Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk

Chapter 66 Minister Furuta

The elevator doors dinged as they slowly opened on the fifth floor.

Following the general affairs department and the store staff, the first to step out was a pair of gleaming black leather shoes.

Then, his full appearance was revealed to everyone.

He wasn't tall, nor was he particularly robust, but his face was rugged, with slightly protruding brow bones, a thick nose, and a hard jawline.

The nasolabial folds at the corners of his eyes don't droop downwards; instead, they spread outwards when he smiles, like a mask that's been worn for a long time, pressing out fixed lines on his face.

At first glance, he looks like the kind of important person who speaks eloquently at a conference table.

"Minister Furuta!"

Matsumoto Takahiro greeted him almost immediately, his smile brighter than the elevator lights.

Kouyuki adjusted his cuffs, glanced around the VIP area of ​​the Osaka branch, and chuckled softly, as if returning to an old haunt.

"Coming back here really feels like coming home."

"Of course!"

Takahiro Matsumoto immediately chimed in, his tone almost exaggeratedly enthusiastic:

"The Osaka branch will always be the manager's home. The foundation you laid here back then is still often mentioned by everyone."

That's a very flattering statement.

It's even gone a bit too far.

Kouyu Tianyan just smiled, neither humble nor denying, as if he was already used to others speaking to him in that tone.

Not far behind Matsumoto Takahiro, Kiryu Yaya stood there, his lips pressed tightly together.

He didn't speak.

Even his expression didn't change much.

In that instant, his fist clenched tightly, and blood gushed from his palm.

Kiryu Yaya certainly recognized that face.

At the age of seventeen, in the funeral corridor, the toilet door was pushed open the instant.

That's the face.

Beneath that rugged dough lies an expression that is forever gentle, forever composed, and capable of driving someone to their doom without ever trying.

He will never forget.

But times have changed.

The orphan who lost both his mother and father in one fell swoop became a new employee at Mitsubishi Bank.

Meanwhile, his father's killer stood in the brightly lit VIP area, dressed in a sharp suit, being greeted by the branch manager, surrounded by a crowd, and respectfully addressed as "Minister".

Kiryu Yaya wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he felt quite calm.

Having lived two lives, he was already able to calmly handle all his emotions.

But just then, a slightly cool hand suddenly gently took his hand.

Kiryu Yaya's fingertips twitched slightly.

He turned his head to the side.

Keiko Miyazawa stood beside him, not looking at him, but simply holding his hand.

She didn't say anything.

Just let him know through your actions—

I'm here.

……

The group quickly moved into the first VIP conference room.

A long table, hot tea, thick stacks of documents, and the long-awaited heads of various departments.

Kouyuhiko sat down in the main seat and naturally crossed his legs.

After listening to Masakazu Yamada's report, he slightly pouted and scanned the faces of everyone before finally fixing his gaze on Keiko Miyazawa.

"This must be Ms. Miyazawa."

Keiko Miyazawa gently pursed her lips:

"Yes."

Kouyuuhiko nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Kiryuu Yaya:

"You must be Kiryu-kun?"

Kiryu Yaya lowered his eyes and replied:

"Yes."

Kouyu Tianyan smiled, his tone filled with undisguised approval:

"I've already heard your name on my way here."

"The Shiraishi case was handled well, and the Miyazawa case was also handled very well. It's truly remarkable that a newcomer who has been in the industry for less than a month could see the problems in this situation and dare to expose them."

He paused for a moment, then added casually:

"The Osaka branch has really struck gold this time."

Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Masakazu Yamada's face.

The other department heads and section chiefs looked at Kiryu Yaya with envy in their eyes.

This kid has a bright future ahead of him, being noticed by the head office manager.

The surroundings were bustling with activity.

Kiryu Yaya also had a smile on his face, but he only felt cold inside.

Kouyu Tianyan looked at him with no unusual expression.

It seems that the head office manager no longer remembers the boy who wore ill-fitting black mourning clothes at the funeral five years ago.

Kiryu Yaya's complex emotions finally settled into a calm that betrayed no emotion whatsoever:

"You flatter me, Minister. I was just doing what a bank employee should do."

"very good."

Kouyuhiko nodded.

"The worst thing for a young person is to become arrogant after achieving a little success. Your mindset is very good."

After saying that, he didn't linger on Kiryu Yaya for long, but instead pushed the documents on the table forward.

"Alright, that's enough of the small talk."

"Regarding the Miyazawa Group case, I'd like to offer my assessment."

The air in the conference room suddenly became heavy.

Kouyuhiko reached out and tapped the documents on the table with his pen.

"The Miyazawa case can no longer be viewed as an ordinary debt risk case."

"This is--"

He raised his head and his gaze swept across the entire room.

"The internal succession battle within the Miyazawa family."

"At the same time, it is also a risk war between Mitsubishi Bank and Sumitomo Bank."

"Behind Keiko Miyazawa stands a financial chain centered on Miyazawa Tourism and deeply intertwined with our bank."

"Behind Miyazawahara stands a project chain centered on Rokko Golf and deeply intertwined with Sumitomo Bank."

"From the current perspective, the strengths and weaknesses of both sides are very clear."

"Mitsubishi's advantage lies in the fact that Miyazawa Tourism is the core entity that can truly make money, pay interest, and support its debts."

"Sumitomo's advantage lies in the fact that Miyazawa has already deeply controlled the internal processes of the Miyazawa Group."

"in other words--"

"We have the moral high ground, but the advantage lies with them."

This assessment hits the nail on the head.

Keiko Miyazawa gently pursed her lips.

Kiryu Yaya's gaze was as calm as still water.

Kouyuki's judgment was undeniably accurate.

From the moment he first encountered the Miyazawa case until now, in just half a day, he has been able to draw such a sharp and insightful conclusion.

It can only be said that those who can get along well at the head office are no pushovers.

Kouyuhiko stood up, walked slowly to the French windows, and gave instructions:

"In order to win this war between Ms. Keiko and Mitsubishi Bank, we can no longer afford to be passive."

"first step."

He turned to Keiko Miyazawa:

"Miss Keiko, once you return today, immediately convene an internal mobilization meeting with your father's supporters, former subordinates, and veteran officials."

"Who supports you, who wavers, and who has already sided with Miyazawa Hara—the list must be drawn up before tonight."

Keiko Miyazawa nodded, her lips still pursed.

"clear."

"Step two."

Kouyuki looked at Matsumoto Takahiro:

"A special risk team was established at the Osaka branch to thoroughly investigate the actual guarantee relationships between the Rokko Golf Development, the Miyazawa Tourism Development, and the main family's shareholding."

Matsumoto Takahiro responded:

"Yes."

"Step three."

Kouyuki's tone softened, but became even sharper.

"Sumitomo will not give up easily."

"The fact that they hit the brakes today doesn't mean they've given up; it just means they're going to try a different approach to keep pushing forward."

"Therefore, from now on, all changes to accounts, credit lines, seals, and guarantees related to the Miyazawa Group will be subject to Level 1 monitoring."

"Without my confirmation, no document can complete the process."

He paused for a moment at this point:

"This battle cannot be fought by emotion alone, nor by anger alone."

"It depends on numbers, evidence, and speed."

"Whoever makes the situation a fait accompli first is the winner."

No one spoke in the meeting room.

Everyone understood that Kouyuhiko was right.

This is the battlefield for bankers.

There were no knives, no guns.

But every page of the contract is a weapon.