Following Kaito's plan, Jake, Yoko, Akane, Carter, and Luna continued running, creating a diversion for Kaito as they led the foot ninjas on a wild goose chase around corners. Exhausted and breathing heavily, they soon found themselves surrounded again by the relentless ninjas, each wielding a katana. The sheer number of enemies was overwhelming. The group stood back-to-back, forming a tight circle so the foot ninjas couldn’t blindside them.
One of the foot ninjas stepped forward, his eyes cold and menacing as he spoke in Japanese with an authoritative tone. "Give us the sword, and we will leave you unharmed," he demanded, his gaze scanning each of them intently.
Yoko, trembling slightly but gathering her courage, stepped forward and replied in Japanese, "We do not have the sword you are talking about. We don’t know what you’re referring to." Her voice was firm, and her words were truthful.
Hearing Yoko’s words, the foot ninjas hesitated, unsure if she was telling the truth. They scrutinized the group closely but found no sign of a sword. Confused, they whispered amongst themselves, unsure of how to proceed. Realizing they wouldn’t find the sword with the group, they decided it was best to report to Hiroshi. Without further confrontation, the ninjas disappeared into the night, leaving the teenagers behind.
Everyone let out a large sigh of relief as Carter remarked, "Phew! Kaito’s plan worked. I’m glad we have him on our side."
"Let's head back home. I hope my dad is alright," Yoko said, the concern for her father evident on her worried face. She remembered leaving her father in a fierce battle with Hiroshi, hoping he hadn’t come to any harm.
Jake placed a reassuring hand on Yoko’s shoulder. "Don’t worry, Yoko! I believe Uncle Kenjiro can handle the cybernetic ninja," he said, trying to lift the group’s spirits. "Let's make our way back now."
The group, relieved they had managed to escape the foot ninjas following Kaito’s clever plan, now had one focus: returning home and ensuring Kenjiro’s safety.
As they reached the familiar, safe confines of Yoko's home, an eerie quietness hung in the air, uncertainty weighing heavily on their minds. The group rushed into the house without hesitation, anxious about Kenjiro's safety.
"Oto-san!" Yoko called out upon entering, her voice echoing through the stillness of the house. The unsettling silence gnawed at her as there was no sign of her father or Hiroshi. The absence of sound felt ominous, as though the house itself was holding its breath.
Jake, Carter, Akane, and Luna quickly joined Yoko in searching every room, scanning for any hint of Kenjiro’s presence. But with each door they opened, with every corner they inspected, they found only empty rooms. The tension thickened as the reality of Kenjiro’s absence began to settle in.
The dining room was a mess, with shattered plates and broken cups strewn across the floor—clear signs of a fierce struggle. The group scanned the room, dread creeping in as they imagined Kenjiro being injured or, worse, abducted by Hiroshi and his ninjas. Yoko’s worry deepened as her eyes darted around the chaotic scene, but then she caught sight of something on the dining table: a note left prominently in the midst of the disarray.
Hurrying over, she picked it up, recognizing her father’s familiar handwriting. “I will be back soon!” it read, the simple message bringing a small wave of relief. Kenjiro had left on his own accord. He wasn’t abducted or harmed, at least not yet. Yoko’s troubled expression softened, but the worry still lingered beneath the surface.
Jake and the others gathered around as Yoko showed them the note. "Oto-san left this behind. I recognize his handwriting," Yoko said, her voice quiet but tinged with relief.
Jake placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure Uncle Kenjiro will be fine. He’s strong and smart. He can handle himself."
Carter chimed in, giving Yoko a supportive nod. "Yeah, your dad’s tough. Don’t worry too much, Yoko." Akane, silently agreeing, nodded as well. Though still concerned, Yoko took a deep breath and nodded along with her friends, trying to focus on their words of reassurance.
"Let's clean up the dining room first and then get some rest," Jake suggested, taking a pragmatic approach. "Tomorrow, we're meeting Kaito at school. I’m sure Uncle Kenjiro will be back in no time. Let's get some sleep and regain our strength." The group nodded in agreement and began tidying up the dining room, working together to restore the space to its original state. Their teamwork made the task quicker, bringing a sense of order back to the house after the earlier chaos.
Once the room was cleaned, they dispersed to their sleeping arrangements. Just before Yoko entered her room, Jake noticed the lingering worry on her face. "Yoko, don’t worry too much," Jake said, trying to reassure her. "Let’s see what we can do tomorrow after meeting Kaito. If Uncle Kenjiro isn’t back, I’m sure we can rely on Kaito's help. With his intelligence, we’ll find your dad in no time."
Yoko, grateful for Jake’s comforting words, gave him a small, appreciative smile. "Agreed," she replied softly before heading into her room, though she knew deep down it would be a struggle to sleep soundly. Still, she took solace in the idea that Kaito might help if her father wasn’t back by morning.
The group settled into their beds, hoping that Kenjiro would return by the next day and prepared to retrieve the Sword of Flames from Kaito at school, ready to face whatever awaited them.
As tension hung heavy in the air, Kenjiro followed Hiroshi to the Yakuza headquarters without restraint, voluntarily walking beside his former comrade. Both men seemed familiar with the building's path as they navigated through the 10-story structure with ease. What struck Kenjiro as peculiar was how the Yakuza henchmen they passed all greeted both Hiroshi and himself with deep, formal bows. Their voices, tinged with fear and respect, echoed throughout the hallways as they bent at perfect 90-degree angles, saying, "Welcome back, Hiroshi-sama and Kenjiro-sama." Despite the display of respect, both men walked past without any acknowledgment, hinting at Kenjiro's deeper connection to the Yakuza.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/14/Kazuo_portrayed_sitting_in_office.png]
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They stepped into the lift, taking it up to the highest floor. When the elevator doors slid open, they were met with an opulent office that screamed wealth and power. The room was filled with luxurious, expensive furniture, and the walls were lined with artwork that exuded an air of sophistication and menace. At the far end of the office sat a young man in his early 30s, behind a massive, dark mahogany desk. His chair, resembling a throne, added to his aura of command and dominance.
The man wore a perfectly tailored black business suit that enhanced his imposing presence. His right cheek bore a distinct scar, a mark that contrasted sharply with his unnervingly white irises, which gave him an almost otherworldly allure mixed with danger. This was Kazuo Mori, the emperor of the Yakuza empire, the man who sat at the helm of power. His gaze was piercing as he regarded both Kenjiro and Hiroshi, an air of authority radiating from him as if he already anticipated the reason for their arrival.
"Mori-san, how are you?" Kenjiro greeted the younger man formally, acknowledging his superior rank within the organization, revealing the depth of their connection as more than just acquaintances.
Kazuo stared back with his distinct white irises. "Welcome, Kenjiro. How was your business trip?" His tone was sharp, a subtle edge questioning his subordinate's performance.
"Everything went as expected, Mori-san," Kenjiro replied confidently, offering a polite smile. "We managed to reclaim most of the debts and interest. However, some families and businesses requested more time. I've assessed their situations, and I believe their misfortunes are genuine, so I granted them extensions and offered job assistance to ensure they can repay as soon as possible." Kenjro's response revealed that he was, in fact, running the loan-sharking operations for the Yakuza—part of their financial network.
Kazuo placed a hand to his head, signaling his disapproval. "You know I’ve never questioned how you run the loan-sharking arm of Kurokaze-kai, even if it is the least profitable," he began, his words sharp, revealing the name of their Yakuza syndicate. "Operating it like some charity, helping those in need with low interest rates..." His voice, laced with disapproval, took on a sudden, commanding coldness. "But you know why you're here," he continued, his white irises narrowing as his gaze locked with Kenjiro’s, demanding the real reason for this meeting.
Fully aware of what Kazuo was referring to, Kenjiro replied evenly, "I only became aware of the sword's presence in Japan today." He continued, "And as I’ve mentioned before, it’s pointless to seize it by force. The sword chooses its master, not the other way around."
Kazuo placed his hand on his head again, signaling his frustration with Kenjiro’s counsel. "How do you know the sword won’t choose me as its master, until I hold it?" Kazuo countered, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "And letting your daughter and her friends escape with the sword instead of passing it to Hiroshi—that’s deepened my mistrust of you." His gaze was cold, piercing through Kenjiro’s calm.
"I have nothing further to explain," Kenjiro stated firmly, reiterating his belief in the sword’s selective allegiance to its rightful master. At Kazuo’s signal, two Yakuza henchmen approached and restrained Kenjiro, though he offered no resistance. "We’ll see about that when I hold the legendary sword myself," Kazuo declared icily.
Just then, the lift door behind them opened. Kaito Fujimori entered the room, the Sword of Flame sheathed in its scabbard in his hands. Kenjiro’s eyes widened in astonishment and concern as he recognized the iconic weapon. His mind raced—did something happen to his daughter, Jake, and the others?
"How did you come by the Sword of Flame?" Kenjiro exclaimed, his voice filled with worry. "Did you hurt the teenagers to get your hands on it?!"
Kaito met Kenjiro’s frantic gaze with a calm, serious expression. "Don’t worry, Nomura-san," he reassured, "they handed it to me voluntarily. No one was hurt or injured." His words were meant to ease Kenjiro’s mind, but they also revealed that the assistance he had provided earlier—helping Jake safeguard the sword while using the group as a distraction—had all been a calculated plan. Kaito had plotted every move and step to get his hands on the sword, and his strategy had worked.
Kenjiro stopped struggling, his frustration evident as he muttered, "Stupid boy! I reminded him to keep it safe and not let anyone take it from him, and he still does." His voice was laced with exasperation at Jake’s apparent gullibility, as he shook his head at the thought.
Kaito approached with measured steps, the thick tension in Kazuo Mori’s opulent office hanging heavily in the air. Each step he took reflected the weight of his decision, knowing full well the magnitude of the betrayal against the friends who had trusted him. Between his friendship and loyalty to Kurokaze-kai, he had chosen the latter, valuing the leadership role and the benefits that came with being part of the powerful Yakuza organization.
As he neared Kazuo’s imposing desk, Kaito held the Sword of Flame outstretched before him, presenting it with both hands. "This is the Sword of Flame you are looking for, Mori-san," he announced, his voice steady despite the gravity of the moment. "I have brought it to you," he continued, his gesture one of complete fealty to the Yakuza boss.
Kazuo Mori, his sharp eyes glinting with satisfaction, accepted the legendary sword. His hands, accustomed to wielding power, grasped the hilt with confidence. He studied the scabbard, his anticipation noticeable as he slowly drew the blade. He expected to witness the legendary flames that would signify the sword's true master.
But as the blade slid from its sheath, the room remained eerily unchanged. No mystical fire. No display of supernatural power. The Sword of Flame was revealed as nothing more than a polished, elegant piece of steel. Beautiful, but ordinary—its legendary power absent, leaving the room starkly illuminated by nothing more than the artificial light overhead.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d2/Kenjiro_Nomura_laughing_aloud.png]
"HAHAHAHA! I told you, the sword chooses its owner, and you refused to believe me, HAHAHAHA!" Kenjiro's raucous laughter shattered the silence, drawing everyone's attention to him. Still bound by the Yakuza henchmen, he found Kazuo's stunned reaction amusing, unable to suppress his glee at seeing the legendary sword appear as nothing more than an ordinary blade in Kazuo's hands.
"Silence! How dare you laugh at Mori-san!" Hiroshi snapped, visibly angered by Kenjiro’s mockery. Without hesitation, he delivered a powerful blow to Kenjiro's stomach with his mechanized hand, a strike fueled by both fury and enhanced cybernetics. Kenjiro's laughter was abruptly silenced as the air was forced from his lungs. He doubled over, the pain overwhelming him, before slumping unconscious in the grip of the henchmen.
"Lock this unloyal betrayer up!" Hiroshi commanded crisply, and the Yakuza henchmen followed his orders, dragging the unconscious Kenjiro toward the lift to imprison him elsewhere in the building.
Kazuo, though clearly displeased, kept his composure. His expression remained cold and calculating as he contemplated the dormant sword in his hands. There was no doubt it was the Sword of Flame, yet it did not respond to him. His mind churned through potential solutions, already formulating his next moves to overcome this unforeseen obstacle.
"If the sword doesn’t recognize me as its master now, I will make it recognize me later," he vowed, his voice low and filled with quiet menace. His eyes gleamed with determination, hinting at the manipulations and schemes he would soon unleash to unlock the sword's power.
Kaito, standing off to the side, remained silent. Though he had played his part, his expression was clouded with doubt, uncertain whether his loyalty to Kurokaze-kai had been the right choice. The weight of his actions lingered heavily on him, regret and conflict written across his face.