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Akiyama-gumi
Sep. 26th, 2022 01:19 pmAkiyama Yoko, Matriarch of the Akiyama-gumi
Isamu Ena, Captain of the Akiyama-gumi
Former Subsidiary of the Aiki Consortium
The Natsukawa-gumi are also information-gatherers. The difference is that the Natsukawa-gumi specialize in assassination and keeping informed of all kinds of information, while the Akiyama-gumi specifically collect blackmail, particularly on politicians, foreign powers, demons and other spirits, other magic-users, police, and company members that otherwise might be reluctant to follow suggestions, as well as information about magic, and also to some extent focus on magic and magical combat. In some respects, particularly in the backstabbing arenas of politics and blackmail, the Akiyama-gumi also engage in the practical application of their knowledge. Many of them use their irezumi to supplement their magic, rather than on their own. It’s an entire nest of people manipulating each other and anyone unlucky enough to venture inside, but usually they stick to mind games, clever words, and maybe a touch of magic rather than outright violence (unless lieutenant Isamu is involved, at which point any and all bets might be off).
A few designated members interact closely with the Natsukawa-gumi, passing across information for assassination targets. It’d be surprising they managed to keep this secret if not for the fact that several of the Natsukawa-gumi have gone missing over the years, most likely to be tortured by the Natsukawa-gumi. They also help the Aiki Consortium with various duties, including reinforcing the magical warding around the Hellmouth, but are mostly interested in innovation. They’re trying to figure out new ways of scrying people’s deepest, darkest secrets, for instance, or using magic to hack into computers (thus far, only specific irezumi no youkai have been very effective in this endeavor). They are willing to collaborate on spell design, but are also concerned about imitation and losing control of their own spells, so have the old-fashioned mage-like paranoia.
It is rumored by the rest of the Clan that the only thing keeping them in check is the knowledge that merely taking out one’s rival would not be enough to move up in status in the Akiyama-gumi. One would also have to earn the respect of Matriarch Akiyama for such a change to be acknowledged, and when it comes to favor Akiyama likes to keep everyone guessing. As such, most of their darker impulses (aside from those of their Captain, Isamu) are held in check. Interestingly, due to her choice of Captain, Akiyama is, as far as anyone can tell, doing the work of both Matriarch and Captain, at least some of the time. How this is possible is rumored to have something to do with her irezumi no youkai, the kitsune, allowing her the ability to be multiple places at once, but this is only a rumor and has yet to be confirmed.
In some manner, the Akiyama-gumi also serves as a sort of public Internal Affairs—through spying on the individuals of the Clan, it is hoped that further treachery be quickly sniffed out and snuffed out. Some say that Kumai’s betrayal proves this theory incorrect; others argue that the Akiyama-gumi network had yet to be fully established before those events. While it is largely the Natsukawa-gumi that enact punishment on disloyal yakuza, they work in the shadows, and it’s good to have a known deterrent of sorts, too. And while some might be skeptical about their use and sneer at the mysterious power the Akiyama-gumi might wield, none retain that same brave face when stepping inside their headquarters.
Isamu Ena, Captain of the Akiyama-gumi
Former Subsidiary of the Aiki Consortium
The Natsukawa-gumi are also information-gatherers. The difference is that the Natsukawa-gumi specialize in assassination and keeping informed of all kinds of information, while the Akiyama-gumi specifically collect blackmail, particularly on politicians, foreign powers, demons and other spirits, other magic-users, police, and company members that otherwise might be reluctant to follow suggestions, as well as information about magic, and also to some extent focus on magic and magical combat. In some respects, particularly in the backstabbing arenas of politics and blackmail, the Akiyama-gumi also engage in the practical application of their knowledge. Many of them use their irezumi to supplement their magic, rather than on their own. It’s an entire nest of people manipulating each other and anyone unlucky enough to venture inside, but usually they stick to mind games, clever words, and maybe a touch of magic rather than outright violence (unless lieutenant Isamu is involved, at which point any and all bets might be off).
A few designated members interact closely with the Natsukawa-gumi, passing across information for assassination targets. It’d be surprising they managed to keep this secret if not for the fact that several of the Natsukawa-gumi have gone missing over the years, most likely to be tortured by the Natsukawa-gumi. They also help the Aiki Consortium with various duties, including reinforcing the magical warding around the Hellmouth, but are mostly interested in innovation. They’re trying to figure out new ways of scrying people’s deepest, darkest secrets, for instance, or using magic to hack into computers (thus far, only specific irezumi no youkai have been very effective in this endeavor). They are willing to collaborate on spell design, but are also concerned about imitation and losing control of their own spells, so have the old-fashioned mage-like paranoia.
It is rumored by the rest of the Clan that the only thing keeping them in check is the knowledge that merely taking out one’s rival would not be enough to move up in status in the Akiyama-gumi. One would also have to earn the respect of Matriarch Akiyama for such a change to be acknowledged, and when it comes to favor Akiyama likes to keep everyone guessing. As such, most of their darker impulses (aside from those of their Captain, Isamu) are held in check. Interestingly, due to her choice of Captain, Akiyama is, as far as anyone can tell, doing the work of both Matriarch and Captain, at least some of the time. How this is possible is rumored to have something to do with her irezumi no youkai, the kitsune, allowing her the ability to be multiple places at once, but this is only a rumor and has yet to be confirmed.
In some manner, the Akiyama-gumi also serves as a sort of public Internal Affairs—through spying on the individuals of the Clan, it is hoped that further treachery be quickly sniffed out and snuffed out. Some say that Kumai’s betrayal proves this theory incorrect; others argue that the Akiyama-gumi network had yet to be fully established before those events. While it is largely the Natsukawa-gumi that enact punishment on disloyal yakuza, they work in the shadows, and it’s good to have a known deterrent of sorts, too. And while some might be skeptical about their use and sneer at the mysterious power the Akiyama-gumi might wield, none retain that same brave face when stepping inside their headquarters.
