Oyabun: Chief of the Japanese Mafia (Yakuza)

By Cid A. Damon

Cid, a Filipino musician who defied being away from a loving and protective family, dared to go to Japan during the time when the story of Maricris, a Filipina entertainer who was allegedly killed by a yakuza by plunging his sword to her vagina, was all over the news back home. He just wanted to work and earn his own money. What better way of doing it than to get paid doing what he enjoyed doing the most — singing." With another singer, Maria, they went to Japan as a duo and performed in cities from Tokyo to Chiba and Nagoya. Japan was flowing with money! The place had a way of entertaining you! The delicious foods, the drinks, the drugs (if you're into it), and of course, the tips! But without intending it, he got involved with Filipinas who had relations with yakuza. His life changed. He listened to stories told by another yakuza about his boss and his brothers. Every story left him with fear and the urge to get away as far as he could go. But he has to save Maria, who got herself involved with the boss. He won't be able to live with himself if he just left without taking her. But the task was not an easy one. How can a musician who hasn't learned any martial arts and instead spent his days playing his keyboard outsmart an evil man?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781645447566

Book preview

Chiba Prefecture

The Past

Pride was evident in the wrinkled yet handsome face of Yamashita Oyabun, chief of the Yamashita gumi (Yamashita group), as he was silently scanning the big rectangular room. This room was where he received guests to conduct business meetings.

He had been hosting this year-end party with six other oyabuns of nearby cities within the Chiba Prefecture. Although they chose not to elect a leader among them, by being always the host, he clearly had the trust and respect of everyone. Anyway, he was the initiator of this collaboration.

They were all seated cross-legged on the tatami floor (woven rice straw) around an oval-shaped table designed specifically for this occasion.

Across the table were all kinds of raw and cooked food catered by a famous izakaya (a local eatery with bar). Sashimi were arranged with the fish heads on one end and the tails on the other end. There were fish roes and lots of sea urchins, all kinds of sushi, maki, and grilled eels. Boneless fried chicken was in abundance, as well as grilled strips of beef. Sake was ready for serving.

He eyed each face—the old familiar faces. They all looked like they were genuinely enjoying themselves. There were no reservations, no fear. They all considered this place their second home.

These were his friends! His family!

He realized that they were all looking at him, anxious for his welcoming speech, with glasses filled with sake in each hand.

All were dressed in their expensive kimonos.

At the back of each oyabun, their right-hand man was seated. Their heads were slightly bowed down, each carrying a sword holstered on their left side.

Nobody thought it was necessary to bring bodyguards! It was more of a status symbol!

Yamashita Oyabun barely suppressed the joy that seemed to explode from his chest by simply smiling.

Friends! He cleared his throat twice, covering his mouth with the back of his fist. His voice was a little raspy. I am not speaking here as your leader. As this round table that describes our group, we are all equal. He was pleased with the silence. Since we agreed to respect each other’s territory, we avoided the senseless killings that are rampant to other regions. I hope we could maintain it for generations to come. He raised his glass. "Here’s to more fruitful years to come! Kampai!"

All six raised their glasses as well and with loud voices said, "Kampai!"

Bottoms up!

Seven ladies in kimonos appeared, each carrying a jar of sake. They refilled empty glasses, then they sat beside each of the oyabuns.

Tanaka Oyabun, a small but robust man of the Tanaka gumi, offered a toast. "We are all grateful to Yamashita Oyabun who made this alliance possible! Here’s to his health! Kampai!"

They all shouted "kampai" again then downed their drinks in one gulp.

One oyabun after another offered a toast to their host.

A toast to the group!

A toast to their success!

A toast to each of the other six oyabuns!

They toasted to anything and to everything that they could have thought of.

They happily drank up for each toast.

The well-trained ladies refilled glasses as fast.

They all felt the sudden rush of drunkenness, but they all welcomed it!

They didn’t mind. They were not a bit worried.

This was their bonenkai (year-end party)!

It was a time to celebrate! A time to relax and enjoy the fruit of their labors!

The party which started quiet had turned into a rowdy one. Oyabuns started to talk loudly with one another, almost shouting and laughing hard.

The bodyguards hardly moved. They were used to this kind of situation. They were there to wait on their masters, not to join the party.

Tanaka Oyabun carelessly gulped down one glass of the rice wine after another as if there was no tomorrow.

He was the first to collapse facedown on the table.

At this point, everybody had a bit too much.

Nobody seemed to care.

Nobody seemed to notice.

Except for Kenchan, his bodyguard, who was debating whether he should check on his master and risk offending the other oyabuns by raising his head.

Then one by one, the other oyabuns collapsed simultaneously.

Yamashita Oyabun was hit by a sudden thought! It was an unbelievable thought. He looked around in his bid to bark some commands, but it was too late. He, too, collapsed.

The right-hand men looked at one another, not knowing how to react.

This was the first time this thing had happened.

These oyabuns could drink a river if they wanted to.

Kenchan decided to be bold. He stood up and patted his master gently on the shoulder. "Oyabun! Sumimasen!" (Pardon me, master!)

When he didn’t get a reaction, he carefully lifted Tanaka’s face up by gently pushing up the forehead with his palm.

The sight of Tanaka’s bubbly mouth and the almost protruding eyeballs suggested poison.

The ladies gasped fearfully!

Realizing what had happened, Kenchan let go of his master’s head. In a flash, he drew his sword from its sheath, not knowing who to challenge.

His squinted eyes surveyed the room.

All the other bodyguards, who were almost as fast, stood up and had drawn their swords as well.

But they just kept brandishing their swords.

Their swords were ready but not pointed at anybody in particular.

The ladies scurried off toward the door.

For a while, the six right-hand men just held their ground. Everyone was on high alert! You could almost hear a pin drop.

Then Kenchan, on his peripheral view, noticed a lone guy seated on the floor near the end of the room.

He was just watching them all.

"Uchida-san ka?" Kenchan said in a slow and soft manner, almost unbelieving.

He wasn’t sure how this right-hand man of Yamashita Oyabun managed to pull off this kind of big operation without anyone of them suspecting anything. A chill ran down his spine.

Bile rose to his throat as he watched this man sit there as if the commotion was entertainment for his benefit.

Kenchan heard so much about this man—how he could decapitate someone without even flinching.

Uchida was a coldhearted butcher, but not necessarily brave. He only struck when he knew it was safe for him to do so.

Yamashita Oyabun, too, was beguiled by him, hence the giving of his daughter for marriage to this man.

Kenchan focused his stare on Uchida. He eyed him accusingly.

"Oi! Uchida! Was this your doing?"

All the other men turned toward the latter.

Uchida didn’t move.

His stare was focused on Kenchan.

Kenchan slowly advanced toward Uchida.

He was prepared to challenge the man. He badly wanted to destroy him to avenge his master.

The others followed at his back.

Everyone was eager for revenge.

Then, as if on cue, men suddenly appeared and surrounded the room. There were at least ten men.

They were outnumbered!

Kenchan guessed they were from another place because he didn’t know them.

They all had swords drawn, waiting