Reborn in Tokyo: From Heiress to Global Tycoon

Chapter 248 New Script

A dozen seconds passed, or perhaps centuries.

Finally, the water droplets were wiped clean.

Satsuki slightly raised her eyelids, looking at Hirano and Kaibe.

"This is indeed a very weighty pledge of allegiance, Mr. Hirano."

Satsuki's voice was clear and crisp.

Upon hearing this, Hirano's shoulders, which had been taut at the limit, trembled violently.

There's hope! She seemed to smile, didn't she? It's definitely going to work!

He knew he absolutely could not show the slightest sign of backing down at this moment. He had to prove that he deserved this protection.

"The safe's combination is changed periodically, but I know the underlying logic and habits behind Osawa Ichiro's password settings. I also know the infrared sensor network inside his residence and the shift changes of the patrolling security guards perfectly!"

Hirano gritted his teeth and forcefully pressed his hands firmly onto his thighs.

"Please give me a few days! I... I will definitely find a way to sneak in and bring the original out intact to present to you!"

He was practically panting as he slammed the promise onto the tatami mat.

Satsuki quietly looked at Hirano.

Her gaze swept calmly over Hirano's bloodless face, over the dense cold sweat on his forehead, and finally landed on the back of his hands, which were still trembling slightly even though they were pressed tightly against his legs.

"The security system of the Osawa Mansion is directly connected to the Metropolitan Police Department's special surveillance network at its core."

Satsuki's voice was flat and monotone, yet it was like a bucket of ice water poured over Hirano's head.

"Mr. Hirano, you can't do what you say you're going to do."

Satsuki picked up the teacup in front of her.

"If I were to send you infiltrate, even if you stepped on the wrong pressure-sensitive floorboard, or your hand trembled for half a second while entering the safe's combination, the defenses would be triggered, and Osawa Ichiro's security would immediately subdue you."

"This potentially fatal pledge of allegiance will turn to ashes in a brazier within minutes. And you will vanish from this world without a trace."

Hirano stood frozen in place, his pupils contracting violently.

They saw right through me.

He instinctively opened his mouth, but found his throat so dry that he couldn't make a sound.

"I..." Hirano's shoulders slumped down, and he frantically tried to explain something.

If he can't prove his worth now and gain the protection of the Saionji family, not only will Ichiro Osawa not be able to settle scores with him, but he might "disappear" the moment he steps out of the Saionji family's door.

Satsuki put down her teacup.

"Professional matters should naturally be left to professionals. Your ability to provide accurate internal security logic and password practices is sufficient."

She turned her head and looked at Fujita Tsuyoshi, who stood like a shadow outside the sliding door.

"Fujita. Notify Dojima Iroha of the Security Department, and Masato-san of the intelligence system. Starting today, have them mobilize the special operations team. This extraction operation will be entirely led by the Saionji family, with Mr. Hirano responsible for providing internal liaison intelligence."

"Yes, Miss." Fujita Tsuyoshi responded in a low voice from the shadows.

Hirano suddenly raised his head, looking at Satsuki with some disbelief.

Huh? Does this mean... you've agreed?

Kaibu watched as the other person so readily accepted the most dangerous and dirty work. His tense facial muscles finally relaxed slightly.

I knew I hadn't made the wrong bet; the Saionji family really did want these things.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, he put forward his true political demands.

"Miss Saionji".

Kaibu leaned forward slightly, his tone tinged with urgency.

"Ichiro Osawa has given me a death order. He requires me to deliver a speech in the name of the Cabinet at the plenary session of the Diet next week, advocating for the repeal of the Large Retailers Law. He wants me to stand up and withstand the anger of millions of grassroots retailers across the country."

"The Ministry of Finance's 'Total Volume Regulation' has already drawn widespread public discontent. If this bill is pushed through now, the cabinet's approval rating will plummet to single digits in an instant."

He looked at Satsuki with expectant eyes.

"I earnestly request the Saionji family to utilize their influence in the political and business spheres to block the passage of this bill before next week's parliamentary vote. If we can maintain the cabinet's approval rating, the cabinet will certainly provide the Saionji Group with the highest priority in various policies in the future."

The air in the tea room quieted down after Kaibe's plea.

Occasionally, the charcoal fire in the stove would emit a very faint crackling sound.

Satsuki quietly looked at Kaibu.

She reached out her right hand, picked up the teacup in front of her, and took a small sip.

"Why should we stop it?"

Kaibu was stunned.

All the political bargaining chips he had prepared were stuck in his throat. He stared wide-eyed at the seated young woman before him, his mind momentarily blank.

"Huh?" Kaibu's voice trembled. "But... if the bill passes, large foreign chain capital will flood in... and what about those domestic retailers..."

"Your Excellency Prime Minister, you seem to be setting your sights too low."

Satsuki said casually.

"The Ministry of Finance recently issued the 'Total Regulations,' which cut off banks' lending to real estate. Do you know what this means at the micro level?"

"Dairei and Seibu have a massive amount of high-premium land. In the past, they could rely on continuous mortgage loans to maintain expansion and debt turnover. Now that the floodgates have been opened, in order to repay the exorbitant interest that is about to mature at the banks, they must drain all the cash that all their retail stores earn every day to fill that bottomless debt black hole."

"This means they will completely lose the financial resources to open new stores, upgrade their supply chain, or even engage in price wars."

"The entire traditional retail landscape in Japan is in a period of extreme weakness, being held back by huge debts and completely defenseless."

"In the past two years, Saionji Group's S-Mart and Uniqlo have stockpiled a large amount of cheap and high-quality inventory across the country. We also have ample cash flow and a private logistics network that runs directly from Hokkaido to the Kanto region."

"The only obstacle preventing us from expanding into all cities across the country is the 'Large Store Law,' which aims to protect local small businesses and limit the operating area and hours of large stores."

Kaibu shuddered, a bone-chilling cold shooting from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

He finally understood.

Yes, the repeal of the Large Stores Law is also beneficial to the Saionji family! Only in this way can their large chain supermarkets be spread throughout the country.

As for those small businesses that will be squeezed out by the Saionji family and foreign capital, who cares?

This is simply a necessary step to improve capital efficiency.

"Ichiro Osawa was willing to become the mad dog that broke down the barriers in order to fawn over the Americans."

Satsuki stared directly at Kaibu.

"Then let him bite."

"Since he's willing to bear the infamy of all of Japan, why should the Saionji family try to stop him?"

"We need this wall to fall."

The tea room fell into dead silence.

Only the sound of rain outside the window continued incessantly.

Kaibu bit his lower lip hard. Satsuki was absolutely right; this was indeed the correct and most profitable approach.

After a brief moment of despair, Kaibu took a deep breath.

He realized that he would still have to go to Congress next week, to withstand the scorn of millions of people across the country, and to be the scapegoat.

But since the Saionji family has already accepted Hirano's pledge of allegiance, this girl in front of him is definitely not just here to watch him be humiliated.

Since the other side accepted their surrender, they must have already made arrangements for the subsequent game.

"I see."

"Next week, I will stand on the parliamentary podium as scheduled to read that recommendation speech. I will bear the wrath of the nation for Ichiro Osawa, and for the Saionji family... I will tear down that wall completely."

He pressed his hands firmly on his knees, maintaining a respectful and humble posture, and slightly raised his eyelids to look up at Satsuki, who was sitting in front of the tea table.

"Ms. Saionji, after the bill passes... what role do you need me to play next?"

Satsuki quietly looked at Kaibu.

She picked up the pure copper kettle and poured another layer of warm tea into the untouched teacup in front of Kaibu.

"Your Excellency is a wise man. Political maneuvering can never be judged by short-term gains or losses."

Satsuki put down the teapot.

"The Saionji family has prepared a brand new script just for you."

Kaibu slowly raised his head, as if listening attentively.

"Next week, you will still have to go to Congress to read that speech and endure the temporary humiliation and insults from the members of Congress and the public."

"You must be patient until the repeal of the Large Stores Act is fully implemented."

"Once the bill passes, Ichiro Osawa will lose his value in Washington's efforts to consolidate power. He will become a useless pawn that can be discarded at any time, and whether the Americans keep their promises will depend entirely on their mood. By then, Mr. Hirano will have already obtained the evidence of treason from his safe."

"At that time, the Saionji family will immediately cut off all of the Osawa faction's media resources and all its remaining cash flow."

"And you."

Satsuki tapped her fingertips lightly on the rosewood table.

"As the current Prime Minister, you will personally take the evidence of Osawa's collusion with the US minister and his betrayal of the country's economic barriers, and directly order the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department to arrest Ichiro Osawa."

"Ichiro Osawa will be sent to prison as the source of all evil."

"You will go from being a scapegoat forced to take the blame to an ordinary hero who puts justice before family and eliminates a century-old traitor."

Satsuki's voice echoed in the quiet tea room.

"With this immense political prestige, you will inherit all the political legacy left by Osawa. Your base will be unbreakable."

Kaibu looked at the quiet girl sipping tea before him, and his Adam's apple bobbed with difficulty.

The dignity of a prime minister is placed on one side of a scale, while the lives of millions of low-level merchants are sacrificed to clear obstacles for the Saionji family's retail empire. On the other side of the scale lies a heroic script that allows him to sacrifice his own family and completely seize factional power.

He had spent most of his life navigating the political landscape, witnessing betrayals and infighting. Yet, the way he meticulously calculated national policies, the fate of his political enemies, and his own business empire still sent a thrilling shiver down his spine.

They used a brief period of humiliation to gain access to the vast political legacy left behind after the downfall of Daze.

This deal yielded an astonishing return.

Just as the flames of ambition in Kaibu's eyes were fully ignited.

Satsuki's tone suddenly turned cold.

"As long as you play this heroic role with peace of mind, the Saionji family will fully guarantee your governing funds and political resources. The Saionji family will never discard obedient pawns at will, like Ichiro Osawa did."

Satsuki stretched out her slender fingers, grasped the rim of the teacup, and turned it extremely slowly, half a circle.

"But there's a premise."

Her gaze was like a tangible blade, fixed intently on Kaibu's face.

"After the matter is accomplished, you must not harbor any other improper thoughts."

"otherwise……"

She didn't finish her sentence.

But the oppressive feeling, as if the air itself had been instantly sucked away, made Kaibu feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.

The nascent political instinct for bargaining that had just ignited within him was utterly crushed in that instant.

If it's a betrayal.

Ichiro Osawa's fate today will be his end tomorrow.

He solemnly lowered his head.

He stretched out his hands and stiffly picked up the slightly cooled cup of tea in front of him.

"Kaibe... will remember this forever."

He tilted his head back and drank the slightly bitter tea in his cup in one gulp.

Hirano followed suit, picking up his teacup and drinking it all in one gulp.

The two stood up and bowed deeply to Shuichi, who was in the main seat, and Satsuki, who was in the side seat, with utmost respect.

Then, the two turned around and left the tea room with slightly heavy steps.

The butler slowly pulled the camphor tree door shut from the outside.

The wooden planks rub against each other in the slide.

"Smack."

The door closed completely behind the two of them.

Deep in the courtyard, the wind and rain have not yet ceased.