Chapter 96: Farewell

Machi began to recount their recent progress in tracking down Sarasa's killer.

She explained how they had finally obtained some promising leads, only for them to be abruptly cut off just as they were on the brink of uncovering the truth.

Machi emphasized the importance of Sarasa's belongings in piecing together the remaining clues, which was why she had returned to Meteor City.

"I see, so you guys found whoever killed her, huh?"

Sakujiro listened intently, absorbing the details as he gradually calmed down. 

Sighing, he shook his head lightly and said, "Keep the purse. Just give me back the picture..."

"Really? Are you sure about this?"

Machi looked at him questioningly, seeking confirmation while she handed over Sarasa's picture.

Sakujiro accepted it solemnly.

His gaze fixated on the image as he fell into a thoughtful silence.

"Yeah, it would be a relief to know her killer would die..." Sakujiro's voice was barely audible, but the fire in his eyes was unmistakable.

With each word, his gaze sharpened, brimming with unmistakable killing intent.

The idea of the killer's demise was reassuring to him.

And with the killer being taken care of, there was another thing he needed to do...

To seek justice for Sarasa by offering the true culprit's head behind her tragic end!

Not just his daughter, but also his men!

"Only then, I'd be able to die in peace!"

"...!"

As Sakujiro spoke, his resolve evident in his clenched jaw, Machi couldn't help but feel stunned.

"..."

Her initial response caught in her throat, uncertain of how to react to his intense determination.

"Go, kill that bastard for me... No, for her..."

Sakujiro's voice was low as he urged Machi forward.

Machi's brow furrowed with uncertainty as she watched Sakujiro depart, "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"

As Sakujiro strode forward, his thoughts fixated on Raymond.

"What do I so desire?"

The answer echoed in his mind, the blood of his enemies!

Despite his skepticism about Raymond's reliability, Sakujiro couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps Raymond could give him what he desired.

With resolve hardening in his heart, Sakujiro chose to trust his instincts.

After all, the worst Watanabe could do was kill him!

"I'll freeze this city if I have to," Sakujiro swore, his determination unwavering. "I'll see that bastard dead, even if it costs me my life!"

With determination etched into his every step, Sakujiro gestured dismissively to Machi, "Don't worry about me. Do what you need to do and take down whoever took Sarasa from us."

"Got it," Machi replied with a heavy sigh.

Though she wished she could assist Sakujiro further, Machi understood she couldn't make the spiders wait any longer.

She could only watch Sakujiro's retreating figure in silence as she whispered softly, "Survive this, old man..."

"Until we meet again," Machi murmured as she dissolved into the surrounding shadows, Sarasa's purse clutched tightly in her hand.

Back in Meteor City...

Taka's cheerful humming echoed through the desolate streets as he eagerly approached the familiar restaurant.

With each bounding step, his anticipation grew, his smile widening.

But then...

"Hmm? What's going on there?"

His joyous expression faltered as he noticed a commotion near the restaurant.

Some figures moved about, and the once-sturdy door lay in shattered ruins, a stark contrast to the usual bustling atmosphere.

"...Are you finished laying out all the pine needles?"

"Yes, once we ignite them from the kitchen stove, the fire will spread quickly."

"Excellent. Let's proceed."

With determined nods, they entered the restaurant.

As Taka drew nearer, he overheard their sinister plans to set the establishment ablaze. Shock flashed across his face.

"Damn it! They're trying to ruin us!"

Taka exclaimed, his eyes widening in alarm before he dashed inside.

The would-be arsonists were taken aback as Taka burst into the room, his voice booming with anger.

"Cease your actions, you scoundrels!"

Realizing their plan was discovered, panic flickered across their faces.

"Take him down!"

Their leader commanded, and one of the men lunged toward Taka, his intentions clear.

He turned to his other accomplice, urging him, "Light a fire, quick!" 

Although he was tensed, Taka was able to react swiftly as dodged dodged the attack and grabbed a nearby wooden chair, hurling it at his assailant's face.

The chair struck the man with a solid thud, momentarily obscuring his vision.

"Fool!"

The man cursed, swatting the chair away in frustration.

However...

Unbeknownst to him, Taka had snuck behind him, leaping onto his back and sinking his teeth into the man's neck with a ferocious bite.

"Arggghh!!!" 

The man yelled in pain as he tried to shake Taka off his back, flailing his arms wildly.

Taka winced as each blow landed, tears stinging his eyes.

"You idiot!" the leader snapped angrily, striding over to the struggling duo.

Sensing an opportunity, Taka released his grip on the man's neck, catching him off guard.

"Huh!? I got you, you son of a bitch!"

Seizing the moment, the man swiftly grabbed Taka's feet and hurled him away, sending the boy tumbling across the room.

But the direction of the throw caught everyone off guard. The leader's eyes widened in alarm as he yelled, "Look out!"

"Huh?"

Confusion flashed across the face of the man who started the fire.

Before he could react, Taka came hurtling toward him, and by sheer chance, the sparks from his flint knife ignited the nearby pine needles, starting a fire.

Instinctively, the man raised his arm to shield his face from the incoming collision, his voice lost in the chaos unfolding around him.

Then came the impact.

With a resounding thud, Taka slammed into the man, the force of the collision echoing through the restaurant.

"Urgh..."

The man shook his head vigorously, a dull ache forming from the impact.

"You goddamn bra---!!"

The man's curse was abruptly cut short as his eyes widened in horror.

A sharp gasp escaped his lips as he beheld the sight before him...

His flint knife that he held in his hand a while ago was potruding out from Taka's chest.

"...!"

The man's eyes shook as he saw the kid's expression.

It was a mix of shock and disbelief as Taka stared down at the weapon embedded in his own flesh.

"..."

The leader and his cohorts stood frozen, their faces mirroring a similar disbelief at the sudden turn of events.

Yet, their shock was short-lived as the flames ignited by the errant sparks began to spread rapidly, devouring the pine needles scattered across the restaurant floor.

"...We need to go, we've stirred up enough trouble here," the leader declared after a moment of tense silence, his voice tinged with urgency as he surveyed the unfolding chaos.

No one protested.

With Taka grievously injured and unable to speak, his life slipping away with every labored breath, the grim reality sank in.

It was clear he wouldn't survive.

And so...

In the shadow of the spreading flames...

The decision was silently made to leave Taka behind, his fate sealed by the fire that now consumed the restaurant...

...which was a convenient way to cover their involvement in his demise.

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