Agent Kensington found a large organized organization, many compiled under one umbrella company.
"Era, a construction company that refurbishes and remodels the whole of Japan. Branching out in the 1980s, well into the late 1990s. With Toiu Sukai, suddenly ceasing overseas contracts. In November 1998."
Toiu Sukai was just one of the many dummy corporations that fell under the Era's name. With a multitude of smaller legal businesses such as dealerships, nightclubs, banks, Karaoke bars, Love hotels, and Hostess bars, restaurants and ramen shops.
"Geez, these people were in everything." The FBI Agent read off.
This group had people in places even she was surprised to find. Just as she would pinpoint a sure clue, another vanishing act. Whoever was behind the screen wanted to keep Toiu Sukai and the mysterious buyer's secret. That would stop her. Digging deeper. She found them.
It was a long, tough road that with its multiple dead ends, back roads, side streets and the hidden main road was just in sight. At least until another roadblock sprung up, then it was backtracking to find another path. Era, founder of Toiu Sukai, a car dealership.
Agent Kenzi Kensington sent off a file that read like The Art of War. Troy held in his hands a detailed account of who the buyers were, what they have done and finally found out who murdered Lin.
Two brothers fought back in their small town, against the injustice of prejudices. Together, these boys studied, watched, amassed great wealth, power, and the unforeseen love. When Kazuo Akuji lost his older brother, he changed. He became cold, calculating, and untouchable. And once again, the unforeseen made him take a step back.
The Oyabun of the Ronin and his men have been in the game for years, making that decades in the game. Small protection rings that help the small shops against fearsome threats. Growing quickly in numbers gathered many men to stand with them.
Kazuo Akuji, a traditionalist in manner and speech, a charismatic man whom many would lay their life down for. A shrewd businessman, whose heir is a downright disgrace. For a week, he gave that son of his enough rope to hang himself. Not one call from that idiot son of his, to inform him of the money lost Shogo, was to protect.
Kazuo called when Shogo was in the middle of a meeting about Johnny Gat, and the accomplice, in returning the money then killing them. Shogo's eyes went wide when he saw the caller's name. "Get out everyone!" he fumbled with his phone in his hands, pressing the answer button. He didn't even get to say hello before the person on the other end spoke first.
"[Tell me, Shogo, are you purposefully trying to cause shame to me or is it a natural talent of yours?]"
Jyunichi knew who it was who made Shogo's head lower as he was on the phone. It was none other than his father. It surprised Jyunichi that the call came this late.
Shogo knew to speak to his father in the language that he was first taught. Otherwise, it would be much more difficult for the young man to get a word in at all.
"[Father, I'm not trying to cause you shame. I have everything under control. What happened was an oversight on my part… Yes. Yes.]"
Shogo's close friend stood next to Jyunichi, who stood indifferently as he listened in. Shogo was to plead his case, hoping to calm his fathers raising anger towards him. The man leaned in close and could not make out what was being said, as Shogo was speaking Japanese. And the person on the other end he could hear the voice growing louder with each passing second.
"What's going on?" curious because he didn't speak a lick of the language spoken in front of him.
Jyunichi held his finger up as he listened. Softly explain the nature of what was going on. "Shogo is explaining our failure to his father."
"Our? Right. Mr. Akuji doesn't sound happy." He jumped when he heard a loud crash coming from the phone. It was definitely a collective fault the Saints robbed the casino.
Jyunichi nodded. The Ronin second admitted. "Shogo is in, as the Americans say, 'deep shit." That put a smirk on the tall man's face. He was sick of Shogo and his pompous attitude, and if it were left to him, he would have exiled him to a place befitting him. Shogo was pretending to be a leader. He knew nothing of the ways his father had tried to teach him. Now, well now, Shogo was going to be forced to watch. "That's because his son has brought him much shame. Akuji-san is coming to America to teach Shogo how to lead."
"Is that good or bad?" he asked.
Jyunichi smirked again. "That depends on who you are."
The other man nodded, then paused, whipping his head to Jyunichi, his mouth wide with nothing coming out, covering his mouth. Was Akuji Kazuo-san that disappointed in his son?
"[I am tired of listening to your excuses, Shogo... I'll come to America, and when I arrive, I will have Kyoko show you how to lead.]"
Shogo's eyes closed. He had been so careful. "[Yes, father…]"
Shogo hangs up the phone. Slamming the receiver several times, with loud hard plastic crashing against each other. Snatching the cord throwing it in a fit of rage across the room. "FUCK!" he screamed as the phone shattered on the wall across from them. "We need the Saints taken care of before my father arrives." Lighting a cigarette to calm his nerves. He was shaking and now pacing the room. He stopped to have his friend get him a new phone.
Jyunichi stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Shogo deserved it. "What would you have me do?" He carried a hint of disdain. He could not wait to have Shogo put in place.
Shogo throws his cigarette at Jyunichi, which bounced off of the man's vest. He brushed the ashes off, looking at Shogo with a sneer. Shogo raked his fingers through his gel-spiked hair and hollered, looking up at the man. "Whaddya think I want you to do? Get some of our boys and kill the Saints off!" his tone was matter of fact.
Jyunichi snorted as he walked out, leaving Shogo to smash things that echoed the further he walked down the hall.
It weighed on her mind all week, so much so she was losing sleep. Kyouki tossed and turned, as she laid to take a nap just to rest. Her phone rang, turning over, she answered.
"Yes?" Bolting upright she, threw her shoes on and rushed out of purgatory as if the hounds of Hell were on her heels.
"Hey….. Boss…" some members called after her as she took the stairs that the elevator was too fucking slow right now.
Kyouki was so focused that she didn't greet Ramon or Carlos, who also greeted her. They looked at each other in confusion, shrugging, went back to work.
Shogo hustled his ass over to the Phillips building. He called Dane in advance now sitting across from Dane, who had been chewed out for an entire week behind the Akuji heir.
"Dane, don't worry, I'll get the money back. You have my word."
Dane was over it, well in orbit past it. The things he knows he was trying to be civil to the young man. "You're missing the point, Shogo. The money is insured. There is nothing to worry about with that. I'm more concerned about you."
"What?" Shogo was confused. Why would Dane be worried about him?
Dane nodded, folding his hands together on the top of his marble desk. "Ultor and the Ronin have had a very healthy relationship in the past. I'm uncertain if you were told, let's just say it's complicated, but lately… Well, when I pay protection money, how shall I put this… I expect some fucking protection." Dane looked at Shogo, hoping he made clear what he was saying.
Shogo narrowed his eyes. How dare he talk to him in such a manner? Who the fuck does he think he is? "Watch yourself Vogel." He warned.
Dane scoffed. "The Saints are a concern, Shogo. If they can do this…"
Shogo interjected. "Not for long." Not wanting to hear their name. He was looking. His scouts were out now, combing the streets.
"Why's that?"
Shogo smirked. "I've got my best man working on that now."
It cannot possibly get any worse. "Shit, fucking Johnny. No.. Fuck me, this is me, my fault. Why did he have to be seen!" Kyouki stepped on the gas, tires digging into the asphalt as she drifted around the corners and breezed through the lights, cars honking as she ran the red ones.
Weaving through traffic, she was a madwoman once again, as she came screeching to a halt when she finally reached the house. Opening the door, she slammed it behind her.
"Johnny?" Ky called after the man, poking her head down into the basement. "Yo Gat!"
Aisha jumped from the slam and headed down when she heard Kyouki's voice. Ky was on her way up. "Is Johnny here?"
Aisha shook her head no. "Oh, I sent him out to the store. He should be back… Hun, what's the matter? You look pale." Aisha rubbed Kyouki's arms.
Ky relaxed for a minute pulling Aisha to sit down. "Half good, yes… I will take the fall for this one. Ok. My uncle is coming." Ky nodded, unsure of how else to point out the obvious distress she in is. Not for her sake. For Johnny's
Aisha smiled. "That's great. I would love to see him again… no?" Then the smile faded after she saw Kyouki smile with her shaking her head no. "Not a good thing?"
"Right." Kyouki explained the reason for his visit. What it means, now Ky would be stressed until he leaves. "What I need you to do for me? Leave."
"Huh?" Aisha did a double take. "What do you mean, leave? As in what?"
"The house. Until my uncle is no longer in America."
"Babe, that's.. Umm… Hmm."
"Please. They know Johnny lives here. They are actively looking for him. Just for a week at the most. Stay with my aunt or Lisa. Please!" Kyouki was shaking, her leg shaking like a massage chair.
Aisha agreed. "When do I need to leave?" Aisha wasn't too fond of the idea, but Kyouki was so mad that Johnny went against their heist plan she was fearing for her.
"Fourteen hour flight, he would have to tie things up before he goes, and I will assume.. Roughly… Three days."
"Alright, let me call Lisa." Aisha went to get her cell. She left on the charger in the bedroom when Gat came in with a loud bang.
It made both women jump and Kyouki's eyes went wide. She didn't hear Johnny pull up. Who Johnny had dragged into the house had her cursing internally. "Johnny, what the fuck!"
Aisha held her hand over her heart. "Who the hell is that?" Pointing at the man Johnny held in a choke hold.
Gat grunted as he chuckled. The man was trying to wiggle free, but was struggling to catch his breath. "That's our new house guest baby… I caught this asshole ridin' around our turf..." Johnny held the man's arm behind his back, with the crook of his elbow around the guy's throat. "Got something you wanna tell me?"
The Ronin gang member gasped when Gat let him get a little air. "Go to hell. I ain't got shit to tell you!"
Kyouki's breathing was hard. It was the guy she had a few run-ins with at the hotel. She was grateful that the pain he was in caused him to not notice her. All she could do was look between Gat and Aisha. Aisha mouthing that Kyouki still said nothing to Gat. Ky got up from the loveseat swallowing hard.
"That wasn't very nice..." Gat pushes the guy through the glass table. It shattered under the weight and force. Kyouki jumped, shielding her face.
Aisha came down surveying the damage, screamed at Gat. "Johnny, I just bought that table!"
Johnny quickly apologized, then turned back to the man. He shoved face first into the shattered glass table. "Why the fuck are you here?" He demanded.
The Ronin member groaned in pain, scoffing. "Whatever you do to me… is nothing… compared to what Mr. Akuji will do to you..." The man tried to push himself up, cutting his hands on the broken pieces under his palms.
"The Oyabun? No shit… when's he comin'?" It intrigued Johnny to hear this bit of news. His eyebrows rose in excitement.
"I'll die before I tell you."
Gat smiled, drawing his gun. "Yep."
"No!" Kyouki yelled. Everything was moving in slow motion. She reached out to pull the guy out of the way. Closing her eyes heard the gunfire. Gat pulled the trigger aimed at his head, instantly killing him as the bullet pierced the skin of Kyouki in the process.
It mortified Aisha. She watched in horror. There was nothing she could do. "Johnny!" She screamed in a gasp as she covered her mouth.
Kyouki withdrew her arm. Landed on the body, table frame and broken glass. A series of several curses fell out of her mouth as she clutched her arm in pain.
Johnny dropped the gun and tried to get a better look at Kyouki's arm. "Ky!"
Blood poured from the wound of Kyouki and the former Ronin. Covering Ky's shirt and lap. Blood pooled on the floor of the dead man.
Gritting through the pain, she was in tears. That was it.
That did it.
She was done. It may not have been intentional, but he should have stopped. "You are fucking suspended! Do you fucking hear me? Don't fucking touch me! Fucking moron. Ow." She whimpered. As he helped her up she tried to snatch away from Johnny. Placing her on the loveseat, Ky rocking in pain still cussing him out. Aisha went to get a first aid kit out of the kitchen.
Aisha ran back, trying not to look at the man bleeding all over her white carpet. "Get rid of the body. Johnny. She said don't touch her!" Looking over, the wound hissed. "You alright? You are going to have to go to the emergency room when I patch this up. Ok?" Aisha soothed Kyouki the best she could.
Johnny looked at the gun, the body on the floor and Kyouki getting patched up. He went to put the gun on the kitchen counter coming back to remove the body. Hefting the man over his shoulder like he was a sack of potatoes.
Kyouki watched through blurry eyes and could do nothing but cry. She put her head on Aisha's shoulder. "You have to leave. Promise me?" Ky asked through gritted teeth. Felt Aisha nod, Kyouki sat up looking around. A blood trail from the living room to the front door. "Fucking hell." Kyouki sighed.
She and Aisha went out into the night air. Johnny was opening the garage door carrying the body inside to dispose of it later.
Johnny heard as the girls came out. Kyouki was looking around and stopped to face him.
"What about the Oyabun that you are interested in, that you would shoot me for huh?" Wiping her eyes, she held her arm. It felt like her whole body on the one side was throbbing in pain.
Johnny raked his hands through his hair. At least she was speaking to him. She didn't know about the Oyabun. He heard some pretty fucked up shit about this man. He needed to warn her to keep her and Aisha safe from that monster. "This guy's a fuckin' boogeyman. When I was locked up, I would listen to some of the Ronin in there talk about what this guy did in Japan… it's not pretty."
Ky took several deep breaths. "That's what you are going on. Hearsay? You… Johnny… No. No… No… You are suspended until I find out for myself, you hear me? If you so much as step foot in Purgatory, I will shoot you myself. Noel… You have three days."
"Ky… Ky! Kyouki!" Gat called after her, but she wasn't listening. She got hurt cause of him.
Aisha stood there with her arms folded. Who she met and what Johnny says cannot be the same person. She clears her throat to get his attention. Heading inside, she shook her head.
"What did she mean by three days? Ish?" Now Aisha wasn't speaking to him.
Outside the house they gave Jyunichi the address to he watched as one of his men was caught. He dared to make a move, for he would scare the man from running off. The gunshot he heard had him cursing. He listened in as he heard muffled screams coming from within. His cell rang.
"[Moshi Moshi?]" Jyunichi answered, his eyes never leaving the front door.
A sigh came from the other end, followed by. "Speak English."
Jyunichi's jaw was tight. If he had to listen to this kid one more time. Tamping it down growled out. "What is it, Shogo?"
"I'm in a meeting with Dane Vogel. He wants assurances that the Saints wi-"
Jyunichi rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it...like always." Hanging up on Shogo. He looked away for a second. When he looked back at the house. The one named Johnny Gat was carrying the dead body out to the garage. Then he saw two women come out shortly. Jyunichi grew uncomfortable.
They were too far away from him to hear what they were saying. But he could see clearly that it was Kyouki talking to Johnny. 'No.' Jyunichi remembered the scream, saw that her arm was bandaged up. A scream just before the shot rang out. Piecing it together, Jyunichi heard the car start and pull off. He followed the second the two went back into the house. He followed pulling up alongside the car. Rolling the passenger window down, waved to get Kyouki's attention.
Kyouki looked. Seeing Jyunichi, she shook. "Were you at the house, too?"
"[Hai.]" Seeing her lower her head to rest on the steering wheel. Saw the light turn green.
"I told you, stay out of the area. You had your warning already." Seeing him nod, she sighed once more. "I'm on my way to the hospital. Do not look so Ronin, we need to talk." Ky pulled off as she watched as Jyunichi followed behind her.
Morning of the third day. It has been three days. Just as Kyouki suspected. That was the time Kyouki had enough to prepare herself to await her uncle's arrival. Jyunichi was by her side and ignoring all of Shogo's orders. Swearing himself to The Oyabun and Kyouki solely. Little did Shogo know.
In those three days, Kyouki had broken things off with Dane. His affair was called out when he left his phone unattended. Messages popped up about how great a time someone named De Wynter and He had her last visit. Johnny already stressed Kyouki enough. Even if she felt it was out of character of her, she had needed Dane right then. Seeing that he was occupying himself with someone else, she didn't need that coupled with everything else that was going on.
Their relationship ended, according to Kyouki, when the man grabbed her arm, the one she went to have stitches from the gunshot wound. Dane had not realized she had an injury. It wasn't until he was laying flat on his back looking up at her.
Then his constant calling caused her to disconnect with everyone, save one person, and only contacted Aisha when she made sure she was safe. She had left the Saints in charge of themselves, as her major priority is her uncle's presence's in the city.
Now, Jyunichi and Kyouki waited for the call. Meeting the true Ronin head outside as the luxury jet arrived, Kyouki smiled in greeting. Her heels clicking on the tarmac. Her fitted black dress suit, seeing her uncle smile, caused her to smile brighter.
Her thinking back to what Johnny had said about the older man. He doted on her; there was no way her uncle was as villainous as he heard.
With a bow, she greeted her beloved senior. "[Welcome to America uncle.]"
The older man smiled, holding her arms, looking her over. "[You get lovelier every time I see you.]" With a shake of his head forbid her to be rigged while he is here. And commended that he was glad that Jyunichi and she have joined hands.
"[Uncle, no. He let me know you were coming and why would I not come to greet you?]"
"[Such a good girl.]" He patted her cheek.
Johnny was wrong. This man was no such monster. However, the casino heist was a curious notion from him. But he praised her for doing so.
"[How was your flight?]"
"[You know it's hard for old people to confine to one space. I am not used to being so still.]" He chuckled.
Kyouki scoffed, complimenting his still youthful gate. Hearing Jyunichi's phone ring, Jyunichi excused himself, but put the phone on speaker.
Jyunichi speaks briefly to Kazuo Akuji in Japanese. Kazuo does not wish to speak with him. Jyunichi then answers the phone. Jyunichi handed the phone to the older man with a bow.
Kazuo huffed. "[I don't need to speak with him!]" Patting Kyouki's hands, who smiled at his niece.
Kyouki could tell the older man was irritated with Shogo. Just mentioning his name made the man frown. She looked to Jyunichi, who mouthed his own irritation. Jyunichi rolled his eyes. "[I have nothing to say to him.]" He muttered under his breath. With a sigh, he answered. "[Hello?]"
Sounding panicked, he blurted out. He sounded out of breath. "What happened Jyunichi..."
"[What happened is that you never came to greet your father.]"
"I didn't ask for your opinion, Jyunichi. What happened?"
Jyunichi snorted proudly. "[I and Kyouki-san, came to the airport to safe guard Akuji-san's arrival. Once I saw thought I saw the leader of the Saints making a move towards the terminal, I made my way to the plane so I could evacuate your father. He is safe.]"
The leader of the Saints was there? Shogo cursed under his breath. "Let me speak to him."
"[No.]" Jyunichi was finished with all orders to the Oyabun's son. That placed a pleasant smile on Kazuo's face and he held tight to Kyouki's hand.
Shogo was speechless. "W-what?" he stammered out.
"[Your father clarified he doesn't wish to speak to you. Anything you have to say to him will go through me.]"
Shogo fumed. "You ungrateful little-" How could he, how could Jyunichi turn on him, what's worse, Kyouki was also there to greet him.
"[Sayonara.]" Jyunichi hung up on Shogo without a second thought.
Kazuo beamed at his second in command and his beloved niece. "[Leader of the Saints, is that right?]" Giving the young woman's hand a squeeze.
Kyouki looked at the older man, unsure of what to say. She looked at both men. "[You knew?]"
Kazuo nodded his silver head.
"[How?]"
"[Years ago. When you called me to stay here in Stilwater.]"
Jyunichi escorted them away so the elder could get some rest after the long flight.
After two sour deals, when Joseph Price found they had stopped two shipments before they even left the country, his uncle William Sharpe stepped in. The call came in that Kazuo no longer wished to deal with the street gang. That Saints would be the ones he would only do business with.
Money, it was all for money that prompted Willam to go a seek Lin. He will kill them one by one. Lin to lure the young girl, who was also a rival. When that failed and Sharpe met his end for the life of Lin. Richard Hughes, sought revenge. The loss of a first supporter, his other source of income from the deals, saw that the girl still lived. He needed to put a stop to it himself. Killing her would allow him to bring the Saints down.
Kazuo lost her. He lost his elder brother and now her, his brother's only child.
An hour of rest and there was already a visitor. Shogo was at the mercy of his father and cousin. His head was down the whole time. While Kyouki and her uncle shared laughter and tea, Jyunichi let in Dane. News of the Oyabun hit the Ultor corporate. He rushed right over. Why deal with the cub when he can deal with the tiger directly?
Dane paused at the door. She was stunning, her dress modest, clung to hug her curves. Kyouki saw him immediately turned her nose up at him. Her uncle took notice.
"[Do you have a problem with him, Kyoko?]"
Kyouki smiled softly. "[I will be honest, uncle. I distanced myself from him as we had a difference of opinion.]"
Kazuo's eyebrows rose. He had not known that they had a relationship. If he had hurt his niece, he would not take kindly to this American fellow.
Dane cleared his throat, extending a hand in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Akuji. Shall we get down to business?"
"[I don't care about men like him.]" The senior Akuji looked at Dane offered hand turning away from him. He was not worth his time.
Dane smiled with a nod, fastening his suit jacket. "You should care because I represent a multi-billion-dollar corporation that employs your son...now can we sit down?"
He looked at Kyouki with a soft smile. Kyouki and Kazuo, even Jyunichi and Shogo, glared at the man. A clearing of his throat when Kyouki's glare was much more threatening that the others, he continued.
"With the recent change in management, I figured it'd be a good idea to touch base. We heard you were arriving and at Ultor understand that when working with the Ronin, there's bound to be some collateral damage."
Kazuo processed what Dane said to him. "Pardon me, my English must not be as good as I thought it was... it sounded like you were giving me an order." His accent was thick when he spoke.
"Uncle, I believe he was."
"Dealing with my son was the first mistake. You should have done business with my niece."
"You're quite astute, Mr. Akuji." Dane smiled at Kyouki who sat, he couldn't keep his eyes off of Kyouki.
The Oyabun, placed a hand on his niece to still her, they both glared at the blond man standing before him with a lustful eye at his beloved niece. "I'm not a twenty-something who is impressed by a power tie, Mr. Vogel. I suggest you stop trying to bully me."
"Mr. Akuji, your son and I negotiated a very reasonable contract..."
"[My son's an idiot Mr. Vogel... if you had wished for the Ronin's protection properly, best be prepared to offer us something much more substantial.]"
Dane was not liking how this conversation was going. "That's not going to happen." What else can he do?
"[Then our business is concluded.]" Kazuo turned his back on Dane, taking his niece's hand.
Dane could not lose this customer. He was already on thin ice with the company. "Mr. Akuji, I can't possibly stress how unwise this cou-"
"[Be silent. You can show yourself out now!]"
Dane looked around the room. Kyouki she was key, he needed her, and possibly able to save his ass. "Well, I have no choice." He came before Kazuo, bowing. "May I have your niece's hand in marriage?"
Kyouki scoffed. How could this man ask for her hand when she couldn't trust him to remain monogamous? "Uncle. I know you heard the Saints had robbed the casino?"
"[Yes, what do you know about it?]"
"There was a concert held the same night. I also hear that Shogo is looking for the Saints' leader and has been actively looking for this person."
Jyunichi wanted her to stop talking that instant. Because Shogo knows where Johnny Gat lives if he gives the information to his father… "James-san."
Kyouki turned her head to Jyunichi, to see him shake his head no. It baffled her why the man would stop her from saying more. Dane's mind was flooded with new information. The concert, the robbery… The Saints. Yes, he knew she ran with them once before.
"She has been under his nose this whole time." Kyouki stood up once again. "Mr. Vogel allow me to introduce myself. I am Kyouki Akuji, leader of the Saints. She just admitted that she was the one responsible for robbing the casino. She did it to draw focus to herself. But the one Shogo and Dane saw in the video was not her.
"[If you had been with us still. The assumption of your death. You would lead the Ronin and the Saints.]"
"WHAT!" Came from both Shogo and Dane as they looked at the woman amongst them.
Kyouki shrugged a shoulder. "Uncle, I have no reason to lead the Ronin. I've no interest in leading them."
Flabbergasted Kazuo was, he could not believe he was hearing correctly. "[But you will lead the Saints?]"
Kyouki shook her head no. Kazuo was confused, Jyunichi he would have to speak with about her reasons.