It was the same gun that agent XXXI used to hostage Kyle back then.
The gun still had 2 usable bullets in it so after Kyle left me alone in the woods that day, I took the gun and hid it somewhere in the forest before the rescuers arrived.
After much more moments, Darren finally calmed down.
"Good. Much better."
I placed the gun on the table and started explaining myself.
"I was sent by the enemy group of the Amontillados to eliminate Levi. The supposed most dangerous weapon of the Amontillados. But when Riza told me that he's not part of the Amontillados anymore, I took a risk and decided to spare Levi for better use in the future. In fact not only him. I saw potential uses for everyone inside here right now, that's why I took this risk and met with all of you tonight...."
I paused and looked at Levi who was sitting near Riza right now. He still have the same sleepy eyes and was back to his perfect shape already, the only difference now was his hair.
Levi's shoulder length hair was now a buzzcut. And now that his hair was not int he way anymore, everyone could now clearly see his face. One might even say that he's quite attractive with his sharp features paired with a babyface look.
I continued
"So after I took Levi's hair and showed it to my client as proof of my 'successful' hit, I also made a deal with him...."
I paused and quickly thought back on my deal with Dante earlier this tuesday morning.
I've already chosen this path myself. And I will make sure to make the most of it.
'Some secrets are not meant to be revealed. But someday, Dante's deceit will come and bite me my neck. But when that time comes, I'll flaunt to him my thick layer of skin called the Gardening club'
"...That if I ever die by the hands of any of you, he will kill everyone around you except for you guys yourselves. Wether its your family members, lovers, or acquaintances."
Kyle raised his hands and asked
"And why would you go so far? Is that supposed to be part of the deal you were talking about."
One wrong word can ignite another violent battle between us. And now that everyone's already aware of who's who and what's what. I'm confident that the next battle will not only be between us.
The whole Kazama clan or the Changrettas may very well hunt us down tomorrow.
Even the personal militia of the Han group can threaten me.
But while it is true that what I stated sounded more like a threat to them, I still had no choice but to do it if I want to establish even a tiny bit of rapport between each and every member of this group.
After Dante confirmed that the hair was the same with the preserved DNA of ATLAS they have, I made another deal with him.
I needed some type of back up to threaten everyone and Dante seemed like the perfect choice. So in exchange for his back up, I would work as a personal bodyguard of his daughter starting next month, when their war with Amontillados are set.
The benefits outweighed the cost by leaps and bounds so I immediately accepted and closed our deal.
Back to the situation at hand.
Everyone was still waiting for my answer so after a brief thinking I replied to Kyle.
"Because I wanted to establish a beneficial relationship with you guys. An alliance even. And I needed that backing to convince you all of my sincerity."
Darren asked
"This douchebags are living the life. So how can you be sure that those threats will work on them?"
"I'm not sure myself. But one of them could try and see for themselves if its true."
"Spit it out already. What are you planning?" Minji asked with seriousness.
"Its very simple actually. In exhange for joining this alliance, everyone would be granted the power to invoke the right to command everyone. But of course we would have to restrict that power."
"That seems interesting. And I expect that restrictions to prohibit us from commanding us to target someone particularly inside this room right?" Kyle commented.
"Of course. I'm pretty confident that some of you are the vengeful types, so if we don't implement that rule then everyone would invoke that right altogether now."
I proceeded to explain the rules regarding this right to command.
Firstly, everyone can only invoke their right to command everyone once per year.
The right was also restricted to only us and no one outside our group is allowed to learn of any of our given command.
Everyone are also obligated to protect each individual members of our group.
The last rule and the most important one was that no one was allowed to use their right to command everyone to harm anyone inside this room.
(Darren)
"So you want us to team up and trust everyone here? You're fucking ambitious Ocho."
(Riza)
"While it does might seem impossible. It is more preferrable than having another deadly encounter with everyone. Besides, I've already predicted something like this happening, so we agreed on our answers if ever you did propose this to us, Ocho.....Me and Levi accepts this deal."
(Kyle)
"....I will also accept. But only if Ocho agrees to one of my conditions. I won't go into detail now, I only need to hear your answer."
(Minji)
"Joseph and I also expected this to be your proposal-"
(Joseph)
"Hey, it was me who thought of it-"
(Minji)
"Shut the fuck up when I'm talking.... Anyways. We also agree with this deal. But only if Darren agrees with it too. He's too valuable of an asset for us."
(Darren)
".....Its not like I have any choice. I would probably be skinned alive if I don't agree with this deal right now... I will only agree if Kyle gives me one good fucking reason wjy I shouldn't blow his head off."
Ichika was now the only who hasn't given an answer yet.
(Ichika)
"I will also only agree once I heard the other's reasons on why they attacked each other. I first have to evaluate how useful everyone in here could be for me."
(Kyle)
"Alrighty then. I'll say my piece next.... Truthfully speaking. I wanted to eliminate Ocho because he was a threat to Priya...but after a good talk with her last night, I learned that you were actually the one who saved her...She only realized it was you when she saw your appearance in the rain....I admit that it was entirely my fault and that my hasty conclusion led to a deadly misunderstanding. But I will not apologize to you Ocho. Because until now, I still want to make you suffer, even without a reason. That's simply what I am."
(Darren)
".....Well that sounds stupid. But I guess its normal for you kinds of people. And as for me...my reason for trying to kill that psychopath was because he killed my partner! So don't you dare-"
(Riza)
"A-actually. Kyle was not the one behind Jackson's death."
(Darren)
"How....How the fuck do you know that name?!"
Darren had an ominous look again so Joseph had no choice but to restrain him.
(Joseph)
"Calm down and listen to them Darren. You do not own your life right now."
(Darren)
"Fuck! Let me go!"
I stood up and faced Darren.
"What? Are you gonna shoot me?! Go ahead bastard!"
"....Listen to them first Darren. This will be my last and final warning."
I said in a serious tone as I took out a picture inside my pocket.
It was a picture of a house.
Specifically. The house of Darren's eldest sister.
He might have lost his fear of dying when his anger got the best of him. But Dante's little background research could work like a miracle to calm down a frenzied Darren.
"I'll explain to you everything regarding this once this meeting is over. For now, calm yourself down."
As soon as he saw the picture and heard my explanation, Darren immediately shut his mouth off and looked back at Riza.
"We received a report that Jackson was targeted by a cartel for swindling them off their drug stash and drug money. And Levi was hired to deal with the witness of Jackson's death. Which was you. But since you're restationed out of Lascar already, we managed to convince our client that you are not a threat anymore. As long as you don't snoop around again regarding Jackson. So you need to stay low-key for now. Your head is being targeted by not only us."
Darren went silent and lowered his head after he he heard Riza's explanation.
"What they are telling is the truth. That Jackson was giving me a lot of headaches with all his drug deals on both my family's territory and the Misuzuki's. That rat deserved to die, but I wasn't the one who finished him. You could confirm my words if you have a good word with one of the Misuzuki men. I got ambushed by them that monday night when I picked someone up near their teritorry. Our clan had been at war since last saturday and we barely have time to use that amount of resources to deal with a single pesky cop."
After Kyle's explanation, Darren just kept silent and did not bother looking at everyone anymore.
And another period of silence prevailed, up until Ichika spoke again broke it.
"I'm in with the deal too. This alliance does seem risky, but as Ocho said earlier, I could also see large potential uses for all of you. Just make sure you can all keep up with my ambitions."
Finally.
We all finally have something in common.
Something that can hold us together.
(Kyle)
"I believe we should reintroduce ourselves again. In accordance to this new and special friendship we obtained."
(Minji)
"Don't call it friendship you two-faced dipshit. But I also agree with what you say, so I'll reintroduce myself first."
After coming to an agreement, the atmosphere inside the room finally lightened up. It only took one arduous process and a single agreement.
"I am Han Minji, 2nd to the oldest daughter of Han Sang Woo, the chairman of the Han Pharma. And I have a disease called alcoholism where my problems don't go away if I don't drink."
"My turn! My turn! Goodevening lads and ladies, I'm Joseph Gregory Finner, son of defense secretary and senator, William Finner. I like alcoholic korean girls. And I also do medelling sometimes. Pleased to make your acquaintances."
"This is so fucking lame but whatever. I'm the badass devilof the Lascar.... Central city. The 4th son of the Calante military family. Darren Austin Calante."
"Likewise. My name is Rizzanel Antiola Changretta, the 2nd daughter of the Changretta italian syndicate. And I believe that all of us can be the best of friends in time."
"....Some of you are probably aware of it by now....because of Ocho....so...my name is Amellan Tielencio Levitico y Amontillado the 5th...also known as project ATLA5....thats all.."
"Amazing. Thats the most I heard from you Levi. And I guess its my turn now. My name is Kyle Kazama of the Kazama yakuza clan. And I would someday make you all bow to me without needing to invoke my right of command."
"No need to be so honest with us Kyle. We already know what you are. Anyways, kimi wa Akutagawa Ichika desu. And my family is in a cooperative alliance with Kyle's.
Please take care of me."
I was the last one who haven't introduce myself yet. And I'm guessing that all of them wanted to hear my real name. Not my fake one, but the legit given birth.
"Everyone calls me Ocho, but my legal identification papers introduce me as Amaru Sta. Maria....My real name though, is agent 8. A product of the NOVUS organization. I look forward to working with everyone here."