Dai ordered his men and they disarmed the two Lightning ninjas before tying them up. Afterwards, he strode over to Mikoto and caressed her chin. "You're very beautiful... what's your name?"
Mikoto ignored the question and spat on Dai.
Dai grinned, wiping his face. "Ah, I like them feisty…" He licked the spit off his hand, taking a moment to savour its taste. "Hurry up you fucks," he said, turning to the yakuza. "We ain't got all night."
☯
Kazuo and Yamamoto were about to leave the Ishigami business district when they encountered a tall, muscular figure. The man looked to be in his twenties with a black Mohawk and short stubble. He wore dark dungarees and had dragon tattoos inked on his exposed arms. On his shoulders was a katana that he carried like a crucifix.
"My, my... this is impressive." The man spoke with a deep tenor. "I am the strongest in this country and even I couldn't make it budge. So, I had to see it for myself."
"D–D–Daichi!" Yamamoto stammered.
"It is Lord Daichi to you, officer." He gave the keisatsu a stern look and turned to Kazuo. "I am the Hasegawa boss and who are you, boy?"
"Kazuo..."
Daichi raised an eyebrow and scratched his beard. "Inazuma?" Doesn't the brat have purple hair? Oh, well... "That sword was gifted to my country by Lord Kazuro himself. It belongs with us..."
"If you want it so badly..." Kazuo glanced at Dōjin, taking a defensive stance. "Come and get it!"
"You know what, Inazuma brat?" Daichi chuckled, brandishing his katana. "Lord Kagero put out a huge bounty on your head. Sadly, I will be sending you to him in pieces..." He leapt forward, swinging the blade with one hand.
The height difference between them was too great.
As the giant soared, he shifted into an overhead swing. Daichi roared and loud clanks followed. However, Kazuo blocked the barrage using Dōjin.
"Hah… Hah... Hah!" Daichi grunted, sweat dripping from his temples. "Is defense all that you know?" He switched direction, swinging from the side.
Kazuo saw Daichi advancing and shoved Dōjin into the ground. Another clank filled the air, followed by a spark. "Hmm..." he grinned, tossing the axe blade.
Daichi grabbed Dōjin's hilt. The axe blade pulled him down and he let go before veering backwards. "Nice counter." He grasped his katana with both hands. "But playtime is over!" he said, advancing.
Loud grunts and steel clanks echoed once more.
As the fight progressed, Kazuo got accustomed to dual-wielding. He seemed to hold his own for a while. However, the odds were not on his side. The sheer difference between their skills was visible.
Kazuo's pace slowed noticeably. Daichi caught him off guard and grazed his arm. "Aargh," he groaned, looking at the cut. It was not deep but it stung. He turned to Dōjin's cleaver, panting as it dragged him. This sword is heavy...
Daichi pointed his katana at Kazuo. "The next one will be fatal! Unless you surrender right now..."
☯
Once they reached the palace, Kazuo's comrades saw numerous yakuza and keisatsu patrolling around. Two yakuza escorted Mikoto away while another group brought the boys to a throne room.
A curly-haired man with bangs over his eyes sat on a golden throne. He was slim and adorned in a black uniform. "Oh my," he spoke with a calm tenor and eyed Takumi from head to toe. "An Artisan. You must be the brains of this operation." The man turned to one of his yakuza, "You can leave me with this one. As for the peasant boy, take him away."
"NO!" Kaito cried as the yakuza dragged outside. "Takumi! Hey!" he shouted. "Do something!"
"Takumi, huh?" The man on the throne chuckled. "How fitting. Oh, where are my manners? I'm Hasegawa Daisuke..."
"–the true daimyo of this country," said Takumi.
Daisuke glanced at his seat. "An instant giveaway, isn't it?" He rested his face on the back of one hand. "So, why did you blow up my warehouse?"
"We needed a distraction."
"I heard one of you broke into Iwa and stole our national treasure." Daisuke smiled. "I pity the foolish brat... Daichi is likely dealing with him as we speak."
He pulled it off! Takumi raised his eyebrows and chuckled. "Well... your brother is in for a reckoning!"
Daisuke's smile disappeared. "Oh really? We'll see about that." He got up and walked towards his guest. As he got close to Takumi, he raised his hand.
Takumi felt a burst of air between Daisuke's palm and his cheek. Adjusting his sunglasses, he cleared his throat with a gulp.
"Unlike my brothers," Daisuke sighed, letting his hand down. "I'm not one to sully my hands with physical combat. A battle of the mind is my forte."
"Likewise."
"I thought as much..." Daisuke paced around, arms folded. "Since I'm feeling quite generous today, how about a game of shōgi? When I win, I'll have my men execute you and your friends–"
"And if I win?"
Daisuke clapped once. "If you somehow win... you'll get to leave my country with your heads intact."
At that instant, a young man scurried with two futons and a small table. After setting the board for them, he awaited further instruction.
Daisuke sat down. "Shall we begin?"
"Uhm..." said Takumi, raising his bound wrists.
"He will be your hands." Daisuke pointed at the young servant after moving his pawn a step forward.
With the stakes set, the game began.
Daisuke played as black–moving up the board. Twenty minutes into the match, he was down a Bishop and four out of his nine pawns. Takumi, however, had lost a Knight and three pawns.
☯
Meanwhile, Mikoto sat in a luxurious room filled with ornaments and nunchaku on the walls. She had been bound at her ankles and wrists and waited there for what felt close to an eternity. Suddenly, she sniffed a sweet aroma and the door opened.
Dai entered the room holding skewered beef cutlets and dango in each hand. As he shut the door, he walked over to her with a rose stem in his mouth. "Sorry for being late, my darling..." he said through gritted teeth, passing the dango to her.
She furrowed her eyebrows and cringed.
After taking the rose out of his mouth, he handed her some dango. "Here you go, Mikoto-chan. I know it's your favourite. In fact, all of this is for you..."
With her hands bound, Mikoto grabbed the dango. Tempted to take a bite, she shook her head. "How do you know my name?" I don't recall telling him...
Dai cackled. "The Soil boy squealed out everything like a little piggy. And we ain't lay a finger on him."
"Leave Kaito out of this! He didn't do anything!"
"When my brothers deal with your friends..." Dai grinned. "We might consider letting the Soil boy go."
I hope Kazuo is alright... she thought.
"Why ain't you eating your dango?" he asked, eyes widened. "It will get cold..."
Mikoto frowned, examining the dumplings. "How sure am I that this isn't poisoned?"
"I can try it if you like…" he said, cheeks reddening.
She smiled. "Okay, close your eyes and say ah…"
Blood trickled from Dai's nostril. He needed no further convincing. Guided by the scent, he drew closer–keeping his eyes shut and mouth wide open.
Mikoto dropped the dango on the floor. Balling her hands into fists, she punched him on the nose. She quickly jumped, connecting a heavy kick to his chest.
Dai tore through the wooden door. A loud crack sounded as he broke his fall against a wall.
Whilst midair, Mikoto lost balance and fell.
Both of them were out flat.