Contributor: Flyingdutchm4n and Mustard. Major contributor in GTA lore is my Australian friend No Vigilance. I want to thank all three for helping me out with this chapter.
Right now I am dealing with the Flu, so expect little progress for now. As getting sick sucks.
Anyway, enjoy the chapter and leave reviews please, it supports the story.
Enjoy!
Flashback
Iraq
2006
Iraq was in a state of chaos with it having been 3 years since the previous government was thrown out, the middle-eastern country was still in a state of crisis from all sides. With the whole invasion having been one heck of a mess that could be seen from the television.
"LOOK OUT!"
But also from those being in midst of that war, right there and now, as in the central region of Saladin. A military convoy was stopped by a surprise attack by insurgents who trapped them in the middle of the highway with the help of guerilla tactics.
The convoy consisted of less than a dozen military trucks with two Humvees that were stuck in the middle of the highway road with the front vehicle, a light APC having been knocked out of action by an IED that destroyed it and set it into flames. The insurgents were firing from the hillsides, and targeted the convoy and the police checkpoint that had officers already laying dead on the ground.
Once the explosion stopped the convoy, the sound of gunfire erupted from all sides as it was an prepared ambush that got every gun being fired at to any direction.
"RPG!"
A projectile was seen flying right towards one of the military Humvees that was about to be hit, but instead it happened to skim over the truck and hit a civilian car-
*BOOM!*
The car exploded into flames as screams of pain could be heard briefly as the flames also quickly ended the lives of the occupants of that tiny car. Leaving no survivors.
"Shit! We're lucky!" One of the men next to the Humvee he was taking cover spoke to his men through his comms. "Keep those desert monkeys away from us!" He shouted before firing his rifle at the nearby hill.
The insurgents were firing small arms from the high ground, having perfect cover to pin down the whole convoy with even a few mortar rounds having been fired alongside RPG missiles.
It also happened to be that multiple cars of civilians were caught in the middle of the crossfire, with parents seen throwing themselves over their children or seen running out of the highway, with already some of those civvies having been hit by gunfire if not killed.
RATATATATATAT!
The sound of a 50. Cal firing was loud and clear on the Humvee. With the gunnery having his eyes fixated on the insurgents on the hill that was filled with them. With the group commander of the Humvee seeing the results at first hand of how the suppressing fire was forcing them into cover.
"Keep them down, like that!" The commander with the beard slammed twice at the Humvee's door as he pointed out. "Stack them up!"
A couple of more Humvees were seen arriving at the spot, alone they were different and were official US Army personnel, with the first person coming out was an Army officer with an M4 rifle.
"Whoever is in command of this convoy - Identify yourself!" The Sgt of the unit was an African American who walks up to the bearded man he approached. "Sergeant Vernon, at your service."
"Lieutenant Mickelson! Merryweather Security Consultant!"
"Merryweather? You mean the PMC?!" Vernon ducked his head from a whistling bullet. "What the hell are you guys doing? With that much equipment nothing less!"
"Calm your horses, Sergeant." The Merryweather commander spoke. "We were ordered to bring all this equipment to Mosul, and that's what we're doing-"
"RPG!"
Another projectile was seen fired from the hilltop, and it was a direct hit against the Merryweather commander's Humvee! With the engine hit and causing a fireball that it blasted everything around its proximity, including the mercs and civilians around it.
"Agh!" One of the Merryweather mercs got slung into the front window of a truck, with the head smashing through it and killing him on impact.
"Lieutenant, I order you and your men to move back!" The Army Sergeant told him. "Your men are sitting ducks and are endangering the civvies!"
Some of the civilians were trying to run for cover in between the stuck cars, but some of the gunfire even struck through the car glass and wounded them through it. Truly caught in without any escape.
"I am endangering them?" The lieutenant barked back. "Those savages are the ones who are firing at my men-"
"Sir! One of the Humvees are moving!"
The attention was really turned to the dirt next to the Highway, where an Humvee with an 50. Cam was seen driving towards the enemy stronghold up the hill, with the gunner seen firing at the insurgents.
It was the sole surviving Humvee of the Merryweather convoy - and it was charging forwards.
…
In that Humvee a team of three was in it, the driver alongside the spotter and the gunnery on the top gun, with all three seen working to the best of their ability to push the threat back.
"I spot three enemies! Behind that big rock!"
"Got it!"
The 50. Cal gunner was squeezing the trigger as he laid fire down on the enemy position, neutralizing the first two he spotted while the third tried to escape but got cut down by two shells in the back, shredding through the torso with fatal injuries.
More concentrated fire was being made by the Insurgents, who started to shoot at the truck with some of the bullets managing to hit the front window with the driver narrowly being hit twice.
"N, keep stacking them up - they are really pissed now!"
"On it." The gunner with the protective goggles with a scarf around his face, was seen aiming higher, firing more rounds at the enemy position as the large caliber bullets were causing panic among those terrorists who were getting caught, with even one unfortunate ambusher getting hit by shrapnel in the leg.
"Left! Left! Left!"
Behind one rock, a terrorist was seen pulling out a pack of explosives-
"Got it!" The gunnery shouted as he took a hard left turn with the gun and started firing.
It only took a few shots before the terrorist went down with his arm being ripped off by one 50. Cal bullet having severed his arm. The man was falling down and heard screaming before-
*BOOM!*
The screams ended with the explosion, causing even a sudden object was seen flying over to the-
*THUD!*
"Ugh, what the-" The gunnery man said feeling something landed on his head, and felt it leaning against his right shoulder, he instantly grabbed and saw he was holding a piece of the insurgent's body in his hand.
It was a limb, a hand to be exact, with a ring on it.
"N! Focus on the enemy!"
The 50. Cal's gunnery was back on his focus as he threw the hand away and kept firing the heavy machine gun at the incoming enemies.
"RPG!"
An rocket projectile was seen coming right for them, but it hit a rock next to them, causing it to explode and send more chunks of rocks to land on the Humvee, with some dents to be made and even one of the side window.
"H, spot for me!"
"12' clock!"
The gunnery spotted the RPG and fired at will, with the next burst of rounds hitting the group in front of the intended target, who were quickly neutralized by the hail of bullets, right when the insurgent with the anti-tank weapon had loaded another rocket.
"Get that S.O.B before he fires it, kid!"
The gunnery aimed a little bit higher and fires another burst of 50. Cal. With the first bullets managing to hit the area around the insurgent-
Then two hit the man's gut and torso, basically going through and penetrating the flesh with blood splatting into the rocks behind him as the insurgent fell down to the ground dead before he could even hit the ground.
"Targets neutralized. Good work, N."
Radio chatter was heard, from the US army comms.
"Cease fire, cease fire. Army's taking it from here. Hostiles are on the run, secure the area and hunt them down."
That was the radio going off as the fighting had now mostly come to an end, finishing the ambush, with now most of the insurgents seemingly having gone on the run at the sight of seeing US Humvees chasing after them.
"Mizu One. Get back here." The Lieutenant spoke over the comms. "Pronto."
…
Driving back to the back of the convoy, the Humvee dubbed as 'Mizu One' was clearly battered up by the amount of bullet holes, dirt and dents from the gunfight it had experienced. As it was driving past the civilians who were trying to pick up the pieces.
Arriving at the back, Sgt Vernon and the Merryweather Lieutenant were seen waiting for the cowboys of the day to come out. With then the two front doors seen slung open.
"Good work on that. Mizu One." The Lieutenant said to the team that was getting out. "There was no need for that but you just-"
"Shut your yap already, Lieutenant."
Shutting up, the Lieutenant nodded as he stepped aside to allow the Sergeant to see who was coming out of the Humvee.
Coming out of the driver's seat a man in his late 30's hit the ground. With his tall stature and fairly muscular build, the man cut an imposing figure. Even more compounded by his pale, almost grey skin tone. He wore a standard-issue military urban camo uniform with an Anzio 20MM Anti-material rifle slung around his shoulder with a heavy-duty strap. He could be considered a professional military man, if not for the cloth mask covering his lower face and a Merryweather cap on his head covering most of his spiky black hair.
Coming out of the shotgun seat was afairly unusual woman, who had her hair pulled back into a ponytail which in turn was pulled through the hole in the back of a similar Merryweather cap as the masked man. She, much like her compatriot wore an Urban Camo suit with plastic-lined combat boots. Unlike the other, however, the woman had a STEYR-AUG strapped to her back.
"Captain Zabuza Momochi, Merryweather Security Consulting." The first man introduced himself towards the Army Sergeant. "I'm sorry for the inconvenience."
"None taken, I saw you pushed those bastards back, I gotta give you that." Sgt Vernon said before turning to the female. "Thanks for the help, ma'am…"
"Haku Yuki, Staff Sergeant." The person known as Haku smiled. "Thank you for taking it over for us."
"Don't sweat it sir, it's our job anyway." The Sergeant replied. "Your gunner took up most of the fun however, he's a damn good shot."
"I don't see anything fun about any of this."
The three turned around to face the Gunner.
Sitting on top of the Humvee, checking the 50. Cal, a young man could be seen wearing the same Merryweather Desert camo clothing like his two colleagues. His own personalized touch was a gray scarf that covered the lower half of his face and the wraparound goggles that kept the sand out of his blue eyes. Blond untamed hair was left waving in the wind as he grabbed for an old-fashioned AR-10 with the pistol belt open where a Taurus Raging Bull model revolver was visible hanging off his hip.
The blond jumped off the vehicle as he walked over to his team and the Sergeant who he extended his hand to.
"But I suppose it's always nice to meet new people," he grunted in good humor, "Naruto Uzumaki, at your service."
2008
Sitting in his cab that was parked inside the depot. All the car doors were wide open as he was not on shift today, but instead he was listening to the radio that he had on. Hearing what the weather forecast would be for the city for the coming weekend.
That, and he was also seen counting his money that he was given by Jacob. Seeing that the job was a bit of a success, he was given around $500 of the take.
'This weekend is predicted to have a sunny overtone for the whole of the city. With temperatures being well enough that might extend to the week.'
A small smile appeared on Naruto's lips as he heard the weather, unable to help but think of this being a nice chance to go and ask Fu out, to do something fun. It had been a while since.
"Hey, Ruto!" One of the other cab drivers came back with the vacuum cleaner. "You're wanted in Roman's office."
"Alright, heard you." Naruto said throwing the keys to the cleaner. "Mind taking over?"
The colleague nodded and caught the keys while Naruto walked over towards the office.
…
Sitting right behind the desk, Mallorie and Roman were clearly disturbed as they saw Naruto enter.
"Hey boss, wassup?" Naruto asked as he turned to the office.
"Naruto…you got visitors."
"Who?"
"Me boy."
That voice alerted Naruto, and he turned right towards the plastic chairs where he recognized the man sitting on it, in traditional Japanese clothing was a elderly man with graying black hair, with bandages covering most of his head. Accompanied by two men in black suit uniforms.
"It's been a while, Naruto Uzumaki."
Naruto's eyes glared at the elderly man and held no words back.
"What do you want, Danzo?"
Danzō Shimura, that was the name of the man who now was standing up with his cane. A human being who was best fitting of the phrasing 'Beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young.'
A veteran of the Second World War, he was a junior officer of the ruthless Kempeitai until its dismantlement. But that did not deter the War Hawk Danzō who in the Cold War was an helpful operator in the South East Asian region against Communism until the early 90s. That he had no problem making his hands dirty, having built up a Paramilitary Organization that merged itself with Merryweather Security Consulting, with his responsibility being the intelligence advisor and the head of the Black Ops operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, he held an high position in many circles.
Some whispers have been made about said crimes, but because of his level of secrecy, they remain whispers. Anything that threatens those whispers into getting louder is... Processed.
Walking up to the middle of the room, the bandaged man looked around and simply stated.
"So this is where you've been these past months. Kind of dangerous considering you have overstayed your welcome to this country."
"You didn't answer me question, old man." Naruto said as he glared at him. "What. Do. You. Want?"
The two guards were seen ready to intervene, expecting an confrontation until the old man raised his hand up, halting them with their action.
"I am in town for some business and I happen to be told that you were still in the city." Danzō stated as he went on. "The fact is that one of my best ANBU agents is still here, made me to make a small appointment to make a small visit."
Both Mallorie and Roman were looking confused at what the bandaged man was saying, and it made them wonder what it was all about. But they were still ignored to the background as the conversation went on.
"You have a lot of nerve to come up here saying I was your best agent." Naruto however was not liking the sight of his old employer, and he made it clear. "Especially after I got laid off."
"Don't forget you were the one who decided to have an episode at your grandmother's funeral."
…
That was a comment perhaps best not said wisely in a heated conversation. But this was Danzō who was speaking.
"But I didn't waste my time to come all the way to Broker for simply say that…"
*Tap*
Naruto stared down at the counter and saw that the old man left an envelope. The old man bowed his head slightly.
"Good day, Uzumaki."
Making his leave, the two guards followed suit as they ignored the glare Naruto was giving to them, as he had one last thing to say to them right as they were out.
"To think I used to work for you…"
"Hmm?" Mallorie asked. "You worked for that guy?"
"Yeah…in Iraq." Naruto admitted before he then turned around and took the envelope and shoved it away into his cargo pockets.
Roman asked curiously. "You're not going to read that?"
"I'll do it later." Naruto said as he turned to his boss. "Where's Niko?"
*Tring!*
"Oh, excuse me, it's my phone." Mallorie said standing up and walking out as she was heard answering. "Oh hey Vlad…"
Both men heard that, and frankly they both did not like it for the slightest bit. Each for different reasons. With Roman groaning first.
"Really…now…" Roman said rubbing his temples as he sighed in frustration before he focused back to work. "But anyway, if you want to know where Niko is, he's doing some work. So no need to worry."
Naruto sighed and threw his hand asking. "Alright then, anything I gotta do?"
"Yes, there's a customer waiting for a pickup." Roman said giving info of the fare on a note. "Go to Dukes to the Steinway projects just below the E.I.C subway station."
"Alright then." Naruto said as he accepted the note and noticed something lacked. "What, no name? Just a fare?"
"You find that a problem?" Roman asked. "I can get somebody else to do it."
Naruto thought for a moment before he shrugged it off. "No, it's no problem. I'll do it."
"Take Mohammed's car, he's off for today." Roman said, throwing the keys for Naruto to catch them. "He just cleaned it."
"Thanks." Naruto said as he walked out.
Later
After having arrived at the Steinway Projects, Naruto felt like he had been fooled.
Having now arrived at the Steinway Projects, Naruto was simply seen just leaning against the Esperanto cab with patience as he was planning to wait for at least another half hour. But he also knew this most likely was a prank call, so he could be taking this as a break.
*!*
"Ugh…" Naruto rubbed his stomach, feeling the place where he was hit with the welcoming of the dealers he had to dispose in that little raid - something he honestly wished not to think about.
"Thank Kami they were bad shots…"
It was then that a Silver Blista happened to drive up the street, with loud rap music heard coming from the stereo. The car had two black males inside of it who happened to notice Naruto there and waiting, but they just drove past and then parked right up the parking spot not far from him.
"Hey man, I say you way to patience for that. I say get that money!"
"Fool, you know I cannot just do that."
Naruto heard the two black men speaking loudly while coming out of their car seats. With the one coming out of the passenger seat being an obese guy in a blue jacket while the other, who was the driver seen wearing a vest, and they both were seen arguing over something.
"You know that Clarence is holding out on that pay, bruh." The fat man argued. "First he contracts you to help up hit that big mouth Dominican, and when things go bad, he acts like we don't fucking exist?"
"Maybe say it a bit louder, nigga. The others could not hear you." The driver scoffed at his friend as he pulled out from the back of his Blista an empty bucket and a sponge. "I say we wait and let Clarence call. I am in no need for the police to come down here for a fucking phone call."
Overhearing that conversation that was borderline incriminating, Naruto just shook his head and turned back to his car as he decided to wait for the fare inside the car.
…
15 minutes later
Still waiting, Naruto was now fully convinced he was not going to get a customer today.
"Roman, you've been duped again, and I am wasting my time here for that."
Having waited for a while now, the Uzumaki turned on the ignition of the car, ready to leave when he suddenly noticed something in his rear window.
Walking down the subway station was Niko, to his surprise. As he was seen looking around, his eyes seem to be focused on the guys standing near the Silver Blista they were cleaning up.
*Honk!*
Naruto's honking got Niko's attention as he spotted the blond Japanese young man and walked right towards him, just as when Naruto rolled down the windows of the passenger seat.
"Niko, what are you doing here?"
"I can ask the same for you." Niko countered calmly with a shrug. "You know, for a big city, we both come to each other's paths very easily."
"Well, blame Roman." Naruto argued as he explained. "Supposed to be waiting for a fare here, but I figure out someone just prank called me."
It happened when the two men were talking, out of the corner a car drove by. A Black SUV Cavalcade that was driving down the projects street.
"So why are you here?" Naruto asked.
"I need to collect a car." Niko said as he leaned closer. "You see the Silver Blista?"
"Yeah, I've noticed them. Local hoodlums, and I say that with knowledge." Naruto commented on the argument he heard earlier. "I say they are perhaps pushovers, but they might carry a gun on them, just so you know."
It happened then that the Cavalcade drove by the cab, and was nearing the guys at the Blista. Slowly going up to them with one of the windows down.
"Appreciate the advice, but-" Niko said until he then noticed. "Hey…look."
The SUV stopped right next to the guys with the Blista, and it looked like the two guys noticed the car with the fat man seen speaking up first upon seeing the driver.
"Man what you want, ese? You know where you at-"
*BANG!*
The first gunshot already got everybody in the neighborhood to run for their lives. Knowing this as protocol, except for two.
Right in front of their eyes, Niko and Naruto watched how the fat man stumbled back after getting hit in the chest by a gunshot, and falling against the ride with his hand to his stomach.
Then coming out of the SUV was a man covered in black clothing, black shoes, pants, black sweater and even a balaclava and gloves - carrying a small gun!
"Payback, Puto!"
"Shit!" The man in the vest cursed as tried to run but he already was getting shot at by the hitman who was unloading the clip at the fleeing man, hitting him multiple times in the back until he dropped to the ground in broad daylight.
"Finish him off!" The SUV driver called. "Finish him!"
The gunman did and ran up towards the vest man, who was seen trying to crawl away with blood coming out of his clothes but he got very unlucky with the gunman seen emptying the full clip of the pistol into his back, shoulder and head. Killing the gang member in execution style from up close.
"Sleep well, bitch."
The gunman then began running back to the SUV, but he then noticed the fat man bleeding against the Blista, with his jacket really soaking in blood as he was wincing in pain.
"Sorry bro, but your boy fucked up." The gunman said, aiming the gun at fat man's head. "Should've been strapped up."
"Fuck you-"
The gunman fired two more shots into the fat man's head, both hitting the right temple and making the body slum to the left. Leaving the gunman to then hop back inside the Cavalcade and slamming the door.
"Vamos!"
The engine roared as the SUV left in a hurry as it took a right turn violently on the intersection and leaving the scene fast as it could.
Naruto and Niko looked up and saw the shooters had left the scene, with them both now themselves in a hurry.
"We gotta go now." Naruto said turning the engine on. "Cops will be all over the spot."
"But I-" Niko wanted to say something about the Blista, but saw it had blood spattered all over it and shook his head. "Fuck. Let's get out of here."
Hopping inside the back seat of Naruto's ride, the cab then drove off as the sirens could be heard from afar. Luckily for them nobody else noticed their fleeing, giving them the clear getaway from a situation they did not wanted to be in.
Few Hours later
In Mohawk Avenue, there was a small bar that was popular for the local Hove Beach Russian community, named Comrade's Bar-
"You fucking peasant cannot do a simple job, can you?" Vlad was shouting at the two who entered the bar, with his anger focused mainly on Niko. "Stealing a fucking car is suddenly too hard for you to do?!"
At the moment the bar was void of anyone standing, except for the clearly blackout drunk named Mel who was laying unconsciously on the floor next to the pool table, with Mickey the bartender being in the back as instructed by Vlad. who proceeded to cuss out Niko for the inability to get the car.
"Hey, hey. I couldn't do anything about it." Niko held his hand out, standing his ground as he made his point. "I was about to take the car until two guys in a car pulled up and shot the owner and his friend in front of my eyes."
"Oh? You scared for some street punks, Yokel?" Vlad said, faking his shocked expression as he went further. "Isn't that what I am paying you to do? Play tough guy against the people who owe me money, or do you want me to collect that from your fat fucking cousin?!"
Niko was on the verge of anger when he suddenly was interrupted by Naruto who stepped in.
"Hold on, Vlad. Niko couldn't even get inside the car if he couldn't, think for a moment." The blond said as he put it into a row. "The car had blood spattered all over the rear and the cop sirens could be heard. And even when he did escape the area with the car. How long do you think it would take for someone in this city to spot the car with the blood on it?"
At this point Naruto stood face to face with Vlad, both of them were not backing down and it was clear to see that the two did not like each other for one moment, with the situation being tense.
It was however Vlad who stepped down and turned back to Niko. "Is that true? Was there blood on it?"
"Yes…it was there…" Niko replied harshly and added. "The man who owed you money is also dead. He tried to run but was shot where he fell."
Vlad hearing this, knew that it meant there was nothing that could be done. Seeing that if the car was taken, it would not help of him being connected to a double murder for a simple repossession. So he turned his face back to Naruto, to whom he gave a clear glare.
"Okay you, I take your word for it and that of the yokel. But it's also costing you some money. For that idiot who now just died." Vlad said to him before telling him. "Now get out of my face, peasant."
"My pleasure….your majesty." Naruto retorted back, the sarcasm being heard clearly as he walked to the front door while passing by Niko.
"And for you, yokel… I'll tell you what to do to pay off that debt for that car."
Niko just glared at him, forced to listen to this slob.
"What is it?"
…
Outside the bar
Once outside, Naruto just happened to cross over the street as he then intended to go back to his own place. As he had already brought the car back to the depot and he had a free day.
Just then when he reached across the street, still frustrated, he then got a phone call ringing.
*Tring!*
Looking down to his pants, he reached to the pocket and answered it immediately without looking at the screen first.
"Hello?"
"RUTO! Buddy, it's me, Brucie!"
That was the voice of one of Naruto's first people he met in Liberty City. The eccentric, over-trained, hyper, crazed out, but loveable goofball named Brucie Kibbutz. The owner of a garage, Brucie was known for his love for fast cars, models, nightclubs and also testing questionable wonder medicine that he was using to pump his body up.
"Oh my…Brucie." The sheer voice of that guy made Naruto smile as all his frustrations went way in a swift. "It's been a while since I heard from you. How are you doing?"
"Nothing, man, nothing serious! Except for my abs of course, BAM! Wanted to speak to you, my eastern brother. Been into business for way too long. Having done some working from the ground up to the top! Real shit, you know what I mean?"
"I…think so?" Naruto replied, obviously Brucie's way of communicating was even harder than Jacob's accent, but he wasn't bothered by it as he asked up. "What have you been working on, your balls by any chance? If so may I remind you that Bull Shark testosterone can do some damage to that."
"Not that shit again bro, my balls are fine! Golden! Ask the ladies who I banged last night, both of them! But on a serious note, I've been busy working on a big project I have been eager to tell you."
Naruto asked. "Oh, and what's that?"
"Body Beyond! My own gym chain, bro! Brucie's going into the fitness game and I want YOU to be my very first customer! So what do you say?"
"Do I look like I need to lose weight?" Naruto asked over the phone. "I don't know what Roman's been telling you, but I haven't been eating those bleeder burgers in a while. American fast food really is a drug of its own."
"No! It's to keep your physique good, my man. You need to maintain your genetic genes, bro. I heard you haven't been going to a gym in a long time, and frankly, working out down below in the basement really should not be the best exercise you should do, man. At least check the promo video."
"Promo video?" Naruto asked. "What promo video?"
"The one on my very own website! I've sent you the link in a mail. Go check it out at a Internet café while you can." Brucie explained as he was even heard pleading. "Please bro, I'm begging you! From one big build brother to another, please-"
"Alright, alright." Naruto gave in, knowing Brucie would not stop. "I'll go check it out, okay?"
A cheering Brucie was heard. "Great! Great! You don't know how much you are making me happy man! I cannot wait for the both of us to be seen working out in the sight of all the ladies, bro. You won't regret this!"
"I'll try my best not to." Naruto responded. "I'll speak to you soon, Brucie."
"Yeah, real soon - peace!"
…
Comrade's Bar
Having now sat in one of the corners in the back, where now Vlad had given Niko the following chance to clean the mess-up from today.
"You want me…to kill…your friend Ivan?"
"He's not my friend, merely a enforcer of mine." Vlad told him, not finished. "The point is, you kill him, whatever happened back there today is forgotten and I wipe partly your cousin's debt."
Hearing this out was making Niko frown at this proposition, as he had once seen the man named Ivan who he saw hugging Vlad like he was a brother. What could've caused this to turn into a hit being put on this guy's back?
"May I know why?"
"He's angered Mikhail... Mr. Faustin. Offended him." Vlad told him the reasons to him. "He thinks he's stealing some paperwork from Roman. You catch him, and kill him... then we say it was just a robbery that failed."
Niko raised his eyebrow and questioned. "And what if I say I don't want to be your hitman?"
"Then Mr. Faustin will be very angry with you...and your cousin." Vlad argued back with a warning. "He'll be at his home now on Wappinger Avenue. I'll say wait until he's out of his house in the morning."
"Fine." Niko said as he stood up. "I'm leaving."
"Good, you're annoying me." Vlad says as he watched as Niko left the bar through the front door, just when then his own cellphone started ringing and he picked it up fast.
"Hey gorgeous, yeah where were we?... Okay now listen, let's talk about tonight…"
Outlook
Inside the internet café, there were very few people inside seen working on the many computers that were on for the usage of anyone who were on the online web for various reasons. Which still to this day was seen as a fad by the majority of the population, still perceived as a main tool for nerds, socially distant folks and weirdos.
But it wasn't a fad, and the stereotypes were far from it, it was a new way of communicating, connecting and opportunities that was just in the beginning phases. Like what Naruto was doing now as he was checking his emails.
And the video he was watching - was astonishing.
"Go buy a subscription to Body Beyond!" Brucie shouted into the camera as he walked back, showing his exposed upper body while flexing himself as he was joined by two models in training shorts who touched his pecks. "Train your body! Your mind and your appeal to withstand everything! From bad health, to shitty bosses and to get hot babes! Buy a subscription, not next week! Not tomorrow! Now, Now, NOW!"
Veteran discount at 50%! Contact us on our number or check the info on our website!
Naruto chuckled as he clicked on the link and he proceeded to check out the site, where already it was shown to have multiple locations that were in driving distance away. Specifically in East Hook, South Bohan, Middle Park, and Alderney City. basically having the whole area in a lock as expansion was still happening with possible new locations in the future with newer hardware and training hardware..
Because even when that roid-man can say a lot of bullshit, there were two things he would not mess with: cars and gym equipment….and thirdly his mirror.
"Damn, Brucie. You actually managed to convince me."
Going to buy a subscription, in less than ten minutes Naruto had already purchased a subscription of the Beyond Body Gym, with the Premium being free access to the drinks that come in the bar and a private bathroom., which was an even more excellent deal. Costing perhaps him only around $75 a month while the normal count was one $150.
"Now that is done, I-"
*You got mail!*
Naruto looked at the pop-up and clicked on it, bringing him back to his regular mails and saw that he had a bunch of unanswered mails waiting to be opened. Around half a dozen of them. With a few eye-catchers to be correct, with clicking on the first one he spotted - from Kiba!
Hey Naruto, Kiba here.
Hope you doing alright, we haven't heard from you in almost half a year. Mom and Hana want to send their regards to you, of course. They all miss you.
Here's a picture of me and Akamaru. Hope you still remember him.
Hope you respond fast enough, but not too fast like me how I used to win in foot races, ha!
Cheers!
Underneath the email was indeed a picture of Kiba and his oversized dog Akamaru, and it brought a smile to Naruto's face seeing those two having grown up. He decided to write back.
Hey Kiba, long time no hear.
Good to see Akamaru grown up like that, the old buddy deserves a walking pal like you.
I am doing alright, just doing my time here in the US. I make my money by driving around Liberty City as a cab driver. Nothing too hard to do, even for you, I suppose.
Tell your mother and sister my regards, and keep in touch.
Naruto.
"Send."
Having send that email, Naruto then scrolled through the other messages, of some who were Romans that were unimportant or that of stupid ads for reunions, but one that did catch his attention was that of Tenten.
Naruto, it's me, Tenten.
Sorry again for Grandmother Mito's passing, she was an nice lady, and she sure has lived a long life. Always sweet, nice, and supportive. What those bastard done to you was BS.
I heard you were in the US these days, that you haven't returned to Japan even when you are not answering your calls or sending letters back. Well, there is going to be some changes if I ever see you.
If you still are in the US, just so you know that I am in Alderney now these days, as I've told you before that I planned to move out of Japan and start a new life. Who knows if we see each other.
See ya.
Now that was a shock to read, Tenten was in Alderney of all places? It sounded both good and bad to him for a variety of reasons, but mostly good given both of them got great with each other. Seeing there was no phone number attached, and the email address was that from Japan to which he knew she didn't use anymore, he couldn't reach her anymore.
"Excuse me."
Naruto felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Alejandra, the employee of this café had approached him and had a note in her hand.
"Some man told me to give this to you." She gave it to him as she warned. "Also your hour is done, want to stay and pay for another hour?"
"… No, no it's fine." He replied as he stood up and grabbed his jacket and logged himself off from the computer. "Thank you, J."
"You're welcome." The blonde woman nicely replied before walking off. Leaving Naruto alone as he started walking out the door with this small piece of paper that had a number on it.
Once he walked outside, he thought it was for the best to try to call it somewhere safe, so he walked over to the phone booth
Entering the booth, Naruto did not take long to then dial in the number in and throw in some coin as he waited for the phone to ring, holding the horn to his ear and he waited.
"Hello?"
"Yes, you gave this number to the woman in the internet café. Told her to give it to me." Naruto began and asked straight up. "Who is this?"
"Ah, I was waiting for you to call me. *Snort* I've been keeping my eye on you. I'd like to speak with you in person, there is something I would like to discuss with you about."
"Sorry mister, but I believe you got the wrong person." Naruto sounded as he felt like this might even be a misunderstanding or some kind of salesman. "I'll be hanging up so-"
"You're Naruto Uzumaki, born October 10th 1987 in Tokyo, Japan. Born to both deceased Minato Namikaze and missing Kushina Uzumaki, with a sibling named Narumi."
… Naruto was stunned, he didn't say his name to this person, nor his family.
"Nothing much interesting in your youthful days of course, your father died while you were young, your mother disappeared, taken care of by your elders until you then took a attempted murder charge at your 17th and was given a special parole program that you took of which you would serve in the ANBU/ROOT program of Merryweather until your contract was terminated this year. Even with a record of service like yours, I'd expected to give you some kind of package, but of course big money goes first even over the grave of your grandmother."
Naruto asked straight up, angered as he demanded. "Who the hell is this, and how the fuck did you get my file?!"
"There's no need to for hasty introductions as I am in no hurry myself. I'll keep in touch with you, good day. Also don't bother redialing the number, It won't be used again."
"Answer me-"
*click!*
The connection ended with the beeping sound being the only thing heard on the horn, leaving Naruto to only put the thing back to hang.
"Teme…"
*Tring!*
Naruto's phone started to then go off and he quickly pulled it out to see it was Niko who was calling him and he answered it.
…
Unbeknownst him, he was being observed from a distance, just on a bench in Middle Park sat a man who was presumably in his midlife crisis, balding and a pair of glasses with a cane to walk on while wearing a jacket. He was seen removing every part of a cellphone he just used a few minutes prior.
"Always interesting to see new blood…No, that doesn't work for me."
Night
Down in Wappinger Avenue in the Esperanto taxi cab sat Naruto alongside Niko who was driving. Both having met up only a few hours ago after the blond was called up by Roman's cousin to here and wait in front the row of houses, and being informed what they were doing…
And quite frankly, the feelings were mutual.
"Doing a hit for Vlad?" Naruto shook his head while asking. "We've really managed to hit rock bottom, haven't we?"
"So it seems." Niko agreed, sighing as he held his head against the palm of his hand. "So what do we know about this Ivan?"
"Not much, except he's an enforcer for Vlad." Naruto said, having little to some knowledge. "Did time for embezzlement, burglary, so nothing dangerous I guess."
Niko looked at him. "How do you know what he did?"
Smirking for a moment, Naruto then admitted. "Jacob and Badman stole a computer of the LCPD a few years ago. It helps if you want info."
"Speaking about it, how's your wound doing?" Niko brought up. "It still stings?"
"Thanks for reminding me…" Naruto winced as he pulled up his shirt and showed the purple covered bruise on his body before putting his shirt back down. "Not going to do Jacob any favors for now, at least… Just hang out."
"Yeah, I think so too." Niko agreed as he found the Rasta likeable. "He sounds weird, but he's good to Roman."
"He's not taking advantage of him, that's for sure.
*BURST!*
Then the two watched as a door was busted open and running out was Ivan himself, who spotted the car with the two in it immediately, and panic could be read on his face.
"Chyort!" Ivan cursed as he was holding onto something as ran inside his Ruiner and drove off as quickly as possible.
"Shit, he got tipped off?" Niko said as he started the engine. "Let's finish this."
Naruto cocked his pistol. "Go!"
The Esperanto quickly took after the Ruiner and the chase began, with the cab they started chasing the black-gold car across Hove Beach, much to their dismay as they were hoping to not get spotted or even literally drive past some cop car that would witness it.
The Ruiner drove off towards East Hook, literally going across South Broker with that speed, you were just asking to crash.
"That prick Vlad making me kill this guy." Niko said irritated. "Man!
"Try not to get us killed, N!" Naruto said holding onto the car.
The chase even proceeded to Rotterdam Hill until the two cars crossed right through the intersection, forcing other cars to stop before they could crash, with some very angry reactions.
"Fucking immigrants!"
The Ruiner continued to drive across several neighborhoods, with the Esperanto still on its tail, the car drove towards Firefly Projects, taking a shortcut into a alleyway and-
-CRASH!
The Ruiner ended up crashing against a small build pillar that stopped the fleeing Russian on the spot, and smashing the engine to bits. Totally putting the car out of commission.
Kicking his door open, the bloodied Ivan held the head wound as he proceeded to run towards the construction site that was empty, just when the Esperanto stopped right behind the broken car.
Both got out quickly with Niko hurling after him with the intent of capturing, while Naruto had to take it easy as he was slowly picking up the pace…until he then noticed something laid in the car…
And what laid there were a few pictures…
To which he snapped…
…
Running through the construction site, Ivan knew he had the one guy Vlad had been hiring for the past few days on his tail with the intent to take him out.
"Stay the fuck away from me, I was set up!" Ivan shouted as he grabbed on the following ladder and began climbing upwards to get away.
Not wasting any more time, Niko went up to chase by climbing after him on the ladder as he went on after him!
"Shit. Shit. Shit." Ivan said running off towards another ladder, with Niko on his heels. As he ran up the staircase!
"Stop running!" Niko said climbing up, not far behind as he kept going after him on the same stairs. "Vlad don't like you no more, man!"
"He's nothing in this town, don't do this for him!"
Ivan sprinted off towards the end of the crane and did the craziest decision by jumping off towards the rooftop below, barely landing on it before he continued to run.
It didn't take long for Niko to do the same and jumped right afterward.
"Come here!"
Ivan just kept running and jumping, from rooftop to rooftop, with Niko right behind him. That was the only thing the Russian could do as he was trying to get away from him as fast as he could-
"SHIT!"
Until his luck ran out and Ivan fell off the rooftop but managed to grab a hold onto something that he started clinging on, as he now found himself high above the ground with his hands holding onto dear life.
And then came Niko, with his boot over the fingers of the man he had chased across through South of Broker for the night, and the man was clearly unhappy of having done that.
"You've run out of roof, dickhead."
Please. Vlad told you to kill me, right?" Ivan pleaded, barely hanging on he just kept asking for mercy as his fingers weakened. "Let me go and I'll lie low. No one's going to know that I'm alive. Not even my mother. I'll stay out of Hove Beach. I'll be a ghost. I promise. Please!"
…
Niko's decision was made final, and he-
"WHERE DID YOU TAKE THOSE PHOTOS?"
Hearing that angry roar made Ivan pale, as if all hope was lost.
Coming up towards the edge, Niko saw an enraged Naruto with a look he hasn't seen on him and got even him surprised, with a deep glare in his eyes he stared down at the pale enforcer as he showed the pictures in his hands.
"Come here!"
"Wait! WAIT!-"
Grabbing Ivan by the jacket, the man felt being picked up by Naruto who then forced him down against the end of the rooftop, holding him close to the edge.
Still holding the pictures, Naruto then shoved one right in front of the Russian's face as he then recognized in one of those it was the one of a redheaded girl in her training gear, with blue eyes just as Naruto's - it was his sister!
"What the fuck?" Niko reacted before turning angrily to Ivan. "Why do you have pictures of his sister? You a stalker or something?"
"No! No, I am not!" Ivan tried to explain. "L-Listen! I–I didn't take those pictures, but I was ordered to get them from the processing photo shop for-"
Naruto shouted. "WHO DID!"
"IT WAS VLAD! I swear to God it was Vlad!" Ivan screamed frantically as he was on the verge of being thrown off the rooftop. "He's not right in the head, I tell you! Saying he was checking her out!"
"For what?" Niko questioned. "Is he planning something?"
"I don't kno-"
"ANSWER!" Naruto threatened. "NOW!"
"I DON'T KNOW! I swear on my Mother!" Ivan shouted as if he was telling the truth. "He send you to kill me because I told him I wasn't going to do this anymore and he got angry - I think that's why he wants me dead!"
A silence was present for just for a few moments as the two men held Ivan over the edge, with just a throw away they could end him.
"Please, I didn't know she was your sister, I'm terribly sorry!" Ivan rambled on. "Spare me please, and I will disappear out of Hove Beach. You will never see me here again! PLEASE!"
…
"Its your choice, Naruto." Niko told him, still holding onto the leg of Ivan as he asked. "Do you want to spare him? Or do we drop him?"
Waiting for a response, Naruto was staring with anger at the man whose life was now in his hands, and the very fact is that it didn't help the pleading continued.
"Please… Naruto… I'm begging you…"
…
Naruto hesitated, his emotions swirling in his eyes, unreadable in its turmoil as he stared hard at Ivan, before letting go.
"NOO-" the Russian letting out a shrill scream before Naruto grabbed his outstretched arm and held him in the air next to the ledge. With Niko's assistance, they pulled Ivan over the ledge, as Naruto stepped back, yelling an expletive:
"FUCK!" he yelled, having almost broken his promise of not killing in cold blood again. He then vented by kicking Ivan's ribs, before pulling him up to his feet.
"Ugh…"
Ivan then felt himself getting grabbed by the throat, it benign Naruto who then gave him a warning.
"You had better disappear. Because if I see you again in Broker or Dukes, I'm going to make Lubyanka look like a children's playground to you. Do you understand?" he spoke, in an eerily calm tone.
Understanding it, Ivan nodded. "Y-Yes, Yes!"
"Now go away!" Naruto yelled at him as he watched the Russian run away in a hurry, leaving the rooftop through the side-staircases and leaving him and Niko by themselves.
"Let's split up for now. Someone might've seen something by now." Niko advised him. "I'll inform Vlad about his friend…"
"... Fine." Naruto said as he walked off. "I'll speak to you tomorrow."
The two departed different ways, leaving this rooftop without any incidents, the two men were still boiled up with rage.
Question was, who would explode first?
Next day
It now being noon, Naruto was seen walking to the depot as he was still contemplating with what just happened the night, let alone find out his own sister was in the same city right now this moment.
Why was she here? Where was she? And did she come here to find him? There were soo many questions running through his mind that he couldn't figure out to focus on which one. But one thing sure as hell was sticking into his mind and that was one thing.
Vlad.
As he was contemplating on what to do with this man who was eyeing his sister, he then entered the depot and was met with the tipsy state of his boss, Roman. Who was hung over to the seat with a beer bottle in his hand, lingering.
"Roman?
"Hey Naruto…" Roman responded, looking like he was in a bad mood. "...Why are you here?...It's your day off…"
Naruto could already see something was off on Roman's mind as he then reacted. "You've been drinking, haven't you?"
"No…. Yes."
"You're getting a coffee..." Naruto said as he walked over to the coffee machine and grabbed a cup.
It was just then that Niko entered through the same door and spotted Naruto making a coffee with his back turned, and his cousin in his depressed drinking stage.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
"Your cousin's drunk, that's what wrong." Naruto responded, still agitated as he was making the coffee. But then Roman scoffed.
"No coffee…" Roman rejected as he gestured to his cousin. "... Bullshit."
Niko asked. "What's bullshit?"
"Mallorie."
"Ohhh…" Niko nodded upon hearing that as he sat down next to him. "What about her?"
"I like her... I really like her…" Roman stated while pinching his nose.
"Then settle down already with her, man." Naruto told him, slightly his voice toned down, putting two sugars as he sighed. "You both like each other, so stop messing around."
Things were looking like they were calming down from Niko's perspective, seeing that his blond friend was slowly coming to his senses…
"Yeah... no." Roman didn't agree as he pointed out. "I think she's messing around with Vlad. I saw his car parked outside her place the other day."
Then it really exploded with what Naruto just heard, and he turned around with the facial expression that looked like it could kill someone by just staring. Niko however was that of shock as he directly stared at Naruto.
"Why are you two looking at each other funny?..." Roman asked confused, before he then asked. "Wait…you two knew?"
"No… I didn't know about Mallorie…" Naruto replied before asking Niko. "Did you?"
"... I had my suspicions…" Niko half-admitted. "But I didn't know… I thought he was all talk-"
*CLANK!*
Naruto had smashed the coffee cup to the ground as he just heard about this, and that alone clicked something in blond's mind.
"He's dead. He's DEAD!" Naruto said as he grabbed the keys and walked over to the exit. "Let's go!"
"Hey, hey, stop!" Niko blocked Naruto's path with his arms. "Calm down."
"Why the fuck should I? The fucker is stalking my sister!" Naruto responded, before he then walked past Niko and went on towards a car.
Niko signed in frustration as he spat. "Fuck!" He was about to walk out.
Roman however had listened to all of this and understood every word, and even in his alcoholic state he reacted by going after them.
"Niko! Naruto!... wait. Don't do anything stupid. Wait for me!"
Comrade's bar
Inside the bar was only Vlad with two of his henchmen, all of whom were equally tipsy like their boss, who they were listening to while he was telling a joke in his native tongue.
"Gimme a drink…" Vlad spoke leaning over the counter and speaking. "Anyway… Cabbages? Why eat cabbages when you can have potatoes?"
Vlad's joke was joined by some laughter as that basically was overheard by the loud radio and the-
*BANG!*
The loud bang that was the door that was just kicked in by Naruto, who was joined by Niko and a frightened Roman who tried to calm down his blond driver.
"Naruto, don't do anything stupid…"
Those words fell on deaf ears as Naruto spotted Vlad with two of his cronies, with them not being noticed for now. Naruto walked towards the middle of the bar with Niko behind him.
"Vlad!"
Hearing his name, the slurred Vlad spotted the blond taxi driver approaching him, alongside Roman and his cousin, with the first and later both looking very angry.
"What are you doing here? Did I summon you... boy?" Vlad responded, unimpressed at their arrival. "Go back to driving your cabs, you peasants."
Naruto responded. "Like you making pictures of girls?" He pulled out a couple of pictures and threw them onto the counter. "Like hers!"
And like that, multiple pictures were thrown right in front of Vlad, who instantly recognizes the pictures, and his laid back demeanor had changed as he grabbed one of those.
"Now tell me, why the hell is there a picture of my sister among your collection?" Naruto asked angrily. "And what were you planning to do?"
"Hey, guys, can't we just talk about this?" Roman said, trying to be peacemaker. "There's surely an explanation for-"
"Ah, go fuck yourself yokel." Vlad said as he shrugged it off and made one remark that he made of the pictures. "I will say, you got a beautiful sister… Maybe I'll pay her a visit once I am done with Mallorie…"
Right there and then the fact Vlad stood up and basically admitted to what he's been doing. With two of his goons readying themselves.
Niko asked. "So is that a confession?"
Vlad laughed as he replied. "If a confession means that I have been fucking that fatty peasant's girlfriend, then yes I confess." He walked up closer with his guards standing in between and taunted. "So what are you going to do about it?"
"THIS!"
*SMACK!*
Naruto gave a surprising left hook attack against the goon on the right, having picked up a cue ball and smashing into the man's head with it and knocking the man out.
"Shit!" Vlad took off running as he ran for the backdoor. "Hold them off!"
"Get back outside, Roman!" Niko said as he headbutted the other goon in advance, with the intent of knocking the guy out. "Naruto!"
Naruto grabbed a beer bottle and then smashed it over the standing goon's head and using the cue ball to smash the man out of consciousness.
*VROOOOM!*
That was the sound of a car that could be heard driving away.
"He's bailing!" Naruto said grabbing the pictures and going for the front entrance. "Let's go!"
"Right behind you." Niko shouted as he ran over the two Russian goons' bodies, as they left Comrade's Bar with Mickey having witnessed all of it.
He grabbed for the phone and was going to call for somebody for help.
Both Naruto and Niko ran out of the bar and spotted Vlad's car just coming out of the alleyway behind them, in his Blue Marbelle, he was trying to get away.
"I'll drive!" Naruto said as he got inside Roman's cab and they drove off, with Roman in the back and Niko sitting next to him, the chase for Vlad was on as they chased him through Mohawk Avenue. With Roman already trying to speak.
"Alright, he's running away. We win, let's go home."
Niko argued. "I'm not walking away until this thing is finished."
"It is finished, he's running." Roman tried as he pointed out. "We won't see him again-Look out!"
Naruto took a hard left turn as he followed Vlad into Masterson Street, driving right underneath the overpass bridge as they continued.
"He'll come back. The only thing that will hold him down is six feet of dirt." Niko said.
"Forget about Mallorie. Plans change and…" Roman said, trying to make excuses. "You know, when Vlad is done with her…"
"Grow a fucking spine. You think Vlad won't come after us when I am chasing him like this?" Argued Niko as he readied his pistol. "We have to end it, here and now."
They went on to chase him into the East Hook harbor, with Naruto still on the bastard's heels, he commented.
"Sorry Roman, but this guy crossed a line - and no way I will let him walk away like that." Naruto added. "It's either him or us - and its going to be him."
"Shit, I don't like this. Fuck... fuck!" Roman cursed.
The chase went on until they reached BOABO and then-
*CRASH!*
Vlad's ride crashed into a roadblock and he was seen wobbling out of the car and into an old boat ramp area, that luckily for them was a dead end.
"We got him now." Naruto said as he stopped the car. "Niko, with me."
"Right." Niko agreed as they both got out of the car and he warned his cousin. "Keep your head down, I'm going to finish this."
Both men ran into the entrance and there it was going to end, with Naruto and Niko being armed, and Roman in a state of panic.
"Stop, Niko, Naruto, Shit!"
Now stuck staring at the eastern shores of the Humboldt River, Vlad saw he was trapped, unarmed and cornered as he turned around and was met with Niko and Naruto who showed off their guns.
"Fucking yokels!" Vlad cussed them out while walking back and forth. "You think you can get away with killing me?"
"I guess we'll find out." Niko responded.
Vlad shouted back. "You think this is worth it? You're throwing you and your fatty cousin's lives away for that bit of Puerto Rican chocha!"
"I'm throwing your life away, prick" Niko responded. "We'll do alright."
"My friends will track you down!" Vlad warned him, defiant. "you won't last a moment."
"We'll last longer than you!"
"Fuck you, I wish I could be there to watch Mikhail cut your peasant balls off!" Vlad angrily replied as he then was unfortunate to add. "You're all fini-"
*POP!*
One shot hit Vlad's knee, right above the kneecap as he fell down towards it, grunting in pain as the bullet came from Naruto's pistol, as he turned Niko and nodded to him.
Niko took a few steps forwards and then aimed the pistol right for Vlad's face.
"Hove Beach is a small place, my friends will find you…"
….
*POP!*
Right in the head, blood was squirting out of the lifeless body of Vladimir Glebov as he fell backwards to the ground with blood pouring all over his clothing, his life came to an end he himself had earned.
"You were the stupid one, Vladdy boy." Niko stated to his lifeless corpse. "Nobody fucks with my family."
Naruto said. "Or mine…"
…
Both pair of arms grabbed each leg of Vlad'd body as they were dragging it towards the river.
"Eeeh, you're a big boy Vladdy." Niko commented as he was an heavy one. "Are you alright, Naruto?"
"I'm fine." Naruto said grimacing at the sight of the blood. "I never knew Russians were this heavy…ugh."
"Naruto! Niko!" Roman ran up towards them, with his face turning shallow at the sight of Vlad's body.
Niko stopped briefly. "Well, I guess this is over."
"What have you done?" Roman reacted.
"What does it look like?" Niko responded.
"Yeesh, he smells." Naruto waved his hand in front of his nose to block the stench. "Bastard smells like he hasn't left the bar in ages."
Roman panicked. "We're dead!"
"No, he's dead... we're fine." Niko replied.
Only getting then a look from Roman, who then approached him. "He has powerful friends... serious people…" He grabbed his cousin's shoulder and yelled. "I told you to be calm you hot headed chump!"
"I am calm. He tried to kill us." Niko told him in his calm matter. "He screwed your girlfriend. What do you expect? I give him a massage?
Roman however wasn't convinced as he just buried his head into his face, unable to cope with what just happened, walking around and cursing.
Sighing, Naruto could understand why his boss would be reacting like this as this was a major escalation. With a high-ranking member of the Russian Mob now dead, it will only be a matter of time before word would spread out.
"Roman, cousin... I…" Niko shook his head, as he tried. "Back in the war…"
….
Niko was seen crouching down, as he then began to speak.
"When I was in the army... we were going on a mission... to ambush a squad who had killed a lot of innocent people."
Naruto and Roman turned around and were hearing this.
"They were our enemies... but we never did it. There were fifteen of us. All boys from the village. But one of us betrayed the group." Niko said with a tone that was sincere. "It was a setup... for money…"
Turning right around, the two continued to hear out the story.
"Twelve people died, three escaped…" Niko said, holding back some details, he summarized it like that and stated further. "I know the traitor was not me... So for ten years I've been searching for the other two."
With the silence still there, Niko then stood right back up and got to the point.
"One of them lives here."
As Naruto heard this, he decided to stay on the sidelines for now as he watched Roman react to it, as he was still frantic about what just happened. He could also not believe that the reason for his cousin suddenly coming here, was for revenge.
Revenge… Something he could relate to.
"Roman, get out of here."
"Huh?" Roman reacted by turning to his blond driver. "Why?"
"Me and Niko will take care of the body." Naruto said as he went on to grab Vlad's leg again. "Make yourselves scarce now."
"... Fine." Roman sighed as he turned to his cousin and nodded to him, but then shook his head at Vlad's corpse and just sprinted for the car, bailing out as fast he could now.
As Naruto was dragging Vlad's corpse to the river, he was joined by Niko who helped him out.
"Dump him in the river. It's easier for now-"
"So its revenge."
Niko turned to Naruto, and he complied. "I just need answers…."
Vlad's body now was leaning over the edge, with only a push distance away from being dumped into the river.
"Are you sure he's in Liberty City?" Naruto asked. "Its a big city…and you might not find all the answers to satisfy you…"
By this, the Serb veteran just replied then with a simple answer.
"I just need to know why…maybe it will give me closure…"
Hearing this being said got Naruto to feel like he's got a lot more in common with this man then that he thought at first sight, and his response was as followed.
"Maybe we'll find him…but let's dump this body now."
….
*PLONG!*
That was the sound of Vlad's body hitting the river water and sinking into the depths of it. Ending the first chapter of an unwanted partnership. As the two men stared down at the sinking corpse, Naruto told one last thing as the sirens could be heard in the background.
"Do Svidanya, Vlad."