Chapter 7

Hard edge

Koji opened the car door for his mistress allowing her to enter into the back seat. Once he shut her car door, he gave a quick look of his surroundings and entered into the drivers seat.

"We must make haste so please forgive me if the drive is a little too.. extreme." Said Koji

"Do what you must." Said Mitsuko

Koji was a man who was devoted to his job and that is what makes him stand out as the top operative of the triads. To show his commitment to the Red Gecko Tong, he had to put his life on the line many times and to become lieutenant, he had to perform the unthinkable.

Koji was an exceptionally skilled martial artist and was an expert in weaponry. This is was one of the main reasons that he was recruited into the triad family at such a young age. While working for the triads, he was given a mentor named Utamaru, a veteran member of the triads who expanded his already extensive knowledge of combat and taught him the techniques of killing.

Utamaru was there to witness the whole act of Koji first official assignment from the triads. Koji was at first very hesitant, but his mentor told him that over time he would get used to the killing and this became so. Both men became good friends and Koji looked up to Utamaru as an older brother.

Utamaru and Koji worked in pairs in almost every assignment they were given. Koji's talents had significantly increased and he rose above the ranks higher than any other member . Pretty soon, Koji and Utamaru became equals. Koji saw this as a good thing, but Utamaru began to see this as a problem and started to fear the worst.

One night after an accomplished assignment that was given, both men were ordered to meet their leader, Ran Fa Li at his Xiou garden at midnight. Utamaru knew what was going to happen and it was something that neither could avoid. It was their promotion night. He regretted not telling Koji, but either way he knew it would happen.

When both men arrived at his garden Koji could see that it was filled with their fellow triad comrades. Ran Fa Li was seated in a grand chair in the middle. Mitsuko sat in a chair not far from her father. Koji saw that for some reason, Mitsuko's expression was that of fear and nervousness. Both Koji and Utamaru came to Ran Fa Li and knelt down.

Ran Fa Li grunted some words for his assistant to translate

"Master says that the both of you have proven yourselves worthy of lieutenant of his gang. This is indeed an honorable event. Now the time has come for promotion." Said the assistant.

Koji looked at Utamaru. He could see uneasiness all over his face.

Ran Fa Li grunted some more unknown words.

"This promotion though comes for only one of you.. The both of you shall duel in the traditional art of the bushido. A crossing of swords between both men. The duel will end when one of you dies. The victor shall claim their title."

"No." Whispered Koji

"Quiet. You know better to go against orders. What's done is done and there is nothing to do but follow the command given." Whispered Utamaru

Both men were led to the center of the grassy garden. 2 beautiful geisha came with each holding a sheathed katana. The sword that was given to him was black with a metal dragon shown at the end of the handle. Once the sword was in Koji's hands, he put the sword eye level and slowly pulled it from its sheath examining it.

It was masterfully crafted almost to every inch. He could smell the strong scent of the oil that was greased onto the metalwork of the blade. The sword's handle was easy to grip and wasn't very heavy in weight. The sheer edge of the blade gleamed in the pale moonlight.

"Outstanding piece of work. Perfect for a duel." Said Utamaru as he gave his sword a few practice swings. The sword whistled through motion in the air.

"Utamaru I can't." Said Koji

"No. Accept you duty. I've trained you to the fullest and taught you everything that you need to know about this profession. My only fault was ever telling you about this. I should have warned you and never did. For that, I apologize. What's done is done though and as of now, I stand before you not as a friend, or mentor, but as your opponent. " Said Utamaru

Both men bowed in and then took their attack stances.

"Show me what you've learned." Said Utamaru

Koji charged Utamaru. Koji threw some swings of his blade at his opponent, but Utamaru easily ducked and dodged each stroke. Any attack that Utamaru didn't dodge, he blocked with his sword which was still inside its scabbard.

"I could dance around those strokes. Quick fucking around and fight. I wont ask you again." Said Utamaru

Koji came at Utamaru with quicker and more intense sword strokes at Utamaru. It took more effort for Utamaru to defend against Koji's offensive. Utamaru quickly unsheathed his sword so that both blades met and locked.

"That's more like it." Said Utamaru

Koji pushed away from his opponent and came at him with a diagonal slash, but Utamaru knocked it away throwing Koji off balance. Utamaru took this as his advantage to go on the offensive. Utamaru came at Koji with a flurry of sword strokes. Koji barely dodged the attacks thrown towards him and used all of his speed into his sword blocks.

Utamaru struck harder and harder, not allowing Koji to get on an attack. Kenji started to grow tired, but Utamaru showed know signs of fatigue as he continued to work on Koji's weakening defense. Suddenly, Koji missed a block to one of Utamaru's strokes allowing Utamaru's sword to slice into the meat of his forearm. Koji took a step back and Utamaru briefly stopped.

Blood soaked through his sleeve and down his arm.

"First blood to you." Said Utamaru

The blow gave minimal pain, but Koji's anger grew to the max. Gripping his sword tightly, koji went back into his offensive position at Utamaru.

"Come on." Said Koji.

In an instant, Utamaru lashed out at Koji with a series of sword slashes. Koji dodged and came at Utamaru with some of his attacks. Both men were on each other attacking with deadly strikes. Koji thrust his sword to Utamaru's chest, but Utamaru quickly sidestepped the attack and locked his sword in with Koji's.

Both men pushed into their blade as they were intertwined with each other. Koji forced harder and harder against Utamaru, but Utamaru knocked him in the face with an elbow. Koji staggered back, but still held his weapon up, ready for any attack. Utamaru ran in with his sword straight, but Koji quickly twisted to the side and slashed at Utamaru's shoulder.

Koji tried to throw in another strike, but Utamaru blocked his attack by striking at koji's sword hand. Koji's grip loosened greatly on his sword making him open for another attack. Utamaru struck Koji's face with his sword. Koji spun and ducked down striking at Utamaru's midsection.

Hot blood ran down Koji's cheek. Koji felt an open cut right below his eye and as he wiped the blood free from his face, he could see Utamaru slowly staggering back. Utamaru clutched his stomach tightly. The blade hit deep causing severe damage.

"Quite impressive attack." Said Utamaru

After chucking up and spitting some bloody phlegm, Utamaru let go of his stomach and held his sword in both hands getting back into his sword position. Blood flowed freely from his midsection.

"So this is it." Said Utamaru

"Utamaru don't" Said Koji.

He didn't listen. Utamaru charged at Koji with his sword raised high. Koji stood poised for attack. Koji dodged the attack that Utamaru threw and spun with a full baseball swing of his sword, giving the final blow. There was a big geyser of red. Utamaru's sword dropped out of his hand and he fell dead to the ground. A couple of feet away from Utamaru's body, lie Utamaru's severed head.

Koji won the duel and earned his title as Lieutenant.

Koji sped down the highway through Chinatown. In his rear view mirror, two motorcycles could be seen in the distance coming at full speed. The motorcycles came at both sides with masked riders on each one. One of them shot at the tinted windows with a pistol, but the bullets pelted off the bullet proof windows. Mitsuko remained calm while comfortably seated.

Koji rammed the shooter causing him to fall off of his bike, the car bumped up and down as it drove over the fallen biker. The other biker held an Mp5 machine gun, and as the biker moved his arm to fire, Koji floored the gas pedal allowing him to speed up in front of the driver. As Koji drove in front, He quickly pressed the brake, stopping the car. The bike crashed in behind the car and the biker flew from his bike like a ragdoll.

"We need a pickup unit here quickly. Im on the east side of Chinatown. Meet us at the docks."Said Koji as he pressed his mobile on his ear.

There was complete silence as Koji drove.

"Shall we listen to some music?"Asked Koji

"Yes of course." Said Mitsuko

"Classical music?" Asked Koji

"No. How about some East Los Santos?" Said Mitsuko

After minutes of driving Koji finally arrived at the destination. There was a yellow cab waiting in the parking lot with two triads standing outside. Koji quickly pulled over allowing Mitsuko to leave out of the car.

"I'll ride around the town as a decoy allowing you to get to safety. The taxi should provide enough cover for you to escape." Said Koji

"Be careful." Said Mitsuko as she was led to the taxi.

Koji sped off into the night.

Doctor J.calmly walked out of the prison building and into the parking lot fully clothed in one's police uniform.The owner willingly gave it to him begging for his life before his throat was slit clean by the flimsy plastic shiv that Doc had made.

Hotwiring a police car, Doc sped out of the driveway.

After a few minutes of driving around, Doc finally found the payphone. Doc then dialed the number found in blue ink.

"Hello? Ms Kasen? Yes this is Doc. I've done some thinking and I've decided that I will take your offer.

This is Tesuma. The next chapter will show Tommy's arrival and Claude's return to the state of San Andreas. Also a more in depth look on how the doctor escapes inprisonment. Get ready.