I simultaneously traverse countless worlds

"If it's Yukio, is she going to manage the Washimine Group?"

Upon hearing Li Mo's assessment, Roberta, standing beside her man, spoke with some curiosity. She and Li Mo had an exceptionally close relationship in private, and she felt it was best to ask her lover directly about such matters; Li Mo wouldn't hide anything from her.

What intrigued Robert was whether Li Mo was going to let Washi Yukio manage the Washi Peak Group.

It wasn't that Robert looked down on Washimine Yukio; the truth was that she was now a completely different person. The super maid, who had learned a lot, knew very well that managing an organization of several thousand people and making it run smoothly required much more than just a noble title.

At first glance, some people think that managing people according to the system is relatively simple. However, anyone who has personally participated in managing a class knows that managing dozens of students to participate in an activity is a headache. If you want to manage an organization of hundreds or even thousands of people and make the organization run smoothly, without relying on external forces but relying on your own management ability, such a person would be considered a top management talent in a Fortune 500 company.

The situation with the Washimine Group is probably far more complex than that of a Fortune 500 company. At least Fortune 500 companies don't consider fighting and killing each other to seize territory. They are mostly concerned with developing products, establishing production and sales channels, and so on. Even countries support these legitimate companies. However, the Washimine Group is a Japanese yakuza organization. It would be strange if they didn't fight and kill each other to seize territory. Developing products is even more absurd. Their main business is collecting security fees, smuggling, and gambling.

Especially now that Japan's economy is in such a bad state, all sorts of strange things are happening one after another. Even the once wealthy and powerful Japanese yakuza groups are now trying to make money. The Washine Group, which started getting involved in the laundry detergent business and the sex industry in the original Black Lagoon anime, is a very typical example. While the EU Group is starting to influence the Washine Group, the size of this yakuza group is still enormous.

The Washimine Group has nearly two thousand official members, and if you consider the close family members and related peripheral members it can influence, the number is probably over one hundred thousand. Its influence even extends to several wards in the Tokyo metropolitan area. While it is not as large as the Yamaguchi-gumi or Kakichi-kai, which have hundreds of thousands of members, it is still not weak compared to the subordinate branches of various yakuza groups. In fact, it is even considered to be above average.

Even Solon, a former intelligence elite from East Prussia, said that it would take him quite a while to completely control the Eagle Peak Group. It would be better to use economic means to slowly boil the frog in water. Unless the Eagle Peak Group wants to continue to make its own way, it will be gradually influenced by Li Mo's methods.

As for letting Washine Yukio take over the Washine Group now?

Sorry, it's not that Roberto looks down on people; she actually admires this determined and beautiful girl. However, a determined personality doesn't necessarily equate to increased abilities. For example, compared to ordinary high school girls her age, Washimine Yukio currently has a significant advantage in knowledge and fighting skills. But to take over control of the Washimine Group based on that is not only unreliable to Roberto, but even close associates like Bando's deputy leader and Matsuzaki Ginji would think it's unreliable, let alone the ordinary members of the Washimine Group.

Even those members of the Washine Group only showed respect to Washine Yukio out of respect for the previous leader and descendant of the Washine Group's founder, not because they felt they should be led by Washine Yukio. Even if they accepted the fact that Japanese customs favored men over women, Washine Yukio would still have to demonstrate sufficient ability!

"Haha, of course not. Although Yukio has that title, and I plan to let her continue to be nominally the second-generation leader of the Washimine Group, she won't be involved in the actual management!"

Upon hearing Robert's words, Li Mo couldn't help but laugh. He immediately rejected his woman's suggestion, then formally stated his opinion. Looking in the direction of Washimine Yukio and Matsuzaki Ginji, his tone was full of amusement: "In fact, Washimine Yukio having this title is both a good thing and a bad thing for her. It depends on whether she and the others in the Washimine Group understand their situation..."

As one of Japan's yakuza organizations, the leader of the Washine Group must be Japanese at the very least. The second-generation leader, Washine Yukio, who has a legitimate claim to power, is even more accepted by the Washine Group and other Japanese people, and there is no objection to him.

Li Mo, who had witnessed America's and Europe's operations in the real world before his transmigration, was well aware of this. America's financial infiltration of Japan, South Korea, and even European countries effectively gave it control over key industries in its financial colonies, such as South Korea, Japan, and Third Prussia. For example, the majority of shares of the South Korean monopoly giant, Samsang Group, were held by Wall Street. The so-called leader of Samsang Group was just a puppet of South Korea put forward by America.

Li Mo only understood America's financial game after experiencing a baptism of fire on the internet. On the surface, the companies were still controlled by American citizens, but the actual control was in America's hands. Through this rather covert economic colonization, America reaped huge profits without bearing the burden of actual colonization. The blame and criticism were mostly borne by these agents and companies, while the majority of the benefits went to America, without them having to pay too much extra expenses or face the pressure of public condemnation.

Compared to the open and brutal colonial era of seizing territory, America's covert colonial methods are far more subtle. Those unaware of the inner workings may find it like looking at flowers through a fog, but a closer look at America's military bases and aircraft carrier fleets around the world, coupled with its massive capital investments, reveals that this approach is applicable to the vast majority of countries. Unless you have the power to counter America, accepting America's investment terms is like drinking poison to quench your thirst; it can use financial leverage to control the economic lifeline of an entire nation.

Similarly, Li Mo absorbed America's advanced experience. He didn't care about the methods she used, only whether they were effective. As for controlling the Eagle Peak Group, Li Mo learned America's methods and supported a suitable puppet to control the power.

"Yukio, can she really manage the Washimine Group? Aren't you afraid she might...?"

Robert was surprised by Li Mo's words. She hadn't expected her man to actually have such thoughts. She couldn't help but ask Li Mo, her beautiful eyes, which were wearing non-prescription glasses, showing some emotion. She thought that Li Mo was giving her a chance because of her mentorship. However, Robert did not agree to it. She even pointed out the potential problems that might arise if Washine Yukio really took over the Washine Group.

Regardless of the circumstances, Washine Yukio does indeed have a legitimate claim to the Washine Group. It would be better if she didn't have the ability, but if she does and takes control of the Washine Group, the EU Group's influence over the Washine Group is likely to change, which is not something Robert wants to see!

"Yes, if she were to apply what she's learned, there would indeed be some hidden dangers. Unfortunately, right now, the most important things are force and capital, and the Eagle Peak Group doesn't have that kind of capital!"

Faced with Robert's astonishment, Li Mo skillfully reached out and embraced his woman's waist. Feeling the graceful and charming figure of the beauty in his arms, he explained while enjoying himself, showing no concern whatsoever.

Robert is right. Someone with ambition and ability can indeed cause trouble for the EU Group when they have a legitimate reason to manage the Eagle Peak Group. Unfortunately, this is on the premise that the Eagle Peak Group has the ability to threaten the EU Group. However, the problem is that the EU Group, as the major financial backer, is not a pushover. On the contrary, the EU Group is the one that controls stronger military power and vast capital. Unless the leader of the Eagle Peak Group is crazy or stupid, he would never consider turning against his major financial backer.

Therefore, with both military force and capital in his hands, Li Mo, just like America who has established numerous military bases in Japan, South Korea, and the Third Prussia, doesn't care at all about Washine Yukio's so-called hidden dangers regarding the Washine Group. Instead, he is methodically starting a new round of power expansion!

Chapter 10 Expanding Power

Li Mo naturally didn't care about the potential hidden dangers that the Washi Peak Group might bring if Washi Peak Yukio were assigned to lead the Washi Peak Group. In his view, these hidden dangers were something that had a probability but was completely impossible, so he didn't need to worry about them.

Of course, it wasn't that Li Mo trusted the loyalty of the Japanese Yakuza so much; it was simply that, as he and Robert said, force and capital were the EU Group's greatest advantages.

Even an elite warrior like Matsuzaki Ginji, who upheld the spirit of chivalry, still couldn't solve the problems facing the Washimine Group. Even though Washimine Yukio learned martial arts and management knowledge from Li Mo, how easy was it for her to lead the Washimine Group?

Putting aside other things, the monthly expenses of the Washimine Group alone are an astonishing figure. Even though the rule of Japanese yakuza groups used to be that subordinates would pay money to their superiors, which meant that many high-ranking members and leaders of yakuza groups were not short of money, in the context of Japan's poor economic situation, it was a pipe dream to expect subordinates to hand over large sums of money. It was very difficult to maintain the lives of official members without spending money. Compared to other yakuza groups, the Washimine Group had a bottom line, so it had not previously entered many lucrative black market activities.

If the Japanese economy were doing well, there would be no problem with Washine Group doing this. However, now that the Japanese financial bubble has burst and the environment is dire, if Washine Group does not receive investment from the EU Group, the only consequences are either following the path of making money at any cost, as depicted in the original Black Lagoon anime, or the worst option of disbanding Washine Group.

Therefore, Li Mo was completely unconcerned about the potential threat posed by Washi Peak Yukio. Unless she could find a gold mine as her trump card, it was inevitable that the Washi Peak Group would be influenced or even controlled by a powerful financial backer who controlled both military force and capital.

Once Li Mo made his decision, the EU Group and the invested Eagle Peak Group began their operation, acquiring some bankrupt or near-bankrupt companies in Japan!

In this regard, Li Mo did not spend lavishly to acquire real estate, hotels, or other fixed assets. Instead, he patiently selected small and medium-sized enterprises with unique technologies and engineers, followed by a restructuring and the dispatch of personnel abroad.

Naturally, under Li Mo's instruction, the EU Group reorganized its factories and enterprises into an industrial chain. The engineers sent abroad found new jobs in China. With the joint investment from Japan and America, they established new machinery manufacturing plants, electronic component factories, and other enterprises in China. They also secretly sold high-tech machinery and many sensitive goods to China through smuggling and other covert channels.

Many people know about the famous Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM), in which America, together with European countries, strictly prohibited the sale of advanced technology, machinery, equipment, and raw materials to countries such as Russia and China. Japan also once prohibited the sale of high-tech products, including aerospace, precision instruments, and biopharmaceuticals, to China. In terms of high technology, Japan imposed restrictions and blockades on China. In the China before Li Mo's time travel, it was not until after 2000 that the country became economically prosperous and gradually solved the bottleneck problem in technology.

In the context of the Black Reef World, China, in the early 90s, naturally had not yet invested heavily in technological innovation. However, it was extremely eager for investment and technology. Li Mo's decision to have the EU Group enter China both openly and covertly was met with great enthusiasm. If Li Mo hadn't been unwilling to take the limelight, he could have simply given them the title of "old friend of China." Moreover, China was very understanding of this and even sent special personnel to coordinate and conduct trade with the EU Group in various aspects.

After all, what China currently lacks is not just capital and technology. It also lacks high-precision instruments and equipment, which are strictly embargoed by Europe, America, and Japan because these things can directly enhance military capabilities. Similarly, high-performance electronic chips and other such items are of great use in everything from military to aerospace.

In the past, even if the Celestial Empire spent several times the price to smuggle, it would be difficult to obtain what they wanted. But now, Li Mo is not only making large-scale investments, but also secretly bringing many sensitive items to trade. Unless everyone in the Celestial Empire is a fool, they will treat the EU Group very politely, providing the most favorable policies and privately requesting the provision of various necessary machines and materials.

Li Mo was very happy to do this kind of business. Although he would not go to China, he had arranged for someone he absolutely trusted to communicate with him privately. Almost every week, a transport ship would arrive in China, bringing various machines, engineers and supplies.

What do you think the reactions were from Japan and America?

Sorry, Japan hasn't recovered from the aftermath of the bursting economic bubble yet, and Li Mo wouldn't be foolish enough to directly purchase sensitive materials. Besides, he's already placed several spies within the Japanese conglomerate and among its high-ranking officials, so the purchases are entirely done through intermediaries.

For example, if Japan receives orders for manufacturing machines or high-precision instruments from America, various European countries, or some South American countries, the Japanese government will naturally not restrict their exports. The Japanese, who are eager to make money, do not give much thought and ship the goods directly. Some of these orders are genuinely needed by the countries where the goods are shipped, while others are "drifted" and become smuggled goods destined for China. Moreover, some of the production and sales processes are not included in the calculations and are not reported to the Japanese government at all, let alone to America.

Of course, there are definitely smart people in Japan's conglomerates and large companies. They are either silenced by orders and profits or are physically silenced without a trace. In Japan now, things like home invasion robberies or bankruptcy suicides are hardly news, so those few who want to call the police simply disappear without a trace.

As for America, they had already enjoyed two feasts in succession since the Plaza Accord and the collapse of the Red Bear. The latter feast was even more lavish and astonishing. Coupled with the previous animosity caused by trade competition with Japan, the current poor economic situation of Japan is definitely largely due to the greed of America's various forces. Seeing that the Japanese economy has not improved for several years, America's Wall Street has actually shifted its attention, and Japan's distance from America has resulted in information blockade.

As for America's military presence in Japan and intelligence personnel like the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigations Unit, they really didn't realize the problem. Even though there was a precedent of Toshiba secretly exporting five-axis machine tools to the Soviet Union at high prices, European countries also smuggled high-tech equipment to the Soviet Union back then. It's just that Japan, as America's hidden colony, was much more unfortunate than European countries that at least maintained a certain degree of autonomy.

The problem is that China had also considered using smuggling, but it was too short of funds to offer a price. By the time China had the money to use this method, America considered China a major enemy in the modern world. In addition, given the complicated relationship between Japan and China, it was very difficult for China to obtain advanced equipment and technology from Japan.

Currently, America's attention is not on East Asia. The major events resulting from the disintegration of the Red Bear and the situation in Europe are what they are focusing on. Li Mo's private activities in Japan are being protected and have not been leaked.

On the surface, EU Group's business in Japan has increased significantly. Having already established branches in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Southeast Asia, and even the Americas, EU Group is categorizing and screening unsold goods in Japan at low prices. For example, branches in various regions determine the goods lacking based on the situation in their respective areas and then transport them. Merchant ships, fully loaded with goods, are transported to all parts of the world through ports controlled by the Washi-mine Group and other ports. Contraband smuggled into China is thus inconspicuous.

Thanks to EU Group's major moves, at least many people in Japan now know that EU Group is a major client. As a result, EU Group acquired several bankrupt banks in Japan, along with several smaller banks acquired in America, Europe, and South America, and directly reorganized them into its own commercial banks. Moreover, it also has key figures who control several banks through the [Seed of Fusion]. It can be said that EU Group's various financial businesses have been directly consolidated.

Anyone with a discerning eye who knows about the development of the EU Group would be surprised to find that the EU Group is involved in multiple industries such as agriculture, mining, metallurgy, manufacturing, precision electronics, and finance. Although they may not be prominent at the group level, they have already formed a self-contained ecosystem. If they continue to grow in this way, the EU Group will become a new conglomerate with a global presence. However, apart from Li Mo and a few close confidants, outsiders would not be able to see any of the other subordinate forces that bear the names of companies and enterprises from various countries besides the EU Group.

For the EU Group, its development in Japan has been very smooth. With money and America's backing, the Japanese conglomerates and executives are not foolish enough to stop the EU Group's development. Moreover, they cannot stop this kind of money-spending acquisition. After America's scythe reaped the benefits of Japan, Japanese banks suffered greatly and tightened their lending. The major conglomerates are in a difficult period and naturally will not bleed money from their pockets.

After nearly three months, the EU Group's power and influence had expanded significantly, and almost all members of the Eagle Peak Group had submitted to the EU Group. Only then did Li Mo have time to pay attention to the situation of Roarapra and the Cat's Eye sisters...

Chapter 11 Li Mo's Attention (Final free chapter and author's note upon release)

"Huh? Has the storyline of Roarapra progressed to this point?!"

Under the warm sunshine, after finishing up on the EU Group's new round of global expansion and the issues of cultivating connections with the local power in Japan's political and business circles, Li Mo, having a moment of free time, sighed as he held the intelligence from Roarapra.

That's right! Before Li Mo left Roa Apra, some of the spies he had planted were lost for various reasons, but the remaining spies were still providing relevant intelligence information. Therefore, when the EU Group sent personnel to establish a business office in Siam, they forwarded this information to the EU Group headquarters in Tokyo. Li Mo received the relevant information in less than a day.

Overall, after Li Mo left Roarapra, this lawless port city continued its illegal trade as usual. The protagonist of the original "Black Lagoon" storyline, Locke, who had drawn attention to Li Mo, has appeared. This unfortunate boy was almost killed for knowing the secrets of his company. He is currently hanging out in Roarapra with Revy and a few others, enjoying the daily gunfire and even live-action gunfights. Apart from a few triads, the Moscow Hotel, and the church, many small and medium-sized forces in Roarapra have changed every few days.

After all, Roapura, the sinful city of Southeast Asia, brings enormous benefits to all forces. Unless they are truly capable of defeating those provocateurs, small and medium-sized forces are constantly changing hands. For example, the Gemini Assassins, who have already withdrawn from the scene, have caused several forces to leave Roapura.

Having read the original Black Lagoon anime, Li Mo felt somewhat saddened by the deaths of the Gemini Killers. Those two seemingly insane young assassins were actually forced into that state of madness by the dire circumstances. The reason for all of this was the downfall of the Red Bear, which dragged Big Bear, Little Bear, Little Bear, and more than a dozen countries into hell. The Gemini Killers' fate was just a microcosm.

However, there are plenty of pitiful people in the world, and Li Mo doesn't have that much sympathy to act like a saint. He mourned for the Gemini Killers' fate for a few seconds, then forgot about it and continued looking at the intelligence information in his hand!

"It seems that there won't be any major trouble in Loalapra, but it's hard to say whether the Moscow Hotel will expand into Japan!"

After reviewing the information about Roalapura and confirming that the plot was largely the same as the original Black Lagoon, Li Mo estimated whether Roalapura's Moscow Hotel might attempt to expand its influence in Japan. He then made a rough judgment: "Given the Russians' personality, it's highly likely they'll try to enter Japan when the opportunity arises, but it probably won't have anything to do with the Washimine Group..."

Li Mo naturally knew that the Moscow Hotel in Loarapra had become a subordinate of the Russian mafia, and was once the air assault brigade of the Red Bear, whose members were even elite veterans who had experienced the Central Asian guerrilla war.

The problem is that the Russian mafia wants to enter Japan. In the original Black Lagoon anime storyline, the Washimine group, which had already stepped into the shadows, discovered that they were selling laundry detergent and encountered an insurmountable enemy. That's why they hired the Moscow Hotel as an assassin from Roa Alabura. Later, they realized that they had let a wolf into their house. The Moscow Hotel had long wanted to go to Japan and take over the business, but they hadn't had a suitable opportunity until now. The Washimine group's invitation provided the perfect excuse.

Fortunately, Li Mo didn't care about the Moscow Hotel now. Even if the other party was a veteran of the Red Bear who had experienced the Central Asian war, so what? He had more confidence in the combat power of the elite warriors he had fused with the [Seed of Fusion]!

……

Having only read some recent information about Roarapra, Li Mo didn't take it to heart. He valued Roarapra based on its actual worth, rather than things like being a main character in a storyline.

In fact, apart from Robert and Soron, one of whom was close enough to leave with him from Roarapra, and the other who was semi-forced to serve him, Li Mo basically didn't know the rest of the people from Roarapra or had only a casual relationship with them. He wasn't interested in a female protagonist like Revy either, since her personality was truly awful. If they met or hit it off, they might be able to get along, but most of the time they'd probably fight if they couldn't reach an agreement.

As for the value of Roarapra, it lies entirely in its various illegal transactions in Southeast Asia. Li Mo only needs to place his pawns in these transactions. As for the high-profile move of ruling Roarapra, which attracts the attention of various forces, he thinks it is better to leave it to other fearless warriors. Those who value money over life will certainly not care whether they are killed as a scapegoat.

As Li Mo got up slightly and walked straight down from the balcony, pouring himself a cup of coffee in the living room, he suddenly heard Washimine Yukio and Robert talking. Then he saw two slender figures open the door and walk in.

"Huh? Yukio, did you go swimming with Robert?"

Upon seeing the beautiful black-haired girl and her maid, who looked exceptionally pretty and alluring in their swimsuits and had clearly just come from the direction of the pool, Li Mo skillfully stepped forward, put his arm around the two beauties, and whispered to Washamine Yukio, whose pretty face was flushed, "What do you mean?"

"Yes, we just finished training with our master. We'll take a shower first and then go swimming..."

Faced with Li Mo's intimate gesture, Washi Yukio, whose face had already been thoroughly devoured by the big bad wolf in front of her, blushed like a burning cloud. However, her body, which seemed to have grown even more hot and alluring as she matured again, pressed closer to Li Mo and whispered her reply.

Indeed, during this time, Washimine Yukio had been thoroughly taken advantage of by Li Mo. If the black-haired beauty were to appear in front of her classmates from a few months ago, probably no one would recognize this tall and alluring girl as the slightly timid high school girl they had once seen. Whether in terms of appearance or ability, Washimine Yukio's transformation was astonishing. Her deep attachment to Li Mo led to the situation where the big bad wolf devoured the little lamb.

However, the high-ranking members of the Washimine Group, including Matsuzaki Ginji, approved of the close relationship between Washimine Yukio and Li Mo. After several months of changes, they realized that they had to stick close to the EU!

"Mo, don't bully Xuexu!"

Beside Li Mo, Roberta affectionately hugged her man's arm, her proud breasts pressed against his skin, giving Li Mo a wonderful feeling. Although she didn't care much about her lover's philandering, she still felt a little jealous, as she regarded Li Mo as the most important person in her life.

"Haha, I didn't bully her, I just wanted to get along well with Yukio!"

At this point, Li Mo's skin had thickened beyond measure. He completely disregarded Robert's sarcastic tone, readily agreeing with a shameless, almost roguish, gesture. He pulled the two beauties into his arms and kissed them, while playfully moving his body up and down, saying, "Hmm, in a little while, we'll take a good bath, and then go for a swim in the big pool outside this afternoon..."

Upon hearing Li Mo's words, both Robert and Washimine Yukio blushed. They naturally knew what their men meant by "taking a bath." Washimine Yukio's face was burning red, looking like a ripe red apple.

After all, with the memories of multiple worlds, especially Li Mo's memories from the Otherworld Appraisal Guide world, and the rich experience brought by the beauties of many different races, Li Mo from the Black Lagoon Comprehensive World had a wealth of theoretical and practical skills. He was very relaxed and at ease dealing with Robert and Washimine Yukio. In addition, with Li Mo's extraordinary physique that was now beyond that of ordinary people, the two beauties could not resist his offensive at all. Otherwise, Robert wouldn't have been so obedient.

At this moment, Roberto and Washimine Yukio were both a little shy, but they were also filled with anticipation as Li Mo hugged and kissed them and led them towards the bathroom, stepping directly into the large Roman-style bathroom...

……

In the afternoon, Li Mo was leisurely lying on a beach chair, enjoying the exceptionally warm sun, while Roberto and Washimine Yukio, the two beautiful women, were still in a drowsy nap due to exhaustion.

Although Robert is also of extraordinary physique, and Washimine Yukio can easily defeat a karate black belt level 1 fighter, the two beauties are no match for Li Mo in this regard. After all, they are at most just entering the extraordinary physique stage, and Washimine Yukio has only reached the level of strength. They are no match for the experienced Li Mo.

—Thanks to his experience as Li Mo's counterpart in another world where beautiful women of different races abound, he faced beauties including, but not limited to, human beauties, elven beauties, beast-eared beauties, half-blooded dream demon beauties, mermaid beauties, winged beauties, dragon beauties, and even vampire beauties. It can be said that any one of them belonged to an extraordinary race or had stepped into the extraordinary level. For example, the clone of the strongest magician, Demia, was proficient in thousands of different positions and almost drained Li Mo dry.

Therefore, with his own experience in this other world, where he was already close to his goal of slaying a thousand beauties of different races, Li Mo from the Black Lagoon Complex World found it extremely easy to deal with Robert and Washimine Yukio. After experiencing a few different learning positions, he made the two beauties fall asleep from exhaustion. Feeling sorry for his two bedmates, Li Mo did not continue and leisurely sat by the swimming pool to sunbathe.

Right now, Li Mo was savoring his recent pleasant experience when he received a message from an informant planted in Tokyo, a high-ranking police department. He raised an eyebrow, sat up, and began preparing for tonight's operation with great interest:

"Hmm? The Cat's Eye sisters are planning something again tonight? Perfect, let's go check them out..."

The Cat-Eye Sisters' Trap in Chapter 12 (New book is now available!)

As night falls, Tokyo remains a brightly lit and bustling city. Pedestrians stroll along the shopping streets, giving one the illusion of still being in the era of Japan's economic boom. However, a closer look reveals the difference.