Opening song: Original God - U Don't Know Me Ft. Lil Peep

"Patrol division be advised, wanted underground dealer was reported at an illegal gambling club at Kabukicho. I need a unit to clear and head out that way."

"Do you have details on the wanted underground dealer?"

"Suspect is mid 20s male, 5'9", 188 lbs, grey cap, and green eyes. He has a duffle bag on his right shoulder. Proceed with caution suspect may have Titan –M5 in the duffel bag."

"Vehicle patrol unit 21 on scene, I got a visual on the suspect."

…

"This is the police! You'll be coming with us on charges of drug smuggling, and murder of two rival dealers."

"Oh fuck, it's the cops!"

"We've got a runner! Unit 21 to Station 43, I need backup, suspect is fleeing on foot."

…

"Vehicle patrol unit 107, we have the wanted dealer in custody. Units in the area, wanted suspect have just been apprehended at Seibu-Shinjuku station."

Chifuyu wrote notes on her folder while the monitor showed police officers arresting the wanted dealer. Another monitor revealed the rest of the officers on duty. The Brunhilde was not in the mood for joking around because she knows that the stakes are high for setting up Operation Exorcist. So far, the cops got the scene under control without shots fired and civilians were not harmed.

…

"Unit 5 to Chifuyu, suspect's duffle bag has Titan –M5 intent to distribute, and a loaded handgun in his pants pocket. He will also be charged for brandishing a weapon."

Chifuyu rested her chin on her hands with determination while the suspect was taken away to face criminal charges. Even though Chifuyu got one of her target stopped, she contemplated how to proceed with Operation Exorcist. The Brunhilde read the data related to the location of Three Dragons which it will be crucial to get the lead on him. Chifuyu has the go to start Operation Exorcist, but she felt like there's something missing to complete the puzzle to ensure it does not crumble.

Chifuyu's iPhone 7 rang on her desk that broke the minute of silence as she suspiciously looked at the unknown number.

"This is Chifuyu speaking, who is this?"

"Surprised? It wasn't hard for me to find your phone number."

Chifuyu froze in time at the unknown caller's voice that got a hold of her number. The Brunhilde remained calm as usual.

"Perhaps you think you're the best of flushing out criminals single handedly. I'm Uncle Yuen, the Dragon Head of Righteousness Union. You have one of my associates name Liu King-Sang, yet you're alive. This is interesting coming from a Mondo Grasso champion."

The worst has come for Chifuyu as she gritted her teeth listening to Liu's Dragon Head talking to her. Chifuyu has a distaste against organized crime, and Uncle Yuen made it worse that he had the knowledge that Liu was not where he would reside.

"You're not getting your hands on Liu," said Chifuyu.

Uncle Yuen chuckled. "Relax, I'm not going to raid on IS Academy. I just want to see how Liu is doing."

"He is doing fine. You don't need to visit him."

"I'm just giving you a friendly reminder of being aware on your surroundings. You may never know something extraordinary is about to happen any time soon. It was nice having a small chat with you, Chifuyu. We'll catch up again when you're not watching your monitors."

With that being said, Uncle Yuen ended the call, and Chifuyu growled in disgust. While Chifuyu oversee the monitors, officers raided some of illegal gambling dens, clubs, and black markets. The lucrative businesses even had connections with Phantom Task as officers arrested Phantom Task associates. News reporters and onlookers took pictures of the arrested associates with their faces against the building. Chifuyu has the winning side, or so does she think.

Time: 11:42AM – Phantom Task Hideout

"What is the meaning of this?" Autumn asked, clenching her stress toy. "Did our dealer snitched on us?"

Squall was not surprised at all, but Autumn was not happy as she turned on the TV with breaking news.

"Tadami Kiryuu here. Reports continue to roll into this two month operation. Agents said that Kabukicho is a hub for major drug and money laundering activity. Matsuda is on location."

"As we speak, police announced the arrest of twenty alleged associates of Phantom Task facing charges of illegal gambling, extortion, and drug smuggling. Police conducted a search, and found a new substance called Titan –M5 that is used specifically for IS pilots to enhance power. Apparently, criminals got their hands on to break the rules of poisoning IS pilots. No one knows how it originated, but the police are working hard to stop the flow of Titan –M5 pouring into IS pilots."

Three Dragons let out a small grin while Autumn became much more agitated watching the breaking news. "Heh, never been so happy to see the cops so riled up to make the city clean."

Squall casually polished her blood red fingernails, not paying attention to the crisis that affected Phantom Task.

"Don't you see what the cops are doing to us?" Autumn questioned Squall. "Three Dragons brushed it aside like it doesn't bother him. We have to-"

Squall patted Autumn by the shoulder. "No need to fret, we knew it was going to happen anyway. The police are calling us out, and I got a message to deliver for our uniformed friends. Three Dragon, you may commence the attack."

Squall turned at Three Dragons to begin the phase as the dragon turned on another monitor with Forte on standby. Squall and Three Dragons have confidence that Forte can retaliate against Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department with ease. Three Dragons and his followers grabbed machetes, and crude melee weapons as they don motorcycle helmets for their next scheme.

"Forte dear, can you hear me?" Squall said through the private link at Forte.

The Greece girl nodded her head, dressing up as a policewoman with her accomplice disguised as a policeman named Masato.

"I trust you to complete your objective without any body count or other unauthorized actions. It's bothersome to clean up a mess every time the media is all over like vultures. Please make it out in one piece, along with Masato. After all, good soldiers are hard to be replaceable. Hiring private military companies and mercenaries are hard to deal with when we have people in our homeland that share mutual interests."

Forte gave Squall her usual bored expression before she hung up to execute her objective. Masato adjusted his baseball cap, and loaded his New Nambu M60 revolver as they head towards a Nissan 370Z Nismo police car. Normally, Forte can get to HQ with her IS, Cold Blood, but she cannot afford to bring unwanted attention to the public flying with her police uniform. Forte had to follow procedures to act like a legit policewoman. Forte can also use obvious approach by raiding the HQ with no disguise, but the downside was Forte will be identified instantly by the cops and media. Phantom Task's motto is stay within the shadows, not by making a scene.

While Chifuyu read the data about Three Dragons, she turned to another monitor that relayed TMPD HQ. For some reason, Chifuyu got a gutsy feeling in her stomach overseeing the usual work at the HQ. In her mind, Uncle Yuen spoke to her ominously.

You may never know something extraordinary is about to happen any time soon.

Time: 12:23PM – Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters

The afternoon was clear sky with bright sun gleaming towards downtown streets. Masato and Forte parked their car inside the garage as they went inside to make their move. The duo used forged identities to bypass security as officers briefly stared at them before they went back to work. These two were anything but police officers with a bag full of tricks in their sleeves.

Masato went to a computer while Forte kept an eye out. Masato typed in the computer to monitor security cameras planted on the streets to not attract unwanted attention from other officers walking in and out. While Masato opened another window to write up a report about the streets, he witnessed a masked individual walking to his van with a suppressed Mac 10, and a duffel bag filled with money. Those signs give away a robbery has occurred, and Masato immediately stood up.

"I got a distress call from someone that hit the silent alarm," said Masato. "Suspect just robbed a hardware store, and I need all officers in this precinct to nab him now. He is donned in dark gray hoodie with a white mask, black jeans and black boots driving a white Toyota pickup."

Those that heard the robbery call waste no time to chase after the robber. In reality, the robbery call was a fluke because the hardware store was a disguise for smuggling operation. Masato bribed a robber set this up to draw away officers from the headquarters for Masato and Forte to sabotage the headquarters. The robber's ideal destination: a shootout with the cops at a major traffic accident with the media covering the footage. Masato went through unsolved cases to save it through his USB flash drive.

The coast was clear, Forte went inside the evidence room as she cracked her knuckles, and booted up the computer. Forte thought she heard footstep as she drew her Nambu 60. Once left alone, she got into the server area and began to work on her magic, simultaneously hacking the database for sensitive police information and uploading a virus. Forte whipped out her duffel bag to steal illegal firearms and some confidential folders.

Masato and Forte thought they were clear, but unfortunately, a female officer traced the hack from her computer.

"Someone's hacking into the headquarters!" A female officer yelled, drawing attention to nearby officers. Masato slightly shuddered that the fake robbery call should have send all the officers out, but a few handful remained in the headquarters.

Officers huddled around the computer as the female officer shook her head. "Someone or something is planting a virus, stealing data from the system."

"Code red, we have a breach," said the officer. "Someone has breached the network coming from the evidence room."

Two officers walked towards the evidence room to search whoever was responsible for hacking the system. The officers could not believe their eyes as they tried everything to stop the hack, but their efforts did not pay off. The female officer gritted her teeth to use the last resort.

"We have no choice but to cut off the hotline."

"Are you out of your mind?"

She looked back with determination. "Whatever they want, they are getting it."

The police sergeant hesitated, but she was serious to cut the server immediately. Readjusting his hat, he nodded his head to cut all the systems down. Forte rounded up the things she needed on her duffel bag just as she managed to finish uploading the virus, which would later shut down police communications, and she obtained sensitive information on the police.

The female officer disconnected the server, but it failed to halt the hack, much to the dismay of the officers.

"What the hell…?"The police sergeant muttered.

The officers could not believe that they have been hacked by a Phantom Task agent disguised as a policewoman. The female officer furiously slammed her fist on her desk.

"Get nearby officers back to the headquarters right now! We have been breached by a disguised officer."

Seven officers frantically scrambled to get help while the sergeant attempted to reboot the system, but the hack dealt enough damage to crash the headquarters, leaving them defenseless.

Forte was about to leave the premises until she was met staring at the barrel of a revolver.

"Get your hands up in the air, and don't move!" The police officer ordered, pointing his revolver. They had a good lead that Forte was the only one in the evidence room to tamper the system. The duffel bag on her left shoulder gave it away that Forte was up to no good.

"Up, get them up where I can see them!"

Forte did not budge, despite the fact she was caught for sabotaging the system. Two officers slowly approached Forte as she played along to surrender.

"..."

The agent slowly raised her hands up, but in a flash, Forte dropped her act to partial deploy Cold Blood. Forte flash freezes chunks of ice like shurikens and hurled at her pursuers.

"What the-?!"

The officers barely had time to return fire before they were disarmed, and knocked out. Masato met up with Forte preparing to leave. Masato drew his revolver, and fired blindly at another officer ducking for cover.

"Cockroaches…" said Forte in disgust.

The Greece girl released a powerful blizzard from her right hand at the remaining officers that slowed them down indefinitely. The duo calmly drove away with their objectives completed while the officers struggled to shrug off the freezing blizzard. Forte flipped the bird at the police for shooting at her.

"Stupid fucks tried to shoot me…" Forte muttered to Masato. "Are we finally clear this time?"

Masato nodded his head, revealing the computer his associate that took care of the officers incapacitated at a parking lot.

"I'll file out the report to Squall on our objectives complete," Masato replied, typing on the computer. "The final step is to send this message to Chifuyu. Give the evidence to Squall where she will take care of it."

Forte's pursuers caught up at the evidence room, but they were too late because Forte and Masato got away clean with sensitive information in their hands. Phantom Task has the clear advantage to destroy the police force with a snap of a finger. TMPD was left defenseless with officers frantically trying to fix the damages done. Back at Phantom Task hideout, Forte and Masato gave Squall the evidence they collected from the headquarters. These two sources will deal a major blow to the police force if Squall decided to release it to the public. Then again, the leader would not get anything in return because she has something to make the police force on its hands and knees.

"Good work, you two," Squall commented, drinking red wine. "We have a lot of work to do. Inform Three Dragons that we're about to commence training. Shen and Kaori will need them too."

As Forte went away, Squall found Chifuyu's phone number with ease to deliver a message.

Time: 1:05PM – IS Academy

It was another slow day at the Academy as usual. Ichika and the gang was channel surfing until they bumped into a news channel that caught their attention.

"We bring you this afternoon breaking news. An out of control semi-truck caused a major traffic accident that ended with six cars destroyed in the process. Police and medical team shut down several roads until the scene was clear. Alcohol and drugs were not the cause of the accident, and we have no further details of how many people were injured from the horrific accident."

The gang was too stunned to say a word, but they were not the only one watching the breaking news. At Chifuyu's office, the Brunhilde pay close attention to every word the reporter gave out.

"Suddenly, we got news report that a white pickup with police in pursuit crashed at the exact location where we last left. A masked individual crashed into a car, wielding a suppressed Mac 10, and fired at the police that left three officers and one civilian injured."

Chifuyu was not surprised at the breaking news as she is accustomed watching news when she is bored. Chifuyu was about to change the channel until she saw a police officer surrendering in fear to the robber was captured and telecast by the local media. The footage revealed the robber walking away, firing a single shot at the officer's hat that left him paralyzed in fear.

"I'm flabbergasted," said the reporter, adjusting his glasses. "Is Japan really a safe place for us citizens to live crime free? The police were made to protect us from danger, and I'm seeing them surrendering to a lone criminal? This is an outrage! I thought the police were supposed to eradicate criminals, not opening the doors for them to spread chaos at us. I'm questioning the credibility at the police. I'm losing faith at them, and I want to know what the police chief has got to say."

The Brunhilde was for a moment frozen in time witnessing the disastrous shootout. The reporter's statement made her pause as Chifuyu make sure her cup of water did not slip from her hand. Chifuyu could not believe at the TV news unit that broadcasted the embarrassing defeat of the police in front of her eyes.

The reporter's burning words left Chifuyu slightly ticked off. The Brunhilde does not mind people talking down on her, but when the reporter criticized the credibility of the police force, Chifuyu threw her drink at the TV in frustration. Chifuyu turned off the TV that gave her a headache from listening to the reporter. Chifuyu was flabbergasted that the officers she worked with surrendered against a robber that got away. If she was at the aftermath of the scene, Chifuyu would chase at the robber until it was finally over.

Just as things could not get worse, Chifuyu received a text message no other than her arch-nemesis.

Dear Ms. Orimura:

Did you watch the breaking news today? You are quite an eyesore to us for shutting down some of my operations. What do you have against us? You're not giving people the opportunity to pursue their dreams. I decided to return the favor by giving TMPD a home improvement. I have the evidence to turn the police upside down. Unless you don't want to see your beloved workers in danger, follow this simple rule: Dismantle your pointless long investigation, and stop sticking your nose at other people's business. I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors. – Squall

Chifuyu's eyes sheered in anger reading the sickening letter, especially the last sentence that offended her. The Brunhilde was not the one to tap out that easily from Squall's blackmail. Phantom Task may have the winning advantage, but they have no idea it fueled Chifuyu to hit back, harder. For now, she put it aside to not think too much about it as Chifuyu has Plan B to ease her mind.

"All personal IS users, please report to the office."

In fifteen seconds, Ichika and the gang stood in line as Chifuyu poured a cup of water. Normally, she would drink alcohol, but this time, Chifuyu preferred water for this situation.

"I'm sure that you just saw the breaking news of the…incident that irked all of us," said Chifuyu, drinking water. "It does not take a rocket scientist to point out that Phantom Task pulled the strings."

Tatenashi folded her arms. "Perhaps the actions back in Kyoto grind their gears to make them cause major damage. The police was manhandled pretty badly."

Chifuyu sighed at the blue cat. "Let's not talk about that. I want all of you to be on guard, especially Liu that went AWOL, twice. I let his attitude go on long enough, but when Liu got captured and tortured by Three Dragons, I had to put the brakes on him for good."

"How are we supposed to keep an eye out?" Laura questioned. "Last time I watched Liu, he sacrificed himself to save my skin. Despite the fact I cannot abandon him, he persisted that I did not like."

"That's where I'm getting at," Chifuyu replied with a stern tone. "Liu is nowhere close mastering his IS skills. He will not get anywhere with that mindset of vengeance mixed with his emotions. Train Liu using the knowledge you obtained. I don't care what methods you apply as long as it keeps him in line. Liu went off course more than once, and I had it."

Ichika acknowledged his older sister's reasoning to train Liu because he can relate that the girls used their resources to train him. Even though Ichika has more experience piloting an IS than Liu, he knows that his skills are not fully mastered.

Chifuyu finished her cup of water, stretching her arms out. "That is all for today, you may leave."

The gang left the office as Chifuyu closed her eyes, composing herself to relief stress she endured today. Phantom Task sabotaged the police headquarters with the evidence in their hands to blackmail Chifuyu. Her enemies were clever to hurt her as they were not amateurs. This was the beginning of a war that will emerge soon.

Time: 1:30PM –Rin's Dorm

"Zzzz…"

Liu slept as the shimmering rays of sunlight beaming through the thin curtains that covered the windows shine onto his exposed stomach. Liu lazily opened his eyes briefly before he went back to sleep, enjoying the soft mattress that gave him comfort. The dragon did not want to get out of his comfortable bed, considering the fact that it's Saturday morning, and there was no class today. Everything seemed to be a peaceful morning until-

Knock Knock

"Time to get up for your morning drill!" said Houki, opening the door. "Did you forget that training starts-"

Liu did not hear Houki's booming voice as his mind was dozing off into another world. Houki saw the dragon's legs sticking out of his blanket, and his right arm dangling like a rope. Houki could not believe that Liu completely forgot that it was his first day of training. The sight of the dragon sleeping like a sloth does not go together. Houki thought Liu would know better than Ichika waking up early. Anger began to build up inside of Houki with her rage scorching sky high that prompted her to grab her shinai, and raised it over her head.

"Why you…!"

Without warning, Houki charged towards the sleeping dragon with full power. Liu sensed the vixen's divine punishment as his muscle memory triggered, and he grabbed the shinai with his right hand. Houki was surprised at Liu predicted her divine punishment, despite the fact he was still sleeping. Liu instinctively kicked Houki to shoo her away, but his counterattack made Houki beyond pissed off to strike back.

"You dare to attack me!?" Houki shouted, kicking Liu's right hand off of her shinai. "Get your lazy butt up right now!"

Houki swung again as Liu attempted to block, but the vixen's hard bamboo sword struck his right hand, and smacked the defenseless dragon's body and face seven times. Liu's screams of agony were heard from Houki's divine punishment. Liu agonized in pain before he fell from his bed with a thud, and Houki vented off her anger.

"That hurt like hell…" Liu groaned, nursing his sore right forearm. "You remind me of Kamiya Kaoru that does not know how to restrain herself."

The moment Liu said that, Houki revealed her fiery, violent temper, and struck his sleepy face that gave her a good reason to wake him up, again. The last divine punishment left an unforgettable mark on Liu's left cheek.

"People who sleep in on the day of their training should get kicked by a horse and die," said Houki putting away her shinai. "Don't call me Kamiya ever again. We're not in the 11th year of the Meiji period."

Maybe the divine punishment was a bit too harsh Houki lashed out at Liu. The vixen does not like people showing up late, especially training day. Houki smacked Ichika silly for "sleeping" with Laura, but Liu suffered the worst wakeup call that hurt even more than Ichika. Houki sighed at Liu that looked like a battered worm, and she helped him to get up.

"Get yourself cleaned up, and wear this kendogi."

Liu complied as he grabbed his kendogi and hakama, and went towards the bathroom to freshen up.

Time: 1:45PM – Dojo

Houki and Liu bowed to each other as a sign of greeting and respect. While Houki and Liu warm up, he knows that Houki is nonsense when it comes to kendo because it runs in her blood. When Houki tell Liu to follow her set of commands, he has to obey. Liu can refuse, but this was his first day of training, and Liu must make every day count.

"Based off of your observation and combat data obtained from Tatenashi, sword and firearms are your main source of weaponry," said Houki. "Firearms are not going to be used today as swords are the main source of training."

Liu nodded his head, remembering his past of using melee weapons during his tenure with Righteousness Union. "I have some experience using swords before I touched guns."

Houki raised an eyebrow at the last statement. "Some experience you say? I hope what you show me does add up to your words."

After the two finished warming up, Houki tossed a shinai at Liu, and the two wore protective gears for sparring, primarily for Houki to see Liu's swordplay. That is, if Liu can really impress Houki with his sword techniques.

"Show me what you got, Liu," said Houki, holding her shinai in battle position.

Liu readied his shinai as the two face off, trying to read each other's strategies. Less than eight seconds, Liu immediately charged with a downward slash. Houki stepped back, parrying the strike, and she noticed Liu's hands holding his shinai very sloppy. Houki was in defensive position as Liu went for another strike. This was a big mistake for Liu because Houki read the attack, and she struck his left forehand.

"Tsk…!" Liu winced in pain, lowering his shinai to shake off the first strike. Houki remained on guard to wait for Liu to get back up. As they commence, Houki glanced at Liu's messy footwork, but she decided to save the criticisms for last. Liu attempted to predict Houki's attacks as he went for another move. Houki waited for him to strike again as she blocked his strikes.

"MEN! DOU! KOTE!" Houki shouted, striking back with sheer force. Liu found himself struggling to block against Houki's offensive moves.

"MEN!" Houki screamed that slightly shook Liu as her shinai smacked his head, echoing the empty dojo. The dragon could not believe his defense was broken by Houki's force.

Houki shook her head. "You can do way better than that!"

"You don't know what I'm capable of," Liu countered, readying his shinai. "Let's keep this going."

The two got close enough within striking range, and they swung their shinai for one second so fast one would not be able to tell who scored a hit first. Houki found Liu's defense exposed, and she did not hesitate to end it.

Once again, Liu went for an overhead strike, but Houki pointed her shinai at Liu's throat, stopping his tracks. Before Liu could react, Houki struck his throat, leaving him speechless.

"…!"

Houki shook her head at Liu that said he has some experience with swords. More like below average in her eyes because Liu exhibited a lot of flaws from the beginning. Liu's footwork, holding a shinai, and his attacks were improper. As they removed their headgear, Houki turned at Liu.

"Sloppy, unrefined, horrible, and arrogant the way you fight…" Houki stated.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean your techniques are below average. You held the shinai incorrect, bad footwork, and your offense and defense are too predictable."

Liu did not notice that because he was too focused on striking Houki at the cost of throwing out the basics.

"What you said about having some experience with swords was disappointing. You're rather below average swordsman."

Rather than taking his mistake as a lesson, Liu was offended at the harsh words Houki threw, and he had the urge to talk back.

"Oh? You mean you're giving me a free pass to kick your ass?" Liu said in a threatening tone.

Before Liu can talk back even more, the vixen pointed her shinai at his nose.

"Watch your tongue, Liu," Houki retorted, pushing him back. "Must I use divine punishment to correct your attitude?"

Liu did not want to receive the short end of the stick again as he released his fist. Houki sighed seeing Liu's expression of an unruly boy.

"Look, I'm not here to hate you because I'm better than you. I'm here to train you to improve your skills as an IS pilot to stop Kaori and Three Dragons. If I told you right away you're good, and you don't need training, that's a lie. I'll teach you how to wield a sword like the way of the samurai does, and I expect you to follow my commands. That also includes correcting your unruly attitude, whether you like it or not. Do I make myself clear?"

Houki was right about the dragon's behavior. In order for Liu to improve, he must stop his antics to control his emotions. Liu has not demonstrated self-restraint to not let his emotions get the best of him. Starting today, Liu will follow Houki's directions, even if it hurts. Houki talked about kendo footwork, and how to wield a shinai. These two topics were essential Houki emphasized heavily.

"Footwork is never to be ignored," Houki lectured. "Okuri-ashi is the most important, but it's the most difficult to master because without this, you cannot do kendo."

Houki placed her left foot behind her right foot for battle stance. "When we go forward, we move the front foot first. When we go backward, we move the back foot first. Keep in mind that the back foot never passes the front foot, and never drag your feet."

Liu watched Houki demonstrating Okuri-ashi to get the concept down. Liu copied what Houki did as he memorized the footwork of going forward and backward. Houki made Liu repeat the basic footwork several times, despite the correct techniques he showed, but Houki did so for Liu to build muscle memory.

"Stop dragging your feet!" Houki commanded with a booming voice. "You will slow down your speed from dragging."

Liu made some mistakes while he endured Houki's constant commands to keep him moving. Houki showed Liu more footwork techniques that does not involve going in a straight line. Houki's booming commands wore out Liu mentally, but he kept going to not disappoint her. Houki did not make Liu stop until she said, "Yame!"

The training was long, grueling, and tiring that drained Liu's energy. Days passed by as Houki continued to train Liu with the basics as her commands kept him on his feet. Liu did not dare to slack off, not even for one second. Although Liu showed some restraint, he would occasionally talk back at Houki every time he messed up. The way to keep Liu in line was for Houki to use divine punishment when he stepped out of line. Houki added offensive and defensive techniques in the mix as Liu followed along without questioning. Houki kept a keen eye at Liu so he does not forget the basics.

"What did I tell you about holding your shinai like that?" said Houki. "Wield it properly."

Liu practiced consistently to not get Houki on her bad side. So far, Liu's will of not giving up impress Houki, despite her strict training. Liu received less divine punishment, primarily from being late for training or oversleeping. Each sparring session they had, Liu utilized the techniques he learned to keep up with Houki, even though he lost several times. Win or lose did not matter for Houki, as long as Liu demonstrated the proper techniques, that's what matters to her.

Despite the fact Liu did not defeat Houki in sparring matches she was impressed with Liu's progress. There was one time that they spar with katanas, and Houki attacked Liu without warning that almost got him injured in the process. Liu questioned why she used live blade, but the response he got was nothing. Liu used the techniques he learned from Houki, but he still found himself unable to beat Houki. The relentless roadwork and endless sparring sessions put a toll on Liu to the point he found Slugger style. Liu used his katana through unconventional ways with a series of twists, unpredictable swings, though he mixed it with traditional Kendo techniques.

Liu's Slugger style matched his fighting style that was brutal which it reflected his personality. The dragon finally beat Houki at another sparring, much to his delight because Liu could not take it anymore with Houki's endless winning streaks. They removed their equipment to catch their breath as Houki wiped the sweat off her forehead.

"Cruel, pure violence, and no sense of honor," Houki commented Liu's Slugger style. "I did not see it coming."

"I used whatever I learn to beat you," Liu replied, twirling his katana. "What now since we have concluded training?"

"I pushed you a lot on my training sessions, and considering that you endured my harsh rules, I'll treat you out for boba and fried chicken balls," Houki replied, drinking a bottle of water.

Liu sighed in relief that his training with Houki was finally over. Liu could not take it anymore with her strict training that made him tired. Liu talked back several times, and he would be reprimanded or received divine punishment by the Kendo champ. Then again, it was made to build his strong will, which Houki expected to make him stronger against her regiments.

Time: 10:44AM – Room 1025

Liu rested against the couch for a much needed rest from Houki's training. Liu stretched his arms as he remembered Houki's unforgettable voice that was harsh, yet effective to prevent him from slacking off. Overall, Liu learned a lot about swordsmanship because he understood of how to use a sword efficiently. Every lesson they had, Liu grasped the knowledge to put it in an IS combat situation.

Houki's voice and lessons were engraved into his brain that would not go away, even though Liu tried his best to not think about it too much. Liu was about to get a drink from the vending machine until he saw Houki with food and drinks on her hand.

"Hey there!" said Houki. "I made some snacks we can share. I'm sure you're familiar with it."

"Sure thing, I was about to buy a drink anyway, but I'm down."

The two sat down on a couch, and Houki ripped the bag open that was fried chicken balls. Liu took a whiff from the crispy aroma that it was made fresh with some garlic and black pepper sprinkled all over.

"Something tells me that you made this a few minutes ago," said Liu. "Usually, I get these at nearby boba shops, but this is on a whole new level."

"When you take your first bite, you will think differently about chicken balls."

Liu tilted his head slightly at the drink that was literally in a jar. He knew it's a popular drink just by looking at the contents, but Liu has never seen one served like this before.

"That's Jasmine milk tea, isn't it?"

Houki said, "Homemade as well, including the tapioca balls and syrups."

"I thought you bought them across the street, but I guess not."

"I prefer to make my food and drinks from scratch," said Houki, smiling. "Although every once in a while, I would buy food depending on my mood."

"I say 70% that you cook while the 30% would be stopping by at fast food joints."

Houki shook her head, adamant. "You wish, but I'm not that lazy."

Liu dipped the chicken ball with curry sauce, and ate it that exploded his taste buds in many directions. When Liu took the first bite, he grabbed another one to scarf down the delicious snack. Houki knew Liu would enjoy her homemade snack as she drank her taro boba tea.

"I have no other words to describe, but what I can is…this is too good," said Liu, drinking his jasmine milk tea.

Houki nodded her head, saying, "I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it. This is your reward for completing your first part of training. I'm amazed that you did not give up on me, even though I pushed you to the limit several times. Not to mention that you endured my divine punishment every time you step out of line."

"It still hurts as of today," Liu laughed. "According to Ichika, you're fueled on being emotionally unstable that powered your divine punishment, and you were born with a grumpy face too."

Houki immediately spit out the boba in her mouth and coughed up her lungs. "That's a lie!"

"Denial at its finest, Houki. I got it off of your personal profile from the school's website. I'll bet on that right now."

"Are you acting fearless or just plain crazy?"

"Both. Not only you're emotionally unstable, but you complain about the size of your breasts being too big."

"For a hot headed boy, you are really cocky."

"Let me play a hand with you. If you lose, you're not allowed to use divine punishment for a month. If I lose, you get to use divine punishment on me for a month."

"Why I ought to make me want to deliver divine punishment again to repent your sin."

Liu nonchalantly whipped out three playing cards face down as he set it on the table, shuffling them much to Houki's dismay. She really thought that Liu was being sarcastic, but his smug gave it away that he was for real. Behind Liu's smug was his left hand that he hid an extra card behind his back pocket that contained the Ace while the three cards were all queen.

Liu pointed. "If you can find the Ace, you win."

Houki folded her arms at Liu, still disgusted at his tricks that he must be joking the entire time. Houki decided to play along to get this over with. The vixen had an idea to make things much more interesting.

"It's gambling anyway, let's bet more."

Liu shrugged. "Hit me."

"If I lose, you're free from receiving divine punishment, regardless of the situation you're in for the whole next year. If you lose, just let me hit you once with my bokken on the head for old times' sake."

"We have a deal!"

Houki stared at the cards as Liu was confident that he would win easily primarily that he cheated. Nevertheless, Liu waited patiently to see Houki's expression when she lose. Or that's what Liu had in mind.

"This one…no," said Houki, flipping the card over. "This one…no!"

Houki's sharp instincts told her that the last card was not an Ace. The vixen remained her usual scowl expression at Liu that was slightly surprised. Perhaps Houki saw the rigged game Liu set up to let him win all the time.

Houki let out a smug. "This one must be Ace."

Liu was speechless that he lost, lowering his head like an ashamed puppy. Houki took out her bokken to whack Liu's head as part of the deal. Liu closed his eyes to hide his shame as Houki swung her bokken at his head. However, at the last second, Houki stopped at the moment her bokken touched Liu's hair by a millimeter.

"Forget it! Do you think I dare to hit you? I knew that you set this up just to get on my nerves."

"Heh? Okay, I see you with those tricks, psychic."

"Not even close," she told Liu. "You can't hide your smug that gave away your intentions to cheat. Who's got the last laugh now?"

"Hmph, the Kendo champ never cease to amaze classmates in this Academy."

"It's all fun and games that you threw out. Besides, gambling is illegal, am I right?"

Liu cursed in his mind that he forgot about the simple rule. Houki chuckled at his face that was once an arrogant smug not turned into a scowl like Houki.

Houki sighed. "Don't take this too serious. I just want to brighten the mood that is too slow."

"Yeah I guess."

The vixen gave Liu an extra chicken ball to cheer him up. The joke's on Liu that he started his circus act, but Houki secretly made a lesson to Liu that he cannot win guarantee without knowing his opponents. Houki forgive Liu for his phony bet as the two eat her homemade snack, and drinking boba tea. Liu pulled out his iPhone 6, revealing Houki's personal profile from the school website. It indeed said that Houki was somewhat emotionally unstable, and sometimes complained the size of her breasts. Houki was not amused that they had to put unnecessary facts about her while Liu chuckled. Houki remembered that she saw Liu's tattoo the other day as she had the urge to press the issue.

Houki put her drink down. It's now or never to kick the doors down for Houki to reveal what she saw.

"Liu, the other day I walked to Ichika's house, I saw three people that were affiliated with Righteousness Union."

"What makes you think they are from Righteousness Union?"

"The way they had tattoos on their arms, they mentioned your name, along with something related to the conflict with Righteousness Union."

Liu looked blank, and then let his face come to life. "What the hell...? Be sure that they said someone else that was not me."

"No, those guys clearly said your full name, and Three Dragons."

Liu felt like 10 million volts of lightning struck him upon hearing his name and Righteousness Union that came out of Houki's mouth. Liu thought he had it under control with his identity, but it seems that even the best can get caught.

"Why are we talking about this?"

"Because this is related to the current crisis that has to be stopped," said Houki. "The crime rate has skyrocketed related to IS parts and Titan –M5 smuggled. Not to mention that a few IS pilots went rogue in exchange for more power."

Houki was sharp as nails that she was able to reveal Liu's identity.

"Answer this question, and be honest with me. Are you affiliated with Righteousness Union?"

Liu was shocked that Houki found his true identity, fearing she might report it to the authorities. Liu played it cool as he stopped drinking his boba to not show signs of being nervous.

"You must have misheard it because there people that shared the same surname as me."

Her eyebrows flinched at his poor choice of words, making him talk off topic.

"Liu…"

Unfortunately, Houki was not the type to be fooled that easily as her blue eyes sharpened like a vulture. Houki's nonsense demeanor pinpointed Liu that got him locked, and one false move can turn things ugly. Houki looked directly at his eyes, still keeping her determined expression. There was no point stalling Houki as Liu closed his eyes momentarily and nodded his head.

"What you said about Righteousness Union...that is me."

Houki's assumptions were correct based on her observation. Liu's cover was blown by Houki, and patching up the wounds will not make it better. If Houki revealed Liu's identity to the cops or anyone else, he will be in trouble by the law. The only way to prevent that was to keep Houki's mouth shut, permanently. Liu was on the edge of life and death, hoping that Houki would not reveal his identity to the public.

Should anything happen to Liu, those that did him in will be in a world of hurt by the hands of Righteousness Union. Liu does not want that to happen as he drank his boba to cool off the anxiety.

"Houki, I will only say this once. Don't tell anyone about this."

Liu revealed his tattoos on his pectorals that surprised Houki slightly. The oni and dragon with phoenix wings marked the sign of Righteousness Union. Houki remembered the glimpse of his tattoos she saw earlier. This time, Houki saw the full depth of his colorful ink that described his background, a Triad that was raised in the underworld.

"Why did you have to get your body inked up?" Houki questioned Liu.

"It was my choice when I was affiliated with Righteousness Union."

"Where were your parents at when you joined Righteousness Union? It's crazy enough that you had to join for the exchange of respect."

"I was destined to step foot one way or the other."

"That does not tie up of what I'm saying, Liu," said Houki. "You can turn things around to not live like this."

Liu shook his head. "You're sorely mistaken, Houki. Where I'm from is not exactly like you, Ichika, and the girls around. My parents were in that family too ever since I was born."

"Even with that, there's-"

"The Triad society is not boxing," Liu retorted, eating his last chicken ball. "There are no KO's in the underworld. The man who gets beat down is not the loser. The guy who can't tough it out to the end, he's the one who loses."

Houki did not understand his words as Liu meant that he has to tough it out to the end. Even though Liu got knocked down several times, that does not mean he is weak. The obstacles thrown at him was the factor of being the strongest. Houki tried to understand Liu better to help him, but it did not change his decisions. Houki wanted Liu to step out of Righteousness Union, but little did she know was that Liu was already bound to it. Stepping out can mean having his life cut immediately for abandoning those that helped him out. Liu made his choice to stay with Righteousness Union, which Houki decided to not intrude on the subject anymore.

"Liu, don't get the idea that I'm here to interrogate you," said Houki, drinking her boba. "I want to know you better because I did not expect you to be affiliated with Righteousness Union."

Liu said, "Understandable. I have no intention of making anyone a member of Righteousness Union, not even Rin. I had a similar conversation to Rin not too long ago. My parents did their best to steer me away from their lifestyle, but it fell apart when they were shot by a rival faction."

"Meaning that the Righteousness Union took you in," Houki finished his sentence. "I don't like that idea to have you molded to be like them, but they did it so you don't get abandoned. What I want to know is why you and Three Dragons had a falling out? You two were supposed to be friends."

"Me and Three Dragons were not even close of being friends the day we met," Liu told her. "What started as minor disputes now turned into major crisis. Even though we were in the same set, that does not mean we see each other eye to eye. The last straw that exploded was fighting over an IS."

Houki sniffed, shifted her weight. "Tabane reverse engineered it so that either you or Three Dragons claim it to clean up the mess you two created. I'm baffled that my sister had to do that."

"Yeah, and maybe it started out that way." Liu stretched his hands. "Three Dragons is still after me to pry my hands away to get Nightmare."

Houki frowned. "Look at this that showed up on my computer."

Liu and Houki saw pictures that were too graphic that it had to be censored. The picture depicted seven people killed not by guns, but they were beaten, stabbed to death by crude weapons and knives.

Houki read out loud, "A fight broke out at a fish market that left seven Righteousness Union members killed by masked assailants over territorial disputes. Police have not found the culprits that sparked the incident."

Liu eyed Houki with displeasure, slamming his fist on the table. "Bullshit! My associate saw the whole thing."

"Easy there, Liu," said Houki. "There's no need to have your emotions get the best of you. Start from the beginning, middle, and end. Facts, details, condense, plot, tell it."

Liu took a breather to start over. "My associate reported to Uncle Yuen that no rival factions stepped foot into Righteousness Union's territory today. Three Dragons and his followers deliberately killed seven Righteousness Union associates because they opposed him."

Houki was puzzled by Three Dragons' assault. "I get that part, but he won't accomplish something just for killing his people."

"Three Dragons did not intend to get rewarded. He displayed their corpses to anyone of Righteousness Union who dares stand his way, including us and the cops. This was a warning that he will dispose those that stood his way to steal Nightmare from me."

"Three Dragons must have bribed the media to alter the reality."

"Or worse, he might have blackmailed them to work for him and Phantom Task to rely on propaganda to convince people to join Phantom Task."

As much as Liu hate to talk about it, Houki shook her head.

"What kind of sicko kills their people?"

"Three Dragons does not see the world the way I do. There is no order, and there are no rules that he won't break. It's why I had to put an end to him for good."

Houki patted Liu's shoulder. "You're not the only one that's after Three Dragons. We're all doing this together."

With that being said, Houki smiled to assured that Liu has someone to back up. Houki turned off her computer as they continue to talk. Houki understood Liu better, and the conversation was not only beneficial to her, but for Liu to learn how to control his emotions. Liu's training was far from over as he still have a long way to go from completion.

Four flat screen TVs were displayed in front of the electronics store. A flock of people gathered around the TV as the news reporter televised another breaking news.

"A lone IS pilot robbed a convoy that belonged to a VIP. Turns out the IS pilot went rogue during a training session to steal IS weapons and Titan -M5 allegedly used to benefit Phantom Task. No shots were fired during the robbery, but it left the victims shaken up, unwilling to make further statements. The IS pilot tore her markings that betrayed the nationality of the unit. She said that she was sick of the society that looked her down. The police confirmed the method place and time of the robbery was the same as the masked gunman that engaged a vicious shootout at the police today. The police finds itself in a public relation crisis after an embarrassing defeat by the gunman in a ballistic showdown. The credibility of the police force drops to a nadir as Phantom Task ask volunteers to join them for a greater cause."