The empty halls of the manor were engulfed in shadows, the silence was drowning the whole estate putting it in a state of wrongness. Ever since its lady passed away four years ago, the manor has been showing its grief through hunted halls. Every sound was drowned in these walls, every dark deal was made safe within, and every safe corner started disappearing.
The manor was unsafe, villains were coming and going as they pleased, violence was ordinary, and death even more so...
After the murder of Lady Asami, the family was in chaos, of course, the eldest of the Fukumoto children took his sister's position making the headlines. Fukumoto Kenji appeared to everyone as the last standing pedestal of the Fukumoto enterprises, the only one capable of honoring the family's name and legacy, he was the rock of the family. But truly that was only the appearance he had staged of himself for the public eye, in reality, he held with an iron grip his family's members.
The youngest brother Kiyoshi was all but cut off, six months after his sister's death he too was found in his apartment, body already cold to the touch, eyes red and lips blue. His demise was known to the public, and in an effort to keep up appearances in the public eye, he died peacefully in his sleep from an epilepsy attack. The truth though was more complicated than that, the police told them he overdosed but Kurayami knew better, at the time when the walls of the manor couldn't keep secrets he overheard his uncle, appearances were everything for that greedy snake, so he cut off the family's embarrassment.
After his uncle's death, everything became too much for his grandmother, and she became depressed. How couldn't she? She lost her husband, four years later her daughter was murdered, and six months after that her youngest son also departed. Her depression slowly turned to sickness, and her movements became sluggish until she could no longer get up. She held on for three years because of her grandson, she protected him with the best of her capabilities, but even that wasn't enough...
It was never a secret that his uncle Kenji despised him, not long after his mother died Kurayami was pulled out of school, he was technically a prisoner in his own home. Never allowed to go out, always hidden. If it weren't for his grandmother he would have already forgotten his own name, as things were his uncle only used that horrible nickname Zaiaku, which he learned meant Sin. Things weren't so bad for the first two years, at that point the only education he got was from his grandmother and the manor's library, and he would always avoid his uncle and his hunting nicknames. Of course, that peace came to an abrupt stop when he turned six. It was the first time his uncle came looking for him, and the first time he was allowed outside after two years.
He took him to a warehouse where they met an old man with shoulder-length hair. Kurayami was certain he had seen the man before but he wasn't sure where exactly, or when. He could be one of the many business partners his uncle had. With them was also a beautiful dark-skinned woman with glowing red eyes.
"So, this is the boy?" the old man said eyeing him.
"Yes, we will be able to get our answers using his quirk," said his uncle, he kept himself quiet and tried not to move under the heavy gaze of the old man.
"Very well," said the old man, and turned around walking deeper into the warehouse expecting them to follow him. As they went deeper a suffocating smell invaded his senses, making his eyes water. The deeper they went the stronger it became, he looked at his uncle and their company who were seemingly unbothered by the scent. The pungent smell became so strong that it made him choke, he tried to keep his cough but eventually, it became too much, and his body trembled with the effort. The woman gave him a small handkerchief and told him to place it on his nose to block the scent. He did as he was told and he felt as if he could breathe a little bit better.
Eventually, they entered another room and the sight made his stomach roll, bile rising in his throat before forcing it back down. It wasn't the first time he saw a dead body, other than his mother he had seen his fair share of murders happen through shadowed corners back at the manor, but he had never seen so many bodies piled up before. Blood littered every corner of the room, more than a dozen bodies lay in a sea of blood and other bodily fluids, and in the middle of all this death a man strapped into a chair, glowing red letters of unknown origin running down his body.
"Kiyabu Hitoshi, Okada Shuji's right-hand man, and his most trusted ally. His quirk is called 'Psyche Ward' It allows him to protect his mind from any kind of Psychic attack, including mind reading, mind control, or even illusions. It's a semi-passive quirk and it's activated only when his mind is in danger of being invaded that's when the runes in his body start glowing unfortunately it can only be deactivated when the danger has passed" The old man told them.
"Not to mention that it's active even if he passes out, it's annoying" the woman grumbled with a sneer in her face.
"and that's where Zaiaku comes in," His uncle said with a frown on his face "However, how do you know that his quirk won't affect Simon's Quirk as well?"
"We don't and honestly I believe she won't be able to use her quirk on Kiyabu as long as Zaiaku touches him, however, it will take a few seconds for his quirk to re-activate and in that small window Simon will be able to use her quirk on him and extract information."
"it's worth a shot..." Kenji muttered, then turned to his nephew "Go on"
Kurayami eyed the man strapped in the chair, he had blood running down his face and he was gagged, he forced a small whimper down and took a hesitating step forward. The man for his part didn't stay still he struggled in the chair trying to break free of his bonds, succeeding only in wasting his energy as the bonds became even tighter.
"Wait..." the old man said, and Kurayami abruptly stopped, relaxing a little at the possible avoidance of his task. "take off his gag" He commanded and the woman immediately obeyed "Are you perhaps willing to talk now? make all our lives easier?"
"Fack off," Kiyabu said with a hoarse voice "It's not going to work, you're just wasting your efforts. Better just to shoot me and be done with it"
"Perhaps, but killing you now won't benefit me in any way. Put the gag back on, I don't want him biting the boy's fingers off, he's far too useful" Once again Kurayami felt shivers running along his spine, he wanted to turn around and run away, away from this horrid smell and away from this unholy sight, away from adults making him do whatever they want as if he was an obedient dog, but he knew running was impossible. He was surrounded by three adults, even if their quirks didn't work on him they still had the upper hand physically, and he would be forced back within seconds. Not to mention his grandmother, she was already sick if he were to leave her she would be devastated. "Go on boy, our time is limited" he swallowed hard at the old man's command but still did as he was told, the man with the runes shot him a deadly glare that almost made him freeze in his tracks, almost being the key word, he was far more afraid of his uncle than a stranger. Probably knowing his Uncle's capabilities, played a crucial role in his fears.
Lifting his small trembling hand he tried to touch the other man, inches away from his forehead the man started struggling again, this time harder than before. His mechanical binds got, even more, restring, to the point he could merely move his head. Kurayami took one more deep breath and reached for the other man again. Upon touching his forehead blue light emitted from the contact engulfing the other man and shutting his quirk down.
"Simon says to tell us everything about Okada's deal with the Koreans," The woman said the moment Kurayami retracted his hand from the man. He saw as the other man's eyes glowed the same ruby red as the woman's. She easily pulled the gag away from the man and he started to talk.
"The Koreans made a new drug, called Celestia it almost broke down Korea's hero industry, and now they sought entry into Japan's lucrative market. Since the boss is one of the biggest players and is well-versed in the country's intricate criminal networks he provides the Koreans with protection and a variety of buyers. In return, the Koreans will supply Okada with their new drug at a discount of 80% and will help him expand in the Korean underworld."
"In other words not only Okada gets a new, high-quality product but he also secured a very powerful ally, enhancing their influence in Japan but also expanding in Korea. In return, the Koreans expand in Japan but also get immense profits once integrated into Japan's drug scene" His uncle reccapt.
"How is the new drug different?"
"Celestis is a potent concoction that tinkers with the very essence of quirks, it's a gateway to augmented power. Upon ingestion, this enigmatic substance sparks a surge in one's quirk, catapulting it to unparalleled heights. It doesn't discriminate between quirks it works for all, Celestia douses it in a booster, amplifying its potential thrice fold. Not only that but it also replenishes Stamina, and enhances all the natural abilities"
"A drug this powerful has to have drawbacks... what are they?"
"For once is highly addictive, and once the surge fades, the body shuts down, depending on the doses of course, a big dose can be fatal, while a small dose is going to knock you out for hours, not only that but is also very hallucinogenic, distorting reality in horrifying ways, playing tricks on the mind long after the high dissipates."
"With a drug like this in his hands, Okada will be able to rule the black market, that is until the Koreans stop playing nice and take matters into their own hands eventually taking control of our market," The old man said, at this point, Kurayami was lost on their conversation, he didn't understand anything other than the Koreans are trying to start some sort of business in Japan. But was this so bad? After all, Grandma was Korean and didn't have any problem. She was very likable or so he was told.
"I'm not going to be able to hold back his quirk anymore," The woman said, once Kurayami turned his attention back on the strapped man he noticed the fading red glow of the runes in his skin. "The bastard has a pretty strong will"
"That's okay, we're done," the man said taking a few steps towards the man, before stopping in front of him. "Kenji, I believe it's time you started training the boy, his quirk is going to be very useful to us if today was any indication"
"We wouldn't be able to extract information from him otherwise" His uncle agreed "I'll start looking for the best trainers"
"No need, Simon will teach him." The old man casually said gesturing toward the woman whose expression could only be described as an upcoming headache "But today I'll also deliver a lesson, so look very carefully boy, and do not dare to close your eyes if you want to leave here unscathed." He said with a sharper tone.
"No please, anything but that" For the first time the other man's facade crumbled as he begged for mercy. "Just shoot me instead" His whole body visibly trembled, sweat running down his face as well as snot and tears.
"I see you're already aware of my quirk Corrosive Grasp... Why don't you tell our little friend here what it does" The old man said gesturing to Kurayami this time. "As I said today is his first lesson, and I wouldn't want to fall as an instructor. but do hurry up, we don't have all night"
"I-It's the p-p-power to d-d-dissolve matter u-upon physical co-contact." the man said with a trembling voice.
"Come on you can do better than that, we're trying to educate here"
"A-anything you touch wi-will be a-affected by a-an un-unsto-stoppable force a-as it gra-gradually di-disintegrates from in-inside out. N-not only th-that but it w-will continue even i-if the co-contact has b-been i-interrupted u-until no-nothing is left" By the end the man could barely talk.
"There, was that so hard now?" The old man told him with a sick grin on his face, Kuroyami was also ready to bolt, but if the man's threat was anything before it would only lead to unimaginable pain. So he forced his fear down and planted his feet, hoping the trembling would stop. "Did you understand boy?"
Kurayami flinched when he was referred to "Yes" he almost whispered, remembering at the last moment to make his voice louder.
"Be honest" The old man told him, his grin still on his face one of his eyebrows raised, and eyes filled with amusement.
"I don't know what disintegrates means"
"Always ask questions, it helps avoid mistakes. Kiyabu, why don't you explain it to the boy?"
"I-it me-means to b-break or deco-decompose into small p-parts, to co-complete de-destruction or dis-disappearance"
"Decompose means to break something down to the basic elements for organic matter such as humans it means to decay, decay basically means rot," The old man told him before he could ask "Kiyabu you're not a very good teacher using so hard words to explain things to a five-year-old" a minute pause before turning to Kurayami "You're five right?"
"Six... sir"
"Aaaa, such a respectful young man, certainly some of my guys can learn something from you" He turned back to the bound man "Well I think that was enough theory for today, I believe you would understand better if you see" At his words the man felt a raising wet spot between his legs as he lost control of his bladder. He trembled and tried to escape from his prison, which was becoming even more restrive almost choking him, though that might have been his goal, choking would be more merciful. The old man clicked his tongue on his teeth at the sight, making a disgusted expression. "Losing control of your bladder in front of a child, boy never follow his example always control your emotions, your facial expressions, and even your body language. Never give the enemy the satisfaction of seeing you scared. He's the perfect example of what not to do. Though I have to say, I'm impressed with your control so far"
"Thank you, sir" Kurayami forced the words out of his mouth, he had seen people get killed before, but not up from so close, he wanted to close his eyes and cover his ears, but he couldn't, instead he folded his hands on his chest and watched the poor man lose control of his body. He felt a strange kinship with the man he was bound to a chair but Kurayami was bound here with these people, he felt chained like a dog, forced to follow commands. Talk only when talked to, follow when told to... nullify when told to.
"You're going to be such a good student," The old man said, and then without a warning, he grabbed the man's face, his screams filled the room, they were deafening and heart-wrenching, Kurayami saw the man's face slowly and ever so painfully withered away to nothing, his screams though remained behind as if they were an echo from his pain. Kurayami felt tears running down his face, but he still kept his eyes open, even as bile rose up his throat until he couldn't force it back down again and wrenched. "You kept your eyes open, congrats, unfortunately, you did throw up, not unexpected but still, I'll have to punish you, this reaction can not be allowed to happen again," the old man said as he grabbed his chin forcing to look up at him, "I really don't want to do this but it's the only way to learn" he took the handkerchief from his small hand and slowly cleaned his face, once done he left the small piece of fabric fall down inside the sea of blood dyeing it red. He took his small hand to his, "Tell me do you understand why you're being punished?"
"Be-because I through up" He said losing for a second his voice.
"No, Zaiaku, because you showed weakness, and weakness has to be..." he took his ring finger in his hand, the crunch was almost as deafening as the screams, he couldn't hold back and cried in pain. "Punished".
That was his first lesson in the Maffia and his first punishment, he was smart and a fast learner, but that night he still left the warehouse with all his fingers in his right hand broken. It took him four fingers to stop crying in pain with each crunch. That night he also had to figure out how to treat broken bones, as the old man - Ito-Sensei, is what he asked Kurayami to call him- told him it was his homework for tomorrow.
Things only got worse after that night.