27

Kenzo followed Akujin around the bend, but that was where he lost the Oyabun of the Yakuza. Kenzo was certain Akujin was nearby; he couldn't have vanished into thin air without a trace.

Suddenly, he felt a cold, metallic sword pressed against his neck. The fact that Akujin had managed to sneak up on him showcased his deadly skills, though Kenzo had sensed his presence.

"You perceived my movements, didn't you?" Akujin asked, testing how Kenzo would react.

Impressed by Kenzo's composure, Akujin acknowledged the control he had over his reflexes, distinguishing between voluntary and involuntary movements.

"Why do you have a sword on my neck?" Kenzo inquired, aware that lying to Akujin would be futile. If Akujin intended to kill him, he would have attacked already. Despite Akujin's capability to end his life, Kenzo realized he was already a marked target, given Akujin's notorious reputation as the head of the Yakuza.

"You smell of blood," Akujin muttered, retracting his blade. The scent of blood lingered on Kenzo; a result of his injuries left untreated. Kenzo understood he couldn't play ignorant, yet he also knew he couldn't dispatch Akujin as effortlessly as his previous foes without sustaining injuries.

"You aren't here to kill me, are you Akujin?" Kenzo responded, displaying trust in his own abilities to navigate the perilous situation. His lack of fear in addressing Akujin suggested a quiet confidence in his skills to escape unscathed.

"The dons have requested for your head, Oni Demon and I'm here to deliver it," Akujin said, pausing briefly, though Kenzo sensed there was more to his visit than a mere execution.

"Or at least that was my plan," Akujin concluded, sheathing his sword as his men scanned the surroundings to ensure their leader's discussion remained uninterrupted.

"I have come to you with a proposition," Akujin began, and Kenzo, with little to lose, listened attentively.

"I want you to join the Yakuza and eliminate the other dons," Akujin stated bluntly, wasting no time in getting to the point. He understood the urgency of the matter and the need for clarity.

"And if I refuse?" Kenzo questioned.

"You won't," Akujin replied confidently, recognizing Kenzo's need for the protection and security the Yakuza could provide. Disappearing with their assistance was also a viable option that Kenzo couldn't ignore.

Despite having the power to end Kenzo's life, Akujin saw no immediate advantage in doing so. There was a mystery surrounding Kenzo that piqued Akujin's interest, prompting him to seek answers and potentially wielding Kenzo as a weapon against the threatening dons, safeguarding Japan's integrity.

"You're right, but I will come for you after I deal with the others," Kenzo declared bluntly, eliciting laughter from Akujin. Kenzo's boldness amused him, though Akujin found it refreshing amidst the tension. These were just words to Akujin, who remained unfazed by Kenzo's bravado.

"Sure thing…" Akujin replied, tossing his card to Kenzo before departing. He paused briefly a few paces away, contemplating the unfolding alliance.

"Say… You didn't look surprised that I found you," Akujin remarked, drawing attention to Kenzo's composed reaction as he retrieved the card from the ground. Kenzo remained silent, absorbing the implications of their encounter.

"You're a strange one," Akujin blurted out, realizing that Kenzo had deliberately left a trail leading to him. The motive behind Kenzo's actions intrigued Akujin—why orchestrate such a risky scenario?

Kenzo's strategy was clear; by eliminating the dons, he aimed to disrupt their operations and safeguard himself. Knowing the repercussions of targeting their assassins, Kenzo strategically dismantled their network to halt the relentless pursuit. This calculated move forced the dons to confront him directly, risking their reputation and standing within the criminal underworld.

The potential fallout for the organizations was substantial—they risked losing credibility and clients if their best operatives failed to eliminate Kenzo. The delicate balance of power in the criminal underworld hinged on maintaining a facade of invincibility, a facade that Kenzo shattered with each calculated strike.

By leading the trail to Akujin, Kenzo set the stage for a showdown with the dons. Despite their unawareness of his connection to Akujin, the two shared a hidden history that influenced Kenzo's confidence in their current interaction. The unspoken bond between them hinted at a deeper alliance, one that Kenzo relied on to achieve his ultimate goal.

Kenzo understood that collaboration with the Yakuza was essential to his success. The resources and protection they offered were vital in navigating the treacherous landscape of vendettas and power struggles that defined his quest for redemption but Kenzo was curious who sent him that text.

That was the only event that he hadn't predicted but there was only one person he knew would be capable of such.

"Miles..." Kenzo muttered to himself, Miles was proving to be more of a threat because if he was aware that Akujin was coming to him then there was no doubt that he might be aware of his identity.

Kenzo's kill list increased, but this didn't concern, he could no longer stay here, and this prompted him to give Beelithina a call to see what she was up to, but she didn't pick up her phone.

Kenzo knew this might take a while, but he also knew it was something he had to handle himself.

He looked over his shoulder and saw Mizumi standing right behind him.

"Who are you?" She questioned, voice filled with suspicion.

There was no doubt that she had witnessed his conversation with Akujin or at least, put one and two together, this could possibly explain why he was attacked that night.

Kenzo knew he had to choose his words carefully, but did it matter?

For the dead told no tales, Kenzo charged at her, and she couldn't even let out a scream before everything went black.