Yakuza 0

Chapter one part two bonded by the oath

Nishikiyama: Ready to head out? It's this way. There he is. C'mon, stay close. (sees a vomiting guy) Stay classy, Kamurocho...

Kiryu: Ha. Isn't that part of the draw? This town's a perfect fit for the newly-minted rich playboys this economy's churned out. They come thirsty for booze and women, and Kamurocho's got both in spades.

Nishikiyama: When did you start waxing poetic? Not that you're wrong.

Kiryu: You impressed?

?: Nishikiyama-kun!

Nishikiyama: Yo, ladies!

Kiryu: Who are they?

Nishikiyama: Heh, "college-girl-slash-hostesses," Madoka-chan and Yui-chan.

Kiryu: What?

Yui the Hostess: I've been ringing your pager, but you never call me back! When are you coming back to the club?

Nishikiyama: Tonight. I'll drop by in a bit.

Madoka the Hostess: You promise?

Nishikiyama: What, you don't trust me?

Madoka the Hostess: Well, I WANT to...

Nishikiyama: Aw, don't be like that. (pull out some money) Here, buy yourselves something nice.

Yui the Hostess: Yaaay! I trust you with my life!

Kiryu: These two have got this down...

Madoka the Hostess: Thanks! We'll see you later.

Yui the Hostess: Don't keep us waiting, Nishikiyama-kun!

[They leave.]

Kiryu: When did you get so popular with the ladies, Nishiki?

Nishikiyama: Wait, don't tell me you think I just let those two play me for 40 grand. It's not like that. Building connections with girls is important.

Kiryu: Oh?

Nishikiyama: I'll let you in on something. The guys higher up the chain than us in the family? Not very popular with the ladies. One look and anybody with eyes can tell they're yakuza, and not the fun kind.

Kiryu: Yeah, so?

Nishikiyama: So, if you show up with a pack of girls every time the bosses invite you drinking, they remember you. Half the time they give me cash on the spot. If you're in this business, you've gotta claw your way up that ladder using any means possible. Right?

Kiryu: Yeah, maybe you've got a point.

Nishikiyama: All right, this is the place. Hope you're ready, because I'm not stopping till morning.

[In the bar...]

Kiryu: You come here a lot?

Nishikiyama: Hm? This makes twice. Why?

Kiryu: You've got a personal bottle here. I thought maybe you were a regular.

Nishikiyama: Looks a lot cooler than sitting around ordering beers, doesn't it? Helps the staff remember you, too. But mostly I just can't stand being taken for a bum.

Kiryu: Heh, makes sense. You're a big, important man with a big, important image to uphold.

Nishikiyama: And if you hope to get anywhere in this world, you could stand to follow my lead a little.

Kiryu: ........

Nishikiyama: But I guess you're just not the type, huh?

Kiryu: I... I entered this life chasing after Kazama-san. You and I were just a couple of orphans, and he took us in. I'd do anything to repay him, but all I can give is my life.

Nishikiyama: You know, maybe you're fine just the way you are.

Kiryu: Hm?

Nishikiyama: You keep pulling your weight under Kazama-san, maybe he'll bring you with him when he makes it really big. That's just as legit an approach as mine. Just remember, you're technically not one of Kazama-san's boys. You're in the Dojima Family. Why do you figure the old man didn't take us on as Kazama Family men? Sure, the Dojima Family's higher up the pecking order, but still...

Kiryu: Doesn't matter. I'm sure he had his reasons.

Nishikiyama: Yeah, you're probably right. Anyway! That's enough serious talk for one night! Let's get crazy on some karaoke! C'mon!

[Kiryu sings Bama Mitai because what else ]

Nishikiyama: Ha. I never knew you took karaoke so seriously.

Kiryu: Hey, you're the one who said to get crazy. I was just trying to humor you.

Nishikiyama: Suuure. And you loved every minute of it. Do you sneak off and practice on the sly? You so do.

Kiryu: Come on, quit busting my balls.

Nishikiyama: All that singing worked up an appetite. How about we move this party to the ramen shop?

Kiryu: You're hungry again? I'm still full, man.

Nishikiyama: So? You can watch me eat, then. Tengokuken work for you?

Kiryu: Yeah, all right, fine...

[They go outside.]

Nishikiyama: Ready to head out?

Passerby: Hey, watch out, man!

Nishikiyama: I ever tell you what a great voice you have? You pick songs like an old man would, though.

Kiryu: Sue me. I don't know what's popular now.

Nishikiyama: Then you gotta learn. Girls like a man who's living in the current decade, bro.

Kiryu: Heh. That so?

Nishikiyama: I'll admit I'm still learning about the male idol scene, though. I just nod along and pretend I know what's what.

Kiryu: And you think everybody doesn't know that?

Nishikiyama: Maybe. Who needs guy idols anyway? Girls or forget it. Some of these new girls are seriously cute.

Kiryu: Oh yeah? Huh.

Nishikiyama: Yeah. Do some research. It's worth the time, Watch it become your new obsession. Then you'll be telling ME who to watch.

Kiryu: Heh, it could happen.

Nishikiyama: Before long, both of us are gonna be at some concert, screaming along to all the lyrics.

Kiryu: ...That's a mental image I don't need.

Nishikiyama: Yeaaah... Here we are. This is the spot.

6:50 AM

Nishikiyama: Hm? Hey, come on. You've barely touched that.

Kiryu: I told you I wasn't hungry. So you buy me an extra large like an ass.

Nishikiyama: Aw, quit whining. You gonna wuss out?

Newscaster: 11:00 PM last night, the body of a young male was found severely beaten in a quiet corner of Kamurocho. Police are investigating the case as a homicide. We have a breaking update-- Authorities have released the victim's identity. The deceased was a resident of Tokyo. Taichi Kurihara-san, age 32. Police say Kurihara-san carried debts from several loan companies. Questioning will begin with these leads.

Nishikiyama: Kiryu, look.

Kiryu: Hm?

Nishikiyama: A murder in Kamurocho.

Kiryu: It's hardly the first.

Nishikiyama: No, wait. Your job last night... You said you roughed him up pretty bad, right?

Reporter: Kurihara-san's body was found here.

Kiryu: That's... That's the place.

Nishikiyama: No, wait. Your job last night... You said you roughed him up pretty bad, right?

Reporter: Kurihara-san's body was found here.

Kiryu: That's... That's the place.

Nishikiyama: Wait, wait... Are you serious!?

Kiryu: It's not like I beat the guy to death, though.

Reporter: This lot is just a few steps removed... from Kamurocho's busy, neon-lit streets. Nestled between the tall buildings, this odd, inconspicuous lot feels anything but peaceful. This rare remaining pocket of undeveloped land is where Kurihara-san's body was discovered.

Kiryu: It's him.

Businessman: (in Kiryu's memories) Please... No more...

Kiryu: That's the guy I worked over.

Nishikiyama: Hold up. You're SURE that's him?

Kiryu: ...Yeah.

Nishikiyama: The fuck were you thinking!? It was just a collections job!

[Kiryu's pager beeping.]

Nishikiyama: Who is it? HQ?

Kiryu: Yeah. They're already calling me in. I'm gonna go call in.

Nishikiyama: You think... It's gotta be about what they were saying on the news, right? This is bad. You're obviously screwed, but this also paints a giant target on Kazama-san's back.

Kiryu: What?

Nishikiyama: They're gonna use this to bring him down.

Kiryu: How do you figure?

Nishikiyama: Everybody in the Dojima Family knows it was Kazama-san who brought us in. That means our screw-ups become his responsibility, too.

Kiryu: What? But this was my mistake. He had nothing to do with it.

Nishikiyama: That's not how it works. Murder is a big deal. Everybody with an eye on his position is going to come at this with everything they've got. The three Dojima lieutenants, for starters.

Kiryu: Shit...

Nishikiyama: Rumor has it, it was one of them that sold Kazama-san out to the cops and got him pinched six months back.

Kiryu: Wait, what?

Nishikiyama: The gambling hall he was running never stayed in the same place, but then they suddenly get hit with a raid? The only way that happens is if somebody with family info tips them off. And the way I hear it told, it was one of the lieutenants that talked... Kuze.

Kiryu: You really think Kuze sold Kazama-san out to the cops?

Nishikiyama: Well, it's not like I've got hard proof. But you know Kuze's been on a power trip ever since the old man got locked up. And where there's smoke...

Kiryu: Either way, I've got no choice but to call them back... Right?

Nishikiyama: Yeah... I guess not. All right, you go. I'll see if I can get some advice.

Kiryu: Thanks.

[Kiryu goes out.]

Kiryu: (I've got to call Dojima Family HQ. There should be a pay phone around here)

[He finds a payphone.]

Kiryu: (Better call the family office.) This is Kiryu. Did somebody page me?

Guy on Phone Duty: Ah, yes! Lieutenant Kuze told me he wanted you to come down to the office right away, Kiryu-san. Actually... the three lieutenants are here waiting for you, Kiryu-san.

Kiryu: Okay. Got it. (Well, I guess I'd better take a taxi to the Dojima Family headquarters.)

Taxi Driver: The taxi fare starts at . Where would you like to go?

Kiryu: (I need to get to Dojima Family HQ.) Take me to the Dojima Family headquarters.

Taxi Driver: Very well, sir.

Tojo Clan
Dojima Family Head quarters

*End of chapter one*