Chapter 9

"I can't thank you enough...You saved my life...But...aren't you brainwashed...?" Nagito just gave a gentle smile as they walked down the street.

"I guess I was just lucky...Maybe I'm too insane to brainwash ? At least not completely anyway...I know I hate Junko...I want to gouge her eyes out...But at the same time, I know the world needs her...She is the giant stepping stone that will let hope reign supreme, bringing peace to the world once more...It's gonna be a great battle...Despair versus hope...I just know hope will win!" Leon sighed. He always did have ahard time understanding Nagito...He was the biggest hope fanboy you could ever meet. But he was so damn cryptic half the time! Others often thought he must be insane...Regardless, Nagito had saved his life. For that, he was grateful.

"Right...Well, thanks again. Your luck saved my life...Don't suppose you can help me get to the factory...? I'd love to get there in one piece, you know?" The red head chuckled.

"Hm? The factory? Why do you need to go there?" Nagito tilted his head curiously.

"Kazuichi...He's there...I'm gonna save him..." Nagito's eyes lit up. Oh boy... Leon jumped when Nagito grabbed his hands excitedly.

"You mean you're gonna face off against despair? Just for the sake of another? How exciting! You must be on the side of hope, then! In that case, I wish you all the luck in the world! Motivated by hope for the future, the well-being of a loved one...I know there's no way you can possibly fail! Please...do tell me what trials you have overcome already on your quest for hope!" He had that starry-eyed look in his eyes. Leon sweatdropped, gently pulling his hands out of his grip.

Well...I escaped from Ibuki and Hiyoko...I survived in a fight against Gundham...Got saved from death by a kid...Managed to get away from Nekomaru before he could snap and kill me...And now thanks to you, I escaped Sonia."

"Incredible! You're so lucky, you saw most of my classmates! Well, except a few of them, of course..."

"Yeah...I'd really love to avoid Fuyuhiko and Peko...Ad probably Akane...Teruteru doesn't worry me too much. I could take him easy!"

"You have confidence...A vital ingredient in the recipe for hope! I wish I hadn't succumbed to despair...But, I'm just a lowly servant...I have no choice but to do her bidding...I have to preach about despair, when I'd rather be praising hope..." Nagito looked crestfallen. Leon looked at him with a frown.

"Hey...You're not some low-level human...You're Nagito Komaeda! After I save Kazuichi, I'm gonna come back for all of you. I know there's a way to reverse what Junko's done to you guys. After all, we got all of our memories back!" Nagito looked up, smiling once more.

"Thank you Leon...I know the others will appreciate that...Well, here we are..." Leon raised abrow. He stopped walking and looked forward. The factory was right infront of them! He couldn't believe it! He turned to Nagito.

"Thanks, Nagito...I owe you one! I-" Nagito suddenly flung himself into Leon, tackling him to the ground, just as a sword swung overhead. Leon's eyes widened as he sat up.

"Oh shit...Peko!" He stared up at the ultimate swordswoman, who was tanding beside none other than the ultimate yakuza, Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. Nagito got up and smiled happily.

"Peko, Fuyuhiko! It's great to see you both!" Fuyuhiko held up a hand, signalling Peko to stand back. The swordswoman reluctantly obeyed.

"Leon...Nagito...I am sorry, but we cannot let you inside..." The red head grit his teeth, balling his fsts. He glared at Fuyuhiko in anger.

"For two days straight, everyone has been trying to keep me away...Trying to get in my way and keep me away from Kazu! I'm fucking done with it! There's no way I'm letting ANYONE keep me away! If I have to fight you both then...Then so be it! At least I'd died knowing I tried to save him..." Fuyuhiko looked alert as tears fell from Leon's eyes.

"What the hell do you mean, save him?"

"I mean I'm gonna save him from all this despair...I'm gonna reverse all the damage Junko did to his mind...To all of you! She wiped our memories...Two years worth...But we got them back...Because we didn't give up...So I just know there's hope for you guys! You don't have to live like this...You an be yourselves again..." Peko looked to Fuyuhiko, waiting for his response. The yakuza stared in disbelief at Leon, taken aback.

"You...You know...?"

"Yeah...I do...I saw you guys online...I saw photos...Looking back on how Junko tried manipulating Kazu, it was easy to put two and two together. I know she brainwashed you guys...So what's it gonna be? Are you gonna let me in willingly? Or am I gonna have to fight my way in?" Fuyuhiko fell silent. Peko watched him without saying a word. Nagito tilted his head, wondering what the verdict would be.

"...You better save us...If you don't, I'll hunt you down and kick you ass my own damn self...Got it?" Leon smirked.

"You have my owrd. I'll save you guys, I promise." Fuyuhiko manged to give his signature smirk in response.

"Damn right! Now go, you bastard! Before we lose control again!" He moved aside and Peko followed suit. Leon thanked Nagito, then Fuyuhiko and Peko, before he ran inside.