Ch.163 Wily Tactics of the Goku Combo

What sounded like a brain-dead statement was, without a doubt, a traditional Japanese art form.

And it was the ultimate enhanced version, prefixed with the word "true."

Compared to seppuku, the current mainstream apologies involving deep bows and "sumimasen" (I'm sorry) are like child's play.

You could say it's part of the same lineage of tactics, as they ultimately play the same card: "I've already done XXXX, what more do you want from me?"

The "apology and atonement" tactics in Japan can be divided into three tiers.

The weakest tier is the overused apology—sumimasen, with a light 90-degree bow or a heavier dogeza (prostration).

The second tier is resignation or exile—this is the ancient terminology, which in modern times translates to stepping down due to responsibility or being expelled from the family. This is something many countries use.

The difference is, in some countries, accountability is pursued, compensation is paid, and jail time is served if necessary.

In other countries, once someone resigns, it's as if nothing happened. "What does the actions of Chairman XX or Director XX have to do with me, a private individual?"

If all else fails, a scapegoat is pushed forward, often resulting in a "forced suicide."

Finally, there's the third tier: seppuku as atonement.

This is used less frequently in modern times, likely because as society has modernized, martial virtue has waned. However, it was quite common in ancient Japan.

As everyone knows, Japanese ancient history is a mess. A tiny area divided into dozens of factions constantly warring with each other. When one side lost, the light punishment was resignation, while the heavier one was seppuku.

After that, the family would be spared—though "spared" here means their lives were safe, but they couldn't avoid having their territories reduced or being otherwise constrained.

This is why Japan has so many ancient families that have lasted for hundreds or even thousands of years.

It's not that no one ever resisted, but those who did were either already "rulers of the realm" (shoguns or regents) who could fabricate charges in the name of the emperor, making it seem justified on the surface, or their reputations were utterly ruined—like Oda Nobunaga.

After defeating the Asai clan, Oda Nobunaga didn't stop even after Asai Hisamasa and Asai Nagamasa committed seppuku. Except for Oichi (Nobunaga's sister) and her three daughters, all of Asai Nagamasa's other children were executed, even those just a few years old.

For a major warlord vying for control of the nation, eliminating all threats isn't hard to understand. But in Japan, it caused an uproar, leading to widespread condemnation and the birth of various legends—like Oda Nobunaga eating human flesh or making cups out of his enemies' skulls.

These are all fictional, false claims that have been debunked by historians. But as the saying goes, "Rumors spread fast, while debunking them takes forever." Even today, many people believe these stories to be true.

Keep in mind that at that time, Oda Nobunaga was very close to becoming the "ruler of the realm." If it weren't for Akechi Mitsuhide's betrayal at Honno-ji, there would have been no Toyotomi Hideyoshi or Tokugawa Ieyasu. Both of them inherited Nobunaga's legacy.

And the Japanese jujutsu world is precisely the place that most strictly adheres to tradition.

After hearing his birth mother's explanation, Akira glanced around. Hayami, though she had turned her head away, still nodded silently in agreement. As for Gojo's expression—it went from looking like he'd swallowed one fly to looking like he'd swallowed a whole swarm.

"Do you know why I don't kill people anymore?"

He said "don't kill," not "don't kill them all."

Logically, a mature organization that's been operating for many years shouldn't collapse just because a few people die. At most, it would face some operational difficulties.

But Gojo didn't kill anyone because he knew that if he did, his reputation would be ruined. Those who came after him would, at best, pay lip service while secretly undermining him, as the backup cadres were also conservatives. This was the conservatives' core stronghold.

So what then?

Keep killing?

How long could that go on? Even if Gojo could handle it, the Jujutsu Union couldn't.

Without the Jujutsu Union to coordinate and dispatch jujutsu sorcerers, the most important task of exorcising cursed spirits would be severely impacted. In the end, cursed spirits would run rampant, and ordinary people would suffer.

The fear and suffering of ordinary people would then give rise to new, even more powerful cursed spirits, creating the vicious cycle that Suguru Geto most wanted to see.

This was something Gojo wanted to avoid at all costs. Otherwise, with his personality of "I hate righteous arguments the most," he would have gone on a killing spree long ago.

Don't forget Suguru Geto's assessment of Gojo: "Is it really that hard to kill all the ordinary people? Can't you really do it?"

Akira clicked his tongue. "Got it. Area 11 has its own national conditions. Enough said, Lelouch is awesome."

Although he'd lived in Japan for sixteen years, Akira's soul ultimately came from the land of China, and his most important values were formed there. He didn't have much of a sense of Japanese tradition.

After some thought, he added, "What if I insist on doing it? Will you stop me?"

"You're putting me in a tough spot. You know what my bottom line is."

Gojo grimaced, his expression twisting even more than before, looking even more conflicted.

If Akira's birth mother hadn't intervened, Gojo would have definitely stepped in before a second person died. Earlier, when he used repulsive force to pressure people, it was more to scare them and vent his anger, not with any real intent to kill.

"How about this? I'll kill them first, then you take the lead in holding a meeting, label me as the worst curse user, give me the status of a Yonko, put a bounty of 1.5 to 2 billion on my head, and declare that you'll never rest until I'm defeated to avenge the higher-ups. Could that rally people's hearts and let you take over as the leader?"

"Hiss~" Gojo sucked in a sharp breath upon hearing this.

"A-Akira," Hayami stammered, panicking. "Are you serious?"

She was the least ambitious of everyone, only wanting a stable life. The idea of becoming a curse user was something she couldn't even fathom.

"Relax, the meeting will take time, and by then, we'll already be out of the country. With my skills and the connections of the 99th sister, we can live well anywhere."

If Whitebeard didn't charge into Marineford and Gol D. Roger didn't turn himself in, the World Government wouldn't have been able to do anything to them.

After reassuring Hayami, Akira turned to his birth mother, who was most skilled in political maneuvering. "What do you think? How feasible is this?"

Before she could answer, the higher-ups, who had been collectively silent, began frantically signaling her with their eyes. This alone showed how ruthless this move was.

They had remained silent earlier because they knew the power of the seppuku card and felt secure—Gojo rushing back from Hokkaido wasn't a bad thing but actually a great thing.

But if Akira played this card without regard for the rules, then they'd truly be dead for no reason.

Even if the people below knew something was fishy, they couldn't find fault with it, because Akira would take all the blame, leaving Gojo completely clean. It was even more effective than the higher-ups' usual blame-shifting tactics.

With the justification in place, the higher-ups gone, Gojo's strength and influence intact, and most importantly—his long-standing image as a madman who didn't understand politics would be overturned.

Don't underestimate this point. While a small leader might get by, to lead a behemoth like the Jujutsu Union, this level of skill is essential.

The reason Gojo wasn't popular wasn't just because he was unconventional, but also because his image in this regard was terrible.

Always causing trouble, doing as he pleased, and making life difficult for Masamichi Yaga aside.

Summoned by headquarters? He didn't go.

Tengen wants to see you? He didn't go.

Meeting a senior? "Wow, you're so weak. Why are you all so weak?"

Extreme trash talk, extreme enjoyment.

Sure, it was satisfying, but how could he expect to command respect?