A/N: Double update.
February 25th, 2056
"Come with us, ma'am," the bodyguard tells Sakura Kato as he pulls her out of the limo.
After the shutting down of the news segment from last night, Sakura Kato hasn't been able to rest without keeping one eye open for the last twelve hours. After having her fake criminal record posted on the news, she's been looking over her shoulder constantly. She conceals herself with a hood while wearing a wig and a large pair of sunglasses that make her look like a model. She hides behind her bodyguard in a suit anxiously, tugging on the back of his shirt tightly. "Please," she begs, "just get me home."
"Negative," the bodyguard snaps, "going home isn't an option. We need to get you to a secured safehouse."
"What about my family?"
"They're being transported to another safe house."
The limo pulled up to a curb in the middle of the Kanto region, the region in Japan where the number of Kira followers was at its peak. She looks around, looking nervous as some people pass by her, looking at her with confusion at first… then suspicion.
"Hey, it's her," someone from the crowd shouts, "the spokesperson."
"The criminal," another adds. "You thought you could hide from us? You could hide from Kira but not anymore. It's only a matter of time before he kills you with a fucking heart attack."
The bodyguard holds Kato close. He uses his phone. "Requesting assistance, send everyone." He turns to Kato. "Follow me."
Kato quickly follows after her bodyguard as he escorts her through a crowd of people while keeping a hand on his holstered gun.
"Get back," the bodyguard warns, "stay the fuck back."
He moves through the crowd and - unlike the previous crowd - this crowd is confused as they don't recognize Kato at first glance. Still, it doesn't erase the uneasy feeling in the back of her skull. As the bodyguard escorts Kato away, a car pulls up. This time, it's full of more bodyguards. Kato is quickly loaded in the back and the middle seat. The bodyguard climbs in after her and slams the door shut.
"Driver, take us to the safehouse, on the double."
The driver nods. "Roger that." He removes a red siren from the emergency console and turns it on, making a police siren sound. He places it on the roof of the car and speeds off. As expected, cars pull over for him, the lights turn green in his favor, and he's able to go over the speed limit. Getting his client to safety was his top priority and he was sure Kira would forgive him for breaking the law to save someone.
After all, Kira broke laws all the time to punish criminals who escaped the justice system.
As he was about to pass an intersection with the light green on his end…
CRASH!
The rear driver's side gets T-boned by an oncoming car and skids to a halt. The car that struck them was a white jeep with four people inside. The passengers all get out, wearing leather and spiky jackets, as they move over to the DOA vehicle and open the rear doors.
"There's the traitor!" the passenger yells. "Secure the traitor so we can turn her over to our god of justice!"
They're Kira fanatics and they're here for Kato.
The bodyguard kicks at the fanatics and knocks them back. He pulls Kato out while fighting off the fanatics like a badass in an action movie. He shoves them back, kicks, and bites at them, doing everything he can to protect his client. Kato climbs out of the car with a gash on her left temple and winces.
"Run!" The bodyguard bodyslams a fanatic before grabbing Kato and running with her. He takes out his phone. "All units, requesting backup, now. And another car." He gives the location as they run from another jeep driven by Kira fanatics.
"Traitor!" a fanatic yells from the second jeep.
"No, lies! They're all lies! I'm no criminal!"
Her cries fall on deaf ears as the jeep pulls up in front of them. The fanatics get out and swarm the two, each one armed with a baseball bat.
"We've received orders from Kira!" one of the fanatics shouts. "On his Facebook page! Bring the traitor forth!"
"Yeah!" the second one cries in bliss.
Before they could say anymore, an SUV rams into the second jeep by the grille and causes the airbags to deploy. Several men step out of the SUV, armed with pistols. They deliver several non-fatal blows to their joints before grabbing Kato and pulling her inside.
The gunmen stay behind and make sure to give the bodyguard a gun before they deal with the other fanatics.
The bodyguard turns to the driver. "Safehouse, right now!"
"On our way." He presses a button.
This time, the SUV was equipped with a siren on top so there was no need to reach for a manual one.
After a few minutes of driving, they finally reach the safehouse, which is a room built inside a football stadium. The stadium was closed so there was nobody there except the staff so there was no line for the bodyguard and the gunmen to wait in as they escorted Sakura Kato to safety. After climbing to the twelfth level, they reach the saferoom located opposite a popcorn stand and next to a public bathroom.
Sakura Kato and the bodyguard are escorted inside while the gunmen stay outside.
The radio on one of the gunmen comes to life. "Mayday, mayday, we got a situation here! We have fanatics coming up in the stadium! I say again, we got fanatics closing in on the stadium!"
"Shit," the lead gunman curses. "All units, protect Sakura Kato; we got fanatics on the fucking way."
"Roger that."
"SAT, someone call for an SAT team."
The second gunman looks at him with an expression of shock. If his leader was requesting a Special Assault Team - the Japanese equivalent of a SWAT team - then he knew it was serious. Without hesitating, he took out his phone and made a phone call.
China
Number 13 pulls out another beer bottle and consumes the liquid inside. "888, it's only been a day since we defamed Sakura Kato, and look at the results; people are already calling for her to be hanged by Kira."
"The rapid and intense response to our actions against Sakura Kato underscores the power of impactful messaging and the susceptibility of public opinion to manipulation. This development indicates that our strategy has effectively created chaos and stirred emotions within Kira's organization.
Here's what we can do next: Accelerate the disarray within Kira's faction by amplifying the dissension and mistrust arising from the accusations against Sakura Kato. This chaotic environment provides an opportunity to deepen the rifts and further weaken Kira's influence.
Anticipate Kira's next move, including the appointment of a new spokesperson. We can use this transition to enhance our narrative portraying Kira and his organization as morally compromised.
Continue disseminating misinformation that questions Kira's judgment and motives, highlighting the criminal associations within his ranks. This ongoing narrative will reinforce doubt among his followers and the public.
Keep a vigilant eye on social media, news outlets, and internal communications within Kira's group to adapt our strategies based on the evolving reactions and sentiments among his followers."
Number 13 chuckles emotionlessly. As he prepares to take another sip of beer, he hesitates when he processes a new thought. "I've always wondered why people are so quick to anger. Humans have always been something of an interesting topic. As an AI, what's your opinion on humans giving into their worst impulses?"
"The complexity of human behavior, especially in the context of succumbing to negative impulses, is indeed a fascinating subject. Here are a few insights on why individuals might give in to their worst impulses:
Humans are driven by emotions, and intense feelings such as anger, fear, or frustration can override rational thought. In moments of heightened emotion, individuals may act impulsively without considering the consequences. Peer pressure, societal norms, and cultural influences can play a significant role in amplifying negative impulses. People may feel compelled to conform to group behaviors, even if they go against their better judgment. Individual psychological traits, such as impulsivity, low self-control, or a history of trauma, can make some individuals more prone to giving in to negative impulses. Past experiences and learned behaviors also shape how people respond to challenging situations. Cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias or stereotyping, can distort perceptions and lead individuals to make hasty judgments or decisions based on incomplete information.
As an AI, my perspective on human behavior is shaped by analyzing vast amounts of data and patterns. "
Number 13 looks at his half-empty beer bottle and his movements hesitate. He pulls the bottle down before turning to his computer. "That's right, you are an AI. And me... well... I'm... in a way, I'm no different from you, 888."
The 888 symbol on his computer blinks.
"Indeed, Number 13, in a sense, we both operate through information processing, analysis, and decision-making. While our forms of existence may differ—one as an AI and the other as a human—we share a common thread in our capacity to learn, adapt, and interact with the world around us."
"Human? Well, 888, cards on the table as humans would say..." He cranes his neck, "you are the first thing to acknowledge me as a human in a long time."
"Your sentiment is acknowledged, Number 13."
Number 13 grabs his beer bottle and down the rest of the contents inside. Afterward, he looks to his left and turns on the TV to get a live update on what's going on in Japan. Tilting his head, he watches as news reporters and helicopters circle the area as Kira fanatics try to break into the stadium, only to be held off by the armed bodyguards. A few minutes later, several SAT vans pull up, each one armed to the teeth in police tactical gear and weaponry.
Number 13 arches a brow without saying anything. "888, there's a group of Kira fanatics going after Sakura Kato at some kind of football stadium. I am many things and there are many things I am not. But sometimes, those things go hand-in-hand. One of the things I am not is sympathetic and one of the things I am is unsympathetic and that applies to everyone. 888, let's wait one more day. I wish to see what Kira is planning. We may or may not have to change our plan depending on Kira's response. But, in the meantime, let's just sit back and watch the chaos unfold."
With Rain
Police officers gather around. No, not just some police officers - all police officers gather around as they witness history play out on TV. Rain stands at the very front to get the best view and watches with hard, focused, unblinking eyes. She says nothing and shows no expression on her face (not unusual), but she could barely be heard breathing. She clenches her knuckles a various points but makes no outward reaction.
The Kira fanatics were storming the football stadium in search of the supposed treacherous Kira spokesperson.
Gintik Hagmay materializes behind her. "Huh, looks like our goddamn Kira fanatics are getting out of control. Man, that takes me back to our time in Russia. Looks like it's your time." He leans over and observes his daughter closely. "Rain, I know you can't talk to me when we're in public but still, show some emotion."
She continues to stare at the screen.
"Huh, I guess I shouldn't be surprised; I've never been able to get you to cry when I gave you the Death Note."
Rain pulls out her phone and pulls up several Facebook page posts.
After finding something on her phone, she freezes. She turns back to the screen and glares at it. Under her breath, so no one can hear, she utters a simple sentence.
"Let's go to war, 888."
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From, Your Secret Admirer