"Of course."
"Then for the sake of the club, could you go to AC Milan for half a season?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Calderón spoke directly.
"You are the star of this club. I regret and feel sorry to even say this to you, but our financial situation is not good. You probably know that. Think about the state of the club."
"So you are asking me to leave for the club's sake?"
"I will not deny it. But there are benefits for you as well. At least hear the conditions."
First, they would assign him several major global advertising deals controlled by Italian giants in fashion, automobiles, perfume, and telecommunications.
Not the low-tier brands that approached him daily, but sponsorships beyond Adidas, placing him as the main model.
Even converted into value, it was worth hundreds of millions of euro.
In addition, due to FIFA transfer regulations, if one of his parents moved to Italy, Milan would support them in any profession they chose.
For example, fashion.
"Whatever you imagine, they will support it during the loan period. They also promised to pay you at least five times your current wages."
"Did they offer the same terms to Ronaldo?"
"No. That is different. This is unprecedented in football history."
"I see."
But.
"No."
Ho-young's answer was firm.
"I do not want to become AC Milan's political sacrifice."
Both now and in the future, Milan were a hot potato.
Serie A was no longer what it once was, and Milan had long lost their former glory.
According to the future Ho-young knew, it would only get worse.
'There are too many problems at that club.'
Shevchenko, Ronaldinho, Inzaghi, Kaká, Beckham, Maldini, Nesta, Gattuso, Pirlo.
All of them were players whose talents were too precious to waste.
But that did not mean he would walk into a sinking ship.
The biggest issue was Berlusconi.
For him, Milan was nothing more than a political tool.
He led their golden era, but he was also responsible for their decline.
When politically threatened, he spent on star signings. When not, he diverted funds elsewhere.
There was no telling how or when he might be used.
There were also issues of racism.
Ho-young made his position clear.
If he hesitated, it would leave room for Calderón.
"I have no desire to go there. There is nothing better than Real Madrid. This is the best club in the world to me."
"I understand. But a footballer cannot only play in comfortable environments."
"If you have the ability, you can choose where to play. Players work hard to reach the club they want, do they not?"
"But we cannot match your value right now. We may have to freeze wages next year. Is that acceptable? Milan is offering four times your current salary. You can discuss details with Vice President Galliani."
"No. I will not go."
Adriano Galliani.
Just thinking of him gave Ho-young chills.
His business ability was not widely known yet, but Ho-young knew very well.
A thorough businessman.
Outstanding negotiation skills built on eloquence and improvisation.
Perfectly timed media manipulation and persuasive power.
There was hardly anyone in European football who could surpass him in negotiations.
In the future, some Koreans would jokingly call him a master swindler.
A six-month buy-back clause?
'No. Absolutely not. He will do everything possible to prevent me from returning.'
Perhaps preparations had already been underway since last year.
As an ally, he was the best. As an opponent, he was dangerous.
Ho-young spoke firmly.
"And I must say this. I have no intention of leaving. I like it here. The fans, my teammates, Madrid itself. Why should I leave?"
He liked where he was now.
Wearing the white shirt.
He had already achieved Champions League glory, but there was still much he wanted to accomplish at Real Madrid.
Calderón did not back down.
"Just half a season. Until January. Give me six months and I will bring you back immediately."
"If that is not possible, is there truly no other way? It is hard to accept that this club would sell a key player over debt."
That was also true.
Real Madrid were not a club that feared debt.
But their current situation was dire.
Calderón needed to stabilize finances quickly and secure approval for next year's budget.
Then he planned to repay debt and bring Ho-young back.
"I have no intention of selling you permanently. What madman would sell a talent like you?"
Unless an extraordinary offer came, it was unthinkable.
Ho-young had that value and rarity.
Ability comparable to the greatest legends, symbolic presence like Raúl, and star power beyond Beckham.
That was why the buy-back clause was essential.
"Then you are using me for business. For your approval ratings."
"You speak harshly. It is for the club. If our finances were stronger, our Middle East projects would have proceeded without issue."
"That is not my fault. Why must I sacrifice?"
"That is an internal matter."
"Is it because there is not enough budget for this year? Can you not seek help from the banks?"
"That is enough. This is not for a player to debate. It is for management."
"One wrong turn at the helm can sink a ship."
"Are you implying…"
This time, it was not Calderón who lost patience.
Ho-young continued with frustration in his eyes.
"Are you afraid of being compared to former president Pérez?"
"What?"
A direct hit.
Calderón frowned. Ho-young forced a bitter smile.
After such a season, he never imagined this conversation.
It felt like betrayal.
For six years, what had he given everything for?
This financial issue was solvable.
Real Madrid earned nearly 800 million euro annually.
Yet Calderón was demanding sacrifice to avoid minor losses.
Yes.
This was modern football.
In the end, it was about money.
'How hollow.'
He even found himself missing Pérez.
Both cared about approval and money, but Pérez would never have let Ho-young go over this.
It was not that Calderón lacked ability.
He had earned his position.
But.
"Let me propose again. If Milan does not suit you, there are other clubs. The FIFA transfer clause can be resolved. I promise this. Real Madrid and I will stay with you for life. Unless you truly refuse."
Trust was the issue.
Ho-young stood up after one final remark.
"Please respect your players. If Raúl had heard this, who knows what would have happened. He would have called the press immediately. I am serious."
Calderón's pride was wounded, but he did not respond.
In a member-owned club, even the president depended on votes.
He could not treat a player of Ho-young's influence lightly.
From that moment, a subtle tension lingered between them.
That evening.
Ho-young spoke with Lucci.
"I do not understand. If I leave, even for months, his approval ratings will drop."
"If he does not generate revenue somehow, something worse could happen. He will likely use the media to emphasize the inevitability. Six months is manageable. If he brings you back in January, everything resets. He has thought it through. A simple bank loan would solve it, but he does not want the debt exposed to Middle Eastern investors."
"He is thinking about re-election."
"Yes. Loans also have limits due to UEFA FFP. And failed business ventures hurt."
UEFA Financial Fair Play.
Clubs cannot spend beyond their revenue.
Recently, there were moves to limit total debt. Failure to comply could result in heavy fines.
Madrid had repaid part of their debt, but it still exceeded 1.2 billion euro.
More than Manchester United.
The interest alone this year was around 80 million euro.
And 397 million euro had to be repaid this year.
"The shift from Galáctico marketing to stock ventures damaged revenue. Without the double this season, it would have been worse."
"Everything piled up."
"If things turn bad, they might even sell Ronaldo."
"That serious?"
"Real Madrid will not collapse. Five or eight years, the debt will be repaid. But Calderón fears losing his position."
Like the Glazers at Manchester United, who faced protests.
"If the financial details leak, his presidency will be threatened. He is not an owner, just a president."
Ho-young understood.
Real Madrid was as much political as sporting.
"Do not worry. I will handle this from now on."
Lucci asked,
"What are you thinking?"
"If I must choose, England or Germany. Bayern, Manchester United, maybe Chelsea."
"Manchester City?"
"They do not play in the Champions League."
Wherever he went, it might be better than staying.
He had nearly exhausted the talents available here.
Only Alfredo Di Stéfano's remained.
'One hundred official matches can be completed in the Supercopa in August. The conversation condition after the World Cup.'
Experiencing another league might not be bad.
But once he left, he might not return.
At least not while Calderón remained.
"I will decide after the World Cup."
Yes.
For now, he would forget everything and focus.
"Japan first, then Belarus?"
"Yes."
He exhaled.
He would release his frustration in the upcoming matches.
The next day.
His plane departed for Saitama, Japan.
The match was two days later.
At Saitama Stadium, the sacred ground of Japanese football.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)