The Jeep's engine sputtered and died as its battered wheels rolled into a vacant parking space. The warmth of the morning sun had long passed into a cool afternoon by the time the group had reached the distant city. The mountainous pass had given way to a maze of tight streets and bustling alleys confusing any who would try to navigate it.
“Well. it's dead. Great.” Ava kicked at the tyre of the vehicle as she slammed its heavy metal door. A crowd of onlookers gathered as Sebastian and Kazama climbed out of the vehicle. With a loud black smoke filled bang the Jeep let out the last of its life through its tailpipe. A sea of confused faces looked upon the group in their unusual attire.
Sebastian looked first down at himself and then the others. Their torn grey jumpsuits stood out like a beacon in the sea of men and women dressed in business attire. Through the sea of confused faces Kazama eyed three men in expensive suits observing the commotion from the edge of an alleyway.
Parting the crowd Kazama walked calmly towards the alley with Sebastian and Ava in tow. The three men spoke amongst each other and walked away into the alley. Resolute in his pursuit, Kazama followed them further. “Hey where are we going? Shouldn't we be…..?” Kazama held a hand in the air as he calmly stopped.
The three men from before emerged behind the group. A further three entered the alley from its end. “Good afternoon gentlemen.” Kazama calmly spoke as he walked towards the men arms outstretched. “Jibun-tachi no kotoba o hanasu” the man at the centre of the three in front spoke as he pointed an accusing finger.
“For the sake of my friends I ask that you speak English. To leave them out of our conversation would be very rude.” Kazama smiled as he gestured towards Ava and Sebastian. “Those Gaijin should speak Nihongo.” the man spat back as he puffed out his chest. Kazama narrowed his eyes as he took a step towards the man.
“Alas my friend they do not. Let us converse with decorum less you draw my ire boy. You know not to whom you speak." Kazama took another step as the man scoffed and let out a small chuckle. “I am Kazama Sato.” the men all stepped back with fear as Kazama spoke. Flustered, they all immediately bowed in unison.
“Please accept our sincerest apologies Sato senpai. We are young and ignorant and did not mean to offend you or your compatriots. Please forgive us for this transgression!” Sebastian cracked a smile at the power only a name held over these men. “We are in need of lodgings and clothing. Please. Take us to the oyabun. Tell him that the Raijin of Hiroshima wishes to speak with him.”
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The group were led to a large blacked out limousine and hurried quickly inside. The men smiled through their fear as they courteously wished the group a safe journey. Leaning back into the soft leather seats Sebastian felt a relief he had not felt since the warm bed of his home. His tense back relaxed as he exhaled deeply. Ava followed suit lying down and allowing her tense muscles to relax.
Kazama reached into a cooler as he pulled himself out an ice cold beer and flipped the cap off with his thumb. He exhaled satisfied as his parched lips were met with frigid refreshment. Opening two more he passed them to Sebastian and Ava. “In a life as long as mine it would be unacceptable to not command some respect. My survival of the great tragedy of Hiroshima afforded me a title amongst my kin”
“The Raijin of Hiroshima, what is that?” Sebastian asked as he took a sip from the bottle. Its ice cold liquid catching him off guard as it touched his chapped lips. “With your skills my friend i'm sure you already know.” Kazama leaned back in his seat as Ava rose from hers “you’re yakuza? Pretty high ranking I'm guessing. Your title that's the uhhhhh god of thunder and lightning in Shinto right?”
“Very good Ava-san. The story of my survival of the atomic bomb bought great acclaim. Only the god of thunder could survive fire from the sky.” Kazamas eyes fell on Sebastian who looked conflicted. “So you’re a criminal?” Kazama placed down his drink and leaned forward. “That is a matter of perspective Detective O’Brian”
“When the Fukushima power plant was damaged a group of fifty men put aside their own lives to contain the radiation. Many of these men were Yakuza. When the government would not send in supplies. The Yakuza bought food and materials. You call us criminals detective but we are the first to help whilst the politicians deliberate and bicker”
Ava took a large swig from her bottle and let loose a large exhale after “so now that things are all good and tense how bout i interject. We need to find Zero. Do you think your yakuza friends can help with that?” The two men relaxed as their thoughts returned to their common goal. “Eyes and ears everywhere. We have men at Nextech.”
Sebastian spat out his drink in surprise. “So you're telling me the entire time you had men on the inside of that god forsaken place and not once did you try and get them to spring us?! How in the fuck did you end up in there anyway if you fucking knew about them?!” Kazama raised an open palm to Sebastian.
“I knew of their facility. I did not know the nature of their work. Only that they had an interest in me. When they came I went willingly. I had to know their plans. I am sorry for the hardship you both went through. So little is my fear of death that I forgot its hold on others.” he bowed his head in a plea for forgiveness.
“Carlos and Thomas are dead. You could have taken action to free them. You could have taken action to stop the things they did to us. Instead you sat back and watched just to see what would happen? In your years have you grown so distant that you see others as nothing? What are we to you rats in a maze? They took her fucking womb!” Sebastian gestured towards Ava.
“How did you? I tried to hide that. I knew it had happened but I never said. How did you know?” Ava held her stomach. “My wife had a hysterectomy. Ovarian cancer. Had to have the whole thing out. They discovered it when she went in for her twelve week scan. We had to abort the baby so she could get the surgery. I recognised the pattern of scars on your stomach. I'm sorry.”
“Seb, I'm sorry. Look we will get you home to your wif…” Ava leaned towards him as he interrupted her. “She's dead. When Nextech grabbed me it was because I was shot. Same shooter put two rounds in the skull of my wife.” Sebastian emptied the last of his bottle into his open mouth as he lay down across the seats. An uncomfortable silence filled the air as the limousine accelerated onto the highway.