Chapter Text
Chuuya’s expression was unreadable as he moved through the halls of Port Mafia headquarters, a stack of papers in one hand and a dull ache blooming behind his eyes. A sure sign that he’d had too little sleep and too much stress, but there was nothing he could do about that for the time being. It had been one day since the Guild had finally arrived in Yokohama, and three hours since the assassin they’d sent had been caught and Mori had declared war on them. As a result the entire Mafia was busier than usual, as they made preparations for attack.
Chuuya hated to admit it, but he had underestimated the Guild. Though he’d known they were trouble, he just hadn’t expected them to move so quickly, or so boldly, sending an assassin straight into Mafia territory like they owned the place.
He couldn’t even figure out what they had hoped to accomplish with such an action, surely they hadn’t thought that such a haphazard plan would actually manage to kill anyone of importance, or even anyone at all? Chuuya didn’t know, and annoyingly enough the assassin’s ghost hadn’t stuck around. That fact alone frustrated him more than it should have. After all these years, he still didn’t know why some people became ghosts and others didn’t.
Logically he would have thought it had something to do a desire to not die or unfinished business; he’d killed plenty of people who very clearly weren’t in favor of it though, and yet hadn’t become ghosts, and he’d met plenty of ghosts who were well, lifeless, and didn’t have any goal they wanted to achieve. Every time he came up with a theory to explain it, it seemed as if a new ghost turned up who was just different enough to destroy it.
Regardless of why ghosts existed or what the Guild’s intent with sending an assassin had been, the fact remained that their plan to do so had slipped past Chuuya’s notice.
Chuuya had never fooled himself into thinking he was omniscient. Every scrap of intel he got came either from ghosts or his own investigation, and both had limits. It wasn’t like ghosts could just read people’s minds to get information either. They needed to overhear something, catch a glimpse of a document, or follow the right person at the right time. And even that depended on if they were willing to help.
Just because there were plenty of ghosts in the city, didn’t mean they were all willing to aid him. Some were resentful towards the living, not quite filled with enough anger to become a malicious ghost, but unwilling to do anything to help them. Others were more than happy to share any gossip they’d happened to hear, but had no interest in actually seeking out any information.
There were also the ghosts that were perfectly willing to gather information within Yokohama, or wherever their home was, but had no desire to go roaming around elsewhere on their own. Chuuya had never bothered trying to convince any of them otherwise; despite what most people might think, being dead didn’t necessarily mean nothing could hurt you, and he wasn’t going to force anyone to put themselves in danger.
There had been far too many times in his life that his own agency had been taken away, he tried to avoid doing so to anyone else.
As a result of the complications though, Chuuya only had a handful of ghosts who were willing to go anywhere he asked, and even with the ones who were more than happy to roam the city, his resources were currently stretched pretty thin. There were a few left he could still ask, but that totally depended on them showing up on their own. He had no way to summon them.
Despite the fact that he had done his best, it still rankled him that he’d missed something.
He was doing his best to make up for it though, Mori had ordered him to compile a list of all the Guild members and their abilities. Chuuya had spent the last several hours tracking down his ghosts, cross-referencing scraps of intel, and compiling it all into something resembling a coherent report. It wasn’t perfect by any means, there was some information in regards to some of the members abilities that they just didn’t have, but for it was enough. It at least gave them an edge.
Reaching the door to Mori’s office, Chuuya reached out and knocked on it, before entering as soon as he was given permission. The sight that greeted him would be considered a strange one to anyone who wasn’t familiar with Mori’s usual antics, but to Chuuya, it barely registered. The man was sitting behind his desk, a pile of paperwork in front of him, while Elise stuck various colorful clips in his hair.
Compared to some of the ridiculous things he’d seen Mori get up to in the past though, this was pretty normal.
“I’ve brought the list of the Guild’s abilities.” Chuuya told Mori, “With the exception of Lovecraft, we know the origins of all the members and at least some information about their abilities.”
Mori set down the pen he’d been using to sign documents and looked up at Chuuya with a serious expression. “What is the issue in regards to Lovecraft?”
Chuuya’s brow furrowed, “We can’t find any evidence of his existence prior to joining the Guild. It’s like he just crawled out of the ocean or something and started working for Fitzgerald.” Despite those words sounding like a joke, they weren’t entirely one; the ghosts he’d sent to investigate had brought back some worrying news, like how it seemed Lovecraft could see them and how there was something about him that just didn’t feel human.
For all Chuuya knew, he really could have just crawled out of the ocean. It was also possible that he was like Chuuya and Verlaine, but Chuuya’s gut feeling said that wasn’t the case. That hadn’t stopped him from sending a message to Verlaine though, asking if he’d ever heard of the man and if he thought there was any chance he was related to them. Thus far there had been no reply however.
“I see.” Mori looked thoughtful for a moment, “Leave a copy of the list with me, and make sure the Executives get one as well. In the meantime, keep digging into Lovecraft..”
“Yes sir.” Chuuya said, bowing slightly. It was clear from Mori’s tone of voice that he had been dismissed, but Chuuya hesitated for a second, not immediately leaving.
Mori looked up from the paperwork he’d gone back to working on, a frown playing on his lips at the sight of Chuuya still standing there. “Is there something else?”
“You only declared war on the Guild and not the Agency.” It was phrased as a statement and not a question, but nevertheless it was clear from Chuuya’s tone of voice that he wanted to know why Mori had made such a choice.
Mori held up a hand, motioning for Elise to stop playing with his hair, and stood up. Walking around his desk until he came to stand just in front of Chuuya. He leaned back slightly against the edge of the desk, hands folded neatly in front of him.
“It was your plan to use the Agency as a distraction, I simply decided to take it a step further. We’re targeting the Guild, but they’ll be forced to deal with both us and the Agency, which will stretch their forces.” Mori explained. “Once they’ve been dealt with, we can always turn our attention to the Agency if needed.”
The explanation was about what Chuuya had expected, it was too soon after him having spoken to about his plans for it to be just a coincidence. It had actually managed to make him glad that Mori had caught him, the situation was much better then if they’d decided to take on both the Agency and the Guild at once.
“Sir, I have a suggestion.” Chuuya told Mori, “I don’t think you’re going to like it though.”
Mori’s lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Chuuya in silence. The situation was one that somehow managed to still be intimidating, even with a bunny shaped clip slowly starting to slip out of his bangs. After a moment though, Mori’s expression changed into what could almost be called a pout, and he let out a sigh as he ran a hand across his face.
“You know I hate it when you say things like that, Chuuya.” Mori whined, looking not in the least bit like the feared boss of the Port Mafia. “Even when you’re right, it usually means more work for me.”
Chuuya gave him a look that showed absolutely no sympathy. “I believe that’s called karma.” He quipped, before turning serious. “Sir, what do you think about proposing a temporary alliance with the Agency?”
Mori froze, an expression of shock on his face. It was clear that whatever Mori had been expecting Chuuya to say, it wasn’t that.
“I didn’t think I was old enough to be having hearing problems.” Mori muttered, “I could have sworn you suggested we make an alliance with the Agency.”
Chuuya grimaced. He’d known this would be a hard sell. He had to try though, this was th only was he could think of to obtain the best possible outcome. “Just a temporary alliance, only until the Guild is dealt with. That way, we don’t have to worry about the Agency attacking us while we deal with the Guild.”
Mori crossed his arms, fingers tapping rhythmically against his forearm as he considered the proposal. “I am not overly inclined to trust the Agency that much. If necessarily, simply proposing a temporary truce would fulfill the same purpose, while lessening the risk.”
Chuuya inclined his head slightly in acknowledgement of the truth in Mori’s words. There was a level of trust necessary for making an alliance, and that was in short supply between the Mafia and the Agency. If they really tried though, Chuuya thought some could be found, even if it was solely based on having a shared enemy.
“There’s truth in that, but also less benefits. With an alliance, not only will we be able to coordinate our attacks, but it gives a chance to observe the Agency up close. No matter how much intel I gather on paper, it’ll never compare to seeing them in action.”
Every word Chuuya spoke was true, but it wasn’t the full reason that he wanted the Agency and the Mafia to team up, and he could tell from the expression on Mori’s face that he wasn’t fooling him.
“What is it you’re hiding, Chuuya?” Mori’s tone was soft, but that was what made it seem so threatening.
Unlike earlier, when he’d just been being dramatic, Chuuya knew he actually wasn’t happy with him currently. Most of the time Mori gave him quite a bit of leeway in his actions, he’d long since stopped trying to figure out where Chuuya got his information and let him get away with things others would get in big trouble for, but he still had a limit.
Anything that might bring trouble to the Mafia? That crossed the line.
Still, Chuuya didn’t answer immediately, turning his head slightly to stare out the large windows down at the city below instead. While his eyesight was slightly better than a normal human’s, he was still too far up to be able to see the individual people, but he knew they must be going about their daily lives just as they usually would. He wondered what it was like to lead such a normal life. To have no idea of the things happening in the shadows, or that there was a storm brewing beneath the surface.
In some ways he was a little bit jealous. He knew that even if he hadn’t joined the mafia, the chance for a normal life was never in his reach to begin with. At best he would have spent his time travelling with Verlaine, taking out whatever target they were hired to eliminate.
And even if he could live a normal life… he’d probably be bored out of his mind.
After a few seconds, he turned back to look at Mori and let out a low sigh. “I know what the Guild and their allies are looking for, though I’m not sure it actually exists. But that doesn’t matter, plenty of people have caused destruction chasing myths.” That was the real reason he wanted to push for an alliance with the Agency. For all his confidence in the Mafia’s strength, they weren’t just facing the Guild. There were other organizations backing them.
At least for now, even more might end up showing up for all he knew. Like sharks circling in the water, searching for the source of the blood they smelled.
They had to nip this in the bud, before Yokohama turned into a battlefield. If that happened it would end up making the Dragon’s Head Conflict look like a simple playground conflict between children.
And if anyone actually succeeded in finding the Book? Chuuya didn’t really want to think about what might happen.
Mori pursed his lips, looking at Chuuya with a gaze that gave none of his thoughts away. “You really believe the threat is that serious?” He asked, eyes narrowing in thought. “Just what is it they’re searching for?”
Chuuya hesitated, taking off his hat so he could run a hand through his long hair. He trusted Mori, more than many people would deem wise, but still felt reluctant about revealing the existence of the Book to him. He couldn’t hide it forever though, especially if he wanted Mori’s cooperation. He just had to hope his trust wouldn’t be betrayed.
“Supposedly, there’s an object known as the Book, sealed somewhere in Yokohama,” He began carefully. “There are people who believe that the tiger can lead them to it, though I’m not sure where that idea came from.” He took a deep breath. “Allegedly, the Book has the power to write anything into reality.”
Mori froze, caught completely off guard by the revelation. A heavy silence filled the room for several minutes. Chuuya did nothing to try and break it however, and simply stayed standing where he was, waiting for Mori to speak again.
“You’re worried that I’ll want to go after the Book, and that will put the Mafia, and this city, in danger.” Mori finally said, breaking the silence. “That’s why you haven’t said anything until now.”
There was no sign of anger in his voice thankfully, just thoughtfulness as he considered what Chuuya had said.
Chuuya grimaced, “Despite what some people outside the mafia might think, you’re not a power hungry person, Boss. But you do have your goals. That makes the Book… tempting.”
Mori inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the truth in Chuuya’s statement. “It is a rather attractive prospect,” He admitted, “There’s a lot that could be done with such an item. For the time being however, I can assure you that I have no plans to go after it, and while that may change if it’s confirmed not to be just a rumor, I can assure you that I would not put the mafia at risk just in order to obtain it.”
If it weren’t so inappropriate at the moment, Chuuya might have let out a sigh of relief. Perhaps it was unfair of him to have doubted Mori so much, but he’d met plenty of people, both living and dead, who had suffered because someone fell prey to greed.
“There’s still the matter of other people going after it however.” He pointed out, smoothly moving the topic back to his desire for an alliance. “I still think that it would be better to get the Agency working with us.”
“Hypothetically, let’s say we did, just how much would you propose we tell them?” Mori asked, wandering back around his desk to take a seat once more. “Would you tell them about the Book?”
Chuuya shook his head, “I’d give them the bare minimum of information. Only telling them that there are multiple organizations backing the Guild and that we don’t want them to make a mess of Yokohama. Dazai, of course, would probably know that wasn’t the whole truth, but….”
Chuuya trailed off as a panicked looking ghost floated through the door to Mori’s office and over to where the two of them were talking. He recognized them as Kyoka’s mother, who almost always was found hanging around her daughter, alongside her husband.
“Chuuya, you have to do something, Kouyou is attacking that nice boy from the Agency, and trying to take Kyoka back to the Mafia!”
Chuuya didn’t curse, though it was a close thing, but something in his expression must have changed because Mori gave him a sharp look.
“What is it?” He questioned.
“Kouyou is picking a fight with an Agency member in an attempt to get Kyoka back.” Chuuya informed him, not bothering to hide the situation from Mori.
When he’d first joined the mafia he’d done his best to not do anything that might give himself away. If he shared information, it was always in situations where it wouldn’t seem that unusual that he could know something. But that had changed after a few situations where withholding the information could’ve cost lives. By that point he was comfortable enough in the mafia to be more and more obvious about things, until he’d gotten to where he was now.
Mori had never directly questioned him as to where he got his information, even if it was in the middle of a meeting like now, but he’d definitely hinted at wanting to know. Chuuya had always pretended he didn’t realize it though, and eventually the man had stopped asking. He was sure he had his theories though.
Chuuya doubted any of them were correct.
“Kyoka is a traitor to the mafia,” Mori reminded him, a warning in his voice. “And Kouyou asked for my permission before taking action. Is there a reason she shouldn’t be doing what she is?”
“You mean besides the fact that we don’t need to be antagonizing the Agency right now?” Chuuya asked, voice laced with annoyance.
It was true that technically Kyoka was considered a traitor. She had clearly walked away from the mafia in favor of the Agency. But they had bigger problems to deal with right now.
Besides, that small bit of resentment that still remained somewhere in the back of Chuuya’s mind reminded him that Kyoka was a fourteen year old girl who’d never gotten a say in whether or not she wanted to be in the mafia. And unlike him she’d never come to love it there.
Kouyou wouldn’t drag Kyoka back just to have her executed, she cared about the girl way too much for that. But that didn’t mean her actions wouldn’t make Kyoka suffer.
Kyoka had the skills and temperament to be a great assassin, and her ability was well suited for it as well, but she just didn’t have the heart. Each kill brought too much guilt, and he knew she kept track of them.
“Sir, this really isn’t the time to be causing additional conflicts,” Chuuya said, “And given we haven’t taken much action against Dazai, despite him being a much more high profile traitor, it’s rather ridiculous to be going after a young girl at a time like this.”
Mori just stared at him, leaving Chuuya with the distinct impression that he was well aware Chuuya’s personal feelings were influencing his protests. Chuuya had helped train several of the Port Mafia’s assassins, and it was no secret that he was fond of Kyoka in particular.
“I presume you’d like to go stop her then,” Mori said, apparently deciding he’d humor Chuuya. “Very well, you may do so. Tell Kouyou that my permission has been revoked and that for the time being we’ll leave Kyoka alone. Though that also means that if she’s arrested for the crimes she’s committed, we also will do nothing to aid her.”
What Mori said logically made sense, if she was no longer part of their organization then they had no obligation to help her after all. Still, Chuuya silently decided that if she did end up having a run in with the law, he’d have to find some blackmail on local officials.
“Yes sir, thank you.”
Having accomplished the goals he’d come there for, with the exception of convincing Mori to agree to an alliance, a subject he still hadn’t gotten a definite answer on, Chuuya turned to leave. He’d made it as far as the door, which Mori’s voice calling his name made him turn and look back.
“While you’re there, go ahead and ask the Agency member to tell their boss we would like to arrange a meeting with them. Tell them we’d like to talk about the possibility of an alliance.”
Chuuya stared at him in surprise for a moment, before smiling “Yes sir!”