Noboru (a childhood friend of Cobra and Yamato), was busy to set back his life (like it used to be). Graduating Law School, Finding a Job, even marrying Miho. At least those were his dreams. But Noboru never forgot that he was a member of the Sannoh Rengokai (after all Sannoh Rengokai was created for him). All this time he kept track of everything that had happened. He knew about the new enemy that wasn't only after S.W.O.R.D. And his cycle grew. He met with Oedo 4th leader. Since he was studying law, his path cross with Sawada.

It was even before Kira returned from New York. A random day Shin and Noboru met at the law school. Shin was visiting an old professor of his. The professor though was on holiday, and Noboru was there to inform him. They met a few times before each of them have revealed who really they were. Shin was looking to find any link with SWORD. And he found that the day he met Noboru. Same Noboru, knew about the Oedo family. All the time he was working for the Iemura, he had noticed. There was a yakuza clan that they Iemura feared. He looked into them and found out how respectful, powerful and fair the Oedo Shin and Noboru kept contacting each other. Most of the information Shin got was from Noboru. About Kira, about the attacks. Everything. Noboru not wanting to worry about the others, he never spoke about Shin. Until today.

Today, after Noboru was informed about the last attacked, he knew things were getting worse. He spoke with Shin. And they both agreed it was time that the Oedo, SWORD and the Amamiya Brothers met. Maybe if they gathered all the clues together, they would find a lead. Plus, it was about time those leaders face each other (at least once). Noboru arranged everything. He called Shin and the Amamiya Brothers to met at Itokan Diner. At the same time, all five SWORD leaders were also on their way to the Itokan Diner (after the attack at the Daruma Ikka). Although it was only consistency, all leaders were about to meet today.

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Naomi was puzzled. Noboru had her to close the Itokan Diner. She also sent Nikka home. Then the Amamiya Brothers arrived. Kohaku and Tsukumo followed. Those four ended up close friends from being rivals. Minutes later Shin showed up with Minoru and Tetsu ((Gokusen Tetsu)). Everyone looked serious, like something big was about to happen.

"Noboru, why are the Amamiya Brothers here? And who are those new faces?" Naomi asked in a low tone. She could tell that something big was about to happen.

"We are waiting for everyone else." Noboru simple said. He was worried, how mad would Cobra get, if he found out he was in contact with the Oedo family. And not forgetting Yamato. He would also be upset.

Naomi tilted her head "Everyone?"

"Cobra, Rocky and the rest," replied Masaki.

The door opened, and Kira walked in with Kumiko and Yusuke. They have been arguing all the way back. Kira being really pissed with Yusuke, that he interfered with her life. Yusuke, being worried about her childish behavior. And Kumiko trying to understand what was going on.

"I'm telling you we were just fine." she hissed. She took a seat at the first empty seat she found. She didn't notice Shin or the others.

Kumiko sighed and gave up. She couldn't reason any of those two. She strode towards Shin and sat next to him. "I cannot handle those two anymore" she complained. "Wait why are you here?" she added as she only then noticed that Shin shouldn't be there. Shin cracked a smile and whispered at her why he was there. He also notified her of what was about to happen.

Yusuke glared at her "I saw that. Everyone was facing the ground. Is that how you would handle things."

"We would have to find a way. You once again went on mixing things up!" she shouted.

"Truth is, we asked Yusuke if he could help. We couldn't reach any of you inside the maze." Tettsu ((Hoodlum Squad Tettsu)) informed Kira. He and Dan had just entered. Seemed that the rest had also arrived and been slowly making an entrance. Dan nodded as he sat down, next to Tettsu. Those were the only ones that weren't beaten.

"Don't try to cover for him, he is always doing that." Kira went on with her family drama.

Yusuke angrily replied "Let's see after Dad finds about today. If you will be freely browsing around here."

Kira was about to erupt. She was ready to kick her brother's annoying . But he was pulled back, with a forceful move. "Punk, cut it out!" Cobra voiced "Look around you."

She paused ready to start another fight with Cobra. And it was only then when she noticed. Everyone was there. The five SWORD leaders had already arrived. The Amamiya Brothers, Kohaku, and her father. She froze. She blinked a few times. What she had just seen was hard for her brain to proceed. Cobra pushed her down, making her sit.

He was also speechless. He didn't wait to find there more people. Although Noboru didn't inform him. He could tell something was going on.

"Oi! Noboru! What's that?" he asked with his gaze pinned on Shin. He was also planning to have a talk with the SWORD leaders and the Amamiya Brothers. But the rest of the new faces, why were they even there.

Noboru walked over. He was ready to explain everything. And to get scold by Cobra. But Shin cut them off. He stood up and faced Cobra. "I'm Sawada Shin. Oedo's Lawyer." Shin as long Kuroda-san was alive, would never identify himself as the leader of the Oedo clan. (Although he was already leading it.)

"He is the 4th generation leader of the Oedo family." Minoru cast, getting everyone's attention. Tetsu ((Gokusen Testu)) slapped his head calling him "Baka!"

Shin didn't react. After Minoru didn't lie. "Anyway, my point is that you (as well as we) have encountered a major threat. We don't know who they are. And its time to find out."

"How did you know, that we were threatened?" Yamato wanted to know.

Noboru rose his hand "I told him!" Yamato and Cobra gave him an odd look. (They surely would have to talk about it later. )

"Noboru-san has contact with the Oedo's?" Dan asked.

"Iemura first, then the Oedo. Noboru-san, has quit a huge cycle." Chiharu added to make things worse.

Cobra edged closer to his childhood friend "Oi! Noboru! I thought you have cut all the illegal acts."

"And that he has. We met with Noboru at Law school. He has nothing to do with us or any other yakuza clan. We only kept in contact." Shin clarified.

Minoru as always interfered again "We are nothing like the Kuryu." Tetsu hit again and called him stupid. (A classic scene that the Sawadas have seen many times.)

"We know that!" Hyuga said.

"We can deal with all the details later. Now we have to figure out more serious stuff." Rocky interrupted.

Hiroto agreed. He had also spotted that that new threat had been lately all over the place. "The eerie part is that we don't know who they are."

"We also noticed the attacks. Also the latest dirty lowdown tricks around SWORD." added Kohaku. That lately was hanging around Sannoh district more often.

"Particularly, they have all their focus around SWORD." Shin said.

"SWORD?" Takeshi asked. He had also noticed that lately, they were facing more and odder threats. The nameless city was gone. But they were staying close to the only place that had survived. Even Smoky was buried there.

"Hm. They haunted most clans down, with Direct hits. They gave us a few minor attacks. But with SWORD it has been another story. They playing with you. Like they want to get your attention." Shin defined.

"So what are we going to do!" Oya High Leader wanted to know.

Hiroto answered at once "We have to wait for their next plan."

"And act upon that plan," Masaki added.

"If you solve it as a team altogether, you may have a better outcome." Yankumi refined. She listened all the time. Maybe she was always busy with her students. But she could tell what was going on. After all, she was raised by Kuroda-sun.

"Even if it's deadly serious?" Chiharu noted.

"Even then, you contact us all. And we will figure something out. Kira that goes for you too." Shin concluded.

Shin and Kumi's daughter (as well as their son) was listening to all the time. She didn't cut them off at all. She was still dealing with having her family all there. These days had too many facts she hadn't summed out yet. "I know!" she simply said.

"You don't know punk. Keep yourself out of trouble." Cobra almost ordered her. Although he was sure Kira could never stay out of trouble.

Shin didn't interfere any longer. He didn't identify himself as Kira's father. He knew that today they had to deal with a lot of things. He gave a look at Yankumi. "I think that is all for tonight. We'll take our leave." Shin gave his goodbyes. He, Yamaguchi, Yusuke, Minoru, and Tetsu left that night from the Itokan Diner. None of them said anything more to Kira. Surely, they would have a lot to talk about. But it was a private chat they would have a home.

The rest of the guys remain a bit longer. Noboru, Cobra, and Yamato talked about Noboru's contact with the Oedo. After everything was explained. Neither Yamato or Cobra were angry with him. Kira and Naomi also talked that night. Mostly about Yusuke and Kumiko, knowing about her neverland. The Amamiya Brothers, Kohaku, and Tsukumo chatted with the SWORD leaders. Time passed like that. One by one left, as it was getting late. The one that remained behind, cleaned their wounds. And had only one beer. And although everything was showing that the night was over. Fate had other plans before the next day was there.

(( upcoming chapter ~ Act 19 ~ ))

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More than anything, thank you for taking the time to read this!