Yu and Isamu stepped down from the Narukami Communications company jet, the Totsuka Blade still prominent on Yu's hip. A young man who looked to be very close to Yu's own age was waiting for them with menacing eyes that sent a shiver down Yu's spine. That glare... He looks like he's ready to kill. Could this be Yanagi?!
The heir's fears were put to rest as the other youth asked, "Narukami-san, right? I'm Ryuuji Takasu. And yes, I know I look like a thug, no need to point it out. Anyway, you wanted to talk about Taiga and Shirogane-san?"
Relaxing a bit, Yu nodded. "Yes. Do you know anything, Takasu-san?" He was tense despite his best efforts to relax; Ryuuji looked like he was about to kill someone.
"Apparently Yanagi's keeping them in the Ashiya Zaibatsu warehouse here in Nagoya. Only the older brother is there right now; the younger one is stalling his return to make things easier on us. I'm assuming that sword's not just for show?" Ryuuji's voice was low and as menacing as he glare, but at least Yu was assured that they were definitely allies.
Nodding, the young swordsman placed a hand on the blade's hilt. "The Ashiya warehouse, huh? Makes sense, since Kagetsune Ashiya's the one who paid for Naoto and Aisaka-san's kidnappings. I talked with Ashiya-san's cousin and he gave out some info, plus your number." Tucking the Totsuka Blade under his long coat, Yu glanced back at his father and asked, "Dad, do you know where the Ashiya warehouse is?"
Isamu nodded once and began walking away, calling back to them, "Follow me. I know Nagoya well – it is my hometown, after all." With the Narukami patriarch in the lead, the rescue party set off for the location of the kidnapped girls.
"Mmmph…" Naoto took a deep breath through her nose, having gotten used to breathing that way after having her mouth taped shut for so long. Glancing to the side, she saw Taiga slumped in the chair she was tied to, similarly gagged and looking incredibly despondent.
Meanwhile, Naoya Yanagi paced in front of them with a cornered expression. "I've got a bad feeling… Ashiya's not gonna be here for another two days and I'm getting a chill down my spine. I swear, if you two manage to cause me grief even tied up like that…" He muttered darkly, not even seeming to actually address his captives. His usual composure was fraying fast.
A loud crash sounded from the direction of the door, causing Naoya to jump slightly. "Oh, who in the fu- Aw, dammit!" He reached into his coat as he saw three figures approaching, one of them kicking crates and chairs out of the way.
"Yanagi, I take it?" The silver-haired young man asked, drawing a katana from inside his long black coat. "You've got some explaining to do and prayers to say."
The crash caused both girls to look toward the intruders, and the sight caused both of them to go wide-eyed in shock. Taiga let out a squeal from behind the tape covering her mouth as she met her love's eyes.
Ryuuji looked shocked to see Taiga, just for a moment, before clenching his fists. "Yanagi, you're a dead man. Guess you should be honored that you're the one person I've ever met that I want to beat to a bloody pulp!" The normally peaceful young man cracked his knuckles, glaring daggers at his hated enemy.
"Ugh, just my luck… My intuition is never wrong, but it always comes too late to change anything." Naoya withdrew two knives from within his coat, holding them in an expert fashion. "I can't let you kill me. Ashiya won't be happy, but if I have to, I'll kill these two." Stepping backward and standing between the two girls, he held a knife to each of their throats as his expression grew even more desperate.
Yu clutched the Totsuka Blade tightly as he growled, "Put the knives down, you scum. We won't have to kill you if you give up now."
"Shut up!" Naoya tightened his grip on the knife handles, pressing the edges against his captives' throats. "Make a move, even a twitch, and I'll kill them both!"
A chilling smirk touched Isamu's lips as he commented, "Your hands are shaking, Yanagi. You know very well you can't win, and you know that Yu and Takasu-san will rip you limb from limb if you hurt Naoto-chan or Aisaka-san. Save everyone some grief and headache and give it up." The older man fixed his best piercing stare on the hapless yakuza heir, his very presence intimidating. The Dragon of Nagoya had risen again.
"N-No…" Naoya's hands trembled even more, the edges of his knives lightly scratching Naoto's and Taiga's throats. "I have to do this and restore the Yanagi family's power… I have to make the underworld respect us again! I can't let you interfere- Ugh!" Both knives fell from his grasp and clattered to the floor as a pair of knives pierced his elbow joints. Isamu drew his hands back from their throwing position.
Walking up to the injured yakuza, Yu and Ryuuji glared at him and saw the terror in Naoya's eyes. With a nod to one another, they simultaneously punched him in the face before carefully untying their respective lovers and gently removing the tape from their mouths.
"R-Ryuuji!" Taiga wrapped her arms around her fierce-eyed fiancé, tears streaming from her own eyes. "I-I'm so happy to see you again… I never thought you'd find us!"
Naoto stood shakily, nearly falling after not being allowed to stand for so long. Yu caught her and cradled her in his arms, looking down at her pale face. "What have they done to you? Naoto… I'm sorry I'm late." Sweeping the girl detective into his arms in a princess carry, he met her eyes with a concerned look.
"I'll be fine… Aisaka-san and I just need some food and some time to get used to walking again. We haven't done either in two days." Naoto smiled weakly at her beloved. "I was so scared. Thank you for not giving up on us. Thank you…"
Ryuuji was carrying Taiga in a similar fashion as the two heroes headed for the door. "I'll make your favorite, Taiga – pork cutlet. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?" The tiny girl nodded before closing her eyes, worrying Yu, Naoto and Isamu for a moment. "It's alright, this has happened before. Taiga's known to pass out if she gets too hungry."
"W-Wait…" Naoya's weak voice sounded from behind them as he struggled onto his knees, his arms still crippled. "What about me? What am I to do now?" His violet eyes were filled with terror as he watched his victorious foes leaving.
Letting his son and Ryuuji leave first, Isamu gave Naoya a parting shot as he turned away himself. "We'll let the police deal with you. We'll tip them off about Ashiya-san too; this sick game's over." The corporate mogul stepped away after the younger men, leaving Naoya alone.