In a quiet manor in New York, a golden halo shimmered into existence. From within, Kurogai stepped out, his expression calm but his presence commanding.
After receiving Rogue's report, he had parted ways with Jean Grey and come here directly. This matter could not wait.
"Kurogai, here's the intel," Rogue said, handing him a folder. "According to our people, Ajax has a base in Florida. He's not alone either — he has several strong allies, which makes it difficult to spy further. These are the details we've gathered. Photos, movements, timestamps — everything we could confirm."
Kurogai flipped through the pages, his eyes narrowing slightly at the photographs. "I see. Good work. I'll take it from here."
With a brief nod, he turned and stepped back through a portal of golden light. The mission was his alone.
For Kurogai, this wasn't just about Ajax. It was about carbonadium steel. If Wade's information was true, then Ajax was connected to it, and with carbonadium, Kurogai could strengthen another pupil ring. Even though he had just advanced one, opportunities like this couldn't be ignored. Every ascension meant more power, and more power meant survival.
The golden halo appeared again, this time inside a dimly lit bar. A handful of patrons looked up, startled, as the portal shimmered. Kurogai ignored their stares and walked straight to the counter.
Slouched there, mask tilted slightly, sat Wade Wilson. Behind him rested two battered katanas, unmistakable despite their casual placement. The stench of alcohol clung to him heavily.
"Hey, Kurogai, you bastard!" Wade slurred loudly, raising his glass. "Want a drink? The booze here's not bad. And get this — I won it in a bet, didn't pay a dime. Free tastes better, right?"
Kurogai didn't bother responding to the nonsense. His tone was flat. "I've found information about the man you're after."
The words cut through Wade's drunken haze like a blade. His eyes widened behind the mask. "What?! The son of a bitch I've been dreaming of killing every night? You found him?"
He tried to leap to his feet but staggered and crashed back onto the floor, clearly too drunk to stand straight.
Kurogai looked down at him with faint disdain. "Sober up. If you go after him like this, you'll die before you even touch him."
"You're right… wait a sec." Wade pushed himself up, pulling out one of his swords. Without hesitation, he stabbed himself in the stomach. Blood spurted as he carved a hole open. With a disgusting lurch, he bent over, pouring the alcohol from his stomach onto the floor.
Kurogai's expression tightened with disgust. "I thought you were just an annoying loudmouth, but you're worse than that. You're revolting."
The remaining patrons fled in terror, leaving only a few locals who seemed desensitized to Wade's insanity. They watched with detached amusement as Wade continued stabbing himself — even splitting open his own scalp — just to force the liquor out faster.
Within minutes, his healing factor sealed the wounds. Wade stood tall again, stretching like nothing had happened.
"Alright! Much better. Now, let's go. I can't wait to gut Ajax, then put him back together just so I can gut him again," Wade growled, his eyes gleaming with unhinged fury.
Kurogai tossed a slip of paper onto the counter. "Here's the location. Handle it yourself. All I want is the carbonadium information. That's our deal."
Wade quickly grabbed the address. His tone turned unusually serious. "Listen, I wasn't lying. Ajax really is connected to carbonadium. I tracked him once after finding a chunk of the ore — about the size of a human head. I turned it into my blades. If we find Ajax's supply, we might find the true source of it."
Kurogai's gaze hardened. "If you're lying, I'll cut off what's between your legs. And this time, it won't grow back."
Wade froze for a moment, then gave a nervous laugh. "Relax, pal. I'd never lie to you. Honest Wade, that's me. Now let's go!"
With manic energy, he darted through the portal Kurogai opened.
The next moment, they emerged on the outskirts of Florida. Before them stood an abandoned factory, weathered but fortified. Kurogai's sharp eyes caught glimpses of firearms set up along the windows — defenders waiting in position.
Wade cracked his neck, his bloodlust surging. "That bastard's in there. Ajax! Get your ass out here!" he roared.
His challenge was answered instantly. Gunfire erupted in a storm of bullets, raining down upon them from the windows.