Legoshi was running through the black market, entranced in his thoughts. His new fur cut was looking fresh as ever, despite looking like a sick fox, some would even argue he looked nicer than he did before. Consumed by his thoughts, he failed to keep a keen eye on his surroundings. And so, he ran face-first into someone who failed to move out of his path. Legoshi's train of thought derailed as his body slammed into the black market pavement. Before he could get a word of apology in, the animal jumped on him and started punching him in the face. Legoshi blocked the punch and threw the animal off of him. People noticed and avoided walking near them, creating a big arc around the two of them.
-"Come here bitch." Keanu growled, standing back up and approaching Legoshi. It was at this moment that Legoshi finally had a good look at who he ran into.
-"Stop! Keanu! It's me!" Legoshi yelled. Keanu froze in place, eyeing Legoshi from top to bottom.
-"Legoshi? What the fuck happened to you!?" Keanu asked, confused. He helped Legoshi off the ground.
-"Look, It's a long story. I've gotta get back to school, I'll tell you later." Legoshi blurted out.
-"No you ain't, come on, bar, 5 minutes." Keanu ordered.
-"I really don't have the time..." Legoshi excused.
-"Yeah? Well I really don't care, you got some explaining to do." Keanu barked, dragging Legoshi inside the bar by the arm.
Araki's office was lit up by the morning sun. The hustle and ambiance of the black market was muted through closed windows overseeing it. Wouldn't want unnecessary noise in a meeting, right? Tensions being as high as they are nowadays, Johnny and Wayne stood outside Araki's office, in case anything went wrong.
-"Can you hear what they're saying?" Wayne whispered.
-"Barely, be quiet." Johnny shushed.
Inside the office, Araki and a sharply dressed herbivore sat across the desk from each other, eye to eye.
-"You know I'm surprised you came here in broad daylight. Was half expecting you to slit my throat when I go to take a piss at night. " Araki commented.
-"We're not savages. You are a reasonable man, and I am hoping that we can achieve a mutual understanding." The man trusted.
-"That's a bit rich, coming from you." Araki brushed off. The man humphed.
-"Like I was saying... I am hoping we can achieve a mutual understanding. As I'm sure you know, I am very well aware of your business practices." The man opened.
-"And those would be?" Araki questioned, leaning closer.
-"Weapon trafficking, stop playing dumb." The man answered. Araki made an exaggerated shocked expression.
-"Weapon trafficking? Oh! no no no, my good sir. You see, the Okamigumi is just an organization who owns multiple legitimate businesses in Cherryton. We also offer protection, marketing and business advice of any kind. Surely, a man such as yourself would be able to check our income reports and find that everything checks out, right?" Araki smirked.
-"Absolutely. Let's skip the politeness, Araki. What you're doing is bringing a plague to this city. With carnivore and herbivore tensions higher than ever, there's a new shooting almost weekly. Guns don't just appear out of thin air. You might think your cover is airtight but believe me, I can and will rain justice upon you." The man threatened, his tone shifted from polite, almost submissive to a confident, harsh demand. Araki just stared at him.
-"Rain justice?" Araki asked. "Why didn't you rain justice on starving, begging people in the black market slums? Those literally selling parts of their body to support themselves and their loved ones? Why didn't you rain justice on those who drove good, honest carnivores out of their jobs and homes because of prejudice and fear? All those years in power and yet you did nothing but kiss your own ass and lock up puppets. Where were you when your people were getting actually devoured in the dead of night? You didn't protect them. I gave them the ability to not live in constant fear anymore. Have you even noticed how safe the black market is now? Of course, you haven't. In the last five years I have done more for the citizens of this city than you have your whole life." Araki growled. The man sat in silence, seething with anger.
-"You best watch your tone. You really believe you're helping these people? You're dividing them further. You actively support the selling and consuming of meat. We cannot prosper as a society with the likes of you, monopolizing evil and branding it as righteous and correct. I put your father behind bars, you better believe that I am more than capable of doing the same with you!" The man snapped. Araki chuckled to himself.
-"You know, I would love to believe that. But the thing is, I just don't buy it. This operation of mine? It isn't a new thing. You had six whole years to do something about it, anything, and yet you didn't. And now, for the first time, you come to me seeking a mutual understanding. Not to mention the police haven't been in the black market in years. So really, all you have is threats." Araki explained, lighting up a cigar. The man listened, his anger being amplified by the overwhelming knowledge of being powerless. Araki puffed smoke from his cigar. "You locked up my daddy, sure. But that was in your prime. As for now? You can fuck off back to hell and tell him I said hi."
The man stood up and pushed his chair back into place. He looked at Araki one last time with nothing but hatred in his eyes. Araki made a blessing gesture with his hand toward him. The man turned and calmly left the building.
-"Well, I'd argue this look suits you more." Keanu pointed out. Legoshi's ears drooped in embarrassment.
-"Really? Thanks..." Legoshi nervously replied.
-"I told you not to go after the fuckin' killer though ain't I?" Keanu exclaimed in frustration. "He could've killed you."
-"And I told you that's a risk that I'm willing to take." Legoshi responded. Keanu groaned
-"Just cool it for a bit, okay? Wait till I come up with something." Keanu offered.
-"No, I can't. I told you, the killer might get away with it after school ends. I need to find out, now." Legoshi explained, Keanu groaned.
-"There's no point arguing with you, is there?" Keanu asked.
-"You don't need to worry about me. I'm training under Gouhin, I'll get stronger." Legoshi promised.
-"Strong doesn't mean much when you're dead." Keanu retorted, sipping his beer.
-"Again, don't worry. This is a battle that I need to do on my own. I really gotta get back to school now. We'll talk later." Legoshi quickly spoke, finishing his soda and running out of the bar.
-"Of course he leaves me with the bill." Keanu chuckled.
He gave the bartender 800 yen and continued drinking his beer. He eventually stood up and went to use the bathroom. He flushed the urinal, and hey, since he was already here, he decided to rail a line on his phone. As he was doing the finishing touches, the bathroom door opened. Keanu lifted his head to glance at who entered, and a slight shiver went down his spine. It was a lion. Wasn't just an ordinary one though. Big mean scar across his right eye. Keanu knew he was from the Shishigumi. He looked up and down at Keanu.
-"You're pretty far east for your own good." The lion warned. Keanu was cautious. He was in their territory after all, he couldn't do anything too brash, as not to start a whole feud. He used up all the strength inside him to keep his arrogance down.
-"I ain't here to start anything. I had a drink with a friend and went to take a piss. I'm on my way out anyways." Keanu responded.
-"You gotta pay a toll when you're passing through here if you wanna save your hide." The lion growled. Keanu groaned.
-"Oh cut the shit. Look we both know I'm not supposed to stick around here, and that you're not supposed to threaten me. So how about I just give you a peace offering?" Keanu retaliated, pointing at the four lines shaped on his phone. The lion looked at him for a second, before he stepped over towards him.
-"You're quite the negotiator." The lion laughed, pulling out a 10,000 Yen note from his wallet and rolling it up into a tube. He snorted two lines and handed the note to Keanu, who did the same. "Fuck!" The lion roared. "This is good, where the hell did you get this!? This isn't that junk that the Madaragumi sells!" He questioned.
-"I got a source. Isn't for sale though." Keanu answered, wiping his phone screen on his pants. "Anyways, enjoy yourself." Keanu greeted, leaving the bathroom.
He walked out onto the black market street and stretched. He had a whole day in front of him. What would he do next?