Chapter 2: Impromptu Training Session
A/N: Okay, so I'm writing this because someone in the comments raised a pretty good point. Why did Jigen just kinda let the whole 'Ryuji joining Lupin' thing happen instead of trying to talk about it? Firstly, I have a plan for a discussion sequence a bit later, and secondly, I never really got the impression from Sojiro that he ever really cared about the other thieves, at least not to the same extent as he did about Akira. Ryuji is a pretty brash and impulsive character, and since he doesn't really listen to anyone, with the possible exception of his offscreen mother, would anything Sojiro might say even make a difference? Ryuji's character wouldn't really take the time to consider the potential consequences of his actions.
"Alright Sakamoto, time to earn your wings," Lupin said from next to Ryuji.
They had snuck into the Kurusu residence with little difficulty, by disguising themselves as electricians.
"We're looking for anything that might point to the identity of our Lupin impersonator, right?" Ryuji asked. "If that's the case, then why are we here?"
"The impostor may have known Akira personally," Lupin explained. "It's the easiest way to know when he was travelling to Tokyo. That's the only explanation as to how our impersonator arrived on the scene before the authorities did."
They didn't find anything of note inside the house, but they decided to check the garage before they left.
When they did, however, Lupin was met with a familiar sight. "A Mercedes-Benz SSK. This guy is obviously a fan."
Ryuji was mystified. "So that settles it then. The Lupin impersonator is Akira's-"
"LUPIN!" A loud voice behind them shouted.
The duo turned, and saw a man in a brown detective's coat.
Lupin immediately smiled. "Well, if it isn't ol' pops! Been a while, hasn't it?"
"You know this guy?" Ryuji asked.
"Inspector Koichi Zenigata, ICPO," The man said with aggression in his voice. "You're under arrest."
"Look pops," Lupin responded playfully. "I'm not feeling up to dealing with your antics right now. Catch ya later!"
He immediately grabbed Ryuji and ran to his car, driving off with Zenigata following close behind. As the two drove away, Lupin yelled to Ryuji to take the wheel and head back to Tokyo.
"Are you insane?! I haven't gone this fast before! I don't even know what the quickest route is!"
Lupin simply said, "Then make it up as you go! Think of this as your training!"
"Lupin! Pull over and surrender peacefully!" Zenigata yelled.
"How about I call in a friend instead?" He shouted back.
The moment he said those words, Ryuji swerved to avoid some guy in a samurai cosplay standing in the middle of the street, who then jumped on top of the car!
"About time you showed up, Goemon!" Lupin said in a joking tone.
The samurai responded seriously. "I followed Zenigata here, and decided to offer my assistance."
He then drew his sword and sliced it in front of him, cutting down a telephone pole and causing it to fall into the street, right in front of the police cruisers pursuing them.
The trio had escaped, sharing a laugh at the inspector's complete failure to catch them.
"Thanks, whoever you are!" Ryuji said gratefully.
"My name is Goemon Ishikawa XIII, and you are?"
"Sakamoto. Ryuji Sakamoto," he responded, mimicking a line in some old movie he watched with Haru a couple of days ago.
*"Alright," Lupin said. "Now that we know the identity of the impostor, we just have to find him. Next stop, Tokyo!"
*(Cue the 1979 Lupin III Main Theme)
Lupin III Main Theme composed by Yuji Ohno.