The Tyrant Billionaire

Such a person is truly terrifying.

Like a venomous snake.

Hardy said, "Recently, I've inspected many financial companies and corporations. Generally speaking, Japan's economic development has surged recently; factories have orders, millions of workers have jobs, financial companies have resumed operations, and the economic situation is recovering well."

Shigeru Yoshida smiled widely and responded, "Yes, Mr. Hardy. In the past six months, Japan's economy has shown encouraging changes. Last year, our GDP was only around $50 million, but in just the first quarter of this year, it has already exceeded that amount. It's all thanks to your efforts, Mr. Hardy."

Hardy didn't show any false modesty.

He continued, "I think we could host an economic conference, inviting American and Japanese entrepreneurs. On one hand, we could summarize recent developments, and on the other, we could discuss future collaborations and foster further exchanges. What do you think?" Hardy looked at Yoshida.

"An economic conference—of course, that's wonderful!" Yoshida said, delighted.

Such a conference would certainly benefit Japan, so he could hardly refuse.

"Good. The Japanese government will be responsible for organizing it. As for whom to invite, prepare a list," Hardy said.

"Understood. I'll get to work on this right away, and once the list is ready, I'll present it for your approval," Yoshida replied.

As they talked, Hardy disassembled and reassembled his AK-47. He inserted a fresh magazine, pulled the bolt, and a bullet clicked into place.

"And Mr. Hardy, what is the second matter?" Yoshida asked with a smile.

Hardy looked at Yoshida with an inscrutable smile that left Yoshida feeling unsettled.

"Prime Minister Yoshida, you placed Setsuko Hara beside MacArthur to influence him, allowing the Japanese government to gain certain advantages. Am I wrong?" Hardy spoke in a casual tone.

But to Yoshida, the words hit like thunder.

The smile he'd kept on his face turned unnatural. He tried to maintain it, but his expression became contorted.

This kind of thing—could be done in secret, but if it were brought to light, it would be a massive issue, especially if the U.S. government pursued it.

Japan was still a defeated nation.

MacArthur was the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers, and if Japan, a defeated country, were found to have influenced the occupying commander through a woman to secure benefits, the American president and Congress would undoubtedly respond.

They might impose stricter sanctions.

Because if Japan couldn't behave, they'd have to undergo a more thorough transformation.

"Mr. Hardy, General MacArthur and Miss Setsuko Hara met at a social gathering. They're merely private friends, with no connection to the Japanese government," Yoshida tried hard to defend.

Hardy maintained his enigmatic smile.

"Prime Minister Yoshida, a few days ago, I inspected ABC Television and saw Miss Ayako Sasaki. That name should still ring a bell, right?"

Yoshida's expression became even stiffer.

"Ah, yes, I remember."

Sweat appeared on Yoshida's forehead. It was only early May, and the weather wasn't warm yet, but the tension was so palpable that even an experienced politician like him was faltering in front of Hardy's words.

Hardy's expression grew colder.

He held the submachine gun, looking directly at Yoshida.

"Prime Minister Yoshida, from now on, I don't want the Japanese government sending anyone to contact her, nor do I want any intelligence personnel approaching anyone in my circle. If it happens again, I'll consider it an act of provocation."

"I'll use every measure at my disposal, including economic leverage, my private relationship with President Johnson, and the influence of the seven major consortia on Congress to impose the harshest sanctions on Japan. Do you want me to do that, Prime Minister Yoshida?"

By the end, Hardy's tone had turned severe.

Yoshida's face turned pale.

Sweat trickled down his forehead and spread across his body, leaving him feeling light-headed.

If the United States deemed this a provocation, the repercussions could go far beyond mere sanctions; there could be extreme measures. Mass arrests could be a possibility, and the first to be dealt with would undoubtedly be him, Yoshida Shigeru—he knew well what he had done.

Ignoring the dirt on the ground, Yoshida knelt.

"Mr. Hardy, I guarantee this won't happen again. Absolutely not!" Yoshida finished, bowing low to the ground.

Hardy looked at Yoshida and said calmly, "Prime Minister, I hope you understand Japan's current situation and refrain from using such underhanded tactics. When it comes to espionage, you might not be a match for a fledgling U.S. agency like the CIA, let alone my HD Intelligence team."

"No, I would never, truly never," Yoshida quickly replied.

"Alright, let's end the conversation here. Go back and make sure my instructions are carried out. You may leave," Hardy said.

Only then did Yoshida rise.

After bowing once more, he turned to leave, his steps trembling.

As soon as he returned,

Yoshida summoned the head of the intelligence department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ordering a halt to all operations directed at Mr. Hardy.

After the American occupation of Japan, the military and intelligence sectors had been purged, leaving the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intelligence division as Japan's sole intelligence agency.

Upon hearing Yoshida's order to stop all actions related to Hardy, the head of intelligence reacted with urgency:

"Prime Minister, we received news that Mr. Hardy is involved with Sayuri Yoshida from ABC Television. We were planning to contact her secretly, to persuade her to serve Japan. It would be a waste to abandon this now. If she could become like Setsuko Hara…"

Before the intelligence head could finish, Yoshida erupted in anger, shouting, "I said stop! Can't you understand? Stop all intelligence activities targeting Mr. Hardy! None of our personnel should be involved, no matter what, and no intelligence operations should be directed at him. That is my order—do you understand?"

Yoshida thought to himself, Your little schemes have already been discovered. Continuing with this would spell disaster not only for you but for me and all of Japan as well.

Forget it.

Forget it entirely.

The head of intelligence, taken aback by the reprimand, couldn't understand what had gotten into the prime minister. But he dared not argue further and promptly nodded in compliance, vowing to cease all intelligence actions related to Mr. Hardy.