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“Yakuza are known for extensively inking their skin,” Nagano said “Certain groups use specific designs like a brand Do you recognize any of these?”

Kurt looked over Joe’s shoulder at the designs Each tattoo was intricate and different Soons, others fire and skulls One was kaleidoscopes of color and bladed weapons

“Not this one,” Joe said, discarding the first sheet of paper “Or these”

He leafed through several additional pages and then stopped “This is the pattern,” he said “A perfect ood chunk of skin now”

Nagano took the paper “As I thought,” he said “Ushi-Oni: the Demon”

“The Demon?” Joe asked

“His real nay, the word oni means demon An Ushi-Oni is a particular monster with the head of a bull and fearso for hire, thisthat particularthe victim’s blood UnlikePleasure and large sums of cash”

“Fantastic,” Kurt said “Now that you knoho he is, you can go round him up and on’t have to leave”

Nagano put the drawing aside “I wish it were that simple These men are whispers on the wind I Ushi-Oni for years”

“Ko the bite this guy took, I’d say a hospital or the ue would be his next stop”

“The Koreed, “but we spoke to an expert thisWe’ve been told the lizard does not inject its veno attack as you saould not likely be fatal”

“What about the Koiene?” Kurt said “As I recall, they have countless strains of bacteria on their teeth”

“Yes,” Nagano said, “and iven high doses of antibiotics, he would probably survive Which er, as I explained to begin with”

Kurt sat back The issue had an obvious solution One Nagano probably had in mind or he wouldn’t have asked theer would be eliminated if we helped you put him away”

Nagano did not immediately reply