Chapter 175 : The Lioness's Game

"Let's go hunting."

Leone's words echoed in Tatsumi's ears, filled with the promise of action and a hint of danger. The woman chugged the rest of her beer in one gulp, placed the empty mug on the bar with a satisfying thud, and tossed a few yen bills to the bartender. "That's for my drink and for your peace of mind, Kenji-san."

The old bartender just smiled and nodded.

Leone gestured for Tatsumi to follow her. They left the warmth and jazz melodies of 'The Lion's Den', returning to the bustling and chaotic streets of Kabukicho. Leone walked with a casual yet confident stride, as if the entire chaotic district was her living room. She greeted a takoyaki vendor on the street, winked at a large bouncer in front of a nightclub, and even exchanged a few words with an old woman sweeping in front of her shop. She was part of this ecosystem.

"The shiny heroes downtown, they're afraid to get their expensive boots dirty here," Leone said as she walked, not looking back at Tatsumi. "They don't understand that to catch a wolf, you have to learn to think like a wolf. And sometimes," she stopped and grinned at Tatsumi, "you have to have a beer with a few wolves too."

Tatsumi could only nod, still trying to process this woman's dynamics. The strange sense of familiarity was still there, a warmth in his chest that made him feel at ease amidst the chaos, as long as he was near her.

They arrived at a quiet, dark back alley. "Okay, Dragon Boy, I've shown you my way. Now show me yours. How do we get out of here without attracting attention?"

Tatsumi took out a burner phone and sent a short message. Less than five minutes later, a black, windowless van pulled up at the end of the alley. The door slid open, revealing one of Hawks' subordinate agents in civilian clothes. Leone looked at the van, then at Tatsumi, and burst out laughing.

"Wow, Dragon Boy! Your 'mutual acquaintance' is really serious, huh? I like that!" she said, hopping into the van without hesitation.

The journey back to the villa was silent, but not an awkward one. Leone seemed to enjoy the scenery, while Tatsumi finally had time to process their meeting. He had succeeded. He had recruited her.

When the van passed through the hidden security gate and stopped in front of the luxurious modern villa, Leone let out a long whistle. "Not bad. Not bad at all. This guy has taste... and a whole lot of money."

Tatsumi led her inside, straight to the war room. Hawks and Akame were already waiting.

The moment of their meeting felt like static electricity in the air. Hawks stepped forward first, extending a hand with his perfect diplomatic smile. "Lionel-san, or should I call you Leone? It's an honor. I'm Hawks."

"Just call me Leone," Leone replied, shaking his hand firmly. "And save your formalities, Winged Hero. I'm here for business... and a little fun." Her eyes then shifted to Akame, who stood silently like a statue in the corner of the room.

Leone tilted her head, her playful smile fading slightly, replaced by a sharp, appraising expression. She looked Akame up and down. Akame stared back, her red eyes showing no emotion, analyzing Leone with the same intensity. It was a meeting of two apex predators from different food chains.

"And you..." Leone said, breaking the silence. "You have the eyes of a killer. I like that."

Akame didn't reply, but there was a slight shift in her posture, a barely perceptible acknowledgment. She recognized the strength in Leone, just as Leone recognized the darkness in her.

"Alright, enough with the introductions," Hawks said, taking back control of the room. "Leone-san, we need your expertise."

He showed the data they had on the holographic table. Leone walked closer, now fully in professional mode. She studied the map of Aokigahara and the intelligence report on the PLF facility.

"Hmm, the PLF is getting bolder," she muttered. "Building a research facility in such a grim place... clever and crazy at the same time."

She didn't touch Hawks' advanced data terminal. Instead, she pulled out her own phone—an old, scratched model—and started making calls. In an instant, her personality changed. She used different tones and jargon for each call, a social chameleon adapting to whomever she was talking to.

The first call was to an informant she called 'Taka'. "Hey, Taka, it's me. Listen, any new gossip? Strange movements around the forest at the foot of Fuji? New people in uniforms who aren't cops or heroes? Yeah... find out more. I'll treat you to the best ramen in Tokyo if your info is good."

The second call was to a female bartender in a small town near the forest. "Miki-chan, sweetie! How are you? Listen, any strange customers dropping by lately? People who don't talk much, always pay in cash, and look like they're waiting for something? Uh-huh... get their faces for me, will you? There's a bonus in it for you."

The third call was to a contact in a low-level Yakuza group. "I told you not to call me unless it's important. But now I need something. I hear the PLF is trying to recruit from the small-time groups in your territory. Give me the names of those who refused... or those who accepted. You know what will happen if you lie to me."

In less than an hour, Leone had mapped out what Hawks' satellites and drones couldn't. She picked up a marker and started marking the holographic map.

"Okay, listen up," she said to the three of them. "There are three main supply routes to the forest that don't use the main roads. Old, forgotten hunting trails. Locals have reported seeing strange trucks on them at night. Second, there are rumors of 'ghosts' guarding the outer perimeter—likely villains with stealth or illusion Quirks hired by the PLF to scare off hunters or lost tourists. Third, and this is the most interesting part, some low-level biker gang members were recently recruited for high-paying 'guard' jobs in the area. They're idiots, but they could be our way in if we play our cards right."

Hawks looked at the board, now filled with raw, valuable human intelligence. He smiled genuinely. "Incredible. This is more than we could have gathered in a week."

Akame, for the first time, gave a small, firm nod of approval.

After the intense strategy session, Leone stretched like a lioness just waking up from a nap. "Alright! Work's done for now! My brain needs a beer and my stomach needs some meat!"

She turned and grinned at Tatsumi. "Come on, Dragon Boy, show me where the kitchen is in this palace. You're going to cook for me as a thank you."

Without waiting for an answer, she grabbed Tatsumi's arm and dragged him out of the war room, leaving Hawks and Akame behind.

A few moments later, in the villa's spacious kitchen, Leone's cheerful laughter filled the room as she tried to teach Tatsumi the right way to grill meat. Tatsumi, initially awkward, began to relax a little and even smiled at her blunt jokes.

Akame entered the kitchen silently, just to get a glass of water. She paused for a moment in the doorway, observing the scene. The loud and vibrant Leone, the seemingly lighter and less burdened Tatsumi. There was something right about this strange dynamic. Cheerful, raw power meeting serious, hidden strength.

Their alliance now had claws, wings, the eyes of an eagle, and now... the fangs and roar of a lioness. The team felt more complete, more dangerous, and strangely, more like a very dysfunctional family. Their hunt in Aokigahara was about to begin.