[center][h2][color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi Hasegawa[/color][/h2]
Esaka, The Tiered City
Lvl 9 [color=BFBFBF]Zenkichi[/color] (85/90)  -> Lvl 9 (87/90) 
Word count: 791 words[/center]



With the motel crashing down around them, literally going up in flames, Zenkichi found himself giving the others a quick hand in finding survivors. The casualties weren’t too drastic, but more than one was a heavy weight on the Seekers’ shoulders. When the rubble had been mostly cleared, Zenkichi knelt, bowed in a dogeza, and whispering a soft prayer for the deceased. Standing, he nodded to the others who had stayed behind, before walking off towards one of the many ways down to the Low Tier. 

He gently knocked on the door to Kyanta’s dojo, waiting patiently for somebody to respond. It was the pomeranian themselves who answered, eyes bleary and clearly unhappy about being woken so early. “Huhhh? Zenkichi, do you realize how early it is?” 

He frowned in response, sighing as he nodded his head. [color=BFBFBF]”I do. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have to be. Trust me, I’d much rather be asleep. I was attacked, along with some of the others I came to Esaka with.”[/color] Kyanta gasped, eyes widening with shock as they opened the door and ushered the Phantom Thief inside. [color=BFBFBF]”It was G-Corp, I think. We saw their helicopters flying away from the hotel they blew up. Just…don’t tell anybody. We’re not completely sure why they came for us, so we don’t want to get too many people involved. Which I know I’m sort of doing by coming here, but I figured if we split up, they’d have to burn too many resources to attack all of us separately, rather than taking us out in one fell swoop.” [/color] Kyanta nodded, the logic making sense, even if they were a little uneasy still.

[color=BFBFBF]”I’ll only stay till morning. Once I compete under the dojo’s name, it’ll be too obvious for me to stay here, anyway. I won’t put you in any more danger than I already have.”[/color] Kyanta made to argue, but he shook his head. [color=BFBFBF]”Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty of experience under my belt in dealing with conspiracies. I’ll be okay.”[/color] 

“If you say so.” Kyanta groaned, shaking their head and gesturing for Zenkichi to follow them. “We’ve got a few rooms in the back. It’s not a 5-star bed and breakfast, but it beats the street. I’ll get one prepped for you, just wait a few.” 

It was, indeed, only a few minutes before Zenkichi had a warm room with an admittedly uncomfortable futon to sleep on. Sleep came slowly, but it did come. 

Eventually, morning came. It was fairly early when his eyes opened, a life of early awakenings and long rides keeping Zenkichi from truly deep sleep, especially after something so horrible as the night before. He forced himself up, dressed, and made his way back to the common area of the dojo to search for the kitchen. Even Kyanta hadn’t risen yet, so he was on his own, but after a few minutes he found the space and the coffee machine. Making himself a quick mug, he drank it hot and black, relying on the flavor and strength to force some life into him. Grabbing a pen and a sticky note, he left a ‘Thank you!’ note for Kyanta and made his way onto the streets. 

The city’s defenders were on high alert, their presence felt keenly by everybody on the street. Zenkichi wandered, listening to the word he heard around, but he was oddly disappointed to hear almost no mention of the attack. Almost everybody was too preoccupied with the incoming fight, and the explosions from the night before were all but ignored by the populace. 

When Band called to meet, Zenkichi answered, albeit silently. He was among the last to enter Quick Rise, catching the tail end of the Koopa Kids’ explanation about the flame clocks. He didn’t bother to get anything to eat; a true detective needed only coffee to survive until lunch, at least in his mind. Galeem’s lack of originality was a combination of comical and pathetic. That a godlike being couldn’t come up with its own system for keeping its recycled world intact and self-sustaining was…really something. 

He shared Pit’s positive outlook, but lacked the outward expression thereof. It wasn’t necessary; the Seekers all knew what they had to do. Get a shot at the Four Kings, and take them down. It was easier said than done, of course, but they were tough. 

When the time came to make their way to the Pools, Zenkichi followed Band’s example and looked over the tournament bracket to see his own challenger: Iron Monk. That could be anything from a fist-fighter of unbreakable will to a master of the quarterstaff. It changed nothing; he would be ready for whatever his opponent brought out either way.