Note: Hello, all. Here is the next chapter. I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! Already 2021. Let's see what this year has in store for us.

Chapter 9

One week later.

"That's it, Kanami," Hiyori said with a smile. Kanami and Hiyori were sparring using wooden okatanas in Kanami's backyard. She was glad that Kanami hadn't become rusty or anything. Mai, Kanami's father, and brother were watching their practice match from the steps of the house.

They were all glad that Kanami was finally free from the depressing walls of the facility. Despite what happened, Kanami still loved sword fighting. Hiyori and Mai wanted to do their best to keep Kanami happy but something made them feel guilty. They were keeping their friend in the dark about everything that's been going on. They kept up with a lot of the current events. They knew about MacArthur's return. They knew about the VAT. They knew about what happened in Renpu. They also knew about the spike in unusual, dangerous creatures. The story about Tagitsuhime was something they could not believe, no matter who was the one who spread the news.

"Want to go again?" Kanami happily asked. This was going to be her third match and it didn't look like she was getting tired. If anything, she was more excited. She dearly missed the thrill of sparring against friends. She did say that sword fighting is a form of communication.

"I'll go this time," Mai said. Hiyori walked over to Mai to hand over the okatana. Just as Kanami and Mai were about to start their match, they heard the ring of the doorbell.

"I'll get it," Kanami's father said as he got up from the steps.

As he left, both girls started their match.

"Hello. Thank you for coming," Kanami's father greeted President Hashima and President Gojou.

"It's a pleasure to be here. How is Kanami doing?" Gojou asked as she and Hashima entered. He walked them to the living room.

"She's doing fine. Thanks to her friends. Kanami has not given up her love of sword fighting. She spars as much as she can with Mai and Hiyori."

"That's good to hear," Hashima responded. She was glad to see that Kanami was in high spirits.

"I know it's been a few days since she has come home and I love the progress she's made," he said.

As Hashima and Kanami's dad talked about her condition, Gojou looked over to the coffee table and saw a newspaper. She went to pick it up and the headlines did not surprise her. They were still talking about the incident in Renpu. It has been a week and MacArthur has not done anything anymore. This period of inactivity was unsettling. They were worried that another monster similar to the VAT would spring up. They did not know how long it took to create these things. The only thing they were sure about was that MacArthur was fast at what he does. Another part of the front page grabbed her attention. It read:

Man Brutally Killed

The body of a man, unknown if he was a construction worker, was found eviscerated near a construction site. The wounds on his body hints of a savage knife attack using three blades. What has stumped local police is the strange symbol engraved on the victim's abdomen.

"It looks like the Wolverine attacked him," the junior deputy states.

Police are currently investigating. Continued on Page 4.

Gojou did not read further. She did not want the report to ruin her mood completely.

"President Hashima!" Kanami yelled as she entered the living room. She rushed over to give her a hug. "I missed you so much!"

"Likewise. I'm glad to see you are doing okay," Hashima said as she returned the gesture.

"I'm happy to see you too, President Gojou," Kanami continued.

"Oh-uh. Yes. I am glad to see you too," she responded. She was distracted by the chilling report that she almost missed Kanami's statement. Blades like the Wolverine. Only two people come to mind. MacArthur and Francisco. The only thing was that Francisco was dead. MacArthur is the only culprit. It very well could be some criminal to spread fear. Someone who would idolize MacArthur.

"I'm glad you two are here," Hiyori said as she came into the living room. Mai and Kanami's brother followed after and greeted the two women as well.

"I know I just came out of therapy. I want you to tell me everything. Please don't hold back," Kanami bluntly said. She did not want to be unaware of what's going on anymore. Of course she had a phone but she was only given limited access to it. Her father feared for her mental state.

Knowing that she wasn't going to budge, President Hashima accepted her request. Everyone else shared the same concerned expression.

"All right. Let's all have a seat."

"I'll get tea ready," Kanami's father said as he walked over to the kitchen. In reality, he was nervous. He didn't know how Kanami would react. He also knew the despot was back. The sole reason why Kanami needed therapy.

"I'll bring up the most worrisome thing first. MacArthur is back," Hashima started. This information was the most alarming to everyone.

"Wh-what? How…?" Kanami dared to ask. He was killed by Ellen. They all saw it. How was it possible for him to be back? Maybe he came back as some sort of Frankenstein's monster.

"Using a victim and his DNA, he came back using an intricate cloning technique," Hashima continued.

Kanami gulped after hearing the news. "W-what else?"

"He's created a super soldier called the Virus Aradama Tyrant. VAT for short. It's obvious to assume that he used an aradama and the Omni Virus. It has the appearance of a clown. It's an outrage against nature!" Hashima then said. Her face looked angry as she said the last part.

"What kind of damage has this monster done?" Kanami asked.

"The monster, along with MacArthur, wreaked havoc in Renpu. Setting the place on fire and killing many Toji in the middle of the night. Kaoru, Sayaka, Maki and Suzuka had an encounter with MacArthur and his puppet. After they both left, they faced off against the Ubistvo. Do you remember that chainsaw monster that I showed you?"

"Kaoru-chan… Sayaka-chan… Maki-san…, Suzuka-san… Oh my God…" Kanami buried her face into her hands. Guilt consumed her. She wanted to help but she wasn't able to.

"Kanami…" Hiyori calmly said as she put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm okay, Hiyori-chan," Kanami said with a smile, removing her hand.

Kanami's father came into the living room with the tea for everyone.

"I was doing research after MacArthur went silent after the disaster in Renpu. I was going through a forum this morning and I found something interesting. Along with that, there are people who are strong supporters of MacArthur. They would be willing to inject themselves with the Omni Virus to fight for him. It's really scary."

"What is it that you found? We have to know!" Mai interjected.

"Allegedly, there is a cursed okatana called the Thanatos Razor. It is said to be powerful enough to annihilate MacArthur and the VAT. I say 'allegedly' because there are conflicting articles about its existence. Some say it exists while others do not. It was apparently created in response to the Lanshiang incident of 2013. Fearing the C-Virus will spread to Japan and create zombies, this okatana was created. Skilled okatana sword smiths and scientists banded together to create it. The scientists? Future Medicine. The ones working with MacArthur.

"I must have it!" Kanami's eyes beamed at the alleged existence of an okatana.

"Dammit! Then how are we supposed to get it if it exists? It's obvious that that group has it in their location," Hiyori stated, annoyed. Kanami's excitement abruptly stopped after hearing about its apparent whereabouts.

"If we get everyone back together, then we surely can! You, me, Mai-chan, Sayaka-chan, Maki-san, Suzuka-san, and that fugitive that broke out of prison. At least that's what Kaoru-chan told me," Kanami said. She was rather blunt with that description.

"I'm sorry to say that he's no longer with us," Gojou gloomily said.

"He said he had business to take care of. The day MacArthur was killed, he said that we would no longer meet again. Was it because he completed his mission and left?" Hiyori asked.

"He was one of the VAT's victims. The members of the Elite Guard found his body impaled with a broken root from a tree and they buried him."

"Oh my…" Mai quietly said as she put her hand to her mouth.

"We do have another ally and it is one you won't expect," Hashima said.

"Who is it?" Hiyori asked. She feigned ignorance. She knew who it was. That would mean that she would have to pretend to be surprised.

"Tagitsuhime."

"Tagitsuhime?!" Kanami yelled. "How and why? She's evil!"

"Frustrated that her goal of world domination is taking forever, she turned on MacArthur. She figured that she wouldn't be able to achieve her goal with him around."

"But who's to say that she won't try after he's gone?" Mai said.

"This partnership is a risk we should be willing to take," Hashima continued. "At this stage, we should accept all kinds of help. It shouldn't matter from who."

"Last one home's a rotten egg!" a young girl yelled to her friends. A group of children were playing at a park and it was getting late. At her words, the other children started running after her. It sounded rather silly to try to figure out who makes it home first knowing they don't live together.

"Hey! No fair! You know I'm slow!" A young boy yelled as he tried to catch up to the rest of them. When the rest of the kids were out of view, the boy stopped.

"I think my friends are kind of mean. Do you agree, Mr. Stuffy?" the boy said as he stared at the teddy bear in his hands. After pretending to hear what the bear had to say, the boy responded, "I'm glad you're always with me."

A shadow looming over the child grabbed his attention and he immediately turned around. He saw the figure of a man standing behind him. He wore a brown trench coat, black gloves, black slacks, black cowboy boots with spurs, a white dress shirt with suspenders, and a cowboy hat. He also wore tinted glasses. Like the boy was paying any attention to the outfit. What grabbed his attention were the glowing red eyes.

"Oh… Um… I'm not supposed to talk to strangers!" the boy yelled as he started running, the teddy bear in hand.

The figure watched as the boy ran. He clenched his right fist and claws came out.

"That aradama was actually pretty easy," Renka said as she was walking home with two friends after a mission.

"Yeah! Why can't they always be that easy?" Hanabi responded.

"I'm just glad it was kind of close by," Kafuru responded.

Renka, who was ahead of the group, stopped.

"Hey. Why did you stop?" Hanabi responded.

"Th-that…" she replied.

In front of the group was the infamous monster that's been quickly gaining attention amongst Toji.

"It's the VAT!" Kafuru exclaimed.

"No time to talk! Activate Utsushi!" At her command, the other two pulled out their okatanas and prepared to fight. We'll be heroes!, she thought.

The VAT pulled out its okatanas as well. Hanabi and Kafuru went in to strike the monster but it blocked both of their strikes. While it was occupied blocking two Toji, Renka went in to strike from above. Quickly strategizing, the VAT kicked Kafuru, who was to the left of it, away. It dropped the okatana it had in its right hand and moved out of the way of Hanabi's strike. She was caught off-guard. The VAT grabbed Hanabi, causing her to let go of her okatana and Utsushi, and threw her to Renka. Renka saw her friend coming towards her and abruptly stopped her strike and took the hit.

"Are you okay?" Hanabi asked Renka after both of them fell to the ground.

"I am," she responded.

"Okay. I'm gl-" Hanabi managed to say before the VAT split her in half horizontally. Blood coated Renka. She was so shocked she couldn't move.

Recovering, Kafuru rushed in to impale the VAT. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity, it grabbed Renka and put her in the way of the incoming sword.

Kafuru let go of her okatana once she realized what she had done. She was terrorized when she saw that she had stabbed her. The VAT dropped Renka, leaving her on the floor to bleed to death.

"R-Renka! I'm sorry!" Kafuru yelled out as she fell to her knees.

"It's… okay…. It's not… your fault," Renka tearfully said. Her eyes then went blank.

The VAT decided it had done enough and decided to leave, leaving the Toji in mental distress.

Note: Based on what I have planned, I don't know how long this story is going to be. Might split it into two stories. You can probably guess what happens to the little boy. Also, I felt I had to give the Toji in the last section names because it would've been confusing if they didn't. I named them after the Mikagura Sisters from the Senran Kagura franchise. The C-Virus and the Lanshiang incident of 2013 are references to Resident Evil 6.