Author's Note;
Smiles; Really not a single review here to that's it put this one on hiatus too!
Jester; But Smiles maybe...
Smiles; No they had their chances but they still won't comment or review. Sure people like and follow but not a simple comment at all after how long its been since the last chapter. No way either comment or no more updates!
Dante's View
After walking around with Anne and the boys they finally agreed on a place to eat. Stepping in I ask the greeter for a table and we walk to the far side of the restaurant. Sitting down a smiling waitress dressed as a classical western saloon girl walks over to us. Trying her best at a western accent she greets us and gives us all menus. Looking over the menus it's a mix of BBQ and normal eastern food. Jim and Tim ask, "Dad what is fried crab stakes?" "Yea and what's seasoned fished battered in hometown gravy?" I smile telling them what it all is. No surprise the boys ask for the baby ribs topped bread with mild spices. And sided with rice balls. Anne is getting fried jumbo shrimp, crab legs, and a fish wrap. I'm getting a spicy bowl of noodles with soft fish dumplings, rice seaweed, and a few fried shrimp on the side.
With all our food on the table the boys and Anne look at me with shock seeing how big the bowl is. I smile to say "Not the first time I've ordered a bowl this size." Tim says "No way you can finish that all dad." Jim says "Dude have you see how much dad eats. Rufus eats almost as much as him sometimes just as much." Anne asks "Dante don't get spice overload that last thing we need is you getting sick." I wave Anne off commenting that spicy food does nothing to me anymore. And that's mainly due to Yuri she really doesn't know when too much spice is too much. Poor Hirotaka guy nearly passed out their first time she went crazy with the spices. Sure I turned out ok and now have a deep love for all things spicy. But Hirotaka has often told me after the first date that he can't feel his tongue for at least a week when Yuri cooks.
As we continue to eat Jim asks "Hey dad did you hear how some governments are putting together task forces to work with police to handle rogue Outers?" I nod to add "They also plan to have some work in their militaries too. And though the idea of giving all these people jobs. I worry that some corrupt or other problems will come from stuff like that. Boys don't get me wrong being an Outer user myself is not easy finding work outside of the Outer Leagues. But I still worry what kind of example these few governments are setting by hiring Outers like this. Having special groups like the Avengers, Point, The Exchangers, and Moorlands work to get Outers jobs or specific placements is fine. But having a super powered arms race never ends well.
"However I know for sure you two have heard about the artificial world those Doctors in Greenland have been working on? Come on boy what's your take on that?" Jim smirks answering "Dad who hasn't heard of their work by now its freaky awesome creating a whole functioning world. With lives that can continue without them needing to do anything but watch." Tim nods "Yea they've already have the world working and running like ours. They say in a few months they'll be testing it so people can visit the world. Or if they really try pull some of the artificial life into ours. So far they've keep all details they have about the world hidden. But the design and marketing groups love what they've seen so far."
With dinner winding down I lift the bowl and start to drink down all the soup and left overs still in the bowl. Placing the bowl back down the boys gasp as I burp into my hand. Calling the waitress for the bill I pay and we leave with thanks. As we start to walk around the boys want to go into a small park and watch a group of performing freelancers dance in their boxers. Stuff like this isn't too weird for Tokyo but I can't help but smile as the boys enjoy the show. Soon after we leave the park and head back to our hotel. With two joining rooms I smile as Anne talks with the boys trying to calm them down. I take a moment to step out onto the rooms small balcony to make a call. Dialing the number into the phone the ring lasts for only a few seconds before someone answers. Other end says "Marked one has been spotted talking with a gang leader in the South Food district. Observation was round the clock but Marked did not leave." I groan to say "Then I'll find out what they did to get him away. Have the two wait for me outside." With the calls end I place the phone back into my bag and pull out a secondary duffle bag.
Placing the bag at the door I walk into the boys room. I smirk as they are already messing with their gadgets inner working. Well they've mostly have taken them apart. With no tools they can't do anything upgrade wise. Looking at Anne I say, "I have to go out and meet with a friend. No idea why he would call me out of the blue. But he didn't know I was in town but seemed glad I'm here. So I'm going to meet him." Tim says "Dad we wanted to test our gadgets to see if they could match your Outer." Before I could say anything Anne says "Oh not at this hour. You two need sleep and you're going to go to sleep is that clear." The twins groan a yes mom together and I look to Anne. I say, "If it gets too late give me a call to let you know where I am." Anne nods to add "Dante do be careful I don't need the boys getting worried over you being out all night." I nod and head out with my duffle bag. Getting five blocks to the food district I jump and start to scale a buildings side. Using the building small ledges I get to the roof with ease. Quickly changing I'm once more dressed in guard of any warrior of the shadows.
My guard much like others is designed for the shadows. Soft ballistic weave mixed with different layers of cloth. The first layer is a skintight suit to keep in heat. The other layer is a v-style gee with a loin guard. The pants and shirt are wrapped at my chins and forearms to prevent drag from my attacks. The main armor of my guard is the flexing metal platting on my chins, shoulders, elbows, chest, and neckpiece. Pulling up the protective cloth for my head I dawn the Blood fists head dress. Each fist that receives their head dress reforges and refines the headpieces to their liking. My headpiece is reminiscent of the classical Oni. The red face with white horns and teeth are made even more shocking with the headpieces deep gold eyes. Clicking the front to the back the headpiece locks and I begin to move. Jumping from roof to roof is not new. The teachers taught me all this and more. But for now I must move fast Fukushimi will regret his betrayal to our ways.
Getting to the district I scan the shadows around me and find my two allies. On seeing me both bow their heads and place their right hands to their left shoulder. Doing the same the sister of the two says, "The Marked has not left since we started our watch. Sensei knows you wish to bring him to face the clan." I nod to tell them to remain here and only enter if they see me use the flash pellets. They are to arrange help. Jumping onto the phone wires I race across making sure not to cause pause with anyone bellow me. Getting to the roof across from me I open the skylight and look within. Scanning the room I see the leader laughing with a whore on his lap. Across from him an elderly man who is showing his tattoo work. No doubt hired to give the leader more ink to show his prestige to this gang. The room has several other gang members. Some with weapons in hand, some with them resting nearby. Or the last few with weapons concealed.
Climbing down onto a pillar I hold on as I see the floors fuse box. Taking my blowpipe I put a mini EMP cap at the end. Blowing the cap hits the box and soon sparks start to fling from the box before it goes out. The woman and old man are startled like everyone else. But like the codex says whore, the elderly, children, and beggars are to be untouched. They have proven themselves to be allies more times than once to those who looked for Markers before. Using a small speaker I say, "You have been in contact with a wanted betrayer of the shadows. Tell me where he is and you will live to see the dawn." The gang leader growls "Be gone assassin the one you seek has paid for what he wanted. I won't tell you anything." I smirk to say "Then I'll beat the answer out of you after I kill those who work for you." The gang members ready their weapons as do I. Sliding down the pillar with ease I look over the area and all the weapons they have at their disposal. Nothing more powerful then an old AK47 as can be seen. In a swift more I throw concussive stars at the three with AKs. On hitting the stars set off miniature explosives. They explosives not only destroy the weapons but also send some shrapnel into the thugs.
As others scan for me I remain with the shadows. Letting the darkness come over me and hide my every move. 'A warrior of the shadows does not use the shadows. They are one with the shadows. For each shadow like us is unique. For once in harmony with us then they will allow us to walk among them.' Sensei's words as true as they were when I was young as they are true now. With a sickle in one hand and a sai in my next I go after four lightly armed thugs. Slashing the first across the throat with the sickle. I dig the sharpened blade into his shoulders as another tries to shoot me. But with ease I use the thug as a shield once close I leap over him. Capturing the goon's gun and hand with my sai. I twist hearing her cries as the gun in her hand drops and her wrist breaks. With my sickle I disembowel her slicing her stomach from the middle to her thigh. Rolling with her body I once more sink into the shadows as the other two fire franticly at their two fallen.
With the two in a well lite area of the room I must draw them to me. Aiming at their dominant arms I flick my wrists revealing the four rope darts. Throwing the daggers all four daggers lock into their skin on penetration. Pulling hard the thugs scream in pain as the barbs to my rope darts assist me in engulfed them into the shadows. Those remaining in the room hear the two different sounds. One of bone meeting metal and the other of someone coughing violently while begging. Those remaining fire are armed with melee weapons akin to low-level street walking thugs. Rolling smoke pellets under them all the gas from the pellets disorients them long enough for me to use my sword to kill them. The boss nervous and very much shaking exhales as I take hold of his shoulder. Leaning in I say "No one helps a marked an lives."
Running him through with my short sword I slowly pull my blade free. Looking to the whore and the elder tattoo maker I ask, "Where did the marked on go?" The elder maker answers "He went down into the basement from there he never came back up." I nod telling them to leave and to not speak of what happened tonight. The elder thanks me grabbing the whores hand and hurrying to leave. Quickly making my way downstairs I scan the basement to find a metal hatch. Opening the hatch I drop down follow it to where Fukushimi will be.
Third person's POV
Standing next to the four global justice agents is task force agent Boiled. His cleanly shaved headed man stares at the four agents the lieutenant goes over their targets. Boiled says, "You four came just in time. Over the last year this shadow group has cause numerous deaths. And even though they're scum no one would bat an eye about. The body count is still pretty high. And we can't have this group doing what we're supposed to do. So in short you four are to back up my task force." Will Du ask "Sir do you have any leads as of yet?" Another officer answers, "As of now the only lead we have is that they target gangs. No clear pattern but all the gangs hit had a private meeting before as to what they talk about has the street crews have confessed too. After that the crews don't see those in the meeting."
Kim says "Then we need to find out who's hosting these private meetings and hopefully catch this assassin group in the act." As the task force highlights all the previously hit meeting Wade calls him. Kim says "Go Wade." Wade says "Kim three dock workers near the eastern pier reported two guys with swords fighting on the roof of a warehouse." Alerted Boiled scrambles his task force with Kim and the agents in toe. After twenty minutes of pushing past mild traffic they are at the warehouse reported. Inside the hear the clashing of steel and various other metal objects making rapid contact. Boiled shouts "Set all blasters to stun I want these crazies alive for questioning." On entering the twenty plus force finds another force of ninja monkey's mutants. Honey Dew says, "Now that is just wrong." A ninja clashing with a red demon masked ninja shouts "Ninja monkeys attack!" As the officers fire the ninjas punch and claw into the task force. Kim using her super scream rattles the monkey's minds as they try to kill the officers.
However as the two groups fight Du sees both ninjas clashing using fancy sword work against one another. Before long the demon masked ninja disarms the other ninja that just has a simple mouth mask. Reeling his blade back the demon looks to thrust but Du interferes firing his taser darts from his watch. Rolling away the other ninja shouts "Ninja's vanish!" Throwing mini flash powder pellets the ninja and his remaining coherent monkeys escape. The demon mask ninja is then surrounded as he grunts pulling the darts from his back. Kim says "Ok ninja we have some questions for you." The demon says "Oh Kim you have no idea what you've done." Kim gasps recognizing the voice. Pulling off the demons mask reveals Dantes face for all to see. Kim growls saying "What are you doing do you know how much trouble you're in?" Dante chuckles to say, "I'm not in the same amount of trouble compared to what you did. You let my target get away along with his forces. Thanks to you now the world has a new threat. And well now I have to go after him."
Boiled says "No you're not you're under arrest." Dante smirks to say "Task force officer Boiled you have no jurisdiction of those who have protected Japan's interests for generations. Ask your commanders they'll tell you. As for you Kim you won't say a word to anyone nor will your agents." Kim says "And why is that?" Dante smirks "No one will believe you when you claim I'm a ninja. But everyone will believe me when I say you're a secret agent for Global justice. Cause I've got proof." Dante pulls out a portable tablet showing Kim fighting various super villains. Along with various other agents. Dante says "The group I'm apart of takes assassinations seriously we protect a vary steady balance. We don't pick every target but those who are picked we research excessively. So if you'll excuse me." Boiled however slaps a cuff onto Dantes hand telling him "As I said you're under arrest." However Dantes phone goes off as him simple stares at Boiled. Dante says, "That's my wife. Kim you want to tell your mom how you're in Japan or should I?"
Smiles; Well here's hoping someone leaves a comment cause if not you won't see another chapter for a long time. And so like always wait no I'LL WON'T HUG YOU LATER!
