city, or the well known owner of the cabstand down on Myoken-dori avenue. Or maybe it was because Hanzo Ieyori is someone who's very capable of committing such crime, given his criminal record. The Ieyori family isn't the greatest example of being good members of society, but it didn't mean they were outright immoral.

All the same, the inspector Saburo Oreki wasn't far from the truth. At the moment, all he has are mere suspicions. When the inspector approached Mama Imoguiri, she already knew what his intentions were. She was smart too, and she did not forget what had happened to Hanzo several days ago, who was beaten by police-hired thugs. She said to him, "I see you lawmen pay ruffians to do the dirty work and beat up our boys, something you don't have the gall to do yourselves."

"You mean your nephews? With their pistols and rifles? Is it them you're lighting candles for?" Inspector Saburo said.

"What a daring accusation!" She glared at him. "No, I'm lighting candles for the boys from Fukuoka, who lost their lives in the drug raid. There's a list there, look. Innocent men shot dead during your operations in Fukuoka, Oreki-san."

"So you've heard of me," he chuckled.

"I've heard of you. Is it the Holy Grail you're looking for now?" Mama Imoguri disdainfully said to him.

"As a matter of fact, it is the Holy Grail I'm looking for," the inspector smiled. Though his politeness is but a farce. "Something precious, something stolen. Perhaps you know what I'm talking about. Hanzo Ieyori said you people would help us."

"But if we don't know what you've lost, how can we help you find it?" She smiled back.

"Then, I have found out subsequently that I was speaking to the wrong man." The inspector was already certain that Hanzo Ieyori wasn't the leader of this crime. At least, he wasn't the one orchestrating it now. It also wasn't Manuel Ieyori. The fact that the two were already on the police watch list excluded them as the main perpetrators of the gun robbery. Whoever did it must be someone new - someone unprecedented and shrouded behind a curtain, not on the police watch list. Someone like me.

"Next time, I want to talk to the boss." Inspector Saburo clarified. "Cologne Teahouse, in Yawata. At twelve o' clock noon. And when I say 'boss,' I mean Manuel's protegé. It has to be that kid 'Niño,' am I right?"

The Inspector was taking shots at a chance to hit the real suspect. Perhaps that is what made him so formidable; his propensity to draw conclusions and round up suspects, even with the lack of concrete evidence. It was a risky strategy that could backfire horribly, but when turned against an inexperienced opponent, it can easily corner the suspect and create the illusion that the police already know who is the real criminal. All that was left to do is to wait for them to surrender, or lose composure and therefore expose themselves. And in this case, for a moment I almost thought that my identity has already been discovered. But not yet. Inspector Oreki has no proof, and so the search continues.

Suddenly, Mama Imoguiri revealed to me what really happened to her son. Five years ago in 2016, he was a part of a gang in Fukuoka. Manuel Ieyori tried to persuade his son to forget all about "becoming independent" and just join the family business in Sakaecho. But his son, just like Manny, was ambitious, and would not allow anyone to stifle his ambitions. He left home at 18 and traveled to Fukuoka to pursue his goals and continue studying there.

Unfortunately, he had gotten himself into very bad situations. For several years, nobody heard from him. It was too late when word got out that he was a member of the Dojin-kai, a dangerous and militant organized crime group, who was notorious for being the dominant drug cartel in Japan. That was his downfall. Manny tried to get him home, but to no avail. In June 2016, inspector Oreki Saburo had been tasked with a raid on the Dojin-kai in Fukuoka to wipe out the Yakuza presence in the region once and for all. Nearly the entire gang surrendered, but thirteen people were caught in a sudden shootout and died as a result. Ironically, he was killed by a freak bullet - or at least what they said. Among the dead was Manuel Jr. who was found still kneeling on the ground, frozen in submission, with blood still dripping from his temple. It stunned the entire nation, and the media tried to cover up the truth. He was twenty-seven when he died.

The last message his father received from his son was from an envelope containing 50 million yen, and a letter that said only two words: "be proud." The prodigal son sadly hadn't found his way home.

And now, Mama Imoguiri in a very serious tone warned me to not make such mistakes that would put myself in certain danger. She said to me, "this is not about you, so much as it is about the people who will grieve should you meet an untimely death. Death is easy, but dying is the wretched part. And the next worst thing is to keep on living after your loved one is dead."

Then I was reminded of my sister Komachi, and I felt very ashamed. Truly, it isn't about me - keeping safe and healthy isn't just for my sake, it's also for the sake of my family and friends. But the truth is that secretly I've always told myself that if I had to die, it wouldn't be by rotting away on a bed or shriveling up like a leaf from old age. Hell, I'd rather die in a plane crash or maybe in a shootout. Of course I don't want to die, but what am I gonna do? If death is inevitable, fuck it. There's nothing I can do about it, and maybe I'll go away, crying silently… or more likely, screaming and cursing in my dying breath. But after all that, it isn't me who suffers the most in the long run. Death is easy indeed. Dying is the wretched part, but to keep on living is the real suffering.

It was already 11:30am. I changed into proper clothes and Mama Imoguiri hurriedly sent me off to meet inspector Oreki Saburo and settle this ordeal once and for all, but not before warning me to be careful with what I say, lest I get myself into even bigger problems I can't handle.

The train ride to Ichihara city felt very tense. It was like D-day, and the struggle was only about to begin. Little did I know, this little scheme would stretch on even farther. But at this moment, all I knew was that this was an opportunity to cash in on the accidental gun robbery. If only I knew that this was the beginning of a city-wide conspiracy in Chiba, and at the center of it all would be me.

I got off at Yawatajuku station. Walking down the street, I looked for the Cologne Teahouse. Sure enough, there was the Chief Inspector, Saburo Oreki. He looked like he's in his late fifties, with gray hair, ruddy cheeks and a prim moustache. If you didn't know that he was the inspector behind the Fukuoka drug raid, you would assume that he is a kind man. Saburo was anything but kind when on the job as chief inspector. You could see in his dark green eyes the true nature of the inspector. He is incorruptible and righteous, the physical manifestation of the law itself. This is the kind of man who couldn't be bought with money, a man with principles, and who would rather die than face dishonor.

It was obvious that this man didn't just want the guns back. He wanted us - Yakuza or not, all of us driven out of the city. The fact that Fukuoka is now the only city in Japan with an astounding 0.6% crime rate was a testament to inspector Oreki Saburo's capabilities. Once he got those guns back, there was no stopping him from carrying on with his designs, and such is to find a suitable casus belli to start targeting people like us.

Cologne Teahouse was quite an exquisite establishment, with cavernous interiors and a furnished atmosphere that was very European rather than Asian. I should note that the inspector has taste. There were very few people inside, and I could see why he chose this particular venue. Inspector Oreki Saburo stood beside a table, and he recognized me easily when I entered the room. I wanted to finish with this confrontation as soon as possible. It was very poor, to think that I have complied with his demand for a meeting. He would play nice in front of me, and all the while threaten me with force. And that, I cannot allow.

"I chose this place because it is both outside of our jurisdictions," inspector Saburo says, looking at me carefully. "Do you want tea?" He offers.

I knew too well that he could arrest anyone within Japan. I actually expected hidden agents recording me, ready to hold me down at the signal. And of course, I have already set countermeasures against such an action. "Inspector, I responded to your invitation because I want us to understand each other," I say, cutting to the point immediately. "I am a businessman, and I want to make my businesses successful."

He squinted his eyes at me, as if in suspicion. "And I want my cities to run peacefully," he says.

"Well, if the city is peaceful, business can thrive."

"So we're on the same side?" The inspector flashes a soft, pretentious smile again.

"I think perhaps we could be," I nodded slightly.

"Oh, but how can we be on the same side when I see things like this?" He produces from his pockets three pictures. One is of a truck loaded with brown boxes, being inspected by an officer. The second is of a fenced off scene, which I recognized was the unloading bay in Kawasakicho. And the third was a photo of the Ichihara underboss, Nozato Uchibo and another handsome gentleman.

The inspector held up the first photo to me. "My men found two dozen trucks in Chuoko carrying untaxed and unlicensed goods. And there's not many in Chiba who engage in smuggling crimes. But then we found traces of illegal narcotics in the possession of the drivers caught behind the wheels. Oh no, it simply wouldn't do," he says, before frowning sharply. "It's obvious that you have narcos in your ranks. Do you also share this fascination towards narcotics?"

"I do not share their fantasy," I say. "And as for the narcotics you have found, I assure you that we do not have anything to do with it."

Of course, the inspector ignores my statement. He simply holds up the next picture. "Nozato Uchibo and Soai Ichigo are at the very top of my list."

It was the underboss who had confronted us at The Grandeur a couple of days ago, and beside him in the picture was a bespectacled man with a handsome face, Soai Ichigo. The Boss of the Ichihara-kai. The inspector must be pursuing the Ichihara-kai for a different reason, but it might be somehow linked to us. In any case, it was an advantage for me that the inspector was also targeting the Yakuza. All I had to do now is to deflect all the fire on the Ichihara-kai, and my plan would begin to unfold. "Well, cross the two off," I say to inspector Saburo confidently, "we will take care of the issue with the Ichihara-kai. I'll make it a part of our deal."

"What deal?" He raises an eyebrow curiously.

"You and your agents will leave our businesses in peace from now on. No more raids into our territory, no more smashing our bars, no more pinching our truckers," I stated. Inspector Saburo stared at me dispassionately as I continued. "You will turn a blind eye to all of our gambling operations. Also, I am planning an expansion into downtown Chiba. I want you to put in a word with the Chief Inspector of Chiba, that his policemen should leave us alone when we make our move."

"Forgive me, I do not seem to have a pen to write this rather long list of demands." The inspector sarcastically mutters. I nonchalantly produce a black fountain pen from my coat pocket and courteously place it on his napkin. He glares at me, before speaking again. "How old are you, son?"

"I am not here to make small talk," I interject. "Let us settle this now."

The inspector frowned at me, appalled by my rudeness, but both of us wanted to end this meeting so we could both start undermining each other as soon as possible. "You are in no capacity to demand anything," he said as a matter-of-factly. There was a short silence, before we both turned our attention to the last picture, which is of the robbery scene at the unloading bay, where a consignment of over 70 guns were stolen on 4th October by a yet unidentified suspect. He asks, knowing the answer already. "And what do I get in return?"

"I have what you are looking for." He stares at me blankly, and I lay it out bare for him. "I have the guns," I say.

"What guns?" He asks, as if disconcerted.

I sigh, pull out from my seat at the table and turn away, ready to walk out of the building. "I'm not here to play games," I tell him.

"Wait… wait…"

"Thirty-two M4 rifles, forty handguns. Six thousand rounds of ammunition. All in a crate consigned to the Tokyo Ordnance Department. Stolen from the Kawasakicho unloading bay. And I'm guessing they sent you to Chiba to get those guns back." I said. "Well, it's me who has them. Of course, we didn't intend to steal the guns, if we knew - But that's not very important. I have left word with men I trust, that if I am taken into police custody for any reason, those guns would be sent to Osaka. From there, they would be shipped directly into Kitakyushu, where they would be sold to the Dojin-kai and the Yakuza. All your good work in Fukuoka will be undone," I continued. "Each stolen weapon is numbered and marked. If they sell them to the Dojin-kai, it won't be long before the prime minister finds out. I imagine that you got into enough trouble over the 2016 Fukuoka drug raid. If those guns reach Kitakyushu, your life in the enforcement is over."

Inspector Saburo Oreki maintains his impressive look, but his dark green eyes glinted with a dangerous expression. He would not allow anyone to outsmart him, a criminal no less. If he could, he would've arrested me right there and then. He was insulted at my impudence. "Mister Ieyori," he begins, "are you actually blackmailing an officer of the law?"

I shook my head. "I'm a businessman, and I'm simply offering a deal. When I have achieved what I've set out to achieve, I will let you know where to find the guns. You'll be a hero. They'll forget the Fukuoka incident. You'll probably get a medal."

Neither of us was willing to trust one another. And why should we? We were literal enemies, and we were both constantly at each other's throats. Don't you find it curious, that good people are always so sure they're right?

"I am a fair man," I say. "It's a fair offer." The inspector remained silent. "Do we have a deal? I need an answer, right now."

After a painstaking moment of silence and exchanging keen glares he sighed, puffing his chest. "Very well," he muttered. "But I would prefer that we don't shake hands on it."

I then began to walk away, but before I had gone more than five steps, I turned around and walked back. I picked up my fountain pen from the table, and glanced at inspector Saburo Oreki calmly. "Now, why would I want to shake the hand of a man who serves the system, instead of the principle?"

...

A.N.: yes, there are scenes and plots which are inspired by certain TV series!

This chapter is very similar to an episode in the Peaky Blinders. It was in fact inspired by it.

Also, the scenes between 8man and Miura are inspired by the series of internet blog posts, "My Sassy Girl" by Kim Ho-Sik. a real classic. check it out, it's pretty fun.