CHAPTER 713: CHAPTER 444: SNATCHING FOOD FROM A DEER’S MOUTH

Minamoto Tamako listened and felt a little tempted.

Kujo Mutsumi noticed that his granddaughter’s gaze towards him had changed and quickly interrupted Fushimi Roku’s persuasion, shamelessly saying, "100 billion yen is unrealistic, and what I said earlier was 50 million for capture alive, 10 million for dead..."

"But didn’t you just say ’name your price’?" Fushimi Roku interrupted, "Are you expecting me to lower it myself, giving you a friendship discount? Or are you trying to show off in front of your granddaughter and want me to say the previously agreed amount?"

Kujo Mutsumi choked for a moment. In hindsight, he regretted pretending. He turned to look at Minamoto Tamako, who sheepishly lowered her head, fiddling with her little hands.

Seeing this, Kujo Mutsumi felt half-annoyed, realizing his granddaughter was unreliable. Now was not the time for face-saving, so he could only rely on his old skills, "I meant cash is unrealistic; no company in Japan could bring out 100 billion yen in cash, but if Fushimi-kun wants equivalent bonds or options, I can pay in installments..."

"How long would the installments take?" Fushimi Roku felt this was acceptable; a steady stream was certainly better than a one-time windfall.

"That is uncertain, there could be significant fluctuations; it may take a long time, or it may be very short," Kujo Mutsumi said, stating the obvious.

Fushimi Roku immediately understood; this old guy wanted to renege on the debt.

A 100 billion reward, Kujo Mutsumi could drag it out for a thousand years, paying just 10 million a year, or even not paying a cent, claiming he would pay it all the next year, and then the next year and the year after... As a lawyer, he had seen such tricks plenty of times.

No wonder he’s a ruthless capitalist.

"Then how much cash can you bring out?" Fushimi Roku had to settle for the next best thing and start bargaining, "I thought about it just now, didn’t want to trouble you too much. I’m a bit shy and never like to inconvenience others, so let’s settle in cash instead."

Kujo Mutsumi felt that this question was shameless, what’s ’how much cash can you bring out’ supposed to mean, that he’ll give as much as he can?

He cleared his throat, ignoring the latter part of Fushimi Roku’s words, and said, "The economy is bad now, as you know, the social environment isn’t good, companies are laying off staff, to be honest, even the Kujo family’s accounts don’t look good."

"So what?" Fushimi Roku pretended not to understand, "Do you need me to lend you fifty yen?"

"..." Kujo Mutsumi drank some tea, suppressing his anger, and said, "So there’s not much cash on hand, only around one or two million."

"Tsk." Fushimi Roku made no effort to hide his disdainful expression.

"There was originally 50 million, but the document just signed was for an allocation," Kujo Mutsumi said without a hint of blush, "But now it’s gone, it’s a pity, but the Kujo family never goes back on their word, it will definitely be transferred to your account after some time."

Fushimi Roku made significant contributions to the previous anti-drug operation, the cost of which left his finances very tight. The original 25 million reward vanished just like that... During that time, he was constantly clearing goods on the streets, handing them to Watanabe Shun, driving down drug prices.

So now he really wanted to get some cash, if not for that fiasco, he would already be living in a luxury home and driving a fancy car, living the high life.

It’s hard to hitch onto a rich woman and not get poorer in the process, right?

Fushimi Roku could tell Kujo Mutsumi held some grudges against him and was probably unhappy with his attitude, wanting to give him a hard time.

He wouldn’t indulge the old man and immediately said, "Alright, then Tamako and I will head back to the precinct to continue working on the case. Rest assured, we’ll carefully write the case report and properly handle public relations, ensuring this case is treated fairly, justly, and openly."

After speaking, Fushimi Roku pulled Minamoto Tamako up by the arm. She followed obediently, still pondering in her little head what she could buy with 50 million yen.

Kujo Mutsumi said nothing until Fushimi Roku reached the door, when he tapped the table and smiled, inviting, "There’s no rush, although the company’s account doesn’t have much left, I still have some personal savings, I can provide an advance."

"Ah, okay, just transfer it to my account then."

Fushimi Roku didn’t stop walking, reaching out to push open the study door.

"Don’t rush, there’s still serious business to discuss." Kujo Mutsumi had to get up, quickly gesturing for them to sit back down, "We’re all family, at least stay for a meal before leaving? Don’t make me look like an ungracious host."

Fushimi Roku seized the opportunity, leading Minamoto Tamako back to their seats, "What else does Mr. Kujo have to instruct?"

Kujo Mutsumi thought the money issue had been settled, 50 million yen was a lot, but he could afford it, besides, it was not a wasted expense, considering it like dowry for his granddaughter, just moving money from one pocket to another.

He placed both hands on the table, leaned forward, and said, "It’s like this regarding the handling of Kujo Hikari..."

"Ahem!" Fushimi Roku seemed like he had something caught in his throat, coughed twice before interrupting again, "Catching the culprit wasn’t just my achievement, mainly it was Tamako’s deduction that solved the case."

"Uh? Ah?"

Minamoto Tamako was caught off guard when Fushimi Roku mentioned her, but quickly straightened up, nodded, and said, "That’s right, I deduced it!"

Well done, the deputy team leader understands the dynamics! Knowing to give all the credit to the boss! Must reward them well when we return!

However, Fushimi Roku’s next words were revealing, exposing sinister intent, "So, shouldn’t Tamako also receive a 50 million reward?"

"...Ah?" Minamoto Tamako turned her head.

"..."

Kujo Mutsumi, being a capitalist, was adept at shifting conflict, merely responded unperturbed, "50 million is the total reward, no matter how many complete it, the final reward is still the same. Since it’s shared effort, you can choose to split it."

Minamoto Tamako’s eyes sparkled, and she clenched her little fists, never expecting to make a fortune of 25 million just by returning home!

This 25 million was different from the 2.5 million from Cat Island, it was cleanly obtained, her rightful reward, she could spend it however she wanted!

Fushimi Roku was displeased, having 50 million shrink to half instantly, wasn’t that snatching food right from a deer’s mouth?

He frowned and said, "That’s not right, if it were a joint-announced bounty mission, it indeed should be divided; but since this task was separately assigned to two people, it means independent rewards for each."

"If you want a billion, that might take a while," Kujo Mutsumi sighed, complaining to Minamoto Tamako, "Your grandpa, at this age, saving up some retirement money is truly tough..."

Minamoto Tamako felt guilty upon hearing this, feeling embarrassed to ask for more money, she tugged on Fushimi Roku’s sleeve, "Isn’t 50 million enough? Split in half isn’t too little. You can’t be too greedy..."

Fushimi Roku was frustrated at her lack of ambition, just about to whisper devilishly, when Kujo Mutsumi coughed twice more, looking like a defeated old man, lacking any of the grandeur of the Kujo Family Head.

Minamoto Tamako’s heart ached seeing this, after all, he was her grandfather. 50 million yen wasn’t a small amount, and originally it was agreed to be 50 million yen; her grandfather hadn’t backed out. Asking for more would be highly inappropriate.

"Alright, I’m the team leader, what I say goes!" Minamoto Tamako made the final decision, locking the reward at 25 million yen each.

Considering she solved the case, Fushimi Roku said no more, quietly nursing this grudge.

—"Autumn 1991, Minamoto Tamako owes me 25 million yen"