The jig is up, the news is out

They finally found me

The renegade who had it made

Retrieved for a bounty

Never more to go astray

This'll be the end today

Of the wanted man

"Will you guys turn down the volume!" I yell. "I can't hear myself think!"

"Give them a break." Jericho says. "It's been years since we've been able to do much of anything."

I look around our meeting room. Nearly a hundred yakuza members have managed to fit in this now small room.

And they don't seem to match their reputation.

Many of them are drunk. Some are chatting and laughing. Some of the gruffer looking men are singing Styx's "Regenade". I'm also surprised at how many women there are. Maybe some are prostitutes? When I was releasing all the prisoners, all the women were in seperate cells. Not that it matters, given how restrained they all were. I knew the yakuza's numbers were great, but not this great. And none of them seems concerned about their upcoming battle with the Keisetsu.

"You better live up to expectations."

"This is customary." Jonathan says.

"Not the kind of custom I would expect from cold-hearted killers."

"Amado did want us to have that kind of reputation, yes." Jericho states. "And when on duty, we would likely match what it is you're picturing. But don't forget how dangerous our line of work is. Whenever we can, we live it up, because we know full well that this day might be our last."

"Throwing a party is rather excessive. And expensive." I say, beginning to lose my temper at the thought of expenses.

"Trust us." Jericho continues. "We're the best of the best."

(Reputation aside, I'm not convinced. These are the people behind the most heavily guarded bars of Angelia?)

(You shouldn't have let them out in the first place!) My other side thinks.

I look down at the papers I've been examining. The schematic of the hospital and this mining facility, an overhead view of Tokiport, and another overhead view of Pira Attis. I'm finished with the preparations for the schematics, but one issue remains...

"Where could the Keisetsu be hiding?" I say out loud.

"Is that what's bothering you?" Jonathan asks.

He leans over my desk towards the Tokiport picture...

And puts his finger on a dilapidated factory.

"Didn't think you'd be that reckless, even with our chances."

"You sure they're there?" I say, bringing the picture closer to me. An abandoned factory would be a good hiding place, but still...

"You forget who I am." Jonathan says.

He lifts his right hand to the height of his head and creates sparks between his fingers.

"Don't forget I was a former member of El Escudo, a divison that specializes in tracking. And with my subtone, I'm historically one of the best. I took the liberty of tracking their location via the communication crystal you sent them."

"And you're certain they are still there?"

"I know how Hisao thinks. He isn't one to flee from anything. Well...other than that woman he married in the war. Funny how two enemies on the battlefield became lovers."

Jonathan looks away from me and seems lost in thought. Safe to assume he's reflecting on fond memories. That is, until his expression turns to one of fear. Maybe he is thinking of that woman?

"Anyway, I can sense that Hisao is still there. Katsumi as well. I doubt they'll try anything, and I am even less doubtful that their new recruits can even handle one of us. You're overthinking things."

"And I don't follow the way you think at all." I say bluntly.

"It's because he is a war veteran Katsumi hates fighting. He doesn't like taking risks, unless he can guarantee victory without loss. In his case, he doesn't like the thought of getting injured. Who can blame him? He's a wind tone who endured enough injuries in the war that I'm surprised he didn't go mad. As for Hisao, I can safely say that Katsumi won't let him fight."

Jericho puts his left hand on his chest.

"Thank the Rhoken for that."

I look at them, confused.

"How much do you know about Hisao Tsumetei?" Jonathan asks me.

"I've heard he is considered the strongest in the Keisetsu history. And that he was arguably a one man army in Angelia's civil war."

"'One man army' doesn't even come close." Jericho says, beginning to shake in fear despite having a calm expression on his face.

"Take our word for it. We've seen the hell that one man can unleash. After becoming an outcross in the war, he alone could turn a whole army to ash in one attack. And when he was a newly awakened outcross, he was constantly on a rampage, to the point that at least half of all of Angelia's civilizations were destroyed. You remember what we call that historical event, right?"

I nod.

"I do. 'Kulshedra's purge'."

"And I can only imagine that he's gotten stronger since then." Jericho adds. "And that's why he won't take the offensive. Even a small fraction of his power is enough to destroy a city the size of Pira Attis. He'll likely send his recruits to save Togo and this Oren kid. It would mean nothing if he killed them in the process of rescuing them."

Jericho and Jonathan look at each other, then pause and look away. Some of the other yakuza members begin to sing "Respect for the dead man" by "Pay money To my Pain".

"KEEP IT DOWN!!" I yell, getting up from my seat.

They stop singing, but then continue at a quieter volume. I sit back down and look at Jericho and Jonathan.

"Wish Amado would've thought about our safety." Jericho says quietly.

"Ditto." Jonathan agrees.

"You sound pathetic." I say.

"What would a arrogance princess like yourself know about suffering?" Jericho says. "Clearly this is all a big game to you."

I quickly make my left arm a snake and send it towards Jericho.

SSSHHHAAAAAAA!!!!!!

ZAKU!!!

Right before my snake has its fangs within centimeters of Jericho's body, the snake falls apart, sliced in two. As I see passed the blood slipping from the snake, I see Jericho holding a blade of fire. Everyone goes silent and looks to us.

"Fire Drive: Dyrnwyn."

Angered, in pain, but not impressed, I wait for my snake to...

My snake to...

(Wait... Why aren't new heads taking its place!?)

"Good luck having cells replicate when scorched down to the last molecule. My blade cannot cut through objects that a normal blade can't, but anything it can cut through is rendered useless once severed, no matter what rhime tone my victim has."

At this, I look to the snake and create another snake with my other hand.

BAMU!

And make it bite off the split snake further up my arm.

Almost instantaneously, two more snakes take its place from the bite point. However, I choose not to risk any more snakes on Jericho, and retract the heads to recreate my arms. Having a subtone like that is one thing, but was surprised me most was his speed. He's a true swordsman. Once my arms are back to normal, Jericho puts out his flames. He looks to everyone else, and they go back to what they were previously doing. Jericho looks to Jonathan.

"Any update?" Jericho asks.

"Hisao and Katsumi haven't left."

I take a deep breath.

"And you can tell from that communication crystal?" I ask.

"They got rid of that a while ago. A smart move, but I know Hisao knows it's futile."

"Do tell."

Jonathan makes jolts of electricity dance through his hair.

"As you know, allows me to track electrical signals. So long as I can memorize the signal, be it from an active device or something I've committed to memory, I can track any signal across an entire continent. But one thing many of those I've tracked didn't know was that I can track any individual's neuron activity if I've been around them enough. This is why I was considered one of the most valuable members of El Escudo. So long as nothing happens to my target's brain, I can track anybody from any distance. It pays to have been a comrade in arms with those two, and I know they aren't stupid enough to voluntarily receive brain damage just to throw me off."

(Interesting. Maybe Master Besuro could use someone like him.)

"Does that convince you?" Jonathan asks.

"Perfectly."

Jericho looks down at my schematics and picks up the hospital one.

"So, what is your plan?" he asks.

I look to him, then Jericho, then stand up.

"EVERYONE!" I announce.

Everyone quiets down.

"As you know, I've busted you out of jail for the purpose of taking on the Keisetsu, the group hailed for being the strongest of all the continents! Today, you have a chance to prove them wrong and bring down the strongest of them all! And with that, your debt shall be paid in full! And to top that off...I'll give you the chance to achieve your revenge!"

(What!?) My kinder side thinks. (But...but Sutoria is our friend!!)

(Once again, a means to an end.)

(You snake!!! STOP THIS!!!!)

I hit myself in the head to shut my other side up. As I look around, I'm surprised at how many of these assassins aren't thrilled at what I said.

"Finally!" one of the women says. "After all these years!"

"Speak for yourself." another woman says. "Revenge hasn't gotten us anywhere over the years. I just want to live my days in peace."

"Have you forgotten everything Amado did to us!?" a man says.

"Have you forgotten Amado is dead? We had our revenge. What makes his kids so special? They're no threat to us."

Jericho sighs.

"Alright! Those of you who want revenge, raise your hands!"

(Not something I would've expected a killer to say.)

I look to the people before an see about half of them raising their hands.

"And how many of you want to bail?" Jericho continues.

The other half raises their hands. I'm surprised. Guess you can't judge a book by its cover.

I didn't even see Jonathan raise his hand for either option.

"I understand all of you." Jericho states. "While prison hasn't made us change our ways, the years behind bars have worn many of us out. But remember this! We broke out because this kid broke us out! And don't forget why many of us joined, and stayed, under Amado's command after everything he did to us! If nothing else, we have honor! And we honor our debts!"

"HELL YES!!!" a couple of the men and women proclaim.

Many of the others begin to cheer. Some clap. But no matter what they're doing, they all seem to be in agreement.

"One last deed!" Jericho continues. "No matter what happens to us after this crime, let's make this one for the history books! May everyone remember our names!"

They all cheer together.

Jonathan gestures for them to quiet down. Once they do, he turns to me.

"What's the plan?" he asks.

I make a sinister smile.

"There is a good bit of risk involved. But that should go without saying, considering the opponents you'll face. But should you follow the plan to the letter, you'll come out alive. Fail to do so...and you'll die in the traps I have in mind for our 'guests'."

Remaining silence, many of the yakuza members look to each other. Some shrug, some whisper to themselves, but none of them seem worried. They're fearless. Just as I had hoped.

"Jonathan," I say, "get our bargaining chips. It's almost time for our trade."

"Understood."

I make another sinister smile.

(Let the games begin.)