Aside from the rations distributed by the governnt, people had to buy everything else from the black market. The official market had collapsed, and the black market flourished.
For black market rchants, Japan was a paradise.
The entire black market was controlled by gangs, and it was like a return to the jungle, where the law of the strongest prevailed.
Fights broke out every day.
Especially in the Shinjuku black market.
...
The boss here was nad Ken Otsu, and he had gathered over a hundred n under his command, controlling the Shinjuku black market. His crew also operated an underground casino and controlled a group of won.
During this ti, it was hard enough for n to survive, let alone won. Many won lacked the ans to support themselves and turned to prostitution. There were far more streetwalkers now than before World War II, and even respectable won, including mothers, were turning to such work to support their families.
Eikichi Onizuka arrived in Shinjuku with a group of about a dozen n, asking around for Ken Otsu’s whereabouts. Otsu’s underlings quickly surrounded them, eyeing Onizuka suspiciously. "What business do you have with our boss?" one of them snapped.
"Just tell him this, the person supplying goods to the black market has changed. From now on, we’ll be handling the supply. If he wants to continue doing business, he should co see ," Onizuka replied calmly.
After delivering his ssage, Onizuka and his n sat down at a nearby drink stall, where he ordered a Coke with ice and started drinking. His underlings, though unsure of the situation, were awed by his confidence. They rushed to report the ssage to Ken Otsu, who frowned as he listened.
"The supplier has changed? What’s going on?"
After so thought, Otsu decided to et this man. When he arrived at the drink stall and saw Onizuka, Otsu asked in a low voice, "Who are you? And what do you an the supplier has changed?"
Onizuka glanced around at the chaotic black market. "You want to talk here?"
"Fine. Follow ."
They walked to the riverbank, where Onizuka explained, "You may not know this, but the Arican supplier has been arrested, and your supply channel is now cut off. From now on, we’ll be the ones supplying the black market in Japan. The question is, do you still want to be in this business?"
Ken Otsu, confused, looked at Onizuka. "You work for the Aricans?"
"Of course."
"But I’ve heard the original supplier had ties to General MacArthur. How could he have been arrested?"
Onizuka smiled slightly. "Haven’t you read the news? MacArthur is no longer in charge of Japan’s economy. I can also tell you that the man who was arrested—the one supplying the black market—was none other than MacArthur’s cousin."
Ken Otsu was shocked.
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He wasn’t stupid.
He imdiately realized that this must be a power struggle between powerful figures. The man in front of him, Onizuka, was likely working for Hardy, the economic envoy, since the newspapers had reported that Hardy was now in charge of Japan’s economic and cultural affairs.
"What are your terms, Mr. Onizuka?" Otsu’s tone beca noticeably more respectful.
"It’s simple. We’ve ford an organization called the Straw Hat Society, designed to help everyone make money together. We’re inviting you to join. You’ll continue running Shinjuku as before, but my boss says we’ll be able to provide even more goods, aning more profits for everyone."
Otsu understood.
This was about absorbing his operation, making him their subordinate.
"And if I refuse?" Otsu asked.
Onizuka’s lips curled into a smile. "If you refuse, you won’t get any supplies, and there are two possible outcos: either this market disappears, or your own n will take you out because you can no longer lead them to profit."
Otsu’s heart skipped a beat.
Onizuka was right. If they really controlled the supply chain and had powerful backing, he wouldn’t be able to do this business anymore. In fact, he might not be able to do any business at all. His n followed him to make money, and if he couldn’t provide that, they would abandon him, or worse, kill him and join the Straw Hat Society to seek their own fortunes.
"Mr. Onizuka, I’m willing to join," Otsu said, making the smartest decision.
"Good. Let’s go talk to the other market bosses in Tokyo."
The next stop was Shibuya, where the local boss, Hiroshi Kawashita, gathered all his n when Onizuka and Otsu arrived. After Onizuka explained their purpose, Kawashita scoffed, "How do I know you’re not lying? I’ve been in this business for years, and you think you can just co in and take over?"
"Even if what you say is true, I have no interest in joining your so-called Straw Hat Society. I’m used to being free. Why should I let you control ?"
When Onizuka heard Kawashita call their organization a "so-called Straw Hat Society," he was instantly enraged. "How dare you speak so disrespectfully? Are you declaring yourself our enemy?"
"And if I am?" Kawashita retorted defiantly.
"Bang! Bang bang bang!"
Without another word, Onizuka pulled out his gun and shot Kawashita several tis. Kawashita collapsed in a pool of blood, staring at Onizuka in disbelief. He never imagined that the man would kill him in broad daylight, in front of everyone.
Kawashita’s n, seeing their leader killed, erupted in chaos. So drew knives, ready to fight, but Onizuka’s n swiftly pulled out their own guns. With a dozen pistols pointed at them, Kawashita’s n were instantly subdued.
Otsu thought to himself, If I hadn’t agreed earlier, I’d probably be the one lying dead right now.
This Onizuka had no hesitation about killing. It was clear that he had powerful backing, which gave him the confidence to act without fear.
"Who’s in charge now?" Onizuka asked, looking at Kawashita’s forr underlings.
Their gazes eventually settled on one man. He was in his twenties, sowhat handso, with narrow, calculating eyes that hinted at ambition.
"I’m Junichiro Akita, the vice-leader," the young man said.
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