Asami leaned against his leather ch

Asami leaned against his leather chair, clasped his hands and brought them to rest on his stomach. Interesting, the yakuza thought. "Toru, how long were you in the army?"

"Five sir," Toru answered swiftly.

Calmly retrieving his cigarette, he allowed Kirishima to light the stick before fixing his attention at the young man in front of him. "Why did you quit?"

Toru remained unmoving in his chair. "I cannot see myself serving the army until I retire, sir."

"And why is that?" Asami asked, taking another drag of his cigarette.

Toru looked at his future boss. "Permission to speak frankly."

Asami waved his hand, giving his consent.

"I want to find a place where I can fit in," the lanky man said without hesitation.

Crushing his cigarette, the crime lord leaned forward, resting his hands on the large oak table. Pique with interest, Asami spoke, "And do you think this place fits you? Do you know what sort of things you are required to do?" he spoke in a low voice.

The younger man showed no signs of being intimidated. His dark eyes searched Asami's, staring into the intense golden orbs. "I don't know if it will," he answered truthfully. "But I think it will fit me better than the army."

"How much do you know about me and Sion?"

"I did some standard background check before I came," Toru hesitated for a while, "Although I could not find much information about you, Asami sama."

Asami smirked. He was growing fond of Toru, finding his straight as an arrow's personality refreshing. He took Toru's file, opening it again. "You do realize that the job would require you to carry a gun."

Toru nodded. "I am aware of that, sir."

Closing the file, Asami dumped it carelessly on the table. "Carrying it is one thing – ," he paused for a while, glancing at Toru. "—using it is another."

Toru's eyes widened slightly at Asami's remarks but regained his composure quickly enough. "I dare to use it; if that's what you meant, Asami sama."

Calmly, Asami pulled one of the drawers of his desk open, retrieving a gun. He inspected the weapon and when he was satisfied with its condition, he placed it on the table. Eyeing Toru, he said, "Then, it's time put those words into action."

Toru's dark eyes rested at the gun for a moment before looking at Asami again. "Who do you need me to kill, Asami sama?"

Xx Business as Usual xX

Kirishima watched the newly hired guard sitting in front of him. Toru remained silent as he sat across Asami in the limousine, staring outside the window. For a man who didn't know where he was taken to, Toru looked composed.

Too calm ,Kirishima thought, almost to a point that it's scary. Kirishima had never met anyone like Toru. Most guards fidgeted during their interviews with him and trembled when they meet Asami for the first time, fearing the intensity of his eyes.

This man, Kirishima thought as he glanced at Toru, is different.

Toru took the challenge to spar with Suoh, nearly won before Asami stepped in to take Suoh's place. Despite Toru's defeat, the boss remained impressed with his capabilities. And when Asami showed Toru his favorite gun, Toru didn't flinch. He gazed at the gun like a gun collector would, looking at the unique piece in details before calmly asking the boss his orders.

That alone, in Kirishima's opinion; garnered the boss's green light.

Kirishima pushed his spectacles up. Indeed, Toru is a very interesting man. Going back to Asami's schedule on his tablet, he briefly wondered how Toru would feel about his next task. He was already looking forward to Toru's performance.

Xx Business as Usual xX

Foul stench of blood and sweat immediately greeted Kirishima when he entered warehouse number three. He was already used to the sight, having executed a few men on Asami's orders. A man in his late twenties lay on the ground, surrounded by Kirishima's subordinates in suits. The man was badly beaten, and from the looks of the injuries, Kirishima deduced his men had used the knife.

His gaze flickered towards Toru, observing his reactions. There was nothing. Interesting.

"Boss," the men greeted, parted ways for Asami to move to the front where a single chair had been prepared.

Asami nodded his head in response. "Did he talk?"

One of the men stepped forward. "Yes, sir. He admitted to stealing a box of firearms and sold it to the Russians at a lower price."

Asami's face darkened. "So you think you can steal from me, Minagawa."

Minagawa immediately dragged himself up into a kneeling position. "Please Asami sama," he sobbed, ignoring his injured stomach. "I can explain."

"Your pitiful explanations do not interest me." Asami inhaled another drag of his cigarette. "You know the consequences of stealing from me."

Trembling, Minagawa crawled towards Asami's legs. Asami took a step back, kicking the man on his already injured stomach. "Don't –," Asami warned, "—touch me."

Kirishima stole a quick glance at Toru. The man stood in silence, watching the entire scene unfolding before him, emotionless. Already Kirishima was in awe – no one could remain calm at situations like this as even seasoned guards trembled during punishments.

Slowly, Asami retrieved his gun from his shoulder holster. Minagawa tried to plead for his life by attempting to clutch at Asami's legs again but he was held back by Suoh. The bulky guard had Minagawa on his knees, with both hands twisted behind his back. Two men came forward with a rope and Suoh efficiently bound Minagawa's hands.

"Asami sama," Kirishima took a step forward, showing the tablet to the crime lord. "Minagawa's email records; it looks like he has been passing information about Takaba sama to the Kurokawa gumi."

"How much information did the Kurokawa have?" Asami asked in a cool voice.

Kirishima tapped a few buttons on his tablet. "No more than Takaba sama's physical description and height. There were no photos attached."

Minagawa shook his head. "Boss, this is a misunderstanding. I was just trying to feed them the wrong information about – ," he halted when the gun on Asami's hand was raised to his direction.

"Wrong information?" The crime lord interrupted, reading the information on the tablet. His gaze darkened. "Your description on Akihito is perfect," he interrupted, firing the first shot on Minagawa's leg.

"Please – no," Minagawa sobbed. "Asami sama, please – Arg!" he screamed when Asami maimed his other leg.

"Asami sama, give me another chance. I swear I won't disappoint you again," Minagawa sobbed as he pleaded.

"Suoh, gag him," Asami ordered and turned to Toru who was standing next to Kirishima. "This is the world you'll be living in if you choose to accept the job," he said coolly, passing Toru his gun.

Toru stared at the gun on Asami's hand. For a moment, he didn't say anything. Slowly, he reached for the weapon, gripped it, and pointed it at Minagawa.

Asami sat on the chair. Crossing his legs, the crime lord smirked as he prepared to watch an enjoyable show. "Toru, do it."

Toru fired.

Blood splattered on Toru's face as Minagawa fell backwards with his eyes wide open. Calmly, the lanky man passed the gun back to Asami, ignoring the other guards' shock faces.

Asami offered no comments as he stood up from his seat. "Keep it, the gun is yours." He walked pass Toru, stopping next to him. "Welcome to Sion," he smirked before walking out, leaving his subordinates to do the clean-up.