ARROW REDESIGNED 05: HUNTING – YAKUZA
Story Author's Notes:
The Arrow Redesigned AU plot bunny attacked me when I was beyond frustrated with the character portrayal on Arrow. I revisit when I need for a happier Trio. The Arrowverse is not the DCU. I know this. However, that doesn't mean I like all the decisions the Arrow writers made. This is not a Revenge Fic. Part 05 is the fifth part of MY AU. Part X is the background on my AU characters.
This fic takes the Trio to a new location for a new conspiracy. There are no canon flashbacks referenced in this story. It takes place during the 'Five Years Lost' from canon… However, it does not follow the canon timeline. Minor and Major DCU characters are used. The perspective shift shows how the Trio has grown.
Remember that the League is DIFFERENT. Ra's al Ghul is DIFFERENT. Check out part X to read more about my world-building for the League. The League has a unique culture. In this AU, the trio are fully invested in the League. It is less brainwashing and more cultural immersion.
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For reference:
One of the main things I did with this AU was change the timeline and alter the past. This is my vision of these characters. Part X details the AU differences. The characters' attitudes are different. Read parts 1-4 for the main differences. Each are updated before each new story is posted.
The ages of our main characters are different in this series. The yacht departed in Jun (not Sep). Part 5 is the start of their third year lost.
[Part 1 (June-Dec 2012): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 20. Thea is 11. Sara is 17.]
[Part 2 (Jan-Jun 2013): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 21. Thea is 12. Sara is 18.]
[Part 3 (Jul-Dec 2013): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 21. Thea is 12. Sara is 19 (Started college).]
[Part 4 (Jan-Jun 2014): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 22. Thea is 13. Sara is 19.]
[Part 5 (Jun-Oct 2014): Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy are 22. Thea is 13 (Started HS). Sara is 19 (2nd year college).]
League names (or English codenames) are used in speech, but their given names are referenced in text. In this story, they are fully invested in the League. They have been in the League long enough to react instinctively by their new names.
[Oliver: al Sah-him, the Arrow, Green, Midori.]
[Laurel: al Aldire, the Shield, Red, Aka.]
[Thommy (Thomas for this AU): Yad Alqadar, Hand of Fate, Alqadar, Hand, Fate, Blue, Ao.]
Oliver has the Ruya—the sight. This is one way for me to introduce fourth-wall information. It was trained exhaustively in Part 3. This gift allows him to commune with the planet on Nexus points and to see ghosts. He is trained to listen to his intuition to guide him.
World Building of the League of Assassins (The League). The League is MASSIVELY different from both the Arrowverse and DCU. Part X contains details on this version of the League. Most of this culture was introduced in my previous AU stories for this series.
Malcolm Merlyn: I tried to stay true to Malcolm's Arrowverse character more than his DCU version. However, he has several key differences.
[Malcolm disappeared when Rebecca was killed for six years (The League time). He returned when Oliver, Laurel, and Tommy were 14 years old. This significantly impacted Tommy's relationship with Malcolm.]
[Malcolm created Tempest six years before the start of my AU. This is less time to corrupt the city.]
[Malcolm's martial skill have not degraded much in six years. It HAS degraded, just not much (I disagree with making Malcolm OP. To train, challenge, and grow your skill, you need to practice that skill against combatants of that level. He was 20 years out of practice on the show. Unrealistic).]
[Malcolm took six years to earn his martial skill (more realistic time frame). Yes, he was still a Horseman, but that rank is different in this AU. The horseman (Fasir) are not the most skilled fighters. They are the one of the best leaders. There are always at least four Horseman and an Heir (The Hand of the Demon). This is the advising council for Ra's al Ghul. (World Building for the League in Part X).]
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Original Posting: 2025/04/21
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Speech Notes:
"Normal" – Normal speech in English, if not otherwise noted. Foreign language noted in text. If you don't get it, it is probably an idiom. Let me know and I'll add it to the Acronyms, Terms, and Translations list.
"Italics" – Audio broadcast. Radio or television. Indicates person not physically present talking. Word in italics or bold indicate emphasized word.
-Normal- – Mental speech or telepathy. Used to converse with the Nexus.
Italics – Thoughts. Vision. Internal POV thoughts. POV listed in paragraph. A vision is a long text sequence in Italics.
Underline - Written. This is used for text messages, computer messages, signs, and paper notes or reports. Instead of underlining long paragraphs, I underlined the first part of the paragraph. Assume that the whole thing is written. For written word in foreign language, the language used is noted in the text.
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Chapter 1: Guidance from the Earth
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Chapter Author's Notes:
We start Part 5 after the Trio have returned to the Demon's Claw. Oliver went to Nanda Parbat to do his duty as an Oracle at the Great Northern Nexus.
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DEMON HEADQUARTERS: TIBET, NANDA PARBAT – WAHY SOLSTICE ROOM: 21 JUN 2014, DAWN
Oliver entered the Solstice Room at Nanda Parbat with the other Wahy. Already, he felt overwhelmed by the differences between Nanda Parbat and Tiahuanaco. For starters, the location. Instead of climbing to the tallest pyramid in a ruined Mayan temple complex, he was ushered into a stone room at Nanda Parbat.
The citadel was high in the mountains and carved out of living stone. Oliver could feel the age of the stone room. The room was situated high on the Eastern Wall of the citadel. The room's Eastern wall was a single sheet of clear plexiglass. The room was long and narrow. The glass wall took up the long side of the room. It completely secured the room and let the rising sun's rays enter unobstructed. There was barely enough room for the Wahy to camp out on the floor to receive their visions.
The other Wahy told Oliver about the history of this room. It was unique in the old fortress. Most of the fortress was carved from solid stone, and the majority of the openings were in a southerly direction. While there were many exits and entrances tunneled into the stone, this room was different. It was carved into the eastern wall of the stone fortress… to allow the full glory of the rising sun to shine into it.
They explained how, in days long past, it was left open to the sun. The Demon's Head at the time thought it might become a vulnerability. He sought methods to secure the room without interfering with the Wahy's visions. First magic, then glass, then a combination of magic and glass. Finally, magic and plexiglass were used to provide a clear, durable covering on the wall. The result was a beautiful tribute to the Great Northern Nexus. Cared for lovingly by the resident Wahy and Qas.
This room became a meeting place for the Wahy. It was reserved for their use year-round. Outside of the solstice, it became a place for the Wahy to connect to the Great Nexus at Nanda Parbat. The Wahy of the Fang, the Claw, and Nanda Parbat would check in with the Nexus before or after a hunt was completed. This allowed them to find trouble spots worldwide and notify their Fasir or Ra's al Ghul.
Oliver, Laurel, and Thomas returned to the Demon's Claw headquarters after their isolation on Lian Yu. They were adjusting back to their quarters at the Demon's Claw. The Monastery was not established over a Nexus like the other Branches of the League. It was close enough to Nanda Parbat, geographically, to use the Great Nexus instead. Its location was also why the Demon's Claw was responsible for training the new recruits at Nanda Parbat. They were close enough to manage the training without interfering with the management of the League by Ra's al Ghul.
Oliver took direction from the Nexus, as he had been trained to do. This was the reason the Wahy usually hunted alone. They followed the direction of the Nexus. The Nexus was the embodiment of the planet. Each Nexus communicated with the others. The planet sought balance for the Source. The League sought to assist the Earth to achieve that balance. The Wahy were the voice of the planet. They communicated the planet's needs to the League. In this sense, the League served the Earth and the Source.
Oliver moved to a place near the corner. He sat in the lotus position with his notepad beside him. He allowed the vision of pre-dawn outside to encompass his view. Once ready, he opened his Inner Eye to greet the Nexus. He was immediately overwhelmed by the consciousness of the Great Nexus. Tiahuanaco was the same. Yet, while Tiahuanaco felt like a stern father, Nanda Parbat felt like a loving mother. It gently greeted him with a caress on his consciousness. He felt the Nexus embrace him warmly.
-Child. Welcome,- Nanda Parbat greeted him with a pulse of happiness.
Oliver was surprised. The Lima Nexus never used words, only feelings. Tiahuanaco used words, but they were impersonal, distant, and informative. It did not recognize him. This time, he felt the recognition of Nanda Parbat in its greeting.
-Welcome. You know me?- Oliver asked curiously.
-Of course, Child. I know all my children,- Nanda Parbat replied with a motherly embrace of feelings. The Great Nexus sent an image of Oliver playing with Thea in the backyard of the Queen Manor. -I watched you grow.-
-I didn't know,- Oliver replied sadly. Savoring the picture of Thea with longing.
-You are still young, Child,- Nanda Parbat replied in a chiding pulse. -You just learned to speak. Not all of my children are that lucky.-
-Your children?- Oliver asked. He remembered al Namla calling them the Children of the Earth. -Like me?-
-Yes, Child. Like you,- Nanda Parbat replied lovingly. -Each group of sentients has a few of my children among them. Some of them learn to speak to me as you have learned.- Nanda Parbat sent another image of other sentients communing with the planet at various places. Images of centaurs, dragons, unicorns, jinn, gnomes, and dwarves flashed through his mind. In each image, the being was communing with the Earth. It was beautiful and touching. Peace and joy pulsed through the images.
-Wow,- Oliver said in an amazed and humbled tone.
The sun broke over the horizon. Oliver's mind moved into a vision.
The vision showed him a darkened room. The windows outside the room were black over a city of speckled lights. A magical rune circle was dawn on the floor. An Asian woman was bound on her knees. Her black hair shrouded her face. A young Asian man stood over her with a katana drawn. Around the room six other Asian men were mumbling and finishing preparations for the ritual.
"Is it you, Akira?" the woman asked in Japanese. She raised her face to the young man inside the circle. He was no older than a boy. Oliver recognized Tatsu.
"Do not speak to me, Clan Traitor," Akira snarled at her. "You have no right. You killed my parents. You left me an orphan. I WILL reclaim the honor of my family. I will release them from the blade."
Tatsu looked confused. "Akira, your parents died in a car accident. I loved my brother. We were devastated by his loss," she paused. "We looked for you. We could not find you."
"Don't lie to me," Akira snarled. "They told me the truth." He waved his hand over at the Asian men finishing preparations.
"You are holding Soultaker," Tatsu told him. "If I was lying, you would know it."
"You wanted to become caretaker," Akira sneered. "Your greed drove you to kill my parents."
"I did not kill your parents," Tatsu told him sincerely. "I never wanted to be caretaker. Father and Grandfather trained me, but it was never my desire. I preferred my brother take the role. I refused to be sealed to the blade until I was the last cousin left." Tatsu examined the hostile Akira closely. "I assume the same people who stole you from our family and hid you are the ones who told you this. This was always their plan. To slay our Clan and destroy Soultaker."
"I will destroy it," Akira agreed. "I will free my parents. I will let their souls' rest."
"Your parents are not in Soultaker," Tatsu replied. "They died in a car accident. Soultaker was with grandfather."
Akira looked confused. Then he glanced down at the blade and then to the other Asian men in the room. The men took their places on the ritual circle. Their faces became known.
"Oyabun Yuuto Noguri," Tatus said as she acknowledged the oldest of the Asian men on the circle. "Takeo Yamashiro. I should have guessed this evil involved you." She eyed the other four men. "Rokurou Amano, Jurou Takahara, Tarou Kishimoto, Gorou Akino. All dishonored sons of prominent families. I should have guessed they would make alliances with you, Takeo."
"Kill the woman, Akana," Noguri told the boy. "Reclaim your honor."
"There is no honor in killing kin," Tatsu told Noguri. "There is only shame. It is your intent to shatter Soultaker and release evil back on the world."
"Silence, woman," Noguri growled.
"It is you who bears shame for stealing my kin," Tatsu declared with fire in her eyes. "It is you who lied to him his whole life. Sequestered him away from his kin. You who have slaughtered his kin to ensure your evil plan."
"Kill her now, boy," Noguri snarled at Akira.
Akira hesitated a moment before he thrust the katana into Tatsu's chest. He seemed shocked. His eyes wide. Blood trickled out of Tatsu's mouth. "I forgive you, Akira," she said softly as blood poured out of her chest. "I hope you find peace now." The light faded from her eyes. Soultaker shattered with her death. Parts of the blade flew out towards the six figures surrounding the ritual circle. Each piercing one of the six. Stabbing into them. None of the injuries were fatal.
Takeo Yamashiro's eyes glowed in a sickly yellow light. He started to cackle with madness. He spun about, raised a sword, and cut down Akira as he stood inside the circle in shock. Whisps of souls fled the room through the window. [1]
The image of the vision faded. Oliver was panting through the shock of the vision. He knew some visions were complex. They could show horror or peace. He slowly calmed his breathing.
-Where was that?- Oliver asked as he recovered from his shock. He needed to know where the evil would happen. He needed to stop this vision.
The image of the world slowly resolved into Japan and then into the city of Tokyo. It ended at the top floor inside a tall building, with Noguri Enterprises splashed across the top. -You and your bonded are needed there,- Nanda Parbat pulsed certainty through him.
-You know of my bonded?- Oliver asked, surprised.
-Of course, where you go, they go,- Nanda Parbat replied in a motherly tone. -You are stronger together. Prevent the deaths. Save the Caretaker's Heir.- Nanda Parbat pulsed anger at the image of Noguri. -The Yakuza's obsession with the Soul Blade hurts the balance.-
Oliver took in the information. -Yakuza? The Japanese mafia? Shouldn't the outside world take care of that?- he asked.
-Yakuza obsession will not be resolved with the freeing of the Heir. Remove Noguri. The Yakuza subverted local authorities. They killed the Caretaker's Clan. Only the Caretaker and the Heir remain,- Nanda Parbat relayed. -Stop Noguri. Free the Heir.-
-The Soul Blade?- Oliver asked. -Tatsu Yamashiro is the Caretaker.- He steadied his determination. He recognized Tatsu and her blade. It was the same katana she had in China. It never left her hand.
-She is one of them,- Nanda Parbat stated. His mind flashed to a series of Caretakers stretching back in time.
-I will free Akira,- Oliver replied firmly. -Do you know when this vision happens?- Oliver asked. -Do we have a time limit? How soon will the Yakuza act against the Soul Blade?-
-Evil will not act before the full moon on the next solstice,- Nanda Parbat replied. -Timing is needed for the ritual to destroy the Soul Blade. The balance is skewed to darkness on Winter Solstice with a new moon.-
-Alright,- Oliver replied. -We have time. I will eliminate everyone in the vision. Noguri is an evil source.- He paused. -The others in the room… Did they know they would be possessed by the evil souls they released? Can they return to balance?- he asked.
-They did,- Nanda Parbat replied. -Possession was their intent. They will not return to balance.-
-Do others know about this ritual?- Oliver asked.
-The magician who relayed the ritual is no more,- Nanda Parbat replied sadly. -Only Noguri and his men know of this ritual. They horde the secret jealously.-
-What is the ritual?- Oliver asked. -I didn't hear any ritual words.-
-The ritual is in the circle,- Nanda Parbat replied. -Magicians are not needed. It is the act that shatters the blade. Blood killing blood out of revenge. Heir killing Caretaker with evil intent.-
-That's why Noguri lied to Akira,- Oliver realized. -To create a weapon. To create hate. To force him to commit evil.- He committed the known facts to his memory. -Thank you, Nanda Parbat.-
-Child,- Nanda Parbat replied warmly as it faded from his mind.
Oliver immediately took up his notepad and started to write down his notes for his report. He noted the Soul Blade, the Caretaker, the Hier, the named evil, and the ritual.
Once he finished, Oliver stretched and collected his things before leaving the room. He left feeling slightly amazed. The conversation with Nanda Parbat was straightforward. He thought the Lima Nexus was normal. Images and feelings of illness or wrongness where evil was being done. Having the Nexus tell him where to go, what to do, and who was responsible was easier. He was relieved and astounded.
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USA, WA, STARLING CITY – SCPD, MCU BULLPEN: 21 JUN 2014
"We need to expand the cordon around that last crime scene," Quentin started as they entered the MCU Bullpen. He was fixed and focused to trying to stop this psychotic serial killer. He was having nightmares about porcelain dolls because of that mad man.
"Quentin," Lucas started behind him. He was dragging.
"And get me some damn coffee!" Quentin yelled back over his shoulder. "I can't work half-asleep."
"We haven't slept in two days, Quentin," Lucas protested. "I will fall asleep DRINKING my coffee."
"We don't have time for sleep, Lucas," Quentin whirled around on his partner. "He dropped a third body. He has to be stopped."
"I know. I know," Lucas relented tiredly. "We'll find him."
"After you sleep," Sara interrupted her father before he could continue his tirade. "Pike called me," she relayed. "He is ordering you to go home and sleep. I'm supposed to drive you."
"I don't have time for this," Quentin griped.
"No," Sara replied with her arms crossed belligerently. "You don't have time to end up in a hospital because you fell asleep at the wheel. You don't have time to meet your daughter for dinner… or lunch… or at all. You don't have time to lose your badge because you are UNSAFE on a crime scene… You definitely don't have time for that shit."
"Sara," Quentin whined. "You don't understand. This guy dropped another body."
"I do understand," Sara told him. "You are obsessed with this case. I get that…" She paused as one of the CSI Techs ran up to Quentin.
"We've analyzed the girl's possessions," the CSI rambled off. "Standard items in her purse. She recently restocked her beauty supplies. Beckman hand cream, Cle de Peau lipstick, and Mermaiden face cream."
"Mermaiden," Quentin mumbled. "Wasn't that the same face stuff for the first girl?" he asked.
"I don't know," the CSI replied. "I'd have to check."
"Do that," Quentin told the man. The CSI nodded and then rushed off.
"You need to stop, Dad," Sara continued.
"I can't stop, Sara," Quentin replied as he turned his ire back on his daughter. "He's going to go after some other girl. I have to stop him." He started to rub his eyes. They burned, but if he stopped to sleep, some other girl would die. He knew it.
"You are in a right state," Sara replied in exasperation. "You can't help anyone like this. You need sleep."
"I CAN'T SLEEP!" Quentin shouted at her. The bullpen fell silent.
"You can't find him if you don't sleep," Sara replied into the quiet. "Your mind is too tired to work right now. Come on." She grabbed his arm and pulled him out of the bullpen. She gave a nod to Lucas. The man gave her a waned smile as he headed out the door behind them. She loaded him into the car with the seatbelt on before Quentin finally voiced a protest.
"I can't, Sara," Quentin protested weakly.
"You can," Sara replied as she drove her father home. She was going to lock him in her apartment. She didn't trust that he wouldn't work at his place. "You are obsessed. You are so fixated on getting this man, that you are neglecting yourself."
"My dreams haunt me," Quentin replied tiredly, as Sara unloaded him out of the car. "I see their faces. Their terror. I see you. I can't lose you, Sara… not… not like I lost Laurel."
Sara helped Quentin to lay on the couch. He blinked slowly as his mind shut down for much needed sleep.
"You won't lose me, Dad," Sara told him softly. "But I don't want to lose you either," she said as Quentin's eyes closed. He was snoring a short time later. She snorted. "Don't worry. You can find this nut tomorrow." She smiled softly before going to her room and getting ready for bed.
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DEMON'S CLAW, THE MONASTERY – FASIR'S OFFICE: 22 JUN 2014
Oliver was not surprised to be dismissed back to the Claw to report his vision. His verbal summary stuck to the basics. Oliver gave more details in his report. Oliver relayed his acquaintance with Tatsu and the loss of her husband and son in Hong Kong. After Dam Dhib read the report, he called the Trio before him to assign the hunt to them. Nanda Parbat's request for them was enough. The Nexus assigned the Wahy as needed and where Oliver went, the other two followed.
Laurel and Thomas were relaxing while Oliver completed his Wahy duties. Thomas was reconnecting to the other Eadi assigned to the Claw. He was social and needed to interact with others. His months on Lian Yu were nice. He spent time with Laurel and Oliver, but he missed others. He needed a social outlet. It was the main reason his time on the Amazo was a different kind of torture.
Laurel relaxed by immersing herself in the Hub and interacting with her peers. She enjoyed tracking Sara and Thea through their schoolwork and social media. She was upset to learn that her mother divorced her father and moved to Central City. Her father… If his computer use was any indication, her father was currently caught up in a case and obsessing over it.
"Have a seat," Dam Dhib directed them to the chairs in his office. "Have you recovered from your last hunt?" he asked.
"The hunt was not overly difficult," Thomas replied. "We were isolated, but none of us were injured."
"A very successful hunt it was," Dam Dhib replied with a smile. "The Hasub are still finding leads on HIVE agents in the data you mined. Not to mention the few HIVE systems we have already managed to infect."
"Good," Laurel replied proudly.
"Al Sah-him's Solstice Vision directly involves you three," Dam Dhib told them. "I am assigning it to you. It does have a time limit. However, you have until the next Solstice to complete the hunt." He held out the Solstice Vision Report to Thomas.
"Next Solstice?" Thomas asked as he took the report. "December?"
"Yes," Dam Dhib replied.
Thomas read the report. It was in the same format as the last report. It made finding the data he needed easier.
Vision Report: Jun (Summer) 2014 Nanda Parbat
Where: Tokyo, Japan
When: New moon on Winter Solstice 2014.
Location Specifics: Noguri Enterprises. Top Floor. Conference Room. Table placed to side to free floor space for the ritual circle.
Describe players and actions: Tatsu Yamashiro (recognized by Wahy and identified as the Caretaker for the Soul Blade) was bound in the center of the ritual circle. Akira Akana (identified by participants) was standing over her with the Soul Blade naked in his hand [Identified by participant, verified by photo]. Yuuto Noguri, Takeo Yamashiro, Shin Kurihara, Katashi Imamura, and Ryuu Ashida were all present for the ritual (identified by participants). Akira confronted Tatsu about the death of his parents and accused Tatsu of their murder. Tatsu corrected his information. Noguri ordered Tatsu's death. The Soul Blade shattered with her death. The Soul Blade released evil souls. The six men in the ritual were possessed. Takeo Yamashiro killed Akira Akana once the blade was destroyed. The remaining evil souls were released from the blade and departed the room seeking hosts. No other participants were visible. Nexus verified the possessed men knew it would happen and embraced it.
Describe objects and purpose:
Soul Blade: The Soul Blade is known as Soultaker. The Soul Blade is currently in possession of its caretaker, Tatsu Yamashiro. The Soul Blade is one of the twin swords Muramasa created in feudal Japan in ancient times. The blades were enchanted to trap the souls of the slain inside. Muramasa created these blades to ensure Samari could eliminate the evil souls that plagued Japan (Qas information). One blade was lost to history. The second blade, Soultaker, was entrusted to the Akana Clan. Soultaker is bound to the blood of Muramasa's descendants. The Akana Clan trained their young to channel light to battle the dark souls within the blade. Anyone not of Muramasa blood will be negatively influenced by the dark souls. Only the Akana Clan remain of Muramasa blood. Only they can bond to the blade as Caretaker.
Ritual for Destruction of the Soul Blade: A mage provided the ritual for the destruction of the soul blade to Yuuto Noguri. That mage is no longer alive. The ritual circle focuses hatred and evil influence on the bearer of the Soul Blade. It contained the mystical symbols for focus, hate, obey, pain, and rage. However, only when Muramasa's blood kills Muramasa's blood will the blade be shattered and release the evil souls contained within. The Nexus believes that evil intent must be used in this act. Tatsu Yamashiro is the blooded Caretaker. Akira Akana is the blooded Heir. They are all that remain of Muramasa's blood descendants. Only Akira killing Tatsu will complete the ritual.
Note: Yuuto Noguri stole Akira from his family as an toddler. Akira was raised to fear and hate his kin. The Nexus identified that the Yakuza deceived Akira into completing the ritual and hating his kin. The Nexus desires Akira to be free from Yakuza's control. Akira showed doubt during the vision. The ritual circle forced him to obey Noguri's orders. He only killed Tatsu when the Noguri ordered him.
Describe any Nexus feelings and input: The Great Nexus was angry at the Yakuza for risking balance. In my discussion about this event, the Great Nexus identified the Yakuza was obsessed with the Soul Blade. It enslaved Akira Akana to secure the destruction of the Soul Blade. The Great Nexus identified that the Yakuza subverted the local authorities. They would not assist in this hunt. Only Tatsu Yamashiro and Akira Akana remain in the Akana Clan. The Great Nexus identified Yad Alqadar, al Sah-him, and al Aldire for this hunt to stop the ritual and free Akira from the Yakuza.
"The Tokyo Yakuza?" Thomas asked in shock. "We have to take on the whole Tokyo Yakuza? Just the three of us?"
"No," Oliver replied. "We have to eliminate the six listed. Those are the men with knowledge of the ritual. We also need to find and free Akira."
"Oh," Thomas replied in relief. "That's better than trying to take on the entire mafia."
"They have abuildinga building," Oliver noted. "I doubt it will be as easy as a simple elimination."
"We should probably hack their systems and delete any data they have on the ritual as well," Laurel replied thoughtfully. "It says the local authorities will not assist us. We may need to work on exposing the Yakuza's double agents. The local authorities should be free to defend society from criminals like the Yakuza."
"Research," Thomas agreed. "We accept the hunt, Fasir," he said formally as he rose and bowed to Dam Dhib. Oliver and Laurel followed his lead and bowed.
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DEMON'S CLAW, THE MONASTERY – HALLWAY: 22 JUN 2014
Oliver was psyched to start the hunt. This is what I want to do. Work with my partners. Hunt evil. Free the enslaved. Perfect. He strode down the hallway with Thomas and Laurel by his side. He turned bright eyes on Thomas.
"Which room?" Oliver asked with a grin.
"What?" Thomas said, caught unaware.
"Where do you want to collect information for this hunt?" Oliver questioned Thomas as he grinned at him. He liked teasing Thomas like this. It was fun.
"Me?… Ah," Thomas stammered. For all his time as Qayid, he was not used to directing Oliver and Laurel. "Let's see which meeting room is open," he finally replied as he blazed a path to the Meeting Room. He checked the board and found several rooms were free. He nodded and penciled his hunt into one of the blank meeting rooms. "Room 6," he passed on to the others.
"Cool," Oliver replied. "I'll collect the Qas."
"I'll get supplies," Laurel added with a smile.
"I'll… just hang out," Thomas replied glumly. "I'm not used to commanding you two."
"You know," Laurel started. "You are going to have to get used to leading the two of us. We are habitually going to be on a team. From what I remember, Wahy are religiously NOT in charge. I can verify that Hasub generally aren't either. We seldom hunt alone. We each have our specialties. You are the Qayid."
"I know," Thomas sighed dramatically. "It's a different dynamic for us, you know. You both have bossed me around for… well, forever." He grinned at her. "I'm not sure how to take bossing you two around."
"Well," Laurel replied with a grin. "You know we will give you our unvarnished opinions. We usually come to a consensus anyway. The only difference is that we have new skills in play. Your job is to prioritize the tasks and the skills needed."
"Yeah, new skills," Thomas replied tiredly. "You will have to let me know what your limits are. Same with you, Sah-him. I'm not sure what you can do yet. Once I know, I can prioritize better."
"Don't worry," Oliver smiled. "I'll tell you. I won't hesitate to let you know if we can use the spirits or not… like I did on Lian Yu."
"That was very helpful," Thomas conceded as he recalled freeing John Constantine from Reiter. "As was the Nexus telling us they were arriving."
"Your position is unique," Laurel told Thomas. "Most Qayid do not lead a Wahy. Talk to them about what they know. Then talk to Sah-him. Most of what you do will be learned as you go."
"Yeah," Oliver agreed. "Wahy don't generally hunt with others. We join hunts occasionally when directed, but usually, we hunt alone. We consult with the Nexus and the spirits, not other Eadi." Then he grinned. "This… Us… We are exploring new territory for the League."
"We are," Laurel nodded.
"I'm afraid you're right," Thomas relented. "Let's get his party started," he sang out. He grinned at their response. He succeeded in getting them to smile. Win!
Oliver and Laurel's laughter followed them back into the hallway. Thomas sighed again and started to organize the Meeting Room with a table and chairs.
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Chapter Endnotes:
[1] Soul Blade Ritual of Breaking: I honestly don't know if this is more head canon than comic canon. I remember the vague outline of Noguri's plot and Takeo's involvement, but no details. I'm not even sure which comic title it was under. I expanded on the few facts I remembered and created this scene. If you remember where this plot was in comics, let me know and I'll add it as a resource.
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