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Chapter Nineteen
Warm Blooded
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“I don’t think there’s a sadder sight in all of Asahikawa.” Wild sighed, dusting off his suit with the back of his bruised hand.
“Eh, there’s not a lot of Asakiwhatever to go around, you know.” Tone crouched down, effortlessly lifting the barely conscious man off the ground by his collar. “In the running for sad sights, you’re judging a very small pool of entries.”
“Tone, not by the collar.” Wild stalked over, the crunch of broken glass under his shoes bringing some awareness to the badly beaten fellow. “You may recall us mentioning we’re here to see Takuya Kumagai, of the Kumagai clan, and that we’d break your ribs if you said no. You all there?” He gently shook the man’s head.
“…Makuei…” He weakly replied. “Not… Kumagai…”
“Boss, I think we’re better off just waltzing in at this point.” Tone shifted his grip from the man’s collar to the back of his suitcoat. “There’s no point in actually breaking his ribs if he’s too incoherent to tell us anything.”
Wild stood up with an expression that seemed to reveal how disappointed he was at the prospect of not breaking someone’s ribs. “Fine, leave him. The rest of them, too; the police will be swarming this area tomorrow, and I’d like to leave them all that I can.”
“They must’ve been alerted to the noise we made while doing this.” Tone dropped the man with no hesitation and slipped his hands back into his pockets. “Suppose they made it out of the building with all of this going on?”
The leader of the Renegade Masks looked at the heavily abused garage door, dented in a hundred different ways and stained with splashes of alcohol and gasoline. “I think Hie’s got it covered.”
“Then let’s not keep them waiting any longer.” Tone grimaced, his muscles tightening as he knew what would be happening next. Stalking to the door, Wild threw his shoulders back and took a deep breath. A burst of steam erupted from his body as he gripped the garage door, before throwing it upwards with enough force to rip it in half, crumpling both halves against the ceiling.
“The police will find it like that.” Tone sighed, touching his forehead in exasperation. “Why did you-”
“Move.” There was no arguing with Wild while he was under the influence of the Oni mask. The empty garage was crossed by the pair at the same speed, and Wild kicked the door in with the lightest effort.
The hall on the other side of the door was shockingly ornate compared to the rest of the building, but that was well within the Kumagai clan’s tastes; the elder patriarch adored all things ornamental. Another suited fellow waited at the end of the hall; he observed the pair, and without any sign of concern opened one of the heavy oak doors aside him, gesturing for the pair to enter.
Wild closed the distance with a massive stride and snatched the fellow up by the throat, but Tone sucked him out from his grip in an instant. “You said no kills, boss.” His steel-framed eyes met the solid, furious eyes of the Oni mask. “Let’s keep this consistent, shall we?”
“Incapacitate him.” Wild grumbled after a tense pause, passing through the open door. Tone lifted the fellow up and reeled back to punch him in the stomach, but there was a knowing presence in the fellow’s eyes which made him hesitate. Setting him back on his feet, he slowly turned and entered the room after Wild.
It was an impressive sight that awaited him. The room was practically coated in ornamental samurai armor and artwork, valuable sculptures stood flanking the red carpet which lead to a large and undoubtedly extremely heavy desk, and behind it, with seven katanas viciously skewered through his chest and into the ornate chair he was seated in, was the body of the former vice chairman of the Kumagai clan.
At his side, with his back to the pair, was an exceedingly tall bald man, casually flipping through the contents of a manila envelope. Wild had visibly restrained himself, but now that Tone had appeared by his side he lashed out, throwing one of the small statuettes closest to the door at the figure. It was interrupted in its flight by the handle of a katana, thrown from across the room, which ever so slightly changed its trajectory to smash into the opposite wall.
“You have your watchdog.” Oisim mumbled, closing the envelope and turning around to reveal his heavily tattooed face to the pair. As he set the envelope down on the desk, a heavily-built moustached man walked out from behind the open door, dropping a sheath taken from the ceremonial armor on the ground. He was dressed in a black suit, same as Makuei, and while he was not nearly as tall as his superior he was so bulky it made Oisim much less intimidating by comparison.
“This is mine.” Oisim grunted, gesturing with his hand to the muscular man, who folded his impossibly heavy arms and bowed his balding head to reveal a samurai-style topknot held in place by a pair of sai. “Goshiki. Step them forward.”
Goshiki gestured with a scowl set so deeply into his wide skull that it seemed to be part of his anatomy, were it not for the fat present in his face. In spite of the Oni mask the pair were compelled to move, although not very far, as Wild quickly whirled about to face the sound of footsteps echoing in the hall.
“Shusui Asagi, eyes of blood.” One of the men in the hall stepped out, nodding at Wild as he passed, his face eternally disinterested and his mouth puckered around a sodden cigarette. He paused halfway into the room and stood with his hands in his pockets, his mop of hair and formal attire significantly more disheveled than those of his compatriots.
“Shigon Bekko, hands of blood.” A very short man waddled past the pair, smiling up at them as he did so. His height was made up for by his puffy afro, and as he approached Shusui felt through his suitcoat before producing a small candy, which he offered in vain to his uninterested compatriot.
“Shiro Utsuri, wings of blood.” Stepping through the doorframe, Shiro started slightly at the sight of the Oni mask, and despite being taller and better built than Wild took extra care to give him plenty of space. His square moustache extending over his upper lip was yet another indicator, along with his surprisingly square jaw, pale complexion, and blindingly blue eyes, that, unlike the rest of his peers, he was undoubtedly a foreigner.
“And Taisho Sanke.” No honorific was needed, as the last of this unique group trudged through the doorway like a lost spirit, his eyes listlessly examining every detail in the room with no perceived difference between them. Unlike his comrades he did not wear a suit, instead being clothed in several robes of various elaborate designs, covered by one black cloak which hid almost all of his body beneath it. It took several seconds for him to notice Wild, unaware of the Renegade Mask’s clear discomfort caused by the presence of such a large creature. He eventually continued onward, part of his train bumping into Tone and prompting a bubbling, murmuring string of noises equivalent to an apology to erupt from his mouth before joining the others.
“Give me one good reason-” Wild growled, pausing as the door behind him was suddenly shut. “-one good reason why I should listen to another word you have to say.”
“I have not yet finished.” Oisim scowled further. “We have too little time for these pointless spats. This death has been arraigned to appear as one you caused. Rikuto will be informed. Therefore time is precious now and you will not interrupt again.”
“These are my Kin Gin Rin, my most trusted allies.” He gestured to the group with open palms. “They are as I am. You will heed their instruction in the future as if I have spoken. You have been attempting to destroy every yakuza family in Japan, and have been very successful. But not by yourselves. These men have helped you.”
“What, are you thinking of blackmailing me?” Wild’s body rippled with steam. “If you’re thinking of any kind of exposure, go right ahead and try. There won’t be enough left of you or your merry men to fill a casket.”
“I’d hear him out, son.” the short Bekko gestured to Wild, the candy still between his fingers. “Master Makuei, he doesn’t threaten, he acts. And he’s been doing a lot of acting in your favor recently.” He dexterously unrolled the candy from its wrapper and popped it into his mouth.
“You want to destroy every yakuza family in Japan. Our goals align.” Oisim continued, some frustration at the interruptions by Wild and Shigon present in his voice. “Each of these men have entered into association with each of the families you ruined to provide you with many openings. Knowledge of our existence within them was destroyed. No one has found out our involvement.”
“Yet.” Shusui sighed, leaning back against one of the larger statues as Oisim shot him a menacing glare.
“Why are you doing this?” Tone inquired, before holding up a cautioning hand. “I heard your reasoning. Koi Blood has operated almost exclusively on the coasts of Japan, and is so separated from its leadership that none of the people involved have known enough to provide us or anyone else with any leads.”
“And yet you ask this knowing the answer.” Oisim grumbled, clearly disappointed with an intellect less sharp than his own.
“I’m not done yet.” Tone shot back, stepping slightly forward. Wild glanced at the sudden movement from Goshiki as every muscle in his body suddenly tightened, as if he would spring forward suddenly and snap Tone’s head off. “You are yakuza. All of you are just as bad as the rest. Why would you help us, when you’re just as inevitable a target as everyone else?”
“How many people has Taisho killed?” Oisim spoke with his eyes on Tone, but it was Shigon who stirred. His eyes flitted to the strange abomination for a moment, staring at his koi head and flat, unintelligent eyes.
“Twenty one thousand, six hundred.” He pulled another candy from his pocket and nervously tapped his fingers over it.
“Why did I present these five of this organization to you?” Oisim’s chest rose as he spoke, his eyes burning with indignation. “They are in accordance with my goals. You are in accordance with my goals. We will pursue this goal with or without your involvement.”
“If it’s to destroy yourselves, have at it.” Wild turned to the door. “I’m going to call for Hie. If you’re still here when I get back, I’m killing you.”
“He has spirit.” Oisim mumbled as the leader of the Renegade Masks stormed out of the room. “Hie, enter.”
From behind one of the folding screens Hie emerged, his eyes glancing at all of the Koi Blood members present. His mask didn’t cover his eyes, instead stopping just above his nose and wrapping around his jaw, looking almost motorized despite being made of wood.
“Sorry Tone.” His arms pressed heavily against his sides as he slipped his hands into his pockets. “I wanted to inform you sooner, but… Oisim convinced me it was for the best that I wait.”
“Your name’s Oisim, then? Oisim Makuei?” Tone folded his arms at the bald-headed figure behind the desk, trying his best to exude confidence in spite of the situation. “Easy for you to want to destroy all the yakuza, when you don’t have anything personally involved.”
“You lack subtlety.” Oisim glared, folding his arms in retort as he spoke. “My daughter is the only thing I value. She will have to learn how to to grow up without a father.”
Tone looked about at those assembled, watching as their expressions changed from disinterest and concern to unyielding resolve. “We all have things to lose, young man.” Shiro’s eyes shone kindly at Tone, pairing surprisingly well with his deep voice and gravely Russian accent. “Some more than others. But all of us are committed to this goal, no matter what it costs us.”
“We will speak again.” Oisim lowered his brows at Tone, motioning with a slight lift of his finger. Hie darted across the room in the blink of an eye, joining Tone as he slowly turned and walked out of the room.
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“So it’s true, then.”
Wild did not reply. The atrocity before his eyes was too much to stand glossing over. Tone stood at his side, hands in his pockets, barely moving as he breathed.
“Your silence confirms it.” Hie snarled, turning towards the pair with venom in his voice. “Your little scheme has got you carrying water for Oisim, and turning a blind eye to his criminal empire expanding, seizing control of everyone and everything until there’s nothing left. I had to do something or that smiling wings of blood idiot would take control of the airways, too!”
“Eighty people dead.” Wild coldly reiterated. “An airfield on fire. You questioned my direction, so you took things into your own hands and killed Shiro, all without thinking of the consequences.”
“You believe that madman, then!” Hie jabbed a finger in his superior’s face. “You’re willing to trust the word of a yakuza boss over your own friends! Shiro brought that little experiment here, didn’t he? He said he could control it, didn’t he? And you want to welcome it in like it’s one of our own?!”
“Eighty dead.” Wild’s stare grew more and more ominous. “Shiro Utsuri dead. Makuei on our tails like a rampaging beast, all the forces of Koi Blood after us. And all because you didn’t like it.”
“It’s about to get a lot worse, Wild.” Hie’s furious expression refused to back down, getting further into Wild’s face. “I’ve told Oisim where you’re planning to run to next, as well as where all your little hiding places are. This treacherous endeavor is getting shut down now and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
Steam erupted in white trails off of Wild’s body, but Hie was ten yards away before either Wild or Tone could react. “I’ve taken the liberty of planning this all out in advance.” His black coat whipped in the wind. “I’ve tied information about the attack to you the same way Oisim tied the murder of Takuya to you. There’s only one thing I need to ensure Oisim is able to successfully get revenge.”
Zipping forward, he laid his hand on Tone’s mask.
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“Then he was foolish for assuming I could not find it out.” Oisim frowned. “You did the right thing, Tone. Hie with your mask would have been very difficult to handle; we will see to your request.”
Oisim walked away from the edge of the building, leaving Tone and Wild alone as he rejoined Goshiki and the small band of Koi Blood men that were gathered by the stairs. After they had left, Wild sat down on the edge of the building next to Tone, both watching the fire slowly being drawn under control.
“I don’t blame you.”
Tone hissed, turning away from the leader of the Renegade Masks. “You don’t get it. I’m constantly on the verge of losing control over it, of something like… that… happening. Of… Blowing someone up.” He squeezed his hands together to fight back a shudder. “I’m always being as careful as I can, never operating at more than three or four percent.”
“I know, and it’s why I don’t blame you.” Wild laid a hand on Tone’s shoulder. “You were forced into an impossible situation. The no kill rule exists for a reason, but I’ll be the first to admit there are sometimes circumstances where you have no other choice.”
“Wouldn’t it be more humane to kill?” Tone glanced back, trying to force the water in his eyes back down. “You’ve been okay with seriously hurting people before, even maiming them. Isn’t it more merciful to just eliminate them?”
“Life matters more than anything else, Tone.” Wild’s eyes glowed with each word he spoke. “I’ll preserve it whenever I can. Sometimes the Oni mask can make that hard to focus on, but I’ll never take a life unless there’s no other choice.”
Tone returned his gaze to the inferno below, imagining the body of Shiro already consumed by the flames. “What happens now?”
Wild grew an extremely devious grin, which quickly threatened to consume the rest of his features. “You still going to college?”
“You know I’m not.” Tone replied, but then quickly glared at his superior with suspicion shining through the slits in his mask. “You’ve got that attitude in your voice again, what are you plotting?”
“There’s a girl attending the same university you used to attend. Her parents were involved in some kind of underground missionary thing out west, and they’re either both in prison now or both dead. Well, I wondered if, since you used to go there, you could-”
“Okay Tone, okay.” Wild raised his palms and looked away, unable to keep it up under the power of Tone’s immensely flat glare. “But I do want you to check things out, see if she’d be a good fit for the team. From what I can tell she’s got her foot in the door in the news industry, which if I can swing a couple things and land her a job in would be very useful as a resource for us.”
“You always pick the parent-less saps, don’t you?” Tone sighed, standing up and extending a hand to help his boss up from the edge of the building. “Do me a favor, Wild. If you ever up and die, remind me not to pick up every sad-looking orphan kid I come across. Pretty soon I’ll be running an orphanage instead of saving the country.”
“There’s a lot left to save.” Wild ascended, glancing back at the inferno. “Five yakuza families down, more than half of what’s left in Japan… And it barely feels any different. I hope we’re making a difference after all.”
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