It dropped down in a slow controlled fall, landing with a tiny thud. Through the dust, Tsuki could make out a white flowing coat, and dark black hair. The figure turned, revealing piercing violet eyes.
Unmistakable. Tona Norasachi.
He scanned the room, calm and collected. He spotted Judgment and waved.
"For future reference… where the hell is the entrance to this place?" He asked—dead serious and dryly.
"Uh… the docks," responded Danzo. A sense of relief filled his soul, knowing they were now safe—yet he couldn't believe that was Tona's first action.
"Figures," he muttered.
He turned to the three stalkers. Their soldiers stood frozen in fear.
"The Ghost wasn't supposed to be here," said Tokira.
Lalo's normal mischievous grin faded. Her eyes were widened. Tobamako—on the other hand—smiled bigger than before.
"Oh… you have no idea how long I've been waiting for this."
Tona just tilted his head. "Yeah?"
Tobamako's grin nearly spread to the edges of his cheeks and he launched forward. He stopped time—the usual—however, when he sent a punch, he was met with a solid barrier of Solena.
"Wha—" he stuttered, without the ability to finish.
Tona had flash-stepped behind, and sent Tobamako through the stone-cracked ground with a single punch. The chamber fell silent.
That's my mentor, thought Tsuki.
The air itself seemed to hold its breath as Tona stepped forward, into the sea of soldiers. He turned his head, ignoring them completely, fixated on the two remaining higher-ranking stalkers.
His voice echoed, casual—but with a razor's edge.
"Weak."
The room held its breath. Lalo clapped her hands together, forming a barrier of chains.
"You're insufferable!" she screamed, launching a series of them forward.
He dodged with ease, before throwing a punch into the wall of linked metal. He cracked a few, but didn't break through.
"That's a bit annoying," he muttered to himself.
He teleported to the other side through a gate, and gave a wolfish smile—
"Chains… you're a kinky one, aren't you?
Lalo's eyes bulged, way too big for her head. She lashed—but before she could act, a Solena beam shot through the chamber, aimed at Tona.
He dodged of course—but it was a mere distraction.
APC soldiers had already begun to drag Tobamako through a tunnel. Lalo used the beam to escape toward Tokira. They bolted toward another exit. Before Tokira could disappear, she gave one last glance at Tsuki. Their eyes met. She knew.
Tona didn't give chase—he didn't need to. Instead, he gated right to Judgment Squad, his expression shifting from cold confidence to genuine concern.
"You all okay?" He asked, lowering to a knee.
The team—breatheless and bruised from the battle, all looked to the man who had turned the tides of battle by his mere appearance.
"Never thought I'd say this," chuckled Danzo, "but I've never been happier to see your smug face."
Tsuki nodded, a grin forming. "About damn time."
Tona smirked, rubbing the back of his head.
"Change of subject… did you call her kinky?" Knoxx asked, raising himself in a playful question. He knew the answer, he just wanted to stir some trouble.
"He definitely did," responded Geo, who elbowed Tona. He only smiled, before opening a gate directly in front of them. It provided quick passage back to Riche plaza.
Tona stepped over to Hatori, still beat and limping.
"Damn, buddy. You got the worst of it, huh?"
Hatori managed a painful smile, accepting the help. "You've got no idea."
They all stepped through the gate together, dragging tired limbs and bruised pride behind them. The reek of the sewer was left behind, and the scent of the sea returned. The daylight was blinding after hours in the pits below. The warmth on their skin felt like mercy.
The plaza bustled as usual, unaware of the battle beneath its very streets. Danzo wiped sweat from his brow, then spoke.
"I saw we rest. That was more than a scuffle… and now we're sure the APC has roots here."
The squad turned to him, weary but alert. There was no objections to the 'rest' statement.
"That brute mentioned a name," Danzo continued. "Mushira. Tied it right to The Lantern. I already asked Ringo to check up on that when he made sure Tona had made it."
Tona gave a sarcastic scowl. "He really had to check that I'd make it? No faith, Ringo. No faith."
Tsuki spoke next, slapping her forehead. "Tobamako did say that! I completely forgot he mentioned a name…"
"Thats our lead then," Azumi followed. "Mushira's either a pawn, or the hand behind the curtain."
Knoxx rubbed his abdomen softly, grimacing slightly. "Good. Hope he's easier to deal with than the bowling ball. I still feel that punch."
A chuckle escaped their lips. The group headed to the inn for some long-awaited rest.