[TN:Last chapter of the week]
H8 Megabuilding, Top Floor – Cloud Top VIP Lounge
The television broadcasted scenes of relentless explosions. Jotaro's usually deceptive smile had vanished, leaving a face filled with gloom. The relaxed demeanor he wore daily was utterly absent.
He had only one thought: This is absurd.
For the first time, he was being directly called out and threatened. Normally, he was the one who called the shots—ordering someone's head or dictating the production of some project.
But this time was different.
This wasn't an ordinary callout. The opposition had named him publicly—on Channel 54 News, no less. It wasn't limited to just one station; the news had spread across all major and minor media outlets, creating a massive uproar.
Even he wouldn't dare play with fire like this.
Had it been an average person, Jotaro would have laughed. A stunt this big? The NCPD would have swiftly erased the troublemakers without needing an excuse.
It wasn't his first time being named as a target or cursed with threats of death.
He had handled countless NCPD officers and furious citizens seeking revenge for their loved ones. He had wiped out every last one of them.
But this time was different.
A lunatic gang of nobodies had targeted him. He had mobilized his entire organization, sought aid from the NCPD, and even secured sponsorship from Arasaka with a significant investment.
Yet, so far, those three maniacs had killed over a hundred Tyger Claw gang members, taken down dozens of drones, destroyed helicopters, and smashed through the NCPD's defenses.
And now, they were in Westbrook, heading straight for him.
"Damn! Damn! Damn!"
Jotaro lost his composure, pacing the room furiously.
Even in the towering H8 Megabuilding, with several streets and dozens of floors separating him from those lunatics—and countless gang members and NCPD officers standing between them—he couldn't feel safe.
[Incoming Communication: Chief]
[Chief: Jotaro, you've caused too much trouble for the gang this time. Think about how you're going to apologize after this is over.]
[Jotaro: My deepest apologies!]
[Incoming Communication: Commander]
[Commander: Is the evidence dealt with? Hurry it up!]
[Jotaro: Why aren't we deploying the Maxtac Unit?]
[Commander: Orders from above. Just handle your part!]
[Incoming Communication: Arms Dealer]
[Arms Dealer: I know you're in a rush, but don't worry. We've got plans.]
[Arms Dealer: Didn't I warn you? Those three aren't ordinary people.]
[Arms Dealer: Open up Cloud Top's entire network now.]
[Jotaro: Open it all up? Then what's the point of helping me? Do you think I'm stupid?]
[Arms Dealer: Watch your tone, Jotaro. You've already tried playing smart with us once.]
Pacing back and forth, Jotaro's mind replayed every message sent his way.
He couldn't believe it, couldn't accept it. Anger burned through him. How could his carefully built empire crumble overnight?
The suffocating pressure reminded him of his younger days, when he gambled away all his money, leaving him breathless.
And how had he dealt with it back then? By making deals.
The Tyger Claws couldn't protect him. NCPD was useless. Only the corporations were left.
With that realization, he marched toward the server room.
There was no future for him with the Tyger Claws.
Allowing Arasaka access to their network meant he no longer controlled what data got erased. Surviving this ordeal was entirely up to them.
[Jotaro: Fine. What's your plan?]
[Arms Dealer: You've finally come around. As a reward: those three have aerial infiltration capabilities. NCPD's ground forces are useless against them.]
[Arms Dealer: If you had delayed much longer, they'd already have a bullet with your name on it.]
Nearby, a burly man in a purple suit sat silently, not daring to speak.
While he was the boss of Cloud Top, with Jotaro here, he was nothing more than an employee.
That night, everyone in H8 Megabuilding tread carefully, hearts in their throats.
Outside, NCPD cars combed the streets, picking up wreckage from the trio's escapades.
[NCPD Patrol #2091: Evidence recovered: armored plating suspected to belong to the suspects' vehicle. Evidence secured.]
[NCPD Lieutenant #0123: No sign of the suspects' vehicle. Continuing search.]
[NCPD Captain #0099: I'm done! Screw you, Forster! I quit! My team's clocking out. Haval, Stins—let's go!]
Click.
[NCPD Lieutenant #0134: Why not bring in the Maxtac unit?!]
From the rooftop, Leo, V, and Jackie watched the NCPD cars drive away.
"I've plotted the route. I've inserted a power fluctuation command into their electrical network. Soon, the areas we'll pass through will go dark. Stick to the shadows," Leo explained.
V flexed her wrists, testing her grappling device. "Not bad—I was just wondering when I'd get to swing through the air again. Feels like this thing's been upgraded."
"It has. I've been working with some people online to improve the firing mechanism and upgraded the magnetic adhesion gloves."
[Magnetic Adhesion Set - Model 2]
Description: Improved components, stronger adhesion, materials with higher friction coefficients, and an optimized energy conversion system. Based on enhancements from the Model 1 and inspired by more powerful human designs.
Specs: Supports up to 15,000N of normal force. Optimized adaptive software reduces energy consumption and improves stability.
As the lights began flickering out according to Leo's program, the trio sprang into action.
Swinging across rooftops and leaping between high-rises, their movements were like shadows flitting through the night.
It wasn't long before they arrived across from the H8 Megabuilding.
Returning to where it all began—the investigation that started in Japantown. Back then, Jotaro's location had been a mystery. Now, Leo was certain he was inside.
Cloud Top was full of secrets. As one of its orchestrators, Jotaro would be responsible for its operations.
"Let's go," Leo said, preparing to move.
V leaned against the wall, amused. "Let's see how many tricks you've got left, Jotaro."
The trio descended, crossing the iconic gate inscribed with "Unmatched in All the World."
(End of Chapter)