102: Chapter 102 The Silky Smooth Prime Minister Election

The news of Prime Minister Miyamoto's "accidental" death exploded over Tokyo like a thunderclap.

Reporters swarmed outside the Prime Ministers Official Residence. Flashing magnesium lights pierced the early morning mist, sending words like "sudden," "failed rescue," and "emergency cabinet meeting" to the front pages of major media outlets.

People gathered on the streets; some held Prime Minister Miyamoto's portrait in silent mourning, while others discussed fervently—in just one short week, from the Zaibatsu infighting to the Prime Minister's sudden death, the country seemed to have plunged into unprecedented chaos.

And a police announcement made the situation even more bewildering.

"According to preliminary investigations, surveillance near the residence captured figures suspected to be members of the Black Organization before Prime Minister Miyamoto's fall.

We cannot rule out that this was a premeditated assassination. The police have formed a special task force to pursue the Black Organization with full force."

As soon as the news broke, public opinion was in an uproar.

"The Black Organization again? They even dare to touch the Prime Minister?"

"What exactly do these lunatics want? Do they want to subvert the nation?"

"No wonder it's been so chaotic lately; they must be the ones pulling the strings!"

No one noticed that in a dark warehouse in Tokyo, Gin was watching the news on television, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

The bottle of Vodka in his hand creaked under his grip, and his crimson pupils were full of ferocity.

"Us again?"

He cursed under his breath, his voice as cold as ice. "Those useless police... they pin it on us because they can't find the real culprit?"

Vodka shrank his neck. "Big Brother, should we... issue a statement to clarify?"

"Clarify?"

Gin sneered.

"We are an assassin organization, not a charity. Is clarifying useful? It will only make them think we have a guilty conscience."

He turned off the TV, his eyes predatory. "Investigate. Find out for me who did it. Daring to use our name to move against the Prime Minister... they must be tired of living."

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, far overseas, the Boss of the Black Organization watched the report in an encrypted email, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk.

He knew better than Gin that this could never have been done by the Black Organization—they were currently busy hiding their tracks and would never provoke the Japanese government at a time like this.

"Borrowing a knife to kill, framing others..."

The Boss's voice was hoarse and deep. "Is it the Suzuki Family? Or that young man named Lin?"

Clearly, the organization's boss had already received news of the alliance between the Suzuki Family and Lin Long.

Although he couldn't figure out why the Suzuki Family would ally with a minor figure like Lin Long, he faintly felt that this Lin Long, who had suddenly appeared, seemed more dangerous than the clown-like Zaibatsus.

Unlike the chaos outside, the Suzuki Family was currently proceeding with their plan in an orderly fashion.

Just three days after Prime Minister Miyamoto's funeral, Suzuki Shiro put on his most decent suit and appeared before the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department building with carefully prepared gifts.

"Chairman Suzuki, why are you here?"

Assistant Inspector Shiratori saw him and hurried over to welcome him, his face wearing an appropriate amount of respect.

"I've come to visit Director Shiratori."

Suzuki Shiro smiled gently, but his tone carried a weight that brooked no refusal. "There are some matters I'd like to have a good chat with the Director about."

In Director Shiratori's office, the fragrance of tea curled in the air.

"The matter of Prime Minister Miyamoto is truly heartbreaking."

Suzuki Shiro first sighed, putting on an air of regret. "The country is in need of talent right now; stability is most important."

Director Shiratori was an old fox and naturally heard the underlying meaning.

He picked up his teacup and said unhurriedly, "Chairman Suzuki is right. The Cabinet is in a mess right now, and all factions are eyeing the position of interim Prime Minister. Someone indeed needs to step up and take charge."

"I, for one, feel that since you have such high prestige in the police force, Director Shiratori, if you could step forward..."

"Ah, I'm old; I can't handle the strain anymore."

Director Shiratori quickly waved his hand and changed the subject. "On the other hand, Chairman Suzuki, you've done so much for the reconstruction of Tokyo recently, and the public's voice is very high. If you could step forward..."

The two looked at each other and smiled, sharing a tacit understanding.

Suzuki Shiro's purpose for this trip wasn't to ask for Director Shiratori's support, but to "notify" him—the Suzuki Family was about to rise to power, and if he was sensible, he should pick a side early. Director Shiratori's attitude clearly showed his stance.

After leaving the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Suzuki Shiro rushed to the Ministry of Defense without pause.

Receiving him was the Minister of Defense, Sato Ken, a veteran in the military world.

"Chairman Suzuki has certainly been in the spotlight lately." Sato Ken smiled and handed over a cigarette. "I heard all the major Zaibatsus are supporting you for the Prime Minister election?"

"It's all thanks to the high regard of my colleagues."

Suzuki Shiro took the cigarette but didn't light it. "The country is in turmoil now; I just want to do my part for the nation."

"Doing your part is good."

Sato Ken's words had a hidden meaning. "However, the brothers in the military value 'strength' the most. What kind of guarantee can the Suzuki Family give us?"

"Military budget—I will propose a 30% increase in the Diet."

Suzuki Shiro's tone was flat, yet filled with absolute confidence.

"Furthermore, for several weapon modernization projects of the Ministry of Defense, the heavy industry enterprises under the Suzuki Conglomerate can fully undertake them, with a guaranteed fair price."

Sato Ken's eyes instantly lit up. Increased military spending? Project contracts? These were tangible benefits!

He laughed heartily and patted Suzuki Shiro on the shoulder.

"Chairman Suzuki is indeed straightforward! From now on, the military will be your backing! If anyone dares to disagree, I'll have the Self-Defense Forces' tanks drive over to talk sense into them!"

This was exactly the sentence Suzuki Shiro wanted. Military support was his greatest guarantee for consolidating power.

In the following days, Suzuki Shiro's footprints covered various government departments—the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs...

Everywhere he went, he arrived with "sincerity," either promising budget increases or pledging project cooperation, receiving a green light almost all the way.

Those high-ranking government officials who were still waiting and watching, seeing that the military and the police had both expressed their stance, and considering the "benefits" offered by the Suzuki Conglomerate, all turned to support Suzuki Shiro.

All of this was witnessed by the other Zaibatsus, yet they surprisingly remained silent.

Tanaka Masao of the Tanaka Family locked himself in his study, looking at the political relationship map on the wall with a complex expression.

It wasn't that he had not thought about jumping out to compete with Suzuki Shiro, but as soon as he thought of Lin Long's unpredictable methods and the losses the Tanaka Zaibatsu suffered for offending Lin Long, he backed down.

"Dad, are we really just going to let it go like this?"

His son asked unwillingly, "What right does Suzuki Shiro have? Isn't it just because he clung to Lin Long's thigh?"

"Clinging to a thigh is also a skill."

Tanaka Masao sighed. "We can't beat him, much less Lin Long. Instead of throwing eggs at a rock, it's better to preserve our existing family business."

The leader of the Ooka Zaibatsu also made the final decision at a family meeting: "Fully support Suzuki Shiro. Tell those below that no one is allowed to jump out and cause trouble."

"But Chairman, are we just submitting like this?"

"Submitting?"

Ooka Tadashi sneered. "We are waiting. Waiting for the day the Suzuki Family and Lin Long fall out. By then, it's not certain who will have the last laugh."

Zaibatsus like Mitsui and Mitsubishi also made the same choice—silence, support, and not causing trouble.

This collective "tacit understanding" left the high-ranking government officials completely baffled.

"Something's not right."

The Chief Cabinet Secretary muttered to his colleagues in private.

"In the past, the Zaibatsus would fight tooth and nail for a vice-ministerial position, but now that the Prime Minister's seat is vacant, no one is competing?"

"Exactly."

Another minister frowned. "When Suzuki Shiro went to visit, I was waiting for other Zaibatsus to call, but there wasn't even a single phone call. This is too abnormal."

"Could it be... they reached some secret agreement?"

"Who knows. Anyway, since no one is jumping out to object, we'll just follow along and vote for Suzuki Shiro. We can't let the country stay in chaos forever."

Indeed, with no opposition, there was no choice but to elect him.

In Japan's political ecology, the attitude of the Zaibatsus is often more important than the votes.

Since all the Zaibatsus had tacitly accepted Suzuki Shiro, even if the high-ranking government officials had doubts, they could only grit their teeth and accept it.

A week later, the Diet held an emergency meeting to elect an interim Prime Minister.

The voting results were without suspense—Suzuki Shiro was elected with an absolute majority.

The moment the Speaker announced the results, Suzuki Shiro stood at the podium, looking at the dense crowd of lawmakers below, filled with emotion.

A few months ago, he was just a Zaibatsu leader, and now, he had become the interim Prime Minister of this country.

All of this felt like a dream.

He cleared his throat and began his inaugural speech:

"Colleagues, fellow citizens, I, Suzuki Shiro, will certainly live up to expectations, stabilize the national situation, promote economic development, and ensure that every Japanese person can live a good life..."

Thunderous applause erupted below, and flashes kept blinking.

Suzuki Tomoko sat in the gallery, watching her husband's spirited appearance, a gratified smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. She knew this was just the beginning.

Meanwhile, Lin Long was currently sitting on the sofa at the Lin Family Manor, watching Suzuki Shiro's speech on TV and taking a light sip from his wine glass.

"Boss, Suzuki Shiro has been elected."

Ghost reported, "The Black Organization is still investigating Miyamoto's cause of death. Do we need to deal with them?"

"No need."

Lin Long put down his wine glass, his gaze deep.

"Let them investigate. In the end, they will only be more wary of us."

"Besides, this was originally done by someone who could be considered part of their organization," Lin Long said shamelessly.

"Vermouth hasn't left the Black Organization yet."

On the TV, Suzuki Shiro's voice continued:

"...I will immediately initiate military cooperation negotiations with the Eagle Sauce to ensure the nation's security..."

Lin Long smiled.