HA1 12.1 - Nest on the Fir Tree

  In a luxurious meeting room in Villa Tigera, Elder Moruyama calmly looked at Leader Torumada and the group leaders sitting before him. At the age of 72, he still held the position of the family's elder and clearly looked very healthy and fit.

  It was remarkable achievement, considering that the life as an elder of a mafia family was not easy. The member of family was always in competition to achieve a better position, and it was not rare it ended up in a brutal and bloody fight. They would only unite their mind and strength when fighting outsider and Toruma Mafia was no exception.

  'It seems the family has some new group leaders,' Elder Moruyama muttered as he turned his head to Leader Torumada, "Let's begin the meeting."

  “Elder, before we begin, can I suggest something?”

  "Go ahead."

  "With our current situation, I beg you to once again consider your presence in this meeting. We still don’t have solid info about the recent attack on our members."

  Elder Moruyama gave a small snort before asking, "You want me to leave after I arrive?"

  Leader Torumada steadfastly replied, "Yes, and it’s for your own safety.”

  Elder Moruyama calmly said, "When his or her courier is killed, a group leader will go to the streets to raise morale. When a group leader is killed, it's my obligation to come out from hidden house, or other families will laugh at me as a coward."

  “Elder, it is very possible that the attacks are a mean to lure you out of the hidden house.”

  A smile instantly bloomed on Elder Moruyama's lips. "In that case, we will give them a warm welcome. That's our way, the Toruma way."

  "But El--"

  Leader Torumada wanted to present another argument, but Elder Moruyama raised his hand to stop him. "Don't waste your breath. Let's start the meeting."

  "Understood." Leader Torumada sighed silently before started the meeting. "Torra Security had traded info with investigators from Nichiko Metro, and found the projectile that killed Group Leader Maeda the Fox was premium stuff.”

  "Let me guess," Elder Moruyama said sourly, "It commonly used by contra terrorist unit and highly lethal in close range."

  "Yes," Leader Torumada replied firmly. "The projectile is also used by illegal high-class shooting clubs, and their circulation outside the military is monopolized by Kiyotto Cafe."

  "Have you sent anyone to Kiyotto Cafe?"

  "Elder, I don't think we should disturb Kiyotto Cafe unless there's no other way."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  "Yeah, other families will throw a grand banquet if we get into a conflict with the lunatic Keizawa." After pausing for a moment Elder Moruyama asked, "Is there any clues that lead to other families?"

  "No, the investigation into IDs we collected during the sweeps yielded nothing. But if there are parties or families who took part in Group Leader Maeda's assassination and assisted the killer to avoid our sweeping, sooner or later we will know about it.”

  “Does the Aizen Family still accuse us of ambushing their courier?”

  "Yes, they also alleged that the death of Group Leader Maeda the Fox was an inside job."

  "I see. Continue the investigation, stay alert for attacks from Aizen Family, and make sure Sakura Project can start at the end of this year."

  "Understood."

  "Well, it’s been a long time since I've enjoyed the beauty of purple orchid in the rear garden. So, let my old mind relax for a while while you guys continue the meeting."

  """Yes, Elder."""

  In unison, Leader Torumada and the group leaders bowed deeply and only straightened their back when Elder Moruyama had left the room.

  ---

  Rest area, hillside 1 km above the intersection between Highway 11 and the road to Villa Tigera, the Green SUV calmly parked in a corner.

  Hide downed a mouthful of isotonic drink and then asked, "Takeo, what's your job?"

  "Observing the villa using CCTV network, when Toruma Elder leaves the villa, I will inform you detail of the convoy and estimated number of the bodyguards."

  "Shizuka, explain your task."

  "Keeps an eye on the situation around the car, and ensure Takeo can work without distraction."

  "Good." Hide calmly continued, "And remember, if I ask you to leave, leave immediately and don't tell me where you go unless I ask. If after three hours you heard nothing from me, just assume that I’m already dead and continue your life as if our hunting never happened."

  Gulp!!

  Takeo and Shizuka swallowed hard at the same time, while Hide opened the Green SUV’s door.

  "Hide, are you sure you're going to do it alone?" Shizuka worriedly asked.

  "Yup, but I will cancel it if the situation is too dangerous."

  Shizuka hesitantly said, "I carry my bow and arrows, and I never miss a target at a distance of 60 meters. Maybe I can help you?"

  "Not this time. We never did a practiced as a team, while an ambush needs precise coordination and deep mutual understanding."

  Wasting no time, Hide got out of the Green SUV and then followed a small trail to the road at the base of the hill.

  ---

  Hide’s combat load was simple. Three AEK-74SU’s magazines in his belly, three Sieg P365’s magazines in front of it, a fighting knife on the left shoulder, a silenced Sieg P365 on the right armpit, and a radio on the right shoulder, all covered by a jacket. While on his backpack he had a Mini Uzie and three extra magazines, and a silenced AEK-74SU.

  With a balaclava that covered his head down to the forehead, in a glance he looked no different from an outdoor junkie who had just spent the night in the open. Without a body search, no one would have thought that he had various weapons on his body.

  Within minutes, Hide arrived under an old fir tree. Its trunk was as big as four men's arms linked together. It proudly stood 60 meters tall, on the side of the road and only 1.7 km away from the intersection with Highway 11.

  By using the small gaps and plots on its bark, Hide scaled the fir tree step by step. Once he reached the first branch, everything became easier. He then stopped at a branch the size of an adult's thigh, seven meters above the ground.

  After clearing a few twigs and making sure he had a good field of view to make a precision shot without sacrificing his cover, Hide unbuttoned his jacket, took out the silenced AEK-74SU, and placed it in front of his chest.

  Then, while putting a gum in his mouth he pressed PTT button. "Apple to Orange, do you copy?"

  [This is Orange. I read you, loud and clear.]

  "Orange, give me the update."

  [We have still water.]

  "Received and understood, Apple over and out."

  As he leaned his back Hide muttered, 'Now, the waiting begins.'

  *****