Netori: I Shall Steal All Of My Enemies' Women For Revenge!-Chapter 247: Haruto’s Decision

But Daiki only smirked, leaning back in his chair with an air of amusement. "You're still going to release the data and destroy the Crown of Ito anyway, aren't you?"

His fingers tapped idly against the table. "The profiles you gave me are high-ranking, sure. But where's the rest? I know you have more."

He tilted his head. "So tell me—what's in it for me? If I give you Ren, my entire business still crumbles. Where's the profit in that?"

The room tensed, but Haruto didn't waver.

"You can rebuild it—with your own hands."

Daiki raised an eyebrow, but Haruto continued, crossing his legs as he met his gaze. "I can tell that this business isn't entirely under your control."

"The security is too weak, too easy to breach. That's not something a meticulous, calculating man like you would allow."

"The profiles I gave you aren't just Ren's trusted clients. They include his top investors. If you keep them safe, they'll see you as the man who can manage a crisis, the one who can protect their interests."

Haruto's voice lowered, sharp with meaning. "We can also make sure that the human trafficking and... certain content stays buried—if you give me Ren."

Silence stretched between them.

"Remember, Daiki," Haruto pressed, his voice unwavering, "the media can be controlled. So can the police. As long as no one leaks this negotiation, no one will ever know what happened here."

It was the last card he had to play.

Destroying the Crown of Ito was their true goal, but Haruto and his group knew they couldn't simply dump everything into the hands of the police or the media.

That would be reckless—suicidal even. Their enemies were intertwined with their so-called allies. A single misstep would get them all killed.

Even so, Rin couldn't stay silent. Her hand shot out, gripping Haruto's shoulder as she whispered harshly into his ear.

"So this was your plan all along?" Her voice was laced with fury.

"If you don't cut off the root, the tree will grow back. More girls, more women will suffer because of this. You bastard."

Her fingers dug into his shoulder, and Haruto flinched.

"Calm down," he murmured, barely moving his lips.

"This is the only choice we have. Don't let them suspect anything."

Rin gritted her teeth, but she knew he was right. That didn't mean it didn't disgust her.

Meanwhile, Daiki glanced at Azuma, who leaned in and muttered, "He's got a point, Daiki. You want to be the one in control of this business, don't you?"

Daiki clicked his tongue, irritated. "I hate that they're getting the upper hand."

Azuma smirked. "You've pissed Haruto off enough already. And remember, they are also taking a loss here."

"Shohei's going to be furious when he hears about this, and you'll have the perfect opportunity to rebuild everything—just pin it all on him."

A slow grin stretched across Daiki's face.

"You always know what to say, Azuma." He exhaled sharply before turning back to Haruto.

"Fine. You can have Ren. Do whatever you want with him."

Haruto didn't let himself react, even as a wave of relief threatened to wash over him.

Daiki, however, wasn't done.

Leaning in, his smirk turned razor-sharp. "But remember—when this business falls, it won't be my fault. It'll be yours. And I'll make sure Shohei knows it."

"And I will inform you or your group which content you need to keep later."

With that, he stood, grabbed the papers, and made his way to the door. Just before stepping out, he turned his head slightly and chuckled.

"Let's meet again, Haruto... or maybe not."

The door shut behind him.

The moment he was gone, Rin slammed her hand against the table, her frustration boiling over.

"That bastard! What the hell are you going to do now?" She turned to Haruto, her expression a mix of anger and worry.

That boy in front of her had just painted a target on his back. The yakuza would come for him, and there wouldn't be anyone to protect him.

Haruto clenched his fists but forced himself to stay composed.

"It's fine," he said. "I only have one target. Nothing else matters."

His gaze met Rin's, filled with quiet determination. "Let's go. Let's give the good news to the Terminator."

Rin opened her mouth, ready to curse him for sacrificing himself—but stopped herself.

Instead, she sighed and nodded, falling into step beside him.

The two walked in silence, their minds heavy with thoughts of what was to come.

***

"So? Is it safe for me to give the signal to Arataki?"

Old Futto asked the moment Haruto and Rin stepped out of the building.

Haruto smirked. "Yeah. We've made a deal with Daiki. Ren is ours now."

Old Futto grinned, nodding in satisfaction before pulling out his phone to call Arataki. Soon, his friend would abduct Ren and bring him to their hideout.

As he made the call, Rin turned to Haruto, studying him intently.

"Are you really not going to tell the others?" she asked.

Haruto shook his head. "No. But I need to talk to Senior Kikuchi." He pulled out his phone, but before he could type a message, Rin grabbed his wrist.

"What you're doing is stupid," she said firmly. "The five of us are in this together. We should all take responsibility."

Haruto opened his mouth to argue, but she cut him off.

"But… I get it." Her grip loosened slightly. "So let me come with you."

Haruto blinked. "What?"

Rin crossed her arms, scowling. "Are you dumb? I told you—I'll follow you wherever you go. Don't make me say it again."

For a moment, Haruto just stared at her. Then, a slow smile tugged at his lips.

"Thanks," he said, voice softer than before. "But you don't have to. I don't want you to throw your life away."

"Tch. No matter what I do, my death will be meaningless."

She exhaled heavily, gaze drifting to the side. "Look at me—I'm dying without having done anything that matters. Just let me help this one last time."

Haruto met her eyes, seeing the determination burning within them. He had been annoyed with Rin at first, but no matter what, she had always been there, fighting alongside them.

He had no problem using people, but using his allies… That was different.

That was why he had gone about securing Ren this way instead of resorting to killed him outright. A gang war would have been inevitable, and he couldn't afford that.

So when Daiki offered him up as the scapegoat, Haruto had felt relief rather than fear.

"Haruto," Rin said, her voice steady, "my best friend died because of them. This is the right thing to do."

Haruto let out a long sigh before nodding. "Fine. But if things go south—run."

Rin scoffed. "Hah! As if you'd ever catch me running away."

Before Haruto could respond, Old Futto finished his call and waved them over.

"Let's go," he said. "They're waiting for us."