The elevator doors slid open gracef

The elevator doors slid open gracefully at level fifteen. The restricted level was reserved solely for training and only guards hired at Sion were given the special access card. Toru hadn't been to the training room many times. In fact, he recalled that the only time he visited the training room was during his interview where he sparred with Suoh. He hadn't returned ever since.

Toru swiped his card at the glass door, scanned his thumb print and entered. It was a huge place, with a large dojo for sparring practices. Adjacent to it stood the training room; a more formal setting with tables and chairs for lessons. All new guards were place into training for a few months before performing actual duty – no exceptions.

Ando once mentioned that new recruits were required to undergo long physical combat training where they were thrown into various live security scenarios. The classes were equally as challenging. Not only guards were taught to detect and assess threats; they were also trained to perform tactical planning and operations.

Not everyone, according to Ando, was given a chance to hold guns. At the end of the grueling six-month training, only a handful of guards were selected by Suoh for weapons training where they were sent for shooting drills.

From Ando's description, guards at Sion were trained like policemen in the police academy and it reminded Toru of his own military training.

No wonder the guards at Sion were highly qualified.

There was also another interesting fact. In the history of guard recruitments at Sion, Toru remained the only guard who did not have to go through the intensive procedure.

Toru found the chief security in his karate uniform supervising a group of rookies sparring. As usual, Suoh wore his stern looking face as he barked instructions at the new recruit who was struggling to take down his opponent.

As a form of respect, Toru bowed before entering the dojo. He walked straight to the bulky guard.

"Suoh san."

"Toru, off day today?"

"I had an appointment with Kanzaki sensei."

Suoh looked at Toru's arm. "How did the check-up go?"

"Sensei said I'm making good progress. I'm expecting full recovery," Toru answered, looking at the guards. "New recruits?"

The bulky guard crossed his arms. "Yeah but from the looks of it, they need more training before I can send them out."

Toru couldn't agree more. Both attack and defense were weak. Too many open spaces, too many weak defenses; they'd be dead before it began.

Suoh gaze rested briefly on Toru's arm before looking at the recruits again. "It's a pity you injured your arm. You could train them."

Toru bowed. "I apologize for not being able to help today. Kanzaki sensei advised me to take caution with the arm for the time being."

"Not to mention you need the energy for the young boss." Suoh offered a thin smile before annoyance took over when he saw two guards sparring with each other. "Hey you, put more energy in your punches!"

A few new recruits were already looking Toru's way. Some started whispering, some simply stared. A few even dared to approach Toru.

"Toru san!" they greeted simultaneously, bowing nearly 90 degrees. "We heard so much about you, especially what happened in Cambodia and during Koga's interrogations."

"Thank you," he mumbled.

They bowed again. "We aim to be like you, Toru san! Please take care of us!"

Tongue tied, Toru could only nod his head.

Suoh folded his arms, looking displeased. "If you want to be like him, work on your sparring!" As the new recruits scrambled back to their places, Suoh turned to Toru. "You're well-known around here."

The lanky guard looked away, uncomfortable. "Kanda told me the same thing."

Suoh grinned, giving the lanky guard a friendly smack on the shoulder. "Everyone has been singing praises about your swordplay. Even Kirishima was impressed."

Not knowing what else to reply, Toru bowed. It looked like visiting the training room had been a mistake after all as the praises were making him uncomfortable. He should leave before other recruits ask him for his autographs.

Kirishima walked into the training room just then, halting his plans. Asami's personal secretary, looking sharp in his usual black uniform and tie, nodded his head at Suoh.

"Kirishima san," Toru greeted.

"Toru," he greeted before turning to wave his hand at the new recruits who had turned into a bunch of worshippers. Obviously, it was a rare opportunity to see three out of four Asami's best men together.

"Kirishima has his own fan club," Suoh said before ordering the recruits to continue with their training.

"Don't start spreading rumors," the secretary said before pushing his spectacles up. "Toru, I'm told by Kanda you were here. And Asami sama would like to see you at his office."

Grateful for the intrusion, Toru bowed before his seniors and left quickly. He rode the private elevator to the top floor, all the while thinking about his sudden popularity among the guards and felt uncomfortable all over.

Brushing the thought aside, Toru stopped at the all too familiar oak door. Knocking twice, he entered the room when he was given permission to do so.

"Asami sama," Toru bowed.

The yakuza looked up from the report he was reading and gazed at Toru with his deep, penetrating golden eyes. Toru was already used to the gaze but it can still be intimidating sometimes. Toru's thoughts went briefly to Kirishima, who usually served the boss and could only tip his hat off at the secretary for remaining by Asami's side almost twenty-four-seven.

"I received a report from Kanzaki sensei about your wounds."

Toru stood up straight with his hands clasped behind his back and waited.

"He also told me that you shouldn't strain your arm and prescribed rest."

"Sir, I don't need rest. I have full confidence of full recovery and it wouldn't be problem when I serve Takaba sama."

Asami placed the reports on the table. "Since you insist, I won't argue." Slowly, Asami took his fountain pen and signed the report before pushing it aside. "Did Akihito know about your cut?"

Toru maintained a straight face. "No sir, I didn't tell him about it. Since I was always wearing long sleeve, he didn't notice either."

The crime lord nodded. "Keep that from him. Akihito is most likely to fit his schedule in the coming days for the sparring lessons with you. Postpone it if your arm cannot handle the strain."

"Understood, sir."

The golden eyes stared at Toru again. "And Akihito's lessons will be conducted here, at level fifteen. Inform the other guards about it."

Toru bowed again, signaling that he understood. "Asami sama –," he halted and waited for Asami's approval to speak. When he gotten his green light, Toru continued, "Pardon me for asking but what should we do about Koga and the Goda clan? I do not think they will be quiet after what happened."

Asami smirked. "Even with his clubs and stash of cocaine, Goda is insignificant. Without them, he's nothing." The eyes turned hard. "But I have someone following Koga. Goda is unlikely to do anything but Koga is strong willed. He'd be out of the picture for a couple of months at least, considering his injuries but once he's back on his feet, we'll monitor him closely."

Toru said nothing more. His boss was the wisest man he had ever worked with so Toru didn't think that Asami needed his input on the matter.

"I'll do my best to guard Takaba sama," Toru said, bowing.

Again, the crime lord smirked. "I'm confident that you will. And Toru –," Asami halted, opening the desk drawer to pull out two tickets. He slid the tickets across the table smoothly.