Seiji flipped open the report, his eyes skimming over pages of dense data.
Financial statements, shareholder structures, board member lists, past litigation records...
"Get to the point," Seiji said as he continued reading.
"Yes, sir." Takashi Shibata opened his laptop and turned the screen toward Seiji. "First of all, the actual controlling shareholder of Tohto Medical isn't Chairman Kenichi Tojo... it's an offshore company registered in the Cayman Islands called Health Venture Holdings."
On the screen was a complex web of ownership lines.
"An offshore company?" Seiji raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly." Shibata nodded. "A classic tax haven setup. Kenichi Tojo holds 51% of Tohto Medical's shares through that company, effectively dodging most tax disclosure requirements. Based on our estimates, Tohto Medical has evaded at least two billion yen in taxes over the past five years."
Ken Sakaguchi spoke next. "Fujiwara-sensei, if this evidence holds up, we can report them directly to the National Tax Agency. Once confirmed, Tohto Medical will have to pay back taxes, face huge fines, and possibly even criminal charges."
Seiji didn't respond, only gestured for Shibata to continue.
Tax evasion was nothing new in business.
It could be useful for leverage... but as an attack, it was too soft.
"Secondly," Shibata continued, switching slides, "Tohto Medical has privately settled multiple malpractice disputes over the past three years. We found at least seven cases involving patient deaths or severe injuries, all silenced with hush money."
He brought up several scanned documents... copies of three settlement agreements. Each victim's family had signed confidentiality clauses in exchange for compensation ranging from ten to fifty million yen.
Seiji quickly read through one of the agreements.
The terms, printed in black and white, forbade disclosing the incident to any third party or reporting it to the media or authorities.
Of course, when money's involved, confidentiality means nothing.
"These cases…" Seiji looked up. "Were any of them actual medical accidents?"
"Yes." Shibata's tone hardened. "Two deaths resulted directly from surgical errors. But Tohto Medical covered them up by falsifying records and destroying evidence."
Seiji's eyes narrowed.
"Is the evidence solid?"
"Extremely." Shibata nodded. "We tracked down the nurses and assistant surgeons involved... they're willing to testify."
"Good." Seiji set the documents down. "What else?"
"One more thing," Shibata said gravely. "The key issue... Tohto Medical's Seventh Branch, formerly Yamada Hospital, was acquired through coercive means."
Fujiwara's expression sharpened. "Details."
"Yes, sir. Based on internal emails and bank records we obtained…" Shibata pulled up screenshots. "Tohto Medical exploited the Yamada family's financial crisis after their hospital fire, forcing a buyout at far below market value. And during the acquisition, they used pressure tactics."
"What kind of tactics?" Seiji frowned.
"They used their connections to make the bank call in the Yamadas' loans early," Shibata said coldly. "The family couldn't possibly pay at that time, so Tohto Medical offered to 'help' by taking over their debts... and forced them to sell. The purchase price was eight hundred million yen. But our valuation shows Yamada Hospital was worth at least 1.2 billion."
He paused.
"In other words, Tohto Medical robbed them of a 1.2-billion-yen asset for only eight hundred million."
Seiji tapped a finger lightly against the armrest.
"Taking advantage of a crisis? Common enough…" He smiled thinly. "But they were sloppy. That's where we strike."
"Exactly." Shibata nodded. "Under the Antimonopoly Act and the Unfair Competition Prevention Act, this is clearly illegal. They've been reckless, even arrogant about it... and word is, others have started circling them."
Sakaguchi added, "Fujiwara-sensei, if we file a lawsuit on these grounds, Tohto Medical could be forced to return the hospital and pay significant damages."
Seiji was silent for a moment, then looked at him.
"Attorney Sakaguchi, if I want to launch a full-scale attack on Tohto Medical… how much funding would that take?"
Sakaguchi and Shibata exchanged glances.
"Fujiwara-sensei," Sakaguchi said cautiously, "by 'full-scale attack,' you mean…"
"I mean going all the way." Seiji gave a low laugh. "If we're cutting grass, we burn the roots too."
The room fell silent.
Shibata drew in a sharp breath.
Sakaguchi studied Fujiwara's expression.
Finally, Sakaguchi said, "Fujiwara-sensei, to completely bring down Tohto Medical… we'll need at least three hundred million yen and about six months."
"Only three hundred million?" Seiji smiled. "That'll do. As for time…"
He paused.
"You have thirty days."
Both men froze.
"Thirty days?" Shibata was stunned. "Fujiwara-sensei, that's impossible!"
"Why impossible?" Seiji asked calmly.
"Because…" Shibata hesitated. "Corporate takedowns need time. Tax audits, legal filings, media pressure... they all take coordination. Thirty days is just too short... "
"Then make it enough," Seiji said firmly. "And you can use my public reputation to your advantage. With a famous author leading the charge, the hounds in the dark will come sniffing soon enough."
He leaned forward. "Can you do it?"
Sakaguchi and Shibata looked at each other again.
At last, Sakaguchi drew a deep breath and nodded. "Fujiwara-sensei, Kuroiwa Law Firm will go all in."
Shibata followed. "Akasaka Investigations won't let you down."
"Good." Seiji rose to his feet. "Then from this moment on... we move."
He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing out at the glittering Tokyo skyline.
"Step one: report Tohto Medical's tax evasion to the National Tax Agency."
"Step two: report their cover-up of medical accidents to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare."
"Step three: report their coercive acquisition to the Tokyo District Prosecutors Office."
He turned around, eyes sharp as blades.
"Three strikes. Hit them from every side."
Excitement flickered in Sakaguchi's eyes. "Understood, Fujiwara-sensei. I'll contact the agencies immediately."
If they could take down Tohto Medical, Seiji, Kuroiwa Law Firm, and even Sakaguchi himself stood to gain tremendously.
"Also," Seiji added, "Mr. Shibata, keep digging. Push the media narrative as hard as you can."
Shibata nodded. "Understood."
"Good." Seiji grabbed his coat. "Leave the report. I want results from phase one in three days."
"Yes, sir!" both replied in unison.
Seiji left the meeting room and took the elevator down.
"Back to the Yamada residence," he told the driver.
In the car, he fell silent, deep in thought.
Taking down Tohto Medical wasn't just for Ryo... it was personal.
Every major conglomerate, every powerful family had their own medical teams and private research bases.
It was time he filled that gap for himself.
...
Meanwhile...
Tokyo, Minato Ward. Tohto Medical Group Headquarters.
In the chairman's office, Kenichi Tojo sat back in his leather chair, cigar between his fingers, reading a financial report.
"This year's numbers look good…" he said with satisfaction.
His secretary entered. "Chairman, there's a meeting at three regarding the new branch location."
"Cancel it," Tojo said, waving her off. "I'm too tired. I'll rest."
"Yes, sir."
The secretary left.
Tojo leaned back, exhaling a plume of smoke, a smug smile on his face.
"Tohto Medical will become Japan's largest medical group... soon enough."
He had no idea that a storm was already forming against him.
...
Tokyo, Marunouchi Financial District.
Imperial Tokyo Hotel.
Three days after the Yamada Hospital case began.
Seiji sat in the suite's lounge. Three encrypted phones lay on the table before him.
Outside, Tokyo's night glittered.
Inside, a war to destroy a medical empire was about to begin.
"Fujiwara-sensei, everything's ready," Sakaguchi reported, holding a detailed operations file. "Kuroiwa's litigation team can file at the Tokyo District Court at any time."
"What about Akasaka's side?" Seiji asked.
"Mr. Shibata has finished compiling all the evidence," Sakaguchi replied, flipping a page. "Reports for the National Tax Agency, the Health Ministry, and the Tokyo Prosecutors are complete and ready to submit."
"The media?"
"We've contacted Yomiuri Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, and Nikkei." Sakaguchi adjusted his glasses. "They're eager to cover the story... 'a genius author fighting for an oppressed girl.' Once we file, they'll publish immediately."
Seiji smiled. "Perfect. Then…" He glanced up, a cold grin forming. "Fire."
Sakaguchi nodded firmly. "Understood."
He stood and began making calls.
"Hello, Reporter Tanaka? This is Sakaguchi from Kuroiwa Law Firm… Yes, that case… The Tokyo District Court will accept it tomorrow morning at ten. We'll hold a press conference afterward…"
"Hello, Section Chief Yamamoto from the Tax Agency? About the Tohto Medical tax evasion report… I'll deliver it personally tomorrow morning…"
"Hello, Examiner Sato from the Health Ministry? Yes, about the medical cover-up case…"
Call after call went out.
Seiji sat quietly, listening... his eyes calm and detached.
To him, this coming corporate war was nothing more than a game.
Half an hour later, Sakaguchi put down the phone. "Fujiwara-sensei, all set."
"Good." Seiji walked to the window, murmuring, "Kenichi Tojo… are you ready for the storm?"
...
The next morning.
Tokyo District Court.
At nine sharp, Kuroiwa Law Firm's legal team arrived, led by Ken Sakaguchi. Ten elite lawyers, each carrying thick files.
A crowd of reporters swarmed the courthouse steps.
"Attorney Sakaguchi! Who's the plaintiff?"
"Is it true the defendant is Tohto Medical Group?"
"Does this have anything to do with author Seiji Fujiwara?"
Sakaguchi only smiled politely and led his team inside.
An hour later, the court officially accepted the case:
Plaintiff: Ryo Yamada
Defendant: Tohto Medical Group
Charge: Coercive Transaction and Unjust Enrichment
At the same time...
The National Tax Agency received a detailed report accusing Tohto Medical of offshore tax evasion.
The Health Ministry received another, alleging the cover-up of medical accidents.
...
At noon, Kuroiwa Law Firm held a press conference.
Sakaguchi stood on stage before dozens of cameras, calm and composed.
"Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Ken Sakaguchi from Kuroiwa Law Firm."
"Today, on behalf of my client Miss Ryo Yamada, we have officially filed a lawsuit against Tohto Medical Group."
He paused, his tone turning grave.
"According to our investigation, Tohto Medical, through improper ties with certain banks, forced the Yamada family into default and coerced them into selling Yamada Hospital for eight hundred million yen... far below its actual market value of 1.2 billion yen."
"This action clearly violates the Antimonopoly Act and the Unfair Competition Prevention Act."
He held up a document.
"These are our evidences... bank recall records, internal company emails, and multiple witness statements."
Cameras flashed wildly.
"Attorney Sakaguchi! Why is Fujiwara-sensei helping the Yamada family?"
"What's his relationship with Miss Yamada?"
Sakaguchi smiled faintly. "Fujiwara-sensei once said... 'I can't stand those who trample others from on high.' That's all there is to it."
The room erupted with whispers.
No one truly bought that explanation, but everyone acted like they did.
Within hours, headlines swept Tokyo:
Yomiuri Shimbun:Genius Author Seiji Files Lawsuit Against Tohto Medical... Fights for Justice for Young Girl
Asahi Shimbun:Tohto Medical Under Investigation for Coercive Dealings... Tax Agency Steps In
Nikkei:Medical Giant Tohto Medical Faces Multi-Front Crisis
...
Tokyo, Minato Ward. Tohto Medical Headquarters.
2 p.m.
In the chairman's office, Kenichi Tojo stared at the court summons lying on his desk.
Tokyo District Court Summons
Defendant: Tohto Medical Group
Plaintiff: Ryo Yamada
Dozens of attached pages detailed the connections between the Yamada family, Kuroiwa Law Firm, and Seiji.
Tojo blinked, then chuckled.
"Seiji? That arrogant little novelist thinks he can sue me?"
His secretary shifted nervously. "Chairman, he's not just a novelist... he's a Naoki Prize winner, and... "
"I don't care what prize he won," Tojo snapped. "Fame means nothing to me."
He grabbed the phone. "Hey, Kishida? Come to my office. We've got a case to handle."
Ten minutes later, Legal Department Director Masao Kishida arrived.
Tojo tossed him the summons. "Read this."
Kishida skimmed through it, frowning. "Chairman, the opposing counsel is Kuroiwa Law Firm…"
"So what?" Tojo sneered. "Our lawyers aren't amateurs either."
"But…" Kishida hesitated. "They have evidence... bank records, internal emails... "
"Evidence? Then it'll make it easier to find who leaked them." Tojo's grin turned cold. "Don't forget, the Yamada acquisition had their guardian's signed approval. It's perfectly legal."
Kishida thought for a moment, then nodded. "You're right. I'll have our legal team handle it."
"Good." Tojo waved him off. "Don't waste my time with this small fry."
Kishida bowed and left.
Tojo leaned back, lighting another cigar, completely unaware...
the storm had only just begun.