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The night had passed, but Kenzo couldn't manage to sleep a wink, his eyes wide open. He gazed at the ceiling, pondering the uncertain future that lay ahead.
Content with his life thus far, this unexpected turn of events had disrupted his daily routine. However, his train of thought was abruptly halted by the sound of the doorbell, prompting Kenzo to speculate on the visitor's identity.
"Muttering 'Akujin' under his breath, Kenzo made his way to the door.
Akujin, a man of great importance, maintained a busy schedule, yet his willingness to let Kenzo live within his confined despite potentially being a target for the assassin indicated the level of respect between them.
While Akujin could have posed a threat, Kenzo trusted that deceitful tactics were unnecessary if Akujin wanted him dead. As the door swung open, Kenzo was surprised to find not Akujin, but the foreigner, Xi.
"The boss is ready to meet with you," Xi informed Kenzo. Although Kenzo had no objections, Xi couldn't help but notice the untouched food on the table, a peculiar yet somewhat expected sight.
Xi recognized Kenzo's distinct traits, rooted in his notorious reputation. Uncertain of the food's safety, Kenzo contemplated the presence of poison, though his unique physiology rendered it inconsequential. Aware of the surveillance cameras, he opted to sidestep any potential complications that consuming the food might cost.
If he ate it and showed no effects, he would most certainly be treated with more hostility.
Following Xi's lead, Kenzo ventured outside, observing an increase in the compound's population since the previous day.
Despite the suspicious gazes directed his way, Kenzo remained unfazed, drawing from past experiences that surpassed the challenges these individuals could present.
"Pay them no mind," Xi advised, yet Kenzo's confidence in his superior abilities resonated within him. Not due to his demonic nature, but from the knowledge that he could swiftly eliminate them before they could even comprehended the threat.
The urgency reflected in the members' expressions did not escape Kenzo's notice, indicating a significant event had transpired to gather such a crowd.
As speculation were drawn up within him, Kenzo deduced Akujin's impending conflict with the dons, questioning the necessity of such a large assembly.
If the dons were spooked, Akujin's plan to eliminate them would be jeopardized and this crowd had the potential to do just that.
He entered the mansion and was led upstairs, where a door stood directly ahead.
There was no security in sight, no one guarding him, but this was not unexpected.
It would be extremely dangerous for anyone to attempt to harm him because Akujin was someone you simply did not want to cross. The door swung open, and Kenzo entered, with Xi choosing not to join him in the room. Akujin sat with his back to Kenzo, peering out of the window that overlooked a balcony. "What do you see out there?" inquired Akujin. Kenzo recognized this as a rhetorical question, but he decided to respond nonetheless.
Walking up beside him, he tried to see what had caught Akujin's attention, but all he could make out was the darkening skies.
"Rain?" Kenzo questioned, clearly puzzled by Akujin's inquiry.
"The sky is about to weep... For one of my sons have fallen today," Akujin's voice carried a tone of sadness.
Kenzo was unfamiliar with the feeling of sorrow as it was an emotion he had never experienced, and he was also unaware that Akujin had a son.
It seemed improbable that this information would not be common knowledge unless Akujin had deliberately kept it concealed to protect his child.
But as the Oyabun, this title was commonly used when addressing his members, making it the likely scenario. Yet, who would dare to challenge a Yakuza leader's authority?
Raindrops began to descend, bringing with them a chilling aura that perfectly matched the somber mood.
Rising from his seat, Akujin made his way to the balcony, the rain assaulting him as Kenzo observed from indoors.
Below, the other members stood outside, their silence honoring a fallen ally.
Amidst the quiet reverence, Kenzo couldn't help but appreciate the respect shown, even though it ultimately held no significance.
After all, the fallen comrade was beyond the reach of such gestures—he was already dead and dancing with the demons in hell.
-
"Was it the right call to send Enzo after the Yakuza?" one of the dons inquired of Gerard.
"The gangs have been in conflict for ages. I merely disclosed the miscreant's whereabouts, and the rest played out as expected," Gerard replied in a composed tone.
"The Yakuza's influence has swelled, forcing rival gangs to band together in a bid to safeguard their dwindling territories," Gerard elaborated.
"But they've been dormant for years. How did you motivate them?" the same man pressed for an answer.
Gerard simply grinned, for he had foreseen this outcome. Without offering a verbal explanation, he knew his fellow dons would grasp just what tactic he had employed to spur them into action.
"What's the aim of all this, Gerard?" a voice inquired.
"You'll find out," Gerard cryptically replied, maintaining a mysterious air to avoid spilling the beans too early; it would ruin the excitement.
While not a physical combatant, Gerard excelled in strategic thinking.
Akujin had anticipated a smooth operation, yet the vigilant dons closely monitored his every move. They made it clear that the Yakuza's power had limits, and actions carried consequences, even for Akujin.
Gerard had taken action earlier that day, gathering his men and maintaining a network of informants. He remained vigilant, tracking Akujin's movements, uncertain if he had made contact with the Oni.
Aware of the surveillance, Akujin kept his interaction with Kenzo brief.
But there was one question that remained unaware and that was who had sent Kenzo that strange message.
If Akujin could communicate via phone, elaborate meetings would be unnecessary.
So this was a person unknown, an individual that lurked in the shadows whose identity was shrouded in mystery but what role would this person play in the bigger picture?
