11: The Setting Sun

“A man must be straightforward. If you want a thing, your intention should be made known. This is how the yakuza, the oldest of organizations, have survived for so long. Though we stand in defiance of law, the police, the politicians dare not challenge us. And why would they, when in their hearts they want to be us? When others are browbeaten, we walk with our heads held high. It is because we are true to ourselves and we make our intentions known. That fact is why people trust us and why we will never die.”

- First Oyabun of the Minowara-gumi, Kazuo Minowara

       In less than two months he would be ninety-two years old. The thought of it hung over him like an executioner’s axe.

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