"1997 and 1998 were two horrible years. The Craddle and Flood of Blood incidents. A few good things happened as well. I found Basil and hired a bunch of people."
XXX
Italy
Massimo drowned in February. His bloated body was found off the coast of Malta.
The underworld didn't do coincidences. It had only been two years since Frederico's death.
Someone was subtly killing off people. Either because they were Nono's sons or...they were Decimo candidates.
The skeptical and cocky criminals scoffed at the theories. But Iemitsu was the head of a mafia intelligence group. Paranoia was a spy's best friend.
So, he looked into them. Because the possibility of conspiracy always existed.
By doing this, he heard of Xanxus's adoption and the rumbles of a possible coup by Nono's fourth son.
The Cradle incident happened-Xanxus attempted the coup.
Iemitsu hurried to the Vongola Mansion. His troops had already been dispatched to help Nono's forces.
Nono was leaning on his staff and crying, tears streaming down his face. In front of him, his son, Xanxus, was sheathed in a block of ice.
XXX
The upper echelon was fractured. Half openly supported Nono, as he was still Boss regardless of age. Some silently, surreptitiously supported Xanxus, the young spitfire assassin. The rest shut their mouths, watched the others, and let the chips fall where they would.
This split continued for over a decade.
XXX
Lal Mirch had left COMSUBIN.On therecommendation of Reborn, Lal decided to try Iemitsu.This is why she brokeinto CEDEF HQ. However her presence was expected-Reborn had told Iemitsu about her beforehand.
"How would you describe yourself in one word," Iemitsu joked, as if this was an interview. And in a sense, it was. Except instead of the employer being the one interviewing, the interrogation was mutual.
Lal pressed the cold barrel of a gun to Iemitsu's forehead. "Hired."
Iemitsu grinned. "Ah. Why's that?"
Lal Mirch glared at the man. Usually the people she threatened had at least the slightest trace of fear on their faces. But, Iemitsu seemed to have none. She didn't notice the Sky Flames that slipped up the underside of her pistol. Lal blinked slowly as a warm feeling invaded her stomach and her arm drooped lower.
Iemitsu ripped the gun out of her hand and pointed it at her head.
She pushed away the warmth, snapped back into focus, and noticed her predicament. Lal Mirch stiffened.
"You're a great soldier and instructor. And a d*mn good shot from what I hear," Iemitsu complimented with a small smile. His voice hardened, "But the CEDEF is full of spies. We play by the rules of espionage."
"Yes sir," Lal Mirch curtly replied. She readied to reach for her knife if she got the chance.
A bright grin spread across Iemitsu's face. "So, how fast do you think you can learn them?" He set the gun on his desk and pushed it over to her.
Lal Mirch smirked and gave a nod. "It shouldn't take me long," she promised.
XXX
The Flood of Blood incident led to twelve CEDEF agents dead.
Iemitsu arrived at the scene. There was a thin pool of blood that spread out. With a small wince, he stepped into the large puddle and walked towards the doors in order to get a closer look.
The elevator doors were partially opened. Iemitsu stared. The floor of the elevator floor was coated in corpses and a thick layer of still wet blood. The bodies were unrecognizable, covered in red liquid and many of their faces turned away from him.
The cleaners would be here in a few hours. They would be done with the mess before dawn. Iemitsu didn't know how someone would be able to stomach something like this on a regular basis. But perhaps he was wrong, the memories of Iemitsu's own serial killings had faded over time.
"List of the dead?" Iemitsu asked.
Oregano flipped through the pages in her clipboard. She found what she was looking for and listed off their codenames.
Many of them were well known and much missed. Marjoram was head of security and his former handler, he had led the team. Cayenne was a senior agent. Cinnamon was a brilliant instructor. Salt had a wife and three adorable, bright kids. Pepper always had a joke on hand. Dill was great at disguises...
Iemitsu turned away from the sight. "Do we have any idea who did this yet?" He asked.
"It's Thyme's Forensics team's top priority. And another two teams are looking into Mr. Kozato," Oregano calmly answered. Her tone was steady but her hands gave a slight tremble. She had been dating Pepper for a few weeks and had worked with him before that. The reason Iemitsu didn't ask her sit down or take a breather is that her eyes-framed by her thin antique silver glasses-were full of determination.
"Good," Iemitsu replied.
XXX
People didn't trust Iemitsu about the Kozato family's deaths. Honestly, Iemitsu didn't blame them for that skepticism.
Fortunately, Nono sided with him and declared the case unsolved.
XXX
Japan
Iemitsu went to Japan for a visit. He broke down, drank, and then passed out in the living room.
Nana woke him up after she put Tsuna to bed. She held him in her arms as he sobbed and told her what was wrong.
"It's all just been...messed up. More messed up than usual. There was an attempted coup by one of Nono's sons. Twelve of my coworkers died in a blood bath. And one was...was Marjoram, my...my former handler, he looked out for me for years..."
Nana just held him tighter and whispered reassurances.
The next morning, Iemitsu was better. The half-circles under his eyes were darker, butthe smile was less forced.
XXX
'With the recent bloodbath, new flame users are needed.' That was the thought Iemitsu had in Brazil, a woman pointing a gun at him. It was a situation somewhat similar to Lal Mirch's 'interview'.
Iemitsu had come here because some unknown group had been interfering with the operations of Vongola's Brazilian branch.
"So, who has been paying you to steal Vongola shipments?" The question rolled off Iemitsu's in Portuguese without too much trouble.
"Who are you?" The woman barked in reply. Her hands didn't shake at all as she held the gun, she was used to it and all too willing to shoot.
"Vongola CEDEF," Iemitsu cheerfully announced. "I assume you're the informant?"
She lowered the gun slightly, pointing it at Iemitsu's heart instead of his head. "Code word?"
Iemitsu nodded slightly. "The rule of thoughts..."
"...Has been broken," the woman finished.
"A pleasure to meet you."
The Brazilian woman joined the CEDEF after the raid of the perpetrators was successful. Paprika, as she came to be known was very blunt. She excelled at sleight of hand and was an adequate Mist Flame user.
Within a few months, she had gathered two Mist apprentices, Cumin and Parsley.
XXX
Japan
He was back in Japan for business. This time he was cleaning up a large syndicate, aided by Ryuusaki Hibari. Lal Mirch was holding down the fort in Italy.
The bait of an 'unaware enemy Yakuza group' worked well.
Blood had soaked his right sleeve and splattered onto his neck. There were likely bits of gore stuck on the bottom of his shoes. He looked at Mr. Hibari out of the corner of his eye."Are you you looking for a Sky?" Iemitsu boldy ventured.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because I'm looking for a Cloud," Iemitsu cheerfully replied.
Mr. Hibari studied him for several seconds. His face was neutral, blank, giving no indication to his thoughts or feelings.
Iemitsu refused to fidget or look away, just keeping a smile on his face.
"Fine," Mr. Hibari curtly agreed. He was already allied to and had to work with the man. This would give the two of them leverage over each other, and allow more trust to foster. Besides, he could do worse for a Sky then the sly CEDEF leader.
XXX
Italy
There was a blond child holding a knife. His hands were unsteady and his stance was terrible.
"So, why the knife, kid?" Iemitsu asked with a grin.
"Give me your money," the kid demanded.
Iemitsu shifted slightly and posed a question, "What if I don't?"
In response, the kid's lips tightened and he slashed at Iemitsu.
Iemitsu took a step back, grabbed the kid's exposed shoulder, and easily forced the kid to the ground. He tugged the knife out of the kid's hand and threw it several feet down the alley. A metallic clank was heard as it hit the dark wet stones.
"Do you have someone who you give your money to?" Iemitsu cheerfully questioned. He felt the kid's shoulders hike up defensively. "I'm guessing that's a yes. Do they treat you well, or no?"
The kid shook his head slightly.
"That a no, they do not treat me well?"
The kid nodded.
Iemitsu had a good gut feeling about this kid. An orphan, not very strong, but fast even while half-starved. "Would you like to join my group instead? Become my protege? You'd be treated well."
The kid shook his head, desperately."They would come for me. They'll find me."
Behind the kid's back, Iemitsu's grin darkened slightly. There was likely an assumption he was small fry compared to whatever mafia group was using this kid. "All that means is that I'd have to pay them a visit." His tone brightened even further, "So, yes or no?"
At the nod, Iemitsu let go of the kid and took a step back.
"Perfect. Your codename is...Basil. That sound fine?"
"Yes, sir," the kid softly agreed. Blue eyes, blond hair, and clothes that needed to be cleaned very well...or burned.
"Welcome to the CEDEF, Basil. I'm Iemitsu Sawada, the head and Vongola Nono's Outside Advisor." Iemitsu's grin almost curled into a smirk at the shocked look on Basil's face.
