Detective Yuri Watanabe stepped into the dimly lit bar, her sharp eyes scanning the room for her informant. She made her way to the bar, catching the bartender's attention.
"The usual, Detective?" the bartender asked gruffly.
Yuri nodded. "And let Frankie know I'm here."
The bartender nodded and quickly prepared a classic cocktail, sliding it across the bar to Yuri. She took a sip, the familiar taste and burn of the liquor comforting her as she waited for her informant.
Moments later, a scruffy-looking man approached Yuri, sliding onto the barstool next to her. "Watanabe," he greeted. "What can I do for you?"
"Frankie," Yuri replied, turning to face him. "I need information on the Maggia's latest activities. Anything about them acquiring real estate lately?"
Frankie took a sip of his beer, his brow furrowing in thought. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, I've heard some rumblings about that. Seems they've been snapping up properties all over the city, especially in the Bronx and Queens."
Yuri leaned in, her interest piqued. "Any idea what they're planning?"
Frankie shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. But you know the Maggia - they've got their fingers in all kinds of pies. Real estate, construction, you name it."
Frankie's brow furrowed as he leaned in closer. "Actually, I've been hearing some chatter about the Maggia targeting a certain school in the area. Seems they've got their eyes on the land."
Yuri's eyes narrowed. "A school? What's their angle?"
"From what I can gather, they want to redevelop the property. Probably some high-rise condos or office space," Frankie explained. "You know how they operate - they'll do whatever it takes to get what they want."
Yuri's grip tightened around her glass. "And they're willing to go after a school to do it." She let out a frustrated sigh. "Any idea which school they've got in their sights?"
Frankie shook his head. "Sorry, Watanabe. My sources weren't too specific on the details. But I can tell you it's got the Maggia bigwigs all riled up."
Yuri nodded, her mind racing with the implications. "Thanks, Frankie. This is helpful intel." She downed the rest of her drink and stood up. "I need to look into this further."
The informant drained the last of his beer. "Anytime, Watanabe. You know I'm always happy to help out a friend of the family."
Yuri allowed a small smile to tug at the corners of her mouth. "I appreciate it. I'll be in touch if I need anything else."
Detective Yuri Watanabe strode out of the dimly lit bar, her mind buzzing with the information Frankie had provided. As she stepped onto the sidewalk, a sudden prickling sensation crawled up the back of her neck. Instinctively, she unhooked her firearm and clicked off the safety, her grip tightening around the grip.
A soft thud sounded behind her, and Yuri whirled around, weapon raised and ready. Her eyes widened as she found herself staring at the armored form of Kamen Rider.
"Kamen Rider," Yuri breathed, her voice laced with a mixture of surprise and caution. "Don't sneak up on me like that."
The Rider raised his hands in a placating gesture. "My apologies, Detective Watanabe," Ace's voice resonated from within the helmet. "I didn't mean to startle you."
Yuri holstered her weapon, though her posture remained tense. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her gaze searching the Rider's imposing figure.
Ace's armored form stood before Yuri, his stance projecting a sense of determination. "Detective Watanabe, I want to help you with the Maggia investigation," he said, his voice resonating with conviction.
Yuri regarded the Rider with a mixture of surprise and skepticism. "Kamen Rider, I thought your focus was solely on the Grongi threat," she replied, her brow furrowing slightly.
"I'm not limited to just fighting the Grongi," Ace explained. "I want to help protect this city in any way I can. When I heard you were investigating the Maggia, I knew I had to get involved."
Yuri considered his words, her lips pressed into a thin line. "I appreciate the offer, Kamen Rider, but this is my investigation. I work best alone."
Ace took a step forward, his posture slightly hunched. "But Detective, I need your help. I'm not as skilled at investigations as I am at combat. I can't do this alone."
Yuri held up a hand, silencing him. "I understand your desire to help, but this is my case. I don't want to put you in harm's way, and I work better without distractions."
Ace persisted, his armored form standing tall before the detective. "Detective Watanabe, I can be a valuable asset to your investigation. I have skills that could help us uncover the Maggia's plans."
Yuri regarded the Rider with a skeptical gaze, her arms crossed over her chest. "Kamen Rider, I appreciate the offer, but this is my case. I work best alone."
"Please, Detective. I can't just sit back and let the Maggia terrorize this city. I want to help protect the people."
Yuri sighed, her resolve slowly crumbling under Ace's persistent pleading. "Alright, fine," she relented, shaking her head. "But you'll have to follow my lead, understand?"
Ace's posture straightened, a sense of relief washing over him. "Absolutely, Detective. I won't let you down."
Yuri gestured for Ace to follow her as she turned and headed down the dimly lit alley. "According to my intel, the Maggia seems to be targeting a school, but I haven't been able to pinpoint which one yet."
"Do you have any leads on how we can figure out the target school?"
"Well, I know an ex-Maggia member who might be willing to talk," Yuri replied, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "But convincing him to cooperate could be a challenge."
Ace chuckled, the sound slightly distorted through his helmet. "Leave that part to me, Detective. I can be quite persuasive when I need to be."
Yuri shot him a skeptical glance. "I somehow doubt your version of 'persuasive' is anything like mine."
Detective Yuri Watanabe led Ace down the dimly lit alley, her steps purposeful. They approached a dilapidated apartment building, its facade crumbling and windows boarded up.
"This is where your contact lives?" Ace asked, his voice slightly muffled by his Kamen Rider helmet.
Yuri nodded. "Yes, it's the best place for him to stay hidden from the Maggia." She turned to Ace. "Wait here while I talk to him. Your armor isn't exactly subtle."
Ace acquiesced, staying back as Yuri made her way to the entrance. She pressed the buzzer and waited, casting a glance over her shoulder to ensure Ace remained out of sight.
After a moment, a gruff voice crackled through the intercom. "Who is it?"
"It's Detective Watanabe," Yuri replied. "I need to ask you a few questions."
Detective Yuri Watanabe pressed the buzzer again, her patience wearing thin. "Open up, I need to ask you some questions."
The crackly voice on the intercom responded with a gruff, "Piss off, Watanabe. I ain't talkin' to no cop."
Yuri let out a frustrated sigh. "This is important. Lives could be at stake."
"Not my problem," the ex-Maggia member retorted. "I'm done with that life. Now leave me alone."
Yuri glanced back at Ace, who stood silently in the shadows, waiting. She turned her attention back to the intercom. "Look, I understand you want to stay out of this, but—"
"I said piss off!" The voice cut her off, followed by the sound of the intercom disconnecting.
Yuri stared at the unresponsive buzzer, her jaw clenched in frustration. She had hoped the former Maggia member would be willing to help, but it seemed he was determined to keep his distance from the world he had once been a part of.
Detective Yuri Watanabe returned to where Ace was waiting in the shadows. "He refused to talk," she said, frustration evident in her voice.
Ace stepped forward, his expression calm. "I may have a way to get him to open up." He relayed the details he had overheard - the ex-Maggia member's apartment was on the third floor, unit 312.
Yuri eyed him warily. "What are you planning?"
"Just watch," Ace replied, a hint of a smile on his lips. He turned and headed towards the building, leaving Yuri to follow.
They reached the third floor, and Ace strode up to the door of unit 312. Without hesitation, he raised his fist and pounded on the door. "Open up! I know you're in there!"
There was a moment of silence, then the sound of shuffling footsteps. The door cracked open, and the ex-Maggia member's face appeared. "What the—?"
Before he could finish, Ace shoved the door open and stepped inside, Yuri close behind him. The ex-Maggia member backed away, his eyes wide with alarm.
Ace's imposing figure loomed over the ex-Maggia member, who shrank back in fear. The man's eyes darted between Ace and Detective Watanabe, his heart racing.
Ace grabbed the man by the collar and lifted him off the ground with surprising strength. "Start talking," he demanded, his voice low and menacing.
Yuri stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "You know something about the attacks on those small businesses. Tell us what you know, or my friend here won't be so kind."
The ex-Maggia member's lips pressed into a thin line, his resolve wavering under the intense scrutiny. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he glanced at Ace's unforgiving expression.
"I... I don't know anything," he stammered, his voice quivering.
Detective Yuri Watanabe watched the ex-Maggia member carefully as he spoke. "It's been a long time since I've had anything to do with the Maggia," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.
Yuri stepped forward, her gaze unwavering. "But you must know something. I've heard they're targeting a school. Can you tell us more?"
The ex-Maggia member's eyes widened slightly. "A school, huh?" He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Well, if I had to guess, it would be Midtown High."
Yuri raised an eyebrow. "Midtown High? What makes you say that?"
"The land is big, the location is great," the ex-Maggia member explained. "It's a prime target for the Maggia. They've been eyeing that place for a while, looking for a way to get their hands on it."
Yuri nodded, her suspicions confirmed. "Thank you. That's very helpful."
Ace, who had been silently observing the exchange, released his grip on the ex-Maggia member's collar. The man stumbled back, his eyes darting nervously between the two.
"You'd better not say a word about this to anyone," Ace warned, his voice low and serious.
The ex-Maggia member nodded quickly, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "I-I won't, I swear. Just leave me out of this, okay?"
Yuri turned to Ace and gestured towards the door. "Let's go. We have what we need."
Ace nodded and followed Yuri out of the apartment, leaving the ex-Maggia member to his own devices. As they made their way down the stairs, Yuri's mind raced with the implications of this new information.
Detective Yuri Watanabe nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. "Now we know that the likely target is Midtown, we can keep an eye on it, but it will be better if we can also have eyes on the inside."
Ace considered her words, understanding the importance of having someone on the ground. "I can watch from the inside," he offered.
Yuri turned to him, a questioning look on her face. "How can you manage that?"
Ace hesitated, knowing he couldn't reveal his identity as a student at Midtown High. "Trust me, I have a way," he said evasively. "Just let me handle it from the inside while you coordinate the police presence."
Yuri studied him for a moment, weighing the risks and benefits. Finally, she nodded. "Alright, I'll trust you on this."
"Thank you," Ace replied, relieved that Yuri was willing to let him take on this role. He knew the risks, but the thought of the Maggia targeting his school spurred him to action.
***
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Advance chapters are in my P@|r3on - Najicablitz