"It will be for one hundred million Eurodollars," the banker continued. "And it is already fully subscribed, in advance."
"Only one hundred million?" Sato felt his iron facade crack. "What purpose—?"
"It will provide the immediate funds I understand are now needed. After that, we can discuss further steps."
Further steps? Sato thought. Yes, the Tokyo oyabun would definitely see to it that there were further steps. His bird would sing. Or else. Kenji Nogami was acting as though obligation, giri, had ceased to exist. But such things were not possible. Giri lasted forever. Did Nogami think the old ways no longer counted for anything?
"The debentures will be purchased by an American investor," Nogami went on, his voice cutting through the silence. "His name is Vance."
"I have heard of him already." Sato felt his anger boil. Vance, he knew, had the oyabun’s hundred million and was trying to hold the entire scenario ransom. What he hadn't known until this instant was that Kenji Nogami was helping him.
Well, he thought, perhaps the two problems can be solved simultaneously. An example is going to be made of Vance, an example that will also serve to provide a certain recalcitrant bird a needed refresher course in giri.
Yes, Jiro Sato thought, the CEO's kobun from Tokyo are going to arrive to find their work has been done. Enough face has been lost, not to mention three men. The situation is intolerable. The only way to regain the London office's tattered honor, to avenge its disgrace, is to resolve the Vance situation immediately.