Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Three deafening gunshots rang out.
The bullet grazed Akutsu's cheek.
The scorching wind instantly severed the strands of hair near his ear, carrying a burnt smell.
Akutsu stood there like a wooden statue, not even blinking.
Ryuzaki put away his gun, looked at Akutsu's deadpan face, and rolled his eyes helplessly.
"Alright, alright, how old are you? Stop playing this low-level melodrama. Everyone else may not know how much you value your life, but I know it all too well. This is probably filled with blanks."
As he spoke, Ryuzaki Makoto expertly swung the cylinder of his revolver open with a "whoosh," the movement so fluid and fast it was dazzling.
Immediately afterwards, three bullets that had not yet been fired fell into his hands.
Ryuzaki Makoto casually toyed with the bullets, weighing them up and down a few times.
Suddenly, his expression froze.
It has a heavy, substantial feel, and a gleaming yellow copper casing...
What?!
This isn't a blank round used in an exercise?
This is actually real live ammunition?
Forehead...
The atmosphere suddenly became a little awkward.
Ryuzaki's hand paused in mid-air, but he quickly realized that this must be a psychological tactic played by that old fox Akutsu.
He coughed and immediately tried to cover it up:
"Wow, you're really going all out. Needless to say, you're definitely wearing the top-of-the-line Kevlar body armor under that jacket, right?"
As Ryuzaki Makoto spoke, although he was a little unsure of himself, he still reached out and casually patted Akutsu's chest and stomach a few times.
However, the sensation from his palm told him that, apart from the ordinary cotton shirt underneath, the old man was really not wearing anything.
Ryuzaki was completely speechless.
This old devil is really gambling with his life on the line!
Ryuzaki Shin pressed the bullets back into the cylinder one by one and put the gun back into Akutsu's hand.
"Alright, alright, you're just being dramatic. All that stuff you were saying, about regretting things, is ancient history. Why bring it up?"
"Since you've been so frank, I won't hold back either. I admit there was a time when I really wanted to get rid of you, but after these collaborations, I've come to realize that while you're a bit greedy and cunning, you're essentially a principled businessman. We each get what we need—you get the money, I get the power—and we've always had a good time, haven't we? I haven't thought about doing anything to you for a long time, so don't worry."
Akutsu listened and simply shook his head silently.
He carefully wiped the gun again with his sleeve before solemnly putting it back in his pocket.
Ryuzaki Makoto looked at Akutsu's calm and collected expression, as if nothing had just happened, and couldn't help but admire him inwardly.
That old fox really knows people inside and out.
Tonight, by taking the initiative to speak frankly, he put himself in a do-or-die situation, which ironically removed the last thorn of mutual suspicion between them.
The reason he dared to so readily hand over a loaded gun was because he was certain that Ryuzaki Makoto wouldn't kill him now.
Moreover, he deliberately chose to do so at a critical juncture in dealing with the Li family.
Ryuzaki Makoto hasn't even gotten his share of the benefits yet, so how could they possibly turn their backs on him now and make a move against him?
If he wasn't killed this time, Ryuzaki would have even less reason or desire to kill him in the future.
That was a brilliant move.
That old fox really taught himself a vivid lesson today.
However, on the other hand...
It must be admitted that Akutsu is absolutely impeccable as a partner.
His professionalism and efficiency far surpass those of the 99% of incompetent gangsters who only know how to fight and kill.
When it comes to distributing profits, he is never wishy-washy; he takes every penny he is entitled to and refuses to take anything he is not entitled to.
I always strive to do things cleanly and efficiently, leaving no loose ends.
Such a person deserves respect, even if he is an enemy.
Ryuzaki clapped his hands, stubbed out his cigarette, and stretched.
"Alright, stop standing here in the cold wind. Tonight was supposed to be a day for a celebration, but you've ruined my mood. Fine, I'm not going to waste my breath on you anymore. I'm going back to sleep with my woman."
Just as Ryuzaki Makoto turned to leave, Akutsu suddenly called out to him.
"Ryuzaki-kun, wait a minute."
"Is there anything else?"
Akutsu's expression suddenly turned serious.
"Ryuzaki-kun, you should know more about the current situation within the Kowloon Group than I do, right? The struggle between the Kurosaki-kun and the Zenshin-kichi-ryu factions has reached a fever pitch."
Upon hearing Akutsu mention Kowloon Group, Ryuzaki Makoto stopped and turned around.
Akutsu continued in a deep voice:
"Logically speaking, Kurosaki Kimiryu, as a veteran with more seniority, higher prestige, and deeper roots, should have a greater chance of winning in this battle for the presidency."
"However, because of your sudden emergence, you successively eliminated the Uezono-kai and Iemura-kai, which belong to his faction, resulting in a significant reduction in his current strength. Now, the only cards that Kurosaki Kimryu can truly play are his own Kurosaki-kai and the Gen-kai, which has always been devoted to him."
Upon hearing this, Ryuzaki Shin immediately understood the meaning behind Akutsu's words.
The behemoth that is Kowloon Group originally had eight major forces under its leadership, in addition to the "Nine Generations Society" led by its leader, Kowloon Shih-sum.
These eight forces were clearly distinct, forming two factions.
The conservative faction, led by Kurosaki Kimryu, originally controlled four powerful forces.
The radical faction, led by the believer Jilong, also controls four forces.
But what about now?
Kurosaki Kimryu lost two of his generals due to his continuous attacks, leaving only two forces struggling to hold on.
Meanwhile, the faction led by the believer Jilong remained unscathed and was even secretly expanding.
As one side gains and the other loses, the balance will naturally begin to tilt.
Of course, Ryuzaki Makoto knew in his heart that Akutsu's analysis was not thorough enough.
The situation within the Kowloon Group is more complex than that.
The Ninth Generation Rikako, who stands behind the scenes and rarely appears in public, actually represents the will and stance of the Ninth Generation Association itself.
It can be said that although the Kowloon Group is still maintaining a semblance of calm on the surface, in reality, the internal power struggle has reached the most intense stage of a life-or-death struggle.
As soon as Kowloon Shih-hsin, who was already waiting to die, takes his last breath, this long-suppressed powder keg will explode instantly.
As for when Kowloon Shih-hsin will die...
Hehe, this is too easy for Ryuzaki Makoto.
This is also a crucial move for him in the next game.
Seeing Ryuzaki's thoughtful expression, Akutsu knew he understood her words, so she stopped beating around the bush and said directly:
"I want to remind you that Shanxin Jilong is a violent and extremely arrogant person, an absolute madman."
"However, it is undeniable that deep down, he has the purest, most traditional Yakuza fanaticism flowing through his veins."
"According to reliable sources from my intelligence network, he's getting impatient and may soon formally declare war on you."
Declaring war?
When Ryuzaki Makoto heard those two words, he paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Akutsu smiled and explained:
"This information came from my people. Although it's not official intelligence, it's extremely accurate, so I came here specifically to remind you."
Ryuzaki had to admire this old fox; his intelligence network had truly penetrated every corner of the city.
As for what he said, that the believer Jilong wanted to declare war on him and have a head-on confrontation?
Ryuzaki thought about it carefully and realized that this really did seem like something that someone like Shinshin Yoshitaka, whose mind was full of violent aesthetics and who believed in the supremacy of fists, would do.
In his traditional underworld values, whether it's a territorial dispute or a personal grudge, it should be resolved in the most direct and bloody way; playing tricks and schemes is the act of a coward.
However, Ryuzaki Shin didn't care.
Want to touch it?
Bring it on, who's afraid of who?
Originally, the Kowloon Group was already fragmented, and Ryuzaki no longer considered them a real threat.
As long as the development project on Wuming Street can be implemented smoothly and tangible benefits are realized.
What business is it of his whether Kowloon Group lives or dies?
Once they've finished their infighting, dealing with them will be a piece of cake.
However, if the other party is actively courting death and offers their face for him to hit, he wouldn't mind playing along and teaching these old fogies a lesson.
Ryuzaki Makoto chuckled coldly and shrugged indifferently.
"I understand. If it's going to rain, it's going to rain; if a mother wants to remarry, she'll remarry. If someone is so desperate that they want to die, then I have no choice but to be merciful and grant their wish."
After saying that, he didn't linger and walked straight to the black Mercedes-Benz that had been waiting quietly by the roadside.
Opening the back door and getting in, Ryuzaki Makoto relaxed completely and asked Kirisawa Jin in the driver's seat:
"How's it going? I've been asking you to keep an eye on the whereabouts of the Century Warrior, haven't you?
As Kirisawa Jin started the car, he replied:
"Don't worry, boss. I've had people keeping an eye on these guys ever since the container war. Actually, they didn't hide at all after they left. These musicians actually brazenly opened a bar called Funky Jungle in the old warehouse district near the port, and they put on live house shows there every night. I heard the business is pretty booming."
Ryuzaki Makoto raised his wrist and glanced at his watch in the light from the car window.
10 PM.
This is the liveliest time for nightclubs.
Ryuzaki Makoto smiled knowingly and patted the back of Kirisawa Jin's chair.
"Great, take me there now. And while you're at it, tell all the brothers around here that if you're free tonight, come and'show your support,' the more the merrier..."