n

n

n

nMt. Fuji.

nA snowstorm, with a wind chill cold enough to freeze water within a few seconds, let alone skin.

nBut there, a man stood unaffected. His perfectly honed body was bare, revealing rippling muscles littered with scars. And his wild mane of dark hair drifted in the wind.

nAlmost as if he was a force of nature himself, the snow avoided the man. No, it melted before it came into contact, a heatwave around the man created a gap in the fierce snowstorm.

nBut despite the feral appearance, he delicately held a smartphone to his ear, listening to a call with a polite expression. After hearing the report, he nodded and said, “Is that so?”

n“That’s right, Patriarch! Those Torabu bastards are moving in on our territory and attacking our strongholds! I’m at Nirvana right now and- Oh my god, they’re here alre- Kuh!”

nThe sound of gunfire and clashing steel echoed from the other side of the line.

nShin Seiryuu smiled and waited. Soon enough, a familiar voice echoed from the other side.

n“Yo.”

nShin chuckled, a gravelly sound that shook his whole body. “Another ghost come to get revenge? No, I suppose you were a ghost from the beginning. Isn’t that right, Maji Yuurei?”

nSilence, and then a calm voice continued on the other side of the line. “I heard you were the one who sent the order to take out Maki and her husband.”

nShin’s smile widened, turning into a feral grin. “That’s right. I heard from my men that you cared for her a great deal. Enough to where your vengeful spirit might return if they suffered a tragic end. While a pity I missed their child as well, it worked, did it not?”

n“…You really are insane.”

nShin chuckled again. “That’s amusing, coming from the legendary Mad Dog and One-Eyed Demon.”

n“Tch. Talking with you makes me sick. But my Boss told me to pass on a message.”

n“Oh?” Shin nodded, amusement on his face. “I’m assuming this is a new one considering that I ripped apart your last ‘Boss.'”

n“Tonight. I’ll meet you at the top of the Eternal Tower. Prepare yourself, because I’m going to beat the crap out of you for ruining my vacation.”

nShin blinked. “Vacation?”

nMaji chuckled. “Yeah. Vacation. Wash your neck and wait, you bastard. You’re going to get what’s coming to you soon enough.”

nThe line went dead.

nSeeing that, Shin shrugged and stared off into the distance.

nIt was dark, and the snowstorm obscured visibility. However, Shin’s sharpened senses weren’t affected and he stared off into the distance.

nSince it was dark, the glittering Tokyo cityscape was clear to see. And among that, there was a glowing golden building that stood above all the rest.

nWas it his imagination?

nAs he stared at that place, he felt someone… No. Some*thing* stare back. A terrifying presence that went beyond even him. A being with depths that Shin could only guess at.

nA shiver went down his spine. Even so, Shin grinned. “So be it. Let us see if I can surmount this tribulation… or if I will fall and become yet another nameless soul in this plain world.”

nReaching down to pick up his long discarded coat, Shin threw it around his shoulders like a cape and then started jogging down the mountain.

n—–AI|IA—–

nThe streaming studio in Myth Inc. Around 6 PM and just after Rin’s dance and singing lessons following her stream.

nBecause winter drew near, it was already turning night, with the cityscape painted in dark hues illuminated only by the fluorescent city lights.

nBeta frowned and crossed her arms, her orange eyes flicking between her father and Rin. “You wish to drive Rin home, Father?”

nJohn nodded. “It’s been a long day, and you’ve done a lot of work for me recently Betty, so I figured I’d get you some alone time.”

nBeta’s frown deepened. “This is odd. You are acting odd.”

nRin laughed. “Don’t be like that, Eldest Sister! I think Mister John is right! You drive me home a lot already and do a lot for me and Hana, so you should take some time off for yourself!”

nBeta paused and said, “Normally, I would agree. But…” She stared at her father.

nHe was hiding something. Beta knew him enough to tell that her father was concealing something from her. That he planned to do something in secret after heading off for the night.

nJohn noticed her staring and blinked. “What? I thought you’d appreciate the space to enjoy your new, ahem, ‘hobby.'”

nRin blinked and tilted her head, looking at Beta. “Hobby?”

nBeta flushed and then narrowed her eyes. “Father. You are aware that I can make your life much more troublesome, are you not?”

n“Eh?” Rin frowned and said, “Why would you do that, Eldest Sister?”

nBeta paused, turning a deep red. “T-That is…”

nJohn laughed and patted Rin’s head. “Don’t you worry your cute head over it, Rin. Betty’s just going through a phase right now.”

n“It is *not* a phase, Father!”

nRin blinked, looking even more confused.

nSeeing that, John chuckled and said, “Why don’t you get your stuff ready and head down first, Rin? I’ll be down in a bit. Just something I gotta tell Betty before we head out.”

n“Okay, Mister John! Ah, but take your time! I told Mom that we might be back late.”

nJohn shook his head. “It’ll just be a sec.”

nRin nodded and then walked over to the elevator. After opening it, she walked inside and then turned back around, waving at Beta.

nBeta waved back, a faint smile on her face.

nAnd then the elevator doors shut and Rin vanished, heading back to the first floor.

nThat left just Beta and John.

nBeta stared at her father, carefully examining him. “Speak the truth, Father. What do you intend to do tonight?” She frowned and said, “Did you not wish to reduce your impact on the world and allow things to settle? If you step out now-“

n“Relax, Betty.” John smiled and said, “I’m not planning to do anything crazy or cause trouble. I just have some… private matters to attend to.”

n“Private matters that you cannot tell your beloved daughter?”

nJohn flushed and then coughed. “It’s… not really something that I can say in polite company.”

nBeta rolled her eyes. “Please, Father. As if there is anything you have done that would faze me.”

n“Oh really?” John smiled. “Then you don’t mind knowing that your dad’s going to play with his dragon all night in a private building to let out some stress?”

nBeta paused. And then she turned a deep red, stepping back and pointing at John. “T-T-That is what you meant by private business?!”

nJohn shrugged. “Well, since Yue isn’t around, I haven’t really-“

n“Stop.” Beta covered her face and said, “I have heard enough.”

n“Hey!” John frowned and said, “It’s only fair that you get embarrassed too, right? I mean, what with you ordering all of those-“

n“FATHER!”

nJohn laughed and then waved. “Then I’ll be seeing you, Betty. Tell Alphy that I’ll be back tomorrow and to not stay up too late.”

nBeta nodded, her face finally cooling down.

nThe elevator arrived again after John pressed the button to call it back, and then he walked inside.

nBeta sighed and then looked up at John. “Have a…” She paused, unsure of how to phrase it and desperately tried to avoid thinking about the one time she walked in on her father and Mistress Yue. “Ahem. I will… see you tomorrow, Father.”

nJohn waved. “Take care, Betty. Ah, and when you have fun with your new purchases, make sure to cast the appropriate privacy-“

nBeta flicked her wrist, causing the elevator doors to slam shut.

nJohn’s muffled laughter echoed from within, and then the elevator started heading down.

nStanding alone in the streaming studio, Beta huffed and walked over to the computer. “Father truly is the worst example of a father there is.”

nMaking such crude innuendoes and even suggesting that Beta cast formations to conceal her hobbies…

n“As if it is something that shameful.” Beta sat down at the computer and then clicked on a folder that she recently created. But then she paused and carefully glanced at the elevator.

nWith a slight cough and a blush, Beta quietly cast a few privacy formations.

nJust in case.

nN-Not that there was anything she had to hide. But…

nYes. J-Just in case…

n—–AI|IA—–

nJohn arrived at the first floor and smiled as the elevator doors opened.

nIt seemed like Betty was still a bit too pure after all, considering how easy it was for him to disorient her with just some vague innuendo.

nBut that was good. It meant that she wouldn’t realize what he was doing until it was over… and maybe not even after that.

nOf course, considering all went well.

n‘But it never does, John. It never does.’

nJohn’s smile faded at hearing the voice.

nA chuckle echoed in John’s mind and then Titor’s voice called out in his head. ‘Don’t worry. I’ll stick to the plan.’

n“You’d better.” John muttered as he walked out of the elevator. “Otherwise we might actually need to become John Titor and change worldlines.”

n‘Heh. You worry too much. But I’ll make sure to keep an eye on your beloved daughters and make sure they don’t catch on… and finish making those reservations. A day trip, right? Weekend?’

n*That’s right.*

n‘Got it. Ah, and they’re looking at you by the way.’

nJohn looked up and saw Rin waving.

n“Are we going now, Mister John?”

nHe smiled and walked over. “That’s right. Did I keep you waiting long?”

n“It’s fine!” Rin smiled and turned towards the front desk. “I was chatting with Miss Asako! Did you know that she likes Sailor Luna?”

n“Is that so?” John shifted his gaze to Asako, standing behind the front desk.

nThe Seiryuu Heiress flushed and crossed her arms, throwing up a fierce glare. “S-So what if I like Sailor Luna? Got a problem with that?”

n“No. But you’ve got a surprising cute side too, huh?”

n“E-Eh?” Asako blushed. “C-Cute?”

nRin beamed. “Isn’t she? Miss Asako’s like Alpha nee-chan too!”

nJohn chuckled and said, “That gap *is* a bit endearing.”

nAsako huffed and crossed her arms. “You’re lucky you’ve got too pretty a face to mess up, Mister John.”

nJohn smiled. “Oh believe me. I’m well aware of that fact.”

nAs well as all the trouble it caused in the past.

nRin glanced at Asako and frowned. “Miss Asako. You can’t threaten Mister John like that! He’s your boss, isn’t he?”

nAsako paused, thinking. “That’s true. And I do owe you… but damn if seeing that annoyingly eye-catching face again so soon doesn’t piss me off.”

n“E-Eh?” Rin blinked. “Miss Asako…?”

nAsako froze, realizing that she let her true self slip.

nJohn bit back his laugh and then started walking. “Come on, Rin. We shouldn’t keep you out too late.”

n“Oh!” Rin adjusted her bag and said, “Coming, Mister John!” She waved at Asako and said, “Good night, Miss Asako! See you tomorrow!”

n“Have a good night, Rin! *And go ** yourself, asshole.*“

nJohn chuckled at the creative way to get around Rin’s presence and then walked out the front door, Rin trailing behind him.

n—–AI|IA—–

n“Have a good night, Mister John! And thanks for dropping me off!” Rin waved, letting out a bright smile.

nJohn waved back from inside his black BMW and said, “Rest easy, Rin. And don’t stay up too late tonight playing games with Alphy.”

n“I won’t!”

nWith that said, Rin turned around and walked to her front door. Standing there, she started rummaging around in her bag for her keys. After fumbling for a bit, she managed to find them and open her door. Walking inside, she turned around to wave one last time.

nJohn smiled, raising his hand.

nAnd then Rin shut the door.

nThe moment she did, John’s smile faded and he felt a tinge of irritation. “Just when things were starting to settle down…”

nThere were watchers nearby. And considering that the Torabu clan should be under tight wraps with Kai and the others at the moment, that could only mean that the presences he sensed were Seiryuu.

nWere they there because of Rin and Sakura’s connection to that guy? Or because they had been seen with Kai?

nEither way…

n“Tough luck.”

nThey’d be in for a rude awakening if they thought they could even get within an inch of Rin and her mother’s house.

nJohn cracked his neck and then shifted his car back into drive before heading off into the dark.

nBut not back towards the office. Instead of rounding the corner and taking the road back to Roppongi, he headed towards the city outskirts.

nAs he did, he turned on the stereo to play some music. Since the car got wrecked by Alphy last time, John had fixed it up and made some additions, so there should be songs already loaded-

n*We are fighting dreamers-*

n“Nope.”

n*Jibun wo~!*

n“Not that.”

n*Oshiete yo-*

n“Too serious.”

n*Ponpon-*

n“Absolutely not.”

nJohn frowned and spammed the next button. “Come on. I couldn’t have listened to only anime songs… right? Where’s the Eurobeat? Gotta be here somewhere…?”

n*ONE PUUUUUUUUNCH!*

n“…Ah screw it. Good enough.” John sighed and focused back on driving.

nAs he did, he tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and stared off into the distance.

nIt was snowing. And not just a light snowfall either, but the starting of a fierce snowstorm.

nDespite that, there were oddly no cars on the road. As if everything was set up just for a dramatic encounter or a scenic climax.

nJohn scoffed. “As if I’d play along with you.”

nIf the world planned on derailing his plans, then he sure as hell wasn’t about to play nice and follow along with what it wanted to happen.

nAs if responding to his thoughts, the music changed.

nPlay Sorairo Days

nJohn smirked at the nostalgic song and then focused.

nSoon. Soon, he would finally be able to relax and focus on just idling the days away operating the idol agency and doing speedruns.

nBut first…

n—–AI|IA—–

n“Yo, Boss!” Maji waved, grinning as he stalked over.

nSaji followed after him, cracking his knuckles. “So we’re ending it in one blow then, Boss?”

nJohn glanced at the two and sighed, running his hand through his hair. “I would have preferred another day or two to get things ready… but we might as well.” Saying that, John took a look around his surroundings.

nHe had arrived in front of the Eternal Tower in Kamurocho, parking his BMW off to the side and covering it with a few protective formations.

nJohn stared at the towering building covered in golden lights. “So this is that annoying guy’s headquarter, huh?”

nMaji cackled and said, “Only Boss could call a demon like that an annoying guy.”

nSaji smiled and adjusted his green overcoat. “Compared to someone like Boss, Shin Seiryuu must really seem to just be an annoyance, bro.”

n“I got it, I got it! Still funny though.” Maji shook his head and tucked his hands into his usual snakeskin coat.

nJohn frowned. “Funny to you, maybe. But do you know how much trouble I’ve gone through because of that guy since I got here?”

nDirectly or indirectly, that Shin guy was responsible for all the chaos stirring around because he went around wantonly committing terrible deeds to gather negative karma in a mad attempt at getting heavenly tribulation.

nAnd because this world didn’t have heavenly tribulation, the moment that a convenient person like John came along, it was trying to push things for him to resolve the issue. Probably to exact karma directly and take him out.

n“Isn’t that right?”

n“Hm?” Maji tilted his head. “Ya say something, Boss?”

n“Don’t worry about it.” John cracked his neck and started walking forward. As he did, shadows started flickering behind him, forming men in black suits.

nAs if expecting the situation, Maji and Saji fell in step behind John, off to his left and right respectively.

nJohn glanced back, frowning and said, “Where’s Kiri?”

n“Kiri-chan?” Maji shrugged. “He said he thought Boss might be worried about his daughters, so he headed back to the office to keep an eye on them.”

nHearing that brought a faint smile to John’s face. “Heh. That guy doesn’t change, huh? It’s unnecessary, but I appreciate it.”

n“Yeah, it’s a shame.” Maji sighed. “Kiri-chan’s going to miss out on all the fireworks.”

nJohn flicked his wrist, changing into a black suit with gold cuff links. Adjusting his collar, he said, “It’s fine. There’s only room for one dragon tonight anyway.”

n“Hm?” Saji glanced over and said, “…You acknowledging Shin then, Boss?”

nJohn chuckled. “What do you mean? A snake like that doesn’t even come into my eyes. I’m talking about me.”

nAt that time, another group of men poured out from up ahead. And they were led by a familiar pair of figures.

n“Friend! Long time no see!” Kai waved, a broad smile on his face.

nJohn scoffed. “Shut up and just keep walking. You’re lucky I was already planning to settle things otherwise I’d beat you black and blue for causing this mess.”

nKai flinched and let out a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck.

nAs for the other familiar face…

n“Tch. I knew you weren’t an ordinary kid.” Minato Miyamoto stood off to the side. Like all the other men tonight, he was dressed in a suit. But unlike everyone else, he was also wearing a stylish fedora and was armed to the teeth in knives.

nJohn paused and then he let out a long sigh. “Why am I not surprised?”

nWas *everyone* he had met up until this point related to the yakuza in some way?

nMinato rolled his shoulder and said, “Well, I do owe you for helping Yuri out… but when we’re all said and done here, we need to get together for drinks.” He glanced at Maji and said, “Seems like you’ve got some interesting stories to tell, ‘Mister John.'”

n“Trust me, I’m looking forward to that as much as you guys are. Hell, I’ll rent out a place for us guys to just relax after all of this. But first…”

nJohn stopped and looked up at the Eternal Tower.

nThe others stopped and did the same.

nAn dramatic cut, like from a movie.

nJohn standing in the lead, with his legendary Yakuza officers behind him.

nKai and Minato off to the side.

nAnd then a crowd of around a hundred men waiting for their words.

nJohn flicked his sleeves, causing his cuff links to fly off. The golden dragons bounced along the ground with a soft *ding*.

n“Let’s go.”

nJohn walked forward, taking confident and unyielding steps. The wind and snow picked up as he did, lightly ruffling his golden hair.

nAnd the glass doors to the Eternal Tower slid open.

n“Huh?” A Seiryuu member in a suit and with a barely concealed gun turned to look at John. “Who are…” He trailed off, seeing the men following behind John.

n“Yo!” Maji grinned, whipping out his knife and twirling it around his right hand. “Hope you’re insured, because we’re here to collect!”

nSaji sighed. “Bro. Your jokes need work.”

nMaji spun around and threw up his hands. “I’m rusty, alright? Gimme a break!”

nThe Seiryuu member quickly pulled out a radio and said, “They’re here! Tell the Patriarch and send reinforcements!”

nKai walked into the main lobby and pulled his knife out. Cracking his neck, he glanced at John and said, “You don’t mind if I run wild, do you, Friend? I’ve got a bit of a history with this-“

nA gunshot cut through the air.

nKai’s eyes grew wide.

nBut not because he was shot.

nJohn stood in front of Kai, his hand held out and clenched in a fist. Shortly after, a grating sound filled the air, and then black powder spilled to the ground from John’s fingertips. The bullet, completely scrapped into iron dust.

nHe sighed and brushed his hand off against his suit. “You talk too much, Kai. Get at least as good as Maji before you start doing that.”

nMaji laughed. “Told ya, Kid!”

nThe Seiryuu member’s eyes widened, frantically swiveling in their sockets. To his credit though, he didn’t panic and quickly raised the gun to fire again.

nBut-

n“Kuh!”

n-John slid forward, hands tucked into his pockets, and kicked the man in the chest.

nA casual gesture. One that should have shoved him to the ground at most.

nBut instead of that, the Seiryuu member was sent flying through the air before landing at the foot of a fancy stairwell leading up.

nMaji whistled. “That was pretty slick, Boss!”

n“Yeah, yeah. I don’t have the time or patience to deal with these grunts.” John walked over to the center of the main lobby towards a fancy looking elevator covered in gold-leaf and then pressed the button to call it.

nKai coughed. “I don’t think that will work, Fri-“

n*ding*

nJohn turned around and raised an eyebrow. “You were saying?”

n“…You really have a way of making things work, don’t you, Friend?”

nJohn leaned against the back of the elevator and then glanced at his generic shadow servants, as well as Maji and Saji. “You know the drill, so stick to it.”

n“Ooh, this will be fun.” Maji cackled and started heading towards the stairs.

nSaji chuckled. “You say that now, bro. But do you think your old body can climb all these stairs?”

nThe Torabu men following Kai and Minato glanced around with uncertainty after John’s men started moving.

nOne of them stepped towards Kai and said, “What should we do, Patriarch?”

nKai waved his hand and said, “It’s just Kai. And what else? Like my friend said, we’re cleaning house. Follow his men’s lead and clean out the trash.”

n“Sir!”

nWith that, the Torabu men left as well.

nAnd then it was just John with Kai and Minato.

nJohn glanced at the two and said, “So… you coming up? Or not?”

nMinato glanced at Kai. “Kid?”

nKai looked hesitant and then shook his head. “I’ll leave that man to you, Friend- No, John.” He tightened his grip around his knife and said, “Teach him a lesson. For everyone.”

nJohn frowned. “Yeah… No.”

nKai blinked. “What? Wait, don’t tell me you-“

nThe elevator doors slammed shut. Shortly after, it started rocketing up at a dizzying speed. Well, to an ordinary person.

nBut to John… and presumably to Shin as well, it was just a convenient one.

nA soft chime. The elevator doors opening. And then, a howl of wind.

nThe elevator opened up to the rooftop. And it seemed that the snowstorm had become a full-on blizzard.

nIn the midst of that, his back turned to the elevator, was Shin Seiryuu.

nLike John, he wore a neatly tailored suit that emphasized the man’s meticulously crafted muscles.

n“You’ve arrived.”

nShin turned around, his shaggy black hair shifting, but not with the wind. Instead, it moved from an invisible heatwave radiating off of him, like in the eye of a storm.

n“Damned straight I’ve arrived.” John walked out of the elevator and said, “Do you know just how much trouble you’ve caused me?”

nShin shook his head. “I do not. Though that ghost mentioned something about a… vacation, was it?”

n“That’s right. A vacation. MY vacation. And my perfectly planned peaceful days. All of them, ruined because of events YOU set up.”

nAn amused smile crossed Shin’s face. “Is that so? Then I suppose you’ve come for retribution and my life.”

n“Oh no.” John shook his head. “That’s what the world wants. But that’s not what I want.” He came to a stop, a few paces in front of Shin. A distance that both could cross in a single bound.

nShin’s smile turned into a feral grin. “Then what do you want?”

n“All I want right now…” John reached over to his shoulder and then ripped off his shirt, revealing a golden dragon on his back, clutching a jade moon. “…Is to beat the ever living crap out of you to blow off steam.”

n“Bold words. Then…” Shin ripped off his shirt as well, revealing an azure dragon. “I shall oblige. Show me just how powerful the man who tamed the- kuh!”

nJohn pulled his fist back from Shin’s torso and spun around for a heel kick. “You talk too much!”

n