Chaos, that’s what this city is. Maybe for a different reason today, but the city is chaos itself. Located near the sea and being one of the largest harbors in the country, Kuroyuki is a beautiful city with a large history of its mayors and a special type of government. Working for the mayor was the police, securing the safety of citizens day and night, and a hero organization called “Shuryo Inu”. Together, they have stopped every rebellion, every outbreak, every mess in the city. Having the mayor’s absolute trust, nobody ever dared to mess with them.

The chaos today was due to the large celebration dedicated to the current mayor of the city, who has been running it for thirteen years or so. The blazing sun warming the workers and the citizens putting up golden decorations and ribbons across the city, clearing out the pathway for the mayor’s carriage and dancers who were supposed to pass over it this afternoon. People had smiles on their faces as they put up decorations upon their houses and in their gardens, clearing out the streets. The laughter of children was heard as they chased the neighborhood cat.

The narrow alleyways along the riverbank went slightly uphill, leading up to a giant light blue building which was actually a dancing studio. It had three floors, each floor almost as big as a medium sized house. The largest room was situated on the second floor; it was a ballroom which included a dining room alongside with a balcony. A balcony which wasn’t usually being used, but today a short, almost bald man stood upon it, waving his hand and greeting his people. The round face lit up with joy, the remains of grey hair neatly combed back. The man’s black suit was embroidered with golden dragons, clinging onto his fat body, but he looked fine.

Behind the man were three large sofas, eight people comfortably laying back and enjoying cheese and peaches on the silver plates. Each was dressed up in a shade of gold or yellow, the neat and expensive clothing fitting them all like a glove, drinking the finest wine and beer. “Mayor Anzai, mayor Anzai!” the chanting of the people was heard from the outside, while the fat man observed as the people threw confetti and flowers in the air. The dancers dancing the traditional dance on the floor below, the traditional music was heard in the background. “What a public! How lucky we are to be surrounded by such amazingly stupid people.”, a smaller male with a curly undercut observed.

“Now, now, Daisuke, don’t be mean. These are our people after all. They chose us to rule this city, and that’s what we shall do. Oh,” the man turned to look around the room. “Arika and Hisashi aren’t here yet?”

“I don’t think they will be here, at all. You know them, always being busy with our work.”  A dark-skinned gorgeous girl retorted, combing back her long brown hair, fixing it up. The rest of the team laughed heartedly while laying back down, enjoying the attention of the people who started shouting their names.

A woman carrying a basket with decorations hurried as her boss called her, and a single red bow dropped from her basket. The woman didn’t even turn to pick it up, she didn’t even notice it as a curious black kitten approached the bow. Tapping it with its paw, the kitten picked it up in its mouth and ran off with it to a darker alleyway. The lights grew dimmer and dimmer as the cat ran house by house, the buildings becoming more densely packed and even though it was a day, the shadows of the many trees made it look dark. The houses soon turned shabby and old, the façade being dirty and spotted with spray paint. Garbage on the streets here and there, it seemed like nobody took it into consideration while cleaning the streets that this one should be cleaned as well. A crouching black-hooded figure thought that as they finished going over their plan. Surrounded by five more people, who all nodded, they all got up and began climbing the ladder on one of the houses. Reaching the rooftop, all was visible to them. The large parade, the light blue building near the riverbank. The tallest figure of the group pointed to it, and they started running towards the building. Jumping from the rooftop to rooftop, they were swift and agile like wildcats as they neared the mayor.

Mayor Takeshi sighed, gazing from the balcony. The group of youths behind him stood up as he went back inside, fixing their gazes on him. “Everything looks so perfect at the moment, so peaceful, but we all know it won’t be long-lasting.” The long-haired blond man asked, “Is that because of the Akai Ryu?” The mayor sighed sadly. “That’s right, Haruto.” “Oh, but we haven’t seen much of them for a long time, maybe they have given up, besides they never did more than write empty threats. After all, they could never beat us.”, Midori spoke confidently.

The group laughed as a bomb suddenly went off next to a huge pile of confetti. Then another one, next to the pile of ribbons, the woman who organized them was thrown back, losing consciousness. A group of six people ran past the citizens, seemingly not caring about them. The black capes flew on the wind as they ran through the alley, the tallest of them leading the way. The people of Kuroyuki screamed, running out of the way and back to their homes as they didn’t want to get slaughtered.

The mayor was bewildered as he leaned on the balcony, spotting the figures running towards the building. They were closing in, climbing the buildings so fast. The tallest one looked up, dark yellow eyes flashing as he jumped on the last building before the mayor’s. The mayor panicked, ordering the Shuryo Inu to fight them off, while the closest bodyguards led him into the building to escape.

The terrorist group slaughtered the dancers as their leader ran in the front, alongside a smaller figure next to him. The Shuryo Inu beheld the badges holding up their capes, as they were unique to only one party. “It’s the Akai Ryu!” “Quickly, protect the mayor at all cost!” the panicked Inu screamed as the three buffest men went to confront the Ryu.

Haruto had his sword out, confronting the smallest figure of all. The fastest of them. He smirked as he saw a small girl’s face under the hood and mask, having her knives out. “Little squirt. This will be easy.” He mumbled as he charged forward, slashing his sword at her. She ducked, bringing her knives forward. Lunging, the knife found its way across Haruto’s thigh, slicing the pants open. He swung his leg at her, but as if mocking him, as if saying “You’re so slow”, she avoided the kick again, ducking to the side. With a swift jerk of her arm, she dug the knife at Haruto’s side, which made him fall back. Yamato and Raiden of the Inu slashed their weapons at the small girl, but a tall man stopped them, kicking them both once, twice. Swinging his curved sword, the man made them fall back, allowing the girl to finish her business.

Haruto threw the sword at her, which would widely be regarded as a dumb move, but he believed in his throwing skills, being the best hitman on the team.

The girl widened her eyes as she moved out of the way at the last second, making Haruto gasp. The girl jumped at him, her knife finding its way into Haruto’s chest as she brought him to the floor, piercing his heart. Haruto coughed up blood, the sight terrifying the rest of the team. Yamato and Raiden took a beating from the man, whose hood fell down, revealing blood red hair. The duo glanced to the rest of the team who got the mayor out safely, the redhead noticed it, too. Taking his gun out, he shot at the mayor, the bullet landing barely an inch away from Takeshi’s head, in the wall. Raiden and Yamato launched themselves at him, but he moved out of the way, chasing after the mayor. Hitting both Raiden and Yamato at the back of their heads, he advanced while keeping his gaze fixed upon the mayor.

The rest of the Inu already had the mayor in the car and driving away, silently mourning their fallen brother. Both Raiden and Yamato realized they cannot fight against the redhead, even more so as the rest of his team ran towards them. So they grabbed a basket with decorations, some powder among them, so when the redhead shot at the basket, it exploded, allowing Yamato and Raiden to escape safely.

Pressing a runaway against a wall, a beautiful young man heaved, “That’s it. No more running. You’re under arrest for stealing the mayor’s money, you have the right to remain silent.” He looked to the side, noticing the police approaching him. “It’s alright, we got it from here, Hisashi. Thank you for your help.” Hisashi let go of the man only when the police had his arms on him, explaining the rest of the law to him. Heavy footsteps behind him shifted his attention. Glancing back, he saw a small girl approaching him. With a slow-paced walk, it looked like the girl was in no hurry. Her hazel eyes warm. “Good job today, Hisashi. You’ve worked hard.” Hisashi forced a smile. “Thank you, Arika.” “Well, since the mayor won’t remember to praise you, I have to do it.”

“When did you leave the parade? How was it?” Arika rolled her eyes. “Ah, you know the mayor, making a celebration out of something he isn’t creditable for. By the way, are you done with your tasks for today? Let’s grab a coffee afterwards. You look like you need one.” She said, noticing Hisashi’s tired expression. “We could, unless the mayor calls us.” 

That was when one of the mayor’s men walked up to the duo, holding and envelope. “Hisashi, here you go. You’re covered for this month. You know how it goes,” he added seeing Hisashi’s distrustful expression, “you have to pay off your debt and the accommodation, so we’ve taken it into consideration. This amount is what’s left of it.”     

Hisashi snatched the envelope from the man’s hand, opening it. Looking at the check, he said, “How would I know if you haven’t taken more than your shitty accommodation’s worth?” Arika gulped and the man’s breath hitched. “I wouldn’t really know, the mayor just gave me the envelope and said to deliver it to you. He was busy with the parade, so he couldn’t see you in person.”

“I bet he couldn’t.”, said Hisashi under his breath.

“I’m sorry?”

“No, nothing. Thank you for your troubles.” Hisashi thrusted the envelope in the bag he carried across his shoulder, not looking at the man leaving. Arika sighed beside him.

“You know, you could be just a tiny bit nicer to them, they’re under pressure because of the mayor as well.”

Hisashi bit back his retort. “Just as they’re nice to me, right?” he said after a moment of consideration. Arika huffed a laughter, knowing how sarcastic Hisashi can be sometimes. “Well, you’re not lying.” Hisashi grinned.

A policewoman opened the doors of her car right in front of a smaller male, and the blood in her veins froze. “I’m really sorry. I didn’t see you.”

“Hey! You should have your eyes checked then! You almost ruined my outfit.” The man yelled at her.

Hisashi turned to the scene. “Unbelievable. Just because he’s the mayor’s nephew, he thinks he is allowed to treat everyone like they’re beneath him.” Arika said under her breath, crossing her arms. Hisashi just slightly denied with his head. “Daisuke’s just a spoiled brat.”

“Hey, peasant!” Daisuke directed at Hisashi. “Uncle is looking for you two. Seems like he has another job up.” He smirked. “The job he has for you has to be the lowest of the low, since you weren’t even worthy of joining the parade. How could you, when you’re barely making a living…”, he continued to ramble on, but Hisashi signaled to Arika with his head: “Let’s go.”

So they just walked past Daisuke who still yelled insults at them, the policemen behind him sighing in annoyance.

Hisashi started his blue car, driving off to the mayor’s building. Turning on the radio, he and Arika were on the road when the radio host announced, “…seems like the infamous Akai Ryu has returned! Attacking the mayor, they have completely smashed the parade held in his honor…” Hisashi frowned. “Akai Ryu?” Arika shrugged. “I once read some documents about them. It is said they brawled with the Shuryo Inu, they were quite famous troublemakers in the city, but I’ve never heard of them having anything to do with the mayor. They were defeated a long time ago, so I have no idea why they suddenly made an appearance again.”

Hisashi hummed. “Do we have anything on them?”

Arika denied. “I suppose the mayor will give us info on whatever he has in mind for them. I have no doubts he called us because of that parade smash; he would never let his reputation get wrecked like this.”

Hisashi nodded, not saying anything afterwards.

Pulling into a parking lot before the mayor’s office, Hisashi and Arika sighed before exiting. Arika noticed how Hisashi walked, his back and neck stiff, his expression grim. “Hisashi, it will be alright. Maybe it won’t be as bad as you think.” “You think? I am afraid to even look at the man, knowing he will be in a bad mood the moment he sees my face.”

“Let’s first see what he wants. Maybe some new tasks.”

Hisashi nodded, inhaling before reaching the doors to the mayor’s office.

He knocked, waiting for the “Come in.” a moment later.

Entering the large office, the mayor looked up at him. “Oh, you’re finally here. How was today’s mission?” he asked.

Hisashi replied, “A success.” The mayor nodded. “Good, good. Now I have something else in mind for you two. A mission far more serious and important than just talking shit.”

Arika and Hisashi glanced at each other. The mayor cleared his throat.

“Today, the celebration that was held was ruined. A group of criminals that usually just caused trouble to Shuryo Inu attacked and tried to kill me. They didn’t seem to be bothered by your teammates; they aimed at my head.”

“Too bad they missed.”, thought Hisashi.

“They would’ve killed me if not for my bodyguards. Your teammates fought them, but even they were unable to best them. The city is wrecked, and it’s unknown whether or when they will attack again. So, I’m giving you the mission to find them. And bring them to me. Here’s the intel we’ve been able to acquire about them in this short amount of time.”, he said as his secretary brought the papers to Hisashi and Arika.

Hisashi opened the files, and a slightly blurry picture of a tall, bulky man showed up. He was masked, but Hisashi observed it nonetheless. To him it seemed like the male had a slim, pale face. The eyes light behind the glasses. The strings of his hair seemed light, something in a shade of red, but Hisashi wasn’t so sure. Only when he read the description which was put together in a rush, did he notice.

The name: Azuma Yoru, height: around 180 cm, hair color: red, and so on. Two more papers describing the rest of the members in his hands, three papers in Arika’s hands.

“How much does it pay?” Hisashi asked.

“Ten million wyrettes.”

Hisashi and Arika widened their eyes.