Okumura Syndicate

Chapter 142: Problems In All Directions

Simultaneous to the men heading back to the mansion; within their destination, Fleur was preparing her office for her first caporegime meeting. "Breathe Fleur, it's only people you've worked with before...", she thought nervously. She had decorated the table with flowers from the garden, which the mansion had been severely lacking since all the events of the last month occurred.

It was clear everyone of every rank was stressed, and Fleur wanted to do what she can in not just planning, but also easing her subordinates' senses. "I hope this will be enough...", she said, talking to herself anxiously. She gripped onto the cuffs of her sleeves in anticipation for the capos' arrival, desperately praying that they'll take her seriously. Subsequently, there was a knocking of the door, and if her ear didn't deceive her, standing at the entrance to her office were Viper and Craaq.

Fleur pressed her back against the door, was she ready? Was she prepared to make her debut as Edward's future successor? Regardless of her willingness to step up to the job, she let them in. Upon stepping inside the office, Fleur offered her hand to Viper and led her to her "It's good to see you again. Fancier setup than I was expecting", she remarked. Fleur laughed in embarrassment, "I wanted to make this meeting one to remember, it being my first one after all.", she informed the witch.

"Well, I think it's beautiful!", commented Craaq, glad that the grandeur of the mansion was slowly returning. Viper agreed with the cheerful anthro bunny, "After the recent events in the syndicate, we've all been so busy that the mansion's starting to become a shithole, even the servants have been dealing with exhausted soldiers instead of cleaning. These flowers give me hope that things will change...", she explained. "That's exactly why we need to discuss things today.", replied Fleur.

"Shouldn't we wait for Rou, if that's how these meetings work?", enquired Craaq. "He's probably on his way back from the tavern by now. But you're certainly right that we need his input as well.", Fleur answered. "With the lack of higher ups in this room, no stone will be left unturned this time...", she added confidently. No sooner had Fleur finished speaking, Rou trudged into the room and fell into his seat. He waved at the soldiers behind the door before looking at Fleur and his fellow capos, who were puzzled by what exactly was going on.

"Rou, you're hurt!", enthused Fleur. "Please don't tell me he got into another bar fight again...", remarked Viper. Rou spoke up, "Things happened at the tavern, that's all...", he stated, clearly battered. "Are you sure you'll be able to last the meeting?", questioned Fleur. "I'm completely fine, as if you'll ask for my opinion anyways...", he replied. "Is this normal for capo meetings?", asked a confused. "Recently, yes. Rou's just having another one of his hissy fits...", Viper responded.

"Can we just get on with the meeting?", inferred Fleur. "Go ahead, ma'am!", said Craaq. The capos went quiet to allow Fleur to address them, "First things first, I'd like to thank you all for attending my first meeting with me as underboss, it's strange thinking we haven't had one for a year. However, as most of the soldiers were made aware before my promotion, one of the higher ups has been screwing things up around here, and we need to do something about it.

"I think I know who you're referring to, it's Vox, isn't it?", assumed Viper. "I guess you're one step ahead, Viper.", reflected Fleur. Viper informed the room of her viewpoint, "Of course I had suspicions, who else but a traitor would tamper with the potions in my room and pass it off as just 'early morning spells'? I suppose it accurately describes what he was doing, but seriously, he could've lied...".

Rou raised his hand in confusion, "Quite scattered reasoning, I'd have assumed it was just Vox being dumb...", he commented. Viper had already had enough of Rou's attitude, "Rou, you know nothing. Now let Fleur speak or I'll beat your mansplaining ass into putting up a front again!", she threatened. "Viper, that was unnecessary...", Fleur emphasised, rubbing her temples. "Just explain what we found in our mission, that'll shut them up...", Craaq said to reassure his superior.

Fleur relaxed in her chair and then began to relay the events of the previous day. "It was a shock to me as well, yesterday changed my view on a lot of things. There was a strange building holding the soldiers, one haunted by a spirit with a clear vengeance for Vox. He made Demitris and I piece together his old notes, and there we found out how Vox murdered him because he found out about his plans to slowly take over the syndicate.".

"Wow, it's a lot more serious than I expected!", exclaimed Craqq. "Yes, that's why you capos and I need to gather up our soldiers and use or sheer numbers to take him down. We could even get Catoria on our side if we're lucky, Edward will be more difficult, but regardless of who helps us, we need manpower, because there's no telling what abilities Vox has, as well as the chance that he'll have the anti-crime group helping him again.".

Upon hearing of the group that attacked at the auction, Rou's eye twitched, "There's no way I'm believing this! There's no way that a man who just wants the syndicate's economy to be stable, as well as loves the boss with all his heart could be planning a rebellion, let alone be associated with that...that monster!", he shouted, before heading for the door. "Rou, hear me out!", yelled Fleur, attempting to go after him, but Viper pulled her back.

"Stop, he is too far gone...", Viper emphasised. Picking up on what Viper was implying, Rou rushed out. "You might be right Viper, I think we should leave Rou out of this for now...", admitted Fleur, despite how much pain the thought gave her. Craaq comforted her, "Rou will heal, it's the stress that's killing him, which I know you're trying to ease. I know that, even Aster knows that.". "Thanks Craaq.", she said, embracing her friend. "I just hope that he isn't doomed. I'm calling off the meeting...", she announced.

The capos and underboss packed up their things and headed off to bed. The news of Vox's betrayal was now public to all but the higher ups, the last thing they and the soldiers needed to do was in sight, an uprising. But with their stress, as well as the disbelief of one of their own, was it going to be possible? Even with the help of Aster and the other soldiers, were the syndicate going to keep up with the pressure, or be crushed under it?