"MAR, huh? Interesting," Roy said, raising a brow, intrigued. "What'd they offer?"
"Executive director position, armor that amplifies supernatural abilities, and a potion to gain dragon bloodline," Suzuki Ichiro replied.
"Whoa, big spenders," Gojo Satoru whistled nearby.
MAR wasn't some run-of-the-mill company.
As the world's largest arms dealer, MAR dabbled in medical, food, and other industries.
A mega-corporation, rich enough to rival nations.
Becoming an executive director? Forget the rest—your life would be set, connections maxed out.
The other offers—psychic-amplifying armor and dragon bloodline potion—were equally jaw-dropping.
"Heard MAR was serious, but dragon bloodline potions? That's next-level," Gojo said.
"MAR's backed by Takanotsume. Nothing they make surprises me," Suzuki explained casually.
"Takanotsume? The otherworld group?" Gojo asked.
"Yup," Suzuki confirmed.
"First I'm hearing of it," Gojo said, thoughtful.
As head of one of Neon's top sorcerer families and the strongest modern sorcerer, Gojo had access to secrets most didn't.
Like the existence of otherworlds.
Takanotsume, as Suzuki mentioned, was one such otherworldly race.
Unlike the Soul Society, which kept order and stayed neutral, Takanotsume had grand ambitions, aiming to dominate and rule over humanity.
That's why, upon arriving, they clashed with the Biblical factions.
The outcome?
Recalling a rumor, Gojo looked at Suzuki. "Heard the Biblical God wiped out two-thirds of Takanotsume. True?"
"I've heard it too, but don't know if it's real," Suzuki said.
His Takanotsume knowledge wasn't much deeper than Gojo's.
He knew of MAR's link because his old base was in the USA.
Back when the Claw wasn't crushed by Roy, they had covert deals with MAR.
Frequent deals led to some insider intel, but that was it.
"MAR's president, Shavliar, is arrogant as hell," Suzuki added. "Met him once. He looked down on me, deep down."
Gojo blinked. "That bad?"
Suzuki nodded. "Honestly, them contacting me privately shocked me. With their ego, reaching out to a 'loser' like me feels off."
He turned to Roy, who'd been quiet. "Leader, what's your take?"
"Obvious, isn't it? Takanotsume's planning something big and needs manpower," Roy said, nailing the truth. "But digging into my crew? Do other factions think I'm a pushover?"
"No way," Gojo waved off. "Your kill count? Unless Takanotsume's blind, they wouldn't dare."
Roy tilted his head. "Then why poach my people?"
Gojo pondered. "Probably 'cause Suzuki's situation is unique. Unlike others, you forced him to join. He might resent it."
Roy glanced at Suzuki. "That true?"
Suzuki shook his head frantically. "Leader, don't listen to him. I'm totally loyal."
He shot Gojo a glare, signaling him to shut up.
What was this guy's deal? Spreading rumors like he'd never been punched.
If Roy misunderstood and decked him, it'd be for nothing.
"Leader, it's about factions," Suzuki said. "Takanotsume and devils are enemies. Relations are sour. They're likely targeting me to weaken your forces."
Gojo nodded. "Makes sense. Roy, what's the plan?"
Roy chuckled. "Weird question. Takanotsume's causing trouble and poaching my crew. What I'll do is obvious."
Gojo froze, a bad feeling creeping in.
Takanotsume's move mirrored the sorcerer higher-ups' antics.
Roy wasn't one to take it lying down.
Trouble came? His response was clear.
But…
"Roy, don't go overboard," Gojo warned. "MAR's not like the Claw. It's not a terrorist group."
"Were the sorcerer higher-ups terrorists?" Roy asked, smirking.
"They're not on MAR's level," Gojo stressed.
The higher-ups were a small Neon group cleaning spirits.
MAR was a global titan, industries spanning the world.
"Kill MAR's president, and you'll stir global chaos. Some gods might even take notice."
"Even better," Roy said, unfazed.
He wasn't the old Roy, biding time to grow.
With two Rainbow Entries, eight Gold, and a slew of Red Entries, his strength was among the world's elite.
"No more lurking," Roy said. "Anyone who messes with me pays."
He stretched, turning to Suzuki. "Know where Shavliar and his crew are?"
"Usually at MAR headquarters. Not sure if he's there now," Suzuki said.
"Then we hit MAR HQ first," Roy decided.
The office door opened, Masaru Suzuki stepping in. "Leader, someone's here for you."
"Who?"
"White Dragon Emperor Vali."
"Oh, almost forgot him," Roy said, recalling yesterday's deal with Sazeks. "Don't bring him here. Take him to rally the crew. We're going to fight."
Masaru blinked. "What's going on?"
---
At Akatsuki's hall, Vali stood, dazed by the packed crowd of ability users.
Knocked out by Roy yesterday, he'd only recently woken.
Azazel had filled him in on his fate.
Beaten fair and square, with a chance to rematch Roy, Vali had no complaints.
After breakfast, he'd eagerly headed to Akatsuki's HQ per the card's address.
He'd expected a fiery reunion with his rival, vowing not to give up.
Instead, Masaru dragged him to this hall.
More and more ability users poured in, assembling.
Scanning the room, Vali approached a decently strong-looking guy. "Hey, what's going on?"
Shimasaki Ryo paused. "You look new. Recent join?"
"This morning," Vali nodded.
"No wonder you don't know me," Shimasaki said. "Not famous, but I've got some clout in Akatsuki."
He handed Vali a card. "Was one of Claw's Five Supers. Now, third squad captain post-takeover. You're unassigned, right? Join my crew."
"I'll think about it," Vali said, pocketing the card, circling back. "So, what's with the crowd? Looks like we're gearing for a fight."
Shimasaki shrugged. "Not 'looks like.' We're fighting."
Vali's eyes lit up. "For real?"
Fighting? He was in.
After a day out cold, his body needed a warmup.
"Who's the enemy?"
"Not clear yet, but don't sweat it," Shimasaki said. "With this many, we're probably crowd control."
"What's that mean?" Vali asked.
Shimasaki glanced around, ensuring Roy wasn't near, then whispered, "It's an open secret in Akatsuki. Don't spread it."
"The boss loves killing."
"Not like a psycho, though. He targets status, not strength."
"Spirits, cursed spirits, terrorists—if it's 'legal' to kill, he's game."
"Most importantly, he hates kill-stealing."
"Watch it later. Injure enemies, but don't kill unless necessary. Leave the heads for the boss. He might toss you an awakening slot if he's pleased."
Vali stared, speechless.
Loves killing?
He recalled yesterday's fight.
Roy held back, faking a stalemate with Katerea's crew, just to kill more terrorists.
When exposed, he flipped, traced the Brigade's base, and slaughtered rogue mages and Old Demon Faction devils.
Vali thought it was to tie loose ends.
Now, Shimasaki's words suggested otherwise.
"Why does Roy love killing? He doesn't seem unhinged. There's gotta be a reason," Vali pressed.
Shimasaki shook his head. "No clue, no interest. Rather than poke at the boss's secrets, I'd grind missions for an awakening slot."
Vali frowned. "You keep mentioning awakening. What is it?"
Shimasaki blinked. "You don't know? Why join Akatsuki?"
"Because I—" Vali started.
"Quiet down," a calm voice cut through from above.
The chattering hall fell silent instantly.
Vali stopped, looking up at the familiar figure.
"I don't waste time, so I'll keep it short," Roy said, meeting Vali's gaze before scanning the crowd.
"Target: MAR headquarters in Los Angeles. Here's the plan."
"First, I'll teleport you to the site. You've got ten minutes to set isolation barriers and clear bystanders."
"Then, I'll attack MAR HQ directly. Your job: surround the battlefield, wait for me to clean up."
"It's a major op, so everyone gets at least 20 contribution points. Outstanding performance or live captures earn extra."
"That's it. Questions?"
Vali raised a hand. "Why attack MAR?"
The room's Akatsuki members froze, shocked.
Even Shimasaki stepped back from Vali.
"Huh? What's up?" Vali asked, confused by their stares.
Didn't Roy say to ask?
"Don't mind them," Roy said. "Reason's simple: MAR's president is a Takanotsume leader."
"Got it," Vali said, nodding.
As yesterday's target, he knew Takanotsume was involved.
Roy must've gotten intel and was retaliating.
But…
"MAR's a global mega-corp. Won't hitting it make us wanted terrorists?" Vali asked.
"They wouldn't dare," Roy said.
"Alright, I'm good," Vali said, dropping it.
The Akatsuki members visibly relaxed.
This newbie was fearless, asking anything.
He wasn't scared, but they were.
"Anyone else?" Roy asked.
Silence.
Roy snapped his fingers.
Mana surged, a massive magic array forming, pulsing with spatial energy.
Seconds later, the scenery warped.
When it stabilized, Akatsuki stood before a commercial skyscraper.
"First squad, east side with me!"
"Second squad, west! I'll jam nearby electronics."
"Third squad, north! I'll sweep for stragglers."
Orders flew, Akatsuki moving with practiced precision.
In moments, only Roy and Vali remained.
Roy glanced at him. "This how you slack off?"
"I didn't recruit you to stand around. Set isolation barriers."
Vali shook his head. "Never learned."
"Then be a battery. Keep the barrier powered, don't let it break," Roy said.
Vali hesitated, then nodded. "Fine."
He headed to the southeast corner, where Suzuki Ichiro was setting the barrier's core—the best spot to channel energy.
Watching Vali go, Roy turned back to the skyscraper.
A figure with steel wings descended from the top.
"Red Dragon Emperor! Stop this!" Magnus landed ten meters away, furious. "You know what you're doing? This is war on the USA!"
"Then it's war," Roy said.
"You lunatic! I'll report this to the Underworld! To your Demon Lords!"
"Go ahead," Roy said, chuckling, pointing at the forming barrier above.
"You've got nine minutes."
---
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