The atmosphere was deadly serious.
In their bid for the dazzling title of "security contractor," two major factions within Aizu City were at each other’s throats.
The Chainsaw Angel Gang was the first to provoke, sending a large number of members to No. 1 Junction to issue a challenge, setting up barricades to stop the traffic.
The Katsuragi Gang also sent out 300 personal troops to confront the enemy at the other end of the passage. The members of the Katsuragi Gang were equipped haphazardly, brimming with morale. In contrast, the Chainsaw Angel Gang was uniformly equipped, formally dressed; compared to the ordinary gangs, they looked more like corporate emissaries dispatched to Aizu City.
"Come on over if you dare!"
The two groups insulted each other, with some gang members wearing prosthetic amplifiers capable of boosting their yells to over 100 decibels, causing splitting headaches and rumbling eardrums.
In the very center of the passage, two security personnel from Aizu City Civil Service Company trembled non-stop. Their orders were to prevent conflict and maintain order as much as possible, a situation they couldn’t have imagined before setting out.
Neither side really intended to attack each other, and they dispersed after less than half an hour of verbal sparring. Yet those two company guards remained rigid in place, having been literally shaken to death by the colliding waves of sound, becoming the first two casualties of the gang conflict.
As soon as one side obtained the position of security contractor, they could legally outlaw and forcefully dissolve the other. The underworld struggle of Aizu City was reaching its ultimate moment.
Xu Yang had to win this title. He pondered in his office, with a meeting of key personnel soon to be held. Everything achieved thus far - territory and funds - depended on whether they could secure the position of security contractor.
Once the title of security contractor was theirs, the entirety of Aizu City would be united. Their influence would extend far beyond Katagi District and Number 26 Highland, exerting substantial sway over the prosperous Hui City District.
"Worried?" Lila walked in.
"It’s a critical juncture," Xu Yang indeed felt anxious, "If the Chainsaw Angel Gang wins, all our victories so far might turn to naught."
"No matter what happens, Lila will be by her master’s side." She gave Xu Yang a kiss.
"For you, for everyone." Xu Yang caressed Lila’s long hair.
Before long, footsteps approached.
"Excuse me." Asa Katsuragi entered the office, followed closely by Kong Tai.
"Oohara Nobuhiko’s ’security contractor’ bid is underway," Xu Yang got straight to the point, "This target is something we must seize."
"Security contractor isn’t exactly a novel concept," Kong Tai took his seat, "In Shangjing, the largest gang, ’Takeya Group,’ ultimately joined Kyoto Infinite in the form of a security contractor."
"That’s essentially offering amnesty," Asa Katsuragi remarked, "and it involves those big companies’ interests, a point that always makes me uncomfortable."
"We had to reach this step eventually," Xu Yang explained. "We are not a small householder anymore; we’re not managing a street or a district, but ready to control an entire city. This will inevitably touch upon countless interests. Nevertheless, our priority is to maintain our independence."
"This is the venue for the security contractor bidding," Lila presented the location of the event, "set in a subterranean hotel on Aizu City, Royal Centre Avenue, to convene in three days with no public broadcast. Aside from our two groups, some other small and medium-sized gangs also plan to attend as spectators, to get a glimpse of the grand scene and mingle with the big shots of Anjiu City."
"Bidding? I’m afraid I’m no good at navigating such complex social events, nor can I draft documents," Asa Katsuragi said.
"Me neither," Kong Tai shook his head.
"Lila, on the other hand, is gentle and graceful," said Xu Yang, "but her appearance would expose the relationship between Nestor Corporation and the Katsuragi Gang, shifting attention back onto Nestor Corporation, which would be disadvantageous for us."
"Well, I can try," Asa Katsuragi shouldered the responsibility, unwilling to step back at such a time, "There are three days left, and I intend to practice social etiquette and learn about those big shots’ faces and habits from dawn to dusk. It’s all about learning, right? I can always learn."
"That would be asking a lot," Xu Yang truly appreciated Asa Katsuragi’s efforts during such a challenging time, "We’ll handle the proposal and the bid document. But we also need to prepare a backup plan."
"Force," Asa Katsuragi guessed immediately.
"Exactly," Xu Yang stood up, "If the bid fails, we’ll launch an immediate raid on the Chainsaw Angel Gang, sweeping them out of Aizu City in an instant. We cannot tolerate them using the title of ’security contractor’ to suppress us."
"Understood," Asa Katsuragi was resolute, "but there’s no need to worry, I’ll do my utmost to win this position for us."
"I believe in you," Xu Yang nodded.
After thorough analysis, Xu Yang and Lila concluded twenty advantages the Katsuragi Gang could bring to Aizu City as a security contractor, with appropriate language and perfect framework, highly praising the Katsuragi Gang as if their presence would solve all the problems of Anjiu City. Aizu City would be well constructed and maintained, becoming a well-ordered paradise, sheltering the local residents.
They carefully drafted the proposal and the bid document, reviewing it five times over, and then handed it to Asa Katsuragi, allowing her to showcase her talents at the bidding event.