Ch3: Welcome

After getting to the airport in the city of Kee Kojima waited for a group of certain people to show up. After about 20 minutes there they appeared bags packed and ready. It was the true group of people he trusted the most in the Lycans team were Ideguchi, Imai, and Fujita. Trust was such a strong word, more like Kojima has known them for a long time in his career. They were also very close to Tokuchi, will close as Tokuchi would let them get.

"So Kojima are you ready to go than?" Imai asked a smile on his face.

"Yeah you're right it's time to go." Kojima got up grabbed his bags and headed to the terminal with the others following behind. After taking care of the luggage they got on the plane lucky they were able to get first class tickets for a very low price which was nice. After getting situated the plane finally got ready to take off. The plane ride lasted about an hour and a half which gave some rest for everyone. The plane finally landed in Okinawa and after grabbing the luggage they got in a taxi and headed to the hotel. They were only staying just to find out where Tokuchi was but carrying luggage around is a pain. Not to mention that if they couldn't find Tokuchi than they would need to stay longer. Kojima and the others relaxed for the rest of the day until midnight when the one outs game will be in full swing.

"Let's go guys." Kojima said to the others as they started leaving the hotel. Getting in a taxi the drive was about 10 minutes and no one really talked which didn't bother anyone. They pulled up to the bar owned by big mama Welcome Club which hasn't changed since the last time Kojima was there. Despite it being so late the bar was filled with life but it wasn't the bar they were there for. No it was the field behind the bar the place where one outs takes place. It was 12:30 am and just like before all the usual people betting and gambling their money away.

"So this is where one outs is than, it is very interesting." Ideguchi said looking around.

"Yep but we are not here to participate, just look for someone got it." Kojima said as Imai, Furihata and Ideguchi nodded. The group made their way around and finally found the person they were looking for. Big mama the only person that might know where Toua was and the one person that stands out.

"Is that the person were here for Kojima?" Imai asked looking at big mama.

"Yep she is the one, but don't let her looks fool you she is very dangerous. This is why I will go over and do the talking while you guys just stay here." Kojima said to the group who nodded and hung back. Kojima walked over to the large blond hair, dark skin women. Nothing changed since the last time Kojima saw her. She was wearing her bright pink dress with high heels and styled short hair her signature cigarette in her hand. The only difference was that she was sitting in a gold colored throne chair looking like a queen watching the game instead of standing like she usually does. As Kojima was walking over to her, two very tall and muscular men blocked his way. Both of them were identical twins who beat Kojima by a foot. They had black short hair in a buzz cut, and were wearing long black suits showed off how fit they were.

"I am Kojima Hiromichi and I wish to speak to big mama about a personal matter so may you move out of my way?" Kojima asked. The man on the left leaned over a whispered something into his brother's ear and walked up to big mama and then whispered in her ear she waved her hand and the man came back.

"Big mama will speak to you now." The man said to Kojima as he and his brother moved out of the way.

"Thank you." Kojima said before walking up to big mama. Kojima was about to open his mouth when big mama cut in.

"Toua isn't here anymore sadly." Big mama said looking up at Kojima.

"Then do you know where he is, or at least how to get in contact with him?" Kojima asked.

"I do in fact, after all I knew him since he was a young child for pete sake. This brings me to my other stand I was giving orders not to divulge contact information to anyone especially any of the Lycan team members. Your gamble with him has already ended and just like professional gamblers he has to move on." Big mama said turning away from Kojima.

"I already know that but this is important and I need to speak to him." Kojima insisted raising his voice. Big mama stood up and looked him in the eye.

"And why should I what is so important that you need to show so much insistence?" Big mama asked.

"We will need his help for The World Sport Tournament." Kojima said. Big mama's eyes widened a fraction.

"You are participating in the WSC how did you get in?" Big mama asked.

"I got an invite to join the team for Japans representatives which also stated that I can bring 5 other people on the team of my choice." Kojima said confused as to why she looked shocked maybe even worried.

"So that is why you need Toua then, to help you win. Though I have to refuse, after all there is more to the WST than most know." Big mama said.

"It is just a tournament nothing more than that. It will just be playing baseball that is it I want to win this for Japan." Kojima said wondering why big mama was on edge. Big mama did not look convinced so Kojima remembered what that man Roy said.

"Roy boy told me to ask you where Tokuchi was." Kojima answered and Big mama laughed.

"So that ass is back in town then how annoying. Every time he is around problems arise." Big mama said sighing. "Will since the old man told you to come to me fine I will help you contact Toua. But don't expect too much from him though like he said the gamble ended. Now come on." Big mama said heading toward the bar she owned.

"So what did she say Kojima, will she help out?" Ideguchi asked running up to Kojima with Imai and Furihata following behind.

"Yep she said that she would but she also said don't expect too much though. It turned out that Toua said not to give any information to people especially the Lycans players." Kojima finished as they entered the bar. The bar was lit up with fading lights and there were some people dancing and drinking but mostly everyone must be at the One outs game. Big mama motioned to a room behind the bar which turned out to be the kitchen. She led the group to the back where they walked into a room with a desk and computer which Kojima knew was probably her office. The office was painted different from the bar instead of the dark purple color like most of the bar it was a bright light blue with white trimmings around it making it completely brighter than the bar. The office was very well organized file cabinets and shelves were stacked with binders and files all labeled and neat.. Sitting in her chair she started typing on her computer and turned the monitor around to show a web chat website. Taking a seat on the plush chair in front of Big Mama's big black desk, with everyone else sitting around the office. Kojima Leaned in closer and noticed a picture on Big mama's desk of her and two kids a boy and a girl. The boy look to be about 10 years old and looked just like Tokuchi except the hair was not as spiky at all and worn down both sides of his face stopping just below the ear. it was kind of like those skate board kids who would sometimes brush their hair to the side or flip it. Then it hit me that man Roy said that Big mama helped raise Tokuchi which reminded Kojima of another reason why he was here. The web chat finally went through and everyone except big mam crowded around the screen. A face appeared on the screen it was Tokuchi texting on his phone and then putting it away.

"So Big mama what is it usually you don't call until much later." Tokuchi asked looking only to stare.

"Hey Tokuchi." Imai said waving at the screen.

"I thought I said not to give my contact information to anyone especially the Lycans Big mama." Tokuchi said annoyance in his voice. Big mama spoke from behind us.

"I did but they had the password to get it Toua." Big mama said continuing to smoke.

"You mean that old man surprised he didn't drop dead yet. I am pretty sure the whole reason he even told you was so you guys would leave him alone." Tokuchi said leaning back. "Now what is it you want? Our gamble ended Kojima you know that and so it is time for me to move on." Tokuchi said.

"I know Tokuchi but listen we need you help again and this time it is very important." Kojima said pleading in his voice. Tokuchi raised an eyebrow.

"The great Kojima pleading this is pathetic." Tokuchi said with a sigh. "Alright what is so important that you had to hunt me down?" Tokuchi asked.

"We need your skills to help us win in the World Sports Challenge for Japan. So we all decided to track you down and find you for help. A person who seems to be a very trusted source told us to bring someone very skilled." Kojima said. Tokuchi and Big mama laughed.

"Skilled, ha you really got into some trouble being invited to this tournament and accepting it." Tokuchi said.

"What do you mean Tokuchi it is just a tournament to see who is the best." Ideguchi said.

"Shows just how ignorant you people are. This is not just any tournament it is a very dangerous tournament." Tokuchi said. Everyone except big mama looked shocked and confused. Imai got up and asked.

"What do you mean by dangerous?" Imai asked.

"If you don't know, than just don't participate in it that is the advice I give you. Now I am busy goodbye. And if you already registered with the tournament than you should go into hiding that's all, goodbye " Tokuchi said as he was about to close his laptop.

"Wait please Tokuchi help us win then, if this tournament is dangerous than why won't you tell us why?" Kojima asked. 'Tokuchi knows something, after all Tokuchi would never turn down a challenge unless it is more trouble than it is worth. Also, if we choose not to participate in the tournament then we have to go into hiding. Why?' Kojima thought.

"Alright how about this, make a bet with me." Tokuchi said.

"What." Everyone shouted.

"From the looks of it you won't leave me alone so let's make a bet. It won't be one outs but a riddle challenge this time. I am in Japan right now and will go to a certain spot and stay there for 48 hours in that time I will give you a riddle that will tell you where I am. If you can solve it in time and find me then I will give you information about this tournament as well as help you win. But if you can't you must stop looking for me. So how about it do we have a deal?" Tokuchi asked with a calm face.

Kojima looked at his friends and saw that they were willing to do it. After all hearing about the tournament being dangerous made them want to know why.

"Alright you have yourself a deal than." Kojima said.

"Very well then here is the riddle. Years ago this group made it big that all of Japan smiled and cheered for them, but this group was never able to do it again till 20 years later. The spot where they made it big 20 years later is where I reside is try to focus the answer is near." Tokuchi said closing his laptop.

Kojima and the others stared at the screen.

"Kojima do you have any idea what he is talking about?" Imai asked.

"No I don't but the best place to start will be to figure out what great team had a great fall. I think I might know someone who can help." Kojima said looking at them.

"Who is it?" Ideguchi asked.

"Takumi Itsuki." Kojima said. "Remember what Tokuchi said one of the hardest challenges he had to face was Takumi and in order to solve this riddle Takumi who can hold a candle to Tokuchi is our best bet. Not to mention that he is a prodigy and his family have been in the baseball world a very long time and have seen much of the world. So he is the hope in solving this riddle before Thursday at 1:00 am." Kojima said walking out of the office to leave the bar.

"Where are we going Kojima?" Imai said running up to him Ideguchi and Furihata behind.

"To the Mariners stadium to talk to Takumi after all he got an invite from the WST, and if what Tokuchi says that it is dangerous then he should know." Kojima said before they got into a taxi and drove off.

It was not until Wednesday that the group got to the Mariners stadium to speak with Takumi that they realized that they only have 24 hours left to solve Tokuchi's riddle. The group walked through the stadium to the field where Takumi said they would meet up at. Because of the long break most of the mariners team were gone leaving only a few. The few that stayed were training for the WSC, meaning that they were invited. The group walked to the right side of the field where batting cages were set up. Takumi was in the first cage with Kawanaka practicing his swings. While Brooklyn and Thomas watched from the dugout, Takumi managed to hit Kawanaka's ball but it didn't get enough air so Amami caught it while running laps around the field Kitaoji behind him.

"Well you arrived earlier then I thought its only 10 am. Anyways why the sudden call to talk to me?" Takumi asked sitting in the dugout bench by Brooklyn and Thomas. Noticing the group of Lycans talking to Takumi, Amami and Kitaoji made their way back to the dugout to listen wondering what is happening. Kawanaka also curious came back to the bench as well.

"As you know the WSC is coming in a little bit more than a month. Will someone who seems to be a very trusted source told me that the WSC is a cover for something much more sinister. This person told me that I would need someone who is very skilled when it comes to situations. That is what this person said to me so it got me thinking why they would say something like that. So I did research and discovered that the teams that participated in the tournament some seem to have just vanished. There was no trail of any of them sure they may be dead after all 50 years ago was a long time. But no matter how hard I tried I couldn't find a single remnant of them. Don't you think that is a little strange that there are no articles, newspapers, and magazines about the WSC?" Kojima said looking at the Mariners team.

"It does seem strange I guess a tournament like the WSC that shows up every 50 years and then vanishes for another 50 years. It also might not be anything after all 50 years is a long time even those who were there when it happened would be 50 or more years old. That is a very long time for a person to remember especially, a tournament that only lasts for a short time now that I think about it who won the last tournament. I can't seem to remember?" Amami said.

"I did manage to find that it was a team from Oceania I believe. Figures with all the swimming they must do down there. Back then they were a team of 4 people but that's it any information about them is gone." Kojima said.

"Which is why we need your help Takumi we believe that the only way to find out what this tournament is and how to I don't know survive I guest is to find Tokuchi. He is somewhere in Japan and we have less than 24 hours to solve his riddle and find him so he can explain why he said that this tournament is dangerous. Now I may not know Tokuchi as much but seeing him in action and finding out what he went through to help us win the championship. It terrifies me a little that someone like Tokuchi is nervous about a tournament. He even said that this tournament is not like anything we have ever been in. So please Takumi you're the only person we know who can come close to matching Tokuchi in skill." Ideguchi said bowing to Takumi signaling every one of the Lycans here in the stadium to follow his bow. After what seemed to be a couple seconds Takumi told them to stand up.

"Alright I will help you not because I believe this tournament is completely dangerous but, you are a very trustful person Ideguchi and someone with so much pride bowing there head deserves so benefit so I will help you only to find Tokuchi to find out what the WSC is and also got the feeling of winning this bet." Takumi said smiling at the Lycans.

"Thank you so much Takumi." The Lycans said together.

"And of course we might as well help out to after all. This is a challenge that Tokuchi thinks he might win. Not going to happen, this time we will beat him." Amami said turning to the rest of the Mariners who smiled back with determination in their eyes after all a chance to beat Tokuchi, after humiliating them what better reward.

"So let's do this, what's the riddle?" Takumi asked.

The Lycans told the Mariners the riddle and how they got into contact with Toua, after some thinking Takumi decided that a trip to the library to look at articles, newspapers, and research on a group that seem to make it big 20 years ago and again 20 years later. 14 hours and 40 mins to go.

Now thank you for being patient I was so happy about all the views I got for my story and decided to type and dance with joy sorry if this update took long just trying to make it as good as I can. Critique is welcomed just please be nice a little about it. Thank you and a big type out to those who reviewed in the past thank you very much. Please enjoy. Oh and see If you can solve the riddle it took me a while to come up with it and if you think you know where Tokuchi resides review or message me with the answer love to see what you come up with.

Ch 4: Last minutes and Truth