[indent][sub][COLOR=slategray][B]Location:[/B][/COLOR] [color=lightgray][I]Los Angeles[/I] [/color][/sub][sup][right][COLOR=slategray][b]Issue #1:[/b][/COLOR] [I][color=lightgray]The Vagabond and the poisoned blade[/color][/I][/right][/sup][/indent][COLOR=dimgray][SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR] [i]As much as I loathe the new unifier of this country. We share the same sentiment regarding taking action and doing what needs to be done. That hesitation leads to defeat. That there are dangerous people in this world that need to be taken out of the equation for a brighter tomorrow.  The only difference is that I don't discriminate against a certain group, my blade will fall to those who are unlawful. This new world order is imperfect, unbalanced, and unjust. And I am here to change that. I am not here to stage a coup. I am here to prune out these rotten branches that this administration has brought out. And tonight.. tonight I hunt![/i] Katana dons her gear and gets ready to infiltrate a secret drug deal between the Yakuza and American mafia members somewhere in Los Angeles. [SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP] It's Friday night, and an exclusive nightclub is the place to be for those who have money to burn and are looking for a fun night. Those already in the club are having the time of their lives, dancing and enjoying themselves while intoxicated. The crowd of people keeps rocking to the booming party music that fills the air. It was ecstatic; it was pure ecstasy, a wild night. People danced the latest techno music while colorful lights flickered across the dimly lit dance floor, unaware of the bloodbath waiting to happen later that evening. Inside this fine establishment lies an underground VIP lounge hidden from the masses. A meeting between a group of mobsters and the Yakuza clan member of the Los Angeles branch takes place inside this luxurious room. It's muffled from the outside noise of the club and its entrance is heavily guarded by two burly men covered with colorful tattoos and gold jewelry. Multiple henchmen stand watch as the two heads representing each organization conduct business together. An old man who lost his pinky finger keeps tapping the side of his seat, unamused by the mobster droning and yapping across him. "And then.. and then I said to them that's not a picture of killer croc, that's my wife!" The mobster chortled at his joke. He thought it was a real knee-slapper, only to realize that no one was laughing with him. The other clan maintained their serious, stony expressions and clearly found no amusement in his joke. Mr. Ishagoro glared at him, shifting awkwardly in his seat. "Sheeesh, tough crowd." Feeling embarrassed, The mafia boss heavily takes another sip of his glass of bourbon whiskey. "As much as I would've loved to hear more about your stories of being on Lord's private parties, The Ishagoro clan would like to proceed with the meeting and tell us why you are here, Mr. John" The old oyabun lights a tabacco while leaning forward towards the well-suited man across him. "Right, Straight to business." With a snap of his fingers, one of his henchmen presented a briefcase, it contained a singular small tube with a green substance in it. "This baby right here is called the Snake Oil, One of the left remnants of the Reach's technology. It will revolutionize and change the weapon warfare amongst the gang of America as we know it." He proudly said. "Even a small dose of this substance can knock out a baby elephant, and at higher doses, it can be used as a lethal nerve gas that affects even the strongest metahumans." John demonstrates its potency by pulling out his phone and playing a video of a metahuman locked up in a cell as a cloud of deadly vapor fills the room. The video concludes with the subject lying flat on their back, unconscious and barely breathing. "Impressive, When can we get a fresh batch?" "Slow your roll Mr. Ishagoro, This stuff right here ain't cheap ya know, My sources have doubled the price since it is manufactured and reverse-engineered by the boys back at the Kobra cult" "I'm sorry, Who now?" The old yakuza asked, clearly dumbfounded about the affirmation name the mobster mentioned. "The Kobra cult. Only the most notorious biochemical terrorist group in all over the world. They have super-powered villains there dressed as various snakes. It's kinda their motif and their trademark." "Grown men dress as snakes? Sounds like a nuisance." "They have over one thousand followers all over the planet! They are pretty much a big deal in the world domination game! Ring any bells?" The members of the Yakuza clan exchanged confused glances, clearly unsure of what the mobster was talking about. "Eh, forget it." The mobster sighed in defeat. "So, do we have a deal?" The Japanese mobster responded with a nod and whispered something to his accountant. With a few presses on his tablet, he bows down to his boss as an audible 'ding' rings on the mobster's phone. "You will get the half once you deliver the supplies" The accountant sternly instructed. "Ha! I may not know Japanese, but I do understand this language. A pleasure doing business with you Mr. Ishagoro" John the mobster can't help but have a shit-eating grin at the sight of the ridiculous amount of money transferred to his bank account. Feeling elated, The mobster bolted out of his chair and raised a glass to the people around him. "Here's to a new era of the Yakuza and the mafia working together as one, may our enemies fall to their knees, and our business prosper to new heights" [COLOR=dimgray][SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR] [center][img]https://i.pinimg.com/736x/8c/02/f6/8c02f60b1d933ad43a3dcf45c2443626.jpg[/img][/center][COLOR=dimgray][SUP][sub]___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[/sub][/SUP][/COLOR]  The Bladerunner has heard enough. It's time to crash this party. Before the two crimelords ever get the chance to shake each other's hand. Katana makes her dramatic entrance after waiting patiently in the air vents. She falls through the ceiling, diving blade first, and cuts the hand of the mobster clean of its bones. The severed hand comically flies off and hits the floor as both gang members brandish their guns and point at the mysterious vigilante. "Who are you You crazy bitch!?" John shouted while wrying in pain as blood continued to flow from his wrist. Katana stood tall and pointed out the Yakuza on the other side of the room, implying she was with them. "That's the cursed blade! You're supposed to be dead!" The yakuza lord's eyes widened as cold sweats formed around his face. "You know her!? Light 'em' up! This deal is over! Kill every non-american squinty eyes motherfucker in this area! we're going home!" John commanded his goons while limping away. "Wait, wait wait!" The yakuza pleaded out but it was too late. Bodies start dropping as the American mobsters unload a full auto on them. The sound of gunfire and desperate screams fills the room as the yakuza retaliate, providing cover fire for their leader to escape. A violent shootout takes place. Katana takes cover as bullets start flying everywhere from both sides. She picks up her kunai between her fingers and starts throwing it at their throats. She makes her move by slashing and eliminating the nearest goons she can find. As far as she is concerned, everyone in this room is her enemy. The VIP room quickly turns into a mass grave as the sound of the shooting dies down. Katana has her eyes set on her target: a cowardly weasel limping for his own life. She sprints towards the exit and chases after the mob boss who fled in the hallway. "What's with you cutting other people's limbs, Ya freaking psycho!? I'll let you know I have connections with dangerous people! if you kill me now they'll come after you and make your life a living hell!" The man kept running as the relentless ninja lady was hot on his tail. Katana pounces at her prey as the deadly samurai catches up to him and drives a sword on his back, nailing him to the wall. [color=ed1c24]"You will serve me as my intel to this new deadly chemical you've develop, I welcome you to your new home"[/color] Katana withdrew the soultaker from the mobster's lifeless body and wiped the blood off with her shinguard. Upon its reflection, you can see the mobster's face wailing for help inside the limbo. Katana left the crime scene without a trace, leaving a trail of dead bodies behind. As far as incident report goes. This was a violent shootout between both rival gangs. [hider= Postlude: The unseen dagger] Somewhere at an abandoned container dock near Seatle. After that brutal encounter with Katana, the mafia, and a deal went sour, Mr. Ishigoro found himself kidnapped, gagged, and tied to a chair, Face-to-face with his employer. [b]"So, the wielder of the accursed Muramasa blade lives.."[/b] A man shrouded in shadow said while pondering on his shiny dagger. [b]"Did she recognize who you work for?"[/b] He asked the wounded Yakuza boss. Obviously, the man can't answer seeing how battered and bruised he is. He can only muster a weak nod to the head of the dagger clan. [b]"Is that a no?"[/b] The bald man mockingly asked. [b]"Well, I can't take any chances of my secret society being exposed. I do apologize if our partnership has to end this way. You have only your own incompetence to blame."[/b] A sinister smile forms on his lips as a bunch of ninja henchmen steps forward and encircles their prey. Without warning, They each draw their short blades and stab the helpless man with every inch of his body. They each take turns brutally shanking the poor soul from where he sits. A garish sight to behold. This is an execution of a thousand blades as their leader delivers the final blow to the heart. [b]"Dispose of the body"[/b] He commanded his murderous henchmen, unremorseful of his actions. [b]"If that bitch ever interferes with my operation again, I will personally flay her porcelain skin myself,"[/b] Garakusi sadistically smiles, licking the blade of the bloodstained knife he is holding. [/hider]