Kaiba sat with his arms crossed, worried. Things had gone wrong.

He had been confident that it would have been a straightforward job. After a week of surveillance, all reports had confirmed that the warehouse would have been uninhabited. He had placed his best men, Honda and Otogi, to ensure things went smoothly.

He wouldn't have risked his most promising new asset in this situation, had he known Pegasus' mad dog would have been present.

Bakura was supposed to have been in the States.

He had arranged all of this as a test for Ito. To see how far she would go, when prompted. He had made a slight miscalculation on the level of risk.

"Foolish boy," Gozaboro's voice flooded his thoughts, the man's laughter forever in his head. "You and your brat brother have cost the clan millions! You never think ahead. You're a disgrace!"

Gozaboro would often finish the insult with a ring-covered backhand that would leave cuts on Seto's cheek. That night, he had done just so, standing over both Seto and Mokuba, striking, grabbing by the hair, and kicking the two of them for another mission failure. But this time, Seto was ready. It had been all part of his plan and he had waited patiently for the right opportunity. The Big Five were out. Only Isono had been Gozaboro's ally in that house that night. "When I rescued you from that orphanage and brought that pipsqueak along, you swore you'd give your life for the clan. But that brat's a liability. I should have put him down years ago."

"Please, oyabun, give us another chance. It was my fault, Mokuba was in my care. This is only my fault. Forgive us, oyabun." He had given one final chance for Gozaboro to show mercy. That had been Isono's terms, and Seto had kept his word.

"You need to learn your lesson. Mokuba! Do you know the only way to earn my forgiveness?"

"Oyabun, no-"

"Only an act of yubitsume will warrant my forgiveness."

"He's just a child!"

"He's old enough, if he's a part of this clan. Isono, my blade."

Mokuba had been only ten. Trembling, eyes swollen, looking more terrified than he had ever before. He had no idea what Seto had been planning. He had wanted to protect his little brother. Commanding for him to mutilate his own hand had been the final straw.

For Gozaboro, there would be no honor in doing so anyway.

"Here, boy," Gozaboro took the o-tanto from Isono's outstretched hands and threw it at Mokuba's knees, the boy's head bowed in submission. "Demonstrate your loyalty."

"No, Mokuba," he rose to his feet. "Go! Run, now!" He had taken Mokuba by the back of the collar and flung him towards the doors. "Run, and hide!"

"You dare defy me?" Gozaboro pointed, spittle flying, screaming. "I'll have you killed!"

Years of torture serving this monster had reached the breaking point. Seto had to act. He had to do what was needed.

He took the blade, ripping it from its sheath and pointing it towards his oyabun. "You are unworthy to lead the White Dragon Clan."

"Isono, kill him!"

Isono had taken his gun and pointed it at Seto. He watched the older man, the man he knew was honorable, even if he had spent years serving Gozaboro. Lip curled in disgust, Isono's pistol moved from Seto to Gozaboro's surprised face.

"What are you doing, you bastard?!"

"Isono, step back." He knew Isono would join him. He had protected his daughter, after all, from Gozaboro's lecherous hands.

"Wakagashira Isono! What are you doing?!"

The White Dragon's second in command, Isono himself, kept his gun trained to the oyabun. "I turned a blind eye to your evil nature long enough," he spoke with wavering voice, thick with shame and resolve.

"You cowardly disgrace! I'll have your entire family eliminated! Where are my big five?! Men! Help!"

"All out, likely drunk with geishas without a care in the world," Kaiba stepped forward, righteous anger filling him. He had organized it all. He had waited for this moment and meticulously prepared. "I relayed your orders for them to take the night off. They are being dispatched, now, by the new Big Five of the White Dragon Clan."

"You - you snake! I should have known never to adopt an orphan! Burn in hell!"

"I'll see you there," Seto sneered, taking the blade and plunging it into Gozaboro's thick chest, the crunch of bone and gush of blood a satisfying end to the monster.

"Seto, we're here," Mokuba freed him of his personal musings, cocking his pistol.

"No, you're staying here Mokuba," he commanded. "This is my responsibility." Before his little brother could protest he stepped out of the limo.

"Seto!" Mokuba shouted, grabbing his wrist and pressing the cold gun into his hand. "Be careful."

He nodded, his fingers gripping the handle for comfort as he led his men towards the front gates of the warehouse, where Pegasus' men stood guard.