Chapter 59
Accompanied by Rain and Ryuji, Liu Xuelan takes us out of Danjo's club and across the street to a Chinese restaurant. We pass through the back of the store and enter a small room containing only a round table and four chairs.
"Sit down, after all we're here to talk." She invites us.
With some hesitation, we all sit down at the same time. Then a waitress enters and serves us glasses of water, before leaving as quickly as she came in.
The room is filled with tension, Rain looks around insecurely. Ryuji concentrates on his glass, glancing discreetly at Liu Xuelan before looking back at his glass immediately afterwards.
(Judging by their reaction, this woman has quite a reputation, I'm not even surprised, she really is terrifying, I wonder how she and Danjo met...)
As for her, she sits upright, arms crossed and eyes closed, as if meditating. Then she grabs her glass and drinks half of it, before putting it back down and staring at me.
"Why are you staring at me? Do you like my face that much?" She asks me very seriously.
"I wonder what you want and expect from me. There's nothing exceptional about me, on the contrary, I'm more likely to jinx things than anything else."
"I spotted you when you won the Shibuya treasure hunt. People looking to stand up to the Eighth aren't a dime a dozen, so I was intrigued. You see, I'm looking for associates, and after seeing you in action, you seem like a good candidate."
"A associate? Why?"
"Peace." Her answer makes me raise an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"What are you looking for, why are you participating in Darwin's Game, why are you creating a clan and making an alliance with Danjo?" She asked me as if she knew the answer.
"The Darwin's Game itself doesn't interest me one bit. If I create a clan, it's to protect ourselves and deter attacks against us. The alliance is an added security."
"Hm Hm." She nods. "The same goes for me. Darwin's Game doesn't really interest me anymore, which is why I'm looking for associates, I wish to create a clan with someone strong enough to inspire fear with both our names, to have peace."
I don't answer right away, searching her face for signs of deception. But I see nothing. I pick up my glass and take a sip.
"Sorry, that's not going to be possible." I put my glass back down.
"Oh... You're quite a joker!" Despite her words, she's dead serious.
"On the contrary, I'm very serious. We founded our clan for a specific purpose, and I have no desire to put myself under the orders of someone we've only just met."
"Yet our goals are pretty close!"
"You'll just have to join our group then. As number one in the ranking, you'll be most welcome!" I can thank Rain for warning me just before who she is.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see Ryuji looking at me insistently, as if warning me to be careful what I say.
(I know Ryuji, but I can't afford to take it easy, or she'll get the better of me...)
"Well listen, there's no point in rushing! Let's leave it at that for the moment, and we'll look into it on our own!" Rain tries to calm the situation.
"What's the point? We'll always come to the same conclusion." I refuse, knowing full well it won't end that way.
"I hate procrastination; only the indecisive like to talk for nothing!" Agrees Lui Xuelan.
"We pretty much agree." I remark.
"It just goes to show that we're meant to get along, doesn't it?" She said, raising her glass. "Anyway, I don't intend to leave empty-handed!"
She suddenly disappears from her chair. All my senses are alert and in half a second I realize she's right behind me.
(What?! When did she get behind me?!)
I turn and activate my magic ciruits but too late, she knocks me out with a blow to the back of the neck.
"Senji! Eh oh!" As I emerge, I hear a familiar voice calling me. "Wake up!" I open my eyes to see Inukai.
"Hmm..." I slowly become aware of my surroundings.
I'm lying on a cold white tiled floor, all the walls and ceiling white, a bay window overlooking a city I don't recognize and a single door.
"That's it, you're back with us again? Xuelan just came out, if we want to get the hell out of here, it's now or never!"
"Where... where are we?" I sit up. "And what are you doing here? Did she capture you too?"
"Because I got in her way! As I was worried, I came to take a look at the restaurant, and that's when I saw her taking you away! I wanted to help you, but in the end I find myself in the same position as you..."
"It was nice of you to try."
"We're in her hideout and I don't think we've left the State of Konoha!"
"You're right, we've got to make the most of it..."
I charge my magic circuits and project a kunai, which I use to undo my bonds.
(What the hell have I gotten myself into again? I hope she didn't do anything to Rain and Ryuji... But wait, if I get kidnapped, what's going to happen with Rias, am I going to be considered a wandering devil? Forget it, I'm not planning to disappear anyway.)
"It's really practical your power, if I had to take something to a desert island, you're the one I'd choose!" Inukai comments.
"I'm not a Swiss Army knife!" I retort, doing my best to cut the rope.
"Hurry, before she comes back!"
"Well, I do what I can. It's not a very practical position." *Crac* That's it, the blade cuts the rope. "That's it, it's cut!"
"Really? And what did you cut?" Liu Xuelan asks, leaning against the doorframe.
(Oops.)
"Not much..." I stand up slowly, keeping my hands behind me. "Just my bonds!"
I throw the kunai before projecting a dozen swords, but I'm too slow, she's already beside me, running her fingers down my arm, following the lines of bluish light and rotating the kunai with her finger thanks to the ring at the end of the pommel.
"Ah, finally a mage able to use his magic circuits properly, I like it! Being able to create weapons out of thin air, you're better suited to murder than I am!" Then she moves towards the door, still playing with the kunai. "Get ready for a little ride!"
We're speeding down the freeway, being whisked away in a black limousine and tied up again. We sit on the back seat, closely watched by Liu Xuelan, on a seat along the right-hand side of the car, pouring herself a glass of wine.
"She may play it casual with her glass of wine, but she doesn't let her guard down one millimeter!" Whispers Inukai.
"Plus she replaced the strings with wire rope. It doesn't get any better..." I add.
"She's not just fast... She's a full lap ahead!" He analyzes.
"What do you mean?"
"She anticipates our actions!"
"What do you propose as a parade then?"
"I don't know!"
"Ha ha! What's with all the murmuring?" She asks, pouring herself another drink. "Let me in on the conversation!"
I don't answer, looking at her, as if wondering if she's serious or if this is just a game to her.
"What do you want from me in the end? Were you serious when you asked me to join your clan?" I ask.
"Silly jokes are not my style! In fact, there's a job I'd find hard to do on my own..."
"All the more reason for you to join forces with us."
"But that's not all! It's starting to be time for me to prepare my succession as head of the clan... But not just anyone can inherit my technique. That's why I want a child from you! That way, the succession will be assured!"
Hearing this, I can't help but blush, knowing full well the implications of what she's just said. But at the same time, flashes of my family cloud my mind, starting to make me uncomfortable.
"I'm going to repeat myself, but why me? I don't seem to have anything that special for your family. Besides, I'm far too young for this."
"Emiya." She said with a smile.
(Don't tell me she knows him too.)
"You look surprised to hear that name come out of my mouth. Yet if you're his son, you must know that he's one of the most prolific mercenaries of his generation, a real killer."
"Sorry to disappoint but I'm not really his son, he adopted me."
"Hmmm, I see. It's not a problem, after all, you've pretty much assimilated his fighting style, and adapted it to yours, to make something better with your different abilities. That's even better, I'd say."
"A proposal like that from that hottie... You're a lucky man!" Inukai half-mocks.
(A child, coming from me...) The violence of my past comes back, telling me that this is a terrible idea.
"I belong to a family of assassins that goes back over 2000 years. We've been influencing the course of history for ages! I don't want our art to disappear with me..." She explains.
"You've clearly got the wrong person, my blood won't get you anything, on the contrary, my family has never been very lucky..."
"Hmm?" Liu Xuelan is intrigued, but interrupted by the driver.
"Mademoiselle!" He calls. "It seems we're being followed. Shall I lose our pursuers?"
Hearing this, we turn to the rear window, seeing that we're being closely followed by what appears to be a Hummer.
"Tss, I should have gone a little harder, at the diner..." Liu Xuelan sighs. "That's how popular you are, Senji!" She picks up a phone and dials something. "You're a smart boy, you know your friends are no match for me... Tell them to retreat!"
She hands me the phone, showing a call from Shuka.
"Senji! Is that you?" She asks.
"Shuka! ...!"
I look at Liu, who's waiting with a smirk on her face. It only takes a few seconds for me to make my decision.
"Crash into us if you have to, but stop that car! Then I'll improvise!" I speak loudly to make myself heard.
Liu's face changes completely, from one of absolute confidence to one of great surprise. Without even giving Shuka time to respond, she cuts off the call.
"You're more stubborn than I imagined, I like that in a man!" She said in an amused tone.
"You're really strong, I'll give you that! You may be the best assassin on the planet and I understand that you're ranked number one in Darwin's Game. But watching Kiritsugu, I've seen that there are lots of things that can't be solved by murder. I'll have you know that he was also capable of sparing his opponents and simply stopping them, and I don't intend to obey someone who only knows how to give death. I propose a challenge: if you succeed in undermining my clan, without killing a single member, I accept to become your stooge, your husband or whatever you want."
"Challenge accepted!" There was no hesitation at my proposal. "You won't go back on your word, I hope!?"
"Not a chance, I never go back on my word."
Suddenly, a Darwin's Game announcement is heard on our phones: "Fight in progress!"
(A clan attack? It's a good idea, to avoid attracting attention.)
Gunshots from a sniper are heard, impacts are felt but nothing happens, Liu Xuelan's face continues to breathe confidence. Then another, heavier impact is heard. It's Shuka, digging the tip of his chain into the limousine.
"I see! It's this young girl who makes you so confident..." Liu Xuelan comments. "When I've neutralized her, you'll be forced to forfeit!"
She opens the door and jumps onto the roof, leaving us alone in the back. I try to see what's going on, but all I can see is Shuka on the roof of the Hummer, looking terribly cranky, probably a taunt from Liu. Suddenly, she looks surprised, as if she's been injured.
(Xuelan's hallicunations are truly terrifying.)
Then, as if nothing had happened, Shuka leapt towards us, disappearing. Numerous blows are heard and spikes can be seen piercing the roof, the sound of combat continues for a few seconds until nothing more happens.
(Is it over already?)
It's almost noon and Minori is watching over the school entrance, which is open for students who want to go to the library, or for those who want to use the training fields and take part in their club activities.
"Hello Minori-sensei!" Several students greet the teacher, entering the establishment.
"Hi girls! Have a great afternoon!" Minori greeted them in return, a big smile on her face.
Then she turned towards the courtyard, seeing Usui and Youta arriving.
"So, how was your training session?" She asks.
"Phew, completely exhausted." Youta sighs.
"Hey! I told you I wasn't kidding! But you did great, congratulations."
"Thank you sensei, we're off to eat but we'll be back, will you still be here or will it be close?" Usui asks.
"All you have to do is ring and I'll open the gate for you. By the way, Senji isn't with you, though I'm sure he wouldn't miss a training session under any circumstances."
"Well, when we asked him last night, he told us he had something important to do."
"Something important... And you don't know any more?"
"No, he didn't want us to... more... What the...?" Youta pauses to look behind Minori.
Minori turns to see a black van in the distance speeding off, then after a few seconds, others van appears, following at a distance from the first.
"Isn't there a barrier further down to prevent vehicles from reaching here?" Usui asks, not quite reassured.
Minori squints, to see that the front of the van is damaged.
"They went through with a breaching vehicle." Minori stepped forward and took up a fighting stance. "Go warn Aki and the other sensei, we're under attack!"
The two students' eyes widen as they see the van hurtling towards them without braking, not even trying to avoid the students, who are forced to jump to the sides to avoid being crashed into.
"Go back to school, kids! And get to safety!" Minori raises her voice.
The students approach the school gate in panic. Seeing the van approaching, Minori clenches her fists, which are covered in flames, a powerful aura surrounding her, startling the two students, who have never seen her like this before.
As the vehicle comes into contact, she has no hesitation and throws her fist at it, bringing it to an immediate halt and pulverizing the front end. The driver and passenger are ejected through the windshield, crashing to the ground dead on impact. She looks around the van to see...
"Blood...?" Her aura expanded, her flames waving and swelling, rendering the air around her almost unbreathable.
From inside, she opens her hand to pour a torrent of flame into the vehicle. The other passengers in the back of the van get out, but die burnt to a crisp before they can do anything.
Having seen this, the other vans stop, and they all get out, dressed in the same way, a black jacket with an eight in the back and grey pants.
"So here they are..." Minori picks up the charred van and throws it in their direction, crushing some inattentive.
"Hey girl! Don't you know where class... A-1 is?" A guy with a scarred face and an eye patch approaches her.
Hearing this, Minori frowns, knowing full well what he means. Usui and Youta are completely confused and stressed.
"What do you want with my students?!" Minori increases her tone.
Not even answering, the guy lunged at her and delivered a kick that was easily stopped. Surprised, he jerks back, as if drawn by an outside force.
"*Whistle* It wasn't just showing off huh? So that means you're probably one of the sensei here. So you won't know where Emiya Senji is?" He asks with a mischievous grin.
"Senji? What do you want from Senji?!" Youta snaps.
"Oh? The little piglet knows Senji? Alright guys, we've got a target!"
"Oh no nobody will pass."
Minori hits the ground, creating a wall of flame blocking the portal.
"Youta, Usui, go to safety!"
"No! I'm staying with you!" Youta moves into fighting stance.
"What are you talking about Youta?! You're their target!" Minori is surprised.
"Let's turn around man, have you seen how Minori-sensei's doing? We're going to annoy her more than anything else!" Usui tries to convince him.
"If I'm their target then all the more reason to stay here, if they passes they'll go after the whole school next! I know I'm not as strong as Senji and I lack confidence, but I want to protect this school, I want to help you sensei and above all I want to help my friend! If stopping them now means Senji can finally breathe, then I'll join the fight too!"
"...I see." Minori smiled, "Very good! So get ready! I'm counting on you to create space for me!"
"Roger! Usui, go warn the others that things are seriously starting to heat up." Youta steps forward.
"...Shit... I'm sorry I can't help!" Usui walks away, filled with remorse.
Suddenly, a violent gust of wind extinguishes the flames and, without waiting, the Eighths charge forward, but several are stopped, levitating into the air and then flung violently towards the vans. Minori leaves them no opening, coming up against two members quickly and landing two blows to the face, knocking them out. Some try to get behind her to meet Youta but are too slow, caught immediately by Minori, who crushes them to the ground with her monstrous strength, creating a crater on impact.
Seeing several people charging Minori when she's already busy, Youta uses his telekinetics to lift them up and throw them towards the vans, but he feels the fatigue mounting, having very little control over living beings.
"What the hell are you playing at?! Don't tell me you're afraid of a single woman?!" Screams the scarred man, annoyed.
Seeing that his colleagues were being annihilated, he warmed up, glaring at the student, then charged forward, using a gust of wind to propel himself. But he senses a huge presence behind him, instinctively dodging the flaming fist, and slides to the ground, a cold sweat rolling down his face.
"Ok, I understand better, she's not messing around, impossible to turn your back on her without signing a death warrant."
"Now I understand." She pulls her fist off the ground, pointing it at him. "You're using the element of wind."
"Yeah, so?"
"You're the most dangerous, so I'll show no mercy, especially after trying to cause harm to my student." Minori's gaze made the scarred man sweat.
"Tss, no problem. It's time for me to get serious, too."
A strong wind comes up, surrounding the scarred man, then he moves into position, ready to confront that position.
"...This position... *Gasp*!" Minori turned instinctively, seeing the Eighths charging towards an exhausted Youta. "Youta I'm coming!"
"Oh no you stay with me!" A wall of wind was created in front of Minori.
"Bastard!" She tries to hit the wall, but is pushed right back.
"Shit I'm out of strength!" Youta tries to move, but collapses to the ground.
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning bursts over him, tasing the nearest, collapsing to the ground smoking , then a fireball exploding over several Eighths.
"You're completely nuts to go after Kuoh, what did you expect? Catch Senji or one of his classmates with no problem?" Kodama steps forward, furious. "Sorry to disappoint you, but we have no mercy for people like you."
Pointing their fingers, the spirits of fire and electricity fire their elements, bringing down several Eighths.
"Minori, reinforcements are coming!" Gen-sensei also steps forward with a huge hammer.
He grabs Youta, gently helping him to his feet, when several flashes of lightning fall from the sky, followed by a chuckle. Akeno steps forward, her hand covered in electricity.
"Fufufu... Let me show you what we do with naughty boys like you." She smiles, but her intentions are quite different, slightly intimidating the Eighth.
"Well, it looks like I don't have to worry anymore, now it's between you and me." Minori breathed a sigh of relief before refocusing on the scarred man.
"Are we seriously being pushed back by kids?!" He rages.
"...Wait..." Minori scans him, come surprised to see him. "Karate stance... But I recognize you, you're Kamizaki Keiichi, a karate champion, before you stopped after killing one of your opponents! What's someone as noble as you doing with the Eighth?"
"It's all ancient history. But killing that guy made me feel something incredible. Taking someone's life is so exhilarating! You can't even imagine!"
He charged towards her, fists raised. Minori does the same, swinging her fist to create a hot gust of wind, scattering flames in all directions. Then they step back, the two adversaries facing each other, Keiichi jumping on the spot and Minori frozen. She attacks, sending her fists towards his face, but he counters with a kick. Minori is pushed back but uses the power of her flames to intimidate him and avoid retaliating.
She immediately resumed with a torrent of flame, which he repelled with a gust of wind, then charged at her, caught off guard, she lunged for a straight blow but he dodged by going underneath and opened his hand, showing a whirlwind. Widening her eyes, she barely has time to create a fireball to protect herself, exploding on contact, knocking them both backwards.
"That technique... it looked like the fourth Hokage's..." Minori is surprised.
"I'm a long way from being able to say it's the same thing, but I'm on the right track. Impressive isn't it."
"...Users of the wind element are really problematic..." Minori spits, before getting back into position.
"Sorry, but I think the fun ends here."
"Why is that?"
"The boss is here."
It takes Minori a few seconds to process what he's just said. She turns in panic to the children and Gen, seeing them still facing the Eighth.
"Gen! Children! Dodge!" She speaks as loud as she can.
They stop, not understanding why Minori is panicking, when a man appears between them and Youta and raises his hand to Gen. Seeing this, he reacts by instinct, throwing himself back and putting the handle of the hammer in front of him, which is cut cleanly, with a gash to the shoulder, narrowly avoiding losing his arm.
"Pretty reactive huh? Not a sensei for nothing. Too bad." He looks disappointed to have just missed Gen.
"Sensei! You bastard will pay!" Kodama points his finger at him, ready to fire.
"Take it easy, kiddo. Nobody move, or the little pig's brain is going to be splattered all over the floor, is that clear?" He says, placing his hand just above Youta's head, who remains motionless, frozen in fear.
"That's it, the head of the Eighth finally decides to show his face?" Said Akeno, as if disgusted by said person.
"Here I am at last, darling. You really thought we were going to attack Kuoh unprepared. I let you play with my clan, but now it's over, look ahead." He points to his clan.
Their eyes widen, seeing all the members with weapons in their hands.
"So many weapons... How did you get so many...?" Gen asks, sitting down on the floor.
"It's none of your business sensei. Your backs are against the wall, it would be stupid to counter-attack armed people, especially with the kids present, wouldn't it? So now let's get on with it. Keiichi, is the fat kid the target?"
"Right, he knows Senji." He affirms, stepping toward One.
"Is that true, piggy? Are you a good buddy of Senji's?" One asks.
"Don't answer it Youta!" Minori shouts.
"Shut up or I'll finish off your colleague! So are you going to answer?"
"..." Youta hesitates.
"Don't make me slaughter the whole school, I'm capable of it if I have to." A demionac smile appears on his face.
"You need to settle the score with Senji that badly, can't you just let the water flow under the bridge?" Kodama asks.
"That son of a bitch humiliated me and on my own turf to boot. There's no way I'm letting this go." One's gaze is so dark it makes Kodoama shudder.
"Then take me with you. I know Senji-kun too." Akeno offers.
"Hmmm, okay, if it's offered that nicely, but don't think that just because you're a woman that we're going to be nicer to you. On the contrary, we're going to have a lot of fun..." One licks his lip, making the girls tremble with fear.
"I know Senji, we're even in the same class." Youta stands up, confronting One. "If there's one person to capture here, it's me."
"In the same class, well you caught the jackpot Keichii, sorry honey, but he wins." One scoffs.
"Youta-kun, what are you doing?!" Akeno asks, feeling uncomfortable still.
"I'll follow you without flinching, but I'd just ask you not to hurt them."
"Hmmm..." One massages his jaw. "Normally I'd have cut off some of your fingers by making this request, but I'm in a merciful mood today, so we'll leave without causing any more trouble."
"One! Boss! The cops, they're coming!" One of the Eighths shouts.
"Everyone can hear the sirens, you morons! Let's get out of here, and you guys don't move until we're gone, is that clear?" One threatens, dragging Youta behind him.
"Youta! We'll come and save you, I promise!" Minori calls out to him.
He merely smiles before being forced into a van, then they speed off, disappearing into the distance.
Akeno, Kodama, Gen and Minori freeze, watching them go, still unable to believe what has just happened. Akeno is the first to come to her senses, crouching down to look at Gen's condition.
"Kodama-chan, keep an eye on Gen-sensei, I'm going to look for Asia-chan." She said, before scurrying off towards the school.
"What just happened?" Kodama wonders, holding Gen.
"Who'd have thought they'd attack on a vacation? They played us completely..." Gen is interrupted by a thud.
He looks ahead to see Minori, hitting the ground, creating a smoking crater, a face of rare fury to behold.