Page 61 of Kotori

The revelation ripples through the room. Several advisors exchange glances, their sympathy for the "victim" beginning to shift.

"Sho-san," I say gently. "Tell them what you've learned about your son."

Sho rises on unsteady legs, face wet with tears of shame and grief.

"What Oyabun says is true. My son was a chikan .

A sick pervert who groomed an innocent teenage, exploited her trust, violated every code of honor we claim to follow.

" His voice breaks completely. "I raised a monster and never saw his true face. "

Any remaining sympathy for Daichi evaporates as they confront the reality of what they were actually mourning.

"So I ask," I continue, completing my circuit around the table, "was Daichi Shuichi's death murder, or justice? Was eliminating a sick bastard who groomed children evidence of compromised judgment, or exactly the response traditional honor demands from a father protecting his daughter?"

Hiroshi's face has gone white as he realizes his carefully constructed case is crumbling. "You had no right to act alone."

"I had every right." The words cut through his protest with absolute authority.

"The right of a father protecting his daughter.

The right of an oyabun eliminating threats to family honor.

The right earned through sixteen generations of men who understood that some crimes require immediate, permanent response.

But your real objection isn't to violence, is it, Hiroshi-san?

Your problem isn't that I killed a pervert—it's that I did so without committee approval.

Without consulting advisors who think leadership requires their permission to protect what belongs to me. "

His mouth opens and closes without sound. Around the table, former allies begin shifting positions, recognizing that their chosen champion has led them into a trap from which there's no honorable retreat.

"This is about authority," I continue with deadly calm.

"About whether the Matsumoto oyabun answers to his advisors or commands their loyalty.

About whether sixteen generations of leadership culminates in a man strong enough to make hard decisions, or someone who needs permission to defend his own children.

So let's settle this question permanently.

Do you challenge my authority as oyabun?

Do you believe yourself qualified to lead this family better than the man chosen by blood and tradition? "

The direct challenge hangs in expensive air like a death sentence. In yakuza culture, questioning the oyabun's authority demands immediate response—submission or war.

"I was merely expressing concern for proper procedure," Hiroshi whispers, finally understanding the depth of the trap he's turned on himself.

"Concern noted. And answered." I stand, signaling the meeting's end through body language that brooks no argument. "My daughter's protector lives. Her exploiter is dead. Family honor has been satisfied through methods our ancestors would recognize and approve."

I bow slightly to the assembled advisors, acknowledging their service while making clear that challenge time has ended.

"Any advisor uncomfortable with this resolution is free to seek employment elsewhere.

Any man who believes this family requires different leadership is welcome to issue formal challenge through traditional methods.

" My voice drops to absolute finality. "But understand that questioning my authority again will be considered treason, with consequences that reflect sixteen generations of methods for dealing with betrayal. "

One by one, they rise and offer respectful bows. The rebellion that began with whispered doubts has ended in complete capitulation.

When the room empties except for Hiroshi and Sho, I study the broken opportunist who thought he could exploit a child's suffering for personal gain.

"You have twenty-four hours to clear out your office and surrender all family assets," I say with cold finality. "Your pension is forfeit. Your housing allowance ends tomorrow. Any attempt to contact current or former associates will be considered interference with family business."

His face goes white with the reality of complete disgrace.

"But I have forty years of service!"

"Forty years that ended the moment you decided to profit from my daughter's pain.

" I lean closer, voice dropping to lethal quiet.

"You're breathing because there's no proof you orchestrated anything beyond opportunism.

But if I discover you had any knowledge of what that sick bastard was doing to Mizuki, if I find out you helped cover it up or encouraged it, you'll join him in whatever hell waits for those who prey on children. "

He nods frantically, understanding both the mercy and the threat.

"Get out of my sight. And if I see you in Kyoto after tomorrow sunset, we'll discover whether forty years of claimed loyalty outweighs one moment of unforgivable betrayal."

Hiroshi flees without dignity, leaving Sho and me alone in the aftermath of political warfare.

"Oyabun," Sho begins, but I raise a hand to stop him.

"Your service continues. Your honor remains intact. Your son's crimes died with him." I move to place a hand on his shoulder. "But don't mistake necessity for forgiveness. You failed to see what lived under your own roof, and that failure nearly cost me my daughter."

He bows deeply, tears still flowing but understanding the distance that now exists between us.

Paige was right. We protect each other. That's what family does.

Now everyone knows exactly what happens to those who threaten mine.