Chapter 30
Independence for Violence
The whole group, even Akira, was panting heavily as they finally rested once reaching the back of the building. They leaned against the walls, trying to collect themselves in light of the unspeakable phenomena they had just witnessed.
Trying to catch his breath, Ryuji said, "Okay, I've seen a lot of weird stuff lately, but that… that's just entirely on a new level! What the hell even was that!? It looked like he set a guy on fucking fire!"
Makoto asked, "Akira, do you think he was like you?"
"I can't do anything like that! At least, I don't think I can. I didn't get a good look at his skills amidst all the chaos, but I don't think he's like anything we've faced before. Do you know anything about him, Sojiro? Is he someone from the Omi?"
"He's obviously with the Omi," Sojiro replied, "but no. I've never heard of them employing anyone like that before. His skills don't resemble anything like the ways I've seen your family's gift used either."
"Wonderful," added Ann, grumbling. "Now we're being hunted by – what? Jedi? And zombies!? On top of everything else!?"
"Crazy," muttered Futaba.
Haru said, recollecting herself, "This seems like some sort of distraction tactic. Their forces are already dispersing from the base and what's left will soon be overwhelmed. What could they be actually planning?"
Instead of waiting for any hypothesizing responses, Sojiro pulled out his walkie-talkie from his back pocket. "This is Boss," he spoke into it. "City team, what's your status? Has the enemy been delt with?"
Only static was heard through the radio for a moment before crackling, distorted voices sounded off. "—gative, Boss," said a man sounding like Higashi. "These assholes are still pouring in! We've kept most of them away from the civilian areas, but at least one detachment broke through is headed for LeBlanc! They're gonna raid the fucking place!"
"Can you intercept, Higashi!?"
"We're trying to pull away, but we're in a tight spot down by the Tenkaichi Street entrance. If any of my guys leave while they're still attacking, all civilians on the south end will be put at risk, sir."
Sojiro paused, gritting his teeth and tightening his grip on the radio in frustration. "The hold your ground, Higashi. We'll cut them off at the Hotel District and finish this shit in one pincer move."
"What about the base, sir?"
"Kashiwagi can take care of that. Just hold the line and keep the people safe!"
"Roger that!" The connection cut off. Sojiro stood up straight, putting his radio back in his pocket. "Futaba," he said, "where's the doctor?"
"What?"
"Where is Takemi?" Sojiro repeated insistently.
"She was escorted out by Kuze's men," she explained, seeming frightened. Futaba then gasped in sudden realization. "They said she was needed at home to care for the injured, but she didn't buy it. They then knocked her out and separated us… I think they were taking back to acquire her research into the RZ-412!"
"Holy shit," Ryuji remarked.
Sojiro grimaced. "That's what I was thinking when I realized her wasn't here. That must be what they're after at LeBlanc; there's nothing else of value to the Omi there."
"No weapons or other valuables?" Makoto asked.
Ryuji explained, "There are some, only the essentials, but most were moved out here to minimize the chance of any large-scale firefights breaking out around civilian areas. The Omi obviously has bigger prizes in minds than guns, though."
"Then we must move quickly," said Sojiro. "Come on, there's a secret emergency exit this way we save for just these times."
"Can your men really fend them all off here?" Haru asked.
"I trust each of these men left with my life," Sojiro nodded. "They know what they signed up for, and Kashiwagi is twice the commander I'll ever be. Now move, all of you. Ryuji, you'll take one car and I'll take another, and we'll meet at the Hotel District north entrance."
"Yes, sir!" Ryuji replied confidently.
"Should Futaba stay with us?" asked Yusuke. "This place isn't exactly safe anymore, even with our soldiers."
Sojiro met Futaba's gaze reassuringly. "Can you come with us, honey? Are you strong enough."
At that, she clung to Akira's arm, partially obscuring her face, but nodded and muttered, "With him."
"If that's what you need." He nodded to Akira, a silent command to keep his precious granddaughter safe, and Akira nodded back resolutely. She was now truly under his protection, and no force on Earth would harm her this night under his watch.
Through winding hallways, they ran once again, until they came upon a utility hall that led into an underground parking garage. Sojiro got into a fancy black sportscar and Ryuji did the same for a flashy red model, and they bolted out onto the streets behind headquarters. Gunfire, screams of pain and fury, and other sounds of war yet rang out through the night.
In Sojiro's car was Akira, Futaba, and Ann, while Ryuji took Yusuke, Haru, and Makoto. The highway back to Kamurocho was strangely… quiet. Barely any traffic, no gunfire, no fighting, just a sleepy evening as if no gang war was being waged at all. No one spoke in the cars either, the adrenaline that had steadied themselves throughout the conflict dissipating, letting the gravity of the situation fall over them. Futaba shivered, though not from cold temperatures. Ann fidgeted in her seat, eyes darting around her surroundings outside the vehicle. Akira just stared into space, whatever he could be thinking about remaining unable to be guessed by his companions.
Sojiro, however, seemed unphased. At least, appearing to be to the young adults with him. Despite driving at very high speeds, he appeared relaxed, leaning back in his chair with one hand on the wheel. Breathing slowly, his gaze was narrowed on the road before him, but his mind was obviously elsewhere, thinking on the war.
"Kids," he spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "I'm going to give you one last chance, same will go for your friends. You can come with me, fight with me, and I'd appreciate it. But if you want out, I'll drop you all off at the metro station and head to LeBlanc with Ryuji, and you guys can go… wherever you want."
"What do you mean?" asked Akira.
"I mean that none of you are oathsworn to my Clan. You wanna get out of here and find some safety till it all blows over, then I'll take you to the train station and you'll be on your way. It's your choice."
No one responded for a long moment. Akira anticipated at least Ann to say yes, given she had no stake in this conflict beyond her own friends, but her response when she spoke up first surprised him even more. "If they're all staying, I'm staying," she said confidently. "A lot of innocent people are going to be hurt in more ways than just some wounds if the Omi isn't stopped. I'm not much of a fighter, and hell, I'm scared out of my mind, but if everyone else will stand up for this city, then I will too."
Sojiro, to Akira's even greater surprise, seemed not to have a response at all. It was Futaba who spoke up next.
"This is my home," she said. "This is mom's home. This is grandma's home. This is your home, Grandpa. None of you would abandon it right now, so I won't either. Takemi needs our help!"
Sojiro nodded almost sadly. Hearing such words from his only family must have been difficult for him. Perhaps some reassurance of her safety would be of help. To that effect, Akira then said, "I'll go with you guys wherever. If you're going to stay and fight, even after everything that's happened, then I'm here for you, both of you. We're all gonna get through this," he and Sojiro met gazes for a brief moment. "I promise."
Sojiro looked back out the window contemplatively as their destination approached. His hand gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckled paling with the pressure, but then he became a modicum more relaxed. He sighed quietly, and Akira was the only one to hear it, before saying wearily, "Then fight hard, kids. Fight hard and true, and you will all have your freedom by sunrise."
They came upon the Hotel District, meeting up with the rest of their group. What little apprehension or nervousness that plagued them before was culled entirely, with Akira, Ann, and Futaba seeming to have gone through some metamorphosis in the car ride over. With straightened backs and steely gazes, they looked out over the disturbingly quiet pleasure district as they reunited with their friends. And while Futaba remained close to her dark-haired savior of the evening, even she gave off a resolute air as she steeled herself to defend her home.
Makoto came up behind Akira, asking no one in particular, "We really gonna do this?"
"Are you scared?" asked Ann.
"No. Just want to make sure we're all completely on board."
Yusuke tapped the pommel of his sword with his thumb. "The time of reckoning is upon these cretins," he declared in a dark tone.
"And it will make my father see the light," said Haru. "I won't stand by as any innocents suffer."
Akira clenched his right fist, popping his knuckles with the motion. "Then let's make it count," he said, a faint blue glow emanating from his shoulders. "This ends now. Once and for all."
And thus, the once Six Black Heavens Guns were now made seven. And with a towering figure of relentless authority reemerging from the underworld's sanguine-stained shadows at their back, they marched on into Kamurocho one final time, the blue light of the heavens' legendary guardians lighting their way like a promethean torch, as it had long ago.
…
The cup of coffee Maya had brought Sae had long since gone cold as it sat on her desk untouched. Sae's mind had been racing with contingencies and plans to combat the imminent threat of a yakuza incursion, but now forming a coherent, clear thought seemed a herculean task to her. Her mind was almost entirely blank, though whether it was from stress or exhaustion could not be said for sure. The call back into work she had received mandating her presence when numerous reports of gang warfare came in sent her into an angry tizzy that she had yet to truly calm down from, despite her nearly vacuous demeaner.
She only barely noticed the door to her office creaking open slowly, and Maya nervously peeked her head through. "Um, Ma'am?" she asked.
"Hmm?" Sae responded absentmindedly.
"Yagami-san is here to see you. It's… uh, about the thing going on, as you probably guessed."
"Huh? Oh, right," Sae rubbed her eyes, forcing herself back to her senses. "I'm ready whenever."
"Are you sure?" Maya asked more cordially, stepping fully into the office. "Can I get you a fresh cup of coffee? Or something else to help your spirits? Maybe some soda?"
"No, no," Sae shook her head, "but thank you, Maya. I really appreciate the gesture."
"Happy to help. Just holler if you need anything. Yagami-san will be with you in just a minute."
"Thank you," Sae waved her hand, dismissing her. Maya did not respond in any way, but Sae still felt a pang of guilt in case she had offended her with such callous behavior. She did not intend to be so standoffish, especially at a time like this, but she was only human, she reminded herself, and the stress of the situation was now definitely getting to her.
A moment later, in walked the Yagami rather casually. "Niijima," he addressed her, "are you well this evening?"
"As well as I need to be," she stood up from her chair. "Do we have any defensive plans in place for the oncoming attack?"
"Murakata has already begun mobilizing as many men as we can to safely escort all civilians off the streets. They are being returned to their homes or other safe enclosures, and Kuroiwa-san has offered a portion of his own security force from the penitentiary to seal off the main entrances to the district. It's not ideal, but at least we will have the majority of the trouble contained for the night."
"That's good. What did you need to talk with me about then? Does the commissioner have a mission for us?"
"That is exactly what I have come to discuss, actually. A far more delicate matter, as it were, and to be treated with the utmost confidence."
Sae's ears pricked up at the distinction, her senses sharpening once again in curiosity. "What could you possibly mean by that?"
"I've come to ask for your help," Yagami crossed his arms, acting surprisingly defensive. "There's a situation going down in the city that I will be attending to strictly off-record, and I was hoping you'd be able to assist me. Tanimura's already agreed to it, but I don't think Kenjiro would be able to uphold the required confidence in this mission."
"And you think I would?" Sae cocked an eyebrow, crossing her own arms incredulously.
"You follow your own sense of justice, Niijima, and I know that you can't deny the fact that something about this whole situation stinks. I'm not gonna point fingers yet, but I have a feeling that not all is as it seems here in the Kamuro P.D. Everything that has happened the past few weeks is just too convenient, and while it's good that the civilians are being led to safety, the police haven't decided to wholly intervene in the situation, only contain it."
"I was wondering why we haven't been deployed yet. It's like they're letting the city proper become a battleground. Do you think Murakata just wants to let the clans kill each other off and claim the glory?"
"I wouldn't put it past him. Sometimes it seems like he hates the yakuza more than he loves civilians. But I'm not gonna stand idly by and just watch the fireworks until they blow over, Niijima. My connections in the Sakura Clan have already informed me that it's turned into a bloodbath with heavy losses on both sides, but that's not the main reason I'm here asking for your help." He began shifting his weight uneasily, anxiously. "My friends are under attack defending a point of strategic import, and I'm going to help them. It would be even better if you'd come with me."
"Your friends? In the yakuza?"
"Kaito-san has told me there's a big scrape going down on Tenkaichi Street defending that club Asylum – a major chokepoint for the south end as well as a significant foothold in the city itself. Losing it would be the same as the Omi breaking through our backdoor. I'm about to leave to help them, but I'd like you to come along. You're a hell of a fighter, Niijima, and your assistance would be invaluable."
"But what if we're called to help elsewhere?"
"You really think we'd be deployed anywhere important? We're 'Noble Team', remember? We'd just end up being some show of force for the people to rally behind. If they need me after I'm done saving my friends, they'll have me. But until then, I'm going out into the heat of things. Will you come with me?"
Sae bared her teeth in frustration, looking away. "I admit, Murakata has been entirely too complacent with this shitshow. We eliminated the Venom Flower, yes, but this just isn't enough to be considered 'doing our job' as civic protectors. I wanna get out there and see things through for myself, maybe even find out if Kaneshiro really is back. Do you think he has something to do with this?"
"Almost certainly. In fact, this current incursion may have something to with him."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you read the RZ-412 report when we got involved with the Omi a few days ago outside of town?"
"I have. Sounds like a real mess, and a nasty drug, at that."
"You're not kidding. See, the Omi seems to be moving toward places where the underground drug trade could be hit hardest: clubs, bars, sewer entrances connected to alleys and other exits connecting to the residential areas near town. I have a hunch that this is Kaneshiro's doing – trying to establish a foothold in this city or move some product out of it before things really go to shit. If you're comfortable with it, maybe you can kill two birds with one stone tonight."
Sae paused, then clenched her fist. "I could use a bit of fresh air," she said. "Are you driving?"
"If you're fine waving any speeding tickets I may incur," Yagami smirked confidently.
"Let's grab Tanimura and let's get out of here. Maybe a bit of independent thought will save some lives around town."
"Just what I was hoping you'd say."
They walked out of Sae's office and saw Tanimura leaning against the wall, waiting impatiently for them. "Took you long enough, guys," he said. "We ready to kick some ass or what?"
"We're ready to save people, Tanimura," Sae replied. "I'm not exactly keen on fighting with yakuza, but I'm sure as hell not just gonna wait to be some showpiece for the public. Let's go."
"Yes, Ma'am," Tanimura shrugged, then followed behind with his hands in his pockets.
"Why did you agree to help Yagami, Tanimura? Did you know of his connections?"
"I did for a while. And trust me, I've had some shady dealings myself. Everyone has in this city. But just like you said, people need saving, and just putting up a perimeter around the city limits isn't gonna quell the carnage going on inside. Someone's gotta step in and give 'em some backup. Might as well be us, even if we're just half of Noble Team now."
"Doesn't matter," said Yagami. "We've got all the skills we need. Let's kick these assholes back to Kansai," he smirked once more as they approached the parking garage. Stretching his arms across his chest from side to side, Yagami said, "Just don't get too wild tonight. We're gonna have to still do cleanup in the morn—"
Before them, leaning against the door to the underground parking garage with his arms folded and a scowl on his brow, was Kazuhira Miller. "Where are you all going?" he asked gruffly.
"Dammit," Yagami muttered.
"We're going to the city," Sae replied promptly. "Unless you have some other, more urgent assignment for us, Kaz."
"Why are you going into the city?"
"To save people, of course. Murakata has most of the force diverging to the city limits when we should be in there fighting ourselves, shouldn't we? If he's just going to use as more propaganda, or what have him, then at least I'm going to do something that will truly inspire hope and security in people. So to that effect, you can either fall in with us or step aside, but we're not going to just stand by as innocent people are put in this crossfire of this stupid war."
Kaz nodded slowly, rubbing his gray-colored eyes. "You don't know the half of it, Niijima," he said in a low, despondent tone. "Everything seems to be going to shit, and the good commissioner is delegating most of it to Kuroiwa and his company behind the scenes. And here I am, listening to all the chaos in the city from afar, and we're doing almost nothing about it. The things I'm hearing…" he trailed off, his hand's grip on his opposite arm tightening. "What do you plan to do?"
"Cut them off where we can and try to divert them away from any potential means of exit or further ingress. We'll have any Omi men we can trapped on our home turf, and then we can just round them up for questioning or whatever else we might need."
"Just the three of you?"
"Any backup you can send, please do. Until then, yes. It's just us." Sae seemed entirely unflapped at the idea, causing Kaz to chuckle lightly.
"You're all crazy, you know that? Absolutely nuts."
"You gotta be at least a little bit to live in this city," Tanimura joked, shrugging his shoulders. "I heard through the grapevine that hero-boy has fire powers now."
Kaz could not help but chuckle once again. "Look, I'm not gonna stand here and pretend everything is alright out there, but you have to understand that what you're doing could look really bad to the wrong people. You're technically not deployed on assignment, so anyone could file this under vigilantism."
Sae took a couple steps forward, getting right in Kaz's face. She noticed that he seemed almost more weathered than normal – far more tired and weary than even the aftermath of the Venom Flower incident. "Then what if someone logged our activities through proper channels? Maybe even monitored the situation from the department?"
Kaz clicked his tongue. "That someone being me," he surmised.
"Indeed," said Sae flatly. "Will you do that for us? Whether or not you do doesn't affect our decision, but it will potentially save you an extended shift of annoying paperwork over the next few days. Well, more than you already will have."
Kaz then said, "You know, you didn't have to go so had on convincing me. I never said I don't support your actions."
Sae nodded, stepping back. "Then can we count on your support?"
"Find me on the usual channel if things get dicy," he nodded. "But remember, if things get too hot out there, I want you all to pull back until reinforcements arrive. I'll do my best to divert anyone I can back to the city, but until then, keep your heroics somewhat reasonable, please."
Everyone nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Kaz," said Sae with genuine appreciation. "I promise you're doing the right thing."
"I know that part. It's the fact that we have to be under the table about it that worries me."
"Is there something else we should know about?" asked Yagami.
"Nothing that wouldn't just distract you from your mission. We can talk about it once the dust is settled, but it's not important now. Just get out there and keep your radios hot; I'll tell you if anything gets too exciting on this end. Good luck, everyone, and stay safe." Sae and Kaz exchanged nods, determination and worry mingling in their gazes, and she and her two companions set out for the city, all conversation and banter diminishing as they left.
The drive should have been brief on the highway, even on a busy weekend, but it took significantly longer than normal on account of the traffic backups going both ways. The city was entering police-enforced lockdown, and there was palpable unrest in the air as cars exiting the city crawled on due to the rapid influx of traffic. Yagami turned on the news radio, and the report did nothing to better their moods.
A female newscaster explained, "The situation inside Kamurocho has been effectively contained by the K.P.D, with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police providing support. However, it is advised by the city that all non-residential citizens evacuate the district immediately, and any residents are also encouraged to seek shelter elsewhere as the largest organized crime incursion in twenty years continues. If you are unable to relocate, please find shelter in nearby hotels or other public gathering areas, and do not leave the premises unless absolutely necessary. Currently, no civilian nor police casualties have been reported, and we will continue to cover the story as it develops. Please be safe, Kamurocho."
"Fuck," Tanimura muttered. "If the police didn't order this mass evacuation, then all these people wouldn't potentially be fish in a barrel. Imagine if there was some huge chase with live ammo flying everywhere like last week!"
Yagami added, "And how are they going to arrest all the yakuza with so many police out on the district limits? It's gonna be a massacre by morning if they don't intervene."
"Won't the metropolitan police get involved to support us?" Sae asked.
"Presumably," Yagami replied. "But does Murakata really want to start a three-sided war? I don't want to believe it, but…"
"But what?" asked Sae.
Yagami rubbed his chin, deep in thought. His expression darkening, he said, "What if this is some kind of revenge for '67?"
Both Sae and Tanimura paused. "What do you mean?" asked Tanimura.
"The Yasakani Building Incident in 1967 was a major embarrassment for the K.P.D, remember? The commissioner at the time just let the Sakura Clan and Omi duke it out at the end of that war, and the Sakura Clan was praised for their efforts in keeping Kamurocho safe. Public opinion of the yakuza was at its highest ever because of that until recently. No one knows how exactly that whole thing went down anymore, what with so much of it being conveniently scrubbed from the records, but I have a hunch that it might have something to do with this."
Sae added, "It's as if Murakata wants the yakuza to make as big a mess as possible so we can clean it up and put both clans down for good."
"'We'?" Tanimura asked. "What do you mean 'we'? I think you mean 'he', Niijima."
"You might have a point," Sae nodded. "Shit, I can't believe this."
"We'll deal with it once the people are safe, right?" asked Yagami, redirecting the conversation. "That's our number one priority."
"Yes, right," Sae said quickly as if clearing her mind. "Let's just get this over with."
Traffic finally dispersed enough for them to enter the city with police clearance and a bit of social engineering on Tanimura's behalf, and none of the three had never seen the pleasure district so eerily empty, especially in the primetime of a late weekend evening. Faint, distant gunshots penetrated the quiet night breeze, usually accompanied by fainter screams of either wrath or pain. Yagami, in apparent impatience, led them down the sidewalk to their right toward Tenkaichi Street, the gunshots getting louder as they walked under the famous red tori gate.
Sae put a finger to her earpiece. "You reading me, Kaz?"
"Loud and clear, Niijima. Have you arrived on scene yet?"
"We have. No signs of civilian casualties yet. Moving to intercept at Tenkaichi Street."
"Copy. Police comms point to almost all non-essential personnel having been moved to safety or evacuated entirely but keep an eye out regardless. Any chance you have to help out any civilians is to take priority."
"Understood. We'll be in touch."
Yagami's normally cool demeanor grew more tense as they neared Tenkaichi Street. He walked at a quick pace, shoulders leaning forward, fists tightly clenched at his sides. He pulled out a pager from his pocket and quickly typed in some numbers. "The club is just around the corner. Be ready, guys. This could get messy."
Tanimura sighed. "This better be the last 'messy' night for us for a while. I'm gonna need a raise if this keeps up."
Sae said, "This all ends tonight, no matter what. I'm not putting up with any more of this yakuza bullshit."
They turned on to Tenkaichi Street, and the cries of pain interlaced with gunfire intensified for a moment, prompting them to run toward the fray. A final crescendo of auditory violence, and suddenly the air was still once again before they heard cheers of victory. Out from a cramped alley behind the Asylum club, three thugs ran off down the street, clutching their cores and limbs in pain. Sae and her companions came to the mouth of the alley, seeing multiple dead and unconscious yakuza laying on the ground before them. And behind the bodies was a small group of yakuza cheering and slapping each other's backs as they holstered their, frankly, extremely shitty sidearms.
One of the yakuza, a lanky man in a flashy suit, though more designated by the fact that he was wearing sunglasses in the middle of the night, noticed them coming, and his triumphant expression quickly soured. In a gruff voice, he called out, "What the hell are you doing here, Yagami!?"
"Taking a stroll, I guess. What the hell do you think, Higashi? Kaito-san called me here and I came to help. Brought some friends too," he pointed over his shoulder at Sae and Tanimura, who stood behind him awkwardly.
"Are those fucking cops!?"
"I said they're friends. Now where's Kaito?"
"Why should I tell you anything!? Do you realize the shitstorm we're dealing with right now!? I don't need the cops beating down my door along with the Omi!"
Sae interjected sternly, "We're not here to fight you! We're here to intervene! You're with the Sakura Clan, right? Do you realize how much damage this war is causing the city! We're here to clean up your mess!"
"Don't talk down to me!" Higashi pointed accusingly at her. "The Clan is doing just what you claim to be doing! We're saving these people and kicking the Omi the hell out of Kamurocho! How do you think so many people got evacuated so quickly? We sounded the alarms; we took the first assault head on! We diverted our people away from the fighting where they were needed to save yours. Now don't come to me talking so fucking high and mighty about about—"
"Higashi!" Yagami interrupted. He was about to argue more when Sae's hand appeared in front of his chest, cutting him off as well.
With steely eyes, Sae continued, this time far more calmly. "I will not deny any efforts you have put forth to keep this city safe," she said, her voice thick with commanding and entirely unshaking pathos. "But we have come to represent order and justice in this city. We will do so, and you will help us if you truly care about the city as much as you say. Now, what's the situation?"
Higashi paused, and his cohorts looked around almost sheepishly. Sae lowered her hand, standing proud and confident before them, her left foot slightly in front of her right in the mighty stance of a leader – an image worthy of being immortalized in a marble sculpture.
Higashi shrugged, leaving no need for admittance of being verbally shown up. "Fine," he snapped. "There's no time to argue over petty bullshit anyway. We're in dire need of reinforcements anyways; we're barely holding ground as is. Kaito-aniki is down in the club helping defend the joint if we got overran. Luckily, the assholes they sent our way were a bunch of chumps, barely put up a fight."
"Why isn't Kaito-san out with you guys?" asked Yagami.
"You think I'm gonna let my aniki put himself in harm's way for a bunch of low-life grunts like these idiots?" Higashi pointed down at the bodies between them. "No way, we took care of these dumbasses and he made sure everyone else was safe like a good leader!"
Yagami chuckled at that. "Surprising. He's always been more of a front-line type."
"Get your asses down into the club if you want to know what's really going on," said Higashi. "I bet we'll have more coming down on us soon, so hunker down and stay put. You two," he looked back to two of his goons, "stay out here and keep watch. Alert me immediately if any Omi come crawling back for seconds, go it?"
"Sir!" they said in unison.
Tanimura quietly remarked, "Lively bunch, aren't they?"
"You may not believe me," said Yagami, "but this is how Higashi acts on a good day."
"How does he act on a bad day?"
"I found out when I borrowed his car."
"You did what? Did you crash it?"
"Long story."
They followed Higashi into the employee entrance in back of the club ands were led through the cramped, abandoned kitchen area. Advancing out into the club, the lights had all been turned on, making the place look more like a gaudy school gym than a dance floor. Leaning against the stage was the big beast of a yakuza, Kaito, in his typical orange leopard-print shirt and gray slacks, talking with a man with a wild, unkempt hairdo and a blond woman wearing a frilly, revealing white shirt.
"Kaito-san!" Yagami called out, getting their attention.
"Tak!" Kaito got to his feet and met Yagami. "Good to see you got here in one piece—What the hell are they doing here!?"
"Helping," said Yagami casually. "We're gonna need it, it seems. Sounds like you guys have had a hell of a night." Yagami then caught the eyes of the man and woman behind Kaito. "Vincent, Catherine," he addressed them. "Been a while, huh?"
"You can say that again," said the man, Vincent. "How's the straight and narrow path treating you, Yagami?"
"I'm still here helping the Clan clean up their messes, right?" he smirked.
"And they need it," said Catherine. "Trust me, things are just getting more and more complicated. They tried to trash my club! Thankfully, Kaito, Higashi and their friends were in the area to help."
"How's the… other club doing?"
Catherine scoffed haughtily. "Like those Omi thugs would know anything about that. Perfectly safe, as it were. We just happened to be collecting this month's share when we heard the whole damn city was being evacuated! Totally not cool."
"Where's the other workers?"
"Most are upstairs in the employee lounge until things calm down. The rest managed to get out of the city while they could."
Sae stepped forward from behind Yagami, obviously growing impatient with everyone's lackadaisical conversation. "You all seem far less offended by our occupation than your friend's outside," she remarked coldly.
"Hey," said Vincent, "we may be kind of sidestepping what you cops would normally call 'street legal', but we're not going to look a gift horse in the mouth in the middle of a crisis situation. I mean, you're Noble Team, after all. At least part of it. You guys are badasses, and you're the lady who fought off a goddamn samurai."
"So they say…" Sae muttered uncomfortably. "We can delegate on whether or not you should be arrested later. What's the current situation?"
leaned closer to Vincent's ear and whispered, "Should we tell them? They're not going to like it."
"Yagami knows it," Vincent whispered back.
"But she's kind of scary. Like, cool scary, but still kind of scary."
"Yeah, I get what you mean. She's kind of hot too."
Sae narrowed her gaze. "I can hear you," she said. "And don't worry, I'm familiar with the RZ-412. Does that have anything to do with this club?"
"Insofar as that we are deliberately containing any potential leaks of it for safe study by the Sakura Clan, yes," said Vincent. "That shit is dangerous. Like, deadly. I've enjoyed my fair share of the good stuff in my life, but that's like, black magic, or some shit."
"We've read the report," Tanimura said astutely, "though we don't know where the substance was manufactured. We believe that Kaneshiro might be sending men to secure the drug traffic in the area, and it seems like this club was a hotspot for it. Do you have any of the substance in your possession?"
"None at all," said Catherine. "We had some samples stored here temporarily for safekeeping before sending them back to the Clan for study."
Sae asked, "Who in the Sakura Clan had the expertise to study such a substance?"
Vincent shook his head. "We'll answer a lot of your questions, Niijima-san, but not that one. They happen to be a friend of ours."
"I see," Sae nodded. "So, in summary, Kaneshiro's just trying to hit the Sakura Clan where it hurts while they still can, but that can't be the entire truth," she rubbed her chin. "Their offensive seems unorganized and scattered, almost amateur. They can't possibly have planned such a sloppy offensive, could they?"
"Frankly," said Higashi, "we've been too busy trying to intercept as many of their groups as we could to think about it much. They may be disorganized, but they're tenacious bastards. I've lost quite a few good men today. Some of them, I'd even call friends."
Kaito said, "They died doing their aniki and patriarch proud, Higashi. No need to pity them."
"I don't. Still hurts like hell that they're gone though."
"Then take that pain and let it make you stronger so you can kick more Omi ass in their name! That way, your boys never died in vain."
"That's one way of looking at it," Higashi said slowly. "Still will be a bitch to bury them all once we're done."
The radio in Higashi's pocket emitted static, masking someone's speech for a moment before clearing up. "—ome activity, aniki," said a man's voice. "Looks like mo--… eads are rolling up. Off of Nakam—"
Higashi took out the radio and spoke into it, "What was that? Repeat."
"—diots heading our way. We're gonna… oh, shit."
"Hey, Remihara! What's going on!?"
"OMI! OMI THUGS FROM NAKA—"
The radio cut off, and there was not but static.
"FUCK!" shouted Higashi. "They sent goddamn reinforcements! I'm going upstairs to help—"
There was a loud clanging at the back door, and three gunshots, all loud enough to be heard clearly even from as far away as they were. Everyone tensed, ready for an attack.
Kaito said, "I think you're better off staying with us, Higashi."
"If this isn't the last of those bastards, I'm driving down to Osaka myself and taking down every one of these motherfuckers!"
"Stay on your guard," Sae commanded. "This is going to get ugly."
"Well," added Yagami, "you did want to help, right?"
"I'm not backing down. Just making sure everyone is on the same page. Vincent, Catherine, get to safety while we handle this."
Catherine giggled mischievously. "Don't be so presumptuous, honey," she patted Sae on the shoulder. "This is momma's house, and I'm momma. So I'm going to take out the trash."
"She means it," said Vincent. "But I think I'll be better off cheering you crazy bastards on. See you when the dust is settled!" he ran to the top of the stairs to hide.
Tanimura adopted a fighting stance. "This is where the fun begins," he said.
Out from behind the employee doors came a group of yakuza, with one at the front wearing a flashy animal skin coat and carrying a large metal baseball bat. He had a bulky build, fat but strong, easily twice Sae's size. A bald, round head, scruff shadowing his face, and he was also surprisingly young, likely slightly younger than Sae. He swaggered onto the dance floor with his goons behind him, flashing a cocky grin that sickened all who saw him.
"I heard this was a really happening place in town," he said coolly. "They say everyone around my age has to check out Asylum at least once while visiting Kamurocho, but this place is a fucking ghost town! And honestly, how much fun can be had when the police are crashing here, huh?"
"Identify yourself!" Sae commanded.
"Me?" he pointed to himself. "Well, I'm Fuyuki Shimano, son of Futoshi Shimano, patriarch of the esteemed Shimano Family of the Omi Alliance. I'm here on behalf of my father and one particular fatass to plunder and pillage every bit of that wonder drug you have laying around in exchange for… maybe letting you idiots out of here alive, though of course with a few scars to remember not to fuck with the Omi Alliance ever again."
"Well, good for you," said Tanimura. "Unfortunately, whatever drug you're talking about isn't here. And you and your boys better put down your weapons and come with us before everyone does something we'll all regret."
"Is that a threat? From a cop? During a yakuza war!? Do you idiots even realize what you're doing? Who you're fucking with?"
"The guys that are about to get your sorry asses kicked back to Sotenbori," said Yagami. "If we're really gonna do this," he stepped out in front, raising his hands in a kung fu stance as Kaito stood next to him, "then let's just get it over with so we all can go home and sleep, huh?"
Kaito added, "Only place you assholes will be sleeping in tonight will either be a prison cell or at the bottom of the bay!"
Shimano threw his head back in laughter, and his thugs followed suit in an obviously fake manner. "No fucking shit!?" he pointed the tip of his bat at Kaito. "I'd love to see you try. C'mon, boys!" he called to his men. "Let's tear this motherfucker down! Except for that one," he pointed at Sae. "Always wanted to get a policewoman in bed with me. She'll look real nice in one of the serving girls' kimonos back home."
"Ooh," said Yagami. "You really screwed up now."
"THAT'S IT!" shouted Sae. "Let's get this crap over with."
"That's what I like to hear!" Catherine explained. "These boys need a couple bad bitches to whip them into shape!"
Shimano chuckled. "Hell yes, I like this one. Get 'em, boys!"
The five yakuza behind him charged, and Shimano took his place in the middle of the pack, ready to swing his mighty bat. Kaito and Yagami braced themselves for the assault, but were surprised when they felt a weight suddenly on their shoulders. Ascending unto the heavens above them was Sae, leaping from their shoulders into the throng before them with a flying punch and furious roar.
FUYUKI SHIMANO
SHIMANO FAMILY, AN OMI ALLIANCE SUBSIDIARY
Immediately, upon landing, Sae transformed into a whirlwind of precise strikes and blocks that shocked all who bore witness to it, even Yagami and Kaito, who needed a second to process what was occurring before jumping into the fray themselves. Yagami struck wide and mightily with his Crane style, sweeping kicks that sent multiple foes off balance, even sending them flying into each other and onto the ground. Kaito fought as beastly as his natural disposition portrayed him, with wide haymakers transitioning into crushing charges that obliterated his foes.
One thug took out a knife, trying to stab Sae, but she noticed the attack and coiled her body into a roundhouse kick that connected with the man's extended arm, knocking the knife to the ground and spinning him around. Kaito grabbed the man as well, holding him in place for Sae to come behind him, grab his head, and slam it down onto her knee with a mighty cry. Needless to say, he was rendered unconscious, and Sae and Kaito exchanged respectful nods.
"Not bad!" exclaimed Shimano. "It'll take more than that though!"
"And we've got a lot more!" Sae shouted back. "Bring it on!"
"She's got it right," Catherine stood by her, strutting like a super model. "Come on, boys," she beckoned teasingly, "momma and auntie are going to teach you dumb fucks some MANNERS!"
Shimano charged them with his bat, slamming it onto the ground, but the blow was dodged with a quick backstep from the women. Then Catherine took the attention of all around her by lunging forward feet first and grabbing Shimano's head with her thighs. The inertia of the movement sent them into an increasingly fast spin as Catherine choked him with her thighs.
Then she cried out and threw her entire body weight behind her, flipping Shimano over and sending him face first into the bar counter as she landed on her back. Getting to her feet, she cheered for herself, and Vincent's exuberant cries, as well as those of other employees, could be heard throughout the club. Catherine held out her hand to Sae for a high five with an excited smile, and Sae, wrapped up in the adrenaline of the moment, did just that before hearing a man come up from behind her. Without looking, she threw up her fist over her shoulder, clocking him in the face and stunning him.
Seeing the moment of opportunity, Tanimura grabbed the stunned yakuza and threw him over his shoulder. He wrapped his leg around the man's arm in a hold, and pulled back. A crack, a scream, and the yakuza was subdued.
Shimano shook the haziness from his head and pulled out a gun from his inner pocket, pointing it at Sae. However, his vision was yet blurry, and he needed a moment to line up the shot. He fired once and missed, with Sae noticing and springing into action, not testing if she could get so lucky again. She picked up the bat from the ground as she sprinted toward Shimano and struck his head with a powerful golf swing, and the fat yakuza was unconscious, as were the rest of his cohort.
Sae took a moment to catch her breath, as did everyone else, letting the new quiet of the room calm them down. "OH MY GOOOOD!" Vincent shouted from the upper floow.
"OH MY GOOOOD!" Catherine repeated just as exuberantly. "THAT WAS SO AWESOME! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! I LOVE YOU ALL!"
"Not bad, everybody," Yagami said, patting his hands as if dusting them off. "Geez, they were persistent."
"No kidding," said Higashi, rubbing his chin. "This bastard," he pointed to one on the floor beside him, "was packing brass knuckles. Just barely touched me, and it hurts like hell."
"Maybe you need to bulk up a bit, like I've been telling you," said Kaito.
"Bulk up? Dude, you're, like, part gorilla. I know all that 'bulk' is totally natural for you."
"I work out too!"
"Where?" asked Tanimura. "At the train yard? And what do you eat, for that matter? Whole deer?"
"Only on the weekends, kid."
"I'm twenty-eight!"
Sae put a finger to her ear, ignoring the boys insipid banter. "Kaz, you hear me?"
"Loud and clear, Niijima."
"We've taken care of some perps at Asylum. The proprietors claim to possess no RZ-412, but we're gonna need a pickup if you can dispatch one."
"How many?"
"Six. One of them claims to be the son of an Omi patriarch."
"Then that's probably the catch of the day. Good work, Noble One. I'll send a pickup by soon. Cuff 'em up and have them ready."
"Will do. Niijima out." Sae stretched out her burning muscles, only then realizing the physical exertion she had placed herself under. Though the adrenaline was rather… liberating in the moment to her. "Tanimura, Yagami, cuff these guys. We'll have them arranged by the door until pickup." As they did their job, she said, "Yagami, you wouldn't happen to have any word on the Kingslayer, would you?"
"None. Why?"
"Just wondering what he might be up to. He's always at the center of this crap nowadays, so I had a thought."
"And what's that?"
"If we follow him, maybe we'll reach the core of this shitshow. Would Kaito or Higashi know anything?"
"Last I knew," Kaito interrupted them, "he was still helping to defend HQ. You think Kamurocho is bad? I've heard that's a real warzone."
"Hmph. Then either he's fighting the good fight, or he's finally out of my hair."
"Sae," Yagami said, sounding concerned, "he's just a kid. Hell, you've met him, right?"
"He is just a kid. But things still get more complicated wherever he's involved. I told him to get out of this city, and it seems he didn't listen at all." Shimano stirred beside them, and Sae saw another opportunity for information. She slapped him across the face to wake him up fully.
"Wh-what the hell!?"
"You know Kaneshiro?" she asked coldly.
"Why should I tell you shit?"
"Because you're handcuffed, and it's my job to take care of this city. You're basically my property now, and you'll do as I say. There are worse places to stay at the precinct than the cellblock."
"He's… he's at your house… fucking your mother!"
Those words stung her like venom. Her anger was so great that not only was it writ all over her face, but she did not notice her hand hovering over her revolver. How dare he? "Speak of my mother again, and you will serve a far worse sentence than simply life in prison."
"You want to know about Kaneshiro then? He's here, bitch. He's in the city, taking the last bit of samples we need before we burn this place to the ground. Go ahead and catch him! He's not far! Catch us all! Put us all away! But mark my words, it won't make the slightest fucking difference in the end. This, I absolutely guarantee. No matter what you do, no matter how many you capture, interrogate, and put away, this whole city, this whole system, will burn like the fucking Hindenburg in the end. Down to the last shred of red tape!"
For the sake of her reputation and her own sanity, Sae walked away, trying to drown out Shimano's mocking laughter. Her companions joined her at her side. "You okay?" asked Yagami.
"I'm… heated," she admitted. "We need to find Kaneshiro and put an end to this. Then, we find whoever is responsible for this war, and put them all behind bars. I don't care who's side their on, we will put them all away, Yagami. Now," she looked him dead in the eyes, "help me find Kaneshiro, Noble. That's an order."