Chapter 9: Chapter 9: The Meeting with the CCG Part 1
I tightened the white cloth wrapped around my arms pulling it snug against my skin and checked myself in the mirror. While I didn't particularly care about appearances, I always ensured that no scars were visible on the parts of my body seen by the public or children. It was a way to project strength and reassurance. That said, I had to admit I looked good. 'Renji's going to lose it when he realizes I had tailors make me a high end black tank top and hakama pants.' I thought, smirking slightly at the image of his exasperated expression.
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Shrugging off the thought I descended the stairs from my room above the bar. Scratching my chin, I surveyed the group waiting for me below. Four figures including Renji and Himari were seated at the bar. "About time you-Holy shit, you're more jacked than I thought!" Himari exclaimed loudly, her eyes practically bulging out of her head.
Renji sitting nearby, turned from his conversation to glance at me. His raised eyebrow quickly turned into a disapproving frown. "You're joking, right?"
I slowly held up my bandage wrapped arms. Renji groaned, rubbing his face. "I can't believe you paid professional tailors to make you a tank top and some cloth. Just—fuck my life."
I shrugged, walking over to the bar. The other two ghouls in the group, both unfamiliar to medidn't bother introducing themselves. I didn't mind. My attention shifted back to Renji, who for some reason was staring at my chest. His eyes lingered on the tattoo I'd had since I was a kid. Noticing my gaze, he shook himself out of it and raised an arm to show me his own tattoo.
"I saw the same symbol that's on your arm at the Ramen place you took me a few days ago, figured it would be our Yakuza's logo. Seems I was right."
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I nodded with a slight smile, only for Himari to pipe up. "Huh, so you two are a thing?"
Renji's head snapped toward her so fast I thought he might break his neck. "No! Absolutely not! We're not a thing! Takeshi-san is one of the founding members of the Higashiyama Yakuza. I just have a lot of respect for him. That's all!"
Snorting at his flustered response, I grabbed a bottle of whiskey from the counter. Himari chuckled. "Sure~ Whatever you say, Boss. No romantic feelings for the walking brick wall, huh?"
Renji sighed heavily, clearly deciding to ignore her. He turned to me, his tone serious. "Takeshi-san, we're ready to move."
I downed the whiskey in one go and gave him a nod. Renji stood and clapped his hands drawing the group's attention. "Listen up. Tonight's a big deal. We're meeting with potential enemies or allies. The Commission of Counter Ghoul—"
"Can we kill them if they attack us?" one of the ghouls asked, their black and red eyes flaring to life.
Himari stiffened beside me, but I placed a hand on her head, disrupting her rising anger as she grew confused. Renji answered before she said anything. "If they attack first, yes. But only if either Lieutenant Katsuragi-san or I give the signal. Understood?"
The ghoul's gaze shifted to me, and I hardened my expression crossing my arms. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded reluctantly. I made a mental note to keep an eye on him. Renji clapped his hands again, his voice firm. "If there are no more questions, we're moving out."
No one spoke and with that, I led the group out of the bar.
~Himari POV~
I clenched my fists tightly as we walked. The thought of being so close to the human who destroyed my life set my nerves on edge. 'Don't worry. Soon, I'll avenge you.' Images of my little brother's smiling face filled my mind before I pushed them away. My focus shifted to the so-called boss of the Higashiyama Yakuza, Takahara Renji. Most thought of him as nothing more than a puppet for the real leader, Katsuragi Takeshi.
Katsuragi Takeshi was a giant in every sense. His raw physical power made him seem almost otherworldly. Watching him fight a ghoul was like witnessing a natural disaster. He didn't rely on technique, just brute strength.
"You alright, Kanzaki-san?" Renji's voice snapped me from my thoughts. His green eyes were sharp, and I responded with a teasing tone. "What? Missing your not-boyfriend already?"
Renji sighed. "If this were a normal Yakuza, I'd have your finger for disrespect, Kanzaki-san."
I smirked, letting my Rinkaku emerge slightly. "Yeah? Wanna tr—"
Renji cut me off. "This isn't a normal Yakuza though."
I blinked while retracting my Rinkaku as he continued, his gaze fixed on Katsuragi's back. "This might look like a Yakuza from the outside, but it's also a family. We share our burdens here."
His tired sigh caught me off guard. "I'm not as strong as Takeshi-san, nor do I have his presence. But tonight, I'll show you I was decided to be the Boss."
He glanced down at me, his determination shining through and for a brief moment, I felt something stir. I quickly buried the feeling. 'Not happening, I'm not easy.'
"Sorry, Boss. I'll wait for your signal~" I said. He raised an eyebrow but let it slide, turning back to focus on the path ahead.
'Soon, Mado Kureo. Soon, I'll rip your head off and parade it around Kyoto.'
~Renji's POV~
'I need better pep talks.' I thought, noticing Kanzaki grit her teeth again. Shaking my head, I focused on Takeshi's back. The tattoos there caught my attention now that they were exposed. But it wasn't the massive oni or the dragon on his arm that caught most of my attention, but the kanji on his left trap "Destroy."
'I'll have to ask about that.'
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As entered the warehouse, I spotted the group of investigators waiting for us. My frown deepened as I counted more than expected. 'Good thing we brought backup.' Takeshi's imposing figure drew their attention immediately, his presence like a thundercloud waiting to break.
~Takeshi's POV~
I scanned the investigators. One stood out, a man shorter than me by a few inches, with a briefcase in hand. 'Quinques.' I thought grimly. My gut twisted at the thought of weapons made from the dead.
Another investigator caught my eye, a pale white haired figure with red stitches running along their body. 'Child or adult?' My instincts urged me to be cautious yet protective.
"Wow! You're so tall!~" the figure said with an odd cheerfulness.
I blinked. 'This is going to be a long night.'