Chapter 7
Dazai glanced and checks the time through the monitor screen before him. It has already past more than an hour after he contacted Atsushi. According to his prediction, though they might engage in a small battle before reaching the control engine room, they won't take longer than an hour, especially Akutagawa and Kyouka are there. They are experts when it comes to this field.
Concerned, the detective decided to contact his apprentice from him. But when he tried to connect his call with Atsushi's, all he could hear was storm of noises. "It can't be-"
Predicting an unpleasant scenario, he tried to call Kyouka but it just gave the same disappointing result.
Dazai realized that their signal was jammed, assuming that Atsushi and Kyouka might be inside the vicinity of the jamming signal.
Assuming that the enemy noticed in their presence, he decided to contact Kunikida who was standing by at the free parking lot in Futtsu Misaki, a place where they can see another side of Tokyo Bay. It was the closest place where the detectives could observe the movement of the cruise.
"Kunikida-kun, can you hear me?" Dazai inquired.
"Yes, I can hear you, idiot. What's the problem?"
"I can't receive any contact from Atsushi-kun. I think the enemy jammed their signal"
"They acted out fast, eigh?" the other reacted rather in a calm manner. He then raised the binoculars before his eyes. Kenji, who was sitting beside him followed his gaze and also stared the cruise though he wasn't sure what was happening.
There were two points Kunikida noticed. One, he sighted no sight of lights from the cruise; andsecond, he saw few silhouettes of men coming out to each deck of the cruise. Judging from these movements, the detective came to a certain conclusion. "The gang tightened their security. It seems like those kids accomplished their mission" Kunikida informed.
It was just according to Dazai's prediction. "Kunikida-kun, proceed to the cruise now. They might be in trouble"
"Roger that" then he hanged the call and exchanged glances with Kenji. Knowing what he meant, the younger hoped down the ground and dusted his clothes. "I'm ready~"
"""""""""""""
Thanks to the advancement of technology they were able to track the jammer signal using Akutagawa's cellphone. As trio follows the track, they did their best not to stand out their appearance before the gang members who are running back and forth around the cruise. But it doesn't mean that they were able to avoid them completely.
"Hey, isn't that Akutagawa from Port Mafia?!" one of gang shouted.
"Then the other brats might be from the detective agency!" another man exclaimed. "Prepared your weapons, guys! It's time for war!"
The members around them sounded rather excited than afraid, for in most cases if the enemy will just hear the words, 'Port Mafia' they will fret or become nervous, but in their case it was different. They seemed to be thrilled, eager to clash knives, metal poles and exchange bullets with the most feared mafia in Yokohama.
The trio exchanged glances, bemused. But their doubts cleared when they heard these words.
"Ha! It seems like the Port Mafia and useless detectives have arrived" his arrogant voice triggered the trio into annoyance.
"As long as our boss uses his ability, we are invincible!"
"Let's go and crush them all!" and they dashed outside with a load roar which pierced the mafioso and detectives' ears.
The gang knows that Port Mafia is consisted of powerful soldiers ruled by 5 executives and feared boss Mori while the detective agency is filled with people with special abilities, but they still do not know the true power of Despair gang. Plus, they are the most powerful gang in Tokyo. They do not know what will happen if the strongest mafia, the special ability detective agency, and gang will clash their swords to each other.
Unfortunately, their boss didn't activate his ability yet. In the end, all the gang members who tried to stop the trio were knocked down on the ground, being thrown on the walls, and received laceration from the deadly claws, sword and fangs of the trio's abilities.
"Anyway, let's track down the signal before they could hunt down our comrades" Atsushi said as if the battle they had didn't take in a first place. They knew that the jammer must be nearby around the area they are searching in for the signal becomes stronger as they take their steps. Currently, they are in the 2nd deck of the cruise, walking down a certain dim corridor. Rows of doors they passed by as they walked further inside. Alertness arouse for this area was unusually silent, no presence of a person was detected from each room.
But, when they reached the last door, the signal went up to the highest level, a sign that the jammer is inside this room. Small smiles were drawn in their faces. The trio glanced one another and gave a sign that they are ready to enter.
Atsushi was the one who cautiously opened the door and stepped in the room first. It was a suite room. Lights were off, its interior was luxurious, a small chandelier hanging in the high ceiling, golden floor carpet was spread throughout the whole room. As they surveyed the wide room, there was one door that was slightly open leading towards the office room. It was as if they are being lured in to go inside.
As they stepped before the door, they immediately sensed someone's presence. Giving his cue, Atsushi slammed the door opened and pointed his gun forward.
The trio's eyes dilated when they saw someone standing before a huge window behind the study desk. He was humming some kind of melody that trio couldn't recognize.
"You are the Despair gang leader, aren't you?" Akutagawa inquired, giving his dark glare to the other. He could tell that this man is not an ordinary person. Though he is not sure, there is a dark aura surrounding this man, something that makes him, Atsushi and Kyouka uncomfortable. Cold sweat was felt and it seemed like their feet are being locked by the vines of uneasiness. The D. leader chuckled and turned his body towards them and grinned.
"Indeed, I am the Despair gang leader" he replied rather in a calm manner.
Atsushi was a bit surprised by the appearance of the D. leader. His image for him was a man ranged between 30's to 40's having a robust structure but he was wrong. The boss seemed to be in his 20's, he had fine features and fit body. Just by observing his features, you will know that he is well trained individual; he was also tall while his perm hazel hair made him to appear like a gentleman from a noble family than a leader of an infamous gang.
"Perhaps you are Ryuunosuke Akutagawa of Port Mafia and the lad over there is Atsushi Nakajima and cute lady beside him is Kyouka Izumi, right?" the trio were stunned. The Despair boss completely recognized them. This will mean that he is also aware about their ability. With his statement, they realized that they should finish this fight immediately or else they will be in trouble.
"Anyway, are you guys looking for this?" he then showed the jammer before them. The mafioso and the detectives did a sharp gasped and immediately activated their abilities. "Oh, by the way, my name is Setsu, and I don't have any plan of surrendering myself!" then kicked the study desk before him and it flew straight towards Akutagawa.
Akutagawa flinched with the surprise attack but managed to tear them apart with his Rashomon, but after that moment he didn't foresee that Setsu will be an inch away from him and was about to give a punch to his face. It was so quick that Akutagawa didn't have time to release his invisible barrier so he barely protected himself by blocking it with his hands.
As Akutagawa slid backwards, from behind Atsushi jumped over and went straight towards Setsu by using his ability, turning his arms into tiger limbs then threw several punches to the boss, but the enemy swerve it easily and managed to give a kick to Atsushi's chin which made the detective to flew away from him. Atsushi winced with the hit but managed to land properly beside Akutagawa.
As soon as Atsushi made a distance with the boss, Kyouka joined in, ordered her Demon Snow to slash Setsu, but the boss do not let her wish come true easily. He then drew out his dagger he kept in his coat and protected himself from the slash. From that point, they exchanged swords to each other, both not planning to lose to the opponent before their eyes.
"He's fast" Atsushi said as he wiped his sweat with his arm. "I think I better use more of my ability to defeat him" Akutagawa nodded in complete agreement. The two stayed still as they wait for the right timing to launch their attack. Wind turns rapidly around them as the duo released their power into higher level.
Kyouka made a distance with Setsu as soon as Atsushi gave her his signal. The duo immediately launched towards the boss and was already in a stance to attack him. Setsu's eyes widened in amusement and his grin becomes wider. "So beautiful, but it's meaningless before me" he muttered and snapped his fingers.
On that very moment, to their complete astonishment, the ability of Akutagawa and Atsushi were easily dodged by Setsu. The duo knows that their attack this time was way faster than their previous one. Puzzled with the situation, they tried again but the result was the same.
Setsu did a sadistic grin as he watched them bemused. He could sense their perturbation arousing in their mind. "So weak, so slow. What pitiful creatures you are" he remarked. Then when he took one small step, in a blink of an eye, Setsu gave a direct punch into Akutagawa and Atsushi's solar plexus.
The two flew straight to the wall and hit roughly with the impact, which even made two big dents and cracks to the wall. Just by scrutinizing its damage everyone could tell how much power and speed Setsu used. The trio were surprised by the sudden increase of power of the boss and the sudden decrease of power of the mafioso and the detective.
"W-what happened?" Atsushi groaned as he struggled himself into a sitting position. Blood were already trickling down from his head and from the corner of his cheek. Akutagawa was also in a similar condition though he managed to stand immediately by supporting himself by the wall.
Setsu tossed the jammer and catch it, doing it alternatively as he scrutinized the two young men in front of him, giving his sinister grin and gaze. "Try to check your hand and ankle" he prompted.
"The skull!" Kyouka exclaimed as she noticed it first. The duo was bewildered when Akutagawa saw it in his hand while Atsushi on his right ankle. The two contemplated when and how they got this tattoo and it didn't take a minute until they found the answer.
"It was that time-" Akutagawa mumbled in frustration and his face grimed when he remembered that he blocked Setsu's punch with his arms, and gave his dark look to Setsu, a stare as if the predator is about to eats its prey.
"So, you really do embed a tattoo just by simple physical contact" Akutagawa gave his answer then the boss' grin becomes wider and nodded his head.
"You're right, Akutagawa. As long as I can touch that person then I can embed this skull tattoo; the power dropping effect or the boosting effect, either of the two"
"And that's makes you to freely control our power" Akutagawa added.
"Exactly"
This made the trio realized that they are in complete disadvantage. They can't think of any method or form a plan on how they should defeat the boss in front of them. Setsu enjoys watching his enemy confuse as their faces turned dark, completely clueless and powerless in front of him. This was his favorite part. He then, started to toss the jammer up and down again, relaxed as if he is taunting them.
That very moment, when the jammer was in the air, Setsu didn't notice Kyouka's presence who swiftly snatched the jammer from him. With that timing, Akutagawa and Atsushi released their ability to hold back Setsu.
"Kyouka-chan, now! Escape from this room!" Atsushi exclaimed. The girl then broke the window glass and escaped using her ability. Setsu was surprised. He didn't see that coming. This thrilled him so much that his desire to kill them arouse.
He then activated his ability to decrease the strength of the duo's grip then pushed them backwards. The two recoiled with the impact but persistently activated their ability again and lunged towards Setsu. After exchanging blows and cycle of boosting and decreasing of their strength, all of a sudden, the boss created a distance between them.
"What?" the duo dazed.
"I'm sorry gentlemen, but I don't want to waste my time with you. It seems like my most awaited guest has arrive in my cruise" and did a sly grin.
Akutagawa and Atsushi's face grimed for they knew who he was referring too. It was Chuuya.
"Wait up—!" before the two could even run towards Setsu, suddenly they were blocked by two mysterious men; the person in the left had dark skin and big muscles while the other side had long curly hair with the length that reaches his shoulders and looked descent than the robust man. Their mischievous grin irritated the mafioso and the detective, giving their glare to step out from their way.
"We will be your opponent from now on!" the muscular man declared with his loud husky voice.
"You may go first, Se-chan. Fulfill your revenge." The other man said. Setsu smiled and uttered his gratitude to them before he dashed outside the room.
"Wait!" Atsushi exclaimed but was immediately stopped by the big man.
"Not so fast, kid" he drawled. "I'm Ibuki and I will be your opponent" he briefly introduced himself, followed by a big laughter.
"And I'm Yusei" the other man said and gave his short bow before Akutagawa. "it's an honor for me to fight with one of the most feared men in Port Mafia" then smirked.
There was silence between the two parties. A gust of wind entered the room, disheveling their hair and clothes. Stuffs inside also shook from their place, but still no one dared to move not until when the picture frame fell from its position. The moment when the frame hit the floor, as if it was like the fight signal, the four men begun clashing one another.
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Kyouka arrived at the upper deck of the cruise. As soon as she arrived, she turned off the jammer and confirmed if it worked by contacting Dazai. While waiting, she heard gunshots, loud thuds and crashing sounds from the other side of the deck. She could also hear the shouts and curses, a sign that the strongest gang in Tokyo and the most powerful mafia in Yokohama had already started crushing each other. She wondered how the detective agency are doing if they are acting smoothly according to their plan.
"Hello?" Kyouka flinched when she heard someone's voice from her earpiece, but immediately returned her composure as soon as she recognized the owner of this voice.
"Dazai-san!" she exclaimed. "We are sorry. We got jammed and just now we managed to stop the jamming signal" she apologized first.
"It's okay, Kyouka-chan. Let's calm down first, okay?" Dazai reassured with his gentle voice. "I think many things are happening there right now, so can you explain the current situation to me? And if you obtained any information you, kindly share it." he requested and inquired.
Kyouka knelt on the ground while placing her back against the wall behind her, trying to hid her presence from the gang members who are coming out to the deck. "We met up with the boss of Despair Gang, his name is Setsu. His ability is to boost or decrease the power of certain person within his field, and that can be applied to the person who has the skull tattoo" Kyouka explained briefly.
Dazai immediately understood what she was referring too. His intuition was right. He felt something was special about their tattoo and finally he got the answer. Kyouka continued speaking.
"Currently, Atsushi and Akutagawa are engaging in battle with the boss. But they got embedded by the tattoo so they are in a great disadvantage! He can freely weaken our attacks and speed." Kyouka said, her concern towards the two arouse. "I need to return and back up them!"
"Wait, Kyouka-chan" Dazai stopped her. "Does that mean that people who had a physical contact with Setsu may be embedded by the tattoo?" he confirmed. Kyouka felt stupid of herself for almost forgetting to inform the valuable information.
"Yes, as long as we will have a physical contact with him."
"The ability to boost and decrease the power huh…" Dazai mumbled as he entered into his thoughts. After few moments of silence, Dazai begun to speak again, but this time in a nervous manner.
"Kyouka-chan, is the Port Mafia already on the cruise?" he inquired. Kyouka swiftly went to the front deck, cautious not to show her appearance in the battle field as she hid herself behind the wall.
"Yes, and they are currently engaging in the battle. Chuuya-san and the Black Lizard are taking the lead." When she informed the news, Kyouka heard a faint sighing from the other side of her earpiece.
"Kyouka-chan, tell Chuuya to leave the cruise immediately before Setsu will arrive in the scene, hurry!"
Kyouka was confused what he meant but she tried to complied with his words, but those motivation just vanished in an instant.
"Dazai-san…" Kyouka's voice wobbled, agitation arouse. "It's too late… Setsu has arrived-"