The Inugami clans of Tokyo are divided into two very distinct, but equally important "major" clans, each with countless "lesser" clans serving as their vassals.
Originally formed as separate branches of the main families for which they are named, they consist of all those afflicted by the Inugami curse that is passed on through their bloodline. Which, despite their clandestine existence, still remain a dominant, behind-the-scenes force in Japan's economic, social and political landscape to this day.
Firstly, there is the Uesugi clan, headed by Alpha Shingen Uesugi…
It deals with the lighter side of clan operations, which abides by the laws of the country and actively works with them to ensure the clan's stability.
Whereas the Takeda clan, governed by Alpha Norio Takeda…
Will conduct its operations in stark opposition to the law; do whatever it takes to ensure profit margins and compliance among clan allies.
Because of their extreme differences, one might expect the two to constantly be at odds…
And indeed, this is often the case. At times leading to brutal conflicts between the two clans, even entire bloodlines being wiped out overnight..to say nothing of the natural conflict that exists between the Uesugi vassal clan members with careers and law enforcement, and the career criminals of the Takeda clan. It's so severe, in fact, that there exists established "neutral zones" where members of the two clans may congregate, under the pretense that neither is allowed to incite violence against the other.
At best…the two maintain an uneasy alliance. Which also extends to a longstanding rivalry between their respective Alphas…
…
NORIO TAKEDA POV:
I've never cared for these meetings at the bathhouse.
A better choice would surely be a museum, a park, or one of my nightclubs…
Unfortunately, it is a preferred neutral zone of Uesugi...a man whose laziness—and pettiness—knows no bounds.
Pfft. He's already soaking in the private bath when I get there.
"Uesugi," I say, snapping my fingers…making no attempt to mask my impatience..
I'm only seeing the back of his head, and he isn't moving. Could be he's dozed off…how useless.
I quickly make my way around the perimeter of the bath. "UESUGI!"
But…eh?
Uesugi's not asleep after all—
He's actually reading the latest Shōnen Jump!
"Takeda?" He looks up at me, surprised. "I didn't notice you were here."
"Gah…so I could've stabbed you in the back of your neck and you wouldn't have noticed—because you were reading kids' comics? How disgraceful."
He huffs, pouting and puffing up his face like a bratty schoolgirl. "You're no fun!" He slams the book shut and sets it aside, facing me with a disapproving stare. "It's always business, with you. You need to learn how to lighten your head every now and then!" He throws up his arms, splashing them in the water. "You're…a black tiger that keeps trying to eat its own tail!"
Sigh. "I didn't come here to listen to you bitch at me about nonsense."
Immediately, his expression turns serious—he's a fool, but not so big a fool that I need to explain myself.
"Okay…" he says, "but you know the drill: join me in the bath first, then we'll talk."
Yes, I know "the drill." I know it all too well.
I was hoping he would excuse me for once, considering the present circumstances…but I suppose that's giving my co-Alpha too much credit.
I quickly empty my pockets of my phones…my cigarettes…my wallet…
Anything that I wouldn't want to get wet.
Then, as Uesugi is sinking his lips beneath the water's surface, with a look of utmost displeasure at what is to unfold next—
As I plunge myself into the far side of the bath, fully clothed.
Once the water stills again, he groans. "You could at least lose the sunglasses."
"No.Now, give me an update…your detectives must have uncovered something by now."
"They investigated the shooter's body…what was left of it. And found—"
He takes up the Shōnen Jump magazine, retrieving something that he had stashed between its pages then showing it to me: an emblem—a badge carried by most Inugami, which shows the insignia of their family clan—though, curiously, it was not like any insignia I had ever seen before.
Which could only mean one thing…
"Could it be…a family that isn't aligned to either clan?"
"My detectives are on the lookout, but it could take some time. There is an untold number of renegade Inugami, and family clans we've likely never even heard of."
"I suppose it's good that we at least have something to go by…"
"Norio-san…" Uesugi murmurs, his sparkling blue eyes taking on a glazed, faraway look.
As suddenly, he starts to slowly wade across the bath toward me…
His porcelain skin is flushed a bright red from all the wafting steam. His long, snow white hair is pulled up into a topknot to reveal his round, delicately smooth face.
His neck and shoulders are thin, and elegant…
His lips are dainty and thin, dyed pink as falling cherry blossom petals.
It's no wonder Shingen Uesugi is admired by so many for his unearthly beauty, just as I am feared and reviled…for merely fulfilling my duties as the Takeda clan Alpha.
He stops at an arm's length of me, touching the side of my face.
"I know we have fought in the past…but a son of my fellow Alpha is just as important to me as one of my own."
I'm almost at a loss for words. "Th-thank you." It isn't like me to get all sentimental.
"Kyoko is in need of you now, more than ever," he says to me softly. "So let my people take over the investigation…and use this time to be with her."
I take a deep breath, then sigh: relenting to the fact that Uesugi had a point.
And even though I won't admit it out loud, he still just pats my face, smiling…like he's proud of some grand achievement I've just made.
Just at this moment, I hear a new message on my phone.
I see that it's from the captain of my shipping operations…and it's very serious.
One of our containers, which arrived on last night's shipment, was carrying an illegal haul of bluefin tuna…
But when the crew went to check the container in the early hours of the morning—
"Stolen?! How can such a thing even be possible?"
"We don't know who they were, sir! They ambushed us, and it was like…a whole army! They were all wearing assault vests, pointing their rifles and giving us orders…"
I tell him I will arrive there shortly, then hang up.
Guh…
How irksome.
The timing of this…it couldn't be pure happenstance.
My enemies, armed with the knowledge of a recent attack against Hiro…must presume that I am now in a vulnerable state.
As such, I will have no choice but to show them the error of their judgment.
Once I arrive at the docks, I am swiftly escorted by my distraught captain to the ship.
Her name is Skyweaver: the crown jewel of my sea-based shipping operation, for whose continued services I must—as a matter of course for such arrangements—part with a sizable sum in hush money to the authorities each month.
It's all very covert, of course.
Somewhere, along the chain of command, information must have been leaked.
There's a traitor in my midst. I shall have to seek him out, and feast on his flesh as an example to the others.
As we're walking, the captain further explains to me, "when they hauled away the tuna container, they went and replaced it with this other one"—he points at the only shipping container still on deck, where one of the crewmen is already in place to unseal it—"we haven't opened yet. Thought you should be here to see, first."
I wave with my hand, bidding him to go forward with the operation.
The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can return to more pressing matters.
Uesugi…was right.
I have failed in my responsibilities as a husband.
In my unending drive to make sure that those responsible for Hiro's shooting will suffer the consequences, I have left her alone to suffer in sorrow.
That for once, it may be best if I opt to stand back…to leave the case in his hands.
"Allllllright!" the captain yells, to the crew positioned at the container, "cut her open, gentlemen!"
There is a dull mechanical creak as the bars on the door are pulled and twisted…
After which, the door gets pulled open…slowly…to reveal—
A wave of rubbery, bright pink and flopping…"toys"…comes flooding out of the container, onto the salt-stained deck.
"S-sir…" The young captain looks pale, a nervous smile spreading across his lips.
I approach the spilled mass, bending to pick one up. "Hmmph."
"Those, uh—the captain chuckles— "well, they definitely aren't tuna. That's for sure."
So, it appears our culprit has a sense of humor, it appears…
However, I am far from amused: I know that what he really intends with such a crude gesture is to ridicule me…to add extra salt to the burn. I'll be sure to remember his little "joke" when I have him locked in a freezer somewhere, bound and gagged, never to see the light of day again for the rest of his miserable pain-filled existence.
I'm already sending Hanzo a text, with a plan for how this matter can be quickly dealt with…
I hate to admit it, but she's far too valuable of an asset for me to let go. For now.
Petty distractions, such as this, are a waste of my time…
So It's good to have a loyal pet around, that can deal with things in my stead.