The Art of War

Maneuvering an Army

"I will only tell this story one time. The story how I, together with an assassin, saved Bishamon's life."

Whatever Yukine had expected, this hit him unexpected. "Wait a moment. You and an assassin? Are you kidding me?" Yukine immediately interrupted the story and reaped a death glare from Kazuma.

"If you interrupt me after every sentence, I will reconsider talking about it and you will continue to be left in the dark." Yukine admired Kazuma's self-control. The impulse of his mentor to simply stand up and leave the room was obvious. However he still gave Yukine another chance for the longed-for truth.

Silently he leaned back in his chair. He signified Kazuma with a nod that he can continue without interruption, what was received with an annoyed roll of Kazuma's eyes. "Back then I was just a rookie and had the luck – or misfortune – to be assigned to Bishamon's team. A great honor. I did my best, but was unable to catch up with my colleagues. Was regularly more than useless."

That was something Yukine couldn't imagine. Kazuma made the team stick together, was Bishamon's right hand. Without him chaos would reign. But something in Kazuma's eyes told him that every said word was the truth.

"From the old team I'm the only one left. The story behind it barely anyone knows and is generally kept under wraps. The new members make speculations, but know nothing."

The curiosity showed clearly in Yukine's face. Of course he was a bit bewildered that he will get to know about it considering the short time in the precinct. But why did they keep it a secret from the concerned team?

As if Kazuma had read his thoughts, Yukine received an answer to his silent question. "An order from high up. It would cost some of them their jobs of this information gets out. The public could lose its trust in the police, at least to a certain degree."

Slowly it got too abstruse for Yukine. He just wasn't able to imagine how someone like Kazuma had gotten involved in something of this level. Kazuma tried to avoid trouble and solve problems. Unlike Yukine who attracted problems magically.

"In any case," Kazuma continued and pulled the attention back to himself, "I was the new one in the team. At the beginning everything was normal, but it changed during the progression of my first case. Bishamon took me along to the crime scene, wanted to give me a chance to prove myself. The other team members weren't too excited about it. I hadn't done anything to prove my value and should stay at my desk where I couldn't do much wrong. Regardless Bishamon decided to give me this opportunity to prove myself."

"What has all this to do with Ya-," Yukine interrupted himself before he finished this sentence. The scolding gaze of Kazuma was earned. Just listen. No questions.

After Yukine stayed quiet Kazuma returned to his story. "I found an important evidence at the crime scene. The others were displeased and this was probably the straw that broke the camel's back."

Kazuma paused his narration. Yukine asked himself if was done intentionally. Did he want Yukine to interrupt him? So that he didn't had to keep talking? However Yukine waited patiently.

"The situation got especially bad when Bishamon fell ill and wasn't able to work. The hostility in the team was noticeable. Coincidentally I listened into the conversation of two co-workers. I hadn't been there long enough to recognize the voices, still they filled me with fear. They planned to murder Bishamon."

What the hell? It was impossible for Yukine to imagine why someone from her own team planned to kill Bishamon. Of course she was strict, but she was concerned about the well-being of all her subordinates.

"Without consideration I rounded up the few colleagues I trusted. Together we planned to identify and stop the traitors."

The somber expression in Kazuma's eyes told Yukine their plan hadn't worked out.