The members of the Muho Kaji Family sat just outside the Kaminokaze Estate. Some of them appeared nervous, while others were calm. Juryoku stood out, seeming very excited. The door opened behind them, and Gomu stepped out. She handed a cup of tea to Enjo, who took it but didn’t drink it. Fumetsu broke the silence,

“Stay inside. You don’t want to be out here when they show up.” He said, bluntly. “The Ryoshi Family…they’re one of the Kage no O Family’s Lesser Families. They do their dirty work when it’s considered beneath them.”

Chinmoku nodded, “They’re one of the smaller and weaker ones, but even they may be far ahead of us.”

“B-but…you guys are so strong…they can’t be that much stronger than you, right?” Gomu questioned, feeling a tightness in her throat…

“Who knows. We haven’t fought them yet.” Enjo replied, having finished drinking the tea when they were talking. “We’ll find out soon enough.”

“EXACTLY!” Juryoku suddenly exclaimed, his fists clenched as his eyes widened. He hunched over, as his Aura flared up around him. “I can’t wait! I get to try my new moves on someone strong enough to take ‘em already! Oooh man, ENJO! After this, we GOTTA have another rematch!”

Enjo sighed, shaking his head slightly. Just then, Fumetsu, Chinmoku, and Enjo all perked up, instantly rising to their feet. The others looked at them, snapping to attention.

“They’re coming.” Enjo said, handing the teacup to Gomu. “Get inside. Fumetsu?”

“They’re about 180 Meters from the estate. 100. 50. They’re moving quickly.” Fumetsu replied, gripping the katana at his hip.

“Y-you can tell…?” Gomu questioned.

“Those three know the Sensory Technique. It lets them detect sources of Aura. ‘parently, Fumetsu’s the best at it.” Kireina explained, rising to her feet, her large body looming over the others.

Juryoku grinned, but calmed slightly as Julia placed a hand on his shoulder. Taberu growled slightly, his teeth bared. Chinmoku nudged Konchu, who had fallen asleep.

“Here they come…they’re getting closer now…” Fumetsu said, sweat starting to form on his brow.

“Ooh! This place is nice!”

They all froze. Standing in the middle of all of them was the enemy. An unassuming and gentle-looking man, Dangan. He was paying them no mind, just looking up at the mansion. He had an innocent smile on his face.

“Man! I didn’t tag along last time, I was missing out!” Dangan said, positioning his hand over his brow as he looked up.

“I…I didn’t even see him!” Julia thought to herself,

“That was pure Speed. No ability involved.” Chinmoku thought, remaining oddly calm.

“Shit…shit!” Taberu thought.

Dangan stopped, and turned to Gomu, his face going neutral. He stepped closer, as she took a step back.

“Hoo…you’re that one the Boss wants. Hyuzu said we can’t kill you.” Dangan said, examining her. His smile returned. “Say, are you single?”

Fumetsu was the first who managed to move. He drew a pistol from under his jacket and turned to shoot, only to be shocked as Dangan had moved! Dangan poked Fumetsu’s lower back with his finger, shaped like a gun with his index finger and thumb extended.

“Bang~” He said playfully.

Suddenly, Fumetsu’s body was pierced! What looked like a bullet made of Aura flew from his back out through his stomach, launching his body forwards! Just as Fumetsu’s body hit the ground, Juryoku dashed forwards, and threw a punch, which connected with Dangan’s arm as he raised it to block! Dangan jumped back, still smiling innocently.

“DANGAN!” Hyuzu exclaimed, arriving with the rest of the Ryoshi Family at last. “What have I told you about running off ahead of us? Get back here boy!”

“Ah! Sorry, sorry! I got a little too excited!” Dangan yelled as he ran back over to them.

Fumetsu got back up, his body having already healed, “There he is…”Frankenstein” Hyuzu.”

“F-Frankenstein…?” Gomu questioned. “Is that his name…?”

“Certain individuals in the Yakuza world are given a Title when they’ve been recognized.” Enjo explained. He gently put his hand on Gomu’s shoulder. “Now go inside. Stay where the Kaminokaze Executives can keep you safe-”

Enjo’s eyes widened as he looked back at the group. One of them was gone! He then saw a shadow rushing towards him! He jumped to the side quickly, as the shadow chased after! As soon as it made contact with the mansion’s shadow, and thus Enjo’s as well, his body froze! He tried to move, but it was as if his muscles weren’t his to control any longer…

“Gomu! Get inside! Now!” He exclaimed, making Gomu run inside.

“It’s no use. You’re mine.” Yami spoke from the shadow he merged with. “Once I’ve merged with your shadow, you’re under my control. Although…your body is particularly strong. I may not be able to make you end your own life, but I can hold you still~”

“Stick to the plan, men. Kill the others, then their Leader. After that, we see if the Kaminokaze Family’s ready to listen. If not, they’re next.” Hyuzu spoke, his voice dripping with elderly authority. “And regardless of the outcome…we take the white-haired woman. The boss’ orders.”

The Ryoshi Family all split up, choosing their victims. Cutter ran at Fumetsu, drawing his dual katanas. Hogo approached Chinmoku slowly, his hands in his pockets. Osore fidgeted with his tekko-kagi, as Taberu stood across from him, growling. Yoroi descended in front of Julia.

Tenohira looked around slowly. His eyes landed on Kireina, eyeing her muscular body. He grinned, “You. You’ve got the strongest body.” He growled, as he clenched his fists, his knuckles crackling. “I’ll tear you apart first!”

He ran at her with great speed, his fist colliding with hers as they both punched, cracking the ground beneath them! Hyuzu looked on, watching the others fight. However, he noticed one of them was missing…and then he reached out his hand, grasping a Bee before it reached him. He looked over to see Konchu floating above him to his left.

“...I don’t intend to fight, young lady.” Hyuzu said, crushing the bee in his fingers. “And for that you should be grateful.”

“Oh, I’m suuuuuper grateful.” Konchu said, mockingly. “Hey, did you know I lay eggs?”

Dangan grabbed ahold of her ankle, catching her attention. He held up his finger, aiming for her head, when Juryoku suddenly punched him in the side of his face, knocking him back! Dangan blinked twice, then felt his bloodied nose. He looked up, smiling.

“Oh! I see! Your ability lets you accelerate! You’re faster than before.” He said, flicking the blood off his finger.

He then pointed his finger, firing several shots at Juryoku, who managed to barely duck and weave as they approached! One of the stray shots flew past Hyuzu, who barely tilted his head to avoid it. Konchu attempted to flank Dangan, sending a wave of ants towards him along the ground. Dangan glanced to the side, and blasted them with his other hand! As he looked back, Juryoku dashed in, starting to hit his stride!

“I made it! Mach speed!” Juryoku thought to himself as he grew closer. “I got you now, blondy!”

Dangan kept his finger-gun held up, and extended his middle finger as well, “Bang.”

A stronger and faster blast fired at Juryoku, with him barely lifting his hands to block it! It pushed him back, carrying him through the estate wall and across the street as they collided into a building! Konchu could hardly believe it…

Meanwhile, Yoroi was fighting against Julia, his bulky mechanical body attempting to strike and grab Julia, who was barely managing to avoid his grasp! She ducked under his arm and touched her hand against his back,

“I’ll shrink your suit and crush you!” She exclaimed, activating her ability!

Yoroi simply turned, smacking her with the back of his hand! “Because my suit is infused with my Aura, your ability would only work if your Aura was superior to mine.”

Julia wiped blood from the corner of her mouth as she stood back up.

“I don’t even need my suit’s weaponry to defeat you.” Yoroi said confidently, yet coldly. “I pity you, so I’ll extend an offer…”

Yoroi extended his arms outwards, the sudden movement surprising Julia!

“Praise me! Admit that I am superior! Do so, and I, Yoroi, will spare your life!” Yoroi exclaimed. “I, with my advanced intellect and superior ability, will do you a kindness, as the strong should to the weak!”

Julia blinked a few times, shocked. Then, a vein bulged on her forehead, her surprise turning to anger. She punched him in the stomach, infusing her fist with Aura! It surprised Yoroi, making him stumble back a little.

“Show some respect! Don’t look down on your opponent, jerkwad!” Julia exclaimed, now fuming.

“...very well.” Yoroi replied.

He lifted his left hand, which shifted into a cannon. A bright yellow light shone from within, building up with Aura!

“Oh shit.”Julia said, snapping back to reality.

A powerful blast fired from the cannon, tearing through the air towards Julia! She barely managed to shrink herself in time, and avoid being vaporized! She quickly moved towards Yoroi, and returned to normal size, grabbing his arm and wrapping her legs around his neck and torso, attempting to grapple him! Yoroi sighed from within his suit, and swung his arm, throwing her away like a pillow! He walked towards her, as a blade protruded from his right hand.

“Here goes…I only got one shot…” Julia said to herself, as she got ready, her Aura charging up.

As Yoroi stepped within range, Julia activated her trump card, she grew giant like she had before! Yoroi looked up in surprise as she lifted her foot up while leaping forwards!

“COLOSSAL CRUSH!!” She yelled, as she stomped down on Yoroi with all her strength! The stomp kicked up a massive cloud of dust!

Julia smiled, already feeling tired from using the technique. But her satisfaction quickly turned to shock as she saw Yoroi had stopped her foot with one hand! He then lifted his right hand and stabbed through the sole of her shoe, and into her foot! She jumped back, shrinking back to normal size as blood leaked from her sole!

“JULIA!” Enjo exclaimed, trying to move to no avail!

“Shit…I didn’t come all the way to Japan…just to go out like this!” Julia growled, as she stood up shakily…

Chinmoku was fighting Hogo, who stood with his hands in his pockets still. As Chinmoku attempted to attack, a green barrier would form, covering the area he tried to hit! Then, Hogo stepped forward, covering his foot with a barrier as he kicked Chinmoku in the face! Chinmoku stumbled back, but landed on his feet, regaining his composure.

“Not quite instant, but it’s faster than he is.” Chinmoku said to himself quietly. “It activates automatically to protect him, unless he decides to activate it manually…”

Chinmoku took out a rhythm stick, and whistled, forming the soundwaves around it. He thrust it forwards, sending it flying at Hogo like a projectile! It passed through his body, but seemed to have no effect! Chinmoku then noticed barriers had formed around Hogo’s ears!

“It reacted to that as well? Its automatic reaction is even faster than sound…” He thought to himself. “If I had to guess…”

“It’s not going to work.” Hogo said bluntly, as if knowing what Chinmoku was thinking. “My barrier’s automatic reaction is twice the speed of Sound.”

“That much faster? Well…I won’t be able to win, then.” Chinmoku thought to himself. “My Ability has two applications, in terms of offense. I can use Sound to inflict damage or otherwise affect my opponent, and I can make sound intense enough to attack with vibrations. If they can’t hear the sound, the first doesn’t work, and his barrier can easily stop the second…”

“Do you get it now? Nothing gets past my barrier. You’re better off laying down and dying.” Hogo said, starting to approach, hands still in his pockets.

Meanwhile, Osore was fighting Taberu, attempting to slash at him with his tekko-kagi, while avoiding his bites and kicks. These two were both fairly short, yet vicious despite their size. After a few more exchanges between the two, they took a step back, getting a bit of breathing room.

“...You’re…kind of strong. You live up to your Title, “Starving Shark” Taberu.” Osore said, lifting his claws defensively.

“Tsk. You’re too damn polite. You don’t live up to yours at all…”Ogre-Face” Osore.” Taberu snapped back.

Osore froze, his arms lowering just slightly. It was silent for a long moment, Osore just staring at him…

“Heh, now he’s done it…” Hyuzu remarked quietly.

Osore clenched his fists, his tekko-kagi shaking in his hands. And then, his Aura exploded around him! A fiery yellow light erupted around his body, shaking the ground and sending grass & rocks flying into the air! Osore roared angrily,

“WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?!” He yelled, his voice trembling with sheer rage!

Osore leapt forward, and slashed Taberu’s face with his claws! Taberu stumbled, shocked by the sudden outburst! He glanced at his cheek, feeling blood trickle down his face. He gritted his teeth, growling,

“OH, YOU WANNA GO DO YA?!” Taberu roared, his own Aura starting to flare just as violently!

The two clashed, their heads slamming together as they broke the ground beneath them! It was a clash of monsters, two of the most frightening individuals in the Yakuza world!