Chapter 84
Chapter 84: The Hunt Intensifies**
The chapter begins with Sakamoto navigating the bustling streets of an Indian city. The air was thick with the scent of spices, the hum of chatter, and the occasional honk of rickshaws weaving through the crowd. To blend in, Sakamoto grabbed a scarf from a nearby vendor who screamed at him but before he could act, sakamoto, rolling it over his shoulder in the traditional Indian style. The vibrant colors and patterns helped him disappear into the sea of people, his foreign appearance now less conspicuous.
As he walked, his mind raced. *Rajesh.* The name echoed in his thoughts, but it was all he had—no description, no location, nothing. How was he supposed to find one man in a country of millions? His frustration grew with each step, but he pushed it down, focusing on the task at hand. Spotting a crowded drinking bar, Sakamoto saw an opportunity. Men in bars talked, and drunk men talked even more. Perhaps someone there could point him in the right direction.
He pushed open the creaky wooden door, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses greeting him. The bar was dimly lit, filled with men of all ages seated at wooden tables. Some were deep in conversation, others slumped over their drinks, already drunk. Sakamoto made his way to the bar, sliding onto a stool. The bartender, a burly man with a thick mustache, approached him with a friendly smile.
"What can I get you?" the bartender asked, his voice warm but slightly gruff.
Sakamoto hesitated, patting his pockets. He pulled out a few foreign coins and bills, holding them up. "I only have this haha new here ," he said, his tone apologetic.
The bartender chuckled, waving a hand dismissively. "No problem, my friend. I've got you, pretty sure you wouldn't want whiskey" He poured a glass of a frothy, soapy-looking drink and slid it across the bar. The glass *CLINKED* as it rolled to a stop in front of Sakamoto.
Sakamoto stared at the drink for a moment before picking it up. He took a small sip, the bitter taste making him grimace, but he forced himself to swallow. Clearing his throat, he leaned closer to the bartender. "Excuse me," he said, his voice low. "I'm looking for someone. A man named Rajesh. Do you know him?"
The bartender burst into laughter, his booming voice drawing the attention of a few patrons. "Do I know him?" he said, still chuckling. "Look around you, my friend." He pointed to a group of three men at a nearby table, each nursing a drink. "Those three? All named Rajesh. If you don't have a description, you're not going to find *the* Rajesh you're looking for. You'll just find a hundred different Rajeshes."
Sakamoto exhaled sharply as expected ,his frustration bubbling to the surface. *This is going to be harder than I thought,* he muttered to himself.
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Meanwhile, the Black Brothers had arrived in India, landing in the exact spot where Sakamoto had appeared earlier. Lucius, the ever-reliable tracker, inhaled deeply, his eyes closing as he focused on the faint traces of Shen in the air. A smile spread across his face as he turned to Vodoyme. "He's here," he said confidently. "I can feel his Shen signature. It's faint, but it's there."
Vodoyme nodded, his expression grim. "Where?"
Lucius's eyes snapped open, his gaze sharp. "The bar. He's there."
Vodoyme took a step forward, but before he could move, his phone rang. The shrill sound cut through the air, and he pulled it out with a scowl. The voice on the other end was deep and commanding, sending a chill down Vodoyme's spine. "How's the hunt going?" the voice asked.
"We're closing in," Vodoyme replied, his tone clipped. "Don't call me again. When I'm done, I'll bring the prize back."
The voice on the other end chuckled darkly. "Very well. Where are you now?"
"India," Vodoyme said before ending the call with a sharp *CLICK*.
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The scene shifted to a dark, cavernous room filled with the hum of machinery. In the center sat a grotesquely fat man, his body connected to a network of wires and tubes that seemed to keep him alive. His breathing was labored, each inhale accompanied by a faint *HISS* from the machines. Standing before him was a towering figure clad in traditional Chinese warrior armor, its head conspicuously absent. This was a man known as Headless and it was true it was a man without head, a fearsome enforcer known for his ruthlessness.
The fat man's voice rumbled like distant thunder as he spoke. "The Black Brothers are less trustworthy than I thought, I have a feeling that they would betray me along the line and get the money but not deliver the package so Head to India Headless, Find the boy Sakamoto."
Headless bowed slightly, his armor creaking as he moved. "Yes, sir," he said, his voice echoing unnaturally from his headless form. Without another word, he turned and strode out of the room, his heavy footsteps fading into the distance.
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Back in Seoul, Mujin sat in his office, the phone pressed to his ear. The line rang and rang, but no one picked up. With a frustrated sigh, he slammed the receiver down. "Egypt and Russia are refusing to take my calls," he said, his voice tinged with irritation. "I don't know what to do."
Akebi, standing nearby, crossed her arms thoughtfully. "What about the Sovereign Union Hunter Association ?" she suggested. "They might be more willing to listen. If we can get them on our side, it could help clear Sakamoto's name." And Mujin said " those high ranking, I doubt "
Mujin nodded, his expression softening slightly. "It's worth a try," he said, reaching for the phone again. But as he dialed, his mind was already racing, calculating the next move in this dangerous game.
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