Welcome back! I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. And this one as well. At the end of this chapter, I will make an announcement of the fan-fic going forward. With that said, let's a- go! In this chapter, the fallout of the temple's anniversary resulted in lives lost and knowledge of a kaiju loose in the vicinity of the Tokyo area. How will the X-Force tackle this problem now? And how will Yashida Industries react to Haise's role in this? Read to find out!
Chapter 09 – taliate: Kaiju Hunting
Haise woke up on a hospital bed. At first confused, he checked to see that we still wore his Investigator attire. Soon after, he realized his surroundings.
"I'm in a hospital…why though?"
Haise then felt a little headache. Slowly, the headache grew.
"Why now…"
Soon, an influx of memories blew up in his mind. Memories of his time in the X-Men. His time with Hisako.
"Hisako…?"
The pain slowly stopped when Haise instinctively accepted his memories. When he did, the pain went away. Now Haise remembered the time when he was Kuzuri. When he was Logan's son.
"Dad…"
Haise attempted to remember his mother, but to no avail.
"Guess I still have some things to recover…"
Give it time…it'll come to you…
Haise knew who that other voice in his mind was.
"Ken?"
For now…focus on where you are…
Puzzled at first, Haise's attention went to the hospital door to his left, and sees Mutsuki opening it.
"You're awake…"
He then yells,
"Guys, he finally woke up!"
Soon, the rest of the X-Force entered the room. The Quinxes and Hisako were the first ones to rush inside while the seasoned members, and Deadpool, entered at a calmer pace. Shirazu and Saiko were the first ones to speak to him.
"Mr. Yas, you all right?"
"MAMAN! I'M SO HAPPY YOU DIDN'T GET EATEN!"
Both Shirazu and Saiko hugged him tightly, which Akira responds,
"Take it easy on Haise. He just recovering."
"Don't worry Akira. Just a nasty bump. Nothing I can't come back from."
"Still, it never wise to act so reckless."
Said Harada. Haise then asked,
"So, what's the situation?"
Most of the X-Force were at a lost for words when it came to explaining the aftermath of the kaiju attack. Deadpool, however, found the remote to the television in Haise's hospital room as he says,
"To summarize boss man, messy…as it is tragic…"
Deadpool turned on the television and switched to the channels currently reporting on the incident near the, now ruined, temple in the Mt. Takao area.
"Casualties count in the dozens as the former site of the Takaosan Temple was ruined by an unknown phenomenon. Many eyewitnesses claim that it was a kaiju responsible for the entire event. Although authorities are skeptical due to the overwhelming lack of evidence as all of the devices of the survivors were mysteriously shut down. Many of the survivors stated as soon as the kaiju appeared, their devices shut down as they were filming. A general warning made by the GCB…"
Haise felt a great deal of survivor's guilt within him as he says,
"I should've done more…"
"Don't say that."
Said Yukio, preemptively stopping Akira to saying the same thing to Haise. Yukio went to Haise's side.
"Listen. We were up against something that we barely were prepared for. Not to mention we didn't come to fight the kaiju, but to save as many people as we could. Most of the blame falls on the kaiju, which started this tragedy, and that monk who wanted to be famous above all else."
"Any trace of him?"
Urie responds,
"I saw him…getting sucked up into the monster's feeding tornado."
"Feeding tornado?"
"That's how Saiko described it."
"It's true. I saw him getting sucked in as lunch. I know he's at fault, but that was too far man!"
Haise laughed a little before responding,
"I completely agree."
Haise got up from the hospital bed and asked Yukio,
"How are Hirokawa and his crew?"
"Both Mutsuki and Saiko kept the ones near us safe and alive, while the kaiju ignored the ones assigned to Harada and Shirazu."
"Shirazu, you were assigned to their protection."
Said Haise. Everyone looked Shirazu, which he responded in a nervous tone of voice,
"W-W-Well…I saw the cloud move a-a-and I couldn't let anything happen to you guys…!"
"Shirazu…considering how everything played out, I'm glad you did what you did."
"Thanks…"
"But next time, follow your orders. No matter what."
"Y-Yes, Mr. Yas."
Haise then addressed the rest of the X-Force.
"Once we receive the film footage of the kaiju, we'll then present it to Special Investigators Marude and Arima. As well as Director Washuu. Yukio, did Antlers give you a timeline of the footage?"
"I just contacted him before you woke up. He has given me a timeline of the editing process. He has assured me that it will be made ready before noon tomorrow. What we will need on our part is a projector that will run 16-millimeter film reels."
"Anyway we can find one?"
Asked Urie. Harada responded,
"We will use our resources to either find one or create one before tomorrow."
"Excellent. Let's head home for now."
Said Haise, to which Akira responded,
"Okay. I'll head to Main Headquarters about my debriefing, as well as telling them of the full report of today's incident from all of you."
"Got it."
Hisako then says,
"I think we should exit the hospital from the back."
She pointed outside the window she currently stood nearby. When the team looked outside, more than a dozen reporters stood outside the entrance. The X-Force looked on, stunned by the number of vultures in front of them.
"You're absolutely right. Still…"
"Distraction right?"
Said Deadpool, offering to do his part.
"I got just the thing."
xxxxxx
When the hospital doors opened, the reporters expected someone to interview about what happened at the Takaosan temple. What they got instead was Deadpool wearing nothing but his mask, his ankle bracelet and a pair of Hello Kitty tighty-whities. Except they were pink. Deadpool performed a ridiculous dance, akin to the type that strippers regularly performed. And the cameras ate it up. So much so, that the X-Force took the opportunity as Haise whispered,
"Yukio, where did you park?"
"Over there."
She pointed to where the SUVs were parked.
"Let's go."
The X-Force rushed to the cars. When they made it, Haise took the driver's seat of the first car, with the Quinxes and Hisako getting inside. Yukio took the driving seat of the second one with Harada and Akira inside. Before Haise started the car, he received a call on his phone.
'Don't worry about Deadpool. I got the remote from Mutsuki. Just get home and rest. I've told Hirokawa to deliver to the safe house where I am.'
"Got it. Thanks, Yukio."
The call hung up as Yukio drove past Haise's car and parked near where Deadpool currently made a fool of himself. When he got on, the SUV then sped away. Haise thought to himself,
"She gets things done, that's for sure."
xxxxxx
(1st ward, nighttime)
The Quinxes were in their own rooms. Both Saiko and Mutsuki slept off the residual trauma of the day. Shirazu currently was exercising in the Chateau's training room.
"I gotta be stronger…so you better watch out kaiju!"
After a few more minutes of training, Shirazu had another thought.
"Kaiju usually have names…does it even have a name?"
While Urie was in his room, painting while still processing the events from today. Becoming lost in thought.
"That kaiju was a lot more powerful than anyone could imagine…and Shirazu acted in face of that thing…while I did…"
When Urie snapped back to reality, he noticed that he painted the image of the kaiju, albeit in an abstract manner. He sighed before saying to himself,
"Maybe I need some shuteye…"
xxxxxx
Meanwhile, Haise spoke with Hisako in the car. Confused, she asked,
"Why are we talking in the car?"
"Two reasons. One, my great-grandfather is spying on me."
Shocked by this, she asked,
"Why?"
Haise took out the camera bug from his left pocket and gave it to Hisako.
"I think he's doing this because he's acting over-protective of me."
"Still, I think that breaking a good number of laws."
"No argument from me. But…I think it also has something to do with my mother."
"Your mom?"
"Ever since she died without him knowing, he's gone to great lengths to keep me safe."
"So, why join the Bureau?"
"That's a long story…and we don't have enough time for the second reason."
"Which is what?"
Haise took a deep breath before saying,
"I remember you."
Hisako took a moment as she almost struggled to exhale, which worried Haise.
"Hisako, you okay. Just remember to-"
Hisako instantly hugged Haise as she exclaimed,
"KANEKI!"
Kaneki slightly gasped as she called him by his name. What stood out stranger was that he already took over Haise without a struggle.
"I'm back…"
"I knew you remember me. I can't imagine how long it took you do so."
"Well…not everything…but what I do remember is my time with the X-Men."
"Hey, that's better than nothing."
Kaneki smiled as he remembered Hisako's optimism. Although this time, it tempered itself with experience. She asked him,
"How much do you remember?"
"When I was part of the hunt for the U-Men, the Professor's disappearance, and D'Ken's invasion. Well…most of it…"
"Oh…well, can't blame you for missing some things…"
"I also remember Scott, Ororo, Hank, Xavier, Kurt…and Piotr. I can't believe I forgot about him."
"They all miss you."
"I can't imagine…"
After a pause of silence, Kaneki asked,
"How's the team?"
"A lot's happened to them. Mostly good."
"Really? Tell me."
Hisako spoke for almost a half hour straight. She spoke about the period of when the team stuck with just teaching for now. Then how they amended the Sokovia accords to include the non-infringement of mutant civil rights, with inhuman following afterwards. In return, the accords stated that the X-Men will act in place of the Avengers' usual duties. So far, no world-ending events happened yet, but the X-Men experienced a resurgence of popularity since their role in the D'Ken Invasion. Hisako only took a breath for Kaneki to ask questions in between. Overall, the X-Men were not just relevant, but filled in where the likes of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor left a void. When Hisako stopped, Kaneki responded.
"They've really kept themselves busy."
"Yeah. So much so, they haven't worked with the GCB for quite some time. Unless you count their part in taking down a North American counterpart to Aogiri Tree."
"Aogiri's expanded to other countries?"
"Sort of. There's been copycats of Aogiri happening all over the world. I don't know the full details yet, but if the one I took part was any indication, Aogiri's influence over ghouls can't be ignored anymore."
"So that's why you came here."
"That's half of it. The other half is…"
"Me…"
"Pretty much…"
Kaneki sat shuffling through his recovered memories. After digging more into his mind, he remembered his older sister.
"And…how was Laura in all this?"
"Well…that's just the thing…she's here. In Tokyo."
Floored by the news, Kaneki exclaimed,
"What?!"
"She's living here now."
"Then…why didn't she…?!"
Before Kaneki could finish his sentence, he felt his mind overflowing with unearthed information once more, resulting in a headache that almost caused him to scream in pain. This time, his memories were of ghouls. Ghouls that showed compassion to him. Ghouls that gave him a reason to live, to fight. A reason to love. Worried, Hisako asked,
"Kaneki, what's wrong?"
Soon, the headache faded away as one person came to Kaneki's mind. He remembered the person to be the young woman who was the manager of the café in the 13th ward he often frequented when he could. Combined with his reawakened memories, he spoke her name.
"Touka…"
Kaneki remembered when he unconsciously cried as he took a sip of her coffee. Worried again, Hisako asked,
"Kaneki? You said her name…"
After taking a deep breath, Kaneki says to her,
"Hisako, you know I'm working for the Bureau. I don't know what happened exactly why I'm the great-grandson of a major company…but I do know this. Ichiro Yashida…has a history with my father."
Hisako lightly gasped when Kaneki mentioned his father.
"I had no idea…and I'm willing to be neither did he. Is it because he interacted with his father's memories when he was Haise?"
"When this kaiju incident is done, I intend to face Ichiro. And then tell the team all about me. Minus Anteiku."
"Obviously."
"But first…there's somebody I need to see."
Hisako knew who Kaneki talked about.
"Okay…you don't mind if I take over your room tonight?"
"Go for it. If anyone asks, I'll tell them that you went for a walk. Say that it's about the fallout of today."
"Thank you, Hisako."
As the two exited the car, Kaneki instantly ran to get out of the neighborhood. Hisako looked on, thinking,
"Good luck…Ken."
Kaneki called for a cab, which arrived where he stood in about 10 minutes. As he boarded the cab, the driver asked,
"Where to?"
"13th ward."
After about 5 minutes of driving, Kaneki noticed two things. One, the route the cab driver currently took did not lead to the 13th ward. And two, this cab possessed a partition between him and the driver.
"Excuse me. I think this is the wrong way."
The cab driver did not respond, and instead shut the gap between him and Kaneki.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
Soon after, gas filled his side of the seat.
SNIKT!
He attempted to escape, but he inhaled enough of the gas for it to become effective as Kaneki slowly drifted away. Once again, his thought was,
"Touka…"
When the cab stopped, the one who opened the door was Harada. The cab driver opened to reveal himself as one of Harada's underlings.
"It is done."
"Have him delivered to the Yashida household. Bring him up from the back. Neither the master's son or daughter-in-law cannot know."
"Yes sir."
Harada looked down on Kaneki with an expression of contempt and loathing.
xxxxxx
(The next morning)
The Quinxes stood outside along with Hisako. The Quinxes stood worried about Haise, who did not come back to the Chateau since last night. Hisako felt most of the uneasiness due to her part.
"Kaneki wanted to see Touka…but I don't know if he made it to her…"
She thought about Yukio's and Harada's possible role in this development.
"They're just acting on orders…but how they act…it makes me worried."
Soon a pair of SUVs arrived. With the first one opening to reveal Haise exiting the vehicle. Saiko exclaimed,
"Maman!"
"Hi everyone."
Urie asked,
"Where have you been?"
"I was visiting my great-grandfather. To let him know I was okay."
Hisako knew what Haise said stood at odds of what they talked about last night.
"I knew it…whatever they did…"
Haise continued.
"Anyhow, Yukio found a projector for the film reel that Hirokawa finally finished."
"Sweet!"
Exclaimed Shirazu. As the Quinxes boarded the first vehicle, Harada went to Hisako's side. He whispered to her,
"We need you with us…"
Haise notices this and asks,
"Hisako, you all right?"
"…I'm just gonna go with them…"
"Okay…"
As the two entered their respective cars, the one that Haise rode in left first, with the second one following afterwards. In the first car, Mutsuki asked Haise,
"Sensei…where did you go last night?"
"…yesterday took a heavier toll on me than I thought. So, I took a walk to clear my head. Just as I was heading back home, my great-grandfather called me. He was asking about how I was feeling, if the hotel staff treated me right and everything. He was very concerned about me."
"Oh…okay…"
"I offered to stay the night back at the Yashida estate to ease his mind. So, Harada drove me back and I stayed the night there. I'm sorry if I worried you guys."
Urie says,
"Well…a phone call would've been appreciated."
Shirazu responded,
"I'm with Urie on this one."
Haise chuckled a little before saying,
"Sorry everyone."
Mutsuki then says,
"Well, it's not just that. Last night, I saw you talking with Hisako in the car."
"Really? I don't remember that."
"Well…I was in sleepy state. But I could've swore I did…"
Shirazu says to Mutsuki,
"Can we save this for another time? We got a kaiju problem."
"Right…Sorry, team leader."
Haise tried to remember last night, but nothing came to him. In the second car, a tense silence took place. Both Hisako and Deadpool sat in the same row with Yukio. Hisako had a lot of things in her mind.
"Makes me think how much they know…did they bug the car when Haise and the Quinxes weren't looking?"
Harada broke the silence by saying,
"We need the bug Haise gave you."
"So you did bug the car…"
Yukio says to her,
"We have our orders to spy on Haise for good reason."
"You mean Ken."
Yukio lightly gasped when Hisako said his real name.
"All this is done for a reason…"
"Kaneki had a life before you people made him forget."
Deadpool brought out a gun and pointed it at Hisako. He explained,
"Look…really nothing against you…but they got me between a rock and hard place. So if I'm being straight to the point…"
"They really got you…I understand."
Yukio responded,
"Good. The bug."
Hisako took out the camera bug from her right pocket and gave it to Yukio. As soon as she realized it, the cars made it to the Main Office. Deadpool withdrew his gun just as the car stopped to park in the parking lot near the building. Both Harada and Yukio exited the vehicle first to unload the film reel and projector from the back. As soon as the back door closed, Deadpool spoke with Hisako privately.
"I feel the same as you do…"
Deadpool took off his mask, which shocked Hisako as she recognized who Deadpool truly was. She almost spoke his name, but Deadpool placed his right index finger on her lips.
"We don't have time, but I promise you. I'll do on my part to find out what they're doing."
As soon as Deadpool's ankle bracelet started beeping, he instantly put his mask back on and says to her,
"WE GOTTA GO!"
Deadpool immediately got out of the car, with Hisako following. As soon as the two caught up with the rest of the X-Force, Haise asked,
"What took the two of you so long?"
Deadpool said,
"I dropped something and she was helping look for it."
"What?"
Deadpool took out his gun, which shocked Haise and the rest of the team.
"Watch where you're pointing that thing!"
Urie yelled,
"Why the hell did you bring that?!"
"It's my thing! Besides, you're all government officials. Carrying guns should be something you do every day!"
Haise exclaimed,
"One: we're not police officers. Our jurisdiction is ghouls and extraterrestrials only. And two…"
Haise instantly took the gun from Deadpool's hand.
"THIS IS NOT AMERICA!"
Haise put the gun into his coat. Although still angry with Deadpool, he orders the rest of the X-Force.
"Let's keep moving."
As the X-Force arrived inside the Main Office building, they met with a strange-looking individual. He was round and stout, wearing a dark trenchcoat and a round fedora to match. What stood out was his face, the left side of it seeming stitched together with a patch of blue skin. What made this individual stand out more was his eyes mismatched in size, with the small one on the left side and a regular one on the right. As well as a peg leg, which made Deadpool contain his squeal. This uneased both Saiko and Mutsuki. The individual introduced himself.
"The X-Force, I presume?"
"And you are?"
Asked Haise, with the individual replying,
"Forgive me. I forgot my manners. I'm Assistant Special Investigator Shiki Kijima."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
The two shook hands before Kijima asked,
"I wanted to ask if your team have acquired footage of the events from yesterday for the presentation?"
"Yes…I assumed that you asked either Special Investigator Arima or Marude to view said presentation?"
"Actually, Special Investigator Marude has invited Special Investigators Iwao, Aura, Suzuya, and Ui for the viewing of the footage. As well as the S2 squad and four other squads."
Most of the X-Force had their jaws gaping open at how many Investigators Marude wanted for the operation. Shirazu exclaimed,
"Seriously?!"
"Oh my. I didn't mean to floor you from out of nowhere."
"Forgive my superior. He jumps the gun sometimes."
Said the young man on Kijima's left side. Kijima then says to the X-Force,
"Allow me to give all of you the time needed for the presentation. Furuta."
"Yes sir. Please excuse me."
xxxxxx
As soon as the X-Force made it to where Secretary Ruisawa said the presentation took place, they only saw about 25 people in a single mid-size room. each of the 40 chairs were divided in rows of fives. Some of the Investigators were talking to each other while some of them saw the X-Force entering the room. Haise saw some Investigators he was familiar with; Like Ui, Kuramoto, and even Akira. Others he just met today, such as Kijima and Furuta. And one that did not stop staring daggers at either him or the rest of the team. Shirazu commented on this.
"Well, at least it's a small crowd. Nothing to be nervous about."
Haise chuckled a little before replying,
"True. Let's set up everything."
"Leave it to me and Harada."
Said Yukio. Urie says to them,
"Allow us to help."
Yukio took another look at the room, noticing that there was no space for the projector and screen.
"Appreciated."
Urie started to make a gap for the projector. Haise noticed Ui in the room and waved at him. Although Ui still a little sore at him defeating his idol, he remained professional in light of recent events. He goes to Haise and asked,
"Investigator Yashida, good to see you and your team make it out alive."
"Thank you, Investigator Ui."
Ui sees the X-Force assisting both Harada and Yukio setting up for the presentation, minus Deadpool and Hisako. Ui asked,
"I still don't know why you asked for that masked degenerate."
"I saw what he offered to the team. You'll find that he's done something to contribute to our current assignment."
"We'll see…"
Akira joined in on the conversation.
"Haise is telling the honest truth. True, he's far too crude in how he talks and acts. But guided towards a positive direction, his actions in a critical situation means the difference between life and death."
Shirazu says to Haise,
"Mr. Yas, we're all set up."
Haise saw his team set up everything for today. He felt impressed seeing Mutsuki helping Yukio figuring out how the film projector worked, as well as Saiko helping Harada set up the projection screen. Shirazu stepped up to find a table tall enough to match the height of the screen, and Urie cleared a space to make sure nothing blocked the viewing range of the projector. He says to them,
"Great work everyone."
"Yeah. Teamwork makes the dream work!"
Said Deadpool. Among with Investigator's Ui's team was Ihei, who was quick to point out,
"You never did anything."
"Well, I wouldn't mind getting coffee for every dove in a suit here who wants one. But…"
Deadpool pointed to his ankle bracelet.
"I'm on parole, courtesy of the leader of the X-Force."
Deadpool thumb-pointed at Haise, much to the latter's embarrassment. One of Ui's squad mates, Senior Investigator Taishi Fura, pointed to a coffee maker and says to Deadpool,
"If you're offering, I'll take mine black."
Six other Investigators raised their hands indicating the same order. Deadpool responded,
"Coming right up."
As Deadpool worked on the coffee, Haise asked Akira,
"When will Arima and Marude be here?"
"I just texted Arima. He's getting here. He and Marude were just finishing up a discussion with the Director."
"Director Washuu? What for?"
Akira did a brief sigh before continuing,
"The kaiju incident from yesterday really got Japan in a bit of hot water from the international community. Specifically…"
"Shield."
"Yes. Yesterday night, the Prime Minister and the Defense Secretary managed to persuade the Americans to hold off sending the X-Men to handle the kaiju. They told the International community that the GCB of Japan is capable of tackling any extraterrestrial activity within its borders."
"That's quite a statement."
Said Ui. Akira continued once more.
"Well, from what I've heard is that there are quite a number of factors behind the Prime Minister making quite a statement. Business interests that want to assist us in exchange for a contract with the Bureau, nationalists asserting our country's sovereignty, and research programs wanting a piece of kaiju."
Haise commented,
"Sounds like a lot of pressure on our Bureau branch."
"Pressure, we can handle. What matters is that we learn everything about the kaiju as soon as possible."
"Right."
As soon as they finished, Special Investigators Marude and Arima finally entered the room. All the Investigators stood up and saluted to the two. Marude says to them,
"At ease. Take your seats."
The Investigators did as Marude ordered. Just as they seated, Investigator Marude addressed everyone in the room.
"Good morning. For those that may have missed the news, yesterday within the Yamagata prefecture, there was an incident that resulted in the destruction of the Takaosan temple. As well as the disappearance of more than three dozen tourists gone missing. Many eyewitnesses report that these people did not disappear…they were taken by, and I quote, a kaiju."
A tense silence filled the air of the room. The only sound heard was the coffee maker finishing creating a fresh pot. As Deadpool got a serving plate to put the cups on, Marude continued.
"Unfortunately, until yesterday, no recorded video or images of this incident exists. However, the X-Force, formerly named the Quinx squad, not only stopped the incident from getting worse. They also possess the only visual evidence of the existence of the kaiju. Lights."
Deadpool shut off the lights before he served the coffee. There was some darkness before Yukio turned the projector on. The film reel took a moment by counting down before showing the footage. The runtime of the footage of the X-Force taking on the kaiju was about 20 minutes. As Deadpool passed the coffee to the Investigators who requested a cup, the film footage showed the X-Force attempting to evacuate the tourists in the area before the kaiju finally showed up. Everyone in the room gasped at the sight of the kaiju. For some, it invoked a deep fear within them. For others, excitement of the twisted kind. It even made a couple of Investigators almost drop their cups. As the film footage finished, Deadpool turned the lights back on. Haise stood in front of the screen to explain why such a method had to be used.
"When the X-Force first encountered the kaiju, we attempted to film evidence on our devices, but we found out on the field, as Hisako Ichiki hypothesized, the kaiju emits a mid-range low EMP field around itself. Making any electronic devices shut down by themselves. Only when the kaiju left the area did our devices turn back on. That was the purpose of us contracting Ataru Hirokawa, a local artisan filmmaker whose specialty was the creation of celluloid film reels and the custom-specialized cameras that operated on them."
Each of the Investigators variously reacted in awe of this discovery.
"We'll have this footage converted to a video file on a DVD soon."
Haise signaled Yukio to do so.
"I'd like to take a closer look of the kaiju in question."
Said Kijima.
"For research purposes of course."
"Yes, Investigator Kijima. However, I'm not done yet."
"Apologies."
Haise signaled Hisako, who was sitting on a desktop near a digital projector. She then gave Deadpool a signal to turn off the lights again. As he did, the digital projector then showed the camera footage Haise acquired from the monkey zoo. During the viewing, Yukio went to work on creating a digital copy of the film reel and burning it on a DVD disc. As the process went on, Haise explained why he possessed said footage.
"The latest sighting Hisako mentioned to the X-Force was at Mount Takao, where it was reported that a pair of hikers went missing at the Omotesando mountain trail about a week ago. The day I heard it was when Cochlea's power supply shut down for some apparent reason…"
Ui finished what Haise was about to say.
"But now you realize that it was the kaiju appearing in the skies of the 23rd ward."
"Exactly. What happened in the 23rd ward wasn't just a random act of God…what happened was the kaiju expelled…blood-soaked excrement."
Some of the Investigators reacted with understandable shock and outrage. A few almost threw up when Haise mentioned its excrement. Arima says to the Investigators,
"I need everyone to calm down."
All sat silent when Arima spoke. A few of them remembered when Haise finally bested him in a fight, but he still possessed the kind of authority no wanted to mess with.
"Please let Haise finish."
"Thank you, Investigator Arima."
As everyone finally relaxed, Haise went to the point.
"As I was saying, the kaiju stayed hidden in the skies of Tokyo through a method that embodies this saying: If you want to hide a tree, put it in the forest. To give a better idea, take a look of this footage."
The footage showed a cloud. After two minutes of staring at the video, Ihei raised her hand and asked,
"Excuse me, but what are we seeing?"
"What isn't moving."
Confused, Ihei did not know what to make of it. Arima, however, caught on and stood the opposite of Haise as he pointed the cloud in question.
"Ihei, look at this cloud here."
"I'm looking…"
"As I point at it, look at the other clouds in the background."
Ihei split her attention between the cloud Arima pointed at the rest in the background. Slowly, she pieced together the point both Arima and Haise pointed out.
"It's not moving…"
Most of the Investigators gasped simultaneously when they saw the same thing. Haise signaled to Urie to fast-forward the footage from the zoo.
"Based on this footage and previous sightings, the kaiju must migrate for new feeding grounds. To stay ahead of his…prey…"
Arima added,
"We'll have to alert all Investigators in every ward to keep an eye out. If the kaiju hasn't migrated from the Kanagawa prefecture already, it is most likely to."
Ui asked,
"Investigator Yashida, based on what you've shown in the film reel, the weak point of the kaiju is the gap in the bottom, correct?"
"Don't ask me. Ask Investigator Shirazu. He can attest to that."
Shirazu instantly got up and spoke to the Investigators.
"M-Mr. Yas is right. I ran to the kaiju because I didn't want it to eat my squad mates, the tourists, or any of the monkeys near the zoo."
Many of the Investigators cheered for Shirazu for his moment of courage against something that could have killed him in his second encounter with the creature. As soon as the digital projector turned off, Deadpool turned on the light. Arima addressed the Investigators once more.
"This is the mission of the squads within this room. We are to scout the city for the location of the kaiju. We'll be working together with the police to fully utilize the city's surveillance system to search for the kaiju. Once its location has been ascertained, do not engage the kaiju until a plan of attack of attack has been approved. Please stand by until one is finally made."
Each of the Investigators stood and bowed to Arima. Although Haise felt in the way, Arima says to him,
"This is for you as well."
"Huh?"
"This wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for your team…and you. Stand proud, Haise."
Haise felt a measure of pride within him as he made a significant step toward being a successor of Arima in his own right. When Yukio saw this, she felt a pang of regret within her for her role in yesterday night. While Harada felt mockery for Haise's moment.
"He's only going to forget this sooner or later…"
xxxxxx
After the meeting ended, Mutsuki met with a couple of Investigators.
"…Hi. Can I help you?"
"You're the Quinx that went up two ranks, right?"
"Yeah. I'm also part of the X-Force."
"Yeah. We saw you on the film."
One of the Investigators patted him on the back.
"You've been doing a great job."
"Yeah. Takes guts to take on a kaiju with just a pair of guns."
"Begs the question: you're quinque is close-range, right?"
"R-Right."
"Told you. You owe me a bowl of ramen."
"All right."
Mutsuki felt a little used.
"Sorry about that. All I wanted to say is keep it up. Guts like yours is gonna take you places."
"Thank you."
As the two Investigators walked away, Ui met up with some of the X-Force.
"Investigator Mutsuki, I presume?"
Mutsuki paid attention to Ui and his team, which comprised of Ihei and Fura.
"I'm Koori Ui, S1 squad leader."
"Pleasure to meet you, sir."
Soon. some of the X-Force met with Ui's team. Along with Kuramoto, who knew Ui as well.
"Ui here used to be one of Arima's protégés."
Haise recognized him.
"Yeah. Arima talked about you at one time."
"Positive, I assume."
"Of course. Kuramoto, Hirako couldn't make it?"
"That's an issue to talk about another time…maybe over drinks tonight?"
"I'd like to, but I have a doctor's appointment tonight."
"Really? I had no idea."
"It's a little complicated to explain."
"Oh well. Another time."
As the X-Force went back home to wait for further orders, they encountered someone any of them did not want to meet.
"Ah, the venerated X-Force."
Assistant Investigator Washuu approached the X-Force while bearing a look on his face that openly expressed disdain.
"So, I heard that a kaiju is on the loose. One from space."
Haise answered his question.
"Yes. The X-Force were on a fact-finding mission to prove the existence of the kaiju in question. Right now, Yukio…"
Haise felt his phone vibrate. He checked to confirm that Yukio successfully converted the film footage and burned it unto a DVD disc via text. She also texted that she gave it to Arima, as well as kept the digital footage in a thumb drive she keeps with her.
"Just texted me that Arima is in possession of a DVD copy of the film proving the kaiju's existence."
"Oh! Well, isn't that just convenient?! I bet having a servant who follows you around and can do everything makes it all okay!"
Haise felt a great measure of irritation from Washuu. As did the rest of the X-Force. Hisako finally caught up with the team, which Washuu noticed.
"And to have a former member of the X-Men on your team. Well, that's just icing on the cake, is it?"
Washuu approached Hisako, which she instantly felt creeped out when he got close.
"You know, they're a loser squad. Join mine."
"…I'm gonna have to decline."
Washuu disdainful face grew uglier as he now says,
"Let em guess: X-Men code of honor?!"
Now everyone within hearing distance felt this will get to places no one decent will want it to go.
"Guess that's to be expected! Freaks of a feather stay together, RIGHT?!"
Then a pair of individuals saw the scene going on. One of them was someone Matsuri currently embarrassed without knowing.
"BUT WHAT DID YOU EXPECT?! THIS IS WHAT THE BUREAU GET FOR ALLOWING MUTIES INTO WHAT WE DO!"
"MATSURI!"
Matsuri instantly stopped when he heard the Director's voice yelling his name. The Director walked a brisk pace to get close to Matsuri to slap him in the face. In a strict hushed tone, The Director whispered,
"You are embarrassing yourself. Get out of my sight."
Matsuri looked as if he were lectured by an angry parent, despondent and stricken with dread. A rare sight for anyone who ever thought of him as a living example of entitled stoicism. However, he looked at Haise with more animosity than usual before leaving. When Matsuri finally left, Director Washuu instantly went in front of Haise and bowed to him.
"Director?"
Asked Haise as he stood confused. Director Washuu stood back up and says to him,
"Senior Investigator Yashida, if you desire to file a complaint against Assistant Special Investigator Washuu, you have every right to do so. HOWEVER! If you grant me this request, I ask that you refrain on such an action! I will reprimand Investigator Washuu's action in my own way. It is my responsibility…as his father…"
The last three words from Director Washuu floored everyone in the room. For Arima, he hid his exasperation at Yoshitoki's actions. Haise stood at a temporary loss for words before saying,
"I'll leave it to you then, Director."
The Director bowed again as he says to Haise,
"Thank you. I will personally rectify this."
When Director Washuu left, Haise left puzzled as to what he experienced.
"What the hell just happened?"
"A parent disciplining his child. Try not to dwell on it."
Said Arima to both Haise, and the rest.
"And that foes for all of you as well."
"Y-Yes sir."
Said Shirazu, speaking on behalf of his teammates. Arima then spoke to Hisako.
"Hisako, I need to have a word with you."
"Yes, Investigator Arima."
As Hisako left with Arima, Deadpool asked the rest of the X-Force,
"Anyone here want to do lunch? I'm feeling Korean BBQ."
Saiko raised her hand and exclaimed,
"I want Korean BBQ!"
Mutsuki laughed a little as he says,
"Actually, I can go for a bite."
"Same."
Said Shirazu. Haise stood as the second to last person to agree on Deadpool's suggestion.
"Sounds good to me."
Everyone stared at Urie as he stood as the last holdout. He sighed before giving his answer,
"Fine. Full disclosure…I've never had Korean BBQ before."
Deadpool yelled,
"MEAT FEAST TIME!"
Saiko and Shirazu yelled the same thing.
"MEAT FEAST TIME!"
As Mutsuki half-heartedly repeated the same thing, Urie asked Haise,
"Don't you think we should invite Yukio and Harada? They have much right to a break."
"True, but Yukio also texted that after they handed over the just burned DVD of the kaiju attack, my great-grandfather called her and Harada for something. They'll be available when the Bureau higher-ups come up with the plan of attack after tracking down the kaiju."
"All right…but maybe we should wait for Hisako?"
"Good point."
Haise addressed the rest of the team.
"Guys, let's wait until Hisako is done speaking with Arima."
"Oh right. Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Yas."
Said Shirazu. Deadpool got a little irritated when he felt denied of meat.
"Boo! I want my meat!"
"You'll get your meat when Hisako is done."
Said Shirazu, to which Mutsuki added,
"He's right Deadpool. Hisako deserves this just as much as we do."
Deadpool groaned before replying,
"Ugh. Fine."
As the team decided to wait at the building lobby, Hisako received the most unwelcome news.
"I'm being reassigned?!"
"I'm sorry, Miss Ichiki."
"But why? Everything I've done has been in service of the mission."
"I know. Your contributions are a major reason why the X-Force have been an asset during the mission."
"So why-?"
"This is from someone higher than me."
"Higher than you? You're a Special Investigator. You've got the highest rank of the entire Bureau."
"Not the highest…"
Hisako took a moment to consider factors outside the Bureau.
"You mean the Washuu clan?"
Arima stood a little surprised at Hisako's knowledge of the Washuu clan.
"I know that they're the founders of the institute that eventually became the Bureau, as well as the primary financial backers."
"…They're not the only ones…"
Hisako made another guess that solidified her suspicions.
"…Yashida Industries?"
Arima then gave her a warning.
"Hisako…I know that you returned to Japan because, yes you've done a great deal of good of bringing awareness of the existence of the kaiju…but this is beyond either you and me…"
Hisako had no choice but to begrudgingly accept how powerless she is, for the moment.
"I understand…"
"I've negotiated an extension on your stay on the X-Force for the duration of the kaiju mission. But that's about it."
"Thank you sir."
Hisako bowed to Arima before leaving the room. Just as she left, Yoshitoki entered the room.
"Did you tell her?"
"Yes…but I can't help but feel guilty…"
Yoshitoki sighed before replying,
"Right there with you…but the family gave us our orders…"
"Yes…but we both know who's really behind this decision…"
Yoshitoki lightly grunted as he knew the true reason why. Yoshitoki then asked Arima,
"What's your impression of Ichiro Yashida?"
"…he's a relic of a shameful past…and a closet necrophobe."
"Agreed."
Arima asked one more question.
"What punishment did you give him?"
"One month pay suspension…and I forced him to go on vacation in Okinawa for a week…"
"Last time I checked, he hates vacations…"
"Exactly."
Arima lightly chuckled before giving his reply.
"Glad you weren't my old man…"
xxxxxx
During the elevator ride down, Hisako thought about her options going forward.
"Yukio and Harada's boss is pulling some major strings just to keep me away from Kaneki…right now, I need to focus on the kaiju…but I need to plan for after that…"
When Hisako made it to the lobby floor, she sees the rest of the X-Force standing around near the reception desk. Mutsuki sees her and yells out her name.
"Hisako!"
She walked toward the team to talk to them.
"Hey guys."
Haise spoke to her.
"We're all headed out for Korean BBQ. Wanna join us?"
Deadpool yelled again,
"Meat feast!"
Hisako sadly replied,
"I can't. Something just came up. I gotta be somewhere."
"Okay. Another time after the mission?"
"…Sure. If nothing else comes up…"
"Great. See you next time."
"Sure…"
Hisako had no choice but to hide how sad she felt at that moment. Last night, her friend finally returned, only for Yashida Industries to somehow make Haise resurface.
"I may have to go to outside sources…maybe Laura?"
As soon as Hisako got outside, she looked up to see the sky full of clouds. Remembering how the kaiju hid itself, she felt her knees getting a little weak.
"Focus!"
Hisako slapped both of her face cheeks to regain her composure. Soon, a cab arrived at where she stood. The cab driver asked her,
"Where to?"
"13th ward, please."
After an hour of cab-riding, she finally made it to her general destination. She walked the rest of the way to a certain café. One that Haise liked to frequent. As she entered, Hisako took a good look at the inside.
"Comfy…"
She recognized one of the customers by his orange hair and glasses while he had a cup of coffee in front of him, alongside a half-eaten chocolate taiyaki.
"He looks familiar…"
Hisako went to where he currently sat. As she sat across him, the young bespectacled man looked at her trenchcoat. And then her face. He squinted his eyes before asking,
"Do I know you from somewhere?"
"I was about to ask you the same thing."
After another pause of silence, he asked,
"You meeting someone?"
"An old teammate of mine."
"Really?"
"Goes by the name of Laura."
The bespectacled young man sputtered his lips before repeating the name she just said.
"Laura? Laura Kinney?"
Hisako asked,
"You know her?"
"Well, she's in the middle of a missing person's case."
"Is she a cop?"
"Private detective."
"I had no idea…"
"Yeah. Around here, she's often called to search for missing people. Friends, family members, romantic partners, anyone who ever gave a shit about anyone."
"Wow. I bet she gets called a lot."
"You have no idea…"
"Well, I knew her when she was an X-Man."
"You were with the X-Men? Wait…"
The bespectacled young man took a moment to remember her. His mouth opened, but no sound came out. Hisako heard her name being called by another person as she entered the room.
"Hisako?"
Hisako looked in the direction where she heard her name.
"Laura!"
Hisako instantly got off her seat, and ran toward Laura to hug her.
"It's been so long…"
"Too damn long. How you've been?"
"Busy, to say the least…"
Laura took a good look at what Hisako currently wore.
"You're with the Doves?
"It's a long story…"
Laura took a moment to consider listening to her.
"Hey Touka."
Soon, the manager of re; entered the scene.
"Hey Laura. Meeting up with a friend?"
"Her name's Hisako Ichiki."
"Touka?"
Hisako took a moment to remember where she saw her. Soon, it dawned on her as she asked,
"Do you know…Ken Kaneki?"
Tonka lightly gasped when she mentioned his name. As did the bespectacled young man. He asked,
"Who are you, exactly?"
Laura vouched for her.
"Touka, Nishio. I can vouch for her."
Hisako introduced herself.
"My name is Hisako Ichiki. I was one of the missing mutants during the incident in the Honshu region."
Both were floored by her connection with Kaneki.
"And he's been both a teammate and a good friend to me since. Right up to his death…or so I, like many of you, thought."
Touka decided to trust Hisako first by closing the café.
"We'll head to the room in the back. You can explain everything there."
xxxxxx
(One week later)
As Haise currently made breakfast for his teammates, Deadpool finished putting the extra futon out on the clothesline in the back.
"Futon is airing out. Like you asked."
"Thanks. Breakfast will be done soon."
"I appreciate that. As well as you letting me stay here for the night."
"Well…I wanted it to feel like it was an option rather than a necessity."
"From where I'm standing, everything happening in front of me is the never-ending result of one I made."
"You mean the one the Bureau offered you?"
"Kind of."
"…either way, I wanted that choice for you for a reason."
"And I thought it was either because of my good looks or my awesome sense of humor."
"…definitely not."
Deadpool reacted sadly, in a comical fashion.
"The way you helped me when Deathlok mercilessly assaulted me during the Auction mission. True, he got the better of you. But I also heard that you rescued the remaining members of Ato squad from certain death. It led to believe…"
Haise rushed to the oven to prevent the eggs from burning. As he got the eggs ready for eating, he continued.
"That despite acting like a vigilante, you are capable of doing a lot of good. Even when I tracked your past activities, your targets are primarily major ghoul operations."
"I have, or rather had, a specific…clientele for that sort of thing."
"Clearly…look, my point is this."
Haise put the finishing touches on the breakfast before finishing his thoughts.
"I think you need a push in the right direction when it comes to delivering ghouls to justice. I want to provide it. In short…"
Haise gave Deadpool a stack of plates.
"I want to believe in you. Now can you please set the table?"
"…Sure…"
In Deadpool's mind, he thought,
"It was him…I know it…"
Haise then called for the Quinxes.
"Breakfast is ready, everyone!"
After 15 seconds, the Quinxes came downstairs. Saiko and Shirazu arrived with Mutsuki and Urie arriving a little later.
"Morning, Maman."
"Morning, Mr. Yas."
"Good morning, you two."
"Morning, Sensei."
"Hi Mutsuki. Urie, sleep well?"
"Yeah I did. Felt good knowing I am the only one in my room."
Confused, Haise asked,
"Why wouldn't you be?"
Now Urie felt confused as well.
"Haise…when you got back to the Yashida estate, you remember you wanted to talk to him about something?
"…Can't say I remember…"
Urie felt uneasy when Haise forgot something that Urie felt needed much attention. For now, he felt worried about Haise.
"The hell did they do to them?"
Before he can speak further, a knock was heard on the door. Haise asked,
"Urie, could you get that?"
He did what Haise asked of him. When Urie opened the door, he sees Yukio and Harada standing in front of him. Before Urie can say anything, Yukio placed her right index finger on Urie's lips.
"You get one warning. Don't make Haise remember what he is better off forgetting. We will know if you try.
Harada briefly showed his katana, sheathed but ready. Yukio internally groaned at Harada's heavy-handed tactic, but did not say anything as it served its purpose.
"You get the point, I assume?"
"…yeah…"
At that moment, Urie heard his being called out.
"Urie, what's keeping you?"
"Sorry."
Yukio yells out,
"My fault. Small talk and all that."
"Well, get your breakfast while it's still warm."
As the three entered, Yukio sees the X-Force all on one table with multiple choices for breakfast. A large plate of eggs, trays full of bacon and toast, small bowls of butter and jam, a medium bowl of cheddar cheese. and finally a large pitcher of orange juice. Impressed, Yukio asked,
"All this for the team?"
"Usually it's Japanese, but I thought yesterday called for a change of pace."
Harada took a quick whiff and thought,
"Well…he has the good sense to give the eggs flavor."
Haise asked the two,
"Care to join us?"
Yukio gave her answer.
"No thank you."
Harada, on the other hand,
"Sure thing."
Harada took a seat near Shirazu and asked,
"Spare plate?"
"Got you covered, man."
Shirazu got up to get two plates and two empty drinking glasses. One was for Harada, the other for Yukio. Harada looked at her and asked,
"Wanna join? You can't deny it smells good."
Yukio silently groaned before taking a seat next to Mutsuki. Mutsuki smiled at Yukio and asked,
"What do you feel like?"
"…Two strips of bacon and a glass of orange juice."
Shirazu handed Mutsuki both a plate and an empty glass. Yukio says to Mutsuki after he gave what she asked for.
"Thank you."
"No problem. We are on the same team, right?"
"…Right…"
Mutsuki served what Yukio asked for. As Yukio looked around, she sees a scene straight out of a movie for her. The Quinxes, along with Deadpool and even Harada, were acting like a family. Everywhere she looked where she sat, a certain kind of warmth filled the space around the table. She saw each of the team speaking to one another with affection. Something she believed she'd never be a part of.
"So…this is what it feels like…"
She remembered the days she spent with the Yashida family. Instead of noisy warmth, there was a cold quiet always over Yashida dinner table. Anytime Mariko wanted to liven things up, it resulted in her father admonishing her for every little thing she thought innocuous. Which resulted in a chain reaction of her grandfather and mother defending her actions, which resulted with Shingen leaving the table. Only when he did that the atmosphere around the table softened a little. But the warmth outshone the kind she experienced before. It made her yearn for better days that never happened. He looked at Haise while hiding what she truly felt.
"Is this truly what's best for the family? In the end…he's all that's left of Mariko…"
Soon, the team finished having breakfast. Haise went to Yukio with a question.
"Yukio, I want to ask. Have you seen Hisako?"
"…Not for a while."
"She hasn't come back?"
"Well…to be fair, me and Harada haven't gone back to the house that we were staying in for a while."
"Seriously?! No wonder. I bet she's staying in a beat-up hotel somewhere in the city."
"I doubt it."
"Nevertheless, I'm calling her."
"DON'T!"
Yelled Yukio, shocking not just Haise but the rest of the X-Force just by the volume of her voice. Embarrassed, she says to Haise,
"Forgive me…"
"…It's all right. It's just…Hisako is one of the team. We can't just treat her like an afterthought…"
"Agreed."
Before Haise could speak further, his smartphone rang.
"It's Arima…"
He instantly answered.
"Arima?"
'Haise…a plan has been approved…The X-Force is to report immediately…'
"Yes sir. Sir?"
'What is it, Haise?'
"Have you heard from Hisako?"
'…I had her on assignment.'
"I see…we'll report as soon as we can…"
'I'll text you the location.'
"Thank you sir."
Haise hung up and calls for the whole team.
"X-Force."
The Quinxes, Deadpool, and Harada all heard Haise say the team's name.
"A plan's been approved. We're called."
xxxxxx
(Koto City)
Haise, Saiko, Mutsuki, and Deadpool rode in the SUV driven by Yukio while Urie and Shirazu rode with Harada in the one behind them. Saiko recognized where they were.
"I think we're in Koto…"
Haise replied,
"Correct, Saiko. Arima informed me that they spotted the kaiju near here. The Bureau, alongside a unit from the JSDF, are stationed near the city's northern border."
Mutsuki asked,
"Where's the kaiju?"
"At the Skytree."
The weather proved itself to be on humanity's side as the clouds moved at a leisurely pace, but one did not move. The Investigator teams representing the Bureau and a unit from the JSDF were station in a business building that the JSDF had temporarily acquisitioned earlier this morning. As the X-Force entered, the building seemed empty. Full of office furniture and a reception desk, but no one manned it. Until one of the unit commanders stepped out of an elevator, went toward Haise and introduced himself. He wore a camo uniform and helmet, with a face that came with a bulging chin, and thick eyebrows.
"Morning. I'm Lieutenant Commander Seiji Kuwabara, unit commander of the seventh regiment of the JSDF."
Haise saluted as he introduced himself.
"Haise Yashida, Senior Investigator of the GCB, leader of the X-Force."
"Yeah, your supervisor told us about how your team discovered the damn thing we're keeping an eye on."
Haise deduced that the lieutenant meant Arima.
"Follow me. Your fellow Investigators are on the 18th floor."
"Lead the way."
Haise and the rest of the X-Force followed the lieutenant to the elevator. As they rode, Kuwabara looked at some of the members of the team and noticed Shirazu.
"You the Quinx with the missile launcher?"
Shirazu felt a little on the spot when he asked.
"Y-Yeah…"
"One of the special Investigators showed us the footage of the kaiju attack in the Kanagawa Prefecture. For a lot of us in the force, that was nothing less than ballsy."
Then he blushed a little.
"T-Thanks…"
Mutsuki smiled at how Shirazu was feeling. While Urie thought,
"Little by little…I'm starting to see why Haise chose him over me…"
Then he focused on Yukio, who still stared at the elevator doors.
"But I can't help but wonder what it is they're doing…"
The elevator stopped on the 17th floor. Curious, Haise asked,
"Why stop here?"
"For some reason, the building here was built with an elevator that goes up 17 floors only. Something to do with either the architect or the owner, I don't know. Anyhow we have to walk the rest of the way."
Saiko groaned, to which Deadpool replied,
"Come on, pig tails. Complaining ain't gonna get you anywhere."
As the elevator doors opened, the whole team saw nearly all the room occupied by JSDF military personnel. Some were on laptops gathering data, a few kept an eye on the kaiju, and the rest marched back and forth through the building. Kuwabara says to the X-Force,
"Follow me, please."
The X-Force did as the lieutenant requested.
"True, this is quite a recent development, but we're prepared for anything."
"Really?"
Asked Mutsuki.
"Oh yes. Ever since the battle of New York, the JSDF created drills for the probability of extraterrestrial hostility. But since the Shi'ar incident, we've had to upgrade the drill scenario to include the possibility of a singular entity displaying hostility toward humanity. What you engaged with falls with one that we practiced for."
Shirazu whispered to Urie,
"Man, when they get serious, they really get serious."
"It's a kaiju. Why wouldn't they?"
"Good point."
The lieutenant continued.
"With the footage your team provided, we modified the attack plan to account for the kaiju's abilities. Special Investigators Marude and Arima will explain the rest."
"Thank you for filling us in, lieutenant."
"I feel like I should thank you. Without your team, this kaiju would've ramped up the damage."
Soon the X-Force made it to the 18th floor. There they witnessed Investigators in their battle uniforms. A few of them see the X-Force enter the room.
"Look, they're here."
Soon, more paid attention to the X-Force arrival. Only when Arima stepped into the room that the rest of the Investigators returned to their individual work. He says to Haise,
"Good to see you."
"Likewise."
The Quinxes all saluted to Arima, while the mutants of the X-Force bowed in front of the Special Investigator. Then, Arima spoke with the lieutenant.
"Lieutenant Commander Kuwabara, I thank you for getting them here."
"No problem. Just let us know when you're ready."
As the lieutenant left, Arima says the X-Force,
"This way."
As they followed Arima, they see Special Investigators Marude, Iwao, and Ui present. Also there are Akira and Hisako. Haise felt relieved to see her again. Marude then addressed the team.
"X-Force, your work on the kaiju is nothing short of astounding. I imagine for many of you, it was a near-death experience you'd never want to be part of again. So, if any of you wish to stay out of the mission, you are free to do so. And you have my word that I will never hold it against you."
After a pause of silence, Haise answered on behalf of the X-Force.
"Sir, I speak for everyone in the X-Force when I say…we're here to finish what we started."
Every single Special Investigator in the room admired the courage of both Investigator Yashida and the rest of the X-Force. Marude continued.
"I'm happy to hear that! And on that note, I would've absolutely held it against any of you that ran away."
Some of the X-Force slightly laughed at Marude's "joke." Along with Arima, he discusses the attack plan against the kaiju.
"Here's how it's gonna go down. We spotted the kaiju about three days ago located near the Tokyo Skytree."
Marude pointed to the Skytree building as it was seen through the glass windows of the floor they currently stood on. To be accurate, he pointed at the cloud near the building. Specifically, one that did not move. Haise says,
"We see it."
The rest of the X-Force nodded in agreement. Marude replied,
"Good. Now, as soon as we located the kaiju, we contacted with a JSDF regiment commander the Bureau has cooperated in the past."
Shirazu raised his hand to ask,
"You mean Mr. Kuwabara?"
"Exactly. Once we spotted it, first we put a team in charge of observation."
"I volunteered for the assignment."
Said Investigator Iwao. Marude continued.
"Then we contacted the JSDF to ask for an armed regiment to assist us in the mission. Alongside any military weapons that do not rely on electricity for operation."
Haise asked,
"You showed them the footage of the Takaosan temple?"
"Yes…needless to say, they jumped at the opportunity. Considering that the kaiju situated itself in Japan, we agreed to keep it that way. Afterwards, the JSDF both refurbished old weapons from World War Two, and created impromptu go-arounds pertaining to the kaiju's EMP field. Lieutenant Commander Kuwabara will explain more on the matter."
The X-Force nodded again.
"After the Seventh regiment was assigned to assist us, together with Lieutenant Commander Kuwabara, a plan of attack was finalized. Since the kaiju hasn't moved yet, we intend to strike first. Details to follow soon."
Arima then says to the X-Force,
"We were waiting for all of you to decide if you wanted to take part. Since you already gave your answer, we can begin."
Haise replied,
"We're ready."
The X-Force simultaneously nodded in agreement with Haise. Arima gave a half-smile and said,
"Excellent."
xxxxxx
The Investigators all joined with the JSDF unit at the 17th floor. Arima met with Lieutenant Kuwabara once more as the lieutenant asked,
"Finally ready?"
"All present and accounted for."
"Outstanding. Before we start, let me give you the details of the offense."
"Please."
The Special Investigators, alongside the X-Force, went to the room where the unit commander addressed his regiment. He explained the attack plan.
"This is how we intend to engage the kaiju. The latest in weaponry is obviously out the window due to the kaiju's ability to create a natural EMP field around itself. Thankfully, the Defense force still has a lot of artillery-based weaponry that run on either gasoline, diesel, or gunpowder."
The table in front of them had a map of the area both the Investigators and the regiment currently occupy and oversee, two tablets displaying information (one dedicated to the X-Force's reports on the kaiju and the other displaying the weaponry used for the operation), and mini-figures on certain spots in the map.
"Now, anti-air artillery vehicles are currently located about 1500 feet away from the target. They're hiding from the kaiju, behind some of the buildings, out of sight from the kaiju until the personnel manning them have the go-ahead to fire. As for we're packing, we have mortars to that travel up to 200 feet vertically and 100 horizontally. Anti-tank rifles that possess q-steel rounds, courtesy of the Bureau."
"You're welcome."
Said Marude.
"Yes, thank you. Anyhow, since the kaiju is staying near the Skytree, that gives an opportunity we can't let up."
Marude then says,
"So, our Investigators will head to the locations marked on this map. All of them will have a 30-minute window until the offensive can begin. By then, communications would most likely be affected by the kaiju in question."
"Sounds about right."
Said the lieutenant. Marude then says to the X-Force,
"X-Force, you'll be sitting there, and armed with long-distance weaponry for the offensive."
Marude pointed to an open space on the map. Haise asked,
"That's a little out in the open, am I right? Not that I'm complaining…"
"My working hypothesis based on the reports each of the X-Force gave is based on the fact that the kaiju acts like a hunting predator."
Harada then says,
"And since it still hasn't gotten us, you intend you aim your sights on where you station us?"
"I know it feels like I'm luring it out by using all of you as bait…but this is the best option we have."
Haise replied to Marude,
"I understand, Investigator Marude. Like I said before, we intend to finish what we started."
Arima then gave Haise a flare gun.
"This is to let us know if the kaiju is above you."
"Roger that."
Marude nodded before giving the order.
"Move out!"
Each of the Special Investigators and the X-Force nodded before heading out. The X-Force picked their own long-range weapons before leaving the building first, with the rest following afterwards. As the X-Force ran to their location, Saiko asked,
"Why are we running?"
"We can't let the kaiju see any movement. Right now, we're running under the cover of the buildings near us. Even if the kaiju spots any movement, by the time it realizes it, we're gone."
Urie replied,
"Yeah, but we're not the only ones running."
"True, but there are some sewer lines underneath this part of Koto city that rest of both the Investigators and defense regiment will most certainly take advantage of."
Said Hisako, to which Haise replied,
"Exactly. Since we hunted for the kaiju, it's more likely that it'll go after us if and when it sees us."
"Okay…I'm just a little worried that it'll be tougher than what we can throw at it."
Said Mutsuki. Haise replied,
"That kaiju is going down one way or another. So stow that talk."
"R-RIGHT!"
As soon as the X-Force made it to their coordinates, they waited until Marude gave the go-ahead. The coordinates were an open parking lot near an office building. A building almost next door to the Tokyo Skytree. As they waited, they felt a rising amount of tension within themselves. Tension deriving from fear for Mutsuki, Saiko, Hisako and even Deadpool (although he had a mask to hide it behind). For Haise, Urie, Shirazu, Yukio, and Harada; this rising tension came from a place that their instincts for battle also resided. Instincts that compelled them to run towards the danger, the place where catastrophe first emerged. Yukio and Harada instincts for battle were honed through their training, Shirazu's from the prospect of facing the kaiju again, Urie's from his determination and ambition. Haise's instincts…from his real self. Soon, the team received a call from Marude on their earpieces.
'This is Special Investigator Marude calling both all Investigators and Regiment soldiers. In about five minutes, Deadpool will fire the first shots that will bring the kaiju's attention to the X-Force's location. Investigator Yashida, when the kaiju is above you, fire the flare.'
"Roger that."
'Offensive will commence in T-minus 30 seconds.'
Haise says to Deadpool,
"You catch all that?"
Deadpool started loading his anti-tank rifle with the Q-metal based anti-tank rounds the Bureau made before the start of the mission.
"Ready when you are, boss."
xxxxxx
A quiet dread filled the room where Marude, the Investigators and intel officers manning the computers sat in. In other parts of the city, people in their homes sat quiet, ready for the battle that held the possibility of it wrecking their city. A few televisions were on the news channel, alerting citizens to stay away from the area near the Tokyo Skytree, but in mute. Soon, Marude started counting down.
"T-Minus 5, 4, 3, 2, 1…now!"
xxxxxx
Haise yells,
"Shoot now!"
(play Fire Fly – Childish Gambino)
Deadpool aimed his rifle, a Type 97 automatic cannon, at the kaiju still floating in the air. Deadpool fired, the shot speeding toward the kaiju until it hit the cloud. The result was the kaiju discarding the cloud disguise.
"I made it mad."
Said Deadpool, which Haise replied,
"That's what we wanted."
The kaiju flew toward the X-Force. Half of them stepped back in fear, while the other half stood ready. Haise yelled,
"Light it up!"
Haise armed himself with a Howa Type 20 assault rifle. Mutsuki, a Minebea 9mm Machine Pistol. Saiko, a pair of H&K SFP9-Ms. Urie, the same as Haise. Yukio, a M32A1 grenade launcher. Akira, a H&K 36. Only Shirazu, Hisako, and Harada refused a firearm. They fired their respective firearms at the kaiju, although it was not enough to slow it down. Worried, Mutsuki yells,
"It's not slowing down!"
"That's the idea!"
Before the kaiju floated directly above the X-Force, Haise fired the flare gun. A red flare shot upwards while giving off a bright red glow.
xxxxxx
Marude sees the flare and says,
"Kuwabara."
Kuwabara called into his radio to give his order.
"All anti-air units, open fire."
xxxxxx
A series of mobile missile launchers emerged from the alleys and on the streets of the city. One of the drivers called the lieutenant and said,
"Missiles are ready."
Kuwabara asked Marude,
"Your people ready?"
"Give me a moment…"
Marude contacted Ui.
"Ui, you're up."
xxxxxx
"Roger that."
Ui gave the signal for his team to get out in the open and fire a special shell through a missile launcher. Ui's team was stationed near where the X-Force stood.
"There! Fire!"
Ui and his team aimed and fired at the kaiju. The missiles on the launcher exploded on the kaiju's underside. As they re-loaded, Haise gives another order.
"Cover them!"
"Got it, Mr. Yas!"
Shirazu summoned his kagune and fired it at the kaiju's underbelly. Ui's team re-loaded in time as they got close to the X-Force.
"When's the anti-air artillery?"
"Last time I checked, they're just moving them out. Marude remembered that the EMP field of the kaiju was about 1300 feet. As soon as they're just outside the kaiju's range, they'll open fire. And the signal to fire will be when…"
Just as Ui finished, a green flare rose into the sky.
"That appears."
From a distance, loud shots were heard from a distance. The sound of anti-air artillery firing toward a target was heard by not just the soldiers and Investigators on the ground, but also by any citizen of Tokyo within the area of Koto. The ammo hit the top of the kaiju. Although none of the ammo penetrate the hide of the kaiju, it groaned as it felt the impact of the shots. Such groans were heard by Marude and Arima.
"Just listen."
"…it's feeling the pain."
"Indeed. I wouldn't mind that it just left the planet, but that thing has already killed 25 humans, plus who knows how many more before Ms. Ichiki informed us of its existence."
"Agreed…"
Marude then took the radio from his left pant pocket and gave another order.
"Prepare long-range missiles. All other teams, move in."
xxxxxx
Soon, more soldiers and Investigators arrived at where the X-Force and Ui's team currently stood. Iwao's team had a couple of mortars with them, as he ordered them,
"Open fire as soon as you can!"
One of the team had already set up the mortar and placed a mortar grenade inside the tube. The result was the tube instantly firing the grenade straight up to where the kaiju floated. Although the kaiju groaned further, some of the X-Force noticed that it wasn't going down soon enough.
"Haise, we need to do more!"
Exclaimed Urie. Shirazu added,
"I'll say! We need to shot that big gaping hole."
Ui sees the kaiju's hole and came to the same conclusion.
"I agree with Investigator Shirazu! ALL FORCES! AIM FOR THE HOLE!"
Ui aimed for the hole. Unfortunately, the kaiju moved for the shot to miss. The rest of the Investigators underneath the kaiju did the same, but the way the kaiju moved made it a hard tactic to perform successfully. Urie says,
"We need to get the kaiju on a lower level! Give it less maneuverability!"
"Leave it to me!"
Said Hisako. Her legs became covered in psionic energy. Glowing with power, she leapt into the air, above the kaiju. As soon as she was directly above the kaiju, she then summoned her full psionic armor. When she landed on the kaiju, she landed hard. The kaiju descended a little bit, but it was enough to achieve the goal Hisako wanted to help. However, to make sure the kaiju stayed at said level, she punched the top of the kaiju as she stood on it. Hisako kept at it so that the kaiju stayed at the lowered level to make sure that her allies underneath it can get a clear shot at its gaping hole. Haise yelled,
"FIRE NOW!"
Every Investigator with a firearm aimed at the gaping hoe of the kaiju. Enough damage was done to create the desired outcome. The kaiju roared in pain as it began to fall by itself. This prompted Ui to yell,
"SPREAD OUT!"
All those who heard him ran to any direction other than they currently stood. Hisako felt that the kaiju was falling down.
"Guess that's my cue."
(end music)
Hisako leapt off the kaiju and laned near Ui's team while her psionic armor slowly faded away as she landed. The kaiju caused some light damage to the buildings around it as it fell to the ground. Haise checked his phone to see if the kaiju truly died.
"It's not working…so why did it fall?"
xxxxxx
Marude looked at the kaiju falling down with a grin on his face.
"It's finally over."
He gives a command.
"Contact Investigator Ui."
"We can't sir."
"What?"
"We're unable to communicate with them for some reason."
"Impossible! That thing's already down!"
Although he hid it, Arima feared the worst. He instantly ran out of the room. Marude saw this and thought to himself,
"Shit's really hitting the fan…"
xxxxxx
Although the kaiju finally got to the ground, some of the Investigators checked their devices on them and saw the same thing as Haise did earlier. Urie says to Haise,
"It's not dead…"
"I know…"
Soon, the kaiju started to convulse by itself until it began to morph by itself. It first morphed into a mushroom shape with the bottom becoming tentacles. As the kaiju continued to morph, Shirazu says,
"It's changing its form."
Mutsuki and Saiko heard this and asked,
"Changing?"
"Like Orga?"
"Yeah…"
Soon the kaiju finished morphing into its final form. Its shape was a mix of a jellyfish and the biblical depiction of an angel. The large bottom white ribbons seemed to be its tentacles while the top looked like a cross of giant ear flaps and wings. Its form mesmerized the Investigators on the ground, while Ui focused the center of the kaiju. He saw the square center of the kaiju, which seemed to be made of large blue-green ribbons with a shiny gloss, and seemed to flap. For Ui, this indicated one thing.
"It's mouth…the center is its mouth!"
The bottom ribbons began to move. Some of the Investigators got scared at how the kaiju moved its tentacles. Shirazu then says,
"Forget Godzilla…this is some Evangelion shit right here."
One of the kaiju's tentacles moves so fast that it killed three Investigators on the spot. A lot of the spilled blood landed on a lot of the still standing Investigators. With some of the blood on him, Ui yelled,
"RUN!"
The Investigators did as Ui said and ran in different directions, but the kaiju's tentacles killed a few more of the Investigators as they ran. The kaiju slowly rose into the air. Lieutenant Kuwabara sees the kaiju in a different shape and felt a chill down his spine.
"I thought it was dead."
"Apparently there's a lot more to the kaiju than we thought."
Said Arima as he went to Lieutenant Kuwabara's position.
"Alert your forces right now! Get them to continue their fire!"
"Right!"
Kuwabara radio the rest of his regiment to issue his command.
"All units, resume firing!"
The regiment soldiers that manned the anti-air artillery shot their ammo at the re-risen kaiju. However, the outcome proved itself to be less than desirable. The kaiju's new form had gaps, leaving some of the ammo to miss their mark. While the ones that were supposed to hit their target, instantly sliced apart by its tentacles. Lieutenant Kuwabara commented,
"My god…that was the best we got…"
Arima then says to the lieutenant,
"Tell your men to move back."
"What about yours?"
"I know one team that could take this creature on…"
xxxxxx
(play Danger – Final Fantasy X OST)
Mutsuki, Saiko, Yukio, and Urie protected the Investigators from the kaiju's attacks with their kagunes and weapons. While Haise, Hisako, Shirazu, Deadpool and Harada attacked the kaiju as a distraction for their allies to run from the monster. Hisako sees one of the tentacles about to hit Ihei as she ran behind her teammates. Hisako successfully intercepted said tentacle.
"Gotcha!"
Ihei sees this and says to her,
"Thanks Hisako."
"No problem. Now keep running."
The rest of the X-Force held their ground against the kaiju, but Haise knew that they need a different course of action. Yukio went to Haise's side and says to him,
"We need to change tactics."
Haise sliced another tentacle headed toward him with his claws before replying.
"Agreed."
He sees Hisako holding on to one of the kaiju's tentacles.
"I got something. Hold your position."
"Right!"
Haise went to Hisako's side and asked her,
"Hisako, can you throw me at the kaiju's mouth?"
"ARE YOU CRAZY?!"
Harada overhears this and came to the same conclusion.
"I know it's out there, but it's the best option we got!"
Just as another tentacle attempted to hit Hisako, Haise see it and tried to slice it apart. Only for Harada to beat him to it with his tachyon-enhanced katana. He then goes to Haise to lambast him for his decision.
"That is never an option!"
"This is not up for discussion! I'm doing this!"
Harada brandished his katana against Haise.
"The hell you are…"
"Don't do something you'll regret, Harada."
Even during the chaos, Hisako saw the tense standoff between Haise and Harada. She knew that Harada would not agree to Haise's plan, but for different reasons. She felt a rising amount of animosity toward Harada. Enough so that she wanted to act on Haise's idea, but not out of desperation, but rather spite for the people that stopped her friend from fully returning. She turned her armor into a more compact form that emphasized speed. Hisako proved herself faster than Harada could see and grabbed Haise before he can react. Confused at first, Haise sees Hisako carrying him. She says to him,
"Don't make me regret it."
"…Got it."
Hisako turned one of her psionic arms large enough to possess enough strength to throw Haise. Harada realized this and yelled,
"YUKIO!"
She sees where Harada yelled, and then where Hisako held Haise in her large arm.
"Shit!"
Mutsuki sees this and yells to Yukio,
"Yukio! What are you doing?"
Both Yukio and Harada ran toward Hisako before she could throw Haise. Unfortunately, both were too late as Hisako cucked Haise directly into the kaiju's mouth. Not only were Yukio and Harada's mouths were gapping open, but the rest of all those who saw Hisako perform such an action. As the kaiju closed its mouth, Harada stomped toward Hisako and wanted to make her suffer as he grabbed her by her coat collar and threatened her life.
(end music)
"I'll make you bleed in places you've never bleed from when this is done."
"Don't make promises you can't keep, bub."
Then, the kaiju started to groan. The groaning continued as it descended once again, much to the notice of both the X-Force and the remaining Investigators in the area. The kaiju went down to the ground as something began to emerge from the right side of the kaiju's main body. Soon, what burst out of the kaiju's main body was Haise himself, clawing his way out of the kaiju's body while causing life-threatening damage to its innards. He roared a primal scream as he burst out of the kaiju's body, covered in the creature's blood (which was a mix of orange and green). In his state of rage, he continued his rampage against the kaiju by slicing apart the rest of the main body. The kaiju finally died when Haise sliced apart the rest of the main body. Ui confirmed the kaiju's death when he checked his smartphone.
(play To Zanarkand – Final Fantasy X soundtrack)
"He did it…"
Soon, Arima arrived to see the X-Force gathering around Haise, covered in the kaiju's blood after we walked away from its corpse. Ui went to him to give an on-site report.
"Mr. Arima, sir."
"Is it done?"
"Yes sir. The kaiju is dead. The…X-Force went above and beyond to not just defend their fellow Investigators, but killing the kaiju while doing so."
"…Excellent…"
He sees the X-Force helping Haise getting up. but also sees some of the team having a hard time approaching him. He says to Ui,
"Order all units to recover at the building."
"And what of the corpse?"
"…Let Headquarters take care of it."
"…yes sir."
As Arima walked away, Ui wondered about the argument that happened within the X-Force. Specifically, why Harada threatened Hisako Ichiki.
"I feel that there's a lot more going on…"
As Shirazu and Urie carried Haise to the base, Harada received a message on his smartphone.
IS IT DONE?
Harada texted back.
THE MISSION IS COMPLETED. BUT WE NEED TO HURRY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
…AGREED. FOR NOW, CONTINUE YOUR ROLE.
WHAT OF HISAKO ICHIKI?
…IT'S BEEN TAKEN CARE OF.
Hisako looked at Harada with a stern look on her face.
"This isn't over…It'll take more than whatever you're doing to stop Kaneki…"
xxxxxx
Soon, the news about the kaiju broke out first across the nation. Then the world knew about the kaiju in Tokyo. Among those who watched the news about a certain team within the GCB were the Tsukiyama family. Including one who sought to revive life to her most beloved master.
"It's him…"
Kanae then had an idea. An idea that shaped the fate of the family, and master, Kanae served.
And finished! I hope you've enjoyed reading this chapter as I did writing it. Now the announcement. After this arc, the last arc for this half will be a mix of the Rosé extermination arc and the climax of the 2013 film The Wolverine. One reviewer suggested that I skip the extermination arc for another plot point. After careful consideration, I've decided to make said arc more of a B-plot focusing on another ghoul in terms of character development. However, after completing this half, I will take another break to focus on my books once again. My career is taking another step that will no doubt take more of my time. Hence the break. I know many of you want to read more of this, but real life beckons. Still, I am grateful for your readership and I will return. Until then, stay golden, friends.