Chapter 1171: Chapter 1171

The Iemoto’s scissors carefully snipped the branch of a bonsai tree sticking out ungainly. After removing that eyesore of a branch, the bonsai tree seemed to become a little more alive.

As a matter of fact, whenever the Iemoto’s wrinkled hands leisurely ‘caressed’ the bonsai tree, the more and more it seemed to come alive.

The Iemoto studied the completed bonsai tree with his trademark withdrawn eyes.

A man steadily but quickly entered the spacious garden before prostrating on the ground.

“Sir, I bring you the report from the front line! The first wave has successfully landed on the peninsula! The second and third waves are currently headed to the destination as well!”

The Iemoto didn’t respond, his attention seemingly still glued to his bonsai tree. It was as if he placed far greater importance on creating a perfectly organized bonsai than waging a war against Koreans.

The Iemoto quietly asked, “Can you see it?”

“I’m sorry?” The deliverer of the report, Sugiyama Shinya, asked back. His confused gaze quickly shifted over to the bonsai.

The tree that had received meticulous care and attention for a very long time looked remarkable even in a layman’s eyes.

The Iemoto asked again. “So? How is it?”

“It’s excellent, sir.”

This conversation didn’t seem the most appropriate during the war, but Sugiyama Shinya obediently went along with it.

The Iemoto always had a reason for doing and saying something.

Even actions that seemed meaningless on the surface had a reason for them when analyzed at a later stage. That only proved that ordinary people didn’t have the wisdom necessary to understand or outthink the Iemoto.

People said that China’s Three Kings were superhumans. And Kang Jin-Ho was creating a legend of his own back in South Korea. Even then, Sugiyama Shinya believed no one could rival the Iemoto.

What about one’s martial prowess, then? That was not as important, at least in Sugiyama Shinya’s opinion.

Strength was an absolute necessity for the one leading an organization. However, one only had to possess a certain level of strength. As long as one met that minimum requirement, there shouldn’t be a problem.

What a leader required wasn’t an all-conquering strength, but wisdom to predict the future events, plus outstanding leadership qualities. In that regard, the Iemoto was the perfect leader.

He knew how to prepare for the future. And he was also an expert at ruling over his fellow men.

Sugiyama Shinya couldn’t see anyone else occupying the Iemoto’s position.

The Iemoto unhurriedly asked, “Tell me, Sugiyama. Why do you think that is?”

“I... am not smart enough to understand your question, sir.”

“Why do you think it’s excellent?”

The Iemoto briefly looked at Sugiyama before turning his attention back to the bonsai tree.

“Sir, it’s because you have been looking after it.”

“No, that’s not the answer.”

The Iemoto carefully put the scissors down, then caressed the miniature tree’s leaves.

“Raising an organization and nurturing a bonsai aren’t all that different, Sugiyama.”

“Whether it’s an organization or a plant, you can’t expect it to heed your control. Pay it as much attention as you can and keep pruning all the disorganized branches as much as you want. However, the moment you look away, even for a brief second, things will grow and spread out chaotically. And just like that, the harmony you have carefully nurtured into existence is destroyed in one fell swoop.

“It doesn’t matter even if you have planted a top-quality seed. A tree won’t grow according to a man’s wishes.”

“That is indeed so, sir.”

“The same principle applies to an organization. You can devote your entire life to the management and nurturing of your organization. But it won’t always grow according to your vision. Create a set of rules, and you’ll inevitably find rule breakers. Set a course for your organization, and some will try to go against it.”

Sugiyama Shinya silently lowered his head.

“Sugiyama... Do you know what the most important aspect is in raising a bonsai?”

“It’s pruning of its branches,” said the Iemoto. His eyes grew cold and withdrawn just then. “When raising a tree, people will often say cutting off rotting branches is crucial.”

Sugiyama quietly nodded. Even he had heard that advice before.

“However, only those who don’t know the truth will spout such advice.”

Not only his eyes, but even the Iemoto’s voice had become icy now.

“Any fool can prune rotting branches. What truly matters is knowing how to prune branches that still seem healthy. To nurture a beautiful bonsai, you must know when to be decisive. Prune new buds before they can grow. Never hesitate to bring your scissors to a large branch with beautiful leaves if it harms the harmony you seek.

“Be bold. Decisive. Attentive. Prune what needs to be pruned and pay the utmost attention, and before long, you will have an excellent bonsai of your own.”

Sugiyama Shinya’s gaze shifted to the Iemoto’s bonsai. For sure, it seemed extraordinary to his eyes. The only way he could describe the tree was that it seemed like the perfect blend of harmony and beauty.

“Sugiyama Shinya,” the Iemoto quietly called out his subordinate’s name.

“Growing an organization is exactly the same. While others focused their energy on enlarging their power bases, I focused on the harmony of my faction. I removed those displaying great potential if they threatened the future of Shinichi-kai. In the process, I even had to murder children before they had a chance to bloom.

“Tell me, Sugiyama. Do you think I have crossed the line? That I was too excessive?”

“What makes you say that?”

Sugiyama Shinya lowered his head even more.

“Sir! That’s because you acted out of selflessness! Taking a life out of petty feelings will make you a murderer. But no one can accuse you of murder if you did it for a noble cause! If the accusers cannot differentiate between noble causes or petty, selfish emotions, then heroes from humanity’s history should also be labeled as murderers.”

“Hmm... Sweet words can become poison, Sugiyama.”

“Sir! That is so, but this servant will not hesitate to state the truth when the moment calls for it.”

“I see. However, even that could be seen as excessive or unwise, depending on the situation.”

The Iemoto’s gaze drifted toward the skies above. He stared at the distant horizon to the west while speaking up again.

“This situation is the same. When I first became a field captain of Shinichi-kai, I paid utmost attention to the make-up of my team and the harmony their abilities would create. And when I became this organization’s Iemoto, my goal was the overall harmony of Shinichi-kai. Now, then. What do you think my current goal is?”

“Sir. You are now the leader of Japan.”

“Indeed, indeed. I don’t remember if this had been my goal all along, but regardless of my sentiments, I’ve already risen to this position. However, despite my position and status changing over the years, what I must do hasn’t changed. Now that I am in this important position, I must consider the overall harmony within the entirety of Japan!”

“Sir. And for that harmony... We must prune certain things.”

“Yes, so you understand,” said the Iemoto, a subtle smirk etched on his face. “A fool can only focus on one matter and still fails to acquire anything meaningful in the end. An ordinary man might acquire something useful after focusing on one matter. However, a wise man schemes to acquire various profits even when focusing on one task.”

“Sir! No one can rival your wisdom!”

“Don’t be so sure about that,” said the Iemoto. He slowly shook his head. “Although I have full confidence in my craftiness, my opponents are just as crafty as I am. While I make various plans, they must be doing the same. Only after achieving victory in this battle will I be able to smile in relief.”

Sugiyama Shinya weightily nodded and said, “But, sir. Everything will unfold according to your plan.”

The Iemoto nodded back before glancing back at the bonsai. “So... You say the second wave has begun its journey toward South Korea?”

“What about our main forces?”

“They are also on their way as we speak.”

The Iemoto’s expression grew colder, his eyes withdrawn again.

“You’ll inevitably hesitate when it’s time to prune healthy branches.”

“Will you go through with the pruning, despite your trembling hands? Or second-guess yourself into giving up? That choice will determine the survival of the bonsai. However, even I can’t help but hesitate this time. Pruning a large branch can lead to the bonsai withering away, after all.”

“Sir, such a thing won’t happen!”

The Iemoto glanced at Sugiyama Shinya.

“Our stem is strong, while the fertile land called the peninsula waits for us, sir! As long as we acquire the peninsula, even a fatal injury like pruning a large branch can be healed in time.”

“I certainly hope so,” said the Iemoto while nodding away. “Then... The first wave?”

“They have safely landed in the peninsula. Captain Yoshinobu has asked the commander to deliver this message to you. He said that he will not set foot in Japan until he beheads Kang Jin-Ho personally.”

“Hmm...? The passion of youth can certainly make life more interesting. However, being passionate shouldn’t lead to you underestimating your opponent. I wonder if Captain Yoshinobu is aware of this.”

“I’m sure he’s well aware of it, sir.”

The Iemoto didn’t reply to Sugiyama Shinya. Instead, he smiled strangely.

Aware of it? Indeed, Yoshinobu should know all about it.

However, that wasn’t the answer the Iemoto was looking for.

Knowing something and understanding it were two different things. Unfortunately, most people believed having knowledge of something meant they understood that knowledge.

Who didn’t know murder was bad? Who didn’t know that robbing other people was unacceptable? No one, of course.

However, people were robbed and murdered constantly all over the world. Knowing something was bad didn’t mean you’d not do that bad thing, after all!

If every person acted logically and abided by the law, the world would’ve been at peace. It wouldn’t have been in this chaotic state. However, humans were simply incapable of upholding rules that were meant for the good of everyone.

This was why variables always existed in wars. Strategists behind every grand war plan were human like everybody else. And so were the soldiers carrying out those plans.

Just as the Iemoto’s thoughts reached that far, another messenger slipped inside the garden. This messenger immediately prostrated on the ground before speaking up.

“Sir! Cai Kechang has sent a message. He said he has finished notifying the Martial Assembly!”

The Iemoto serenely nodded and light waved his hand. “I see. You may leave.”

“Sir!” The messenger replied before slipping out of the garden stealthily.

Sugiyama Shunya blinked his eyes in confusion, then briefly looked up at the Iemoto.

“Sir? What did he mean by that message?”

“It’s as you heard, Sugiyama. Cai Kechang has given the Koreans the information relating to this operation.”

“What’s the matter? Does it sound strange to you?”

The Iemoto grinned brightly.

“Even during the Warring States period, opposing generals often exchanged correspondence with each other. Do you think they did so out of foolishness?”

Sugiyama Shunya replied, “No, sir. They couldn’t have.”

“Indeed, indeed. All things in this world exist for a reason. A war is an event where two opposing reasons collide. Now that the Koreans know of my... ‘intentions’, they won’t have a choice but to move according to my wishes.”

“...May I ask why that is so?”

“Because that will benefit them, too.”

Sugiyama Shinya reflexively raised his head to stare directly at the Iemoto. The latter saw the obvious confusion on the prostrating man’s face and began chuckling away.

“What’s wrong? Has that answer confused you even more?”

“Sir, an ordinary man like me can’t understand the depth of your wisdom.”

“There’s nothing complicated about it. People think a war is about hurting your enemy while you pocket benefits for yourself. However, that will be easier said than done.”

Of course it wouldn’t be easy since the enemy should be aiming for the same thing, too.

“A truly remarkable victory plan isn’t saddling more and more losses on your enemies. No, it’s giving them some benefits. All while our side acquires even greater benefits!”

“I... Sir, it’s too difficult for me to understand.”

“As I’ve said, it’s not complicated. Any tactician worth their salt would resort to letting the enemy occupy a small fortress so that your side can take over a much larger one. I’ve merely taken a step further than that. That is all.”

The Iemoto leisurely turned away.

“A war is basically a game of chess played on a gigantic board called the ‘real world.’ Amateurs will try to protect their pawns and knights while targeting the opponent’s pieces. However, experts... We focus on getting rid of the opponent’s knights even if that means sacrificing our own pieces.”

Sugiyama Shinya sucked in a deep breath.

He tried, but still couldn’t keep up with the depth of the Iemoto’s wisdom. No matter how the Iemoto explained it, Sugiyama Shunya knew he just didn’t have what it took to peer into the depth and discover the big picture.

Since that was the case, all he could do was believe in the Iemoto and obediently follow!

“Contact Yoshinobu and tell him this,” said the Iemoto.

“Tell him... to not miss the opening when the time comes!”

After Sugiyama Shinya left the garden by walking backward, the Iemoto resumed caressing the bonsai before his eyes.

A large branch suddenly snapped in half under his touch and fell. However, there wasn’t any discernible emotion on the Iemoto’s face as he stared at the fallen branch.

A short while later, he coolly turned around and left the garden, leaving behind a bonsai tree with a broken branch.