Chapter 60
"Very well. A patrol was in pursuit, we're still waiting for their reports." Daisuke explained, noting down everything Gen had said.
"Hoping they're still alive." Said Gen, massaging his shoulder that had been treated a few moments ago by Asia.
"It's all clear Daisuke-san, all the Eighths left behind have either been arrested or sent to hospital." Announced the old beret-wearing policeman.
"Ah thank you Tagonaka-san... Hm? Sakaki-san isn't with you?"
"The youngster is still downstairs, he stayed with the kids, they're really worked up about it." He remarks.
"And you're surprised?!" Minori, who had just been tapping her foot without saying anything, suddenly stood up. "Their comrade just got kidnapped and you're surprised they're so pissed off?! How should I take it?!" The rage can be read on her face.
"Calm down Minori! They're trying to help us out, I'll have you know!" Gen interjects.
"Minori-san, I completely understand the state you're in, but we have no choice but to wait. We'll soon be know where they're hiding, and from there we can launch an offensive." Tagonaka explains.
"One of my students got kidnapped right in front of me and I'm asked to wait, that's the best one yet." Minori steps back and stands at the window.
"And then there's something else to worry about. Senji, if he ever finds out that one of his friends has been kidnapped, he's going to blame himself. We need to know where he is." Daisuke adds.
"He doesn't answer any calls, whether they're ours, his guardian's or his friends'. We don't know where he is or what he's doing." Replies Gen.
"If the Eighth have come this far, it's a guarantee that they haven't found Senji Emiya yet, which is good news in itself." Nezu, the school principal, enters the room. "Now we have to save Shinozuka Youta as quickly as possible."
"Nezu-sensei... That's what I'm trying to make these two cops understand, but they'd rather wait and see how things develop! How stupid!" Minori bangs on her desk.
"No more waiting." Nezu is followed by the 3rd Hokage. "The report is in. They're holed up in the port hangars."
"Hokage-sama!" The two policemen and Gen bowed as they saw the old man enter the room.
"They're hiding over there huh... So what are we waiting for?!" Minori grows impatient.
"Nothing at all, I'm going to call the heroes and shinobi present in town, it's time to end their reign of terror in the state of Konoha." Affirms the 3rd Hokage.
"I prefer this, let's go!"
Minori quickly exits, closely followed by Gen, but once outside are stopped by a group of students.
"Sorry!" Sakaki steps forward, embarrassed. "I tried to stop them but it's almost impossible alone."
"What are you kids doing here? Go home, the school is closed until further notice." Minori orders.
"Minori-sensei, you're going to save Youta-san aren't you?" Inaho asks.
"Um yes but..."
"Then let us accompany you!" Says Kai
"I'm sorry youngsters, but you're only apprentice shinobis, you can't intervene alongside professional heroes and shinobis. So please, stay safely at home and don't make me worry about you for nothing." Minori asks.
"It's not just about Youta-san, is it? Those who attacked the school are after Senji-kun aren't they?" Chacha asks.
"Please, let us help you! These are our comrades we're talking about!" Said Uruchi.
"At least take yourself with me, Minori-sensei, I was with you when Youta-kun was kidnapped before our very eyes, so I at least have the right to accompany you." Kodama asks.
"...I should never have taught you to be so stubborn..." Minori rubs her temples. "Do you have any idea who we're dealing with? Besides Kodama-chan and Akeno-chan."
"It's a gang." Inaho replies.
"That's right, an extremely dangerous gang, all of whose members are power users, who also use firearms. They've been terrorizing Shibuya for years, so who knows how we'll find Youta. And indeed, Senji is the main one involved, and that's the problem. If he knows Youta's been captured, he'll think it's his fault, so imagine if he finds out you went to save Youta? He's going to take even more risks, ones I can't accept, because it's out of the question for my students to die!" Minori raises her voice.
"And why not give them missions, Hokage-sama?" Akaya shows up, along with the whole Venus team.
"Missions...?" Asks Gen. "Wait, don't tell me that?!"
"..." the 3rd Hokage didn't answer, looking at the students.
"It won't change the fact that we're putting them in danger!" Minori gets angry.
"That's true, but look at them, Minori-san." Nezu asks. "Look in their eyes, that thirst for justice, to save their friends, that's why this school was created. And then it's a critical situation, and they'll be in charge of their mentor. It's the perfect opportunity for them to gain experience, by observing the professionals in action."
Minori looks at her students, both proud and annoyed by their attitude, seeing herself in them. But she doesn't feel at all comfortable sending her little brats to the front, even if they're going to stay behind.
Nodding to the 3rd Hokage, he smiled, before stepping in front of the children, looking serious.
"Alright kids, here's your next assignment to all of you, with your respective teams, you'll go and support the assault on Eighth's gang, holed up in the harbor sheds. get ready, we're leaving in less than ten minutes!"
"Yes!" They say in unison.
The fight resumes on the roof of the car, tipping it slightly in all directions. The noise from outside is hard to make out, but metal-on-metal impacts can be heard. Suddenly, Shuka, who'd been standing on the trunk, jumps off, and the two spikes of her chain are thrust through the roof. The hummer has moved forward and we hear shots from what appears to be a machine gun, only to see Liu standing at the side of the car.
Approaching a bend in the road, the limousine driver went into a skid, but was still overtaken by the hummer. Liu takes advantage of the situation to sneak up behind via the trunk, then leaps towards the hummer.
Not quite seeing what's going on, Liu seems to have been pushed off, landing on the front of the limousine. But the hummer slows down, probably a move from Liu.
"It's not looking good..." I look around, searching for a way to turn the tables.
Nothing comes to mind, except looking at the wine bottles again and again. Suddenly, a dangerous idea comes to me. I project a pair of wire cutters, severing my bonds.
"We're far from having said our last word." I pick up the wine bottles and approach the window, catching Shuka's eyes, then showing her the bottles. She immediately understands the plan, smiling at me.
I see she's talking, probably to the person concerned for the sake of the plan, then she dashes towards Liu. Seeing her coming, I open the window and swing the bottles, which she catches with her chain, then swings them towards the wheels of the limousine.
"Sota!" Shuka shouts.
As the bottles broke on the wheels, spilling the contents, the liquid freeze with the wheels, blocking them completely and bursting the tires, causing the vehicle to lose control, spinning for several meters. With the infernal sound of the wheels holding on as best they could, we hit a wall with the back of the limousine, pulling ourselves upright and bringing us to a halt.
"Are you all right?" I ask Inukai, feeling dizzy, fallen to the floor.
" Pretty much..." He answers with difficulty, his face pressed to the carpet.
I use the cutting pliers to cut his ties, then try to open the door, but it's stuck. I strengthen my leg and kick it hard, sending it waltzing away, allowing us to get out and see the extent of the damage.
"Nothing broken, everyone?!" I ask, approaching the hummer.
"Senji!" I turn toward Shuka's voice to see her hanging on a direction panel. "You're not hurt?! She didn't do anything to you?!"
"No, I've got nothing!" Then I look around. "What about Liu Xuelan?! Where is she?!"
"Very well done, bravo!" I hear her voice, accompanied by hand-clapping. I turn to see her sitting on the back of the hummer. "You've founded a much better clan than I imagined!"
"'Dang it! She's tough, the old lady!" Shuka protests. "And I thought we'd spread her out on the asphalt!"
"Hey hey hey... you're in a bad way! With your best fighter hanging out there, I'm back in control! Unless you want to join the fight!" Said Liu, a victorious smile on her face.
(Shit, she's right, only Shuka and I can stand up to her... So no choice.)
I raise my hand in preparation for my Boosted Gear to appear, which she immediately notices.
"Oh so it's round two, between you and me no less! Perfect!" But before she jumps out of the hummer, the driver stops her.
"Mademoiselle, I'm afraid we've lost!"
"What are you singing to me Shiming?!"
"First of all, I'm concerned about the state of our engine. An overhaul will be necessary before we hit the road again!" He explains. "As for Mr. Emiya's vehicle, it has a damaged tire..."
"We can always change it!" Strangely, she sounds like a child.
"Certainly, but not before our young friend joins us." He says, while Shuka prepares to jump at any moment. "According to the terms of the challenge, we had to sow the sunsets dragons without killing a single one, now that's no longer possible!"
Hearing this, Liu Xuelan... pouts...
"Reeling in a big fish takes time - time you should make the most of, rather than seeing it as an obstacle!"
Shiming is an old man with light gray hair and moustache. He wears a suit and a tie.
"Pff, he made quite an impression on you, it seems!" She bows her head, defeated.
Then she looks at me, as if I were something precious, a look that makes me uncomfortable, having rarely seen it for myself.
"Very well, I admit defeat!" She steps out of the vehicle and lands gracefully.
'The game's over! The "Sunset Dragons" clan has won!' Announces the game.
"Phew..." I breathe a sigh of relief. "I didn't expect you to take our side." I turn to Shiming.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm only acting in Miss Xuelan's best interests!" He explains.
"What's that? Are we trying to save face?" Shuka scoffs, stepping toward us.
"Ho ho ho! You've given us a magnificent fighting display, mademoiselle! Your skills and those of Mr. Emiya are a credit to you. I thought individuals of our species had disappeared from this country!" He said in a strange tone.
"'Tis victory enough for you?" Shuka whispers to me.
"Definitely. We came through without a single casualty against the top of the table." I reply, before turning to Liu. "Xuelan! As promised, we're going to forge an alliance on equal terms!"
"..." She looks at me, not letting her intentions show, before shaking her head. "No. After all, I didn't commit to anything if you won, so why should I keep a promise I didn't make?"
"Ah..." (What a idiot, in the heat of the moment, I completely forgot to ask him for his word...) "Ok, it's valid no problem." I shrug, disappointed.
"You don't insist any more than that? For someone who wants to finish the game, you're not as reckless as I thought." Said Liu.
"What? But I didn't tell you! How do you know?!" I'm surprised.
"You've always made sure to let your enemies live, and here again you've offered a challenge to avoid anyone's death. Someone who strays so far from the rules of Darwin's Game, it only means one thing." Liu analyzes.
"...Okay, I admit it's not very subtle when you put it that way... so what do you want from me?"
"Always the same thing, I want to make you my husband. I don't care if I'm second or fifteenth on the list, you have a bright future, and I want to be a part of it. So you're going to make me a member of the Sunset Dragons! as I'll be able to assist and oversee your progress and most of all I can't wait to see how you're going to harness my talents!"
"..." I'm completely taken aback, I didn't think she'd insist after her defeat. "Well, I didn't expect so much."
"What?!" All my comrades behind are just as surprised as I am.
"Huh, I wasn't expecting that... Well, if the first in the ranking has a soft spot for Senji, that's good for us, isn't it?" Ryuji is confused.
"Raah! How's that for making Senji her husband, what's the old lady talking about, she's showing off too much!" Shuka stamps her foot.
"Having her in our clan will draw far too much attention, better to stick to simple clan collaboration." Rain justifies.
"You're not wrong Rain, and besides she looks like a free electron to me so that doesn't really help..." I think.
"All the more reason to refuse! Says Shuka.
"On the other hand, she keeps her commitments, and I've seen that for myself." I walk towards her, close enough for only her to hear me. "I'm not Kiritsugu, and I don't know if you'll find what you're looking for in me, but I want you to promise me one thing, and that is the condition for joining our clan."
"I'm listening, but I don't guarantee I'll accept."
"If you ever decide you've had enough and want to turn against us, then betray me first. I forbid you to take it out on others before me."
Her eyes widen at this, surprised by my request, then a slight smile appears on her face, nodding in agreement.
"You have my word, if I have to kill you all, I'll start with you, but there's no reason why that shouldn't happen, is there?"
"Only time will tell. In any case, it's perfect, welcome to Xuelan. You are now a member of the Sunset Dragons!" I extend my hand to her, which she shakes without hesitation, quite satisfied.
I look behind me to see my comrades on the defensive, or confused, which I can understand, but we'll need all the strength we can get to reach our goal.
"All's well that ends well, it seems," Inukai watches the scene from afar. "But how do we get home, with both cars out of service?"
"Phew... This is the first time we've been on such a dangerous mission..." Kimi shakes slightly, putting on her combat gear.
"Everything's going to be fine, normally we're not going to do anything, we're here if the operation turns sour, and given the number of heroes and shinobis involved, I don't see what can go wrong, do you Haruko?" Kodama tries to cheer Kimi up, but Haruko doesn't respond.
"..." She stares into space, dressing mechanically.
"Haruko-san..." Kimi worries about her.
"hey! Haruko-san!" Kodama puts her hand on her shoulder and shakes her.
"Kya! Yes !?" She jolts awake, turning to face her.
"Stop thinking about Senji, forget him even, it's best he's not here. He doesn't need to know that Youta's been kidnapped. We'll get him back quickly, tell Senji that the Eighths are no more and everything will go back to the way it was, is that clear?"
"...Yes, you're right, everything will be fine." Haruko nods.
"Yes! The good guys will beat the bad guys, just like in the manga, and everyone will be happy!" Kimi exclaims.
"We're leaving in less than five minutes! Hurry up!" Kamui Wood's voice is heard on the other side of the door.
"Roger!" they say together.
They finishes dressing quickly, then exits the changing rooms, joining the pros.
But when they arrive, the faces are stark, especially those of the policemen staring at a screen, looking morbid and disgusted.
"Are we the first to arrive?" Kimi asks, uncomfortable with the atmosphere.
"What's going on?" Haruko asks.
"It's not good... Not good at all." Tagonaka said.
Noises are heard outside, and the girls look up to see Minori in a rage, slamming into a wall, with Gen and Tomika trying to calm her down.
"Don't tell me Senji got screwed too?!" Kodama steps forward to try to see the screen.
"I'd advise you not to see that screen, young Himegami." All Might interjects, not smiling.
"You agreed to our participation, so I think we also have a right to know what's going on." Tohsaka comes forward.
"Right, if the situation gets worse, then we need to know about it." Furan adds.
"Is this about Youta-san or Senji-san?" Kai asks.
The forces of law and order look at each other, hesitating, then they all move away from the screen, allowing the young people to see what was causing their discomfort.
A video circulates, showing a bloodbath, members of the Eighth hooded, holding Youta by the hair, fingers cut off, crying his eyes out in his own blood.
The teenagers recoil at the sight, horrified by what they've just seen, some not believing it for a second.
"This... It's not true... it's rigged?! It can't be!" Asia bursts into tears.
"The title of the video..." Spits out Yan Min.
'For Senji Emiya (^w^)/'
"Is it on the internet?" Yuuka asks.
"Yes, we're still waiting for the police analysis, but it's already clear that it's not a fake..." Kakashi explains.
"Senji must have seen it by now. How awful! I can't even imagine what state he's in!" Shiria exclaims.
"Indeed, time is against us..." Minerva grips her cane tightly.
"So what are we waiting for!" Garrett said impatiently.
"We also want to go right away, we're like you kids, but it would be falling into their traps. We can't afford to play their games, and then they'll do anything to keep him alive, so if Senji's their target, killing Youta is their last option." Explains Gen.
"All the more reason to go now! Otherwise Senji-sama will get there before us!" Said Inaho.
"I agree on this point, Senji-san won't hesitate to go." Affirms Aki.
As the chaos in the station grows, Uruchi stands by, watching the commotion from afar, remembering a mission with Senji's team.
"That's it, all cleaned up!" Garett announces.
"Good job kids, we've got two more areas to take care of and then today's mission will be over." Explains Backdraft the firefighter hero.
Team 5, made up of Garrett, Youta and Uruchi under the supervision of Backdraft, are tasked with cleaning up various areas of Fuyuki, and are exceptionally accompanied by Team 7, made up of Sakura, Sasuke and Senji, supervised by Kakashi.
"I wonder if you really needed a hand..." Sasuke is bored.
"Hey, just think, at least it's definitely faster with six of us, it would be even faster if our mentors put in!" Youta turns to the two pros.
"It's not their job, it's ours Youta Shinozuka-san, so we'll keep our heads up, and complete this mission with pride!" Says Garrett, loading the last garbage can into the van.
"Yeah yeah... well come on, want to enjoy my evening!" He steps forward, toward the next neighborhood
"I'd like to thank you Kakashi-san, it's a very good idea to do a collaboration, even if it's for something so benign." Backdraft turns to Kakashi.
"This is me thanking you, we didn't have many missions because of... the current situation, it's an opportunity for Senji to focus on something else." Kakashi focused his gaze on Senji, who had said only a few words since the beginning of the afternoon.
"Poor child and to think that this gang entered Fuyuki, should we expect to be attacked?" Backdraft asks.
"No, I hope for their sake they're not stupid enough for that, they're only children but they already know how to defend themselves very well, and then I'm here." Kakashi reassures.
"Hey Senji-kun, why don't you use your clones? Wouldn't that be a lot faster?" Sakura asks.
"..." He doesn't answer, just follows Youta's lead.
"Senji-kun?" Sakura worried.
"Hm?" He wakes up. "Ah it was Kakashi-sensei who forbade me, it would be cheating according to him."
"Oh... I see, that's pretty logical, hehe..." Sakura laughs softly, trying to lighten the mood.
Uruchi watches from a distance, having listened discreetly to the conversation between the two pros, she looks at Senji and begins to connect why he's been like this for nearly a month.
"We seem to have arrived... A building under construction?" Sakura looks at the map, confused.
"Construction of this building has been on hold for a while now, and the homeless and other hooligans are taking advantage of the situation to make a mess of the place." Sasuke explains.
"3rd Hokage told us that construction would resume, so we're cleaning up for them?" Senji asked.
"They're workers, not housekeepers, well we'd better get started." Sasuke enters, picking up a trash bag.
Senji enters in his turn, heading more towards the back of the site, where there are former makeshift homeless camps, abandoned tents and heating cans, damaged cardboard boxes, mattresses, and graffiti, probably so as not to be forgotten.
"Even here huh..." Senji murmurs, this place reminding him of the many places he visited with Kiritsugu.
He puts on a pair of gloves and gets to work, emptying the tents before folding them up and setting them down in turn. Out of the corner of his eyes, he notices Uruchi looking around, then, noticing him, moves towards him. Thinking she's come to help him, he continues to clean up. But she stops beside him, staring at him.
"Senji-kun, do you have something to say?" She asks.
"...?" Senji looked at her, confused.
"Don't give me that face. I can tell something's wrong, everybody can."
"You know very well what's wrong..."
"You want to talk about that gang? The Eighth, right? Well, it seems to me there's nothing to worry about, is there? The school protects you, and the streets of Fuyuki are safe, with All Might looking out around here, I don't understand why you're so stressed out!"
"…"
"If I tell you about it, it's because your situation seems to have an impact on others! I'm talking about Haruko-senpai! She's stressed too, and she's often out of it! Your behavior has an influence on others, and I can't accept, especially if it concerns Haruko-senpai, do you understand?!"
"...I'm sorry..."
"...Haaa... You make me feel bad after saying that... Well at least you're efficient when it comes to work, that I can't take away from you."
"Yes, all that's left is to take everything away. There's also some graffiti to clean up, so we'll have to ask Backdraft to hose it down." Says Senji, picking up a full box.
Uruchi nods, taking another box and following him. Hearing the voices of their comrades, they quicken their pace, as something seems to be happening. When they reach the courtyard, they see that the others are facing a wall to which Uruchi and Senji hadn't paid much attention, and they step forward to see a large graffiti figure, a snake biting its own tail, in the shape of an eight..
Seeing this, Senji dropped the cardboard, falling abruptly to the ground, and clenched his fists, staring at the graffiti.
"Calm down Senji, there's nothing to worry about, we'll clean this wall and move on, okay?" Kakashi places a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
Senji sighed to calm himself, then nodded, picking up the box before heading for the pickup.
Uruchi looks at him, feeling worse and worse.
"We have confirmation that the video is indeed authentic..." A police superintendent steps forward. "What do you think?" He asks the forces present.
"There's no hesitation in saying that it was the Eighth who filmed this video, as the youngsters say, they have an account to settle with Senji Emiya, so if he's seen this video, it will allow us to get in touch with him." Tagonaka explains.
"Assuming we manage to meet Emiya, it remains to be seen whether he'll agree to cooperate!" Wonders the superintendent.
"Senji is a sensible young man with a strong personality, he'll be ready to cooperate with us if need be." Daisuke explains.
"Competent and with character, he'd be a great ally..." Whispers the superintendent.
"Excuse me, but don't we have better things to do here?" Haruko asks, losing patience.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, shinobi apprentices, but we'll have to proceed with caution from now on, the Eighth's sole objective is to get Senji Emiya's attention. For them, we'll just be a nuisance, so the stakes are twofold. Preventing them from making contact with their targets, as well as rescuing the hostage, I hope you're ready, because everything suggests you're going to have to get your hands dirty." Announces the superintendent.
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! You son of a bitch!" I slam into a wall, hitting it with all my might, after watching the video.
"That's enough!" Ryuji takes my arm. "Messing up your hand won't fix things!"
"He cut off my friend's fingers that bastard! I'm going to slaughter him!" I can feel the fox demon's aura, but that's the least of my worries right now.
"Don't worry, Kaede-san will be able to heal your friend's wounds. As for One..." Ryuji reassures me, which helps me calm down a little. "I'm ready to go and beat the shit out of him! After all, I've sworn to rid the planet of that big pile of dung!"
"..." Having calmed me down, he releases me. I draw in energy to heal my hand, but I can see that it's already no longer necessary.
(This is not good...)
"Uh... Were you able to contact Xuelan? It would be nice to have her with us against the Eighth..." Sui suggests.
"Xuelan..." Repeating her name, I remember the last thing she said to me before parting.
"Just a moment!" She calls out to me.
"What is it?"
"Since I won't be joining you right away, I'll offer you a prediction, in the meantime."
"A prediction? Your power, is it a gift of clairvoyance?"
"Go figure! Take it more as advice from me: by holding death at bay, you'll only grant one wish out of ten, by exploiting it, you'll grant the other nine."
"...And what does that mean?"
"Hm, you can play ignorant all you want, but you know what it means. If you feel like perfecting your fighting skills and learning some assassin techniques, I can start your training tomorrow."
"...The offer is tempting, but as I told you, I don't wish to become a second Kiritsugu." I say, getting into the hummer.
"ha ha ha... if you change your mind, give me a call. Before it all slips..."(...through your fingers..)
"She's unreachable, anyway, we don't have time to wait. We'll manage without her." I answer Sui.
"Here I am again!" Rain opens the door. "I've got the info we've been missing, we can get down to business!"
Hiding in the hummer near the harbour sheds, we observe the situation. Especially Ryuji, equipped with binoculars, he scans every hangar entrance, alert to the slightest movement.
"Damn it! Apart from the video, they haven't sent me any messages..." I scan my phone, looking for any other clues. "If they'd asked for points, there would at least have been something to negotiate about..."
"One's goal is to cut your friend into pieces before your very eyes..." Says Ryuji, still focused on the binoculars. "This guy's a first-class twisted freak!"
"He's a piece of garbage, yes! Youta has nothing to do with Darwin's Game!" I yell, feeling the anger rising more and more.
"It's not just your miserable friend you have to worry about." The fox demon's voice echoes loudly in my head.
Everything around me goes black, I have no sensation except in my feet, as if I were walking through water.
(?!)
"It's the consequences of your own actions that you should worry more about..." He said, laughing...
"Senji? Are you going to be okay?" Rain shakes me.
"Yes... sorry, I shouldn't have shouted..." I let out a sigh, in order to refocus. "It's okay, I'm keeping a cool head!"
"What worries me is that you haven't had much rest since last month... You must be exhausted, both physically and mentally!" Rain remarks.
"I know... Only thing is, the Eighth didn't give me time to rest, and especially not right now!" I pinch the top of my nose, looking for a solution to this situation.
"..." I can feel Rain's worried look in the back. "Anyway, right now we don't have to do anything except wait for Shuka-san to finish inspecting the place." She equips herself with an earphone. "Shuka! How's the reception? Can you hear me well? ... I just wanted to test the radio. Done!" She lets out a sigh. "Always so polite..."
"Too bad we couldn't reach Xuelan after all." Ryuji lowers the binoculars.
"It's okay, I wasn't really counting on her, it's good enough that Danjo sent us Inukai." I say.
"Sorry, he would have liked to provide you with more reinforcements, except that Ouroboros declared war on our clan at exactly the wrong time!" Inukai explains.
"What if it was a coordinated action between them and the Eighth?" Rain thinks aloud.
"Do you think they would have formed an alliance?" Inukai asks.
"Maybe they've taken a page out of our book. Unless of course it's just a coincidence." Rain explains.
"...So let's recap one last time, first phase of the operation, we save your buddy. Phase two, we retreat to a safe place! The goal of the game is not to exterminate the Eighth!" Repeats Inukai.
"That's it." I say with some hesitation.
"Senji..." Ryuji calls out to me, but I cut him off.
"Yes, I know! I'm far too nice! I want to kill One as much as you do, but to kill his entire clan..."
(I know for a fact that Kiritsugu would have no hesitation in slaughtering them, but I'm not him...)
Then the vision of the fox demon with a wide grin invaded my vision, hearing his laugh echoing in my head.
(If I kill that many people, I'll lose control, that's for sure...)
"It's too much for me..." I say, defeated by the situation.
"It's okay, nobody's forcing you to do it! I'm only interested in their boss anyway..." Ryuji assures us. "But we're eliminating him right here and now. Do we agree?"
"Absolutely." I answer directly.
"Are you sure you can kill him? His power is pretty dangerous!" Inukai worries.
"No problem, we know his limits." I affirm.
For several minutes nothing happens, then a black car comes towards us.
"Really?" Ryuji wonders. "Hide your weapons, there's a car near!"
The car continues to move forward, but slows down more and more.
"This... This is not a good start! It's the Eighth?!" Sui panicked.
"Don't panic! They may just be people passing through." Ryuji reassures.
"For now, Darwin's Game isn't blocking access to the area, let's just wait until they leave." Rain reminds us.
Just as she says this, the car stops, under her look of displeasure.
"Damn, they came for us!" Ryuji exclaims.
"They don't look like guys from the Eighth... Who could they be?" Inukai asks.
Two men get out of the car, the driver wears a black suit and tie, glasses and has slicked back his hair, leaving only a few strands hanging over his forehead. The second is older, wearing a white shirt and black tie, a beret... I recognize him.
"It's okay, they're not with One! I recognize one of them!"
"Friend of yours?" Ryuji asks.
"Senji! It's moving over here! What do I do?!" Shuka asks, sounding panicked through the comm.
"Just a second, there's news on Shuka's side." I switch on the earphone, so she can hear me.
"Tss, trouble is piling up!" Ryuji gets agitated.
"What's going on?" I ask Shuka.
"You're not going to believe this. Cops, some heroes and Shinobi surround the Eighth's warehouse! They've come in droves! I even see Kuoh teachers and students!"
I don't even have time to be surprised when the cop in black pulls out his badge in front of us.
"Are you Senji Emiya?" He asks.
"..." (The situation is becoming increasingly complicated...)