Chapter 19: From Fiend to Demon—The Four Most Ruthless Men!

Chapter 19: From a Fierce Man to a Demon—The Four Most Menacing Men!

“Iwata-san, why are you filming so many scenes of people walking?”

Yutaka Matsushige was filled with curiosity about movies.

So whenever a question popped into his mind, he asked it.

But his question startled Neko, Uo, Kiyoshi, and the others quite a bit.

“Just do whatever the boss orders,” they thought.

“Why ask questions? The boss is so brilliant and mighty… but mainly because he’s so terrifying. How dare you ask such things?”

Yet to their surprise, Takeshi Iwata only smiled and patted Matsushige’s shoulder upon hearing the question.

“A-hou, then let me ask you first—what do you think of these walking shots?”

That question—

At that moment, Matsushige was completely absorbed in pondering the film’s shots. He didn’t realize that Iwata was simply tossing the ball back.

But after all, Matsushige was genuinely curious about film and acting, and he took things seriously.

Right now, Mushroom-chan was indeed contemplating those walking shots.

After a moment, he said, “I honestly don’t understand them, but somehow I find these shots very ‘Skokuichi’!”

Upon hearing this, Takeshi Iwata burst into laughter.

“See? That’s exactly right!”

???

Neko, Uo, and Kiyoshi were also greatly shaken. Could it be that the new, fierce-looking guy had guessed correctly?

Excitement appeared on Matsushige’s face.

Iwata continued, “The film isn’t finished yet, but just from this, if it sparks thought in you and them, doesn’t that mean these shots are a success?”

This…

“Skokuichi!”

“As expected of the boss!”

“What boss! Call him the director!… The director’s amazing!”

Neko, Uo, Kiyoshi, and Matsushige all showered praise.

Iwata was naturally proud, but what was the real truth?

What exactly did these walking shots represent?

He didn’t know himself!

Strictly speaking, it was still uncertain.

The original Takeshi Kitano’s “Violent Men” was a film that, besides violence and social critique and the sister character, showed nothing but ‘walking.’

Kitano was constantly walking throughout the film.

Many scholars who studied his films offered various interpretations of these walking shots.

Some praised them lavishly, some criticized them, but praise was more common. A popular view was that these continuous walking shots reflected the protagonist’s inner world.

After all, the film was a huge success and established Kitano’s directorial style.

But which interpretation was correct?

Iwata felt one thing was certain:

These walking shots took up a significant portion of the film’s runtime.

Also, the original film was tailor-made for Kitano. The original director was Kinji Fukasaku, but Kitano had a falling out with him, so Shochiku decisively fired Fukasaku.

As a result, the script was stretched thin, and Kitano had to tough it out and direct himself. Originally, the film was supposed to be a comedy.

So…

Those walking shots? Kitano was just padding the film, wasn’t he?

Iwata didn’t care much now; in any case, the film was a massive success and established Kitano’s unique style.

He called it… borrowing.

The key was those shots saved money, though they wasted some film stock.

But it couldn’t be all walking shots, right?

Iwata immediately took a serious tone with Matsushige, who was still “not quite getting it but deeply moved.”

“Next, we’re going to face off. Are you ready?”

“Don’t worry, Director!”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“Good, show me some spirit.”

Matsushige felt the pressure; he understood it was his turn to step up!

---

The walking was done—so much walking that Iwata had even lagged behind when climbing mountains with Shinobu.

But now, the real deal was about to begin.

Ryousuke Wagatsuma versus killer Kiyohiro!

Normally, films aren’t shot in story order; they shoot whatever they can.

Iwata chose a scene where the protagonist, Ryousuke Wagatsuma, is abandoned by the police and walks alone through the streets as the killer Kiyohiro targets him.

An ambush!

Both men wore white clothing, a design choice loaded with subtext.

But that wasn’t important now. What mattered was their battle.

Tokyo, at night.

The streetlights were dim, a few signs flickering.

Few pedestrians. Ryousuke Wagatsuma walked despondently.

Suddenly, he heard footsteps.

The pace quickened slightly, but with an animal’s alertness, Wagatsuma spun around.

Kiyohiro!

Without a word, he drew a knife and lunged!

At this moment—

“Cut!”

Wagatsuma shouted to halt the scene.

The actor playing Kiyohiro, Matsushige, broke into a cold sweat.

Then…

“Not fierce enough! Where’s your presence?”

Iwata unleashed a barrage of criticism, making Matsushige shrink back slightly.

“Director, well, wasn’t it enough just now?”

Matsushige thought he was already fierce enough, given his naturally intimidating face, which often drew complaints from others.

But!

“Not enough! Still not enough! You’re killing someone—you’re launching a ruthless sneak attack! The opponent is a former cop! And you’re a cold-blooded killer! So you can’t just look like an ordinary thug! Got it?”

“Yes, sir!”

Iwata was indeed harsh… but of course, he wouldn’t admit he was pushing Matsushige to unleash his fiercest side.

“Give me a fierce expression!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Not ‘yes, sir!’”

“Oh!”

Matsushige got angry and furrowed his brows fiercely.

But…

“Still not enough!” Iwata didn’t relent; he intensified, “Mushroom-chan, is that all you’ve got? Have I misjudged you?”

The yakuza boss aura was in full display!

Matsushige was struck by the ‘Mushroom-chan’ jab.

“Aah!”

He roared, his face nearly contorted, and thrust the knife hard.

Was Iwata satisfied now?

“Baka yarou! Smile!”

Smile?

This command shocked Matsushige and gave him a huge hint!

Yes—what truly is fierce, what truly is ruthless, what truly is evil?

Suddenly, the man who already looked very fierce twisted the corners of his mouth upward.

Like a demon from hell!

Neko and Uo, watching nearby, were genuinely frightened. Matsushige now looked like the fearsome Hannya tattoo yakuza often use.

Terrifying!

At that moment, Iwata made a hand signal.

He had previously told them to watch his eye signals, though he hadn’t given any until now. Surely these gestures were clear.

Sure enough, Neko and Uo started operating the equipment.

Iwata turned around and shouted loudly:

“Action!”

Kiyohiro approached from behind, quickening his pace as he neared his target.

A knife thrust!

Ah!

Wagatsuma turned, but had already been stabbed.

Yet Kiyohiro was so fierce—

Another stab!

Unfortunately, Wagatsuma caught the second blade with his hand.

Kiyohiro?

This brutal and ruthless man smiled.

He released the knife and drew a gun!

Wagatsuma was quick-eyed and deflected the shot.

Bang!

A passerby was hit in the head and collapsed.

A woman’s scream pierced the night sky.

But none of this compared to Kiyohiro’s cruel, smiling, merciless face.

That night, the fierce man Matsushige evolved into the demon Matsushige!

…

“Um… I’m here to shoot a film.”

“Oh, welcome, welcome.”

“Well, I should introduce myself—I’m…”

“The director’s shooting now; wait a moment.”

They had really been frightened. What was going on with this “Violent Men” crew?

Even watching those scenes from afar was scary; up close, it was… wow, all fierce guys.

Finally, the director’s scene wrapped, and during a break, he approached this ‘newcomer.’

“Oh, you are…”

“Hello, Director, I’m Kenichi Endo. I’m here to…”

“I know, I know, haha…”

“Um…”

The director reached out his hand; Endo didn’t dare refuse.

But… so scary, covered in blood.

Yes, this newcomer was Kenichi Endo, personally requested by Takeshi Iwata.

He was just a minor actor, with connections to Toho, so it was simple.

Iwata naturally noticed Endo’s fear and smiled, patting his shoulder.

“You look so fierce but have such a timid heart?”

“Well…”

“Dummy! It’s precisely because you look like this that I want you.”

“Oh, I understand! Sumimasen!”

“Idiot! No ‘sumimasen’! Don’t ever say that again!”

“Yes, sir!”

Though Endo looked fierce, inside he almost wanted to cry.

But was that all?

Another member joined the “Violent Men” crew.

A short guy.

“My name’s Teruyuki Kagawa. Nice to meet you!”

The short guy introduced himself immediately, though his attitude was a bit cocky.

The others barely reacted, but Iwata found it odd.

Because this guy wasn’t his pick.

Sure enough, he said he was recommended by Master Jissoji.

And his attitude was still arrogant.

Iwata didn’t care. Demon Takeshi simply thought: Matsushige, Kenichi Endo, Teruyuki Kagawa.

They all looked quite fierce.

If they gathered seven of them, would a fierce-faced dragon emerge?

If Neko and Uo knew Iwata’s thoughts, they’d surely be hurt.

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(End of chapter)