A hulking figure like a gorilla filled the office doorway, his shirt straining against coiled muscles ready to burst through the fabric.
"Boss, I have a report."
Despite his destructive appearance, his voice was calm and even.
"I understand. Hanzo, take Freyja and go."
Freyja Severin, lively by nature, nevertheless obeyed without mischief when duty called, slipping out beside Hanzo.
"Sit down, Komaba."
Komaba Reid, former leader of the powerless gang "Skill Out," whose territory lay in District Seven, took the offered seat. Both he and Hanzo, along with young Freyja, had once belonged to Skill Out. Makoto had selected Skill Out as his entry point into District Seven's chaos. Conquering District Eight was insufficient—claiming a stake in the muddled, complex Seventh District was only logical.
Komaba Reid, impressed by Makoto's charisma, had seamlessly folded Skill Out into Leo, ceding his Seven District turf without bloodshed.
"Boss, intel indicates 'Big Spider' has reorganized."
"Reorganized? How—he's back?"
Makoto's pen twirled midair, his eyes lifting from documents.
"Exactly. If he'd returned, I wouldn't need your report—except for this."
Komaba passed him a tablet. Makoto opened it and scrolled through the virtual dossier in seconds.
"Smuggling, forced prostitution, nearly drug trafficking—he's covered the whole gamut."
He closed the tablet. "I get your point."
Makoto's question hung: If "Big Spider" had simply returned changed, why eliminate them?
"Understand one thing—no matter how they tweak their persona, Big Spider must go. We can't allow such unrestrained chaos in our sphere."
His pen resumed its slow spin. "I know you admire his tactics, but our goal remains unchanged."
Komaba sat in silence. Of course he remembered the mission: to bring every powerless gang in Academy City under Leo's control—to protect powerless victims of espers and curb vengeful attacks—and to purge illicit vices. He had pursued this until Makoto's superior power won him over. Now, if the original Big Spider could be ignored, the new one would not be tolerated—especially since they base operations in District Ten, the city's most lawless sector.
"I understand, Boss. I'll investigate Big Spider and their backers thoroughly."
"Good. As for the 'Deadlock' situation from last night?"
Though Shokuhou Misaki would handle the cleanup, Makoto could not neglect his side.
"We scouted Water Tower Park overnight. All evidence has been cleaned up. As for surviving Deadlock members, we surveyed District Nine but found no traces today."
Every task was executed flawlessly—one reason Makoto valued Komaba's leadership so highly. His steadiness comforted former Skill Out members and matched the sharp, mature mind behind his imposing frame.
"Alright. Take care of your duties. When Freyja returns, keep an eye on her—no excessive gaming. And I won't be back for a few days. I have other matters to attend to. It's in your hands now."