Chapter 72: Taking It by Force
On the observation deck of the Espoir.
Kure Fusu had climbed up early, assembling the parts of a light sniper rifle from her backpack. Munching on a late-night snack, she observed the pier through her scope.
Even in the deep night, with Fusu's eyesight, every movement on the pier was clearly visible.
Just as she and Kei had predicted—
Dozens of shadowy figures were lurking all over the pier, seemingly waiting for someone's command, ready to strike.
"..."
Fusu licked her lips, relaying her judgment to Kei.
"Judging by their movements, they're 'pros.' No weaker than Q-Taro's mercenaries. They might even have military-grade weapons."
"Even if we leave now, there's a high chance we'll be targeted. Better to settle it 'tonight'—"
"Over and out. I'll stay put and watch for now."
Kei understood, tapping his earpiece lightly in response.
Beside him, Tonegawa Yukio of the Teiai Group was oblivious to all this, still chatting with Kei about the recent situation in the underground world.
"A lot of fanatics have been popping up lately. Even the MPD has deployed 'monsters.' The gray-zone business isn't easy!"
Tonegawa lit a cigarette, glancing at Sadakuni.
"Speaking of which, one look and you can tell that guy is the 'religious fanatic' type. Guaranteed to go out of control. Hospitality work won't be easy..."
Perhaps because their statuses didn't "intersect," Tonegawa was very relaxed chatting with Kei, free from the strictness he showed subordinates or the caution he showed superiors.
But as a middle manager in the Teiai Group, Tonegawa's relaxation time was destined to be short.
...
At some point, Teiai Chairman Hyodo Kazutaka also wandered over to Kei's group.
He heard Tonegawa's words and popped his head out spookily, startling Tonegawa.
"Ch—Chairman!"
Tonegawa felt he had been rude and quickly bowed in apology.
Normally, hearing someone complain about his assignments behind his back would make Hyodo furious, but he was in a good mood tonight, so he let it slide.
"Being targeted is unavoidable. After all, I am an 'Emperor' who sits on high."
Hyodo glanced at Kei.
Although he was just an old man with white hair and a messy beard, his eyes were solid, possessing an indescribable presence. Or rather, all these "special" people—Kei, Hanayama, Yako, Akagi, Baku—had different eyes, but they were all distinct from ordinary people.
The kind you recognize at a glance. "Sadakuni is indeed a radical man. He entered the country to raise huge funds, and he has even targeted me—but I don't care about any of it."
Hyodo leaned on his cane, looking leisurely.
"There are too many crazy people in this world. The higher you sit, the easier it is to be targeted by them. It's inevitable."
"However, no matter how crazy their actions, their goal remains unchanged. As long as you grasp that, you can deal with it calmly."
"People like Sadakuni—as long as they are chasing fame and fortune, satisfying their desires, they will always be bound."
Hyodo chuckled low in his throat.
"To prevent such people from 'rioting,' satisfying their 'desire to challenge' occasionally isn't a bad idea!"
"After all, if there are no people harboring malice around you, you can't be considered a true 'Emperor'."
With that, Hyodo squinted at Kei.
"How do you see it? Kengan Association Member boy—"
Kei thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "You're sulking."
Hyodo paused. "Huh?"
Kei smiled. "You must have met the Kengan Association Chairman—Katahara Metsudo. Although you both face 'challengers,' your views are different from Old Man Metsudo's."
"Old Man Metsudo simply craves challengers. But you only want to be 'challenged without losing'."
"So, you're sulking because of him. You want other Kengan members to agree with your view, which is why you approached me."
Kei met Hyodo's gaze. "From that perspective, you also need to satisfy your own mental desires, don't you?"
...
Hyodo was genuinely surprised by Kei's words.
He hadn't expected a mere fighter to calmly refute him, the "Emperor."
But what truly annoyed Hyodo was what Akagi Shigeru said next.
"Kei-kun's statement is incomplete."
Akagi glanced at Hyodo, smiling faintly. "You're not just sulking. You're 'afraid.' Because you lack confidence."
"Hm?" Hyodo frowned.
Akagi tapped his ash. "You're trapped by the role of the so-called 'Emperor,' afraid of losing the adoration of others. That's why you let Sadakuni do as he pleases."
"Being restricted on your own turf—if that's not 'fear,' what is it?"
...
Seemingly poked in a sore spot, Hyodo chuckled low at Akagi, then changed the subject, turning to order Tonegawa.
"Hey, Tonegawa. The upper deck is where the fun is tonight. Forget about the trash on the lower deck. Call back all the staff maintaining order down there!"
Tonegawa froze. "?"
He had never heard Chairman Hyodo mention this plan. Was it another willful whim? Or was there another plan?
Hyodo didn't bother to explain, urging, "Go! Quickly!"
"Yes."
Helpless, Tonegawa could only brace himself and do it.
After Tonegawa left, the others in the hall were also asked to leave, clearing the venue for the next "Kakerou Gamble" of the night.
After negotiation, only four people remained in the massive reception hall: Sadakuni and Akagi, and their respective Kakerou referees—Mekama Kirō and Yako Hikoichi.
Led by the Teiai men in black, the others went to another hall to watch the situation via monitors.
Suedo Atsushi wanted to leave, but Hyodo insisted on hosting him, and Kei also insisted he stay, so he couldn't refuse. He decided to treat it as a night off.
But to Tonegawa's surprise, Kei didn't stay in the viewing hall. Instead, he went to the lower deck with Tonegawa, claiming he wanted some fresh air.
On the way, in the ship's corridor, Tonegawa received a comms update and informed Kei about the situation in the reception hall.
"The content of the gamble has been decided. It's cards."
"But not ordinary cards. The special cards from the lower deck—used for Restricted Rock Paper Scissors."
"It seems... they need their own people to go to the lower deck to get the cards and bring them up, serving as their respective 'ammunition depots'."
Tonegawa rubbed his brow. "Anyway, once the upper deck gamble is over, tonight should be done."
Kei listened to Fusu's updates in one ear and Tonegawa in the other.
In his mind, puzzle pieces of clues and memories merged, finally forming a preliminary deduction of the truth on this ship.
"Sadakuni is going to take it by force."
Kei was answering Tonegawa's doubt while responding to Fusu. "He doesn't want to follow the rules of the gamble anymore. He's going to use force to get what he wants!"
Tonegawa was startled.
But before he could ask, he looked up and saw three mercenaries armed with cold weapons waiting at the end of the corridor.
The leader beckoned to Kei, signaling, "Cut the crap. Hand over the Kengan Membership Certificate."
Fusu asked in the earpiece, "Seems the ship isn't safe either. Need help?"
"No need."
Kei rotated his wrists, recalling the insights he'd just gained from Suedo. He grinned.
"I like them. Because in every sense of the word—I can beat them however I want."