A brisk m breeze swept through the air; the sun hung zily in the sky. Light streamed between t buildings lining a desote street.

  Detective Kenji Mori drove through the abandoned industrial park, the m breeze flowing through the car windows. Boarded up warehouses fnkiher side, their rusty frames worn with time. The burnt husk of a building appeared on the horizon, its scorched metal standing against the dull background. "Wake up Akiko, were here." Mori's gruff voice echoed around the car.

  Akiko assed out in the passenger seat, she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, blinking rapidly to adjust her blurry vision.

  "Ugh." She mumbled jostling her messy blonde hair. "Look at you. Your hair's a mess." The senior detective joked to his junior.

  Kenji Mori; a seasoned office of the Tokyo Police Force. A stocky build, broad shoulders. In his early forties now, grey starting to grow through the temples. Eyes sharp, alert yet warm. A strong jawline covered in a trimmed beard, eg to his short sideburns. Despite his appearance, his personality was quite the opposite. A gentle giant of a man.

  Akiko Bee or Aki; was a woman in her early thirties, desded from half-Japanese half-Sdinavian. Athleti her physique aature. Her dirty-blonde hair was usually tied up, although now u; the product of w 14 hours non-stop. Her face featured angur, bold eyebrows paired with hazel eyes.

  The pair stepped out of the car, entering the crime se. Men and women dressed in hazmat gear and poliiforms patrolled the perimeter, colleg evidence, bagging any traces of biological material, taking photos of the age. "What happened here?" Mori asked aloud as they walked through the burnt husk.

  "Fire brigade got a call at around 2:30 AM. Looks like a one-sided gang war." A fellow poli replied to Mori.

  "Most burned beynition. A few decapitated or missing parts though, bit strange. Half killed with efficy; the other half looks like some rabid animal went at it." The cop tinued.

  "A criminal guild with a monster in its ranks - and not the usual kind. This is something else entirely." Mori spoke dryly to the cop.

  "This doesn't look like a turf war; no known gang kills like this. Rumours of sex traffig within the crimson bandits, this looks like twisted justice, an example for others." Akiko spoke with disdain

  "A vigi's been years since we've had one." Mori asked, questioning the validity of his partners cim.

  "Someone had a vea. These guys aren't just murdered. They're punished." Akiko pointed out to Mori. The experienced iigator thought it over carefully.

  Joining the crime se; the pair scout out the gruesome se. The air filled with lingering ashes; charcoaled bodies y scattered everywhere; bed flesh ging to skeletal remains. Eae twisted and torted, faces frozen in agony; mouths stretched unnaturally wide.

  "A video set... It wasn't filming at the time, was it?" Aki questioned grimly, holding a melted camera tripod in her gloved hands.

  "No." A cop shook his head ively. "However, we did find previous recs... currently being processed." The hazmat cop spoke with a hint of trepidation, his expression dark.

  "Do I want to know?"

  "No." A curt respouro Akiko.

  Whilst the cops processed the bodies and evidence; A white limo pulled into the industrial park. Pristine white, e. The driver stepped out, a young man that belonged in school rather than chauffeuring. An unlit cigarette dangled from his lips.

  "Oi Detectives!" He shouted.

  "Who are you?" Kenji questioned as he turned. "Someone wants a word with you." Holding the door for open. Out stood a distinguished gentleman.

  Clearly in his 50's maybe 60's. Notably handsome even with his age. Wearing a pristihree-piece suit. White jacket with a crimson button-up, topped with a bck tie. Greying hair gelled back; eyes hidden behind rge aviators. Carrying an ornate e in his right hand, his left in a bck glove.

  "Good m detectives. My name is Reiji Kikuchi, CEO of the crimson bandits." A toothy smile adorned his face, dispying rows of perfect teeth. Both Akiko and Kenji looked dumbfou the presence of someone powerful arriving unannounced.

  "What's a corporate guy like you doing here." Akiko stepped forward, meeting Kikuchi in stride.

  "I am here to offer assistan behalf of my guild. We want justice served for these... individuals." Gesturing to the age around him.

  "Like hell you are. These men worked for you!" Akiko spat venomously, disgust etched across her face.

  "Oi! Keep that halfie mouth of your-"

  "Hiro, enough." Reiji calmed his subordih a wave of his hand. "That was iive of him detective, please accept my apologies." His gaze remained hidden behind the tinted sungsses.

  A calm demeanour emanated from him, ign all hostility; standing straight-backed and rexed. His aura radiating authority.

  "These men may have waved the fg of our noble Guild; however, they acted on their own terms, her have we doned nor endorse any as they itted." The words sounded sincere; however, Akiko didn't buy into his theatrics.

  "Did you just e here to distance yourself from these 'individuals'? Cause were busy trying to find whoever did this." Akiko's patience wearing thin.

  "The bandits, have resources. Resources that could lead to answers you require." An i smile grew on the old man’s face.

  "... And what does it cost?" Mori stepped in front of his junior.

  "Any developments, any information, and cooperation. Of course..." Kikuchi extended his arm for a handshake. Both parties knowing the ramifications of a deal like this.

  "Mr. Kikuchi, reciate the offer but rocedures in pce." Mori handed him his business card, instead of returning a handshake.

  "Of course, of course detective. Please sider it." Pocketing the card without much care.

  "We'll be sure to tact you." Mori ended curtly. Akiko following his lead; "We hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for stopping by Mr. Kikuchi." Akiko fshed a fake smile at Kikuchi.

  Reiji seemed amused by the half-Japanese's performance; them both a nod before retreating towards his vehicle. "Charmilemen." Kenji quipped. "Assholes like him belong behind bars." Akiko snapped in anger.

  "We're supposed to remain objective aral, keep that temper of yours in check." Mori advised his younger colleague.

  "Whatever. His hiding something." She scoffed. "Probably, but our job isn't to assume guilt it's to discover truth." Patting her lightly on the back.

  Akiko walked off in a huff. Mori stared up into the m sky.

  "Today is going to be a long day." He mused to himself.

  In the limo:

  "Sir, that's anroup that have sex trafficked under our noses..." Hiro reported, peering into the rear-view mirror. Reiji sat, rubbing his tired eyes under his gsses.

  "This is not I wanted for uild... Keep your ear to the ground find any clue of who is responsible and bring them to me..." Reiji sighed heavily.

  "Uood sir." The car drove off into the rising sun.

  MaskedManNull