Kakegurui: The Weight of Honor

by KhemAnialator1000

Officially declared KIA, Huey Freeman is reluctantly thrust into Hyakkaou Academy, a dangerous playground for the elite's offspring. Battling his demons from the tragic outcome of Freedomland, Huey must navigate high-stakes gambling while questioning if he can rekindle his revolutionary spirit. Will he rise again or be consumed by the madness of this twisted game surrounding him?

3. Prologue - PT 2

The Weight of Honor:

Prologue:

Return of The Black Messiah Pt. 2

1:55 AM

Over the last 5 years, the occasional brush with death wasn't as uncommon as Huey would've liked, but even so, this night in particular still felt rather long.

Under the expansive night sky, amidst a serene Osaka countryside, Huey stood alone, a silhouette against the moonlit landscape. Beside him, towering and majestic, stood a giant oak tree, its branches sprawling like arms stretched out to the heavens. He was far from the bustling streets and neon glow of the city now - finally. The wind, cool and persistent, swept across the field, rustling the grass around Huey's feet. It played with his hair, and it combed through his jacket, a gentle reminder of nature's presence. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath, letting the sensation wash over him, a physical connection to the world that grounded him in the moment. The sounds of the night were a symphony of tranquility; distant chirping of crickets, the soft murmur of leaves fluttering in the wind, and the occasional distant bark of a dog. These sounds, once foreign, now comforted him like an old, familiar song, weaving a tapestry of auditory memories that marked his time in this land.

Opening his eyes, Huey gazed upwards, the stars above twinkling in the vast, ink-black sky, the moon, large and full, stared back at him. It always filled him with a sense of wonder and smallness, looking up there at The Most High's great expanse of creation. It was like he could see The Milky Way as a splash of celestial paint across the heavens. The profound spiritual connection he had crafted with nature over the years was a comfort to him even now.

BANG-echo-echo-echo...~

Huey audibly flinched, his eyes shutting tight at the cold memory of gunfire - all those years ago. He could still hear his grandfather's scream as the bullet pierced his flesh. He had saved his life that day, taking the bullet that was meant for him. Huey didn't allow the memory to play out, pushing it down, and attempting to find his equilibrium once again in the calming presence of the wind. The breeze picked up, almost as if it was a spiritual manifestation of his suppression of the trauma he still refused to process. All of his pain and anguish, floating away into the night sky.

Huey leaned against the trunk of the giant tree, reflecting on his identity, on being a young Black man in a foreign land, navigating the complexities of culture, tradition, and self-discovery. His mind wandered through the past five years — the challenges faced, the many missions, the many gambles, and the person he was becoming.

He wasn't sure he liked that person …

Here he was at the end of the line. He'd done his job, he'd retrieved the cobalt, and it could be argued that if he decided to go ghost now, his legacy was secure. He'd just walked out of one of the biggest gambling dens in the country and taken 100 Million Yen from The Kiwatari Clan, in their house! After 5 tumultuous years as Kyūseishu, there weren't many better ways to go out with a bang than that. Agent Flowers had even given him the go-ahead to leave the life for a while after this job. Sure, It wasn't like it was Flowers' choice in the first place but the stoic man knew that Huey wouldn't have had it in him to simply stop on a dime.

Huey felt a certain sense of loyalty to the man. Jack Flowers had saved his life, he'd found Huey, passed out, and nearly dead after barely escaping Freedomland by the skin of his teeth and nursed him back to health, he'd been instrumental in Huey's relocation process when the two had escaped The United States, both fugitives.

He'd even reunited him with his old homie Caesar. A fellow survivor from another Freedomland plantation in Brooklyn. He'd been helping the two adjust since they'd gotten here. Needless to say, after all that Flowers had done for him, that was one White man Huey trusted with his life.

Working with Flowers over the years had taught him that he didn't have to be a revolutionary to make a difference. He didn't have to carry the burden of leadership, he didn't have to carry the weight of honor; he could use his other skills to help set things right behind the scenes.

Still … he didn't feel fulfilled, he didn't feel the electric sense of purpose he used to feel, that invigorating righteous spark for truth, power, and justice that he used to carry …

He hadn't felt it since Freedomland.

Now, he just felt like he was going through the motions. Simply surviving. Don't get the wrong idea, he loved the art of the gamble. There was an intellectual and even spiritual rigor to the sport. If you took away the sickening levels of hypercapitalism that had poisoned its true value there were many lessons to be learned from gambling. It was a stimulating experience on victory and the practice of victory.

He just wasn't a fan of bettin' money …

Sure he'd gotten into the game to survive but he always preferred just playing. A simple intellectual jousting match between two equals was what stimulated him. Win or lose, you learned something. That was what gambling was all about.

Now it was practically an addiction, for better or worse. He didn't really see himself stopping for good anytime soon, not for the money but simply as a way to test his mental sharpness. His creativity, quick decision-making, observation skills — his strategy — his processing speed! Even when it came down to gambling for money, against his better judgment he had to admit that there was a primal level of excitement that came with risking something so precious. So important in the fabric of this modern hypercapitalist society. He wasn't sure where it came from, maybe it was just how his mind adapted in response to those rough first couple of years when he was on his own.

Hell … maybe it was just to feel like the architect of his own life again … he didn't really like to think about it.

Huey dragged in a deep breath, holding it for a moment, then exhaling. A healthy practice for calming the mind, only this time it felt more like a winded sigh than anything else. He felt tired, not physically but mentally … spiritually …

All things considered, from the outside looking in, things seemed to be looking up right about now. He had a somewhat stable income, Caesar was his roommate back at the crib so he wasn't by himself out here, and above all, he was still alive; which, sad to say, was an achievement with his luck. Yet he still wasn't happy … not really …

He couldn't help but feel the way he did - tired of the constant struggle, tired of pretending everything was okay …

And he knew why …

*Crackle*

In a heartbeat, Huey's senses sharpened, his head snapping towards the telltale rustle of leaves crushed underfoot. A shiver of anticipation raced down his spine as his gaze locked onto four shadowy figures, cloaked in the night, their silhouettes ominous against the moonlit backdrop.

In that moment, time seemed to slow, every detail etched into Huey's mind with crystalline clarity. His muscles tensed, coiled like springs, ready to let loose on sight of movement.

They didn't seem like they were here looking for directions …

The air crackled with tension, suffocating in its intensity. These weren't lost travelers seeking directions; their purpose was far more sinister, written in the icy glint of their masked eyes. Behind their facades, Huey sensed a lethal intent, a hunger for violence that hung heavy in the night air.

Ninja Assassins...

Huey's jaw clenched, a surge of anger coursing through him at the intrusion of his solitude. Yet, beneath the anger simmered a primal instinct, honed through years of survival against all odds. He met their gaze head-on, refusing to cower in the face of their malevolent presence.

In a synchronized blink of an eye, the 4 ninjas unsheathed their ninjato blades with a high-pitched shing, slicing into the very air. The tension built like an ensemble of Taiko drums. They stood solitary, their malicious glares deepened as their bodies began to twitch, preparing for battle.

Huey's confrontational leer deepened, his teeth clenched as he let out a low, almost guttural growl. The whisper of the wind intensified alongside the rising tension, sending great ripples through the plain. Huey wasted no time, shifting his body into a back stance as he prepared for his opponents to advance.

"Just when I was starting to get tired …"

In the blink of an eye, the sound of charging footsteps reverberated on the ground, indicating the battle had begun. Huey's stance tensed as the four ninjas closed in, their movements synchronized in a deadly charge of vigor. With a deeply analytical gaze, his eyes darted around the field with unprecedented speed as two of the charging four broke off into a flanking maneuver, intending to attack him from both his left and his right. Huey didn't flinch.

The first ninja took point, surging forward, ninjato gleaming in the moonlight as he launched a powerful slash aimed for Huey's throat. With lightning reflexes, Huey sidestepped the attack, feeling the rush of air as the blade whistled past. In one fluid motion, his hand darted out to strike the ninja's wrist, grabbing it for leverage, with a quick twist, he snapped it like a twig and disarmed him in one swift motion. Ignoring the masked man's cry of agony, he pivoted into a front stance, using his momentum as he leaned in to launch a devastating back fist to his chin, the impact reverberating across the field, knocking him unconscious!

Still in possession of the ninja's wrist, he pivoted to the left in the direction of one of the flanking ninja. In one fell swoop, Huey used his leverage over the ninja's wrist to throw him head first into one of the flanking ninja, sending them both tumbling to the ground unconscious; all while pushing off his front leg to use his newly acquired ninjato to slash the throat of the other flanking ninja that had been charging to his right, sending a geyser of blood spraying into the air and onto the surrounding area.

With the stolen tanto in hand and his senses on high alert, Huey ignored the blood splattered on his face as the only remaining ninja stepped forward. The ninja let loose two rapid strikes to his neck and midsection, each blow aimed with lethal precision. But Huey was ready, his movements fluid and precise as he parried the attacks with expert skill. He wasted no time in attacking back with a hook kick off the back leg that the ninja weaved. Huey launched a barrage of strikes of his own using his ninjato, the two warriors traded blows, sparks flying! The two fighters each heaved heavy overhand strikes at each other that met in a strenuous stalemate. The two struggled to overpower the other as their blades groaned and screamed for dominance.

"Who the Hell Sent You!" Huey growled out, staring his foe in his eyes. The ninja, clearly the most skilled of the bunch, merely growled back at him.

"You will get no answer out of me, gaijin! Perhaps Shinigami-sama shall be more forthcoming!" He snarled as he broke the stalemate with a mighty war cry, sending Huey sliding back. The ninja advanced into a piercing strike aimed at Huey's soleplex. The Afro-headed warrior evaded via backward roll, launching himself into a backhandspring to get some distance.

The ninja charged, sending a barrage of shuriken Huey's way as he advanced. The young warrior tensed, using his ninjato to deflect as many of them as he could, unable to stop a lone shuriken from grazing his cheek, slicing open his flesh and letting the fresh blood leak down to his chin. He inwardly cursed.

He was rusty … too rusty.

Seeing his chance to build momentum the ninja slashed away, unable to break Huey's defense. In response, he launched a series of high kicks, aiming for Huey's head and torso with deadly accuracy. But Huey anticipated the moves, ducking and weaving with the agility of a cat as he avoided each strike. The ninja kicked again, a round kick aimed at Huey's temple but was deflected by a momentum-breaking jam via Huey's forearm.

Anticipating his movements, the ninja's jammed kick dropped in front of Huey. With a well-timed counterattack, Huey delivered a powerful front kick just below the ninja's kneecap, sending him crashing to the ground, holding his snapped back leg in agony.

Ignoring his cries, Huey felt his chest sting. He found himself breathing heavily, too heavily. He wiped the blood off the side of his face, recoiling a bit at the burn. To have this much difficulty with fighters who, while clearly skilled, weren't on his level gnawed at his pride. Branding the moment not merely as a setback but as a disgrace.

'Damn … I've gotta get back in shape!' He chastised himself internally, casting a critical eye over the aftermath of his confrontation.

Two unconscious …

One incapacitated …

One Dead.

Huey let out a small sigh, he wasn't afraid of taking a life, but he'd always preferred not to have too. He felt the smallest hint of a gag at the feeling of slicing his enemy's throat, hearing his choked gurgles as he drowned in his own blood …

it was never pretty that was for sure…

Huey observed the ninja sprawled out in front of him, he was the best fighter by far, and in hindsight, it seemed like he was the one who issued the flanking order. If anyone knew something about what this was all about, it was him.

The grounded ninja looked up to find his adversary, his form was blackened into a silhouette by the Moon, his Afro billowed like the mane of a lion poised for the kill, his eyes a piercing gold-tinted black, radiated an ethereal light that pierced the night.

With swift precision, Huey positioned his blade a hair's breadth from the ninja's eyes, promising death if his demands weren't met with cooperation.

"Pay attention, 'cause I'm only going to ask this one. more. time." He threatened, his voice deep and menacing. "Who sent you? The Kiwatari, The Murasame? Or was it Amane himself? Speak plainly."

The ninja, despite his predicament, met his fate with defiance, a laugh escaping his battered form. "Ridiculous! Your threats mean nothing to me, boy. I fear my master's wrath far more than I fear death!" He spat gutturally, clearly still in intense pain.

Huey raised an eyebrow, his calm and cool demeanor unsettling the ninja. "Pretty bold of you to assume I'd let you off that easy." He replied, his tone icy, a smirk played upon his lips as he saw fear flicker in his opponent's eyes.

"Now we're learning … I'm giving you a chance here. You tell me what I want to know … and I'll kill you. Nice and clean. Refuse, and you'll be in for a long and painful rest of the summer."

The downed ninja remained silent for a moment, fear gripping his heart. His eyes were vacant, feeling the weight of his situation bearing down on him.

"…."

"No!"

Huey's glare deepened, as did the glow in his eyes. He wasted no time bashing the ninja's head in with his boot, knocking him unconscious.

Huey groaned … clearly he wasn't getting any sleep tonight. He reached into his pocket, grabbed his phone, and dialed a group number.

"Yo, Caesar, Flowers! We've got another problem …"

~ -The Weight of Honor- ~

Mt. Yamato-Katsuragi:

Martr's Mantle

After Huey had gotten off the phone, Caesar had shown up rather quickly, bringing a first aid kit just in case it was needed. Which it was of course. That shuriken had cut deeper than he expected.

Flowers followed soon after that, in his signature military chopper, with a small group of men to back him up. They took the 4 Ninja, alive and dead. They disposed of the dead and took the lesser two in for basic interrogation while their leader was to be questioned by Jack Flowers himself. They had traveled to The Martr's Mantle Militia base, on the outskirts of Osaka!

In the shadow of towering mountains, cloaked by the dense foliage of an untouched forest, lies a stronghold not just of strength, but of principle. This was no ordinary encampment; it was the heart of a rebellion born from disillusionment, a military-grade fortress commanded by Jack Flowers: A former CTA Operative who turned his back on the very institution he once served. This base was the nucleus of a decentralized militia organization, a beacon of hope for the oppressed and marginalized, a sword and shield against the tyranny of invasion and martial law on the world stage.

Precision and military expertise have sculpted this hideaway into something formidable. The main gate was a marvel of engineering, concealed by the natural landscape yet fortified against assault. Camouflage netting stretched over sturdy structures, blending seamlessly into the environment, making the base virtually invisible from the air and a challenge to discern from the ground.

Upon entry, the meticulous nature of the organization was immediately apparent. The command center stood as the brain of the operation, a state-of-the-art facility buried underground, protected from aerial surveillance and attack. It buzzed with activity, monitors lining the walls, displaying real-time intelligence from drones and satellites. Here, strategy was not just discussed; it was crafted with the precision of a chess grandmaster, considering every move and countermove on the global stage.

Around the command center, the base sprawled with a clear sense of order and purpose. Barracks were built to military specifications, offering both comfort and security for the militia members, who came from diverse backgrounds, each with a story, each with a cause. The armory was a vault of precision weaponry, ranging from conventional firearms to advanced technological warfare tools, all maintained with meticulous care.

Training grounds dotted the landscape, where militia members, under the guidance of Flowers and other ex-military tacticians, hone their skills. These grounds were equipped with obstacle courses, live-fire ranges, and simulation rooms, designed to prepare the militia for any scenario, from urban guerrilla warfare to open-field battles.

Despite its military rigor, the base thrived on the principles of decentralization and autonomy. Naturally, there was a hierarchy, but it wasn't rigid, only a network of skilled individuals united under a common goal.

Huey and Caesar sat in one of the many break rooms of the command center, only this one was right next to Flower's interrogation room … which had its downsides.

*THOKK*

"AAIIIEEEEE!"

"WHO SENT YOU"

*CRUNCH*

"GUYYAHHH!"

"YOU WANT TESTACLES, I WANT ANSWERS!"

"CRAKK*

"HURRKKK"

"YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT A STEEL BOOT CAN DO TO JAPANESE NUTS? DO YOU!"

"WHACK*

"OOHHHAAA"

The two young men merely sat there, unfortunately, subjected to having to listen to the live vasectomy going on in the background. They visibly shuddered at the sound of another rather viscous crunch coming from next door.

Caesar shook his head, a vivid grimace on his face. "Damn … you shoulda just killed him …" he shrugged. "You know … for mercy and all that."

Huey's face mirrored Caesar's discomfort. "Needed the intel, gave him a chance. He didn't bite," he stated flatly, rubbing his temples as if to physically push away the tension headache building there.

Moments later, Agent Flowers emerged, his face tempered and steely as usual.

"How do you do that shit …" Caesar grumbled, laying lazily on the couch he'd decided to make his bed for the time being.

"It's not easy, doing what I do … but in life, some of us have to make hard choices. I abuse the testicles of our enemies, not for the sensation of crushing raw nuts under my boot, but for the safety and security of good men and women everywhere." Flowers answered plainly. A dead serious look on his face.

Huey and Caesar pursed their lips, their simultaneous raised eyebrows already communicating what they both had in mind.

"Pause"

Unfazed, Flowers pressed on, "He's tough. Cracking him open is going to take more than we thought." His gaze then locked onto Huey, searching for any shred of additional insight. "Anything at all that they slipped that could give us a lead?"

Huey sighed from his own couch that he'd been laying down on. "Nah, They were pretty quiet for the most part, you know, ninja and all; but their leader mentioned that he feared his master more than he feared death itself."

Caesar waved it off, "Sounds like Shinobi code of conduct 101. It ain't nothin' really to latch on to." He emphasized, Huey reluctantly nodded in agreement before elaborating further.

"There's no telling for sure. Doesn't smell like Amane's handiwork. This feels different," Huey pondered aloud, his mind racing through possibilities.

Flowers chimed in, "The only other immediate option would be the Kiwatari Clan, they might be out for payback for their loss earlier tonight." Flowers turned to Caesar. "What about you? Any sign of an attempted attack at your apartment?"

The dreadhead shook his head, "Nope, not a peep. They must not know where we live. They were after Huey and with him being out all damn night, it probably wasn't that hard to find him." Caesar shot a questioning look at Flowers.

"So, you manage to get anything out of our boy here?"

Flowers walked over to the wooden desk in front of the two couches Huey and Caesar were lying on. Resting his hands on it. "Not much, but I did get one thing out of him…" he started cryptically. His eyes darted to Huey's.

"You have a bounty on your head … for 10 Billion Yen …"

That woke them up. Huey and Caesar stared back at him with owlish looks in their eyes.

Flowers grimly nodded. "Yes—Wanted Alive… At the very least"

Caesar pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out an exasperated groan as he did it. "Fuck …"

Huey's reaction wasn't much different. "Ugh … so we have no real leads right now?"

Flowers shook his head, his body language indicated he was processing it all as well, judging by how he was pacing. "No. Not yet." He replied.

Huey groaned, facepalming. He allowed himself to stew in his own frustration for a moment but when he looked back up he saw Flowers and Caesar staring at him. A reluctant but decided look on their faces. "What?" He asked, "Don't tell me you two are blaming this on me?"

Caesar and Flowers shook their heads almost immediately, Caesar spoke up first. "Nah man, of course not." He replied before pausing for a moment. Wondering how he was gonna phrase his next sentence. "It's just … just that …"

"You need to lay low," Flowers cut in, the finality in his voice brooking no argument.. "It's time to take that break for a while, Huey."

Huey's disbelief was palpable. They were giving him the proverbial boot? It wasn't like he couldn't handle himself! "And just leave you to clean up my mess?"

Flowers's tone softened, but his resolve was ironclad. "Before, it was a suggestion. A recommendation from an old friend concerned about your well-being. Now, it's an order!" He stated, his gaze steely.

Huey challenged him, "I work with you, not for you."

"It's for your protection, Huey."

His protest was fierce, "I don't need protection."

The standoff was intense, a silent battle of wills that finally broke with Huey's reluctant concession. "Fine," the word was barely a whisper as he rose, a storm of emotions brewing within.

Caesar walked up to him, placing a supportive hand on Huey's shoulder. "Hey, it's just till things cool off. You wanted a break, remember?"

Huey's retort was tinged with bitterness. "Not like this. Not running."

"I wish it never came to this Huey, but now we have to act. Besides, I know a place where you can settle into." Flowers added.

As they followed Flowers out, the weight of their choices and the paths yet to be taken hung heavily in the air, a silent testament to the burdens they bore and the battles yet to come.

~ -The Weight of Honor- ~

With the bounty on Huey's head, going back to Osaka and catching the train was out of the question. His very presence would put people in danger. No doubt there were assassins all over the city looking for him all over the place. Instead, Flowers had authorized a stealth chopper designated to take him where he needed to go.

The three walked out of the Base Hangar, the chopper designated for takeoff was already prepared, framed by the striking full moon behind it. The chopper's wings sliced into the air creating great wind gusts that dusted the pavement as the three approached it. Captain Flowers turned around, making sure to speak up as he gave Huey one last briefing until further notice.

"Once you get on this chopper, you will be en route to Shibuya City, where you will lay low until we are able to stabilize the situation here." He yelled over the spinning blades. Emphasizing "lay low" not at all subtly.

Huey rolled his eyes but nodded, his hands carrying bags of what he had with him. The rest of his things were to be sent to him in the coming weeks.

Flowers continued, "Thankfully for us, your would-be assassins know very little about you. For instance, they assume you are an adult."

"I am an Adult." Huey replied, his tone a bit miffed.

Caesar chimed in with a quip. "They assume you're an adult old enough to knock back a drink."

"What's your point, Flowers?" Huey questioned.

"We don't know how long this may take. So I've taken the liberty of enrolling you into the Prestigious Private University that you said you were interested in for the Fall Semester."

Huey raised a taken aback eyebrow, "What are you talk— wait — Hyakkaou Private Academy?"

"The very same."

"You realize it was Caesar's birthday and we were high as a kite when we brought that up, right?" Huey said.

"No. No, I did not." Flowers replied, his wording comical but his tone serious. Caesar's barely restrained smirk didn't help.

"Regardless of the context, It's a good place to lie low for a while. The last place any assassin would be snooping around is the most prestigious Academy in Japan. Besides, the ecosystem of the school is a hotbed for gambling. With your skill, you'll be able to keep stacking your income while you're there." Flowers informed.

Caesar, seizing the moment, nudged Huey playfully. "Might even give you a social life," he teased, "Maybe being around people our age will finally get you back in the game." He said with a wink. "I mean c'mon man! We're young, black and free; and we speak fluent Japanese. You too damn fit to not be knockin' somethin' down every month!"

Huey sucked his teeth, elbowing Caesar back. He couldn't hide the ghost of a grin on his face though.

"Are you ready?" Flowers interjected, clearly still in mission mode.

Huey centered himself, a somewhat irritated look on his face. "Yeah … let's do this," he confirmed. Walking to the chopper.

Caesar dapped him up, pulling him into a brotherly hug before he walked up to the Chopper. "Don't worry. We'll handle this." He promised with a determined look in his eye before it softened. "Stay sharp," he whispered, the weight of their shared burden evident in his gaze.

Huey's reply was a nod and a vow, "Keep me posted. Every detail.".

Flowers, not much for expressing his emotions. Raised a salute to his forehead. Huey saluted him back. Understanding how much that deceptively simple gesture meant to him.

Huey took one last look at his allies, his friends, the only family he had left. He gave them a final nod of respect that they returned, before getting on the chopper. Resting his eyes as it began to take off. The wind buffeting his face, and ironically enough, the engines' roar was a fitting backdrop to the end of this chapter and the beginning of another. As the chopper ascended into the starlit sky, Huey was finally allowed a moment of rest, the adrenaline of the night giving way to the calm before the next storm.

~ -The Weight of Honor- ~

Hyakkaou Private Academy

4:48 AM

Contrary to popular belief … secretary work was not easy.

A secretary was the heart and soul, the golden calf, the last and very first line of defense for practically any organization.

If you asked Sakura Igurashi what she thought of her job, her answer might have surprised you.

For starters, it was great! Great because, if she was being honest, this school wouldn't run nearly as smoothly without her. She ordered office supplies, kept track of import dates, assembled council meetings, and organized school events; She even brought in groceries such as coffee, snacks, and beverages …

And a little red wine every now and then for her personal consumption but that wasn't anyone's business …

She also scanned, faxed, and emailed all kinds of documents for the Student Council's overall productivity, be it business or personal. She was the first impression people would get of her Academy, and that imbued her with a sense of duty, pride, and responsibility. She even helped out their resident treasurer, Aoi Mibioumi, in sales and accounting every once in a while. She was a jack of all trades, she had to be for this job, so every day was always a bit different, making dull days rare.

Things were much less exciting during the summer though. The Student Council, as powerful as they were collectively, was composed of some very … unique individuals. Once the semester ended, they didn't tend to stick around any longer than necessary.

Her president: Kirari Momobami and her sister the vice president: Ririka Momobami had returned home to address their rather tumultuous family's growing worry over how the Clan was being run … as well as rumors of lesser Yakuza Families making moves on Bami properties and organizations across Japan

Runa Yomozuki: Second Year, head of the Election Committee would usually go home to kick her feet up and play video games all summer. As intense as she could be, she was a relatively simple girl when gambling wasn't involved.

The School Treasurer: Aoi Mibioumi: Third year and the Beautification Committee Head: Sakura Miharutaki: Second year's families were supposed to go on vacation together as a celebration for their engagement.

Sachiko Juraku: Second year, and head of the Public Morals Committee. Her vacations were … unpredictable to say the least. Last Sayaka heard of her she was in Osaka. Doing what you ask? She had no idea. She was a private woman outside of Hyakkaou. Other than her eagle eye sharpness or her somewhat unsettling love for the HousePet System. There wasn't much else to go on with her.

The Juraku Family, like many other prominent families/clans at this school, were former Yakuza that went straight at the tail end of the 1960's. They'd allegedly built their empire off of Human Trafficking from the 20's to the 50's, before officially establishing multiple Private Prison Complexes that had been accused of slave labor many times over the years. Never to be prosecuted due to the Witnesses and whistleblowers 'Failing to show up to court to testify their case'

So …in hindsight; her rather "eccentric" approach to the HousePet System wasn't too surprising.

Yuriko Nishinotouin: Second year, and head of the Traditional Culture Club was in Okinawa at the moment but she'd been all over the country. Her club had events planned in many places. It was a traditional culture tour.

Contrary to popular belief, The Student Council really Ran the School. Naturally, a school of future leaders would lead themselves. Despite that, during the Summer, all students, including council members were given a chance to go on Vacation. Allowing the reserve adult members of the faculty to monitor things in their absence.

Though Sayaka wasn't really one for vacations, keeping a constant workflow was how she kept sane. This was Hyakkaou Academy. Its students would become her country's leaders. This was supposed to be a secure homogenous environment where her country's youth could learn vital skills, acumelate connections and grow fiscal clout. The holders of some of Japan's most precious future ideas and innovations would walk these halls once again in merely a few weeks.

To add to that, this was the 121'st Anniversary of The Academy's founding. With this being the first full semester Kirari Momobami would be president, there were a lot of events planned. There were also a lot of changes that were to be made …

Sayaka had been sitting at her desk for close to an hour now. She'd been tasked with going over academic records for the transfer students and first years coming in the Fall. She flipped through page after page, yawning every once in a while as she did it. Despite her fatigue, there were some very interesting First years coming in the fall. Kaede Manyuda, Yumemi Yumemite, Midari Ikishima, Kokoro Aiura …

There was also a girl named Mary Saotome who was 1 of the two 2 transfer students that had apparently gotten in on a full scholarship, which was impressive to say the least. She reportedly didn't come from a rich family so she had no one to vouch for her to be enrolled. Someone like that had to have been a force to be reckoned with.

She turned the page to the next student, only to pause for a moment, his appearance surprising her.

Huey Freeman: Age 19

Transfer Student

First Year

Huey Freeman … a decidedly non-Japanese name. According to his records, his family immigrated to the country when he was only 4, so he spent most of his developmental years here. He was a melanated young man, a bit on the lighter side. His unapologetically large Afro clearly indicated that he wasn't South Asian but of African descent and clearly had absolutely no intention of blending in with the Japanese majority.

Which could potentially be a problem …

This was a homogeneous environment. Not to say that you had to be ethnically pure Japanese to attend, many here were mixed with something. The potential problems had to do with allegiance. Having someone in attendance at Hyakkaou with dubious motives could create problems down the line. A lot of the students here held the keys to vital businesses, inheritances and even information for the country. If a particularly skilled outsider were to make any one of them into housepets, they could keep them under their heels for Years …

The school boasted that HousePet status would be revoked upon graduation but in reality that wasn't exactly the case. Debt was debt, and debts didn't just disappear. To this day, The Academy has a great number of former students who are still paying off their debts. They were simply filed under the jurisdiction of Student Loans. That wasn't even acknowledging the many students in debt to other students. Many former students were still being jerked around by the holders of their debts, many years after their time at Hyakkaou.

The truth of the matter was that from the very moment you applied, you had already participated in your first gamble, possibly the most important one of them all. That was the reality of going to Hyakkaou Private Academy. High Risk … but with the potential for an even Higher Reward

Sayaka blinked, realizing that she'd gotten lost in her thoughts. Ultimately, it was nothing more than speculation. Pride in oneself wasn't a bad thing, she'd just have to keep an eye on him.

She found herself staring at his face a bit longer than she'd intended to, not in a sensual way, though he was objectively attractive. His face was very mature-looking. His features were hardened and intense. Most notably his eyes. They were sharp as a tack and twice as focused, almost to an unsettling degree. Also, judging by how wide and defined his shoulders seemed to be, he was very physically fit as well. He'd definitely intimidate his fair share of students when he showed up.

She squinted, focusing on his name in particular. It sounded … familiar but she couldn't put her finger on where she'd heard it before.

Sayaka took a closer look at his records, apparently he was the other transfer student that had qualified for a full scholarship along with Mary Saotome, so he was intelligent. On paper, he seemed like the perfect candidate to enroll at Hyakkaou.

But as Sayaka stamped his student headshot, clearing him for enrollment; she felt a sudden chill go down her spine as she stared into the young man's eyes again. She huffed a bit, rubbing her shoulders at the cold wind chill before turning around and surmising that it had come from the open window behind her.

Sayaka stood up, feeling the chill on her skin, she walked to the window behind her and closed it, taking a breath of relief when the chill began to disappear.

She didn't waste much time after that, she quickly put the signed and stamped enrollment forms in a folder and gathered her things, leaving her office and walking towards the exit of the school.

'Huey Freeman … I've heard that name before … I just can't put my finger on it.'

~ -The Weight of Honor- ~

Osaka, Japan

5:30 AM

In the embrace of night, atop a hill that surveyed the city's luminous heartbeat, there stood a figure, a paradox wrapped in the silk of a midnight blue kimono. This enigmatic woman, whose presence whispered of divinity and temptation, melded with the moonlit tapestry like a dream of things remembered. Her kimono, clinging and flowing in equal measure, seemed to capture the very essence of the night sky, adorned with patterns that danced like stars at the whim of her movements.

Her eyes, twin pools of turquoise, bore the serene calm of the ocean's surface while hinting at the infinite, unfathomable depths beneath. They sparkled with a bewitching light, casting a spell of allure and mystery that beckoned the soul into her labyrinthine world. The moonlight caressed her silver hair, each strand a testament to her ethereal beauty, yet it was her perfect visage, with makeup applied so artfully, that suggested not just angelic grace but a hint of something more primal, more dangerously alluring.

The smile she wore was an enigma, a curve that promised both ecstasy and peril. It was a gateway to her dual nature, inviting yet foreboding, a serene surface veiling the tumultuous storms that raged within. This smile, it whispered of secrets draped in the velvet of shadows, of desires that could uplift or undo the heart of any mortal daring enough to venture close.

Around her, the wind played a lover's caress, entwining with her hair and kimono in a sensuous ballet. It was as if the very elements were seduced, drawn to partake in the silent symphony of her existence. She stood as a beacon of divine femininity, her regality undeniable, her allure inescapable, yet beneath the celestial veneer lurked a depth of wickedness, a complexity that seduced as much as it warned.

In her presence, the night itself seemed to pulse with deeper magic, the city below unaware of the sovereign that watched over it with eyes that saw through the facades of man. She was both guardian and temptress, her angelic surface belied by the intoxicating promise of her wicked depths. In her, the dichotomy of heaven and hell found a harmonious echo, making her not just an enchanting creature of utmost beauty, but a staggering force of wickedness and evil.

*Crunch*

Slowly … Shadows detached from the darkness, coalescing into the forms of four enigmatic figures. Their presence did little to disturb Kirari's calm; instead, a playful smirk danced upon her lips as she quietly observed their approach, her mind already weaving through the possibilities of the game ahead.

A sole warrior stepped forward, his words indicating that he was the head of the group.

"Kirari Momobami … Your right to life has been revoked!"

Kirari's smirk grew even more cheeky. "Oh my … An Assassination Attempt?" She breathed, her voice was sweet like honey. For only a moment… her eyes squinted wildly, the wicked glow in her eyes intensified, betraying the madness that lay dormant within.

"How Delightful …"

The head of the group didn't outwardly react, yet Kirari could tell by the subtle twitch of his eyebrows that her unsuppressed excitement bothered him. She didn't take him seriously … it made him angry.

Excellent…

A single hand signal was all it took. The fight was underway!

As the first ninja surged forward, blade slicing through the night air towards Kirari, she stepped aside with a grace that belied the swiftness of her movement. "Is that all?" she taunted, her voice a melody of amusement and challenge.

The warrior snarled, launching a calculated barrage of strikes aimed at her jugular. Her body swayed with the wind, each dodge and weave an elegant testament to her untouchable poise. Ignoring his frustration, he swiped at her again, only for her to grab his swinging arm, stopping it in its tracks with strength far above anticipated. A wicked smirk manifested on her face as she stepped in, striking his exposed elbow with brutal efficiency, bending it in the opposite way it was intended to. In a flash she swiped his ninjato, spun around to his back and plunged the blade deep into his spine, Relishing the scream of agony that followed.

That all happened in the span of 4 seconds …

The ninjas, taken aback by her ease, coordinated their next attack, surrounding her from all sides. Kirari's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Yes … More. Show me More!" she whispered to herself, inviting the challenge.

One ninja lunged at her from behind, but Kirari, anticipating the move, spun around, catching his wrist and using his own momentum to hurl him into one of his comrades. They tumbled to the ground in a heap, the clash of their bodies a symphony to her ears. "Predictable, try again!" she chided, her smile never wavering.

Another assailant shot a shuriken at her from a distance. With a flick of her wrist, Kirari's tessen—a regal yet deadly turquoise fan of iron—snapped open, catching the projectile mid-air and sending it whizzing back to its owner. The ninja wasn't able to dodge his own weapon turned traitor. The shuriken instead lodged itself deep into his eye socket, puncturing his brain. Killing him instantly.

Kirari practically moaned at the sight of his body dropping to the floor. "You'll have to do better," Kirari sang out, her tone light and undeniably teasing.

The remaining ninjas, frustration mounting, attacked in unison. Kirari moved like a shadow, her form blurring into motion. She danced through them, her tessen a blur of reflected moonlight, deflecting blows and redirecting attacks with a grace that made the deadly encounter seem like a choreographed performance.

As one ninja managed to close the distance, his sword aimed with lethal precision, Kirari's eyes locked onto his. "A valiant effort," she acknowledged, just before twisting her body in a move of fluid elegance and astounding speed, her hand snapped out to grasp his wrist, directing the blade away from her and towards his final comrade, plunging it deep into his gut.

Kirari laughed at her tomentee's expression of horror at mortally wounding his comrade. "My, my, how careless of you." She mocked. In his shock, he barely even registered her raising her tessen to his throat.

The ninja's breath hitched. The wicked glow in her bright blue eyes terrified him even more than the blade at his neck. The glee — the excitement, there was an almost bestial predatory leer in her eyes that nearly drove him to tears. What kind of Monster had his superiors ordered the death of? In a moment of defiance, he spoke. Spitting out his words with a bitterness reserved for the devil herself.

"You Devil! You shall Rotin the deepest - darkest depths of Hell!"

Contrary to his intentions, Kirari's perverse grin only deepened. "Yesss …" she practically hissed like a serpent. She slowly, almost sensually leaned over him, the ninja shivered at the feeling of her warm breath on his ear.. "And I'm sure it will be interesting." She finished, reveling in his primal mixture of fear and fury

She slowly pulled back, her blade still a hair's length from his jugular. The ninja didn't even know how to react as he observed her now unsettling genuine, almost innocent smile.

"Thank you for this. It was a wonderful break to the agonizing monotony of being back home. As your reward, I'll give you a quick death." She promised with the utmost warmth. His protests were ceased by the sound of his own flesh being split open by her tessen, sending the blood in his veins spurting out onto the body and face of his tormentor.

Kirari stared at the grisly visage of his sliced open neck, her eyes glowing with mirth as she took in every detail. The sliced arteries, the still pulsating blood vessels, the many layers of his once united skin folds hanging by mere threads of flesh and blood …

It was oh-so Beautiful …

The battle had waned, the night reclaiming its stillness as each ninja found themselves bested not by brute force but by Kirari's unparalleled mastery of movement and strategy. She stood amidst her defeated foes, her breathing even, the thrill of the challenge still dancing in her eyes.

Kirari licked at the aromatic dripping blood, the dark red contrasting with the deep blue of her plump lips. "An exciting development, to be sure," Kirari mused aloud, her gaze returning to the moon. "But ultimately, unfulfilling ..." Her voice carried a hint of disappointment. Her ever-present grin faded a bit, a melodic sigh escaped her lips.

"I Want a Real Challenge … Someone Please Rescue Me from This …"

As the lone surviving ninja grunted and groaned in agony, struggling to even breath as he bled out behind her, Kirari's silhouette against the moonlit sky was that of a conqueror, not just of her foes but of the very nature of conflict itself. Her encounter with her would-be Assasins was but a fleeting moment of excitement, a reminder of her relentless pursuit of a worthy adversary.

The night grew quiet once more, the city below unaware of the drama that had unfolded above. Kirari Momobami turned her gaze back to the stars, her mind already wandering to the next game, the next challenge that might, at last, provide the excitement she so deeply craved.

End of Return of The Black Messiah P2

And that's the Prologue!

Nothing too long-winded, we're getting into the action now. Next chapter we're heading to Hyakkaou Academy! I hope you guys liked the fight scenes in this chapter. I wanted to strike a certain duality between Huey and Kirari. I really hope you enjoyed Kirari's fight scene. It was surprisingly easy to write. She's just so deep in her natural element here that it's really crazy that we don't see her fighting in the manga/anime, I guarantee that she can.

With that being said please review and favorite if you enjoy this story so far. That first review is pretty important to attracting more readers.

Peace.