"So, you've already brought the 'delivery' huh… I knew that old fox would try a trick like this."
By the cliffside of Ganryu Island, waves crashed endlessly against the rocks.
Rinji stood facing the sea, talking on his phone.
Soon after, the air above distorted slightly, and an ard helicopter appeared, hovering in the sky.
It slowly descended, its rotors blowing sand and grass all over the place.
When the blades stopped, a soldier in uniform stepped down and walked directly to Rinji, handing him a beautifully wrapped box.
"Lieutenant, the package has been delivered."
"Thanks for your effort." Rinji took the box with a smile. "And the cleanup?"
"Don't worry. Two of them tried to flee after learning we were onto them. They've been eliminated."
"Good."
"Then Lieutenant, I'll be taking my leave."
After saluting, the soldier climbed back into the helicopter. As the blades began to spin again, the helicopter lifted off and vanished into the clouds.
Rinji watched the disappearing craft and smiled, running a hand over the box.
"Still warm. Makes for a respectable gift."
"Mr. Takamine."
From the woods behind Rinji erged a group of n in black suits, nearly all of them ard. Leading them was a sharp-looking man with a single braid and a teardrop-shaped tattoo on his left cheek.
"So it's you guys. What, I pick up a 'delivery' and you dispatch the Annihilation Squad?"
"No. Father already briefed on your situation," the man replied.
His na was Katahara Retsudo, son of Kengan Association Chairman Katahara tsudo. Unlike Sayaka, who was born of a mistress, he was the legitimate heir.
He currently served as the commander of the most secretive 'Bodyguard' combat squad—the Extermination Force.
He bowed slightly to Rinji.
"Actually, we received intel about a group trying to force their way onto Ganryu Island. Our squad's mission was to locate and eliminate them."
"I figured as much. Hayami must've sent a bunch of his goons to cause trouble here, ruin the tournant."
Rinji chuckled, pulling out a cigarette.
Retsudo lit it for him with a lighter.
Exhaling smoke, Rinji gazed at the boundless sea.
"But they'll never make it."
"What do you an?"
"Even before I arrived at Ganryu Island, I was already investigating Hayami. So things that happened four years ago made realize I'd have to take asures. What I didn't expect was to see his na among the participants."
Rinji was referring to the incident involving the kidnapping of Ryuju Momo—the mastermind behind that group was none other than Toyo Electric, led by Hayami Katsumasa.
"I've had soone tracking him and all of his subsidiary companies. Right after the preliminaries ended, an hour before the main tournant began, several groups attempted to land on the island. So were his forces, others were rcenaries."
"Just as I suspected… so where are they now?"
"Dead."
Rinji flicked the almost-finished cigarette to the ground and stepped on it.
"After visiting Mokichi in the infirmary, I got a call. My people, while patrolling near Ganryu Island, spotted an unregistered Ship. They tried to make contact, but there was no response."
He glanced at Retsudo.
"Clearly Hayami's n. So I ordered a Hellfire missile strike on the vessel. They're probably fish food by now."
"…We owe you our thanks, Mr. Takamine."
Retsudo bowed again.
Despite being older, he always showed deep respect for Rinji.
"Anyway, your squad can rest for now. The surrounding sea is secured by IW forces. Hayami's n can't even get close."
"That may be, but Father never authorized a direct strike on Toyo Electric's personnel," Retsudo replied. "After all, there's still no conclusive evidence that Hayami intends to harm us."
"I don't need evidence to kill. Just the thought is enough."
---
Hayami Katsumasa sat in his room, frustrated.
He wanted to stomp his foot to relieve the irritation, but ever since Rinji beat him, even slight movents brought intense pain.
The source of his frustration was the inability to reach Nikaido Ren—or any of the people he sent to the island.
Everything was going wrong.
At that mont, the big screen began displaying the next match.
Sayaka appeared on screen with a complicated expression.
"Um… due to the fighter from Byakuya News, Nikaido Ren, being found dead in the arena, the winner of this match is… Kiryu Setsuna of Koyo Academy Group!"
Hayami Katsumasa: "..."
Sothing was seriously off. Two key pieces sacrificed, the rest missing, and all his plans were going up in smoke.
"Could it be…?"
Click.
The door opened suddenly. Rinji walked in, carrying a fancy gift box.
"Long ti no see, Hayami Katsumasa."
"Takamine Rinji… it's you."
"Of course it's . Relax. I'm just here to apologize," Rinji said with a smile.
But his smile did nothing to ease Hayami's anxiety.
"My n… you killed them, didn't you?"
"Sharp as ever."
"You're way too arrogant, boy," Hayami said angrily. "Don't forget—you still have people you care about back in Tokyo."
"You an Momo-senpai, right? Ever since I saved her from being kidnapped four years ago, you've known we had a connection. So after I ca to the island, you sent soone to watch her. But can you still contact that person?"
"…"
No. He couldn't. And that was one of the reasons for his unease.
"Cheer up. I brought you a gift."
Rinji placed the box on the table in front of Hayami and turned to leave.
"Hope you like it."
"…"
After Rinji left, Hayami let out a deep breath. But he quickly eyed the gift with suspicion, thinking it might be a bomb.
Then, red liquid began to seep out from the bottom of the box.
"!!?"
Startled, Hayami slapped the box away.
It hit the ground, ca apart—and a bloody human head rolled out.
The eyes were wide open, staring straight at him.
"AH!?"
He was so frightened he nearly fell out of his wheelchair.
It was the severed head of the subordinate he had sent to monitor Ryuju Momo.
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