Kento showed his friends the key after dealing with the dead Yamabushi.

Yamazaki and the rest of the group were puzzled, unable to come up with anything. “Is that a key?” Kyuzo, who had been silent throughout most parts of the journey asked.

The rest waited for Kumiko’s explanation.

“We also think it’s a key. I’ve never seen anything quite like it, and frankly, I'm quite confident that no one has ever seen one of these. This strange-looking shape is actually very intriguing.”

“How can one make something like this? It looks so finely detailed and this square-looking thingy…ugh. Just looking at it makes my head dizzy,” Yamazaki said.

“Yes, and the engraving of these ancient kanji characters and this image of the Jorogumo reveal something quite interesting…”

“That this key belongs to some ancient organization,” Kento finished Kumiko’s sentence.

“Well, if this organization you say is real, it has to be somewhere near here,” Kyuzo said.

“Really? An evil organization in a market selling fresh produce. Kyuzo, the only thing that's evil here are the rotten vegetables and that reeking sewer,” Yamazaki replied.

“Don't be ridiculous, you just can't think this through, can you? It’s just simple logic. We have never seen a relic this rare. Then it has to do something with this place. Keep your jokes inside that brain which smells almost like that sewer,” Kyuzo lashed out.

“Oh yeah, why don’t you take that sewer and shove it up your..”

“Guys! Really! We’ve got enough problems right now. We either go big or go home. So just hold on to your personal matters for the next few hours,” Kento said.

They both felt really bad for acting so immaturely.

“Now, come on, we have to move out and find out what this thing is. This could lead us to something related to the Kōgas.”

“I say we all split and cover the entire area,” Yamazaki suggested. They all agreed and they divided to find some clues about the key. After covering the entire zone they gathered once more to share what they had found.

“Found anything?” Kumiko asked everybody. They all shook their heads.

“Kento, it’s quite pointless trying to find some clues about something so obscure and peculiar in a place we have no idea about.”

“I agree. Were there any people around? Some merchants perhaps?” Kento inquired.

“No,” Kumiko said. “But there were some yakuza gang members by the alley near that Izakaya. Ugh…even thinking about them makes me sick.”

“They are actually drug dealers,” Kento said, as he was reminded of what one of his friends in Iga had said. “This place is run by these drug dealers who scare innocent vendors and steal their goods.”

“What difference does this make? I don’t think talking to them is the smartest move we can make. Besides, Kento-kun, I don’t think this will give us any substantial information. We are wasting the precious hours we have left to retrieve the stones. We can hand it over to Akio as soon as we complete our primary objective,” Kumiko said trying to change Kento’s mind.

Despite Kumiko’s efforts to deviate Kento from this task, Kento thought otherwise. He was done leaving the jobs to his seniors. He wanted to know all the intel they could possibly find regarding this plan the Yamabushi had spoken about.

“Come on guys, our map is barely functioning and it’s no use until we decode this. Besides, finding what this key leads to could uncover a lot about the Kōgas. Some information is not even known by our intelligence of the council. Plus, this could help us in the journey. Please, help me find this. This is your team leader making the most humble request from all of you.”

The team were no strangers to Kento’s killer instincts and his ability to see things through with absolute clarity, all thanks to his spot-on intuition. So they all agreed.

“So guys, I will do the talking, you guys follow my lead and stay vigilant. And Isoko and Nakamura, you both wait outside and search the perimeter while we gather information. Please try not to draw any attention, especially from the shogunate officials. Those guys will try to storm the place if they were to find out that there are yakuza members responsible for illegal drugs smuggled through the port of Nagasaki.”

“Got it,” They both agreed.

This time they went slowly trying hard not to attract any unwanted attention. They had to stop by to ask a few bystanders. But the only answer they gave was a name. The name of an unknown person, but still the name had some familiarity. The name was “Morimichi Hayashi.”

“I think it’s the name of their boss. Their role model. The leader of their yakuza.” The Izakaya was said to be where their leader stayed surrounded by Bōryokudan's infamous drug addicts. The ninjas finally got to see this man by the name of Hayashi. But to their surprise, they were met with an overweight drunk intoxicating himself with sake as people scrambled to get his attention and borrow his money.

“That’s Hayashi. How are we going to get his attention? If we walk right in, we might be crushed by this drunken mob. We really didn’t think this through,” Yamazaki said anxiously.

Just as Kento was about to get lost in his mind trying to find a way to talk to this man, he felt something slip into his pouch stuffed with rations, money, the tourmaline and the weirdly shaped key. His instincts naturally took control of his body and slashed his right hand towards the man, who had his hands rummaging through Kento’s pouch and sent him flying. He hit a wall in the bar which broke into pieces. Kento’s eyes were fixed on the prone figure.

“A pickpocket,” he thought. At least he used to be. And in an instant, an entire crowd was gazing at the group with unflinching eyes. Hayashi was staring at a group of ninjas, battle-ready. He glanced once more and laughed. His laugh resonated through the room and immediately the eyes were back on Hayashi, a person venerated as a generous deity, for his money and drugs. He summoned the ninjas with one simple hand gesture implying for them to come forward. Kento bravely led his fellows up to the stage where Hayashi was sitting on a throne.

“Is there any reason why you meddling kids rush and make such a scene in my peaceful haven,” He said calmly, his shallow tone rumbling against the wooden floor.

“We have some questions to ask you,” Kumiko began.

“No sweetheart, your boyfriend did not end up here. Oh, if he did, he might be over there.”

He pointed to a corner where a pile of bodies lay motionless. And something told Kumiko that they were far too dead to be drunk.

“But certainly, a boy couldn’t possibly afford to lose a stunning beauty like you,” Hayashi continued, sizing her up. The crowd began with unbearable oohs and aahs and the boos.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“Hey!” Kento did not like when somebody said things about Kumiko. Especially when that somebody looked like an aged drunk.

“And oh… here is the lover boy. What amazing story do you have to tell? My lips are sealed. You kids can do whatever you want, I don’t know what these folks are into these days but, I will give a good word if your mommy comes searching for you.” The room erupted with laughter.

“Look man, we are on a serious time crunch and we need some cooperation,” Kyuzo said.

“I just love the negotiations. Care to try our latest products; we import them from somewhere close to India. This is some strong stuff. This is what you young people need. Don’t worry I got you,” he said.

“Okay you old punk, listen up,” Yamazaki took his dagger out and Hayashi immediately flinched. But in response to Yamazaki’s threat, a dozen men drew out their weapons. Yamazaki took the dagger, stabbed it on the wooden desk and drew the symbol on the key, the Penrose diagram. Instantly Hayashi’s dominant eyes clouded with anxiety.

“You have any idea what this is?” Kento asked.

“I do.”

“Then speak up.”

Hayashi grunted. Then he smiled and said, “Or what? You are outnumbered kid. Don’t even think of doing something stupid because this isn't gonna end pretty.”

“The only thing that’s not gonna end pretty is your face. You are going to answer our questions correctly and here’s why. If you don’t, you are probably going to have to say bye-bye to this rugged clubhouse-looking bar because we are going to blow this place to bits,” said Kyuzo, pointing his kusarigama scythe at the drunk.

The man noticed the engraving of the Iga clan’s flag on Yamazaki’s dagger and said…

“You damn Igas are always up to no good. Fine, I will give you some information. Anything for a price,” the man’s eyes twinkled.

“Oh heavens, you are so unbearable. Spare your greed for one second,” Kyuzo stepped in.

“Really? Well, young man. I gladly will.”

“Phew…”

“If that girl decides to satisfy my needs.”

“WHAAT???” Kento blasted into words after giving ears to Hayashi’s request, leaving him flabbergasted. Instantly memories began to flood his mind, reminding him about Kumiko’s dark past before she turned into a teen ninja. He immediately looked into Kumiko’s face and puffed with hesitation.

"Please…don’t. Kumiko."

“Wait,” Kumiko said, “Unless…”

As Kumiko loosened her grip on her weapon, Hayashi promptly lifted his hand to command his minions to bring her into him. Kento grabbed hold of Kumiko’s katana before it touched the ground and watched his comrade accompany Hayashi without a blink.

“Come closer dear…”

Without a second thought, Hayashi pulled Kumiko close with her arm. Her face reacted to the action with a blush, which only intensified as Hayashi proceeded to act somewhat indecently with her. The blush hit its peak with a beet-red face when Hayashi sent his face across Kumiko’s chest, attempting to let her scent pass through his hairy nostrils.

“Oh yes, I like her. I like her very much! Everything about her seems so perfect that I feel like this Izakaya was destined to be lit with this young woman’s presence.”

Kumiko attempted to be almost motionless when she was subjected to Hayashi’s erotic moves. Yet she couldn’t do anything to prevent the natural bodily reactions to such acts of indecency. She began to sweat, which only enhanced the fragrance that filled the filthy mind of Hayashi. His vision was subsequently clouded with an image of an aroused courtesan, allowing Kumiko to be one step closer to the objective.

"I just can’t keep up with this horny moron! But I can’t afford to lose all progress to just a few words. I must play along. Oh Kento, PLEASE FORGIVE ME!!!"

She started to sound really flirty all of a sudden. Kento was not prepared for this. She then began to rouse the old geezer with promises that she would stay forever with him if he could give her some information. She suddenly stood beside him and Morimichi said,

“Very reasonable. She will stay with me as she promised. Won’t you sweetheart?“

“In your dreams, you drunk moron,” Kento thought to himself.

But still had that deathly stare in his eyes. Kumiko directed her gaze from Hayashi and looked into Kento’s eyes. Her eyes meant only one thing…

“KENTO-KUN PLEASE! JUST PLAY ALONG!”

“Yes I will…” Kumiko said in the most sugary voice she could come up with.

“Ok now let’s get to business. Do you kids have any idea what this area is called?” Hayashi asked.

“Well, this is the downtown marketplace of Kyoto.” Kento immediately replied.

“Well, that’s where you are wrong, junior. That’s what the Bakufu called it. Back in the day, this was a black market. An illegal trade point where people traded valuables brought by the Europeans and other Asians. More precisely, ivory. We used to rule the streets. Before the wars settled, we used to earn fortunes within a matter of minutes. Even the high-end individuals and security officers paid a visit once or twice to buy the goods and of course wine and drugs. After a while, some gibberish related to some stuff connected to gods, ghosts and demons started to rise. I don’t believe a word of it but hear me out. I can validate all of this information because it’s something I have witnessed first-hand. Soon after the story of the gods, a strange group of people showed up once or twice every month. They came around the public square just around dusk and disappeared in a moment. These people belonged to a certain weird cult or group. They terrorised the city, killing random people on the streets by calling them blood traitors. Their primary objective was to cause disruption and conflict. I don’t know. And that square is their symbol. Their sign not only proves that but also how mysterious, uncanny and unforgiving these people were. And guess what, one of their meeting points is said to be right around this market. But I have nothing to prove the validity of the things I said, nobody has. They vanished from society just as quickly as they came in. Some say that it must have been due to the strict laws of the Tokugawa Bakufu. Well, I am currently not in the state of mind where I can explain its true value. Good luck on your journey; you are going to need it.”

He took Kumiko’s hand and said “All this commotion has got me a headache, so be a good darling and give me a head massage.”

Kumiko wanted to resist, but she had to do it, so she slowly started to rub the man’s thick greasy hair.

“Can’t have a headache if you don’t have a head.”

“What!! Wait no-”

Kumiko twisted his head and the man fell. This sudden act of aggression agitated the minions of the Izakaya to gang up on Kumiko for vengeance. But to their surprise, he was still alive. Spitting out white foam the man screamed at the top of his lungs,

“Forgive me…forgive me…Please I have nothing left, don’t leave me. He is here, the Spider, he is going to kill us all!!!” he screamed and lay motionless.

“This man...,” Kumiko said in disgust. Kento and the rest were shocked by how she knocked the man senseless. But they were more surprised by the final words of Hayashi. Kumiko then casually walked through the crowd to join her team to set off to find the hidden lair of the syndicate with the new information they had.

“If there is one thing that I can agree on with Hayashi, it is that all this commotion is giving me a splitting headache,” Kyuzo complained while they were treading back to the town square.

“Don’t tell me to give you a massage too. It won’t end well for you too,” Kumiko teased with a smile. Kento realised that he was also getting a headache due to the scorching heat.

Kumiko took Kento's pouch and found some medicine for Kyuzo and Kento. Yamazaki disappeared to the bushes to answer nature’s call and Kento went to search for a fountain to drink some water and to fill his canteen. His mind was boggled with curiosity and mostly anxiety and self-doubt. He had never been given a task of such seriousness and he had to make every decision count. One resolution he was not particularly satisfied with was to lead his team to find this secret society the Bōryokudan had spoken about. Though Kento was filled with optimism and hope when he suggested it to his team, right now he was considering it quite a foolish thing to do. Kento’s hypothesis or theory suggesting that this syndicate existed was just made upon one huge assumption put forward by a drunk. He was wondering whether Hayashi’s story was true after all. He could have lied just to escape the situation and abduct Kumiko.

Kento finally found a fountain behind a shop. A partially broken down one covered with moss and other plants he failed to recognize. Kento noticed that the small stall now brought down to ruins due to their battle with the Yamabushi, had used to sell knives and various herbs. To his fortune, the fountain came to life and started gurgling water from the top. Just as he took a sip of the sparkling water coming from the broken-down fountain, he felt all his pains wash away. Then he carefully took out his canteen and started to fill it, his mind still running over the day’s happenings. He thought about carrying on the mission instead of investigating the organisation for obvious reasons. He recollected the exact words Hayashi had used, "their meeting point is said to be right around this market". But he thought that it was impossible. After the Sengoku conflict ended years ago, every lair, headquarters and rendezvous point of every organization was blown to dust. It was a part of the Tokugawa Shogunate’s master plan to maintain peace and order. How can one meeting site or lair survive the immense investigations and operations of the Bakufu officials? He thought that he should inform his crew about his doubts and thought about dashing back to the site quickly as the five minutes were almost up.

But just as he finished filling his canteen, the pipe connecting the water fountain broke, spewing out water. Kento immediately lunged to the pipe which was behind the fountain to fix it. He tripped over something and fell. When he fixed the pipe, he got up and checked what he had tripped over. It was an opening. The hairs on Kento’s neck stood up when he realised the hole had a carving of the spider beast, Jorogumo, with demonic, lifeless eyes glancing up at Kento’s. And he was holding a staff with the exact symbol, the eye-dizzying square on the top of it. That was when Kento realised that the tables had turned.