Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

After a period of open and covert struggles and bloody purges, those who were ignorant of the times and tried to challenge the authority of the Yamamoto faction, as well as those who were considered "noise" by "Miss Toyokawa", all disappeared from this world quietly in various "accidents" and "misfortunes".

The Yamamoto faction, under the secret manipulation of Kujo Renji, eventually became the undisputed and most powerful faction within the Yamaguchi-gumi.

Thanks to this series of chilling "achievements", Yamamoto Ryuichi won the support of the vast majority of middle and senior managers in the organization at a seemingly ordinary internal meeting with an unquestionable attitude, and successfully "persuaded" his elderly father to retire to an insignificant honorary position.

He was only one step away from the once unattainable position of "Team Leader." When the time was right, he would be able to legitimately take over.

With the Yamamoto faction's unification of the world, the entire Yamaguchi-gumi began to show some intriguing "new trends".

The previous rough and tumble style of being domineering and prone to street fights has begun to become restrained.

Instead, a more low-key and secretive style of operation has emerged. Some traditional black industries that are prone to police crackdowns have begun to quietly transform into a "legalized" gray area.

For example, some casino businesses are packaged as high-end private clubs, and the usury business is "laundered" through complex financial means.

The organization's internal structure has also undergone some drastic adjustments.

A modern enterprise management model was introduced, departments with clearer responsibilities and powers were established, and even the focus began on training new people with professional knowledge and management capabilities.

All of this bears the obvious "mark of others", making some old-school Yamaguchi-gumi members feel unfamiliar and uneasy.

The "cooperation" between Kujo Renji and Yamamoto Ryuichi also entered a deeper level.

Renji began to implement his will more thoroughly into the daily operations of the Yamaguchi-gumi through Yamamoto Ryuichi, his "agent" whom he had firmly controlled.

While enjoying the glory brought by power, Yamamoto Ryuichi also felt more and more clearly the invisible pressure and spider-web-like control from Miss "Toyokawa Shoko".

He knew that he had completely become a pawn in the hands of the other party, a soulless puppet.

Behind every seemingly glorious decision, there is the shadow of the other party.

Every time he tried to show his "independent will", he would be ruthlessly crushed by the other party in a nonchalant but unquestionable manner.

His feelings towards Kujo Renji became more and more complicated.

There is both initial gratitude and awe deep in the bones.

After all, it was the other party who pushed him from being a young boy to his current powerful position.

There is also lingering fear and deep-seated resentment.

He was afraid of the other party's capricious tactics, and was afraid that one day he would become a pawn in her plan that could be discarded at will, just like Sasaki Tsuyoshi.

But he knew better that he could not turn back.

He has gone too far on this path.

He just wanted to, and could only, keep going.

And Kujo Renji also took this opportunity to start trying to contact his new prey.

——Toyokawa Group.

.....

Tokyo, night.

At this moment, Kujo Renji was standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the apartment.

Behind him, a newly received email was still displayed on the computer screen. The sender was Chiaki Kitamura.

The content of the email, as always, carried her unique tone of laziness and joking, but also revealed shocking hints between the lines.

"Ms. Xiangzi, I heard you've been very interested in the 'urban renewal' project recently. I happen to have some unused 'building materials' and 'construction teams' on hand, perhaps I can help you."

"Urban renewal"?

What a euphemism and imaginative statement.

The true meaning of the so-called "construction materials" and "construction team" is self-evident. This Kitamura lady is clearly no longer content to simply watch the fire from the sidelines, but is eager to add more exciting chips to this upcoming "gamble of the century."

Her attitude towards him also gradually changed from a bit of tentativeness and playfulness at the beginning to an almost fanatical expectation.

She was looking forward to how "Kujo Renji", who was disguised as "Toyokawa Shoko", would launch a fatal "general attack" on the huge Toyokawa family.

Just imagining that scene was enough to make her tremble with excitement.

Kujo Renji repeated the words in the email in a low voice.

Chiaki Kitamura is hinting that she can provide more direct and subversive power.

This is no longer just a sharing of intelligence and resources.

This is complicity.

"I really can't wait."

For this "old friend" who is eager to see the world in chaos, nothing can make her feel more happy than directing a subversive play herself.

He didn't immediately respond to an email.

Some hints do not require words, as both parties can understand each other's thoughts.

"So, you really plan to..."

Shoko Toyokawa seemed to be still digesting the hidden meaning of the email.

Kujo Renji turned around, walked to the sofa and sat down, his posture still as lazy and casual.

"Miss Xiangzi, do you think there is still room for us to turn back now?"

"..."

My mind fell into silence.

Yes, look back?

Since when has there been no turning back for them?

Did it start from when she acquiesced to Lian Si's use of her identity? Or did it start from when Lian Si began to gradually erode the interests of Fengchuan Group?

Or was it from earlier, on that rainy night, when she made a wish to this "monster" that suddenly appeared?

She suddenly felt that fate was really wonderful.

If the Toyokawa family is completely overthrown as Lian Si planned, what kind of chain reaction will it trigger?

She spoke with some emotion:

"I just think that if it were me before, I would definitely think I was crazy."

"I'll state in advance that I can't bear this responsibility."

Jiujo Renji chuckled:

"Perhaps you should ask Toyokawa Sadaharu."

"But what we are doing now is not much different from what Grandpa did."

Toyokawa Shoko spoke in a low voice, feeling somewhat confused about her transformation:

"Using, manipulating, using whatever means necessary, am I not becoming the very thing I once hated the most?"

"The difference is, Miss Xiangzi, we are seeking 'revenge.' And revenge itself is something that requires no particular means."

"You don't need to think too much, just enjoy the excitement."

excited..

Yes, excited.

Shoko Toyokawa had to admit that behind her fear and anxiety, deep in her heart, there was indeed an irrepressible, morbid excitement.

When she saw those "relatives" who were in a state of panic because of the series of "accidents" through Ren Si's "perspective", and when she imagined her grandfather Toyokawa Sadaharu's face when he learned that the mastermind behind all this was actually his most "useless" granddaughter, what kind of distortion would that old face have?

An excitement mixed with revenge ran through her limbs like an electric current, making her tremble.

She realized that Ren Si's goal might not just be revenge against Toyokawa Sadaharu.

He seemed to want to completely subvert everything the Toyokawa family represented and establish his own "order".

And she, Shoko Toyokawa, is no longer the young lady who only needs to play the piano in the greenhouse and look forward to a bright future.

Her hands had already been indirectly stained with the blood and filth of this game of power.

"Can I still be myself?"

The girl asked subconsciously.

"Ms. Xiangzi, when you say 'myself', do you mean the naive, weak, and helpless Xiangzi Toyokawa?"

Jiujo Renji sneered, his voice as soft as a whisper:

“Only when you truly take your destiny into your own hands can you be yourself.”

Toyokawa Shoko said nothing more.

Fear and excitement intertwined in her heart, like poison, making her sink.

.

The afternoon sun shines through the glass windows of the cafe, lazily falling on the wooden tabletop.

The air was filled with the aroma of coffee and the sweet smell of toast. It should have been a pleasant afternoon.

However, Nagasaki Suyo was a little absent-minded.

She sipped the latte in her cup, but her eyes were wandering and her thoughts had already flown away.

That evening, the deafening explosion, the flames shooting into the sky, and the vague news reports she saw on the Internet afterwards replayed in her mind like movie scenes.

Improper placement of chemicals?

Nagasaki Suyo's intuition told her that the explosion was no accident, and it was most likely related to Kujo Renji.

Whenever she thought of the "girl" who always had a lazy smile but deep eyes, Nagasaki Suyo felt an inexplicable palpitation in her heart.

These thoughts tangled her mind into a mess. She even regretted why she had been soft-hearted and agreed to the other party's unreasonable "requests"

"Soyorin? Soyorin~!"

A white hand waved in front of her eyes, and a slightly dissatisfied voice pulled Nagasaki Suye back from her chaotic thoughts.

Chihaya Aine puffed up her cheeks like a neglected hamster, with a hint of grievance in her eyes:

"Soyorin, what's wrong with you lately? You've been so absent-minded since a while ago that you didn't even hear me talking to you!"

"Ah, sorry." Nagasaki Suyo woke up as if from a dream, quickly collected her thoughts, and showed her usual gentle and warm smile on her face, trying to cover up her previous gaffe.

"I was just thinking about some band stuff and got a little distracted."

"Band thing?"

Chihaya Aine blinked her energetic eyes, clearly doubting this explanation:

"Is it about the arrangement of the new song? Or the venue for the next live? Come to think of it, it seems like there are more police officers patrolling the streets lately. Is it some important date coming up soon?"

"Huh? Is there any?"

Nagasaki Suyo was slightly stunned, she didn't pay much attention to these details.

"Yes, I have!"

Chihaya Aine nodded vigorously and counted on her fingers:

"Look, that shopping street we often go to. We used to occasionally see some fierce-looking uncles gathering there, but lately we can't seem to see them anymore! Also, the news said that the security in the city has improved a lot recently. Many places where fights used to happen are now quiet."

She tilted her head, a bit puzzled as she continued, "It feels like all those people disappeared overnight. But this is also good. I feel much safer going home at night!"

Hearing Chihaya Aine's words, Nagasaki Suyo felt a strange feeling in her heart.

Indeed, thinking back carefully, the atmosphere in Tokyo seems to have undergone some subtle changes recently.

Reports of gang fights or vicious assaults, which used to be seen occasionally in the news, have indeed disappeared a lot recently.

Instead, there are news reports about police increasing patrols and cleaning up the city.

Could it be that these are also related to Kujo Renji?

This thought flashed through Nagasaki Suye's mind like lightning, making her shudder.

If the previous explosions only made her feel shocked and uneasy, now the potential impact on the city's order made her smell a more dangerous and unfathomable aura.

"Maybe the police have stepped up their crackdown recently."

Nagasaki Suyo said calmly, trying to make her tone sound calm and natural:

"After all, Tokyo also hosts many international events, so public security and stability are very important."