The yakuza disarmed Mikoto and Takumi before tying the trio's hands in front of them with pieces of rope. Afterwards, Dai strode over to Mikoto and caressed her chin. He commented on her fine beauty before asking for the young lady's name to which Mikoto responded by spitting on him.
Dai grinned, wiping his face. "Ah, I like them feisty…" He licked the spit off his hand, taking a moment to savour its taste. "Hurry up you fucks," he said, turning to his goons. "We ain't got all night."
☯
Kazuo and Yamamoto were about to leave the Ishigami business district when they encountered a tall, muscular man in his twenties wearing a dungaree with a grey, scotch design and huge black boots. He had a black Mohawk that seemed odd for his head shape and a short stubble. He held a katana behind his neck and had both arms relaxed on either side of it resembling a crucifix.
"My, my I must say I am impressed…" The man spoke in a deep tenor voice. "I am the strongest in this country and even I couldn't make it budge. When I heard about what had happened, I knew I had to see it for myself."
"D–D–Daichi!!" stammered Yamamoto.
"It is Lord Daichi to you, officer." He gave the keisatsu a stern look and turned to the Inazuma lad. "Head of the Hasegawa yakuza and who might you be, boy?"
"Kazuo..." he said, glancing at Dōjin's blade. "I'm simply taking what's mine."
Daichi raised an eyebrow. "Inazuma, huh?" he said, scratching his beard. "That sword was gifted to my country by Lord Kazuro himself. So, it belongs here..."
"If you want it so badly..." Kazuo took a defensive stance. "Come get it!"
"You know, Inazuma brat..." said Daichi, chuckling as he brandished his katana. "Lord Kagero put out a huge bounty on your head. Sadly, I will be sending you to him in pieces..." He leapt forward, swinging the blade with one hand.
The height difference was too great. It looked like a giant was up against a dwarf.
As Daichi floated, he shifted his katana to an overhead swing. "Haaa!"
An ear piercing clang echoed as steel hit steel.
Daichi attacked nonstop, using height to his advantage. However, Kazuo used Dōjin's blades and chain to block the barrage of near fatal hits.
"Hah… Hah... Hah!" Daichi grunted, sweat dripping from his temples. "Is defense all that you know?" He switched direction and swung from the side.
Kazuo glimpsed the katana in his peripheral. He shoved Dōjin's longer blade on the ground next to him. Another clank sounded followed by a spark. "Hmm..." he grinned, using the chain to toss the shorter blade at Daichi.
The Hasegawa grabbed Dōjin's hilt with his other hand. As the axe blade pulled him down, he quickly let go and veered back. "Nice counter..." he said, grasping his katana with both hands. "Now, playtime is over!"
Daichi advanced at full speed. The sound of loud grunts followed by steel clanks soon filled the air. As the fight progressed, Kazuo got accustomed to dual wielding as he seemed to hold his own for a while. Alas, the odds were not on the latter's favour as the former's experience was noticeable.
Some minutes passed, Kazuo started slowing down. Caught off guard, he received a minor slash on his arm. "Aargh," he said, in a muffled groan as he gripped the wound. I can't keep this up... Dōjin is too heavy.
"The next one will be fatal," said Daichi, pointing his katana at the Inazuma boy. "Unless if you surrender now and return the national treasure where you found it."
☯
On arrival at the palace, Kazuo's comrades observed that it was crawling with yakuza. While Mikoto was escorted away, the boys were sent to a throne room.
A man resembling Dai sat on a golden chair with one leg over the other. He appeared to be in his twenties with dark, curly hair and bangs covering his eyebrows. He wore black boots and uniform that covered his slim build.
"Oh my," he said with a countertenor, eyeing Takumi from head to toe. "An Artisan… I see you must be the brain behind this operation." He turned to one of his yakuza, "You can leave me with him... take the peasant away."
"NO!" said Kaito, bawling as he got dragged outside. "Takumi! Do something!"
"Takumi, huh?" said the dark-haired man with a chuckle. "How very fitting. Oops, where are my manners? I'm Daisuke Hasegawa..."
"–the true daimyo of this country," said Takumi.
Daisuke glanced at the throne. "An instant giveaway, isn't it?" he said, resting his face on the back of one hand. "So, why did you blow up my warehouse?"
"We needed a distraction."
"I heard one of you broke into Iwa and stole the national treasure," said Daisuke, smiling. "I pity the foolish brat. Daichi is likely dealing with him as we speak."
He pulled it off! Takumi thought, raising his eyebrows. "Well..." he said with a laugh. "Your brother is in for a reckoning if he's up against a wielder of a sword god."
Daisuke's smile disappeared. "Oh really, we'll see about that." He got up and walked towards Takumi. On reaching the Artisan, he raised a hand and stopped himself. "Unlike my brothers, I'm not one for physical combat. Shōgi is more of my forte."
"Likewise," said Takumi, a sweat trickling from his temple.
"I thought as much..." Daisuke paced around Takumi. "Since I'm feeling generous today, how about a match. When I win, you and your friends will be executed–"
"And when I win?"
"If you win... you'll get to leave with your lives," said Daisuke before clapping twice.
The servant present prepared two futons and a small table. Afterwards, he set a shōgi board with its pieces and awaited further instruction.
"Shall we begin?" said Daisuke, sitting down.
"Uhm..." Takumi raised his bound hands.
Daisuke moved a pawn and pointed at the servant. "He'll be your hands."
With the stakes set, the battle of the minds began.
Daisuke, who moved up the board and made the first move was black and his opponent white. Twenty minutes into the match, he was down a Bishop and four out of his nine pawns. Takumi, however, had sacrificed his Knight and lost three pawns.
☯
Mikoto had been detained in a huge chamber for what seemed like an eternity when she smelt a sweet and savoury aroma. Suddenly, Dai entered the room carrying skewed dango on one hand and beef cutlets on another. He also held a red rose with his mouth.
"Sorry for being late," he said with gritted teeth before shutting the door. He passed the dumplings over to her and took the rose. "Mikoto-chan, I may not look it but I'm a hopeless romantic. That whole tough act before was just a show for the boys."
Mikoto, with her hands still bound together, held onto the dango. Tempted to take a bite, she jolted back to her senses. "How do you know my name?" she asked, furrowing her eyebrows. I don't recall telling him.
"That friend of yours–the peasant boy from the Soil, squealed out everything like a skinny little piggy." Dai cackled. "And we ain't even lay a single finger on him."
"Leave Kaito out of this!" said Mikoto. "He didn't do anything wrong!"
"That can be arranged as long as your other friend is found… we'll free the peasant."
Kazuo... I hope he's alright, she thought.
"Why ain't you eating your dango? They're your favourite, ain't they?"
"How sure am I that this isn't poisoned?" Mikoto examined the dumplings.
"I can have a bite if you like…"
"Okay then, close your eyes and say ah…"
Blood trickled from Dai's nostril. He needed no further convincing. Guided by the scent, he drew closer–keeping his eyes shut and mouth wide open. Before tasting anything, he felt a tight blow to his chin and jolted backwards.
Mikoto jumped and connected a midair kick to his chest. Dai got sent flying through the closed door. His back landed on the wall across the corridor with a loud crack.
The kunoichi–unable to stick her landing, fell on her side and knocked her head.
Both were out flat.