"Think it was one of his sons?" Da Han asked.
"If so, we need to be worried. Those kids are only twelve, but if they can kill at that level, they are to be taken just as seriously as their father."
"But you said it felt rushed."
"He still managed to kill two of my people with precision," Tian Yu stated.
"Understood," Da Han agreed, then continued with the report. "The fucking Castiello and Lords took out Bartolli himself. Who didn't catch a bullet was later blown the fuck up."
"Do you think this will change things with the Esposito family?"
"You think they'll use this opportunity to force my hand to give in to whatever terms they want to renegotiate?"
"Julian Esposito is probably very concerned now that the five powerful crime families in New York are not down to one," Tian Yu said.
"The fucking Castiellos. This all started with Rico," Da Han said through gritted teeth.
"Started, yes... but it won't end even if we kill him. We need to kill him, his son, and his brother," Tian Yu said.
"And we will," Da Han said.
"What are you going to do if the Esposito family wants more territory, or if they want to back out?" Tian Yu asked.
"There's no backing out. Even if they tried to side with the Castiellos and Lords, there's too much bad blood between them, and they have nothing to offer that those two factions can't take. They have no leverage, and they know it," Da Han stated.
"That may be, but they will still try. The Castiellos may work with them to take you out in New York. Be careful."
"Do you think the Castiellos will take their hand in this war?"
"The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
"Well, the friends of my enemies can die too," Da Han said. "If they plan to shake me down for more territory, I'll take them out myself. I don't need an ally who wants more than they're worth."
"What are you going to do next? I mean... what do you want me to do next? Go after Vito Castiello directly?" Tian Yu asked.
"Exactly. Take out Rico's little brother, but it won't be you. I'm going to call Japan for help. I want them to send that son of a bitch, Aoshi Saitoh, here. Let him deal with Vito and his bodyguard, Demir," Da Han said.
"Well, that puts me at ease and on edge," Tian Yu said, knowing full well that Aoshi Saitoh was unpredictable and a skilled assassin on another level. He was the reason why the Mujin family had to concede during the war with the Saotome Yakuza. If not for his father's sheer ability to bluff, convincingthe Yakuza to come to the table for the Blood Marriage, they may have been completely wiped out.
"I just want you to stay safe. With Vito and his bodyguard eliminated, Rico would have lost a powerful stronghold. Chicago will be ours when we take him out," Da Han said.
"I'll assist him with whatever he needs when he comes. Are you sure he'll come?" Tian Yu asked.
"He will. Hiko has been salivating for the moment I'd have to rely on him for help. He'll humble me for the opportunity, but he'll send him," Da Han said.
"I'm sure that's a conversation you're dreading to have."
"Indeed, but I can no longer hold off."
"Very well, stay safe, brother," Tian Yu said.
"You do the same and watch out for Yufei; his club has been cut by over half. The Lords have skilled enforcers, one of them being Colton Bridger... I can't afford to lose him, too. Don't let him get in over his head," Da Han said.
"I've already told him to go into lockdown. He's protected right now," Tian Yu said.
"Good. Keep me in touch," Da Han said.
"I will."
