Taro Ayato Days

Kaito stood alone at the top of the towering skyscraper, the city lights flickering below like distant stars. His heart hammered loudly in his chest as he scanned the horizon, unaware of the danger creeping closer behind him. The sun was setting, casting long shadows that stretched across the rooftop.

Suddenly, the lift doors slid open with a soft chime, and two figures stepped out — Tora and Yuki, the infamous deadly assassins sent by Slur. Their eyes gleamed with cold menace as they surveyed the rooftop, noticing Kaito standing frozen, clutching his phone tightly.

Kaito's breath hitched when he realized he was the only one there. Desperately, he fumbled to dial Taro's number, hoping for a quick connection. His fingers trembled as the call rang through, but no answer came. Panic rose inside him as Tora's sharp gaze shifted toward him.

"Well, well," Tora said with a cruel smile. "Looks like we found the little spy."

Yuki stepped forward, cracking her knuckles. "He won't get far."

Before Kaito could react, they lunged. Strong hands grabbed him, wrestling his phone from his grip. Kaito struggled, but their hold was unyielding. His mind raced — he could faintly sense Taro's presence nearby, but he was trapped. Just as they began to pull out their weapons, ready to finish him, the lift chimed again.

This time, the doors opened wider, and from inside stepped the members of The Order — Jin, Kaede, Takumi, and Mika, their faces fierce and determined. Jin's eyes locked onto Tora and Yuki immediately.

"Let him go," Jin commanded, voice cold and steady.

Tora sneered, releasing Kaito but stepping back into a defensive stance. "Looks like the party's just getting started."

The rooftop air thickened with tension as the two deadly assassins squared off against The Order. Kaito caught his breath, grateful for the backup, but knowing the fight ahead would be brutal.

Jin stepped forward, eyes sharp and commanding. "We have to save the people first. That's our priority."

Kaede nodded in agreement, her gaze flickering toward the city below. "You two, Kaito and Mika, go help the civilians. We'll handle these two."

Tora cracked her knuckles, smirking. "Fine by me. Let's see if you're worth the trouble."

Yuki's eyes gleamed with deadly focus as she readied herself.

Mika moved beside Kaito. "Stay close. This won't be easy."

As Jin, Kaede, and Takumi advanced toward Tora and Yuki, Kaito's mind raced. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to reach Taro's presence in the chaos. Concentrating hard, he attempted to send a mental message — warning him of the attack, the danger, and the urgent need for backup.

His hands trembled, but his focus sharpened. The battle between The Order and the assassins erupted around him, fierce and unforgiving, while Kaito silently hoped Taro would receive the message before it was too late.

Jin glanced toward the streets far below, where panic was beginning to spread among the civilians. "We can't let innocent people get caught in this mess. The city depends on us." His voice was firm, filled with resolve.

Kaede's eyes flicked back to Kaito and Mika. "You two know what to do. Evacuate the civilians and keep them safe. We'll hold these two assassins here."

Kaito swallowed hard, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't a frontline fighter like the others—his strength lay in his mind-reading ability and quick thinking. Still, the weight of responsibility pressed down on him heavily.

Tora smirked, taking a step forward, her blade gleaming under the fading sunlight. "You're splitting your forces? How predictable." Her gaze hardened. "Let's finish this quickly."

Yuki cracked her neck, her expression cold and ruthless. "We've trained for this. They won't get the better of us."

As Jin, Kaede, and Takumi squared off against the assassins, the rooftop became a battlefield of flashing blades and rapid movements. The clash echoed with the sounds of steel meeting steel and fierce battle cries.

Meanwhile, Mika took Kaito's arm firmly. "Come on. We have people down there who need us."

Kaito nodded, still trying to calm the storm of fear and adrenaline swirling inside him. As they rushed down the stairs toward the lower levels of the tower, Kaito's thoughts remained fixated on one thing — Taro.

Stopping for a moment behind a pillar, Kaito closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind to find Taro's presence somewhere nearby. His connection was faint, but he focused harder, trying to send the message urgently through the mental link.

"Danger at the tower rooftop. Tora and Yuki attacking. Need immediate backup. Civilians in danger."

His thoughts pulsed, hoping that Taro's mind would catch the warning.

Suddenly, footsteps pounded behind them — civilians running for safety, some injured and frightened. Kaito quickly helped guide them to the emergency exits, calming their fears as Mika used her skills to clear a safe path.

Back on the rooftop, the fight had intensified. Jin dodged a deadly slash from Yuki, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow, while Kaede launched a swift counterattack that caught Tora off guard. Takumi circled, seeking an opening to disable their weapons.

The assassins fought fiercely, their movements deadly and precise, but The Order held strong. Each strike was met with unwavering defense, every attack countered with skill honed from years of training.

Kaito's mind raced — the longer the fight dragged on, the more he worried about Taro receiving his warning in time. He pushed through the panic and exhaustion, focusing on the civilians' safety as he and Mika led them away from the danger.

The city's fate, the lives of its people, and the survival of The Order all depended on what happened next.

The fierce battle raged on, with Jin, Kaede, and Takumi pushing Tora and Yuki to their limits. Each strike and parry brought them closer to victory. Sweat dripped down their faces, muscles burning, but their resolve never wavered.

With a final coordinated move, Kaede landed a powerful blow to Yuki's side, while Takumi disarmed Tora by slamming her blade against the railing. Cornered and desperate, the assassins exchanged a quick, grim glance.

Suddenly, Tora's eyes flickered with sudden resolve. With a swift motion, she smashed the glass window behind them. The shards exploded outward, glittering in the air as the two deadly assassins plunged out of the tower.

The wind roared past their ears as they fell several floors before crashing hard onto the concrete below. Dust and debris scattered as they struggled to rise, battered but alive.

A grim smile crossed Tora's face. "That was close... but we're not done yet."

Yuki wiped blood from her lip, nodding in agreement. They staggered forward, bruised but determined, convinced they had escaped their foes.

But then, from the shadows of the alleyway ahead, a figure stepped forward — calm, composed, and unmistakably deadly.

"Taro Ayato," Tora whispered, eyes widening.

The assassin's hearts sank. Their escape was over.

Taro's cold gaze locked onto them. "You won't harm a single soul in this city," he said steadily.

The final confrontation was about to begin.

Taro moved with swift precision, closing the distance between him and the two assassins without hesitation. His every strike was calculated and lethal, a whirlwind of controlled power that left Tora and Yuki struggling to defend themselves. Despite their brutal skills, they were no match for Taro's experience and fierce determination.

The fight spilled down from the alley onto the street, the sounds of fists and blades echoing through the night. Tora and Yuki swung wildly, desperation fueling their attacks, but Taro's movements were fluid and unstoppable. With a final, decisive blow, he sent them both crashing to the ground, bruised and beaten.

As Taro stepped back to catch his breath, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. The Order arrived swiftly — Jin, Kaede, Takumi, and Mika — their faces set with grim resolve. They surrounded the fallen assassins without hesitation.

Jin nodded once, and with precise efficiency, The Order incapacitated Tora and Yuki, ensuring they could no longer threaten anyone. The battle was finally over.

Taro glanced toward Kaito, who had been watching from the side, still catching his breath. Without a word, Taro and Kaito turned away from the defeated foes and disappeared into the shadows, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.

The Order surrounded the battered assassins, eyes cold and unforgiving. With swift, coordinated moves, Jin, Kaede, Takumi, and Mika struck in unison. There was no hesitation — every strike was final.

Tora and Yuki fell lifeless to the ground.

The four members of The Order exchanged brief nods, then without looking back, they turned and walked away into the darkness.

Taro and Kaito, having witnessed the grim outcome, silently followed, leaving the fallen assassins behind as a warning to those who dared threaten the city.

Joe entered Slur's dimly lit room, his face grave. "The four deadly assassins… they're all dead."

Slur leaned back in his chair, a cold smile curling on his lips. "While The Order was busy fighting those fools, I was planning something far bigger."

He stood up, eyes gleaming with dark ambition. "It's time to strike at The Order's heart. I've contacted the JAA — the Japan Assassin Authorization."

Slur's voice dropped low, heavy with menace. "They don't know us yet, but soon, The Order will face a threat far deadlier than any assassin I've sent before."

Slur and Joe pedaled steadily through the dim streets on their bicycles, the cool night air brushing past them. The city lights flickered overhead as they approached a tall, nondescript building tucked away in a quiet alley — the hidden headquarters of the Japan Assassin Authorization.

They stopped in front of the heavy steel doors. Slur adjusted his coat, his white hair catching the faint glow of a streetlamp. Joe, with his dark hair and calm expression, glanced around before stepping forward.

As a lone guard emerged from the shadows, eyeing the two men suspiciously, he approached with cautious steps. At first glance, Slur and Joe looked like ordinary civilians — nothing to raise alarms.

But when the guard drew closer, Joe's eyes flashed cold. Without warning, Joe's fist swung with brutal force. The guard's body shattered under the impact, fragments scattering like broken glass against the pavement.

Slur nodded silently, and together they slipped past the fallen sentinel, disappearing into the shadows of the building — the deadly heart of the JAA.

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains as Taro slowly woke from a restless sleep. He stretched and glanced at the clock — time to start the day. Without hesitation, he rose and prepared to head to his shop.

Kaito and Aoi were already there, waiting. The usual quiet hum of their small shop was broken by the sharp buzz of a nearby television. On instinct, all three turned their attention to the screen.

The news anchor's voice echoed through the room, serious and urgent.

"Breaking news: The Japan Assassin Authorization's headquarters, known as the JAA building, has been completely destroyed overnight. Authorities have no leads yet on who is responsible for this sudden and devastating attack. Speculation is rife, but no group has claimed responsibility. The incident has sent shockwaves through the underworld, leaving many to wonder what this means for the balance of power."

Taro's eyes narrowed as he exchanged a glance with Kaito and Aoi. The destruction of the JAA was unexpected — and ominous.

Kaito's voice was low, tense. "This changes everything."

Aoi nodded, her expression grim. "The city's about to get a lot more dangerous."

Taro clenched his fists, the weight of the news settling heavily on his shoulders. Whatever was coming next, they had to be ready.

Taro stared at the news screen for a long moment, then turned away, his face calm but eyes filled with silent tension. He looked at Kaito and Aoi and spoke firmly, his voice quiet but heavy with purpose.

"I'm staying here today. I need to take care of the shop… and protect my family. Until we know who did this, no one is safe."

Kaito nodded slowly. "Understood."

Taro continued, "I'm sending Jin here. He'll guard this place and keep an eye on both of you. Don't let your guard down, not even for a second."

Aoi opened her mouth to speak, but Taro was already grabbing his coat. "Tell Fu and Emi not to leave the house."

And with that, Taro stepped out into the street, his figure disappearing into the crowd.

—

At the hidden meeting place of The Order, the air was thick with unease. Takumi sat at the table typing rapidly, Kaede leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and Mika looked up the moment Taro stepped in.

Jin was already gone, on his way to the shop as ordered.

"Taro," Kaede said, standing upright. "You saw the news?"

Taro nodded. "Just did. I came to find out what we know."

Takumi turned his screen toward him. "Not much. No explosive residue. No outside surveillance. It's like the entire JAA building just collapsed inward."

"Or was crushed," Mika added quietly. "From the inside."

Taro narrowed his eyes. "JAA doesn't fall easy. Someone powerful did this."

Kaede leaned forward. "You think it's Slur?"

Taro didn't answer at first. Then he said darkly, "He's the only one who'd dare. But he wouldn't move unless he had a new weapon... or a new alliance."

The room went quiet.

The fall of JAA wasn't just an attack.

It was a message.

Taro and the remaining members of The Order stood in front of what was once the mighty JAA headquarters. The towering structure now lay in ruins—cracked walls, shattered windows, twisted steel, and scorched ground. Smoke still drifted from parts of the wreckage, and the air was thick with dust and death.

They stepped carefully over debris and broken bodies, their boots crunching on blood-soaked floors. Not a single soul had survived.

As they reached the central wall of the building's main hall, they all stopped at once, eyes widening.

There it was.

A massive red "X" painted across the cracked concrete — not with paint, but with the blood of the fallen JAA agents. It stretched across several meters, horrifying and unmistakable.

Mika whispered, "That's not a message... that's a warning."

Kaede's fists clenched, her knuckles white. "Only one man would do something this twisted."

Takumi muttered under his breath, "Slur…"

Taro stared at the X, his jaw set tight, eyes burning with fury. "He's not hiding anymore. He wants us to know he did this."

The silence that followed was heavy. No one spoke. There was nothing left to say.

Slur had declared war.