Grimacing, Kiryu bows his head huffing, sat slumped over the alley bench after finding his apartment on fire finding no place to go as he returns to the place that was hunting him down as he sat, scarlet streaming down his tense temple from the drunk he had accidently bumped into after he had hoped to help him up, now here he sat, bleeding, battered, beaten both mentally and physically, hitting his newest low.
"Um is that you Kiryu-san? It is you Kiryu-san!" Reina gasps at the sight of the man in white.
"Reina…" Kiryu furrows his brow at Reina rushing over to his side.
"Wait what happed to you!? You're bleeding! You're hurt!? Are you all right?" Reina looks over at him horrified.
"Yeah it's just a scratch." Aloofly, he dismisses turning his head to the side.
"What happened?" Reina questions him.
"Nothing it's fine. You should go. You don't want to be seen with me right now." Kiryu tries to warn her off however…
"I know Dojima's men are after you aren't they?" Reina whispers to him.
"Yeah…" Kiryu bows his head.
"Then come to the bar. You don't have anywhere else to go do you?" Reina assumes.
"I can't do that. It'll make trouble for you. Really don't worry about me." Kiryu refuses.
"I'm used to trouble and I'm not just walking away. I won't leave Nishikiyama-kun's brother to the wolves." Resolved, Reina states the fact firmly.
"He and I aren't bros we cut ties." Kiryu tells her.
"What?" Reina reels back by the news.
"You should do the same I don't want you on my conscience." Kiryu advises her.
"And you think saying that's enough to change my mind? Ryūko said you were stubborn. But this is ridiculous, give me a little credit here…look. Either you come with me now or I scream I mean it. A place like this it's just a matter of time till they find you. Now please don't make this take any longer. I'll go close the bar now give me just a few minutes then come on up. Use the back entrance it's more discreet." Reina huffs softly scowling at him before instructing him on his next move.
"…All right." Kiryu gives in.
"Then I'll see you in a minute…I'd better." Reina turns to leave.
"Reina…I'm sorry." Kiryu whispers weakly.
"That's the last apology I want to hear from you." Reina tells him before leaving to shut up shop.
"Son of a…!" Sagawa curses after hurtling his bandaged fist into the tortured, battered, beaten bruised Majima stands tied to the iron pillar behind him, Sagawa and his men standing before him.
"Fucking hurts!" Sagawa curses cradling his had before swiftly slamming hi foot into the purple bruised ribs of the already internally bleeding Majima, his lip bruised his hue helpless to stop said strikes.
"Majima-chan, man didn't I warn you? If you ca get by without killing, do it but you took the job Majima-chan. I was ready to call up my brother Shimano and get you set up with the Tojo Clan again." Annoyed, Sagawa berates him as one of his me step forward black bat in hand.
"But then you couldn't kill Makoto Makimura." Sagawa takes the bat from his worker.
"Look fine okay let's be generous here and say I understand the sentiment. Back when I was a brat I found a sparrow with a broken leg and took it home. Tried to nurse it behind my mom's back. What'd I call it? Mametaro maybe? Never once had an interest in animals still though I fed the damn thing every day. Cute little shit too." Sagawa sighs stretching said bat with his arms as he paces back ad forth telling his story to Majima.
"But I shouldn't have lied to my parents. One day I get home and they're feeding it to the cat. I watched little Mametaro get eaten alive I saw in a moment of clarity…that a kid can't play with his parents." Sagawa soon crouches down as he concludes said sad story before standing up once more, readying himself to hit Majima once more but…
"I bet you were a model son." Majima remarks.
"Model son? True I was a sweet obedient kid in front of my parents." Sagawa gives him that lowering the bat once more.
"Huh?" Majima furrows his brow befuddled.
"Day after that…I killed their damn cat." Sagawa stares straight at Majima pointing the bat at him before reeling the bat back about to bash it into Majima when he stops himself just as it's about to hit instead dropping it as he leans into whisper…
"And sure as shit I'll kill you too…
"Good you actually showed up Kiryu-san." Relieved, Reina smiles softly at Kiryu making his way through the back to the bar.
"I won't stay long just until a man named Tachibana gets in touch with me until then thank you." Kiryu bows his head grateful.
"Of course have a seat. We need to get that head patched up." Reina gestures for him to sit.
"Reina…have you heard if anything's happened with Nishiki or Ryūko?" Kiryu asks as she goes to get the first aid box.
"I think he's out in the Kazama family office now. I saw him go in a little while ago. He looked really upset." Softly, she sets the box down taking a seat by his side in the booth.
"I see… that's good to hear. And Ryūko?" Kiryu asks hopeful, he hadn't seen her since Awano…
"I haven't heard much the last I spoke to her she phoned me telling me to keep a lookout for you, saying you'll need shelter. She also told me no matter how selfless he tries to be with he can handle it on his own act don't give in." Reina reveals as a small smirk crosses Kiryu's lips from her words.
"Ryūko…" Kiryu smiles sadly at the thought of his sister of sorts, even when she had her own mission she still worried about him.
"The cut doesn't look very deep I'll just clean it." Reina eyes said cut.
"Thanks." Kiryu bows his head as Reina tends to his temple.
"Masura…Sera?" Frowning, Majima sits in the cell across from Nishitani, both of them cross legged and smoking. Majima furrows his brow to think a moment ago he was being black and blue before being let off by Sagawa ordering him to find the man in red to find out where Makoto was being taken too…
"Few days back I got word that Sera had his pack in the neighbourhood. I figured it probably had somthin' to do with our girl, Makoto-chan." Nishitani reasons.
"Why're two groups from the Tojo clan after the same girl?" Confused, Majima frowns.
"Two?" Nishitani raises a brow.
"My kill order came down from my old boss, Patriarch Shimano." Majima tells him.
"Shimano, like the Togo's Shimano family?" Nishitani questions surprised.
"Yeah Sera and Shimano are both Togo." Majima confirms.
"They aren't the only ones," Nishitani points out.
"Eh?" Majima frowns.
"I did some digging tell me you ever heard of Hada?" Nishitani asks as Majima furrows his brow.
"Who hasn't?" Majima frowns from the familiar name popping up again.
"Real son of a gun that one. Omi elites still shake in their boots just hearing the guy's name. Still you know about the whole situation when it comes to the Hada clan then?" Nishitani chuckles coyly at the thought of the legend before leaning in.
"…What do you mean?" Majima furrows his brow by the mention of the bogeyman.
"Thought as much those guys prefer keeping to themselves ad all that…see the whole Hada thing has been patriarchy and all that jazz. See the old man's days are going to be numbered soon he's too old to lead so the eldest son leading it all that jazz. But what if this boy had no interest in it even throughout the years of building it? He held no interest so one day he just ups and vanishes." Nishitani explains the tale to Majima.
"I heard there was some drama about his will…" Majima furrows his brow by it, he hadn't heard much since the Hada's were rather secretive hell he had only barely learnt snippets of Hada being dead.
"See that's the thing, the sister was supposed to get it till her kid was old enough but Hada had this will you see." Nishitani smirks.
"And…?" Majima probes perplexed.
"What if I told you that old horn dog had a kid of his own?" Nishitani chuckles coyly.
"What does that have to do with me?" Impatiently, Majima demands.
"Well it doesn't. But what if I told you it had everything to do with your little Namie?"
"Before…Kiryu-san you said you cut ties as brothers with Nishikiyama-kun that's just to keep him safe though right?" Reina assumes as she tends to his cut.
"Right now I've got the whole Dojima family after me. It's best if he has nothing to do with me anymore, the same with Ryūko." Kiryu asserts.
"I figured as much you three make quite the pair, all three of you are more worried about each other than yourselves. Every time he's here Nishikiyama tells stories about you three with this big grin on his face the closet friend I've had to that would be Ryūko…" Reina considers calmly, brow furrowed from the thought of her friend, she knew she was trying to protect her too keeping her out of the loop but that didn't mean she didn't worry.
"Even so I don't want to weigh them down any more than I already have. I've done enough…I don't want to hurt a brother and sister." Seriously, Kiryu tells Reina.
"You know Kiryu-san I think you should hear the police are looking for you too. A detective came in today saying he wanted to ask you a few questions any guesses why?" Reina warns him.
"Yeah…guess I've hit my time limit." Kiryu sighs sadly.
"Time limit? What do you mean?" Reina raises a brow befuddled.
"I'm being framed for murder. The shooting that happened over in the Empty Lot Tachibana pulled some strings to stall the cops from looking into me. That grace period's over now." Kiryu tells Reina.
"But you say 'framed' so…" Reina begins but…
"Yeah I didn't do it. The whole thing's a setup." Sternly, he tells her just as the elevator dings alarming Reina.
"Kiryu-san someone's coming. This time of night nobody should be using that elevator! Hide in the back room!" Reina orders him as he goes to do so just as the door opens and Reina is met by the sharp sting of a backhand.
"What do you take the Dojima family for, lady?" Hollering, one of the grunts glares at the empty bar as Reina falls flat to her knees holding her cheek.
"Get your ass out here Kiryu? We had this place staked out the whole-time moron!" Mad, another grunt growls.
"Quit sneaking around and man up!" Angrily, another voice throws in.
"Kiryu-san don't! Run!" Reina cries out to him however…
"The man of the hour…bring me everyone! EVERYONE!" The Dojima grunt growls at one of his men.
"Right!" The ma goes off to do so.
"I'm sorry Reina…I shouldn't have come here." Kiryu apologises to Reina.
"Kiryu-san!" Reina cries out.
"You got nowhere left in this world to go Kiryu!" The man growls glaring at him.
"Kiryu-san…" Reina whispers staring sadly at the man getting into a fighting position ready to take on the Dojima family…
"What!? Bullshit!" Enraged, Majima jolts up roaring in the same cell as Nishitani with Goro glaring down at the man in red.
"Majima chan calm down." Nishitani advises.
"That isn't fucking funny!" Seething, Majima spits.
"Who said it was funny? Imagine that straight outta high school being told the man you thought dead all this time turned out to be alive and kicking only to end up dead and throwing all his responsibilities onto you. I wouldn't call that funny would you? Who knows how much that kid had to go through, what with most of the family being split on supporting a female yakuza, a hafu at that…It's only thanks to her connection to Kazama that she was found out." Nishitani shrugs aloofly.
"Kazama?" Alarmed, Majima jolts up.
"You really don't know do ya? Kazama raised her another one of his precious sunflowers." Nishitani huffs.
"Sunflowers?" Scowling, Majima furrows his brow the familiar name.
"Rumour has it Kazama has this place where he raises kids to feel indebted to him, make them feel like they owe their lives to him, child soldiers some would call them." Nishitani explains to Majima.
"You're kidding me." Majima's hue dilates from the news.
"I'm just saying what I heard…" Nishitani shrugs.
"Is it true or isn't it!?" Impatiently, Majima demands done with the man stretched out before him.
"Alright no need to get your panties into a bunch. I got another titbit, the guy who hired me was a lieutenant from the Dojima family. Name's Shibusawa." Nishitani enlightens him.
"Dojima family?! Majima gawks shocked.
"Yeah another direct Tojo Clan family. So we got Sera's Nikkyo Consortium, the Shimano family givin' you orders, and the Dojima family…all three of 'em Tojo clan," Nishitani summarises.
"Shit, the hell's goin' on here!? Confused, Majima scowls.
"If you want answers Majima the best person to go to would be your little girl friend…" Teasingly, Nishitani teases.
"Kiryu-san…" Reina calls out to the huffing male, staring down at the battered, beaten, bruised Dojima men.
"…Sorry for wrecking the place Reina. This is all my fault. More of them will be here any minute. I've got to go." Kiryu bows his head turning to the door.
"Wait! I'll call the police! They might arrest you but at the least you'll still be alive." Reina argues.
"I'm afraid not if the yakuza are going this far, a few cops on the scene won't stop them. They're not calling this off till I'm dead." Deadpanned, Kiryu states the fact firmly.
"Then…there's no one else you can ask for help?" Horrified, Reina whispers weakly.
"If there were I wouldn't have dragged you into this too." Truthfully, Kiryu admits.
"You didn't drag me anywhere." Reina reassures Kiryu.
"Then can I push my luck and ask one more favour?" Hopeful, Kiryu requests.
"Huh?" Reina turns to Kiryu.
"Please…give this to Nishiki." Kiryu passes him over a stopwatch of sorts.
"A watch?" Reina raises a brow by the old watch.
"When you do tell him I don't want him to try to avenge me no matter what happens. If he crosses the family. He'll wind up right where I am now. Could you please give that message to Ryūko too?" Kiryu asks Reina.
"Kiryu-san….Kiryu san!" Reina cries out seeing said male run off heading out towards the army awaiting him.
"Where is she!?" Snarling, Majima demands as Nishitani's eyes soften at the sight of the distressed Majima.
"Whaddya plannin' to do when you hear?" Nishitani questions him, breathing out the smog of grey.
"Go get Makoto back obviously." Majima scoffs.
"And you're little friend?" Wary, Nishitani enquires.
"Straighten things out learn the truth and show you she isn't a spy, Namie wouldn't lie to me." Stubbornly, Majima denies.
"Namie maybe but what of Ryūko?"
So the masks is it a kink thing or…?" Smirking, Ryūko checks her chamber bored, she sits slumped over a chair, her legs over the arm rest as she turns to the man in white softly sipping his tea.
"Why is that your first assumption?" Sera sighs softly, shaking his head at the bored blonde.
"Well…we are in the red light district." Ryūko reasons.
"You know why they are used." Sighing, Sera reminds her.
"Can't a girl try to lighten the mood?" Ryūko whines stretching out.
"Maybe so but you of all people I'm surprised by…" Sera turns to look over at the bored blonde.
"If you mean by the mad dog who no doubt is going to come kill me after than yeah trying not to think about it." Intensely, Ryūko shudders shaking her head.
"You think he will?" Sera says softly.
"I hurt his precious princess course he'll want me dead." Deadpanned, Ryūko scoffs.
"…Do you regret it?" Softly, Sera asks as Ryūko stops checking over at her gun, playing pretend by shooting saying bang bang as her features falter, turning to a firm frown.
"For Kazama san no, not in a lifetime I'd do it all again for him…." Honestly, Ryūko responds looking up at the ceiling.
"Ryūko I took you under my wing and trained you to be the best of the best in the assassin trade for you to throw your skills away so readily…it's a shame." Sadly, Sera tells her.
"If it must be done for Kazama san's plan to work then I'll happily throw myself into the flames." Firmly, Ryūko looks over at her bare arms brow furrowed.
"…You should value yourself more." Softly, Stray tells her making her furrow her brow by the familiar voice turning to the person softly sliding the door open, entering the room.
"You're sounding like him now." Sighing, she furrows her brow at the thought of a certain man behind bars.
"Maybe he has a point." Sera suggests softly smiling at the person joining his side.
"Maybe he doesn't realize what's at stake here." Ryūko frows furrowing her brow at the thought.
"You're worried about him aren't you?" Sera gathers seeing her curl in on herself.
"He's… my brother. Wouldn't you worry?" Ryūko argues.
"…Ryūko…" Sera begins but soon stops himself.
"Hm?" Humming, Ryūko raises a brow at him.
"How is our guest?" Sera queries.
"I haven't spoken to her." Honestly, Ryūko reports.
"Why not?" Sera raises a brow, lowering his cup to the table.
"Considering I've just betrayed her I don't think I'm exactly her favourite." Frowning, Ryūko reminds the two.
"I don't know about that she may appreciate a familiar voice." He offers making her go silent until hearing the ruffle of plastic.
"But not a different name...besides ain't that Stray's job?" Ryūko points out the obvious gesturing over to the robed person say by Sera's side softly sipping their own tea.
"And why would it be my job?" The person themselves queries arching a brow, challenging the blonde.
"...Cause you're good with people besides she's all about girly stuff you two would get along great." Aloofly, Ryūko waves them off.
"And you two wouldn't...?" Stray argues easily spotting the girl's tendency of avoidance far too well, her years at the Kazama office before it all, bringing a sense strange of deva vu to the smirking Stray.
"I did sort of kidnap her." Sheepishly, she shrugs.
"Sort of? You did." Stray deadpans.
"Urgh...semantics, semantics." Smoothly, she waves Stray off arching a brow bemused by the blonde's laziness.
"That isn't even how the phrase goes." Blatantly, Stray says sternly to the tired blonde.
"I do not need to take this assault right now. Ow!" Whining, Ryūko cries out from the sharp sting of the person pinching her cheek.
"Have you been eating? You look pale." Pointedly, Stray probes the girl feeling as if she were being interrogated.
"Uuuhhhh..." Ryūko draws out looking hopeful at Sero who simply sips his tea not batting an eye to the fearful blonde before him.
"I knew it, let me guess Kashiwagi's been feeding you just plain old cold noodles right?" Stray assumes worriedly looking her over.
"Bold of you to assume he lets me have any." Amused, Ryūko scoffs smirking shaking her head at the thought.
"Drinking to fill your stomach isn't healthy." Sternly, Stray reminds the groaning girl.
"There's a lot of things that aren't healthy." Huffing, Ryūko remarks.
"Ryūko!" Sternly, Stray calls out to the girl flinching from said tone knowing that tone far to well while feeling the shy shivers descend down her shaking spine.
"Urgh fine I'm coming, I'm coming." Grumbling, the pouting Ryūko sighs slumping said shoulders, knowing it wise not to question the owner of the place.
"Ryūko..." Sero calls out to the girl about to leave...
"What now!?" Ryūko huffs only to flinch from Stray's stern stare swiftly shutting her up as she turns to the plastic bag before her.
"Her clothes, she doesn't look well give her these." Sera instructs passing her a plastic bag full of clothes.
"Understood…" Obediently, Ryūko nods, bag in hand she tends to their guest after having the lecture of a lifetime from the stern Stray.
"So we know Makoto-chan's popular with all the Tojo boys where is she now?" Sagawa smirks as Majima heaves, holding his throat from Sagawa's chokehold.
"Some old place in the Camellia Grove Benten Inn that's where the Nikkyo consortium's hold up anyway." Annoyed, Majima massages his tense throat.
"The Camellia Grove huh? Savvy pick. Gotta hand it to these Nikkyo gents they've got good taste." Sagawa smirks.
"Meain' what exactly?" Majima furrows his brow befuddled.
"A girl like Makoto Makimura shuffling around wailing and sobbing's not gonna get a second look in the Grove. You'll see when we get there. Let's get moving." Sagaw turns his back to Majima.
"Huh? What you comin' too?" Taken aback, Majima says surprised.
"You see a lot of people send their dog out to walk itself? Fuck no. If you leave Sotenbori it's with me holding the leash understand?" Sagawa swiftly turns on his heel glaring at the man before the two head into a taxi heading off to the Grove…
"You still crying?" Ryūko scowls at the soft sobs of the woman on the edge of her bed as she smoothly slides the door behind her shut.
"N-Namie?" Hopeful, Makoto perks up at the voice, reaching out to Ryūko reeling back.
"No." Ryūko robotically responds stepping back from the outstretched hand towards her.
"W-who are you? Wh-where's Namie?" Worried, she frowns at Ryūko.
"Dead." Coldly, Ryūko responds hearing her sharp sob, seeing her flinch making Ryūko grimace.
"N-no…!" Whimpering, Makoto places her hands over her hues, the tears freely fallig from the sobbing blind girl.
"…" Silently she stares at the crying child before her.
"Namie san…how could you kill her?" Angered, Makoto demands from Ryūko.
"It's my job." Aloofly, Ryūko responds.
"Here your clothes there a wreck, how about you wear these?" Tiredly, Ryūko throws the bag over to her.
"Is…do you want me dead too?" Makoto questions her tone cold as she pats around the bed before finding the plastic bag.
"So long as you follow father's plan you'll be fine. Do you need help getting changed?" Ryūko quirks her head to the side.
"I can do it myself…" Proudly, she refuses.
"Alright I'll leave you knock if you need help I'll be outside okay?" Ryūko reminds her turning to leave as she does so as soon as she hears the sharp slide of the door does she hear the sharp sob of…
"…Namie!"
Ryūko bites her lip, scarlet streaming down her bruised bloodied lip but she brushes it off, firmly focusing on the task at hand leaving the girl to sorrowfully sob to herself, ignoring the pain pulsating through her…
Loudly, the giggles of girls are littered about the place, people calling out to those wandering the streets some men peering eyeing the women and mothers on display, on offer for the men going about their day with omen wearing skimpy attires animatedly calling out to the men going about their day.
"Whaddya say handsome? Time for a little fun? I'll give ya s epical rate!" An elderly woman hollers to Sagawa gesturing to the girl wearing barely anything as she winks at Majima.
"Sorry granny we're here for one gal in particular." Politely, Sagawa refuses.
"What a tease where ya goin'?" The old granny whines.
"Right there." Sagawa smirks pointing ahead at the tallest towering building before them.
"The Benten Inn. Makoto's in there…" Hopeful, Majima steps forward furrowing his brow.
"If what Nishitani said was true anyway." Sagawa exclaims.
"I'm comin' Makoto…" Majima dictates determined heading off towards the inn.
"Makoto its time are you ready?" Ryūko returns to Makoto's room, finding her all suited up.
"I'm ready." Makoto confirms as she helps her up.
"You got your cane knife Sera gave you?" Firmly, Ryūko probes her.
"Y-Yes." She nods, her grip tightening around her cane.
Good." Ryūko offers her arm as she wraps her arm around Ryūko's arm.
"Thank you…" Grateful, she bows.
"…Huh?" Ryūko blurts out lost but before she could ask, the door opens as Ryūko feels a rush of relief freely flow through her, smiling softly as her baby blues meet a familiar pair of warm brown.
"Ryūko…!" Kiryu approaches her.
"Good to see you safe and sound Kiryu." Relieved, Ryūko smiles softly at Kiryu.
"You too. I'm Kiryu, from Tachibana real estate," He introduces himself bowing his head to Makoto after smiling softly down at Ryūko relieved to see her safe and soud.
"Makimura…nice to meet you," She whispers back.
"I'll be seeing you to Kamurocho together with my colleague named Oda," Kiryu tells her.
"Will… Ryūko come?" Makoto queries, grip tightening around her arm.
"We will see…" Ryūko mutters surprised by Makoto's grip on her tightening.
"You're my bodyguards then?" Makoto gathers.
"Yes." Stoically, Kiryu confirms.
"I didn't even realize my grandfather had passed away until just now. Getting dragged into this insanity because of some piece of land my grandfather owned that I've never even heard of," Makoto scowls.
"It must have been hard." Kiryu comments.
"A man who'd been protecting me was killed. He'd looked after me for so long and he's…I couldn't care less about money. Just let me be done with this land already…please." Pained, she requests exhausted.
"I understand." Kiryu bows.
"Give Tachibana my regards, Kiryu." Sera tells him.
"I will. If I may excuse me…" Kiryu exclaims.
"Be safe, Ryūko go with them, for backup." Strictly, Sera informs Ryūko silently nodding, following them out…
"Sera!" Scowling, Majima rushes over to him after beating brute after brute, after bashing wall after wall before finally making it to the man himself seeing him standing before him noting the fierce flames of lanterns around them.
"Impressive work getting this far against consortium men. I can see why you were the one of Shimano's favourites." Formally, Sera acknowledges Goro glaring at him.
"Makoto…where's Makoto Makimura!?" Majima demands from Sera seething.
"She's safe. I've placed her in the care of my top student. She just departed." Dutifully, Sera reports to Majima.
"You what?! Who's this colleague?" Cross, Majima orders from him.
"You may have known her as Namie." Sera answers.
"Namie…!" Majima flinches from the name.
"No need to get riled up I have every intention of telling you." Smoothly, Sera assures Majima.
"What?" Majima scowls at Sera.
"Trust me, the person you know as Namie is not your enemy nor am I." Sera promises Majima.
"Sickin' your clowns on me is a funny way of showi' it I see where she gets it from with her knocking me out." Bitterly, Majima spits sharply out gesturing to his head.
"I apologise for being so rough as well as Namie's teachings she can be rather…rough at times. But we needed to know the extent of your resolve." Sera softly tuts hands behind his back.
"Resolve?" Majima raises a brow by the word.
"You are aware that the Nikkyo consortium is not the only group interested i Makoto Makimura? Most are operating just as we'd expect them to save one surprising exception, that would be you Majima. Three years ago a Shimano family man vanished without a trace and now he turns up in Sotenbori? We had to investigate." Sera explains to Majima.
"…So you sent Namie…" Majima's fingertips curl into a pair of furious fists from the thought.
"She had the skills needed to analyse you to help us understand what Shimano may use against us. Further why you were involved with Makimura…the Omi alliance's Sagawa extorting you into making a move on her is easy enough to piece together but after that it gets a lot of murkier…so she gave us two possibilities of your involvement with Makimura." Simply, Sera defends himself.
"Two?" Majima furrows his brow by his words.
"One possibility of it was we thought you'd kill her like the rest wanted to do as Sagawa ordered so you'd return to the Tojo cash in o Makoto's worth…" Sera says the first possibility.
"Screw Makoto's worth I…!" Mad, Majima snaps scowling.
"However Namie had another idea…" Sera exclaims.
"And what was that?" Tense, Goro glares.
"It would seem you are doing as she predicted…you really have fallen for her." Sera says eyeing the mad mess.
"The hell do you think you know about me!? Do I need some special reason to help someone out!?" Majima roars at Sera.
"No need to get defensive. Whatever the reason your desire to keep her safe is clear and I have no intention of denigrating that desire. But we stand now at a crossroads for the future of the Tojo Clan. Too much blood has already been spilled. If you plan to change into this predicament guns blazing out of some half-baked notion to be her hero I can't stand idly by and watch. Hence the need to test your resolve." Resolute, Sera explains to Majima.
"Yeah real civilized way of doin' it…so? How'd I score on your sweet little test?" Tauntingly, Majima smirks.
"I've always been the cautious type you see. Never could trust a result until I'd verified it with my own two hands. Majima if you are willing to protect Makoto Makimura with your life prove it by defeating me." Sera gets into a fighting stance.
"And the you'll tell me where Namie has taken her?" Majima assumes.
"I will. You have my word." Sera vows.
"Pisses me off that I gotta paly by your rules but I talk faster with my fists than my mouth anyway, fine then…you got it!" Majima roars raising his furious fist as the two lunges at one another, ready to see whose resolve will break first.
"Oi whose your friend?" Rudely, Oda's hungry hues eye the glaring Ryūko up and down.
"Backup. Got a problem?" Glaring, Ryūko rebukes scowling as he goes silent.
"That's what I thought," She scoffs.
"Get in." Oda growls at Makoto.
"That voice…" Scared, Makoto whispers, her grip tightening around Ryūko's arm.
"Makoto you okay?" Gently, Ryūko questions her in a hushed whisper.
"Y-Yeah…" Shakily, she answers.
"What are you doing? Get in the car," Oda scowls.
"We will, chill." Ryūko scowls at him, helping her approach the car.
"Let's go Makimura-chan." Kiryu tells her patiently opening the door for her.
"R-Right…." Makoto nods as she shyly shuffles in.
"Something up?" Oda questions Kiryu glancing at Ryūko looking just as lost as she helps Makoto settle.
"No…I don't know." Kiryu furrows his brow.
"Sorry for the late introduction. I'm Kiryu's co-worker, the name's Oda. Huh whoops. I do something to offend you miss?" Oda introduces himself faltering from her inching away as he frowns.
"How about you shut up and focus on the drive?" Dutifully, Ryūko advises as grumbling Ode sets off, they get on the motorway only then for Ryūko's hues to narrow as Makoto sits in the middle, noting her grip tightening on her cane. She scowls as she feel Makoto's grip on her arm tighten, shaking almost.
"Kiryu, Blondie behind us, car in the right lane. It's been following at a distance for a while. It's speeding up!" Oda points out.
"Of course there's a bloody car chase scene!" Cursing, Ryūko draws out her gun, firing car after car until one pulls up.
"Shibusawa!?" Stunned, Kiryu says shocked, the limo pulls up revealing the quiet Dojima captain peering inside displeased.. Oda passes Kiryu's his as the loud smash of glass echoes from the newly shot driver of their car of course, leading Oda to having to drive as she scowls at him.
"Kick the body out!" Exasperated, Ryūko points out as Oda complies as they fire, Makoto screaming terrified, ducking her head into her lap as she fires with Kiryu, watching the body cause a few motorbikes firing at them to crash.
"Damn it they found us. Floor it!" Kiryu orders.
"Wh-What's going on?" Scared, Makoto questions trembling.
"Makoto sweetie I need you to stay close to me okay!" Sweetly, she tells the quivering girl.
"Okay…." Makoto complies.
"Why the hell do you have this for!?" Frowning, Kiryu demands scowling at the gun.
"You should be thanking me now shut up and shoot!"
"Well? Satisfied?" Heaving, Majima holds his side scowling down at Sera.
"Very…your determination to keep Makoto Makimura safe…is painfully clear." Sera gives him that.
"Then tart talkin' who'd you pass Makoto to?" Tiredly, Majima demands.
"Namie's brother." Sera states.
"Brother? Wait you mean that weakling?!" Alarmed, Majima glares glowers at Sera scowling at the thought of that red suited male from Sunshine.
"I assure you he is not weak. He's a real estate agent." Assuredly, Sera promises.
"Real estate? Why the hell's Namie handing her over to some real estate guy?!" Mystifed, Majima demands.
"Unbeknownst to her, Makoto Makimura has been willed the deed to a piece of land. Three square meters worth a billion yen- The Empty Lot." Sera informs Majima.
"A billion for three square metres!? On what fucki' planet!?" Perplexed, Goro gawks.
"It's in a city you know well." Sera hints.
"…Kamurocho? They took Makoto to Kamurocho!?" Majima catches on.
"Yes and right now the future of the Tojo clan hangs on who acquires that land. The billion to buy it is pocket change by comparison. That plot is the key to the Kamurocho Revitalization project. The money and power at stake are immeasurable.
"So it takes an army of Yakuza to pry the deed outta the hands of a blind girl by force? The Tojo Clan has really gone to shit since I've been gone…" Majima huffs furrowing his brow by the thought.
"Please believe me, Namie and I have absolutely no intention of allowing the girl to come to harm." Honestly, Sera promises.
"Hey good for you two, while you two are playin' nice the other guys are all comin' in hot. Already came a ball's hair away from getting' lit up in a damn car bomb! And now you're tellin' me some house peddler's got her? Why not send out a formal invite sayin' come and get her?" Mockingly, Majima sneers.
"This particular firm is…unorthodox. As long as Makoto is in their custody she will be safe." Sera sighs.
"In what world are some pencil pushers gonna be able to keep her safe!? Now gimme that name and address!" Agitated, Majima orders.
"What do you intend to do with it?" Sera questions him.
"Haul ass up to Kamurocho obviously!" Majima scoffs.
"Even if doing so only places her in greater danger?" Sera points out.
"How do ya figure that?" Majima queries.
"You think the company you keep will let you head out to Kamurocho alone?" Sera reminds him.
"Sagawa…" Majima scowls.
"He will attempt to kill Makoto Makimura by any means. If you go to Kamurocho death will be following at your heels. If you're truly acting out of concern for her isn't staying in Sotenbori to serve in Sagawa's shackles your priority?" Sera suggests.
"You got any guarantees these real estate nerds can actually keep Makoto safe? What gives?" Majima furrows his brow at Sera faltering from the gun being tossed to him. He clumsily catches it.
"If you can't trust me…aim the gun and kill me." Sera tells him.
"…" Majima stares shocked down at the gun below.
"The real estate agent's business card is in my breast pocket. You can take it off my corpse. I told you what I have because Namie trusts you." Sera states the fact firmly standing unarmed.
"…Namie?" Majima whispers softly.
"Now I need to know if it's mutual." Sera states staring at Majima as before the two knew it, Majima tossed the gun aside after a moment of still silence hanging heavily between both of them.
"In Kamurocho…if Makoto gets so much as scratched I'm draggin' you to hell." Majima growls glaring.
"I'll protect her with my life you stay in Sotenbori and keep Sagaw-argh." Sero begins but soon stops himself hearing the brief pang of air breaking as he falls flat to the floor.
"Chatty for a thief…nice combo play there Majima-chan, it's a shame I couldn't find the blonde bitch that hurt my hand but we'll take care of her when we get to Kamurocho. Hey turn that frown upside down. You wanted to know right?" Sagawa smirks down at Sera, on his front as Sagawa kicks Sera's body to the side, scarlet smearing the floor below as he takes the card from his pocket passing it over to Majima.
"Tachibana Real Estate…Kiryu Kazuma." Majima reads it brow furrowed from the name, Namie mentioned him before…
"Guess it's time to let ya outta the cage eh Majima-chan?" Cheerily, Sagawa smirks at Majima.
"Huh?" Majima blurts out.
"I'm saying Sotenbori can't hold you back from roaming free anymore. You're in right? Kamurocho?" Sagawa assumes.
"You lettin' me?" Majima says surprised.
"Come on now. What choice do we got here but head up to Kamurocho and hunt Makoto down? We've come this far we'll chase both those bitches to the gates of hell to finish this. You and me tiger." Sagawa smirks smugly aiming his gun at Majima.
"Okay what was that bull with the bullet and the god damn rocket with the helicopter!?" Lost, Ryūko demands, getting out of the car still perplexed how they even survived that.
"I think we're safe now." Kiryu simply shrugs, taking Makoto out with Oda.
"You just had to say that." Tiredly, Ryūko groans, as the explosion occurs behind them from the crashed helicopter.
"So…are we safe now?" Hopeful, Makoto questions.
"Yeah. For the moment anyway." Ryūko mutters.
"Who knows when more may turn up? I'm taking us off the freeway!" Oda decides.
"Dammit we'll lay low for now." Quietly, Oda places the body in the trunk, slowly closing it before the group head inside, Ryūko guiding Makoto over to the seat of sorts to sit on while Kiryu keeps an eye on the two.
"Goddammit…when did Shibusawa pick up our trail?" Tense, Oda seethes snarls pacing back and forth fuming.
"Calm down Oda." Kiryu calls out to him.
"You'll scare her." Ryūko protectively places her hand on Makoto's shoulder scowling.
"Oh shut up! Who gives a shit!?" Snarling, Oda rushes towards Makoto.
"I'm all right." Makoto whispers weakly oblivious to Ryūko rushing forward frowning getting in the way of Oda.
"Yeah well I'm sure as hell not!" Oda roars raising his hand to Makoto.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" Ryūko takes out her gun.
"What the hell are you doing?" Kiryu catches said fist fuming.
"I'm gonna go have a look downstairs." Oda turns and leaves.
"Sorry about that. You okay from the car ride? Anything hurt?" Kiryu asks Makoto.
"It's…Kiryu-san…right?" Meekly, Makoto whispers.
"Yeah." Makoto assures Kiryu.
"…Makoto?" Ryūko takes note of Makoto's shaking hand.
"There's something I need to tell you, the both of you. About Oda-san. I'm pretty sure I…I know him." Makoto reveals.
"How so?" Ryūko raises a brow as they hear the cock of a gun.
"I figured…cat's out of the bag eh?" Oda sneers as they turn towards him.
"Oda!" Kiryu gawks at him.
"Don't move Kiryu nor you blondie!" Oda glares at the two.
Kiryu steps forward.
"I said don't fucking move!" Mad, Oda snarls.
"Makoto!" Ryūko cries out as she is swiftly snatched manhandled by Oda.
"What do you think you're doing?" Kiryu glares at Oda, his gun presses to the scared Makoto.
"Sorry but I can't let this girl meet with Tachibana. So I'm afraid the three of you are gonna die here." Oda points his gun at the two only to cry out when Makoto slyly slides her cane out of her sheath swiftly slamming it into his leg.
"Oda!" Kiryu cries out as Ryūko lunges over, swiftly disarming him then taking Makoto's hand, taking her far from the man.
"You've got some explaining to do Oda." Ryūko aims the gun glaring at him.
"You all right Makimura-san?" Kiryu asks her.
"Yes." Makoto nods shyly huffling behind Ryūko, squeezing her hand.
"Good to see Sera's cane came in handy." Ryūko softly squeezes Makoto's hand back.
"I didn't expect to use it on someone from Tachibana Real Estate." Makoto admits bowing her head.
"How about an explanation Oda? Why turn on us? Aren't you supposed to be Tachibana's sworn brother!?" Kiryu demands from Oda.
"Kiryu-san…on his left arm does he have a tattoo? Of a bat…?" Makoto asks him.
"Show it." Ryūko orders.
"…" Oda hesitates.
"NOW." Ryūko roars cocking her gun making him curse.
"The bat. Its there." Kiryu confirms for Makoto.
"I knew it. As soon as I heard his voice I was almost certain." Makoto whispers weakly, her voice breaking behind Ryūko.
"You piece of…" Ryūko snarls seething.
"What's this all about?" Lost, Kiryu demands.
"Two years ago that man abducted me kept me prisoner…sold me like cattle." Makoto summarises said story.
"Have you got anything to say about this?" Kiryu demands from Oda.
"Be honest if I hear a lick of bull you're done." Done, Ryūko reminds him, firing a bullet barley nicking his leg making him flinch back from it like some dog with its tail between its leg as the other pierced leg begins bleeding out.
"…You heard the woman. To her I'm the scum of the earth." Oda sneers on his back.
"Which you are." Resolved, Ryūko states.
"Killing me'd probably be letting me off easy…" Oda points out.
"Fortunately for us I know a fair few torture techniques." Tense, Ryūko steps forward her heel swiftly stabbing into the man's leg below.
"…ARGJ!" Oda cries out from the heel however…
"Ryūko enough." Kiryu calls out as she clicks her tongue tiredly, she relents from Kiryu's stern scowl.
"So you figured you'd shoot the two of us instead? What did you mean you can't let her see Tachibana? This doesn't make any sense Oda. What the hell is going on here!?" Kiryu demands from Oda.
"Explain now." Ryūko orders but is met by still silence.
"ODA!" Kiryu roars.
"…Fine I'll talk. The tattoo…it was our mark. All the guys in the gang I headed got one. I borrowed money from the mafia back on the mainland and stowed away on a ship to Japan five years ago…ever since I took any work that'd pay in Sotenbori. Burglary, armed robbery, you name it. Conned girls and sold 'em off more than a few times. She just happened to be one of them." Truthfully, Oda attempts to explain, shuffling back but finds a wall he uses to support himself with in a sitting position, a pathway of scarlet smearing behind him.
"Do you even feel a shred of guilt for the amount of lives you ruined?" Ryūko demands from Oda.
"…It was business that's all." Aloofly, Oda dismisses.
"For you it was but for people like Makoto she was blind, life's have been ruined thanks to bastards like you!" Ryūko angrily accuses.
"What's that got to do with Tachibana?" Kiryu cuts in brow furrowed.
"It was pretty soon after I sold her that I first met him. He was different…first whoever beat me by pure force. It was so one sided I didn't even feel bad. He was more than strong…I'd always wallowed at the bottom…but he gave me hope. I begged him to be our boss. Got him to get the same ink as us…pride, ego…screw all that. I knew my place in life was under him, carrying him straight to the top but instead I wound up costing him an arm. He lost his protecting me a rival gang took us by surprise. I swore that day….whatever happened Tachibana-san was the one I'd never betray. Life is ironic…soon as I promised myself that. I was with Tachibana san when he saw that damn show. I twa some new pieces on war orphans in China one of the spots was some old footage from a few years back. Some orphans were discovered relatives in Japan so they came over…Soon as I saw the girl I remembered. She was the one I had just sold to a crew of Korean mafia types. Age checked out too…I would've laughed it off as a coincidence except…I couldn't believe it. There's the girl I'd just sent to hell for a stack of yen and the bro I dedicated my life to serve…says she's his fucking little sister." Oda explains his side of the story to the three.
"Makoto…Makimura is…Tachibana's sister?" Stunned, Kiryu gawks at the news.
"Is…is that story really true?" Makoto whimpers weakly holding her head.
"Makoto…" Ryūko turns to Makoto concern clear in her tentative tone.
"I think we're…past the point of lying here. It was too late to do anything it was a long time ago. I knew that wouldn't make a damn bit of difference to Tachibana-san. I had one of two choices. Let you meet him knowing it would be the end of me…or double down. Erase you from the equation permanently like none of it ever happened?" Oda confesses to the trio.
"Who the hell are you to decide that!?" Tense, Ryūko roars.
"Ryūko…" Kiryu sighs softly at his friend.
"This girl has gone through hell and you think you can make that choice, you think after all the shit she's gone though you're entitled to choosing whether she gets to see her brother or not to dictate whether it happed or not!?" Ryūko berates Oda.
He's my bro!" Oda roars.
"I don't give a shit who he is to you! You've ruined hers and so many more innocent lives all due to your greed! And you think you can just pretend it didn't happen, pretend as if what this girl had gone through hadn't happened." Ryūko snarls seething.
"Ryūko…so that's the real reason you tagged along to Osaka?" Kiryu gathers.
"Yeah…nobody but me had any clue I had reason to kill her. If I said it was Shibusawa's people or the Omi that got her, nobody'd question it. But now…now that's all over." Oda bows his head pained.
"Hey over here! There's a way upstairs!" The group perk up at the voices.
"That's Shibusawa's crew…" Oda scowls at it.
"Damn…" Kiryu curses cross.
"Oda-san can you stand!?" Sternly, Makoto queries.
"Huh?" Kiryu blurts out.
"Makoto you can't…" Ryūko furrows her brow but…
"We have to get out of here!" Makoto cuts her off.
"…You still want me coming with you? Heh seriously how naive can a person be? Kiryu, can I have my gun I'll slow 'em down as best I can. Look at my leg if I'm gonna die here I want…I want to go out being useful to Tachibana-san." Oda smiles sadly strained.
"Oda!" Kiryu exclaims.
"I know it's ridiculously selfish but…will you tell him I said that? Tell Tachibana-san I really…honestly loved him…" Oda asks him.
"I will. But don't be a hero go easy and at least they shouldn't kill you." Kiryu turns to Ryūko sighing as she tosses the gun at him.
"Yeah maybe." He takes said gun.
"Come on." Ryūko urges the two.
"Wait what about Oda-san!?" Makoto calls out.
"Please…no more words right now." Kiryu tells her as the three head down barely managing to escape but they manage to get back into a familiar yellow car, Ryūko driving with the two leaning back in the backseats as they head out escaping the clutches of Shibusawa hearing the sharp sound of a gunshot ring as they take off…
"You got any news for me Majima-chan?" Sagawa asks hopeful as Majima returns to his office.
"Whaddya expect me to find just strollin' around. I ain't so much as heard a T in Tachibana." Majima shows said business card to him.
"Course you haven't. How could you when you're not actually trying to find shit? The only way you live to see another day is if you find and put a bullet in that girl. I thought we were clear on that. If we don't get her back from Tachibana Real Estate soon we lose her for good. If her trail goes cold so does your body. You understand that?" Sagawa reminds him.
"Yeah." Majima sighs softly.
"Then it seems to me you might want to start putting a little more effort into this eh tiger? I'm putting up with the sardine treatment here in this tiny room. An Omi man goes strutting around Kamurocho and its suddenly a thing. You're my only ears and eye out there." Sagawa admits to him.
"Fine but why not call Shimano in on this then? Own up to the fact that you let the girl give you the slip." Majima suggests.
"Can't. Shimano doesn't hear about this. The girl is our problem to solve. Heh don't get me wrong here I'm not afraid of Shimano it's just politics is all. As an Omi guy I can't show Shimano any weakness on this one." Sagawa answers.
"Why's that?" Majima queries.
"This business with Makoto Makimura's join operation between the Omi Alliance brass and Shimano. The Omi's got a deal to buy the Empty Lot from Shimano for ten billion." Sagawa reveals to him.
"What the hell?" Majima reels back by the news.
"The Omi's got their eyes on the prize. Kamurocho that lot's the cornerstone of the whole Kamurocho revitalization project. If the Omi gets their hands on it they can snatch that whole fat slice of Tojo turf right out from under 'em. Then it's just a matter of the Omi Alliance flooding into Kamurocho with ground troops before the Tojo even knows what hit 'em. They make the ten billion back in no time." Sagawa explains to Majima.
"So what? Shimano's selling the Tojo Clan out? He's selling the Empty Lot knowin' that's their plan!?" Perturbed, Majima scowls.
"Yup. Shimano's end game is to use those Omi troops as muscle to take over the Tojo Clan for himself. He gives the Omi a slice of Tokyo in exchange to sit on the Tojo Clan throne. When the time comes Shimano and the Omi will have to work out how they split Kamurocho. If I show weakness now, I'm giving Shimano leverage down the line. 'Corise it was Shimano who picked you to play Hitman. I'd say he's at least as guilty as I am in losing her." Sagawa considers calmly.
"Hold on a sec if he's after the lad why's he need the girl dead? Killin' Makoto don't get him the deed to that lot." Majima argues.
"Shimano's keeping that card up his sleeve. I asked him to show me the trick but all he said was that seeing would be believing. And for whatever reason the Omi higher-ups are lined up for the show. He's one impressive son of a bitch, Shimano." Sagawa sighs softly.
"So what are you getting' outta all this, then? Gotta be some prize in it for you right?" Majima assumes.
"Mm…heh. Kamurocho is my prize or the Omi half of it anyway." Sagawa smirks.
"Before you said Shimano didn't tell you a thing about all this. That don't exactly square with what you're sayin' now." Majima points out.
"That info was on a need to know basis. Situation's getting kinda fluid huh? I think you've been on break long enough Majima-chan. Ed of the day, we're still boned if you don't find Tachibana real estate and the girl. If you've got no other leads to go on try the champion district." Sagawa advises him.
"What will I find there?" Majima probes.
"I hear Tachibana's people were in and out of there till recently. Not the freshest tip but it's something." Sagawa exclaims as Majima exits out of the building continuing his attempt at finding Makoto.
"It really is you…Majima-san.." The voice calls out as Majima leaves the building noting the group of yakuza grunts waiting for him almost as he had turned to go on his way...
"You guys must be…Shimano family?" Majima eyes their pins.
"Word from our guys on the street was that you were back in town. Figured you'd be rotting in a Sotenbori ditch by now. What's some nobody the family erased doing back in Kamurocho? I'm real curious to hear. Let's take a walk to the office." Frowning, the yakuza glares glowers at Majima.
"Sorry but I'm in a hurry. I'll be sure to make a house call next time I'm in the neighbourhood." Majima rejects turning to leave but…
"That's not what we want to hear man. Besides these streets are off limits to you. I don't recall hearing the boss give you permission to walk free." Fuming, the younger yakuza snarls at Majima.
"…" Majima simply stares at him.
"What, the silent treatment now?" The mad man roars at the bored Majima.
"Just kinda surprised the family boot lickers are givin' me lip. How d'ya figure you outrank me?" Majima sneers scowling at the group.
"You gotta ask? That'd be the day you straight up defied the family, asshole!" Angrily, the man roars raising his fists as the group rush at Majima who he easily deals with…
"This is as far as I can go…" Ryūko slows said car down, Kiryu eyes the neon lights littered about the place.
"You can't come with us?" Makoto furrows her brow concern clear in her tone.
"If we all leave it'll look dodgy I need to get rid of the car." Ryūko reminds them.
"I take you have a plan." Kiryu assumes.
"Don't I always?" Amused, Ryūko smirks through the mirror.
"Ryūko…be careful." Kiryu tells her as he helps Makoto out of the car.
"You too. The pair of you." Sternly, she tells the two.
"Ryūko-san…" Makoto whispers weakly as the car takes off, heading who knows where…
"Tch there's more of ya?" Majima tuts turning to the group not batting an eye to the group of battered, bruised, beaten men behind him.
"You haven't change Majima-san." The older looking Yakuza greets him.
"Huh?" Majima furrows his brow at the man and the group behind the elder yakuza.
"I hope you'll cut the young blood some slack I'd like to make up for their rudeness by escorting you somewhere." Calmly, he tells Majima.
"Like I just got through tellin' these guys I'm kinda busy at the moment…" Majima dejects however he soon stops when…
"Patriarch Shimano wants to see you."