The [Tigers Den] bar was just as busy as it was before Akatora and Kanashi had left. The yakuza inside still partied hard, empty brown bottles and crushed beer cans littered the floor. Some gambled while others argued over minute things. It was something you’d expect from a turn of the century teenage movie and not a Yakuzas main headquarters.
“Calm down!” Akatora yelled with a clap.
Near instantly the bar went silent, so quiet in fact that Kanashi could hear his own quiet heartbeat pounding in his chest.
“This is Sarumalder Kanashi, for the foreseeable future he will be working under me so I expect you to treat him with as much respect and loyalty as you would to each other.” Akatora yelled out smacking Kanashi on the back.
“Gah!” Kanashi coughed, nearly being thrown off his feet. His new “coworkers” stared at him with questioning gazes. They were all the kind of people Kanashi would normally want to avoid. Not a single one being able to pass for an upstanding citizen. They were all without a doubt degenerates. But so was Kanashi so perhaps things would work out in the end.
“It’s nice to meet you, I hope the short yet action filled time we work together is without issue.” Kanashi said, bowing his head.
The crowd of men looked at one another sharing short whispers before turning back to Kanashi.
“Yoroshiku!” (Welcome) They all said in unison, bowing their heads.
“Yoroshiku!” Kanashi repeated bowing his own head once more.
With that short exchange the atmosphere quickly returned to how it was just a minute or two before, the party started up like nothing had ever happened. Arguments kicked back off right where they were left off and wages increased in value.
“Did they accept me?” Kanashi asked Akatora with a grimace.
“If they didn’t kill you then yeah, you’re good enough.” Akatora nodded, smacking Kanashi on the shoulder once again.
“I wish you’d stop doing that!” Kanashi yelped out in pain.
Not paying any mind to Kanashis complaint Akatora began walking to the back of the room and Kanashi followed.
The crowd parted, creating a clean path as they walked up to the back of the bar where four men sat at a pool table. These four men were ones Kanashi knew the names of. Ohi Yoshin, Taishi Beniise, Kokofude Sekihara and last and probably least Gyokou Nejimaru.
“That’s a word! I’m telling you it is!” Yoshin yelled, his face bright red.
“Nyaaai!” Nejimaru argued back, shaking his head side to side.
“Oh, Kanashi.” Sekihara said looking up from the table, “Would you mind helping us settle this bet here?” He asked.
“What kinda bet?” Kanahis asked, tilting his head to the side as he started at the strange game before him.
“This is [Gengoki].” Beniise said from behind Kanashi, startling him.
“Oh? Never heard of it!” Kanashi yelped out.
“There’s a deck of wooden cards with letters carved into them. you combine the cards until you make a word and then you remove those cards from the game. There’s 3 sets of each letter so once you run out of possible words you can either count each player's points and end the game or try to come up with a final for double the normal points.” Beniise explained.
“So you guys are arguing over whether or not Yoshins word is real or not? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but I’m not the person to ask about Edogo.” Kanashi frowned as he stared at the word Yoshin had created.
“Funny thing, Yoshin is saying this is a word in Shinkai.” Sekihara laughed.
“It is! Right Kanako?” Yoshin yelled, pointing to the word he’d made from the cards.
“It’s Kanashi…” Kanashi frowned. “And if that’s a word I’ve certainly ever heard of it.” He said.
The table erupted into laughter as each person pointed at Yoshin who jumped across the table in a rage grabbing Kanashi by the collar of his shirt.
“You stupid brat! I’m your superior so you’re supposed to agree with everything I say! If I tell you the sky is green it’s green! If I tell you the moon is square it’s square do you understa-” Yoshin was silenced by a smack over the head by Akatora.
“Pay up Yoshin.” He said.
“Tch, fine. To think you’d team up with the new guy before me you’re most trusted Joshin, what has this company come to.” Yoshin grumbled as he pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and handed it to Gyokou who laughed as he counted the money.
“Kanashi, these four men are my Joshin elite four.” Akatora said, clapping his hands to grab everyone's attention.
“This man is my longest working employee Ohi Yoshin.” He explained, however before Yoshin could interrupt and sing his own praises Akatora moved on to the next member. “That is Kokofude Sekihara, despite being the second youngest has proved himself to be both reliable and worthy of his position.”
“Yo.” Sekihara said, nodding his head with a wave.
“Next is Gyokou Nejimaru, don't worry about him too much…”
“He’s the one I’m most worried about…” Kanashi muttered watching Gyokou continue to count the wad of cash he’d won.
“Fourth is my son Beniise, he’s the one who will inherit my title of Hachibuto of Touen and lead the next generation of the Toumeikan.”
“Nice to meet you.” Beniise said, shaking Kanashis hand. Despite being nearly the same age Beniises hand was proably three times the size of Kanashis, if he wanted to he could crush it without thought.
“Hey wait a minute Akatora! I’ve worked with you the longest so why am I gonna be the lackey to your son!? It should be the other way around!” Yoshin argued.
“Because you’re a useless drunk.” Akatora frowned, smacking Yoshin once more before turning his attention back to Kanashi.
“Sarumalder Kanashi, these four men and the other 19 in this bar are those I’ve trusted my life with, they’re who will be fighting in this liberation alongside you and the Venator Society so don’t feel as though you’re alone in this effort!” Akatora said.
“Yeah, I understand now.” Kanashi smiled softly.
# # #
Kanashi and Akatora stood outside the large brick building, it was a building Kanashi had hoped he’d never have to enter in his life. A place which he actively tried to avoid. This large metal building with no windows and a blue roof was a prison. A massive one which stood over ten stories high and nearly a city block in diameter. It was built in an octagon-like shape with a small courtyard in the middle of it which had a large barbed wire roof preventing escapes.
However even if one did manage to somehow escape they’d only be greeted by half a dozen miles of flattened dirt littered with landmines, electric barbed wire fences and machine gun mounted guard towers. This was without a doubt a prison meant to contain only the most heinous of criminals.
“Is this [Pandemonium]?” Kanashi joked trying to lighten the moon.
“No, this is the [王立の青最大限犯行刑務所: Royal Blue Maximum Penitentiary] the best and worst Prison in all of modern Edoland.” Akatora said as he pushed the “call” button on the front gates keypad.
“Isn't this the kind of place you’d want to avoid? Being a Yakuza boss and all this seems like your worst nightmare…” Kanashi asked with a whisper..
“If they could have arrested me they would have done so already. We’re just here to visit somebody important to our small coalition.” Akatora sighed.
“Name and reason.” A voice asked in Edogo over the intercom.
“Taishi Akatora, I’m here to visit a prisoner.”
“...”
The intercom hummed with static and the faint sound of whispers could barely be made out, their words indecipherable.
“Enter.” The voice said before the intercom clicked off.
With a hum the large metal gates slowly creaked open sending a cloud of dust into the air as the bottom of the gate was pushed against the dirt floor.
“Do we just walk in?” Kanashi asked.
“No, we need to wait for a chaperon.” Akatora said, looking into the distance.
Kanashi followed his line of sight and saw a small cloud of dust grow larger as an open top black vehicle came into view, inside of it were both a man and women covered in kevlar armor and with loaded assault rifles to their side.
“..” Kanashi clenched his hands nervously as the vehicle came to a stop before them, the two assumed guards quickly jumped out of their seats and strolled over to both Kanashi and Akatora riffles in hand.
The two guards and Akatora exchanged a short dialogue in Edogo which Kanashi couldn’t understand, though it seemed to be civil with since both parties never raising their voice.
“We’re in the clear.” Akatora said, turning to Kanashi and motioning for him to enter the vehicle. Kanashi obeyed and climbed into the back seat with Akatora following him after. The armed guards buckled both of them in securely with tight seat belts that held them in place like a straight jacket before driving the car back the way they’d come.
“I was wondering what the seat belts were for but I think I understand now!” Kanashi yelled out as he was violently thrown around by the car's janky movements. Every time it hit a bump the top of his head nearly smashed into the car's roof yet Akatora who was nearly a whole foot taller than he was sat perfectly still.
Is he using some kind of magic technique to do that or is it a material art? Kanashi wondered with a frown.
After a few minutes the prison came much more clearly into view, with the Kanji [正義刑罰再生] written across the buildings front in large blue letters.
Justice, Penalty, Rehabilitation.” Kanashi muttered reading the characters. “Does anyone leave this place?” He asked Akatora.
“It’s possible, but uncommon. Those sentenced here are generally the most dangerous, powerful and evil inmates in the country. It’s the only prison which still performs the death penalty. You compared it to [Pandemonium] earlier and they’re certainly alike. No one who’s ever been sentenced here has escaped in the two hundred years it’s been active.” Akatora said.
Like Pandemonium huh? Kanashi thought… Pandemonium, at one point in history it was home to the world's worst inmates. Like the rest of the Demon Continent it was a dumping ground for the rest of the world. Those sentenced to that prison would never again see the sun. In its four thousand year history not once did a prisoner escape and even if they did the hundreds of miles of barren dry desert surrounding the prison would kill them before they even reached civilization. It was only shut down after the United Nations began to complain about the innate cruelty and inhumane treatment the prisoners suffered. Those sent to [Pandemonium] were to never again see the sun so their well being was never before considered important… next to [Port Awful] it’s the most infamous location in all of the Zeldenia the Demon Contient… Kanashi recalled these words from his fathers library, specifically a book known as [Demon Kind And Their Homeland]. It was the first book to focus especially on the Demon Race and the continent of Zeldenia. The book was penned around fifty years ago by Kuronos Antares, a man unknown to history both before and after publication. It was one of Kanashis favorite to read as a kid because of the many pictures of both people, plants, locations and animals it had. The most notable of which being Pandemonium itself, a place which easily dwarfed the monolith before them many times over. If this place is really the Edo equivalent of Pandemonium then this person visiting must really be awful right? What kind of horrible crime did he commit?
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“We're here.” Akatora said, nudging Kanashi.
“Oh?” Kanashi hummed in surprise, his internal exposition had kept his mind busy during the drive. He quickly unbuckled himself and joined the two guards and Akatora outside the large metal front door. Two elephants side by side could easily walk through it with room to spare meaning it was built for something or someone huge to both enter and exit.
Is there a giant or something in there? If Dwarf descendants like Grendle still exist then maybe there’s giant descendants right? Though 250 years and 5000 is a big difference when it comes to genetics so maybe it's this big for tanks and stuff to come in and out.
As Kanashi pondered these useless thoughts the guards spoke over the doors intercom exchanging codes and coordinates. After only a minute or two of waiting the front door slowly creaked open and the smell of disinfectants matched with the sound of yelling escaped the building.
Kanashi looked at Akatora and the Guards who casually strode inside without a hint of fear.
“...” With a deep breath Kanashi too entered the building, the door behind him quickly closing shut with a bang. The reception area if that’s that you so desired to call it was rather quaint and stereotypical.
“How can I help you?” The middle aged receptionist asked Akatora with a frown.
“Hanachi Rasetsu.” He answered sternly.
“Give me a moment.” She sighed, picking up her phone and dialing a series of numbers. Though Kanashi couldn’t understand what she was saying he knew she was saying alot. This whole thing was taking way too long for his liking. It seemed like every single action required a dozen steps beforehand.
Rasetsu? Kanashi repeated. So we’re visiting a woman then? I didn’t expect that but it puts me at ease somewhat. But if she’s here what kind of awful crime did she commit? Murder? No, this is the kind of place that holds mass murders. But why would Akatora be meeting with some murderer let alone bring me with him? Is she a member of the Toumeikan? He said the district Lord Masunaga Mako was a Hachibuto at one point so it’s not impossible for a Hachibuto to be a woman. Hachibuto means eight division heads so is she one of the two Akatora didn’t mention? He wondered.
“They’ll permit 15 minutes.” The receptionist said, putting the phone down with a clack.
The two guards from before strode ahead of Akatora and Kanashi who followed closely behind them. The first on their many stops was a highly surveillanced locker room in which Kanashi and Akatora changed into plain white clothes.
Even though the cameras were positioned in such a way that no freckle was hidden, Kanashi still tried to hide his body from the female guard who watched him with a stone face.
How humiliating… He frowned, He thought about trying to flex his stomach while changing to look more attractive but decided against it.
After changing into their sterile outfit they both brushed their teeth before a doctor inspected the inside of their mouths. This doctor was particularly frightening, one of his eyes was milky white with a massive scar running down it and his lips were curved upwards into a permanent smile as if someone had sliced his mouth open with a razor.
“Clear.” The doctor said as he pulled his flashlight out of Kanashis mouth.
I feel like I’m the prisoner here… Kanashi thought as he moved onto the next stage. In this room both he and Akatora experienced a full body x-ray.
“What's with the ring?” The female guard asked, pointing to Kanashi's finger.
“It’s a family heirloom.” Kanashi lied, something he’d been getting better at.
“I’ll need to confiscate it for your visit." She said reaching for Kanashis hand. "It'll be returned to you when-” The guard suddenly stopped speaking, her lips trembling as an ominous aura perforated from Itachi and attacked her directly. It was as if her neck was in the mouth of a beast which playfully rubbed its large canines against her jugular, letting her know that with the slightest more amount of pressure she’d be killed. “Never mind.” She shuddered, turning her head to the side and moving forwards.
“?” Kanashi, confused, shrugged his shoulders and followed her to meet up with Akatora and the male guard.
With all the prerequisites completed they entered the final stretch of their journey. Behind three reinforced metal doors was the chamber in which their supposed ally was being held. Kanashi's heart beat increased in speed as they continued forwards. Each door had three unique locks which needed at least two guards to open.
Between each door was a closet sized sterile white space with little ventilation making it suffocating.
Who the hell is this person!? Satan? Dr. Evil? Kanashi wondered. His hand trembled as the final door opened revealing a pitch black dark room.
With a deep breath and closed eyes Kanashi followed Akatora into this chamber, the door closing behind them and locking three times.
The room's lights flickered on and what Kanashi saw was not what he’d expected at all.
She was undeniably gorgeous. Her tall and thin figure was decorated with a red kimono highlighted with purple accents and a yellow floral pattern. Her long silver hair was tied back into a Wareshinobu like style, letting her sharp fox-like eyes be on full display. Her ghost white nearly translucent skin stuck out like a sore thumb against the red and purple backdrop of her prison cell. Though perhaps prison cell wasn’t the correct term as it looked more like a queen's bedroom then any prison cell Kanashi had seen.
The maximum security prisoner Hanachi Rasetsu reclined on her lavish leather chair blowing rings of smoke through her pursed blood red lips. The long ivory pipe in her hand no doubt worth a fortune.
“Kitsune…” Kanashi muttered without thought. That's the word which came to mind upon seeing the woman, she without a doubt resembled a nine tailed fox. Whether that be her appearance, eyes or aura Kanashi wasn’t exactly sure all he knew was that she gave off the vibe of a Kitsune.
However, even more than this woman's Kistsune like vibe the most notable thing was the sensation on Kanashi's right ring finger, a painless burning sensation which reacted to her presence.
“So you brought a guest this time? And a cute one at that…” The woman hummed, her voice soft yet shape.
Me cute? She thinks I’m cute!? Kanashi thought, unable to hide his blush and toothy smile.
“Don’t be fooled by her boy, She’ll eat you.” Akatora said, smacking Kanashi on the back firmly.
“Huh? Oh, right!” Kanashi nodded, straightening his face and standing tall with his chest puffed out and arms crossed.
“Hehehe, that attitude only makes me like you more~” The woman hummed. “But enough about you. Tora-Kun, what brings you here today?” She asked.
“An update about our current situation.” Akatora answered with a frown.
“Is that so! And I’m assuming this boy has to do with it?’
“Sharp as ever.” Akatora huffed, “This is Sarumalder Kanashi, the man who slayed Honeitsu Guro and a high ranking member of the Venator Society, as of yesterday he’s our ally.”
I feel like some kind of music should have started playing with that introduction… Kanashi thought with a frown. “Akatora makes me sound a lot more important than I really am but that’s the gist of it.” Kanashi said with a plastic smile.
“You’re the one responsible for slaying Honeitsu Guro? How impressive, especially at your age. That only makes me like you more~”
“...” Kanashi kept his face straight as she continued to tease him, not letting her get the reaction she wanted.
“Hmph, you’re no fun Tora-Kun you ruined the mood.” Rasetsu sighed before turning back to Kanashi. “But as I’m sure you’ve guessed or been told I’m Hanachi Rasetsu, 8th Hachibuto and lead producer of all pornographic material in Edoland.
“!”
Kanashi nearly spit non-existent water out from his mouth; he'd heard rumors that the Yakuza owned nearly 90% of all Pornography productions in Edoland. It made sense after all, such a thing was highly shunned by society so of course the criminal organizations would pick it up. The Yakuza dealt with all things typically looked down upon by society and whether you liked it or not sex sells especially porn. Not only that but it was undeniably a highly profitable business especially with the invention of the internet.
But for this woman to be the lead producer… I can’t believe it. A title like that makes me picture a balding short fat man with a unibrow not a gorgeous woman!
“Your innocence is so cute Kana-Kun~ but don't get too excited I don’t star in any films, I simply produce them… or at least I did before getting locked up in her.” Rasetsu sighed.
“How’d she end up in there?” Kanashi asked Akatora.
“Ignoring me? How rude!” Ratetsu huffed.
“She was betrayed, sold out by the Hachibuto Hyogo Kuroyama.” Akatora answered.
“She was? Why would the Toumeikan shoot themselves in the foot like that?”
“Because that little man Kuroyama couldn’t handle Tora-Kun being more successful then he was. He wanted to find a way to expand his sex work business and pornography was the best thing to secure.” Rasetsu cut in.
Well those two are related so I guess it makes sense, if Kuroyama took something like Akatoras gambling he’d be running two completely different companies. But since Pornogrpahy and Sex work can work hand in hand he could easily increase his profits without having to learn a whole new trade… Kanashi thought. “So he ratted your dirty secrets out to the law and they locked you in here?”
“That’s the theory~ but who knows if it’s really true. I don’t think Kuroyama is that smart. His little brain can barely muster a cohesive thought after all…” Rasetsu sighed.
“Underestimating him is what led you into this situation in the first place, Rasetsu!” Akatora barked.
“Oh how scary! A big strong man like you yelling at a little girl like me~” Rasetsu laughed softly.
Akatora let out a sigh and turned to Kanashi who frowned in confusion. “Amongst the six other Hachibuto in Edoland she’s my only ally.”
“What about the 8th Hachibuto? I'm assuming they're not here in Edoland but will they come back at some point?” Kanashi asked.
“That’d be Toushima Kikirin, the last we’d heard he traveled to the Orochi Kingdom in search of a personal conference with the Emperor Orochi himself. But he hasn’t sent a single message back to us since his arrival so it’s safe to assume he’s been killed.” Rasetsu answered, rubbing her index finger across her neck to signal "death",
“I hate to say it but the Emperor really did us a favor if he truly did kill Kikirin, he was just as ready to join the Orochi Kingdom as the other Hachibuto.” Akatora huffed.
“...” Kanashi couldn’t help but feel uneasy at how casually Akatora said such a thing. He’s thankful his coworker was killed? Somebody he’s known for presumably years and worked with regularly? A man he swore to be the brother of? If he could throw Kikirn away that easily, what's stopping him from throwing me away if things go wrong? Kanashi clenched his fist as these thoughts rang through his head.
“The liberation will take place on the first of August, Tatamastumi Nordon is planting the way points which Lutece Jinen will use to teleport the Venator Society into the country. According to what Kanashi says Jinen should be capable of fighting multiple Hachibuto at once but I can’t help being doubtful until I see him with my own eyes. As reassurance he’s agreed to recruit Tatakayabia Kenji.” Akatora explained to Rasetsu.
“Lutece Jinen? Hehehe, from the pictures I’ve seen of him he seems to be a real catch. He’d make a great star.”
Kanahis shuddered at that statement but it brought to his mind a serious question. Wait, maybe me being a virgin isn’t so bad. I mean I can’t see Jin, Hayai, Julius or Pompeii losing their virginity so maybe I’m in the majority here! Us strong men don’t need a girlfriend to be cool!
“I don't know what you’re thinking and based on your facial expression I probably don’t want to know either.” Akatora frowned, looking at Kanashi. “But it looks like our meeting will be ending soon.” He said turning to Rasetsu who smiled mischievously. “Behave yourself until I set you free, I’ll need you when the time comes.” He said, returning her smile.
# # #
“Is she going to be your accomplice in reforming the Toumeikan?” Kanashi asked.
“She may be a sick woman but she’s incredibly intelligent especially when it comes to social subjects, she’d make a great District Lord.” Akatora answered.
“Is that so…” Kanashi hummed as he looked out the car window. As they drove down the road Kanashi watched the crowds of people live their daily lives, those who didn’t know about their country being taken over by the Orochi Kingdom or that they held the Spear Of Longinus the only thing that could possibly stop the world from ending in one year's time. However even if they got the Spear there was still they’d still need the Philosopher's Stone which was in the possession of Randolph. Well, that’s an issue for another day, for right now I just need to focus on this mission, or well… I guess I can’t really call it a mission anymore since I’m not apart of the Venator Society… I guess my quest? “Hey Akatora.” He asked after a pause.
“What is it?”
“What are the other Hachibutos magic? I see that you’re an Elementalist who uses fire but I have no idea about the others and I think it’d be useful to know.”
“I’m not certain of all their magic, the only ones I’m certain of is Aotori and Domushi. Aotori can create addictive narcotics through transmutation and Domushi has the blessing of [Negation].”
“Negation?” Kanashi repeated.
“He can negate all Phenomena to a certain extent, though I’m not sure what that extent exactly is. It’s because of that blessing he’s considered to be one of if not the strongest member of the Toumeikan. If I’m being honest he’s the largest obstacle in our way. The bullet which you were shot with was made from his blessing which caused it to negate your aura node and mana circuits activation.”
“Negation huh…” Kanashi repeated.
Is that Energy Manipulation or Space Manipulation? If it’s a Spatial Manipulation blessing that’d mean there’s a certain range to the [negation] and if it’s energy Manipulation there must be a limit to the amount of energy he can negate. Also how exactly does he [negate] the action itself? If he negates a bullet from a sniper rifle would he be negating the [Cause] of the bullet being shot like the trigger being pulled or would he negate the [effect] and the bullet just stops mid air? If he erased the [cause] of the action then he’d probably be using time manipulation to rewind time. But I don’t think that’s how it works because Jin said only a handful of people in all of history have been able to use Time Manipulation effectively and even then it’s highly limited. If it’s Negating the [effect] then it’s probably Spatial Manipulation like the Barrier Jin always has around himself. Anything that enters that barrier is [negated] or stopped. There’s also the point of how exactly he chooses to [negate] something. Jin said that a blessings will always have less restrictions than a spell with the same effect, so he might not need to even use hand signs or incantations. He can just “will” that something is negated and it is… It’s probably best for Jin to handle Domushi then. If anyone can find a way to break through that blessing it’d be him. Thought Kanashi. “Akatora, I noticed your fire is incredibly hot, way hotter than any flame I can conjure so how does it work exactly? Is it experience or the amount of Mana you use to create the fire?” He asked turning to Akatora.
“That’s one question I will not answer, your magic is like your asshole, you don’t go showing it to everyone who asks to see it right?”
“...” Kanashi frowned at that analogy, it was the second time he’d heard it after all, the first being from Rebecca when he’d asked something similar.
“But I will say this, if you continue to fight other magic users especially elementalists you’ll notice that some people put all their energy into a single element rather than multiple. For someone like you who uses multiple elements you’re not particularly powerful in any of them but for someone who focuses solely on one like Earth or maybe even an extension element like Ice their control over that element will be unparalleled by anything you could do.”
“Got it.” Kanashi nodded. Well that basically answered my question then, he’s focused most of his life into [fire] which is why his flames are so strong. My strongest element is probably [Mud] but I’d also like to focus on [Ice] as well since that’d be incredibly useful. But [Rock Riffle] is strong as well so I should put some focus into earth then right? But that kinda removes the less is more sentiment doesn't it… Kanashi sighed with a frown.