Hasegawa saw Kouta and Han off until they were out of the Monks' territory, after that they were on their own.
Kouta looked at Han. "Why do you wear that thing on your head? You look suspicious."
Han scoffed. "It's none of your business is it? It's a heirloom."
"Oh. That's fine. But since you're joining Sakugami, you'll have to get new clothes."
"Eh?! Why do I have to get new clothes?! The ones I have now are perfectly fine!!"
"Sakugami wears all black. It's a rule. The hat can stay, but you need black clothes."
"Why'd you get so bossy all of a sudden?! Who made you boss?!"
"I did."
"Cheh, only reason I'm doing this is because Master Yu told me to. If not I would've made you a cripple by now!"
Kouta shrugged. "Too bad I guess."
Han stayed quiet for a few seconds, then spoke again. "Say... how many of you are there?"
Kouta looked at him. "Six. Why?"
"So I make seven, and the old man is sending another person to make eight... Why is your group so small?"
Kouta sighed. "Sakugami was made on a whim. I didn't have time to recruit members. Trust me, more members are coming."
Kouta and Han took the bus back to Tokyo.
The people on the bus stared at Han, mainly because of how he dressed. Still, Han couldn't care less of what they thought of him.
Getting off the bus, Kouta could feel a hostile pressure in the air. He tensed.
Han got off after him. He looked around. "So this is Tokyo... it's bigger than I imagined."
Kouta and Han were standing on an empty sidewalk. Barely any civilians were around, and the streets were clear. There were a few high buildings around as well.
"Han." Kouta said. "Tokyo isn't as lax as where you come from."
Han started walking around. "Yeah, yeah, I know. The TPD, the various groups and whatnot. It doesn't matter to me. As long as I can hit people and cut stuff up."
Kouta was anxious. "Someone's watching us."
Han turned around. "Watching us? Hoh, am I famous already?"
Kouta started walking. "Let's focus on getting you those clothes for now."
Han followed. "Sure, lead the way."
—
Ryoto pulled up to the Sakugami hideout in his van. He got out and shut the door.
He took a black duffel bag off of the front seat and slung it over his shoulder as he entered the warehouse.
The first thing he saw was Melqart sitting on a crate being fed grapes by Saki, while Yumi was cooling him off with a fan. Taku and Akane were sitting quietly in the back of the room.
Ryoto blew his top. "What the hell is going on in here?!! Eh?!"
Yumi and Saki dropped what they were doing.
Yumi attempted to explain the situation. "Um! Uh... well, you see..."
Melqart chewed on a grape as he stared at Ryoto. "I am Melqart. Pleasure to meet you. Who might you be?"
Ryoto scowled. "Hashimoto Ryoto. I live here."
Melqart smiled. "Well that makes two of us. How fun. You look strong, come. Be my foot stool."
A vein pulsed out of Ryoto's head. "Huh? Are you insane?! I don't know who you are, but I'll kill you if you try and pull something like that."
Taku was making silent signals from the back, trying to warn Ryoto not to provoke Melqart.
Though it was a bit too late. Melqart floated off the crate with a superficial smile on his face. "I don't appreciate the way you're talking to me. Kneel, ingrate."
Ryoto threw his bag to the side, and stepped up to Melqart, getting in his face. "Make me."
FOOM!!
Melqart punched Ryoto in the face quicker than he could blink, sending him out of the warehouse.
Ryoto held his face as he slid back into the empty lot. Horns grew out of his forehead and his teeth sharpened. "Was that supposed to do something to me, pretty boy?"
Melqart frowned. "You... how are you not hurt?"
Ryoto's skin tinted a burnt-orange. "A sissy like you can't hurt me. Wake up."
Melqart was at Ryoto's face in an instant, kicking him in his jaw.
Ryoto didn't even budge. He grabbed Melqart's ankle. "Try again."
With a flick of his wrist, Ryoto tossed Melqart so high in the air, he was no longer visible.
Everyone inside the warehouse was astounded.
"Since when... was Hashimoto that strong?" Yumi asked.
Saki shook her head. "I'm not sure either..."
Ryoto looked up, waiting for Melqart to come back down.
Melqart dove back down head-first. "Trash like you needs to be put in their place." He sent a punch at Ryoto's head.
clap!!
Ryoto caught the punch with one hand. There wasn't even any sort of effect from the impact. It was like catching a punch thrown by a three year-old.
"You... what are you?!" Melqart yelled.
Ryoto smirked. "Well. Who knows?" He casually tossed Melqart in front of him just a little bit, then put a devastating punch in his back.
BOOM!!
Melqart was blown away somewhere into the city.
Ryoto reverted back to his normal self. He calmly walked back into the warehouse and picked up his duffle bag.
Everyone's mouths were gaping open.
Ryoto glared at them. "What're you all looking at?!"
Everyone quickly looked away.
Ryoto huffed and went to his room.
—
Kouta was leaning back against the outer wall of a clothing store. He was just a bit paranoid, watching his left and right.
Han came out of the clothing store, arms crossed. "There. Satisfied yet?"
Han was dressed in a plain black long-sleeved shirt, with oversized pants that came up over his waist a lot, but it was held secure with a black sash at the waist. A sword was held in that wrapping. He also had the pants tightened to his leg on his shins, with three black bands on each shin, and black socks with his Shaolin shoes. He of course kept on his straw Tengai hat.
Kouta looked him up and down. "Why'd you get pants so big if you were just gonna wear it like that? You coulda got something tighter."
Han was unwavering. "I can't move in tight pants. These are more comfortable. And it's all black like you wanted. There should be no problem right?"
Kouta sighed. "I'm over it. Let's just move."
Han followed him.
Kouta heard yelling from above. Melqart smashed into a brick wall.
"Melqart?!" Kouta exclaimed.
Han looked. "Hm?"
Melqart came out of the wall, rubbing his back. "Huh? Kouta... your friend. The big mean one."
"Hashimoto?"
Melqart pointed at him. "Oh, is that his name?! What's wrong with that guy?!"
Kouta thought to himself. "Hashimoto was able to damage him?"
Han crossed his arms again. "So this is Melqart. He's not Japanese."
Melqart looked at Han. "And who're you?"
"Zen Han. Disciple of Master Yu and Practitioner of Shaolin Jujutsu."
Kouta stared at Han. "Shaolin... Jujutsu..."
Han looked at him. "Yes. Did I say something wrong?"
Kouta sighed. "I don't care enough to ask. Melqart, you can't stay in the warehouse. I'm gonna be recruiting more members soon, and the warehouse is getting remodeled."
Melqart put his hands on his hips. "So you're kicking me out? Just like that? Did you forget that I'm still here for the shards? I'm not leaving without them."
Kouta shrugged. "Then you'll have to join Sakugami."
Melqart laughed obnoxiously out loud. "Join? Me? Get over yourself! Why would someone as great as me become your worker?"
Kouta put a hand on Melqart's shoulder. "As strong as you are, I think you know that you can't find all the shards on your own. You'll be killed."
Melqart looked Kouta in the eyes. "But what if I just kill you?"
Han immediately started emitting his Zen pressure. "Kill who?"
Melqart's eyes widened. "This Zen... it's so refined! Who taught you?!"
Han grinned from under his hat. "I told you already. Master Yu."
Melqart started sweating. "Master… Yu?! That monster is still alive? And you're his disciple?!"
Han nodded as he relaxed his Zen.
Melqart thought on it. "If Kouta just came from Yu's place, then that must mean that he sent this brat to counter me…!! If I even touch Kouta or his disciple, he'll surely come to kill me!!"
Melqart smiled innocently. "Sure, I'll join your crew Kouta."
Kouta smirked. "You've gotta get rid of that getup you're wearing. All black, or you're not joining."
Melqart's eyebrow twitched. "All... black? You mean... like you poor people?"
"Who's poor? I'm a billionaire."
Melqart looked down. "...Fine. You win. But only until I get the Great Spirit Orb. Got it?"
"Sure, wouldn't have it any other way."
—
Abe Shinya sat in a dimly lit office room, holding a shard in his hand. He was admiring it.
Marie sat opposite him behind the table.
Shinya stared at the jewel. "You know, Marie. The more I continue to live, the more I appreciate this new life of mine."
"And why is that?" she replied.
"Two years ago, I lost everything. I even lost my vector that allowed me to read the future. At this point I only know how I will die. But the question is to who? I lost my subordinates, my workers, even my money. That sly bastard Usako Ban had me dancing in the center of his palm and I never noticed it. Fujin destroyed my buildings, my valuable property. Everything was completely demolished. If I ever see one of my Black Dragons again, I'll kill them. Or should I torture them? What do you think?"
Marie kept a straight face. "I'm sure it isn't that serious of an issue. Simply killing them should suffice I'm sure."
Shinya viewed the shard from all angles. "That's true. After all, I've found myself in a pretty favorable spot. I missed the rush you get from wading through the waters of the unknown. After all, I've got a score to settle with a certain person."
"Murakami... Kouta?"
Shinya clenched the shard in his hand. "Exactly. I'm sure he's only gotten stronger since our last battle. But he'd be an idiot to think that I haven't."
"You're truly wonderful sir."
Shinya smiled. "Well that was dry. It didn't sound like you meant that Marie. Perhaps you're still numb from our little... venture?"
Marie turned her head.
Shinya chuckled. "You're not worried about the boy are you? Not that it matters. I can't control who you like and don't like I suppose."
A hooded man opened the door to Shinya's office. "Shinya. It's time."
Shinya looked up at him and smirked. "Be right there." He stood up and walked around to the other side of the table. He bent over until he was a breath away from Marie's face.
"Just remember who you belong to okay?" Shinya stroked her cheek before getting up and leaving the room.