Chapter Text
It happened on a day like any other.
One moment, the detectives working for the infamous and famous Armed Detective Agency were serenely doing their work, going about their day as usual, and the next there was a knock on the door.
Nothing unusual, really.
That is until Naomi let in the visitors.
Needless to say, it was not a client.
Yet Port Mafia Executive Ozaki Kouyou and the tactical leader of Black Lizards Hirotsu Ryurou still needed the Agency's assistance.
Or rather, one particular person's assistance.
Dazai Osamu eyed two of the rare few people he respected in this world as they boldly sidestepped his coworkers until they made it to the small receiving area where Dazai had been lazing about on one of the provided couches. He observed the tight set of their shoulders, the rigid straightness of their spines, the grinding of their teeth and the clenching of their jaws. Behind them, staying just outside the office, was a contingent of bodyguards armed to the teeth. One of the bodyguards seemed to be Gin, the assassin.
The whole ordeal had the office tense as a spring ready to snap. Even the President left his office and observed the proceedings with a cold, calculating, wary eye.
The first thing that struck Dazai as extremely odd was the bundle of ... something in Hirotsu-san's hands.
The second was the strangely official, formal atmosphere with which the two approached him, something that has not happened to this extent since his days as the Demon Prodigy.
The third thing that nearly stalled his brain was when Kouyou knelt before him, bowing her head, followed by Hirotsu, Gin and the bodyguards.
A show of respect like this was one he was used to when he'd been Mori's right hand man, but others only knelt in front of him when he stood by the Boss' side, Demon Prodigy or not.
To say all of this was suspicious and weird would be an understatement.
Dazai had never spent this much time confused and puzzling things over in his life.
For a second, he thought Mori had sent them to drag him back to the Mafia kicking and screaming. It wouldn't even come as a surprise; Dazai's expertise would be very much desired these days as the Mafia's rivals allied themselves with a new organization that had made Yokohama their base a couple of weeks ago. And with or without Chuuya, Dazai was the best weapon to use against any organization that may make an attempt at opposing the Port Mafia. Dazai had honed it into an art form, taking down enemy organizations, individually or as Soukoku. It's why Mori's first invite back to the Mafia happened during the three-way war with the Guild, no doubt having known Dazai could have ended the whole conflict in a single day if he still had access to all of his old resources and his partner.
Still, this didn't seem like an abduction attempt or even a ... forceful invitation back.
This was something else entirely.
"What brings you here, Ane-san, Hirotsu-san?" He finally asked, fully acknowledging and focusing on them as he sat up properly into a more dignified position. It's the least Ane-san and Hirotsu-san deserved, after all.
Kouyou produced yet another surprise by bringing out a certain crimson envelope, red freshly as blood. Dazai stared at it with wide eyes. He'd only seen an envelope like that once. Exactly eight years ago, handed to him by none other than Mori the same night the former Boss died under the doctor's scalpel.
An official decree for the Port Mafia to mourn a dead Boss.
All members are to get one, so there would be no miscommunication, no surprises, no excuse for insubordination. A tradition as old as the very first Boss-succession of the Port Mafia, older than the Great War. Unmistakable and not a joking matter.
To falsify this envelope is to sign your own execution order.
Dazai's face shutters. His bangs hide his eyes as he takes the red envelope. He doesn't question why he's getting one because of course he would; he may walk in the light now, but his blood will always be Mafia black, something he's never denied. Besides, even if that wasn't the case, this was Mori they were talking about: that bastard would want Dazai at his funeral, even if it was just so the brunet could spit on his grave.
Still, Dazai knew this was more than just an 'invitation' to mourn the slimy asshole.
Dazai is very well aware of Mori's Will.
Ane-san and Hirotsu-san must know that, too.
Still, the Executive speaks. "It is my utmost regret to inform you that Mori-dono is dead," the red haired woman spoke clearly and plainly, ignoring the shocked gasps from the other detectives and instead rising her head to try and meet Dazai's gaze, but he kept his eyes hidden in the shadows of his bangs.
"How ... " The President began, had to pause, swallow, before he could finish his sentence. "How did it happen?"
"An assassination," the woman said grimly. "Port Mafia has a traitor in our ranks that not even Mori-dono was aware of until it was too late. Our only lead so far is the clear message the assassin left." She took out a picture from her long, billowing sleeve. Dazai didn't take it but Ranpo was shameless enough to skip over to her and snatch it out of her hand, ignoring the deadly scowl she shot his way.
"So they're part of that new group, the Unsightly? Aren't they too new and too small to aim so high?"
"They have made alliances with several other rival gangs and yakuza groups in Yokohama, including Strain and a few other overseas organizations for hire."
"Strain survived the Dragon Head Conflict?" Kunikida asked incredulously but Dazai wasn't interested in his colleagues ignorance of the underworld's functioning. He had more important things to focus on.
"You're not just here to give me this," he half accuses and his voice is cold in a way he hadn't been with people for four years until recently, and even then it only occasionally slips free.
In response, Hirotsu-san gets up from the floor and approaches him, presenting him with the bundle he's been carrying almost reverently since they arrived. He bows deeply at the waist, still not looking directly at Dazai.
The genius knows what it is as soon as he sees dark red.
"Port Mafia is currently in the middle of a conflict that might arise to match the one from six years ago before the White Qilin personally joined in," the Executive says, still aiming her eyes to meet Dazai's. They both ignore the new wave of gasps that comment brings. "Only three Executive seats are filled and one of those may as well not be. We are vulnerable, for all our strength, and we are left adrift in a raging storm at sea. The Mafia needs a leader."
"What does that have to do with Dazai-san?" Atsushi asks, ignorant as ever. Beside him, Kyouka stands with a grim look on her face, recognizing the red cloth and the Port Mafia tradition.
"Mori-dono's Will was always clear, from the day he showed up with you at his side, lad," Kouyou says in a gentler, sadder voice. She and Mori had actually been friends, somewhat. She was one of the rare few people Mori had genuinely respected, too. "I know you are basking in the light, but I'm afraid I must ask: don't ignore your responsibility, Dazai. Yokohama's underworld will be in chaos in less than a week should Port Mafia lose even an inch of influence or territory. Chuuya and I are overworked as is and even if we were, neither of us could ever succeed Mori-dono."
"That bastard's death and legacy has nothing to do with Dazai," hissed Yosano, moving forward threateningly with a cleaver, only for Golden Demon to manifest between the detectives and the mafioso, while the bodyguards just outside the Agency's door primed their guns. "He owes you bastards nothing!"
"She is right, Dazai," Fukuzawa-shachou agrees. "Whatever your former connection to the Mafia may be, no matter what is happening in their organization, it no longer concerns you."
Dazai chuckles before either of them, or anyone else, could get in any absurd opinions. Really, he was touched, he really was, but they were wrong. Dazai knew they were wrong. More than anyone other than perhaps Mori himself, Dazai knew how much the Mafia can take and whose leadership it can survive after the special reform he and Mori had implemented starting seven years ago, when Dazai became an official member and actually invested effort into honing the Mafia into a perfectly oiled machine for his schemes. Dazai had been half the reason the Mafia became the giant it is today.
He knew what he owed the Mafia.
He stood up and, without hesitation, took the red scarf. Practically a representation of Port Mafia leadership for the last four generations, if rumors are to be believed. Dazai had been very tempted to take this very scarf when he was eighteen and stared at the crimson blood of his best friend staining his palms, his bandages, his suit. Had it not been for Odasaku's very specific wish, he would have.
It seems he was always meant to get it either way.
'I just never thought it would be like this,' he thought, face blank for a moment as he clenched his fingers in the soft, expensive, worn but well cared for material. "Ane-san, get up. It seems we have a lot to do and very little time until they get bold enough to strike again." He didn't pause as he slung the scarf over his shoulders and walked past Hirotsu-san, Golden Demon, his colleagues, going towards the awaiting bodyguards who greeted him with another deep bow. "It seems it's time we show them all again why Port Mafia isn't to be trifled with."
"Yes, Boss," the mafiosos all intoned with yet another bow before scrambling more or less elegantly after him.
"DAZAI!" Kunikida's enraged yell went ignored as Dazai let the bodyguards surround him and lead him down to the awaiting bulletproof cars, opening the doors for him, the Executive and the two Black Lizard members. He watched idly through the tinted windows as his (former?) colleagues all ran down and stared after the small procession of cars as they pulled away from the Agency and began the drive towards the skyscrapers belonging to Mori Corporations and the Port Mafia.
"Dazai-san, no, Boss," Gin-chan began, drawing his attention away from the plots and plans and schemes already weaving themselves into existence in his mind. "May I ask why you've agreed so easily if you've ran from the Mafia before?"
Had it been anyone else in the car with them or had it been anyone else besides a select few who had asked, Dazai either wouldn't have answered or the person wouldn't have lived to hear it. Seeing as these were people he somewhat trusted and was fond of ... "The Mafia is the only thing keeping the government in check regarding certain matters," he replied. "I cannot allow it to become weak enough that the protection it extends becomes null."
And it was true, partially.
One of the main reasons Dazai never shared any of the information he's ever had access to since meeting Mori was because he knew the Port Mafia was needed, Tripartite System or not. He'd seen what happens when the underworld goes unchecked or how the government would deal with it. He knows for a fact that the Mafia shelters a lot of people with no other place to go and no one else to turn to. He knows the Mafia is the only one who stands between defenseless, innocent Ability users the and Special Abilities Division, which only sees them as numbers and nothing more. Even Mori and Dazai saw their pawns as people. Even they held greater value for human life than the government did.
The government created the monsters it now hates and fears.
Dazai knows at least two perfect examples of such.
And he knows only the Mafia can protect them.
It's why he foresees a week of barely any sleep, food, water or relaxation unless someone forces it on him. He's about to be very busy.
"The funeral will be in three days," Kouyou suddenly says, proceeding with important matters that must immediately be dealt with by the new Boss. "Everything has been arranged."
Dazai hums. "Make it a week."
"... Boss?"
"You can drop that when we're like this, Ane-san. You and Hirotsu-san basically saw me grow up. Delay the funeral until the end of the week," he repeated and the redhead gave a delayed nod.
"May I know why?"
The new Boss gave a chilling grin, eyes cold and sharper than any blade. "I plan to settle everything in a week's time, so get prepared to be super busy~" The three mafioso shivered in both dread and anticipation.
The Demon Prodigy was back where he belonged, at the helm of the Mafia.
Kouyou immediately began rearranging things while Hirotsu-san called up ahead to inform security the Boss was coming. Gin-chan remained quiet and observant and Dazai just left them to it, ironing out his priority list.
1. Deal with any dissent caused by his accession and find the traitor. He plans to finish that today. It shouldn't take long, though he guesses he can deal with all the other spies and traitors he's detected within the organization while he's at it. He'll also probably have to dedicate some time to pacify his partner regarding some of those traitors but hopefully that won't take too long. As for anyone possibly being against his new rule, rare few mafioso will let that slide. The Demon Prodigy is whom they swore by since he gained the moniker. If not them, his inner circle will deal with it, Chuuya and Akutagawa no doubt being the most vicious. It will send the message easily enough.
2. Prepare the Mafia for conflict, politically and financially, secure weapons and ammunition shipments and purchases and silence any information brokers that might be in peril of blabbing. That's what he's reserving tomorrow for. He has seven days to do everything and he'll divide his 'tasks' by days so no one gets overwhelmed with the amount of work he's about to dump on them. This includes a new reform of the Port Mafia's bureaucratic system. Paperwork was a bitch and Dazai hated it with a burning passion, but it was necessary. The Executives, more than anyone else, will hate him for this but it's a necessity.
3. He has a certain grave to visit and for once it's not Odasaku's. It's been six years, give or take. It should have been more than enough time, if Dazai's calculations and predictions are right, and they always are. This will strengthen the Mafia considerably, as it will also deal with the (semi-) empty Executive seats. The baby assassins can survive a few days without their teacher, he's sure. Dealing with that will probably take the whole day, too, but he's okay with that. He'll probably have to walk Chuuya through it, though. Hopefully the Chibi doesn't react too bad to it all, if Mori-san really hadn't told him about the third currently still living Executive.
4. The first strike. They'll go through with it just to feel things out, see how the enemy operates. He predicts it will be the Mafia's weapons warehouses on the east end, since they're the furthest from HQ and any reinforcements that might be sent. Dazai plans to gather a bit more information before deciding the exact number of gunmen and Ability users sent to the location. While that is going down, he also plans on meeting with some of the front business for the Mafia to see why certain numbers don't align. One must be truly ballsy or downright stupid to try and steal from the Mafia.
5. He plans to have a meeting with the Special Abilities Division's Taneda Santoka regarding certain inquiries and research attempts they've been making as of late. He had planned on meeting the man in regards to that for a few weeks now, actually. Dazai does not like anyone sniffing around his chibi dog, thank you very much. The government's interest in Chuuya has definitely spiked since the Dead Apple incident, which is to be expected after he'd defeated a dragon-shaped, gigantic, over-100-Abilities-stuffed Singularity all by himself. Dazai was not having this, however. Chuuya was his dog. It's perhaps time for the government to relearn this, starting with the division in charge of managing Ability users.
6. Final strike, frankly. Dazai does not need more than a few petite battles to deal with an organization like Strain or the Unsightly. He'll gather more information by then to be sure of the number of Ability users in their ranks and their skills and, if worse comes to worst, Soukoku will take the stage to deal with it, though he rather doubts it anything so extreme will be needed. However, he has suspicions regarding the Unsightly and the government's recent increased interest in the god of calamity residing in his partner. He does not believe in coincidence. Chuuya, regardless of threat level, will not be going on any missions alone, especially if the Unsightly are involved.
7. A meeting with his fellow detectives regarding the future of their organizations' collaborations and alliance. The most important day in this week ahead of them, really. He needs to get everything done by then in a manner that will keep the Mafia safe for the foreseeable future as well as in a manner that won't disgust the Agency too much. The alliance between these organizations must stay in the best condition possible; a lot of Dazai's future plans rely on it.
Seven days ... That's all he has to deal with this bullshit.
He couldn't help but smirk.
He almost wished he'd actually gotten a decent challenge.
00000
When he stepped out of the car with Ane-san, Hirotsu-san and Gin-chan, the only other active Executive as well as the rest of the Black Lizard were there to greet him. Dazai was surprised to find Chuuya not the least bit displeased to see him back with such an immediate promotion. Then again, Chuuya, much like Dazai, had never actually gunned for the title of Boss. Dazai became Executive because he was scarily efficient and there was a spot open. He hadn't really cared either way besides hoping he won't be as bored as he was again at sixteen. Chuuya, on the other hand, had only been interested in the filed on Arahabaki the Mafia had taken from Rando-san's place. He, too, got promoted so quickly because he was damn good at his job, for a chibi, that is. But since most secrets of Chuuya's past were either revealed or destroyed six years ago, Chuuya had settled into making the Mafia his family and focused on the future.
Chuuya would make a good leader, in any organization but the Port Mafia. Chuuya knew how to be cruel and callous when the need arouse, but he didn't have the stomach for it the way Dazai and Mori did. Chuuya, in a time of conflict, would be too soft of a leader. He wouldn't be able to make sacrifices and while Dazai will forever hate Mori for how easily he did it and how he'd raised and trained Dazai to be exactly the same, he understood the need for it. Had it been anyone but Odasaku, Dazai wouldn't have batted an eye at the way the skilled business permit had been acquired.
Chuuya would.
It's why he'd be a marvelous leader, just not in war.
"Chibiest chibiko," he greeted his partner in good humor, both surprised and expecting it when Chuuya grimly took off his hat and knelt before him, prompting everyone else in the vicinity to do the same for the new Boss. Dazai found he rather disliked seeing Chuuya like this. This felt like forced loyalty and trust; such concepts had no place in Soukoku. He'll have to have a talk with Chuuya about that later.
"Boss."
The brunet hummed, making a gesture for the other to stand up and Chuuya, as attuned to Dazai as ever, didn't need to actually see it with his eyes to know it was made. He stood up and the rest followed a few seconds later, knowing they were not the same as an Executive. Dazai ignored them all for the moment, instead taking in the state of his partner; Chuuya was deeply loyal to Mori and he'd never taken losing people close to him easily. Dazai knew he must have experienced only a portion of Chuuya's emotions as he grieved for Odasaku. The redhead was probably in a similar state now as he'd been with the death of the Flags.
That just won't do.
"Get ready to be worked to the bone, hatrack," he said casually, watching as Chuuya bristled for a second but seemed to recognize something on Dazai's face that made him still. "We have a long week ahead of us," Dazai finished with a smirk and he watched as some things clicked into place. A vicious grin spread over the shorter man's face as he recognized Dazai was, once again, going to give him a chance to avenge a fallen comrade and to protect the ones who survived. "First things first," he said as he clapped his hands 'childishly' moving forward. Chuuya seemed to automatically fall to his right, where he belonged, where he'd protected Dazai's blind spot for three years. Dazai had to ignore the surge of warmth going through him at how easily they just fell into harmony over and over again; now was not the time. "We have to deal with the traitors in our midst. Starting with the spy of the Hunting Dogs."
"What?" The fedora-wearing mafioso demanded, blue eyes turning cold and enraged as they flitted between Demon Prodigy and the gathered men and women. "Oi, shitty Dazai, this better not be a joke!"
"Chuuya," Kouyou chastised. "That is no way to speak to the Boss." He immediately fell silent.
"It's fine," Dazai reassured, having expected a much more explosive reaction. Then again, this won't be the first spy/double agent/traitor in their midst and it will hardly be the last. Information and espionage are the crutch of modern warfare. "Now, are you going to step forward yourself? Or should I single you out? Mr Hunting Dog~" Uneasy glances around, hands straying towards weapons, ready to shoot at any moment, yet most of the slowly rising killing intent was directed far away from Dazai, proving the overall loyalty within the Mafia will always be to the Mafia. Still, no one stepped forward, as Dazai had known would be the case. The spy probably thought Dazai was only guessing without any real proof. That was their first and final mistake: underestimating the Port Mafia's Demon Prodigy. "No? Okay then~"
He then casually hurled Chuuya's favorite knife which he'd swiped without the ginger noticing, as he always does, right into the crowd but at a very specific target.
Tachihara Michizo had no time to react before the deathly precise knife connected with his shoulder. Blood immediately flooded from the wound, drenching his shirt and jacket red. The smell of iron and copper was in the air not two seconds since the wound was made. Tachihara, to his credit, only grunted loudly in pain and staggered a bit, but he didn't drop to the ground or cry out.
Instead, like the brave, stupid little soldier that he is, he raised his gun and shot at Dazai.
A furious Chuuya was there, stopping the bullets as fire flashed through his eyes. "You're a traitor?!" He hissed through clenched teeth, his usual temper not showing through but rather genuine anger so intense there was no place for hurt at the betrayal.
"Tachihara-kun, explain yourself," Hirotsu-san demanded, glove off, gun in the other hand, ready to fight. Golden Demon had materialized and was standing protectively in a position where it can reach Dazai and prevent any further attacks. Gin and Kouyou had their blades out and everyone else was also now pointing various guns at the wounded redhead.
"A-are you s-seriously going to trust someone from those detective goody-goodies over y-your own comrade?"
"Hmm, how long ago have you joined the Mafia, Tachihara-kun?" Dazai asked as he walked around Chuuya and came to stand in front of the taller, less interesting ginger. "I'm guessing three years ago at most ... Yes, at that point, you'd only hear whispers about me, so you wouldn't know one of the unspoken laws of nature within the Port Mafia."
"Dazai's information is never wrong," intoned both red haired Executives in a cold, cutting tone, glaring down at the traitor. Gin-chan, in particular, looked ready to cut him into itty bitty tiny pieces that not even someone like Ranpo or Dazai would ever be able to put him back together like a puzzle.
"I apologize for not noticing, Boss," Hirotsu-san was quick to unnecessarily take the blame and offer an apology. Dazai waved him off, knowing it is usually almost impossible to spot a sleeper agent until they are finally activated. Mori would have undoubtedly been the first to notice Tachihara was not as he seemed. However, given the situation ...
Besides, taking down even one of those troublesome pests goes along perfectly with Dazai's preset plans for the week.
"That's alright, Hirotsu-san, things like this can happen to the best of us." He then turned towards his currently oldest Executive. "Ane-san, I trust I can leave the interrogations up to you? Get out of him anything and everything you can, down to what his first ever memory was. Use whatever means you wish and by the end of it, I care not whether he lives or bites the curb. Do feel free to call on me should you need it; you know I'm always happy to help."
Several emotions fought for dominance on the woman's lovely face for just a second, something between the usual unease Dazai inspires, to wicked glee and vicious rage towards the traitor and his fate, before it all settled and Kouyou gave a respectful bow, accepting her first task with grace.
Tachihara, realizing there's no way to talk himself out of this, took out the knife and hurled it back at Soukoku, activating his ability in a futile attempt to get at least one of them. Only that was Chuuya's knife; the gravity manipulator carried it around all the time, came in contact with it daily. Red easily overtook the outline of the knife and wrenched the control from Tachihara. Chuuya, if possible, looked even angrier now. He was livid. Scared, the former Black Lizard commander tried to scuttle away, but one of the gunmen behind him took the opportunity to deliver a blow to the back of his head. No one caught the man as he crumbled to the ground, unconscious.
Dazai just tsked. "Well, that's half of today's overall agenda dealt with. Someone clean that up and help take it down to the interrogation rooms. I don't want the trash stinking up the entire building, please." People immediately rushed to follow his orders as he casually whisked by them. "Chuuya, get ready to go on a little hunt, take Akutagawa with you. I expect the traitor by nightfall and alive in my office, hmm?"
"Yes, Boss," the ginger replied as he continued glaring at Tachihara's unconscious form being taken away from a few moments longer.
"And someone get me a secretary. I need someone to keep track and schedule meetings for this week as well as send organization-wide emails I have no time to do myself. Also, everyone, better expect new paperwork forms to became a part of your job because if I have to be miserable because of them, then so do you." The older mafiosos present just barely managed to refrain from groaning at the notion of yet another bureaucratic reform by the Demon Prodigy. Those who had been around for the first one still have nightmares. "Gin-chan, you are to shadow me at all times, even when Chuuya is there to play bodyguard. Hirotsu-san, I trust you can find a suitable replacement for the traitor?"
"Of course, Boss."
"Good. Then everyone get to work," he said with a chilling grin on his face. "As I said, we have a busy week ahead of us."
And just like that, the Demon Prodigy was back as the new Port Mafia Boss.
Things will be changing in Yokohama, starting today.
Dazai will make sure of it.