Chapter 3

They were now on the jeep back to the capital of Africa with the freedom fighters on a couple of jeeps as they were escorted. When they arrived at the capital, the leader of the freedom fighters, rod and maria then explained everything that had happened to a military official.

Rod also explained that when they also arrived at the freedom fighters base camp, they were also welcomed warmly by their leader as they offered them food and transportation back to the city. After a few hours, rod was then called over to the palace where the African president was waiting for him at the dinner table.

It was now nightfall when they have arrived at the palace where they ate at the dining table with the president.

“im so very sorry about your vacation mr rod.” The president

“no worries. It was an unforeseen event that even we didn’t anticipate.” Rod said as he feeds on the jaguar that also came with him.

“by the way, does he bite?”

“if you provoke him, yes. though I have really helped these guys a lot which might be why.” Rod said as he patted the jaguar

The president then understood what he meant and nodded in appreciation.

“which is also why im sitting right beside you just in case mr president.” Maria said as she ate

“I see. my sources tell me that the poachers are recently getting active which was why you were being ambushed.”

“yes, I also believe so. Didn’t the UN report to you what happened?”

“you got me there. Yes, we saw you when you were in trouble. Though the news of you was late in getting to me.”

“just when did you get the news?” maria

“just yesterday. I couldn’t also believe my eyes as you have really survived the wilderness mr rod. Wrestling a crocodile and fighting a pack of lions.” The president smiled at the news

“it was seriously very hard trying to survive with a pack of lions. And for a moment there, I had even almost gone crazy.” Maria

The president then laughed at the thought.

“that’s not funny.”

“im so sorry miss maria. Im just glad you guys were alright, that’s all.”

“I almost forgot about our bags maria!” rod

“do not worry about that mr rod. I had already had the hotel deliver them to your private quarters in the palace. You are free to stay here for the night as you please.”

“really?” maria

“yes.”

“yey!!”

“in fact, the world leaders were also very proud of you when you participated in the warriors ceremony… and did you also know that it is also a ceremony of becoming a man?”

“I see.” rod smiled as he ate

“it seems that the spirits have deemed you worthy of becoming a warrior as you have earned the respect of those pack of animals during your fight. Im really glad for you, though the US really had their sweet time in telling me of this news. I even scolded them for not telling me much sooner. You could have heard their tone as they still cant believe that you just became a man.”

“to them, it seems that im still a boy. I don’t blame them cause I still feel that there is more to learn than meets the eye.”

“you certainly have become a man to say those wise words. Let us eat now! The food is getting cold.” The president said with a smile

“oh and please don’t tell them about this. let me report to them instead.” Rod

“as you wish.”

After their dinner, they were taken to two separate rooms for both of them where their bags and other things were intact. Later that night, maria visited his room.

“can I come in?” maria said as she knocked on the door.

Rod just got off the phone when maria knocked on the door.

“sure.” Said rod as he saw maria in her night gown.

“who were you talking with earlier?” maria said after she took a seat beside rod

“I was talking to Sheryl about what happened and to never even tell our parents about it.”

“im sure that they would really freak out if they even knew what you have been through.”

“yeah, im sure of it. Even Sheryl was freaked out at the news and wanted a copy of the satellite feed.”

“I don’t know if they would give it to us that easily.”

“they might, if we ask politely. Just maybe.” Rod said as he gestured

Maria giggles at the thought that she has rod all to herself for now.

“so, what brings you here?”

“is it wrong for me to visit the man I fell for?”

“no.” rod just smiles as he saw maria eye to eye

“so what now? What more adven—“

“becoming wild aren’t we?”

“and who had me like this in the first place?” maria said teasingly

“haha.. anyways, after this, we go back home. I just asked Sheryl to bring the origami here as they will come to pick us up.. our tickets only says tonight so there might not be anymore tickets for tomorrow.”

“maybe. And whats an origami?”

“the flying carrier that we have.. if you have seen the second live video, then you might seen it.”

“maybe, I cant recall.”

“anyways, this is just to deliver the jaguar back to the wild.”

“oh yeah, where is the jaguar exactly?”

“hes just inside the dining hall, sleeping for the night.”

“it’s a he?”

“yes. if you have watched the scien—“

“yes, I get it.” Maria said gesturing that she got his idea.

“h-hey maria..” rod said as he looked away from maria “why are you now interested in me? You know I already have them.”

“yes, I know. But does a girl need a reason to like someone so badly?” she giggles as she made rod face her

Both smiled and kissed.

“ohh.. we really smell..”

“yeah, we have been in the wild for sometime..”

“lets take a bath. I will help scrub your back.”

“sure. I wont refuse an offer from a lady.”

They then got to the bathroom where they bath and continued on for a couple of hours and back to bed as well. Then the next morning, Sheryl has arrived along with the origami just hovering over the palace. And with haste, Sheryl then goes straight to rods room slamming the doors.

“rod! Are you here?!”

She then saw the image of rod sleeping with maria.

“rod! Wake up now!” Sheryl then ran towards rod to lightly pound her small fist on rods chest

Rod then woke up to Sheryl pounding at him.

“rod, why are you still doing this when you already got me?”

Maria also woke up at sheryls loud voice and heard her cry

“isn’t it because that hes awakened to his wild side?” maria said as she rubs her eyes

Sheryl was very frustrated when rod kissed her on the lips.

“don’t worry Sheryl, once we get home, I will have a very important announcement to make.. but first things first.” Rod then got up and dressed.

At the airport where they were asked for the origami to land.

“soyour going now?” the president said

“yes. thank you very much for your hospitality mr president.”

“the pleasure is mine. You can come here anytime to discuss business.”

The president then shook hands with rod in respect for their journey. Rod and the girls smiled and said their goodbyes as they flew back to the Philippines.

Then in the middle of the wilderness, they stopped for a while in the plains where rod delivered the jaguar back to the wild and said his goodbyes. And at the bridge of the origami, Sheryl was about to remember what she was about to say but still forgot about it.

Back at the house, rod was welcomed by the girls with their warm welcome.

“welcome back rod!” Hillary said as she prepared breakfast for all of them

“were back mom… and glad to be back.” Rod smiles at his mom and examines all the people that had greeted them back

After breakfast, rod asked for the girls to his room in private. There, he then explained what happened to them in Africa.

“that really happened?” yukiko

“yes. we really did our best to survive in the wilderness.” Maria

“well im just glad that you guys came back home safe.” Stacey

Flores nodded in agreement. The 3 girls were all seated in rods bed while Sheryl and maria just stood as they told the story.

“during my time in the wild, just like maria said, it certainly had my soul set free that for the first time I have decided. That no matter what the religion is, we are who we are. life is too precious to just wonder at one thing only.” Rod said in his desk chair

“I see… so you decided on what?” Sheryl

“I decided to have all of you as my wives.” Rod said with confidence

“what?!” Sheryl said as she was surprised by the sudden announcement

“why all of a sudden rod?” yukiko

“its because of my time with the jungle and with the animals. Let me just remind you that this is not me being primal and all..” he then immediately reminded them. “I realized about the survival of the fittest and about how precious life is to just worry about one thing. Why choose one or stand alone when you can have many to stand by you.”

“I really would have hoped that you would choose me..” Sheryl said facing at the floor, all sad

“I know Sheryl, and we too feel the same as you. But this is the rod that we fell for in the first place.” Yukiko said as she pats her shoulders before looking at rod

“im totally not against this idea, though it wouldn’t have been bad if he would have chosen wither of us.” Stacey

As the girls all agreed, maria then pulls rod out of his seat.

“whoa! What are you doing?”

“just obeying with my wild side.” Maria smiles as she pushed rod to his bed.

“girls, letsmake him regret his decision of wanting all of us.” Maria giggled

The girls then agreed and pinned him down to the bed.

Sheryl suddenly remembers what she was about to tell rod.

“oh yeah! Rod! I just remembered!” Sheryl said as they were all on top of him

“that can be done later. Right now, this comes first.” Flores said as Stacey and flores pulls Sheryl towards rod

Rod and Sheryl then came face to face, like closely where rod then kisses Sheryl with a deep kiss where they all continued for hours.

Then at the afternoon at the labs they were interrogating a spy that they have caught.

“so this is what you forgot to remind me Sheryl.” Rod said behind the glass

The spy was handcuffed all over to a chair and the table in an empty room where there was a glass that they can see the interrogation take place.

“yes. he was captured by our advanced security system where he even tried to escape from us for many times yesterday.” Sheryl

“I see.”

“and for how many times did he also demand to speak with you in private. He also said that since it has already come to this, his mission would come to a stall at this rate.”

“then lets give him what he needs..”

“wait.. what if it’s a trap? He has already tried to escape us many times.”

“no worries. I will have one guard with me as well to be safe. And did you also investigate his identity?”

“yes. but with no results. All we had are his IDs which are in his pocket which I also know are fake.”

“hmm.. I will be careful then.” Rod said before he got out of the room behind the glass.

He then enters the other room where the spy was being held.

“hmm.. good morning mrpan.. since that’s what your ID said who you are.. I heard that you need me..” rod said as he enters the room

But as he entered the room, the spy got out of the handcuffs and launched a surprise attack at rod by the door. Rod then dodged the attack which hit the guard behind and counters with a hand to the throat and another hand with a leg blocking his other hand from an attack.

Rod and the spy then saw eye to eye where the spy saw in rod that he was ready to kill and the spy was surprised as he didn’t sense any bloodlust from him. The spy then lowers his guard to walk back to his seat.

“are you really rod mason?” the spy said as if measuring his abilities

“yes. and you are?” rod said as he lowers his arms and legs, not breaking his concentration on the matter at hand

“sorry but I cant give you my name until I have sorted out everything.”

“let me guess. You’re here to investigate something from me but got captured and the orders came from a high-ranking official.”

“good guess. Though I would like to ask you some simple questions.”

“what is it?”

“is it true that your behind the mass production of new weapons in the black market?” the spy asks direct to the point

“no. why?”

“is that true? Ever since you have announced to the world of your innovations, the world balance is now shifting rapidly.”

“yes, I know. And no, I promise to the gods that I am not responsible for the mass production of new weapons. Can you tell me more on the matter then?”

“its classified. Though i heard that you have been in contact with the bratva and mafia, is that true?”

“thats also classified until we get some answers out of you first. “

Rod then sat at a chair where there was another guard that came. Both rod and the spy were staring intensely to see if either one is speaking the truth or a lie.

“hahh.. please get me a line to japan.. they will explain everything..”

“alright then..im glad that things are finally starting to take place. If you will excuse me as i go talk with japan”

Without leaving his sight on the spy, rod then goes to the door to go outside. Then on the room behind the glass, rod was being surprised by Sheryl hugging him.

“you almost gave me a heart attack..” Sheryl was almost crying

“sorry about that. It was all of a sudden.” Rod pats Sheryl

For few seconds, they stayed that way before he calls the Japanese president.

“hello mr president.”

“hello rod san. Calling directly to me, it must have been very important.”

“not really, though I have a bad feeling about whats to come.”

“what feeling? Is that what you gained from your trip to Africa? I watched that you know and it was a great journey even though it was short.”

“thank you. Though what im calling to you now is for information.”

“what kind of information do you seek?”

“its only for 2 things. Would that be alright?”

“sure. We will let you know with what we know.”

“thank you. First is for a Japanese national who was currently investigating our facilities. How can we send over his picture to you?”

“I will have my secretary receive the print out… “

After a few seconds, they emailed the picture.

“his name would be sasukefujimoto, age 30 and married. Occupation, detective. Why on earth is that detective searching your place?”

“which leads to my next question that would entwine many answers.”

“tell me”

“what is his assignment?”

“I was afraid you might say that. Let me ask the police station on this. Can I call you back or—“

“no, we can wait.”

“we?”

“im currently in the interrogations room which I prepared for the students with Sheryl and some students.”

“oh yeah, your company is also a part of a school right? For practice purposes.”

“yes, that’s right. Which is why we can wait.”

“okay then.”

After a few minutes of waiting as the president calls the chief of police to ask about detective sasuke.

“thank you for waiting. Im sorry rod san but the information is classified.”

“oh come on mr president. Can you at least tell me his assignment?”

“alright then but I should warn you what entails learning this information.”

“wh—no.. learning the information would be of our best interests.”

“why? Why would you go such lengths for—“

“ignorance is bliss…”

There was a silence on the line for a few seconds

“rod san, I can sympathize with your answer but the information is clearly dangerous.”

“from the moment I showed my designs to the worlds, the scales of balance for everything has been swaying radically”

“you can sense it too huh.”

“yes sir. Which is why I must have the information”

“no is still a no—“

“then I will let you in on some information of my own. Recently, some students of that school have been missing.”

“is this true?”

“yes. Dutuer still yet doesn’t know about this but our investigative team has been investigating this disappearances for the last few months. It seems that even some people at some municipalities were also missing.”

“did you already give him the information?”

“yes, I did. It will take a while for the letter to go through as it was sent via regular channels to avoid suspicion.”

“good.”

There was then a silence over the phone.

“mr president, please share with me the information—“

“alright. As a president, I don’t want to bother residents of another country with our problems much less with the country itself but since it has come to this, I will share with you the information.”

“thank you.”

“but I have a condition. You mustn’t do anything reckless.”

“yes, I promise.”

“the detectives assignment that time was to investigate drug and weapons trafficking of a tip from a source that the yakuza has been very active recently. I don’t really know what he found but it sure has led him to a dangerous path.”

“yes, I believe your right on this. So can I have permission then?”

“permission on what?”

“to let him speak everything that he knows.”

“oh yeah you were in the interrogations room right?”

“yes.”

“alright then. Let me also talk to him.”

Rod then nodded to Sheryl which was also beside him listening before going back to sasuke on the other room.

“detective sasuke.”

As he opened the door, once more, sasuke strikes. Rod dodges leading to a judo counter, slamming him to the floor outside.

“detective sasuke, would you mind as sitting still?” rod said with an annoyed face

“yes detective. Please cooperate with them.”

“who is that?”

“this is the president of japan your speaking to.”

Sasuke immediately stood up and saluted. “yes sir!”

“now lets get back to the room” rod said as he opened the door

Sasuke nodded and got into the room.
“now tell us what everything you know.”

“mr president, is it truly alright to show this guy what I know?” sasuke spoke in japanese

“I can hear you though.” Rod said being annoyed again “can I kill this guy now? Hes getting on my nerves” rod said to the president

“hahaha..no..hes one of our finest so stop with all the haste.”

“yes sir.” Sasuke said being stiff and rod still being annoyed

“now back to business. Please speak English so that all of us can understand.” Rod

“now detective, can you tell me what you know?”

“yes. For a few days now, I have investigated leads that has led me to investigate this place. First there was an exchange at the docks with the yakuza and some people, maybe local arms dealers. At first, there were ordinary weapons but eventually, there were weapons that glowed. It was the same glow as when I saw the 2 live videos from rod masons fight. Which was why I should also investigate its source which was rod mason himself.”

“I see now.” Rod said with a face palm

“hahh.. I can assure you that rod here didn’t do anything for it. Even though his design was the source, the series of events was uncontrollable even on our hands.”

“okay. I will leave him for now but eventually, I might come to him for any evidences.”

“alright then.” Both the president and rod agrees

“I will let you—“ rod

As rod was about to let sasuke go, there was an explosion outside. The interrogations room was under the school campus where it was also hard for others to come and go.

“what was that?”

“mr president, I believe that I must leave you for now.”

He then hangs up the phone

“let me also come with you.” Sasuke

“alright then. But be good.” Rod pointed at him and he nodded

Rod and sasuke then goes out of the room along with the others in the other room. Rod then signals all of them to go outside which left no room to talk at all. When they got above ground, they then saw the school in flames.

Rod then had a bad feeling. “Sheryl, our home! And the company!”

“lets go!” Sheryl said looking all worried

They then hurried up outside where they saw the company also in flames.

“you there, status check on the company stat! report to me once you have all the details.” Rod commanded one of the students who was also the guard

“yes sir!”

“I will also go with him” sasuke

Rod nodded and directed his attention now to sheryl

“Sheryl, lets check on our home.”

Sheryl nodded and called a local motorcycle to deliver them to the outskirts of the city where their home is located. There they saw their home in flames that once the motorcycle stopped, rod got out and ran towards the flames.

Sheryl was also going to go inside but she was stopped by the locals who helped with putting out the fire. Inside the house, rod got to the kitchen to wet his whole body before going upstairs and saw his mother and patricia at the stairs.

One by one, he got them out and came back again to wet himself and go upstairs now where the girls lay unconscious on the floor. Again, one by one, he got the girls out and laid them out on the lawn where Sheryl was waiting and tending to them all.

By the sight of this, something swelled inside rod that was pure rage that after a few minutes, he roared as loud as he could and tears fell down. While hearing his war cry, Sheryl couldn’t help but clenched her fists at the thought.

After his cry, he then wiped his tears and called the ambulance but to no use. He called motorcycles to help and agreed to carry them all for free to the hospital. At the hospital, there he saw all the girls present in one room, Stacey, yukiko, maria, and flores while his mother, father, and patricia lie in a separate room.

“whats the status report?”

“sir! We have assessed damage to the entire company sir, about 50 percent of the company was damaged by the blast.”

“and?”

“we also flew a drone to the skies where we saw multiple trails of explosions all over the city.”

“and?” rod said as if he had a bad feeling

“we took the security cameras from the main building and replayed the event. It shows that miss maria suddenly warns everyone to evacuate but was caught in the explosion as a suicide bomber got into the building.”

“and?”

“let me talk to him………. Hello rod san.. I have investigated the explosions and it shows traces of C-4 rigged at the sides of your house.. and there is also information from the police that this is happening all over north Mindanao, in government buildings, institutions, and in major companies.”

“tch. Just as I feared. Thank you sasuke san.”

As rod hangs up the phone, Sheryl was beside him with her father on the phone saying his sympathies and for his help.

Rod then hangs up the phone after some time of talking. “Sheryl, don’t stop me for whats about to come.” Rod stared at the wall all looking serious.

“okay, I wont stop you, but please do be careful and come back to us.”

“alright, I promise I will.” Rod said as he stared as Sheryl with eyes that she has never seen him do before

Outside the hospital, he calls june which was also in a panic over what happened and said she was going to come as soon as possible. It was almost noon and it couldn’t have felt more worse. After that, rod calls the president of the Philippines.

“hello sir, you have received my letter?”

“yes. But everything is already too late. I guess I should have approved for your request for an intelligence network.”

“nevermind that, you wo heard the news right?”

“yes. Whats the status report there?”

“there are reports of attacks all over north Mindanao as well as casualties in institutions and companies. My whole family is also in the hospital thanks to it.”

“my sympathies rod. I was also proud of you in your—“

“that wont matter if I cant even save my own family!”

“calm down rod”

“what are you going to do about this mr president?”

“imgonna do my best to resolve the matter as fast as—“

“by then, it will already be too late! Let me destroy their own re—“

“I said calm down! Even if we destroy, what would we gain from all the destruction. You should know better”

“I know.. I know which is also why it frustrates me that there is nothing that I could do.”

“I will also contribute to the restoration of the cities in north mindanao as well as with your hospital bills—“

“don’t worry, we have already built a hospital right after my first live video and that’s where they are right now.”

“I see. Though let me do the best that I could.”

“thank you mr president. “

Rod then hangs up still only to feel frustrated by the event.

During that night, both rod and Sheryl checked in at the local hotel.

“hey Sheryl, how are they doing?”

“the doctor said that they would be fine. Just some skin burns which they will heal over time.”

“thank god. “

“rod, im scared of whats going to happen now.”

“don’t worry Sheryl. Everything might be alright.”

“what are you planning to do now?”

“im gonna do something a bit stupid.”

“im scared that you might—“ Sheryl said as she covers her face

“don’t say it Sheryl. I will come back, i promise.” Rod said as he calms her down

“for how long will you be out? And what about the company?”

“i will leave the company to you Sheryl. Please take care of everyone and the company while im out for a while.”

“for a while? For how long will tha—“ Sheryl faces rod then he kissed her

“i will be back after i take care of business but for now, patience is a must.”

“okay then.” Sheryl cried as rod kissed her

They then continued for the night, one last touch with rod before he goes to his long journey.

The next day, as sasuke was now on the first plane back to manila, rod shows up.

“sasuke san!”rod said still wearing tshirt and jeans while carrying a backpack

“oh! Rod san.. why are you here?”

“let me come with you.”

“are you sure? What about--”

“yes.” He said with a serious face

“okay then. But—“

“everything is already in place, visa, passport, Ids, etc.”

“not that. I mean—“

“i know. They will be alright as long as they stay out of trouble.”

“what about the exploding case?”

“the president is already on it.”

“so what made you want to come with me?”

“the others all say i shouldn’t do something stupid but after all that had happened, i couldn’t sit still.”

“i feel you on that. Which is why i became a detective... anyways, let me buy you a ticket to japan, its the least that i can do for what happened with me and your company.”

“thanks.”

After that, they were off to Tokyo, japan where a woman awaited them.

“this is my wife, shiro fujimoto.”

“hello there.” rod greeted her with a bow

They then rode a taxi to their house in the outskirts of the city where they settled in. Then at that night, they were off to a source where they were tipped on where the yakuza would be at. They arrived at a car company building where they asked for a meeting with the president of the company.

“good evening, is the president of this company present?” sasuke asks the information booth in japanese

“yes. Would you like to arrange a meeting with him?”

“yes. “

“hold on just a minute.”

They then waited for a few seconds

“i have already arranged a meeting for you by tomorrow, would that be acceptable?”

Sasuke then faces rod “rod, she said the meeting would be tomorrow”

Rod then intrudes with his Japanese “tell him that rod mason is here and he really wants to talk to him right now.”

“alright then.”

After a few seconds, a man in black got to them where they were being directed to an elevator. Then at the top floor, they arrived at the presidents office where the president was waiting.

The president then swung around from his chair when they arrived. “greetings rod mason and company.” A man in the chair in his late sixties maybe, in a work suit.

“greetings.” They bowed

“to what pleasure do i owe the visit of the famous rod mason?”

“we want information on the yakuza, every information.” Rod said with a straight face

“i don’t know what your saying.” The president turned his chair to the right.

“you know what we are saying, matsuhiro watabi.”

“so you know my name.. so you must also know that you will be digging into a lot of dirt with this.”

“yes, we know.”

“and who is this guy here?”

“a detective passing by.” Sasuke

“i see. And from the detective here, you must also know that by asking me would mean that you got a death wish, am i right rod mason?”

“no i don’t. I just want to stop the mess that has started because of me.”

“so you are also aware of your position.”

“yes. So if you will tell us—“

“let me tell you a bit of advice.. lay off the yakuza” he then said as he faced them

“we cant and we have no other choice.” Rod said with a straight face

Sasuke just sat there only to be amazed at rods guts over the situation.

Matsuhiro examines them both if they tell the truth about that they say, he saw rod being serious with his every word while sasuke was also hesitating in a way as he saw sweat drip in his face.
“alright then. But first, let me say to you a story... once there was a group who was a mighty force to reckon with, they ruled the streets at night, made a lot of shady deals, and stuff. But one day, that all changed when there was a power struggle between the 2 sons of the current head of the group which divided the group. One group was now living in peace and at another life, working in a company. The other was still doing what they still did in the past and in the shadows.”

“i see. So that is now the current layout of the group.”

“yes. And tonight at midnight, there might be another group round up at the pier where a deal might take place.”

“really?” sasuke

“yes, thats right.”

“you said you were not gonna say anything to us.” Rod

“hmm.. maybe this is me getting old since i also saw one part of myself in you boy.” He then sits down properly in his chair

“why is that?” sasuke

“just a feeling. Because you know, i was once a peace loving person just like you.”

“i see. Though why do you give all this away?” sasuke

“rod mason, as of this moment, i have just one request of you.”

Matsuhiro then turned sidewards towards the window.

“please stop the current yakuza from making anymore mistakes.”

“so meaning, please stop your family from making more crimes, am i right?” rod

“yes. I always keep trying to beg him not to do this anymore but his lust for power always clouds his judgement.”

“what if we wont accept?”

“i wont force you since this is just an old mans wish in one of his last days.”

Sasuke was going to comment on his statement but rod stopped him as if he understood the meaning of what he said.

“and what would we get from this request?” rod

“even if im now an old man, i still have my sources within the group.”

“i see. And?”

“don’t rush an old man boy... anyways, i heard that they are also trading with some very shady people which shouldn’t be even here in japan.”

“and why would you ask of this request from us? Couldn’t you just ask the—“

“there is no one i could ask for boy, not when the police would be the least of my worries when the truth gets out.”

“why us then?” sasuke

“when i heard your name, i immediately had a feeling that maybe this guy would hear out an old man with his regrets.”

“don’t you have any family?” sasuke

“once.. but she is now in a far place thanks to my father.” Tears then fell from his eyes.

“sorry if we have bothered you with that question.” Rod said with a bow understanding the situation

“no worries boy. So? What are you going to do now?”

“let the young do something stupid as when they get old, they can reminisce on those days of youth.” Rod said with a smile

“true... i wish i would have met you earlier boy, maybe you could have helped me in a lot more ways.”

“maybe even be friends?” sasuke

“maybe.. back to the topic, are you really sure boy that you will accept the request?”

“yes. Sooner or later, we would bump into them eventually.” Rod said seriously

Sasuke once again, just stares as rod for his guts.

“relax boy.. you are in my presence so we should—“

“no.. time is of the essence.. since i made a promise..”

“i see. I hope that its a promise that one can keep.”

“yes. And thank you, we should better be going now.” Rod said seeing his watch, it was now 9pm

“which reminds me also that im late.. let me also deliver you to the pier..”

“really?” sasuke

“yes.. as an old mans whim to accompany the youth.”

“hmm.. alright then.. but no drinks.”

Sasuke stares at him surprised to refuse a drink

“haha.. you saw right through huh.. i would have served drinks on the way while waiting but your right. It would hinder your mission.”

“alright then. Though please excuse me as i take a phone call..”

“sure.”

Rod then steps out of the office leaving sasuke to question other details of his history.

*ring*

“hello rod.. what brings you to call me?”

“hello hidea, its been a while.”

“yes, it has been.”

“skip to the chase, i would like to ask for information.”

“what kind of information?”

“who is the yakuza dealing with?”

“oh, that. Im sorry but our range doesn’t go to another country.”

“tch, as i feared.”

“but i heard rumors that the black market has awfully been very busy lately with deals..”

“can you get some men to just investigate that for me?”

“sure, why is that?”

“make sure you also include in your investigation on the news what happened to me in my home country so that you will know.”

“oh, so your in another adventure eh?”

“no. This is more like a quest.”

“hmm.. i wont probably ask you on what you mission might be but as i am thankful for what you did with my father, this is the least that i could do.”

“say hidea, how is your father doing lately.”

“i haven’t had anyone visit him yet. And we are all staying low so that we wont disturb the balance in here.”

“so, whats the status there? do you have new info on the new mafia?”

“a little bit.. only rumors flying that major mafia members from Europe came to take mafia in Russia.”

“i see.. anyways, thank you for the information hidea, stay safe..”

“yes i will”

“you have been granted a second life in the shadows, so you better appreciate the president for it.”

“as perplexed as i am right now over the situation, i guess your right. The bratva is not what it used to be before and other members are now transferring to mafia..”

“the mafia is gaining more forces huh.. did you hear anything on why they are gaining new—“

“no..”

“i see.. thank you again hidea..”

Rod then hangs up the phone.

He got back inside where tears rolled down from the cheeks of matsuhiro.

“sasuke san.. just what on earth did you say?”

“I only asked about his history..”

“hahh.. I just even stopped you from asking the most delicate question.”

“its nothing big, because I was young back then and if I could have just stop—“

“that’s alright matsuhiro san.. im sorry for the question.” Rod bowed as well as sasuke

“like I said, its now just a memory to an old man. Right now, I want you to focus on the mission at hand.”

“alright then. We will be on our way..”

“hold on rod..” sasuke interrupted “can we also have a little bit assurance?”

“like what?” matsuhiro

“oh yeah.. just in case if they got more guns than us, can—“

“I see… Alright then, follow me.”

Matsuhiro then stood up and got to one of the walls outside his office where he flipped a switch to reveal a secret door to an armory.

“this is quite a lot of fire power for a car company.”

“yes, it is. But as a former yakuza, I must also be ready for anything.”

“I see.” Rod said as they were all still picking from the armory.

“hey boy, can I ask of you this one more thing?”

“yes?”

“can I include you in my will?”

“why? Don’t you have any family left?”

“no more im afraid. Im the only one that’s left aside from my brother.”

“so what would you include him for?” sasuke

“ownership”

Sasuke and rod then directed their attention to matsuhiro being surprised

“like what!?” sasuke all surprised

“that is only after this is all over. You can even have some of my men to accompany you in your task.”

“this is one hell of a day..” sasuke

“you said it.. though if you mi—“

“I have also heard about your endeavors and you yourself rod mason, I have heard stories of your heroism and of your bravery. I even have researched all about your company out of my own curiousity.”

“so you have already researched about me.” Rod

“then why not transfer your company there where it’s a bit peaceful?” sasuke

“sasuke..” rod stared at him being pissed off, after all that has happened

“sorry..” sasuke just smiles

“that would be a great idea, that way, I wont have to search for you when I die.”

“oh boy.” Rod said with a face palm

At the pier at almost midnight, where a limousine has parked just beyond the far side with some cars accompanying it. Rod and the others then got out of the cars while matsuhiro stayed in the limousine, all fired up for the mission.

Rod carrying his carbon fiber armor with him, he was armed to the core. They then infiltrated the pier where they all spread out and waited as the trade has been conducted. As the clock was counting, midnight has struck.

Multiple cars then rushed on the other side and stopped just outside a warehouse. As men from both opposite sides got out of the car, they then saw the identities of those who are trading. One side was with a rich muslim gettup while the other were all in black suits. Opposite sides then got near for the trade.

“you got the goods?”

“yes, its right here in the car. But would you also like to buy our newest products like we said before?”

“maybe. Let us take a look at it again if you please.”

“sure.”

The muslim traders then showed them in the trunk of the first car, some regular MK-16s and some other rifles and drugs. After a few minutes of inspection with the guns and drugs, they approved of it and moved to the other. The traders then showed in the next car what rod feared, energy weapons.

The weapons in the trunk then glowed as they flipped the switch.

“this my friend is the newest in our line of weapons. It got mini lasers equipped as well as these bullets.”

the traders then showed a long bullet with some kind of containment in it.

“these bullets will literally blow once they land a hit on the target creating more destruction.”

The men then picked up somewhat like an explosive device as well.

“that my friends is an energy bomb. Once it blows, it will also release an electric pulse that will fry soldier within 1 or 2 meters.”

“hmm.. all these are incredible..”

“so, what will it be? These new products would cost extra.”

As rod was with sasuke, he was about to run into them to fight but rod stopped him.

“shh.. you know the mission.”

“tch.. you know I just cant stand here and do nothing..” sasuke whispers angrily at rod

“calm down. If we lose them now, we will lose them for a long time, remember that. So stick to the plan.”

Sasuke was about to draw his gun while his hands were aching to go and fight, but he eventually lets go.

“okay. We will deliver the money in another transaction..”

“how about tomorrow then?”

“great.”

The 2 sides then shook hands as the men in black all took the weapons in the first car. and as they were about to leave, a sniper then shoots a tracer on the rim of the wheels of the car belonging to one of the yakuza before they left.

As the yakuza left, along with the muslim traders, rod and his team returned to the cars just parked beyond the side of the pier.

“we got them.” Rod said as he sat

“you got them? You got to a fight?”

“no, not yet.”

“but we were going to until rod stopped me.” Sasuke

“no, rod san is right. Picking a fight with them here would do you no good. We proceed as planned.”

“yes sir..” sasuke said being annoyed

“sasuke, is this the first time you have been in this kind of mission?”

“yes, so what?”

“oh boy.. please do take heed of this mission as it will serve as a reminder for your future missions to come.”

“yes, I know. Im just frustrated that I couldn’t apprehend them.”

“that also comes with the mission sasuke. Now lets focus on the mission at hand.” Rod

Matsuhiro also nodded in agreement.

There they stopped at a Japanese mansion at the mountains where it was heavily guarded and the moon shines its brightest at the night sky.

“well, isn’t this one of the mansions that my brother has.” Matsuhiro

“this is your brothers?” sasuke

“yes.”

“anyways, do you guys get the plan?” rod said as he examines the men who are just listening at the windows of the limousine

The men and matsuhiro nodded.

“I don’t know if I can do this plan.” Sasuke

“don’t worry, there are times when a detective would do this.” Rod

“just how sure are you anyways? This isn’t in one of the detective novels that I read everytime.” sasuke

“haha.. you have got a lot to work on there young fellow.” matsuhiro

“ughh.. I have already come this far, why not just finish it.” Sasuke as he held on to his resolve

Rod nodded and got out of the limousine. They then snuck up and climbed to the side of the entrance to see multiple guards guarding the yard. If they go to the front door, they would be spotted which is why they go towards the back.

Once they were at the back, they avoided any cameras that were spotted on the trees. They then climbed up from the large wall and came into the backyard of the mansion. A guard almost spotted them go in but rod then snapped his neck.

They then made their way towards a door to the mansion where they ended up outside a large hall inside the mansion while taking out the guards who were guarding in every hall along the way as well.

Rod then signals them to stop while they listen to the conversation in the hall.

“tonight is a good night is it not?”

“yes sir, tonight is truly a good night. Though if only my daughter was here.”

“sir, here is also the report on the trade with the traders.”

“hmm.. how about the cure?”

“sir, we still cant—“

“what the heck do I pay them for!” then a sound of a breaking glass

“sir, please calm down. Your high blood.”

“hahh.. hahh..” there were sounds of a struggle with breathing of an old man

For a few seconds, there was silence. Then rod threw 2 smoke grenades, one near and the other after he enters the room and threw it far. There were then gunshots as the men who were just sitting at the sides of the hall drew gunfire everywhere.

Rod and his men now enters the room towards the sides taking the men out. After a while of gunfire, the boss who was in the stage cleared his vision to see an armored man standing in front of him.

“who are you?” the boss speaking in japanese

“matsushi watabi, im your Shinigami.” Rod speaking in english

“ehem! hah! Shinigami my ass! What the hell is happening here?!” the boss cleared his throat and spoke English

“I am here for a trade..” rod then lets the boss see what happened to his men

“what have you done! You will p—“

“old man, before paying your debts, I came here for a proposal. “

“what is your proposal then?”

“information in exchange for your life..”

“hah! My life can disposed of anytime! Go ahead and try!”

Then one of rods men came at the back of a room behind the stage covered in a veil where a beautiful girl in her twenties lie.

“hey boss! We have another visitor!”

“no! don’t you dare touch her or I will swear I will kill you!”

“don’t worry old man, we wont hurt the girl, just you..” rod then pulls out a sword from his back and puts it on the old mans throat “if you wont cooperate with us.”

“what sort of information do you want anyway?” I don—“

“yes you do, and its about the trade routes for the energy weapons in the black market.”

“ah, so your also interested in that I see. So you might be rod mason am I right?”

“no.. as I said, im your Shinigami..”

“haha.. when it comes to energy weapons, it would always be rod mason, the designer of the revolutionary weapon, the pandoras box to world domination.”

“hah.. that guy was a fool in telling the world that kind of secret.”

“so im guessing that you’re here to cut it off from the source right?”

“yes, I am. That kind of weapon is damaging the power balance to the world order.”

“please lower your sword then and I will give you the information you seek.”

“alright.” Rod then lowers his sword and put it back in his back.

Then more men came towards the door where rods team was now on the defense.

“b-boss! What should we do now!” sasuke shouted

“lower their weapons now.” Rod said facing the boss

“lower your weapons!” matsushi said as he waved at his men to stand down

As his men slowly drops their weapons, rods men gathered all the men to the center, tying and guarding them.

“I just heard of a cure, what of this cure you speak of matsushi san?”

“you can drop the honorifics there. You already have me at your mercy. And the cure is for my daughter, she has been poisoned 2 years from now at a party with the mafia.”

“I see.”

“though I already have treated her with the cure, she still just doesn’t wake up.”

“hmm.. let me try..”

“wait! What are you going to do!”

“just watch there old man. Though I also cant guarantee if she will also wake up with this”

Sasuke was near rod that time and has now pointed his gun towards matsushi. Rod then goes to the girl and brings out his smart phone to play some bizarre music while enchanting words and forcefully opening her eyes.

“wait! Please don’t kill her! I will give you anything! You need information right?! I actually got loads of information with me! Please!”

“speak those information while I do the operation old man.” Rod was then listening, stopping his enchantments.

“there is now a fuss in the black market for a load of customized energy weapons where the mafia, yakuza, us, and all other organizations are at a frenzy in buying.”

“I see. Well then, I better get this done before I get to that.”

“what exactly will you do?”

“it will be none of your business. Now shut up and let me do my work.”

After hours of his enchantments and dehypnotizing or hypnotism tactics to wake her up, nothing had worked.

“I have enough of this. Guys, please lower the veil.. you really don’t want to see what im gonna do to her.”

“wait! What?! How—“

Sasuke and the others followed rods orders and covered the veil where they also subdued and strapped matsushi when he was trying to get to rod.

Now along and behind the veil, rod then removes his helmet to reveal himself, and sweating. He lied about what he was going to do and did a CPR on her. After a few minutes, it still didn’t work. Then red finally does his last option, the chi blow.

On the stage, matsushi was crying as he struggles to reach out to his daughter.

“let go of me you fools! What horrible things will he do to my girl! I swear on my deathbed to curse him forever!” matsushi said as he still struggles to get to the veil

Then after a few minutes of struggling, he then heard heavy breathing on the other side of the veil.

“whats going on there! Let me see!!” then even with all his might, he still couldn’t get out of the ropes that he was being strapped into.

Then rod with the helmet got out of the veil where he uncovered the veil to show his daughter awake once more.

“father?!” the girl speaking in Japanese

“kaori? Is that you?!” matsushi said not believing with his own eyes as he cried in happiness

“just what did you do r—“ sasuke

“just a simple procedure to revive a comatose that’s worth 50% chance.” Rod said with a gesture

“wha—“ sasuke just couldn’t believe what he did and was just left awestruck at him

“guys, you can untie matsushi now.” Rod

All the people in the room couldn’t believe what they were seeing as the girl who was crippled to the bed was now awake. After a few seconds, some of rods men snaps out of it and unties matsushi where he then ran towards his daughter who was bewildered at the situation.

As she was hugging her father “father, whats going on?”

“I will explain to you later kaori.. for now, im just glad that your alright..”

For a few seconds, they were hugging each other which in some way also made sasuke cry as his men also cried as well.

Matsushi then looked at rod. “how can I ever repay—“

“you already paid me enough.. with information..” rod

“no, that is not enough! Boy! Meet me at the dojo just outside.” Matsushi then looks all serious

“father, you not—“

“shut up my daughter. The situation is not as what you might see, I will explain to you later.” Matsushi said in japanese

“I hear you..” rod then spoke in Japanese which surprised them all “don’t expect high from my Japanese though.”

“anyways, let us meet all on the dojo!”

“as you say... Men, bring all the prisoners to the dojo and call him in.” rod

“yes sir!”

At the big dojo right which is open to the backyard of the mansion, matsushi was changing to his kendo kimono with kaori helping him.

“father, I cant believe your doing this! I already have atsushi!”

“kaori, please listen closely and calm down.” Matsushi said as he was getting ready for the match

Kaori was done changing her father to his kimono and sat at the side as rods men brings in the prisoners at the backyard where all of them will be watching.

“kaori, atsushi is dead..”

Kaori couldn’t believe at the news but just cover face.

“after your coma, atsushi came to me asking on how you were. As I wouldn’t say to him about you, he paid the price for his loyalty to the yakuza in exchange for information about you. Then after our sakazuke, along with my men, we then launched an all out war against the mafia. The war was fierce as they were outgunning us. And along the way, in one mission, he got shot and died in battle.”

Kaori just cried there at the side as she heard the dreadful news. And there, rod enters the dojo with his armor. The air around the dojo just suddenly got serious as he appeared for the match.

Kaori drying her tears, she then set up her father with the samurai gear which was at the side of the dojo as rod was also in his own armor.

“draw your sword young one.” Matsushi

Rod then draws his sword

“that is not acceptable. That is a sword fit only for a ninja.”

“I know, which was why I picked it for this mission.”

“hmm.. then I will give this one to you.”

There were about 5 swords right beside the samurai armor where matsushi grabbed one and threw it to rod.

“im a dual wielder but I can do with this.” Rod said as he opens the katana

“hmm.. then let us fight on even ground young one.” Matsushi then grabs another sword and passed it to rod.

Rod then bows in gratitude. After kaori finished setting up the samurai gear, they then begin with a bow before the battle stance. Sasuke was also there and appointed as referee to stop the fight in case if it gets very ugly.