Crimson Code: Last Descent

Entertainment District, Kabukicho

Kenmochi glanced around, still catching his breath. "So where are we going exactly? Dio said he'd call us when we got here, but he hasn't called."

Mitsuru shrugged. "Oh, right, about that. We're heading to Yotsuya. There's a private plane waiting for us, and we're flying to Saitama."

Gintama's jaw dropped. "P-Private plane? Are you serious?"

Konatsu grinned. "This mission was worth our while after all."

Mitsuru turned to the kid. "Kakaro, go heal that Oni over there—just enough so he's not gonna die."

"Okay," Kakaro said, toddling over to the unconscious Oni. He placed his small hands on the body, and blood seeped out, flowing into the Oni's wounds. The injuries stabilized, though the Oni remained out cold.

Gintama frowned. "You're gonna let him live?"

"This was no accident," Mitsuru said. "That Crimson Art user being here? We need him alive to talk."

She raised her hand, blood pouring from her palm. It traced a glowing circle around the Oni's body. With a sharp hand gesture, the circle flared, and the Oni vanished in a burst of crimson light.

Kenmochi blinked. "W-Where did he go?"

"He's in headquarters prison," Mitsuru said casually. "Don't worry."

Her phone rang. She answered with a scowl. "What do you want, Koni?"

Koni Dio's voice crackled through. "Umm, I just got word that a dead person appeared in the prison. Umm, w-what's that all about?"

"He's not dead, you idiot," Mitsuru snapped, hanging up in anger.

Kenmochi tilted his head. "Is everything fine, Miss Mitsuru?"

"Everything's just fine," she said, forcing a smile.

Gintama crossed his arms. "If you know object teleportation, why don't you just yank us to Saitama?"

"It's a difficult technique," Mitsuru explained. "Uses a lot of blood energy. And I can't teleport more than one person."

"Shhh, you idiot!" Konatsu whispered. "Don't you wanna fly private?"

"I was just asking," Gintama whispered back.

"Come on," Mitsuru said. "Keep up the pace and keep an eye on the kid, will ya?"

"We got it," Kenmochi replied.

Headquarters Prison

"Ah, what is this? Where am I?" The Oni stirred awake, dim lights casting shadows across the cell. He squinted ahead, spotting a figure standing in the gloom. "What is this? Where am I? Speak!"

The figure vanished, reappearing inside the cell in an instant. The Oni flinched, his wrists bound by heavy iron chains, rendering his hands useless. The dim light revealed the figure's face—Koni Dio.

"What do we have here?" Koni Dio said, smirking.

The Oni snarled. "I swear, when I break out of these chains, I'll make you pay for putting me in whatever this place is!"

"You've got a big mouth for someone who just got his ass handed to him," Koni Dio shot back.

"She got lucky," the Oni growled. "I won't let my guard down next time."

Koni Dio stepped closer, shortening the distance. "Next time?" He laughed darkly. "You say 'next time'?"

With a flick of his hand, Koni Dio unleashed a surge of crimson energy. The Oni slammed into the wall with bone-rattling force, the chains clanking as the stone cracked behind him. Koni Dio seized him by the throat, lifting him off the ground. His grip tightened, and his eyes burned with a deadly seriousness. "Here's what's gonna happen. I'm gonna ask some questions, and you're gonna answer them."

The Oni choked, struggling against the iron hold.

"And if you don't," Koni Dio squeezed harder, his voice dropping to a lethal whisper, "I'll kill you." The air thickened with menace as crimson tendrils pulsed around his hand, ready to crush the Oni's windpipe at a moment's notice.

Yotsuya

"Here it is," Mitsuru said, gesturing to the sleek private plane gleaming under the afternoon sun.

Gintama, Konatsu, and Kenmochi stared, awestruck.

"It's massive," Konatsu breathed.

"Let's go in already!" Gintama said, darting inside. He flopped onto seat after seat, muttering, "Mm, this isn't right," testing each one. Finally, he sank into one with a grin. "Ah, yes, this seat right here—this is the one. This is mine."

Konatsu sat down, glancing at Mitsuru. "Miss Mitsuru, if I may ask—"

"Go on," she said.

"What's your rank?" Konatsu asked.

Kenmochi leaned in, listening closely.

"I'm Kindled Blood," Mitsuru replied.

Konatsu swallowed hard. "A 4th ranker."

Gintama whistled. "If they sent a 4th ranker, this must be a tough mission."

"Yes, it is 'tough,' as you say," Mitsuru said. "Maybe you idiots don't know this, but Kakaro is Kindled Blood too."

Konatsu, mid-sip of water, spat it out. "A f-fourth ranker?!"

"Yeah," Gintama said, nodding. "Koni mentioned he was a high ranker, but I didn't expect a Kindled."

"That sure is a surprise," Konatsu muttered.

"Onis are after him," Mitsuru explained. "Such a strong healer is rare, and it's no secret what his Crimson Art is."

"What is it?" Kenmochi asked.

"Isn't it obvious? He's a healer," Gintama said.

"Not quite," Mitsuru corrected. "His Crimson Art lets him heal others with his own blood. He can heal any damage—even diseases. He's valuable, probably the most valuable asset we have."

"That's amazing," Kenmochi said, eyes wide.

"But I think he's not the only reason," Mitsuru added.

"What more reason is there?" Gintama asked, frowning.

"It's you, Kenmochi," Mitsuru said.

"Me?" Kenmochi echoed, stunned.

"Indeed," Mitsuru continued. "You've gotten quite famous. We suspect the Onis know of your blood and are trying to get you."

"Get me?" Kenmochi said. "Why would they want me?"

"There's a rumor," Mitsuru said, "that a high-ranking Oni can consume others' blood and take their power. Your blood is humanity's biggest threat."

Kenmochi's breath caught. "A threat?"

"The higher-ups wanted you dead as soon as they heard it," Mitsuru said. "But they got overruled."

"Overruled?" Gintama asked. "By who?"

"Dio," Mitsuru replied.

"Dio?" Konatsu said, surprised.

"Dio believes you're the key to stopping the Onis once and for all," Mitsuru said.

Kenmochi's shoulders slumped. "i understand why would they want me dead, if my existence will bring more blood into this world then maybe i really should be killed ."

"Don't think about it too hard," Mitsuru advised. "Just get some rest before we land. We might find trouble even there."

To Be Continued…