Chapter 323: I Will Never Approve This

A certain island in the western Pacific.

Outside a circular building stood a large number of armed soldiers, all gripping their rifles and vigilantly watching the surroundings. Further out, armored divisions had already gathered.

Today, IW's headquarters was hosting a major meeting. The president and nearly all the founding elders were present.

Even these battle-hardened soldiers couldn't help but swallow nervously. For all the retired elders to show up at once—it was likely IW was planning a massive strategic shift. Perhaps even something that could reshape the global balance of power again.

Of course, that was far beyond what mere soldiers could understand.

Inside the massive chamber, the atmosphere was as tense and oppressive as ever.

The elders sat grimly in their seats, eyes locked on Sagara Sousuke. He himself was visibly forcing himself to stay calm.

Bang!

One elder slammed the table and growled, "Sousuke, have you been president too long? You're getting out of control!"

"Please calm down."

"Calm!? At a time like this, you suddenly try to stop us—what the hell are you thinking!?" another elder roared. "Don't forget, we still retain decision-making power even after retirement!"

"I understand your intentions."

Sousuke's voice was calm.

"But this matter has too many implications. I can't agree to it."

"IW got this far because we took bold action! If our founder had been as timid as you, IW wouldn't even exist today!"

"I'm fully aware of that. But as IW's current president, I must think about our future." Sousuke's voice remained firm. "The world isn't the same as it was. It's no longer an era where muscle and guns can bring success. One wrong move could destabilize the entire global order. That's exactly why I can't approve your plan."

"The Elder Council already voted unanimously!"

"I know. But as president, I hold veto power."

"You little punk… You want me to give up this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!?"

"Yes."

"You—!"

Sousuke met their furious gazes without flinching.

"Sousuke, are you really going to block us?"

"I am."

"You're getting cocky… Just because the founder favored you, you think you can ignore us?"

"I greatly respect all of you. But…"

He hesitated, then ground the words out through clenched teeth.

"I just can't approve this. Your plan would lead to chaos."

The elders finally began to calm down slightly.

"Can you at least explain why? Sousuke?"

"…Because the reason is ridiculous," Sousuke said through gritted teeth. "You want all of IW's founding members to fly to Japan… just to cheer on Rinji at his school sports festival. I seriously cannot approve that."

"Why not!?"

"I already chartered a plane!"

"I bought gifts too!"

"..."

Looking at the row of elderly men bickering around the table, Sousuke couldn't help but bury his face in his hands.

Why… why did he ever accept the role of president?

He remembered the day he was chosen as the next leader of IW by Rinji's father—his superior and mentor. At the time, he had vowed to do whatever it took to uphold the legacy and make the organization stronger.

And he had indeed worked hard. IW had grown under his leadership.

But never had he imagined that the founding members—the legendary, fearsome warriors who once shaped the world—would turn into this a decade later.

They used to be so reliable… so dignified…

"I don't care. I am going to Japan."

"Yeah! What's wrong with visiting our little Rinji? We just want to see his school life. You're seriously going to stop us over that?"

Sousuke: "...Everyone, please think this through. If all of IW's founders suddenly gather in Japan, do you realize what kind of signal that would send to the rest of the world? We're under global watch. Even a small movement could destabilize the balance of power. Do you understand that?"

"We understand."

"So what if the balance shifts?"

"Managing global balance is your job, isn't it?"

Sousuke: "..."

So tired.

"In any case, I refuse to approve this."

"Tch. Stubborn brat."

"This isn't about stubbornness. I ask that you all remember your positions—and refrain from stirring up trouble."

---

"So that's the deal. We've got a sports festival next week, and if you're free, Grandpa George…"

"I'll definitely make time."

In a seaside villa in Shinagawa, Tokyo, Rinji handed an admission ticket to George, who accepted it cheerfully with a big smile.

During the sports festival, the school allowed outside visitors to watch—but only family members of the students.

Students could apply for tickets from the school and hand them to their family, who could then use them to enter Shuchiin and attend the event.

Since the student council was in charge of distributing the tickets, Rinji had no trouble getting several.

"Are you really free, Grandpa George? I remember you're quite busy here in Japan too."

"Actually, I'm not that busy." George chuckled.

That was a lie.

As IW's former president and a current elder of the council, George had naturally attracted attention from all sides the moment he arrived in Japan.

Politicians, corporate magnates—they were all trying to contact him.

In fact, on the day of the sports festival, he was supposed to have lunch with the chairman of the Economic Federation, and dinner with the Minister of Defense to discuss some high-level matters.

But he had already decided to cancel all of that.

"By the way, Little Rinji, are your parents coming to the festival?"

"Oh, I mailed the tickets home. Whether they come or not depends on luck," Shirakawa smiled. "But I figure they probably aren't even home right now."

"Sounds about right."

After Rinji left the villa, George looked at the ticket in his hand, then took out his phone and snapped a photo of it. He sent it to the internal group chat used by the elders.

[Little Rinji invited me to his school's sports festival. The boss's kid has really grown up. I'll send some photos when I go.]

One minute later—

[FUCK!]

[shutup!]

[You sneaky old shit.]

Basically, a bunch of people across the ocean were not happy right now.