Chapter 5
Chuuya walked down the dark alley, his hands inside his trousers' pocket while Hirotsu and few of his subordinates followed behind him. Thanks to the medicine he received from Akutagawa, his headache and body pain somehow eased. How he wishes that this effect will last until their mission will end.
As soon as he turned the right corner of the alley, just few meters away from him he saw Higuchi standing while on the other side was Akutagawa who was lightly coughing as he covered his mouth with his hand. Soon, they recognized his presence, they immediately offered their small bow and showed him the way.
"Did you catch those bastards?" the executive inquired as he trotted continuously forward.
"Yes. Right now, my subordinates are watching him" Akutagawa replied while Higuchi followed him from behind.
As Chuuya walked further inside, the area becomes wider and clearer. It was an open space, an abandoned basketball court, one of the rings were missing while the opposite side's ring was totally rusted indicating that this court hasn't been used for many years.
When he scrutinized the surrounding, he halted his steps and his eyes twitched when he saw corpses of men lying in random places as pools of blood were formed under their cold bodies. This triggered Chuuya to remember horrific scenes of his nightmare.
Akutagawa immediately noticed his senior's winced expression and tried to go for his aid but stopped when Chuuya gave his discreet gesture, giving him a sign to step back.
"I'm fine" Chuuya mumbled, fixing his composure. He then shook his head and shove all the uneasiness that was surging inside him. He will not let his nightmare to distract him from this mission. Chuuya then continued his way towards the captured Despair member.
The captive was forced to sit on the ground while two mafiosos were pointing their rifles to him so that they could shoot him anytime if ever he will do something suspicious. His arms were placed behind his back while his wrists were tightly cuffed with metallic handcuffs.
The man perked his head up when shadows of several men overcast him. Chuuya felt disgusted as soon as when the man gave his creepy grin, both corners of his lips still had traces of blood he had spat out. The captive had a bulk structure and a bald head with a big skull tattoo with a word 'Despair' written in a gothic form at the left side of his pate which makes his impression even more daunting. His right shoulder and left thigh were covered with his own blood too, staining his dusty clothes into crimson red. Based from his injuries Chuuya immediately recognized that it was Akutagawa who gave these painful gifts to him.
"Heh, so you must be Nakahara Chuuya that our boss is crazy about" he begun to speak haughtily after observing the executive from head to toe despite he is the one who is caught. Chuuya raised his eyebrow, feeling indignant after receiving a rude attitude from the captive.
"Thanks to you and your damn boss, some of my subordinates were killed." The mafioso snarled as he cocked his head to his side, giving his scowl expression towards him. "Where is your boss right now? Speak it out before you will experience pain" The executive didn't want to waste his time and energy for this bastard and play a tag with the man who is trying to destroy him and his organization.
But instead, the captive just gave his haughty smirk and shrugged his shoulders. "Who knows? I have no idea" he scoffed. That moment, Chuuya gave his heavy kick right into his solar plexus. With the impact, the man huffed and groaned in pain as he cringes his body on the ground. For a brief moment, he wasn't able to breathe properly as if the executive temporarily stopped the air passage that is flowing inside his body. Some of the mafiosos even flinched when they witness that scene for they know how heavy and deadly the kick of their executive is.
"I'm going to ask you again, where is your boss?" Chuuya demanded again, his eyes glimmered in menace, and stamped his feet in frustration which was strong enough to create a dent on the ground. The man gulped and broke into a cold sweat when he saw a small crater was formed before him.
"Unfortunately, even you beat me how many times, I can't give you my answer because I myself do not know where is his precise location" he wheezed while giving back his deep stare to the executive.
"Then, let me change my question. What is the ability of your boss?" Chuuya inquired impatiently.
The captive again, like a child who do not learn his lesson from punishments, released another husky chuckled despite his body was aching so much. "Sorry, kid, I also do not know what exactly our boss' ability is. But the only thing we are sure of it is that our boss will come and destroy you, Nakahara Chuuya!" His grin gradually becomes wider. "Not only you, but the entire Port Mafia!" before he could burst out laughing after his declamation, in a blink of an eye, a sharp dark shadow stabbed his chest as blood trickled down on the ground and without him realizing all of his life were drained out on an instant.
"He went over the line" Akutagawa said laconically and released few coughs behind his pale hand while pulling out his Rashomon from the man's chest. Chuuya fixed his hat and sighed as he gave his one last cold glance to the dead man before turning his back on him.
"At least we learned that I am not the only target but also the entire Port Mafia." Moments later, they heard someone's phone ringing which echoed the whole area. All men whipped their head towards Higuchi where they heard the source of the sound coming from her.
Higuchi panicked as she withdrew the phone that was vibrating inside her trousers' pocket. "T-this cellphone belongs to that man" she meant the dead captive. "We were planning to inspect their contacts and data"
"Give it to me" Chuuya ordered and the lady immediately handed it out to the executive. When Chuuya glanced the screen, he raised his eyebrow when he saw the name of the caller. It was labelled as 'B'. He then slid his thumb sideward and raised the phone towards his ear.
"It's me" Chuuya's eyes twitched when he heard a deep voice from the other side of the phone. "Did you kill all the men of Port Mafia in that area? If you are done, go to your next missi-" before the man could end his sentence, the executive interfered his line.
"Unfortunately, the man you tried to speak with is already dead" his straight-forward words stunned the caller, making him speechless for few seconds until he broke into a chuckle.
"My, my, what a great surprise! I didn't expect that you will answer my call, Nakahara Chuuya!" the caller immediately recognized Chuuya's voice. His sudden change of attitude piqued the executive's attention, from his authoritative manner turned into a cheerful one though he could also recognize the darkness beneath his voice.
From that point, Chuuya realize the identity of the caller. He then smirked and his eyes overcast with shadow. "Heh, what a coincidence, I also didn't think that I could attain this great opportunity to talk with the boss of the Despair gang" When he mentioned that line everyone gasped in a great surprise, changing the atmosphere of the area.
"Where the hell are you? I don't want to waste my time for your play. Why don't we just meet and fight so that we can end this meaningless game?"
"I'm sorry but I am enjoying this play, you know Nakahara Chuuya. Oh, by the way, I just send a message card to Ogai Mori" then did a mischievous chuckle.
"To our boss, you say?"
"The content of the letter is this:
'The show will start at the middle of the bay. Nakahara Chuuya will be the protagonist and I will be the antagonist. A sea of blasts and fire will be flooded in his beloved city if he will not abide according to the script nor appear in the stage before the time limit.'
This is my invitation card for you"
That moment, dark scarlet light glimmered around Chuuya's body and created a big crater under his feet, abruptly pushing the ground with his gravity and made huge cracks in a concrete ground. Akutagawa, Higuchi and Hirotsu flinched and immediately made a distance between their executive simultaneously wondered what kind of conversation they are having in the phone.
"Bring it on, you bastard. I shall let you taste the real despair when you will try to fight against gravity" then did a devious smirk.
"See you soon then" the Despair boss hanged the call. As soon as Chuuya heard the hanging sound of the phone, he dropped the phone and stamped on it as it created another crater under his foot, making the device into crumbs.
"How did your conversation turn out?" Hirotsu inquired, curious with the contents that his leader had discussed with the Despair gang boss. Chuuya clicked his tongue in annoyance and sharply turned his body towards his subordinate.
When he was about to open his mouth to explain, his phone vibrated inside his coat pocket. He immediately answered the call after learning that the caller is Mori.
"Yes, boss?"
"I received another letter from them. Should I read it for you?" he inquired, sounding distressed.
"It's alright boss, I already know what is the content of the message is. Just few seconds ago, I talked directly talked with the Despair gang leader" Chuuya politely declined Mori's offer and reported. Hearing his words, Mori blinked his eyes in surprise. He didn't expect that Chuuya had a conversation with their enemy.
"Are you planning to play along with his game, Chuuya-kun?" this time Mori sounded serious. "We are still unclear about his identity and his ability. Don't forget also about your condition"
"I deeply understand your concern, boss. But if I will not go, not only our organization but the whole Yokohama will be in danger." He replied. "Please let me fight against him"
There was a brief moment of silence between the two. Both men knew the consequences of the decisions they might take but they do not have any other choice. Finally, Mori sighed in defeat and replied.
"Fine, if that is your decision then I shall believe in you. Take Black Lizard with you and annihilate them. Let me handle the rest" Mori ordered and hanged his phone.
Abiding in his words, Chuuya gave his quick glance to his subordinates who were already giving their full attention to him. "I just receive an update information from boss. There is a big possibility that the Despair gang are heading here in Yokohama through ship or cruise" he informed. "Investigate the ships and cruise that is sailing in Yokohama and Tokyo Bay today" Chuuya commanded with authority as he swung his hand in the air, giving an impression to conduct his order immediately." And also search for the possible route that they might take" Chuuya then looked towards the members of Black Lizard.
"Black Lizard, eliminate the rest of the rats that is still swarming around. You may use any means of methods to kill them, but be sure to attain some information first"
"As you wish" Hirotsu mumbled then gave his short bow as he placed his one hand before his chest. Akutagawa nodded then turned his back to the executive and exited the scene while the rest of the Black Lizard and the men under them followed after him.
"""""
Kunikida threw one last assassin on the ground and knocked him out while Dazai cheerfully clapped his hands as he watched his partner defeating his opponent.
"No matter how many times I watch you throwing someone, it never bored me. It's amazing~" He delightfully said while spread his arms in the air in an exaggerating manner. Kunikida just furrowed his eyebrows for he didn't know if his partner really meant it or not.
"Are you done in your side?" he asked while standing up as he dusted his clothes. Dazai inserted his hands in the coat pockets and shrugged with his usual sly smile.
"Of course" he said and threw his thumb over his shoulder, referring to the man who lays unconsciously on the ground. "Let's just call the police again and hand them over to them. We need to hurry, right, Kunikida-kun?" Dazai prompted, showing his cellphone and stamped the jammer on the ground.
His partner nodded. The detectives then used the handcuffs that Kunikida made with his Doppo Poet ability and handcuffed them. Soon after, Dazai called the police and handed them over.
"Dazai-san! Kunikida-san!" the detectives perked their heads when they heard someone calling their names from afar just few moments after the police car disappeared from their view.
Dazai and Kunikida turned and squinted their eyes then saw two figures approaching towards their direction. It didn't take so much time until they recognized who they were. It was Kenji, who was waving his hand cheerfully with his bright smile and Tanizaki walking beside the other.
"Hmm? Why are you guys here?" Dazai curiously asked. "Are you done with your job?"
"Ranpo-san told us to go come here for your back-up" Kenji explained. "He said that you will definitely need our help"
"Hmm? But I thought you were with Ranpo-san, Tanizaki" Kunikida remarked.
"Well, yes, I was with Ranpo san. On our way going back to the agency, we met up with Kenji-kun and Yosano-san. I don't know if Ranpo-san predicted that timing too but he told us to back up you guys because he said that there will be assassins trying to assassinate you, Dazai-san" Tanizaki elucidated which surprised the other pair detectives.
"And just like he predicted, we saw snipers here and there so we took care of them. We already handed them over to the police before we came here" Kenji remarked with his usual jolly tone. Dazai and Kunikida sighed in relief and felt that they made another debt towards their senior and comrades for saving their lives.
"By the way, we also came for another purpose." Tanizaki added "We were told to meet with you for our next plan"
"Oh, what is that plan then?" Dazai inquired.
"About that, we will soon receive a call from Ranpo-san"
That very moment, the ringtone of Tanizaki's cellphone rang. "Speaking of the devil-"
""""""
Chuuya was gazing the city below from the rooftop of one of the buildings in the city with his dull eyes while placing his elbow on the metal rails as he leans his weight before it. He propped his chin on his hand and just continued staring, watching people busy with their own lives. These are the people living in the light side, he thought. These are the people who are ignorant about fear and dread, ignorant that the two of the most infamous organization in Japan is about to engage in a big battle that might shook the whole city of Yokohama.
This deep contemplation continued but not until when he was interrupted by a short piercing pain that he felt from his head simultaneously he heard a dark chuckle coming out of nowhere. His eyes widened in horror and perked his head up from his hands when he sensed someone behind his back. Warily, he turned his body, he did a sharp gasped.
"Why-" he hissed "Why do you always appear before me?" Chuuya demanded for an answer, giving his dirty look when he saw his Corruption form was standing just a meter away from him, receiving the crooked grin which never fails to give chills down to his spine. The mafioso even grimaced when he saw those scarlet marks and crimson blood that is trickling from his head.
The Corruption form just tilted his head without replying. Just chuckling and grinning. Chuuya greeted his teeth in frustration, annoyed that whenever he will see 'him' he would experience throbbing headaches as if someone is hitting his head with a hammer, while flashes of his nightmare play in a repeated mode.
Another wave of pain was felt when the scarlet marks behind his neck stung and palpitated. That very moment, Chuuya felt his chest area getting hot, his heartbeat becomes rapid which was enough to make his breathing unsteady. The executive barely supported himself while leaning against the railings behind him, now his hand grabbing his chest, wrinkles of his clothes were formed between his fingers while drops of sweat trickled down from his face.
"I don't know what you are planning to do-" Dead bodies, pools of blood, lifeless corpse of his subordinates and the detective agency members, and his former partner's hand slipping from his sleeves flashed all at once in his mind.
"But- I won't lose my sanity to you" Chuuya hissed between his heavy breathings, his words were filled with conviction. "Remember that, you fool"
The Corruption just chuckled and gave his last grin to the other who was giving his dark glare to him. As the autumn breeze pass by between them, the delusion vanished together with the wind. With the same timing Chuuya noticed that his pain and hotness he felt inside his chest eased, but the exhaustion remained so he decided to take a cigarette to refresh himself.
"So, you were here" Hirotsu gave his short bow first before walking towards the executive. Chuuya lit the cigarette, inhaled it then exhaled as clump of smoke formed before his face. He perked up and gazed him in askance, prompting him to report the news Hirotsu brought it with him.
"There were total of 38 men swarming around the city, of course we the Black Lizard had finished them all. We will still continue our searching in order not to let even a single rat escape from Yokohama" he reported. "We also obtained an information that some of their groups had went to assassinate the detective agency. But I believe they failed"
"Oh really?" he mumbled but after a moment he dilated his eyes and clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Hmph, who cares about the agency anyway. Good job, please continue your investigation" then the subordinate nodded in response.
"Sir!" Another subordinate stepped in the rooftop. "We have spotted one cruise heading towards Tokyo Bay and it is likely to believe that it belongs to the Despair Gang."
A mischievous grin was formed in Chuuya's face. "Let me hear the whole report"
"""""
Agency POV
"Tanizaki-kun~ Did you meet with Dazai-kun and Kunikida-kun?" Ranpo's cheerful voice brought smiles to each detective.
"Yes, we meet up with them" the younger replied.
"Thank you very much, Ranpo-san. Without your deduction skills, we might have been in a critical situation" Kunikida added and expressed his gratitude.
"Haha, of course, you guys should thank me!" he bragged. "Anyway, let's get to the point. We have pin point their location. They will come here in Yokohama through cruise and they just crossed the Kurihama-Kanaya boundary. Within 2-3 hours they will enter the Tokyo Bay. As for my speculation, we better end the battle in the middle of the Tokyo bay or else we can't avoid having big casualties and devastation of buildings"
This is the worst- case scenario that everybody wants to avoid. They do not want to see black smokes rising from different parts of Yokohama, ear-piercing sirens, screams and cries of citizens. Seeing hundreds of casualties is even more heart-breaking. They will never let this nightmare into reality.
"Currently, Atsushi-kun and Kyouka-chan is heading towards the cruise for investigation."
The detectives were surprised that two of the youngest members in their agency had already begun infiltrating to an enemy cruise. Nevertheless, much to their relief, it seemed like Atsushi and Kyouka succeeded in their previous task. "So, Ranpo-san, what's the plan?" Dazai prompted.
"I suggest that you and the rest of the members of the agency with you right now will concentrate in infiltrating the cruise and slow its pace heading towards Yokohama while we are going to tackle another serious task here" Ranpo's voice was firm. "For the command in that side, President told me that he will leave that task to you, Dazai."
"Understood"