It’s All Some Fool’s Fault

GETTAN

Ever since the Mitsugoshi Company wiped the Four Leaves off the map, I’d been keeping a very close eye on them.

If the organization backing them didn't look like too much of a headache, I was planning on handling things personally. When it came to pure combat power and Ki, I was pretty damn sure I wouldn’t lose to anyone.

"So, you’re telling me there’s nothing behind them?" I growled. My voice dropped low enough to make the air in the room feel heavy.

"Y-yes, sir..." Garter squeaked. His voice was barely a whisper.

"Are you really trying to tell me they’re just a normal company? But I suppose if we’ve dug this deep and found nothing... that’s the only logical conclusion."

There were things that didn't feel right, sure. But no matter how much we looked, we couldn't find a shred of evidence. If the Mitsugoshi Company was clean, I had to treat them that way.

"Fine. Then it’s time to take the gloves off. We’re going to crush the Mitsugoshi Company."

I felt the corners of my mouth curl up into a smirk. Finally, this Commerce War was coming to an end, and my goal was finally within reach.

At least, that’s how it was supposed to go.

"U-um..." Garter opened his mouth, looking absolutely terrified. "L-lately, prices have been sky-rocketing..."

"We expected inflation, didn't we?"

"No, sir. It’s happening way faster than we projected. And, well, when we looked into the cause..."

"What is it?"

"Counterfeit Notes have been discovered."

"Come again?"

My voice wasn’t even that loud, yet it seemed to shake the very walls of the room.

"C-Counterfeit Notes, sir! A massive amount of them have been found!"

I ground my teeth together with a sickening creak.

"Define 'massive.' How many are we talking about?"

"W-we’re still investigating, but... well, it’s a lot, sir. A whole lot."

"Don't screw with me! How did you fail to notice a massive influx of Counterfeit Notes?!"

"Hiee! P-please, forgive me!" Garter was trembling like a leaf as I turned my murderous gaze on him. "T-the quality is incredible! They’re almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Whoever made them probably leaked them into circulation bit by bit to test the waters..."

"Shut up! A massive amount of fake currency is out there?! Do you even realize what Counterfeit Notes will cause?!"

The Collapse of Credit. And then, a Bank Run.

The absolute worst-case scenario started playing out in my head.

"Find the source! Now! If you don't find them, I’m going to personally harvest your head!"

"Y-yes, sir!"

"The Mitsugoshi Company is going on the back burner...!"

With the economy about to implode, I didn't have the luxury of messing with Mitsugoshi anymore. But then, a thought struck me.

Could it be? Is the Mitsugoshi Company the source of the Counterfeit Notes?

I dismissed the thought immediately. If the credit of the Great Commerce Alliance collapsed, Mitsugoshi’s reputation would be called into question right along with it.

Sure, we’d fall first, but they’d be right behind us. There was no difference between falling now or falling later—in the end, we’d both go down together.

"Counterfeit Notes... I don’t care what fool thinks they can lay a hand on the Great Commerce Alliance. I’m going to tear them limb from limb!"

"Hie...!"

"Find them! Immediately! You got that?! If you understand, then get your ass moving already!!"

"Y-yessir!"

Garter took one look at my demon-like face and scrambled out of the room as fast as his legs could carry him.