GOVERNMENT HUNT ARC (CHAPTER 3.2 PT 4)

I take a deep breath. I look over at Ju and say "Aye! I figured It out." Ju stops moving forward but continues to kill and deflect bullets while saying "You got the answer? What Is It?" I laugh at his response and answer "It's corny, but It makes sense… The answer Is… Me." I channel my Materia, picturing varying bullets. Next up Is the hard part. Trying to determine the distance, If the enemy Is far how much Materia should I expend, but at the same time If there close how little Materia should I spend? I take my first shot at 50 meters. I shot the target's left leg off, I try again on a different target. This time at 25 meters, I hit the person dead In their chest nothing Is left but the lower half of his body. Ju starts to laugh like he's having a good time or something. He eventually settles down and starts to yell at me "Aye, not too bad for your first time. You got the idea, you just need to umm... Ya know, get better at It. Oh, and the bet's still going. So don't miss! HAHAHAH!" He then starts to speed up, almost like he was holding back this whole time. I shake my head and try again this time limiting myself to 25-40 meter shots. With each shot I take becoming better and better, I start to find the ideal Materia levels for each range. Every shot becomes more accurate and optimal, I push forward speeding up. Slowly catching up to Ju. After about an hour of shooting down North and South members, we come to a stop. As Ju and me turned around, both short of breath smile at our actions. 100's If not 1000's of opposing gang members dead at our feet, the streets filled with blood and lead. It quickly hits me, I fall to my knees from exhaustion. Ju walks over and pats my head and says "Pretty good. Not only did you keep up but you found a way to optimally spend your Materia. That only took me years, and you got it in just a lil over an hour. It's almost scary how fast you grasp some of these concepts K, I'm a lil jealous." I give him a smile and a thumbs up, but our victory Is short-lived. About 360 meters away at the North's HQ more members started to come from the back and sides 100s If not 1000s. Slowly making their way down the street stepping on the dead bodies and guns. They eventually stop halfway, the road filled with North members, armed with new guns. I quickly speak up "Aye Ju, what kinda guns are those? They weren't In any of the lessons" As I look over at Ju, he Is no longer smiling. His face Is almost bland, but he answers me "I know. Remember your first answer to my question?" I nod, Ju goes on "Well seems like they found a way to produce the ultimate gun. And that's why the government wants the South side, so they can mass produce these." I take my eyes off Ju and look back at the mass of North members standing In front of us. Each carries a weapon that can be tailored to any situation to solve any problem. I turn back towards Ju and ask him, "So If we just perform better than them, their guns are useless, right?" Ju just stands there, not a single word said. But the silence Is broken, a loud voice can be heard coming from the North's HQ. Ju and I both look at the top, there stands the person speaking "Hello Central gang! It Is I, Heiki. Let's just get right to the chase. You have not only killed 1000s of my men, but It seems like the South has been exterminated thanks to your help." Ju cuts him off and yells "Yeah, yeah. I'm the leader of Central, Ju. Drop the contract with the government, they're using you. If we team together we still might have time." There was a brief silence but then laughter filled the quiet city, until the laughter stopped and Heiki responded "No… I won't do that. I could care less If there using me, as long as I'm the only one running this city. I'm fine. You should feel the same way too Ju. YeaRs ago Central gang was the strongest and deadliest gang in the city. What happened? Your leader died and now you've gone soft! HAHAHAH! Out of sheer pity, I'll offer you a spot. But you have to cut all ties to Central, and what better way to do that than to kill your top dogs!" At that moment 4 North members come out carrying Dee, Mak, Kate, and Chop. Filled with anger I yelled out "Aye, there's no way Ju would join! We'll kill you and save them!" Heiki just laughs, I try to stand but I'm still exhausted from earlier. Ju takes a step forward, reaches into his left cargo pocket, and pulls out a bag of pre-rolled woods. He takes one out and tosses me the bag while saying "Protect this with your life…" I quickly nod and put the pack In my pocket. Ju slowly sparks the wood and takes a few hits. But before he could take another hit Heiki slightly annoyed says "Alright Ju, It seems you don't realize the severity of this situation. Either you all die, not a single Central member is left alive or you join me and leave everything behind." I continue to look at Ju, all he's doing Is smoking. I can't read his emotions, not even a lil. Ju lets out a cloud of smoke and quietly says "K… The previous leader of Central died the same way as this. You know what he said to me?" I hastily answered "What you mean died? Don't say that Ju!" Laughter comes from Ju's mouth but Is quickly stopped by a continuous cough. Ju's hand quickly covers his mouth, but when he removes It blood covers It along with running down his chin, and dripping into the blood-covered street. I try to make my way over to him but my body just won't move, Ju stops me and says "It's okay K. I only had a few YeaRs left anyway. I've been smoking every day, almost every hour since I was 7. I did It to forget at first, but how can you move on If you can't accept the past? So I do It now to make memories with people I want to remember forever. That's why I smoke." This Is the first time Ju has ever shown his true emotions, and for the first time, It was depressing. Ju wiped his hand on his pants and took another hit before saying "Chop! Dee! Mak! Kate!" They all respond as loud as they can "YES!" Ju starts to grin before putting his head down and saying "It's been a good ride. Chop, you've been the brother I've always dreamt of. Thank you!" Chop nods his head while Ju goes on "Dee. Where do I start? Scatterbrained lil bro, you had nothing but put others first. I'll always remember the last G you gave me when we were dry. Thanks!" Dee crying his eyes out somehow keeps a smile. Ju continues "Mak, my best friend In crime. No matter the job you did It. No matter the problem you helped with a solution. You truly were overqualified to be my friend." Mak starts to cry but laughs It off while saying "Aye, as long as you recognized my skills. And you did, that's all that matters, Ju!" Tears begin to flow down my face, but as I turn toward Ju my tears can't even compare to his. Ju "Kate! At first, I loved you, but as time went by I slowly saw you as my lil sister… Or older sister. Hahaha. I just wanted to see you happy, no matter what I had to do. Thank you for helping me throughout the YeaRs Kate." Kate screaming with sadness says "OLDER SISTER! BUT I"M NOT THAT OLD I'M…" BOOM, her head shot clean off. Heiki laughs and starts to talk "Enough of the petty goodbyes. Such attachments are trivial. What's your answer Ju?" My body Is filled rage, I go to stand again. I can't. I fall face-first into the sea of blood and cry tears of regret while saying "There's nothing I can do. The plan failed. I got everyone killed. I'm nothing but a failure!" Ju takes a hit, and lets the smoke sit In his lungs. As he lets the smoke out he talks "Your right, your nothing more than a failure. So what does that make me? I failed not only you but also Kate, Dee, Chop, Mak, and everyone back at the crib. It doesn't stop there, I've failed every member of Central that came before and would come after. If anything I'm the true failure…" Silence falls before us, the faint sounds of sadness and despair can be heard from not only me but Ju as well. As I pick my head up out of the blood, Ju takes another hit and raises his head even though he's crying and covered with blood he still finds a way to smile. Ju speaks once more "K, whatever happens, you must survive. Meeting you was not by chance, there's a reason why you are so smart. Your future lies beyond Central gang, we were nothing but a stepping stone for you. We gave you the basics to succeed, you must. Nah scratch that, you will!" I started to cry, even more. One of the few people I meet that was not just genuinely good, but saw the potential within me even when I didn't. Ju walks over to me and squats, he pats me on the head and takes another hit before saying "Kevin, watch my resolve. Every action up to this point I accept It doesn't matter If It was wrong or right. I own It. To me, that's true strength. So let me show you." Ju stands and walks a few steps in front of me, he wipes his tears and smile away. He takes out his second Glock 20 and readiness It. He leaves the half-wood In his mouth and takes a hit. Heiki rolls his eyes and says "Alright I guess death It Is. What a shame, you truly were strong Ju. Well anyway, good luck defending this. FIRE!" Within a matter of seconds, the 1000-plus North members fired. My eyes couldn't believe It every shot fired by the North was not only deflected perfectly but Ju found a way to retaliate using the other's bullets alongside his. The buildings around us are slowly being chipped away. Nothing but the sounds of brass scraping and destroying the surrounding. After a few minutes, the firing stops. The gunsmoke was so dense that you could barely see your hand If you put It to your face. All you can hear Is Heiki's laugh travel throughout the whole city while saying "This was the city's last stand, a worthless leader too stupid to realize when a problem Is out of his hands. Ignorance Is bliss I suppose! HAHAHAHAH!" As Heiki continues to laugh, I try to stand once more. This time I was able to sit up, but nothing further. I call out to Ju "Aye you good Ju?" There was no response, I call out again "JU!" Nothing, I try one more time "J…" But I'm quickly cut off "Shut up…" A disgusting cough could be heard but Ju continues "I… need to… concentrate… Like I said I haven't mastered this power." He coughs some more, each time more gruesome than the last. But he still manages to speak "This Is… your… finally lesson… K." I slowly reply "yes…" I heard a small laugh and these words " Gunsmoke Materia - Gun Vault 1000…" After those words came out of his mouth, the smoke started to slowly swirl and form around him. A few seconds pass and I can start to see through the smoke. My mouth dropped. I was too stunned to speak words. The smoke cleared more and more until It was gone. As Ju stands in front of me, he's covered In bullet holes. His left arm was gone. Chunks of his body, his flesh gone. I couldn't help but cry for him. Heiki laugher continues while he throws cheap taunts "So you saved the kid, so what? You died In the process, what good Is that? You die, and your so-called family dies. All that's left Is to kill off the kid, or better yet make him my servant so he can see the face of the man that killed his leader! HAHAHAHAH!" Ju couldn't help but laugh, but in doing so blood spewed from not only his mouth but every hole throughout his body. Ju took another hit, but the smoke just escaped through the wholes throughout his body. He quietly speaks "Man… can't even… Smok… Smoke anymore…. Fuck… Well, K… Pay attention…. This technique will be yours… In tim… TIme…" I nod my head and watch. Ju raises his right hand and all the smoke that he collected came rushing out of his body, through every opening. But this time he gave shape to the smoke. When the smoke settled, I was amazed. In his condition, he managed to not only control his Materia but was able to give It shape and form. I couldn't help but smile, Ju speaks one more time "There… are 1000 gu… guns here. I have sho… shot every last one of these weapo… weapons." Ju's cough worsens, but he continues to speak "I studied each firearm… an… and learned every… everything I could…" As I look up there were 1000 guns made of gunsmoke. From Uzi's to ARs, Snipers, and RPGs, everything that he taught me was there. Heiki speaks with a lil fear In his voice "HAHAH. What good Is that going to do? It's taking everything you got just to stand! Go ahead try! GANG FIRE!" But everyone had to reload. I couldn't help but laugh while saying "You were right Ju, It's nothing but a patch." Ju chuckles a lil before saying his final words "Live by the gun, die by the gun…" Just like that, he brought his right arm down. I could hear each individual gunfire. Every sound they made was real, but they were made of smoke. The sounds of Barrets, Scorpions, Ak's, Dracos, and even rocket launchers all had a unique sound. Music to my ears. After a few seconds, nothing stands In front of Ju, not a person, building, or thing. Just remnants of war. I sit In awe, one of the most beautiful attacks used just before death. The sounds each gun made not only pleased my ears but told a story. A very sad but real story. I try to stand once more, but I'm stopped by a faint voice "Ju.. just res… rest Kevin. After all, you're t… the new leader of Central gang!" He doesn't turn around, but he takes his right arm and forms a fist, and extends It behind him. I slowly crawl to Ju and bump his fist. In a matter of seconds, Ju's life flashed before my eyes. I couldn't help but feel empty and at the same time satisfied. I slowly smile, and I can feel Ju do the same. Whatever negative thoughts I perceived, were quickly shut down and forgotten. Because In front of me stands a man that not only went through hell and back but somehow managed to never waiver and stand proud. I go to try and stand again, this time I was able to stand but I still couldn't move. Ju's hand returns to his side and he starts to talk "K, yo… you still got t… that pack?" I laugh but answer "Yeah It's right here…" But just before I could pull It out, the ground started to shake. I fell back down, but Ju kept standing. Eventually, the ground split a few meters in front of us. A large, all-black door with no handles comes rising from the giant crack. As It stops, Ju tries to laugh but nothing but blood came out of his mouth and body. Ju spoke softly "I gu… guess It's m… my time to go. Alw… always knew I'd…. go to hell." As the door opens the stench of death, and regret comes forth. I go to stand again. I try to walk to Ju's side, one step at a time. As I stand next to Ju, I feel a sense of pride and justice. But before I could say anything the door fully opens. But inside the door was nothing, almost void-like. After a couple of seconds a dark, sinister voice begins to speak "Ju. Your soul and body belong to me now! Welcome to hell!" Once the voice finished and a giant hand reached out from the door and grabbed Ju. As the hand slowly went back into the void, I started to take a few shots. Even though they were weak I kept shooting. As the hand went back to the void the voice spoke again "I should have claimed you too, but Ju saved you. Your soul looks delicious but with time It should become even greater. Keep down this path, and you'll see me again. And who knows maybe you'll see Ju again!" The voice chuckles a little before the door swiftly closes and recedes down the crack and closes up. I fall to my knees, as I look around. I've truly lost everything but at the same time, I gained the power to make a change. Most would be filled with sadness and loneliness, but the only feeling I had was determination. I take a few minutes to think to myself "I have to figure out what the government wants. There's no way that they simply wanted better gun manufacturing and easier transport. There's more to It, along with the cliche door to hell. This could be the start of something greater down the line." As I stand I take one of the woods out of the pack, but I forgot I don't have a lite. I look around for Ju's lighter and to my surprise, It's right next to me. As I spark the blunt, I go to light Ju's blunt too.

Let’s skip about 10 YeaRs. At this time I’m just a lil older than 17. I’m the leader of Central gang. Along with being the only prominent gang at this time, both North and South died out but not completely. You can destroy any organization but If the ideals and concepts survive they’ll live on. The government failed its mission of gaining control of the city and so, I gained control of It. For 10 YeaRs, nothing but peace and prosperity fell over the City of Smoke. But one day I was pulled back into reality. I was chilling In my apartment, I had just recently moved out of the main office back at the old crib. I just couldn’t stand some of the new members, a lot of them were just squares. Anyway, on one of the few days I have off an important guest showed up at my apartment. It was early In the morning, roughly around 6 am. I just got up to get ready for the day, had breakfast, took a shower, brush my teeth, and got dressed. As I sat down on my Fendi Casa Parsifal sofa looking out over the city I sparked a blunt and reflected on all the choices I made until now. After a few minutes, I was interrupted by a knock on the door. Annoyed I yelled out “Aye I’m off today, take your problems to Sally or Jake!” No reply, but just before I could go back to my peace and quiet the person knocks again. I yell once more “Come on bruh, this Is my one-off day! Leave!” A few more seconds pass and the knocking continues. As I get up I take a hit and say “This better be good. If It’s not… Let’s just hope It Is.” As I go to open the door, a man stands in front of me. He was just a few inches taller than me, he had a light brown complexion with a slight tan. Before I could say anything the man spoke up “Good morning K!” I roll my eyes and respond “Yeah yeah, good morning. What do want? If you trying to sell me something no.” The man shakes his head and laughs while replying “I’m not that kind of salesman, let’s say I’m here to offer you a business deal. So how about It?” I stop to look at this man some more. He’s wearing a white t-shirt with the kanji symbol for guns, along with a pretty clean all-white bomber jacket. On top of that, he had on a pair of false religions with red streaks, and to finish the fit he had some red gator dress shoes that not only looked fresh but smelled fresh too. I could tell he not only had money but power as well. I finally answer “Well, you already kilt the mood, fuck It. Come In and take a seat.” The man gives a smile and nods. I take the left side of the Fendi sofa while he takes the right. As I take another hit I ask him a few questions “Aye, I didn't catch your name.” The man answers “Sorry where are my manners? The names OG.” He turns and extends his right arm and opens his hand, as I go to shake It I reply “Damn. What business does the leader of C.U.G have with a petty gang banger? Haha” OG chuckles a lil as well before saying “Well K, I’ll keep It simple. I need you to join me. I’m looking for strong individuals…” I quickly cut him off and said “Not interested. I hate the government for obvious reasons. And I think you know why.” As I hit the blunt OG stands and walks over to the window. A brief silence falls between us, I go to let the smoke out and OG starts to speak “I’ve never seen this city so happy. On my way here I saw kids playing outside, gang members helping local businesses, and significantly fewer people on the streets kids and adults. You've done a fine job over the past few YeaRs K, but your time of peace has come to an end.” As OG turns around, he walks forward a bit and stops at the table. He bends down and grabs a lighter, to my surprise he pulls out a blunt and sparks It. As I smiled, I clapped my hands and said “Look at this. The big bad leader taking a hit of some pressure. Where you even get that?” OG couldn’t help but laugh, as he takes the first hit he answers “ My personal collection. I can do anything I want.” OG turns around and goes back to the window, when he stops we both take a hit at the same time, and exhale at the same time too. OG continues “K, you may think you have a choice In this matter but you don’t. So, this time I’m not asking I’m telling. You have two options either you join me as my right hand or you die along with this false reality that this city lives In. I’ll wait…” I couldn’t help but laugh, the leader of C.U.G not only came to my house but offered me a life of death deal. I take one last good hit of my blunt before It becomes roach, as I reach over to the table and put the roach In the ashtray I reply “Shitty offer number 1 or shitty offer number 2. Either way, I die, so what’s stopping me from killing you right here? I think a lot of people would congratulate me, and who knows maybe I’ll lead C.U.G.” Not a single sound comes from OG. There was a brief silence, then OG turned around and walked toward me. For the first time, In a long time, I felt fear. He goes to hand me the blunt and says “Go ahead, I give you 1 chance. If you can, lead C.U.G. If you can’t, answer my offer.” I go to grab the blunt and take a hit. As the smoke fills my lungs, I stand. I reach into my left pocket and pull out my Desert Eagle. I raise my left hand and aim the gun at OG’s head. As I take a second hit I speak up “Not bad. This shit is some gas. Anyway, peace.” BOOM… Blood splattered all over the window. Nothing is left above OG’s neck, as blood drips down I take a seat and hit the blunt again. But just as I sit, something weird happens to OG. In a matter of seconds, his head begins to regenerate. And just like that, OG still stands. I roll my eyes and pass him the blunt back, he smiles and says “Well that’s nice of you at least. Now then, as you can see you can’t kill me. I’m un-killable, my power goes far beyond what you humans can even comprehend. To yall... I… Am… God.” I scoff at that remark before saying “Whatever you say. I’ll say I put most of my Materia In that shot and failed.” OG cracks his neck and smiles. I go on “There goes my one chance at the easy way out. But before I answer, why did you come looking for me? And how did you find me?” OG chuckles as he makes his way back to the Fendi sofa to take a seat. As we both stare at the blood-covered window OG replies “Well I’ll give you this, you weren’t easy to find. But I control Kansai, whatever I need or want I’ll get. And for the other reason, let’s say your greatest enemy Is your best ally. I know I can trust you. The whole deal with the North and trying to get the South to join was just a cover. The reason I did It was to create the ultimate soldier, born from violence Itself.” As OG kills the blunt, he leans forward and places the roach In the ashtray. As he leans back he continues to talk “That Is the reason why I created the City of Smoke. The last man standing leads the city to his or her vision. At that point either they prosper or fall victim to greed and succumb to power.” As OG finishes his sentence I start to think back to what Ju said before his final moments “K… The previous leader of Central died the same way as this. You know what he said to me? He never finished that sentence…” A few minutes go by before I finally speak up “Did you give the leader before Ju the same offer?” OG lets out a deep sigh before answering “Yes. Yes, I did. I let the 3 gangs run wild until one shows promise. Then I give one of the gangs a push to start conflict, and that's all It takes. So far only 3 people have stood on top. Kenju, Ju, and now you, Kevin.” No matter what I ask, I’m left with more and more questions. I take more time to think “Who Is Kenju? What did OG ask him along with Ju? And why did the cycle continue after Kenju?” These were just a few of the questions I had, but as I continue to think OG grew more and more impatient. He spoke with a commanding voice “K, I don’t have all day. To maybe help with your decision just know that both Kenju and Ju said yes. Each deal Is different.” I quickly respond “I’ll join under 2 conditions.” OG stands and starts to pace around the room before saying “Go on…” I take a deep breath and speak “First, the city Is left as Is. No interference, If the city crumbles let It happen naturally. Second, I’m neither on your side nor the people’s side. Let's say… Neutral, I fight for nobody but myself. If It doesn’t benefit me don’t use me.” I nervously wait for an answer. The silence slowly wore me down. At any point he could kill me, at any point everything I worked for could be for nothing. OG stops next to the table by the front door and picks up my only picture. It was a photo of Ju, me, Kate, Chop, Dee, and Mak. As he stares at the picture he starts to talk “When Kenju died Ju was nothing but a kid. His personality was wild and stupid, he knew nothing about this world but one thing. How to shoot a gun.” OG puts the picture down and starts to walk while talking “ When I first meet Ju he shot me In the head on the spot. After I regenerated he shot me 49 more times. After the 50th shot, he finally gave up.” I couldn’t help but laugh, sounds like Ju alright. OG goes on “After that, he realized there’s more to this world than simple violence and crime. That’s when he became the Ju you know.” I chuckle a lil and let my head fall back against the Fendi sofa. As I close my eyes, memories of Ju and the rest of the gang flood my mind. OG stops in front of the bloody window and says “Do It or don’t do It. You’ll regret both. Were the words of a wise man I met long ago… I accept your conditions. You have my word.” I smile a bit before replying “Thanks.” I slowly lift my head and open my eyes, as I do OG stands across from me with his arm extended and hand open. I go to stand and as I do I look OG In the eyes. I felt nothing, almost like an empty shell. As I shake his hand I say “Well then… I guess I’m part of the government. How about that? Ha.” OG responds “Nice of you to accept the offer K. Or better yet Captain K! Has a nice ring to It.” As I release his hand I continue where he left off “Captain… Hm… It does have a nice ring to It.” OG couldn’t help but smile, after a few seconds he speaks up “Well then, starting tomorrow you work for me. You are the first Captain I’ve recruited. So you’ll have seniority over the others. Lead 'em well Captain!”