Kill the City!

Five months later, on the outskirts of the Capital

"Tatsumi. You take that one. Sayo we will take this one." Ieyasu signaled as the three hunted two earth dragon danger beasts. Ieyasu then dashed through to slice the tendons of their target dragon giving an opportunity for Sayo leap through it and position herself and directly shoot an arrow on the back of its neck at its vital point killing it. Tatsumi charged at his target dragon head on, it tried to attack him but is not successful then Tatsumi jumped high into the air and landed three fatal blows. "As expected of Tatsumi! Maybe next time we should just leave it to you," complimented Ieyasu, "Of course. They are slow anyway," flattered Tatsumi scratched his head, "Anyway we should head back now. Guys take their left claws as proof." Sayo said to the guys.

They reached their client on the nearby village then they showed the claws as proof they did kill the danger beasts that they were contracted to eliminate. As they collected their reward Tatsumi then commented, "I think we have enough to go to the capital," this suddenly disturbed the merchant who hired them on their recent job. "You kids want go the capital?" asked the merchant, "Of course! That's every countryman's dream!' Tatsumi enthusiastically spouted, "We will make more money to send to our village." Said Sayo, "And to meet hot babes! And make a harem!" Ieyasu very much proud of himself spouted. Sayo punched him in the head and a lump grew from his head, "Idiot." "If you really must then it can't be helped. But be wary. They are things far more dangerous than the danger beasts in the countryside," the merchant said seriously, "What? They are danger beasts in the city too?" Ieyasu asked, "No, the people. Although it may not seem like it but the people there are more dangerous than the danger beasts. Don't be deceived by the seemingly perfect appearance. Soon enough you kids will find out what I'm talking about," warned the merschant. The three looked at each other puzzled, they knew what the Imperial government was capable of but they didn't expect everyone to be the monsters that destroyed their village but again they knew what the Imperial Army was capable of so what the man was saying would make sense. They said their farewells to the merchant and headed towards the Capital. Sayo told the merchant that they were going there to earn money to send to their village but the truth being is that they have no village to send money to return to. Why were they even going apart from what the Village Chief tasked them to do?

"Woah! This is awesome!" they stared in awe as they finally reached the Capital. Streets bustling with activity, tall houses and various shops are around. It's seems like a metropolitan paradise. But they can't but help the feeling they are being stared at by the people around them, "ah more hicks," "as if we don't have enough problems already, they just keep coming," some of the bystanders whispered.

They traveled the city with no real goal in mind. They went to a nearby inn and used some of the money they have previously earned. From there they decided it would be best to look for jobs and decided not to be separated from each other as Ieyasu was terrible at directions, "I perfectly good at directions!" Ieyasu annoyingly complained. Finding work in the city is not an easy task especially at the Capitals current state. As the merchant warned earlier warned it is the most beautiful place and also the ugliest cesspool you'll ever see.

More than a week of searching for a livelihood proved to be fruitless. This drove them to the Capital's underworld. Honing their skills taught to them when they were young. Everyone in their village is taught how to scout and infiltrate well-guarded fortifications. What their clan's lack of strength and firepower they made up for in their masterful swordsmanship and archery, stealth and cunning able to hide their presence partially even entirely for the more experienced clan members. "So will you take the job?" a contractor asked, the three needed money for their everyday expenses and small backbreaking jobs won't do. In a city rotting with poverty was not any different from the countryside so it was survival for the fittest but rather than danger beasts they were competing with their fellow humans. Amon a notorious drug kingpin tasked the three to spy on a rival drug ring known as Yamori. Tatsumi stepped up and answered for his friends, "Yes. We accept. But we expect a down payment and be paid in full within a week," Tatsumi politely demanded, "Hmm. You are brave child, I like that. Very well, here take these," Amon snapped his fingers and a man with a briefcase entered the room and the latter opened the case what inside is packs of white powder, "ten kilos of pure White Angel. More or less twenty thousand gold coins worth. This should cover you services for a week. I hope this is more than enough given our initial agree was only 10,000." Amon offered with a grin. Tatsumi swallowed hard answered, "Yes sir, thank you for your generosity," Tatsumi politely agreed without hesitation in his voice but in the back of his mind he is clearly morally disturbed.

After they left Sayo showed her doubts with the deal,"Tatsumi are you sure we should go through this and more importantly how will we get our money with that? Are we drug dealers now?" Sayo asked with deep concern, "I can practically sell anything and if we sell them in small portions we can get twice the value of what boss Amon-san said but what concerns me is this right?" Ieyasu seconded with concern, "I know what you guys mean but I don't think we have a choice at the moment. It's not like we can say no to him. And this is better than backbreaking work at the mines where we will earn absolutely nothing," Tatsumi reasoned, "But. This still does not seem right..." Sayo looking away, "After this job. We we will try to find something more honorable. But for now this will have to do," Tatsumi held Sayo by her shoulders with a reassuring tone, "as long as we stick together we will be alright." as he nodded his head at Ieyasu who in turn nodded back as a sign of approval.

They did what they were paid for and utilized their skills honed from home. Amon's men gave Tatsumi's team all they know about them, a few photos of Yamori's men, samples of their product and where they usually set up shop. But given Yamori's secretive nature it proved to be a challenge for Tatsumi's group. But nothing was too hard for them. They also found out the Yamori also operated a prostitution ring apart from their drug ring. Tatsumi, Ieyasu and Sayo discussed which area's of the Yamori they would infiltrate. Ieyasu is the one who search who the clients of Yamori were and obtain passwords, samples and most importantly gaining the trust of the dealers. Sayo's we nearly the same as Ieyasu's, she infiltrated the prostitution ring of the Yamori and obtain as much information as she can. Tatsumi's job was to oversee his friends works and map out the pattern of the Yamori in the shadows unfortunately for him Sayo sometimes demands him to swap places with her from time to time forcing him to wear drag.

After a month's work they were able to obtain all the vital information they needed and mapped out the patterns, schedules, basically everything needed to takedown the Yamori. "Well done! As promised here is you reward," Amon complimented he three who has handed him the information to the rival group,"Just as promised. 50,000 gold coins. I hope you will work for me again." he congratulated the three as they accepted the reward. "Say, I will be holding a dinner party some time this week. I was wondering if you would like to come. Don't worry there will no business of any sorts there." Amon offered the three just looked at each other but then Tatsumi answered for them, "Thank you for the offer. We are looking forward to it."

A week later dressed in their finest from the payoff they received by the time they reached Amon's mansion they were struck with awe. His home has a large front garden and a fountain in the middle and the house itself. Apparently apart from Amon's "side business" he also owns several legitamate businesses as well as contacts with the imperial police. "I'm so glad you could make it." Amon greeted his guests he then introduced introduced the three as 'freelance salesmen' who sold a particular brand of expensive soap. The three separated from each other to mingle with the other guests. Sayo then just sat by one of the chairs just killing time. A young blonde girl sat next to her also seemingly bored at the party a few moments later she looked at her and said, "Onee-san you really have beautiful hair." the girl commented, "Oh thanks." Sayo thanked her, "I'm Sayo." she introduced herself, "I'm Aria. Nice to meet you!" Aria replied cheerfully.