"TOEI COMPANY PRESENTS" "The yakuza battles in Hiroshima that began during the black-market period following the end ofWorld War II in 1945 grew into all-out gang warfare in the summerof 1963," "resulting in 1 7 dead, 26 seriously wounded, and more than 1,600 arrests." "This third round of gangland violence brought a tremendous outcry from the public, and a police crackdown finally began to take hold in 1964." "The Uchimoto family disbanded," "SHOZO HIRONO HEAD OF HIRONO FAMILY IN KURE and its leading underboss, Shozo Hirono, was sentenced to seven years in Abashiri prison." "Meanwhile, in the opposing Yamamori camp," "Chief Underboss Akira Takeda was released on a technicality, and he called on families around the Hiroshima region to unite, shed the image of gangsters, and drastically alter the nature oftheirorganizations by reconstituting themselves as a political body, the Tensei Coalition." "In spite ofits new political status, however, this body, too, became the cause offurther bloodshed." "BATTLES WITHOUT HONORAND HUMANITY FINAL EPISODE" "AUGUST 6, 1965 --ANNIVERSARY OF THE DROPPING OF THE ATOMIC BOMB 2ND CHAIRMAN OF TENSEI COALITION AKIRATAKEDA Tensei Coalition Platform.:" "We resolve to work toward a more perfect republic," "VICE CHAIRMAN KATSUTOSHI OTOMO founded on the principles of democracy, and fostering a spirit of patriotism." "MANAGING DIRECTOR TAMOTSU MATSUMURA We respect the code ofhonor," "SECRETARY-GENERAL HIDEO HAYAKAWA and followthe traditions of chivalry." "We dedicate ourselves to righting injustice." "TENSEI DIRECTORSHOICHI EDA We actwith the knowledge that the judgment ofheaven is stern," "OTOMO FAMILYCAPTAIN TOYOAKI MANO and we seek to contribute to the growth of a benevolentstate." "Original Story by KOICHI IIBOSHI" "Screenplay by KOJI TAKADA" "Cinematography by SADAJI YOSHIDA" "Music by TOSHIAKI TSUSHIMA" "Cast:" "BUNTASUGAWARA" "KINYA KITAOJI" "HIROKI MATSUKATA" "KUNIE TANAKA NOBUO KANEKO,JO SHISHIDO" "AKIRA KOBAYASHI" "Directed by KINJI FUKASAKU" "Welcome." "What's with those getups?" "You been atsome grade-school field day?" " Didn'tyou hear?" "We were on a march with Tensei." "That's good of you." "It's only to give the big shots some exposure." "The chairman probablywants to run forthe prefectural assembly." "Hey, look who's here." "Who are they?" "Some of Hirono's men." "Having yourselves a good time, I see, while your boss is off in Abashiri eating prison swill!" "Whoa, did I hita sore spot?" "Hurry up with the beer!" "What do we owe you?" "That's Y2,000." "You leaving?" "Thanks." "You asking fortrouble?" "You should place itmore carefully!" "Watch yourmouth, asshole!" "Hurry!" "Go get Mr. Matsumura!" "Please stop!" "Break it up!" "I said break it up!" "Doesn't look too bad." "Help him up." "I suggest you be a little more careful." "It's a bittoo soon foryou guys to be fooling around in Hiroshima." "Sorry aboutthe mess." "I'll take care ofthe damage." "Didn'tanybody listen to the new coalition rules?" "If you ask me, the fucks who started this fight should all be ordered to cutoff a finger." "We may have a fancy new name, butourtroops are a bunch of riffraff." "You gotta chop off an arm ortwo if you want discipline!" "I agree.We've got to clamp down hard." "Young recruits these days are a bunch of softies." "Where do you stand on this, Chairman?" "Matsumura's in charge oftroop discipline." "I'm against punishments like cutting offfingers or arms." "We formed the Tensei Coalition to distance ourselves from the yakuza image." "I think we need to avoid practices identified with yakuza." "Thatstands to reason." "I agree 100 percent." "How aboutwe leave this matterto Matsumura?" "Notso fast!" "You wanna turn 'em into spineless wimps?" "How aboutwe take a vote?" "All right.Those in favor of leaving itto Matsumura." "Hear, hear." "That's exactly half, and I'll add my vote." "Matsumura, let us knowwhatyou decide before the day is out." "Next item on the agenda." "HEAD OF ICHIOKA FAMILY IN KURE TERUKICHI ICHIOKA" "HIRONO  CO." "HIRONO FAMILYCAPTAIN ATSUSHI UJIIE" "Welcome, Boss Ichioka." "Come on in." "Hey, pop a couple beers." "Ujiie." "I hear some of youryoung men got diced up by Matsumura's men." "I told them to stay outof Hiroshima, butsome just don't listen." "Is thatanyway to hold the fort while your boss is away?" "Why didn'tyou hit'em right back?" "The faultwas ours." "Who gives a fuck whose fault itwas?" "You hearTensei, and suddenly you're all chicken shit." "Where's your balls?" "Perhaps you're notaware of our situation, because you just gotoutofthe joint." "If you're so afraid oftangling with Tensei because they might bustyou up, why not just go bowing and scraping and ask them to take you in?" "We have to be careful until the boss gets out." "Fucking wimps!" "Your boss is weeping in Abashiri." "Look... a strong offense is your best defense." "It's payback time." "Justwatch." "I'll lightthe fires foryou!" "So don't be chicken shits!" "If any ofthose Tensei assholes come to Kure, give 'em whatthey deserve!" "The same old Ichioka." "I hear some people say that's the way a gangster oughtto be." "He acts like everything's the same as ten years ago." "Fuck thatshit!" "MAY 23, 1966 TAKEYA DISTRICT, HIROSHIMA" "Sugita!" "MAY 23, 1966,TENSEI COALITION ASSOCIATE SAKICHI SUGITA DIED" "Tensei associate Sakichi Sugita had run an underground loan operation." "He had served as financial advisor to Tensei president Takeda and had been an importantsource offunds." " My condolences." "Thank you." "Please come with me." "Ichioka must be behind this." "He's said all along he'd pick a fightwith Tensei." "Better hold yourtongue, Otomo, until we really know." "If you sitaround doing nothing, it'll be yourturn next." "Ichioka's notone to hold back." "We've gotta go after him before he comes after us." "FORMER HEAD OF YAMAMORI FAMILY YOSHIO YAMAMORI" "Geta load ofthatass." "Is thatthe widowed daughter Tamotsu's making itwith?" "That's right." "Her husband died in a carwreck soon afterthey gotmarried." "She's been handling the books for Sugita Enterprises ever since." "A real looker, isn'tshe?" "She's a fine,fine..." "You're drooling, boss." "Am I?" "Betterwatch out." "Everything's setfortomorrow." "I really appreciate allyour help." "I know howworn outyou must be." "Just leave everything to us." "That's whatthe chairman said,too." "What do you think,Tamotsu?" "Was it really Ichioka?" "It's hard to say yet, butone ofthe witnesses did say he recognized Ichioka's thugs." "I see." "Chief." "I thought I might be early, but I came to offer up some incense." "You must be his daughter." "I'd like to offermy condolences." "Please don't lose heart." "Thank you formaking time in your busy schedule." "Please come in." "Thanks." "SHOZO HIRONO TERUKICHI ICHIOKA" "Ichioka!" "You've gotsome nerve coming here!" "Cough it up!" "You ordered the hit, didn'tyou?" "Mr. Otomo!" "I know itwas you!" "Itcouldn't be anyone else!" "Careful, Otomo!" "I suggestyou watch yourtongue!" "Calm down, boss!" "You wanna fight?" "Ifthat's whatyou want,justsay so." " I'm ready foryou anytime!" "That does it!" "Settle down!" "Ichioka... you've had your chance to offer incense." "Now getoutof here." "You know, Mr.Takeda, with crazies like him running around," "I'd say your coalition's days are numbered." "Boss!" "Hold him!" " No, boss!" "Don't!" " Let go of me!" "You take me for a fool?" "Don'tyou knowwho I am?" "I've been slicing and dicing on the streets since you were knee-high!" "Putthe fucking bullets back in and give itto me!" "I'll teach you!" " Did you getenough?" "You..." "Take iteasy, Mr. Otomo!" "That's enough!" "Apologize!" "Mr. Otomo, please accept his apology." "Look,Takeda,those bastards came here to pick a fight!" "You want us to justsitaround jacking off?" "." "This is no time to be getting into fights." "As vice chairman,you need to stop and think before you go off half-cocked." "It's only been two years since we formed this coalition, and we've finally started to alter public perception." "Justone bulletcould send all that down the drain!" "So you finally showyourtrue colors." "Verywell." "I'll take on Ichioka by myself!" "." "I'll showyou how a realyakuza defends his pride!" "Ah,whatstirring valor!" "You're truly a man among men!" "Today's youngsters should take a page from your book." "A paragon of yakuza chivalry." "Letme make one thing clear." "If anybody here responds to Ichioka's provocations, he's finished with Tensei." "Keep that in mind." "InJune 1966, the Hiroshima police and district attorney's office made note of the rising discord within Tensei and took out a warrant to search the group's offices on suspicion ofillegal gun trafficking." "Fearing the outbreak of a fourth bloody gangland feud, the police determined to break up the Tensei Coalition by arresting Takeda and the group's other leaders." "Found 'em!" "TENSEI OFFICES SEARCHED 24 HANDGUNS FOUND" "All right!" "What's the matter, honey?" "Have you gone nuts?" "They're putting the screws on Takeda." "This says it's only a matter oftime before he's arrested." "Thatmeans I can get the chairmanship back!" "I getto be Hiroshima's big boss again!" "Then willyou buy me an Omega watch?" "Of course I will." "Come here, Mitsuko." "Damn it!" "Be more careful!" "Whaddaya think you're doing?" "Boss, Mr. Hayakawa is here." "It's time to get going, Otomo." "Hurry up and get ready." "I'm not going." "Just looking atthat horse's ass makes me sick." "I'll send Mano instead." "That's nota good idea." "You don'twantto miss this emergency meeting." "Takeda intends to name his successor." "What?" "Ifthe cops grab Takeda, we'll need an acting chairman." "Takeda wants to name Matsumura, but it's so sudden, he hasn't had time to firm up support." "Look, Otomo.This is your chance to become king ofthe hill." "I called this meeting today because nowthat I've been chairman for a year," "I think it's time we decide who'll be next in line." "And to make sure we don't have disagreements later overwhatwe decide today," "I've asked Mr. Okubo and Mr. Kono to join us." "Gentlemen... after considering the matter carefully," "I'm recommending Managing DirectorTamotsu Matsumura, as the nextchairman ofTensei." "I'd like to move directly to a vote." "Hold on, Mr. Chairman." "I object." "Both for his stature and the respect he commands," "I think Vice Chairman Otomo is the bestcandidate." "I know Mr. Otomo would normally be the logical choice." "Butthe thing is, he brings a lotof baggage with him from before." "Ifwe considerwhatthe public and the police will think," "I don'tthink he's the bestman to represent us publicly." "This wasn'tan easy decision forme, but I hope you'll all understand why I decided as I did." "Don'tyou think Matsumura's awfully young forthis?" "If you ask me," "Matsumura's the perfectchoice." "Takeda's notsaying we should make Matsumura chairman rightaway." "He's only going to be chairman-elect." "Unlike the restof us, Matsumura is a child ofthe times." "He's the man who can lead our coalition into the future." "For his age, he's shown himself to be of very sound character, and ifwe all rally around him, he'll do a fine job of leading us." "Verywell said, sir." "When you put itthatway," "I'd have to say Matsumura has mywholehearted support." "How aboutwe take a vote?" "Our choice is between Mr. Otomo and Matsumura." "All right,we'll take a vote." "Those in favor of Matsumura, raise your hands." "It had all been scripted in advance by Takeda and Okubo." "Takeda was determined to build Tensei into a new kind ofyakuza organization." "By naming his trusted confidant Matsumura as his successor, he had successfully weathered this challenge to his vision." "Come on, Matsumura." "Shake the chairman's hand." "Don't justsitthere." "Listen, everyone." "If anything should happen to me," "I wantyou to rally behind Matsumura and keep building the coalition." "We've only barely firmed up ourfoundation, and we're in heavy debt both to ourmembers and to society." "I'll be leaving Matsumura with a tremendous burden." "Matsumura, it's not going to be easy, but I'm counting on you." "Gentlemen, I look forward to your support." "Whata charade!" "Thatsame night, Takeda was taken into custody on charges of smuggling and illegal possession ofhandguns." "What's going to happen to the Tensei Coalition now?" "When willyou announce your retirement?" "I don't intend to retire, norwill I disband Tensei." "So you're passing the reins to a successor?" "I didn'tsay that." "Who's going to be chairman?" "The police claim Tensei is a yakuza group." "What do you say to that?" "Tensei is nota yakuza group." "It's a political coalition." "Rememberthat,Tamotsu." "I'm counting on you." "All right." "I'll take care of it rightaway." "Whatthe hell's going on with these people?" "The minute Takeda gets nabbed, they all go softon us." "Those assholes Otomo and Hayakawa are stirring them up, spreading mud and vicious lies." "They're driving me crazy!" "Same here." "Kuwa in Tokuyama called, wondering ifthis might be a good time to quitthe coalition!" "Fucking idiot!" "Tamotsu, we need to do something pretty quick, orthe coalition's gonna start falling apart." "We could lose everything we've been working for." "Chief." "Sorry to take so long." "It's good of you to come." "Well, if it isn't Miss Sugita." "I was so grateful for everybody's help atthe services." "We all admire howyou stepped right into yourfather's shoes and carried on the business." "I've divided these up." "Securities, liabilities, and these are bond certificates and pledges." "What's all this stuff?" "." "Financial documents Chairman Takeda had entrusted to Mr. Sugita." "All his assets, essentially." "But he said he had nothing but debts." "Don'tforgetwhat he always said:" "You borrow in orderto distribute favors." "I see." "So the big man had figured on thatfrom the start?" "He really doesn'tmiss a beat." "This looks like a listof gambling loans." "My name's notthere, is it?" "Man, I'm breaking out in a cold sweat." "It's time for a showdown." "Eda,Tsuneoka, I'll need your help too." "Doing what?" "Making money talk." "We'll rake this money together and slap 'em all in the face with it." "Slap who in the face?" "I'm not under any illusions." "I knowtoo well that I'll have to struggle for control ofthe coalition." "That's why I said it's time for a showdown." "Justyou watch." "You should go have a soak,too." "I already did." "I heard... it reallywas some Ichioka men that did it... that killed my father." "I hearthey got picked up in Osaka." "That's what I heard,too." "I suppose Ichioka himself will still getoff scot-free." "Let's go to bed." "Tamotsu," "I'm thinking of giving up the business." "Whywould you do that?" "I've been thinking aboutmy father." "He didn't particularly like being a yakuza banker." "Then, after doing your people's bidding all those years, he gets snuffed out like some insect." "Of course,you'll say itwasn'tyourfault, but Ijust don't have it in me to work foryou anymore." "I can't have you quit now." "I need your help nowmore than ever." "So I don'twantto hear any more talk like that, okay?" "I've even been thinking we should getmarried,you know." "You neverthink... of anyone butyourself, do you?" "Please!" "Don'tmake me stay tonight." "Listen to me.You may think I'm not doing right by yourfather, buteven if it had been my own father," "I couldn't justflip out and gun the bastards down." "Don't!" "Just be patient." "When the time comes, I'll avenge yourfather." "All right?" "Please come again." "Whatthe hell's going on?" "Whatthe fuck?" "It's Kanazawa!" "Bro!" "I've got Kanazawa, from the Otomo family." "Tie him up!" "Chief!" "." "We've got'em both, chief!" "." "Chief!" ".Are you hurt?" "You were fucking napping on the job!" "Sorry, chief!" "." "They're Otomo men." "Whatshould we do with them?" "With all the ruckus, the cops should be here any minute." "Just dump 'em outfront." "It's amazing how hard it is to hitsomething with a bullet." "ABASHIRI PRISON, HOKKAIDO" "Shozo Hirono was in the final year ofhis seven-yearsentence." "In a prison memoir, he wrote up a candid account ofthe events that had brought him there, and he closed with the following, addressed to no one in particular.:" """When foolish men stand at the top, the men underthem suffer and shed blood needlessly."" "Hirono, did you say you were having stomach trouble?" "I'll take you to the infirmary." "You have a visitor." "Bro!" "Ichioka!" "How long you been out?" "Aboutsix months." "I wanted to come rightaway, but ittook some time." "You're looking well." "I'm managing." "So, how is everyone?" "Pretty much the same." "So long as I'm there, I'll make sure everyone's taken care of, so don'tworry aboutthat." "Yeah,thanks." "I don't have much time, so I'll get rightto the point." "Acouple of Otomo's men turned their guns on Matsumura." "Matsumura escaped unharmed, but it's really shaken up the coalition." "Otomo's being investigated for inciting murder, but he'll be outon bail soon." "Atany rate, the group's splitclean in two, and Hiroshima's gota war on its hands." "This is your big chance to take Hiroshima foryourself." "I'll lay the groundwork between now and when you getout, so you can be looking forward to a jolly good time." "What?" "Something wrong?" "I was just remembering the past." "It's kind of depressing to think of other guys having to go through" "what I've been through." "Don't give me that, bro." "We've got plenty of young recruits just itching for a fight." "We're not gonna come up short on ammunition." "They have no idea what ittakes to clean things up after a fight." "Those of us who do need to letthem know." "That doesn'tsound very much like you, bro." "I think you've caught the big-house sickness." "Time's up." "Well, I'll be going." "Look, Ichioka." "Don'tworry, bro." "A little outside air and you'll getyour old self back." "Don'tworry abouta thing." "Don'tworry." "In the fall of 1968," "Otomo was released on bail." "Despite everything, acting Tensei chairman Matsumura, allowed him to return as vice chairman ofthe coalition." "There was widespread derision of Matsumura's weak-kneed decision, and the Otomo faction grew cockierthan ever." "There it is." "Pull over." "It's their grand opening today." "They invited us, and especiallywanted you to come." "Whose place is it?" "You'll see in a minute." "Welcome." "My name's Hayakawa." "He's waiting foryou in back." "Aren'tyou an eyeful." "Rightthis way, please." "Welcome, Mr. Otomo." "Come righton in." "Hayakawa,whatthe hell's this about?" "Now, now, I'm sorry I keptyou in the dark, but Mr. Ichioka insisted on seeing you." "I'm leaving." "Wait!" "Excuse me, butthe boss has a bad liver." "The doctor's told him notto drink." "We have to go." "He's gotsomething important to discuss with you." "Thirty minutes is all it'll take." "Please sit down." "Please.You must." "Why should I listen to anything this asshole has to say?" "Don't getso hot underthe collar, Mr. Otomo." "We can fightanytime we want, butwe don'toften getto share a drink." "This could even be ourfirstand lasttime." "Let go." "You think you're so smart." "All right." "I'll drink with you." "Come righton in." "Yo!" "Ichioka!" "I've gota score to settle with you." "Thatwobbly-kneed Takeda punk stopped me, butyou escaped me killing you by the skin of yourteeth!" "You realize that?" " Right, I owe you one." "And Mr. Otomo," "I'd like to repay that debt now." "I suggestyou choose yourwords carefully." "I think no more of killing a man than yanking a rotten tooth." "That's exactlywhy," "I thought I'd putmy life in your hands." "Mr. Ichioka is saying he wants to exchange vows of brotherhood with you." "The fuck!" "Look, Mr. Otomo." "I have great respectforyou." "Hiroshima's crawling with yakuza, butonly a handful are the real thing." "I'd be happy to become brothers with you." "Bro, Mr. Ichioka's a resolute man just like yourself." "Why don'tyou take him up on this?" "Hayakawa!" "Did you and Ichioka cook up this scheme together?" "I see rightthrough you!" "Itmust be your imagination." "The fuck it is!" "Whatyou two reallywant is to pick a fightwith Matsumura." "If you want a marriage of convenience, then why not justsay so?" "You gotme there." "Mr. Otomo... even if it is a marriage of convenience," "I don't imagine you have any objection to taking Matsumura down." "Ifthis marriage can benefit us both, why not go along with it?" "Fine, Ichioka." "Butaren'tyou taking the vows of brotherhood too fucking lightly?" "Even cow shit has different grades,you know." "Are you saying you and I are equals?" "Don't insultme!" "The following day, Otomo and Ichioka exchanged vows ofbrotherhood." "All who heard ofthe match doubted theirears." "Justa moment, please." "Boss." "This time it's Matsumura himself." "Perhaps you should take the call." "Pesky bugger." "Why should he care who I exchange vows with?" "Tell him if he doesn't like it, he can justexpel me." " But, boss..." " Do it!" "It'd be a mistake to underestimate Matsumura." "He's been keeping itcool lately, but he used to be a real fireball." "When did you fucking become Matsumura's whore?" "Let go of me!" "If you're so smitten with Matsumura, go swear loyalty to him!" "Sorry to keep you waiting, butthe boss is a bit underthe weather right now." "He says he'll stop by headquarters when he's better." "All right." "Then maybe you can come instead." "8:00 p.m. atTomi's Sushi." "You know, Mr. Makihara, you really gotoutata good time." "We've gota viper and a python poised to strike together," "HEAD OF MAKIHARA FAMILY IN KURE MASAKICHI MAKIHARA (NEWLY PAROLED) so we've gotto strengthen our guard." "It's a real reliefto have you back." "We're counting on you." "Good-bye." "Sorry to keep you waiting." "I think I better be going." "I have several more stops to make." "Mr. Makihara," "I'll be very grateful foryour help." "Don'tmention it." "Mr. Makihara,we'll be throwing a big welcome-home party foryou soon." "Very kind of you." " Lots of sexy broads." "See him to the door." "Tamotsu... that Makihara bastard's always looking forthe best deal." "We can'ttrust him." "I'll puta tail on him." "Thatshitface Eda has turned himself completely into Matsumura's whore." "Spends all his time kissing Matsumura's ass." "There's plenty of guys hopping-mad about it, so one option would be to declare war." "But it'd be a shame to break up the coalition." "So we have a plan." "Atthe nextcouncil meeting," "I'm gonna make a motion for a vote of no confidence." "We'd like you to second it." "Once Mr. Otomo becomes chairman, we'll make you vice chairman." "And Takeda?" "Whatabout him?" "He's gottwo more years oftime to serve." "He's notan issue." "I'll think about it." "Hold on, Makihara!" "We've laid all our cards on the table." "We need an answer now." "Look, Mr. Otomo." "This is Kure's own Masakichi Makihara you're talking to, and I have a hard-earned reputation to uphold." "You think I'd sit idly by while that pimply-faced Matsumura plays high and mighty?" "Mano..." "I understand you're brothers with Kubota in Hayakawa's family." "I wantyou to tell him what Ijusttold you." "And I say it not justforyou and Kubota, butfor everyone." "I think a lotof our guys are chafing under Otomo and Hayakawa's ways." "For one thing, they're a whole different generation." "They just don'tthink the waywe do." "So spread the word,willyou?" "Here's something foryourtrouble." "Butthis is a lotof money!" "Justtake it." "If it's notenough, I'll getyou whateveryou need." "Tamotsu,justas I suspected." "That horse's ass Makihara wentto see Otomo and Hayakawa." "We've gotta move quick." "Thatsame night, Matsumura and Eda slipped quietly into Kure and paid Makihara a visit." "Holy shit!" "Tensei's Matsumura justwent into Makihara's office!" "Matsumura?" "That's them, all right." "Let's hit'em, bro." "Who's gotsome hardware?" " Bro!" "That's notworth shit,you dufus." "We need firepower." "There's thatshotgun back atthe office." " How abouta speargun, bro?" "Speargun?" "My brother-in-law has one." "It's got real power." "They live around the corner." "Good!" "Go get it!" "Go with him,Tadashi!" "Whatexactly is this?" "A homecoming gift." "Acontractforwork." "It gives you the rights to Kure Industries' scrap metal, and to supply labor for Muto Trucking." "They're both under contractto us forthe nexttwo years." "You just gotoutofthe joint and maybe wantto rest up, butthis would letyou start easing back into things." "It's a very generous gift, Mr. Makihara." "They're both first-rate companies." "You can probably expect Y2 mil a month." "So then, what is ityou wantme to do?" "Oh, no, it's nothing like that." "Maybe itsounds presumptuous, but I'd just like your support, working forthe good ofthe coalition." "That's all." "All right." "Whatthe hell keptyou?" "They could come outany minute!" "Pull this trigger and the spear shoots out." "You do it,Akio." "Comes a time when we all have to put iton the line forthe boss." "Right?" "I'll do it!" "Akio knows howto handle it!" "Be a man,Akio." "Here they come!" "Watch your back,Tamotsu." "Otomo's a crafty son-of-a-bitch." "Go!" "I said go!" "Yo,what's the matter?" "This is a speargun." "The fucking idiot shot himself in the foot!" "Chief!" "." "This is one of Hirono's dimwits!" "What?" "I think he was gunning for Matsumura." "On yourfeet!" "Who sentyou here with this speargun?" "Spit itout and we'll take you to a doctor!" "Who sentyou?" "Fucking bastards!" "Chief!" ".This punk's one of Hirono's men too!" "Want us to work him over?" "Nevermind." "Let'em go!" "Shitheads!" " Fucking assholes!" "Nexttime it'll be your lives!" "SEPTEMBER 15, 1969 NEAR NAGAREKAWA IN HIROSHIMA" "Several days later, Ichioka learned ofthe Matsumura-Makihara alliance." "He headed straight for Hiroshima to take back the initiative." "Scatter into the shops around here and have yourselves some fun." "Break outthe Napoleon!" "A bottle for each of us!" "Open up!" "Isn'tanybody home?" "Isn'tanybody home?" "Anybody!" "Mr. Otomo's here, boss." "Thanks for coming, bro." "Take a load off." "Welcome." "You're kicking up quite a ruckus, bro." "Howmany men you gotoutthere?" "50 or 60." "They're scattered all over, so I don't really know." "You really are a reckless fuck." "Are they packing heat?" "Nah,justthrowing theirweightaround." "They'll keep at ittill that candy-ass Matsumura comes outto fight." "If you hear anything, bro, I'm counting on you." "The problem is, Matsumura's away atthe moment." "Isn'tthatwhatyou said, Mano?" "I heard he wentto Osaka on business." "The fuck!" "Thatsure throws cold water on my party." "Guess yourtiming's a bitoff." "Bro!" "I feel like getting drunk all over." "Come on." "Suzue,you come too." "How aboutwe go to Mon Cheri?" "Nah, I know a place just up the street." "They're coming out." "Otomo's with them." "They're heading toward Yagenbori." "All right." "That's where Otomo's woman runs a club called Tazu." "Circle on ahead." "Be seeing ya, bro!" "Boss,you need to get in the car!" "Please get in the car!" "Get him home safely." "Thank you." "Thank you so much." "Please come again." "Take care." "Ichioka!" "Darling!" "Someone, help!" "Boss!" "Don't!" "Let go of me!" "SEPTEMBER 15, 1969 TERUKICHI ICHIOKA DIED The incidentwas more than ample warning to the anti-Matsumura faction." "Meanwhile, Otomo had determined to avenge Ichioka's death and asked for help from Hayakawa and Makihara, but neitherofthem responded." "Boss!" "I have a message from Chief Mano!" "What'd he say?" "Isn't he coming?" "Letme see that!" "Throw itaway." "Tear it up and throw itaway." "TO KATSUTOSHI OTOMO" "Otomo's own captain, Toyoaki Mano, had declared he could no longer support Otomo, and had gone over to the Matsumura side." "Don'ttry to resist!" "Let go of me!" "SEPTEMBER 16, 1969, KATSUTOSHI OTOMO ARRESTED--SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS" "Ichioka's death followed by Otomo's arrest dealt a fatal blow to the anti-Matsumura forces." "But the police also took Matsumura into custody and began an investigation into the recurring gangland killings." "Spill it, Matsumura." "You ordered the hit on Ichioka, didn'tyou?" "Don'tmake this harder than it has to be." "We've been watching,waiting foryou to showyourtrue colors." "No matter howyou deny it, we've gotyour number." "Fine!" "Sitthere like a rock if you want!" "We're fully prepared for a long siege!" "We'll bring you in as often as ittakes to make you come clean." "You callyourselves a political group and talk aboutcommunity service, butyakuza are yakuza, and murderers are murderers!" "Counton it, Matsumura." "I'm gonna have you hanged." "You and Tensei are going down together!" "Welcome back, Mr. Matsumura." "Come on, everyone." "Let's hear some banzais." "What're you standing way back here for?" "Come on!" "That day, Matsumura held an emergency council meeting and pushed through two explosive reforms." "He declared to the Hiroshima board of elections that the Tensei Coalition was renouncing its political status, and he demanded that all members ofthe coalition take newvows ofloyalty to himself." "As a result, the formercouncil members became underbosses, and theircaptains as well as all their henchmen all swore direct loyalty to Matsumura." "Predictably, these reforms metwith resistance, but the powers of persuasion of Matsumura's trusted aides, Eda and Mano, ultimately brought everybody into line." "The one exception was Hideo Hayakawa, who announced his withdrawal from the Tensei Coalition and appeared at police headquarters to formally declare his retirement and the disbanding ofhis family." "We hope you'll work with us now forthe bettermentof Hiroshima as a law-abiding member of our community." "I indeed look forward to working with you." "Thank you very much, chief." "Thank you all." "Law-abiding citizen, huh?" "Time to rewrite the chartagain." "We should be glad for every name we can erase." "Exceptthat it's all a charade." "We've received word that his underboss, Kubota, has formed a newfamily and applied forTensei membership." "On top ofthat, Kubota's assistant, Kaga, has exchanged vows of brotherhood with Mochizuki ofthe Shinpu Group." "Isn'tShinpu affiliated with the Akashi family?" "I thoughtAkashi and Tensei were sworn enemies." "That's right." "He's gotan exitstrategy come whatmay." "That's how Hayakawa likes to operate." "So it's still business as usual for him." "We'll have to be on ourtoes." "Justcome with us." "You'll be glad you did." "You got balls, don'tyou?" "Stop being a sissy!" "What's going on?" "We broughtyou some new recruits." "They say theywantto join the family." "Come here." "Step forward!" "Did you guys volunteerto join up?" "Stop shivering in your shoes and speak up." "They said ifwe didn't join, they'd pound us to pulp." "It's been a tough time forthe family lately, especially since Boss Ichioka got killed." "Makihara's punks have been swaggering around like they own Kure." "We figured we needed all the help we could get." "Chief!" "." "Idiots!" "You lamebrains aren'teven full members yetyourselves!" "Pull something like this again and I'll kick you outmyself!" "." "You fellas can go now." "Go home." "You guys need to keep a closer eye on your juniors." "Chief, we feel pretty much the same as those guys do." "What's that?" "The shape we're in now, how're we gonna face the boss when he gets back?" "Even a footsoldier has his pride." "Ifwe don'tstart standing up for ourselves, we'lljust be laughingstocks." "I understand howyou feel, but until Takeda gets out, we just have to waitand see." "The question is whatattitude Takeda takes toward our boss." "I won't be sitting still if I don't like what I see." "Meanwhile, concerns about Takeda's release from prison were roiling within the Tensei Coalition as well." "Doesn't it getyour goat,Tamotsu?" " Excuse me." "You shouldn't have, Mrs. Matsumura." "Please help yourself." "Think of allyou've done to strengthen the coalition." "If itwere me, I couldn't just hand the chairmanship back... noteven to Boss Takeda." "How about if you appoint Boss Kono as your successor before Takeda gets out?" "I don'tthink Takeda would objectto a choice like that." "Especially since you're de facto chairman already." "I'm ready to serve." "Tamotsu, we're all family here, so be candid with us." "When you had everybody renewtheirvows, wasn'tthatto shore up your position as chairman?" "Everybody's first loyalty now--including Takeda's brothers'--is to you." "Things'll get really strained ifTakeda comes back as chairman." "No,you have to keep that separate from this." "Thatwas when I'd been hauled in by the police and everybodywas feeling shaky, so I thought itwas necessary." "But in the end, the chairman is my boss." "Thatmeans everybody in Tensei is either his child or grandchild." "I've only been acting as chairman in his place, and I'm satisfied that I've done my duty to him." "When he comes back to us," "I plan to go back to being managing director like before, and I'd be grateful foryour support." "You know, dear," "I thoughtyou were a man who'd do whatever ittook to getwhat he wanted." "But itsounds like you're going back to being Mr.Takeda's gofer." "Are you sure... you wantto give up the chairmanship so easily?" "Enough of your jabbering!" "Stay outofthis!" "Takeda was released from prison inJune 1970." "With the men's personal ambitions on the verge of collision, the thorniest problem on the returning chairman's mind was howto prepare forthe impending release of Hirono three months later." "It's the Akashi family we need to worry about." "They're gonna take Hirono's release as a chance to return to Hiroshima." "That's what Mr. Kono in Fukuyama says, so it's reliable information." "Just kill him." "And we mightas well do it while he's still in Hokkaido." "The fucking bastard's a ticking time bomb." "No telling what damage he could do ifwe let him live." "Are you volunteering?" "Why should I have to be the one to do it?" "You and Hirono are both from Kure." "I'm sure he's been a thorn in your side." "I'm notthe only one here who's had bad blood with Hirono!" "The chairman goes withoutsaying, and for Matsumura there's the Ichioka thing." "And you've had your own problems, Eda." "Enough already, Makihara!" "Whaddaya mean by that?" "Mr. Chairman, I suggestwe send someone to inform Hirono of ourterms before he gets to Hiroshima." "And whatshould those terms be?" "Our real problem isn't Hirono." "It's the Akashi family." "So if he agrees to break off with Akashi and go straight, we can let him return to Hiroshima." "Otherwise,we can't guarantee his safety." "That's the way I see it." "And you think there's actually a chance he'd acceptthose terms?" "Whether he accepts them or not, that's where Tensei stands, so I don'tthink we should yield an inch." "Sounds to me like you're trying to pick a fight." "I don'tsee any other choice." "Matsumura... you served well in my stead while I was away." "But I need to ask you one thing here in frontofthe council." "What possessed you to renounce our coalition's political status?" "Have you forgotten why I formed this group?" "I haven'tforgotten." "I did it because I had no choice, forthe good ofthe coalition." "Afteryou left, the rank and file acted like they'd losttheir bearings, and others started stirring up trouble." "Whateverwe call ourselves, yakuza are yakuza!" "I decided the onlyway to keep discipline was through force." "That's why I made everybody pledge loyalty to me." "But I can't deny that I betrayed yourwishes." "So do whatyou wantwith me." "All right,you've had your say." "Forthe time being," "I'm going to reserve judgment on both you and the Hirono matter." "I know Hirono better than anyone else, and I'd like more time to consider." "One more thing." "Everything we've discussed today stays in this room." "Gotthat?" "But before the day was out, what transpired at the meeting had spread all over Hiroshima." "Good to see you, boss." "Welcome." "To what do we owe the pleasure?" "Boss Yamamori and I decided we should come give you a little prodding." "You know, Makihara, this is no time to be twiddling yourthumbs." "That Hirono punk's release date is justaround the corner." "If you don't hurry and secure your position, you could be in fortrouble." "I'm aware ofthat." "You don't know shit." "Boss..." "Look, Makihara." "This is your perfectchance to become top dog in Tensei." "Matsumura talks a good line, but his real aim is to use Hirono's return to dump Takeda." "And for his part," "Takeda's been thrown by how strong Matsumura grew in his absence and sees him as a real thorn in his side." "Tell him Matsumura wants to kill him, and they'll be ateach other's throats." "While they're tearing each other down, you naturally rise to the top." "You don't have any competition." "Whaddaya say, Makihara?" "Make yourmove!" "I'll back you up." "And I've got the Shinpu Group behind me." "We're nottalking some half-baked scheme here." "Hayakawa..." "I thoughtyou retired." "My men have shed their blood in this city." "We deserve something good from their sacrifice." "That's right." "Tensei's only going to get better." "Do it, Makihara!" "If itcomes to that, I'll getoutfrontmyself." "I've still got plenty of life left in me." "Meanwhile, in Kure, Hirono's impending release had injected Hirono's men with newvitality, and they skirmished repeatedly with Makihara's men." "Welcome home." "Listen, dear,Akio says he's willing to help outwith the store." "He has a driver's license, so I think he could be a big help." "He broughtthese as a gift." "He remembered howmuch you like Coke." " Have some, dear." " I don'twantany." "I'll set it here." "I think I'll have some." "Akio, you can stay tonight, can'tyou?" "It's a small house, butwe can always squeeze one more in." "Right, dear?" "Howmuch did you get?" "There must be Y50 or Y60 thousand." "Great!" "We can getan American .45." "You don'tsuppose my sister's family could have died, do you?" "They'll be fine." "Nobody dies from sleeping pills." "Geton!" "JULY7, 1970 NAKAAVENUE SHOPPING DISTRICT, KURE" "Welcome." "Justa minute, please." "What's the matter?" "Let's... do itsome othertime." "Please stop!" "Stop it!" "JULY7, 1970 MASAKICHI MAKIHARA DIED" "This incident only hardened the Tensei Executive Council's attitude toward Hirono, making things impossible for Takeda, who had hoped to find a peaceful resolution." "SAPPORO PRISON, HOKKAIDO" "Hirono had been transferred to Sapporo prison by this time and was secretly released ahead of schedule, in the early morning." "Only two ofhis own henchmen were permitted to meet him." "Meanwhile, some 50 Akashi family members waited in vain at the main gate." "They had been completely outfoxed by the prison authorities." "Having thus left Sapporo under heavy security," "Hirono spent three days resting in Tokyo." "Hirono." "Don'tworry." "I'm notcarrying." "Long time no see." "How'd you find me?" "Send a thiefto catch a thief." "Can we talk... in private?" "You guys wait here." "Makihara's funeral was justyesterday." "His wife was wailing so hard I didn't knowwhatto do." "Afterwards, we had a council meeting, and we reached an agreementaboutyou." "Here's the deal." "As far as Tensei is concerned, we can't letyou return to Hiroshima unless you formally retire." "If you choose to come, you're a marked man." "That's the way it is." "So... it's justas I'd heard." "What?" "I had a phone call from someone." "As I heard it," "Matsumura's been stirring things up atTensei, trying to persuade everyone you have to kill me atany cost." "You got itwrong." "That's not how itwas." "I mightfeel different if itwere anyone else, but I can'tsitstill while the man who killed Ichioka talks like that." "Ichioka was my only brother." "Who was it--this caller of yours?" "What does itmatter?" "I've had calls from all over-- everybody making a show of kindness." "It's a trap." "Whoever itwas wants you and Tamotsu to geteach other." "How aboutyou,Takeda?" "Doesn't it piss you offfor an upstart like Matsumura to getahead of you, taking advantage of your absence to take overyour defenses?" "Rumor has it he even planted poisoned needles in your chair." "I have faith in Tamotsu." "And meanwhile," "Matsumura mocks you and me behind our backs, saying we're overthe hill." "Let'em mock iftheywant." "Hirono... do me a favor and retire." "Otherwise you'll meet the same fate as Ichioka." "Fine!" "Come and getme if you can!" "I won'tfall as easily as Ichioka." "That's notwhat I'm talking about!" "If I retire,willyou retire too?" "Sure,you've gotyour little nestegg." "That's got nothing to do with it." "Itwas Makihara's death thatopened my eyes." "The punks who did him are two generations behind us." "Somehow, Ijustfinally gotfed up by itall." "I'm tired of all this ""kill or be killed" shit." "You knowwhat I mean?" "I don't believe you." "Out here in the real world, I don'teven trust green lights." "How can I know what's really in a man's heart?" "Hirono." "Atany rate, I'm not gonna retire." "Notthe way things are." "Ichioka said the outside airwould make me my old self, and maybe it has." "I'd like you to go now." "The next day, Hirono traveled to Matsuyama, on Shikoku Island, and soughtshelterwith Shuzo Mikawa ofthe Akashi family." "In Hiroshima, a rumorwent around about a joint Hirono-Akashi attack, sending the Tensei leaders into a frenzy." "Hydrofoil ferries traveled between Matsuyama and Hiroshima in underan hour." "Three days later, Matsumura crossed to Matsuyama without telling Takeda and visited the Dogo Hot Springs, where Hirono was resting." "It's been a long time, Mr. Hirono." "It's good to see you again." "What did you want to talk to me about?" "What kind of stunt is this?" "If you're here to talk, you've no use forthat." "I thoughtyou might need it..." "foryour reply." "Mr. Hirono..." "Chairman Takeda announced his retirementthis morning." "He wants me to succeed him." "Oh,yeah?" "So he finally retired?" "But I haven't decided yet whether I'll accept." "It depends on your reply." "Because if I can't prevail overyou," "I can'texpect to prevail over a whole city." "Whatare you trying to say?" "Stop beating around the bush!" "I've always thought the coalition doesn'tmean much unless it includes all the groups in Kure and Hiroshima." "If you start bringing in your Kobe friends like before, we'lljustwind up fighting a proxywar again." "Are you accusing me of something?" "You people are getting up in arms all by yourfucking selves." "Please hearme out!" "If you would retire," "I propose to have your Ujiie and my Oda swear loyalty as brothers and make Ujiie managing director ofTensei." "I'm hoping you'll be willing to acceptthose terms." "Is thatsupposed to be some kind of ultimatum?" "You can take itthatway if you like." "Haven'tyou forgotten something?" "What do you have to say about Ichioka?" "The men who did it are already doing time." "That's notwhat I'm asking!" "Your people killed Makihara too!" "There are two sides to every fight!" "If you think I'm the only one atfault here," "then take this gun and shootme." "You trying to send me back to the slammer in exchange foryourfucking life?" "Matsumura, you talk proudly aboutyour house ofTensei," "butyour kitchen's a fucking mess." "You've gotso many wanting to be in charge, you spend allyourtime squabbling among yourselves." "From what I've heard, there's no telling when even you might getshot in the back." "Thatwon't happen!" "Listen to me." "I can'tsend Ujiie into a snake pit like that." "If you want him, you'll have to clean up your kitchen first." "I'll give you my reply afterthat." "All right." "I'll come again aftermy installation ceremony." "I'll expectyour answerthen." "Matsumura's formal installation as chairman ofthe Tensei Coalition was scheduled forSeptember 20 at the Chofuro Restaurant." "Matsumura headed east along Route 2 on a tourof courtesy calls." "Matsumura's backer, Kono, personally took the wheel," "Kubota ofthe disbanded Hayakawa family rode shotgun, and Eda and Mano flanked Matsumura in the back seat." "They called on interested parties all along the route as they drove toward Osaka, unaware that they were followed by anothercar." "This carcarried four men, including Kaga ofthe former Hayakawa family, and Kondo and two others from the formerOtomo family." "All fourofthem were ofjunior brotherstatus to Mano and Kubota in Matsumura's car." "Theiraim, of course, was to kill Matsumura." "They set up ambushes twice along the way, but both times the Matsumura car altered its route due to traffic congestion and escaped harm." "Pull out." "AMAGASAKI CITY, HYOGO PREFECTURE" "Boss." "Long time no see, Kaga!" "Bro,we need someone to be our guide in Osaka." "Whatfor?" "We're gonna ice Matsumura." "He's coming to Osaka?" "He'll be here this evening to call on Sumida in Nishinari." "We have reliable information aboutthat, butthe streets around there are too tangled up for us." "All right." "I'm with you." "Thanks." "Hey." "Thatsounds like my kind offun." "MIYAJI SENNO,TRAVELING GANGSTER Mind if I come along?" "SEPTEMBER 18, 1970 NEAR IMAIKE STATION IN NISHINARI" "Here they come!" "Get in the car, Kaga!" " Letme have that!" "Hurry up!" "Get in the car!" "Wait up!" "Fucking shit!" "No,you idiot!" "Get back in!" "SEPTEMBER 18, 1970 TENSEI VICE CHAIRMAN EDA DIED" "Eda!" "Matsumura had switched seats with Eda to take a nap and escaped with his life." "The gunshotwound in his chest was quite serious, but after receiving first aid, he was rushed back to Hiroshima, togetherwith Eda's body." "Thermometer." "Before first light the following morning," "Matsumura was carried into the Kawabata Surgical Hospital, with Takeda and the other officers standing guard." "Meanwhile, some 200 men, mainly from the Shinpu Group, arrived to lift the spirits ofthe anti-Matsumura forces, led by Hayakawa." "Boss,there's another call from Hayakawa." "I told you to say I'm not here." "Why are you refusing to take his calls?" "This is the perfectchance to destroy Tensei." "I'll take it." "What's his problem?" "That's why he's trapped in this fucking backwater!" "He knows what he's doing." "One false move nowwith Hayakawa and we'll go the way ofthe Ichioka and Otomo families." "Matsumura remained in a coma fora full 24 hours with a temperature over 104." "Darling." "What day is today?" "The installation..." "The installation ceremony." "No, darling!" "Getoutmy crested kimono." "You mustn't!" "Chief!" "." "Getmy crested kimono!" "Darling!" "Kaoru, a yakuza's wife should know to stay the fuck out of her husband's business!" "No, darling!" "Whatthe hell do you think you're doing,Tamotsu?" "He insists he's going to the installation ceremony!" "Please stop him!" "Listen to me,Tamotsu." "If you die, everything goes down the drain." "Give yourselftime to recover and start over." "I'll back you." "You can start over." "Boss... if I letthis determe, Tensei will fall apart for good." "That's why today's ceremony has to go on." "I have to showthe bastards who did this to us, that I won't lie down and roll over." "Tamotsu... brace yourself." "Under pressure from the cops, Chofuro canceled our reservation." "And all the bosses we invited have been calling to say they can'tattend." "Boss... we'll have the ceremony with justour local people." "I don'tcare if it's in a cheap flophouse or even outside." "Please make the arrangements." "I beg you!" "And so the installment ceremony was moved to an inn frequented by traveling salesmen on the outskirts ofthe city." "Among the last-minute invitees were some who arrived wearing windbreakers and sandals." "Mr. Hirono is here." "Hirono." "Matsumura... could you find Ujiie a seat in your ceremony?" "Acorner is fine." "Itwould be an honor." "The honorwould be mine." "Looks like it's abouttime." "Afew hours ago," "Tamotsu was on the brink of death." "Neither of us could pull thatoff anymore." "Right?" "Takeda... you've gota good man there." "Are you being sarcastic?" "Notatall." "Atany rate, since our days are over," "how aboutwe have a drink sometime?" "I won't drink with you." "Why's that?" "I'd feel guilty for all those who died." "In that moment, both were struck by the same ominous thought.:" "The ceremony about to take place was merely a changing ofthe guard." "The flames ofbattle were sure to flare up again." "SEPTEMBER 25, 1970 NAKAAVENUE IN KURE" "Hey, bro!" "They're playing ""The She Gambler."" "Here." "Hey there, sweetheart." "Whaddaya see in her, anyway?" "Die, motherfucker!" "I'm gonna killyou!" "Akio... you walk strong and tall now," "and don't lose heartalong the way." "And try notto stray from the path... this time." "Hirono couldn't even remember the face ofthe young boy who'd been killed." "But on this day, he finally decided to retire." "A quartercentury had passed since he'd cast his lotwith the yakuza amidst the postwarturbulence." "With the passage oftime, one group begat another, and with each new group came new seeds of conflict." "Thus much young blood had been shed." "Will the bitter battles that arise from the strong preying upon the weak ever be banished from this earth?" "THE END"