Outbound

Burden

Thursday arrives, and the newly formed "Outbound" team gathers again in their hideout. There is a sense of anticipation and unease in the air, as they all know that the mission to foil the assassination attempt is imminent. "Alright, listen up!" Naoya's voice echoes through the space, capturing the crew's attention. "We've got a lot to cover. Let's get to it." 

"As you guys know, I'm a former member of The Six Commandments. The reason I am saying this is because, Takemoto found me not too long ago. He chose not to attempt and kill me. However, that doesn't mean other five members will not be after me. I didn't even begin to mention entirety of The Hitman Legion." Katsura leans forward, his muscular physique tense with concentration. "So, other members of the Six Commandments could be involved in this assassination attempt?" "I am the only one capable of withstanding the commandments. For the hitman legion, there are thousands of members across Japan." Yumi, ever the curious one, speaks up. "So, how the hell are we supposed to fend off an entire army of hitmen?" "Why do you guys think I decided to regroup with my old crew? This isn't something I can take head on by mself." The crew members exchange tense glances, the weight of the situation settling in. "Wait a minute," says Mako, a look of disbelief on her face. "Are you saying we're going up against an entire legion of hitmen?" "I have fought off militants more than Hitmen so far. So that must mean assassin legion are currently are trying to gain information about me." 

Katsura, ever the pragmatic, chimes in. "So, these assassins are gathering intel on you while the militants are just trying to take you out? "Isn't that so funny though? I could randomly die to a militant and all the work assassin's are putting in would be in vain." A chuckle ripples through the group. "That would be quite ironic, wouldn't it?" Kyoko says with a wry smile. Hayakawa chimes in, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "Yeah, well, let's not count on luck then. We need a plan." "Hayakawa already suggested the 'Why don't you get out of Japan'. However, that isn't something I can do meanwhile I know that they will be after each one of you including my son." The crew members exchange grim looks, the weight of Naoya's words settling heavily over them. "So, we're all targets now," Tatsuya mutters. "You guys know the amount of money they put on my head right?" Naoya asks. The crew members exchange knowing glances. "Yeah, we know," Mako replies with a sigh. "It's not exactly something small enough to ignore." "I am going to be honest with all of you. No plan could win against entirety of Japan." The mood in the makeshift hideout shifts as the crew considers Naoya's ominous statement. "What are you saying, Naoya?" Daisuke prods, his usual playful smirk replaced with a serious expression. "We not only need perfect plans, we need to chain them all together without any type of error. Even the slightest miscalculation results in death." The atmosphere becomes heavier as the crew members contemplate the seriousness of the situation. Their lives are literally on the line, and the risks of failure are dire. "So, we're talking precision here," Katsura states, his expression stoic. "One wrong move, and it's game over." "If Jun wasn't with me during the day of the militant chase, I would be dead." The crew members exchange alarmed looks. Mako speaks up, her voice laced with concern. "Are you saying Jun saved your life?" 

Naoya takes off his shirt and shows the bullet wound right on his liver area. "I am constantly in pain every single second because of this. I cannot move that well or fight that well like I am used to." The crew members wince at the sight of the bullet wound. There's a collective sense of shock and unease in the air. "Jesus, Naoya," Katsura exclaims. "How are you even alive?" "Is this what you call living?" Naoya asks plainly. The crew members fall silent for a moment, the severity of Naoya's condition sinking in. Kyoko, ever the stoic one, offers a sympathetic nod. "Well, you're breathing, aren't you?" Mako sighs, the realization of the dire situation settling in. "So, we're not just facing a legion of hitmen, but we're also working with someone who's severely injured. Great." "I am not asking for sympathy, I am showing this so you guys understand that there is only death at the end of this so called mission of ours." The room falls silent once more, the gravity of the situation weighing heavily on everyone. Tatsuya breaks the tense atmosphere, his voice firm. "Alright, enough of the doom and gloom. We all know the stakes here. But we signed up for this, right?" "You guys know where Yosuke is hospitalized. No matter what happens, I do not want that information to get to anyone. Is that understood?" The crew members nod emphatically, a newfound determination igniting in each of them. "We've got your back, boss," Katsura asserts, his voice filled with assurance. Naoya turns his head to Fujiwara. "She is not any different. She knows how the underground works but that is only because her family is involved. She doesn't know how to hold a gun or anything like that."

The crew members exchange glances, realizing the unique strengths and weaknesses of their team members. "Well, she can handle logistics and planning," Kyoko chimes in. "We can work with that." "I know." Naoya takes out the cigarette packet from his pocket and takes out a cigarette, lighting it on fire shortly after. "I am in a type of situation that even best of American movies wouldn't imagine of." "You mean the action movies where the hero manages to beat the odds and emerge victorious against all the bad guys?" Katsura pipes in, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Precisely that. Do I look like a super hero man that is built from diamond?" The crew members chuckle softly at Naoya's remark, appreciating the brief moment of lighter atmosphere. Tatsuya cracks a smirk. "No, you definitely don't look like a superhero. You seem closer to a wounded bear to me." 

Naoya takes a drag from his cigarette and continues, "Slow and old, injured and wounded. I have no idea how to keep all of you alive meanwhile keeping myself alive." "You think we're any better?" Mako interjects, her voice tinged with a mix of defiance and determination. "We're just as screwed as you are." "You can move your body without any pain." Naoya says. The crew members fall silent, aware of the truth in Naoya's words. "We may not be hurt, but we're out of practice," Katsura concedes. "It's been ages since I last wielded a gun." "I'm aware. You guys have probably only weeks before it gets worse." The room falls into a heavy silence, the truth of Naoya's words sinking in. "So, we need to act fast," says Hayakawa, his voice grave. "And we need a plan." Hitman Legion will not wait for us to act. The moment they gain slightest information, they will be on our tails forever. "Wait a minute," Daisuke chimes in, a hint of realization in his voice. "You mean to tell me, these assassins are going to be gunning for our asses for the rest of our lives?" Naoya looks at Daisuke and speaks, "Not forever literally, until I am dead." The crew members exchange nervous glances, the reality of the situation setting in. "Well, that's reassuring," Mako mutters sarcastically. "If you guys want to back out even right now, I wouldn't blame any of you. Why risk your life over someone who cannot even move around well, right?"

The crew members exchange looks again, a moment of uncertainty passing over them. But it doesn't last long. "Are you insane?" says Mako, her voice firm. "We're not abandoning you. We started this together, we'll see it through together." "Am I...Insane?" Naoya falls back into silence after saying that. The crew members watch him nervously, unsure how to interpret his sudden silence. Kyoko speaks up, her voice filled with concern. "Naoya, you okay?" "I am insane I guess. Who would bring other people to a suicide mission just to defend himself rather than just letting himself get killed?" Mako lets out a weary sigh, her voice filled with resolve. "Maybe you are," she admits. "But guess what? So are we." "That's not a good thing. Mako." Naoya says after another drag. Mako chuckles softly, a glint of defiance in her eye. "Maybe not. But since when have we been good at anything?" Naoya looks up at Mako like she asked the most stupid question of all time. "Killing." he answers plainly. "Well, that I can't argue with," Mako concedes, a flicker of amusement in her voice. The crew members collectively chuckle, the tension in the room lightening briefly. But the seriousness of their situation quickly settles back in. "So, now that we've established that we're all crazy," Kyoko pipes up, "How are we going to survive this?" Jun decides to speak up. "Me, Mr. Naoya and Ms. Fujiwara tried to go without any type of plans. Always waited for enemies to act first. We cannot afford to do something reckless like that again. We need good plans and we have to succeed in completing each one." The crew members listen intently to Jun's words, nodding in agreement. "You're right," says Hayakawa. "Running blindly into danger isn't gonna work. We need a more meticulous approach." 

"I'll leave the hacking and keeping us safe from online to Mako, Kyoko and Yumi." Naoya says. Mako, Kyoko and Yumi nod in acknowledgement, the seriousness of their task clear on their faces. "What about the rest of us?" Katsura asks. "You, Katsura. I need you to find willing trustful allies that would join us in this cause." Katsura frowns, a hint of skepticism in his gaze. "Trustworthy allies? Where the hell are we gonna find those?" Naoya looks directly into his eyes and speaks, "We might need your family clan's help." "What?" Katsura's eyes widen with surprise and disbelief. "My family clan? Are you serious?" Naoya takes another drag from his cigarette and speaks, "Insanity sure is a bliss state isn't it?" Katsura lets out a sardonic laugh, still reeling from the suggestion. "Yeah, insanity seems to be the theme of the day." "So, what do you say?" Naoya asks. Katsura sighs heavily, still reluctant but clearly understanding the gravity of the situation. "Fine. I'll reach out to them. But don't expect anything, alright? They have their own problems to deal with." "So be it. I would rather try everything that I have in my hand." He turns his back to Ms. Fujiwara. "I need you to plan some stuff with Hayakawa." Fujiwara nods understandingly, her mind already racing with potential plans and strategies. "Understood. We'll come up with something." Naoya then looks at Akira. "You are really good at concealing your own identity. I honestly need you to go to THL building and gain any type of intel you can." Akira's eyes light up, a spark of excitement igniting in her gaze. "So, you're asking me to spy on them?" "Yeah. If that is possible." Naoya states. Akira is clearly up for the challenge, a smirk appearing on her face. "They won't even notice me. Just wait and see."

Naoya turns his head to Kento and Tatsuya. "Do I even need to say it out loud? You guys know what I will ask from you two." Kento and Tatsuya exchange a wry grin, already anticipating Naoya's request. "Yeah, we're on it." "I won't even question how you guys find that much money for bulletproof getaway vehicles." Kento laughs, a mischievous glint in his eye. "That's just one of the many things we're good at, Naoya." Naoya adds, "Oh yeah, Tatsuya. Talk with the old bastard. You know, the gunsmith. Get some goodies from him too." Tatsuya nods, a smile playing on his lips. "Roger that. I'll see what Mr. Suzuki has for us." Naoya takes final drag from his cigarette and crushes it with his foot. "And lastly, Daisuke." "Yes, boss?" Daisuke replies, his usual playful demeanor momentarily set aside. "We might need your sister's connections." Daisuke raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "My sister? She doesn't like getting involved in our antics, you know?" Naoya looks at him and responds plainly, "So do I." Daisuke lets out a resigned sigh, realizing that the situation is indeed dire. "Alright, I'll reach out to her. But I can't guarantee she'll agree to help." "She will agree to help if I offer more money than she could ask for." Daisuke chuckles grimly, a hint of irony in his voice. "Ah, money. The universal language." "And for yourself, let your gang know about all this." Naoya requests. Daisuke nods, his expression suddenly serious. "You can count on it, boss. We'll take care of things in Kyushu." "Alright, and for Jun. He is rolling with me." Everyone understood what they will do?"

Everyone in the room nods affirmatively, the weight of their mission settling onto their shoulders. "We're all clear," says Jun determinedly. Naoya glances at each of them and puts back his shirt on. 

"Let the turmoil begin."