Darkness Among Heroes.

A / N: I wasn't going to post any more today, but as it's my birthday, I decided to post one more chapter.

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Marina, who was carryng Ruri by the shoulders, patiently followed Hiraka, who was running around the city asking questions to the marines that he found along the way.

Some of them answered Hiraka's questions, while others ignored him.

Fortunately, Ruri seemed to enjoy being on Marina's shoulders, and Marina herself didn't mind accompanying them. For her, it was like hanging out with two little brothers she never had. It was a far better experience than breaking into an enemy family, or kidnapping the daughter of a political bigwig.

Marina looked at Hiraka, and saw that he was talking enthusiastically with a Marine, who was responding Hiraka with the same enthusiasm.

''Oh? If it's not the young lady. What are you doing here, girl? Hanging out with your little sister?'' Someone spoke to her, and she turned to see who it was.

It was Asuchi.

''...Something like that.'' Marina replied.

Asuchi scratched his head and sighed, ''You know, if you keep that cold, indiferent personality of yours, it's going to get you into a lot of trouble down the road.''

Marina shrugged, not caring what others thought of her.

''Maririn, who is this bald old man?'' Ruri asked curiously.

Ruri's words hit Asuchi like an sharp sword.''B-Bald old man?! Listen here, I'm indeed bald, but I'm still on my twenties you know?!'' He complained, shocked at being called an old man.

''He is Asuchi, the blacksmith. He is also the owner of the weapon shop.'' Marina replied Ruri, completely ignoring Asuchi's complains.

Asuchi then collects himself and coughs lightly to clear his throat, ''So what are you two doing here? It's dangerous for two children to walk around alone.''

Ruri raised her hand excitedly and answered, ''Maririn brought the three of us to see the marines! And Maririn is with us, so it's okay to come alone!''

Asuchi made a complicated expression, ''Well, I'm just warning you as a responsible adult. However, did you say three? Where is the third member of your little group?''

''Oh, he is..., ''Ruri turned to point to where Hiraka was talking to the marine, but there was no one else there. ''Eh? Where did Babu go?''

Hearing Ruri, Marina quickly turns around and sees that Hiraka has disappeared.

''What? Did one of you get lost? Want me to help look for him?'' Asuchi asked with concern.

'Hiraka knows the city like the back of his hand, it's impossible for him to get lost, and he wouldn't leave without saying anything either, especially if I'm with him...' Marina thought.

Narrowing her eyes, she realizes that there was an dark alley right next to where Hiraka and the marine were talking, then her eyes gleamed in realization.

She took Ruri off her shoulders, sets her down and looks at Asuchi with a deadly serious expression that made him shiver slightly.

''Take her to the orphanage. Looks like I have some business to take care of.'' She turned and walked towards the dark alley, leaving a confused Ruri and Asuchi behind.

''Wait! Where are you going? And why should I take her to the orphanage? I don't even know where it is located!'' Asuchi yelled at her in outrage.

Marina didn't answer and went into the dark alley.

''How irresponsible... Well, looks like I'll have to take you back home, little girl.'' He said to Ruri, who was beside him.

''My name is Ruri! And...I don't think we should leave Maririn alone...'' Ruri said with concern.

Asuchi nodded, ''Hm. You're right. She's tough, but I always forget that she's still a kid. Since I don't know where the orphanage is, I'll take you and drop you off at my store, and then I'll go after her.''

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Marina entered the dark alley with quick but silent steps.

She crouches down and examines the floor more closely. The floor was littered with dirt and soil, and on the ground, there were boot footprints.

''Boots footprints...Nobody wears boots in this tropical city. The only ones I saw wearing boots were...Them. Looks like my intuition was right.'' She muttered.

Hearing a noise just ahead, Marina gets up alert, and a man comes out of the corner of the alley.

The man wore a white uniform with blue details, dark-blue pants, and black boots. It was a marine, and it was the same one who was talking to Hiraka.

He looked at Marina curiously, ''What are you doing here, little girl? Did you get lost? Want me to take you home?''

''Where did you take the red-haired boy?'' Marina said coldly, ignoring what the marine had asked.

''Eh? red-haired boy? I do not know what you're talking about.'' He answered her with a confused expression.

Marina sighs.

''I see. I tried to be gentle, but looks like I'll have to do this in the old style.'' She said, then started to slowly approach the marine.

''Listen little girl, I don't know what you-Uoh?!'' When Marina got close enough, she punched him in the balls, making him crouch in pain.

The marine didn't expect to be hit by a little girl, he was caught completely off guard.

Just as he was about to scream, Marina landed a hit in his throat. ''Be silent, will you? I don't want to be interrupted.''

She then grabbed him by the head, and kneed him right on his face with a bang followed by a cracking sound.

In just a few seconds, the marine, who where fine, was now on the ground broken nose, nuts possibly destroyed and with the face smeared with blood and tears.

Marina crouched down beside him, and lifted his head by the hair, ''Feel like talking now? Or do you want a little more persuasion?''

The marine looked at her in terror.

He wanted to get up and run, but his legs didn't want to move. He wanted to scream, but his voice barely came out. All he could do was look into Marina's cold, indifferent eyes, which stared at him as if killing him there would be like killing a fly.

''H-He-wash...t-taken to-the neighboosh vilashe!'' The marine tried desperately to speak.

Because of the blow on his throat, he could barely speak properly, but Marina understood him perfectly.

''He was taken to the neighboring village, huh? Thanks for the information.'' She answered and got up.

Before the marine could make another sound, Marina stomped on his neck, breaking it with a sickening crack sound.

The marine's body twitched for a few seconds, then stopped.

''You're lucky that in this life I am more lenient. If it were the me of the past, I wouldn't let you go that easy.'' She said, leaving the marine's body behind.

\\

Coming out of the dark alley, Marina looked thoughtful.

'If he was taken to the neighboring village, there is probably a slave trade organization there. Looks like I'm going to have to pay them a visit. As his kyodai, it's my responsibility to bring Hiraka back. But first, I need to prepare.' Marina thought, heading for the Weapons store.

( A / N: Kyodai means elder brother in Yazuka dialect.)

The intense atmosphere around Marina, along with the fresh blood on her clothes, made the pedestrians get away from her in fear.

Realizing she was back to her old self, Marina chuckles dryly.

'I didn't think I'd get back to the old ways so quickly... It doesn't matter now. I need to save Hiraka, and no one will stop me.'

She didn't know why or how that marine seemed to be involved in human trafficking, as he had arrived on the island on that very day. But she didn't care. All that mattered was getting her little brother back.

On that day, the Dragon of Tokyo was reborn.