Kenichi Tojo leaned back in his chair and lit a cigar.
"Seiji…? That punk thinks he can take me down?"
He exhaled a thick puff of smoke, his eyes full of contempt.
For the next week, Kenichi Tojo continued living his usual carefree life...
golf in the mornings, banquets at night, and chatting merrily with his friends in politics and business.
He didn't take the lawsuit seriously at all.
Until...
...
...
On the morning of the eighth day.
The moment Tojo arrived at his office, his secretary came rushing in, pale and panicked.
"Chairman! Bad news!"
"What is it? Calm down." Tojo frowned.
"The National Tax Agency… the NTA is here!" The secretary's voice trembled. "They said they're auditing our financial statements for the past five years!"
Tojo's face changed instantly.
"What?!"
He shot to his feet and ran to the window.
Down below, several black government cars were parked at the entrance. A group of men in suits... NTA inspectors... were already walking into the building.
"How could this be…" Sweat began forming on Tojo's forehead.
The secretary continued, voice shaking. "And… the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare sent people too. They said they're here to review our medical accident records…"
Tojo's hands started to tremble.
Just then, Masao Kishida burst into the office.
"Chairman! We just got word from the court... apparently, the plaintiff's evidence is very strong. It'll be hard for us to fight back…"
Tojo slumped back into his chair, his face turning pale.
He finally realized...
Someone was targeting Tohto Medical.
"Seiji…" he hissed through clenched teeth. "Who's backing you?!"
As furious as he was, Tojo knew now wasn't the time to panic.
He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down, then dialed three numbers in quick succession.
"Hello, Kuroiwa Law Firm? This is Kenichi Tojo from Tohto Medical. I'd like to speak with Attorney Sakaguchi…"
...
...
That afternoon, after temporarily fending off the NTA and Health Ministry investigators, Tojo sat across from Ken Sakaguchi in the conference room.
"Attorney Sakaguchi," Tojo said with a forced smile, "this whole thing must be a misunderstanding. I'm sure we can sit down and talk this out peacefully."
Sakaguchi's face remained expressionless. "Mr. Tojo, my client's demands are very clear... return Yamada Hospital."
"I can do that," Tojo said quickly. "But… what about the National Tax Agency and the Health Ministry?"
"That depends on your sincerity," Sakaguchi replied coolly. "If you're willing to return the hospital and pay compensation, my client may consider withdrawing part of the reports."
"Part?" Tojo frowned. "What do you mean, part?"
"I mean the NTA report can be withdrawn," Sakaguchi said after a pause, "but if your cover-up of medical accidents is confirmed, that's criminal. We can't intervene."
Tojo's face turned ghostly white.
"You… you're trying to kill me!"
"Mr. Tojo, this is your own doing." Sakaguchi stood, his tone turning cold. "If you cooperate, it's not too late. But if you choose to resist…"
He paused, eyes narrowing.
"Then we'll use every means at our disposal."
Tojo's hands clenched into fists.
After a long silence, he gritted his teeth. "I… I need time to think."
"Three days," Sakaguchi said flatly. "If we don't hear from you in three days, we'll move forward with all legal actions."
With that, he turned and left.
Tojo collapsed into his chair, drained of all strength.
...
He didn't last three days.
By the second, Kenichi Tojo had already reached out to Sakaguchi, asking for a direct meeting with Seiji.
Sakaguchi relayed the message.
"He wants to meet me?" Seiji chuckled. "Then let's meet."
That same afternoon, at the Imperial Tokyo Hotel, in the Royal Suite.
Kenichi Tojo arrived ten minutes early, waiting in the private room.
Sweat glistened on his forehead as his fingers tapped nervously against the table.
Finally, the door opened.
Seiji stepped in... relaxed, dressed in a casual suit, his composure unshakable.
Tojo stood up, forcing a smile. "Fujiwara-sensei, it's an honor to finally meet you."
"Please, sit, Mr. Tojo." Seiji took his seat across from him, perfectly calm. "I hear you wanted to talk?"
"Yes." Tojo took a deep breath. "Fujiwara-sensei, perhaps this whole thing is a misunderstanding?"
"A misunderstanding?" Seiji laughed. "You forcibly acquired Yamada Hospital. Was that a misunderstanding too?"
"That was a legitimate business deal," Tojo argued.
"Then consider this my legitimate business deal," Seiji sneered.
Cold sweat trickled down Tojo's neck.
"Fujiwara-sensei, I'm willing to return the hospital and pay compensation, but… could you at least call off the Tax Agency and the Health Ministry... "
"No." Seiji cut him off. "You did what you did. Now you face the consequences."
Tojo's expression darkened.
"Fujiwara-sensei…" His tone turned dangerous. "Are you sure you want to push this that far?"
"What's this?" Seiji raised an eyebrow. "A threat?"
"I'm not threatening you," Tojo said with a smirk. "Just reminding you... Tohto Medical isn't without its own backing."
He thought that would make Seiji hesitate.
Instead, Seiji laughed.
Really laughed.
"Mr. Tojo," he said leisurely, "did it ever occur to you that maybe… the people backing you are also talking to me?"
Tojo froze.
"What… what do you mean?"
Seiji smiled faintly, stood, and looked down at him.
"I mean," he said softly, "there are plenty of people who want you gone."
Tojo's pupils shrank.
"N-no way…"
Seiji took out his phone, opened an email, and handed it to him.
"See for yourself."
Tojo's trembling hand took the phone.
The sender: Yasuo Sato, an inspector from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
The email was short:
Fujiwara-sensei, regarding the Tohto Medical case, I'll fully cooperate with your investigation. Kenichi Tojo's conduct has long been reprehensible... justice is overdue. If needed, I can provide additional evidence. ... Yasuo Sato
Tojo's hands shook violently as he scrolled further.
The second email was from the secretary of a Diet member he had once sponsored.
Fujiwara-sensei, I've been informed of Tojo's situation. His abuse of political and business ties harms our party's reputation. I'll request a formal Diet inquiry into Tohto Medical. ... [Name Withheld]
The third was from the aide to a Vice Minister.
Fujiwara-sensei, I was unaware of Tojo's misconduct. If he broke the law, he will face the full consequences. My father is an admirer of your work... should the opportunity arise...
The rest of the email was redacted, but Tojo didn't need to read it.
By the time he lowered the phone, his hands were shaking uncontrollably, his face pale, his eyes hollow. He looked ten years older.
Reporters swarmed him as he exited the courthouse days later.
"Tojo-san! Is it true you agreed to return Yamada Hospital?"
"Tojo-san! What's your response to the lawsuit?"
"Tojo-san! Are you retiring from the medical industry?"
Tojo ignored them all, head down, walking straight into the building.
...
Inside the courtroom.
The presiding judge spoke solemnly.
"Kenichi Tojo, do you confirm your intention to reach an out-of-court settlement with the plaintiff?"
Tojo stood, voice hoarse. "Yes, Your Honor."
"The settlement terms are as follows: The defendant, Tohto Medical Group, agrees to return ownership of Yamada Hospital to its original owner, Miss Ryo Yamada; pay four hundred million yen in compensation; and issue a public apology through major media outlets. The plaintiff agrees to withdraw the lawsuit. Do both parties confirm?"
"Confirmed," said Sakaguchi on behalf of the plaintiff.
"Confirmed," Tojo murmured weakly.
"Very well." The judge struck the gavel. "Settlement approved. This court is adjourned."
...
Outside the courthouse, Kenichi Tojo faced a sea of reporters.
He took a deep breath and unfolded a prepared statement.
"Members of the press, I represent Tohto Medical Group in extending our sincerest apologies to the Yamada family."
"One year ago, during the acquisition of Yamada Hospital, our company engaged in improper conduct. That was my personal mistake."
"Today, I officially announce that Tohto Medical will return full ownership of Yamada Hospital and pay four hundred million yen in compensation."
He paused, his voice dropping lower.
"I will also resign as chairman of Tohto Medical Group and withdraw from the medical industry."
The reporters erupted into chaos, cameras flashing wildly.
But Tojo didn't answer a single question. He turned and walked away.
...
Within hours, headlines swept across Japan.
Yomiuri Shimbun Extra:Tohto Medical Chairman Resigns... Author Seiji Achieves Total Victory
Asahi Shimbun Extra:Justice Served... Yamada Hospital Returned to Original Owner
Nikkei Extra:Kenichi Tojo Steps Down... Medical Industry Shaken
Online, social media exploded.
Twitter:
"Fujiwara-sensei is a legend! Real justice!"
"Tojo got what he deserved! Bullies always fall in the end!"
"Congrats to Miss Yamada!"
2ch Forum:
"Holy crap, Fujiwara-sensei took down Tohto Medical in a week?!"
"That's what I call a true boss."
"I'm declaring it now... Seiji is my idol!"
...
2 p.m., Yamada Hospital.
In the conference room, the official ownership transfer ceremony was underway.
On one side sat Tohto Medical's representatives, faces grim.
On the other, Seiji, Ryo Yamada, and Kuroiwa Law Firm's legal team.
A notary sat in the center, overseeing the process.
"Now, Tohto Medical will transfer the ownership certificate, land title, and related documents to Miss Ryo Yamada."
At those words, Masao Kishida, Tohto Medical's legal director, stepped forward, expression blank, and handed over three folders.
Ryo Yamada reached out, her hands trembling slightly.
She opened the folder and saw the red-inked seal on the property deed.
Under "Owner," it read: Ryo Yamada.
Her eyes immediately welled with tears.
Seiji, seated beside her, gently took her hand.
"Next," the notary said, "Tohto Medical will pay the compensation of four hundred million yen."
Kishida scowled, pulled out a check, and handed it to Ryo.
Ryo looked at it briefly, then passed it to Seiji.
"Seiji, this money…"
"Keep it," Seiji said with a smile. "Use it to renovate the hospital... or expand your facilities."
Ryo shook her head. "No, you spent so much on the case... "
"That doesn't matter." Seiji interrupted softly. "This four hundred million is your rightful compensation. Take it."
Ryo looked at him, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Thank you… Seiji."
The notary tapped the table. "If both parties confirm, please sign."
Both sides signed.
The notary stamped the seal.
"Transfer complete. From this moment, ownership of Yamada Hospital belongs to Miss Ryo Yamada."
After the meeting, Tohto Medical's team left in silence.
Ken Sakaguchi approached. "Fujiwara-sensei, everything's done. Next... "
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100 p.s for extra chapter
You can read up to chapter 120 on patreon.com/NiaXD.