The "High Phoenix"

-The Yoshima Towers, 1:05 AM -

Kaede Yoshima, The leader of the Yoshima clan, was hurriedly walking towards the exit of the Yoshima headquarters along with some of his men. They all had this serious aura as if something terrible is about to happen.

"Any words from Yamada and the others?" Kaede asked with a troubled tone.

"There are no words from them. Even from the young master."

"Then we'll need to hurry. Bring as many men as you can-"

*Boom!!!*

All of a sudden, a huge explosion came from out of nowhere, shattering the window surrounding Kaede and his men.

*Bang bang!*

Gunfire rained on them. Still disoriented from the explosion, Kaede's men fell one by one.

Then, the gunfire stopped. No one but Kaede was left standing. Without a scratch, he stood there and looked at his fallen men.

"Alright, you have my attention. There's not a lot of people who have the balls to attack me in my own building."

Immediately, enemy men wearing mechanical protective gears marched and entered the building in an attack formation while their guns were pointed at Kaede.

"At ease men. I don't think you understand who you're pointing your guns at."

From behind the enemy formation, an unknown man gave this command. He slowly stepped out of the formation. He was wearing a dark, collared military uniform with the symbol of a Phoenix. A plain white mask covered his entire face, only revealing his eyes. Standing beside him, a woman covered in advanced mechanical body armor, appearing to be his bodyguard.

He, along with his guard, slowly walked towards Kaede. The sound of his footstep echoed across the halls.

Once they have come face to face with Kaede, they stopped.

"It has been a while, Kaede Yoshima."

Kaede responded with a nod.

"Well look at that, the " Masked General" himself. Now, what do I owe the pleasure of getting a visit from the High Phoenix?"

"Why? were you surprised?" The Masked General asked with a demeaning tone.

"The last person who tried to surprise me, his blood still stained the walls of this building."

"Hmm, still short-tempered I see."

"Enough with The formalities, state your business here," Kaede responded with a furious tone.

"Well you see, it has come to our attention that your son, Ichiro, has something that doesn't belong to him."

Kaede stood silent.

"Based on your reaction, it seems like you already know what I'm talking about."

"So, what if he does? What does it have to do with you?"

"I don't think you understand the importance of that girl's power and the danger of possessing it."

"I don't care if the government comes after me or my clan for that girl. If they think they're strong enough to stand against me, let them try."

The general took a step closer towards Kaede.

"What if I told you I want the girl? And that I want you to hand her over to me, how will you respond?"

"I'm not your delivery boy." Kaede retaliated.

"It looks like you're forgetting your place-"

*Chgh!* Enraged, Kaede suddenly grabbed the masked man by his collar.

"It appears to me that the 'High Phoenix' has forgotten what I am capable of. Should I remind you the true extent of my power?" With a cold tone, Kaede said this as he gave the masked man a menacing glare.

*Chk Chk* The woman standing alongside the masked man suddenly cocked her gun and pointed it at Kaede.

"Kaede, you do remember my guard, Cyborg 01, right?"

Kaede briefly glanced at her, then slowly untighten his grip on the masked man's collar.

"Look at that. The 'Mighty Kaede', stunned by a female cyborg. I'm sure you are capable of killing everyone in this building if you wanted to, including her. I wonder what's so special about her?"

Kaede couldn't do anything but tighten his grip as he try to hold his anger.

"Perhaps you have forgotten the main reason you are under the 'High Phoenix' in the first place. Should I remind you?"

...

"How can I forget?" Kaede said with a grim voice.

"I don't care how strong you are. Or if people think of you like some 'King.' To me, you are just a playing piece in the board game, and I just took your Queen." The Masked General said to Kaede with a belittling tone.

"Let's just get this over with. What is it that you want from me?"

"I don't need anything from you. The government already sent their best division to handle your son for me, so that girl is as good as mine."

"Then what else do you need me for? It seems that your friends within the government already have everything taken care of."

"I just dropped by to remind you of your place under the 'High Phoenix.' We are making moves of our own, and some of us are worried that you and your clan might get in the way. With that being said, All I want you to do is stand down and not interfere with what's about to unfold tonight."

"And if I get involved, what are you gonna do about it?"

"Then say goodbye to everything you care for. Including your clan and your precious city."

"Are you threatening my people?

" Is that what it sounds like?"

"Chose your next words carefully, general. I don't care if you're the 'High Phoenix.' If you dare touch my city -"

"You really have no idea about the chaos that's currently happening, don't you?" The general interrupted.

"The result of the yakuza's actions tonight, specifically the Nakamura clan and your own, is about to change the political landscape of the entire nation."

"What are you talking about? What chaos?" Uncertain, Kaede asked this to the Masked General.

Behind his mask, the general grinned.

"The government, or should I say, the 'Imperial Falcon,' has launched an all-out war against the Yakuza. They've been looking for an excuse to do so for quite some time. They want to remove certain clans that are causing them some problems, including some of your closest allies. Now, you just handed them that excuse."

Suddenly, a soldier from behind the enemy formation approached and interrupted the masked general.

"Sir, news from within the Falcon." The soldier then handed him a sealed letter which appears to be about an urgent matter.

He tore down the seal and unfolded the long paper the message was written at.

"Hmm, I see. And they say I'm the violent one," the Masked General said as he crumpled the letter and handed it back to the soldier.

"Well, Kaede. It appears that the 'Imperial Falcon' has already ravaged the rest of whatever that's left of Nakamura's clan."

"That's it? That's all it said? The letter seemed longer from where I'm standing." Kaede said in a joking manner.

"Well, it also had a long list of clans that are to be eradicated as well, so that's probably the reason for it being long.

" Should I be worried then?"

"Well, for some reason, they decided not to include your clan. Why is that, Yoshima?"

"Maybe they just forgot to add us to the list," Kaede responded humorously.

"Hmm... It appears I'm not the only one who has friends within the government. Who is it? Who's protecting you?" The masked general asked.

"I'll just leave the answer to you," Kaede responded with a smile on his face.

"Well then, I guess my work here is done." The General signaled his men. to head out.

"Oh, and about your son, I'll see to it that he's handled properly."

"General," Kaede called out before the general could turn his back.

"If anything happens to my son, consider my agreement with the 'High Phoenix' null and void."

The general smiled.

"Then let's hope he cooperates properly."

"Cyborg 01, say goodbye to Kaede for me," the general commanded his female guard.

"The woman then slightly lowered his head.

Then, they all left, leaving Kaede behind.

Once everyone had gone, He then took out his phone to make a call.

*Ring... ring*

*Beep*

...

" Yes, it's me. There has been a slight change of plans..."

"Sir?"