CHAPTER 471: 469 CHAPTER SHIZUMI’S RISE AND FALL HINGES ON THIS BATTLE_1

At twilight, the azure sea was tinged with the red glow of sunset as two speedboats sliced through the waves.

A man dressed in black on one of the speedboats turned his head and said, "Mr. Keiji, we can see the island you mentioned now."

"Is that so?"

Katsuhisa Shindo removed his eye patch. He liked to sleep before a battle. For one, it replenished his energy. For another, it stabilized morale by making those under him believe the upcoming task was simple, thus ensuring nothing went wrong. He glanced at the green island surrounded by jungle.

A smile appeared on Katsuhisa Shindo’s face as he said, "Our target is the sixteen-year-old girl with blond hair. Bring her here, and you will receive a hefty commission."

"Understood." The Koga Shinobu nodded in response.

The Shinobu Introduction office, due to the special nature of its services, typically didn’t inquire into what its customers paid them to do. They didn’t need to know who was being kidnapped, only that money would be deposited into their bank account. The other three desperados, introduced by the Street Cleaner, were even less inclined to ask questions. Two were from India, identical in height, appearance, and even clothing; it was clear they were twins. There was also a blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner.

They were originally employed by the Mitsui Family. But after the Mitsui Family’s downfall, the martial artists they had hired were not taken over by other conglomerates. Initially, the conglomerates had invited martial artists as a last-ditch effort, hoping traditional weapons would be useful against Dio. As it turned out, no martial artist could pose even the slightest threat to Dio, so their role had shifted to simply ensuring their employers’ personal safety. This was because special agents from various countries had gathered in Tokyo, and conglomerates from other nations had also hired people to gather intelligence there. The employers feared these operatives might pose a threat to their lives.

However, the five major conglomerates and the Phoenix Academy already had their own martial artists for protection, who were also equipped with firearms. Consequently, these martial artists previously hired by the Mitsui Family were naturally abandoned.

They faced only two choices: either leave Tokyo or find new work. They were unwilling to leave Tokyo. This bustling metropolis could intoxicate anyone who visited. They enjoyed the pleasure of having everything at their disposal, as long as they had money.

"Can we do ’that’ to the target?" the two Indian men asked in unison, their gestures coordinated as if they were communicating with a Bengal monitor lizard.

Katsuhisa Shindo shook his head. "No. You must ensure she is unharmed. Only then will she be valuable."

"Alright, then," the two men answered in unison, then sighed. "You rich folks sure have your elaborate games. Someone sets her up like a hidden treasure here, and you still want to snatch her away."

"It’s a matter of face," Katsuhisa Shindo casually brushed them off. There was no need to tell those present Phoenix Academy Maggie’s real identity. If they heard she was the young mistress of the Phoenix Academy, the Shinobu Introduction office might not only refuse the job but could even report me to the Phoenix Academy and move against me. Operating in Japan, how could the Shinobu Introduction office possibly harm a member of the Phoenix Academy? So, I have to keep this a secret.

Katsuhisa Shindo’s eyes hardened as he stared at the island.

He had followed Takeya Takizawa for fifteen years. When Katsuhisa was a child, Takeya Takizawa had been his next-door neighbor. Unlike the others who bullied him, Takeya Takizawa treated him well. Takeya Takizawa had killed his abusive parents and taught him how to survive in the underworld—everything from brawling and smuggling arms to dealing drugs. Takeya Takizawa taught him everything essential for survival and gave him corresponding status and power. In his heart, Takeya Takizawa was the best person in the world. Katsuhisa Shindo deeply respected Takeya Takizawa and was willing to do anything for the Takizawa Group.

Looking at the approaching island, he leaped. His left hand shot out like a tiger’s claw, gouging out a chunk of rock as if it were tofu. Then, using the hole he’d created as leverage, he vaulted up the cliff.

The twin brothers stuck to the cliff face like geckos, using all four limbs to scale upwards. The other Caucasian man adopted a strange pose; he bent his knees and pushed off, rolling fluidly in mid-air and flipping several meters high before landing steadily on the cliff. In contrast to their flashy moves, the three Upper Ninja Level ninjas directly shot out grappling hooks that bit deep into the rocky ground. They then rapidly pulled themselves up, showcasing advanced technological Ninjutsu.

The seven of them landed on the clifftop.

Katsuhisa Shindo reminded them again, "Remember, our target is the blond, beautiful girl. Make sure she remains unharmed. Only then will you get paid. After finding her, use the communicators in your backpacks to contact us. As for the others..." Katsuhisa Shindo drew a finger across his neck, a clear kill order.

"I like this command!" The blond foreigner grinned, a vicious smile spreading across his face.

They hesitated no longer and headed straight for the castle. Once inside, they were to disperse and search for the target.

The castle was situated at the island’s highest point, atop a hill. It overlooked the surroundings and, in turn, was visible from all around. The mere sight of the castle proclaimed the immense wealth of its builder.

Katsuhisa Shindo led them cautiously through the jungle, approaching silently. He observed the castle’s height and its narrow windows. Entering from the side will likely trigger an alarm too, he thought.

"Let’s circle around to the main entrance and assess the situation," he commanded. His expression changed, however, when he heard a dog barking.

A hunting dog, restrained by its collar, appeared around the right corner of the castle, with a blond man holding its leash.

In that instant, the two Upper Ninja Level assassins, not wanting to create a commotion with gunfire, raised their hands, twisted their rings, and swiftly shot out poison needles. One aimed for the hunting dog, the other for the man holding the leash.

In the blink of an eye, Mike sensed the danger. He quickly lifted the hunting dog with one hand, using its body to block both poison needles. The hunting dog, which had been struggling against its tight collar, died instantly. Its four legs stiffened.

Such potent poison! Mike was alarmed. He quickly threw the dead dog aside and ducked back behind the wall.

The Indian twins dug their feet in and sprang forward like tightly wound springs. They practiced a Yoga-based martial art that included a technique called ’Snake Step,’ allowing them to move forward with minimal wind resistance. They moved with eerie postures, like snakes slithering across the ground.

As Mike threw the dead dog, they closed in, lunging at him from the ground. ’Snake-Form Strangle’ was a specialty of the twins. Any enemy they targeted was like prey caught by a python, destined only for suffocation. Moreover, Mike was falling backward, caught off guard and unable to exert any force.

The two men wore savage smiles. But Mike, remaining calm, quickly drew the two Glocks strapped to his waist, wiping the smiles from their faces. There is one martial art in this world that requires no particular stance to exert force, only needing to aim at the target: its name is the Glock G47.

BANG! BANG!

Two gunshots rang out. The twins were shot in the forehead and dropped, while Mike barely had time to catch his breath.

An Upper Ninja Level ninja who had drawn closer tossed a grenade with its pin pulled.

"FARK!" Mike cursed, quickly rolling and scrambling under the legs of a bodyguard who hadn’t yet reacted.

BOOM!

The grenade exploded, shrapnel riddling the six still-standing bodyguards, turning them into human pincushions.

Mike was unharmed. He quickly returned fire to provide cover and retreated, shouting, "Hostiles! Get over here and support me!"

As the banging sounds continued, Phoenix Academy Maggie, who had slipped out of her wetsuit and into a bright red dress, glanced to her right. What was that noise?

Yoshikawa Sayuri, who was ahead, turned her head and asked, "Maggie, are they setting off fireworks already?"

"No," Maggie replied, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She was about to send someone to investigate when she saw Mike run around the corner, looking disheveled. He was firing behind him and yelling, "Hurry, all of you, get into the castle! There are enemies at the door! And tell your mother to fire those useless idiots! FARK!"

Mike was cursing up a storm. So much for ’well-trained and well-equipped’ bodyguards! They’re all crap! Useless as wooden dummies in an attack!

Phoenix Academy Maggie sucked in a sharp breath. Realizing someone was trying to kidnap her, she urged, "Quick, let’s go inside!"

"Is this a gunfight?" Nomura True Wave’s eyes lit up; it was the first time she had ever witnessed one.

Hojo Tetsuji eagerly declared, "Don’t worry, I’ll protect you all!"

Mike, even more infuriated and on the verge of cursing again, yelled, "They have guns! What are you all standing around for? Get inside, quickly!"

Useless teammates, and the ones I’m protecting are just as bad, still standing there like idiots! If fists were so powerful, those two Indians wouldn’t have been gunned down by me. No martial artist is unafraid of guns; everyone’s made of flesh and blood. Even the greatest martial artists are no exception—one bullet means one hole!

Mike kept firing, suppressing the enemy until his bullets ran out. He quickly switched magazines.

A gun barrel peeked around the corner, followed by a RAT-TAT-TAT of gunfire. Mike swiftly dodged as splinters flew everywhere. He had chosen his hiding spot well. Since he hadn’t fired in the direction of Phoenix Academy Maggie and the others, the enemy, judging his position by the sound, aimed their fire towards the jungle. This meant Mike didn’t have to worry about stray bullets hitting the girls when he dodged. He didn’t plan to enter the castle either; instead, he intended to remain outside to draw the enemy’s fire.

Aozawa, seeing this, promptly swept Phoenix Academy Maggie into a princess carry and said, "Tetsuji, take them and get into the castle, quickly!"

"Got it." Hojo Tetsuji also came to his senses. He was confident he could fight an armed opponent, but with Little Sayuri beside him, it was too dangerous; getting shot was a serious matter. He wouldn’t dare risk Little Sayuri’s life. He quickly scooped up Yoshikawa Sayuri and, grabbing Nomura True Wave by the shoulder as if he were hauling a stinking garbage bag, sprinted towards the castle gates.

Katsuhisa Shindo rounded the corner and instantly saw Aozawa cradling Phoenix Academy Maggie. Her golden curls spilled over the young man’s arm; she seemed frightened, her face pressed against his chest.

That’s the target! A surge of excitement flashed through Katsuhisa Shindo’s mind. Capturing her will give the Takizawa Group a chance to turn things around!