Chapter 42

After visiting his own grave and meeting Himeno, Sam went to his newest apartment. He found it way better than his old one. It even had a mini bar, and it was full of strawberry ice cream. Musafa was surely generous when it came to treating him.

'The benefits of being appreciated when you are too good at your job,' he thought as he grabbed a snack and started eating.

Then he grabbed his phone and called some of his contacts who might have influence around Tokyo, asking if anyone knew about Sam Lee, who had died long ago.

In the gangster world, Sam had two enemies. One was the debt collectors, who had been taken down by Makima.

The remaining ones were the ones who had contact with the Snake Devil and that girl Akane.

The first option was unlikely since they didn't seem to have enough political power. The second option was more likely since that gang could get their hands on firearms, despite the restrictions.

Sam then called an arms dealer and asked to provide him with a few men.

-x-X-x-

It was the middle of the night. Sam was walking down one of Tokyo's streets. It was night. Only drunkards and prostitutes were around in this area. Sam was dressed as Tony, holding his sword and walking toward a building. Behind him were fully armed people.

"So if I help you with this, do I get a free mission pass?" asked a black man who was walking next to him.

"Yes," Sam replied. "Though, I don't do assassinations, remember."

"As if I need you for that. What's more important is protection. In a world of devils and fiends, you don't know what's coming for you at any given time."

"True."

With that reply, they entered the building. The people who came with Sam started attacking everyone and pointing their guns, taking control of the situation. Then the black man demanded the leader to come forward.

"Old man, come here."

An old man, who was holding a katana, approached and asked, "John! What's the meaning of this? I believe this isn't your territory."

He then looked around, seeing his men pinned to the ground with arms pointed at them.

"Sorry for that," John replied. "I have a friend who is angry with you guys, and you should clarify something."

"What do you mean?"

"Let me explain." Sam walked toward the old man, put his hand on his shoulder, and lifted him up. "Three months ago, a plane was destroyed. Sam Lee was on it."

"What does that bastard have to do with this?"

"Did anyone from your gang kill him?"

"Listen, I'm happy that asshole died. He killed a number of my men."

"Men who tried to kill him," Sam said. "Your gang was the first one to attack him, didn't they?"

"Doesn't matter, does it? What I'm saying is if I wanted to kill him, I'd have gone to him personally. There is no point in destroying a plane and becoming an international terrorist. We're playing carefully not to give the police any excuse for action. The last thing I want is my business destroyed."

Then the yakuza boss raised his katana and slammed it down. Sam held it between his fingers and said, "You're honorable enough to fight to the death. I see."

The next second, Sam threw the boss against the wall, breaking a few of his bones. He didn't know if the impact had killed him or not. But he knew that if he didn't die, he would live crippled for the rest of his life.

"So, what are you going to do now, Mr. Tony?"

"Nothing much. Thank you for your service. I'll pay you back one day."

"All I wanted to hear."

-x-X-x-

After the incident with the Yakuza, Sam's list had shrunk to one suspect: the government or the National Security Council.

Now, the easiest way to resolve this trouble was to announce that he was back to life to the government. If someone tried to assassinate him after that, it would be sent by them.

'I wonder now if I could threaten Power with a lawsuit. I have my book on a cloud drive... '

Sam was walking with his usual attire and black hair.

During his life as a mercenary, he had learned how to cover his tracks in case someone was spying on him.

He stopped by a large three-story villa. He was certain that Power was inside since his Devil Sense confirmed it.

Instead of ringing the bell, he jumped over the gate and landed. He then walked forward. A man in a bodyguard suit approached him and said, "Stop right there."

Before he could continue, Sam appeared behind him and slammed the back of his head, knocking him down.

"Power! Get down here, you thief!" Sam yelled as he walked into the yard. He then muttered, "Man, she has a nice place. Guess she'll become my sugar mama."

"Who dares to challenge the great Power? Do you even have enough motivation?" Her voice echoed.

Then, she jumped out of a window and landed with a blood scythe in her hand.

"So you're telling people that after so many times, I only beat you once?" Sam said, looking at Power, who seemed to realize that something was amiss.

Power kept blinking as she stared at his face. "Sam!" Power then shook her head many times. "They said you were dead!"

"What do you see?" Sam asked.

A small cat came running toward Sam. It was Meowy. Sam bent down and petted it. The cat circled around him many times before stopping. "Even the cat is smarter than you, Power."

"I never believed the media anyway." Power dropped her scythe, ran toward him, and jumped at him for a hug, making Sam fall on his back.

Sam smiled. "That's why you have been spreading lies about me."

"You never outran me, in bed anyway." Power said, biting his neck and taking a bit of blood.

"Say that one more time," Sam smirked. "And I'll sue you for the copyrights of my book."

"Come on, you were dead. What was I supposed to do, bury your legacy?"

Sam grabbed her cheeks and spread them until she started groaning. "But it seems that taking credit did."

"Come on, don't be angry. Let's get inside. I have a new chef, so you don't have to cook."

"What do you think of me, to cook the moment I get here?"

"My house husband."

"I have no recollection."

"Maybe putting sausage in meat would jog your memory."

"Deal."

Power helped Sam to stand up, before inviting him inside her house. "By the way, how's Makima doing?"

"She never seemed to think you're dead," Power said. "She was the one to encourage me to publish your book in the first place. She's wonderful, isn't she?"

Sam gave Power a sidelong glance.