The Lost Kingdom

CHAPTER NINE

On the way to Kobe, Drake learned more about the dreaded Yakuza and recounted details of Mai’s previous exploits at their expense. During her first, largely unsanctioned, operation she had engaged the local Yakuza gang, which had links to the head office in Kobe, taking them down to the last man. Head office, it now seemed, had previously blamed its own men for the defeat and damage rather than Mai Kitano, perhaps not comprehending the legend she had become. Old speculations had been reintroduced, however, when Mai humiliated the Yakuza for a second time during her whirlwind quest for her parents. Again Drake berated himself for not going with her, even though he knew he’d been embroiled in a life or death battle at the time.

“This Hikaru,” he said. “According to Hibiki he’s the guy who’s been credited with capturing her. What do we know of him?”

Dahl answered that one. “Hikaru is the man Mai made the deal with at the Cosplay convention,” he said. “Pretending she’d taken him out for the Tsugarai, he gave her time to set the trap. Assuming all went to type, the Yakuza will have punished Hikaru for his failure, despite his efforts in ridding them of a significant rival. It is all about honor and saving face, after all.”

“Bollocks,” Drake said. “So you’re saying this is some kinda atonement? Making up for a fabricated loss?”

“It’s much more than that now. Mai has been romanticized as the Yakuza’s nemesis by their bosses, mostly after her capture. A spectacle will be lapped up by their members.”

“They’re gonna get more than a fucking spectacle,” Drake growled. “Believe me.”

Alicia leaned across at that moment. “I just knew there was a reason I stayed,” she purred. “ ‘Cause I ain’t interested in one single hair on the Little Sprite’s head. It’s to hear you when you’re angry, Drakey.”

“Amazing. I thought you’d had your fill of that when we were teamed up together, working for the Ninth.”

“Ninety-nine to oh-three?” She heaved a sigh. “I remember the years well.”

“And you’re full of shit. No way do you want to see Mai hurt.”

“Balls.” Alicia looked away, finding a sudden interest in the clouds floating over the wing.

The other two members of their team, Yorgi and Grace, smiled. Yorgi had been asked to come because of his world-class breaking-and-entering skills. Grace had been allowed to come because she practically screamed the house down when she heard about Mai’s fate and promised to stay in the hotel room. Drake had more things to worry about now than Grace and her ill-fated past.

Later, when Mai’s freed, I’ll help. I… promise.

Not that he would ever again say such a thing aloud.

The hours passed and the airplane turned day into night and then into day again. As they were nearing their destination Dai Hibiki called.

“Just wanted to make you more aware of what you are facing in Kobe. The Yakuza, though a transnational crime syndicate, are at war with each other. Several of the families do battle, but the one we face — the Goda Kai — are by far the largest.”

“Typical.” Alicia snorted. “Little Mai couldn’t just piss of a tiny splinter group could she? Had to be the full Monty.”

Now Drake smiled. “Same could be said for all of us. Look at this Ramses bloke. I’m guessing we’re gonna have to set him straight on a few things at some point.”

“One terror organization at a time,” Dahl said.

Hibiki coughed to reclaim their attention. “They’re very organized, strict, and deeply rooted in everything from crime to Japanese media. And despite their attempts at achieving respectability, including providing earthquake relief, much of their notoriety actually dates back to their origins. Called Bakuto, they were gamblers, an undesirable and disdainful image in older Japan. Gambling was illegal, and many houses cropped up in abandoned temples and shrines on the outskirts of towns and villages all over the country. Oddly, the name Yakuza itself refers to a losing hand in Oicho-kabu¸ a form of blackjack. Ya-ku-za or 8-9-3.”

“We get they’re a hard and nasty bunch,” Dahl said.

“And much more,” Hibiki insisted. “It is speculated that Japan’s banking industry has ties to the Japanese underworld. Their property and realty market. Politics. And the young — a recent study showed that nine out of ten people under the age of forty believe that the Yakuza should exist. That is what you are up against.”

Drake knew what Hibiki was trying to do. “Cheers, mate,” he said. “We’ll make sure we’re ready.”

“Good. Now, on a separate note, I have information about this man Mai appears to be obsessed with at the moment. Hayami.”

Drake sat up. “Anything would help.”

“No, I don’t think it would. Although Mai killed Hayami, a felony that could get her locked away I should point out, and disbanded the Tsugarai, the Yakuza felt that they still owed Hayami an honor kill. Who knows what he gave up in their organization, right? So, they visited his wife, son and daughter. Torture and promises of selling the women to the slave trade and local prostitution rings followed. Then death when they finally believed the family knew nothing more. Death was a blessing, you see, a gift, after what they had already done. But the girl, Emiko, she escaped. Now we have her in protective custody so she’s a witness against them. The girl’s an understandable mess, but we will look after her.”

“Can she help Mai?” Drake asked, missing the point.

“Ah, she wouldn’t even if she could. The Yakuza already told her who killed Hayami. Blamed Mai for everything that was happening. Emiko, she truly hates Mai Kitano.”

Drake didn’t know what to say. In one way Emiko had every reason to hate Mai, but in another, under different circumstances…

Finally, Dahl changed the subject. “We’re an hour out, Hibiki. Have your men seen any sign of Mai at the docks?”

Hibiki sighed. “No. But over a hundred ships a day visit that dock. She will almost certainly be in Kobe by now, and many wagons roll out. We won’t be able to prevent them from taking her to the compound, my friends. It is there, inside, that this battle will be won or lost. I have a detail on twenty-four-hour watch.”

“What about at the compound?” Alicia asked. “Any increased activity?”

“Unfortunately, yes and no. Gang members have been arriving in Kobe all day, and many Shateigashira, local and regional bosses, accompanied by their own hierarchies. Their number increases by the hour… but none have actually arrived at the compound.”

Drake clenched his fists. His stomach twisted at the thought of Mai being put on some kind of showcase trial before being killed in front of all these hard-headed maniacs. I will not let her go out this way. Not Mai.

“Then they’d better prepare for four more guests,” he said. “And a battle that’ll go down in history.”