Iron blooded idiot

Once again, resources are wasted.

Watching Mikazuki kill that general or whatever he was that was brave or dub enough to come challenge us alone, I couldn't help but frown. I turned, not in the mood.

" Who put a stick up your ass." Andre said as he walked up to me.

The guy had been talking to the injured, trying to provide them some comfort, especially those who lost friends.

" I just hate wasting."

Andre looked back at the fight before following me. " Wasting?"

" Oh yeah. Forgot you haven't seen the show. That guy that came for the duel is someone of importance. After Mikazuki defeats him in battle, we could capture the man and keep him as a bargaining chip but no, I wanna send a stupid ass message. Like, who the fuck cares about a message. Messages are for those who can send them and we aren't."

Andre simply nodded, content to just let me rant.

" This is what I also hated in the show. We aren't the salvation army or red cross. We're child soldiers for fuck sake. Morality should be an afterthought, not what we base our company off of. "

" You know what we need. We need to get some action. I haven't done shit since we came to this verse and this dry spell is killing me."

I slowly turned to look at the horny fool who was merely grinning at me like the idiot he was. " Are you kidding me? You horny fuck!" I got the dumbass in a headlock. " I should have you killed again."

*******

After that travisty, my time was spent reinforcing my influence. After all, it was the reason I was able to push my weight around a bit. It would especially be needed for this upcoming meeting.

My main base of influence was with the guys I brought with me when I joined the CGS. Most of them were part of the older boys, so they provided a large amount of influence because of their ability to work and their seniority.

Walking into the head office after a few hours with Andre at my back, we were met with Orga, dollar store Hitler stash dude, accountant dude who's name I found was Dexter and Biscuit. My eyes immediately went to stash.

"What is he doing here?" I asked with a cold look. To say I didn't like the guy was an understatement. I would allow him to continue with his plans for plot sake but that didn't mean I had to like it.

The traitorous coward flinched ever so slightly before attempting to mask it behind an easygoing smirk. He adjusted his vest and sat up straighter, but the sweat beginning to form at his brow betrayed him.

" Todo has knowledge and access to CGS's financial and legal documents," Biscuit explained, though his tone was laced with clear disapproval. "If we want to make the transfer cleanly, it would be prudent to have him here."

"That so?" I wonder how much of that is true and how much of it was Todo just trying to get into the top brass. " Whatever. What I really want to know want is who shall be the owner of this, what was it again? Tekkaden."

It was obvious but the question was more to open the door to the discussion I wanted to hold and as expected, Orga opened it.

"I will."

" That doesn't seem fair. Only you alone? This isn't the first time I've had problems with the leadership here and I think it's finally time we discuss it."

Orga squared his shoulders. "Then say what you need to say."

There was no point in being flowery with my language here so I just bluntly said it. With CGS gone, I didn't need to be the easygoing good guy every one liked anymore. " No offence, but it's been clear that you don't have a business centric mind, not that it's your fault but that will prove detrimental."

I then pointed at myself. " I thinks its obvious that I'm the best fit to run this place, at least as a co leader. "

Biscuit frowned, shifting in his seat, while Eugene crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. Dexter remained quiet, carefully observing the exchange. No initial shouting or anger. Good sign.

Orga let the words settle for a moment before responding. "And what makes you think you're the best fit?"

I smirked slightly. "Because I've been the one keeping things together behind the scenes. You've got strength, leadership, and loyalty—but I bring strategy, finances, and long-term vision. We can't afford to just survive. We need to thrive."

I wouldn't claim to be some business guru or prodigy but even in my previous life, I've been in business since I came out the womb. From selling sweets at school to car washes to crypto, stocks and hopping on those AI money making models. Where money was, I was.

I've at tried it all and that didn't even count this life yet.

" Hell, just in the limited time of your leadership, you've somewhat followed my laid out ideas or plans and when you haven't, you've wasted potential resources."

Granted, they were just logical steps to take, like setting up meeting to discuss what happens next and how to handle the aftermath of the fight but laying them out in one's own way could technically mean you followed the options laid out by said person. The wasted potential, I didn't need to explain.

I paused to look all of them in the eyes. Had to make sure I was holding everyone's attention. "You're too idealistic Orga. To focused on things that don't matter at the moment and you may not agree with my own ideas and plans but no one can doubt that when I think, I can think of the company. Of profits. I've had the most experience with businesses, even if my small gambling den and smuggling network could hardly count as one. It's more than anyone here can say. "

Finally, Orga exhaled through his nose and met my' gaze. "So, what? You want to take charge?"

"I want us to stop pretending that just swinging our fists and shouting about family is going to make us thrive. I want us to run this right, not just survive day to day."

Orga narrowed his eyes, jaw tightening. "And you think you can do better?"

I shrugged. "I know I can."

The room was tense as fuck. I could see a few fists clenching but that's why I brought Andre. If he was good at anything, cracking some skulls was it.

Biscuit finally cleared his throat, stepping forward slightly. "Orga... he's not wrong about everything."

I could kiss this man.

Eugene frowned. "Yeah, but that don't mean he's right either." He looked at me. "We've made it this far under Orga's leadership. And we got our freedom 'cause of him."

I scoffed, shaking his head. "And what happens next? You all keep following a plan that barely exists? Relying on hope and guts."

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees. "This ain't just about loyalty. It's about survival. I've been handling the numbers along with Dexter here, figuring out ways to actually keep us afloat, and I'm telling you—we're running out of time."

Orga finally moved, running a hand through his hair before exhaling sharply. "And what do you propose, then?"

"We run it together. I handle the business, the logistics, the expansion. You keep the men in line, lead them where they need to go. Co-leaders. Because like it or not, I'm the one who actually knows how to keep this place from collapsing."

As much as I wanted to take it all, that would be asking too much. To show them how serious I was, I decided to drop the tsar bomba I had.

" We need to decide it here and now and this won't be something I give up on. If you refuse...I will be taking my share of everything along with all the boys here who will be leaving with me. "

Final nail. "And since I was a main contributor in securing our freedom, I think it's fair I also take a few assets here in order to start up my own business."

Silence.

"Darius, you're serious about this?" Biscuit asked.

I leaned forward, my gaze steady. "I don't make empty threats, Biscuit. I've given this a lot of thought. If Orga won't acknowledge what needs to be done, then I'm not sticking around to watch this place fall apart."

" You really won't back down from this?" Orga asked.

I shook my head. "Not a chance."

Another moment of silence. Then Orga's shoulders shifted, and he let out a slow, resigned sigh. "Alright." His tone was measured but heavy. "We'll figure something out."

No, I won't be taking that.

" There's no figuring something out here Orga. I've told you what I want. Time is money here and the longer you plan to discuss this, the more time you're giving to Gjallarhorn to attack again. The more time we waste, the closer you get to the six month timer."

Biscuit cleared his throat. Must have a loogie stuck in it with how much he clears his throat. "Orga…" His voice was careful, hesitant. "Darius does have a point. We don't have the luxury of dragging this out."

Eugene grunted. "Yeah, but just handing over half the leadership? That ain't how we've done things."

I needed to press one more time.

"Equal leadership. Not a figurehead position, not 'advice'—real decision-making power. I run the business side of things, the finances, the logistics. You handle operations, combat, and overall command."

I then stood up and outstretched a hand. " Is this a deal or not?"

Orga stared at my hand and for a second, I thought he would actually refuse but he stood up and took it, closing one eye as he stared at me dead. I didn't back down though. Not when I was at the end.

"Fine. We'll do this together."

I smirked, shaking his hand. " Glad you see reason."