Yakuza: Like a Phoenix

Chapter 14: Purgatorio

Sorry for the delay. Life has kept me busy but I finally have motivation and time to continue this story.

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Kiryu and Date were heading up to West Park through Kamurocho. They sought the Florist of Sai. For his information network was second to none. Eventually they stopped at a restroom. Heading to the one that was out of order. Though there were some homeless men watching the door. "Hey, you, didn't you see the sign. It said out of order, can't you read?" The man on the left asked. "I saw it," Kiryu replied. "Then you can't complain if you get hurt!" The homeless man said.

As Date whipped around to see more men flood in with guns. He gasped as the two men in front of them drew handguns as well. "Scram! We don't want anything to do with Yakuza or Cops!" One man exclaimed as Date wished he had his service pistol on him. He gritted his teeth as Kiryu stared at the men in front of him unflinchingly. They were outnumbered and outgunned quite literally. Yet Kiryu remained steely and focused. Exuding some type of aura of confidence that Date couldn't help but begrudgingly admire. Yakuza have charisma after all. It was further proved when Kiryu clamped his hand down over the gun hand of one homeless man. And began to pull on his arm and twisting it. "Kiryu!" Date exclaimed in concern. "Aren't public bathrooms meant for public use?" Kiryu asked coldly. The Yakuza shakedown tactics were in full effect. A little bit of questioning, some show of force... All to gain compliance.

A phone rang and a homeless man answered. Holding up his hand to get everyone to stop. "Yeah... Yeah. Yes, that's right. Understood," he said before hanging up. "Let them through," he said. As Kiryu allowed the homeless man he held tightly to wrench himself free. Date breathed a sigh of relief as the man allowed the two through. Opening a stall door that revealed a door to the closed off area beyond. When they went through, outside was a large, African man who was taller than Kiryu. Bulkier as well, Date knew this man was a bouncer alright.

"I will take you, Kiryu-san, Date-san," he said in poor, slow but understandable Japanese. "You already know us, huh?" Kiryu asked. "That's Purgatory for you," the homeless man who opened the door commented. As Date, and Kiryu followed the African man. "Kiryu, don't just grab the hand of someone with a gun! You're lucky he didn't panic and shoot you!" Date hissed at Kiryu. Kiryu gave Date the side eye. "I've taken bullets before," Kiryu replied. As Date frowned at his words. "It doesn't make you invincible, let me guess. It put you out of commission for a bit?" Date asked and Kiryu gritted his teeth at how right Date was. "I'll take whatever anyone throws at me, as long as we get this done," Kiryu said with finality. Not wanting to converse anymore. Much to Date's chagrin.

The man led them through West Park. As Kiryu briefly looked back at the last time he was in this area. It was always a spot for homeless people. When things got bad in the 80s, he hid here thanks to some help. Even though Kiryu has helped the homeless before. It's been around twenty years since then and those actions were most likely forgotten. As Kiryu now has a black mark that will live beyond him. The moniker of Dragon of Dojima, and how it came with him having officially killed Dojima.

Soon they reached the subway entrance at the end of the park. "Boss is waiting for you at the far end, underground," the African man said. "Go ahead," he urged. Kiryu and Date walked down the stairs. While Kiryu didn't show his shock. Date definitely did. As the two of them stared at a hidden red light area of traditional Japanese history. Women hanging around for men to ogle at. Sakura blossoms in the water that looked surprisingly clean for a subway. "Unbelievable," Date muttered, never having seen Purgatory before.

The two of them walked as a man stepped out in front of them. His face is sharp, and paler than most Asians. He is quite handsome for his age. Some would assume he is a silver fox. His eyes are an uncommon blue. While his grey hair is long and stringy. He wears a long, black buttoned up raincoat. Pointed boots with steeled toes. Scuffed jeans, along with fingerless gloves. "Hello, welcome to Purgatory. My name is Mogui," he introduced himself. As Date and Kiryu looked at each other. "You're as stoic as the FengHuang described," he said.