A big modern house sits on the left side of the island. Inside the house, a TV is playing with the news channel on. A blonde haired blue eyed reporter is covering the events from the previous night.
“This is Sierra Reeds coming to you live with coverage over some interesting events last night. In the commons sector of the city, a party led by Shou Jiro, the son of the famous millionaire Shoma Jiro, was beaten up by a mysterious figure. While I can’t give any names, the sources said that as they were about to be assaulted, a quote unquote ‘black knight-like figure in a cape and hood came crashing down from above.’ As he attacked the group led by Shou Jiro the two were able to escape. Who is this mysterious person and what does he want? Stay tuned for the latest info.”
In the kitchen of the house, Shunji is cooking a meal for two. Yuto comes down stairs and sits at the table while Shunji continues prepping.
“Your first night and you're already famous. You should be proud.”
“Very funny, I don’t see the point in targeting some low life like Shou Jiro. This won’t help me find my parents' killer.”
“No, but it helps to send a message. For now we don’t know who or where your parent’s killer is. But all it takes is a piece of bread in a pond, and the fish start coming to you.”
“So by stirring up the underworld I can send them in a panic and have the killer come to me?”
“Not necessarily. The goal is to attract the famous queen of the underworld, Madam. If you can get the right leverage on her then you hold the power in a negotiation.”
“So she won’t have a choice but to give us the name and location of the killer. I see.”
Shunji stares at Yuto in a concerning manner.
“Yuto, you’re too focused on the future. What matters right now is the present.”
“I know, I just want to find the killer. I’m impatient. I’ve completed my training. I should be able to go and find him.”
“You may have completed your training. But there's a lot more to this goal than knowing how to fight. For now focus on the present, and the future will arrive quicker.”
“It’d be a lot better if you could fight by my side, Shunji.”
“You know my sickness won’t allow me to Yuto.”
“I know it just…you’re a former member of the CIA and an expert in combat. You’d easily take these guys out.”
“You’re wrong. I may have been strong in my prime, but not strong enough to take on the underworld. That’s why I trained you. So that you could become stronger than I ever could. From the moment I saw you use your powers I knew you could become stronger than me. You have a power that’s considered a myth even among the rarest power users. Your power of super strength could far exceed what anyone would think possible.”
“Really? It doesn’t feel all that special to me.”
“Not yet, but I have a feeling that in due time you’ll become the strongest on the island. How you use that strength however… that’s up to you.”
“And for other news today a warehouse in the business sector was attacked last night.”
Yuto and Shunji look back at the TV to listen to the news reporter.
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“The perpetrator is unknown but this attack seems to be chained to other similar attacks across the sector. The common link between these attacks is that the victims all have radiation burns and were killed by what appears to be radiation poisoning.”
Shunji looks back at Yuto as he eats his food.
“I trained you to take down your parents' killer. But don’t you think you can do more than that? Have you ever thought of protecting this island the same way your father tried to?”
“My father tried to protect this island and it got him killed. Why should I follow suit?”
“Because you're stronger than your father ever was. You have the power to fight back that your father never had. I may not be your father, but over these nine years I've grown to understand you more than you do yourself. I know there’s more to your goal than avenging your parents. You just haven't figured it out yet.”
“Why should I risk my neck to protect the same island that raised the killer of my parents?”
“It’s not the island's fault that your parents were murdered Yuto. But you know that.”
“And how do you know?”
“Because I've watched over you for years. Everytime you talk about how all you want to do is avenge your parents, you always look conflicted. As if you're trying to hide what you really feel.”
“There’s no conflict in me, Shunji. My goals are clear and so is my mind.”
“You say that but I see so much more. I see a young boy who has a massive journey ahead of him. A boy who’s conflicted between being an avenger or being a protector. Soon you’ll have to choose what you want to do for this island. And at that time, you won’t have the choice to dodge the question.”
“Maybe so, but when that time comes I'll decide.”
“You carry the Sasaki family name just as your father did. He did what he could to help this island. I believe you’ll make the right decision.”
“Anyways, what's the plan for tonight? Do I hit the commons sector again?”
“No. This time we’re hitting a warehouse in the business sector. The underworld has multiple warehouses in three sectors, sector one the commons sector, sector two the business sector, and sector three the medical sector. With sector four being the law sector you can guess why they don’t have one there. Anyways this warehouse is special. It’s one of three major weapons suppliers for the underworld.”
“I see, we hit this warehouse and the underworld will have no choice but to take the bait. We can send them into a panic.”
“Well I'm not totally sure how they will react but I'm hoping for something along those lines. There’s more to this plan though. While this warehouse is one of the underworlds major weapons suppliers, it’s also the warehouse run by Shoma Jiro. So even if this doesn’t send the underworld into a panic. It sure will stop Shoma from being able to sleep at night. You’ll have to be careful, Yuto. The police are all over the business sector. One wrong move and there will be trouble.”
“If I can get evidence linking him to the warehouse and give it to the right person, the police will have no choice but to arrest him.”
“Careful tho, I don’t know much but the leader of the warehouse is said to be a power user. His identity is unknown, but he’s a trusted bodyguard. Apparently he’s protected countless underworld operations from being attacked.”
“Damn Shunji, you have so much knowledge about the underworld it’s hard to believe you’re not one of them.”
“Well while you were busy training for nine years, I was busy teaching you and gathering information about the underworld. You’ll learn how important knowledge is. Regardless of how strong a person is, if you have the right knowledge you can take them out. Their strengths and weaknesses, emotions, the way they operate. All of that contributes to a fight as well. You can’t win without knowing your opponent.”
“Okay professor, thank you for the lecture.”
“Well class is dismissed. It's still early, go rest up and be ready for tonight. Last night was just a test. From here on out things will be getting serious.”
“You know you don’t have to explain everything to me right? This may come as a surprise but I can understand things as well.”
“You’re right Yuto, that was a surprise.”
“Whatever, I'm going back to bed.”
Yuto walks upstairs and to his room. Shunji continues to drink his coffee and watch TV.
“Yuki, this boy reminds me so much of you. He really is a mini you. That’s why I have no doubt the boy will choose the right path. There will be so many challenges in his future. I only hope I can act as a good enough guide for him so he can walk the right path.”