Far inside the capital city ..
The streets pulsed with the last echoes of the night's revelry. Red lanterns swayed gently, their soft glow casting flickering patterns on the rain-slick cobblestones. The briny scent of the sea mixed with the lingering aroma of incense and sake, a heady perfume that clung to the night air.
Two seaport officials staggered away from the brothel, their steps uneven, their breath heavy with the scent of cheap liquor and bad decisions.
"Ugh, why should we even bother with a reply?" one of them muttered, rubbing his temples as if warding off an impending headache. "It's not like he pays us any better than the others. Just forget about him."
His companion frowned, shaking his head. "I know… but this is Fuyu we're talking about. You do realize he helped us with that little favor last time, right? We owe him." His voice dipped lower, the weight of unspoken debts pressing against the night. "And you know how unpredictable he can be."
The first official scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "Hah, just forget about him. But something else has been bothering me… the ship. Who does it really belong to?"
The second man hesitated, his drunken haze momentarily clearing as he furrowed his brow. "Beats me. We have no information on who owns it, or what its purpose is." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Someone must've been paid a fortune to keep it under wraps. Whatever it is, it's out of our pay grade."
A cold breeze slithered through the alley, causing both men to shiver. The first man chuckled darkly. "Hah… Fuyu's not gonna be happy, then."
"He can go to hell for all I care," the second official muttered, hiccupping slightly.
They turned onto a quieter street, the noise of the brothel fading behind them. The path was deserted, lined with wooden buildings whose paper windows glowed faintly from within. The ocean lapped softly in the distance, the only other sound the rhythmic tapping of their sandals against the damp stone.
Then… a shift.
A presence.
They froze mid-step.
The first official's eyes darted to his companion, a sober realization dawning in his expression. "…Someone's been following us."
The second official clenched his fists, irritation clouding his intoxicated state. "Tch. They better not be, or I'm gonna deal with them right now."
Slowly, they turned.
A figure emerged from the shadows, stepping into the faint glow of a distant lantern. The dim light revealed a slender form clad in black, her presence as silent as death itself.
She smiled—a slow, venomous curl of the lips.
"Hello, boys. Care to die quickly… and painfully?"
The seaport officials barely had time to react.
With a flick of her wrist, a serpentine aura slithered from her form, coiling through the air like a viper striking its prey. A sickly green glow illuminated the alley for a heartbeat before a wave of toxic fumes erupted from her outstretched palm.
The attack was instantaneous.
The vapor twisted and spiraled, swallowing the two men whole before they could even scream. Their bodies convulsed as the venom seeped into their flesh, corroding skin, dissolving muscle, melting bone.
By the time they hit the ground—if one could call what remained of them 'bodies'—they were nothing but a putrid smear of decayed organs and liquefied flesh. The stench of burnt marrow and acid filled the night air.
The figure stepped forward, surveying her handiwork with cold, detached precision.
The serpent had fed.
Poison, the mercenary, adjusted her gloves before turning on her heel, disappearing into the darkness.
She had a report to make. The boss said no snooping around, she had done just that.
... Elsewhere (Sakai Port)...
The moonlight shimmered over the restless sea, casting silver ripples across the waves as they lapped gently against the wooden docks.
The night was cool, crisp—carrying the faint scent of salt and fish through the air. Toni stood at the edge of the harbor, hands tucked into the sleeves of his kimono, his sharp gaze fixed on the vast open waters before him.
There was a stillness in the air. A moment of quiet before the storm.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Toni did not turn. He already knew who it was.
Kento, Payne, and Katsuo emerged from the darkness, moving with quiet purpose. Their expressions were unreadable, masks of discipline honed through years of experience.
Katsuo was the first to speak, his voice low. "It's been taken care of."
Toni let out a small scoff, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He finally turned, meeting their gazes.
"Excellent." His tone was smooth, laced with quiet satisfaction. He folded his arms, casting a glance over each of them. "It's time we set our plans into motion. Payne, send the invites. Kento, you know what to do. Katsuo, find the soldiers."
Without hesitation, the three men nodded. Each had their role. Each knew their task required flawless execution.
As they turned to leave, Kento hesitated, glancing back.
"What about you, Toni?" he asked.
The smirk on Toni's face widened into a full grin, one that carried an unsettling confidence. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous, something inevitable.
"Me?" He let out a soft chuckle.
"I'm going to pay an old friend a visit."
His words drifted into the night air, mingling with the sound of the waves. The storm was coming.