The Ancient One released her attendants and led me to a small room furnished in oriental style, where a brass-coloured teapot and two shaped bowls were already on the table. Besides tea I saw a vase with honey.
- Please, sit down," the woman said, pointing to the armchair. After waiting for me to get settled, the magician sat down opposite to me. - I propose to try the tea first and then to start our conversation.
- I have nothing against it.
The ancient one poured tea into bowls, and we slowly began to drink it. I don't know what they do with it, but it was quite pleasant. The aftertaste spreading in the mouth completed the picture perfectly.
- How do you like our tea? - Ancient One asked with interest.
- It's beautiful," I replied sincerely, after I'd tasted this work of art. - I wish there was one of my friends here who likes this drink. Tasting tea grown by mages is a whole new experience.
- So what's the deal? I'll give it to you to take to a friend," the woman promised, setting aside her bowl and smiling softly.
- That would be very kind of you.
- Then let's begin why we are here today," the magician suggested, and I nodded my head in agreement. - I would like to get an answer to the question of who you are.
- I don't even know how to answer it, - hummed, I told her, leaning back in my chair. - What exactly are you interested in? Do I want to destroy the Earth, flood it with monsters from other dimensions, or just enslave it?
- That too.
- No, I don't want any of those things. Does that answer satisfy you?
- There is one problem. As a being from another world or even universe, you are almost impossible to see through some supernatural means. That makes it impossible to verify your words in the simplest way," the Ancient explained, tensing inwardly. Yes, and the mages outside the walls were focused to the limit.
- Is it a crime to be an interworld traveller? - I asked the woman calmly, without even moving.
- No, but mages are the ones who watch out for threats from other worlds.
- Hmm, we've reached an impasse. I can't prove I'm not a camel, and you can't leave it at that. What do we do?
- Then as a gesture of goodwill, at least show me your true appearance," the Ancient One suggested, interlocking her fingers in front of her chest.
- Let's just say that my appearance is too well-known to reveal for nothing. But I think I know how to convince you.
- And how would that be?
- It's simple. The fact that I was released by the Living Tribunal is reason enough to dismiss your suspicions? - I asked the woman, whose mask of calmness was masked by genuine surprise.
- How can you prove it?- I'll show you my memories," I said, holding out my right hand to the woman. - I think your subordinates will be able to control the process, right?
- ... Good," the Ancient One agreed after a short thought and using the Eye of Agamotto, touching my hand.
Not wanting to waste time, I sent the woman my first memories and sensations in this world. Apparently, she was impressed by such a sight.
Using the authority of the Living Tribunal was not the worst idea. If I remember correctly, this fellow is the main guardian of the balance of the multiverse and the judge of realities. If he let me be reborn after his verdict (and later I realised that the abstract had assessed me and declared me safe for the universe), then mages should stay out of it.
- That's... A strong argument on the scales that proves you're safe," the Ancient One finally said, after watching the first-person cinematic. - Even so, everything should be thoroughly checked out. I can't risk an entire planet. And there is a way to finally settle this matter.
- I hope it doesn't involve my death? - I asked her ironically.
- No. We can perform a ritual with which to contact the Living Tribunal directly. Still, even the one shown could be some sort of ability and trickery. But invoking this abstraction will provide ironclad proof of your safety for Earth.
I don't want to deal with creatures that are personifications of some phenomena. Not at all. Especially not with the Tribunal. He might think my Plan would unbalance good and evil. On the other hand, the abstract has already allowed me to be reborn once. And it can intervene at any time without any rituals. Wouldn't it be better to find out how the higher powers feel about my idea at once, so that I could tweak it if I needed to?
- All right," I said to the waiting Ancient. - Let's do this ritual quickly, and then you can tell me about Aurora.
The woman nodded and led me into a room with three doors. There I felt the magic affecting the space. We entered the middle door and then we were in Kamar-Taj. Dozens of apprentices and established mages were immediately in sight, watching us with interest.
Our final destination was a small building without any frills. Inside, there were various artefacts around the edges of the room that phoned with energy. The centre, with numerous signs on the floor, was empty. The Ancient One gave a few commands to the other mages on the way in, and once inside she began to use magic, calling some objects to herself and arranging them in a particular order.
This went on for several minutes. The artefacts inside were joined by those brought in by the other mages. When the woman looked over the whole composition with a critical eye and made sure that it was correct, we started the ritual.
Seating me in the centre of the circle, the Ancient One began to use so much energy that it made my hair stand on end. I was so fascinated by the way she was drawing magical mandalas, geometrical signs and various cuneiforms in the air with elegant skill that I lost track of time. The inexpressible riot of energies literally enchanted me.
Gradually, I began to feel something familiar. It was definitely someone we wanted to communicate with. As soon as the feeling intensified, we (or rather our astral bodies and mine were also covered with an illusion) and the Ancient One were dragged somewhere through the abyss of space. My sense of time was malfunctioning, so I could not understand how long the journey lasted.
And again I got a familiar view of a huge golden giant with a head with three faces in the middle of endless space. Before me and the magician appeared a face not hidden by the cloth. Having penetrated us with a look worse than X-ray, the Living Tribunal spoke in an inexpressible voice:
- You may proceed, Outsider. It will not disturb the stability. You will not be interfered with until you cross the Line. They won't help you, either. But be warned, there will be those who will not like it, and they will want to take the Light for their own needs.
- I don't doubt the latter," I said, grinning wryly.
The Tribunal just waved its hand, and the Ancient and I were swept backwards. Even faster than we'd come here. In the end, both the woman and I were practically slammed into our physical bodies. It wasn't painful, but it was, to put it bluntly, unforgettable.
- Kha-kha, now you're sure I'm not a danger?
- Yes...," the Ancient replied, closing her eyes and doing some sort of breathing exercise. - I apologise for having to take such measures, but duty calls.
- I understand. Now, I'd like to know about Aurora.
- In fact, I told you almost everything about her at our first meeting," the woman said as she began her story. - One of Kamar-Taj's mages met her twenty years ago, lost and confused. Aurora didn't tell us about her past, and we didn't insist, not wanting to reopen her wounds. The girl limited herself to her name. But now it is clear that even it was different. So, learning magic, she slowly began to withdraw. Aurora showed no particular success, remaining a solid average. She studied magic for fifteen years, until she decided to go travelling. Naturally, no one forbade it. For four more years, Aurora made occasional appearances in our temples, but it was rare and brief. But lately she disappeared, so such a meeting was a great surprise for us all. In fact, that's all we know about her. Aurora had no close friends or steady lovers, and was a loner.
- And you didn't suspect anything? - I asked.
- What should we have suspected? - she countered, sighing tiredly. - There are a lot of mages out there. We can't keep an eye on all of them, can we? Besides, there weren't any warning signs. No blood sacrifices, no invocations of dark forces, no conflicts. And the fact that she didn't particularly like being in a large company... So it could be a consequence of the experience. Aurora just lived quietly and studied magic. There's one in two, if not the first, of those crippled both bodily and spiritually in Kamar-Taj. And we're very accepting of the oddities.
- I see. Well, thank you for your story, but I must be going," he said when the woman interrupted.
- Yes, of course. I'll walk you out.
The whole time we walked, we were silent, thinking about our own things. At the exit from the New York temple, a young girl came up to us and handed me with a bow a beautiful wooden box decorated with intricate carvings.
- This is the promised tea," the Ancient One explained with a smile. - I hope your friend likes it.
- I'm sure he will. And since we have met, is it possible to send some of your people to study at Kamar-Taj?
- We do not withhold knowledge. If they wish, let them come," replied the Ancient One. - And since your actions have not been condemned by the Viceroy of the Goddess, I think it will not be a problem.
- That's fine. I wish you good luck in repelling threats and all the best," I told her, intending to end this meeting quickly.
- Thank you. I wish the same for you.
Nodding to her, I made a series of teleports across the planet, mixing up the trail just in case. After reassuring myself, I jumped home. As it turned out, the meeting was short-lived. Not even an hour. True, even in such a short time, the impressions were over the roof.
After another hour, Yamada contacted me.
- "Head, we're ready to destroy the Yamaguchi clan. The funeral has passed and now all the bigwigs are gathered at the headquarters."
- "Good. You may begin. You'll be covered, jamming all signals and equipment."
- "Understood," Ren directed a thought to me, full of anticipation of revenge.
Well, hopefully minus another problem.
Digression.
It's a quiet Japanese night, but the bosses better be guarded more carefully. The entire Yamaguchi clan is gathered now to choose a new kumicho*. A vacuum of power is a dangerous thing, especially among criminals and during the search for the previous boss's killer. It was complicated by the fact that the Yakuza had absolutely no leads on the case. No matter how hard they tried, no matter how much effort they put into it, no matter what strings they pulled, they could not put together a plausible picture of what had happened.
All this naturally led to a split among the clan, as it was suspected that the kumicho had been killed by their own. It was all too strange. As a result, the local hillbillies could not agree on who should be the leader.
Kyle's subordinates surrounded the building and began to move closer to the mansion. Thanks to their superior technology and physical capabilities, they were able to get inside without causing alarm.
For now, any guards they encountered were simply knocked out. The first thing to do was to find out their active citizenship. If they were stubbornly unwilling to join a new group with the potential for explosive expansion, they would become an example for the rest of the group. If they were smarter, they would live longer. Maybe.
Since all the electronics had been quickly brought under control, cameras and the like were not to be feared, making infiltration a breeze. With the bulk of the guards taken care of, the members of Kurakumo, led by Yamada, made their way to the hall to see the Yamaguchi bigwigs.
- ...Still no sign of the boss's killers! - came a hoarse female voice. - This is a blow to our reputation! Now any scum will think they can kill with impunity..! What? Who the hell are you?!
- Hello," Ren said politely, bowing mockingly. - I'm the head of the Kurakumo clan and the one you're looking for.
The guards in the room immediately pointed their weapons at the intruders, but to their surprise they didn't react.
- What?!
- Who is that thing?!
- How did she get in here?
- Hey, Yanagi, why did your fighters let them in here?!
- Yajima-dono, I didn't give the order to let them in!
- Exactly, disrespectful ones,'' Ren said, raising her voice. - We didn't ask permission to come here. You were looking for the person who ordered Shinobu Eiji's murder, so she's in front of you.
- You're either stupid or insane," remarked a woman in her forties with shoulder-length black hair, sharp features, and "sharp" eyes whom Ren knew as Tsukasa Keiko.
Yamada had barely been able to calm herself down and not finish her off immediately. Now that they were finally meeting it might be possible to be a little patient.
- It's neither of those things. It's just that none of you are capable of doing anything to me. So why be afraid?
- Yeah? Well, then, Yanagi, shoot that fool in the leg. See how she sings. And if any of her mates move, they're expendable.
- Tsukasa-dono!
A shot rang out, but the flattened bullet simply fell off the woman's naked thigh and fell to the floor, to the laughter of the rastatuated intruders.
- Small calibre. I suggest you use a tank gun," Yamada suggested with mocking politeness as she slowly moved closer.
- Kill them! - shouted one of the ringleaders, sensing the stench of a roast.
The guards immediately began firing at the unknowns, but only achieved more laughs. This caused shock and confusion among the Yakuza, as their weapons proved completely ineffective. Many lowered their pistols and muttered prayers to ward off evil. It was even ironic in a way.
- You don't seem very welcoming," Yamada remarked, instantly closing the distance to Tsukasa.
Ren grabbed her by the shoulder and lifted her up so that she was looking her straight in the eye.
- Who the hell are you people! - Keiko wheezed, trying to free herself. Naturally nothing worked. Even a stab to the face, to which Yamada had no reaction, was useless.
One of the guards wanted to rush to her aid, but this time the intruders reacted and shot the overactive bandit. The others froze when they saw the muzzles of the unusual looking weapons pointed at them as well.
- Kurakumo Clan. If you care about our target, we're here because of your co-operation with Ruka.
- W-what?! The Hand?!
While the rank and file Yakuza fighters didn't understand anything, all but one of the high-ranking ones turned pale and covered in sweat. What was happening did not bode well for them. But the one who was not frightened by what he heard prepared to make his way to the exit, gathering information beforehand. There was definitely more to learn in order to report to the Fingers.
- Exactly. But that's not what you should be concerned about. Specifically, I'm here to solve another case. You ordered the murder of my mother, Yamada Rei, by drowning her in Tokyo Bay! And I escaped only to take revenge! - the Yakuza hissed in Ren's face.
- W-what?! That damn Yamada?! - Tsukasa whispered, quickly realising what was going on. - Kill her! Eichi, kill her now!
The unnamed man, covering himself in energy scales as he went, flew at Yamada. The woman signalled her fighters not to interfere and grabbed the attacker by the throat with her free hand, lifting him into the air, choking him as hard as she could.
- Agh!...
The other guards tried to support their comrade, but a few shots quickly cooled their ardour again. Eichi was gasping for air as he struggled to break free, flailing his limbs at Ren and building up his energy armour at the same time. It wasn't working very well at either. The woman turned her Iredzumi on full blast, causing the tattoos to glow reddish in colour, amplifying her mistress many times over and giving her a demonic appearance.
This continued until Yamada first broke the mutant's neck and then simply crushed the flesh and bones, practically separating the head from the torso. Tossing the corpse towards the shocked onlookers, the woman calmly smeared the blood on her face and turned to Tsukasa:
- Well, my dear, did your lackeys help you?
The woman, seeing such a sight in close proximity, forgot how to breathe. She had killed many times, but those were completely different conditions and ordinary people, who are taken by bullets, not an unknown monster that came straight out of Jigoku. In general, the whole point of this performance (which was exactly what it was, since the cloudmen could just destroy the Yakuza and not waste time) was to show the so-called "inevitability". This power differential was capable of breaking down almost any resistance and making integration much easier.
- All these years I've wanted to kill you in the most painful way I could think of," Yamada said without waiting for Tsukasa's response, continuing to hold her by the scruff of the neck with his hand. - But seeing you now, I decided to just kill you. And then, with peace of mind, I'll dedicate myself to serving the Head for the gift of revenge.
- Wait! We can do it! Khaaaaah!
Before the Yakuza could finish her sentence, Ren's hand stabbed her through and through. After standing there for a few seconds, looking intently into the dying face of her mother's killer, the woman finally pulled the limb out and tossed the corpse away.
- Wake up the knocked out men and bring them here," she commanded her subordinates and looked at the bosses frozen like rabbits before a snake.The woman's instruction was carried out within a couple of minutes, after which she pointed to the purpose of today's operation and said two words:
- Kill these.
- W-what?!
- Wait! Kha!...
- No!
- We could be the floor! Gah!
Just waiting for that, the tattooed cloudmen, some with cold weapons and some with their bare hands, began to destroy the local bogeymen. It was pointless to keep them alive, as all the data on contacts, deals and other things were already at the Refraction's disposal, and high-ranking bandits were not needed for anything else.
The lower yakuza were quickly paralysed with tasers just in case, so as not to interfere. And then the destruction of the Oyabuns stopped, as one of them was suddenly able to throw back the cloudbearer who was trying to kill him, which was amazing. At a speed impossible for a normal human, he very skilfully dodged all attempts to catch him. And by using energy blasts several times, he was even able to almost make it to the exit.
Yamada was about to rush in, but Mari Igarashi was ahead of her. The girl had been watching carefully for the emissary of the Hand, but she was gradually coming to the conclusion that he wasn't here. This agent was too good at masking the energy and characteristic movements that could give away a skilful fighter.
- Don't interfere! He's mine!" the girl shouted, engaging the ninja in hand-to-hand combat.
- I-ga-rra-shi!!! - roared the man with physically palpable anger, fending off the blows of the frenzied fury. - Damn you!
Mari didn't reply, wanting to end the fight quickly. Her opponent was strong, but still not enough to overpower the girl. Both of them were using Ki to strengthen their bodies and use techniques, which wasn't easy. Realising that he still had to somehow escape from his overly strong opponents, the ninja went all-in. Setting himself up for Igarashi's strike, he pumped energy into his fist and released it in a counterattack.
The explosion was such that it would easily kill a super soldier, not even a normal human. Mari was cautious, realising her opponent's train of thought, and decided to protect the place of impact with her technique. It was enough for her to receive only non-critical wounds and to "float" for a couple of seconds.
However, Agent Ruki was unable to take advantage of this chance, as he himself was hit by Mari's attack, which travelled in a wave through his internal organs. Without the energy inside his body, he would have been on the floor spitting out blood, but he got off easy enough.
- Ha-ha-ha, you're annoying! - The man wheezed as he came to his senses and attacked the girl. - Nothing, soon the reborn Fist will destroy your clan once and for all!
- W-what?! Fist?!
Mari made a mistake and let her emotions get the best of her. It immediately affected the fight, causing her to miss a kick to the chest. It was hard to blame her, though, as Fist was one of the main bogeymen of the Igarashi clan. The last such man had caused such a terrible massacre during his lifetime that he was still remembered with a shudder.
Except that the blow dealt by the ninja was not a simple one. Mari's body was hit by the alien ki, which began to spread like poison inside, preventing her from using energy. This quickly affected the fight, and Yamada wanted to intervene, not wanting to lose her ally.
But the girl's plan was slowly coming to fruition as well. The blow that missed her opponent, in addition to being instantaneous, also had a delayed effect. Internal organs are quite vulnerable, something the Igarashi had taken advantage of by developing ways to inflict "internal" damage. Except that it didn't work well with regenerators, but other methods were used to neutralise them.
Now the opponents were once again evenly matched. Despite the fact that the duel had lasted a minute at most, they had managed to deplete most of their energy reserves, which were both above average.
Mari could have asked for help from her allies and received it immediately, but the girl's pride prevented her from doing so. Two of her mothers, including her own, had been killed by Ruki warriors. Now, whenever the opportunity arose, she tried to take revenge. Except now the situation was complicated by the fact that the enemy had important information. After another ten seconds of fighting and thinking, she came to the conclusion that she could win, but it would be much harder to take the language. There was one last chance left. If it failed too, she would have to step on her pride, as the safety of the clan was far more important.
Suddenly, Mari changed the pattern of the fight and lunged at the man, getting hit with a flurry of blows. The same defence technique used earlier and similar to the Iron Fist's capabilities helped her survive them. Except she wasn't Iron Fist, and she wasn't the same dumbass Akiko. The latter was capable of much more than the "normal" clan members due to her innate strength and centuries of careful selection. To use this technique on a decent part of her body, while expending a lot of energy and getting poisoned by poisonous Ki, was a challenge.
But this desperate move succeeded. All the strikes of the fists capable of piercing through stone encountered a decent defence. Not expecting such a trick, from a bad-looking girl, the ninja did not have time to block the blow with a small fist, which knocked the shit out of him.
- Phew! - wheezed the man, flying into the wall of the hall and almost punching through it.
- Hah! Hah! S-tie him up! - Mari whimpered, barely standing on her feet and breathing heavily from the exertion.
- Why did you have to torture yourself like that? - Ren asked, stepping closer to the girl and injecting her with hylopnesis, returning Igarashi's body to perfect condition. - Wouldn't it have been better to just accept our help?
- It was necessary," Mari said stubbornly, then looked around her body in surprise. - Yes, even though you told me about this thing, I didn't fully believe in its miraculous effects. Although that was silly after all I'd seen.
- Believe me, these aren't our most impressive capabilities," Yamada assured me.
- I even wondered, what could be more impressive than instant healing?
- Maybe you'll find out someday. Who is this guy? Is he from The Hand?
- Yes. He must be brought to our clan immediately for information.
- If we have to, we will," Yamada assured her, giving a few gestured commands to her subordinates. - But not until later. Right now, it was time to report back.
- To this mysterious Head? - A squinting Mari asked with interest.
- Yes. Now, don't interfere.
The woman closed her eyes and contacted her boss. After telling the outcome of the operation, she ended the mental conversation and ordered the remaining Yakuza to huddle together.
A few minutes later, a humanoid appeared in the room as if created from energy. He looked round the room and spoke:
- Well ladies and gentlemen. Your heads have been destroyed because they were working for a secret gathering of demon worshippers known as the Hand.
- Isn't that a children's tale? - whispered one Yakuza woman to her neighbour.
- No, they're not," replied Kyle Smith, who had heard the question. - Since the Hand had repeatedly tried to destroy us, we decided to strike back. The first were their vassals, that is, your bosses. But enough about the Hand. The matter must be resolved with you. You have two options. The first is to join us and in the future, if you perform well, you will receive the same strength as my subordinates. There will be other bonuses in addition to the power. A large salary and the ability to heal any wound. All in all, a full benefits package.
- And the other one? - A dishevelled man with chalky hair asked defiantly, causing whispers of indignation among the cloudbearers. - Are you going to kill us?
- No. They'll just wipe your memory and let you go," Kyle replied. - There's no point in killing you. We're not vigilantes who punish crimes. As long as you stay out of our way, you can live your lives as you please. So? Your choice?
- What about the treatment of diseased organs? - the same chalky-haired man asked.
- It's not a problem, even if the organ itself is missing. Our medicine can regrow both limbs and organs.
This aroused the palpable interest of many Yakuza. Eventually, after a few minutes of careful questioning and intense deliberation, most of the bandits present chose to serve in the Kurakumo clan.
The remainder were split into two unequal parts. Some wanted to choose memory erasure and subsequent freedom, while others wanted revenge.
- All right. Ren, take care of the memory wipe while I take care of the others," Smith ordered. - If there were fools who wanted to die, they should be satisfied. And to me, cleansing mankind of fools is a very worthwhile endeavour.
This provoked smirks from the Cloudmen and gnashing of teeth from the Yakuza. As instructed by the Head, the suicide bombers were handed weapons, which they immediately used on the main culprit behind the wreckage of their lives. Yakuza clans were usually positioned as families, and their bosses were like fathers or mothers, so the desire for revenge of a certain number of criminals was not strange. But they were in the minority. The rest had a better life.
But neither righteous anger nor the impressive capabilities of Kurakumo's weapons could even wound Kyle Smith. When the Yakuza for the second time in a day faced complete powerlessness and made their move, the guy not wanting to waste time, killed them by piercing them with energy constructs that appeared out of thin air. Seeing such an instant and inevitable retribution, the remaining bandits were only stronger in the thought that they had done the right thing by choosing life.
Next came the procedure, as a result of which they all became contractors. But unlike the rest of Kyle's subordinates, they would have to work hard to earn the same preferential treatment.
Those who didn't join were quickly wiped of their memories and driven to the city, where they were left. They were no longer of interest.
Having completed his business in Japan, the Head went to New York, and Yamada organised the dispatch of Agent Ruki to the Igarashi clan. Before doing so, they were able to partially copy his memory. The mental blocks created with the help of mutants and mages prevented him from being fully copied. Mari, however, still wanted to take him to the clan's territory, which she did after all the procedures.Yamada and his subordinates, both new and old, were busy intercepting Yamaguchi's business and agents. In the near future, they would have to throw all their energies into it. At the same time, it was necessary to destroy the clan's decimated structure. Even though it had been decapitated, the group itself included thousands of people. It was necessary to either subdue them or destroy them.
The next step was to destroy the Hand, but definitely not in the near future. There was still a lot of work to be done and "digest the swallowed prey".
In the meantime, Yamada Ren could enjoy serenity for the first time in years. Even the looming difficulties and the sea of work did not frighten her in any way....
The end of the retreat.
The destruction of Yamaguchi's top brass had gone rather quickly and without much trouble. Yes, there were some guys left in place, along with a lot of the most common bandits, but Yamada and his subordinates, both old and new, would deal with it.
There were a few other yakuza clans working with Ruka, but they were not much of a problem, unlike the biggest and most important group in the country. It'll be easy to take out the rest.
For now, we can relax a little. After the problems that Carmen and Aurora had caused, I finally managed to solve three problems at once. Not major ones, but important ones. The Living Tribunal has approved my actions or rather declared neutrality, the mages have fallen behind and the Hand has been dealt a blow. Now we can do other things.
Speaking of other things. Gerda's birthday is coming up and I have just the thing for her. It's good to know your girlfriend's tastes. I'm sure she'll be pleased with a bastard's head or an unusual tea. The former is best left to Gerda, but I have the latter. Two of them, in fact. The Da Hong Pao I ordered is on its way to New York. Four hundred and fifteen grams for 500,000 dead presidents. That's pretty good.
Nothing happened while I was out of town like I was afraid it would. That's good. All in all, the current problems are solved, except for one NSA bigwig who decided to dig me up. And by some coincidence (although it's quite possible that it was by design), both me-Kyle and me-Pluto at the same time. And since that's the case, I should go see her in person to have a heart-to-heart talk with her. I think it'll be interesting.
But to paraphrase a procrastinator, I'll do it tomorrow. Right now, it's time for bed.
Commentary on Chapter 50. The party gives the go-ahead
* Kumicho, Kumicho is the head of the Yakuza.
***
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