Notes:
- Dear Kyuu fans, Kyuuzou will be back after a few chapters. Stay tuned ;-)
- My Kikuchiyo interpretation in this particular fic is more socially aware and well-informed than the canon version. After all, this is AU. ;-)
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The day after Masamune's visit was the first day of the workweek. Katsushiro went to school as usual while the five grown up samurai took City Elevator 5 down to the Metal Workers' Level of the city. From there, they transferred to yet another elevator, the smaller and dirtier City Elevator 21, which would take them yet lower into Ichijou – the untouchables' district inhabited mostly by tanners, undertakers and other people in 'unclean' operations. Ichijou was the lowest level of incorporated Kougakyo but the main route into the city bypassed it and went straight to the third level where the major transportation hubs were located. Few people wanted to go to Ichijou if they didn't have to.
The only city level lower than Ichijou was Iyashi no Sato. This canyon suburb, nominally part of unincorporated Kougakyo, was in practice a self-governing region that paid rather high taxes to Kougakyo City Government in exchange for its autonomy.
"Ichijou may have fared better if it followed Iyashi no Sato's example of self-governance," Kanbei thought, glancing around the elevator whose floor was half covered with trash. "But Ichijou doesn't have what Iyashi no Sato has – a robust economy and well-filled district coffers."
Smiling Heihachi spoke up, as if reading the old samurai's thoughts. "Another no-pay job, eh? Kanbei-sama, looks like we attract a lot of those. Ever worry about your retirement fund?"
"What retirement?" The older man gave the redhead an annoyed look. The former military commander had once counted on having a soldier's pension, but losing the war put an end to that financial cushion. Now any talk that reminded him of the lost war irritated Shimada just a little.
"The citizen's committee will feed us breakfast, lunch and dinner," Shichiroji's cheerful voice dispelled the awkward moment following Heihachi's innocent question. "And we will get 0.5 of annual district revenues once the annual total exceeds 1,00,000 yen AND they renovate the elementary school, the middle school, and the health clinic."
"Looks like it might be 10 years or more before we get a tiny return on our investment." Gorobei smiled wryly, wrinkling his nose at the smell of stale urine in the transport elevator. "I only hope I'll still be around then."
The elevator finally reached Ichijou with a bump. As the sliding metal doors slowly creaked open, Kikuchiyo cranked his robotic arm eagerly. "Can hardly wait to kick some drug dealer butt!"
"I've already made it clear," Kanbei said sternly. "We're not going to Ichijou to 'kick butt'. We're going there to support the citizen's committee! And we will not attack anyone, drug dealers included, unless they first attack us. Bear in mind that we're not the city police and vigilante activity is illegal in Kougakyo."
"But if Ayamaro's lame city police did their job, the citizens of Ichijou won't have to hire us." The mecha pointed out. "Those cowardly cops probably protect only the rich people's neighborhoods because those are the districts that pay more property taxes."
The 5 samurai made their way through the dilapidated streets to the home of old Okuni, chair of the citizens' committee of Ichijou. The elderly lady welcomed them warmly, inviting the warriors to sit down to a simple breakfast of ramen and egg. A few committee members and other concerned residents had also squeezed into Okuni's tiny apartment, eager to introduce themselves and give input for the upcoming neighborhood cleanup project.
While the samurai were still slurping their ramen, a middle-aged man arrived at the apartment. This gray-uniformed fellow joined the others in the crowded living room, but unlike the other attendees, he looked distinctly uncomfortable. Okuni told the samurai that this new arrival was Toshio, "a representative from the Tsurumoto Waste Management Company, the corporation that holds the contract from Kougakyo City Government for street cleaning and garbage collection services in Ichijou."
The residents respectfully waited for the samurai to finish their meal before launching into an involved discussion about the samurai's work for the upcoming week. The citizens' committee wanted the samurai to establish a 'safe zone' through which children could make their way to the district's only school on Main Street without being accosted by drug pushers.
"All the children should be in school by 8am," said the wrinkled Okuni, "after which the street cleaners can make their rounds in the safe zone. There's more we would like you to do during the rest of the day, but let's just start with this, for now."
"Can you tell me the boundaries of the intended safe zone?" Kanbei asked. In response, one of the resident committee members, Masahiro by name, brought out a district map and laid it on the table. He marked out the quadrangle encompassed by Berry Street, Plum Street, Asparagus Avenue and Radish Avenue – Main Street ran through the middle of this 2x4 rectangle.
Kanbei studied the map briefly – the "safe zone" comprised of 8 blocks – it seemed a manageable area, but the experienced commander said cautiously, "We have to survey the area before I can determine if it can be covered by the number of samurai we have. "
"Specifically, we need to determine if there are any obstacles to visibility or hideouts for snipers." Gorobei added. "The more hidden corners and side alleys there are, the more difficult it would be for us to keep a close watch on goings on in the zone with a limited number of personnel. On the other hand, if building owners can grant us access to elevated areas, it could make surveillance easier."
"Main Street is straight and wide, with three-to-four storey-tall buildings on either side." Masahiro answered. "And most businesses on that street are operating, though the drug pushers congregate openly even on Main Street. Berry Street and Plum Street are home to a number of unoccupied storefronts and empty buildings…"
"I see," Kanbei said, rubbing his chin.
Now Okuni had turned her attention to Toshio from Tsurumoto Waste Management Company. "If the samurai can commit to keeping the 'safe zone' open between 7am and 10am, can your company commit to getting at least the 'safe zone' clean within that time every single day?"
Toshio wiped his brow nervously and stammered, "Ah…well…"
The old lady's eyes narrowed. "The proposed 'safe zone' is only 1/20th of the entire district that you have been commissioned to clean! Your garbage trucks and sweepers show up only once or twice a week, and sometimes not at all, when they're supposed to be working everyday! What we're asking of you now is less than what you are already expected to do! At least commit to cleaning these 8 blocks well for a start!"
"Well, I supposed our cleaners could do that if the 'safe zone' is really safe…" the gray-uniformed street cleaning company representative conceded reluctantly. "But one of our road sweepers and one of our garbage truck drivers had already been killed during armed robberies in Ichijou over the past 2 years…"
"Well, now that we're done with breakfast," Shichiroji interjected in his easygoing voice, "let's go take a look around Main Street. We samurai would appreciate it very much if some citizens can accompany us and introduce as to the business operators and real estate owners who operate in the proposed 'safe zone.'"
"The business owners are eagerly awaiting your arrival," Masahiro said excitedly. "They have great expectations."
"Looking forward to making their acquaintance!" Heihachi smiled and bowed.
"On the other hand, we the citizens' committee had tried to get in touch with the landlords in that area concerning this street cleanup project," Masahiro's voice dropped a little, "but most of them have not bothered to reply to our letters. Almost all of the landlords don't live in this district – they're wealthy merchants who dwell in the higher city levels. I'm not too surprised that they don't really care what's going on as long as they can keep collecting rent."
Kikuchiyo struck the table with mild force – which was inappropriate force by human standards – causing the noodle bowls to rattle. "Short-sighted merchants! All they care about is immediate profit! Don't they realize that real estate prices will go up once the district becomes safer?!"
"Come now, Kikunoji," quick-handed Gorobei reached out to steady a couple of bowls that came close to falling off the table's edge, "Masahiro said that most of the merchants did not reply to the citizens' messages, which means that some of them did reply. We can try working with those few who are less indifferent."
"Masahiro," Kanbei said, rising to his feet. "Will you or another member of the citizens' committee be disposed to introduce us to the landlords who are willing to meet with us?"
"Okuni and I will accompany you," replied the elderly Masahiro. "The other committee members must leave now to go to their day jobs."
"We are most pleased to have your guidance," Kanbei said graciously as the group headed out of Okuni's small apartment.