Chapter 6

"Sure."

I obediently complied, and the instructor pointed to another cadet to engage in a mock battle with a bamboo spear.

As I quietly watched the mock battle, the Hashimoto gang started chattering from behind.

"Heh. Look at him, acting all high and mighty, but he’s in for a rough time."

"I get why he acted that way. There were no rules back then, so he got used to doing whatever he wanted, which is why he broke the drill."

"You’re right. That’s why they lost the war. Heh."

I listened quietly and then casually said,

"Baladang."

Hashimoto suddenly grabbed my shoulder.

"Hey, what did you say?"

"What?"

"What did you just say?"

"Guess you’re embarrassed, huh? Baladang."

Hashimoto panted.

He glanced at the instructor and then spoke.

"Meet me at the back of the school tonight."

"Are you going to give me a beating?"

"Shut up and come. You won’t like it if you don’t."

"Looks like you want to avenge the humiliation of Baladang."

"…Yeah. You’re done for, you damn Chosunjin."

I glanced at the gang members standing nearby, listening intently.

"One-on-one? Or are they coming too?"

"They’ll come, but they’ll just watch."

"Hey, I’m not an idiot. That’s not fair. I have a better idea."

"What?"

"If we’re going to fight, let’s do it properly."

"What do you mean by ‘properly’?"

"Would a mere fight between you and me be a proper revenge? This all started with a bayonet drill. So, let’s have a bayonet formation duel."

The Hashimoto gang looked at each other, puzzled.

"What are you talking about?"

"It’s the weekend tomorrow. The exams are over, so we can go out freely. There’s a place near Tokyo Port that’s deserted and has plenty of materials, perfect for a duel."

"What are you saying?"

"I’m not saying anything. I’m telling you to bring everyone—your friends, your mom, your grandpa. We’ve been learning tactics in class. Let’s have a full-scale battle."

Hashimoto laughed in disbelief.

I guess suggesting a gang fight out of the blue doesn’t sound sane.

But from another perspective, gang fights were common in this era.

The winners strutted around the school proudly.

The losers cowered and hid.

It was the law of the jungle, a rule that would never change in human history.

"Are you serious? Are you really serious?"

"Yeah."

"Do you have friends?"

"Maybe."

Judging from the way they nodded and exchanged glances, I could tell what they were thinking.

"Alright, let’s do it. This is war."

***

The next day.

At the Tokyo Port dock.

It was quiet, with only the sound of waves, long before any significant development.

As it grew dark, I saw Hashimoto’s face in the distance.

About twenty cadets were with him, each holding a wooden stick.

"Here you are, Baladang."

"Shut up. Where are your friends?"

"They’ll come."

"Heh. They’re probably scared and won’t show up. Who would want to join a war with a predictable outcome?"

"They’ll come, I’m telling you."

Hashimoto bared his white teeth in a sinister smile.

"None of your Chinese friends will show up."

"What are you talking about?"

"I had a good talk with Shichia. None of the blue-uniformed cadets you’re waiting for will come. They’re probably having a great time in the pleasure quarters of Shinjuku right now."

What a bunch of liars.

When did you even talk to Shichia?

"I never called Shichia or anyone else."

"Then you’re in for a beating. It’s certain. No matter what happens, today’s fight here must not be revealed to anyone. If anyone breaks this rule, they must commit seppuku. Everyone here is a witness."

"Seppuku is a bit much. Let’s say you drown in Tokyo Port and die."

"Damn you. I’ll kill you."

About twenty Japanese cadets, led by Hashimoto, approached with murderous intent.

"Are you not forming a formation?"

"Shut up! Let’s go! Beat him up!!!"

"Since this is an open area, it’s better to maintain formation…"

My voice was drowned out by their shouts.

They just charged recklessly.

The moment they got close enough,

Suddenly, burly men with heavy wooden bats appeared from between the buildings.

Hashimoto was taken aback.

"What, what is this?"

"I have friends too, you bastards!"

At my signal, the members of the Triad started beating the Hashimoto gang mercilessly.

___________________________________________

Do you tremble at the name of the revolution?

In a izakaya in Shinjuku.

I celebrated the victory with the Triad members, drinking.

"Thanks for your help today. Everyone did a great job."

"It was nothing. Just beating up some brats. No big deal."

"They’re not to be underestimated. They’re officer candidates who have received military training. If we hadn’t ambushed them in a favorable formation, we would have taken quite a hit."

"Come on, that’s unlikely."

The member waved his hand.

"No, it’s true. We didn’t outnumber them. If the Hashimoto gang had formed a bayonet formation as they learned in school, we wouldn’t have won so easily."

"Is that so? They just seemed like a disorganized mob."

"That’s the power of encirclement and ambush. Plus, the difference in experience in group brawls with weapons would have played a role."

"It felt good to stretch my legs. I was about to die from boredom, just serving drinks at a gambling den."

While I was establishing my position at the Military Academy, my subordinates had been struggling in their respective roles.

"Let’s hear the information you’ve gathered."

"Yes. As you instructed, I started with the pinball machine manufacturing companies. Here’s the list."

"Good. What about the licensing?"

"It seems that foreigners are not easily granted licenses."

"That’s to be expected."

I had already thought about it.

To solve it, we need to set up a Japanese front man or find a partner.

Finally, the most important issue.

"How about the Nambari?"

"The Shinjuku area is controlled by the Kōmonkai. They mainly manage gambling dens and also engage in loan sharking."

"How strong are they?"

"Compared to our group, they’re not very strong. They have about fifty members at most."

"We’re only eight."

"So what? We can sweep them away like we did today."

"No, we can’t."

Engaging in a gang war in the heart of the Japanese capital is a last resort.

Our primary goal should be to establish a good relationship with the Kōmonkai and start our business.

"Is the gambling den in Shinjuku where you work owned by the Kōmonkai?"

"Yes."

"The yakuza guarding it are all burly. If we approach them with a business proposal, it won’t end well."

"What do you plan to do?"

"We need help."

"Do you know someone?"

I do.

But I don’t want to.

***

At the headquarters of the Chinese Alliance.

In a quiet office on the second floor, I sat across from Chen Chimei.

"Xin. It’s been a while. I was just thinking I should meet you since I heard you’ve returned to Tokyo."

"Is there something special you wanted to talk about?"

"Why not? I’ve heard a lot of rumors. They say a cadet has surpassed Cai Er, who was once called the best Chinese officer at the Japanese Military Academy."

"I’m flattered."

"No, no. You’re truly excellent. Cai Er, that unlucky fellow, was offered membership by Mr. Sun Yat-sen several times but always refused. He then aligned with the constitutionalists and stood by as they sold out the country. Taking his title is a good thing."

Chen Chimei spoke with vehemence.

"I’ve been annoyed by the constitutionalists who’ve been using Cai Er’s name to act arrogantly. Now that I don’t have to see them anymore, it feels like a weight has been lifted."

"…"

"By the way, what brings you here?"

"I have a favor to ask."

"Go on."

Chen Chimei of the Chinese Alliance.

A man with numerous connections in the underworld.

He must have connections with the yakuza as well.

"Do you know the Kōmonkai?"

Chen Chimei’s pupils widened behind his glasses, as if surprised.

His mind seemed to be working at lightning speed.

"Why are you asking about them?"

"I want to start a business."

"What kind of business?"

"A simple entertainment business."

"What kind of entertainment? Tell me more."

After a moment’s thought, I explained the overall plan for the pachinko business.

Chen Chimei listened with wide eyes and clapped when I finished.

"An excellent idea! I know that gambling dens run lotteries, but using a pachinko machine could turn it into a factory for generating funds."

"Exactly. But first, we need to negotiate with the local yakuza."

"Don’t worry. I have a secret organization that has already infiltrated many members into the Kōmonkai. The Kōmonkai is practically half my organization."

When did you do that?

So, Chen Chimei is the behind-the-scenes power in the Kōmonkai?

"Great. The business will go smoothly."

"Of course. Recently, the funding for the revolution has been unstable. If this business succeeds, it will be a great help."

"Revolutionary funding?"

"Yes. We are preparing a major uprising in Guangzhou. However, we lack the funds to recruit people. We need to gather as much money as possible."

I had a feeling this might happen.

Revolutionary funding, indeed. That’s why I didn’t want to ask for help from this person.

Chen Chimei seemed to have made up his mind.

"Go back to the Military Academy for now."

"What do you mean?"

"You have a lot to prepare. You need machines, a location, and licensing. As a young cadet, you have many restrictions. But don’t worry. It’s not a difficult task for me."

"…Are you saying you’ll run the pachinko business yourself?"

Chen Chimei smiled slyly.

"Who runs it doesn’t matter. The money will be used for the revolution either way. What’s important is that the right person is in charge."

"But it’s my business plan."

"I appreciate you bringing a good plan. If the pachinko business succeeds, I’ll tell Mr. Sun Yat-sen about your efforts."

I glared at Chen Chimei in silence.

Chen Chimei met my gaze without flinching.

"Why are you looking at me like that? Is something bothering you?"

"It’s my fault for asking an outsider for help."

"What do you mean?"

"Forget it. I’ll look elsewhere."

I stood up.

As I opened the door to leave, a sinister voice called out.

"The gambling dens in Tokyo are tightly controlled by the Kōmonkai. You won’t find a place to start your business anywhere."

Tch.

Trying to steal my business? Bring it on.

Making pachinko machines isn’t easy.

Now that the Chen Chimei route is blocked, what should I do?

If his claim about his subordinates infiltrating the Kōmonkai is true, it will be difficult to start a business in Tokyo.

Or should I force the issue and start a war…?

With only my subordinates in Japan, it’s impossible.

Requesting support from Hong Kong would feel like making a mountain out of a molehill.

Or should I give up on the business?

As I was about to go down the stairs on the second floor, a shadow suddenly emerged from the darkness.

The man who appeared had a glass eye in one eye. He spoke to me in Japanese.

"Hello?"

"Hello."

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Who are you?"

"I am Kita Teruziro. I’m a member of the Chinese Alliance, so there’s no need to be wary."

I should have recognized him when I saw his glass eye.

This is Kita Ikki, the famous thinker who advocates for a revolutionary transformation of Japan. He is known as the Demon King.

What does he want from me?

I followed Kita to a nearby teahouse.

He exuded an air of a refined intellectual.

"Actually, I must apologize first. I overheard your conversation by chance."

"You mean the conversation with Chen Chimei?"

"Yes. I’ll be straightforward. I’m interested in the pachinko machine business you proposed."

"Do you want to run the business?"

Kita laughed softly.

"I know your conversation didn’t go well. Chen Chimei is a ruthless man who commits all sorts of atrocities under the guise of the revolution."

"You don’t seem to like Chen Chimei."

"Of course not. He’s a cancerous growth. No one knows how much revolutionary funding has flowed to him, or how it was used."

"The uprisings in China continue, don’t they?"

"But they all fail. Such means cannot bring about a revolution."

Indeed, he has charisma.

Kita’s strong criticism of Chen Chimei was a good sign.

"Is that so. But you haven’t answered my question. Do you want to run the pachinko business?"

"I’m not interested in running a business. I’m talking to you for a different reason."

"Then what is it?"

"The destruction of the Kōmonkai."

Destruction? Indeed, he’s a bold one.

Kita continued in a calm tone.

"The Kōmonkai has long degenerated into a private group controlled by Chiang. They are polluting Tokyo for their own benefit. Chiang is not loyal to the great cause of the revolution. He is loyal only to Mr. Sun Yat-sen personally. If such a man leads the revolution, he will lead us all to ruin. Of course, Chiang and his men will escape before the fall, blaming the corrupt Qing government for the disaster."

"Alright. What do you want from me, Mr. Kita?"

"Your goal is to establish a business in Tokyo. As long as the Kōmonkai exists, that goal cannot be achieved. I will help you destroy the Kōmonkai."

I appreciate the offer, but…

"How will you do that?"

"I know you are a cadet at the Military Academy. Correct?"

"You know that."

"I have a few acquaintances among the Military Academy graduates. We will use the military to sweep away the yakuza controlled by Chiang."

What a crazy idea!

Is this Kita Ikki?

It’s hard to predict how far he will go if I don’t rein him in.

"Using the military? If the military attacks the yakuza in Tokyo, it will…"

"What could go wrong? It’s social cleansing. If the police notice, it will end with a light reprimand."

"No, there’s a better way."

Kita Ikki is a problematic figure, but he has significant influence across society.

If Kita writes a few letters to influential officials, getting a pachinko business license won’t be difficult.

If we start the business with Kita as the front man, the Kōmonkai won’t dare to interfere.

Kita’s expression was indifferent as he listened to my explanation.

"So, what do I get out of this? I want the destruction of the Kōmonkai, not just a pinball business."

"Eventually, it will be as you wish."

"Why is that?"

"To be honest, I have a dream."

I delivered a decisive blow.

"I dream of a revolution not only in China but also in Japan. This business is part of that dream."

Kita seemed taken aback for the first time.

"A revolution in Japan…?"

"Yes. A revolution. Since the Meiji Restoration, Japan has spoken of ‘revere the emperor, expel the barbarians’ while advocating reform, but what is the reality? The Meiji government, a privileged class, simply replaced the shogunate. I don’t know how you, Mr. Kita, will take my words, but as a Japanese person involved in the Chinese revolutionary struggle, I believe you can understand."

"Then, what is your plan for this revolution?"

"Seize control of Tokyo’s underworld and build our strength. Use our superior financial power to recruit key government figures and raise revolutionary awareness in Tokyo. When the time is right, we will rise up, secure the emperor’s safety, and use his authority to suspend the Meiji Constitution. Next, we will form a new parliament with people who have the support of the people and establish a new Japan."

Kita suddenly started trembling with excitement.

His face turned red from the intensity.

"Are you alright?"

Thud.

His glass eye fell out and rolled on the floor.

"For years, no one