Chapter 9
Few minutes ago
Setsu was maintaining his serene, devious smile while fighting against Chuuya, but simultaneously started to get irritated for he could not hold nor even give a simple laceration to his sworn enemy. He is currently standing on the upper floor, the place where the passengers can have the better view of the scenery. From that position he could see the executive of Port Mafia glaring at him like a beast who is about to catch its prey. Just by judging his pallid expression, amount of his sweat, and heavy breathing he is certain that the executive is not in his best condition. But why he can't catch him? Probably he needs to raise more of his power…
On the other hand, in Chuuya's perspective, he was struggling to maintain his balance and speed in order for him not to get caught. He manipulates the things he saw around him and used it as his weapon hoping that one of them will stop his wild opponent from moving. He wants to end this battle as soon as possible for he himself do not even know how long his body would last. How wonderful would have been if his 'unlucky day' will just occur in other days.
Frustrated, he took off his favorite coat for more mobility and threw it behind him, wishing that he could retrieve it after the fight.
"You're persistent" Setsu uttered after clicking his tongue in annoyance. Chuuya gave his weak, mischievous smirk.
"Well, thank you" executive returned a taunting reply which only just planted another seed of annoyance to the other.
The boss just sighed as he put his hand on his forehead, simply distressed with the situation. Finally, he cocked his head up and snapped his fingers, showing his malicious grin while looking down on him. With that cue, Chuuya was surprised when he saw five men suddenly appeared before him and started to surround him in circle.
The executive released a 'tch' and took his fighting stance, annoyed that another problematic issue came out. "Let me watch you until you get tired, Chuuya. These are my special fighting squad. They are stupid but I can tell that these five are not weak. They have incomparable power than the rest of my subordinates out there" he drawled. "Now, dance before me!" then he snapped his fingers again which was the sign to start another round of battle.
At the other side of the battle field, Kyouka was having a hard time dealing with other two gang members. Both of them were knife wielders and since they are casted under Setsu's ability, their speed and strength are almost the same with Atsushi's speed when he uses his ability.
While fighting, Kyouka was bothered about the message Chuuya gave it to Dazai. He seemed calmed when he conveyed his words but at the same time, she noticed a glint of pain and guilt from his azure gaze. She wanted to asked what he meant but couldn't. She knew that 'Corruption' is an overwhelming and horrifying ability. She bets that no one can beat his ability so far, except the nullifying ability of Dazai. Nevertheless, that ability should not be forced to be release.
While she was rapt with her thoughts, one of the men caught her off guard and lunged forward to thrust her. For a brief moment, Kyouka panicked and was ready to get stab but then suddenly from behind, a young man jumped in between them then shoved him away as it continuously flew until the man got hit to the wall, involving few gang members who were standing or fighting behind him.
"Kenji-san!" Kyouka was surprised. When she looked back, the other man she was fighting awhile ago has been totally knocked out. "Thank you very much!"
Kenji gave his usual saccharine smile. "I'm sorry, I and Kunikida-san arrived a bit late. We were searching for Atsushi-kun." He then noticed the concern gaze of the young lady. "Don't worry, we found him and I'm sure Kunikida-san saved him, so let's concentrate to defeat these guys since we need to capture them all" Kenji's bright smile reassured the younger and reminded their current situation.
Kyouka and Kenji scanned their surroundings. They were already cornered by several gang members, giving their spiteful glare and disgusting grin that makes Kyouka to grimace. As usual, Kenji's peaceful mien doesn't change as his enemies were already murmuring to one another that he is probably the weakest detective but soon realized that they underestimated him too much when Kenji break the whole metal hand rails with his bare two hands without showing any signs of difficulty. The gang members' face turned pale when Kenji faced them, still wearing his mien and without giving them any warning, he swung the metal which instantly threw the members out of the cruise.
"You might become strong and gained your speed, but my ability is stronger than you guys~" Kenji said while looking at the direction where he sent his enemies off from the cruise. He then massaged his wrists for their resistance to his attack were beyond his imagination. Though he said that his ability is stronger than their strength, Kenji barely kept his stance in order to throw them away. He then reminded himself that he should be careful when he will fight another gang member.
He then glanced towards Kyouka. "By the way, our second mission is to protect and pull Chuuya-san out from this cruise. I think we should move fast. According to my observation, his movements are a bit strange comparing to the time when I and Yosano-san fought with him. He also didn't have any injuries… did he catch some cold?"
Kyouka paled when she heard those words then immediately dashed where Chuuya is fighting while Kenji just followed her from behind. While running, they met up with Tachihara who just came out from the opposite side of the cruise. Flinched by one another's presence, they all raised their weapons and exchanged their dubious gaze.
"You guys know that it's not wise for us to exchange bullets and blades now, right?" Tachihara inquired then both detectives nodded. Since both parties confirmed that there were no lies in one another's reply, the trio dashed to the upper deck where Setsu and Chuuya are fighting.
As soon as they arrived at the scene, one robust- looking man flew into their direction. If they were one or two steps ahead, they could have been flown and crashed by the man. When the trio gaze towards the direction where that man came from, they saw Chuuya was fighting against two men who are standing both at his left and right side. As they scrutinized the area further, they saw three men lying unconscious. Judging by its situation, most probably they were defeated by Chuuya, despite of his health condition.
Tachihara and Kyouka pondered. It was first time to see Chuuya, the young and one of the strongest Port Mafia members is currently kneeling on the ground, supporting himself by placing one hand on the ground and the other on his knee, wheezing as beads of sweat drops to the ground. Even from their viewpoint, they can recognize that his arm was shaking, a sign that his body was on his limit.
"Are you done, Chuuya Nakahara?" they heard a man speaking from the extra deck above as he was looking down on him. "Finish him!" he ordered as he snapped his fingers.
"That bastard!" Tachihara cursed under his breath then dashed towards the scene and fired three bullets to the man who was trying to hit him with an iron bat. Following his lead, Kyouka and Kenji also stepped in the scene and jumped over the other man as Kenji swung his metal handrail. Surprisingly, instead of flying away like the others do, the metal became completely bent.
Kenji blinked in stun, but didn't let his focus down as his enemy was about to punch his face. Kenji was able to swerve and took the counter attack by kicking him into his stomach and also to make a distance between them.
"Chuuya-san, we came for your back-up." Tachihara said while standing before the executive in a manner to protect him from the limped man who is heading towards their direction.
"No, we must bring Chuuya-san out from this cruise for safety" Kyouka immediately corrected the mafioso.
"She's right, we should bring him back" Kenji added. Tachihara tried to open his mouth to retort but after finding no logical excuses, he pursed his lips. In this situation, they are right. It is the best way to protect the executive and their organization.
"I refuse. Who can kill that guy anyway? It's only me" Chuuya answered back albeit he is totally worn out. He limped as he stood and breath hard before them. "I need to finish him off today or else he might come back and cause this fuss again. I don't want to see any of my subordinates die again" he uttered between his breath. "Besides, I can't leave this place or they will make Yokohama in blaze"
The trio were stunned by his words. Yokohama in blaze? "What do you mean, Chuuya-san?" Tachihara inquired in puzzlement. Chuuya glanced to his subordinate and replied. "We were threatened by the Despair Gang that if I will not fight with Setsu, the damn leader of Despair Gang, they will not just crush Port Mafia but will also lay hand on Yokohama. Do you think I will let that happen?"
"No…" Tachihara replied.
"Don't worry, boss has already made his move so we just need to concentrate to annihilate the Despair gang."
"That's true, but it's not good to be distracted during the battle!" The moment when they heard 'his' voice, they were too late. As if like the whole time stopped, Setsu had already stabbed Chuuya's gut which is so deep where they can only see the hilt protruding from his stomach. Their mind completely turned white for the first few moments, totally bemused how he passed through the mafioso and the detective without being noticed. They were sure that they did not sense neither someone's presence nor bloodlust.
They were totally caught off guard.
It was that moment, Chuuya's vision turned dark, his irises weren't focused in one point. It was quivering simultaneously those deadly scarlet swirls instantly appeared throughout his body. He could even feel his heart pumping loudly inside him, giving a hot sensation from his chest and throughout his entire body.
"Get the hell away from Chuuya-san!" Tachihara, who was able to get back to his senses first, shouted in fury and gave an incessant shower of bullets aiming the forehead of the opponent. Setsu gave his dirty smug before he abruptly drew out the blade from Chuuya's gut, causing the executive to grunt in pain as he spat out blood from his mouth and stream of blood flows down from his side. The boss then jumped backwards and swerved all the bullets as he made a good distance between the group. He lightly landed on the upper deck and purposely showed the drenched blade before the mafioso and the detectives while he plays with its hilt.
"Chuuya-san!" Tachihara knelt beside the executive and gasped in horror when he saw the amount of blood that was flowing out from his gut. He grimed and tried to perform first aid to at least stop the bleeding but froze when he and the rest of the detectives felt the overwhelming bloodlust from the executive.
Moments later, gust of wind started swirling around his field, dark crimson twirls flicks with the tornado as it raises the temperature of the area. Sensing an immediate danger, the stunned trio tried to move out from their places. But before they could do that Chuuya suddenly jumped skywards and due to his ability, the ground wasn't able to hold with the heavy impact which created a big crater on the floor. The trio, who were standing on the same floor as him got involved with the disaster for neither they weren't able to react immediately nor barely understood what was happening to Chuuya. They got one step behind to protect themselves which resulted them to fall on the lower floors at the same time losing their consciousness.
"""""
Back to Akutagawa and Atsushi's group
"Kenji! Kyouka!" Kunikida exclaimed as he and Atsushi approached their unconscious comrades. They tried tapping their cheeks and even shook their bodies but they didn't respond.
"Tachihara, what happened!?" the mafiosos were stunned as well. Miraculously, among these three, Tachihara was barely maintaining his consciousness. Kajii helped his comrade by placing his arm behind the other's head to have a better position for him to speak.
"C-Chuu-ya-s-san-" then pointed his finger towards the hole where they fell from. "C-corrupt-tion w-went ber-seck-" eventually his voice trailed away then his head cocked down as he fell unconscious. His words left a deadly atmosphere in the air; eyes dilated as no words came out from their mouth for the first few seconds not until a scream from above broke this heavy silence.
"AAAAAAARGGHH!"
The detectives and the mafiosos whipped their head upwards and immediately recognized the owner of this voice. It was Chuuya. Based from his scream, it was clear that he is writhing in pain and a sign that their executive was already devoured by his own ability.
"W-what's happening?!" Atsushi inquired in panic, looking up then towards the mafia in turn, demanding for answers.
"Shut up, weretiger!" Akutagawa scolded with his stern look, annoyed by the exclamations of his rival. "If you don't want to die then leave this place at onc-" before he could end his sentence, suddenly he felt something viscous substance dropped to his cheek from above. It was warm so when he rubbed his with his hand, he was stunned that it was blood. Stunned, he gazed again upwards and saw Chuuya hovering just above his head.
'The effect of Corruption is spreading around his body too fast!'
Gritting his teeth in annoyance, Akutagawa let his arm go from Higuchi's and limped rushing towards the hole despite of his injury. "Higuchi, Kaji, bring Tachihara out from here!" And went up through the hole using his Rashomon before Higuchi could even stop him. Atsushi, though he and Kunikida are clueless what was happening, also tried to follow after the mafioso, but his senior stopped him.
"You can't go yet! We should bring Kyouka and Kenji out from here. And we have these criminals too. Prioritize their safety and accomplishing our mission first" he said strongly. Atsushi tried to open his mouth to retort but closed it. He should first prioritize their life. Who knows what will happen to them if they will just leave them here?
"""""
Akutagawa froze in his place. He couldn't believe what he is witnessing right now. Gust of wind was swirling around Chuuya who is hovering high above his head. Though his body hurts, the mafioso managed to maintain his balance as he resists the hot wind blowing around the area.
"Chuuya-san-" Akutagawa muttered while barely containing his shock as his face turned grim. He also noticed the laceration at the right side of the executive's side for the blood was continuously spreading throughout his clothes. This frustrated Akutagawa for he cannot do anything to save the executive. It is only his former senior, Dazai Osamu, only who is capable in nullifying this overpowering ability.
"Isn't it beautiful~?" Akutagawa snapped from his thoughts and was stunned when he saw Setsu at the upper deck, leaning against the guard rail with his folded arms. "Drowning to his own ability, slowly eating his sanity and in the end, it will take his own life. This is the spectacle I wanted to see! But this is not enough. I know he will chase after me to death but he will not realize that he will be destroying your organization too" then Setsu cracked in chuckle, it seemed like he is excited for the next plan he is going to act out as if a child who is eager to obtain his long awaited birthday present from his parents.
Hearing his words, Akutagawa's eyes widened in surprise. At first, he doubted it his surmise but when he looked up to Chuuya, he gasped when he saw the skull tattoo imprinted on his right hand. "It can't be…"
Setsu, who was observing the young mafioso, smirked and chuckled again.
"I won"
Snapped by his words, as if the fury and annoyance that was surging inside him suddenly went out of control, Akutagawa released his Rashomon and attacked him with an intention to reap the head of the annoying gang leader off from his body. Setsu whistled in amazement for when he realized that the mafioso still had enough power to release his ability and use some of his killer moves to attack him.
But unfortunately for Akutagawa, Setsu managed and lightly swerve the assault without any difficulty. Plus, in return to his attacks, he lounged towards the mafioso and punched him right into his solar plexus, causing Akutagawa to release a strong cough and making his vision blurry for a brief moment. Setsu then send his opponent down towards the lower deck and watched him hitting and rolling on the ground with the impact.
The mafioso knelt as he coughed hard while covering his mouth with his one hand and other embracing his gut to ease the pain. The pain lingers the hit area, making him feel nauseated a bit. His puffing grew stronger for the stress he had from the previous battle started to crawl around his body, making him weak and exhausted.
"Damn it!" His anger didn't ease a bit but instead it added another fuel to his fury. "I'm going to kill you—"
"Akutagawa-dono!?" When he heard someone called his name from behind, he turned his head back and saw Hirotsu and behind him stands Gin who had just killed Despair members around them. Both of them were wearing puzzled at the same time surprised expression in their faces.
"Akutagawa-senpaii!" now, his subordinate, Higuchi came out from the entrance of the lower deck together with Kaji, who is carrying Tachihara by placing his arm over his shoulders and supporting his body with his open hand, and with the detectives; Atsushi was in his beast form so that he could have enough power to drag both criminals they caught while Kunikida somehow managed to carry his unconscious comrades.
Akutagawa glanced the area. All his comrades are here. Their rival detectives are also fighting against the Despair Gang; Setsu, the gang leader standing before them while giving his mischievous gaze and sinister grin from the upper floor and the worst of all, Chuuya who is in his Corruption mode was hovering in the air, creating this uneasy hot gale around this cruise.
Suddenly, like a whiff of air pass by, he remembered the words of his senior:
-please take in charge if 'that' situation happens. I'm counting on you-
These were the words he received from Chuuya. Come to think of it, Akutagawa doubted if his senior entrusted these words to him because he had already anticipated that this scenario is going to happen. Though he is adamant to leave, senior's command is a must. It must be conducted accordingly. Plus, he can't break his promised he made. He needs to protect everyone.
With that resolution he made, Akutagawa breath in and out before he staggered standing up.
"H-Hirotsu-" the mafioso stammered which was obvious for him that he is having a hard time to even speak.
"Yes, Akutagawa-dono?"
Akutagawa then faced Hirotsu who were standing by his side. "Spread a retreat order. We must leave this cruise at once!" he exclaimed. "Chuuya-san is in his Corruption mode. If you guys don't want to get involve with his attacks, then move!"
Hirotsu and the subordinates who were in that area returned their reply and immediately spread the order to their fellow mafiosos.
"Higuchi—" Akutagawa then faced to his subordinate.
"Yes, senpaii?" Higuchi an instant replied, giving her usual serious mien.
"Call the medical team to standby the port so that our fellow soldiers can be treated immediately"
"Understood" then she immediately took out her phone and called the medical team.
"Atsushi, we should leave too!" Kunikida told to his comrade. "I don't know what is happening but we can tell that something bad is going to happen. We have our own speed boat ready and meet up with President and Ranpo-san!"
"President and Ranpo-san!?" the younger repeated in surprise.
"Yes, I just received a call from the President. Can you see the superyacht over there? President and Ranpo-san are there to pick us up. I'm sure they also called for military to capture the Despair Gang" Kunikida explained. "So, let's escape!"
Atsushi gave his firm nod then followed after his senior. While running, he glanced skywards as he was totally flabbergasted at the same time confused while watching black and dark crimson spirals were forming around Chuuya.
'Is that really Chuuya-san?' Atsushi thought before he returned his gaze to the front.
Watching the whole scenario, the gang members were confused too by the sudden order of the mafioso. This situation was not included in their plan and they do not know what is happening right now. Uneasiness and fear started to crawl their backs, slowing their thinking processes and decision-making.
Akutagawa, after confirming that every Port Mafia member has already left the cruise, he jumped off from the deck after giving his dirty look towards Setsu who was just watching them escape from the cruise.
Setsu also returned his sly grin. Watching all the detectives and Port Mafia leave, he just shrugged his shoulders and release a sigh of exasperation. "Even you leave from this cruise, you can't escape from gravity. Right, Chuuya-kun?" he mumbled.
At almost the same timing, he drawn his most sadistic grin in his face then snapped his fingers.
Another moment later, the cruise was split into two.
""""""
Screams and shouts were heard everywhere when the cruise split into two. One by one, the gang members fell in the bay after failing to grab onto a handrail or slipping through the unstable platform. The Port Mafia and the detectives had left barely left the scene but still they weren't able to avoid the strong waves, splashing and mercilessly swaying their speed boats side to side.
Both parties didn't know what happened. It was that moment when the dark scarlet and black light struck just in the middle of the cruise, as if one scene was pulled out from their memories, when they opened their eyes, the cruise was already split.
Atsushi dropped his bottom on the ground for he was overwhelmed with the power. Kunikida was also speechless. He then warily looked up and saw Chuuya chuckling as he was spreading his both arms to his sides.
"What is that unbelievable power!?" Kunikida finally reacted while raising the speed of their speed boat. Atsushi shook his head hard and staggered standing up.
"I-I-I don't know! Is that really Chuuya-san?" the younger exclaimed is panic, now holding his hands with his both arms for he couldn't organize his thoughts which make him even confusing to understand their situation right now.
"By the way, where is that suicide-freak!?" Kunikida exclaimed again, this time with frustration. At that very moment, he heard cracking noise from his earpiece followed by a cheerful voice.
"Hello, hello, Kunikida-kun~? Are you still alive~?"
Without having a doubt, Kunikida immediately knew who the caller is.
"You, Dazai! What were you doing for this whole time!?" he shouted even louder than before, jolting the younger in surprise.
"I'm sorry, haha. Anyway, tell me your current situation" his voiced changed into a serious manner.
"It's worse!" Kunikida said it bluntly. "Your former partner, Chuuya Nakahara, he went rampage! It seems like he is not in control of himself. What is the meaning of this!?" he demanded for answers.
There was moment of silence between the lines.
"Dazai? Are you listening to me, Dazai-"
"How many minutes have past when he went out of control?" before Kunikida could end his sentence, Dazai interfered and asked him question instead, but this time he sounded serious. Piqued by his words, he calmed himself down and replied;
"It just happened so around 3 minutes, I guess-why?"
"Kunikida-kun, get away from the place as far as possible! He will continue throwing his attack until he will destroy everything around him. I will be there within few minutes-"
"Hey, what do you mean-" again, before Kunikida could finish inquiring, this time Dazai hanged the call.
""""""
Dazai and Tanizaki were already riding on their speed boat, following the direction of the radar. Tanizaki drives the boat while Dazai checks the time through his cellphone then released an exasperating sigh while letting his fingers ran through his hair.
"3 minutes has already passed... if that exceeds more than 10 minutes then, probably he won't last-" Dazai thought, vexed with the whole situation. Distressed, he looked up the gloomy sky and closed his eyes, remembering what his former partner told him in the call:
-Oi, D-Dazai, today will be your worst day- I won't last longer than usual, so you better stop me earlier this time-
Dazai clicked his tongue and open his eyes when frustration arouse inside him again. Scratching his unkempt hair, he muttered, "Give me a break, don't he know how much tiring and troublesome it is to stop that petite mafia!?"