Dragon Raja 3; Chapter 67: Japan Branch (15)

Dragon Raja 3

“The Japanese branch probably won’t listen. They don’t necessarily obey Anjou’s orders either,” Parsi said. “The Japanese branch is a semi-independent organization. They operate more like a yakuza group rather than an outpost of the college.”

“A yakuza group?” Frost was shocked. “How could there be a yakuza group under the college?”

“Because the Japanese branch wasn’t established by the college. In the early 20th century, Secret Party leader Lord Mayek arrived in Japan by ship and discovered that the Japanese hybrids were engaged in illegal activities, essentially the underworld. Whether it was prostitution, opium, or arms, all profitable illegal businesses were controlled by Japanese hybrids. They were deeply entrenched in Japan, and the Secret Party couldn’t penetrate their structure. Ultimately, the Secret Party negotiated a cooperation deal with Japan’s hybrid families: the Secret Party wouldn’t establish branches in Japan, and in return, Japan’s hybrid families would support the college founded by the Secret Party. Every year, they would send exchange students to the college, and these people, after graduating, formed the Japanese branch. They hold dual identities—both as yakuza members and employees of the college.”

“Anjou uses educational funds for illegal activities? Selling opium?”

“The college doesn’t engage in illegal transactions; those are controlled by the families that form the Japanese branch. They are the oldest families in Japan’s underworld, collectively known as the ‘Yamata no Orochi,’ or ‘Eight-Headed Snake.’ The Orochi families don’t directly participate in illegal trades; instead, they are the enforcers of the underworld. Many yakuza groups regard them as the true head family and accept their governance. Essentially, the Yamata no Orochi hold the laws of Japan’s underworld.”

“How could I not know about something so important?”

“Pompeii’s head knew, but perhaps forgot to tell you.”

“Forgot?” Frost was dumbfounded.

He had held Pompeii’s seat on the School Board for 15 years, believing he was in control and had keen insight into everything about the college. Only today did he realize that the college’s structure was like an onion—layer upon layer, with the truth perpetually out of reach for outsiders. And he was the outsider. What irritated him even more was Pompeii himself. Frost had previously asked Pompeii for relevant documents, but Pompeii had refused to hand them over, saying, “Are you referring to those little notes given during School Board meetings?” or “I used some of them to fold paper boats.” In any case, Anjou would never leave written records of the most critical secrets, and for minor matters, perhaps it was better not to know at all.

“Furthermore, the Japanese branch is the most peaceful among all the branches. Based on the annual reports they submit to the college, everything seems calm in Japan. It’s certain that the Japanese branch operates under a massive veil of secrecy, and we have no idea what they’re doing behind that veil,” Parsi said. “It’s fair to say that they operate independently from the college.”

“Get me in touch with the head of the family.” Frost composed himself. “He’s Caesar’s biological father; let him demand that Anjou suspend this mission in his name!”

“It will be difficult to establish contact with the family head for the next week. He’s participating in a charity event called ‘The Spiritual Journey’ in Tibet, spending a week in a Lama temple at the foot of the Himalayas for a retreat. No telecommunications company has coverage there, and he didn’t bring a satellite phone. The only way to reach that Lama temple is on horseback, and since last winter’s snow hasn’t fully melted, it would take about a week to ride in and out.”

“A retreat? Can he even endure that?” Frost doubted what he heard. Pompeii was notoriously demanding about his living conditions, the type of person who would prefer to travel with his own mattress. Frost couldn’t imagine how Pompeii could live in a Tibetan Lama temple.

“Apparently, he heard something about lectures on dual cultivation or teachings involving joy…”

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