10 - Leave The Brotherhood

Akihiko turned his gaze skyward, spotting the silhouette of a helicopter illuminated by the moonlight. Its searchlight swept across the estate grounds, locking onto him. A moment later, the deafening rattle of a mounted turret erupted, tearing through the air with lethal precision.

"Move!" Kana's voice cracked through the communicator, the urgency in her tone undeniable. "Get to cover, now!"

Ducking low, Akihiko sprinted toward the tree line, zigzagging to avoid the hail of bullets that ripped apart the ground and stone behind him. His shoulder throbbed, the graze from earlier bleeding freely, but he forced himself to push on.

The helicopter swung around, its spotlight relentlessly tracking him. The faint whistle of a missile launch sent chills down his spine.

"Missile incoming!" Ryo shouted.

Reacting instinctively, Akihiko dove behind a stone wall just as the missile struck a nearby fountain, the blast sending a fiery shockwave that singed his cloak and left his ears ringing. Shards of marble and debris rained down around him as he fought to regain his bearings.

"Haru," Akihiko barked into the communicator, "what's our extraction plan?!"

"I'm improvising!" Haru replied, his usually calm voice strained. "I'm rerouting the backup vehicle to the east sector. You've got three minutes tops!"

"Make it two," Akihiko growled, peeking over the crumbling wall. The helicopter hovered menacingly, its turret preparing for another barrage.

Kana's voice broke through, sharp and steady. "Hold tight. I've got the pilot in my sights."

The crack of her sniper rifle echoed through the night, and the helicopter jolted violently. Smoke began to pour from its engines as it spiraled out of control, veering away and crashing into the far side of the estate with a deafening explosion.

"Direct hit," Kana reported, satisfaction lacing her voice. "But we've got more company on the ground. Two squads converging on your location, Akihiko."

"Understood," Akihiko said, rising from his cover. His hidden blades gleamed as he braced himself for the next wave.

The guards swarmed in, their movements synchronized and disciplined. Akihiko met them head-on, his agility and precision overwhelming their brute force. He ducked under a baton strike, plunging his blade into the guard's ribs before pivoting to disarm another. His movements were fluid, almost like a dance, each strike deliberate and lethal.

One guard lunged at him with a combat knife, but Akihiko sidestepped, catching the man's wrist and twisting it with brutal efficiency. The knife clattered to the ground as Akihiko finished him with a swift strike to the neck.

In the chaos, Maxime reappeared, his coat billowing as he strode toward Akihiko with a long, curved blade in hand. "You're a persistent one," Maxime sneered, his lips curling into a predatory grin. "But persistence won't save you."

Akihiko said nothing, his focus entirely on the threat before him. Maxime's first strike came fast, the blade slicing through the air with deadly intent. Akihiko parried with his hidden blade, sparks flying as the weapons clashed.

Maxime's strength was evident, each blow was heavy and designed to overpower. But Akihiko's speed and agility kept him ahead, weaving around the attacks and striking where openings presented themselves.

A slash to Maxime's forearm drew blood, but the man barely flinched, his grin widening.

"You think you've won because you've bled me?" Maxime taunted, his voice dripping with malice.

Akihiko's response was a silent flurry of strikes, forcing Maxime onto the defensive. But the man was no amateur. With a sudden feint, Maxime caught Akihiko off guard, his blade slicing through the corner of Akihiko's lip, leaving a deep, stinging wound.

Staggering back, Akihiko pressed a hand to his face, blood dripping between his fingers. Maxime laughed, advancing on him.

But Akihiko wasn't done. Ignoring the pain, he surged forward, catching Maxime off guard with a brutal slash that severed two fingers from the man's sword hand.

Maxime roared in pain, stumbling back. "You bastard!"

"Stay down," Akihiko hissed, his voice low and deadly.

Maxime, clutching his maimed hand, glared at Akihiko with hatred but said nothing.

"Akihiko, vehicle's here!" Haru's voice cut through the tension. "East gate, now!"

Without hesitation, Akihiko turned and bolted toward the extraction point, leaving Maxime cursing in his wake.

Kana and Ryo provided covering fire as he approached, their bullets forcing the remaining guards to retreat. Akihiko dove into the waiting van just as Haru floored the accelerator, the vehicle roaring away from the estate.

Inside, Akihiko leaned back, breathing heavily as Kana handed him a cloth to press against his lip.

"That could've gone better," Ryo quipped, though his smirk faltered when he saw Akihiko's injuries.

Akihiko barely acknowledged Ryo's comment, his mind already racing ahead. The mission was a failure, Maxime had escaped, albeit wounded, but that wouldn't matter to his grandfather. His elder didn't tolerate failure. Not from anyone, and especially not from his grandson.

Even though he said to prioritize his life before this mission, succeeding in this one was too important. Killing this man would have erased a lot of the Brotherhood's worries. How will he face his grandfather?

As the van sped through the quiet outskirts, Akihiko finally pulled out his communicator. "Kana, any sign of pursuit?"

"Negative," Kana replied, her voice steady. "We've got a clean exit for now, but I wouldn't celebrate. Maxime knows we were after him. He'll retaliate."

Akihiko grunted in acknowledgment and leaned back, staring at the blood-stained cloth in his hand. Retaliation wasn't his immediate concern. The weight of what awaited him back at the compound pressed down heavily on his chest.

Ah, that's right. This is his first failure.

---

Akihiko stood before the imposing double doors of his grandfather's study. The estate was quiet, save for the faint rustle of wind through the trees. Gathering himself, he knocked twice.

"Enter," came the deep, commanding voice.

Steeling himself, by removing his hood, Akihiko pushed open the doors and stepped inside. Kenichi Mochizuki sat behind an ornate mahogany desk, his piercing gaze already fixed on his grandson. The room was filled with symbols of the Japanese Brotherhood's legacy, ancient weapons, faded scrolls, and oil paintings of past mentors.

Akihiko bowed low. "Mentor."

Kenichi motioned for him to rise, his expression unreadable. "You've returned."

"The mission failed," Akihiko said bluntly, meeting his grandfather's eyes. "Maxime escaped, though we wounded him significantly."

Kenichi's face hardened, but he said nothing, prompting Akihiko to continue.

"The helicopter assault forced us into a defensive retreat. Kana neutralized it, but Maxime used the chaos to slip away. I take full responsibility."

The silence that followed was suffocating. Finally, Kenichi spoke, his tone cold and deliberate. "Do you understand what this failure means, Akihiko? Maxime is not just a man; he's a symbol. Letting him live emboldens our enemies."

"I understand," Akihiko replied, his voice steady despite the sting of his grandfather's rebuke. "It won't happen again."

Kenichi's sharp gaze lingered on Akihiko for a moment longer before he leaned back in his chair. "No, it won't. Because this is your last mission as an assassin."

Akihiko stiffened, unsure if he'd heard correctly. "Uhm... What?"

"You've served well, Akihiko," Kenichi continued, his tone softening slightly. "But this life isn't meant for you. It's time you step away from the shadows and focus on getting a diploma."

Kenichi had thought about this decision for a long time, after losing so many close ones, one of the only things he had left was standing in front of him. Kenichi is too young to take over the Order, his wife could handle it if he died but not him.

Transferring to this school was the best choice he had, no one knows Akihiko's face and name among the Templars, so it's a perfect cover for his future.

Not to mention his long time friend, Chairman Kurihara of this academy.

Also a former member of the Templars.

He could trust him to take care of his grandson. The marriage between his grandson and Mari was arranged mainly by Kenichi to protect Akihiko, but the same goes for his friend. His two daughters, Mari Kurihara and Chiyo Kurihara are constantly threatened because of his past ties to the Templars.

The union constitutes a sort of agreement between the two, and serves as a pretext for Kenichi to keep his son at this academy. It is one of the safest places for him. One of the reasons why the academy opened for boys by welcoming 6 of them including Akihiko so as not to arouse suspicion.

He has always done his best to hide his grandson's identity, but with this incident he is afraid that he will start to be hunted by the Templars.

"Diploma?" Akihiko echoed, his voice rising in disbelief. "Bullshits !! You trained me for this, Grandfather! My entire life has been dedicated to the Brotherhood. You can't ask me to abandon it now."

Akihiko thought his grandfather blamed him for the mission, but it seems like it was something he had been planning for a while. Just, why? Why does he have to follow a different path? Throughout his life he was taught to fight for an ideal, but now he wants to take that goal away from him?

"I'm not asking," Kenichi said firmly. "This decision is final."

Anger flared in Akihiko's chest, but he fought to keep his composure. "Why now? Why after everything I've done?"

Kenichi's expression softened, but his voice remained resolute. "Because I've watched this path consume too many of our family. Your father, your uncles... they all died believing they could change the future. It is a never-ending fight to the death. I refuse to let it claim you as well."

"I'm not them," Akihiko shot back. "I'm stronger, smarter. I've learned from their mistakes."

"Arrogance," Kenichi said sharply, rising to his feet. "The same arrogance that led to their deaths. You're blind to it, Akihiko, but I see it clearly."

Akihiko clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. "This isn't about arrogance. This is about purpose. Without this, what am I!!? My only identity is being an Assassin, school, diploma, marriage? Stop your bullshit, all these shit is useless to me." Akihiko was breathing rapidly because of the shock, sweat forming on his face because of the heat caused by his anger. Just imagine living for an ideal, for a goal or even a dream and having it taken away from you with a simple word. He still thought deep down that his grandfather was just scaring him.

Kenichi sighed, the weight of his years evident in his posture. "You are my grandson. That is enough."

"It isn't enough for me," Akihiko snapped. "I won't give this up. Not now, not ever." It is impossible for him to accept such a decision, he who has lived his whole life in the shadows.

The room fell silent, the tension between them palpable. Finally, Kenichi's expression hardened. "If you defy me, you will no longer be welcome in this house. Do you understand?"

Akihiko felt the words like a punch to the gut. For a moment, he still considered backing down, conceding to his grandfather's wishes. But the fire in his chest refused to be extinguished.

"Then I'll leave," he said quietly but firmly. "But I won't abandon the Brotherhood."

Kenichi's gaze was as cold as steel. "So be it. Leave. And may the shadows you cling to not consume you." He knew that his grandson would not accept easily, but he will accept this decision over time. From now on, he will no longer call him for missions.

Akihiko bowed stiffly, his mind reeling. "Goodbye, Ment... Grandfather."

---

The air was crisp and cold as Akihiko stepped into the night, a small bag slung over his shoulder. Kana waited by the gate, her expression unreadable.

"So, what's the verdict?" she asked.

Akihiko stopped in front of Kana, the weight of the conversation with his grandfather still pressing heavily on his shoulders. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling deeply before meeting her gaze.

"I'm done," he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion.

Kana blinked, unsure if she'd heard him correctly. "What do you mean done ?"

"The Mentor," Akihiko began, his tone cold and measured, "has decided that I should leave the Brotherhood. No more missions. No more shadow work. He wants me to… get a diploma and live a normal life."

Kana's eyes widened in shock. "Wait... what? He just… cut you off? Why would he do that?"

"He claims it's to protect me," Akihiko replied bitterly, his jaw tightening. "Says he's watched this life destroy too many of our family. That he won't let it take me too. As if I'm some fragile child."

Kana hesitated, unsure of how to respond. "But… you're not fragile, Aki. You've proven that over and over again. He knows that better than anyone." She called him with his nickname used only by those close to him, she uses it in important or friendly moments between them. After so many years passed, she has a blind trust in the Order and Akihiko

Akihiko laughed humorlessly. "Apparently not. He thinks I'm arrogant, that I'll end up like my father and the others. Bullshits..." He muttered under his breath.

Kana took a cautious step closer. "And what did you say?"

Akihiko's gaze dropped to the ground, his voice low. "I told him I wouldn't give it up. That this is who I am. Without the Brotherhood… I'm nothing."

Her heart twisted at the vulnerability in his words, but Kana kept her voice steady. "You're not nothing, Akihiko. You're… so much more than this."

He looked at her sharply, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Am I? Because right now, it feels like everything I've fought for, everything I've sacrificed, has been for nothing. He told me if I defy him, I'm no longer welcome in his house. Do you realize it? My own blood denies me." He couldn't help but laugh sarcastically at his situation.

Kana's breath hitched. "So you're leaving? For good?"

Akihiko nodded. "I don't have a choice. But the Brotherhood… I'll never abandon that. Even if it means doing it on my own."

Silence stretched between them, the weight of the moment settling heavily in the air. Finally, Kana spoke, her voice soft but determined. "You're not alone, Aki. You still have us. You have me." A slight blush settled on her face.

Akihiko studied her, his expression unreadable. He reached into his belt and pulled out his dagger, the blade glinting faintly in the moonlight. Without a word, he held it out to her.

Kana stared at the weapon, her heart pounding. "What are you doing?"

"Take it," Akihiko said firmly. "If I'm truly leaving this life, I want you to have it. It's a symbol of everything we've done, everything we've fought for. Keep it safe."

Her hands trembled as she accepted the blade, the significance of the gesture not lost on her. "Aki… are you sure about this?"

He gave a faint, almost sad smile. "No. But it's the only way forward."

Kana's chest tightened, her feelings for him threatening to spill over. She wanted to tell him how much he meant to her, how she couldn't imagine their team, or her life without him. But the words caught in her throat, trapped by fear and uncertainty.

"Promise me something," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What?"

"Don't lose yourself," Kana pleaded, clutching the dagger tightly. "No matter what happens, no matter where you go… don't forget who you are."

Akihiko hesitated, his gaze softening. "I'll try."

It wasn't the answer she wanted, but it was all she'd get. As he turned to leave, Kana watched him go, the weight of his departure settling over her like a storm cloud.

And for the first time in years, she felt truly alone.