Ryuzaki Makoto slowly turned his head to look in the direction from which the voice came, and instantly recognized who it was.
He's just the president of the Ueno Association, Ryuhei Ueno.
This old man was different from the other fierce and ruthless leaders of the Kowloon Society; he was a man of great composure and refinement.
Ryuzaki Makoto gave the reporters in front of him a wink, the meaning of which was clear: the interview was over.
The reporters felt as if they had been granted a pardon and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Ryuzaki Makoto's radical remarks had made them hesitant to ask any further questions.
I was afraid that if I kept asking, I might be asked to come and check the water meter when I got home that night.
As Ryuzaki Makoto watched Ueno Ryuhei slowly approach, the grief and indignation on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm smile.
"President Ueno, it's an honor to have you here. Would you like to come in and have a casual meal together?"
Ueno Ryuhei watched as the young man before him controlled his emotions with ease. Just moments ago, he had been filled with righteous indignation and pleading for the people, but now, in the blink of an eye, he had transformed into a cunning and ruthless tyrant with a smile that concealed a knife.
This ability to change one's expression is something that absolutely cannot be learned without several years of experience in the martial arts world.
These young people today are really not to be underestimated.
However, Ryuhei Ueno didn't say anything special. He simply walked up to Makoto Ryuzaki and got straight to the point.
"No need for a meal. I just want to ask you one question: would you like to join our Kowloon Group?"
Ryuzaki Makoto just talked too much and his throat feels a little dry.
Let's have a smoke to soothe our throats.
He took a cigarette out of his pocket, lit it, took a slow puff, and then exhaled the smoke, saying calmly.
"The answer to this question was already given when I wiped out the Shangyuan Association."
Ryuhei Ueno frowned and reached out to disperse the swirling smoke in front of him.
That kid is so rude.
However, Ryuhei Ueno genuinely wanted to win over Makoto Ryuzaki.
Logically speaking, since the Ueno Association provides direct funding to the 9th Society represented by the president, it should be more inclined to favor the Kurosaki Association, which has a closer relationship with Kowloon Seishin.
Why should we side with the Christian community?
In fact, the main reason is that most of the funds that the Ueno Association painstakingly earned were handed over to the Ninth Generation Association.
What is the purpose of human life?
It's nothing more than power and wealth.
Other women and status are merely byproducts of power and wealth.
Ryuhei Ueno worked diligently, managing the vast assets of the Kowloon Group, but most of the money he earned ended up in other people's pockets. No wonder he couldn't feel comfortable about it.
If Yoshiyuki Shinshin were to take over, the condition for his cooperation with Ryuhei Ueno would be that Ueno would no longer need to provide any financial support to the president.
Even if, in the end, it is Shanxin Jilong himself who sits in the president's seat.
But this one condition alone is far more real than any other vague promise.
Therefore, Shanxin Jilong is a clever person who knows how to win people's hearts.
However, Ryuhei Ueno also understood that although Yoshitaka Zenshin could compete with the Kurosaki-kai, there was still a considerable gap in terms of foundation and reputation within the group.
I doubt he'll ever get the CEO position.
Therefore, from the very beginning they had planned to use a more radical method—to seize power.
But at this crucial moment, the Upper Garden Society was destroyed.
The sharpest knife in their hands was broken just like that.
Then they would have to find a sharper knife.
Before meeting Ryuzaki Makoto today, they had never considered trying to win him over.
The downfall of the Upper Garden Society taught them a lesson: they must never again recruit a reckless brute who only has courage and no strategy.
In their eyes, the True Dragon Society's audacity in directly and ruthlessly destroying the Upper Garden Society was nothing short of brute force.
However, after seeing Ryuzaki Makoto in person today, based on his many years of experience in judging people, Ueno Ryuhei realized that this kid was not a brute at all, but rather quite clever.
So, for that ultimate goal, this kid might as well give it a shot.
"The Upper Garden Society is just an insignificant henchman organization of the Kowloon Group. It's fine if it's gone. As long as you're willing to join us, it's not a big deal. No one will do anything to you because of it. I can guarantee that."
Ryuzaki raised an eyebrow.
Is this old man really trying to win me over?
This is truly unbelievable.
However, upon further reflection, he realized it was understandable.
If they really win me over, putting aside everything else, the entire SWORD region would be within my grasp.
However, Ryuzaki Shin only listened to it.
"Let's forget it. After all, your Kowloon Society is just nine mixed-race dragons, and the biggest and oldest one of them is about to die of old age."
"But our True Dragon Society is the true dragon in the world. If we're really talking about it, why don't you... join our True Dragon Society?"
When Ryuhei Ueno heard Ryuzaki Makoto's words, his expression remained unchanged.
Young people's words are really unpleasant to hear.
He was just trying it out, and if it didn't work out, so be it.
Anyway, the government has already approved the demolition documents.
Once the casino on the nameless street is built, the Kowloon Group will be able to establish a firm foothold here.
At that time, what will a mere True Dragon Society be?
The reason why Kowloon Group has no good way to deal with the True Dragon Society is that it doesn't have any good solutions right now.
First, it is due to the strict supervision of the "Anti-Organized Crime Law";
Secondly, and most importantly, they had no stronghold in the SWORD region, nor could they support any force that could rival them, and they had no deep network of relationships in the south of the city.
As the saying goes, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake; that's the point.
Ueno Ryuhei looked steadily at Ryuzaki Makoto and said in a calm tone.
"Young man, I won't advise you if you have ideas. After all, who hasn't been young? But don't take too big a step. The waters of the legislature are much deeper than you think. You can't become a legislator just by wanting to. Our president, Kowloon Shih-hsin, is so high up, but he has never thought of running for legislator."
What level is Kowloon World Centre?
You think you can compare to me?
He didn't become a member of parliament because he was stupid.
Ryuzaki shook his head dismissively.
"Kowloon Sai-sum can't be a councilor because he's too dirty and can't stand the light of day."
Ryuhei Ueno carefully examined Ryuzaki Makoto in front of him, his cloudy old eyes seeming to see right through him.
"Aren't you... dirty?"
Ryuzaki glanced down at his suit and noticed a few specks of ash on the cuff.
He reached out and patted it gently.
The cigarette ash was flicked away.
"Thanks for reminding me, see? It's clean now."
Ryuhei Ueno suddenly laughed and shook his head.
What a wonderful person.
When he was young, he fought in the underworld and developed a chronic illness that prevented him from having children, so he still doesn't have any.
If only I had discovered this kid sooner.
If we groom him as our successor, he will surely go much further than I have.
Ryuhei Ueno said nothing more. He turned and passed by Ryuzaki Makoto, then prepared to leave with his two men.
After walking for a while, Ryuhei Ueno seemed to remember something, and he suddenly stopped and said without turning his head.
"By the way, young people should smoke less; it's bad for their health."
After saying this, he got into a black sedan parked on the side of the road and slowly drove away.
Ryuzaki Makoto watched the departing car, lost in thought.
This old man is much more interesting than I imagined.
What Ryuzaki Makoto just said wasn't entirely false.
If this old man is really willing to surrender, I could actually accept him.
This person is an absolute master in financial management. Having been immersed in the Kowloon Group for many years, he is very familiar with all kinds of financial operations, both legal and illegal.
However, these are just thoughts.
The two groups are now locked in a life-or-death struggle, and surrender is merely the most idealistic scenario.
Ryuzaki's eyes suddenly turned cold. He turned his head and looked at the Kowloon Group members who were still wantonly smashing things in the nameless street not far away.
No government officials have come. How dare you, people from Kowloon Group, run wild on my turf?
Since we're already here, let's not go back!
Ryuzaki Makoto clapped his hands lightly.
Among the crowd, Jin Kirisawa, Goro Ishida, Yoshiki Murayama, Kohaku, and the Amamiya brothers all stepped forward and stood behind him.
Ryuzaki Makoto said coldly to Kirisawa Jin.
"Seal off all exits of Nameless Street and don't let a single person out! It's time to let those old guys from the Kowloon Group know who SWORD really is!"
Kirisawa Jin nodded heavily. With a wave of his hand, hundreds of True Dragon Society members who had been lying in ambush all around surged out from all directions like a tide, completely surrounding the exit of the Nameless Street.
Ryuzaki Makoto took out his phone and dialed a number.
Almost at the same time, a cell phone rang from the crowd not far away.
A cheerful voice rang out.
"Ryuzaki-kun, were you looking for me?"