The Principles of a Grand Hunt // Part 1 - A Cars Story

Chapter 31 - Sensoji

CONTENT WARNING: the themes depicted in this chapter are at times dark and disturbing. Please read with caution or proceed to the next chapter.

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Earlier...

The turning point was nigh. The evening of the 3rd of October was upon them. They sat in wait near Sensoji; the grounds where Nettes would presumably be conducting the next phase of his plan. It was the only chance that Dash's vengeful crew had in thwarting Nettes' master plan before it got overblown. First, they had to find out what exactly Nettes was even doing in Japan, especially in such an openly public location as Sensoji Temple.

Down on the floor, our protagonist's friends / the ground recon team were now blending into the bustling tourism that surrounded Sensoji. Recently de-pimped half-spies Jim, El and Del sat nonchalantly in a bubble oil joint. Being westerners, the local folk quickly mistook them for tourists.

"こんにちは！ お手伝いしましょうか？ (Hello! How can we help you?)" a waitress asked.

"泡立つ鮮度！ (Bubbly freshness!)" Jim responded.

The clerk stood still for a moment and stared blankly in confusion before slowly leaving.

"What does that mean?" El asked.

Jim shrugged and simply pointed at the back of the bubble oil menu splayed in front of him. El looked at the confusing Japanese script and then back at him like she knew what he was on about.

"Alright. Finn?

Finn.

We're in position now. Looks like we're blending in a bit better than expected." Jim said.

In a secret area among the rooftops, the roof team plus Damian and Jacobs sat in scout of suspicious activity. Finn scanned the area through his hi-tech visor as subtlety yet as thoroughly as he could for Nettes or any of his goons. The only problem; he had no clue if his idea of keeping 'three on the roof and three on the floor' would work to their benefit. In fact, he couldn't say a word to the others that he had no idea what he was doing. It would compromise all trust they had in him to help. He hid these insecurities in his binoculars, scanning the area as thoroughly as he could for Nettes or any of his goons. Focus would become a difficult thing to maintain with his two associates...

"Eugh! This nanotech 'guise gizmo is uncomfortable! How the hell do you wear these things without wanting to tear it off!!?" Rush exclaimed, before promptly being muted by Cal.

"Thank you. And for the last time, this is for the good of the mission, so pipe down while you're at it." Finn warned.

"We're in for a lot of bickering, aren't we?" Damian added quietly to Jacobs.

"Not answering that." Jacobs remarked.

"You just did." Damian retorted.

"Somebody shut them up." Finn scowled.

"Can somebody riddle me this? Why we're wearing these stupid ricer 'stumes if we're the ones who aren't even in combat?!" Rush asked in a scathing tone.

"For the sake of the mission, now be quiet!" Finn barked.

"Yes, Rush. For the love of the Manufacturer, please shut up for once." El interjected over the radio.

"I will not be silenced for the sake of the mission!" Rush complained angrily.

Finn rolled his eyes and quickly passed over a small device to Cal.