Outbound

Boss

Naoya is still walking through the city streets, his gait purposeful and focused. The moon hangs low in the sky, its light casting eerie shadows on the cityscape. As Naoya continues walking, his mind is strangely calm, his emotions suppressed and his focus singular. He seems detached from the world around him, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. 

"Didn't expect to find you wandering around in Shinjuku of all the places, Naoya." Naoya turns upon hearing the familiar voice, his expression stoic as always. He recognizes the speaker, an old acquaintance from his past. "Aki," he says simply, his voice devoid of emotion. "Are you here for my head, or no?" Naoya asks. Naoya's question is direct and devoid of any hint of surprise. He remains as stoic as ever, his gaze steady. Aki grins, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and slight irritation. "You're just as blunt as ever," he replies, the tension between them palpable. "Answer the question before I blow your head off." Naoya threatens. Aki chuckles, the threat barely fazing him. "Always straight to the point, aren't you? No, I'm not here for your head." He meets Naoya's cold gaze with a smirk, his confidence unwavering. "What does a Six Commandments member want from me then?" Aki's smirk widens at Naoya's recognition of his affiliations. "Ah, you've figured it out already. I had a feeling you would." He leans back against the wall, an air of nonchalance about him. "I've come to propose an exchange." "If it's related to me coming with you, no thanks." Naoya says. Aki's smirk falters slightly at Naoya's firm refusal. He expected as much, but he doesn't show any hint of disappointment. "I figured you'd say that," he replies, chuckling softly. "It's not about joining us. It's a deal, an exchange of information." "Information? About who?" Naoya asks.

Aki leans forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he lowers his voice. "It's about the head price on your head. I know who's responsible." His words hang in the air, the weight of the information heavy. "Takemoto told me that THL higher ups decided on it. Who is it?" Aki's tone is serious now as he divulges the information. "Takemoto was only partially right. It's not the higher-ups of THL directly, but they have a powerful ally in their corner. That ally is none other than Shinoda, a key figure in the assassination industry." The name drops like a grenade, its significance echoing in the silence. "How will that information help me in any way?" Naoya asks. Aki leans back again, his smirk returning. "Ah, but information is power. Knowing about these alliances and their true motives can give you an edge." He raises an eyebrow, a hint of a challenge in his eyes. "Just imagine the possibilities, Naoya, with the right information at your fingertips." "And what information you want in exchange?" Aki's smirk widens, his cunning nature clearly evident. He leans forward slightly, his eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and mischief. "I think a favor would suffice. A favor that can be called upon at my discretion. In exchange for the information I provide." His tone is casual, but there's an underlying tension that suggests that this favor won't come without consequences. Aki begins to speak again. "I want you to join Six Commandments just like the old times." Naoya gets shocked after hearing this. "Everyone in the THL is after my head. And I was thinking that you guys were too. What is up with this bullshit you are suggesting right now?" Naoya asks. Aki's smirk fades, replaced by a serious expression as he gauges Naoya's reaction. "It's not bullshit, it's a calculated move on our part," he replies firmly. "We both know what kind of danger you're in right now, with the entire THL after your head." He pauses, letting his words sink in before continuing. "And how will me, joining back makes it any better? This literally means that I am surrendering myself in the THL building in the name of 'returning'." Naoya says with annoyance. Aki sighs, a hint of annoyance in his tone. "You really are dense sometimes, aren't you?" He leans closer, his eyes boring into Naoya's. "You think we'd just let you waltz into the THL building and get yourself captured? We're smarter than that." 

Aki throws a cigarette at Naoya and takes a seat on a nearby curb. Naoya catches the cigarette as Aki takes a seat on the nearby curb, his expression neutral. Aki lights his own cigarette, the smoke swirling around him. "I've been keeping tabs on you, you know," he says, breaking the silence. Naoya lights his cigarette with his lighter and takes a drag. "It's not about that. If the Six Commandments aren't after me, what is the goal? Aki." Aki takes a deep drag of his cigarette, the end glowing with a soft orange light. He exhales a plume of smoke before responding, his tone thoughtful. "You want to know what the goal is? It's simple, really." He looks at Naoya, his eyes glinting with a hidden purpose. "We want to dismantle the THL from the inside. And we believe that you can be a key piece in accomplishing that. There hasn't been anyone else who could withstand THL to this extent." Naoya raises his eyebrow and responds, "Dismantle THL from inside? Biting the hand that feeds you is a new trend nowadays?" Aki chuckles, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Isn't life full of surprises? But seriously, you know as well as I do that the THL has gone too far at this point." He takes another drag from his cigarette, the smoke swirling around him like a cloud. "Why is Shinoda the one putting the price on my head of all the people?" Naoya asks with curiosity. Aki exhales a puff of smoke, his eyes locking onto Naoya's. "Shinoda is a powerful figure in the assassination industry. He's the puppetmaster, the one pulling the strings from behind the scenes. And he's not happy about you defying him. The price on your head is his way of asserting control, to put you in your place." "Isn't it ironic? He is the one who ordered me to go on that mission the day I got shot." 

Aki nods, a wry smile on his lips. "Yes, it's a cruel twist of fate. Your mission went wrong, and he used that as an opportunity to remove you from the picture. Except, you didn't stay dead, and now he's determined to finish the job." "So you are meaning to tell me, Six Commandments just like the old times are on my side? This doesn't sound believable to me. Prove it to me right now." Aki takes a long drag on his cigarette, his eyes narrowing slightly. He exhales a cloud of smoke before speaking, the words laced with conviction. "Naoya, I can't blame you for being skeptical. But understand that the circumstances have changed. We're not the same organization we were before." He takes a moment to gauge Naoya's reaction before continuing. "Speaking of dismantling THL, don't you mean you want to get rid of the higher ups instead?" Naoya asks. Aki takes a moment to consider his response, the cigarette between his fingers burning slowly. "You could say that," he admits, a hint of intrigue in his expression. "But it's not merely about getting rid of the higher ups. It's about tearing down the entire structure, exposing the rot that's been festering within the organization for years." He looks at Naoya, his eyes searching for a flicker of understanding. "I'll ask once again. Prove it to me that you are the real deal right now."  Aki takes one last puff from his cigarette, the embers at the end glowing bright red. He flicks it away, the embers fizzling out in the night air. He takes a step closer to Naoya, meeting his gaze with a steely determination. "You want proof? Fine."

Aki hands him the combat knife Naoya used all the time back then. The spine is engraved with the name "Koji". Naoya accepts the combat knife, the feel of it familiar in his hand. His gaze flicks to the engravings on the spine: "Koji". The weight of the past hangs heavy as he looks to Aki. "This was taken away from me the day THL declared me a traitor." Aki's expression hardens, his eyes flicking to the knife in Naoya's hand. "I remember," he mutters, his voice tinged with a hint of regret. "They took it as part of the whole betrayal story, a symbol of your treachery." 

Naoya looks down at the knife once more and looks back up at Aki. "I'll join The Six Commandments." Aki's eyes gleam with anticipation, a flicker of triumph in his expression. "Good choice," he says, a slight smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. "The Six Commandments will welcome you back with open arms." "I'm hoping you guys have a good plan about this. What you guys are attempting to do is trying to finish off Japan from inside." Aki's smirk widens as he nods, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "You can bet we have a plan," he affirms. "It's not just about taking down THL; it's about liberating Japan from their grip." He takes a step closer to Naoya, their shoulders almost touching. "This is our chance to make a difference, to shape our country's future. And with you back on our side, we're closer than ever." "You have to stop talking like we are in a movie. It gives me the chills." Naoya states with sigh. Aki chuckles, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "Right, no more movie-like speeches. But remember, this is our reality, and it ain't a movie." He takes a deep breath, his expression sobering. "We have a real opportunity here, Naoya. Are you ready to take it?" 

Naoya looks down at his knife once again and speaks.
"This will be my final atonement to fix my wrongdoings from the past." Aki's expression softens slightly at Naoya's words, a flicker of compassion in his eyes. He places a hand on Naoya's shoulder, a gesture of understanding. "We all have our demons to face," he says quietly.

 "This is your chance to make things right. Welcome back to the Six Commandments, Boss."