My Young Husband, The Assasin-Chapter 78: The Last Twelve Hours

Infiltration and disguise, like a ninja, were secret skills Tetsuya had learned from a ninja master during his secret training in a remote area near the mountains.

Even Renji was unaware of Tetsuya’s hidden talent, as it had never been used before, not even during his missions as an assassin. According to Tetsuya, killing someone openly or face-to-face felt more manly and impressive than doing it stealthily. However, such methods are still employed nowadays, with the difference being that modern assassins or snipers often attack their targets from a distance.

"Ugh~" A splatter of fresh blood stained his palm.

He shrugged off the blood on his hands and gave it a cursory wipe as though he were dusting off dust rather than flecks of dried blood. But the blood that was pouring from his mouth was an indication the body was not going well. Yet Tetsuya had kept his cool, continuing to change clothes.

Tetsuya’s body had grown so frail that he should not have been able to walk. But in secret, Yuki managed to develop an even stronger painkiller than Tsuchihebi’s. However, the side effects of this medication were severe and potentially life-threatening. Unfazed by the potential risks, Tetsuya took the drug anyway, allowing his body to move, allowing the left side of his chest not to ache, as it had just hours before.

Twelve hours—all the time Tetsuya had before the sharp scythe of the god of death would claim his soul. The drug he had taken would only last that long, as Tetsuya was already on the brink of death, and the medication only worsened his condition. Before taking the drug, Yuki had warned him of the risks involved.

Even though he knew the risk of death, Tetsuya took it anyway. In his heart, Tetsuya was determined to stop his grandfather’s actions and save Saki, no matter the cost. He didn’t care about the price he had to pay.

He pulled out the outfit given to him by his master from the wooden closet. After thinking he would never wear it, the time had finally come to put it on, along with the hidden weapons tucked beneath the clothes and the black gloves that were his signature when fighting.

"Grandfather," he muttered coldly, staring at the dagger in his hand, its blade coated with a deadly poison concocted by his late master.

Even the slightest scratch from this dagger would ensure the victim’s death, as the poison was extremely potent and had no known antidote. Seeing Tetsuya preparing to head to Onibara might raise a big question.

How could Tetsuya be here, especially since this place was in a remote area, while just a short time ago, he was in the heavily guarded laboratory of Tsuchihebi? Aya, the doctor, had almost checked on him every hour to ensure he didn’t escape. Aira had been watching over him the entire time, making it nearly impossible for Tetsuya to leave.

The answer lay in Yuki’s help. Yuki, Torune’s younger sibling, had been entrusted to Tsuchihebi by Tetsuya to study medicine and monitor the situation there. In truth, Yuki worked for Tetsuya, just like Torune. With Yuki’s assistance, Tetsuya managed to escape, disregarding the chaos it would cause in the laboratory, including Aira’s panic as she searched for him, even though Renji had entrusted her with Tetsuya’s care. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

There was something important Tetsuya had to do, even if it meant losing his own life. Besides Yuki, one more person had come after being contacted by Tetsuya—a fellow disciple from the same dojo, both being the last generation of students under the ninja master.

"Long time no see, Kumomaru," Tetsuya greeted warmly, welcoming the large white-furred dog.

Beside the dog stood a young man with his hands on his hips, shouting in annoyance because Tetsuya hadn’t greeted him.

"Oh, you’re here too, Daiki," Tetsuya laughed, finally noticing the young man named Daiki.

"I’m this big, and you couldn’t even see or greet me," Daiki complained, annoyed.

"I’m sorry, I’m sorry," Tetsuya said.

Daiki shot Tetsuya a halfhearted glare. "So what is it you need me to do, Tetsuya?" he said, getting directly to the point.

Tetsuya smiled briefly, looking at his old friend with admiration. "Your straightforward nature hasn’t changed even after all these years apart."

"I don’t like beating around the bush. Let’s get straight to the point so we can finish quickly, and I can go home to relax and pamper myself.

"Do you even have a lover?" Tetsuya teased, completely ignorant that his friend had long had a hopeless track record through women, turned down repeatedly.

"Unlike you, you handsome single one today, of course," Daiki replied sarcastically.

"I have my final days left. Could you please be my partner and go home with me?" Tetsuya joked, playing girl, dangling his bait at Daiki.

Daiki, a dog lover, shuddered in fright and slapped Tetsuya’s shoulder. "Tetsuya!" he shouted angrily.

"Hehehehe..." Tetsuya laughed happily.

"You’re so annoying. And that annoying little side of you has not changed either."

Then, suddenly, Tetsuya knelt  deeply before Daiki. Daiki was stunned and confused. "Don’t do this, Tetsuya."

"If you please," Tetsuya begged, seeking Daiki’s support.

"What are you going to take down?" "What do you want, Daiki?" he said through a serious expression.

"Onibara," Tetsuya replied, sitting up straight and staring directly at Daiki.

"You’re crazy!" Daiki exclaimed in disbelief.

"Maybe," Tetsuya said noncommittally.

"That group isn’t just any ordinary group. Their name is infamous in the underworld," Daiki tried to warn him, afraid Tetsuya didn’t understand the gravity of the situation.

"I know," Tetsuya murmured as if he fully understood the enemy he was about to face.

"If you know, why do you still want to attack them? Especially since it’s just the two of us. That’s practically suicide."

"Someone I love," Tetsuya whispered, and he revealed his intention to Daiki.

Daiki sighed heavily, calming his heart. "Okay," he said, complying with the request he considered insane that Tetsuya made.

"Thank you. "Thanks for your help. I’ll make it worthwhile," Tetsuya said with a happy smile.

"Enough of that. We’re like brothers. Anyway, I haven’t exercised in a while. My body’s gotten a bit stiff," Daiki said, patting Tetsuya’s shoulder and laughing.

"You’re something else," Tetsuya said, shaking his head in disbelief.

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Since last night, Renji hasn’t been able to sleep. It wasn’t that he wasn’t tired, but his eyes refused to close. His mind was filled with countless thoughts, making him unable to rest. Then, when he finally got a little sleep, a subordinate of Renji’s  assigned guarding Tsuchihebi’s laboratory brought him a report. The report said that Tetsuya had suddenly vanished and could not be found anywhere — in other words, Tetsuya had run away.

Renji’s head and temples pounded in pain as yet another complication cropped up. He had been certain that Tetsuya would be safe there, considering Tsuchihebi’s security system was not easily breached, and unauthorized people couldn’t simply come and go. The only explanation was that someone inside had helped Tetsuya escape. Otherwise, there was no way he could have left so easily without being noticed by the guards.

With things as they were, Renji had no choice but to rush to the Ishikawa mansion. Tetsuya was most likely heading there alone since his subordinates were still gathered at the Hayabusa headquarters, now under Renji’s command.

"Fujita, order everyone to move out," Renji commanded.

"Yes, Young Master."

The time had come for a battle of life and death.

Renji did not doubt that someone had to die for this war to end finally.

Even so, he was confident that he would emerge victorious and return home alive to his wife and child, who were waiting for him.

’I will return and hold you in my arms, my love,’ Renji thought with determination.

Led by Renji, the entire Hayabusa group set off toward the Ishikawa mansion. Everyone wore tense and grim expressions. They all knew—they were marching toward the battlefield.

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The effects of the sedative had finally worn off. After nearly two hours of unconsciousness, Saki slowly regained her senses.

However, as soon as she opened her eyes, she was met with a terrifying sight. The space was cramped and dimly lit. She didn’t need to ask anyone where she was—this was undoubtedly an underground prison.

A guard entered shortly after she woke up, bringing her food and water. This happened multiple times, but Saki refused to touch even a single bite. Eventually, she was forced to eat when one of the guards aimed a gun at her head, following Ryoji’s orders. He had grown furious over her continuous refusal to eat.

She had no idea how long she had been trapped in this dreadful place—maybe a day or two.

Aside from fear, Saki felt an overwhelming sense of disappointment.

She never imagined that the man she had loved with all her heart would be so heartless as to let her be taken away without putting up a fight. Her friends had risked their own lives to protect her, but the person she trusted most had done nothing.

"Issei-kun..." she said, low and sad.

As the door opened, a sliver of light penetrated the dark room. Saki instinctively turned toward it, her hackles raised.

"Hi, sweetheart," said a bespectacled man, his face framed by dark hair, who flashed the most irresistible smile.

A second handsome man stalked behind him, his face impassive as if he could not care less.

"Get out! Don’t come near me!" Saki screamed in a chill, attempting to chase them away.

She stepped back slightly, feeling distant from Ryoji, who, in her mind, was no more than a terrifying and merciless monster. This man had abducted her and brought her to this place.

"I love when you fight like this. It makes me love it even more," Ryoji mumbled, a sinister grin stretching across his face.

"You’re insane!" Saki sneered.

"Hahahaha...." Duplicate with noise in the background Room.

Saki hated and feared her, both at once. She fought against her body, and she began to shake many horrible things, sweat streaming down as panic filled. Only was all over a cabin dark, darker than the darkness shook her deep, dark bedroom, and wouldn’t let a girl of the age of them. Shin noticed her reaction, but he couldn’t do anything just yet—if he acted too soon, Ryoji would blow his cover.

"That’s right. I am insane and cruel—that’s my reputation," Ryoji declared proudly.

"What exactly is your goal in kidnapping me?! And who are you?!"

"To drive the flies out of their hive. "My name is Ryoji Yakushi, and I am the future leader of the Onibara group," he said smugly. Saki just stared back at Ryoji coldly, her lips refusing to move.

"You must be wondering who these ’flies’ are...?" Ryoji murmured, his hand softly caressing Saki’s cheek, which was trembling in fear. Saki slapped his hand away harshly, disgusted by the thought of being touched by him.

"I’ll tell you who they are."

"I don’t care who they are! Why did you bring me here?"

"Because you are the woman Tetsuya loves."

For a moment, Saki was frozen, processing Ryoji’s words—then she suddenly burst into laughter. It turned out Ryoji had kidnapped the wrong person.

"Are my words funny to you?" Ryoji frowned, clearly displeased.

"You got the wrong person, sir," Saki informed him.

"Impossible! The description matches—blonde hair!"

"The person Tetsuya is interested in is Issei, my boyfriend, not me," Saki clarified, correcting the misunderstanding.

"Hah?!" Ryoji’s face twisted in shock.

"Tetsuya would outright say he loves Issei, not me. It’s just that we both have blonde hair," Saki explained, praying that this fact would convince Ryoji to set her free.

"I never thought he had the same taste as me," Ryoji sighed. His face suddenly transformed, becoming terrifying and chilling Saki to the bone.

"In that situation, we might as well release you."

"Exactly! You could’ve taken Issei, not me."

"I was hoping to have fun with you, but now there’s no reason to keep you alive."

"What do you mean by that?"

Ryoji pulled a knife from his clothing, but before he could strike, Shin intervened just in time, saving Saki’s life before the blade could slash her throat.

"Wait, Ryoji-san!"

"Why are you stopping me, Shin?!" Ryoji growled in frustration.

"Killing her right off isn’t that entertaining. How about I offer you something instead? No need to get your hands dirty with her blood," Shin said, trying to soothe Ryoji.

"What idea do you have?" Shin leaned over and whispered to Ryoji. Saki’s gut coiled with anxiety—whatever plan they had was not a good one.

"Interesting. I didn’t know you could be this ruthless, too," Ryoji smirked.

"I learned from you."

"Good. I like seeing your progress." Shin pulled out a small box from his clothes. Inside, there were several vials of poison—special concoctions made by Ryoji himself.

Ryoji took a small glass bottle filled with thick green liquid and forced Saki to drink it. The intense bitterness burned her throat, making her cough violently, but not enough to vomit.

"W-what did you give me?"

"Just a high-dose aphrodisiac. But this isn’t just any drug—if you don’t satisfy your urges within thirty minutes, you will die."

"You monster," Saki cursed.

Not only did Ryoji drug her, but he also deliberately tied her up, ensuring that she couldn’t move or escape. It was as if he was slowly killing her, torturing her instead of granting a quick death by slitting her throat or shooting her.

Shin’s suggestion amused Ryoji—it saved him from dirtying his hands with Saki’s blood.

Originally, Ryoji had intended to do something to Saki and have Shin record it to provoke Tetsuya. But now that he realized he had kidnapped the wrong person, it was pointless. Since Saki was no longer useful, there was no reason to let her live.

After her death, Ryoji planned to sell her beautiful eyes on the black market. Eyes like hers would fetch a high price, just like the rare red irises of the Ishikawa family, which were considered a valuable commodity.

Saki’s entire body felt on fire, cold sweat dripping. Barely a minute had passed since she had consumed the drug, but the unbearable heat was already spreading through her.

Not only was her body burning, but an unfamiliar throbbing sensation took hold of her lower regions. Even though no one had touched her, the effect of the drug was undeniable—it was unbearable and utterly humiliating.

"Aah~" Saki whimpered.

...