The heavy oak doors of the mansion groaned as Akimitsu shoved them open, the scent of stale cigar smoke and polished wood clinging to the air. He wasn't back from a successful 'negotiation'. No, this time was different. This time, he had a squirming, blanket-wrapped bundle clutched awkwardly in his arms.

"What the hell is that, boss?" Kenji, his second-in-command, asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.

Akimitsu grunted, carefully adjusting the weight of the…thing. "That, Kenji, is my payment."

Kenji's eyes widened, darting between the bundled fabric and his stoic leader. "Payment? For what, a life? A…new pet?"

Akimitsu sighed, the sound heavy and unfamiliar. "Payment for a debt. Turns out, a certain Mr. Tanaka couldn't repay what he owed. Instead," he gestured with the slight movement of his chin, "he offered…this.” He pulled back a corner of the blanket. A tiny, wrinkled face peeked out, its eyes screwed shut in sleep, a thin wisp of dark hair plastered to its forehead.

A collective intake of breath filled the room. The hardened men who usually dealt in threats and intimidation stood frozen. This was… unexpected.

"It’s…a baby," Kenji said, stating the obvious with the same tone one might use to announce alien contact.

Akimitsu knew it was a baby. The crying, the gurgling, the… everything. He, Akimitsu, a man who commanded respect and fear with a single glare, was now in possession of a tiny, entirely helpless human.

"Apparently," Akimitsu said, his voice a low growl.