Old man Roichi and Jijiji

Hilda threw her phone into the wall in anger. Thanks to Cyril, footage of Rebelle's execution was trending online, meaning she was now in even hotter water.

"Damn that monkey, we should have known something was up when Rebelle gave herself up."

Despite having her back against the wall, Hilda did have one lead, Mao Ookuma. However, that lead could end up causing her even more trouble, mainly due to the fact that only her and Akuma Ookuma knew the secret of her birth.

When Ruchi Ookuma first became pregnant, Akuma enlisted Hilda to ensure the baby was delivered properly. However, a few weeks into the pregnancy, Hilda discovered the baby was a stillborn. This frustrated Akuma as he feared Ruchi might rebel further if she knew, not to mention he'd need to create heirs again. However, he did have one potential lifeline. When he captured Fubuki Dakota, he made sure to rape her. While he wasn't sure if the baby growing in Fubuki was his, he decided to take a chance, and worst case scenario, he'd simply kill Fubuki's baby before her.

When the fateful day finally game, Akuma and Hilda blindfolded Fubuki and dug the child out of her womb. Upon seeing the green hair, Akuma gave the go ahead and Hilda secretly swapped Fubuki's baby with Ruchi's. While Serika was not Ruchi's biological daughter, she nonetheless had Ookuma blood. However, she also had the blood of the Kirikawa clan, making her an even bigger powerhouse in terms of combat potential. What's more, both Hilda and Akuma also got greedy and decided that Serika would one day kill her mother, Fubuki. It was that very greed that allowed Fubuki to escape and indirectly save her daughter she believed to be dead.

"It all makes sense. That shit must have seen a video of Kabuki and realized she was her real mother, then she hatched a years long vengeance plan and killed Ruchi. Ruchi must have also had all the damming footage of her associates collected to ensure control, and if Mao took the cards containing the footage, she probably gave them to Kabuki. Shit! That means the two are probably together. That means I'll never be able to find her! Ngh, I'll have to take risks. Reika Yuzume and Rika Korosekai also had beef with Ruchi, maybe I can frame one or both," Hilda thought.

...

At the restaurant, Itsuki stared at an old man sitting by the window. "Hello, welcome to Ryokoma," she smiled as she approached him.

"Tch, Place has downgraded since I was last here," the man scoffed.

"Don't think you've ever been in before," Rika stated as she strolled up.

The old man gazed at Rika, before turning back to the window. "Back in the day, there used to be a nice cafe by the bay side. Then the damn mall was built."

"'Bayside' huh? Well then you're in luck cause we're gonna open bay side seating soon," Rika grinned.

"Soon!? Dammit! I need it today!"

"Sir, we-"

"It's fine Itsuki. Just consider him part of the test group. Come this way..."

Rika led the old man out to the back patio which bordered the bay. The old man sat down at a table and gazed out at the waterfront.

"Damn high-rise ruins the view!" he grumbled as he stared at the Ginkawa mansion across the way.

"Uh, that's actually a whole city," Rika nervously stated.

"Damn place never looked like this back in my day!"

"What was your day like?"

"Secret dammit. But after I was away from the country, I come back and everything's ruined. They took years to fix the damn place, but it just got ruined over time!"

"What was the place like before?"

"You wouldn't get it. Had a nice woman, but she was murdered... I never got to apologize."

"..."

"I'd always say mean things to her, yet she'd keep on smiling. Told her I'd rather die in the field as a warrior than an old prune on the sidelines. But then, when I came back, the whole place was gone. Sachiko was gone, and so was the place. Then, they build a damn mall and some damn city that ruins the view! Wish I could just go back."

"What was the food like?"

"You'll never top it; soba curry."

"Comin right up."

"I ain't orderin' anything!" the man protested as Rika headed for the kitchen with Itsuki.

"He certainly seems like he's senile," Itsuki grumbled.

"Maybe, but I can tell that man's killed a lot. Perhaps he was an ex-soldier, assassin, or bounty hunter," Rika stated.

"How can you tell?"

"Cause I'm a killer myself. I can tell when someone's killed another person before."

...

Rika returned and placed the dish before the man. "Hope you enjoy."

The man grumbled and grabbed the dish with his hands before eating it. After one bite, he devoured it quickly as tears poured out of his eyes.

"Sachiko, I'm sorry," he sighed as he leaned back and closed his eyes."

"Ro-kun? RO-KUN!" a voice shouted.

"What do you want, woman?" the old, now young man growled as he woke up and turned to face the young woman before him.

"You've just been lounging there for hours!"

"So?"

"This is a restaurant. Other people want to sit there and see the view of the bay."

"The bay? Oh, look at that. It's just like I remember. No damn high-rise."

"High-rise?"

"Big tall skyscrapers. Oh, now that I look behind me, that damn mall's gone too."

"Mall?"

"...! ...Sachiko sorry."

"For how much?"

"Everything. I'll stay here with you."

"Ro-kun, you're acting weird. What do you mean?"

"Heh, just rambling. Now bring me some soba curry."

"More!? Well, guess you're the only one here anyway," the woman smiled.

...

Rika lowered her head as she stared at the old man.

"Rika, why is there someone sitting here?" Masaru asked.

"I just wanted to grant him a final request. The least I can do," Rika sighed.

"What do you mean?"

"He's passed."

Masaru gazed at the old man. He had peacefully passed with a smile on his face.

"RO-NI! RO-NI! Dammit! I miss him!?" an old man dressed like a ninja shouted as he hobbled towards the patio.

"Yes. Sorry sir, but he's passed," Rika stated.

Just like with the first old man, Rika could also tell this man had killed a lot, however, unlike the other man, this man still seemed like a threat.

"Hmm? Why're you actin' all scared. I ain't blaming you. Poor Ro-ni was on the decline anyway. Come to think of it, this view reminds me of the days when I was in my 20s. There was nice cafe here run by a nice woman, but she was killed during the war. Wouldn't leave when the evacuation order went out. Said Ro-ni still needed to come back and apologize to her. Though by the look on his face, it looks like he finally found peace," the man nodded as he approached the dead old man.

"Are you his family?" Rika asked.

"Yeah, a bit hard to tell with the beard, but me and him are twins, er technically triplets."

"Triplets?"

"Yeah, had a younger sister, but she eloped with some American and I never saw her again. Probably long dead considering she was pretty frail. As for Ro-ni, guess I'll be responsible for him."

"He doesn't have any other family?"

"Nope, lifelong virgin- No, guess there was that incident at the nursing home, but who knows where that psychotic bitch went."

"Hmm?"

"Ah nothing. Oh, is that soba curry? Well no wonder he died smiling. Guess I'll finish and pay for it," the man nodded as he sat down.

"Just don't die like your brother."

"Relax, even if I do, I got loads of descendants. Think some of em even come here as regulars. Besides, I'm still fit as a fiddle and sharp as a tack. Call me Jijiji." the old man stated.

As soon as he took a bite, Jijiji began tearing up just like Ro and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he was back at the original bay side cafe with a young Ro and Sachiko.

"The hell are you doing here Kazujizou!?" Ro glared.

"I ate soba curry. Well, guess it was too much for me," a now young Jijiji smiled.

"Well get out! I want to be alone with Sachiko!"

"Why can't I see her too?"

"You're married, you asshole! I was virgin for life!"

"Was not, there was that nurse-"

"She forced herself on me!"

"I know that dammit!"

"Calm down boys! Kazu-kun, Ro-kun is right though. It's still too early for you to be here," Sachiko stated.

"But I will be able to come here when it is my time?" Jijiji asked.

"Yes. But today is not the day."

"Oi! Oi! OI!"

"GAH!"

Jijiji woke up and gazed around. He was back in the present.

"The hell's with this stuff?" Rika grumbled as she ate the soba curry and closed her eyes.

Nothing happened.

"Seriously, what is with you geezers and this dish," Rika grumbled.

"Sorry bout that. Though if I might ask, how'd you get the recipe for this? Sachiko was the only one I knew that could make this," Jijiji stated.

"Well, I actually found the recipe hidden under some floorboards. I honestly assumed it was from the mall's old restaurant that used to be here, but guess it was from further back.

"Rika, did you know about this cafe's history?" Masaru asked.

"Only about the history of the mall. Never knew about any cafes being here prior. It was likely lost to history."

"Well, I remember some of Sachiko's recipes by taste, so hit me up if you need some more," Jijiji nodded as he got up to leave.

"Great grandpa, I got your message. Is great-great uncle Roichi dead?" Zuina asked as she stepped out.

"Wait! He's your great grandfather!?" Rika gasped.

"Yes, after our parents died, Reina and I were sent to an orphanage. We were there for a week when suddenly, Jijiji appeared and took custody of us."

"My daughter Nayon was devastated when her only daughter Miyoko ran away from home. While we are a ninja family, we tend to operate primarily in Japan," Jijiji stated.

"A ninja family?"

"Yes, I'm sure a woman like you has heard of us, we're the Kirikawa clan."

Rika froze up at the mention of the name.

"Don't worry, you're in the clear. We've been keeping watch on you since day 1, not to mention you took great care of my great granddaughter and other decedents, so no need to worry. Of course if you ever do raise a blade against them, I'll kill you without hesitation."

"Great grandfather you're scaring- Wait, you're actually frightened by him!?"

"Zuina, do you not know your family history? The Kirikawa clan is Japan's moth ruthless Shinobi clan that has ruled in the shadows for centuries," Rika trembled.

"Yup, we were infamous, but most of the family's gone lax, though there are still some that do carry on the family business like Juika and Niho's lines."

"So do you know ninjutsu, Zuina?"

"Nope, never taught her or told her a thing."

"Why's that?"

"Two reasons, first, when she told me about what her mother, my granddaughter, had done with her life, I felt it was best to keep her on a culinary path. We don't really have good chefs in the family, so figured it was best to keep her on that course. Plus, she was already too old. I'm sure you know, but assassin families start training at birth. Zu was too old and not to mention, she'd just lost her parents. No way she'd be able to adjust to such a drastic lifestyle. Though sadly it was exactly her circumstances which led me to make the greatest mistake of my life."

"What do you mean?"

"The second reason why I never told Zu anything; her sister, Reina asked me not to."

Everyone went silent as Jijiji continued.

"Shortly after we moved in, she talked with me and told me Miyoko had told of our lineage, but only on the condition she didn't tell Zu. She then begged me to train her so that she could continue the family business so Zu wouldn't have to, and I played right into her hands. That Ookuma bitch had already brainwashed her, so once she learned everything from me, she went off on her own to aid that bitch. Worse, she had talent so we couldn't just eliminate her with ease, not to mention all the blackmail material she had gathered in such a short time. And when I heard a few months ago how Zu believed Reina killed Miyoko, I truly knew I had been manipulated from the start."

"Speaking of Reina, it seems she's met her end. Her Ewetube channel was flooded with uploads and apparently there's a video of her execution trending online," Zuina sighed.

"Rebelle's dead!? But who killed her?"

"The demon queen cult along with that disgraced former councilor, Sayuri Benise, and some high school girl with multi-colored hair."

Rika pulled out her phone and managed to find the video in question. As she watched, her mood soured as she realized what was going on. "That's Hilda Hakkin. Sure has gotten a makeover since I last saw her, but still looking young as ever. While Rebelle didn't say much, her mentioning Serika's original name might be enough for Hilda to suspect she was the reason Ookuma vanished. In that case, I'll have to warn Serika and Reika," she thought.