Young McHanzo: The Man Behind the Mask

Chapter 1

"Boss, I just don't get why we gotta go all the way to Japan." Jesse groaned, stomping the heel of his boot into the dirt. Before him was his boss, or better known as the leader of the Deadlock gang. He had just finished telling Jesse about the foreign arms trade that Deadlock was involved in, it just so happened the buyer was a noble family in Japan.

"We? Who the hell is we?" the huge man smacked his hand on the back of Jesse's head, making the kid stumble forwards a few steps, "I've got work to do in the states, you're goin' alone." He huffed and crosses his arms, meanwhile Jesse was about ready to keel over and faint.

"I ain't never done a deal on my own before!" Jesse gripped his chest and laughed, not sure if this was some kind of sick joke,

"The deal is done. All you gotta do is meet the head of the family, get the money, pass on the goods. You'll have a few grunts to help with the heavy lifting but it's up to you to close this thing." Boss pulled out a small glass tablet from his pocket, flicking through schedules and emails mindlessly, completely disregarding the responsibilities he was thrusting upon Jesse,

"I'm not sure I can do that sir," Jesse muttered, cupping his right hand on his left elbow,

"You've watched me do it a hundred times. It's easy. Get in, see the money, do the trade, get out."

"If you say so boss," Jesse chewed his bottom lip, his mind racing with everything that could go wrong,

"Hey, we got a guy up front for you." A grunt poked his head from around the truck the two stood beside,

"Supplier?" Boss asked, eyes flicking to the grunt then to the semi that had just pulled into the dirt parking lot,

"That's right."

"Go pack a bag kid, shouldn't be more than a week in total. Meet me tonight and I'll have a cargo ship lined up for you. You'll fly out then."

Jesse hesitated, he thought about saying no or asking for assistance, but he knew what that would look like. He would look like a coward, or just an idiot for not obeying Boss.

"Yessir." Jesse tipped his head down, shuffling towards the crappy hotel the gang had rustled up for the night. It was better than the beds of trucks or the ground, it was practically a luxury to have a bed. But the gross bathrooms and dirt flavored coffee was still nothing ideal. Jesse hadn't been in a safe place nor a comfortable place in years.

Boss turned back to the grunt, still waiting for instruction,

"That's the kid you're sending to the Shimada-Gumi?" The grunt clicked,

"Yes."

"He's gonna get killed out there, they're the biggest and baddest client we've ever crossed paths with."

"I know." Boss rubbed his temples, "this is the only way," he whispered to himself.

_____

Jesse boarded the plane that night, a duffle bag packed in hand, little sleep in his body, his best clothes on. Even if his best clothes did mean a button up shirt, red bandana around his neck, jeans with the belt he never was seen without and of course, the hat. He needed to look presentable for when he stepped off the ship, anything to make the deal go a little easier. Boss had hooked him up pretty good, two large dudes, looked like they could take a few punches and give out several more. The plane was probably the size of a semi. Not a lot of space but it was discreet, nothing to draw attention to when they landed on Shimada grounds.

Boss had briefly told him about who the buyer was, he didn't give a reason as to why they were buying from an American dealer but Jesse as always, knew never to ask questions. They were the Shimada-Gumi, something similar to gangs like Deadlock but usually run by a single family. The family head, who would be referred to as Shimada-Sama, a mouthful for Jesse's southern accent but he managed to sound half respectful. Also in high power with the family were the two sons, around Jesse's age apparently, they would both be referred to as Shimada-San.