The Red Hand

Chapter 9 – A Job Worthy of the Red Hand.

"I want you to wipe out the Mitsuhide family in its entirety," Naomi said with absolute certainty in her words.

"You want me to wipe out the Mitsuhide family?" Akagi asked. “One of the most influential families in Japanese politics. A family that contains a former prime minister, the current Defense Minister, and the sitting speaker of the Diet? That's a tall order." (Akagi)

"I know what I'm asking is crazy, but I have no choice. They are responsible for the deaths of my parents and grandparents. It was the Mitsuhide family that orchestrated everything six years ago." Naomi's expression went dark.

"During the attack, I saw Nagumo Mitsuhide. He came in after they had dealt with everyone else. My father was restrained by his goons, and he told him that the Tokugawa family should have just been content fading into history. That we should never have attempted to re-enter politics." Naomi continued.

"I don't know everything, but I think my father and grandfather's investments and political maneuvers posed a threat to his family's power. My father always used to tell me that our family's revival was at hand and we would soon be able to hold our heads high with pride." Naomi began to cry.

"But they killed them. FOR WHAT?!? Because they couldn't stand the thought of losing any of their power." Naomi was practically screaming at this point. "The only reason I'm still alive is because they don't think they need to kill me. To them, I'm just a powerless girl, the head of a broken family that dies with me." Naomi's face was flush from crying and shouting.

"I don't care about political power. I don't care about my family's honor or pride or even our history. I don't care what my ancestors did or who they were. None of that ever mattered to me; because more than anything else, we were a family and they took that from me." Naomi continued.

"I just want them to pay for killing mom, dad, Grandma, and Grandpa. They didn't deserve to die, they were good people..... they were my family and I miss them every day." Naomi began to cry.

In a flash, Akagi moved to Naomi's side and pulled her into an embrace.

"It's alright Naomi. It's alright. Let it out, you've done well to hold on for so long by yourself. You're so strong, but for this moment just let it all out, I'm here for you." Akagi comforted her.

Hearing this Naomi cried. Harder than anytime ever in her life. Even her personal Maid Marin had never seen her Lady cry this much before. It was as if six years of tears came out all at once.

{I never knew just how much pain you were in Naomi. You always put on a brave face and even though I knew you were hiding your sorrow, I never knew just how bad it was. I am so sorry that you felt that you needed to hide it all, even from me.} (Marin)

{I've known this girl for a grand total of four days, but this truly pisses me off. This poor girl had to deal with this much pain for six years with no one to confide in, not even her friends. Honestly, it makes what I went through look trivial by comparison. I wonder if I would have been like this without Kana by my side.} (Akagi)

{I wonder how much Kana knew about her situation. Probably more than she would let on, but there wasn't much she could do for her. She could only watch as her friend dove deeper into despair. I don't know how much longer this girl could keep going before she broke like I did, and I don't care to find out.} (Akagi)

About ten minutes later, Naomi calmed down and finished crying. Seeing that she was feeling better, Akagi let her go.

"Are you alright? You let it all out, didn't you?" Akagi asked.

"Sniff... Yes, I'm alright I feel much better, better than I have in a long time actually." Naomi made a small smile.

"Good, I wasn't really sure what to do so I just kinda acted on impulse. Sorry about hugging you suddenly like that," Akagi said while scratching her cheek.

"No.No.No. That was really nice, in fact when you did that it reminded me of how my mother would do that when I was a kid." It took Naomi a few moments to register what she had said before she turned red from embarrassment.

Akagi bust out laughing

"I think I'm a little young to be your mother, but if it made you feel better then I don't think I mind the comparison," Akagi said while laughing.

Akagi's nonchalant attitude caused Naomi to join in the laughter.

{She really is kind, isn't she? I can see what Kana was saying about her. Despite that rough exterior, she can be a caring person when she needs to be can't she? She really does remind me of my mom in that aspect, someone who was warm to her family but tough on her opponents. It's still really embarrassing that I said that to her though!} (Naomi)

Once everyone had calmed down and Naomi had regained her composure.

"So what do you think about my request? It's too much isn't it? The danger is too high and I doubt I can pay you what such a job really requires. I will understand if you decline." Naomi asked.

"I accept your request." Akagi declared with a smirk.

"I thought so, it really is too much to ask someone to-" Naomi's brain froze for a second. "Wait, what did you just say?" she asked.

"I said I accept your request, I will eliminate the Mitsuhide family so that you may avenge your family's death," Akagi replied while lighting her Kiseru.

Both Naomi and Marin were taken aback by this declaration. They honestly expected Akagi to decline. After all, by taking this job she would be making an enemy of the Japanese government and would put her life in jeopardy. That was why every other assassin had declined in the past.

"You.....You'll really do it?" Naomi asked pensively

"I just said I would now didn't I?" (Akagi)

"But why? Doing this will make you an enemy of the state, you understand that your life will forever be in danger if you go through with this?" Naomi couldn't understand Akagi's acceptance even if she was happy.

"I mean, I am an assassin aren't I? If I was afraid of a little government retaliation I wouldn't be in this business now would I? I mean hell I assassinated many nobles in FWO and even an Imperial prince." Akagi declared.

"And before you go saying that's different, need I remind you that not only was death permanent, but the NPCs in that game were essentially sentient AI. That world was as real as real could be Naomi and when it came down to it, the Empire with all its resources, magic, and power couldn't do a damn thing to me." Akagi said with confidence.

{She's serious. She believes she can actually do it. No, she knows can do it. It's not even a question to her.} (Naomi)

"Then, I look forward to working with you Akagi. What do we do now?" Naomi asked still shocked.

"Well, that's the fun part. Now we go over the actual contents of the contract." Akagi grinned. "But first, I'll need my lovely assistant. If you wouldn't mind Yumi could you come out for a second?"

Akagi's shadow seemed to bend and twist for a brief moment before something leaped up and out into the center of the room.

"Of course my Lord, I am always happy to be of service to you." (???)

Standing just off to the side between Akagi and Naomi was a woman whose hair and eyes were a darker shade of green. Their color was almost the same as Akagi's perhaps slightly lighter. She was dressed as what could only be described as a Miko (Shine Maiden) with a large bow in her hair of the same color. She looked to be the same age as Akagi or slightly younger and her outfit was black and green like her master's.

"Allow me to introduce you. Naomi this is Yumi my second in command and most trusted assistant." Akagi said with a proud smile.

"Wait, don't tell me she's a-" Naomi stuttered out.

"Yup, in FWO she was an NPC that I made into a follower. Using a little bit of game trickery, I was able to make her into an item that I could summon at will." Akagi continued. "And since she was made into an item-"

"She was brought into our world!" Naomi exclaimed.

{That's incredible she made an NPC, a piece of code come to life!} (Naomi)

"And the best part. Yumi here isn't just some NPC follower, she is a fully trained assassin and is a pro at gathering intelligence. Her help was invaluable on so many occasions." (Akagi)

"Master, I appreciate your praise but perhaps we should get to the matter at hand first, and then I would ask you to explain more about what's going on and where we are?" (Yumi)

"A right, you've been dormant until now so you don't know. I'll explain details later but for now, this is Naomi she is a friend of my sister and has contracted me to assassinate the Mitsuhide family." Akagi explained.

"I see, please allow me to take notes." Yumi took out a pen and paper and began writing information down.

"Alright Yumi, have at it get all the info we need." (Akagi)

"Of course, now Ms. Naomi please answer these questions."(Yumi)

"How many members of the family do you want killed?"

"How do you want them killed."

"How quickly must they die?"

"What form of payment will you be using for this contract?

"Do you have any special requests?"

And many more

Naomi was overwhelmed at first but quickly got her footing. She explained that she wanted every member of the family killed, no matter how old or young. She even requested that members of the family who had married into different households be killed as well as their children.

{This girl really wants to go for a complete wipe, not like I blame her.} (Akagi)

The total number came out to sixteen targets ranging from ages 8 to 87. She asked that they be killed as swiftly as possible and that she didn't care how they were killed. Except, in the case of the family head, she wanted Akagi to inform him and him alone who sent her.

As for the payment.

"Going by my master's standard rates, the amount you will be required to pay will come to this much." Yumi showed the calculation in a small notebook.

Naomi almost passed out when she saw the number. It was a number far larger than she could ever hope to pay.

"I'm sorry there is no way I could obtain that much money, even if I sold everything my family owns it wouldn't be enough," Naomi said in anger.

Yumi looked at her master.

"Well, there are always alternative forms of payment. I don't only take money." Akagi added with a grin.

"I doubt my family has anything that would be valuable enough to cover such a cost. I'm sorry." (Naomi)

"Now, Now that's not true. You have something that I want and I think it would cover the cost." Akagi stated.

Naomi was confused, she knew nothing that her family owned was really that valuable.

"I'll make you a deal. Your family owns a nice little estate outside Kyoto if I'm not mistaken. From what I know, it's pretty worn down but you've been maintaining it because it has historical significance as one of the Shogun's old villas." Akagi continued. "I want it. I also want you to assist me in converting the currency I obtained in FWO into something usable in this world."

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