Ranma Half Moon Season 2: Phrase White - Part 3: Disintegration - Chapter 84 - The Interrogation - Part 3

Usagi noisily slurps her noodles. "This Ramen is heavenly!"

I hope this isn't our last meal. "It's as good as it smells." Naru nervously and stealthily watches Shampoo, worried about any sudden moves.

Mamoru eyes Mousse out of the corner of his eye. "It looks like your friend, the hidden weapons expert, is getting ready to make his move."

Ranma rolls his eyes. "Please let me try to handle it. You think it's not a big deal, but it is."

"Okay."

Mousse approaches the table. "Ranma, I don't know what you are planning, but know this, I, Mousse, will always thwart you."

Mamoru smiles. "Good sir, I think you should put on your glasses."

Mousse puts on his glasses and realizes that he is not talking to Ranma. "How do you know I wear glasses?"

"You have small intentions on your nose where your glasses sit."

Mousse shrugs and turns to Ranma. "I challenge you, Ranma."

Ranma looks over at Cologne, who shrugs. "Mousse, let's deal with this outside, after we're done eating. You would want to make Cologne mad, would you?"

"As I expected from a coward. But I will honor your pitiful request." Mousse walks off.

Mamoru smiles. "A lively bunch they have here."

Ranma groans.

...

The group gets ready to leave.

"That was wonderful!" Usagi pats her belly.

Ranma quickly glances at Mousse and sees that he means business. "I will head up the rear. When you get through the door, run as fast as you can, and don't look back."

Usagi laughs. "You're just trying to scare me."

Ranma looks at Mamoru. "Make her run."

Mamoru nods.

They exit the restaurant. Mamoru grabs Usagi's hand and runs with her.

Oh no, it must have rained while we were inside. I am in horrible danger of being splashed. Naru runs the other way and ducks down a dry alleyway.

Mousse leaves the restaurant. "I see your friends have fled. No matter. I will mop the floor with ..." A car drives by and hits a puddle of water, causing a large splash. "quack"

Ranma, who saw the car coming, has jumped out of the way of the water. "Sorry, Mousse. I think Cologne wants to put duck on the menu today." Ranma grabs Mousse by the neck and carries him into the restaurant.

...

"Why did you grab my hand? Are you trying to take advantage of me? I knew you were a weirdo!"

"Miss Usagi, I only did this because Ranma wanted you not to get hurt when he and Mousse fought."

"A likely excuse. I bet you think you can get any girl you want."

Mamoru shrugs. "I do. But you have nothing to worry about."

"Wait! That's insulting!"

"You make take that any way you want."

"You're good looking, but you're nothing like those host club guys."

Mamoru smirks. "Kyoya tried to recruit me. However, I think he tried to recruit me because I was not like any of the other host club members, so you might have a point." Mamoru casually flips his hair.

Usagi grunts and turns her back on Mamoru.

...

Ranma exits the restaurant again. Well, that wasn't too bad.

"Ranma? I think you have a secret."

Ranma turns and sees Naru. "I have many secrets. Which one?"

"Well, I saw mister Mousse turn into a duck when the car splashed him with cold water."

Ranma looks nervous and panicked. "You were excited and scared. You must have imagined it."

"I saw you dodge the water."

"I have good reflexes."

"So ... I must thank you for saving me from that mugger in the park."

"That was my cousin."

Naru scans the street to make sure no cars are coming. She whispers in Ranma's ear. "Ranma, I have been to Jusenkyo. I turn into a taller buff male if I am splashed."

Ranma chuckles. "Do you want to be a great fighter?"

Naru waves her hands in front of her face. "No! I jumped in a spring to protect my mother from robbers."

"Well, we might as well go back to the restaurant. Shampoo has also been to Jusenkyo. They will probably be okay with you since you only fight to protect others."

Naru smiles. "Well, I wouldn't want to fight Shampoo as a boy or a girl, so it's okay."

...

Usagi turns around. "Besides, you're a weirdo who wears a tuxedo in the daytime."

Mamoru shrugs. If I tell her I have a part-time job, she will probably try to blackmail me. "Formal wear on a guy will attract pretty girls. That's all, just like the motorcycle riding."

"Well, I am sorry I am not up to your standards."

"Actually, you impressed me today. Greeting Ranma formally really knocked him for a loop."

"Thanks, I guess."

Mamoru gets a smug look on his face. "Who gave you that idea?"

"Are you trying to say I am too dumb to think of something like that?"

"It's not really your style."

"If you have to know, it was Kyoya. At least he knows how to treat a girl!"

"That's his job."

Ranma and Naru round the corner of the alley.

"Hey, Naru. I think I am sensing a pleasant atmosphere here."

Usagi pulls her eyelid down and sticks her tongue out at Ranma. "Beda!"

Mamoru smiles. "How did the fight go?"

"Cologne saw that Mousse was going out to fight, and she shut him down. I think he is in hot water now."

Naru tries to fight back a smile.

...

Mizuki rides in the back of her family's smaller limousine, admiring the earrings that she bought. Ah, retail therapy.

Mizuki's phone rings, and she recognizes the number. "Yes?"

"Greyhound, I need you to come in tomorrow for the whole day. If anyone asks, tell them we have a difficult victim to decipher."

"Producer-san, should I assume you cannot tell me what this is all about?"

"Greyhound, my name is Dal ... well, yes. I cannot tell you now."

Wow, this sounds serious. "Does this have anything to do with the last job?"

"You will find out tomorrow." Dalmatian hangs up.

...

Zoiki wakes up. He sees the other three members of Phrase White are already awake, but just barely. They are now wearing their clothes, but Zoiki notices his pockets are empty. "Was that real?"

Kunochi nods. "I am afraid so. The truck stopped a couple of minutes ago. We will probably meet our handler soon."

Zoiki smirks. "We'll kill him."

The back door of the truck opens. An unassuming middle-aged man in ordinary clothes looks at them. "Kill me? I would be very disappointed if the four of you could not take me out. However, the four of you have no money, no home, and your former organization would kill you if they thought you were alive."

"My name is Persia. I can give the four of you homes, money, and a cover job so you won't look suspicious. I will also give the four of you missions from time to time, missions I will allow you to refuse. None of these missions will involve women, children, or people who do not belong to organized crime groups. I have received a memo from your previous captors saying that you four used to be a rock band together. Of course, I cannot allow you to continue with that, not for at least seven years. Also, the four of you will get makeovers, so the people in your past will not be recognize you."

"So, will you accept me as your boss, or will you kill me and take your chances?"

Nephuyu chuckles. "I'll bet there are snipers hiding in the warehouse and they would shoot us a long time before we could reach you."

To Nephuyu's amazement, Persia climbs into the van and puts Nephuyu's hands around his neck.

"They wouldn't have a shot if you strangled me now."

Nephuyu recoils in horror. "Was that such a smart thing to do?"

Persia shrugs. "Your captors have highly recommended you. I am doing what I have to do to win you over. It is a risk worth taking." Persia turns to the other three. "Any takers?"

The boys look at each other in confusion. Kunochi approaches Persia and punches him in the stomach, doubling him over. "Come on, let's face the snipers."

Kunochi gets out of the truck, but there are no other people in the warehouse. Kunochi realizes the other three boys have not followed him, but Persia is right behind him.

"Your previous organization has trained you well. That was a punch that would have been effective during a job." Persia smiles.

Kunochi looks at the other three, who are in shock at Persia's ability to take a punch.

Kunochi lowers his head, embarrassed. "Um, sorry I punched you."

"It's okay. You guys have been through a lot. But, we have much to do. You four need to get your makeovers and see your new apartments. Shall we go?"

The other three look at each other and then get up and fall in line.

The end Ranma Half Moon Season 2: Phrase White - Part 3: Disintegration - The Interrogation.

The next arc will be the last arc of the series. The title will be temporarily redacted, and there will be blood.