"We both know you followed us. Otherwise, how would you know about Miss Tamayo?"
Before Coulson could defend himself, Quinn raised his hand to stop him. "Alright, forget it. Let's not waste time on this."
Coulson's mouth opened, but he ultimately stopped trying to argue. He thought for a moment, then said, "Then, about finding Miss Tamayo..."
"You can't find her because she doesn't want to see you. I can't force other people's wishes." Quinn glanced at the thoughtful Coulson, pulled a cigarette from his pocket, and lit it slowly. After taking a drag, he continued, "However, while I can't force her wishes, Miss Tamayo will give me face."
"Then what do you suggest..."
"I have things to do later, so I can't accompany you."
Quinn snapped his fingers, cigarette dangling from his mouth.
Suddenly, a purple flower appeared in his hand.
"Take this flower. Go to 50th Street, walk into the alley where Tony and I went yesterday, and you'll see her naturally."
"...What is this flower?"
After Coulson accepted the flower, he examined it curiously.
"Wisteria. A flower that Tamayo both hates and loves." Quinn crushed his cigarette and exhaled the smoke he'd been holding. "Let me warn you first—Miss Tamayo is gentle and kind, but she's not someone simple. If you dare to carry a locator or set up an ambush or anything like that..."
He paused.
"I guarantee you'll die horribly."
"Very valuable advice. Thank you." After thanking him, Coulson asked, "How much?"
"Ten dollars."
"What?"
Coulson froze, eyes widening with confusion.
Did I hear that wrong?
This guy isn't gouging me?
After that unpleasant incident yesterday?
Quinn smiled at him lightly. "If you think it's too cheap and want to thank me, help me get some more IDs."
"...Alright, no problem."
Coulson snapped back to reality and immediately agreed.
He still didn't know who these identity documents were for, but they were probably people with mysterious origins and unknown identities like Quinn and Otto.
And providing them with identity documents created a channel to stay in contact.
"Well... just follow the information here."
Quinn wrote down names and ages on paper—Otto, Liu Subaru, Guo Haihuang, Yushiro, and even Tamayo—and handed it over.
Of course, Tamayo and Yushiro's ages were based on their apparent age, not their real ones.
Coulson took the paper, scanned it, glanced at Otto standing quietly by the back door, then returned his attention to Quinn. "Who are these people?"
"A group of homeless people who need help."
Coulson's expression shifted. He smiled. "We at S.H.I.E.L.D. like to help people in difficulty, especially—"
"There are countless homeless people on American streets. Go help them instead!" Quinn couldn't help rolling his eyes, cutting off Coulson's recruitment pitch.
"Ah..."
Coulson was speechless for a moment.
He cleared his throat and the smile returned to his face as if nothing had happened. "I'll remember. I'll get those ID certificates soon."
"Good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have other business."
"Of course."
…
After sending Coulson away, Quinn and Otto drove to Chinatown together.
On the other side, in Hell's Kitchen, in a narrow alley.
Hibari covered his chest with his left hand and leaned against the wall with his right, walking slowly with a pale face.
Suddenly, a man and woman emerged from around the corner.
The man was a bald Black man with a powerful build. The woman was a typical white woman with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a hooded sweatshirt.
Hibari stopped, endured the pain, and stood up straight, looking at them with cold eyes.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Soft footsteps came from behind.
From the corner of his eye, Hibari glanced back and saw two more people emerging from the opposite corner.
A young man with blonde hair and blue eyes in sportswear. A man in red tactical gear with a hood.
At the same time, Hibari felt a targeting lock from a distance.
Years of mafia experience allowed him to instantly identify what was targeting him—the feeling of being in a sniper's crosshairs.
Hibari said nothing. Just raised his right tonfa into an attack-ready stance.
His situation wasn't good. At the end of the battle, he'd separated Madame Gao with two Cloud Hedgehogs, then killed Nobu with everything he had left.
However, Madame Gao—who he'd expected to be held back—had unleashed an unimaginable strike at the cost of shortening her lifespan, shattering his Cloud Hedgehog and sending him flying.
Body injured, rings nearly exhausted, and police would arrive soon. While flying backward, Hibari had calculated gains and losses. Using Madame Gao's palm force, he'd broken through the window and jumped from the building.
On the way down, he'd used his last remaining ring to split a Cloud Hedgehog, forming a ladder in midair to jump down safely.
Now, he had no rings left. No Box Weapons.
But he still showed no fear.
Even though these people clearly weren't pushovers.
The Defenders, seeing Hibari say nothing and immediately adopt a fighting stance, were all speechless.
Seriously? You look half-dead and you're still acting tough?
"...Cloud Guardian..." Daredevil said after a moment's silence. "If possible, we don't want to fight you. Just answer a few questions."
"I'm not interested in answering your questions."
Hibari's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion.
His answer lodged in Daredevil's throat like a bone. He was speechless.
"Let's just take him in and talk!"
Jessica wasn't used to Hibari's attitude. Her tone was unpleasant.
And without waiting for the others to agree, she grabbed a large trash can beside her and hurled it at Hibari.
Hibari instinctively raised his tonfa to strike, intending to smash the trash can.
But the foul smell he suddenly detected made him realize that if he smashed the trash can, he'd be drenched in garbage.
What a vicious woman!
Hibari's mouth twitched imperceptibly. His knees bent slightly, preparing to jump away.
But the moment he exerted force, sharp pain lanced through his chest injury, interrupting the movement.
Just as the trash can was about to hit him, a black shadow swept down from the building, bringing a brilliant blade flash.
Slash!
The trash can split cleanly in two and fell to the ground. The garbage inside stopped for a moment before spilling out, making the entire alley reek of rot.
Everyone instinctively covered their noses.
"Ah, that was close! Almost splashed myself."
The culprit who'd cut the trash can—a young man in a black suit with tousled hair and a cheerful smile on his face.
He didn't seem bothered by the stench at all. He rested the katana on his shoulder and scolded playfully, "Littering isn't a good habit, you know. It causes trouble for people."
New Character Notes:
Takeshi Yamamoto - From Katekyo Hitman Reborn! (Reborn!). Rain Guardian of the Vongola Family. Expert swordsman who uses the Shigure Souen style. Known for his laid-back, friendly personality that hides exceptional combat ability.