Sitting in his office, only one light shining upon the work desk, the mayor had his head leaned upon his hands. “Tokusa… what could’ve you possibly told that boy…”

The ticking of the clock was the only thing that could be heard in the spacious room. Ticking the passing time the mayor had left before he could expect another attack.

Closing his eyes, the mayor had shut them only for a second before the realization hit him. “No! It can’t be!” Grains of sweat broke out of his forehead. “No, no, if Yoru gets his hands on that… But no, there’s no way the minister would give up that information, right? If he does, what am I going to do… ah I know.”

His crazed monologue continued in whispers, until he heard a knock on the doors.

“Who could it be at this hour? Is it Yoru?” The mayor thought as he grabbed a candelabra from a shelf, nearing towards the doors.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me.” A person spoke in an undertone.

The mayor opened the doors a little too enthusiastically. “Come in.”

As the black-hooded figure walked in, the mayor sat into his chair, his eyes gleaming. “Well, what’s he up to?”

“Don’t you remember our agreement? Money first, talking later.”

The mayor sighed in annoyance. Reaching under his shirt, he pulled out a key and plunged it into a drawer in his desk, opening it.

Taking an envelope out, the mayor threw it on the desk, in front of the hooded person who opened it and counted the money.

Putting it into a purse, the figure leaned back into the chair next to the mayor’s table. “He knows about your safe.” The mayor paled.

“So Chinna told him.”

“That’s right. He is planning to steal it and uncover you with whatever is in that safe. Since the bank only has one way in and out, he’s breaking through the windows to steal the safe. And that’s all there is to it.”

“Well, the security is tight on the safe, there’s no way he’ll bypass them. Even if he somehow manages it, the alarms will sound off and alert the police. The place will shut down before they manage to flee.”

The man leaned his head back. “Don’t you remember anything I’ve said the last time? The Akai Ryu are all scientists. One of them is also an engineer. Do you seriously think they haven’t taken the alarms into account? The IT will disable them via hacking. Nothing will manage to alert anyone.”

The mayor leaned back into his chair, rubbing his forehead. Then he opened his eyes.

“Then this is what I’ll do…”

The following day, seven hooded figures sped past the theatre, across a bridge, and took a turn to the right. Driving along a train, the pins with a red dragon gleamed in the morning sun.

They stopped two streets away from the bank, taking out a grappling hook gun, shooting at the fence that surrounded the rooftop. Making sure the hooks are steady, Yoru’s eyes met Kyoshi’s, then the rest of the team’s, before nodding. Silently, they mounted the building, reaching the top. Jumping from a rooftop and climbing another building, the team neared the Kuroyuki bank.

Shooting one last time, the Akai Ryu broke through the bank windows, and the people in the bank started to panic.

Turning right, the people moved out of their way as they marched down the hall, down towards the red doors Yoru mentioned earlier.       

“Ryo.”

“I’m on it.” Taking a device out, Ryo hacked into the keypad lock, working through the security.

Breaking the doors down, the Akai Ryu took their guns out.

The guards weren’t given a chance to react as they shot them down, Anata and Yoru running towards the safe.

Taking hairpins out, the duo worked through the locks on the safe, swinging the doors open.

Only to drop their weapons down in shock.

“What’s the matter? Yoru, take them so we can go.” Shion told him, holding out her gun on alert.  

“If only there was something to take, Shion.” Yoru took his mask off.

“The mayor knew. He fooled us all.”

In that moment, the alarms sounded off, shouts could be heard from a floor below.

“We need to get out of here. Now!” Yuuma warned, running out of the room. “Over here! There’s a shortcut!”

Running towards the staircase, Yoru left the last, already hearing the footsteps closing in on them. Jumping out of the window, Yoru landed on a net, ordering, “We’re getting back! The mayor is hiding somewhere with that safe, we need to find him!”

Jumping over the train rails, the Akai Ryu ran along the town market, climbing the wall. Luckily this market isn’t as well-known or as large as the other two in the city, so there were always fewer people. Kyoshi noticed some people gathering in the café to watch the morning news, the reporter changing to the mayor standing in the press-conference. “Look, the news is broadcasted live.”, he said.

Turning their attention to the mayor, Yoru widened his eyes.

“This morning, the Akai Ryu thought they could outsmart me, steal from me. That was not going to happen. This time, I have fooled you, Azuma Yoru. The police are after you. You won’t run away this time.”

Yoru squinted. But he was sure he saw correctly.

Behind the mayor, a shadow slipped into the room where the case was. Slightly shaken, the mayor tapped the microphone twice to give notice to his bodyguards, who follow after the person.

After a short time, one of them returns and whispers something to the mayor, and Yoru noticed the mayor visibly relaxed.

“Whomever sneaked behind must’ve been captured. We need to get where the mayor’s currently at.” Yuuma said. “And that’s the city assembly.”

The police sirens could be heard not far from the market, so the Akai Ryu hurried from their hideout, running towards a narrow alleyway.

Where they bumped into a familiar person.

“Where have you been, Yoru? I followed you out of the bank, but you suddenly disappeared!”

Yoru sighed in relief when he realized it was just Anata. “Didn’t you come with us? I don’t know how I left you behind. Have you seen the news?”

Anata heaved. “Yeah, the mayor is a fox. What now?”

“We’ll split up. Anata, Kyoshi, Shion and Yuuma, you go together. Luna and Ryo, you come with me. Once you’ve successfully hidden, call me. That broadcast was from the city assembly, so that’s where the safe is.”

“Alright, got it!”

The trio ran across the bridge towards the mayor’s house. Sneaking around, the trees covering them, they bypassed the security and ran towards the railway.

“Shit! There are guards outside the city assembly, Yoru! We need a cover.” Ryo hissed.

“Over there. There is a parking lot behind the theatre, the grass and walls are tall enough.” Shion pointed out.

Changing direction, the trio reached the shadows and laid on the grass, heaving. Hearing his phone vibrating, Yoru picked it up. “We’ve hidden. The guards are all over the assembly, so we can’t attack them alone. Make a distraction somewhere in the city.”

“Alright, Yoru. They’ll be away in twenty to thirty minutes.” Hanging up, Yoru closed his eyes, taking his sword out.

Waiting, Yoru willed calm into his mind. And that’s when a loud BANG was heard.

Ryo peaked from their hideout, seeing the guards run towards the noise.

“Damn Yoru, when you said ‘a distraction’, I didn’t think you meant ‘blow up the news reporting station’.”

Yoru chuckled. “It’s actually a perfect distraction. Now they think we’re all there somewhere, dancing around the fire.” When the path was clear, Yoru pointed the way. The trio ran towards the city assembly, Yoru and Luna making sure the rest of the mayor’s men noticed them.

“Over there! They’re running towards the building.”

“That’s right, little rats. Take the bite.” Luna whispered, changing the direction.

“The city assembly has two entrances.” She recalled Yoru once saying. “One from the north, and the other from the south.” 

Taking the northern entrance, she and Yoru broke into the assembly, guns blazing at the guards standing there.

“Shoot them!” They heard the shouting behind them, so they turned to the northern entrance.

Shots were fired, the men falling to the ground one by one. Signaling Ryo on the rooftop, she hurried them to capture the mayor.

The mayor turned from the press, the people screaming in panic at the three figures running towards them.

“CATCH THEM!!! DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY!!” the mayor bellowed.

Yoru took his sword out, an enraged expression on his face. His red hair in contrast to the shade of the building, the amber eyes blazing. Fast approaching, like a predator.

The mayor threw the papers he’d been holding into the air, running away while yelling, “WHERE IS THE SHURYO INU?! WHERE ARE THEY?!”

The people dispersed, Yoru cutting down the bodyguards that stayed behind.

“Yoru, help us gather the papers!” Luna shouted amongst the noise the people were making.

“Yoru, Luna, did you succeed?” Yuuma came running towards them, Kyoshi, Shion and Anata in tow.

“Yes. Get the papers! We’re getting out of here!” Yoru said, stacking the papers.

“Oh, no you don’t!” A voice was heard as a warning.

Heaving, Hisashi took his katana and knife out, launching himself at the Ryu’s jaws. Kyoshi blocks his path, the duo exchanging blows. Kyoshi huffed.

“You’ve taken lessons, haven’t you?”

Hisashi grinned. “Only from the best.”

Arika followed behind, Anata stopping her. But his eyes darted elsewhere.

The tall man swung his sword, his dark hair flowing in front of his eyes. The laser-focused eyes on his opponent, the lithe, muscular body that moved like a dancer’s. Blocking and attacking Kyoshi, he looked tepid at the first glance, but Anata was surprised by the guy’s toughness. Landing a few cuts on Kyoshi, Hisashi didn’t falter as Kyoshi’s weight pressed upon him.

A hard punch upon his face brought Anata from his thoughts. “How dare you?” he growled, baring his teeth at Arika.

Taking her twin blades, she strikes Anata, cutting into the flesh of his upper arm. Anata countered, swinging the long dagger at her head. Arika blocked him, the impact hurting her wrists.

“Fuck, that kid is strong!” she thought, kicking Anata in the leg.

Anata cursed. Arika advanced, energy radiating off her body, she didn’t stop attacking him. With every slash, every swing, Anata had less and less time to defend himself.

Rushing out of the building, Yoru, Luna, Ryo, Yuuma and Shion held onto the papers from the mayor’s safe. “Kyoshi, Anata, fall back! We’ve got what we need.”

Stopping Kyoshi’s attack, Hisashi hissed as he looked up. “Yoru.”

The mad scientist’s eyes shone. “Hello, Hisashi sweetheart.”

Anata stopped in his tracks, his attention upon the scowl on Hisashi’s face and the grin on Yoru’s face.

Kyoshi attacked one last time before falling back, and Hisashi ran after him. “Oh, no, you’re not getting away this time!”

“Who said I was? I’ve been looking forward to this, paying you back for those apples, I mean.” Yoru’s eyes gleamed as he stopped Hisashi’s attack, allowing Kyoshi to get away.

Hisashi chuckled. “Sorry, I only take payment in cash.” He said as he attacked Yoru, the two men clashing their swords.

“Too bad. I’d offer you something much more valuable than cash, since that jerk obviously doesn’t value you as much.”

Hisashi countered, his face rose-tinted with blush. “Ah, what would that be? Free food?”

Yoru hummed while slashing towards his head. “Hm, wouldn’t you like to know, pretty boy.”

Avoiding, Hisashi took a step forward, aiming at Yoru’s shoulder. The chemist couldn’t avoid the precise slash, cutting through the flesh, sending itching pain down his arm. Narrowly avoiding the second attack, Yoru took a knife out, slashing towards Hisashi’s neck.

Ducking, Hisashi stroke towards Yoru’s leg, the katana making a deep cut on the skin. Bellowing, he only had a second to avoid a killing blow to his head. Swinging, he aimed towards Hisashi’s head, the katana meeting the metal.

Using his weight, Yoru attacked again. Slash, duck, aim, cut. And Hisashi met his every attack, repelling him. It made his nose itch, and his heart race. Hisashi’s gotten stronger, or smarter, or both.

Backing them both up, Hisashi wondered where is the mayor. Hell, where are the rest of Shuryo Inu. “Where is your mind wandering? Look at me.” The deep voice brought him from his thoughts, the strong strike almost disarming him. Blocking it, Hisashi pushed Yoru away, creating more space for an attack. “Sorry, but my colleagues don’t seem as cooperative as yours. That’s why,” he said, striking at Yoru’s head, the man backing away to block it, “we’re here fighting all of you on our own. My attention can’t be just on you.”

Feeling a pang of an ugly feeling, the redhead advanced, Hisashi being pushed back, blocking and counter-attacking Yoru. With another strike, the duo was locked in a stalemate, their arms trembling trying to hold each other off, the frustrated breaths leaving their mouths.

“You’re wrong you know; you said you wanted to capture me. That’s why,” Yoru gasped, pushing Hisashi back and elbowing him to the gut, “You should only have your eyes on me.”

“Yoru, we’ve got them! Let’s go!” Luna yelled from the top of the building, and Yoru saw Anata bringing Arika to her knees.

“Anata!” Yoru called him, directing him over to Luna.

Hisashi took in a sharp breath, grabbed his katana and ran after Yoru. But with every passing second, Yoru seemed further and further away. His vision blurred, his stomach spasming, he only saw silhouettes and engines being turned on. One by one, the Akai Ryu fled the scene on their motorbikes, the city assembly behind them left with open doors, and dead guards.

Hearing noise behind him, it soon turned into police sirens, and the approaching voices became clearer.

“You dumb nut! You let them escape again! Wait ‘till my uncle hears about this!” The familiar annoying voice rang behind him, and Hisashi took a napkin out, cleaning his katana. The Shuryo Inu finally appeared, heaving.

“And where the hell were you until now?! They were robbing the bank and you are nowhere to be seen! This isn’t just about my job, you fucking brat! This is about your fucking uncle as well!”

Daisuke turned livid. “You–HOW DARE YOU?!!” He bellowed as he swung his fist at Hisashi.

Stopping him, Hisashi hardened his grip around his wrist until Daisuke started whining.

“Uncle! Uncle! This bitch is–”

“ENOUGH!” the mayor’s rough voice echoed the city assembly, making everyone shut up. The wailing of the police sirens became louder and louder with each passing second, that being the only sound filling the large space.

“I am disappointed. With each and every one of you. Those little Akai Ryu brats have picked the wrong person to be messing with. This time, I will hear no more excuses about ‘having other things to do’, or ‘being so busy with stuff that I can’t cooperate’. From now on, all of you will be dealing with Akai Ryu, and Akai Ryu ONLY. The rest of the work will be covered by the police. Am I clear?”

“Yes, sir.” The Shuryo Inu answered in unison.

“I will have my revenge on you, Yoru. Just watch me.”