[South Korea, Fox's Warehouse]
[Midnight 2:27 am]
...
'What the hell?!'
There was no better way to put it.
'What the actual hell is going on?!'
As a matter of fact, what was he witnessing indeed.
Well to put it simply, there were people, no- more accurately, awakeners, who were naked and stuffed in these green liquid tanks with many tubes and wires attached to their bodies all over. All were unconscious but those that awoke felt suffocated and struggled miserably. The elites were forced to knock them out with medicine they injected into their tanks with the click of a button.
Kurama couldn't move. In fact, he couldn't breathe at all. Faced with a scene he never thought he would ever see in his lifetime left him at a loss for words. For better or worse, a loss for movement or breathe for air. All needed for his survival because at any minute, he was about to face his worst nightmare.
But he couldn't, and that was his greatest mistake.
He was knocked out of his stupor when he heard footsteps near him. As he backed away, he bumped into something. More specifically, someone which caused him to fall forward into the walkway where everyone saw him.
It was then he knew, he f*cked up.
"Well, well, well, look what the cat got in."
"Fox, fox got in." One corrected.
"Psst, besides the point."
"Mhm, looks like we've got an outsider on our hands."
"Would he really be considered an outsider if he's a member of the fox clan like us?"
"That's beside the point."
"Is not."
"Is too, and it's not up to us to decide his fate but our boss." They stared to Kyro who looked plainly at Kurama. A sense of dissatisfaction layer with disappointment. Neither the culprit nor the elites could comprehend what was going on inside their master's head.
Many assumed he would've killed him instantly like he did to the rest who snuck in unauthorized places, but he didn't to Kurama which shocked both sides greatly. "Take him to the prison below here." He said, before walking away.
The rest recovered from their shock before doing as they were told with each of them accompanying Kurama, surrounding him completely, making sure their prisoner had no chance of escaping. Not that he did have any thought of doing so as he knows very well, he's outmatched.
All he could do was think bitterly about his situation. A part of him knows he won't make it out alive especially since he saw something he shouldn't of have. Another part of him hoped to god they let him live as long as he promises he keep his mouth shut, but that's unlikely.
All in all, he's in a very bad situation. One where he is more than likely about to break his promise to his brother Kitsune on making it back safely. Forget safety, he won't even make it back in one piece all because of his curiosity. Curiosity really did kill the cat.
It was then he understood the reference the other elites were talking about from earlier which was utterly pathetic mainly because he's the cat that's about to be killed due to his curiosity. Lucky for him, he has this cell perfectly for him to think about all these meaningless thoughts until his death sentence is ensured.
Once thrown in, 1 stayed behind to watch over him while the rest left to join their boss and while also continuing to observe their test subjects. The one that stayed behind looked suspiciously familiar in terms of body frame as his body was slightly smaller than the rest of the elites, like a certain someone. He also didn't talk one bit while the rest chatted casually and normally.
His questions got answered the second the other elites were far away from listening distance and the suspicious fellow that looked rather familiar in his eyes spoke. "I told you not to come here." His soft gentle casual tone smoothly entered Kurama's ears.
Upon hearing his voice, Kurama's eyes shot wide open as he looked to the speaker. "Aaron?!"
"Why did you come?" He ignored Kurama's surprised expression and asked demandingly. "I- I was curious as to why nobody talked about this place." The young awakener replied nervously.
"And that gave you the right to investigate this place!" He shouted angrily, scaring little Kurama which he noticed, before reverting back to his gentle expression filled with sympathetic. "You promised me you wouldn't. I told you."
"Nope, I promised you I wouldn't ask questions about the basement. I said nothing of investigating it." He replied sassily, like he was making a good point. Technically, he was making a good point as he stayed true to his words. But his current situation said otherwise as his sass and apparently good point will either get him nowhere or worse, killed one way or another.
Aaron couldn't help but sighed in annoyance. "Nonetheless, I implied to not have anything to do with the basement. And looked where that got you for not heeding my warnings."
"Sorry-" He apologized, like it was going to do anything or as a matter fact, fix his current situation which annoyed Aaron even more. "You think your sorry is going to fix anything."
"Well, no, but I thought the least I should've done was apologize for the problems I've caused you." He explained cooly, much to Aaron dismay, even if it did make him feel a little something. "There's no point if all my warning did was fuel your curiosity." He rubbed his forehead.
"Well about that, why don't you guys just let me go. I promise I won't tell anyone what I saw. And you know I keep my promises." Kurama said, like it was the simplest thing in the world. However, it was not.
"It's not that simple. Just because I give them my word, doesn't mean they'll listen. If they don't listen to me, what makes you think they'll listen to you?" He spoke a rather good point, leaving Kurama at a loss for words.
'Maybe I really can't leave here alive.' He thought hopelessly. But if he's going to die sooner or later, why not get answers first. He looked to Aaron who was looking at the ceiling mindlessly deep in thought. His call for him knocked him out of his stupor. "Aaron?"
Aaron looked to Kurama and sighed. "What?"
"What were you doing down here?" He asked, gaining a frown in response. "What makes you think I'll answer that?"
"Well, if I'm going to die like you said-"
"Hold up, I didn't say anything about dying."
"But you depressing tone said otherwise."
"That-" Aaron tried to counter Kurama's good point but couldn't. There's really no way out of it except for his death. But a part of him couldn't help but hope for a different outcome. After all, he's a good friend of Kitsune. How could he look him in the eye knowing that he's one of the people who had a hand in murdering his brother. His expression became gloomier at just the thought of it.
There must be another way out. One ensuring Kitsune's younger brother survival. I mean, that's the least he could do, and Kurama is too young to die. He hasn't even met adulthood and to die in a place like this because of his curiosity doesn't sit right for him.
Furthermore, isn't it already a good sign that he hasn't been killed instantly the second they found him in the basement. Many who were in Kurama's place expected a tragic fate of death, but Kurama didn't. Which is a good sign meaning there's a likelier chance that he's able to convince their patriarch to let Kurama go.
That's easier said than done because he has no idea what's going on inside Kyro's head. And there's no telling what he's going to do with Kitsune's younger brother. He could literally one second let Kurama go free of charge, and then the next second announce for his execution. The latter sounds likelier to happen but as he recalls, the fox patriarch fancies Kitsune a lot. So may be, he wouldn't kill Kurama in order to continue being on good terms with his older brother.
But knowing his patriarch and his manipulation tactics, he could make do of keeping Kitsune affiliated with the fox clan even after killing his brother. It wouldn't surprise him as he has done that with many others. The only difference is that Kitsune is smart. Like extremely smart. Nothing could get by that guy's vision which makes it hard to manipulate him, according to Kyro.
So, he has to play it safe in order to keep Kitsune under his wing. Once again, easier said than done because many know how much he values his little brother Kurama and if something were to happen to him, he'll go mad.
Very mad.
Scarily mad.
All the mads.
And that's something he doesn't want to deal with. But he can't just let Kurama go after seeing those things. That's something he cannot risk getting out or he'll bear backlash from not only those affiliated with the fox clan but from the Great Mythical Beast Clans all together. Such a tragedy cannot happen.
It was then he thought of something mad, but brilliant.
What if he staged an ambush where their great nemesis, the wolves, attack them and Kurama just so happen to fall victim to them. That way, Kitsune has a reason to stay in the fox clan. For revenge against the wolves who also happens to be the fox's enemies as he knows he cannot beat them alone.
The only bad side to that plan is dealing with Kitsune's rage the second he hears the terrible news. Moreover, he'll definitely be suspicious of them for not protecting Kurama when they had elites accompanying them. That's easily solve with an excuse that the wolves too had elites and their patriarch with them, so the battle was hard.
All in all, he just has to figure out a way to execute this plan. And as easy as it sounds, it requires the participation of the elites to stage themselves as the wolves as they're the only ones who would follow his command without question. The only problem with that is some of the elites are good acquaintance with Kitsune so many wouldn't follow through with his command.
This means he has to make sure to choose a minimum of 5 elites that have nothing to do with Kitsune and would gladly pose as the wolves and ambush them. Of course, he knows they will not do it unless they get something in return so he proposes a simple yet generous reward that will definitely get those elites to agree without hesitation.
With that cover, all that is left is executing it thoroughly without any plot holes that leaves suspicion for the other elites to suspect. Once that's cover, he'll be in the clear of Kitsune's suspicion and every elite all together if he's able to pull Kitsune to his side and propose a good revenge for them while also finally annihilating their long-term nemesis.
This way, he'll secure more power with Kitsune alongside him. Not that any elites wouldn't do him any good, but Kitsune's talent is superior to them all. In fact, Kurama also had potential too, but this unfortunate accident took him too soon which was also why he gave Kurama a disappointed and dissatisfied look from earlier.
Although he'll feel a sense of regret for killing off such a talent, it's all for the betterment of the fox clan. He reminded himself. Everything he does is for the fox clan. He sounds awfully familiar to this anime villain from Naruto. Danzo 2.0?
Brushing aside those weird thoughts, he set his plan in motion where they'll be ambush on their way back to fox's headquarters as it will be less suspicious than them getting attack at the warehouse. While the attack happens, this will cause panic and a sense of chaos to ensue which will make it fairly easy for the undercover elites to take Kurama out.
Which was exactly what happened. Unfortunately for him, he did lose some elites due to the attack, but those losses in his opinion was what made the ambush more believable. But it was truly a pity he lost good men like Aaron who protected Kurama till his last dying breath, Matt who tried helping Aaron and Kurama, Max, and a couple more.
Their loyalty was something he envied and needed the most. The elites are loyal to him, but for how long? They seem only interested in what he can offer them, but not for what he is. He's the patriarch who holds the most power in the fox clan, that's an obvious fact itself, but for how long?
Individuals like Kitsune could rise up in power and overthrow him. He has seen it happened already before, but he doesn't want that occurrence to occur for him. He quite literally enjoys being at the top of the food chain which was why he kept aiming higher and higher after accomplishing his goals in order to suffice some of his hunger for power.
But even that wasn't enough and as his greed grew, so did his paranoia.
If individuals like Kitsune's following grew out of hand, he'll lose all that he had accomplished which was something he could not let happen. The more reason to keep Kitsune under control, on a leash, one where he is the sole one in command.
At first, he wanted to bring Kurama on the mission in order to gain his trust. After gaining his trust, he thought Kitsune would voluntarily swear loyalty to him. But situations have changed and this plan he executed couldn't worked better than he ever thought.
And at the end of the day, he'll get what he always wanted. Kitsune's temporary loyalty for revenge and more power as a result of that.
...
[~𝙀𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠~]
...
The unknown individuals after explaining what happen then brings out folders full of information, proof, evidence that all she said is nothing but the truth.
Kitsune looked at one paper detailed with some of the heinous villainy acts Kyro has committed along with others and that was enough to earn his trust on the matter regarding his late brother's death and more.
As he was about to leave to face Kyro, the gentle individual held his arm firmly, preventing him from doing anything rash. "If this guy can't beat him, what makes you think you'll beat him?" She asked, earning a frown from him. "I must at the very least warn the others." He replied.
"Is there any point to that if more than half of them has completely sided in favor of him." Her smart reply left him at a loss for words. But even then, he wasn't convinced and still wanted to give his baseless thoughts a try. Which was to stop the war and more lives from being lost because in the end, it's all a ploy to Kyro and his greed for more power.
"Then what should I do?" He asked, looking expecting to this unknown individual who helped him open his eyes. The individual smiles like they've been waiting for ages for that question to be asked, though he couldn't see it due to the dark conversing their entire face. "Let me help you."
Hearing their words, Kitsune couldn't help but narrow his eyes suspiciously at the individual. Yes, he's thankful for their hand in revealing the truth about the fox clan head, but that doesn't mean he trust them as a person. But he knew he needed all the hands he could get to defeat Kyro, so he asked, "what do you want in return?"
"Now we're talking business. I want your loyalty." Her replied annoyed Kitsune greatly.
"Why? What's so good about me that you require my entire being?" He asked, furiously at that, frustrated that everyone wants something from him and would go to great lengths to obtain him. He expected a cynical answer from the individual, but what they said shocked him greatly.
"Nothing."
"What?"
"Must I repeat myself cause if I recall, you have enhanced hearing."
Ignoring what they just said. "Repeat what you just said from earlier."
"Why? You heard me clearly." They questioned.
"Just repeat it." He demanded.
It sighed before doing as they were told. "Nothing. There's nothing good about you that requires your entire being... Whatever the heck that means."
"Then why? Why do you need me if there's nothing good about me?"
"Because I see potential in you. Potential in you to create change in this cruel world and that's something I'm looking for. You just so happen to have it but is an amateur in terms of how you wield it. That's why I require your loyalty. Not to me, but to my organization."
"Your organization?"
"Yes, my organization. It hasn't made its official debut, but it's called Eminence."
"And your organization just so happens to require me?"
"Hm, not just you, but most of the fox clan."
"I don't get it though, didn't you say they were all on Kyro's side."
"Indeed, I said that, but I wasn't directly my intent to them but the ones who have morals. Which I am assuming is your fraction."
"Yeah... But I can't help but feel like I let them down."
"Did you now, because if I recall, those that were just mere acquaintance with you went to great lengths to protect your brother till their last breath, even going as far as going against their patriarch. That is what Kyro feared. You. Your ability to make allies with people you just met. Just your entire being threaten his place. You didn't let them down, they looked up to you expectingly for you to guide them on a path that ensures their survival while upholding good morals choices. Something Kyro was incapable of doing so and still is. I'll remind you once more, you didn't let them down, but you will if you keep sulking there and not do anything about the war."
As the individual finished their speech, Kitsune couldn't help but admire them as his likeness for that person rose. Someone so honorable in his eyes thinks greatly of him and requires his loyalty in order to change the world. And they don't seem like the kind of person that would sacrifice their people in order to do so. It was right then and there he made up his mind that he will follow this person to the ends of the world if the situation calls for it.
He got down on one knee, moving his right hand into a fist before lining it up over his heart, lowering his head in a bowing motion as he recited these familiar lines, he once used for Kyro in order to achieve his revenge. The only difference this time is he's not doing it for revenge, but for his master and only them.
"I, Kitsune- no, Zefron Harrison swear loyalty to..." He paused, not knowing his new master's name. Catching note of it, they said their true name instead of their faked identity one. "Yulius. Yulius Tsuna Seo."
"I, Zefron Harrison swear loyalty to Yulius Tsuna Seo for as long as this unworthy body of mine is of use to my master, till my very last dying breath." Once his pledge was done, he looked up to his master and though he couldn't see it, he sensed that she was uncomfortable. "Um, was it something I said?" He asked, hoping he didn't f*cked up as he really wanted to serve Yulius.
"Nope, not at all." She lied through her togue but in her mind, she cringed, before moving aside Zef to healed Shiro with RCT. Once he was healed, Zef carried Shiro on his shoulder and on their way back he woke up. At first, he was wary, but once they explained the situation, he couldn't help but lowered his guard. In the end, their motives were the same.
End the war.
As simple as that sound, it wasn't.
But having a genius as a master has it perks as coming up with plans to end a war is a very simple task for Yulius who has faced many wars in her pervious life. Not physical ones, but politics that require one to think as if they were in a physical battlefield.
Moreover, she's beyond a grandmaster in chess, so there's that.
Wars aren't won with just brute strength, but with intelligence and those who are willing to go above and beyond.
...