Chapter 31 If You’re Willing Enough to Gamble Your Life One month ago, when Neito was forming his plans, he realized that he needed the support of the G.A Department.
Having gathered information, he began explaining the plan to them.
He was going to offer human souls as tribute to the Santana. There are three reasons for doing such.
One: Having gained their trust, they will stop attacking Metallica and its members.
Two: Without the need to go out and gather souls, they won’t have to face Ramone. Their numbers will significantly increase.
Three: Having souls offered, they’ll begin to trust him more, lowering their guard. For example, he was able to attach a transmitter, revealing the Santana’s base.
If all goes to plan, he will leak the information of the Santana’s base and Ramone will definitely confirm the information.
They would have to fight each other, ending in an annihilation of one group. Then he would take care of the remaining one.
It sounded off like an easy plan, and the men from the G.A.D (Gen.Affairs Dept.) agreed with him. The hardest part to explain was still yet to come.
[The souls we are going to offer to the Santana… are going to be your souls]
Neito announced to them.
There was a reason for doing so. If they were to kidnap the inhabitants of the island, Ramone would know that Metallica is moving. It would be bad if he began investigating the kidnappings.
Neito took his proposal very seriously. Of course, who would want to offer their souls to some monsters and be in a state of coma? There was also that possibility of dying after one month.
Neito already thought deeply about his plan. He then voiced out.
[I won’t force you to do this. I just want you to give it some thought. There won’t be any penalties if you don’t do this. But if you do consent to this, I’ll give back something in return. If you’re worried, I will definitely get your souls back in one month. That is automatically provided for.]
With just these words, he couldn’t capture the hearts of his men. It was still lacking. He needed to give some a.s.surance that he’ll get their souls back.
They’re probably thinking that they’re just p.a.w.ns meant to be thrown away once their purpose is over. Just like any person from the main branch would do. I can’t blame them.
[Then I will share your fate.]
Neito put on an explosive electric collar around his neck. Without the right pa.s.sword, it would never come off. It was Metallica’s specialty. Everybody knows their purpose. Metallica uses it as an “insurance” in case anybody tried to betray them.
[The explosive is set to explode in one month. Any time more than that then it’ll explode. I will have you secretly set the pa.s.sword. The timer will begin counting when the operation starts. If even one does not come back, I will die.]
The hall was covered in silence. Neito continued.
[Everybody… No, you guys came to Metallica with a purpose. Am I right? Shrouded by society, there was no other place you could turn to. You were unsatisfied by society, so you decided to change it. Am I right?]
[I also feel the same.]
[We are villains. We take whatever methods to achieve our goals. I think that is justifiable. Conquer Okinawa. We will definitely defeat the Santana and Ramone.]
[With that in mind, I gamble my life. I have nothing else to gamble. Before I entered Metallica, I was nothing. How about you guys? When I fought for Metallica, I never once thought of regretting it if I died. That’s why I started off in the G.A.D. I kept moving and I arrived at my current position. All for the purpose of attaining the power to change the world.]
[I’ll say it again. I won’t force you to do it. I won’t bear a grudge over you for not partic.i.p.ating. Even so, if you’re willing to offer your soul, if you’re willing to gamble your life, then let’s gamble our lives and fight. We will definitely win.]
This isn’t a joke. This was not a thing you could boast in public.
Neito announced his message sincerely.
Everybody in the G.A.D. said they will fight. Their war cry echoed throughout the building.
One month later, everything went according to plan. The men from the G.A.D started waking up. This was proof that Ramone and the Santana were fighting each other.
Neito then proceeded to the location of the battle.
[…Metallica…]
[You’re right. There was even a time you saved my life… I thank you for that.]
Neito arrived in the last part of the battle. He continued observing them.
Along with his [revived] subordinates, he proceeded down the cave. He knew Ramone might notice them using the spirits, but the hero of justice would have focused all his power towards the foe before him.
[You really are outstanding. I’m sure you’re just a really good guy. You fought well.]
[…I can’t afford…to lose here!!]
Ramone, along with his beaten up body, fiercely stared at Neito.
He’s quite something. He’s really amazing. It was also the same with Beetle. No matter what the circ.u.mstance, they vowed to protect the world. He is a really strong and enlightening man.
He’s different from me. He tries to satisfy the world. Protect the little happiness he has around him.
Using human souls, I baited the Santana and gathered information. I baited them both to fight each other to death.
Even a child can decide who was righteous.
Even so…
[It’s futile. You can’t win.]
[Se-Aaa-!]
Mustering all the strength he had left, his fist started burning greatly.
Raising his hand, Neito commanded his men.
[Fire.]
His subordinates who were behind him, started firing their machine guns. It was a storm of bullets.
Metaphorically speaking, it was like crushing a tomato mercilessly.
Ramone could usually defend himself against their attack, but it was only when he was in a good condition.
[…Haaaaaaaa-!]
Ramone couldn’t avoid the continuous stream of bullets
He probably had no strength left to dodge them. He probably also had no power left to rush at them
[…You’re really a great man…]
Neito spoke from his heart in a low voice.
Using his both hands, Ramone tried stopping the bullets and proceeded to go towards Neito.
He was walking towards them in a slow pace. There was probably some defensive energy left.
Step, after step, after step.
[…I can’t… afford to lose…! I will…! Protect this island! You pieces of sc.u.m… I’ll defeat you!]
The air was shaking like a mirage. He was truly a fierce man. Amidst machine gun fire, amidst the injuries had and amidst the damaged he received, he still kept coming.
Step, after step, after step.
He was true embodiment of justice.
[Don’t falter. Fire. Keep firing.]
I can’t afford to be scared here.
Neito commanded in a cold blooded voice.
Seeing the face of Ramone getting close, he wanted to run away from him.
But, he can’t do that. He’ll lose control of his troops if he does that. They can’t defeat Ramone is that happens.
There was no better time to defeat him, the hero. In order for me to proceed and change the world, I need to defeat Ramone.
Neito didn’t back down. He had no thoughts on retreating.
His evil ideals were immovable.
Second pa.s.sed like hours.
Ramone managed to reach one step away from Neito. The bullets weren’t enough to stop him. He managed to get this far.
Pulling away his fist, he proceeded to strike Neito with it. His Justice Hammer was burning fiercely.
But didn’t move an inch. He carefully watched Ramone.
[…I will… protect…]
Ramone wasn’t able to throw his punch.
A few moments later, he collapsed in front of Neito and stopped moving. Whether he fainted or he died, Neito didn’t know. The bracelet Ramone used for his powers burned away at the same time he collapsed. Ramone could probably never harness his powers again.
Bending down, Neito voiced out to Ramone.
[We won. Your justice was only at this certain level huh…]
Neito grinned.
But within his heart, it was different.
You were amazing.
Neito didn’t know the real name of the man before him, and he never would.
But even until the end, he kept moving forward.
He fought and annihilated the Santana Neito greatly feared singlehandedly. In order to protect somebody…
Who knew how much training he had to go through to perfect his karate techniques…
Who knew how much he had to sacrifice just to fight the Santana…
He didn’t run away. He fought till the end. Admirable. He was really a great man.
Neito never spoke it out loud. He had no right to speak of him, as he was the villain that defeated him.
But he was a man worthy to be recognized.
With this, the battle for Okinawa drew to an end.