"As a token of my apologies, I'd like to give you a parting gift… a gift from the heart." It spoke like The Boss, "Since this is the end, I'll elaborate. What you just witnessed and felt was a version of you in the future. A few seconds ago, your past self, the one you from before, attacked you, the future you, just seconds ago. Of course, we're now in present tense now. Witness, my dear Koumoto, the almighty power of my Crimson War Goddess. I erased time, and leapt beyond it!"

Kana gasped, "The Boss… … … is a Stand User?"

POW!
She was socked in the back, as War Goddess roared, "It doesn't matter who it is, I shall not allow any cretin to threaten my eternal transcendence! I will not let anyone take my throne! NOT EVER! And now, it's time for you to fade away!"

Her arm stuck out, impaling through her stomach. Kana screamed in pain, as War Goddess bellowed, as The Boss was behind her, "Koumoto, your time as Tanukichi Okuma's bodyguard… has come to a tragic end. Your mission is now terminated. And soon, the fires of hell will embrace you!"

Remember last time? Kana Koumoto was to deliver Tanukichi Okuma to the boss. However, Kana, enraged, was tricked into believing that she'll bring him to her, as a way of protecting him. As it turns out, The Boss was planning to kill Okuma. But, after managing to rescue Okuma, she was impaled by the Boss's Stand, War Goddess. Only, how did she figure out Kana's plan? She used something called skipping time. But what of the others, as they were waiting?

Episode 9 – Chapter 2: Betrayal…
The Gang's Toughest Decision…

Meanwhile, the others were waiting, as Beth was having candy. Pets cried, "Damn it, that's enough! You're going to get fat!"

Beth smirked, "Not me. I don't even gain weight, when I eat sweets. Mommy swore off dairy, and she's fit."

Mossan huffed, "Really? You're stout, but you are still a size of a hen?"

June was worried, as she said, "Guys, Kana's been out there, for so long." She added, "And the ladybug necklace was heading to the top of the tower. It's heading below to the charnel house, to try and cross here. It seems that Koumoto used my necklace as a tracking device to locate her."

Hijiri said, "I know. I am worried, too. But the orders say that we cannot leave this boat and set upon a foot on the island. Oh, hey, can you get me some water?"

June went back in the boat, as she grabbed a bottle of water. Suddenly, Beth saw the box of candy and gasped, "Huh?" She griped, "HEY! WHO STOLE MY CANDY? I HAD THREE LEFT!"

Emily huffed, "Gee, I don't know. Check your cheeks!"

Beth felt her face, and realized that she ate the candies, already. She said, "Oh. My bad."

Nanao said, "Beth Nevins, please learn to share with the others, next time."

Beth said, "No, I'm fine. Besides, I can't share my candy with you. I bought it out of my own money!"

June was stunned, as she saw Hijiri drank the water. She saw her hand, and gasped in shock. She thought, "Eh? She-. What was that?"

Hijiri called, "Hey, thanks for the water."

June looked around, and saw a fish on the pier, lying dead, already eaten. She thought, "This is bizarre. Something's not right." She grabbed the laptop and said, "There's something strange going on in this land. I don't know what, but I got a bad feeling about this!"

Mossan cried, "HEY! June, what the hell are you doing? You're supposed to stay in the boat, and not set foot on the is-!"
SHOOP!
"-land?" Mossan instantly grabbed June by the shoulder, as she was out.

June said, "Fancy running into you, all of a sudden. Do you see what's going on now?"

Mossan shuddered, "This isn't normal."

June cried, "Exactly! We're in deep trouble! The world's not working as it should! Merda! KOUMOTO!"

She dashed off, as Mossan cried, "WAIT! JUNE NEVINS, GET BACK HERE!"

June got a call from Kana, "Hello? Koumoto? Yes, I am aware!"

Emily asked, "Eh? What is she doing?"

Mossan said, "Call me crazy, but-, Koumoto might be in danger!"

Nanao said, "But did we not get the orders not to set foot on this island, or leave the boat?"

June called, "You put the pendant inside her, so you can pinpoint her location. The bastard's ours! Right now, she's at the Charnel Building, at the bottom of the church. No, wait! She's in-between the two pillars to your right."

She stopped and cried out, "NO, WAIT! KOUMOTO! Don't engage at her! I don't know what, but something's wrong!"

STAB!
But it was too late. This happened earlier, as War Goddess, the Boss's Stand, slewed Kana Koumoto, from behind. War Goddess has killed Kana. Until…
ZZZZZIP!
Kana summoned Alt-RC and slammed her arm. War Goddess cried, "WHAT?"

Kana collapsed, moaning in pain, "Ungh." She showed a hole in her stomach, made by a portal. The Boss cried, "SHE TRICKED ME!"

Alt-RC attacked, but War Goddess roared, "Nice try! But you forget!"

She halted time, and skipped a bit. She saw through Kana's lethal punch. The Boss bellowed, "War Goddess can see right through you! The trajectory of your punches from the future, I can clearly see through those. Within War Goddess's realm, this world's time has disappeared. And no one will ever remember the moments, during this segment of time!"

Alt-RC started to flail and strike, while War Goddess avoided the onslaught, easily. She spoke, "The clouds in the sky, they do not know when they broke apart and drift away! A candle doesn't know when it may get blown out or relit. All that remains in this world is consequences! In a world where time is altered, all movements are futile! Only I can foretell and respond your actions!"

Kana attacked again, but she missed again. War Goddess bellowed, "And with it, I can move around, at any time, during your flimsy punches. I know everything you can dish out. I know all your moves. I see all your moves! The omnipotence of my time-obliterating powers makes all attacks futile! Only I can have the ability to respond to these actions! I can foretell the exact flavor of your intentions! Now feel the power of the Crimson War Goddess!"

Kana landed a swift barrage of punches, but War Goddess was behind her. It raised its right arm up and chopped down.
CHOP!
Kana was caught in a fatal blow, chopped through her right shoulder. The Boss hissed, "It's over, Kana Koumoto."

Kana croaked, "N-n-no. Her ability-." She passed out, as she died. Kana Koumoto has died.

War Goddess responded, "Everyone has their ups and downs, Koumoto. No being is immune to the peaks of the valley of life, as the strong struggle to survive. One succeeds, but one fails. If you find a pitfall that leads to your future, and manages to not fall in, then you will never experience any setbacks in life. But, with my power, one can gaze upon life's pitfall and could never avoid it. Sidestepping it would be but a chore, and life would be a succession of triumphs."

Kana's body was bleeding out, as The Boss nudged at her. "A state of true perfection. But then again… How could it not? Ask your friends."

She walked off, leaving Okuma and Kana behind. She approached Okuma, who was still unconscious, as she said, "There's no doubt about it. Having finally met you in the flesh, we are confirming that you have a special ability that is related to myself. The sad part is that I know a guy like you: plain, stupid, and an average Joe. Sadly, he's boring. You, however, are not boring at all. A former decency soldier, son of a lewd renegade pervert. However… as long as you still draw breath, you'll also feel the connection the two of us share!" She roared, rising her hand, "I shall obliterate any peril that stands in my way! I shall sever our bonds, AS WE SPEAK!"

She was about to strike, but Kana groaned, getting up, "NO! OKUMA!"

Suddenly, the ladybug necklace started to glow dark energy, and attacked her Stand. It absorbed the Stand, as it cried, "WHAT? WAIT! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIT!"

The Boss was sucked inside, as the necklace suddenly turned into a turtle. Kana gasped, "THE TURTLE?! Wait-! OF COURSE! I don't recall June ever owning a ladybug necklace. That's it! She used Devil Princess to create that pendant! She turned the turtle into a ladybug pendant, and gave it to me. Since our call was interrupted, she gave the necklace life and activated Devil Princess! I always had faith in her. When we first met, I thought she was nothing but a pissant little brat. But now, she's more than that. She's just like her family legacy, as a Nevins. Still, I didn't think I'd move again, but barely. I still… have one more job left."

She crawled to Okuma and groaned, "My mission is over? Not yet, Boss! You're absolutely wrong! It still goes on! I am still ordered to protect Okuma, as you said! And I still stand by your orders, even if it means I die, doing it!"

She thought, as she stood up, "If she can read out all my attacks, then I won't realize that she's outsmarted me, and her ability will be invincible to everyone, even the Stand-less types!"

Alt-RC attacked the turtle, as it avoided its punches. Kana measured, "5 to 10 seconds! That's all I need! She won't run for long! But still, I need to get Okuma out of here!"

She groaned, dragging Okuma away, still bleeding out. She said, "Body, don't fail me. Come on, Kana! MOVE! I have to reach the basement's exit."

War Goddess suddenly emerged, as she said, "I hear that there was another traitor in our midst, and my guess is that it's the neophyte. Her name, if I recall my sources, was June Nevins, wasn't it? Seems to me that this was the newbie I heard about, Kana Koumoto."

Kana gasped, "Impossible!"

The Boss cackled, "So, if my intel serves me, she planned to betray the organization, from the start, just like what you're doing. It would seem that you planned this all along, but luckily for you, I escaped the turtle, sooner, as you were attacking it, thinking I was in there. Your efforts were futile, Koumoto! How is your body still moving? Sheer willpower? At this rate, you won't make it to the first floor, in this condition! If you'd just rest, you'd die peacefully! First, I'm killing Okuma! Then, I'm killing you! And finally, the new girl!"

Kana attacked, as War Goddess yelled, "FUTILE! YOU ARE NOT MOVING AN INCH NOW!"

Kana roared, "I was aware that you were going to escape, while in the sewer! I WON'T LET NEVINS'S CHANCE THAT SHE GAVE ME GO IN VAIN!" She summoned a portal, and launched a swift punch. "You know my every movement? Well, I already figured you out, you puttana! I knew for a fact, the moment you fell into that sewer pipe that you had the chance to escape! But you left out one detail! I planned ahead!"

POW!
A fist landed onto War Goddess, but she halted time and groaned, "Damn! She got me! But not enough. War Goddess!" The punch avoided her, as time slowed down. The Stand went behind Koumoto and said, "As I said, all for naught. This is the world of the War Goddess! Even if you used the punch to attack me, all your efforts were in vain!" She rushed at her and yelled, "THIS IS THE END! PERISH!"

Kana called, "I wasn't aiming at you, in the first place. My intentions were the pillar!"

She grabbed the portal edge and roared, "PORTAL, CLOSE!"

She closed the portal tight, as War Goddess was trapped. "WHAT?"

She was leaving with Okuma in her arms, as she said, "Just as I thought. Your abilities are invincible, but you could only read my future for a short amount of time. Word to the wise, Boss: Next time, try to predict everything around me. Try and figure me out in the next few seconds! Just try and figure me out, beyond time! You should be able to see me in the ground floor, by then. Ciao bella!" The portal vanished, as Kana and Okuma escaped. War Goddess was livid, as she saw them escape.

XXXXX

June rushed to the first floor, as she was looking for the others. She stopped and saw Okuma and Kana, out like a light.

"KANA! OKUMA!" She cried, as she rushed to them. She healed Kana, and asked, "What the hell happened in the basement? Kana went through hell!" She thought, "I never thought she'd suffer so much damage." She realized, "The boss!"

She looked down to the portal, "She's got to be here, close-by. But I know one thing, The Boss won't tolerate any act of defiance."

It suddenly disappeared. She gasped, as she saw Kana's body, lying helpless. June shrieked, "Ka-! KANA!" She felt her pulse and cried, "No! NO! That's impossible! She has no pulse! It can't be! I made a new part, and she should be breathing! Kana, wake up!"

June tried to revive Kana, but as she is trying to, War Goddess was crawling on the ceiling, watching on. "So, this is June Nevins, the girl in glasses." she thought, "She's Kana's partner-in-crime, another one who tries to end me. Her unknown abilities gave Koumoto the escape. How sad. But that won't stop me. They'll never leave this island, or my grip!"

June cried, "KANA! KANA! It can't be! She's dead! Kana, she cannot die!"

A voice called, "June! It's me. Get Mossan and the others out of here!" It was Kana's spirit, as she called, "I mean it!"

She dove into her body, as June looked around. June asked, "Who was that?"

Kana roared, "JUNE NEVINS! I MEAN IT! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!"

War Goddess was crawling, as it went closer to June & Kana.

June cried, "GRAZIE DIO! YOU'RE OKAY!"

Kana yelled, "I'M SERIOUS! WE'RE LEAVING THIS CHURCH!"

June said, "Thank goodness! Only how? Are you hurt? And what happened to Tanukichi?"

Kana cried, "There's no time! We cannot know the boss's true identity, at this rate! The only thing left to do is leave, and escape while we can! But I'm too battered to leave, by myself!"

War Goddess growled, "I'm at their range! This is it!"

Kana held Okuma and cried, "I'll explain later! DO IT!"

June grabbed the laptop and roared, "DEVIL PRINCESS!"

She tossed the laptop to the halls, as the others, already out of the boat, saw the broken computer shatter. Emily gasped, "It's June!"

They rushed in, as Mossan cried, "There they are! June Nevins, why did you run off like that?"

Nanao called, "June Nevins, you should know better than to disobey the boss's orders!"

Pets cried, "KANA-BUN! Why are you injured?"

Emily yelled, "Never mind that! What about Okuma? What happened there?"

Beth called, "What did you do? Did you back out of the mission from the boss?"

Kana said, "I'll explain later. Right now, we have to leave, as far as we can!"

June called, "We'll take the boat to another part of the island, and sail off!"

Kana called, "NO! I'll explain everything, but we go back to the boat!"

They headed off, as War Goddess snarled, "I commend you, Kana Koumoto. You are a true leader in every sense. I guess I was wrong about you, since you were following orders to protect him. Even though I have the ability to erase time, while battling the eight of you, one of them would've learned my true identity."

The NEW Gang retreated, as they made their escape. War Goddess concluded, "Koumoto and her band of merry maidens live. … … …for now. You were fortunate to survive the Crimson War Goddess, but know that your fortuitous will be short-lived. I swear… you will die here! Venezia will be your grave!"

Kana said, as they were running away, "At first, I thought the boss was all-powerful, and maybe someone we know. But unfortunately, my rage and greed got the better of me. We cannot know the true identity, for now. But our only option left is to kill her, but not just yet. But first, we are able to find her weakness!"

At the boat, the others were speechless. Pets asked, "What now?"

Mossan asked, "Come out and say it! Why did you fail your mission?"

Kana was at the edge of the boat and said, "Alright, I'll come out and say it." She placed Okuma in the boat, as she said, "But I won't tell everything in detail, since there may be others coming to get us. But here goes. The reason I returned Okuma to us, was to save him… … …and was because I betrayed the boss!"

They all gasped, as Emily asked, "Uh, you're joking, right? You're turning traitor on The Unseen Boss?"

Nanao said, "Kana Koumoto, traitors cannot be spared. You know that!"

Kana nodded, "Indeed. You are very sharp. But I have nothing more to say. Even so, you all would be in the way. This, sadly, is where we part ways. You're welcome to join me, but if you do, then you'll be marked as traitors, as well."

June said, "You should come out and say it. You need your friends to assist you. They need to learn the truth."

Mossan roared, as she grabbed June, "YOU! YOU LITTLE SHIT! THIS IS YOUR FAULT! If you didn't disobey the orders, Kana wouldn't be leaving us!"

June said, "I was worried! If I knew it was too good to be true-!"

Mossan yelled, "Shut up! You shut that trap of yours, you culo!"

Emily barked, "Hey, fat ass! Shut your fucking fat dick mouth!"

They gasped, as Mossan was shocked. Emily nodded, "I heard enough of your abuse, Fatty!"

Nanao cried, "EMILY MAYNARD!"

Beth said, "Whoa! You got fire!"

Emily roared, "PUT A CORK IN IT, BRAT!" She shouted, "And you, you leave June alone! So what, if she disobeyed the orders? She knew that Koumoto was in danger, and she had to take the risk! Don't you dare blame this on her!"

Mossan growled, "What the hell? You're supposed to be on my side, since this piece of shit acts high and mighty!"

"Fuck you, and your attitude, fatty! I'm on no one's side! I was just looking out for-!"

June called, "STOP IT, YOU TWO! Fighting is not going anywhere! Mossan, I take responsibility for what just happened, but Kana should just elaborate of why she did it! She needed all the help, if you'd listen. And YOU, Emily, you should've been my second opinion! You should've stopped me, before I planned to enter the church!"

They moaned, as they were upset. Mossan moaned, "Sorry." She growled at June, "But like I wanted someone like you to be peacekeeper, being full of it."

June smirked, "You have problems with my family, that's all."

Emily snarled, "GOD DAMMIT!" She kicked the ground, "First, you made me be a target to the mafia, then, you-!"

Kana suddenly coughed and fell on one knee. Pets cried, "KANA-BUN!"

June asked, "Are you okay?"

Kana moaned, "I'm fine. I lost a lot of blood, but I am dizzy. I should be fine."

Emily cried, "No, you're NOT fine! You had a major gash on your body!"

June thought, "No, when I revived and repaired her body, all her blood would remain. Did I miss a wound?"

June saw Kana's right hand, which has a hole in it, but zero blood inside. She gasped, "No way! What did I do?" Kana got up, as she thought, "And she is resistant to pain, but no blood. Something's not right. What just happened?"

Hijiri whispered, "Kana, you cannot be serious."

Beth cried, "You already got in hot water with The Boss! You would leave us behind? I was just getting to know these losers!"

Kana said, "I know. But you girls need to forget about me. Just stop bickering amongst each other, and move on."

Beth hissed, "Never. Unless you spill the beans!"

Mossan said, "The kid's right. What are you hiding from all of us?"

Kana silently turned to Okuma, and then confessed everything. "Very well, we were used by The Boss. We were just pawns to her own evil plans. You see, the real reason why we are protecting the Okuma boy was it's because The Boss wanted to kill him, herself." They gasped collectively, except for June, "When I learned more about her, she said that they share a bond that they had, as he shares the knowledge of her true identity. I found that out. I knew I could never forgive her. I didn't want to sit back and see this boy die, because he was considered plain, or not special. But I sense it inside him, as does The Boss. He has a certain gift that The Boss doesn't want to witness. And I couldn't stand before you and ignore her vile depravity! That is why I betrayed her!"

Emily cried, "What? She was going to-?"

Nanao sobbed, "How could you?"

Hijiri gasped, "Wha-? The Boss was-? She was going to what?"

Pets shivered, "Kana-bun, you can't."

Mossan whispered, "So, that's why we were ordered to protect him." She stated, "Kana, you do know what happens if you turn traitor. The Boss is unforgiven to defectors. Hell, Venice may be surrounded by her elite guards!"

Kana nodded, "You are right, Mossan. But I cannot do it alone. All of you are going to assist me. But if any of you are willing to assist me, then step down the stairs, and get in the boat." She then added, "But, I won't order you around saying to get in the boat, right away. No, this is different. I did this all on my own. And I cannot let you guys get in the way, even though it is right. I have no regrets. I know I'm right. Despite the world that we live in, despite the despair that we have suffered in the past, I want to continue in the path that I want to believe in. Even though we're fleeing, this is NOT a defeat, today. Once we find out about her weakness, we can finish The Boss off, for good. I want to find this weakness, myself! SHE WILL BE TOPPLED!"

The others were stunned, as June Nevins was the only person joining Kana. The rest were scathed in worry. Pets and Hijiri turned away, as Mossan sat down in defeat. Nanao nodded, as Beth was upset. All Emily could do was watch on. Emily said to Kana, "Koumoto. Listen, I know this is your decision, but I think this is not the right call. How could you let your emotions overtake our lives?"

June asked, "Em."

Emily said, "June, Kana, you should know that none of us wanted to get on that boat. You know that no one survives without expectations."

Hijiri whispered, "She's right. No one can survive, outside the famiglia. Kana, what you're doing is a brave and foolish mistake."

Mossan said, "Hijiri's right. No matter where you run, we needed a safe haven, somewhere else. What you're doing is suicide. I pledged my loyalty to the famiglia, but not to you."

She sat up and said, "But, June and Emily have had their squabbles, all they want. But I am not respecting them, since the Nevins Family is a curse. But if it'll make them forgive me, then know this. Before I met you, all I wanted was to live my dream. Of course, you were the only one at ease with me, Kana."

She stepped into the boat, as Hijiri gasped, "Wha-? MOSSAN! What are you-?"

Emily pouted and said, "Yeah, well, I'm sorry I said all that stuff, back then. But I was sick and tired of letting you treat June, like she was a pariah."

Mossan said, "I didn't like the Nevins Family, not after the news of his disappearance, and of his arrest in Egypt, long ago."

Beth huffed, "Well, serves you right for hating my bastard father. You wanna bash at my father, join the club, and get in line! I have no plans to forgive him. … … …yet." She walked to the boat, "But June's my only family left, other than Mommy. And him. I can't lose her."

June smiled, "Mossan. Sis."

Hijiri cried, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

June asked Beth, "One thing: You knew, didn't you?"

Beth nodded, and then said, "Sorry I hid this from you, for so long. Even so, I already knew these girls were Stand Users, and I knew all about your dream. And, well, I didn't want you to go at it alone. You're my sister, after all."

June hugged her and said, "Thanks."

Nanao said, "Master, we have no choice. We have to defeat the boss. Even if it means we disobey protocol, we must-."

Emily said, "Say no more, Kashima-san. Based on our skills, I should be next in line as capo, someday. Eh, Koumoto?"

She gave June the turtle and said, "Hey, you need me. You're my best friend, after all."

"Whatever happened to hating the mafioso life?"

"I'm only doing this to defeat the boss. But after that, I'm done. That's what all that matters now. Don't take this away from me, June. Besides, I owe this boy everything, not after last week."

Nanao said, "Emily Maynard is not lying. Kana Koumoto never gets in a fight that she has no chance at winning."

Emily called, "Get in the boat, Kashima-san, or we're leaving you behind!"

Nanao replied, "Yes, Emily Maynard."

She and Emily stepped into the boat, as Beth nodded, "Well, that leaves you two stooges."

Hijiri gulped, "You-! You're insane! YOU'VE ALL LOST YOUR MINDS! WE WOULDN'T LEAVE THIS CITY ALIVE!"

Pets whispered, "I … … … Kana-bun, we just reunited, and-. I can't be so sure. Just ask me to join you guys."

Hijiri asked, "Pets? You, too?"

Kana said, "No. I won't. This is a decision that you must choose. After all, was it your decision to leave your family behind, while they were at Mars?"

Hijiri asked, "So, you mean to say that this is our decision to make?"

Kana replied, "By the looks of it, it is. June, Mossan, and the rest already agreed, even if the risks of being traitors to the famiglia. Hijiri, Pets, it's up to you to decide."

Hijiri cried, "HOW CAN I DECIDE? You're going to be eaten alive in Venice! How will we know where you are? Dammit, Kana! You can't leave us!"

Pets sniffled, "Kana-bun." She turned away, and not looked back.

June called to her, "Pets, you just cannot decide."

Pets whimpered, "How can I decide? We had a fight, I yelled at you, Kana-bun, and we reunited, knowing that we'd met in destiny, knowing that we can escape our despair! And now you're leaving me? Is this a way to pay me back for not telling you everything about my trip to Mars?!"

Kana said, "Pets, no, Tomomi Hetada, once this boat leaves, you're not my friend anymore, provided that you chose not to join me. You carve your own path, from now on." She concluded, "But let me give you some sage advice, Pets: DON'T come with me. This is NOT your fight."

Pets gasped, as Hijiri sobbed, "Kana, Mossan, you're-. You're serious. You're leaving us? I get it, but there's some things in this world you just can't change. Being mafioso means we can't take the high ground."

Kana smiled, "Who knows? Our paths may cross again, someday."

Hijiri said, "I'm aware that our jobs were dirty and underhanded, but how is this different than the others?"

Kana said, "I can't answer that. Even then, I can't lie to myself."

She revved the motor, as Beth held the turtle, "Emily, Nanao, you two go in the turtle. We need to make room."

Nanao replied, "Correct. Even so, about eight people on this boat is too much weight. No offense, Man Motoyama."

Kana called, "Everyone, we set sail! Once the boat leaves the docks, you are all officially traitors to the famiglia!"

The boat sailed off, leaving everyone. Everyone was on the boat, except for Hijiri and Pets.

Hijiri snarled, as she was furious, "YOU! YOU'RE INSANE! ALL BECAUSE OF A BOY THAT YOU HARDLY MET? YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT HIS FAVORITE MUSIC IS, OR WHAT HIS FAVORITE CLOTHES ARE!"

The boat went far away, as Pets sobbed, "Kana-bun." She gasped, as she saw blood on Tanukichi's hand. It dripped, as Pets remembered the moment that she yelled at Kana. She thought, "I told her off, because she always made things worse. But the boy. She tried to protect him, only to make things worse off. But she already knew! She knew about what Mossan did, when she had problems, but she kept butting in, trying to help her! Even Hijiri, when she and her crush broke up, and she was trying to help her! And she tried to score a date with Sasaki, but to only blow her off. She only cared for others, only for her own selfish ego. But Okuma… … … Okuma… … … Okuma… … …"

She gripped her fists and sniffled, "He's… … …"

Hijiri whispered, "Pets. It's alright. Just ignore them. They chose this path. We'll be alright."

Pets shoved her away, as she whimpered, "I was abandoned, and Dad never is around. I betrayed our friendship. Why? Why did I agree to be friends with her? He had the same despair that I had! WHY? WHY DID I AGREE TO LEAVE HER? Why did I agree to be her friend, only to realize that she was looking out for others, after she told me that this is a path I should choose for myself?"

Hijiri sniffled, "Pets. Don't tell me you're… … …"

"I'm-, *hic* I'm sorry, Hijiri. We're the same. We've both been through hell, and I felt that from him, like how I had. The world kicked both of us around."

She hugged Hijiri and wept, "Forgive me. If we ever meet again, I promise we'll hang out, like we always do."

She cried, as Hijiri hugged her. She sniffled, "Pets." She then smiled, "If you want, go to her. I'll wait for your return."

"You're not coming?"

"No. But I'll stay with the famiglia, and to hope that Kana and June succeed."

"Thank you."

At the boat, Kana ordered June, "June, give me the turtle. Maynard and the robot are inside, so I want them to watch over and heal Okuma for me."

June agreed, but didn't. She then said, as she was stunned, "Kana, you should look behind you."

Kana gasped, "Huh? The enemy?"

Beth looked on and gasped, "NO! Someone's swimming towards us! Who is it?"

Mossan asked, "Is it the enemy? Or The Boss?"

Kana smiled, as she whispered, "No. It's no one. Only her."

In the distance, Pets swam for her life, as she was racing to the boat. She shrieked, as she was crying, "KANA-BUN! KANA-BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN! OKUMA AND I ARE THE SAME! TAKE ME WITH YOU! I'M GOING! I'M GOING! HIS WOUNDS, ARE MY WOUNDS! HIS PAIN, IS MY PAIN! TAKE ME WITH YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU! KANA-BUN! I'M SORRY!"

Kana sniffled, as she was blubbering, "Pets."

Inside the turtle, Emily smiled, "Looks like it's going to be a noisy ride."

Nanao said, "Mm-hmm. Tomomi Hetada, you did the right thing."

Pets made it to the boat. She wept, hugging Kana, "Okuma is me! The wound in his arm! That is me! He's me!"

Kana whispered, "There, there, it's alright."

Hijiri stayed behind, as she smiled, "Kana, Pets, Mossan… … … I hope you return, someday." She seethed, "But even so, you are going to get yourselves killed. Just come home, soon! I support your decision, but I can never betray the famiglia. I have a life! I won't be a martyr!" She sobbed, "Please, make it back, when you are successful!"

Kana watched on, as she was far away from Hijiri. She nodded, as Mossan said, "So, Hijiri's not coming?"

Kana said, "Like I said, it's her decision to make."

June smiled, "Pets, I admire the courage to make your decision. You forever have my respect."

Beth said, "But I see that Model Girl chose to back out. Whatever."

Mossan said, "As Kana said, this was her choice, and only hers."

Pets said to Kana, "Kana-bun, I want two things from you, if I agree to stay by your side! I want to protect Okuma, and then, I want to defeat The Boss, once and for all! FOR YOU!"

Kana smiled, "Pets, grazie."

And so, everyone, except for Hijiri, leave Venice, as they hid from The Boss. They agreed to fight The Boss, now that they are now traitors. This would be their biggest challenge to date.

This began June & Kana's biggest adventure yet. Their mission: defeat the Boss and her Stand, War Goddess. All they need is a miracle, and to figure out the weakness and identity of The Boss. And thus, Hijiri Yajima leave the Alternativa Traitors behind, and wait for their return. The rest of the crew had sailed off, leaving Venice. And hopefully to put an end to the wicked boss, once and for all.

Episode 9 – The End

The phone rang, as a voice called, "Hello?"

"Hey, Gundham!" A gruff voice called from the phone, "We got an order, straight from the boss."

"An order from the boss? What are our devilish demands?"

"Says here that we have two traitors in Venice. Their names are Kana Koumoto and June Nevins. They're to be taken in – dead or alive!"

"Splendid. We shall find them, and soon. I will alert the others of this task. Are there others with them?"

Uh-oh. Looks like The Boss has hired the heavy hitters to hunt for June Nevins and friends.
With Hijiri Yajima deciding to stay behind, to stay with the Organization, will the rest of the team be able to learn more of The Boss's weakness? So begins the life on the run, for June Nevins and her team. But who are the two men that are finding them?
Find out, as the journey nears the concluding point, next chapter!

To be continued…