Shout out to JT_The_Polar_Bear. May you get the Floor is Lava achievement if you don't already.
After two more interviews, we got the information we needed. Our target was a mid-level gangster named, "Trigger". According to our source, all lower ranking members were to report to him, meaning he knew what we needed to know. Thankfully, our source also gave us a tip that he waits for them to report at a Hashimoto operated ramen shop that was a front for a drug den. Tying up loose ends, we made our way there.
Getting there, we find it to be an unassuming little shop, that you could have easily walked past without knowing. Many letters on its neon sign flicker on and off, giving off a slightly loud buzzing sound. Thankfully, we arrived here when we did, as it started to heavily rain. Nodding to each other, we proceeded to walk towards the shop.
General POV:
The owner of the ramen shop wiped the counter in front of him. He'd been wiping the same spot for the past hour or so, since there weren't any new customers and Miki was the only one who hadn't shown up. He desperately tried to not look at the thugs who were looking at their watch with impatience at Miki's tardiness as they were all itching to be done with this. Thankfully, it has been a peaceful week, so no one was likely going to make it a problem.
The curtains keeping the rain at bay in the doorway suddenly get pulled back. The thug in charge of collections and reports for Trigger didn't look up at the door.
"You're late Miki. You know how..." He trails off as he looks up at the figure who entered and paled.
"Miki? That was his name? Yeah, I don't think he'll be coming." The figure says having a seat at the counter.
"You are brave to walk so boldly into the den of wolves, Mamoru. Or rather, you've confused it for stupidity instead and have so boldly walked into your death." The grunt says to Mamoru.
The ramen guy cursed under his breath. Mamoru? He knew who that was and what he was capable of. If he was here, it was for Trigger, which spelled bad news for his shop. Knowing an encounter was inevitable, the ramen guy began to slowly back away towards the kitchen, where he hoped to make an escape.
The grunt who was stalling for time finally managed to grab his phone that he was carefully going for under the table. Pressing a button, it instantly speed dialed to Trigger who would know something is up and escape. From the silence in the ramen shop, everyone within can hear Mamoru's phone buzzing, and watch him reach into his pocket to look at it. They can hear Mamoru sigh.
"Welp, looks like we're going to do this the fun way, then." He says standing up. In turn, everyone in the ramen shop who numbered seven people, who appeared to be customers stand up as well, revealing that they were grunts that were a part of this operation the whole time. The ramen guy darts out of the room into the kitchen, where he struggles to fit his large body through the small kitchen window. In his panic, sends a prayer that if he comes out of this alive, he'll definitely stop associating with the Hashimoto.
Confident in their numbers, despite going against Mamoru, the grunts pull out various weapons, each eager to claim the bounty the Hashimoto have placed on his head. Greed full in his eyes, one grunt runs towards Mamoru, a knife in hand as he intends to claim it first. As he brings down the knife, aiming for his neck, Mamoru easily sidesteps it, bringing out a kunai which he swipes across the man's throat.
As he falls to the floor, gurgling on his blood, the other grunts are smarter, pulling out guns and open fire on Mamoru. In one fluid motion, Mamoru pulls out his katana, deflecting the bullets as he darts behind the counter. From downstairs, the gunfire could be heard echoing down its halls. Trigger, who was prior to enjoying a moment with a prostitute and didn't notice his phone ringing, snapped into attention. Throwing the girl to the side, he grabs his phone and pales when he sees his grunt was the one who called him, signaling something went south.
Within seconds, his pants are back on along with his trusty, Shi no ganbo. It got him out of many tough situations, and this one would be no different. Running up the stairs past grunts who decided to stay downstairs away from the situation, he came across a gruesome sight. Mamoru was standing alone as bodies lay on the ground and across the counter. Pools of blood began to form around him as he suddenly looked at Trigger. He took a step towards Trigger, who heart began racing as he knows that he would share the same fate should he get caught by Mamoru.
Turning, he dashes down the stairs, saving himself from stumbling on the steps multiple times. The grunts look at him curiously, but he ignores their looks as he says to them in Japanese,
"You three are on me, the rest of you, stop him at all costs. The one who brings me his head will get his bounty and a promotion."
Seventeen men raise with a newfound confidence. Each grabbing their weapons as they knew the perks of being promoted. Everyone wanted to be respected like Trigger was. Happy with the new development, Trigger and three others rush towards the exit. Weapons in hand, the men prepared to cash out on a bonus and promotion. However, as a figure begins to slowly walk down the stairs, their confidence begins to wane. Seeing the many adversaries in front of him, Mamoru smiles.
"So, anyone want to run, do so now."