Chapter 640: When facing a pack of wolves, you have to be more vicious than them!

"Yabai!"

Naoki Nagayama, who was driving, suddenly slapped the steering wheel, startling Otomo Yoshimura, who was in the passenger seat regretting not having said a few more words to his idol.

Even Eitaro, who was lying in the back seat, pricked up his ears.

"What's wrong? Did you hit someone?" Otomo Yoshimura looked around.

"No!" Naoki Nagayama was a bit irritable. "It's just that I forgot something..."

"What is it?"

"I promised to help Akina get an autographed record... I completely forgot!" Naoki Nagayama patted his forehead.

"Is that all?" Otomo Yoshimura breathed a sigh of relief. "Can't you just ask the Kobe Geino Agency for a few later?"

Although he said he gave "Kawa no Nagare no You ni" to Hibari Misora as a gift, that was at most not charging a creation fee, not that he was giving a gift to the Kobe Geino Agency... The cumulative sales of this song's record would be at least a million, maybe even more... Was he supposed to give money to the Kobe Geino Agency for nothing?

So, he would definitely have to negotiate the song's revenue sharing and sign a formal contract with the Kobe Geino Agency later.

"Then shall we stay in Kobe for a night?"

Naoki Nagayama was currently in Rokurokuso-cho, Ashiya City, about a 20-minute drive from Kobe. He had driven from Kyoto at noon and spent some time at Hibari Misora's house. By the time he arrived in Kobe, it was just about dusk.

"Umm, since we're in Kobe, of course we have to try Kobe beef and Akashi-yaki!" Otomo Yoshimura also looked forward to it.

"Alright, let's find a hotel to stay for a night and go back tomorrow..." As for playing, forget it. A handsome young man like Naoki Nagayama going out to play at attractions with a middle-aged old man would be misunderstood!

Two people who ran out under the guise of a business trip had thus agreed to extend their vacation.

On the other side, Hibari Misora was listening to Masahiro Ikegami, the head of the Kobe Geino Agency, finish talking about the conflict between the Nagayama family and the Yamaguchi-gumi.

"KTV... is it really that profitable? It made other leaders feel tempted... wanting to pressure the fourth-generation leader to abandon his promise to the Nagayama group?"

Hibari Misora was curious. The revenue of KTV was actually enough to make numerous leaders stir.

However, this time, besides Takahiro Misaka, the leader of the East Asia Association Chinese Group, who was the main force, other direct-line leaders were also stirring. Even the leaders who didn't speak might just be waiting for an opportunity.

"What a headache!" Hibari Misora hammered the song "Kawa no Nagare no You ni" on the table. "I knew such a valuable gift would be hard to return!"

However, after complaining, Hibari Misora still used her brain to think about the context. Her relationship with the third-generation leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi made her very familiar with the internal style of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

"The fourth-generation leader's succession ceremony is about next month... However, there are only 40 direct-line leaders participating in the cup ceremony, and more than 20 leaders support the former acting leader, Hiroshi Yamamoto..."

In other words, the opponent was very strong, and there was still great uncertainty about the fourth-generation leader's succession ceremony!

Recently, at the Taoka residence, the fourth-generation leader, Masahisa Takenaka, and the third-generation leader's wife, Fumiko Taoka, had been frequently meeting with leaders and disciples, on the one hand to strengthen emotional connections, and on the other hand to move those leaders who might waver.

"In a situation where the fourth-generation leader is in urgent need of prestige... if something happens that doesn't keep a promise..." Hibari Misora seemed to know how she should repay this gift of gratitude.

So, she immediately called Fumiko Taoka.

"Sister Fumiko."

Hibari Misora called very affectionately. When Kazuo Taoka took a fancy to Hibari Misora's inspiration, she was only 9 years old.

After years of getting along, the 40-something Kazuo Taoka treated her more like a daughter, and Fumiko Taoka was slightly younger, equivalent to Hibari Misora's big sister.

"Kazue-chan!" Hibari Misora's original name was Kazue Kato, but this name was now only called by a few close people. "Why did you suddenly call me?"

"Because I'm going to the Kobe Geino Agency today to discuss a song, so I want to visit Sister Fumiko in the evening..." Hibari Misora naturally knew how busy the Taoka residence had been recently. "But I heard the Taoka residence has been very busy recently, so I called in advance to ask."

"Ah, no matter how busy we are, we won't stay busy until the evening," Fumiko Taoka said. "I haven't seen Kazue-chan for a long time either!"

"Hai, then I'll come over after I finish talking with the agency~"

After Hibari Misora put down the phone, she had the maid notify the driver to prepare the car.

There wasn't much to talk about at the Kobe Geino Agency. In fact, it could be said on the phone. It was nothing more than that she had taken a fancy to this song, "Kawa no Nagare no You ni", and wanted the agency to communicate well with Tree Friend and sign the contract as soon as possible.

As the first artist of the Kobe Geino Agency, and with her current fame and status, she didn't have to worry about the agency having any objections.

As for the rest, it was just how to inadvertently remind Fumiko Taoka from the side...

If you eat Kobe beef, of course, you have to use teppanyaki to best reflect the original flavor of the beef!

After Naoki Nagayama found a high-end hotel with pet boarding, he and Otomo Yoshimura came to the Sannomiya main store of Teppanyaki Mouriya.

In front of the long iron plate kitchen counter were seats like a bar, and inside the kitchen counter was a chef.

When ordering, a whole raw steak was placed in front of you. On the tender beef, delicate fat patterns were arranged closely on the cut surface, like snowflake patterns, dyeing the originally red beef pink.

After other side dishes were ordered, the professional chef would cut the ingredients in front of you and use the heat of the iron plate to cook quickly.

The tender beef cubes sizzled on the iron plate, and the aroma of grease intertwined with the meat aroma of Wagyu beef toward the customers, instantly causing feedback in the mouth...

"Naoki-san, Kobe Wagyu beef is a must!" Otomo Yoshimura said while drinking small wine, while also eating side dishes.

"Yeah... I heard it melts in your mouth..."

Just at this time, the teppanyaki beef cubes were ready. Each cube was just right, the sauce solidified on the surface, slightly charred, emitting a strange aroma.

Naoki Nagayama clamped the steaming beef cubes and stuffed them into his mouth. His teeth gently pressed the tender beef, and a burst of fresh and sweet meat juice seemed to spray out, mixed with the slightly salty sauce, making people's mouths salivate.

After chewing a few times, although the delicate meat quality didn't melt in the mouth, it was not far off. The plump fat and beef were twisted together, which was the meat aroma that every carnivore couldn't stop.

There were not many beef cubes. Under the continuous closing of Naoki Nagayama's mouth, they soon disappeared, followed by mushrooms, horn beans, shrimp chips, and other side dishes.

Seeing that the guests were so hungry, the chef hurriedly accelerated the speed of cooking. The next teppanyaki steak was cut into three large pieces, and you could still see the bright red meat quality in the middle.

Naoki Nagayama was able to enjoy the delicious Wagyu beef again!

After ordering a little bit of things, Naoki Nagayama chatted with Otomo Yoshimura in the gap of eating:

"Otomo-san, do you think we should go to the Kobe Geino Agency tomorrow?"

"What's there to see? It's just a small room, a few desks and phones, and at most some printers and the like." Otomo Yoshimura shook his head. "The Kobe Geino Agency's most awesome skill is that when they invite other artists, other agencies dare not refuse, and they have the confidence to make record companies and distributors dare not not pay..."

"So naturally, there is no need to spend effort on the decoration of the headquarters. An office is enough~"

"Haha, that's true." Naoki Nagayama laughed.

Those agencies with luxurious headquarters just want to spend money on face to show their strength. Unlike the Kobe Geino Agency, which can have enough confidence just by borrowing the fierce name of the Yamaguchi-gumi.

"Then shall we go straight back to the hotel later? Go straight back to Tokyo tomorrow?"

"Umm, for the subsequent contracts and the like, just go through email." Otomo Yoshimura didn't care. The singer's share and the like were all agreed upon, and anything that needed to be adjusted could be explained in the email.

"It's a pity, I originally thought about going to the clubs in Kobe~ I heard they are very famous..."

"Club?"

Otomo Yoshimura's eyes lit up. For a middle-aged man who had a tiger-mom at home, the happiest time was going to these places where he could relax!

What's more, the tiger-mom was thousands of miles away!

"Ahem, Naoki-san, I think it's actually not too late, and I won't be able to sleep if I go back too early..."

"..."

Taoka residence.

With the last leader who met him leaving with his disciples, only the fourth-generation leader, Masahisa Takenaka, who was about to take the name, and a few closest disciples remained in this luxurious villa.

It was dinner time, and the maid had already prepared delicious dishes for the core Yamaguchi-gumi members to enjoy.

Fumiko Taoka had entertained Yamaguchi-gumi members like this in the early days of the Yamaguchi-gumi, so eating dinner at the Taoka residence was no longer a strange thing for the members.

Masahisa Takenaka naturally didn't eat with the disciples, but ate with Fumiko Taoka in another room. During this period, they would eat together, and they also discussed various things about the succession ceremony at the dinner table.

However, today was a bit different, because Hibari Misora was also eating together.

As a loyal disciple of the previous generation, Kazuo Taoka, Masahisa Takenaka naturally knew Hibari Misora and also knew that she was the pillar of the Kobe Geino Agency, the most profitable artist, and an important money bag for the Yamaguchi-gumi.

Hibari Misora was not too familiar with Masahisa Takenaka, who was about to take over as the fourth-generation leader, but after all, he was the next leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi, so Hibari Misora still maintained a respectful attitude.

Fumiko Taoka enlivened the atmosphere at the dinner table: "Kazue-chan came to see me on the way today, which made my recently tense nerves relax a lot~"

"Sister Fumiko, after the succession ceremony of Leader Takenaka is completed, you can be much more relaxed." Hibari Misora comforted.

"How can it be so easy? The leaders of the Yamaguchi-gumi all have their own thoughts, and the direct-line leaders who were finally persuaded are still making trouble..." Fumiko Taoka was a woman after all, and if she had worries in her heart, she wanted to confide in them.

It just so happened that Masahisa Takenaka and Hibari Misora here were not outsiders.

"Hasn't the cup ceremony already been held? Why are they still making trouble? Could it be the people on the side of the former acting leader, Hiroshi Yamamoto?" Hibari Misora acted as if she didn't know.

"It's about a nightclub." Fumiko Taoka sighed. "For the sake of the revenue of a nightclub, the leaders actually started arguing..."

"Is it the KTV of the Nagayama group?" Hibari Misora said. "Didn't I hear before that Leader Takenaka had already ordered that people from other groups are not allowed to do it?"

"Ah, that's the one..."

Fumiko Taoka put down her chopsticks and drank a glass of wine.

"Those leaders, do they actually dare to disobey the order of the fourth-generation leader?" Hibari Misora glanced at Masahisa Takenaka, who had been eating with his head down, and said it a bit provocatively.

"They are just clamoring and complaining. No leader dares to disobey the order of the fourth-generation leader yet." Fumiko Taoka shook her head. "However, the pressure is a bit high... They want the fourth-generation leader to cancel the previous order."

"Do they think the fourth-generation leader is a fickle person?!" Hibari Misora said with some surprise, and then as if she realized her mistake, she hurriedly apologized to Fumiko Taoka and Masahisa Takenaka. "Sumimasen..."

Fumiko Taoka knew that Hibari Misora had a straightforward personality, so she didn't care:

"Of course not! It's just... the situation is a bit subtle now, Hiroshi Yamamoto is eyeing us like a tiger... The fourth-generation leader also has to consider the emotions of the leaders..."

And Masahisa Takenaka's face was a bit ugly. As someone from a martial arts background, what he looked down on most was a fickle villain like Hiroshi Yamamoto...

"So that's how it is..."

Hibari Misora nodded and didn't continue to ask. If she probed further, it might arouse their suspicion.

The first psychological suggestion had been planted. If she wanted to influence Masahisa Takenaka's thoughts more, she had to adopt a more clever form. Fortunately, she had thought of many methods before coming to the Taoka residence. The "Psychology" she learned for acting in movies played an unexpected role!

She changed the subject and started talking about "Kawa no Nagare no You ni" before, saying how excellent this song was, how much influence it would have in the future, etc. The Kobe Geino Agency needed to sign a contract as soon as possible, and she herself would also use this song as the title track of her next album.

Then there were fresh things in the entertainment industry, anecdotes, etc., chatting with Fumiko Taoka while eating, very happy.

Masahisa Takenaka was a rough person, and it was hard to join the conversation between the two women, so he could only eat silently... He felt that this meal was not very enjoyable.

After dinner, after drinking the hot tea to clear his mouth, Hibari Misora also wisely prepared to say goodbye. After all, Fumiko Taoka and Masahisa Takenaka still had business to talk about!

"Sister Fumiko, I'll say goodbye first~"

"Kazue-chan, it's rare to come once, are you leaving so soon?" Fumiko Taoka tried to persuade her to stay. "It's okay to stay for a night!"

"I can't disturb you too much..."

Hibari Misora politely declined, and then bowed to Masahisa Takenaka to say goodbye, but this time it was relatively solemn:

"Leader Takenaka,

I heard that when the Wolf King faces the challenge of the wolf pack members, he must never retreat, but must show that he is more powerful than them, so that he can sit firmly in the position of the Wolf King...

You are also facing the challenge of the Yamaguchi-gumi members now, and it is the time to strengthen your belief and move forward!

I wish you success in your martial arts!"

"Thank you!"

Masahisa Takenaka heard such ancient-style remonstrance and also sat up straight to return the salute solemnly, expressing his gratitude for Hibari Misora's remonstrance.

After Hibari Misora left, Masahisa Takenaka was still savoring the meaningful words... To be a Wolf King, can you only show that you are stronger than the pack of wolves?!

The law of the jungle is indeed the real truth!

Although he was also surprised by Hibari Misora's literary remonstrance, Fumiko Taoka still smiled and explained to Masahisa Takenaka:

"Kazue-chan has appeared in many TV dramas and is a bit obsessed with the remonstrance dialogue between monarch and minister in the past, so she would say such a thing.

But actually, Kazue-chan is expressing her support for Leader Takenaka. Please don't mind, Leader Takenaka."

She thought Hibari Misora was talking about the former acting leader Hiroshi Yamamoto's behavior of not obeying the fourth-generation leader, which was like the wolf pack members challenging the Wolf King. So she encouraged the fourth-generation leader to strengthen his belief and move forward.

"Daijobu..." Masahisa Takenaka silently pondered the conversation that had just taken place; he actually felt a sense of returning to the feudal era, where a lord and his vassal were exchanging formal remarks. "Actually, I quite like that kind of remonstrance; it is full of wisdom."

Actually, he might like the feeling of being a monarch more. After all, the ultimate dream of every Yakuza is to be above ten thousand people...

"Big Sister Fumiko, regarding the leaders who came to negotiate today, I think some of them already have the intention to lean toward us." Masahisa Takenaka said. "If we give them some more sweetness..."

"The organization's money is a bit tight, but Leader Takenaka can promise them a share of certain industries later." Fumiko Taoka said. "And some idle real estate..."

"Umm, then please trouble Big Sister to list a list for me." Masahisa Takenaka nodded.

"Tomorrow, there are still some people to meet... But after that, we have to meet the leaders of other organizations such as the Inagawa-kai, Sumiyoshi-kai, Aizu-kotetsu-kai, Ono-ikka, etc." Fumiko Taoka calculated. "By the beginning of July, the succession ceremony will be officially held, and we can't be without witnesses!"

"Umm..."

Listening to Fumiko Taoka's description, Masahisa Takenaka felt as if he were already sitting in the center of everyone's gaze, wearing the symbol representing the highest authority of the Yamaguchi-gumi—the flower-adorned badge inscribed with "Fourth Generation."

He was full of pride and ambition, but then he heard Fumiko Taoka say:

"Leader Takenaka, regarding the matter that those direct-line leaders requested to open up the KTV constraints... should we talk to Hayato Nagayama again? Maybe we can make a little concession?"

Concession?

For a moment, words like "fickle", "cannot retreat", "move forward" flashed in Masahisa Takenaka's mind, followed by a fierce expression on his face:

"Big Sister Fumiko!

In the life of Yakuza, I have long understood that as long as you show a trace of cowardice, your enemies will pounce on you more viciously!

When facing a pack of wolves, you have to be more vicious than them!!!

If I compromise with those direct-line leaders this time and take back the order.

Not only will Hayato Nagayama think I am fickle and do not keep my promise, causing the originally neutral leaders to lean toward Hiroshi Yamamoto, but those direct-line leaders who have achieved their goals will also feel that I am just a leader who can compromise, and they will demand more!"

"So!!!"

"This order will never be taken back!"

"Other members of the Yamaguchi-gumi must never touch KTV!"

Fumiko Taoka understood Masahisa Takenaka's words and seemed to want to say something, but looking at Masahisa Takenaka's firm expression, she finally nodded:

"Hai! I understand! I will restrain the third-generation people..." ===== CHAPTER 641 =====