Probably, you're going to think that "this author is so sick and evil" after you finish reading this chapter. Hmm.. Still, I'm partly reluctant about the content of this fic. The seriousness... oh my... well, perhaps because this is supposed to be a crime fic.

I knew that the Akashi-kun and Kuroko-kun preview in the previous chapter made an impact. Nyahaha.

Well, anyway, I'm going to have a little announcement at the bottom portion of the chapter. Please take the time to read it.

And, a lot of thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: After 10 chapters, I'm finally going to say that I don't own Kuroko no Basuke.

Warning: Those writing issues and problems are all my sins!

Chapter 10

"At 19:55, Midorima Shintarō handed over the blood exam analysis after Seirin requested it via notification to Kaijō," Kasamatsu Yukio stated in a firm voice; not so loud but enough for the other policemen to hear his words. Kaijō's chief inspector trailed an eye over the said detective, taking note of the bruises that now sported over the Shūtoku's detective's skin. When asked as to how he managed acquired the injury that marred his face, Midorima only half-glared and ignored them, saying that it was nothing important and they should focus on the problem at hand. Even the offer of medical help was denied as soon.

"Hours after that," Kasamatsu prompted to continue, "at exactly at 22:02, Midorima was able to get contact with Kawaguchi Akito, the paramedic who responded to Reo Mibuchi's incident." He said, satisfied that the green-haired detective the stood not too far away gave him a silent nod. At least, Kasamatsu knew, he won't have a hard time dealing with the members of Generation of Mercenaries right now, although he kept a dubious thought at a certain tanned male that sat warily, threatening them with his vicious gazes. Kaijō's chief identified him as Aomine Daiki; the Generation's supposed to be most talented among their famed group. Somehow, though, Kasamatsu could not expect a little aspect of cooperation from the detective from Tōō. After all, it was him who apparently gave Midorima those bruises.

"Almost half an hour after, at 22:30, we received a call from Seirin–" Kasamatsu flicked his head at Kagami, paying attention to the seemingly confused countenance from Seirin's newest detective, "–saying that they were on their way to an outlying Hicenn Pharmaceuticals warehouse." He removed his gaze from Kagami and to the sheets of paper which he now held with his hand. "At the same time, the blood exam analysis that Midorima took was faxed to the headquarters, which induced us to follow them immediately." Kasamatsu's brows curled for a brief second before he looked again at Kagami. "Where are Hyūga and the others?" He asked.

"I don't know, Kasamatsu...san." Kagami Taiga answered. "I left my phone in the agency, so I can't contact them right now." He told Kaijō's inspector. "But I'm sure they're on their way right now." He said.

Kasamatsu raised a brow at the efforts to inject the honorific, but it was not the time for him to remark at that. He concentrated his attention back at the papers. "At 23:47, we tried to contact Inspector Imayoshi Shoichi of Tōō Police Headquarters, but, instead, we were forwarded to the manager-detective, Momoi Satsuki." He now turned his head to the tanned male that was beginning to be the source of his anxiety. "Aomine," he called, his tone denoting that he was not just pulling ranks but was giving an impression that he would not be deterred with such attitude crawling from the dark-blue haired detective. "Do you have any idea where Inspector Imayoshi is?"

Aomine Daiki raised his head and expectedly glared at Kasamatsu. "How the hell should I know where that demon is?" He responded and soon afterwards pulled out from the gaze. Unpredictably, his pupils landed at a certain Midorima Shintarō. Aomine felt his blood boil up once again; an audible growl quickly escaped from his lips. He swiftly stood up from his seat and paced towards Midorima. However, his effort was ended when the redhead from Seirin placed himself on the path of the tanned male. Aomine eyed Kagami warningly. "Get off my way, dumbass."

"This is not going to solve anything, Aomine." Kagami said.

"A weakling should move out of my way," Aomine retorted.

Kagami only responded with a glare.

"Do not make me repeat what I said before," Aomine Daiki spoke again. "And you still have the confidence to call yourself a detective?"

"I don't need to listen to the words of a sissy," Kagami finally talked back.

Fortunately, even before the heated discussion turned into something violent, Kise appeared beside the two and placed his hands between them, pushing them away from each other. The blond detective from Kaijō did not appear in a nice mood, as evidenced by a serious grimace that adorned his lips. He gave a brief glance to each of the detectives from Seirin and Tōō, before rumbling a soft yet rattled, "Stop it, both of you." His eyes were still blank, but the ominous sign of vexation began to pour into them. "Aominecchi, Kagami-kun, if you want to tear each other's' necks, I don't care." Suddenly, his orbs turned into those of rage. "But if you can't help right now, just shut up!" He yelled out loud, instantly stopping the two detectives in their feet.

They watched Kise moved silently at the sides, near where Kasamatsu stood. Even Kasamatsu looked surprise at the aggressive display from his junior. He also made a fleeting glance at both Moriyama Yoshitaka and Hayakawa Mitsuhiro, who just entered the scene after collecting more information from the people within the vicinity. Kasamatsu Yukio only sighed, still feeling muddled with the sudden event. "Please, everyone," he called out their attention. "All of us are tired and confused, so we need to make this easier for everyone." He flung an unneeded piece of paper from the stack he held towards Kise. At the feeling of something that hit his head, the blond raised his head and looked at Kasamatsu. "You too, Kise." He said. "I appreciate the intervention, but do not lose your cool."

Kise mouthed something, but no words came out from him. The blond darted his look elsewhere, evading the stare from his chief inspector.

Kasamatsu slowly turned his head forward once again. It seemed that both aggressive detectives from Seirin and Tōō had settled down already. "Midorima, the next events happened at your side, and I am yet to obtain the information." Kasamatsu spoke towards the Shūtoku detective.

Midorima Shintarō only regarded with closed eyes, as he adjusted his glasses with his fingers, aligning it again by his sight. "After you called Momoi, I arrived at the location where she and Kuroko apparently met up." Midorima quickly noticed Kagami's reaction. After all, the detectives from Seirin were still left in the dark up to that point. "It appeared to me that Momoi tried to visit Kuroko after Tōō appeared at the district." He continued and, from the sound of it, those words were directed to someone else, probably Kagami. "That was the time when I informed Kuroko about the interview. After explaining to him, Kuroko said that he would return to Seirin's office to inform Kasamatsu-san about it. That was around 23:55."

"Yes, more or less." Kasamatsu replied. "At 23:56, Tsuchida Satoshi of Seirin called us and relayed us the information. By that time, we were already near the Hicenn warehouse." He shared to them. "Two minutes past midnight, we reached the warehouse and Riko Aida updated us with what happened inside. By 00:03, we followed up Hyūga and the other's trail and found out that it was Kiyoshi Teppei who they were trying to catch." At the statement of the name, Midorima Shintarō and Aomine Daiki perked up, looking at Kasamatsu with perplexed expressions. No doubt that they wanted an explanation for the involvement of the said man with the current event.

"At 00:05–" but, instead of Kasamatsu, it was Kise who spoke, "–I took down Kiyoshi by shooting him with the standard Paralysis Dart." The blond said, moving once again at the center of the small crowd of detectives. "I didn't know that Kiyoshi planned something, so I took my chance to take him down." He explained, waving his hands in a gesture to explain. "However, I was too late. Just as soon as we approached the fallen Kiyoshi, Hyūga-san told us that the phone Kiyoshi held just before I shot him was a trigger for bombs." Midorima's eyes widened in surprise, while Aomine took in the words silently, both processing the implication of the message from their previous workmate in Teikō. "When we noticed it, Kiyoshi had already called up a number on the phone. Hyūga-san thought that the warehouse was rigged with explosives and––"

"You said you shot him down at 00:05," Midorima cut Kise off. "The phone was a trigger for a bomb. The fire that burns Seirin up to this time probably started around that time…" Midorima Shintarō stilled in his words. "Don't tell me…"

"According to the trace we made before we return here, the receiver of the call was located somewhere in this area." Kasamatsu took the signal to speak again. "But since the call was short-lived, the exact area was unidentified. But taking note of the time and circumstances, we have some reason to believe that the bomb Kiyoshi spoke about as a threat was instead planted in Seirin."

Silence.

Midorima Shintarō's eyes were glazed with obvious doubt, pupils shaking. The green-haired detective from Shūtoku started to tremble at his place, hands and feet quivering ever so slightly. It was conceivable in his expression that he was doubtful and confused, although a little enlightened. On the other hand, Aomine's countenance ultimately turned severe, the feral countenance now prepared to strike anyone who'd make a wrong move. With his hands turning into fist, who knew what thing might set up the tanned male in an explosive streak?

Fortunately, the looming hostility was diminished when a ring tone blast aloud. Midorima was pulled from his thoughts and quickly snatched the phone from his pocket, mumbling a soft apology; the green-haired detective took the call and inched a little away from the small conference. Kasamatsu eyed the detective, noticing the distinct reaction of surprise as soon as the phone made contact upon Midorima's ears. Nevertheless, he switched his attention away when Kagami spoke up.

"Kasamatsu… san, I know it's not yet enough for us to conclude but–"

"There's no need for shitty excuses then," Aomine cut Kagami off. His face still grim, the tanned detective of Tōō stood up tall. "That Kiyoshi Teppei is going down… even if I need to kill him."

Kasamatsu looked alarmed. "Aomine, we don't need to go that far."

"Kasamatsu-senpai," Kise called out, seizing his chief's attention right away. "Are you still going to defend him?" He said, his voice perfectly leveled yet argumentative. Somehow, the tone sounded harsh and felt cold. "If Kiyoshi has done it to Seirin, and Kurokocchi being inside the agency when it all happened, then we could no longer ignore it."

"Wasn't the reason why Kuroko Tetsuya was brought into Seirin's custody is to protect him from Kiyoshi?" Aomine rose.

Kasamatsu bit his lips. Now that no alibi could apparently help Kiyoshi, Kaijō's chief inspector was definitely out of any reason to defend the ex-detective from Seirin. "That was part of the order from Rakuzan," Kasamatsu answered, trying his best to avoid treading on the part Aomine Daiki seemed to point.

"Kurokocchi was placed in a protective custody, because three police departments concluded that what happened during our 'graduation' from Teikō was a plan to assassinate Akashicchi." Kise talked again. "That is because Kurokocchi understood that there was an actual ploy against Akashicchi."

"Just as you said, Kise." Kasamatsu answered.

"Then," Aomine said aloud and then began to walk out from the tent that they had set out not too long ago. "I want to goddamn remind you that the case concerning Tetsu is the first hitman crime." Aomine declared before he turned his face away and finally left the area.

Kasamatsu stood stunned. Of course, he knew it from the beginning and it was in fact the one knowledge that could not be covered up with a simple act of goodwill – just like how he tried to vouch for Kiyoshi. As Kise had pointed, it all happened during the Generation of Mercenaries graduation – more like a turnover ceremony – back in Teikō on May 20. It was the beginning point for everything, just like how he understood it back then. Apparently, things clouded his judgment, and he eventually forgot the very first crime that the hitman did.

Reo Mibuchi was not the first, was not the second, and was not even the third. It was already the fourth in the list, but the severity of the crime was no less equal than its two antecedents. The 'Hitman Crimes' were undeniably on its peak, and the attention it caught for itself was obviously getting larger. Somehow, Kasamatsu knew that things were already getting out of hand. He briefly remembered what Akashi Seijuro of Rakuzan told him. Perhaps, the other inspector was correct. Perhaps, a downfall was going next.

"It won't help us if we create strange ideas." He just said, also an effort to calm himself down. "Just for now, I beg for everyone's cooperation. We should not let the chain of command be confused with our feelings. Let Kaijō handle the authority in this case and––"

"Temporarily, Kasamatsu-san," Midorima said out loud, quickly cutting off the Kaijō Inspector. At the same time, he placed his phone back at his pocket. "I received a call from Akashi." The green-haired detective said, pushing his spectacles upon his face. "He said that as soon as he comes here, he and Rakuzan will take over this problem."

Kasamatsu Yukio could only look back at Midorima Shintarō with wide eyes, his lips parted in an openmouthed expression. It took some seconds before he realized that his surprise was definitely written on his face and quickly pulled his countenance into a stern form. Kaijō's Inspector opened his mouth to speak, but his words were inaudible. Few seconds after, he attempted again, now looking at his junior. "Kise," he called out, the blond half-confused and half-passive. "Let's go out. We have no time to spare."

He started to walk out, taking a curt look at his watch. It was 01:14 in the morning.

When Kise passed by him, he gave the younger one some whispered words: 'This is the responsibility I offer you Kise. Once Akashi comes here, you can expect me gone from Kaijō.'

Kise Ryōta was silent when he heard it.

It was happening again.

Akashi stared silently at the television that stood atop the wooden shelf by the wall adjacent to the door, watching the scene unfold in his very eyes. He was wary that particular night, as he remained restless and was unable to sleep for some reason he could not decipher. He decided to remain in his office back at the Rakuzan Headquarters, subconsciously switching to different channels that still ran late at night. It was common for him to have some deep-ridden thoughts, but what bugged him wasn't merely a particular idea. It was an odd feeling instead that he couldn't settle to himself.

Even though conflicted as he was right now, Akashi simply used the time to ponder over the things that happened to him, to the Generation of Mercenaries, and to whole law enforcement of the country. The Hitman crimes, as it was known, were still on the priority list of the main headquarters in different cities. The hitman had finally taken down the fourth victim, in the name of Reo Mibuchi, who before was a known personality in Rakuzan Police Department before. It did not bode well for the police's current status, since it was pretty evident that the hitman did not just target any ordinary people.

Nevertheless, he always got updates from the other headquarters – being Rakuzan's chief inspector – and kept well-informed about the chase. Recently, a report was made from Kaijō about some rather puzzling information that instead of the already-concluded snipe hit that took down Reo Mibuchi, a possible point blank action was done against the victim. It was a baffling thought, and the idea that accompanied it was bothering, even to Akashi's side. Perhaps, it was one testament that the hitman was not to be trifled with, that they were going against someone who stood toe-to-toe with the known Generation of Mercenaries.

However, just as how he firmly denounced the evil that stirred the hearts of the people to do crime, Akashi was just as strong on his resolve to obliterate crime from the country. If the hitman was the man who stood up against the police that safeguarded the society, then it would be the hitman himself to be the greatest subject for Akashi to organize his efforts to erase the semblance of misconduct as soon. He would not have his task be affected by any personal vendetta, but, even though he denied it, there would forever remain a drop of his own particular intention just because Kuroko Tetsuya became a victim as well.

Even so, the particular scene that flashed before his very eyes was a proof that crimes still lingered freely across the society. Akashi's different colored-orbs stared hard at the particular news channel that gave the live-coverage of an on-going fire within Kaijō's district. He made a sound similar to a growl, but any traces of emotion were still to be found on his face. Rakuzan's chief gave an impression that he was trying to remain composed, although his hands being unconsciously curled into fists told something otherwise. Of course, Akashi Seijuro was no fool not to distinguish the current location of the scene. It was the place where he and the other inspectors decided to keep one of their most important state witnesses.

His fingers traced the phone that stood silently by his worktable, his eyes never leaving the television screen. He ran over the numbers in his contacts list and quickly placed a call upon seeing the name of the person he wished to have a word with.

"Shintarō," his voice was perfectly calm, despite the emotions that were soundlessly battling inside him. He quickly noticed the noise that drowned Shintarō's line, his pupils landing to the side, taking a peak at the phone he placed by his ears. "Where are you right now?"

"Akashi," Midorima answered, his tone perfectly leveled, modulated at a seamless sound. If not because of the situation, Akashi would have quietly lauded the other detective for his self-restraint, but the solemnness of the present period only informed him that Midorima's voice was rather strained. Being level-headed was a good trait, but it was one of the easiest marks for one to discover the stress that enveloped a person; Akashi did not miss that, and promptly learned about the circumstances. "I'm at Seirin right now." Midorima said, slightly surprising Akashi.

Akashi expected that Midorima was cognizant of the current news, but it appeared that the latter's presence at the site itself left an impression that Rakuzan's chief was missing some important details. "Is there any casualty? What of Seirin?" He asked him. Akashi concluded that it was better to ask Midorima right now, rather than rely on the news. Sometimes, information was needed to be filtered and the police almost always unquestionably held the large part of it.

"Most of Seirin left their agency a while ago," Midorima responded.

"Most?" Akashi did not miss the word. "Shintarō, please clarify that. I wa––"

However, he was cut off from his words when he heard a somehow familiar voice that spoke in the background. He quickly realized that it was Kasamatsu Yukio, Kaijō's chief inspector. He was able to make out some words even though his voice sounded bleary from the cacophony that invaded Midorima's line. "That's Kasamatsu-san," he just stated.

"Yes. He has just asked to place the chain of command back to Kaijō and––"

"Tell him it's only a temporary measure." Akashi did not let Midorima finish his statement. "I will contact Atsushi and ask him to bring representatives from Yōsen Headquarters. I will head there myself, Shintarō. I will take control of this situation with my own hands."

"But––"

"I have made my decision, Shintarō." Akashi only said sternly. "Rakuzan will finally take a direct action about these crimes."

The phone call was ended.

Akashi stood up from the swivel chair where he sat. It was now the time to make proper use of his inability to find sleep at the moment. In fact, his body seemed to have no need for rest, just when he felt adrenaline coursed through his body. Perhaps, even his mind was reacting at the sudden stress that was imposed to him. Akashi Seijuro knew that he'd need that when he come from a long ride towards Seirin.

If Akashi would need the world to understand that he was absolute, then the world should bend down and listen to him. It was already a state of war, albeit an undeclared one. Akashi Seijuro only wished for a time where peace was unharmed, but it would appear that he needed to use a vehement against those who usurp order. He was now officially stretched into his limits. His patience had worn thin and their enemies worked them up more than he expected. Now, things had required him to move himself.

Akashi Seijuro flipped his phone open and fluidly typed a message to a particular Atsushi Murasakibara. The message was kept short but authoritative, and was bathed in with Akashi's resolve. His fellow detective, previous workmate, must understand that time was of the essence even without him speaking directly.

Sometimes, there were things that needed to be handled superfluous attention, and the 'Hitman Crimes' was exactly that thing that reached Akashi's consideration. However, Akashi Seijuro knew that, despite the fact that the series of crimes were nothing but a flaw to the order he sought to see, there was something special about it. In fact, even if there was as little as a single percentage probability, Akashi might had considered the crime for all its worth. After all, it was the spark that coaxed him to search for 'victory' more ardently. There were things that attracted one's attention, not just because those were particularly well-received; there were also those that made one crumble for them to vanish, disappear… to be destroyed.

Akashi understood everything. After all, just as he first thought and probably expected, it was all happening again.

Teikō Auditorium
May 20

"Crimes are nothing but the reflection of people's fear."

He stood by the podium, half-looking at the typewritten piece that decked by the wooden lectern, but mostly remained observing the number people that sat silently at the neatly arranged plastic chairs in front of the stage. From afar, his half-lidded stare was not apparent, yet he did not fail to give an impression that he was as stern as he appeared. Today was an important date for the five – no – six people that sat by the chairs placed on the stage itself. At a not-so-young age of forty-five, wrinkles started to line up on his face. Even so, Oreki Tsuchirō, Teikō's main administrator and head, did not let his aging physique bother his status.

"We, as policemen, do not punish those who misbehave, but all we do is to quell the fear that's been rooting up the intentions to do those misdoings. As policemen, the guardian of the society, suppressing crime is about winning. We win, not just for ourselves, but we win for the people. As the Teikō philosophy states, 'Winning is everything.' We do what it takes for us to win, for us to dispose which is not righteous from the society." He continued, his raspy but deep tone creating a solemn message to all those people who heard him.

Speeches were important part of the silent tug-of-war in the higher echelons of the society. Perhaps, they were empty words to begin with, but the eloquence was one critical factor of discourses. Speeches, though empty yet sounded so idealistic, were vital for the people who hear it. It was a bane to those whose words were weaker, but it was a boon to those whose purpose remained untainted and clear. He wore a short frown that vanished instantly. Curse this world, he thought in his head. The modern times had uses for speeches, but it lacked the will to put it into pure actions. Just as everything began to be corrupted, Tsuchirō understood the need for a new wave to fight against this injustice.

"Today, we are celebrating the turn-over rights to the newest addition to our National Police Agency." Oreki Tsuchirō turned slight to the back, pointing his hand at the six people who simultaneously stood up at the signal. "Here, as you know, stand the famous group that exemplified such perfection in their duties as police detectives. They boasted as the greatest from among their peers"–– he whirled back at the podium again ––"and showed us one of the best performance a policeman should do." His pupils slid down to a particular line in the text he was reading and was partially glad that it had come to the point in the ceremony. "Without further ado, I call on to this year's representative of batch of police detectives, Akashi Seijuro."

After he called out the name, a round of applause was heard throughout the whole auditorium.

Oreki Tsuchirō was merely amused at the gesture. As he turned around and began to walk back at the chair near where the six sat, he flashed a small smile towards the incoming Akashi. The smile was only meant for him to give a silent encouragement for the male, but he seemed to have add an unconscious plead for Akashi to show off in front of the people who watched the event. Give them what you are, he seemed to have conveyed in his smile. Show them what you can be. Those were the unspoken words behind his lips, Oreki Tsuchirō realized late. Well, what would be the deal? Akashi Seijuro would just be Akashi Seijuro.

"Indeed, crimes are birthed from the fear that lies deep in people's heart." Akashi began, not minding to thank the emcee or even introduce himself once again. Heterochromatic pair of eyes flashed forward, although it did not land to any particular group or individual. His orbs only looked ahead, not to any people but seemingly to an invisible figure that stood in front of him. "Being a police detective is privilege – a special one. There is no denying that an intrinsic fear always pushes man to do wrongdoings, may it be inducted by reason or an external incitement. People always fear for themselves. It is humanity's wish for self-preservation, and any other thing that threatens this result to a depraved reaction. That is why we, the police, have a special role to rid of people of their fear. We need to make them feel that they are safe.

"Our roles give us the chance to affect society's life in general. Every day we track those which can harm the citizens; those that can make them feel unsafe. I do not blame people for their misdoings, but I do fault the intent and behaviors that grow inside them. As long as we are here, evil must know soon its place." He paused for a while, then ignoring the loud claps that once again rattled the place.

"Police work is not as simple as it seems. However, effort and talent take a lot in part to become a great detective. Now as new police detectives step in the work of the police, I can see far ahead that there would come a day when police work would not be needed anymore – as a time where eternal peace and harmony both exist in the society and no harm or evil prevail. I know this because I am absolute. We can tidy up the errors of the present. I can see the entirety of the future. Even if it seems impossible right now, it is but a simple matter to change it."

However, in between his speech, Akashi did not even notice a presence that suddenly appeared beside him. Akashi kept a calm outward countenance, although he began to have a heightened sense of vigilance when that teal-colored hair suddenly came into his vision. He swiftly and silently pulled out his gun that time, although he lowered it upon the recognition that it was only Kuroko Tetsuya. He only had a leveled yet curious look when the only shorter male from his batch looked at him with a perfectly composed smile – an expression that rarely occurred on the oftentimes poker-faced face. The shushed voice coming from the audience suddenly went vivid; everyone else was surprised with the sudden presence of one of the six important people in the stage. "Tetsuya," Akashi spoke out his name.

"Akashi-kun," Kuroko responded in a semi-glad tone. "I also hope for that time wherein the police are not needed anymore." The teal-head's right hand appeared from behind him and revealed a gun of his own. Even Akashi was now startled at the behavior but did not react as soon. He only watched silently as Kuroko flattened his gaze back to him, raising the gun's muzzle… on Akashi's chest. However, just as soon as Akashi realized what was happening, Kuroko turned to his back and spread his arms wide open – gun still in hand –, as if trying to cover Akashi from something.

The glass frames that let the sunlight inside the auditorium from atop the structure shattered into pieces, making the people by the audiences' spot run away from the debris. Little did they know that Kuroko, who stood up blocking Akashi, had now fallen down on the stage. Akashi had never been surprised by that much in his entire life. It was as if he viewed the whole event in slowed motion. Kuroko was gradually falling into the floor. Akashi stood motionlessly. Just when the loud thud from Kuroko's fall sounded, Akashi slowly knelt beside the body now lying in front of him. He shoved his arms under Tetsuya's shoulders, raising him up a little bit from the wooden floorboard.

A canister of the recently developed Paralysis Dart bullet was embedded on Kuroko's chest. Akashi now realized that Kuroko was unconscious, apparently knocked out by the effect of the bullet used against him. Now everyone that sat behind him back then instantly rushed around Akashi and Kuroko, with a particular blond practically dropping just to have a closer look at the fallen male. Midorima appeared anxious, but he maintained his calm as he knelt beside Akashi, quickly putting his finger by the smaller male's neck. The redhead waited for Midorima's pronouncement.

"His vitals are good," Midorima exhaled. "The Paralysis Dart only rendered him unconscious."

"Midorimacchi!" Kise yelled, despair and worry clearly written all over his face. "Is Kurokocchi going to be alright?!" The blond placed his hands over Midorima's shoulder. He shook him as he begged for an answer. "He's going to be okay, right?!"

"Kuroko only remains unconscious." Midorima repeated, putting away the strong hands that shook him.

"But… But––"

"Ryōta, remain silent." Akashi hushed the blond down. His eyes suddenly remained hidden behind his front locks. "Atsushi, Daiki, go and take a team to search the area around the auditorium. Use any force as necessary. Shintarō, call an ambulance right now and then contact Teikō's security. Tell them to seal of the entrances and exits of the whole academy and not allow any suspicious individual to enter or leave without permission. Ryōta, manage the available police in this area and escort the VIPs into a safe area within this institution." He paused for a while, looking down at Kuroko. As he raised his head and watched the chaos unfolded in front of him, Akashi silently muttered something under his breath.

"I'm going to make whoever did this pay."

August 7, 14:06
Seirin Detective Agency

"Two bodies, we are looking for two bodies. Over."

"I know that already, idiot."

"Please stop the unnecessary chatter. Over."

"Line clear. But, hey… aren't we looking for an hour already?"

"Now that you've said it… we haven't found any. Are they sure that there were people inside when this building caught fire?"

"We should have found the bodies as soon as we stepped in. Complain all they want, but I'm stopping this search. It's obvious that there are no bodies in here."

- End of Chapter -

- End of The Hitman -

Announcement: Alright, guys. You've read the previous line correctly. This is the last chapter for 'The Hitman.' But, before you protest and cast me into the fires of hell, I want to announce that 'The Hitman' is really the first part of the fic. I haven't shared this info to you guys before because this fic was still a trial until chapter 5. In short, 'The Hitman' will be continued in another part.

So, why did I say that I am "sick and evil"? Simple: The whole 'The Hitman' fic is like a cliffhanger. Yep, have you counted how many "5Ws and How" questions you already formulated when you read this fic? Nyahahahaha.. (so evil. so sick.) So, that Akashi and Kuroko business pertained to this! At least we know now what happened during that Graduation. Haha! :P (Still, Kuroko as the first victim? WTF?)

Also, I know personal author stories are not supposed to be part of the fan fiction business, but, as of now, I need to be extra careful because of my recently acquired heart disease (Yep! I write this fic while I'm still sick!). So I need to rest. It was enough to hospitalize me three times, so I kinda need to tone myself down. Anyway, the short point is, I'm probably going into a short hiatus (and prepare for the next part of this fic).

With that said and done, I want to thank you guys for reading this fic up to this point. Let us all love Kuroko no Basuke deep down in our hearts and share our fictions about it. Thanks for the follows, favorites and reviews! Love you all! :)