Boryoku Kyokai

Boryoku Kyokai (暴力協会) are Hinoan transnational organised crime syndicates. The term Boryoku Kyokai is used to refer to the organisations by official publications and the general public; the gangs typically refer to themselves as Kyokai ("Association"), of which each gang has a unique name.

Modern Boryoku Kyokai are closely associated with fraternal associations in Hinomoto, which in the modern day are termed Bunka Kyokai ("Cultural Association"). These associations first appeared in the late 19th century following the unification with Yamatai and increasing "Yamataisation" of Hinomoto under the Yamataian Empire's Izoku Kyowa ideology. Some secret societies were formed by Hinoan men, often ex-Bushi, to preserve their traditions, while others developed in the form of market associations formed by Hinoan traders to protect against encroaching Yamataian traders. Over time, some of these associations began carrying out criminal activities. Not all fraternal associations became criminal syndicates.

Takenoko Association
The Takenoko Association (竹子協会; "Bamboo Shoots Association") is the largest Boryoku Kyokai syndicate, with an alleged membership of 25,000, and it is mainly based in Yuzu as well as Akakiri. It controls many multinational ventures and also has branches in Niihama, Wanshu, Cheongu, and Mijeon. The Takenoko Association is itself divided into several factions that disagree on the use and trafficking of drugs, with the leadership in Yuzu that emerged after a major internal conflict in the 2000s taking an anti-drug stance, though many sub-factions (mainly overseas) do not follow this rule.

Toratsume Association
The Toratsume Association (虎爪協会; "Tiger's Claw Association") is the second-largest Boryoku Kyokai syndicate, with a membership of around 18,000. Mainly based in the Mikawa Metropolitan Area, the Toratsume Association is also one of the largest gangs in western Escar. The gang is a major drug trafficker, accounting for some 20% of drugs crossing the Varunan Ocean alone.

24,000 Association
The 24,000 Association is a major Boryoku Kyokai and has been locked in a bitter rivalry with the Takenoko Association for years. Though the clan claims it has a membership of 24,000, police estimates place the actual membership at about 15,000.

Hebi-San Association
The Hebi-San Association (蛇山協会; "Snake Mountain Association") is a major Boryoku Kyokai gang. Its main territories are located in Akakiri, with an additional heavy presence in Hamazaki, where the gang allegedly operates the popular Five Dragons Hotel and Casino.

Unlike most other Boryoku Kyokai groups, the gang originated from Kanazawa City in Yamatai, and was founded as a self-defence organisation formed by Hinoan dockworkers in Kanazawa. The gang was eventually decimated in a series of conflicts with local Gokudo clans, forcing the gang to relocate its operations to Hinomoto in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the gang was embroiled in a major conflict with the Seiryu-Kai Gokudo that was also attempting to wrest territory in Akakiri, with the Seiryu-Kai eventually retreating from the city.

In 2007, the Hebi-San established itself in Hamazaki.