Vengeance

In a manor in Saitama, three young adults had gathered. The oldest, a man in his mid-twenties, closely watched a TV while the other two, a teenage boy and girl, killed time in their own ways.

These three were the last surviving members of the Watari Clan.

The Watari Clan, founded during the Kamakura period, was a noble, reliable samurai clan that lasted centuries. Conservative and humble, they lacked ambition, lived within their means, and took good care of their people. While very reluctant to fight, when they did, they almost never lost. Even after being officially abolished during the Meiji Restoration, the Watari family remained an influential local power.

Ritsu Watari, the teenage boy, was polishing one of his replica rifles. “Those SSU bastards…” He picked up the fake rifle, aiming it. “Each one of them deserves a shot right between the eyes.”

“Every government dog deserves that.” Riko Watari was sketching out a picture. “But the SSU are the lowest of the scum.” She held up her sketch. It was the SSU building burning down.

“That’s enough, you two.” The older brother, Kotaro Watari, spoke up, his eyes not leaving the TV. “We still need to wait for Yukari Akayama’s punishment to be announced.”

“Come on, Kotaro.” Ritsu held his fake gun to the side. “You really think anything’s going to happen to her? I’ll be shocked if she even gets community service!”

Riko giggled. “Imagine seeing her pick up a litter…”

“I told you both already.” Kotaro looked over his shoulder. “If she is given a suitable punishment then that means the SSU and the government are not unsalvageable.”

“Uh huh.” Ritsu rested his head on his hand. “Except that’s less likely than India and Pakistan becoming best friends.”

“Or pigs growing wings and flying.” Riko was already working on a sketch of that.

“Perhaps.” Kotaro picked up a glass of sake. “But it’s not right to pass judgement before the trial has even begun…”

“The SSU Chairman will now be making an announcement.” Everyone’s ears perked up at the serious voice from the TV. Quickly, they set their eyes on the screen.

Chairman Konishi stepped onto the stage. This press conference was meant to quell the outrage against the SSU.

“Thank you all for being here today…” Konishi started with a generic opener.

“First, we have launched a comprehensive investigation into our conduct. This is being overseen by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.” Next, the phony investigation.

“Disciplinary action has been taken against Yukari Akayama for her unacceptable actions. From this day forward, she will be indefinitely suspended from the SSU.” And this was the last straw.

Boos roared from the crowd as the feed was cut.

Kotaro silently turned off the TV.

“What did I tell ya?” Ritsu leaned back.

“Unfortunate, but completely expected.” Riko ripped up a drawing she messed up into little pieces.

But Kotaro stayed silent. Of course, this was all but guaranteed, but he still held on to hope.

The hope that this wouldn’t be necessary.

Kotaro stood up. “Get ready. We’re doing this tonight.”

Ritsu and Riko smirked as they exchanged glances.

Slowly, he walked over to the side of the room, picking up a katana wielded by his ancestors. “This will be the last act of the Watari Clan…”

***

While waiting for Hamazaki, Naoki received a text.

Come to Ichiban Ramen in Kabukicho alone at 9:00 PM.

When he tried calling it, the number was out of service.

However, he had a suspicion of who it might’ve been.

After Hamazaki returned, their meeting wasn’t too interesting. Basically, they were to try and lay as low as possible until things cleared up. There was one mission in the meantime, however.

“Naoki, do you mind heading down to SSU HQ tonight? Chairman Konishi wants to do some PR stuff with some of the agents.”

“Well, I suppose, but…” Naoki did want to go meet with that person, but if duty called…

“Can I go instead?” Chiaki spoke up.

“Hm?” Hamazaki thought it over. “Actually, you might be a better fit. Yeah, go ahead. Just be careful of those protestors.”

“Thank you, sir.” She bowed slightly.

Naoki breathed a sigh of relief, although he felt a bit guilty pushing his work onto Chiaki. Even though it was more like she grabbed it from him.

Regardless, he now had the evening free.

***

Kabukicho was probably the shadiest area of Tokyo. It was a hotbed of yakuza activity, and while the police throughout the 2020s had tried to flush them out, all their work seemed to have been reset.

Naoki was a bit out of his element here.

Ichiban Ramen was a rundown, shabby joint that had clearly seen better days. Although, it was a favorite of ramen connoisseurs.

Naoki sat down and ordered a medium tonkotsu ramen, paying with his credit card.

“Hey.”

Recognizing that voice, Naoki looked over, seeing Akemi. “You…”

“Thanks for coming.” Akemi slurped up some of his own broth. “And I really do mean that.”

“What is it that you want?”

“I just wanted to talk…and one other thing, but that’s not so important right now…”

“Talk about what? You know you’re the most wanted man in Japan right now. I oughta arrest you right now!”

“You won’t and you can’t.” Akemi crumpled up a napkin and dropped it. It seemingly went through the table. Not even a second later, the napkin landed on Naoki’s head.

Naoki brushed it off, flustered. “Whatever, what do you want?”

“Naoki… You’re a good guy. I know you’re having second thoughts…”

“Hardly. And what’s it to you?”

“Well, I think even if we’re on different teams, we’re on the same side. We both want what’s best for Japan.”

“Tch.” Naoki’s ramen had arrived, but he didn’t really want it.

But Akemi had just finished his. “Another one, please.” He pulled out a ¥5,000 bill which was quickly snatched up. He looked over at Naoki. “Can you believe it? A cheap bowl of ramen has gone up like five times in the last few years.”

¥5,000 wasn’t much to Naoki, but it’s not like he ever thought about it before. Was ¥5,000 really that expensive?

“It’s still worth it, though. There’s nothing in the world that can beat good food with good people.”

Naoki dipped his chopsticks into the bowl, pulling up some of the noodles. He usually didn’t eat this kind of thing.

It wasn’t delicious.

But it was good.

***

Yukari Akayama was at one of her father’s properties in Shoto, Shibuya. A very upscale condo with everything she could ever need.

Because she was suspended, she’d be spending a lot more time here.

Of course, she enjoyed her SSU duties, and she especially wanted to keep chasing down Akemi, but an impromptu vacation wasn’t unwelcome.

She was currently engrossed in a movie.

Yukari could be considered an otaku, but only for one specific kind of anime. The type where a psychotically in love boy or girl chases after their beloved. These yandere anime were all she was really into, and her favorite one was a movie called Future Dreams where a teenage girl kidnaps her beloved and brainwashes him into loving her. It was supposed to be a horror movie, but Yukari insisted that it was a beautiful love story. She had seen the movie at least a hundred times.

Sitting on the edge of her seat, the movie was reaching its climax. But her reverie was interrupted by her phone going off.

“Damn it!” Furious, she paused the movie and picked up her phone, but when she saw what it was, she couldn’t help but smirk.

SSU HQ was under attack by Ghosts.

“Oh, what a shame!” she said to herself. “It’s too bad they suspended their golden girl! But it’s fine, I’m sure the B Team can handle that.” She chucked her phone to the side and got comfortable again.

But before she hit unpause, she froze.

She was alone in that condo.

Or at least she should’ve been.

But she could’ve sworn she heard something, just the slightest creak.

Was it possible…

That someone had come directly for her?