[September 14, 2418 - Friday, 8:00 AM]
The morning sun's gaze peered through the open blinds of my window, a sun's ray hitting softly against my face while I got ready to begin my day. I looked down at the Tomodachi Book in my hand, realizing today was Friday and the day Nanako would switch her main host.
Setting the book down on my nightstand, I grabbed my father's old fur collar coat and put it on for the cooling weather then grabbed my bag. Heading out of my room, my body jolted still as I saw Aisha eagerly waiting for me at my room door.
"Ohayo, Saki-kun~! Are you ready to begin another day of the festival? Today, I was thinking about going out to Okinawa and seeing if Ms. Okana wants to come today since we had Ms. Nousagi and Ms. Usagi! Oh, and—" Aisha began, her mouth moving a million miles an hour as she began yapping about her plans.
I crossed my arms as I listened to Aisha go on and on then let out a soft chuckle, my gaze shifting behind her to see Nanako nodding away in agreement with her plans. "Alright, alright. We can go to Okinawa, but just know us being late is on you."
"Yay! The next train's leaving in 30 minutes, let's go!" Aisha beamed, grabbing my hand and hurrying down the stairs with me.
The two of us rushed out of the house, but I had to yank myself away from Aisha so I could lock the door. Barely getting the door locked, Aisha grabbed my arm with both hands and dragged me with her to the station with loud protests about being late.
A few residents of the Narita Neighborhood looked at the two of us, hearing our daily morning couple arguments and chuckling to themselves while we raced to the train station. Once again, Aisha was clueless to the attention her excitement brought to us.
Finally making it to the station, I slowed down and leaned down to catch my breath. "We're here...with 20 minutes to spare. I don't ever remember the station being this tiring to get to..."
"Because for once, we beat the train! Come on, let's go find our seats," Aisha said, still brimming with energy as she skipped into the train car.
I followed behind her with a soft sigh, walking inside the car as well then took my seat next to Aisha and looked over at her. She had a brighter smile on her face than usual, her energy seemingly in high spirits today.
"You must be really excited to see Aunt Onaka huh? I do wonder how she is though. Last time I went to Otsuki's house, that's when I met Tsubami for the first time," I said.
Aisha hummed and crossed her arms, tilting her head with a thoughtful expression. "Otsuki says she's doing well, y'know since Ms. Kyoto is back in town. I just haven't seen her out in the open as much anymore."
I hummed as well and looked around the train while stretching then paused, noticing Amon and Koshin getting on the train. Coming up behind them was a female inspector, her face hidden by the hat she wore, but I immediately recognized the badge.
'Amon, Koshin, and Kyoto..? I wonder why Kyoto is following those two...' I thought to myself, watching as Amon and Koshin took their seats at the front of the train, neither of them noticing me.
Kyoto walked past then then took her seat across from me and Aisha, crossing one leg over the other then took off her hat. "So, you're skipping school as well?"
"I wouldn't say we're skipping, more like taking a quick detour!" Aisha said, giving Kyoto a bright smile once she recognized her.
Kyoto looked at Aisha then let out a scoffing laugh while closing her eyes, resting her elbow against the arm rest then sighed. "Quick detour. I've played these games before, children."
I chuckled softly at Kyoto then looked over at Aisha and Nanako. "It probably won't take longer than an hour. We won't be missing much anyway."
"Good," Kyoto said, opening her eyes to look at me and Nachah with a smile.
The PSA chime played on the speakers then the conductor's voice came through the intercom, "The Narita Train Station will now be leaving for Okinawa. Please take your eats and enjoy the ride."
{Chapter 41: Flow State}
Otsuki walked out of her room while fixing her blazer then began making her way downstairs, each step she took taken with grace and elegance. She made it into the living room, noticing her mother sitting on the couch while sipping her morning tea with her pet weasel on her lap.
"Ohayo, Mama. I'm heading out for school, tell Obachan Fugigami I said good morning as well," Otsuki said, bowing toward Okana with a smile.
Onaka looked up at her daughter then hummed softly, her gaze scanning the room for a moment. She set her cup down upon the coaster then stood up with her weasel in her arms. "Where's your brother?"
"He's still asleep in his room. You'd think Tsubami's vexatious alarm screaming, 'Sargeant Tsubami, stand at attention!' a thousand times would wake him. But, my brother's unfortunately a rock," Otsuki answered, letting out an exasperated sigh.
Onaka sighed as well and began walking toward the stairs. "For Christ's sake, if that good for nothing son of mine..."
"Leave the kid alone, Imoto. He's getting a real man's rest," An older man's voice sounded.
Otsuki looked over at the kitchen area, noticing her uncle standing in the walkway of the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a broom. "Ojisan?"
Onaka looked behind her to see her brother then sucked her lips and turned around to face him, a judgemental look expressed all over her face. "Noda, aren't you supposed to be at a Yakuza meeting or something? It's Friday, I know you have some unsuspecting souls waiting to be harassed."
Noda chuckled softly at Onaka then pointed at his sister. "And this is why you can not keep a husband. It's that attitude of yours, it's just so grating—"
Onaka grunted as she threw a book at Noda while he was mid sentence, but he weaved its trajectory with great reaction timing. She huffed and held her weasel close to her. "You're so annoying... Okaasan would staple your lips closed for that."
"Mama Hisuka ain't doing anything to me because it's true! And stop throwing shit, I'm cleaning here!" Noda retorted, pointing at the book behind him.
Otsuki let out an awkward laugh as her mother and uncle began bickering then slipped out of the royal house before hurrying down the yard like a princess escaping a tower. She looked down at her phone, noticing the time and silently squeaked once she saw she was going to miss the train.
While Otsuki rushed to the train station, Aisha, Kyoto, and I were just leaving the station and entering into the familiar sights of Okinawa. Nanako beamed with happiness at seeing Okinawa again, her silhouette pulsing a sky blue light with each excited giggle.
"Just one hour alright? Nothing more. After you finish up here, go to school," Kyoto said, gently poking the side of my head like an annoying aunt.
I rolled my eyes at her and crossed my arms. "Hai, Obassan Kyoto... Anata wa meeiiiwaku desu.."
"I'm annoying? You forget I'm native here?" Kyoto asked with a soft chuckle before walking ahead.
Aisha looked at me with a soft giggle, holding my hand and hummed. "Your Japanese has gotten very better over the days~ It's almost like you're native here again!"
"Wha—" I stammered then looked over at Aisha. "I was born in New Japan, remember? We were damn there in the same hospital room. It's just my move to New America has watered down my japanese a bit.."
"Suurree~ Now, let's go see Ms. Onaka!" Aisha said with excitement.
"I'm still confused on why we're asking Ms. Okana and not Kyoto. Ms. Onaka didn't attend Matsugaya and was in college during the festival when Nanako was... walking," I said, trying to choose my words carefully in front of Nanako.
"You know, I don't know either. It's just been so long since I've seen Ms. Onaka that I just wanna see her," Aisha answered truthfully, shrugging her shoulders with a smile.
Hearing her answer, I knew her decision wasn't being influenced by Nanako, yet Nanako still wanted to come here. For some reason, I began to get a sense that we were going to be in Okinawa for longer than an hour.
"Well, I guess. Wouldn't hurt making a visit," I said, casually agreeing to Aisha's reasoning and walked with her to Otsuki's home.
Otsuki rushed through the city of Okinawa, slipping through a small crowd of people before leaping across the street over the passing cars. She landed on her feet and grunted softly as she stumbled with forward momentum.
While she continued to run toward the station, a blur rushed in front of her and caught her by surprise. She stopped in her tracks and noticed Heido standing in front of her with a yawn and a hand in his pocket.
"Man, what time is it? Am I late?" Heido asked, looking down at his smart watch on his wrist.
"We will if you don't move!" Otsuki barked, rushing past Heido then grunted as he pulled on her collar to stop her. "What in the name of—"
"For a young woman who practices perfectionism, your senses have dwindled down since you've become chummy with Oto," Heido said with a chuckle then pulled her over to a bench to sit down.
Otsuki sat down next to Heido and looked at him with a pout. "What are you doing? We're gonna be late for school."
Heido looked at Otsuki then poked her forehead before looking ahead, pointing at two people across the street. "Look at those two...Amon and Koshin."
Otsuki immediately began to focus and looked ahead, noticing Amon and Koshin slipping into an alleyway then gasped, standing up on her feet. "Why is a Mato and a Burning Bull member in Okinawa?"
"They are here for a meet up for a business deal. Ojisan Nagai has been keeping tabs on each Yakuza in New Japan recently since things have become quiet..." Heido said, standing up and fixing his white suit and chuckled, looking around to see other Nagai Clan members lingering around.
"The Head of the Pack has put me in charge of stopping a treason within the White Wolves. Our target today is a man by Taka Seimodo, he used to be a loyal member. Now he wants to overthrow Ojisan," Heido said, looking over at Otsuki.
"Wait, our? No, no. I helped you with the Burning Bulls because they were, key-word, 'High-schoolers,' the same age as me! I'm not helping you stop treason for a real organization, Mama would not approve," Otsuki said, crossing her arms and turning away from Heido.
Heido chuckled softly at Otsuki and scratched the side of his head. "Well...since the Nagai Clan is branching from Nagagami, Okaasan made a rule of having to help them in situations like these. Something about not wanting another Obassan Kyoto.."
Otsuki sighed softly and lowered her head, dropping her school bag on the bench. "I thought Mama let that go. It's been 30 years... alright. Let's just make this quick."
Heido hummed as he noticed Otsuki take her fur cloak out of her bag then put it on. "You still have that polar bear cloak? Ahh, I nearly forgot Okaasan did kill a polar bear for that.."
"Not just any polar bear, the Glacial Ursa. A testament of not to mess with a Ninpo Weasel!" Otsuki declared, pointing at the alleyway with determination.
Heido let out a soft laugh and shook his head. "I'm glad I chose a Northern Wolf... I can't handle those feisty mustelidae."
Aisha and I continued up road then noticed Heido and Otsuki rushing toward the alleyway, the two of us glancing at each other with confusion. Kyoto noticed as well then hummed softly, her gaze shifting back toward us and noticing our curious expressions.
"That was Heido and Otsuki! They're gonna be late as well!" Aisha claimed and looked at me while holding my arm. "We should go tell them to come with us, that way we can all go together!"
"What? You sound just like Usagi with such terrible reasoning, Jesus Christ," Kyoto sighed, lowering her face into her palm.
"What? It's sound logic! We stop two friends from skipping, go see Ms. Onaka together, then party at the festival!" Aisha beamed, pumping her fist into the air.
I closed my eyes with a smirk at Aisha's logic, silently agreeing with Kyoto's response. "Okay, let's just go see what they are up to. I'm sure they have a legitimate reason like us."
"Like? Visiting my sister because you miss her is not a good enough reason to excuse truancy, Mr. Binah. Your deductive reasoning needs some more work apparently. You've been slacking," Kyoto said, looking at me with a blank expression.
"Ahh, wishy-washy. We'll be fine making a five minutes detour. Besides, if you haven't seen I'm not running the show right now," I said, shrugging my shoulders.
"God...you are just like Ms. Mikoto and her adaptiveness..." Kyoto sighed and walked toward the alleyway. "Alright, let's just get this over with.."
Amon continued down the alleyway and looked down at his phone, reading an address then stopped at a door with a flickering light above it. "This must be the place. I still can't believe it...a fucking White Wolf man. We scored..."
Koshin adjusted the turban on his head then crossed his arms as he looked around the vacant alleyway. "You don't think this is a set up? You really believe another Nagai Clan member is gonna betray their leader? The Noda Nagai? Son of Nobu Nagai?"
"You sound as scary as cattle then they hear a working dog come around. Relax yourself bro. Not only will this boost up the Womato-gumi, but also the Suga-ikka. Your Yakuza is dwindling...the Suga-ikka need this," Amon said, opening the door then shoved Koshin in first.
Koshin scoffed at Amon and walked down the stairs of the building, hearing music playing with the smell of alcohol and tobacco filling the air. He looked around the area, noticing he was in an underground bar owned by the Nagai Clan.
"What the hell..?" Koshin asked, looking around at the soft blue lights that illuminated the area.
"Welcome to Okinawa-Underground, where some of the best intel, fixes, and deals come. You know, since that Izuna's God Grandmother's brother conquered Okinawa all those years ago," Amon said, walking ahead then spotted a man in a white suit sitting at a booth with a group of women around him.
Koshin watched as Amon walked to their caller, more questions entering his mind. 'Nobu Nagai conquered Okinawa..? From who?'
The man in white, Taka Seimodo, noticed Amon and Koshin approaching the booth then sat up with a chuckle while pouring himself another drink. "Well, well. If it ain't Jeht's son and Hideyoshi's second in command. I guess you all accepted my offer after all."
"Why wouldn't we? You're going against your own leader to assist us. This is a huge score for the underground world. After all that is coming up with Kabetori, we need someone like you. But...why are you betraying Noda Nagai?" Amon said, curious of Taka's reasoning.
Taka sighed and sat back against the cushion of the booth then took a sip of his drink. "In recent years, Noda has started to become more of a soft wolf. He's not the same leader as he once was, doesn't hold the same standards his father set."
"The Nagai Clan branched because we wanted to be separate from the self-righteousness of the Nagagami...but he and his sister made amends and it's like he's become soft," Taka explained, setting his cup down on the coaster.
"Aren't you worried a man literally leading the Nagai-kai isn't gonna kill you for this?" Koshin asked, crossing his arms with uncertainty.
Taka laughed softly at Koshin's concern then waved his hand at him. "Noda doesn't murder anyone, he still follows the Commandments. It's like the Nagagami still lives in him despite his flaws. If anything, I will overthrow his rule and set this place straight."
Amon's lips curled into a wicked smirk at Taka's idea then chuckled. "My father would be very pleased with this...so what's first?"
Taka hummed and reached forward to grab his phone. "I have information about where he keeps all of his money, we take his cash flow...he's practically useless. The issue is we have to get past his sister, and Lady Onaka is no slouch..."
"Noted..." Amon said, already reeled into the plan of assisting Taka in treason.
While Taka and Amon talked, Heido walked up to the Okinawa-Underground entrance then looked around to see other Nagai Clan members standing by. Otsuki fixed her cloak and nodded at Heido, prepared to walk inside with him to confront Taka.
The Nagagami Siblings walked into the bar and began descending the stairs, both of them entering in the bar and looked around for Taka, Amon, and Koshin. While looking around, Heido noticed the booth Taka always sat at was vacant then hummed softly.
"Hey! Everyone listen up! If no one in here talks in the next five seconds about where Taka Seimodo is, everyone's interest here in increasing by 500%! I will drain every last yen from your pockets as collateral!" Heido barked, his voice reaching over the music in the bar.
"What? Oh hell no, I can't afford that. Taka's in the office," The bartender said, looking at Heido while cleaning the glass in his hand.
"Smart man," Heido said then began making his way to the office with Otsuki.
Once they reached the office, Heido kicked the door open and revealed the large office space with Taka sitting at the head desk. Amon and Koshin turned around to see Heido and Otsuki at the doorway, Amon's lips curling into a sneer.
"Well, if it isn't the dogs of Okinawa. You're too late if you're coming here to stop our meeting. I've already been recruited, and I am technically a White Wolf," Amon said with a laugh, pointing at Heido and Otsuki. "This is the beginning of your fall from grace."
Taka stared at Heido and Otsuki with a chuckle, leaning back in his chair with his hands interlocked upon his stomach. "I assume you're here because Noda gave you the tip? It's far too late to make any moves...once this coup is finished, I will be your new Captain. From second in command to General Commander as they say in the SPA."
Heido scoffed at Taka and matched into the office with a glare. "You don't know the mistake you're making playing these games with Ojisan Nagai! He let you slide with harming our little cousin, he let you slide stealing tens of million yen from under him, but THIS?!"
"This is beyond incomprehensible. Not even a demon would dare try to overthrow Satan from his throne. What makes you think you can overthrow your own brother in arms?!" Otsuki chastised, shooting Taka furious look.
Taka laughed and stood up from his seat then snapped his fingers. "That. That is the issue there. The Noda that I know would have killed anyone who has done half the shit I've done to him. Proof of that he's becoming soft, and now...that leniency will be his downfall."
Heido grunted as a bouncer grabbed him and Otsuki with a vulture claw to the back of their necks, paralyzing them in place. Their bodies froze up in pain while they were forced to watch Taka approach them with a sinister grin.
"And while I'm at it in taking over the Nagai-kai, I might even take Lady Onaka as my wife. We all know she can't keep a husband anyway," Taka said, patting Heido on his cheek and sighed. "How sad to have to see little pups switch masters..."
"I swear you won't get away with this..." Heido said in a strained tone, his teeth clenching from the pain of the vulture claw.
"Oh, but I will...Go ahead and dispose of them. I don't need them on my crew for when I take over this worthless city," Taka said, turning around to sit back at his desk.
The bouncer turned around with the two in hand, but as soon as he turned around, my knee struck his face at high speeds. The bouncer groaned as he dropped Heido and Otsuki while flying backwards into Taka's desk, his hand holding his face.
Amon looked at the bouncer then over at me, noticing me adjusting my mask and a golden glow coming from the eyes. "There's no way...why the hell are you here?!"
I stayed silent and looked back before stepping aside, Kyoto walking forward while cleaning her katana with her trench coat sleeve. Her face was hidden by her detective hat and the black feathers flowing around her face.
Taka looked at me and Kyoto, his eyes slightly widening as he noticed a few of his men fatally wounded in the bar area. "What the hell..? Who are you?! What did you do to my people?!"
"Speak another word from here...and you die. My empathy doesn't extend to criminals like you...I am not my brother," Kyoto said, pointing her katana at Taka.
Taka stared at Kyoto then looked at Heido and Otsuki, gritting his teeth then vaulted over the desk and pushed past Kyoto by shoving her aside. "I'm not going to let this group of dogs stop my plans. That organization will be mine!"
"He's getting away!" Heido yelled, getting up and rushing after Taka with a powerful howl.
Amon scoffed as he watched Kyoto and Heido leave the office, leaving me and Otsuki in the room with him and Koshin. "Once again, Binah comes to ruin plans he was never apart of."
I chuckled behind my mask then my mother's gauntlet formed upon my arm. Nachah opened one eye and locked onto Amon, immediately studying and discerning his movements. "I never wanted to intercept you at all today, Amon...but I suppose God had other plans."
Otsuki stood up and looked at me then at Amon and Koshin, getting into her stance with particles of light forming around her. "Motosaki...what do we do?"
I shrugged my shoulder and smacked my fist against my palm. "Drive them out of Okinawa. We isolate them from Taka, he has no scapegoats and they can't pin blame on him. It's safer for them at Matsugaya right now."
"Look here, the Izuna is acting as if he cares about our well being!" Amon laughed before rushing toward me with a cross.
I tap parried his arm to the side and countered with an elbow to his jaw, dazing him into one knee then I looked at Koshin. Koshin stared at me and looked down at Amon, knowing that was still his current leader and sighed before taking on his stance.
"I've been doing some thinking...and right now, it's too risky trying to betray the Womato-gumi. Especially since my mother is funded by them as their Attorney and a Prosecutor," Koshin said, his gaze shifting between me and Otsuki.
"Too bad," Otsuki said, her body becoming a speeding blur as she appeared in front of Koshin with a step up knee strike to his chin before he could react.
Koshin grunted and recovered in the air then aimed his palm at Otsuki before firing a powerful blast of fire down at her. The flames cleared and revealed a beautifully decorated log in place of Otsuki, catching Koshin by surprise.
Otsuki appeared above Koshin from a puff of smoke then struck the back of his neck with a roundhouse kick and landed with her shin. Koshin groaned as he flipped down to the ground, but landed on his feet with the baseboards breaking beneath him.
Koshin's lips curled into a grin as his body began heating up with pure excitement for the challenge. "Whoa...that chick hits pretty damn hard. So this is a Nagagami's power. Now I see why people are cautious of Lady Onaka."
Amon stood up on his feet and groaned, shaking his head then heard the sounds of battle happening above us then looked up. He looked back over at me, noticing me standing still as my cloak flowed with the breeze of the AC.
"Just gonna stand there and aura farm? You aren't going to try to stop me?" Amon asked, adjusting his jaw from my previous attack.
I tapped my forehead a few times then let out a soft hum as I lowered my hand. "Something strikes me as odd. You signing a deal with an usurping White Wolf...you come in your father's authority. Something tells me that man is plotting something against Ojisan Nagai."
"Another gut feeling, huh? When will you learn you can't just hope and pray your way into something!" Amon exclaimed, launching himself toward me with a jab combination.
I phased through all three jabs then grabbed his wrist and pulled him into a gut blow, causing his knees to buckle. "The Womato-gumi are becoming desperate it seems...and when the games are over with, I will figure it out."
Amon coughed lightly and pushed me back before awakening his shadow control and forming a katana out of his shadow. 'What the hell...? It's like he's overclocking, I can't even touch him..'
I began tapping my forehead again while Nachah's tail wiggled, the both of us beginning to use our Insight against both Koshin and Amon. "I feel this is bigger than the Womato-gumi. Don't you, partner?"
Nachah nodded then hopped off my shoulder and began hopping out of the office to find Kyoto. I rolled my shoulder and hummed softly, my movements now no longer constrained by a bunny on my shoulder to hold me back.
"Now, let's see how your little Shadow Control actually works..." I said, white lightning crackling around my body.
Amon scoffed at me and aimed his katana at me, tiny shadow blades forming around his weapon before firing at me like homing missiles. I phased through the first wave of shadow blades before catching the next and throwing it at Amon.
Amon dodged his shadow blade then sensed me warp behind him. He pivoted around and blocked my superman punch before pushing me back and launching a downward slice toward my arm. Dodging his slash, Amon pushed forward into the pocket with a knee stomach to my stomach and knocked me backwards.
"Motosaki!" Otsuki called out, hurrying over towarde but grunted as Koshin grabbed her arm, causing her to look back.
"Your opponent is me!" Koshin yelled, pulling Otsuki toward him for a clothesline.
Otsuki slipped under his clothesline and rolled forward to create distance. Getting up onto her feet then launched herself forward with a missile dropkick, but Koshin caught her feet and slammed her onto the floor and followed with a point blank blast of fire from his hand.
Koshin watched as the smoke cleared and noticed twinkles coming from within the remaining smoke then gasped as he pulled back to avoid glacial shards flying toward his head. Otsuki kicked Koshin off her then kipped up onto her feet while her cloak released cool energy around her.
Otsuki exhaled slowly, frost escaping her mouth while her eyes began to shine a graceful gray color. The Nagagami Clan symbol began to glow upon the back of her cloak, her energy intensifying. "I must not lose...not to some barbarian."
Koshin felt a sudden increase in Otsuki's spiritual energy, the faint and flickering image of her Guardian Angel coming in and out of view behind her. He grew more excited then grinned widely. "No way...you are a Valkyria? I knew there was something strange about Matsugaya."
As Otsuki became activated, her graceful gray eyes came to a cool, warm blue-burgundy gradient. Her cloak began flowing around her quickly, releasing a rush of cooling air around the office. Koshin grunted his flames began to weaken, soon getting put out by the Glacial Cloak's ability.
"This cloak is known as a type of Battlesuit for us Valkyria and Strijder. The Glacial Cloak's ability is as you see, Brumal Breeze. It weakens all fire abilities, users, and equipment while rejuvenating my energy and my allies," Otsuki said, staring at Koshin with pure focus.
Koshin grunted so as he noticed the cloak twinkling while a protective layer of frost covered the fur. 'Is she an Ice Valkyria..? No...her aura is light based, so she's a Dual Affinity. Her clan has ENA...'
Otsuki took a step forward then propelled forward at high speeds, striking Koshin's jaw before he could perceived. The force of her strike sent him sliding backwards, but she wasn't done as she knew her physical strength was weaker than his.
Otsuki sprinted forward while Koshin was stunned then used her Weasel Skip, her body flickering and appearing in front of Koshin with a missile dropkick to launch him backwards. Koshin groaned as he crashed onto a table in the bar and slid across the surface.
Amon grunted as he watched Koshin slid across the table onto the floor then looked back at Otsuki, watching her walk out of the office with a trail of frost following behind her. "What the hell..?"
I groaned softly as I stretched on the booth then held my hands over my head and clapped with mock chants. "A-mon! Ko-shin! Man, you guys are beating our asses..."
"Motosaki, stop playing around. Get serious already," Otsuki said, looking over at me with a scoff.
I chuckled behind my mask then kicked my feet up on the table then sighed, shrugging my shoulders. "I suppose I can get serious. Just be prepared for Krisis Mind.."
Amon laughed at me then reshaped his katana into gauntlets before running toward me. "Invoking your father's secret identity will not help you!"
I adjusted my mask then slammed my foot on the table to knock a glass in the air then warped to the glass. Amon jumped upon the booth and leaped toward me with a flurry of strikes, but I blocked and parried each of his strikes before launching a 12-6 elbow catch his fist between my elbow and knee.
Using my other hand, I grabbed the glass beside me and tossed it higher in the air, warping myself and Amon toward the glass. As I prepared to throw Amon to the ground, her reversed my throw into his own judo thow and launched me onto the floor.
I quickly phased on the floor and rolled backwards before performing a back handspring to recover onto my feet. I took off my mask and hooked it to my pants, my lips forming a smirk. "This has started to become interesting!"
Amon landed on the counter and let out a laugh, his shadow energy spiralling around his feet as the battle began fueling his excitement. "It has! To destroy you right here would be therapeutic!"
Amon launched himself toward me and launched a southpaw hook toward my jaw, but I dutch blocked his attack then stepped closer into the pocket with a feint. Eating my feint, he took a step back to create distance, but I stepped forward again onto his shadow and trapped him.
"What—" Amon grunted, glancing down and noticed my foot was shrouded in shadow energy. "You—"
I clenched my fist and light blue silhouettes began forming in front of me, a barrage of Fluttering Jabs landing upon Amon's face within seconds in rapid succession. Otsuki gasped as she recognized the technique immediately, vividly remembering Onaka flawlessly performing her Flutter Barrage.
I lifted my foot, allowing Amon to stagger backwards then I rushed forward and palmed his chest to force him into an illogical movement, focusing him to freeze in place. Amon grunted as he was frozen for a second, his gaze watching me for the agonizingly long second.
I chuckled and wasted my second to tap my forehead, my eyes closing as my brain began sparking. "Ahh screw it, since I'm experimenting anyway!"
Amon was soon freed from his Freeze state and grunted, watching me clap my hands together then point at Otsuki. He looked back at Otsuki and noticed no one standing there then looked back at me and met my right hook to his jaw.
I followed with a body shot, causing him to lean over then I struck his face with a step up knee and launched him backwards into a Flow Motion roundhouse kick. While he flew backwards, Amon began to form a protective shadow bubble beneath him to break his fall.
"Not happening!" Otsuki called out, holding her hand out toward Amon and generated a ball of light over him which eliminated his shadow and popped the bubble.
Amon grunted as he fell to the ground hard and held his tailbone, hissing loudly in pain then stood up slowly. He looked at me and Otsuki, growling lowly then looked up to see the ball of light slowly dimming and dissolving, his shadow energy returning to him.
Amon grit his teeth then let out a yell, releasing a barrage of shadow blasts around his body and forced me and Otsuki to separate. While he had the space, he quickly darted for the exit. Koshin got up and followed behind him, the two of them escaping to the surface from the bar.
On the surface, Taka rushed through the various alleyways to escape the White Wolves that were hunting him along with Heido and Kyoto on his trail. He slipped into one narrow pathway, escaping from Noda's men and let out a soft exhale.
"Do you think you can hide from me? Do you think Niisan Noda would just let you live after this one? Betraying your own Clan Head...you disgust me," Kyoto's voice sounded from above.
Taka grunted as he looked up, noticing Kyoto descending from above in her Banished Angel form and froze for a moment, immediately recognizing the black wing of Kyoto's Valkyria Form. "No way...you are the infamous Kyoto Nagagami."
"Correct, I am," Kyoto said, landing on the ground and held her hand over her head then scoffed. "Jichan Nobu would not approve of this, as ruthless as he was. It is loyalty over all else.."
"Tch, why should I listen to someone who was banished from her clan because of the same principals. Lady Onaka said you let your own friend die, that's not loyalty. That's abandonment," Taka said, reaching behind him and taking hold of the handle of his katana.
Kyoto hummed softly then took off her hat to reveal her face, her eyes shimmering brightly with determination. "Unwise words coming from an unwise man. If you didn't know, Niisan Noda is tending to his immediately family...but there is an eliminate on sight order."
"What..?" Taka asked, his eyes widening in shock.
"You didn't think you'd get the payment you're due? You robbed our family, brought harm to the Nagagami, to our little cousin, Lotus! Stole tens of million and then threaten my mother!" Heido howled, walking down the other end of the narrow pathway.
Taka glanced behind him to see Heido and scoffed at him. "Thou shall not murder. That is your principal!"
"Murdering would be taking your life unjustly. We have more than a reasonable doubt that you would only do this again if given the chance... Don't worry, we will still buy you the best casket," Heido said in a serious tone, his aura howling around his body and taking shape of a wolf around him.
Taka froze for a moment seeing the true potential of Heido's spiritual energy, the glare of the Northern Wolf staring him down while northern winds began to blow around the area. Suddenly, snow clouds began to form in the sky, flakes of snow falling down from above.
Heido let out his howl and his Northern Wolf, Brumal, began to howl as well. He stomped his foot down, light and icy energy pulsing around his body as he took on his stance. "It's time you get put down like the mutt you are..."
Nachah made it to Kyoto's location and hopped toward her before leaping onto her shoulder and climbed onto her head. His scarlet eyes immediately began highlighting his phone in his pocket for Kyoto, taking her by surprise at the suddenly clue.
'This must be the works of the Guiding Rabbit. Why is Nachah with me and not Motosaki?' Kyoto thought to herself before feeling him hop down onto her shoulder and come to rest.
Taka hummed softly and looked between the Banished Angel and the Northern Wolf, recognizing there was no escape then he chuckled. Immediately, Taka swung his arms to the side and released a blast of pressure winds toward Heido and Kyoto, knocking then back from the pathway.
Taka rushed toward Heido at blurring speeds and leaped over him with a unsheathing slash with his katana, but Heido dodged his slice and countered with a backfist. Taka dodged it easily then controlled Heido's arm and brought him onto one knee.
Heido slightly rose himself and dropped back down onto a knee to toss Taka off him then his body bursted forward into a knee strike to his stomach, causing him to groan heavily. Taka flew backwards out the alleyways then recovered in the streets.
"Hey! Move out of the way!" One man said as he drove down the street and honked his horn.
Taka looked at the car approaching him then leaped backwards to avoid the oncoming traffic before taking off down the street. As he rushed down the street, black feathers began flying beside him then he looked to his right, noticing Kyoto keeping pace with him.
"Going somewhere?" Kyoto asked, grabbing him him by the neck and throwing him into another alleyway away from other pedestrians. "You're not going to escape your fate..."
Taka stood up on his feet and grit his teeth, charging toward Kyoto with a Howling Slash, but Kyoto deflected the attack and sent his katana flying out of his hand. He looked at his hand then at Kyoto, his heart skipping a beat as he saw her cold eyes.
"I never let Nanako die...sure I could've spoken up more, I could've done more. But I didn't let my best friend die!" Kyoto howled, her spiritual energy bursting around her body and throwing Taka backwards.
Taka grunted as he landed on his back then sat up on his elbows, seeing the pure anger in Kyoto's face. "What..? What are you talking about?"
"There's only one man I can think of for you to want to betray Niisan Noda...and his name is Jeht Mato isn't it? You are a Nagagami first before you're a Nagai before anything else, and you want to join forces with our literal enemy?!" Kyoto roared, her Holy Fire sparking upon her chest the angrier she had become.
Taka's breathing quickened as he noticed Kyoto's wing flashing white, her feathers flying around her in a frenzy. He began backing away from her as she walked toward him, the image of an angelic Queen Piece hovering behind Kyoto. He held his hand up as Kyoto rose her blade, his life flashing before his eyes.
"Wait— I can pay it all back! I will even stop being a White Wolf! Just don't kill me!" Taka said with cowardice, his fearful eyes gazing up at righteously angered Kyoto.
Kyoto stared down at Taka, a second wind slowly forming on her back as she began to carry out the execution. "This is your fate!"
"That's enough, Imoto!" A voice sounded from a rooftop.
Taka froze in place, his entire heart stopping for what felt like moments as his breathing had become shaky. He slowly glanced to his side, noticing Kyoto's blade was mere millimeters away from his head. He let out a squeak and slowly glanced up, his eyes widening as he noticed Noda standing on the top of a building with his Yakuza jacket around his shoulders.
"Is this what you want from me, Taka? You wish for me to take your life just as my father and the past version of me used to do? You're a fool to take the mercy I give you as weakness!" Noda called out, looking down at Taka while his own spirit groaned.
"C-Captain..!" Taka called out, hurrying onto his knees and kowtowed toward Noda. "Please, forgive me!"
Noda looked down at Taka and closed his eyes, exhaling softly and opened his eyes. "You crossed a line that you can't come back from. I will forgive you once again for my own sake, but from this point forward you are a freelance, no longer under my protection."
"What?! You can't do that! Do you know what these people will do to me?! Noda!" Taka yelled, standing into his feet then growled with frustration. "You are just ditching me?!"
"It's better than for me to take your life with my own hands. Do whatever you please, but know you're under the rules of reality and the law now," Noda said, walking away from the edge of the roof.
Taka let out another yell and turned his frustration to Kyoto. "You...you and your worthless nephew! I'll make you pay!"
Taka yelled and caught Kyoto by surprise, taking her to the ground by her neck and began to strangle her. Kyoto grunted and gasped for air while throwing punches to Taka's face to try to make him release her. She gasped once again, trying to call out for her brother but nothing would come out.
"I swear...you will die right he—" Taka began then grunted, his hold upon Kyoto weakening as he looked down and noticed a blade sticking through his chest.
"Some of you...just take my kindness for granted. I don't want to become my father again, but if I have to..." Noda said, palming the handle of Kyoto's katana then released a blast of light through Taka's body, tiny light blades piercing his heart and lungs from the inside. "I will..."
Taka's eyes rolled to the back of his head then he fe to the side, allowing Kyoto to get up and cough while rubbing her neck. She looked down at Taka then looked back up at Noda, seeing his hand extended out toward her.
"It was either you or him...and I refuse to let my direct blood die," Noda said, giving Kyoto a smile while helping her up.
Kyoto looked away from her older brother with embarrassment of being caught off guard in such a manner. "Thank you, Niisan.."