Chapter 23: The Ice Manipulator

[At Kagawa's residence]

(Kaaru opened the fridge to take a bottle of juice and shuts the fridge. He opened it while heading to the sitting room and sat on a couch to watch the TV and all of a sudden...)

??: Kaaru Kagawa.

(Kaaru, who was shocked to hear his name while he turned around to look for the person)

??: I'm really glad I meet you and talk to you in person.

KAARU: Who's there and where are you?

??: I'm right beside you.

(After saying that, he was shocked and Kaaru turned by the left side where there was a little space at the side of the couch. Then the person suddenly appeared and it was Keisuke)

KEISUKE: Finally I could meet you in person.

KAARU: Who the heck are you? (He said while he got up from the couch)

KEISUKE: My name is Keisuke.

KAARU: Just Keisuke? (He said while he was confused)

KEISUKE: Naotaka... Keisuke Naotaka.

KAARU: Please I need you to leave my house (He said while he was about to head to the door so that he will open it and make way for Keisuke to him but the four aoks came and blocked his way) Where did this guys come from? (He said while having it as a thought)

KEISUKE: I'm afraid not. I got myself undercover.

KAARU: What do you want?

KEISUKE: Nothing. Just came to say hi, that's all. (He said while he stood up from the couch)

KAARU: Who sent you?

KEISUKE: Why did you ask?

KAARU: Don't just think you can come and make troubles.

KEISUKE: Oh no I'm not. All I want is only a coffee, since I know you like one.

KAARU: How do you know?

KEISUKE: Anyone that associate with you are mostly manipulators unlike the people around you in school but your friends. I'm a manipulator of invisibility. (He said while pouring a jug of coffee into a mug and drinks it) Splendid. Coffee draws me back to the old days.

KAARU: I don't understand who is this man? And I have never seen him before but he acts like as if we have seen before. (He said while having it as a thought)

KEISUKE: I know you are looking for a manipulator of an ice and it's still ongoing.

KAARU: You spy on me?

KEISUKE: Remember my mana, I follow you wherever you go.

KAARU: He must be one of the aoks or something. (While having it as a thought)

KEISUKE: Hmm well I guess a seventeen years old kid can't handle the job.

KAARU: What do you mean? (While he was confused)

KEISUKE: You got help with the SDIA. So why do you want help from them?

KAARU: (Kept quiet while thinking about it)

KEISUKE: You don't need to answer. Don't worry I already know since you wanted to join them during the social gathering. But I can be of your help.

KAARU: How can I trust you? (While looking at him with a serious look)

KEISUKE: Trust? You don't need that. I can be your assistant.

KAARU: No, you can't be. Who do you think you are? We haven't meet but you follow me. No, I can handle things myself.

KEISUKE: You are looking at a man of invisibility. The invisible man at your house to be of your help him.

KAARU: I don't want to work with someone that is with the aoks. I know that you aoks are group of assassins that works in a organization called the blue tree. So you think if you want to help me when you are secretly going to kidnapped me or kill me, right?

KEISUKE: Grr why you... (He said with a serious look)

KAARU: And you can't come and be like " oh hey Kaaru, my name is whatever my name is. I heard that you are on an investigation in search of a manipulator. So I was like, you should need an assistant that should be me. A guy with no other power but invisibility. (One of the aoks gave him a punch on his gut, making him to kneel down)

KEISUKE: You don't have any right to insult me or even my mana.

KAARU: You can't tell me what's right or wrong. So get the fuck outta my house before my aunty comes.

KEISUKE: You mean Junri, that name was given to my daughter before she died. (And started to cry while cleaning his tears with a white handkerchief)

(Kaaru who was still kneeling holding his gut was surprised to hear that from Keisuke, so he looked at him)

(Keisuke then looked at him while smiling after faking himself to cry)

KEISUKE: I didn't wanted to treat you like this, but it's getting late. (He said while he grabs his coffee jug) I will be taking this. (And he disappeared same with the aoks)

KAARU: I don't still understand who is he... (He said while trying to get up and he did) And what was that his name again... Keisuke, if I'm right. (He said while having it as a thought) I guess I'll need my friends this time.

[At Ippei's clothing shop]

[Inside their hideout]

(Kaaru was seated as he looked at everyone that was present except for Shin and Ippei)

KAARU: Good, you guys are here.

EITO: What's going on?

KAARU: Listen. There was an incident that Taki supermarket was attacked by the aoks and an ice manipulator was with them.

YUUTO: What! Is that why you called us? I thought the SDIA can handle that.

KAARU: They can but I don't want them to be in danger. Not even want them to know that about their organization.

HIRO: Why?

KAARU: I don't want any of them to die especially team Tan.

YUUTO: Team what now? (He was confused)

HIRO: How are you sure what you saw was the aoks?

KAARU: During the incident, I saw one of their dead bodies which was killed by a man, I don't know who he is but I'm guessing he may be one of the customers.

YUUTO: Is that the help you want from us? To stop the ice manipulator

KAARU: Yes. This guy need to be stopped and I need you guys to help me out.

EITO: Ice manipulator you say.

KAARU: I can prove it to you (He said while giving him the ice he saw during the incident) For what I was thinking, why will they invade a supermarket?

EITO: We should just split up, I and Yuuto will check out the place to find the reason why. (He said as he looked at the ice and quickly checked his laptop while he power on it)

YUUTO: What you agreed to help him?

HIRO: Don't be so wicked, Yuuto.

KAARU: Thanks Eito. So that means I and Hiro will find the manipulator.

HIRO: Yeah sure.

EITO: I found where he is heading next. (He said as he checked the route and then the building) This time is not a supermarket. It's in a street named Hashimoto and he is going to a warehouse in the evening by five o clock.

HIRO: Why the warehouse?

EITO: If I may asked, don't you know the purpose of a warehousing companies.

HIRO: Yeah I know. Storing and securing of goods.

EITO: That's not all. It ensures the inventory control of products, facilitate the movement of goods, assume risk bearing, responsibility of possible loss, helps in financing producers and consumers. They are lot of them. We may not know what goods he is keeping or what the organization are keeping in there.

KAARU: Well, we have to find out and stop him.

YUUTO: Wait, how do you get to know where he is?

EITO: The ice Kaaru gave me was able to track him down as it showed me where he will be heading to and the time where he will arrived.

HIRO: Impossible.

KAARU: So that means we can start preparing. We can all be planning on what to do. But one thing, do you guys have a mask? (His saying caught the attention of them while looking at him. With the looks at their, he knows that they don't have) Maybe not. You need that to hide your identity, so you must need it. (He said while smiling at them, giving a thumbs up)

(Kaaru meets Ippei while Shin was sleeping on a couch and tells him to design a mask for them. Ippei brought out a sketch pad and a pencil as Kaaru begin to describe how it will look like. Ippei showed him the sketch and Kaaru didn't like it, so he drew his own and showed Ippei and he was surprised to see the sketch as he like it. Later, Ippei makes the mask out of wood, the way Kaaru own was out of)

(For Hiro, she decided to look for clothes to wear. She suggested an all black cloth since no one will see them in the night)

(Eito, he was going through his laptop to know more about the manipulator's weakness. He snapped the ice in his laptop and goes through about it. He couldn't find anything as he folds his hand and turned around and saw Yuuto, who was sleeping after drinking a lots of coca-cola cans)

(Now after all of that, Focusing now we see Tan with the man who killed an aok member for self-defense. The two were seated opposite as Tan goes through a file about him)

TAN: Oh I see. Taichi Toshio is your name. Born on April 12th, 1977. You attended Hayao high school, Tokyo and dropped out second year. And didn't have a job for fifteen years and later found one and became...a security guard at Taki supermarket. (So he dropped the file) I understand now but you aren't here for a crime, you know that? All I want to tell you is whenever you see something like that, make sure you call the police and we will be there on time.

TAICHI: Okay.

TAN: Well I guess that's all. Nothing much to tell you about. You are free to go now.

TAICHI: Thank you. (He said as he got up and left the SDIA organization)

[4:49pm]

[Taki Supermarket]

(The place was tied round with a yellow and black tape indicating "do not cross." Eito and Yuuto were seen on black jacket and black trouser and a fox mask which is orange in color for Yuuto and a purple mask with no eyes but a smiley mouth for Eito)

YUUTO: So this actually the place.

EITO: Yeah. Good thing, he gave me the address. (He said while he walked in to look around)

YUUTO: Look Eito, Kaaru checked round before, so I'm guessing we may find the same thing.

EITO: You mean nothing. I'm thinking there's something and it's beneath. (He said while he kneels down and looks round at the ground and found something. He then tore the carpet floor and a door leading to the inside)

YUUTO: What, No way.

EITO: I know there was something beneath.

YUUTO: You know I kind of see this in the movie. The bad guys' hideout are always beneath, well some of them.

EITO: So that means we are the bad guys. (He said while the two went in with the help of the stairs)

[4:54pm]

[Hashimoto Warehouse]

(Kaaru was on his XO mask and Hiro who she was seen on a bird mask which was white in color and the beak yellow and an all black outfit; a tight long sleeve, a skirt and a legging)

HIRO: We made it.

KAARU: Yeah, let's go in. (He said as they went in while looking round)

HIRO: It's only fifty boxes left. Is there anything inside that is so special?

KAARU: Well let's find out. (He said while he dropped one down as he begin to open it and to their shocking look, it was...)

HIRO: Guns? Who the hell will store weapons?

KAARU: It looks like someone made a deal with the wholesalers, that will only be one thing... (As he remembered what Nate said, the first time they saw each other)

NATE: You mean my uniform. I newly joined them and we have been going along smoothly, giving us new weapons.

KAARU: So the organization made a deal with making weapons. (While having it as a thought)

HIRO: Let's get out of here and report it to Shin-sensei and Ippei.

??: Sorry you can't.

(The two were shocked to hear a voice as they turned back and sees a man with the color of a white hair, wears a blue jacket, black jeans and a black mask which has a red circle in the middle with no mouth)

??: Where do you think you are going?

KAARU: Shit, it's already five. (While looking at his wrist watch)

??: You came to investigate, so that you two will report me to your boss.

HIRO: Oh glad you know.

KAARU: And glad I could find you, ice manipulator.

??: The name's Saku and prepare to see yourself finished. (He said as the aoks came, which were seven in number)

KAARU: Hiro take down the aoks, and I'll take him down.

SAKU: Now shall we dance? (He said as he created an ice surrounding his fist and he began to run as he was about to give him a punch)

[Back to Yuuto and Eito]

(The two saw many of boxes inside the place and Eito brings out one and started opening it and inside were weapons)

YUUTO: The hell? Do you think they are for the aoks?

EITO: Hmmm... It can be possible, the organization must have made a negotiation with the overseas armorers.

YUUTO: But I thought they attacked this place, and what do you mean negotiation?

EITO: There's no way they attacked this place. Kaaru said a man killed an aok, so I was thinking if there was a reason for that. Anything can happen, whether he killed the man for revenge or something. If you are thinking what I'm thinking you might understand that this place is not just a supermarket but a place overrun by armorers who the blue tree made a deal with. (He said with serious look)

YUUTO: And you are trying to say that man is one of the armorer?

(After saying that, Taichi came to the supermarket and heads to the hideout beneath and to his surprised, he saw the door opened and he was in a serious face to think that someone has already found out)

YUUTO: So that means he is already out looking for us?

TAICHI: I'm right here. (He said as Eito and Yuuto looked up and saw him with a gun pointed at them) Come out while raising your hands up. (The two did what he said while coming out of the place)

EITO: Taichi Toshio. I know it was you. I managed to find you in the recorded suspect. There was nothing much about you, only an acting bodyguard and one of blue tree's armorer. You got a misunderstanding between the blue tree and for that the aoks sent to steal the weapons you made. You became angry for that and you killed one, that's all I know. I'm I right? (He said while he smiled)

TAICHI: (was shocked to hear that and said) How do you know? (He said while pointing the gun at Eito)

(Eito didn't answered him while he was just smiling)

TAICHI: You ain't answering me right?

EITO: Huh, what's that you said? (While smiling at him)

TAICHI: Fuck you! (He said while holding his gun)

(Eito sees the future on what Taichi was about to do next. He sees Taichi turning his gun away from him and pointing the gun at Yuuto as he shot him dead. Looking at Yuuto death as he was shocked while Taichi running away)

(Back to the present, Taichi turned his gun away from him and pointed it at Yuuto, getting ready to fire. But Eito pushes Yuuto away as the bullet comes out and landed on Eito but surprisedly, it didn't shot him as the bullet paused and it fell to the ground as Taichi was shocked)

TAICHI: You stopped the bullet. How do you...? (He said as he dropped his gun and ran away from the place)

YUUTO: Shit, he's getting away. (He said as Yuuto ran after him. But surprisedly, he goes back, causing him to land on the ground after getting punch by somebody he didn't see. Taichi stopped and turned back to see Yuuto on the ground and beside his mask which is already broken)

TAICHI: Huh (While he was confused)

EITO: Yuuto (He said while running to meet him)

YUUTO: Damnit, I got punched by someone I didn't see. Was I dreaming? (He said while touching his noise which was bleeding)

EITO: No. That's because there's someone right in front of us. (Keisuke appeared while walking to meet them)

KEISUKE: Eito and Yuuto. That name actually sound like twins.

EITO: Let me guess you are on his side.

KEISUKE: That's correct. Taichi you can leave me here, I will handle them for you. (He said while looking at Taichi)

TAICHI: Huh... Thank you (So he continues to run)

EITO: Why did you help him?

KEISUKE: I do whatever I like. If I feel like killing him, I will. If I want him to live, I will make him.

(Eito looked at him with a serious look on his face)

KEISUKE: You two already know where the armorers store the aoks' weapons. So for that you two wouldn't go back to your friends alive.

EITO: That means he has been following us (while he said it as a thought)

YUUTO: Is that so (He said while smiling, making his teeth to show) Bring it on. (He said while getting up as he cleans his blood running out of his nose using his arms)

(Keisuke looked at them as he started to laugh)

(Back to Kaaru, he was still fighting Saku as he tried to punch but he jumped up by dodging. Kaaru turned around to looked for him and surprisedly, Saku jumps down to kick and Kaaru dodged that. And didn't know Saku will come back as he landed him a punch and he fell. Kaaru got up and sees Saku already running to him as he gives him a punch on his gut)

KAARU: (Thought) I haven't give this guy a punch. Is he really that strong? (He remembered what doctor Muto said to him)

                                                        (Flashback)

MUTO: Currently every manipulators is now set on 50%. In other words, if he activates his powers to the fullest, he can be in seventy to 80%. So the ice manipulator is in 60%

                                                     (End of flashback)

KAARU: Sixty huh? I have to find a way to defeat him. (While having it as a thought)

SAKU: What's the matter? Looks like you haven't seen anything yet.

(To Hiro, she dodged a sword and kicked him on the guts. Another one came with a sword and he jumped and kicked him on the jaw. One grab her from the back and Hiro couldn't move, she got an idea as a long stem comes out from the ninja back as it tied him round his neck while strangling him to death as it pull out the head and blood begins to splash out. The remaining four goes back a little after seeing what she did. Hiro looked at them serious and was angry. As a long stem came out beneath and slice their bodies. While standing, blood splashes out and the four fell to the ground while they were dead)

(Hiro looked at the aoks dead as she turned around and saw Kaaru fighting Saku and said one word)

HIRO: Kaaru! (While she was in a worried tone)

(Kaaru continues to fight Saku and blast out fire from his mouth and Saku dodged that as he runs to Kaaru. The two mask users started to fight a serious one displaying their stunts and combats. Saku sents a ice in form of a shape object as they lunged to him. Kaaru stretches out his hand as he developed heat and the ice melted. After that, Saku jumped up with his arm covered with ice and Kaaru made a defense with his two arms which pushes him backward. Kaaru gave him a punch to his face and kick, making him to go back)

KAARU: I did it (He said in a low tone while he was finally relieved of punching Saku for the first time)

(Saku finally got up which took time for him to do so and said)

SAKU: Very impressive. But let's see if you can dodged this. (He said as he hits the ground while the ground froze to ice coming to Kaaru. He couldn't move due to the stickiness of the ice and Saku freezed him)

(Kaaru was struck in the ice as Saku smiled and said)

SAKU: This is better. (Surprisedly, Kaaru melted the ice due to heat he absorbed in his body and he was shocked) What he melted it! Even though I made it is in a strong state. (While having it as a thought)

(Then he received a punch on his belly, causing him to gasp and falls on his kneels while Kaaru stood in front of him watching him while he was breathing)

SAKU: This is impossible, I haven't see anyone who would underestimate my mania. (While he said it as a thought)

KAARU: Give up now. (He said with a serious look on his face)

(Back to Eito and Yuuto, who were seen fighting Keisuke. Yuuto brings out lightning and strikes it on Keisuke, who was able to dodge that. Eito runs forward as he was about to land him a kick on his face but for Keisuke...

KEISUKE: Nice try (He smiley said while blocking it with arms)

EITO: Shit, that was quick. (He said as he goes back to avoid his next attack)

YUUTO: This guy's tough, he avoided that lunge strike and Eito's kick. (He thought as he was angry seeing his hands sparking)

KEISUKE: They look serious this time. (He thought while seeing the two looking furious)

EITO: Let's do this, Yuuto.

YUUTO: Yeah.

(The two ran to Keisuke as they fought a serious battle, fighting hand to hand combat and displaying their elements. Yuuto was getting ready with a punch while his lightning was sparking, but Keisuke avoided that with a dodge. Surprisedly, Eito was at his back as he gave him a punch but he didn't dodge that this time. Keisuke got up and sees their furious faces)

KEISUKE: I'm thinking I'm enjoying this.

(Yuuto jumped and was ready to him a lighting blast and said)

YUUTO: Just shut up and face this. (Then he blast him with his fist as Keisuke disappeared as he missed that.) Fuck I missed.

(Keisuke appeared at his back and Eito shouted...)

EITO: Yuuto look out!

(Keisuke gave him an ultimate punch, causing him to go back and slammed himself to a building as dust covered the surrounding)

EITO: Yuuto!

KEISUKE: (Laughs while turned around to Eito) I guess your friend wouldn't survive that punch. (He said while Eito looked him with a serious look) What's the matter? Are you going to fight me for that?

EITO: It doesn't matter. I will decide it myself.

KEISUKE: We'll see.

(As the two were about to start a serious fight)

YUUTO: I guess that punch didn't hurt me. (Keisuke turned back and was shocked to see Yuuto while he appeared with his black slim-fit sleeve ripped from the attack)

KEISUKE: That's impossible. Don't tell me you resist that.

YUUTO: I don't have time for this (he said while pulling off his fingerless glove)

(As he done that, a long mark was shown on his palm due to something that must have happened from the past. Lightning sparks around that line and his eyes were sparkling blue)

EITO: Is this Yuuto's rage? (While having it as a thought)

YUUTO: Now I'm mad!

(He runs and was about to give him a punch and Keisuke dodged that but surprisedly, a kick was landed on him, making him to go back as he slammed himself. Yuuto jumps and was ready to give him a smash. He dodged that as the time were fighting hand to hand combats. Keisuke gave him a punch but Yuuto dodged that and landed him  a kick on his gut, causing him to bring out saliva and goes down to his kneels while gasping and coughing a little)

KEISUKE: (Thought) Shit, he's fast.

(Yuuto runs to him getting ready to give him another kick but...)

KEISUKE: I will see you around, fellas. (And he then disappeared)

YUUTO: (Stopped and goes on one kneel while touching his head) I guess I overdid that.

EITO: Yuuto, are you alright?

YUUTO: Yeah. I'm fine. It looks like he's gone.

EITO: No. He's heading to Hashimoto at the warehouse.

YUUTO: Kaaru and Hiro... (He said while he was shocked)

EITO: Come on, we better get there on time. Things may get worst when we get there. Hope you can get up?

YUUTO: (Got up while trying to walk) Yeah. Let's go.

[Back to Kaaru]

KAARU: I said give up now.

SAKU: Hmph! If that's so (He got up while his hands were up) Doesn't it seem odd to you. A manipulator surrendering to a manipulator. It's fine by the way, so tell me what do you want to do after this?

KAARU: Maybe taking you to the SDIA for some questions.

SAKU: (Burst into laughter) You are such a idiot. Take me to that shit for questions.

KAARU: Anything wrong with that?

SAKU: No, but don't you think this is getting interesting?

KAARU: I'm not here for games.

SAKU: Let me tell you this. The truth is the ice manipulator you were expecting... is not me (This word made Kaaru shocked while his eyes were widened opened) But he is. (He said while he pointed at his back as Taichi came in)

KAARU: What, you are the man I saw during that incident. How?

SAKU: (Drops his two hands down) Taichi Toshio is the owner of Taki supermarket. He is a armorer of the blue tree and an acting bodyguard. The time when the aoks attacked the place, Taichi left his duty post and dress up to be an ice manipulator on his mask while protecting his weapons after a disagreement with the blue tree.

KAARU: And that was how eye witnesses saw you as you froze them (he said while remembering those three security guard froze up in an iceberg)

TAICHI: That's right. I am a man in disguise.

SAKU: Well Taichi, the blue tree are still mad at you, that's why the aoks came to steal your weapons and you have to kill one with a gun.

TAICHI: I know.

SAKU: Only If you give them a chance, and that is kill XO and that's all.

TAICHI: Understood.

SAKU: (Left without Kaaru doing him harm) Good, I will be your backup.

(Hiro, who has been watching them for while was in a confused look as she didn't know what was going on)

SAKU: Hey XO, shall we do this fair and square. (He said while he goes on Taichi's side)

(Kaaru was then shocked to see Taichi standing in front of him, as ice surrounded his arm while it created a sharp object like a blade on the top and he said)

TAICHI: Now in which area will I tear you to pieces...hmm, I guess the neck is better for me. (He said while showing Kaaru his ice blade he form on his hand)

To be continued...

I hope you are enjoying reading this arc: Hashimoto Arc

Next Chapter: Battle In Hashimoto