Chapter 142: Elders

There were only a few days left before the Kengan Sudden-Death Tournament, but Rinji had no intention of preparing.

He wasn't participating, after all. He was just betting small amounts on the matches—small compared to the major plan he was working on with Katahara Metsudo.

He had thought about using the time to visit various participating companies and scout their fighters in advance. That way he'd have better odds on his bets.

But it was a hassle. Rinji had to see someone in person to properly assess their strength—and with the Kengan Association's massive membership, it was like trying to count the stars in the sky.

After the IW group arrived to escort his unconscious grandfather out, Rinji also left the Gold Entertainment Club.

It was already getting dark.

He thought about calling Shirogane to ask how things were going at the bank, but figured there wasn't much to worry about.

Even if things went sideways… so what?

Just as he was about to head home and rest, his phone buzzed.

It was a message from Momo.

[Where are you now?]

Rinji paused. This was the first message she'd sent him all summer.

[Kabukicho, outside the Gold Entertainment Club.]

[You went to a nightclub?]

[No, just picking someone up. Family embarrassment—can't explain.]

[Perfect. I'm in Kabukicho too. Stay where you are—I'm coming to find you.]

[Okay.]

He wasn't sure why Momo was looking for him, but he had nothing else to do, so he stayed put.

Not long after, a sleek black car pulled up in front of him. The back window rolled down, and Momo poked her head out.

"Get in."

"Okay."

Rinji opened the door and climbed into the back seat.

Today, Momo was dressed rather lightly. But given it was summer vacation and the weather was hot, that was perfectly normal.

"Senpai, did you need something from me?" Rinji asked.

"I do," Momo replied. "Originally, I was going to your place to pick you up, but since you're already in Kabukicho, that makes things easier. My father wants to meet you—and one of your elders is there too."

"Huh?"

—

A few minutes later, the car pulled up next to a massive traditional Japanese estate.

Momo and Takamine Rinji stepped through the large gate. Along the long hallway stood rows of suited, intimidating men—clearly yakuza.

Upon seeing the two of them, they bowed in unison.

"These are all members of your group, Senpai?"

"Not just the Ryujuzu Group," Momo explained. "There are other yakuza groups from all over the Kanto region here today."

"I see."

"You go in first. I'm going to change."

Momo turned and walked off. Rinji glanced briefly at the yakuza around them before heading into the building.

—

As soon as he opened the door, he saw a long table where several people sat kneeling on tatami mats. Every single one of them was a leader of a major Kanto yakuza group.

"Rinji, it's been a while."

"…?"

Rinji turned toward the familiar voice and saw a woman in a purple kimono approaching him. She looked to be in her early thirties, exuding mature charm.

"Aunt Yukio?"

"Come on in, Rinji."

The woman—called Yukio by Rinji—gently patted his head and led him to a seat at the long table. One chair was clearly reserved just for him.

Her full name was Washimine Yukio, the leader of the Washimine Group, the largest yakuza organization in the Kanto region. She had looked after Rinji when he first came to Japan and was once sworn siblings with Rinji's father—so she was a senior relative in all but blood.

"Well, Rinji, been a long time," said the man across from him—a scar-faced middle-aged man and none other than Momo's father.

"Yes, it's been four years."

"I hear you're attending the same school as Momo now?"

"Yeah. We're both at Shuchiin. I'm also part of Senpai's astronomy club."

"Hahaha, that's great. That little rascal could use your guidance."

"Shouldn't it be her guiding me?"

Before Rinji could finish, Momo opened the door and entered the room. She had changed out of her revealing summer outfit and was now dressed in a proper kimono. She kneeled next to Rinji at the table.

"Uncle Ryuju. Aunt Yukio."

Rinji glanced around at the gathered heads of Kanto's major yakuza and asked, "With all these important people here, is something wrong?"

"There is, actually," Washimine Yukio replied.

The Ryujuka patriarch spoke up, "Rinji, do you remember the group that kidnapped Momo four years ago?"

"Four years ago…"

Rinji looked at Momo.

Back then, he had worked with the Ryujuka Group as part of a small IW project. That's also when he first met Momo. She had been kidnapped by a rival organization, and it was Rinji who had rescued her.

"You mean… the Tojo Group?"

"Yes."

"You're saying they've returned?" Rinji frowned. "That's impossible. Back then, I made sure to wipe them all out myself."

The Tojo Group had kidnapped Momo to force her father to hand over some plots of land. To secure continued cooperation with the Ryujuka Group, Rinji had taken it upon himself to investigate and eliminate the entire organization.

He didn't leave a single survivor. Even those hiding at home were taken out—he'd blown up entire rooms with the people inside. He even hung the heads of the group's leader and subordinates at their compound's gate.

"No," the Ryujuka head replied. "They haven't come back. But we've recently uncovered information about the force behind them."

"Behind them?"

"Yes. At the time, they kidnapped Momo for a few undeveloped plots of land, but those weren't worth much to a yakuza group. So I always felt something wasn't right," he said seriously. "Over the past four years, we've been investigating this. And we finally learned who was behind it."

"Who?"

"A company called Toyo Electric Power."