The Neutral Zone

General Daichi Tanaka stared at the CCTV monitors, his face a mask of disappointment and rage. The footage showed the escape car, driven by none other than his son Kaito. World War 4 was on the brink.

"Agent 001 Hebi! You have to find Aiko Hoshino as soon as possible. The future of the world lies in your hands," Tanaka ordered.

"What about the deadline? They left the Human district. It's impossible to bring her back by 3 PM," Agent Hebi replied, her voice steady.

"I will try to calm down President Hoshino. And if they still want to force their entrance into our district, we will block their way as long as possible, but you need to find her!" Tanaka commanded.

"What about the other passengers? There is another AI on board," Hebi asked.

"Destroy it," Tanaka answered coldly.

"And if Kaito Tanaka acts against us?" Hebi inquired.

"Then... then... do what you have to do... but please don't kill him," Tanaka responded, his voice cracking with emotion.

"Understood. I'm on my way," Hebi said, starting the pursuit with a team of 30 soldiers, motorcycles, panzers, and a helicopter.

General Tanaka then reached out to President Hoshino through the radio. "President Hoshino, we're deeply sorry about this misunderstanding. We found Aiko in our district and we will bring her back to you!"

"I knew it!" Hoshino replied aggressively. "By 3 PM, otherwise we destroy the walls of your district."

Tanaka sat down, sweating and thinking to himself, "Kaito, my dear Kaito, bring her back but don't die!"

Meanwhile, Aiko, Kaito, Tekuno, and Hashi reached the city of Kawasaki in the neutral zone. Suddenly, their car started making strange noises.

"Don't tell me you forgot to charge it?" Tekuno asked, incredulous.

"Well... I'm sorry... I didn't know that I would have to leave the human district today to save the world with a butthead like you!" Kaito retorted before the car completely stopped. Hashi barked in desperation.

"What do we do now?" Aiko asked, panic setting in.

"We need to find an electric charge fuel," Kaito replied.

"Yes, and before we get problems with the people out here!" Tekuno interjected.

"What? We're in the neutral zone; there's nothing here," Kaito said dismissively.

"Is this what they teach you in the human university?" Tekuno scoffed. "Listen, the neutral zone might be outside of any conflict zones, but it's also the place where they send people or AIs that the districts don't want anymore!"

"Designated people?" Kaito asked, confused.

"Yes," Aiko answered. "Human and AI fanatics operate here in the neutral zone, so we have to be alert."

"Okay, so, we just need to find an electric fuel station and then we're good to go!" Kaito said optimistically.

"I just checked the map... it's not really around the corner, you genius!" Tekuno replied sarcastically.

"You think I'm stupid? Now listen to me, you..." Kaito began to shout, but Aiko interrupted.

"Stop! Both of you! We're in very deep trouble and we need to stay together, as a team, understand?" Aiko said with determination.

Both guys nodded and Hashi barked in agreement.

"We walk to the port!" Aiko declared.

"But Aiko, it will take more than a day to get there, and my dad surely sent someone to search for us," Kaito said, concerned.

"I don't like to admit it, Aiko, but your boyfriend is right," Tekuno added.

"It doesn't matter. If we can't drive, we need to walk," Aiko insisted.

"Okay... we'll do as Aiko says," Kaito agreed. "But we need to stay close together and avoid walking on the highway. Let's try to avoid these outcasts here on the streets."

Aiko and Tekuno nodded in agreement, and Hashi barked in support.

As they began their trek through the neutral zone, the atmosphere grew tense. The streets were lined with dilapidated buildings and a few wandering figures. They moved cautiously, staying in the shadows and keeping an eye on their surroundings.

Hours passed, and their journey felt endless. Hunger and thirst gnawed at them, and Hashi panted heavily.

"Maybe there is flowing water still?" Kaito suggested, spotting an old, abandoned shop. It looked like it used to sell snacks and candies hundreds of years ago.

"I doubt it, but let's give it a try," Tekuno replied.

They approached the shop, its sign faded and barely legible. The windows were covered in grime, and the door creaked as they pushed it open. Inside, the shelves were lined with dusty, crumbling candy wrappers and old, rusted snack machines. The air was thick with the scent of decay, but there was a faint sound of running water.

"Look over there," Kaito pointed to an old sink in the corner. They walked over and, to their surprise, found that water was still flowing from the faucet.

They eagerly filled their hands and drank, the water cool and refreshing. It tasted surprisingly good.

"At least we have water," Aiko said with a relieved smile.

Just as they were about to finish drinking, they heard the door creak open behind them. A tall, muscular man covered in tattoos entered the shop, his presence menacing.

"So so so, look at these cuties..." the man said, a twisted grin on his face. He was followed by a small group of similarly intimidating individuals.

"There you go, Kaito. Can I present to you, the outcasts of the neutral zone," Tekuno said, his voice filled with dread.