The Six

Chapter 4

Hiroto’s instructions led them to a beach near the shores of Okinawa. According to him, all of the communication of the plane was jammed by the Taketora faction. Also, they made arrangements with the people who work in airports and that the plane was their property. As Elijah landed the plane, they were greeted by men wearing yukatas.

They seem to be a really rough group, most of them had tattoos, some had scars. As they stepped down the plane, there were some intent stares at them. This changed when Elijah left the plane, still holding the controller. All of the men burst into cheers. Some of them was even screaming his name. This surprised his sisters.

“Do you know them?” asked May. “No idea.” said a confused Elijah.

Then one of them walked forward. He was bald, with a mustache, and one scar was seen on his eye. He didn’t wore one of the sleeve of his yukata. So, it showed a tattoo of a dragon.

“Hello,” said the man in a British accent, which surprised the group. “I am Hiroto Ryuugen, the right hand man of Ranmaru Taketora. I am pleased to see you arrive safe, Master  Elijah”

“Master?” said Elijah

“Now, you should get in.” said Hiroto, not minding the sibling’s expression, pointing to a limousine parked on one side of the street. “Ranmaru-sama is waiting.”

They all went in the car along with Hiroto. He didn’t mind the expressions on the siblings faces as the rode in silence. His eyes fixed on Elijah all the time, as if he was his greatest treasure.

“Um, sir?” said Menea to break the ice “Why you speak like that?”

“Like what?” said Hiroto. “Like a British man.” said Menea “You don’t sound Japanese.” Hiroto smiled as he said “I lived in Britain until I reached 16. I was transferred here to help Ranmaru-sama learn English.”

Elijah, who was nervous from all of the special attention he received, asked “Why do you call me ‘Master’? I don’t even know you guys!” Hiroto turned to Elijah and said “But, we know you Master Elijah! You are Ranmaru-sama’s heir. You will be the 16th boss of our faction. However, if calling you Master is unconfortable, we can all you Elijah-sama if you like.”

They all gasped at Hiroto’s words. Elijah will become a Yakuza boss? He is as harmless as a fly. He can’t possibly be the man Hiroto is talking about. “You must be mistaken.” said Majella “Elijah was bullied in elementary, and--” Hiroto’s expression changed as he took out his pistol and said “What the name of this bully?” Majella back out as he did it. Instinctively, Elijah said “He won’t be messing with me anymore. I beat him up when we reached high school.” Hiroto lowered his gun.

After that, they rode in silence again. They thought it was best not to talk about Elijah’s future job opportunities until he met Ranmaru to clear things out.

They arrived to a traditional Japanese home. May looked at it and thinks it is like the kendo dojos you see in animes. As they walk inside, through the garden and the hallway, they went inside a room. In the room, a man in his 30’s sat in front of his table reading some paperwork.

He looked more like a normal Japanese guy. He wore his gray yukata normally, unlike Hiroto. He had his long black hair tied to a knot. So, it didn’t cover his face. He had a hooked nose and bushy eyebrows. Menea was going to call him a troll, but when she saw Hiroto bow down at him, she decided not to. She knew it was Ranmaru.

As he saw Elijah, he stood up, ran towards him and hugged him. This made everyone more confused. All of them looked that way except Elijah, who had a look of realization in his eyes. Hiroto and Ranmaru spoke in Japanese for a while and he ordered Hiroto to leave, which he did.

Carlene spoke first, since she felt like she needed to “Hello--”

“Jean? I thought you stayed home. You know, it’s rude to lie in my country.” said Ranmaru in a Japanese accent. “I am not Jean.” replied Carlene “I am Carlene, her daughter.”

Ranmaru squinted closer “Ah! Sorry, I always forgot that you look a lot like your mother, except your eyes though, Sam had beautiful eyes for a guy. Do you remember me?”

Carlene looked confused, but Elijah spoke “Uncle Ran. I remember him, he went to dad’s birthday when we were young, and he spoke to me every time he saw me.”

Ran smiled and said “At least you remembered Eli. You can all call me Uncle Ran if you like. Your father and I are good friends.”

“Then you must be--” stuttered Elijah.

“Ranmaru Taketora, the Bladed tiger, the 3rd most dangerous person in the world, also known by the name ‘San’.”

As soon as she felt that she could talk, Majella asked Ran “Why is my brother the next Yakuza boss?”

Ran looked at her and said “That’s another story I should talk about soon. Anyways, I was told by your mother to train Elijah in the way of the sword.”

“Only Elijah?” said Majella “Why only him? What is this ‘way of the blade’ thing?”

“You act like Ivy, can’t blame you.” shrugged Ran “That is because I named him. I am his godfather.”

“So, let me get this straight” interrupted May “You won’t train us because Elijah is your Godson? So, who will train us?”

“You will be trained by your Godparents of course.” said Ran as he approached a sword hanging on the wall “You see. Your father made members of ‘the Six’ your godparents. Carlene was named by Juan, Menea by Deux, Elijah by me, Majella by Ivy, and May by Lima.”

 “So what will we do? Nothing?!” said Majella

Carlene took her and said “Thank you Uncle Ran for the information. Where can we find the other 4 members?” Ran took the sword and said “The nearest one here is Ivy, in Lviv, Ukraine. However, you will go after Elijah’s training. It will only take me 3 days to teach him all he needs to know.”

“I will teach Elijah how to use a sword.” said Ran as he unsheathed his katana. “I will train you to hold a sword and how to use it to protect your sisters. Are you ready to what I am about to teach you?”

“I am ready.” said Elijah in a determined voice “When will we start?”

 “Now.” smiled Ran