I do not own the rights to Naruto or Marvel
With the death of Masamune, the rest of the yakuza began taking measures to ensure the safety of their families. Kenji personally approached Ogun, requesting his assistance in getting his family into America, for an additional fee, of course. Meanwhile, Sato had already started gathering information from shops in Kita-ku during the time period surrounding the warehouse. Perhaps they would stumble upon a clue that could aid them.
As Ogun contemplated his next move, he couldn't help but reflect on the situation. It had been five years since he last spoke to Charles or anyone from his group. Their relationship had been far from amicable, with numerous attempts on each other's lives. However, if there was an immortal and vampire-like being on the loose, Ogun knew he would need assistance. He was certain that these individuals were born with enhanced abilities, just like himself and Charles.
Ogun let out a sigh as he reached for the phone and dialed the number to the Xavier Institute for Gifted Youngsters. The school that Charles had established a few years after the Cuban missile crisis. From what Ogun knew, the institute had faced some challenges in its early years until the 90s when they started attracting students. By the early 2000s, they had a substantial enrollment of around 30 to 40 students. After a few more rings, a familiar husky voice answered the call.
"Xavier Institute, Logan speaking. How may I be of service?" Logan's calm voice resonated through the phone. Ogun couldn't help but let a sinister smile creep across his face.
"Ah, old friend, how have you been?" Ogun asked slyly, his voice filled with a hint of mischief.
"Who is this?" Logan's tone turned serious in an instant, his curiosity mixed with caution.
"Do you not remember my voice?" Ogun replied in Japanese, causing a brief pause on the other end of the line.
"Ogun," Logan whispered, his voice barely audible, but Ogun could sense the underlying promise of death.
"Now, now, Logan, I call in peace," Ogun said mischievously, his tone lightening.
"Bullshit!" Logan exclaimed, his voice filled with barely contained rage. Ogun could sense the anger in his words.
"I'm serious. I may have come into contact with two possible immortal mutants. I need to speak to Charles. These mutants are wiping out the yakuza, and I believe they have something deeper planned," Ogun explained. From what he had witnessed, he knew he couldn't defeat those men on his own.
"Listen up, Bub. That just makes it worse. Criminals killing criminals. Am I supposed to feel sorry for them?" Logan asked, followed by a chuckle.
"This isn't about them, fool. Don't you find it strange that I'm calling? I've witnessed firsthand what these men are capable of. They pose a threat, not only to the yakuza but to the entire world," Ogun said, his voice devoid of any amusement. The line remained silent for a few moments.
"So you're reaching out for my help?" Logan asked, earning a scoff from Ogun.
"Heavens no, I would like to speak to your new boss," said Ogun calmly. There was another moment of quiet before Logan spoke again.
"Please stay on the line," Logan instructed. Ogun could hear the hold music playing. He was growing tired of these constant pauses. After a few moments, another voice filled the phone.
"Hello, Ogun. Logan has informed me that you require my assistance," said Charles, his voice dripping with politeness.
"Yes, Charles, I am sending you an email. I want you to watch the video for yourself and then get back to me on this exact number. I know Logan is tracing it as we speak," Ogun stated calmly. "If you don't feel like they are a threat, then so be it. But I'm telling you, Charles, there is something strange going on here in Japan."
"I understand. My team and I will review the evidence and then get back to you," Charles stated before hanging up the phone. Ogun could tell that they didn't fully trust him, but that didn't matter. His gut was telling him that the world was on the verge of a significant change.
May, Dr. Mann, and three researchers were lowered into the office one by one. May went first to check if there were any surprises inside. What shocked her the most was the lack of dirt and debris in the office. It was as if the earth couldn't enter the room. She scanned the area with her flashlight and noticed that the furniture and bookshelves were covered in a heavy layer of dust. There was a desk with papers scattered all over it. May approached the desk and began to carefully shake the dust off one of the papers.
May's Japanese wasn't perfect, but it was good enough to understand that the paper had "Mission Report" written at the top. She started to examine the other papers, and most of them had the same heading. May was interrupted from her thoughts when the archaeologist finally made his way down.
"Fascinating," Dr. Mann exclaimed, his eyes fixed on the captivating art adorning the wall. "These paintings are truly remarkable, incredibly lifelike masterpieces. Each one seems to skillfully depict the faces of the village leaders."
"Look at these scrolls, books, and tomes on the shelf, Doctor," one of the researchers pointed out, reaching out to touch one of the books. However, as soon as they pulled a book from the shelf, a sharp whistling noise pierced the air, followed by a light thud. May turned her attention to the researcher, who stood frozen in place.
"Hey, are you okay?" May asked, leaving the table and cautiously approaching the researcher. As she drew nearer, she noticed blood trickling down onto the floor, and then the researcher collapsed, a vertical hole running through their head. The lone female researcher let out a piercing scream and attempted to rush towards the lifeless body, but Dr. Mann swiftly intervened, halting her in her tracks.
May looked over at the researcher's location and noticed small holes scattered across the floor. Her gaze then shifted upwards towards the ceiling, where she was startled to see thick needles protruding from the roof, with one of them ominously dripping blood onto the already stained floor.
"Nobody else should touch anything until we check for more traps," May instructed, causing the others to nod in agreement. She swiftly grabbed her radio and pressed the talk button. "Coulson, we need a team for trap detection and a medical team down here."
"Roger," Coulson's voice rang through the radio, indicating his prompt response. Soon, a group of experts descended into the office, equipped with brighter lights and specialized equipment for detecting traps. Dr. Mann continued to console the distraught female researcher, her soft sobs echoing throughout the buried office.
As the medics respectfully removed the body and escorted the crying woman away, the trap detection team began their meticulous work. May and the doctor sat in silence, contemplating the situation. May couldn't help but feel a surge of anger towards herself. She had warned them about the potential dangers, but the doctor had disregarded her warnings.
"This is my fault," Dr. Mann admitted, his voice devoid of any emotions. May turned towards him and observed the shattered expression on his face.
"He knew the risks. We all did. The blame doesn't solely rest on your shoulders," she reassured him, turning her attention back to monitoring the team. "I should have been more persistent in getting the traps disabled before we entered this place."
Neither of them spoke for the remainder of the time. Two hours later, the leader of the detection team approached May. "All the traps have been disabled. You're free to touch the items in here. We also found a hidden compartment that had a few other scrolls, but one seems to be missing."
"Good, you're dismissed," May said, observing as they climbed out of the hole. She then turned to Dr. Mann and continued, "Before we continue, I'd like for all these items to be recorded by our research team."
The man simply nodded, still fixated on the spot where the body had been. May called in the Shield's research team and watched as they meticulously photographed every scroll, book page, painting, and piece of paper they could find. This process took a few more hours as the researchers were cautious not to damage anything.
Once they were done, May noticed that the doctor still hadn't moved from where he had been seated. "Come on, doc, you need to eat and get some rest."
"I'll be fine. It's just been a long time since I... since I lost a colleague to a trap," the doctor expressed, his voice filled with a mix of exhaustion and grief.
"I understand how difficult it is to cope with the loss of a colleague, especially in such circumstances. Remember that your dedication and expertise have saved countless lives throughout your career. Your colleague's memory will live on through the knowledge and discoveries you continue to make. Take solace in knowing that their legacy will inspire and guide your future endeavors.", said May placing a hand on the man shoulders.
She turned and left the man, climbing the ladder they had placed inside. As she reached the top, the sound of crying could be heard coming from within.
"Don't let anyone inside there until the morning," May instructed the guards, who nodded in understanding. She recognized that a person deserved the space and privacy to grieve in their own way.
Grief is a deeply personal experience, and allowing the doctor to have this time alone to process his emotions is an important act of compassion. May understood the significance of giving him the opportunity to mourn without intrusion, ensuring that he could find solace and strength in his own time.
A Three Days Later
Charles Xavier was always a cautious man, so when Logan told him about Ogun calling for help, he couldn't help but feel worried. He had asked Hank McCoy, also known as Beast, to check the mail for any viruses or spyware. After confirming that none were detected, they proceeded to investigate if the video was a fake or staged. It took them a day and a half to determine that it was indeed real.
They watched the video repeatedly, and one thing became evident to Charles: this was a major problem. As much as he hated to admit it, he knew they needed to investigate. However, he was struggling to figure out how to do so discreetly. Charles and Hank had invested a lot of effort into hiding their existence from the world, even going as far as hacking into S.H.I.E.L.D's system to ensure they weren't actively searching for mutants. Fortunately, they weren't, except for one exception.
"I think we should help him," Charles said to his teammates gathered in his office. Standing before him were Hank, Ororo Munroe, also known as Storm, and Logan.
"Professor, I know you mean well, but this is Ogun we're talking about. The man has been trying to kill me for years. I say we let the filth take out the filth," Logan said, folding his arms across his chest.
"But what if their targets aren't just the yakuza? They could risk exposing us to the world before our time. I believe we should go and try to capture these individuals," Hank said, adjusting his glasses on his face.
"I agree with Hank, Charles. There is too much at stake to let these individuals lurk about and do as they please," Ororo added. Logan grumbled under his breath, but the other three chose to ignore him.
"Well, if it is decided, the three of you will go to Japan and assist with the investigation. Hank and Ororo, I expect you to keep an eye on Logan and make sure he doesn't try to kill the man," instructed Charles. They nodded before turning to leave, but Logan didn't follow them. After Charles was sure the others had left the room, Logan spoke again.
"I've got a bad feeling about this, Professor," Logan said softly, but the serious undertone remained.
"I do too. I tried using Cerebro last night to aid the search without us having to physically go there, but I found nothing. If regular humans are being killed by mutants, it would be a disastrous way for us to introduce ourselves to the world," Charles explained.
"Well, if it's got you in a bit of a panic, I should take this seriously. I'll let you know what we find. Make sure the brats behave while we're gone," said Logan as he left.
Charles anxiously watched from the monitor room as the X-Jet took off towards Japan, hoping that he hadn't sent his friends to their deaths. Feeling a sense of urgency, he picked up the phone and dialed the number Ogun had left behind. It rang twice before it was answered.
"We will help you, Ogun," Charles said, skipping the pleasantries.
"Good timing. There has been another murder," Ogun replied, his voice devoid of any emotions. "They made it personal."
"What do you mean?" Charles asked, his concern growing. He had known Ogun for years, and the only time he heard this tone was when it involved Logan.
"They killed Sato," Ogun revealed.
Khalid's POV
I lay on the forest floor, gasping for air. It had been four days since Ogun left. I had left a clone in the house and returned to the woods to continue my training. With each passing day, my chakra grew stronger, allowing me to create up to 50 clones without feeling fatigued. I had finally mastered the five elemental jutsus from the book, thanks to the assistance of the shadow clones. I had also managed to reduce the number of hand signs required to execute those attacks.
While I wasn't as skilled as Itachi, I had managed to reduce the hand signs required for Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Jutsu to just one. Now, I could move on to learning Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Jutsu, which would be invaluable for deceiving criminals. Additionally, I had begun studying the Interceptor Fist style, a versatile technique that combined offense and defense. It emphasized the principle of always attacking, even when on the defensive. Although some mistakenly associated it with the Uchiha Clan in my previous life, the style actually had no specific clan affiliation. I believed it would be a perfect fit in this world of formidable fighters, especially since my body wasn't yet ready to handle the Strong Fist technique and I couldn't utilize the Gentle Fist as intended.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape, I trudged wearily through the dense forest. The weight of exhaustion pressed down on my shoulders, making each step feel like a monumental effort. My muscles throbbed with fatigue, protesting against the physical strain I had put them through during my training.
My body yearned for rest, for a moment of respite from the relentless training. The thought of releasing the clone I had left at the house to replenish my energy tugged at the edges of my mind, tempting me with the promise of relief. But I knew I had to push through, to reach the sanctuary of the small cave that had become my temporary refuge.
As I trudged closer to the river bank, the sound of rushing water grew louder, its soothing melody providing a faint comfort amidst my exhaustion. The cave, nestled against the river's edge, stood as a humble sanctuary in the midst of nature's embrace. Its entrance, partially concealed by overhanging branches and moss-covered rocks, beckoned me with a promise of shelter and solace.
With each step, the anticipation of reaching the cave grew stronger, fueling my determination to overcome the weariness that threatened to consume me. The sight of the cave's opening, dimly illuminated by the fading light, filled me with a sense of relief and gratitude.
Finally, I stepped into the cool darkness of the cave, feeling a wave of tranquility wash over me. The sound of the river's gentle flow echoed softly within the cavern, creating a soothing ambiance that eased the tension in my weary muscles. I settled down, finding a small corner to rest and recuperate, knowing that within the shelter of this humble cave, I could find the rest and rejuvenation I so desperately needed. Before long, sleep enveloped me.
When I woke up, the world outside was engulfed in darkness. Glancing at my watch, I discovered it was two in the morning. Letting out a groan, I stretched my body, grateful for the resilience granted by my Senju and Uzumaki bloodline, which relieved me of any lingering aches and pains. Stepping out of the cave, I headed towards a nearby spot to relieve myself, savoring the soothing sound of the flowing river as I expelled bodily toxins. However, my peaceful moment was abruptly shattered when I heard growling emanating from behind me.
As I turned around, my eyes met with a menacing Gray Wolf, baring its sharp teeth in a threatening display. It stood slightly shorter than me, measuring at least 4.5 feet in length. The wolf's fur bristled along its back, indicating its readiness to pounce and attack at any given moment.
"Easy, easy," I whispered calmly, my hand reaching for the seal that held my wooden tontos. With a swift release of the seal, the tontos materialized in my grasp just as the wolf lunged towards me. Reacting quickly, I spun out of its path, preparing myself for a counterattack.
Leaf Style: Autumn's Falling Leaf
I brought down my tontos in a powerful vertical slash, striking the wolf with force. However, to my surprise, the impact only managed to push it back slightly. The wolf retaliated by swinging its paws at me, leaving me with little time to react. I managed to raise my tonto just in time to block the blow, but the force of it sent me stumbling backward, ultimately causing me to lose my balance and fall into the nearby river.
Realizing that Ogun was still holding back, I clenched my teeth in frustration. As I looked up, I saw the wolf charging towards me with relentless determination. With little time to react, I managed to raise my wooden sword and jam it into the wolf's mouth, attempting to halt its attack.
However, the wolf's sheer strength began to overpower me. Its massive paws pressed down on my chest, causing immense pressure. Panic surged through me as I realized I couldn't win in this position. Determined, I started channeling chakra into my arms, desperately trying to hold back the wild animal's force. Sensing an opportunity, I positioned my feet under the wolf and attempted to push it off, but its weight proved too much for my small feet to handle.
As excruciating pain surged through my chest, the wolf continued to exert more pressure, forcing me deeper into the water. My vision began to tint red, a sign that blood might be filling my eyes. Determined not to succumb to this dire situation, I mustered the courage for a risky move. With a swift motion, I withdrew my left hand from the wolf's mouth and thrust it directly into its eye, aiming to disorient the creature and seize an advantage.
The wolf let out a piercing howl and leaped backward, but not before its claws dug into my chest, causing a searing pain. Despite the agony, I pushed the pain aside, focusing on the task at hand. With determination, I propelled myself into the air, swiftly weaving a series of hand signs. Despite the sensation of my chest about to burst, I inhaled deeply, drawing in a powerful breath and filling my lungs with air.
"Fire style: Phoenix Sage Justu"
With my hand positioned in front of my mouth, I unleashed a rapid succession of fireballs towards the wolf. Several of them found their mark, causing the wolf to retreat even further. Taking advantage of the moment, I landed safely on the opposite side of the riverbank while the wolf remained submerged in the water. Determined not to let go of my advantage, I swiftly weaved more hand signs, preparing for my next move.
"Lighting Style: Spider Web"
I placed my hand on the water as the wolf started to charge again.
Placing my hand on the water's surface, I prepared for the wolf's renewed charge. With a fierce determination, I yelled, "Eat this, you bastard!" as electricity surged from my hand and traveled through the water.
A loud yelp echoed from the wolf as it convulsed in pain. I held onto the jutsu, refusing to release it until the wolf was burnt to a crisp. Once I was certain of its demise, I dropped down to sit on the ground, my breathing heavier than expected from utilizing two jutsu. The claw marks and loss of blood likely contributed to my fatigue, and the pain in my chest suggested possible broken ribs. Blood still clouded my vision, and I reached for the water, splashing it onto my face without looking. As I gazed up at the moon, I realized that my vision remained tinted red, a lingering reminder of the intense battle.
"Man, Alexis is going to kill me!" I groaned, realizing the consequences of my actions. Curiosity got the better of me, and I leaned over the river, hoping to catch a glimpse of my injuries. To my astonishment, my eyes widened as I saw that they had transformed. They had shifted from their usual black color to a striking crimson red, each eye adorned with a single tomoe. I had unlocked my Sharingan.
The X-Jet swiftly carried Logan and his companions to Tokyo, reducing the travel time to just a few hours. As expected, Ogun was already present, waiting for them on a private airstrip just outside the city.
"Welcome to Japan," the masked man greeted, causing Logan to scoff in response.
"We're not here to play games. Let's hurry up and find these assholes, so I can either kill you or get the hell out of this place," Logan retorted, his voice dripping with displeasure.
"Fine by me. This way, my new driver will transport us to the latest crime scene," Ogun replied calmly, gesturing towards a waiting limousine.
Logan's curiosity got the better of him, and he couldn't help but ask, "What happened to that lackey of yours? Sabo or whatever his name is?" However, Ogun remained silent, leaving the question unanswered as he continued walking towards the waiting limousine. Logan shrugged his shoulders, not particularly caring about the answer, and followed the masked man. The ride was mostly quiet, with Hank engaging the driver in conversation about the local culture.
After an hour of driving, they arrived at a two-story building in Shibuya. Exiting the vehicle, they followed Ogun inside. As Logan stepped into the building, he immediately noticed the destruction and the fresh blood that stained the surroundings.
"This happened last night. Twenty men were slaughtered," Ogun explained, his voice carrying a hint of sadness, a rare emotion for the usually stoic man. Logan couldn't help but notice the change in Ogun's behavior.
"Can you smell anything, Logan? I removed the bodies myself to avoid contaminating the scene," Ogun asked, his tone filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"The police haven't arrived yet?" Hank inquired.
"No, the yakuza wanted to handle this themselves," Ogun replied.
Ororo then asked, "Did you know any of these men?"
"The only one that matters is Ken Satoshi, a fifth-generation Yakuza boss," Ogun quickly responded.
Meanwhile, Logan focused on his heightened sense of smell. Initially, all he could detect was the overwhelming scent of blood. However, he soon caught a peculiar aroma that piqued his interest. Tuning out the ongoing conversation, Logan followed the scent, making his way down the hallway. As he progressed, the scent grew stronger, leading him to look up and notice that it led upstairs.
"What have you found, Logan?" Ororo asked, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I'm not entirely sure, but it smells like a massive snake. They tried to conceal or erase the scent, but nothing can escape my nose," Logan informed them. Intrigued, they all followed Logan as he led them up the stairs, eventually reaching the rooftop. The scent was strongest there, as if the person responsible had ceased their attempts to hide.
Logan sniffed the air, analyzing the situation. "He came up here and it seems he jumped from roof to roof in an attempt to escape," Logan explained. "Storm, call the X-Jet and put it in camouflage mode. I want you guys to follow me through the air. It shouldn't take long to reach our target."
With a nod, Ororo quickly contacted the X-Jet and followed Logan's instructions. Logan proceeded to jump onto the next roof, closely followed by Ogun. After leaping across four different buildings, Logan couldn't help but comment, "You could have just waited in the jet." However, Ogun remained silent, his focus unwavering. Logan's eyes caught sight of the wakizashi strapped to Ogun's lower back, causing him to huff in annoyance before refocusing on the task at hand.
For the next 30 minutes, they continued their pursuit until they reached one of the entrances to the underground flood tunnels. Logan's senses told him that the source of the scent was inside.
"It's coming from in there," Logan stated, extending his claws as he prepared to enter. The scent had transformed from that of a snake to the unmistakable stench of death. Logan heard Ogun draw his blade, ready for whatever awaited them.
"Storm, you and Beast stay in the jet," Logan instructed through his earpiece.
"Roger," responded Ororo, as Logan and Ogun ventured into the tunnels. As they walked, the stench became almost unbearable for Logan. He scanned the area constantly, not knowing whether Ogun would attack or if the person would come jumping out of darkness.
Ogun grew weary of the seemingly endless walk through the vast tunnel. They had been walking for an hour, and the pervasive aura of evil still permeated the air, causing Ogun to keep his sword unsheathed. Uncharacteristically, Ogun felt compelled to engage in conversation.
"I have taken on another student," Ogun announced, causing Logan to halt in his tracks. Logan turned around to face Ogun, his expression filled with skepticism.
"What, you gonna mess that kid's life up too?" Logan retorted, his voice laced with disdain.
"Well, I can't. It's a job for S.H.I.E.L.D. They watch me 24/7, except when I'm dealing with my personal business, like now," Ogun explained. Logan studied Ogun for a moment, contemplating his words, before turning around and resuming their search.
"I'm surprised you're working for them," Logan remarked, his eyes scanning their surroundings for any signs of danger.
"They paid well. Besides, the boy is talented. I even considered kidnapping him to kill you," Ogun replied calmly, earning a chuckle from Logan.
"What's the brat's name?" Logan inquired.
"Khalid Coulson. I'm not sure if he's a mutant or not. All I know is that I can't read his mind, and he's a fast learner," Ogun explained. The silence hung in the air for a few moments before either of them spoke again.
"Never heard you compliment anyone before," Logan remarked softly.
"I know. Just wanted someone to know that. Just in case I don't make it out of here alive," Ogun replied, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability.
Confused, Logan turned around to face Ogun, only to see the man's sword already in motion. Reacting instinctively, Logan raised his hands in an X-shaped block, bracing for the attack. However, to his surprise, the blow never came. He turned to see Ogun standing behind him, his attention focused on something on the floor.
"Hey, what's the big idea?!" Logan shouted, his frustration evident as he approached Ogun. The masked man remained silent, his gaze fixed on whatever lay on the floor. Curiosity getting the better of him, Logan followed Ogun's line of sight and was met with a sight that sent a shiver down his spine.
On the ground lay the head of an enormous snake, its size suggesting it could easily swallow a human whole. Before Logan could react, a voice surrounded them, sending a chill down their spines.
"To think you saw my pet coming," the voice taunted, its eerie tone causing Ogun to feel as if snakes were slithering all over his body.
Logan's senses heightened, ready to confront the unknown threat that lurked in the shadows.