When I finally found Hiroshi's store and decided to walk in, I saw that he was at the counter polishing some type of gun. He was just standing there with his eyes closed and slowly sipping his cigar. His attitude was just like this morning, Cold and serious.
On the other hand, his shop was much different from his aura. The atmosphere it had was like an old-time medical store, but it felt nice and warm. There were many guns on the shelves, very much cleaned and polished like hundred times before. Some powder, smaller versions of some guns, extra hilts, and installable parts.
It was maybe the most detailed gun shop I have ever come across, being the first one that I saw.
But just as I was about to wander around it with curiosity, Hiroshi realized me looking at his shop in a goofy way, and decided to talk to me.
"How can I help you, partner?"
His way of talking was very working towards an attitude. His voice felt like it had deep anger in it, however, he was very calm while talking. It was like he didn't intend on doing something, but he was ready for it.
So straight to the point, I didn't want to waste his time,
"I saw your movements with the gun today. And thought it was pretty smart and effective. You have to practice many many times before you can get that on spot."
"Practicing many times before is a phrase that I'm not familiar with anymore. To gain something that I want, I don't calculate my aim or count shots, I focus on the current one and shoot right at it."
He then lifted his head and added,
"Why are you here anyway, Kid? I don't usually chit-chat with kids and I don't say I like doing it either."
"I think that what you have done there is pretty respectable. Helping someone is not always someone's intention. And doing it with such efficiency is something that I admire. At least that is what I have learned from some people I know."
"You've seen my moves, huh? Very few people usually see the moment I pull the trigger. So I got caught?"
Then he looked me dead in the eye and added once more,
"I remember you. You're the one who saved that woman. Just like, you have your own moves too, Kid. You were quick acter and weren't that bad. So, why are you here?"
And that moment finally came.
The first-ever moment that I felt that I have to make a choice. After training with Ronk for months, and everything that my uncle left me and taught me, this was the very first moment my journey could start. It was finally the moment I found a person that could have helped me.
Someone whom I can trust.
So I reached out my hand to Hiroshi, I tried my luck and said with a sure voice tone,
"My name is Ryuu, nice to meet you, uhh...."
Maybe I had heard his name before, but not knowing his surname would be offending, I thought to myself.
But Hiroshi smiled slightly. Took the cigar in his mouth, and shook my hand,
"Hiroshi, Hiroshi West. Nice to meet you, Kid."
And as he got back to talk, he asked,
"Now tell me what I can do for you, Kid?"
Just like before, straight to the point.
"I came here because I need your help."
"What kind of help, kid?"
He seemed confused at first. After all, I didn't have any explanations that I told him before, and we just met that day.
What was I going to say? How was I going to introduce myself? Was he going to kick me out, or find the words that I will say logical?
With no words, neither hesitation, I still asked,
"I have actually come to talk to you about something. Something that matters to me and leaving you without a thank and something unanswered would be bad."
"You are making it complicated, Kid. Just tell it."
He said with a little bits of anger in his voice. I guess it was annoying for him to be left out at work. And also, this was getting more nervous than it should have been. So I stood in front of him. Changed my expression into a more serious one, and told him.
"I'm forming a group."
"And what does that group stand for?"
The prejudice and pre-created thoughts that were currently wandering inside his head, were kinda visible for me at that moment. Throughout his eyes, I saw that he didn't look at this idea that close. At least, just like me at that moment.
But even though the idea was crazy, the process was going to be difficult too.
"This is a group that will stand against the Epics. Actually, towards all evil and bad people that live within it. I am forming and gathering many types of people, because I am thinking that no man or woman nowadays has the willpower to stand against it anymore."
Then I added with a smile, "At least, I can say I'm trying."
"You are kidding right?"
Kidding? What does he mean by that?
I scratched my head and replied,
"No, I am not good at jokes."
*sigh*
"I just don't want to leave them out suffering, I just want to he-"
"Wait for a second, let's see if I understand you correctly."
He stopped for a moment, looked at me, and added,
"You need help, and instead of asking for help from someone more competent, you come to me. A shopkeeper that should have no business with you at the start."
"I'm not looking for their job, I'm looking for people that I can trust their personalities to."
Hiroshi getting less interested in the idea, rubbed his eyes.
"Kid, if you need help, you have to ask other people. I'm not a mercenary. And I'm not willing to work for money."
I couldn't give up at that moment.
"I know It is so quick to ask this but I really need your help, Hiroshi."
"Then let me ask you, why are you forming a group?"
"To fight against Epics. I have to form this group for the sake of people. There are so many people out there in danger, calling for help. You have to understand me, Hiroshi!"
"Are you out of your mind? You cant take down Epics just by forming a group. Kid, If you are not here to buy anything you have to go."
After Hiroshi's words, I left his store. No matter what I said from now on, he seemed unconvinced. But I had no intention of giving up.
At nightfall, I started looking for a restaurant. I spent all my money on food. And I camped in the woods to sleep. After countless pieces of training with Ronk, I was able to camp quickly.
Tomorrow, I went back to Hiroshi's store. On the way, I was thinking about how to convince him.
No one was around when I came in. So I started looking around. Hiroshi had all kinds of guns in his store. On the walls, on the tables, there were various weapons everywhere, and they were all carefully cleaned and placed. After a little wandering, I saw a picture of a family.
The picture was an old one. He seemed to have a very crowded family because there were a lot of people in the picture, and there was a little boy in the middle.
The boy in the Middle looked just like Hiroshi. If he had a family like that, why was he here alone?
Soon after, I heard a sound,
"Not you again."
"Hello."
I was nervous, but like I said I wasn't going to give up.
"Why are you here again, kid?"
"I was just wandering around Hiroshi. And I want to ask who are the people in this picture? Are they your family?"
"Yes, they were. A long time ago."
He seemed sad while he said that.
"Sorry."
"Don't mind Kid, I was thinking about putting that away anyways."
At that time, my stomach rumbled involuntarily.
"I'm sorry, I spent all my money on food yesterday, and today is a little difficult."
Hiroshi grinned,
"Your actions reminded me of someone I loved. I'll tell you what, I know a restaurant in town. I'll buy you dinner there, and you can tell me what's on your mind again, but this time properly."
"Thank you very much, Hiroshi."
After our conversation, we went to the place where Hiroshi said, and we continued to talk while we ate there. Hiroshi lit his cigar again after dinner,
"Tell me, Kid. Why are you so full of revenge at this young age? Why do you want to destroy the epics so much?"
"People suffer a lot because of elites and epics. Especially people like Miron, because of him, most of my bloodline was unnecessarily killed."
"Revenge for your bloodline?"
"I'm from Wolf Bloodline."
"Didn't the Wolf bloodline have to be extinct years ago?"
"Yes, but there are survivors like me."
"Even if you survived, it's only a matter of time before Miron comes after you. And since that guy doesn't serve anyone, we don't even know where he's coming from."
"But I have something he doesn't have."
I showed him the map I had.
"It's not activated yet, we have to open the seal first. If we can do that. We will have an advantage. This map shows the things we want, that's why we will not be caught to people like Miron."
"You have so many things to surprise me, kid."
At that time, I saw a fat, big guy was bullying a female waiter with his men at our opposite table. I got up from the table without saying anything to Hiroshi and went to them.
"Come on, you don't have to do this, baby."
"That's enough, let her go."
All of a sudden, the music stopped, and everyone started watching me quietly. Everyone started talking in a whisper. I think I was involved with someone serious.
"This kid's done. Big JJ's gonna tear him apart."
Hiroshi put his foot on the table and started smoking his cigar
"This is going to be a very fun show."
The fat guy stopped messing with her and approached slowly towards me.
"You moron, who are you to interfere in big JJ's business?"
He was too big and tall for me, but even I was scared I couldn't let him do such a thing like this.
"The boy swallowed his tongue out of the fear Boss! I think it's best not to hit the boy."
Almost everyone started laughing at my situation. And I stood in front of him quietly, looking at him furiously. The fat man bowed and said,
"What happened, kiddo, are you going to cry or run, come on!"
I punched him hard in the stomach before the fat man finished his words. He flew up to the wall with the impact of the punch. The fat guy couldn't get up after my punch.
Everyone was looking at me in amazement. And also his men were preparing to attack me.
I could have easily defeated them, but as they were going to attack, Hiroshi quickly fired warning shots at them all. He fired all his bullets to scare him, and it worked. Out of fear, they took their boss and left. Sitting back to my place,
"Thanks for the help, Hiroshi. Like I said before we have to stop people like this."
"Kid, sorry for the things I said to you. Reconsidering everything, I will join your team."
"Really?"
"Yes, but in return for a favor."
"A long time ago, I had one of my guns stolen. A weapon called "Exer" Its a weapon made out of very rare parts. It's also one of the fastest weapons in the West. I don't usually go after a gun this hard, but all I have left from my family is that gun. So I need to get that back. I searched for it everywhere for a long time, and I finally found out that it was in the hands of an elite soldier. But I couldn't get it back. I want you to help me get that gun back."
"And where does he keep the gun?"
"On a base. The problem is he's always with some soldiers. If I fight them all alone. It will take a long time, and their support will arrive before I can escape."
"So why don't we try to do this secretly?"
"We can't, it'll take us a long time to find the gun, and we don't have time."
"Don't we have time?"
"I have received a rumor that the elite soldier will leave the city early tomorrow morning, and I do not know where he will go. If he leaves here, he might give the gun to other Elite's, and there is a chance I might never get it."
"So where is this elite soldier now, Hiroshi?
"He's staying with his men in a big mansion a little further from the city. If we attack now, we have to be very fast, we have to escape before backup arrives. Or they'll just kill us both."
"Hiroshi, if we can get this back, will you really fight against the epics with me?
"If we take this back, I'll be with you until death. At last, I am a man of my word."
When we left the store, we kept making plans.
"When are we going to do this?"
"I have to get a couple of guns and stuff from the store before I go there. I'll meet you there, kid."
I went to the place Hiroshi said and waited for him. Half an hour later, Hiroshi came to me with two or three guns and a bag.
We made our way to the mansion. When we came to the mansion, Hiroshi looked at me,
"Are you ready kid, because from now on, our lives might change."
"I'm ready, Hiroshi."
Hiroshi lighted a cigar and said,
"Good, let's get started."
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Updated 286 Episodes
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