If you were Michael..

You step into Micheal's shoes right after his father passes. You did the things he's already done in the past. Knowing his future if you do what he does, how would you alter it and end up with happiness?

I would do everything he did in New York. Then turn the Olive Oil business over to two families, one run by Rocco, and the other by Clemenza. Have Hagen work with the labor unions, politicians and the remainder of the commission to disassociate the Corleones from everthing in New York. Then focus on the Casinos, stilll using Neri to muscle his way into control of the major ones.

All along make all this very clear to Hyman Roth and tell him there will be no association in Havana, and that the Corleones are out of the mob.

Keep Neri on for purposes of being in charge of security, and never hit anyone first. Neri will need big bucks. When Pentangeli comes whining tell him its his problem, he can sink or swim with the Rosatos. That none of this is the Corleone business any more.

Telegraph to Don Tomassino and the powers that be in Sicily that the Corleones are out. Eventually through the good offices of the Sicilians and Commission get a Niche carved out for Neri and cut him loose. Keep high security but as time goes by and people realize Omerta is being kept and there is no "action" by the Corleones, attention will be drawn away from the family. Spend time with Kay and the kids, trael with them, maybe send Mama and Fredo to Sicily for a trip...in fact put Fredo in charge of Mama so he can't be traipsing around Beverly Hills, running Mickey Mouse Night Clubs or the rest.

Outsmart Geary by creating a hooker scandal without murdering the girl, and use money to get him out in a primary, and get my own person in power. Geary is small potatoes.

Continue the withdrawal and really go legitimate.

In short, what De Niro did in Analyze This.

All very smart points!

I would still be in fear that someone is gunning for me. There is always someone out there looking for revenge. Once everybody knows Michael is out, someone would use this as an opportunity to easily hunt him down. Or they start killing people close to him to flush Michael out into the open.