Game Start

In their hotel suite...

'My god...that's the side of things here in Japan with those Freelancers?' Romario gasped out as Dino told him his tale.

'Yeah. I'm worried about the kid.' Dino fretted. 'What a spanner in my graduation job!' he exclaimed in dismay. 'For that girl's sake, we should be in our top shape for tomorrow. They're willing to lay their lives for Japan. Those guys she's with I can understand but her? Even Neophytes her age aren't that crazy! Even they would retreat.'

'Boss, we're in a country where suicide or sacrificial death is normal...them Japs are whacked-up that way.' said another guard with a cringe.

'No kidding...we plan and get the statue outta here so they won't have to fight much.' Dino decided. 'If that happens, we all get out alive. They said they got a getaway guy, a guy they named Kazuki.' he said. 'They said if we see a long-haired beauty with bell accessories on the hair, that's our guy. Emphasis on the guy, they said we'll understand if we see him. We get away no matter what. And after that...we investigate Underground Shinjuku if even a kid is this twisted in this country. We'll meet up with them in the coal mines, they asked us for some pen and paper while they layout the coal mines as a potential escape route. We'll meet them there.'

xxx

Coal Mines, sometime later...

'OK...its like this.' said Shido as he drew the map using a marker pen while labeling distances with a mechanical pencil.

'This short a time?!' Dino marveled, impressed at the very detailed map. 'It normally takes half a day to map the whole place out, you guys took only two hours?!'

'Its no sweat to us, we got good friends here.' Shido snorted as there's a rat on his shoulder. 'Right now we're locating the places we can use to sneak in for a shortcut to the auction stage and get the hell out afterward.'

'But still, that technique is useful I'd want to learn it too.' Emishi pouted.

'For normal people like us, spend ten years in the mountains and learn to understand animals before I teach you.' Shido snarked.

'Ehhh?! But Tsunade-chan learned it so fast!'

'Like I said, genius. She learned all our clan techniques in a scat four years, all she has to do now is master them all and make it hers. With strength and speed required to match.' said Shido. 'It took me until I was 19 to reach clan standards for men of the clan.'

'That's amazing...' Dino croaked out. 'So in personality, what do we expect from the enemies? If all of you are pros, then that means as long as you're not in the way, they won't touch you?'

'Precisely.' Ban quipped. 'They won't touch you Italians until you make your intentions clear. But I'm no good with personality though I know the Mirokus well. Tsunade, Jackal's personality? The chinese goons are heavily involved with drugs, no use reasoning with them.'

'Got it...Akabane...he's a polite, soft-spoken gentleman and a consummate professional. He'll only pick a fight with you if one, job interests clash. Two, his client orders him to. Three, you're strong and interesting. Four, you're an idiot who decided to jump him. Once those conditions are met, body count will skyrocket and you're dead before you know it. We've seen how he does it. Otherwise he'll ignore you and merely pass you by as he doesn't care for anyone who can give him the pleasure of deadly combat. He also won't touch women and children. He told me he'll fight me in a couple years since he considers me a child and worth the wait.' she scowled. 'The only time he'll fight a woman is if they're noteworthy.'

'That means Ginji and I met conditions one and three on instances he's hired and he's only mellow when all of us are gathered, that damn Kaka-bane.' Ban grumbled. 'He destroyed my shoulder again and I just completely healed not long ago!'

'And you want to kick his ass in that state? Should we prepare a eulogy?' Emishi asked him incredulously.

'Shut up.'

'Well, one of my guys can heal you at least.' Dino offered. 'Filberto, fix their injuries, we need them to be in top shape for the auction...come to think of it, I never got your names.' he said, wanting to file it for later as one of the men moved to go to Ban's side, and use white-ish yellow crackles that come from his hands. 'You know my name so I'll introduce my men. My right-hand Romario, Adolfo, Battista, Cleto, Dario, Eliodoro, Gerardo, Ignacio, Jacinto, Lauro, Marcello, Nestor, Orsino and Pietro. They're the strongest of my group.'

The guy has way too many subordinates at his back, the retrievers thought.

'Wooow...that looks cool...' Emishi marveled in amazement, admiring Filberto's power.

'Yeah, works fast too.' said Ban. 'I can feel my sliced insides mend itself.' he said as he felt himself heal.

'That, and I can jumpstart your blood reproduction since by your pallor alone, you clearly lost a lot of blood and you're forcing yourself to move which is reckless of you.' Filberto added chidingly. 'My ability is Activation. I activate your regeneration faster by exposing what needs fixing to my power. You're lucky your bones are only cut, not broken to pieces or I'll have to do Field First Aid and that'd be painful. By the way, eat some food lest my power taxes your bone marrow without nutrition to draw from.'

'Heee...I'm Mido Ban.' said Ban. 'The blonde idiot you might meet using electricity is Amano Ginji, he's my partner.'

'Fuyuki Shido. I'm Tsunade's older brother.' said Shido. 'We're both Beast Masters from the Mariudo Tribe but Tsunade's unique that she can use flames somehow. She woke it up when we nearly died some years back.'

'Emishi Haruki at your service!' Emishi beamed. 'I'm a whip master!'

'Nice to meet all of you.' said Dino. 'According to my boys, thanks to your antics, they will increase security and decided to hold the Auction at midnight instead of 9 pm.' Shido began rapidly typing on his cellphone. 'In a way, its to our advantage as well to have our injured recover and we can make more plans that way but that depends on your clients' orders. We got the gist of Shido's group's orders but what of Ban and Ginji?'

'Our orders is that we get the arms before they get to the goddess.' said Ban. 'That art weirdo Clayman said if the arms are attached to the statue, the beauty of the Venus' mystery and legend will disappear forever as being armless is what makes the Venus alluringly beautiful. So our deadline is before auction begins. We won't get paid if its tested.'

'Ah...'

'And your deadline is the same as after the auction as a mafia boss will ensure he gets the statue, then its broken in pieces, distributed evenly among every shitstain, and Japan's gonna be a zombie-junkie in no time flat.' Ban added grimly. 'Next will be all small countries in Asia before Europe though Italy's already got damaged by that baldy. For now I agree that we recover because tomorrow, its all out war. Where's that Ito-maki?'

'He said he's on his way though we annoyed him with constant boat size changes and plan changing...how should we know we'd end up with Italians on the same goal? Not like he can blame us for this you know.' Shido grumbled. 'This is this, that is that.'

'Hey guys...I feel the need to go someplace just now...' Tsunade piped up. 'I'll be back in a few minutes.' and she ran off.

'Probably the toilet.' Ban commented but later, she was back with Ginji on her back.

'Ginji!'

'H-hi...' Ginji said weakly. 'I managed to get out but all my joints are dislocated...save for one shoulder I fixed in a jiffy.' he said. 'Nearly-drowned back at sea too.'

'Filberto.' Dino called to his subordinate.

Once Ginji was fixed...he told them his tale.

'Damn...who'da guessed that Kaito's old girl was involved?' Ban mused thoughtfully.

'Small world isn't it?' said Ginji cheerfully.

'Its no coincidence, moron...Clayman...why'd she come to us? Clayman and Kaito are connected.'

'Clayman and Kaito-san?' Ginji croaked out. 'Come to think of it...Kaito-san's stopped coming to Honky-Tonk hasn't he?'

'Ginji...do you know what Kaito's up to these days?' Ban asked in a somber air. 'I saw him in the central park.'

'Eh?'

'...he's gone into Black Hole hasn't he?' Tsunade frowned. That was the feeling she got though she has no clue what happened to this Kaito fellow.

'Yeah...and there's no getting him back to Earth now. Well, in his memory, Ginji and I have one more thing to retrieve.'

'Gone into Black Hole?' Ginji, Emishi and the Italians crowed out. Baffled by the random sentence.

'She meant he's stoned outta his head.' Shido clarified. 'Tsunade tends to use outer space comparisons if someone she's talking about takes drugs. The nearer you are to Earth, you're salvageable. The further you are...the worser you are. Black Hole...nope, no hope for you.' he explained. 'That's the fate of anyone who snorts Aphrodite. You're in love with Aphrodite forever to the pit of despair.'

'That's how it is.' said Ban. 'You guys go back to your suite. It'd be too suspicious if you're gone for long. We'll be alright here.' he told Dino. 'We'll prepare our battle as well. We strike on the promised hour.'

'Alright...I got us a plan and we'll use the media itself for this shindig.' Ban grinned. 'I got us a plan that we gotta follow come what may regardless of bodyguards. The main goal is incriminating proof and getting to ito-maki's getaway boat and we win.'

'Well, your job is to eat and eat Mido.' said Shido. 'Tsunade will grill stuff for you for your blood recovery.'

'Sweet~!'

'H-hey, me too, I haven't eaten in hours other than the ice cream Yukihiko-kun gave meee...' Ginji whimpered. 'I'm staaaarving...'

'YOU WHAT?!' Ban yelped, eyes popping out.

xxx

In the hotel suite...

'Hey guys, common knowledge is that we know ALL Skies active?' Dino asked his men while his chin rested on his entwined fingers.

'Yes, they're even in Vindice records as Skies are so rare attacking one is criminal unless justified.' said Romario. 'Yet Tsunade slipped the radar. She's active and the most powerful Sky surpassing anyone we know.'

'Let's use our free time to investigate this Mugenjou place and Ura-Shinjuku.' said Dino. 'I want to know everything about them. Contact our team in mainland as we can't do squat here. We'll be found out if we hacked, then we wait. I really want to know what kind of place Mugenjou is that if Aphrodite became available, Mugenjou would look like a daycare center in comparison...and she and her sibling grew up in the darkness together. And I'm hesitant to open Pandora's Box because that will set Don Vongola's ass on fire and for that fire not to be at us, we need hardcore proof that there's an unprotected relative if Fuyuki Tsunade's indeed a Vongola.'

'Yeah, no kidding boss. Sky Flames and near-prophetic Intuition? We understand because there's implications of a bastard child on the loose and not secure doesn't really go well in our society.'

'Yeah, but in the present date, the strength of the infamous Hyper Intuition is weakening.' said Dino. 'Proof of that is Don Vongola's sons dying so easily. Yet Tsunade...I don't know. Her older brother Shido is around my age and she's 12. The age gap may be big but they're siblings...they don't look alike though. But something is nagging me that we don't have the full picture...so we need need-to-know information.' he stated with a frown.

'Tsunade's a Sky with Hyper-Intuition. The previous Dons might have had a fling with some hooker and never realized she's pregnant, and she went on to bear the kid and we know how the tale goes. But Shido's not a Sky. He's a Dormant Cloud but he harmonized with Ginji who's a Dormant dual-element yet Shido didn't harmonize with his active sister which is weird. His flames are not active. Ginji harmonized with Ban who's a dual-element as well, being a Cloudy Sky whose Sky is stronger than his. Ahhh fuck, I need a drink.'

'No can do boss, we're on a sensitive case, you can drink when we're out of here.' said Romario wryly. 'We got a couple more hours till end game. And for harmonization to happen, Sky Attraction must happen first, followed by Courting. Tsunade doesn't know these things and Ginji's personality did the job for him.'

'I guess.' Dino moped. 'There's still some things bugging me. I gotta figure out what. I wonder if the siblings are willing to do a blood test?'

xxx

2.5 hours before the promised hour...

Ban and Ginji ate enough boneless Eel and Fish, as Tsunade burned off the undesirables they can eat without stopping. As for water, its water delivered by Dino's men when they met earlier.

The men were on disguise, fiddling with the media equipment. However, they were covered by Illusions assisted by Dino's men...

By the time they were done, they crept away with five minutes left.

'This is it guys...' Ban grinned wolfishly. 'The promised hour!'

'Is this really going to work, Signor Ban?' Orsino asked him. 'Can your ability really be broadcasted?'

'Of course. Did this for several years now for kicks after my old hag of a grandma said it could! Its foolproof!' said Ban confidently. 'You guys make nice constructs of your pals among the crowd and the real dudes come here with us so they won't get affected...and we make a getaway. We handle the noobs and you guys will meet up with our getaway. We'll meet in Okinawa and both our countries are A-OK.'

'R-right...'

Well, Ban made his broadcasting antics clear minutes later...

'Er...?' Dino croaked out as the audience was baffled while retrievers bolts with the goods.

'Hurry up, we only have one minute to get out!' Tsunade cried as they all ran for it.

xxx

'Its that bastard!' Miroku Natsuhiko swore as elsewhere, they watched the TV.

'Looks like they got us...heehee, that was amusing.' Akabane chuckled. 'Our job's not over yet, so shall we give chase?'

'Obviously!' Ukyou snapped. 'That bastard's ass is MINE!'

'Hey no hogging to yourself! Share!' Kirara complained.

'Either way he WILL die in our hands.' said Hikage as he switched to Natsuhiko.

Akabane really finds these switchings really entertaining.

'Let's go!' and the two men dashed out of their spot to give chase.

xxx

By the cliffs...

'There!' Ban yelled, spotting the boat. 'The get away boat! Move it!'

'Jump!' Tsunade yelled. 'The enemies are on their way fast! Move or I'll push you myself!'

'Y-you won't do that, won't you?' Dino squeaked fearfully.

NONE OF THEM wanted to jump off a deep, steep cliff all the way down below even if there's a boat below!

In response, they were forced to jump because of a wide blast of fire.

'That girl is so cruel!' one of the boys sobbed.

'W-well at least she got us to jump...'

They landed awkwardly on a boat manned by a long-haired, slender beauty in an oversized shirt and gorgeous legs hugged by tight pants. She was GORGEOUS.

'Seems everyone is OK.' that voice is clearly male and barely halfway cracked into manhood that shattered many fantasies and forced a memory jog in their minds that the retrievers emphasized that their getaway driver, is a MAN. 'Let's go.' and he drove at full speed.

'But what about the others?!' Dino cried.

'Oh, they'll be fine.' said Kazuki jovially. 'Shido and Tsunade-chan can summon a whale to give them a ride to Okinawa.' Kazuki smiled. 'Its convenient being a Beast Master, no?'

'...what's your name, signor?'

'I am Fuuchouin Kazuki, Dino-san.' said Kazuki. 'Never thought Italy's not happy with the drug kingpin as well.'

'Do you know about Tsunade?' Dino asked him. 'She exhibited an ability only a certain family in Italy can possess...if they get wind about her, they'll investigate her background even if it meant turning a city upside down because that family is so powerful the knowledge of bastard children has to be thoroughly-checked and be kept under check.'

'That would be impossible.' Kazuki shook his head. 'Shido-kun and Tsunade-chan are from the tribe of Mariudo in the mountains, specializing in forms of Beast Taming and martial arts imitating beasts. They've been there...until the Kiryuudo Clan who uses insects massacred Shido's branch of the tribe, leaving only two of them as survivors.' he said somberly. 'They ended up in Mugenjou like I did four years ago though I was in Mugenjou for eight.'

'Oh...I guess its highly unlikely...' Dino drooped. 'At least she's safe but she really should not let her powers be too public or wrong conclusions will arise, threatening her safety from Underground Italy. Can you at least, tell them that? Her abilities are really eerily similar.' he asked Kazuki. 'And what kind of place is Mugenjou that a kid is willing to die in a job? Its madness...its against all we've known...'

Kazuki wore a stiff smile.

'There are many words to describe that place we had to call home not by choice.' said Kazuki softly. 'And none of them are child-friendly. And in Mugenjou...truth is stranger than fiction.'

'I'm all ears.'

'Well, you seem innocent, Dino-san...but what you're about to hear, will change your world.'

What Dino and his men doesn't know, is that Kazuki does not know the full truth about Tsunade. But has clues about Shido's background and given how Shido and Tsunade made themselves known, its easy to make assumptions.

Only three people knows the truth about her.

xxx

Hours later...Okinawa...

In a hotel where Kazuki and Dino's group stayed at...

KNOCK KNOCK!

'Its them.'

When the door was swung open...was a rather nasty sight.

All of them sported heinous injuries. Kid included. Tsunade also lost a chunk of her long hair, rendering her hair cut very unevenly.

'Wow, you guys must have had quite the trouble.' Kazuki commented as Dino started yelling frantically in Italian and Tsunade found herself yanked away to be treated first.

'No shit...it was tough getting away.' Ban spat. 'That damn Akabane...bad enough the Miroku's are there!'

'Yeah, while we know Akabane, we never thought a nastier guy is in the woodwork too!' Emishi complained. 'We barely survived long enough for Shido-han to summon a whale to give us a ride back!'

'At least you guys are alive and its what matters.' said Kazuki. While in a job injuries can and WILL happen, he was glad his friends are OK.

After getting treated, they took turns taking a bath and getting dressed.

Ladies first as Tsunade wanted a haircut. Kazuki helped her cut her hair evenly as she's now wearing a casual dress with flip flops.

Tsunade's hair was one hip length but now...its a mess that her hair had to be really cut short for the sake of letting it grow evenly in a few months.

'Muuu...its so short...darn those Mirokus, don't they know hair is a girl's best friend?' she swore unhappily as she burned her hair off the floor. 'Unbelievable!' Tsunade went teary-eyed chibi. 'Its a nightmare! My hair!' she wailed on Kazuki.

'There there, you can regrow it back any time you know.' Kazuki patted her head. 'At least its just your hair and not a limb you know.'

As Kazuki mothered Tsunade, the Italians were having their own talk, phone calls made...until its time to set off for Tokyo.

The Law Enforcement...

'My god...its all real...'

The various police officers made a big fuss out of the drug statue.

'That man, even Italy got involved because of him.'

Dino had to talk with the police just for the sake of having that statue destroyed before their eyes while Shido and Emishi walked away with their pay.

'Lessee, we got a million up front, and the rest of our pay we gotta give Kazuki-han his share.' said Emishi as he and Shido began calculating sums.

'That's 3.5 million for the stress you made me go through.' Kazuki smiled a tad too sweetly. But with a dark aura coming off him.

'Someone's mad.' Tsunade giggled. Kazuki had a lot of trouble securing the italians' get-away boat.

'Hey don't blame us, the situation kept changing!' Emishi whined. 'Its not our fault!'