Will still go down that path?
**
Confirming that the TV cameras got a clear picture of Mark Gordon dressed as Slipknot, He threw the body into the Hudson River.
He undid his transformation and opened a communication line.
[Niina, are you in the submarine now? I’ve thrown Mark Gordon’s body in the river. Recover it immediately. Don’t forget to put the corpse on a preservation capsule.]
< ‘Derstood Senpai. But, as expected of you Senpai. I was shocked when I saw that scene. No matter how you looked at it, you were the bona fide devil. >
Niina quickly responded to his orders. There was still a purpose to be served for Mark’s dead body. They needed to freeze it before it starts decomposing. Niina easily solved this problem by reacting quickly and recovering the body.
[I see, so that’s what you’re planning.]
Slipknot, who was in Sonic Youth’s armor talked lightly of their procedure.
[Yeah, that’s how it is. If you’re done, get moving. Don’t you get captured by Crimson now]
[Are you kidding me? You already told me the weak-spots of Crimson’s entrapment. There’s no way they can catch me.]
Neito already tasked his men to surround the area near the bridge in case something happened. But with his information, Slipknot should be able to pass through easily.
[Well, off I go then. Bye-]
Activating the Sonic Rollers, he began his escape. He can’t do fancy maneuvers like the real Sonic Youth, but running in a straight line should pose no problems.
After seeing that Slipknot left, Neito once again opened a line to communicate.
[Sonic Youth escaped… Sorry, but I can’t go after him with the injuries I sustained from the battle with Slipknot. We already have him surrounded, capture him at all cost!]
With that order, every subordinate under him started moving.
He already knew what would happen. They can never catch “Sonic Youth”. Slipknot was already aware of the route where security was its weakest. And it was Slipknot inside that “Sonic Youth”, if anybody got in his way, they’ll surely be killed.
[… It’s my win…]
He jumped into the river, making a successful escape.
“The foreigner from Metallica, Komori Neito, had prevented Crimson from self-destruction. Waging his life in the battle between the top two heroes of the Rocks Organization, Slipknot and Sonic Youth, he managed to defeat the hero “Slipknot” with the latter escaping for his life. With confusion, the remaining Guardians that surrounded the bridge, let him escape with no effort.”
No doubt that’s what the media (or the people) would write about in the future.
With the help of Niina, he managed to escape safely into allied territory. After that, he was rushed to the hospital to receive treatment and went home. It was a critical moment for Crimson, but since he already did enough, he wasn’t added in the plan to capture “Sonic Youth”.
Returning to his penthouse, he waited for news on the entrapment operation. Soon, everything will be settled.
He sat down on his sofa, folded his arms and stared blankly into space.
The rain was pouring outside, beating against his windows.
An hour passed until he got a report.
There was no need to know the contents of the message. He already predicted “Sonic Youth got away” even beforehand.
No problems occurred. This is good. At this moment, “Sonic Youth”, no Slipknot should be heading towards Mr. Big’s location.
He couldn’t bring himself to sleep. And he wasn’t in the mood to celebrate just yet. He was just sitting on the sofa, staring blankly into space.
Time passed and he still couldn’t sleep. His body was beaten all over, but he wasn’t in the mood to go and sleep on his bed.
That moment,
He received a call. It wasn’t just a regular call. It was connected to his direct line, a line only a single person had access to.
[… It’s here huh?]
There was nobody else who had access to this line except Slipknot.
Neito picked up and answered the call.
[… Yes?]
No doubt he was there to report on the completion of his task. That’s what he thought, but the caller wasn’t him.
[Hey there Nate! It has been a long time!]
[… ! Mr… Big!?]
His caller was the founder of Crimson and Anice’s father. The person he wanted killed. It was really a long time since they spoke. The last time they spoke to each other was when Mr. Big visited him after the battle with Slipknot.
Neito reminisced that past.
**
[I’m sorry Mr. Big, but you’re going to have to come with me.]
Neito started his plans when Mr. Big visited him the second time.
He had already prepared beforehand. That night after the battle, He got in contact with Slipknot. Slipknot’s objective was the top brass and Mr. Big of Crimson. If that was the case, there was an agreement to be made between them.
{Hey Slipknot, you’re having a hard time killing Mr. Big by yourself. Am I right?}
Mr. Big always prepared himself and took precaution to avoid being sniped from a long distance. The reason why Slipknot kept killing Crimson personnel was to get information and set up ahead before Mr. Big sets up his own preventive measures.
{I’ll help you assassinate him. I’ll kidnap him and tell you his location after everything is done.}
Mr. Big didn’t leave anything to chance. He might know that Neito wanted to take over the company but not enough to kill him with his own hands. He might be a modified human, but he risked too much if he killed him himself. In a few hours, Crimson would be chasing after him.
{These are my conditions for our trade. I will kidnap Mr. Big and let him be killed by you. You will start cooperating with Sonic Youth and find the right moment to kill him. Of course you’ll act first, after I confirmed it with my own eyes, I’ll start moving too.}
Putting it simply, anybody that kills Mr. Big is going to have the whole Crimson Organization after his head. If Neito did it, it would be as Mr. Big predicted. He’ll die like a bug being squashed.
Then the solution was simple. Frame it someone other than yourself.
{You won’t have any demerits from this, nor do I have any reason to lie to you. You know that yourself.}
Their objectives aligned so they decided to work together.
As He heard on the news that Slipknot started working together with Sonic Youth, He made his move on Mr. Big on his next visit.
He removed the bothersome personnel and “made them disappeared” (referring to the Top Brass always with Mr. Big). It was his own fault for visiting him without any escorts.
“You’re coming with me”, as he said those words, Mr. Big asked him a few questions.
[What if… I said “No”?]
[… Then I’ll be using force, if it comes to it.]
Both of them were talking silently on the hospital’s corridors. It was like they were plotting something mischievous.
{I see. Then you are saying that you have found a way to dispose of me without making an enemy of Crimson, and enable you to take over my company? Is that right?}
{Yes… this isn’t like you to be caught off guard Mr. Big.}
To Mr. Big, he thought Neito was in no condition to fight and bring him down. But with his exceptionally high decision making skill, he determined otherwise.
{Caught off guard? No, if you were such a capable person, there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s all there is.}
{… What do you mean? Does that mean you gave up on fighting back?}
Mr. Big moved his head left and right.
{No, I told you before, I’ve done some horrible things in my life. I was already prepared for something like this to happen. If there was somebody who would bring me down, it’s for the best that you are the one to do it.}
Neito didn’t understand him.
{Why? Then are you saying that you already anticipated that I would do something like this?]
{If you go down the current path you are on, you’ll understand soon enough. No, I hope that day never comes for you.}
And like that, Mr. Big was kidnapped by Neito.
**
That Mr. Big was now about to be executed by Slipknot in his safe house. That someone, had made a call to him.
Neito faltered at this unexpected call.
Mr. Big was talking light-heartedly as he usually does.
[Yes, I’ve made a requested to Slipknot. I’m currently asking a favor from him. Yes, I found out who he is… It turns out he was someone I knew from a long time ago… There’s nothing I can do if he kills me. But he was willing to listen to my last request. Aah, he’s here pointing a gun at me.]
Mr. Big was about to die. There was nothing that could prevent this. Neito was mystified because there was no trace of fear in his voice. His voice was philosophical in his last moments.
[Nate, I have to say my thanks to you. The safe house you prepared for me was perfect. The cigars and sake were all good. I’m thankful for your hospitality.]
Giving out his thanks in his current situation, no normal person could do such thing. Neito’s hands that held the communication device started sweating.
[… Are you not afraid of dying?]
He unconsciously asked him. He regretted asking. He had no right to listen to his answer.
[Not at all. I am afraid of dying. Of course, I don’t bear a grudge against you. But… let me see, I’m just tired of being evil, you see?]
Hearing Mr. Big’s shaky voice, he didn’t contemplate his decision to kill him. He was just sad for such a thing was needed to happen.
[I don’t regret my actions that led me to this situation. I was already prepared beforehand.]
[… I’m also prepared.]
They were the same. Their resolve was absolute.
[Are you familiar with the words “Those who lost are always evil” Nate?]
He knew those words all too well. It was used to describe the nature of evil.
Neito replied,
[Yes… but also in the same way, “The winner is always right”]
If “the winner is always right”, then “the loser is always evil” would be an indirect implication…
[Hahaha- Don’t kid yourself, you don’t believe in those words no more than I do.]
Mr. Big laughed off Neito’s notion but it was still as he said, the winner is always “right” and represented justice, while the losing side will be branded as “wrong” and deemed evil. That may have been the truth, but to Neito, justice and evil were two different things. Evil is evil, whether you win or lose. What’s deemed as evil, will be branded as evil in its most basic form.
[I’m sorry, let’s get back to topic. Evil always falls. I think that is the truth, looking at my situation, don’t you agree?]
Mr. Big’s words were undeniable. If you lose, you’re branded evil, if you win, you are branded right and represent justice. In that higher form of thoughts, Mr. Big implied such things.
[… What do you mean?]
[It’s simple, evil, will never be recognized by the world. That’s why the path you’re going down is treacherous and uncertain. Be it justice or another stronger force of evil, you’ll be defeated just like me right now. Those who wish to redeem themselves and go after you will do it in the name of “justice”.]
Mr. Big’s words were heavy. Neito related with the words so much that it hurt. “A treacherous and uncertain path”, he knew it all too well. He felt the weight of those words on his shoulders.
Mr. Big has been a villain for a far longer period of time than Neito, no doubt his words rang true.
Conquerors from the past that are recorded on textbooks are different. On those times, the sense of value was different from the modern age. Their cause was justified because they did it for the people, for their country. They were never branded “Evil” for their hideous actions.
Among the conquerors of the past, even in the name of justice, nobody was able to conquer the whole world even if they branded themselves “right”. How much more if the individual was evil?
[… I understand.]
Neito stood up from the sofa and strengthen his resolve.
[Listen to me Nate, the path you are on, even famous personages from the past, never reached the end of it. No matter how much they tried, they still couldn’t achieve what they wanted.]
Neito finally understood what Mr. Big was trying to tell him. After his many years being a villain, this was what he noticed and learned from his experiences.
He was trying to pass on the lesson he learned to the man who defeated him.
Don’t cry. I can’t cry. I can’t shed a tear for him.
[Will you still go down that path?]
Mr. Big wasn’t just implying on how Neito fought his battles. He was talking about his will to change the world and the world he was going to create.
All the things he said was for him to ask this question.
Neito tried to suppress the various feelings coming out from him. Time passed by silently, and Mr. Big was waiting for Neito’s reply.
It was as Mr. Big said, he slowly realized what he going up against. The he was on was an impregnable path.
He always ran down this path. Ran since the beginning. Destroying many things and injuring many people, he kept running down that path.
He already knew his answer. There was no way he would falter right now.
[Yes, I won’t lose. I’ll go down this path until the end.]
Neito answered strongly and as firm as possible.
Mr. Big gave out a small laugh. Somewhere in his voice, there was a sense of satisfaction from hearing his answer.
Without any hesitation, he asked,
[Fu- I see. If I get defeated (killed) here then there’s nothing I can do about it. Aah, I have a final request of you…]
Suppressing his emotions, Neito replied,
[Anything that’s within my power.]
[Will you keep it a secret from Anice that you defeated (killed) me?]
It was an unusual request.
[But that would…]
After committing such crime against her, there was no way he could accept her feelings from now on. He planned on telling Anice that he killed her father after the battle.
[I’ll leave my daughter in your hands. You have your own goals, and maybe you already have someone you like, if that’s the case then I’ll bear a grudge on you, but I want to save my cute daughter from the pain of knowing her first love was the man that killed her father. That’s all there is. You should bear her pain on your shoulders, am I right?]
Mr. Big was still mischievous on his words, but the content of his request was heavy.
He already knew this himself. The reason why he wanted to confess his crime to Anice was because he wanted to redeem and assure himself. Losing her father and having her heart broken by the man she loved, thinking about her feelings, Mr. Big’s words were right. He needed to bear his sins on his shoulders rather than confessing and getting over it.
[I understand… until the time comes when she is ready to hear the truth, I will keep it a secret.]
Hearing Neito’s words, Mr. Big laughed again.
[Thank you Nate. Then this is it.]
This was their last conversation. Neito replied with a smile and a shaky voice.
[Yes. The melon… was really good. Thank you. Very much.]
Before the call ended, he heard the sound of Sonic Rollers revving up and the sound of a gunshot. After that, the call ended.
It’s over.
It was all over.
That man was dead.
Putting down his communication device, Neito went out into the balcony. It was still raining, that’s why he went out.
Out in the pouring rain, Neito stood there getting wet. His head, his face and his body were all wet.
If anybody saw him right now they won’t notice.
That’s why he was there, just standing amidst the rain.
**
The next day, Mr. Big, Crimson’s Boss’ body was found. There was a wound on his neck, and it was identified that the Sonic Rollers caused it.
There was nobody else they could blame it on.
Sonic Youth was missing ever since the fight on the Washington Bridge ended. It was ruled out that Sonic Youth found Mr. Big and killed him. As a result it was a war between Crimson and Slipknot (dressed as Sonic Youth).
**
In the end, Crimson ruled out that it was the top two heroes from the Rocks Organization that confined Mr. Big.
After Mr. Big’s funeral, his executives were in a state of distress. Of course, this was obvious since their charismatic boss passed away. With their failure of capturing Sonic Youth, each executive blamed each other for the situation they were in. The Organization was falling apart.
The underground society also didn’t stay quiet. With the top underground organization weakened, each organization stared moving to attack and take away Crimson’s territory. The executive staff were at a lost to what to do to save their crumbling organization. There was just nobody from the executives that could lead them.
Amidst that confusion, a man stood out. Bearing the scars of his battle yesterday alongside with his spectacular victory, he scolded the executive staff.
The man proclaimed unto Crimson.
“We must take revenge. That’s the rule of the family.
Mr. Big left his will onto me and I will answer to it.
Are you okay with it? Are you going to be an Organization that keeps quiet after your Boss got killed? You’ll lose your position in the underground society.
Stand and fight. Stand up and fight. There is no one else left to protect Mr. Big’s legacy but me. We may change, but Mr. Big’s legacy will live on. “
There were some skeptical about this foreigner but this man was willing to risk his life to extract revenge on Sonic Youth. If he failed, he promised to commit seppuku.
Taking command of Crimson’s forces, and heading out himself, he gathered information to locate the missing Sonic Youth. The following day, he brought with him the dead body of Mark Gordon.
As he had proclaimed, he extracted revenge for Mr. Big. There was no one who doubted him now.
At that moment, the first candidate to succeed Mr. Big was that man.
He managed to defeat the top two heroes of the Rocks Organization, gained favor from the former boss’ daughter and had connections with the Evil Organization Metallica.
He was an irreplaceable figure inside Crimson after Mr. Big’s death.
Of course, there were some who doubted the flow of this scenario. If this was already planned beforehand, then that makes the man on top scarier. He would have transcended man, having the power of a demon while having the sly mind of a devil.
There was nobody that could oppose him.
There was nobody else that could lead and rebuild the weakened Crimson.
In order for Mr. Big’s legacy, Crimson, to grow stronger, they needed to forge stronger ties with Metallica, and were in a substantial form to merge with them. It was now necessary for the Boss of Crimson to someone from Metallica.
This is how the great worldwide Evil Organization, Crimson and Metallica, with the help of a man taking control, got stronger.
That man’s name was Komori Neito.
Will still go down that path?
**
Confirming that the TV cameras got a clear picture of Mark Gordon dressed as Slipknot, He threw the body into the Hudson River.
He undid his transformation and opened a communication line.
[Niina, are you in the submarine now? I’ve thrown Mark Gordon’s body in the river. Recover it immediately. Don’t forget to put the corpse on a preservation capsule.]
< ‘Derstood Senpai. But, as expected of you Senpai. I was shocked when I saw that scene. No matter how you looked at it, you were the bona fide devil. >
Niina quickly responded to his orders. There was still a purpose to be served for Mark’s dead body. They needed to freeze it before it starts decomposing. Niina easily solved this problem by reacting quickly and recovering the body.
[I see, so that’s what you’re planning.]
Slipknot, who was in Sonic Youth’s armor talked lightly of their procedure.
[Yeah, that’s how it is. If you’re done, get moving. Don’t you get captured by Crimson now]
[Are you kidding me? You already told me the weak-spots of Crimson’s entrapment. There’s no way they can catch me.]
Neito already tasked his men to surround the area near the bridge in case something happened. But with his information, Slipknot should be able to pass through easily.
[Well, off I go then. Bye-]
Activating the Sonic Rollers, he began his escape. He can’t do fancy maneuvers like the real Sonic Youth, but running in a straight line should pose no problems.
After seeing that Slipknot left, Neito once again opened a line to communicate.
[Sonic Youth escaped… Sorry, but I can’t go after him with the injuries I sustained from the battle with Slipknot. We already have him surrounded, capture him at all cost!]
With that order, every subordinate under him started moving.
He already knew what would happen. They can never catch “Sonic Youth”. Slipknot was already aware of the route where security was its weakest. And it was Slipknot inside that “Sonic Youth”, if anybody got in his way, they’ll surely be killed.
[… It’s my win…]
He jumped into the river, making a successful escape.
“The foreigner from Metallica, Komori Neito, had prevented Crimson from self-destruction. Waging his life in the battle between the top two heroes of the Rocks Organization, Slipknot and Sonic Youth, he managed to defeat the hero “Slipknot” with the latter escaping for his life. With confusion, the remaining Guardians that surrounded the bridge, let him escape with no effort.”
No doubt that’s what the media (or the people) would write about in the future.
With the help of Niina, he managed to escape safely into allied territory. After that, he was rushed to the hospital to receive treatment and went home. It was a critical moment for Crimson, but since he already did enough, he wasn’t added in the plan to capture “Sonic Youth”.
Returning to his penthouse, he waited for news on the entrapment operation. Soon, everything will be settled.
He sat down on his sofa, folded his arms and stared blankly into space.
The rain was pouring outside, beating against his windows.
An hour passed until he got a report.
There was no need to know the contents of the message. He already predicted “Sonic Youth got away” even beforehand.
No problems occurred. This is good. At this moment, “Sonic Youth”, no Slipknot should be heading towards Mr. Big’s location.
He couldn’t bring himself to sleep. And he wasn’t in the mood to celebrate just yet. He was just sitting on the sofa, staring blankly into space.
Time passed and he still couldn’t sleep. His body was beaten all over, but he wasn’t in the mood to go and sleep on his bed.
That moment,
He received a call. It wasn’t just a regular call. It was connected to his direct line, a line only a single person had access to.
[… It’s here huh?]
There was nobody else who had access to this line except Slipknot.
Neito picked up and answered the call.
[… Yes?]
No doubt he was there to report on the completion of his task. That’s what he thought, but the caller wasn’t him.
[Hey there Nate! It has been a long time!]
[… ! Mr… Big!?]
His caller was the founder of Crimson and Anice’s father. The person he wanted killed. It was really a long time since they spoke. The last time they spoke to each other was when Mr. Big visited him after the battle with Slipknot.
Neito reminisced that past.
**
[I’m sorry Mr. Big, but you’re going to have to come with me.]
Neito started his plans when Mr. Big visited him the second time.
He had already prepared beforehand. That night after the battle, He got in contact with Slipknot. Slipknot’s objective was the top brass and Mr. Big of Crimson. If that was the case, there was an agreement to be made between them.
{Hey Slipknot, you’re having a hard time killing Mr. Big by yourself. Am I right?}
Mr. Big always prepared himself and took precaution to avoid being sniped from a long distance. The reason why Slipknot kept killing Crimson personnel was to get information and set up ahead before Mr. Big sets up his own preventive measures.
{I’ll help you assassinate him. I’ll kidnap him and tell you his location after everything is done.}
Mr. Big didn’t leave anything to chance. He might know that Neito wanted to take over the company but not enough to kill him with his own hands. He might be a modified human, but he risked too much if he killed him himself. In a few hours, Crimson would be chasing after him.
{These are my conditions for our trade. I will kidnap Mr. Big and let him be killed by you. You will start cooperating with Sonic Youth and find the right moment to kill him. Of course you’ll act first, after I confirmed it with my own eyes, I’ll start moving too.}
Putting it simply, anybody that kills Mr. Big is going to have the whole Crimson Organization after his head. If Neito did it, it would be as Mr. Big predicted. He’ll die like a bug being squashed.
Then the solution was simple. Frame it someone other than yourself.
{You won’t have any demerits from this, nor do I have any reason to lie to you. You know that yourself.}
Their objectives aligned so they decided to work together.
As He heard on the news that Slipknot started working together with Sonic Youth, He made his move on Mr. Big on his next visit.
He removed the bothersome personnel and “made them disappeared” (referring to the Top Brass always with Mr. Big). It was his own fault for visiting him without any escorts.
“You’re coming with me”, as he said those words, Mr. Big asked him a few questions.
[What if… I said “No”?]
[… Then I’ll be using force, if it comes to it.]
Both of them were talking silently on the hospital’s corridors. It was like they were plotting something mischievous.
{I see. Then you are saying that you have found a way to dispose of me without making an enemy of Crimson, and enable you to take over my company? Is that right?}
{Yes… this isn’t like you to be caught off guard Mr. Big.}
To Mr. Big, he thought Neito was in no condition to fight and bring him down. But with his exceptionally high decision making skill, he determined otherwise.
{Caught off guard? No, if you were such a capable person, there’s nothing I can do about it. That’s all there is.}
{… What do you mean? Does that mean you gave up on fighting back?}
Mr. Big moved his head left and right.
{No, I told you before, I’ve done some horrible things in my life. I was already prepared for something like this to happen. If there was somebody who would bring me down, it’s for the best that you are the one to do it.}
Neito didn’t understand him.
{Why? Then are you saying that you already anticipated that I would do something like this?]
{If you go down the current path you are on, you’ll understand soon enough. No, I hope that day never comes for you.}
And like that, Mr. Big was kidnapped by Neito.
**
That Mr. Big was now about to be executed by Slipknot in his safe house. That someone, had made a call to him.
Neito faltered at this unexpected call.
Mr. Big was talking light-heartedly as he usually does.
[Yes, I’ve made a requested to Slipknot. I’m currently asking a favor from him. Yes, I found out who he is… It turns out he was someone I knew from a long time ago… There’s nothing I can do if he kills me. But he was willing to listen to my last request. Aah, he’s here pointing a gun at me.]
Mr. Big was about to die. There was nothing that could prevent this. Neito was mystified because there was no trace of fear in his voice. His voice was philosophical in his last moments.
[Nate, I have to say my thanks to you. The safe house you prepared for me was perfect. The cigars and sake were all good. I’m thankful for your hospitality.]
Giving out his thanks in his current situation, no normal person could do such thing. Neito’s hands that held the communication device started sweating.
[… Are you not afraid of dying?]
He unconsciously asked him. He regretted asking. He had no right to listen to his answer.
[Not at all. I am afraid of dying. Of course, I don’t bear a grudge against you. But… let me see, I’m just tired of being evil, you see?]
Hearing Mr. Big’s shaky voice, he didn’t contemplate his decision to kill him. He was just sad for such a thing was needed to happen.
[I don’t regret my actions that led me to this situation. I was already prepared beforehand.]
[… I’m also prepared.]
They were the same. Their resolve was absolute.
[Are you familiar with the words “Those who lost are always evil” Nate?]
He knew those words all too well. It was used to describe the nature of evil.
Neito replied,
[Yes… but also in the same way, “The winner is always right”]
If “the winner is always right”, then “the loser is always evil” would be an indirect implication…
[Hahaha- Don’t kid yourself, you don’t believe in those words no more than I do.]
Mr. Big laughed off Neito’s notion but it was still as he said, the winner is always “right” and represented justice, while the losing side will be branded as “wrong” and deemed evil. That may have been the truth, but to Neito, justice and evil were two different things. Evil is evil, whether you win or lose. What’s deemed as evil, will be branded as evil in its most basic form.
[I’m sorry, let’s get back to topic. Evil always falls. I think that is the truth, looking at my situation, don’t you agree?]
Mr. Big’s words were undeniable. If you lose, you’re branded evil, if you win, you are branded right and represent justice. In that higher form of thoughts, Mr. Big implied such things.
[… What do you mean?]
[It’s simple, evil, will never be recognized by the world. That’s why the path you’re going down is treacherous and uncertain. Be it justice or another stronger force of evil, you’ll be defeated just like me right now. Those who wish to redeem themselves and go after you will do it in the name of “justice”.]
Mr. Big’s words were heavy. Neito related with the words so much that it hurt. “A treacherous and uncertain path”, he knew it all too well. He felt the weight of those words on his shoulders.
Mr. Big has been a villain for a far longer period of time than Neito, no doubt his words rang true.
Conquerors from the past that are recorded on textbooks are different. On those times, the sense of value was different from the modern age. Their cause was justified because they did it for the people, for their country. They were never branded “Evil” for their hideous actions.
Among the conquerors of the past, even in the name of justice, nobody was able to conquer the whole world even if they branded themselves “right”. How much more if the individual was evil?
[… I understand.]
Neito stood up from the sofa and strengthen his resolve.
[Listen to me Nate, the path you are on, even famous personages from the past, never reached the end of it. No matter how much they tried, they still couldn’t achieve what they wanted.]
Neito finally understood what Mr. Big was trying to tell him. After his many years being a villain, this was what he noticed and learned from his experiences.
He was trying to pass on the lesson he learned to the man who defeated him.
Don’t cry. I can’t cry. I can’t shed a tear for him.
[Will you still go down that path?]
Mr. Big wasn’t just implying on how Neito fought his battles. He was talking about his will to change the world and the world he was going to create.
All the things he said was for him to ask this question.
Neito tried to suppress the various feelings coming out from him. Time passed by silently, and Mr. Big was waiting for Neito’s reply.
It was as Mr. Big said, he slowly realized what he going up against. The he was on was an impregnable path.
He always ran down this path. Ran since the beginning. Destroying many things and injuring many people, he kept running down that path.
He already knew his answer. There was no way he would falter right now.
[Yes, I won’t lose. I’ll go down this path until the end.]
Neito answered strongly and as firm as possible.
Mr. Big gave out a small laugh. Somewhere in his voice, there was a sense of satisfaction from hearing his answer.
Without any hesitation, he asked,
[Fu- I see. If I get defeated (killed) here then there’s nothing I can do about it. Aah, I have a final request of you…]
Suppressing his emotions, Neito replied,
[Anything that’s within my power.]
[Will you keep it a secret from Anice that you defeated (killed) me?]
It was an unusual request.
[But that would…]
After committing such crime against her, there was no way he could accept her feelings from now on. He planned on telling Anice that he killed her father after the battle.
[I’ll leave my daughter in your hands. You have your own goals, and maybe you already have someone you like, if that’s the case then I’ll bear a grudge on you, but I want to save my cute daughter from the pain of knowing her first love was the man that killed her father. That’s all there is. You should bear her pain on your shoulders, am I right?]
Mr. Big was still mischievous on his words, but the content of his request was heavy.
He already knew this himself. The reason why he wanted to confess his crime to Anice was because he wanted to redeem and assure himself. Losing her father and having her heart broken by the man she loved, thinking about her feelings, Mr. Big’s words were right. He needed to bear his sins on his shoulders rather than confessing and getting over it.
[I understand… until the time comes when she is ready to hear the truth, I will keep it a secret.]
Hearing Neito’s words, Mr. Big laughed again.
[Thank you Nate. Then this is it.]
This was their last conversation. Neito replied with a smile and a shaky voice.
[Yes. The melon… was really good. Thank you. Very much.]
Before the call ended, he heard the sound of Sonic Rollers revving up and the sound of a gunshot. After that, the call ended.
It’s over.
It was all over.
That man was dead.
Putting down his communication device, Neito went out into the balcony. It was still raining, that’s why he went out.
Out in the pouring rain, Neito stood there getting wet. His head, his face and his body were all wet.
If anybody saw him right now they won’t notice.
That’s why he was there, just standing amidst the rain.
**
The next day, Mr. Big, Crimson’s Boss’ body was found. There was a wound on his neck, and it was identified that the Sonic Rollers caused it.
There was nobody else they could blame it on.
Sonic Youth was missing ever since the fight on the Washington Bridge ended. It was ruled out that Sonic Youth found Mr. Big and killed him. As a result it was a war between Crimson and Slipknot (dressed as Sonic Youth).
**
In the end, Crimson ruled out that it was the top two heroes from the Rocks Organization that confined Mr. Big.
After Mr. Big’s funeral, his executives were in a state of distress. Of course, this was obvious since their charismatic boss passed away. With their failure of capturing Sonic Youth, each executive blamed each other for the situation they were in. The Organization was falling apart.
The underground society also didn’t stay quiet. With the top underground organization weakened, each organization stared moving to attack and take away Crimson’s territory. The executive staff were at a lost to what to do to save their crumbling organization. There was just nobody from the executives that could lead them.
Amidst that confusion, a man stood out. Bearing the scars of his battle yesterday alongside with his spectacular victory, he scolded the executive staff.
The man proclaimed unto Crimson.
“We must take revenge. That’s the rule of the family.
Mr. Big left his will onto me and I will answer to it.
Are you okay with it? Are you going to be an Organization that keeps quiet after your Boss got killed? You’ll lose your position in the underground society.
Stand and fight. Stand up and fight. There is no one else left to protect Mr. Big’s legacy but me. We may change, but Mr. Big’s legacy will live on. “
There were some skeptical about this foreigner but this man was willing to risk his life to extract revenge on Sonic Youth. If he failed, he promised to commit seppuku.
Taking command of Crimson’s forces, and heading out himself, he gathered information to locate the missing Sonic Youth. The following day, he brought with him the dead body of Mark Gordon.
As he had proclaimed, he extracted revenge for Mr. Big. There was no one who doubted him now.
At that moment, the first candidate to succeed Mr. Big was that man.
He managed to defeat the top two heroes of the Rocks Organization, gained favor from the former boss’ daughter and had connections with the Evil Organization Metallica.
He was an irreplaceable figure inside Crimson after Mr. Big’s death.
Of course, there were some who doubted the flow of this scenario. If this was already planned beforehand, then that makes the man on top scarier. He would have transcended man, having the power of a demon while having the sly mind of a devil.
There was nobody that could oppose him.
There was nobody else that could lead and rebuild the weakened Crimson.
In order for Mr. Big’s legacy, Crimson, to grow stronger, they needed to forge stronger ties with Metallica, and were in a substantial form to merge with them. It was now necessary for the Boss of Crimson to someone from Metallica.
This is how the great worldwide Evil Organization, Crimson and Metallica, with the help of a man taking control, got stronger.
That man’s name was Komori Neito.
