Fateful Day

Top Dog sighed. It had been a long few days. Constantly working to reduce tension had put a burden on his gang. As a result their border protection was weakened. A prime opportunity for a rival gang to strike. In an ironic twist, the trouble Top Dog was in made several other Districts passive. Unwilling to spark any conflict while Ghost Hand was watching them.

Because of these two factors, Top Dog's control over the other Districts proceeded incredibly smoothly. After rumor spread it only calmed down further. Anyone who foolishly still had ambition was at least wise enough to act silently. Top Dog did not care if other gangs had such ambition, he only cared if Ghost Hand was pleased with the result.

As much as he wished to loosen up today, he couldn't afford it. Tomorrow Ghost Hand would be visiting again to state their opinion and future actions. If they were displeased with how he handled the aftermath then this could very well be the end of the Street Dogs. How could anyone relax with a lingering dread clinging to their shoulders? As strong as Top Dog was, he couldn't use his strength in a situation like this.

The door to his room opened and the Enforcers stepped in. This time including Jay. Although he wasn't allowed to do any heavy actions due to R-R's strict words, he was still an Enforcer. A meeting like this he could attend. Top Dog rested his head onto his hand, "Right, I need reports. Jay you're obviously not included in this just yet, but stick around so ya know what I expect of you in the future."

Jay lowered his head as his way of responding.

Acknowledging this response Top Dog directed the meeting, "Troy you start. How is the Annatto District coming along?"

"After our initial actions the amount of gangs trying to become a District dropped. Any rumor was swiftly handled."

"Good, as for the rest?"

"The Betas have been handling the influx of new members smoothly. I think it was wise for there to be a new Enforcer, for we're slowly reaching the limits on what they can handle. I think we'll have to promote a few people here soon."

Top Dog leaned back in his chair, "I want ya all to have the Betas make some recommendations. Anything else ya want to note?"

"Track is ready to participate again. Although he's still insistent upon having specific members be placed under him."

"He has his reasons. Anyone he has his eyes on?"

Troy glanced towards Jay as he answered, "The young boy Jay brought."

The other Enforcers raised their eyebrows and also glanced at Jay. Top Dog found this intriguing, "Oh? An unexpected talent?"

"I had asked him about it, but he's stated to not have too high expectation. There's a high chance he's an Impractical."

"As is the majority of my Street Dogs. Although it is a shame. So why does Track have his eye on him?"

"I couldn't get that information out of him."

"Send him to me later. You're next Adam."

"Turmeric Heights is proceeding smoothly. The resistance there was a lot less than in Annatto. It seems Tsunami had a steady control over the area. Violet Wave hasn't fallen either."

"Good! How's the Betas?"

"My end is performing fine. I have someone I wish to recommend for promotion."

"We'll talk about that later then."

The rest of the meeting went smoothly. Jay gained several insights on how the higher ranks operate and found himself looking forward to having several Betas under him. However upon remembering his past performance he grimaced. What had he done? He managed to barely survive against the Heavy Thorns. After that he failed his first mission and was bedridden. Even now he wasn't allowed to perform any tasks due to R-R's significant influence.

He couldn't do any tasks, so what could he do in this time he needed to heal?

Even now his comrade in death was working hard. Jay was familiar of the rumors surrounding Track, and how difficult his training was. Yet if the young boy was working hard enough to gain Track's interest. . .

Tightening his hands into fists he figured out what he could do in these next few weeks.

The final day before Ghost Hand's judgement had passed. Tension was thick at the Street Dogs' homebase. Everyone was on edge. Today was incredibly important. If Ghost Hand stated they were displeased with the Street Dogs, then this would spell the end of their saga. Their fate, everything they had worked towards, it was going to be revealed.

The rare sound of a motor could be heard. The rumbling was easy to spot. A street bike sped across the asphalt and screeched to a stop. A figure took off a helmet. Their bandaged arms a clear sign of the Ghost Hand. Placing the helmet on the bike they left it carelessly on the road. Not that it mattered. Anyone who dared to take such a rare vehicle was an idiot. Especially since it was owned by an important figure of Ghost Hand.

The Street Dogs rapidly made a path for the representative of Ghost Hand. Their gazes serious but not threatening. If anything it showed how passive they were. Used to such treatment the Ghost Hand representative didn't react. Instead they walked steadily towards the direction the path led them.

Troy stood awaiting at the bottom of the stairs. When the Ghost Hand representative approached he spoke respectfully, "Top Dog thanks you for coming out all this way."

"Mm, lead me to him."

"This way."

Leading the Ghost Hand representative to Top Dog's office he opened the door. There was a bit of a difference in the office. Top Dog wasn't the authority this time, but he couldn't lose out on showcasing his leadership. So he adjusted the office. The desk was pushed up against a wall, with the chair on the opposite end of where it normally was. This left an abnormal amount of empty space in the middle.

Top Dog didn't lower his head to the representative. Judging by the mark on the back of the representative's hand, this person was clearly a Ghoul. Despite talking with someone of high rank, Top Dog actually dared to perform the Tension dance.

This was an incredibly delicate situation. With the potential end of his gang afoot Top Dog wasn't willing to take it all lying down. So he decided to display his might through this dance, and his willingness to obey the stronger gang. This move was obviously surprising to the Ghoul, but they were no stranger to this process. Instead they walked up to Top Dog. Despite his towering figure being larger than the Ghoul, he could feel a bead of sweat fall down his neck upon staring at them.

The Ghoul spoke simple words, "Your chair."

It was enough. Top Dog had proven his strength by standing up against a Quadrant. Now it was time to prove his willingness to obey. Standing to the side was enough to show his chair. The Ghoul casually stepped past and sat on the chair. Top Dog dared not to take a seat himself.

The Ghoul wasn't in a rush. Instead they took their time in examining the room. Its simple style wasn't anything impressive. There wasn't much to look at. This was clearly just a show, but this showcase of power wasn't anything new in this city.

Leaning forward the Ghoul spoke, "You were the one responsible for the death of Tsunami and Stella."

"I was.", Top Dog didn't sugarcoat the situation, regardless of what was true and not.

"You created a war between Districts in the middle of the Streets."

"I did."

"We naturally have done our own research. The truth was quick to be discovered. So I don't want to hear any excuses. Rather I want you to solve a lingering curiosity. Why did you do this?"

Top Dog didn't hesitate in his answer, "I wasn't going to let my Street Dogs be looked down upon."

There wasn't a need for several words. The Ghoul already understood the meaning behind Top Dog's words, "Which you certainly have proven. A new District with three other District gangs defeated, all within a month. Word of your gang travels far and wide. Your members are something special, you are something special."

Top Dog was unsure what the Ghoul was getting at so he remained silent.

The Ghoul waved a hand, "You handled this situation with surprising efficiency. You've proven your strength and capability. So we've decided your fate. You will relinquish your share of protection fees for the next two months as a punishment for your actions. Let this be a warning, do not pull a stunt like this again."

"I will make sure it doesn't happen."

The Ghoul nodded, "Then I need not say more. Prove yourself to be a valuable ally. Ghost Hand is always keeping their eye on you."

"Thank you."

He had done it. The punishment of two months was also a way of saying he would remain as a District. His gang would remain. Top Dog felt ecstatic. After the endless stress he had undergone to ensure his gang's survival, it was all worth it.

The Street Dogs remain!