Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Little Dog, Heijiro

After listening to Wei Hua’s introduction, Sakurako Kinoshita performed a Japanese bow to the three young women and said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I look forward to your guidance.” The three women quickly returned the greeting, and together they continued their morning exercises. From that day on, every morning, Wei Hua and the three women would encounter Sakurako Kinoshita during their routine. Through conversation, they eventually learned that Sakurako’s apartment was not far from theirs—they were practically neighbors. Upon hearing that Sakurako lived nearby, the three women regarded her with increased vigilance.

For two or three consecutive weeks, Sakurako always joined Wei Hua and the three women for their morning practice. Wei Hua greatly admired her persistence and dedication. Eager to learn from him and to spar with him, she would often visit Wei Hua at his apartment. Gradually, the three women came to know her better, but paradoxically, the more they learned, the more wary they became.

Meanwhile, the cassette game consoles and cartridges produced by Blizzard Corporation became wildly popular in America and soon made a successful entry into the Japanese and European markets. The Kinoshita family secured the exclusive agency for Blizzard’s game consoles in Japan, earning them a windfall. With this financial support, the Kinoshita family was able to handle the pressure from the Black Dragon Society with much greater composure.

The recent changes in the Kinoshita family left the president of the Black Dragon Society, Koizumi Tarou, deeply perplexed. He called a meeting of the society’s key members to discuss these developments. Gazing at the core members seated around him, Koizumi Tarou asked, “What do you all make of the recent changes in the Kinoshita family? Do our informants have any news? The matter of absorbing the Kinoshita family is of life-and-death importance to the Black Dragon Society. If we can get their resources under our control, our society will be restored to its former glory. Otherwise, we face extinction. The government’s attitude towards us has changed greatly of late. As you know, diplomatic relations between China and Japan have now been normalized, which means our activities will certainly come under government restrictions, and financial support is out of the question. We must therefore rely on our own development. The Kinoshita family is the best target! Their overseas dojos have been losing money for the past couple of years, and their domestic situation is hardly better. The cause is their family’s conservatism—they cannot keep up with the times. Yet they possess a wealth of resources. If those resources were in our hands, the Black Dragon Society would become Japan's foremost power, and our return to former glory would be but a wave of the hand!”

“Father!” Koizumi Heijirou, the youngest son, spoke up. “The intelligence from our informants in the Kinoshita family isn’t very clear. What we do know is that Kinoshita Shinnosuke has found a partner in America. Through him, the Kinoshita family secured both the convenience food business and the agency for the game consoles. We haven’t yet identified this American partner. However, I have discovered that Kinoshita Sakurako has gone to America. I believe she was sent there by her family to strengthen cooperation with their partner. If we can find Sakurako, we can find the partner in America. Then we can decide how to deal with this collaborator. I am prepared to go to America myself and will make sure to ferret out the Kinoshita family’s partner.”

“Well said!” Koizumi Tarou nodded. “Heijirou’s idea is exactly what we need. Our aim is the Kinoshita family’s resources, so we must slowly eat away and digest their strength. We cannot force them into a desperate fight with us. Gradual encroachment is the best method. Time is on our side, and there is no need for haste. Prepare yourself, Heijirou, and set out for America. I wish you swift success.”

“Thank you, Father! I will depart for America tomorrow in search of Sakurako Kinoshita. I am confident I will bring good news soon.” With that, Koizumi Heijirou left the meeting room.

Sakurako Kinoshita’s frequent appearances by Wei Hua’s side put great pressure on the three women. Sakurako was the epitome of Eastern beauty, possessing a gentle, refined femininity that the three women themselves lacked. What’s more, her Mandarin was fluent, and she always conversed with Wei Hua in Chinese rather than English or Japanese, making their communication smoother and more intimate than with the others. Under the pressure of this formidable rival, the three women’s friendship and tacit understanding deepened. Unconsciously, they formed a united front against Sakurako. Whenever she approached Wei Hua, one of the three would always be by his side, which helped to ease the awkwardness among them.

Wei Hua was fully aware of this subtle rivalry, but he made no attempt to intervene or express his opinion. In fact, he encouraged opportunities to spend time with Sakurako, thereby increasing the pressure on the three women, as it was beneficial for alleviating the tensions among them.

On this particular morning, Wei Hua was teaching the three women basic self-defense techniques and introductory Wing Chun forms. Sakurako Kinoshita was also learning nearby, following along. Wei Hua had taught himself the basics of Wing Chun from a book gifted by the great martial artist Bruce Lee. Sadly, this master had ultimately succumbed to illness, despite Wei Hua’s repeated warnings—Bruce Lee had never believed in the severity of his condition, and in July 1973, he passed away at a friend’s home.

As Wei Hua was correcting the women’s stances, an unpleasant voice suddenly rang out, “So this is the martial art you’re teaching? Turns out it’s just some trivial Wing Chun moves—not even worth mentioning. And you have the nerve to show off such ordinary techniques? Are you trying to fool these pretty girls who know nothing about martial arts, taking advantage of them under the guise of being a master? Ladies, you’d best be careful! There are plenty of frauds nowadays, pretending to teach martial arts just to swindle money and seduce women. Be on your guard and don’t be deceived—especially by those so-called geniuses!”