Tides Of Protomis XXIII

While still within Tokyo, Jirou’s location was a fair bit away from Shima. Though, just like the latter, Sashigai was rather dense. Filled with tall apartment blocks, and skyscrapers, containing offices for the many companies in Yamato. Within this sea of glass and metal, there sat a building that was more modest in its height, 100 meters at the most. It shared its architecture with many of the surrounding buildings. But what one took note of, especially, were the guards openly patrolling around the walls that surrounded the building. All wearing black suits, as well as sunglasses, keeping their eyes covered. Of course, they were but one of over 500 men that stood in as security to the building. Hashimoto-Kai HQ. With the size of the building, and the number of people protecting it, to say that they had some power would be an understatement. Especially with the two that were at the top of the building.

A room lined with lights on the ceiling, with a single desk in front of a line of large windows, that gave a direct view of the city outside of the building. Jirou stood in front of a desk, where a man with a fairly imposing presence sat, his chin resting on his hand. Like Jirou, he had a head of silver hair, though, unlike him, it was considerably shorter, only reaching the top of his ears. Like many of those throughout the building, he wore a black suit. His piercing gaze was focused on the one who stood in front of him. If all that wasn't enough to tell one who he was, there it was on the left side of his face, a large burn scar. This man was the Yugure no Omo, and the 2nd Chairman of the Hashimoto-Kai himself, Ren Hashimoto.

“So you’re leaving the country to chase after Corde…”

“Yeah, can’t have him getting killed just yet. We still ain’t finished fighting.”

Ren closed his eyes, as he leaned back onto his chair. He stayed silent for a few moments, as he debated upon letting this take place… It wouldn’t have been the first time his son had left his sight, after all, with the jobs he’d done in the past, he was more than convinced that he could handle himself if anything went wrong. With that much decided, he swiveled his chair, facing the window,

“Fine with me… But don’t stay away too long, I suspect Hasegawa and his goons will try something soon..”

Jirou turned on his heel.

“Of course, I'll see you when I get back, dad.”

Now, Jirou began to step out, eventually walking through the tall doorway that served as the entry point. Ren glanced over his shoulder, as he watched his flesh and blood leave. Though, as he cleared the door, and exited his sight, he put his gaze forward once more.

“Do not forget that you will take this organization over one day, Jirou… At the least, more battles will prepare you for that role.”

…

The next day, around 4:00, Jirou found himself walking through the streets of Shima once again. Silent as he did like he typically would be. Though, his mind was another story.

“Corde… How long ago was it that we first fought…? Yes- 3 years ago…”

Jirou began to think back to that very day, the year 2016... One late and stormy night, in Tokyo. Something that allowed blood to flow over the concrete, carried away by the rushing waters. The source of the crimson fluid, five men with soaked black suits, lay unconscious on the ground... The one who was undeniably the cause, standing above them, was a dark-skinned boy with blood across his knuckles. His hair and clothing were wet as well. Arctaius Corde, 12 years old. Though, if someone entered the alley they stood in, they’d take notice of the second standing in front of him, a silver-haired boy with a black hoodie. One who kept his piercing gaze on Arctaius, boring into him, and vice versa. They stood in silence for some time, neither willing to make a move and, as such, not doing so, instead, letting their stares fly across their new opponent, as if sizing them up… Until, after what felt like hours, they began a slow advance toward one another.

“Well… Looks like you laid a beatdown on my dad’s goons. Sorry about them, they tend to get a little defensive... But, with them out of the way, let’s get to the real fight…”

Jirou cracked his knuckles, as his advance began to quicken, to a brisk walk.

“I feel the same way… I sense that you’re a proto-human too... You ain’t too weak either.”

Arctaius cracked his knuckles, as he increased his speed.

“That’s right…”

Jirou broke out into a jog, as did Arctaius.

“Alright, then, let’s see what you’ve got!”

Now, the movement seemed to halt, if, only for a moment, as both flashed forward, destroying the ground under their previous places, soon, the two crashed into each other, shoulder-first. And, despite their grunts of effort, they’d held each other back, neither of them were able to move from that spot. At the least, until both of them retreated.

“As Arctaius and Jirou Continued their battles- they constantly tied with each other. Going on until they both went unconscious- or simply didn’t have enough stamina left. Or- alternatively… when the authorities came”.

Another night, the two stood in an area noticeably emptier than anywhere in Shima. Instead of being surrounded by concrete, and buildings. They instead found themselves surrounded by grass, shrubs, and trees. It was mostly dark, save for the light of the full moon shining down on them. And, along with it, the lights that streamed across the rock’s surface. Though, it was something neither took note of. Rather, they kept their gazes on their foe. At first, they stood with a few feet between them, before they leaped forward. Within a split-second, arriving within the other’s melee range, ready to launch a strike. Though Jirou was the first to make an attempt, his fist reeled back as he twisted his body, launching a right hook at Arctaius. However, his opponent leaned back, avoiding his punch, he thrust his arm outward, pushing Jirou’s fist away from him. Arctaius then clenched his left fist, before giving Jirou an uppercut to the chin, forcing his head upward. Within moments, however, Jirou returned with his own strike, a punch to the stomach, folding Arctaius’ torso over his fist. But, there was no time at all before Arctaius flew back, stopping for a moment, before rebounding, charging at Jirou. And, he was more than ready to receive his strike… Until, Corde vanished, much to his surprise. Jirou’s gaze shot around, as he attempted to look for his opponent. At the least, until he took note of the crackle of electricity behind him. It was then that he swiftly twisted to face his opponent, only to be greeted with his left hand slamming into his cheek.

It was after this, that he moved away. The two paused, Smirking at one another. Before, they began to hurl a flurry of strikes at one another. Neither relented, until, with a gleam in both of their eyes, they releed their fists back, and threw them forward, as they crashed into one another between them, the grass was ripped off of the earth, and the earth sent flying in pieces. Soon, they both flew back, skidding, and stopping themselves 10s of meters away.

“The two pushed one another to their limits-- they kept training, to surpass who they believed to be, at that point, their only equals...Their reason was simple, They didn’t want to fall behind”

“From what I heard from this Tsumotsu guy… Arctaius got pretty roughed up by whoever he was fighting…Just what does he think he’s doing- Damn near dying before I get to beat him first…”

Jirou closed his eyes as he continued his walk.

“Those Kaemerge guys sound like bad news. But on another note-- who’s egotistical enough to call themselves an “Apostle”...Who are they even apostles of??? Doesn't matter all that much- I’ll get there on time- most likely…”

Now, Jirou turned the corner, into a rather familiar alley, where his contact stood. Tsumotsu leaned on the brick wall, tossing a ball up and down in his hand. He stared into the sky absentmindedly, until he took notice of Jirou walking toward him. He stood up straight as he got closer. Unbeknownst to them, peeking around the corner was Asami, wearing a red tank-top and some jeans. Yudei, wearing a black shirt, and rather baggy sweatpants. On the other corner leaning over were Shinto, and Ketamura, who opted to wear his black hoodie. They all stared at the two in silence, drawing some gazes from the people surrounding them. It was strange, at the very least. Shinto stepped forward to get a closer look, the first of all four to stick his head across the corner. As he put his laser focus on the men, he put two fingers on the bridge of his glasses, pushing them up, with a glare that covered his eyes forming afterward.

“We must be discreet, lest they sense us….”

As Shinto spoke, Yudei glanced over at his friend with a raised eyebrow.

“Why...Is he still talking like that?”

The two, however, still seemed to not take note of them. One of them, however, did take notice of the other. As the ball fell into his palm once more, Tsumotsu pocketed it.

“There you are… Without further ado, Let’s get going.”

Tsumotsu turned on his heel, as he began to make his way out of the alley, while Jirou silently followed. It was only then that they made their move. Asami was the first to begin walking, followed by Yudei, Ketamura, and then Shinto.

“I just want to ask...Why didn’t Tanabe come with us?”

Ketamura glanced at Yudei.

“She’s a third year Y’know. She’s worried about Arctaius, but she also has to take care of other things…Though, she wished us good luck.”

Asami shrugged.

“I guess I can't blame her. We’ve only known her for about a year.”

While Tsumotsu and Jirou walked in silence, the four continued to follow. As they moved through the city, things had clearly begun to change, the crowds on the street began to thin out, and so did the traffic on the roads. Along the way, these changes only became more pronounced, until they came upon an empty zone, save for the two they followed, and their entourage. Rather than the hustle and bustle of the surrounding city. They founded themselves coming upon the decrepit husks of warehouses, and factories, much of which seemed to be long abandoned. As they all walked, Ketamura’s gaze moved around, as he began to take note of their condition. Most of the buildings were barely holding on, they looked as if they’d fall at any time. Covered in vines, and moss, there was more vegetation than there was people, aside from them and the two in front, it was empty.

“Man, what happened here? These buildings don’t look too good.”

Shinto pushed his glasses up onto his face once more, glancing at Ketamura.

“A failed industrial district started in about 1950, but, by the time 1965 rolled around, this place was done. They tried their hardest to throw money into it, but they never got this off of the ground... In the end, this is what we got.” Shinto explained.

Yudei glanced at him as he finished speaking.

“You sure know your history, Shinto.”

He glanced at Yudei in response.

“You forget, my father wants me to succeed him… Knowing how not to avert blunders like this is a large part of my education.”

And just like that, the conversation was cut off. Eventually, the others decided to look around as well. Though they tried to keep their focus on Jirou and Tsumotsu, they couldn’t deny their interest. Yet, they ultimately got back on track, as they took note of a change. The two stopped in front of a warehouse. Shinto, who continued peering forward, tapped their shoulders, as, one by one, they looked forward. The warehouse itself was in relatively good condition, a far cry from what was around it. Tsumotsu walked toward the side door, opening it, and entering. Jirou followed, closing the door behind him. As for the four, they looked at the warehouse from the road in front, though they began to inch closer.

Within the warehouse, Tsumotsu and Jirou walked within the hallway, it was quite dark, only lit by a few dim ceiling lamps. As for the hallway itself, the effects that age had on it were clear, with some pieces of the wall torn off, exposing the rusted pipes underneath.

“The other members aren’t here right now… but they’ve been briefed on the situation. It should be fine…”

As he trailed off, Tsumotsu reached into his pocket, pulling out his holo-phone, as he tapped the side, the display came up, Green in color. As he turned, he entered the seemingly empty interior of the warehouse, with jirou following, he glanced around.

“What was the point of coming here? Just looks like a part of town nobody’s been to in a while."

Tsumotsu said nothing, only tapping his display, as controls rose out from the ground, and the concrete floor split open, giving way to a platform that rose, carrying a small airship, about 10 meters in length. Black in color, with the Chrysanthemum, emblem of the Yamato government, painted in red at its side.

“This is our transport ship, the Soryu… Does that answer your question?”

Jirou stood in silence, as his eyes moved across the body of the ship. He was a bit skeptical at first, but, given what he saw now.

“He wasn’t bluffing- That’s a military-grade ship…”

The four had made their way within as the ship rose from its platform. peeking around the corner once again, all their gazes fell on the ship that sat in front of them.

“That must be the ship they’re departing in… We’ll just wait until they're already inside and go in after them. If we’re fortunate, they won’t shut the hatch immediately.”

“Good idea.”

Jirou and Tsumotsu began to make their way into the ship, walking up the stairs that led to the door. Still talking, all the while.

“These Kaemerge guys sound like they’ll be a threat… If possible- I'll join the fight against them.”

“Fine with me… If you could go toe to toe with corde… I have no reason to believe you can’t handle it.”

As the two entered, their observers stopped looking around the corner, they glanced at one another, before nodding, and making a dash for the ship. Luckily, within the nick of time, as they cleared the cargo doors as the hatch began to close behind them. Just like that, they were one step closer.

To be Continued