Driving through the old streets, and into a dark dimmed road, it’s a rough ride.

The buildings were dirty and partly ruined, as they enter more and more secluded parts of the city.

Far away from the glorious Victorian city, the ghetto is filled with old and new war veterans who are not fit to fight anymore, as well as tons of conscientious objectors who were stripped off their rights.

Hundreds of abandoned buildings, factories, and warehouses left over from the Industrial Revolution, are commonly scattered in the outskirts of the city.

A perfect place for a hideout.

Katsu starts curling up, his stomach starts to ache.

The Chief notices.

“Hey kid, are you alright? There’s no turning back at this point, but I could drop you off if you don’t want to continue.” Albert asked.

“Ghh… I'm fine, I’ll go and save Vin no matter what!” Katsu responded.

“Terrific resolve… Mr. Bon, don’t let this kid get hurt, he has some potential.”

“Of course, I won’t let any of them hurt him.”

As they get closer and closer, Albert starts briefing them on what they’ll do.

“Alright, you two will go to their base, stall, and distract them until the army comes. In the guise that Katsu is too troublesome for Von to handle, if the leader is present, go directly to him, other than that, it’s on you guys, improvise… remember, the entire operation lies on you guys distracting them long enough, is that clear?!”

“Yes sir!” Katsu yelled in response.

They arrive at a dead-end, the road is barricaded, and beyond that is a small unfinished road that leads to a small shady and dark warehouse.

They dismounted the jeep and took note on the barricade and the shady warehouse.

“Based on your notes, looks like this is the place, just follow the path to that shady-looking warehouse over there, that’s most likely it. We’ll return to base and we’ll wait for the army to arrive. We’ll leave you to do your part.” Albert Concluded.

The rest of the team got on the jeep while the two remain.

“We’re going to try to return as soon as possible.”

“We’ll get going now before they catch wind of the incident,” Bon said.

“Godspeed you two!” Albert told them before leaving.

The jeep disappears behind the buildings on the winding road.

“Shall we get going monsieur Katsu?” Bon asked.

“Hm. Let’s go!” Katsu replied filled with energy.

“Well then, let’s go.”

They continue walking down the small road.

The clouds block the sun, and the area gets gloomy as it becomes dimmer and dimmer. And with each step they make, the more nervous they get.

Bon starts getting into character.

“Ehem, c’mon twat! Get a move on you slow snail!”

An almost perfect copy of Von’s voice and words, a perfect disguise.

This amazed Katsu at how similar both of them are alike, and a hyped-up Katsu needs to act upset like he’s been captured to not ruin the entire operation, so he quickly calms himself down from all the excitement.

As they near the entrance, they saw 2 guards sitting and playing cards right outside the doorway.

The guards caught sight of the 2 approaching and quickly pulled out a stolen military radio to contact their boss.

Before they could say anything, Bon yelled out.

“OI!! I'm here to talk to ya boss, Ivan, ya hear me!?!”

Confused, the guards mistook him for one of their “Customers” so they rang up their boss.

“Um. Boss, there is someone here that wants to speak to Boss Ivan, should I let him in?”

“Hm. Well, he knows our location, so this “Someone” must be authentic, let him in, I’ll go tell the boss.”

The pair gets closer to the warehouse.

“Umm… mind telling us who you are?” the guard asked.

“Huh? You don’t know me!? I'm the Bounty Hunter that your boss hired to keep this twat from snitchin on us.”

“Uh. I see, well, you may come in.”

The old rusty doors screeches as it opens up.

On the other side of the door, a well-dressed tall man, who seems to be a manager of the organization is waiting for them.

He welcomed and greeted them with open arms.

And then the pair enters the warehouse, with one objective in mind… stall.

The doors close, The Clock strikes 12, and the operation was officially in progress.

Back at the Military Police HQ, Albert arrives and orders the police brigades to begin preparations.

The Lieutenant-General then heads to the cellar to confront and interrogate the bounty hunter.

Opening the door, he interrupts 2 Officers torturing the bounty hunter.

The two officers were 4th Officer Lieutenant Colonel Aramis Payne and Research and Development Section Officer Slade Gray.

The bounty hunter is strapped to a chair. Bloodied, nails were torn out, chemicals on a tray, beaten and bruised.

“Oh, general, you’re back so soon?” Officer Gray said.

“You’re fast aren’t ya?” Officer Payne said as well.

“How did it go Aramis? Did he spill out anything yet?” Albert asked Officer Payne.

“We couldn’t get anything out of him. Yet… we were planning on experimenting with new torturing techniques we researched to get him to talk.” Payne replies.

“Get out of here, start preparations, pain isn’t enough for him to talk I’ll handle him.” Albert ordered.

“Yes Sir!”

Both of them responded and quickly left the room.

Albert walked closer to Von and starts questioning him.

“Ehem. Mind telling us some information about your contractor?” He asked while putting on some gloves.

“Heh, like I’d tell the likes of you! Just because I am a conscientious objector, I was shunned from society as a useless dog who refused to serve this kingdom, that is the reason I’m working as a bounty hunter!” Von accused.

“Yeah, yeah, I asked you about your contractor, not your life story,” Albert caustically says while going through an array a good tool to use.

“Your military police hides under the facade that you are here to keep and protect peace and prosperity, but look what you’re doing, you guys are a bunch of degenerate psychopaths!”

“Taking this time to go all out against the entire Military Police I see…”

Von continues to vent all his anger.

“You high ranking officers need to know how hard it is to lose a life!”

Albert was very surprised by what he said that he dropped the tools he was inspecting.

“Woah! Let’s not take it that far!”

“You sit comfortably in your high ranking positions, not knowing how hard it is to see friends and family die! That’s what we have to go through just to fight your meaningless war!”

Albert grinned at his comment, then he started to chuckle.

Then it slowly became a psychotic laugh.

Von immediately regretted his decision.

The only moment Von feared for his life, was this one.

Albert stops laughing, turns over to face Von, and he punches him, breaking his nose.

“If I had a gun, I would’ve shot you dead by now…” Albert growled in a deep, quiet voice.

“Oh wait, I do.”

He pointed a pistol at Von’s head.

“Don’t ever say those things again, you never know what I’ve been through worthless bounty hunter!”

Von remained silent.

Eventually, Albert calmed down.

He sighs.

“Anyways, your brother is stalling for us for as long as he can, so I shouldn’t be wasting time like this.”

He puts his gun back into its holster and heads outside, but Von said something important to him before he left.

“You guys are underestimating Ivan too much.”

“Oh, so Ivan IS your contractor, now I've got something to pin against him.”

“Yes! He is! It’s pointless to even hide it from you anymore. But that's not the problem here, whatever you’re doing, you’ll regret it!”

Albert turns around trying to keep his cool.

“Uh-huh, and how would you know that?”

“Ivan knows”

“What do you mean?”

“I didn’t work alone on this one, of course, their intelligent network is as large as the Central Security Division, and you of all people, would know that.” Von pressured Albert.

“Pff, are you trying to wear my confidence down?”

“Whatever you’re doing, it’s futile, and you’ll only hurt that stupid kid in the process!”

He couldn’t keep his anger for long, and tried to punch Von again,

But still had controlled himself from continuing.

“Well, that's enough chitchat with you, now if you excuse me, I've got something more important to do than to waste my time on half-witted imbeciles like you.”

Albert leaves the room with a worried look.

“How did it go, sir?” Officer Gray asked.

“We got a confession. That’s everything we need.”

“I see… what happened in there? You look down.”

Albert fell silent as he thinks hard.

Brushing those worries aside He entrusts Bon’s ability to keep Katsu safe.

“Nothing much, now, enough chat. Let’s go, get ready to meet General Sho.”

The clock strikes 12, and the operation continues.

Back at the warehouse, Katsu and Bon are getting led by a manager and are toured around the large warehouse.

“So, what brings you here?” the manager asked.

“This brat ain’t-”

“Oh, forgive my impoliteness, I'm Jones Weatherford, Senior Manager of this here Underground Pint.”

“Wow, even a crime organization has a manager.”

“Please Sir, we’d rather you not call this a “Criminal Organization” nor but rather… a Brotherhood perhaps.”

Walking inside the vast insides of the warehouse, they reach an area filled with boxes and workers.

“You see, all of us here in the Underground Pint were famous criminals, and of course, some aspiring ones. The gang is a haven for criminals who can’t live a normal life anymore and people who live a life of crime.” Jones explained.

“Oh, really?”

“Yeah, I myself was a very well-known criminal, not to brag of course,” He chuckles loudly. “But most of the time I've spent on hiding from the Police, but, after meeting Mr. Ivan and hearing that he would make a gang for criminals like us, I joint him, now I'm his most trusted manager, boom! best decision I ever made!”

“Huuhh?? Good for u then.”

Realizing his actions, he clears his voice and reiterated.

“And so, we behave more like a Brotherhood, give or take, with a collective goal to survive long enough until the Katz Reich invades us. But with the recent failures of the invasion, it looks like it’s going to take a while though.”

“W-what!?? You guys are with the Katz Reich!?”

“A little convincing will do the trick, we’ll do whatever they say, yadda yadda… in exchange for us being spared.”

“You all don’t seem to know how terrible the Katz are…”

“Well, I trust that Ivan can convince them… anyway, as we wait, we need a stable source of income, and here is where the “Criminal Organization” comes in.”

Jones opens a large container, and reveals what’s inside to be tons and tons of alcohol, drugs, and other illegal substances.

Von, astonished at the number of things inside the container, looks around the entire warehouse, and he see’s hundreds more of the same thing.

“Our main source of income! Oh, excluding stealing, bounties, bank robberies, raids on military camps, and selling info of various high profile officers of the army to the rebellion, this is our main source of income!”

Katsu is awestricken on how much they earn and do.

Although Von already knows that they are dangerous, he is still astonished at the scale of their operations are.

“U-huh, so that’s why you need to sell these?” Bon asked.

“Yeah! Above all of that is selling alcohol, hence our name, underground pint. AND! This gang working under the leadership of Ivan Hanzai is making our biggest move yet, taking down the entire Empire! After some preparations, we, along with the rebellion will conduct large scale attacks against the Empire!, through these constant attacks, and an intelligence system that rivals the Military Police’s Central Security Division! And without a sustainable income to fund our large operation which stretches out for years, the Empire will obviously be doomed to fail. Weakening its defences and lead to a quick invasion by the Katz Reich. That should speed up the process!” Jones disclosed.

A ludicrous plan the likes of which nobody can ever fathom.

Although well planned and orchestrated, all Katsu heard was complete nonsense from an evil organization trying to overthrow the government.

But still, he knows that these guys are dangerous, and mean serious business.

And they continue on what seems to be an endless warehouse.

“And you guys are perfectly fine with telling all these to me?”

“You were hired by Ivan, Ivan told me that you resent authority and government. So, you are trustworthy.”

“Well, you guys do you. I’m just doing my job.”

“Not doing it good enough I see.” He quietly noted.

“Wha!? H-how… wait! What do you mean??”

“Hmm? You’re here because you can’t handle the child, so I presume you must not be doing good for today. Am I wrong?”

“Well, I…”

Jones smirks weirdly.

“Don’t worry sir, we understand, you must be tired from all your work.”

“yeah…”

“Ah, here we are.”

They arrive at a dark secluded part of the warehouse.

The manager knocked 4 times.

“Who is it?” A muffled voice from the inside asked.

“Ivan sir, it’s jones, the bounty hunter you’ve hired wants to meet you, he brought the child as well.”

“Well then, bring them in!”

The manager opens the door to a small room lit up by a fireplace, with Ivan and Vin discussing important things inside.

“Von! Welcome! Come in, come in.”

The two of them enter the room as the manager closes and locks the door behind them.

Vin incredibly flabbergasted, his eyes wide open.

As he saw Katsu’s face, he began to shake uncontrollably.

He takes a steps forward to confront them.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

Vin quietly stuttered.

“K-Katsu, w-what are you??”

“You’ve got something to say vin!?” Ivan roared.

“N-nothing sir!”

Vin went back into place and quickly hushed himself.

The two walk closer to the fireplace.

“You may sit down here. Vin! Go get him some Vodka, and probably some ice tea for the child.”

“A-alright.” Vin complied.

Bon and Katsu sit down and Vin placed the drinks on the round table.

Vin stands parade rest at the side of the room.

Ivan sits down facing the two.

“Alright, welcome! How may I help you, Von?” he kindly greeted the pair.

This greatly shocked the two, as they expected a more violent response.

“Uhm. I am having trouble taking care of this brat, he’s just too much for me!”

“I see, well, I guess it’s not your fault, you’re a bounty hunter not a babysitter after all. Vin, what do you like me to do?” Ivan asked Vin

“Huh, I…”

Vin deliberates for a moment.

He starts to think of the safest option, he takes a deep breath.

Although it will hurt, he still goes for it.

“Uh, I had him sent a letter to Bon, a good friend of mine, to have him stay with Bon and move outside of the city. But it seemed that he didn’t get it.”

Both Bon and Katsu we’re shocked but for completely different reasons.

Katsu went completely frozen.

He starts piecing everything together.

Bon’s reaction to the letter, he quickly realized what the letter contained.

Vin never had planned for him to get back.

Vin never intended to stay with Katsu.

Breaking his promise, Katsu was hurt.

Feeling betrayed, he slouched over, with his eyes devoid of life, completely silent.

Once again, he’s alone.

Bon was irritated that Vin said what he had written in the letter, and annoyed that he completely ignores their effort just to save him.

Vin, though painful to say clenching his fist, continues.

“I suggest that Von deliver him to Bon, and after he ensures their safety outside the city walls, our agreement will be complete.”

“I see… Von, can you, do it?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, yeah… it’s much easier than having to take care of a child, hehehe…”

“Alright, then, that’ll be your last mission, you can leave after you finish taking a break, I’ll pay you for your troubles before you go.”

The clock strikes 12, and the operation continues.

The Lieutenant-General calls on every available Military Police Personnel to the Metropolitan Police HQ.

Amassing a total of 2,000 Personnel and 1,000+ more patrolling every street of the city.

Even the Military Police Special Armed Combat Forces and Counter Terrorism Division, were there.

Albert is on the upper floors of the MP HQ at his personal office overseeing the operation and waiting patiently for the arrival of the army.

An officer bashes through the doors.

“Sir!” Officer Payne exclaimed.

“What is it, Lieutenant?”

“Current report: We’ve got personnel patrolling the streets of Landon as well as temporary checkpoints in every major road/highway at the city borders.”

“Good, we need to swiftly overwhelm them and then divide and conquer from there… Using the information, we’ve garnered from months of investigation; we’ll attack minor bases and annihilate all chances of a counterattack.”

“What about the army sir?”

“They’ll deal with capturing their main base, and that’s up to their general to decide.”

“I see… Continuing with the report: Logistically, regarding how large scale this operation is, it is going to be a challenge just to transport our personnel to their designated sectors.”

“Pff, they can do it. Split them up into squads, so they can move independently from each other, c’mon, basic stuff.”

“Our PR Team is on standby ready to either cover up any mishaps or change the story to our favour. After this operation is finished, we’ll gather the press to the city centre and hold a press conference with you and General Sho.”

“Ah, press conferences, my favourite.” He said sarcastically.

“As of now, the operation is going smoothly, but there’s still a chance everything might go downhill, but only time will tell.”

“Any information on how long the army will take to arrive?”

“We’ve received a report that they’re already on the move, ETA: 1 hour.”

“Good enough for me. Now let’s get started on creating an actual action plan.”

“Huh? But you said-”

“Ignore my previous statement, that’s just irresponsible… the 2nd officer and I will go with the SACF and the General to arrest the top officers of their organization, we are the Military Police, and it is in our nation’s constitution that we, as makers and keepers of the peace to ensure that we do our duties without fail…”

“I see…”

“Gather all available Senior Ranking Officers for a meeting, pronto! Time is of the essence!”

“Yes Sir!”

Both of them continue to prepare for the incoming raid.

The clock strikes 12, and the operation continues.

Back at the warehouse, Ivan notices something different.

“hm? What’s wrong with the child? Is he not feeling good?” Ivan asked.

“Ah, I dunno, he’s probably just upset that all of this is ahh… Happening.”

“Hmm, yeah, life is hard, sometimes things like this might happen, he’ll grow out of his traumatized state, right Vin!?”

“Huh? Wha- ye-yeah…”

“I was once like him, so I can tell you… he’s going to be fine. Maybe I’ll tell you some stories about me If you don’t mind Von.”

“Oh, yeah sure! Take all the time ya need, really rare for my clients to have a long chat with me like this.”

“I was the son of one of the commissars. Although I was the only the 3rd in my family, they all ignore and despised me, as the clown of the family, I was often glossed over. Using this freedom, I did some crimes, including robbery, and murder, and I even got to orchestrate a small riot, I was pretty well known back in the union as a criminal.”

“Then, how’d ya end up here in the streets of Landon?”

“Well… long story short, after my father died. The position of commissar was open, and as a loyal friend of the premier at that time, they honoured his wish for one of his sons to obtain the position. I was already a criminal and a shame to my family. So, I was guaranteed no way of taking the position. So, I sought to kill my brothers and take the position to myself.”

“Ah, but you don’t seem to be a bad guy.”

“Oh, you think? Then you’re probably not cut out for being a bounty hunter.” Ivan suddenly accused with a deep dark voice.

“Wait wut?”

“in all your experiences in your work, surely you’ve learned not to trust someone so easily and always on guard, it may all just be deception.”

“I- I…”

Bon’s mind went blank, he ended up stuttering, and eventually paused into silence.

“Anyways, after getting caught, I was convicted and sent to gulags, set to work until I fall. Punishing you for everything you do… it was hell on earth… in just a few days I was on the brink of death, but then a kind man helped me, he saved me from death.” Ivan Continued.

Katsu flinched; the story is way too awfully familiar.

“After saving me, I thanked him, in return, I had to listen to what he had to say. After listening, my eyes opened to this world, he told me the secrets the governments are hiding. After that, on the very next day, he was executed. I knew that the government will find and target me next, using my expertise in persuasion to stage a small mutiny, through the chaos I escaped onto a ship headed for the city of Landon. But, in the streets of the empire, I wanted to change, but due to the past that I could not overcome, I wasn’t able to turn back…”

Ivan drank a shot, and continued.

I became a wanted man, just like my old life in the motherland, I could not escape my past… that's why I have created this band of criminals, people who left their old lives, and now accept their fate!” Ivan remarked.

He drank another shot and then slouched over the couch.

“Nice and powerful story mate! I’ve got a question though; your friend who welcomed us here said that you want to help the Katz Reich to invade the mainland… why’d ya wanna do that? I mean, haven’t you’ve seen the numerous atrocities they’ve committed?”

“True, although we have amassed thousands of manpower, we still can’t rival those of the government, any moment they can strike… as well as personal reason, I'm an anarchist… of all people I know you’d understand. Though the Katz Reich have done many unspeakable things, I am sure, any defectors are welcome there.”

“But aren’t Cats and Dogs enemies since the dawn of time?”

“that’s what the government want’s you to think. But I don’t want to tell a bounty hunter any more of our top secrets.”

“Ah, my bad sorry.”

After some moments of silence, Bon drank a few more, stood up and spoke.

“Well, if you don’t mind me, I’ll just go for a quick toilet break.”

“I’ll escort him,” Vin added.

But before he was able to walk away, Ivan grabbed his arm tightly, and with an angered creepy face.

“Where do you think you’re going??” He asked with a deep and deadly stare in his eyes.

Vin sweats in fear, but he did not reply.

Ivan eventually stops and throw his arm away as he lets him go.

“Go, and be quick.” He commanded as he drinks another shot.

The pair enters a room on the left side of the Office room.

Ivan drinks some more as he and Katsu fell silent.

The only sounds that could be heard were the crackling of the wood in the fireplace.

Eventually, Ivan spoke.

“Now, it’s just the both of us… you’ve heard my story, and I’ve heard yours.”

Katsu remained silent…

The Clock strikes 12, the operation continues.

Albert and other High Ranking Officials are waiting tolerantly down at the front of the MP HQ.

Albert readies himself as he awaits the Great Generals arrival.

All the others can’t help but feel wary, for this is the first time in quite a while the General is visiting, shivering on the very hot morning.

Minutes later, the main force of the Imperial Garrison’s 18th Infantry Division arrives at HQ.

15 trucks and jeeps roll into the HQ as hundreds of soldiers dismount to help the struggling Military Police.

There the officers of the Garrison takes over the preparation phase.

And seconds later, The General arrives.

He hops off his jeep and immediately rushes over to the MP Officers.

He stands proud with the High Ranking attire of the Garrison Army, many medals and ribbons.

Although, he does look to young to be a General, as well as too short.

But never the less, don’t get fooled by his looks, as the man they see, is the greatest General in the army.

Military Police Officers line up and stand honoured.

Albert greets him.

“General of the Imperial Garrison of Ingland, as the Lieutenant General and Head of the 5th Military Police Corp of the City of Landon, I welcome you back at the capital.”

All the officers saluted.

“Alrighty then, 5th MP Corps, state Rank and Name, count off!” The General Ordered.

“Senior Officer, Lieutenant General Albert Wilson.”

“2nd Officer, Colonel Chester Cross.”

“4th Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aramis Payne!”

“5th Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Esmond Reed!”

“Hmm. You aren’t a lot, that’s all of them?”

“Yes general, this is all our highest ranking Officers currently present.”

“Hm. Alright, briefing of plan!”

“The plan is to overwhelm them with our numbers and using the element of surprise as an advantage to blitz through and arrest the head of the criminal organization Underground Pint, Ivan Hanzai!” Chester concluded.

“Eh? Seriously? That’s the plan??”

“Yes sir, if all goes well sir.” Albert answered.

“Ah, well then… if the Kats did it, it’ll probably work with us as well, carry on with the preparations!”

“Yes Sir!” all of them yelled.

Every soldier arms themselves and prepare for a massive assault on the enemy base.

Albert and the General went up to a terrace to oversee the preparations, and also to chat.

A rare time for both busy officers to chat, General Sho was assigned as Garrison General of Ingland after the Katz invasion of the mainland, spending all his time plotting the defence of the kingdom.

While Albert is busy getting used to his new position as Head General of the Landon Military Police Corps.

A somewhat awkward reunion.

“Ey, Albert, long time no see mate!”

“Hm… likewise.”

“Ehh?? I haven’t seen you in just well over a year and that’s how you answer me!? Come ‘ere!”

Sho gives him a noogie.

The two laugh the stress off.

“Oh, you’re more cheerful than I last remember.”

“Huh? Yeah, I guess so…”

“The therapy worked? You feel better?”

“Hm, yeah, thanks to you.”

“I guess I have found a new job to distract me…”

“That’s nice…”

“Well then, how many did you bring?”

“Two Divisions.”

“Wha!? That much!?”

“Well, you asked for help, so of course I’ll do my best to help you in any way.”

“but… preparations will take twice as long!”

“Don’t worry, I trust your kid will hold up well.”

“Eh… if you say so…”

“Im sorry Sho.”

“Eh!? For what!?”

“An unauthorized crackdown operation on a dangerous criminal organization unapproved by the General Assembly would not be pleasing to hear in my record book.”

“Ah, Don’t worry about those matters mate! I gotchu, I’ll cover for ya!”

“I see… thanks!”

Both of them paused for a moment, as they witness the chaotic order as the soldiers prepare for the worst.

The General can’t help but question Albert’s plan.

“Why did you even agree with that kid’s plan? It’s not like you to send a kid to danger, aren’t you close to children?”

Albert faces Sho with excitement.

“Hmm… after Mr. Bon gave me the coordinates, we would’ve done it either way, but after hearing his plan, it was… strange… his eyes were filled with resolve, his voice was filled with confidence, it felt like he had shaken the room, if that kid went to a fight, I’d say he’ll beat even the best of your top recruits!”

“Oh really?? I would like to meet this “kid” that so amazes you.”

“Yeah, after this whole operation is over… so then I was like, this kid is serious! So, I had to see for myself if he’d back down after I’ve agreed, but he just celebrated, no fear in sight!”

“But why did you even let him go? Don’t you know it’s dangerous??”

“I told you the plan earlier was to overwhelm them in a surprise attack, they’ll distract them enough to shift their attention to them, lowering their guard even further. Besides, my team had already done some background checks on Mr. Bon, and he’s not the guy you’d wanna fight. But I sense everything will be fine, as long as you’re here, the blame will be thrown at you ha-ha!”

“You’re so carefree as always. Clever mind you’ve got there, you’ve cornered a General of the Army!”

“Hehe, it looks like I’ve outsmarted you, but it’s just a joke.”

“I’ll remember this, I’ll get you next time.”

“Hey seriously, it’s just a joke, you’ve got the power to remove me…” he nervously said as he started to sweat.

“don’t worry, you’re my friend, of course, I won’t do that.”

“Ah. I see… t-that's, reassuring hehe…”

“So you like it in the Military Police than the Brigades?”

“Ah… I guess I do.”

“Well, whatever makes you happy, I just hope it doesn’t go wrong and affect you that much, like last time…” he whispers.

The clock strikes 12, and the operations continue.

Ivan confronts Katsu about their similarities.

“Truly… we are the same, both lost everything we love, sent to a faraway place, destined for death… but a saviour came to help, we both tried to change our lives, but in the end… failed… reverting to our past selves. I am just your future self, and if I don’t intervene, you will end up just like me, someone who could not let the past go…”

“…”

Katsu refused to listen to his blabbering of delusion and remained silent.

“Even our names are almost the same, I changed my name to Hanzai after the Japanese word for it, I once visited the place before the cats took over. And you, you are of Japanese descent.”

“…”

Ivan drank once more and stood up.

With a loud irritated voice, he spoke once more.

“Listen to me child, I see potential in you, you’re strong.”

A voice inside katsu’s head interjected, “You’re wrong.”

“You have the strength of hundreds of men!”

No, you’re wrong.

“You have power that no one else has!”

No, you’re wrong!

“We are the same! In the future, we will be the same! Your fate will end up like mine! So why won’t you listen to me!”

No, we’re not the same.

“Your past is the same with mine, my present, will be your future!!”

No, we will not be the same.

“Why won’t you listen to me!? I’m giving you an opportunity.

No, I’ve already promised Vin, I will never be like you.

“I’ll give you choice! An opportunity of a lifetime!”

No! My past aren’t the same as yours, and my future will never be the same like yours, I will fulfil my promise to Vin, someone who is more like me!

These voices rang out into Katsu’s empty mind.

Even so, Katsu remained silent.

Simultaneously, Bon and Vin arrive at the restroom.

Vin shuts the door with an infuriated voice he quietly said;

“What are you doing here!?!”

“We’re here for you.”

“Did you not read my letter!?”

Bon snaps at Vin.

“I did, but I'm not letting you just leave me with monsieur! After months of forging an unbreakable bond! You just leave him so suddenly!? From the very moment you saw him at the docks you knew you had to take him in, you had the responsibility to take care of him and now you’re giving it to me!? If only you would’ve seen the amount of determination he had just to go here and risk his life to save you, because you are his only family left, Yes your plan might be the best course of action, but for him, and for me, it isn’t… now stop thinking about his safety and start thinking about his feelings.” Bon accused.

Bon faces away with a sad frown.

He begins to walk away.

“And here I thought I’d never see you do something like this…”

Vin stood there speechless, clenching his fists, he rethinks every decision he had made.

Bon continues to enter one of the bathroom stalls.

“Bon…” Vin called out.

In a quavering voice, Vin reluctantly said.

“I… I am sorry…”

“Go tell that to Katsu.”

“W-what should I do now?”

“It’s all up to you my friend,” Bon says as he closes the stall.

Vin leans on the wall, tears falling from his face, as he rethinks every decision he had ever made.

Meanwhile, Ivan walks closer to Katsu.

“If you could hear me out… hm…”

Katsu continued to remain silent, refusing to listen nor respond to his statements.

Ivan couldn’t handle his ignorance anymore.

Ivan tackles Katsu to the ground.

Katsu struggles to get out, and yelps in fear.

“Listen here boy! I am giving you a chance here. And you should stop with that ignorant attitude or else I will have you killed!”

Katsu was quickly reminded of why he went here.

Bon and Vin hears the commotion and immediately rushes out.

Ivan stops and let’s go.

Katsu fearfully crawls away.

Angered by the sight, Vin walks forward to confront Ivan.

“Tch, Ivan what are you doing!?”

Vin gets grabbed by the shoulder and is held back by von.

Ivan, panting, quickly reaffirmed himself.

“As I was saying… Katsu, I have an offer for you. With your strength, you will certainly a valuable asset.”

This time, Katsu listened to his offer.

“Katsu, as the head of the Underground Pint… I want you to join us.”

The room was filled with shock.

Ivan cleared his voice and continued.

“If you join as, not only will you be part of a family, you will also gain many…” Ivan continues to explain the benefits, but Katsu’s answer is already certain.

Katsu stops Ivan, and gave his final answer.

“As tempting as your offer may be… But I already have someone with me that I know and trust, and is someone I cherish more than your group. I’m sorry, but I already have a family. I decline.”

These words melted Vin’s heart, and teared up at the moment.

“I see, a shame indeed… but, in the end, I’ll have my way eventually.”

Ivan gets up and brushes his coat.

“Boys, get them.”

Guards slams the door and bolted inside.

Bon draws his gun but Ivan stopped him.

“Don’t go any further Bon!”

Ivan pulls out a revolver, and aims it at Katsu.

“Don’t resist. Or the boy gets a bullet to his brain.”

Bon freezes with his hands on the pistol in his holster, while Vin’s mind goes blank from how quickly everything happened.

“Tch. So you knew! And yet you didn’t say anything!” Bon raged.

“I’m not stupid, in any case you all are stupid.”

“H-How did you know?”

“Oh I knew from the beginning, there’s no way I would let Vin give the boy a letter without letting me see it first.”

“So you lied!” Vin yelled.

“That’s already a given. After that, basic reaction would be for them to foolishly come here and save you, and look where we are now…”

They could not do anything but watch as the scene unfolds.

“Take the boy away.”

The guards picks up Katsu but he resists, and cried for help.

“Bon! Vin! Do something! Please help!”

The guards knock him out.

And as Katsu’s eyes close, he sees Vin’s scared and worried look.

Back at the HQ, the two Generals receive the report.

“General! We’ve received reports from the surveillance teams!”

“What is it soldier?” General Sho asked.

“The pair who was supposed to stall, was found out!”

“WHAT!?” The two generals responded.

The clock strikes 12, and the operation grinds to a screeching halt.

End of chapter 5.