Note: A huge Thank you to Meian16 for his help in writing this chapter!
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gathering Pawns
Back up topside, Hanako and Kodama had watched the last of the fights taking place and the winner had been announced as Champion.
Kodama clapped his hands lightly as he watched.
"What an entertaining show that was." He smirked.
Hanako watched the ring as the many fighters were awarded their prizes.
The fight in first place was a tall man with black hair and wearing black torn jeans and his dark hair in a tight ponytail named Reiko.
The second fighter in place was a blonde man in an orange shirt and brown pants, his name was Cliff.
The third was a skinny man with a shaved head and covered in tattoos and dressed in black leather, his name was Danny.
And the fourth was Clay who had managed to fight his way very far into the tournament, yet he had missed out on the last three rounds to the top.
Hanako just watched as she fanned herself.
"It certainly was." She said, "And more intense than those I have seen back in New York."
Many times, Chicago makes New York look like a timid, harmless child in comparison, my dear." Kodama said looking at the Asian woman next to him.
"I have to admit it yes Mr Kodama," Hanako replied "And what Lord Arashi would give to have these fighters working for him."
Kodama looked over at Hanako and smirked knowingly.
"Hmm, perhaps that can be arranged" he said.
Hanako looked over at Kodama.
"I'll let you in on a little something" Kodama confided.
"Yes?" Hanako asked cocking her head on one side.
"I wasn't here tonight just to spectate. I was here to scout for possible additions to my organization."
Hanako blinked at Kodama then at the winning fighters being congratulated by everyone around them as well as celebrating their wins.
"I see, well, Lord Arashi does it a lot, as well as our Lord Shredder, before his... condition." she paused as she thought of the Lord of the Foot and how Tyroth's attack had rendered him comatose.
So far, Arashi and Dr Arden had informed her that Shredder had not roused despite the doctor's best efforts, and so far he was being kept in a coma.
Yet Hanako knew Arashi would continue to run the Foot Clan, even though their Headquarters would need a lot of fixing up.
But until then, she had to focus on her job and working with Boss Kodama.
She looked back at her business partner who was analysing the fighters as they were awarded their prizes.
"There are quite a few here I would deem worthy." The Yakuza boss mused aloud and pointed to the fighters, especially Clay.
"Despite not winning, Clay certainly left an impression." He spoke.
"That he did," Hanako agreed "And he impressed me as well, he lasted so long, yet only failed to get past the last two rounds..."
"The intensity, ferocious nature, he would be a perfect fit." Kodama smirked then turned to two of his bodyguards.
"You two," he said clicking his fingers "Bring the top fighters here to me, please and thank you."
The Bodyguards nodded and walked over to the Ring.
"I'm sure that this is a chance that they'll jump at." Kodama smirked as he tapped his fingers together.
"I hope so." Hanako mused as she continued to fan herself.
As the four fighters were waving to the crowds and walking out of the ring, Kodama's two guards stopped them.
"Clay, Reiko, Cliff, Danny." The first bodyguard, a muscular Asian man with a bald head spoke.
"What you want bub?" Reiko demanded.
"Boss wants to chat with you." The second Bodyguard this one with thick black hair in a bowl cut said.
"Boss? The hell you talking about?" Cliff grunted.
"Boss Kodama." The first bodyguard clarified.
Upon hearing the Yakuza Boss's name, the four fighters blinked and looked at each other in surprise.
"Boss Kodama? No way!?" Cliff cried.
"Komada? The Yakuza boss?" Danny followed up with.
"Yes boy, the very one," the second bodyguard said, "And he wishes to see you, all four of you!"
The fighters looked between one another and thought for a moment.
"Should we, guys?" Cliff asked shrugging.
Clay just narrowed his eyes as well as spat blood out of his mouth.
"Trust me when I say," the second guard spoke again "He has an offer, and one you cannot refuse,"
The Fighters cocked their heads as they listened.
"He has been impressed by your fighting." The first guard continued "So if you want to know why and more on what he can offer you, then come with us.".
"Fine, whatever." Clay shrugged then turned to Reiko, Danny, and Cliff "Come on boys."
As the four fighters approached Hanako and Kodama, then Yakuza boss smirked.
"Welcome gentlemen." He spoke.
Reiko nodded.
"Boss Kodama."
"What do you want from us?" Cliff asked.
"Indeed." Kodama responded to his name "I have requested you because I have a proposition for you all, since I was impressed by how well you fought your way to the top of this tournament which I thoroughly enjoyed watching."
"And what is that?" Reiko asked crossing his arms.
"What?" Cliff added equally curious.
Kodama chuckled then smirked.
"Oh, where are my manners?" he said, "Before that, I'd like to introduce a business partner of mine." He looked over at Hanako and gestured a hand to her to which Hanako stood up and bowed.
"Konichiwa gentlemen." She said politely "I am Hanako of the Foot Clan in New York."
"The Foot Clan?" Clay asked raising an eyebrow to which Hanako nodded at him confirming.
"You are familiar with us?" Hanako asked.
"Word gets around quick in the underworld." Clay replied, his eyes narrowed.
"I see, even in different states." Hanako smirked "Seems we do have a reputation, so much so the Gangs and Mafia in other cities are aware of us."
"You'd be surprised how quick news travels." Clay said crossing his arms.
"Anyways," Danny spoke up "What's this about a proposition?"
"A straight to business kind of man, are you?" Kodama said with a smirk "I like that."
Hanako fanned herself as she watched her business partner speak with the four fighters.
"I'll get right to it." Kodama said as he tapped his fingers together "As I stated earlier, I was impressed with the performances you put on tonight and it piqued my interest."
He took a breath as the four fighters leaned in to listen.
"So much so," Kodama continued "That I'd like to offer you gentlemen places in my organization."
The four fighters gasped and looked at each other.
"Let's just say," Kodama continued "This offer would benefit you all in the long run. And you all would be working alongside Hanako as well as I'm sure she could find good use for your skills."
"Oh? Then please tell us!" Danny said looking at Hanako who smirked and crossed her legs as she faced them.
"Hanako, if you would?" Kodama prompted.
"We have a few tasks we feel we can accomplish, given your fighting skills, I believe you can take on any challenge we give you, and the rewards will be great."
"Yes." Kodama added "And you lot can have whatever it is you desire. There's no need to explain just how far the grasp of the Yakuza goes, but of course. The choice is yours to take it or leave it."
The four fighters looked at each other as they thought over what Kodama was offering.
"Is this one offer we cannot refuse?" Danny asked.
Reiko shrugged and Clay and Cliff muttered under their breaths.
"You can, just know what you'd be giving up." Kodama said as he overheard them.
The four fighters conversed quietly then they turned to Kodama and Hanako.
"So?" Hanako asked as she twirled her fan on her finger then caught it again to fan herself.
"We're in, Boss Kodama." Clay said.
"We all agree to join you." Cliff agreed and Danny and Reiko nodded.
Komada smirked triumphantly "Excellent choice." He chuckled then glanced at Hanako who smirked back at him.
"So, when do we start?" Danny asked.
"What's the job?" Reiko enquired.
Kodama chuckled.
"Slow down there, gentlemen." He said waving his hands "I like the enthusiasm but there's levels to this. Rest assured though that your skills will be put to good use."
As the Yakuza Boss spoke, he suddenly saw Kamara, Valentina and the other members of the 95th Street Families approaching them.
Hanako saw the gangster's approach as well and frowned.
At the same time, the Ninjas behind her stiffened and got ready to attack if needed, as did Kodama's bodyguards.
"It would appear we have company." Kodama growled.
Hanako also frowned but she looked up at the ninjas and held up her had.
"Hold!" she ordered, and the ninjas relaxed yet they still stayed alert.
Valentina crossed her arms as she looked at the four fighters then at Hanako and Kodama.
"So, this is where you lot went to, I was curious after I saw the dudes in the suits come up and walked off with you guys somewhere."
The guards behind Kodama glared and got ready to brandish weapons to defend their leader, but Kodama coughed at them.
"Stand down boys." He said calmly then looked to Kamaru and Valentina.
"No need for hostility. All will be explained."
Kamaru glared.
I know you. You're Kodama." He pointed to the Yakuza Boss.
"That's Boss Kodama to you!" one of the guards spat "You will respect the Boss!"
Hanako fanned herself again.
"Not surprising they know who you are."
Kodama chuckled.
"My reputation proceeds me, my dear."
"Yeah, we know who you are." Kamaru drawled "We also know that you're on our turf."
"Yeah, what the fuck is up with that and what's going on here?" Valentina demanded.
"Looks like you need a lesson in manners." Hanako said to Valentina who just scoffed at the Asian woman.
Kodama raised his hands.
"Relax, everyone. As I said, all will be explained. I simply came to enjoy tonight's festivities and wanted to treat my friend here to a good time, you see."
"Is that right?" Kamaru asked as he cocked his head at Hanako.
"Indeed, it is, I am Hanako of the Foot Clan in New York." Hanako introduced herself to which many of the gangsters gasped and began to mutter amongst themselves.
"The Foot Clan?!"
"Shredder!"
"It would seem you're quite well known yourself around these parts, my dear." Kodama smirked.
"Well, the Foot has left its mark on many places, not just in Japan." Hanako replied.
Valentina rolled her eyes.
"In any case, what's this all about!?" she demanded.
"Impatient, are we?" Kodama tutted "This would be a business transaction. I offered these gentlemen a job and they accepted."
Kamaru and Valentina's eyes widened when they heard that.
"What?!" they cried together, and the other gangsters gasped and talked amongst themselves.
"Our top fighters are joining the Japanese guy?"
"Holy Moley!"
Valentina went mauve with rage as she looked at Kodama.
"What? You think you can waltz in on our turf and with your toffee-nosed ways and steal our fights, coax them into joining your clan?!"
'Coax?" Kodama asked shrugging "Why on the contrary, this is nothing of the sort."
"Yeah!" Clay spoke up "We accepted on our own!"
"Yeah!" Reiko joined in.
"No forced agreement!" Danny added.
"Totally!" Cliff said.
Valentina glared at the four fighters.
"Why!?" she asked.
Clay shrugged.
"Fighting underground can only get you so much! With a chance like this! Working for a big crime boss, you'd be crazy to pass it up!"
"Yeah!" Reiko agreed "He's right! We're onto bigger and better things now!"
Kamaru glowered and he looked ready to explode with anger, but he took a deep breath.
"So this is how it is huh?" he demanded then he shrugged "Well, do whatever you want!"
Valentina gave the same look.
"Don't let us stop you gentlemen!" she glared at Kodama and Hanako.
Kodama then stood up, the same knowing smile on his face as he looked at the gangsters surrounding him and Hanako.
"You know." He said, "This could be a golden opportunity for us all." He gestured to everyone who frowned curiously at him and Kamaru narrowed his eyes.
"What are you getting at?" he snarled.
Kodama smirked and walked over to Kamaru then Valentina who was scowling.
Hanako meanwhile leaned back in her seat and smirked as she watched.
"I have to say," Kodama said "This event you put on, this was quite the show and brought in many capable fighters, ones that would make not only my organization stronger...but yours as well. Certainly, some fighters must have caught your eye that you would be more than happy to invite into your family, yes?"
He placed a hand on Kamaru's shoulder, yet the gangster didn't move as he let the Yakuza's words sink in.
"You're not wrong." He drawled.
Valentina glared yet he agreed.
"Indeed yes." she said, "We are always looking for the best fighters, especially ones that can protect us from any vigilantes that try and stop us."
As Valentina said that Hanako looked up and her eyes widened and the ninjas also flinched and paid attention.
'What was that?" she asked.
"Vigilantes." Valentina repeated "it's not uncommon to see a few of those, some we've taken care of in the past, but we have had some that have been pretty tough cookies, as well as good connections to the law!"
As Valentina spoke, Kodama also looked over interested.
"Interesting." He spoke.
"Damned Vigilantes," Valentina growled "Always sticking their noses in where they don't belong! Parading around in animal suits welding weapons and messing things up!"
Hanako glared whilst Kodama looked thoughtful.
"Boss Kodama." Hanako said looking up as she remembered her and Kodama's conversation when back at his headquarters.
"Didn't you tell me before that your men have had these vigilantes interfering with your business?"
"Indeed, I did, my dear." Kodama replied.
"Then," Hanako said smirking as she licked her lips "If we are all in the same boat with these vigilantes, I believe we may be able to help each other in dealing with them!"
Kodama nodded at Hanako.
"Agreed." He said then looked at Kamaru and Valentina.
"It would appear we share a common enemy!" he asked, "Am I correct?"
Kamaru and Valentina looked at each other, then at Kodama and Hanako, as much as they were annoyed at another crime party invading their turf, they couldn't deny that they had the same thing in common when it came to their enemies and the law and if they wanted to keep on top, having another ally than an enemy would help them more.
After a few seconds they nodded their heads and held hands.
"Okay Boss Kodama." Valentina forced out "We're in too!"
"Usually, we wouldn't do this!" Kamaru added "But in this case, we'll make an exception!"
Kodama smirked.
"Excellent." He said and Hanako grinned triumphantly.
"Then let's get to work…"
So Kodama and Hanako had recruited not only the top fighters from the Underground Fight Tournament Jun was at earlier but have convinced the 95th Street Family to join them in facing the Vigilanties that oppose them! And I think you all know who they're thinking of!
Again big thanks to Meian16 for his help! You're a star!