• Pusan, Republic of Korea
• I dashed through the city to get to the place as quickly as possible. Jungkook called an emergency meeting, without explaining why. Actually, he was the boss, so he could do whatever he liked, but I was his right-hand man, and I was hoping that he would at least explain to me what he had gotten himself into again. Because the fact that my friend had once again gotten himself into some kind of a mess was extremely likely. After Moonbyul's death, Jungkook had become completely irresponsible, and I had to really exert myself to ensure that he was properly protected. Fortunately, staying in Busan, I could count on the help of Namjoon's men, but Jungkook didn't make things much easier for us. On the contrary, he became terribly unpredictable and acted as if he had several lives. This was starting to get on my nerves, but no attempts to talk sense into him worked. Therefore, I had to watch him at almost every turn, completely neglecting my own needs. Still, I hoped that my friend would finally come to his senses and start thinking coolly again and get back on track.
• After spending half an hour in traffic, I finally arrived at Jeon's villa, where Jungkook had requested to see us. I parked next to the other cars and went inside. It looked like I was the last to arrive, so I quickened my step and entered the spacious living room. I bowed my head slightly to Jungkook and Namjoon, then nodded to the others and took one of the empty seats. I didn't see Namjoon's right hand, Yeonjun, among those present, but I suspected he was running some errands again.
• - Seokjin, you are late - Jungkook pointed out to me.
• - I was at the other end of town - I replied quickly - If you had let me know about the meeting earlier, I would have definitely arrived on time. You yourself know that there are traffic jams in the city at this hour.
• - So do you also have no idea why we are here? - Namjoon glanced at me intently.
• - No - I shrugged my shoulders slightly - Jungkook didn't tell me anything, except that I should come to you as soon as possible.
• - Brother, what have you done again? - he shifted his gaze to him - if it goes on like this, I will start running out of men.
• - Why do you constantly suspect me of getting into something again?!
• - Because lately you've been getting into trouble more and more often, from which I or Seokjin have to pull you out. You are completely out of control of yourself and your men. If it weren't for Seokjin, your group would have fallen apart long ago - Namjoon glared at him - Remember how many times last month Yeonjun had to pull you out of trouble.
• - Starting next month, you won't have to worry about that anymore!
• - Excuse me?!
• - Yes, my perfect brother, next month me and my men are moving to the States.
• - But what do you mean?
• I glanced at Jungkook surprised. And I wasn't the only one, because Jimin and Taehyung were just as surprised by this as I was. Only Hoseok seemed normal, so he must have known something about it.
• - You heard right - Jungkook smiled widely - Hoseok contacted his friends in San Francisco and managed to get some interesting information.
• - And based on this information you are going to move to San Francisco?
• - Yes, but there we will stay for a few weeks at most, which we will spend on preparations.
• - On preparations? - asked Jimin - there? San Francisco, by the way, is largely dominated by triads and Latino groups. How are we supposed to prepare for anything there, since as soon as they find out about us, they'll want to get rid of us as soon as possible.
• - That's right, but San Francisco is just a stopover - Jungkook gestured with his hand toward Hoseok - show them our destination.
• - Coming right up, boss - he plugged his tablet into a screen on the wall and after a while we were shown a view of the city.
• - Seattle, Washington - Jungkook waved his hand toward the screen - this is our destination. Airport and seaport for people and goods, trade mainly with Asian countries. This city will be an excellent transit point so that we can maintain close cooperation not only with you, brother, but also with other groups. If we capture the city, we will be able to expand our influence beyond Korea much faster.
• - I sense a but in this - I glanced at him carefully - since it's a great transit point, I'm sure there are already some groups that have noticed it as well.
• - That's not important - he waved his hand - we'll deal with it and take over the city for ourselves.
• - Hoseok, you've been doing research, so you definitely know what awaits us in this city.
• - Seokjin, don't you trust me?! - Jungkook looked at me furiously.
• - I do trust you, but I am your right hand, and the coordination of most of the action falls on me - I defended myself quickly - and you know very well that I have no intention of senselessly risking the lives of our men.
• - And I have the impression that you are once again trying to undermine my decisions! Don't forget that I'm the boss and that you yourself pressured me to become one!
• - Jungkook, calm down - Namjoon interjected quickly - Jin is right. It's better to check everything thoroughly and prepare well for it than to lose good men. Hoseok, tell us everything you know.
• Our attention was focused entirely on the hacker, who quickly began to review something on the tablet. He was our man, but Namjoon was also a boss and, on top of that, Jungkook's older brother, so he had to listen to him too. However, from the look on his face, we could guess that he was uncomfortable with having to listen to the commands of two different men. Especially when those commands are mutually exclusive. Finally Hoseok made up his mind and raised his eyes at us.
• - Well, taking over the city will require us to make serious preparations - he began in a low voice and glanced apologetically at Jungkook - at the moment Seattle is split in half between two groups that have been fighting each other for several years.
• - So as I thought - Namjoon shook his head and sat back in his chair.
• - One is probably the Latino group, right? - I asked quietly.
• - That's right. Half of the city belongs to a group headed by a guy named Velazques - the screen displayed a picture of a middle-aged man - at one time he worked with the blacks, but some time ago they withdrew from the alliance and Velazques was left alone. He is still holding on, but according to my information, the last few months have not been easy for him. Everything started to fall apart when he lost one of his most important districts about six months ago.
• - Therefore, if we can get to the States quickly and gather a strong group of men then we should be able to take over his districts. And get rid of him from the city - a smile appeared on Jungkook's face.
• - If we can transfer our weapons entirely, or find someone in San Francisco who can supply us with other weapons - Taehyung joined in - I think it could work. I know from experience that Latinos are somehow not particularly talented in this regard.
• - Well, I could support you - Namjoon turned to his brother - but I need to know something else.
• - What?
• - With whom Velazques is fighting - I said aloud what Namjoon was probably thinking about.
• - That's right - he nodded slightly to me - since they managed to take one of his districts from him, it could be a really strong group.
• - You don't have to worry about it - Jungkook rolled his eyes - it's no one important and I'm sure our men will deal with them quickly.
• - JK, it seems to me that....
• - Hoseok, don't interfere! - he rebuked him with his eyes - you've already done your job, so leave the rest to us!
• - Jungkook, I won't give you support if I don't know who I'm sending my men against! - Namjoon jumped up on his feet - if I have to, I'll do my own research, but then don't count on me to support you! You will be able to count only on yourself!
• - For *'s sake, hyung, you always have to ruin everything! - Jungkook slumped furiously on the sofa - Hoseok tell them everything we know, then maybe they will see through it and realize how big our chances are.
• - About Velazques' opponents it was much harder to find any information - he began.
• - But you managed to find something?
• - Yes, but I had to be very careful, because they are also heavily guarded. My friends couldn't ask too much about them in San Francisco to avoid drawing their attention, but up to a point. Here's what I got. The western districts of the city - the screen displayed a map of Seattle with the districts highlighted in red - belong to the triads. Or, more precisely, they are under the management of three cooperating groups headed by the sons of the Elders.
• - Wait - Namjoon raised his eyebrows surprised - you mean those Elders who rule in Shanghai?
• - Unfortunately, yes - he confirmed quietly - in addition, some time ago they joined forces with the Japanese Yamato family, which is staying in one of their districts.
• - Jungkook, are you completely out of your mind?! You want to act against the triads, which are strong enough to be in power not only in China, but also in several cities in the States?!
• - You haven't even heard the half of it, and you're already venting - Jungkook rolled his eyes - let Hoseok explain everything thoroughly and you'll see that my idea is worth considering.
• - Nothing you say to me will change my mind! Going against the Elders is suicide!
• - Well, not exactly - Hoseok interjected - if we hurry up and focus our attention entirely on Velazques, we may have a chance to take over his districts.
• - And how do you want to do it under the nose of the Chinese? - I asked him quietly - you know very well that we won't be able to hide from them for too long.
• - The Chinese have their own, much more serious problem at the moment - Jungkook smiled coldly.
• - That's right - Hoseok confirmed and displayed more photos, this time of four men, two of our age and two much older - sorry for the quality, but it wasn't easy to get their photos. You may have already heard about the two older ones. They are two brothers who belong to the Council of Elders and operate mainly in China. The elder, Chiaiching Wong, although he heads the Council is mainly based in Shanghai. The younger, Chitui Wei - he pointed to the other man - joined the Council thanks to his brother's support, but he has no permanent place. He shuttles between Shanghai, Hong Kong and San Francisco. They both appear in Seattle only occasionally.
• - Two different last names? - Taehyung raised his eyebrows slightly.
• - Chitui is the illegitimate son and, from what I've been able to determine, is the black sheep of the family. However, he turned out to be cunning enough to get rid of one of the Elders from the Council and put his trusted man in his place.
• - And the younger ones? - I asked, looking at them carefully.
• - They are the ones who are mostly involved - Hoseok focused on his tablet, looking for the right information - Thanks to these two, Velazques began to lose influence in the city. His main opponent was Kai Wong, Chiaiching's son and heir. The young Wong had taken Seattle under his wing, and he was the main boss in the city. The other groups were answering for their actions to him, and he answered to the Elders - he pointed to the second man - and the second man is Lucas Wei. He was the right hand of the younger Wong, and as you can guess, he is Chitui's son.
• - This is Lucas Wei?! - exclaimed a surprised Taehyung.
• - Do you know him?
• - Have you not heard of him? - he made big eyes as we shook our heads in the negative - I don't know him personally, but there are many rumors about him, and each one is worse than the last. You can say that this guy is quite a psychopath. He loves to kill and torture people and whenever he can he does it with his bare hands.
• - From your description, you would expect him to look more manly - Jungkook burst out laughing loudly.
• - And this is what deceives his opponents - Taehyung noted - and not only them. Women are drawn to him like bees to honey, but none of them have warmed too long at his side. They are usually one-night toys.
• - If what Taehyung says is true, then we shouldn't underestimate him - I remarked quietly - but back to the subject. What is the problem?
• - Kai Wong died a month ago at the hands of Liren Chu, the son of that Elder who was ousted from the Council by elder Wei - explained Hoseok - and it's fair to say that after his death things among the Chinese and their groups got a little more complicated.
• - How much? - Namjoon was interested - have they not yet found his successor?
• - Well, from what I've been able to determine, Wong has already appointed a successor to his son. It's just that some of the Elders still have a big problem accepting his decision.
• - Why?
• - Because it's a woman - chuckled Jungkook with amusement - the old man appointed a woman as his next heir.
• - Are you kidding me? - Namjoon looked at them with surprise, although I had to admit that I didn't expect such an answer myself either.
• - No - Hoseok shook his head - although in fact Kai Wong's place was taken by two figures. Lucas Wei and the widow of Wong, Y/n. Unfortunately, on her I really have very little information. Young Wei and his men protect her so well that I have not even been able to determine her maiden name, let alone get a picture of her. All I know is that she's Italian and that she helped forge an alliance with the Castelano family.
• - Therefore, we can conclude that it's actually young Wei who is now at the head of the group - Jungkook said - and she is merely acting as an decoration.
• - Not necessarily. Wong could only consider her as his heir for one reason - I noted quietly.
• - Like what? - he looked at me impatiently.
• - This little one may be pregnant, and that is why she is so well protected.
• - And this means that Wong's men will do anything to keep their districts in their hands - Namjoon added.
• - Have you found anything about this? - Jungkook focused his attention back on the Hoseok.
• - Unfortunately, as I said, they know very little about it. Although there is something else, but so far no one has been able to confirm it. That is, it could just be rumors to strengthen her position.
• - Speak up, this could be useful - I urged him.
• - Young Wong was killed a week after their wedding, and a day after he flew to Shanghai with his wife. He was shot dead in a parking lot near one of the restaurants, but interestingly his murderer was also carried out of there in a black bag. According to rumors, he died at the hands of Wong's wife, who carried out a near-perfect execution.
• - A woman? An execution? - Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows.
• - That's right. There are various versions circulating on this subject. The most common one says that young Chu ended up with his knees shot through and his larynx crushed. And Wong's wife was the only person to make it out alive.
• Hoseok became quiet and silence fell in the living room. Each of us tried to digest what we had just heard and make some kind of decision. What Jungkook proposed to us was damn risky, but it also made some sense. If we could get rid of Velazques and take over their neighborhoods before the Chinese could solve their own problems, we would be in a pretty good position. We could form an alliance with them or try to fight them for the rest of the city. Although one thing was certain in this regard, it would take some time before Wong's widow and Wei, who was supporting her, proved that they could handle their responsibilities. That's why I decided to take a risk and choose to support Jungkook. Maybe this is the first sign that he is starting to come back to himself.
• - I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'll back you on this one - I broke the silence, glancing at my friend - if we plan everything well and get it done fairly quickly, it could work.
• - You see, brother, even my voice of reason supported me in this - Jungkook laughed quietly.
• - Seokjin, are you sure this is a good idea? - Namjoon looked at me intently - you know that I will do everything to help you, but I won't risk the lives of my men. And since you coordinate all the actions, I have to be sure you know what you're doing.
• - For once, just once, could you fully trust me?! - an angry grimace appeared on Jungkook's face again.
• - I could do it if you started thinking soberly again. Unfortunately, it will soon be two years that you act more often like a frisky kid than a grown-up guy, so I have to rely on Seokjin's sober mind.
• - I don't have a hundred percent certainty, but Jungkook's idea is worth taking the risk - I replied - especially since there's one more thing you haven't noticed.
• - What is it?
• - Old Chu - Jimin chuckled, as if reading my mind - if the rumors Hoseok mentioned are true, then Chu will want to avenge his son.
• - And that may be one of the reasons why so little is known about this girl.
• - All right, let's assume that all of this is true - Namjoon plunged into thought for a moment -how much time do you think you will need to prepare?
• - I'd like to do it as soon as possible - chuckled Jungkook - Jin, can we manage to prepare for this in a month?
• - If we start planning the action and gathering people today I think we can do it. The hardest thing for us will be to stay hidden, especially since almost half of our men speak English poorly or even not at all.
• - In that case, we'll leave them here. We will take with us only those who speak fluent English.
• - Boss, do you want to move with only half the men? - Jimin shook his head slightly - take into account that we will leave behind some of the most experienced.
• - In that case, they have two choices: either they stay here, or they have to start learning English - Jungkook growled - I'm not going to get in trouble, because they'll spill something inappropriate. And if we are to cooperate with other groups then we must communicate with them somehow.
• - We'll make an exchange - Namjoon interjected - I'll lend you all my men who speak fluent English, and in exchange for them I'll take in your men who have to stay here. This way you will have a strong group by your side, and your men won't feel dispensable.
• - Will you really do that?
• - Yes - a smile appeared on Namjoon's face - after all, you are my younger brother, so I should support you.
• - In that case, it's settled - Jungkook also smiled - gentlemen, get to work. We don't have much time.
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