Chapter 12
Because of her abilities, Neko was chosen to be the first defence of the Mihashira Tower and her task was to separate the attackers, directing them to where the Blue and Red clansmen waiting, hoping to overcome them in numbers. Because she was hopelessly weak once her illusions were broken, Adolf K Weismann needed to remain with her on the ground floor, ready to whisk her away when the time came, but also to strengthen her illusions.
The Green clansmen would not know what hit them. Or so he hoped.
'Shiro,' the Strain whined, her tone and expression thoroughly miserable. 'What if Kurosuke will come with the Green clan?' she nearly cried. She has been asking this question ever since Munakata shared his suspicion. And every time, Weismann gave her the same answer:
'If Kuroh has joined the Jungle, we have no choice but to treat him the same way we will treat Yukari Mishakuji and Sukuna Gojo,' spoken in what he hoped was a regretful tone. Truly, could she not realize that, if their former comrade betrayed them then he was the enemy? She didn't seem to have the same problem with Fushimi!
Because every time, the Strain looked like she was about to cry, making Weismann feel honestly sorry for her. To her it would mean losing a friend, he knew that was why she had so much trouble coping with it. Even Shiro's personality within him was overcome with sadness at the prospect, but he knew that it was best to be expecting the worst.
'I don't want to hurt Kurosuke. I don't think he would betray us, Shiro. Shiro, what if he joins them just to be able to come and help us?' she asked. Weismann wished he could share her optimism. But the Colourless King, as much as he disliked her, was right: in a way, he has betrayed Kuroh first, although he hadn't even known the Black Dog had been in danger.
Ha! If they knew he felt no remorse for this!
Well, "Shiro" did. And "Shiro" wanted to help his friend, so Weismann was going to try his best, should the Black Dog come as an enemy. But he couldn't say that to the Strain: she would take it too far. She would focus completely on the other two and they couldn't risk letting one of the enemies pass too fast. The people on the floors above counted on them detaining the attack for long enough to organize according to the numbers attacking them.
'We will see, Neko,' he said out loud. 'Anyway, nothing you can do to him will kill him, so after the fight we can pick him up and bring sense back to his head. Does that sound good?' he asked. It was the closest he came to sharing his plans with her recently, but it felt like it could motivate her to work.
And it seemed to do so. The Strain straightened, taking place next to him, facing the entrance to the Tower. She crossed her arms and looked at him.
'Yes,' she assured him, determination partly replacing the helpless sadness in her expression. Weismann smiled and the Strain smiled back. 'Let's get Kurosuke back,' she proclaimed.
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'Team three, in position,' reported Yatagarasu through one of the red communicator beads Anna Kushina has given to all of her clansmen.
Now everybody was ready and Anna started to feel worry creeping up on her. She has never before really participated in the gang's activities where fights were concerned. Sure, she has trailed behind Mikoto on many occasions, but- But she couldn't help feeling helplessly inadequate for the situation at hand. And not for the first time, she wished that Mikoto was there, a proper Red King, instead of her.
'Be careful everybody,' she spoke into her bead. If she could have it her way, they would not be spreading on the floors below, ready to take on a stronger enemy. At the same time, she knew that her way would not help against the Green clan, which needed to be stopped. So she has stayed silent, while Kusanagi and Yatagarasu discussed tactics with the Blues.
'Don't worry, Anna,' Kusanagi spoke through the bead. He was the leader of team one. 'They might be strong, but they are not stronger than two clans combined,' he proclaimed with far more confidence than Anna felt.
'Yeah, plus we have great tactics,' Yatagarasu pointed out and Anna had to agree with both of them. Yukari Mishakuji and Sukuna Gojo, and of course Kuroh Yatogami if he came with the Green clan, were all formidable enemies. One on one with them, probably none of the Red or Blue clan stood a chance. However, the three groups comprising the most of two largest clans in existence should be enough to stop them.
'Of course,' she spoke into the bead. 'But do be careful. I don't want any of you to be hurt,' she admitted. When nobody replied immediately, she realized it was a naive thing to say, for there would surely be injured people after the night was through. There would perhaps even be casualties, but of that Anna tried her hardest to not think.
Mikoto, Tatara, she thought, I hope I'm doing the right thing risking everybody's lives here. If something happens, will you forgive me?
Because, right or wrong, she couldn't allow the Green clan to get a hold of the Dresden Slate and unleash its power on the unsuspecting world. Her own awakening has been recent enough for her to remember everything clearly and even though she knew exactly what was happening, she has been afraid. She has also seen many of the new clan members surprised at their abilities even after they have been explained to them. She couldn't imagine how it felt to be plunged into this world unaware.
Protect our friends, Mikoto, Tatara, she begged. And I will stop Nagare Hisui no matter what it costs me. Watch me.
Watch us, she amended, looking up at the man, Mikoto's friend despite wearing a different colour, standing next to her.
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Reisi Munakata felt the Red King's gaze on him and looked down at her. The two of them were standing in front of the Dresden Slate, ready to take on anybody who would get through the combined teams of their people. He had no idea what she was thinking, but she looked determined. Good. They would need determination to get through that night.
'Awashima reporting,' the voice in his earpiece efficiently shifted his attention away from the little, Red King. 'Team two is in position, sir,' she said.
'Very well, lieutenant,' he replied, needlessly putting his hand against the earpiece. It wouldn't make Awashima's voice any clearer, not with the interference of the protection they have put in themselves. 'You know what to do.'
'Yes sir. Engaging auxiliary power supply,' she announced. Quieter, Munakata could hear his men shouting commands as the team assigned to dealing with electronic security powered up the Mihashira Tower with its own batteries.
'Going off the grid, sir,' Awashima reported. Some more conversation murmured in the background, barely audible over the static. The lights blinked and returned. 'To all men: we are now in complete lock down. I repeat: we are now in complete lock down.'
Anything to slow the turncoat Fushimi down, Munakata has said during their last planning meeting, playing his part until the end.
'Auxiliary teams are in positions,' Awashima reported, moments later. 'We have visual on the entrance, sir.'
'Excellent, lieutenant. You know what to do,' he told her and cut the communication, letting his hand drop down listlessly.
'Do you really think Kuroh has joined the Green clan?' Anna Kushina asked quietly, making Munakata glance at her again. She too had a Sceptre 4's headset and thus has heard the whole exchange.
'In all honesty? No, I don't think so. But we have to be ready for either option,' he said, looking away. Fushimi hasn't reported anything of that sort, but it could have been that he didn't manage to. That was why team two had visual on the entrance. If there were only two opponents, Awashima would regroup her team to join the auxiliary teams: the third barrier to the Jungle's attack. He only had to hope that Neko would manage to correctly direct the enemies from the ground floor.
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It was time to finally put their plan in action. For two hours now, Nagare Hisui has been watching the clock ticking away the seconds and minutes in the corner of his screen, wishing that he could tap his fingers on something. Yukari has triple checked his nails and make-up and restyled his hair twice. Sukuna has changed games at least fifteen times, always glancing Nagare's way before starting a new game. Fushimi, who tried his best to look bored, was drumming his fingers on his leg, eyes darting everywhere in the "room". Even Iwafune looked stressed. Or excited. It was difficult to judge.
'It is time,' Nagare Hisui said. His words pierced the palpable tension in the air. He could see his small team breathe out in relief as they could finally stop finding something to do as they waited for those very words and he smiled. 'Tonight, we change the world,' he announced.
Well, strictly speaking it would be in some time, once the Dresden Slate unveiled its full power, but even Nagare wasn't completely immune to theatrics. And it would be them getting a hold of the Slate that would permit the world to change, so he felt justified in his choice of words.
Not that the Green King needed to justify himself in front of anybody.
'Under the new sun, snow hiding in the shadows. The season shifted,' said Yukari, a cold smile twisting his lips as he looked to see the reaction his bizarre statement had on his plaything. It must have been another of the poems of the late Colourless King, for the hate blazing in Yatogami's eyes intensified.
'You should stop those stupid poems,' Sukuna complained, throwing the video game away and grabbing his stick instead. 'They're unattractive,' he spat out viciously and even though Yukari must have known he hasn't meant it truly, he looked hurt.
'Last moment to change your mind,' Nagare addressed the Black Dog, but didn't even get that disdainful look the kid has seemed to have mastered over the last days as answer. Such a pity, he thought, but there was no helping it. For a moment there it seemed that Iwafune was on the edge of convincing the Black Dog to join them, but not quite. Somehow, Fushimi's arrival has thwarted all their efforts, much to Yukari's carefully hidden fury.
'Our transport has arrived,' Iwafune announced. Nagare nodded in acknowledgement. It was time.
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Tenkei Iwafune smiled. Things were finally moving and he was sure looking forward to seeing how the events would unfold. Who knew that destroying the world would be so much fun? Without a word, he took control of Nagare's wheelchair and pushed it out of the room gently.
'See you later, my cute, little Kuroh,' Yukari shouted, waving at the stubborn hostage before turning on his heel and leading the group out. If he was as disappointed as Iwafune that they haven't managed to convert the Black Dog to Green he didn't let it show. 'Be sure to step away when we drop the Slate in, ok?' he added, amused.
Sukuna laughed, running up to Yukari, to tell him something Iwafune didn't quite catch. It could be about counting the number of defeated to check who was better. It sounded like an idea Sukuna could have: turning everything around him into a game. He jumped away when Yukari attempted to ruffle up his hair, snapping at him to stop treating him like a kid. He was so precious, Iwafune thought fondly.
Saruhiko Fushimi, the newest and most surprising addition to the Jungle, got up with a sigh and, looking as bored as ever, followed Yukari and Sukuna. Iwafune noticed that he didn't try to join the other two, but perhaps that was normal. It was more than obvious that the ex-Blue clansman was not interested in friendship or brotherhood. No, he was in it for- What exactly? It didn't matter, but he wished he has had the chance to ask him.
Walking behind the three of them, Iwafune wondered what he should cook in celebration of their victory. It should be something exceptional, worthy of the exceptional day and Christmas Eve. Worthy of the Christmas gift he would present to Nagare this year: the Dresden Slate and the fulfilment of Nagare's dream.
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The van stopped and Mai Ueno closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. The map she has received hinted on multiple exits and, if the projections she has done on the map of Tokyo, together with Togusa, were at least slightly accurate, there must have been exits closer to the Mihashira Tower. It would be illogical for the Green clan to have used the small back alley mentioned in her letter. Right?
'Ok, guys, let's do it,' she said, opening her eyes and looking at each of the four. 'If I'm not out in two hours, get out of here. Tomorrow, find Sceptre 4 and tell them they should assume the Colourless King has either been captured or killed.'
She could see they didn't like the situation and she knew they wanted to go into the undergrounds with her. But she has taken her decision: she would not risk the lives of her friends for something as selfish as what she was going to do.
'We're not good at dealing with the police. Try to spare us,' Kadota drawled. Mai smiled: sometimes it was so easy to forget that her friends were honest to god criminals.