"He didn't put up much of a fight," I reassured Hatsu-Yome, who had gathered the girls to hear the news. Even if the attack happened outside the theater, the commander felt like they should be present in any discussion involving their pursuer. Danzo and Fuji Hara-kun were there as well, gathered in the main room of the Fuku.
"He pulled his sword on us," Fuji-kun was explaining. "But I cut him across his sword arm, and that's when he froze my arm."
"No injuries among our men?" asked Riota-san.
"Not a scratch." I said, although Fuji-kun's arm was frozen, we managed to take care of him before he received any more damage, but by then the ripper escaped. "It was done so quickly the bystanders didn't have time to gather."
"This is one good piece of news, at least." said Riota-san, smiling for the first time that day.
"I don't see anything to be happy about," snapped Fuji-kun. "Did you see what he did to me?"
"Do not worry about it," Danzo-san answered stiffly. "We have it in consideration."
Fuji-kun's mouth hung open in shock; he couldn't believe how calm the man was. "Yeah you think you have it all figured out!" Fuji-kun wasn't the only one to grumble lately at Danzo's strictness and secrecy with the commander, but he might be the loudest.
Yet, the commander had downplayed any discontent. He'd also refused to be drawn into discussion of his intentions towards the ripper.
"There are things beyond your capacity of comprehension." Danzo-san added making Fuji-kun's face turn as crimson as his hair.
I was aware that relations between Fuji and the executive had been strained for some time now, and I deduced from a few sour comments that he didn't want him or me to know about the ripper's strange ability.
"Fuji Hara kun!" Rito-san cut in. "Executive Danzo is not to blame, I know there have been mistakes, but you - anyhow, I am the Commander. I am the one at fault for this, and I will take responsibility for your injury."
"Don't say that, Riota-san!" Fuji said "it's not my injury that worries me." Despite his calm tone, I could sense how hurt he'd been by Riota's words.
After all, Danzo had implied that Fuji-kun was untrustworthy.
"He is right," I said. "Don't you think that whatever information you're withholding may be the reason we haven't caught him?" I turned to face the Commander. "I plead you Riota-san to tell us what you know. You may ask us to keep silent on this matter, just tell us."
The commander did not answer, it seemed as though he was considering the situation. And after a moment of silence he curtly nodded to Hatsu-Yome, saying nothing more she gestured to the girls who followed silently behind her and left the room.
"I know I can rely on the two of you," Riota-san started when the door closed. "We've weathered worse storms together, hm?" The smile had returned to his face and this time Fuji-kun smiled back.
Danzo-san only stared at the floor.
"Some of our allies had informed us that a new kind of warriors are been arranged for battles," He let his gaze wander over the room. "They call them 'enhanced soldiers'. "
"Enhanced? how?" Fuji-kun asked. I wondered that as well.
"They are genetically improved," Danzo-san replied harshly. "They're stronger, faster and not to mention the inhuman ability they posses."
"I knew it was some kind of magic!" Fujihara hissed.
"There is no such thing as magic; it is only science that we do not understand." Danzo-san put in plain words. "Whoever used them as experiments is quite a genius."
"Who would want to be turned into something like that?" I asked brow furrowed.
Danzo-san did not respond immediately. It seemed as though he was considering the question, but when he answered, he did not show any uncertainty. "They are selected based on some biological qualities," he explained "However, they mainly take orphans or homeless citizens from different countries."
"People that no one would look for." Fuji-kun mumbled then hit the table with his fists, "They have no self respect!"
"Those who have lost their honor may still find it in death." I said.
"Indeed." The commander sounded happy at my answer. "You understand why we kept this under wraps; we do not want to spread fear among our troupes."
I nodded along with Fuji-kun "And we will keep it that way."
"I'm counting on you two." Riota-san concluded rising to his feet followed by Danzo.
"Enhanced soldiers," Fuji-kun mumbled, he seemed lost in his thoughts. "Dai-senpai, do you think they could be on our side if we free them?"
"If they are like the ripper, then they are far from being allies."
Fuji-kun hummed "You're right." He said when the commander called him from the hallway.
"Fuji Hara-kun, hurry up or we'll leave you here!"
"Yes Riota-san, coming!" Fuji-kun hastily stood up and prepared to go along with them. He looked back at me for a second ''Be careful'' he said before he left.
The room went quiet as everybody left, I found myself thinking of what this new information could bring to the table. How do we fight these monsters with only our swords?
No...I shouldn't call them that, they didn't choose to be that way. There's so much I still don't know...
This feeling is terrifying.