"Codename: Ms. Ichiban"
[Disclaimer: Everything depicted in this story is fictional and solely the product of the artist/author's imagination. Any resemblance to an actual event or specific person is purely coincidental.]
Ms. Ichiban was born in Tokyo, Japan.
Before joining billionaire Raymond Kohl's Personal Security Detail,* Ms. Ichiban was in the Japanese Yakuza.
This is her story.
At the age of 13, she was forced into the service of the Yakuza. It was the only way to settle her father's gambling debts and keep him alive.
Instead of becoming one of the thousands of "service girls" (Yakuza Geishas), she displayed a small talent for "other" work when she castrated a man trying to rape her.
That's when she was put into the rigorous, male dominated training pipeline for Yakuza assassins; a program with a higher attrition rate of trainees than that of SEAL candidates at BUDs.
She not only survived, she was the top graduate.
During her ten year conscription, she was the only female to serve in the Yakuza's elite contingent of assassins referred to as the トップ 10 サンドマン ("Top Ten Sandmen").
After repaying her father's debt, the Yakuza allowed her to leave unmolested, free and clear.
To thank Ms. Ichiban for her ten years of honorable service, the Yakuza promised "lifetime assistance"; meaning, whenever asked, they would provide whatever she needed.
She emigrated from Tokyo to the United States on a student visa and attended California State University; graduating in less than three years with a B.S. in Art History.
A year later, she became a Naturalized U.S. citizen.
All was going great for her. She was happy, had a nice job at an art studio and a steady boyfriend whom she'd met in college.
But then something unexpected happened.
One night, Ms. Ichiban was working unusually late at the studio when three would-be art thieves broke into what they believed to be an empty art studio.
It all happened so fast.
On the way to the kitchenette for some coffee, Ms. Ichiban stumbled upon the thieves in the act of removing a painting from it's frame.
Hiding behind a sculpture display, she took out her cellphone and dialed 911.
Unfortunately, the phone's volume was too loud and the robbers heard the dispatcher's voice asking for more details.
One of them drew a switchblade and started walking towards the sculpture.
Past training immediately took over and Ms. Ichiban lunged at the attacker, disarmed him and used his own knife to stab him in the neck - five times.
The other two thieves made the mistake of running to aid their comrade.
One of them had a pistol.
Without hesitation, Ms. Ichiban expertly threw the blade; hitting the gun-toting thief squarely in the left eye.
Then she took the gun from the bloody, screaming man and shot him in the head with it.
The last thief didn't have a chance. By the time he recovered from the shock of witnessing Ms. Ichiban in action and draw his sidearm, Ms. Ichiban double tapped him in the chest and right ear.
She fled the studio before the police arrived, went to her apartment, grabbed some clothes and drove out of San Diego.
She kept driving and thinking about, "What now?".
Before she knew it, she had driven over the grapevine and was in the sleepy town if Merced, CA.
Then she checked into a motel and did something she hoped would never be necessary; she placed an international call to Japan, specifically to a special number directly to the Yakuza.
Ms Ichiban explained her situation and was told to remain on the line. Five agonizing minutes later, a familiar voice came on the line.
The only thing the Yakuza could offer was safe passage to Japan and immediate employment at any establishment controlled by the Yakuza.
But they made it clear that, even though she was a naturalized U.S. citizen, if she takes their offer, she could never set foot on U.S. soil ever again.
She politely declined their offer and was about to hang up when the voice on the other end said, "I understand. But please wait there for another phone call. I have a close U.S. friend that may be able to help. If he can't, I will call again and tell you I have failed to honor my promise of "lifetime assistance".
Before ending the call, Ms. Ichiban said, "Thank you for everything. You have kept your promise. You offered me help. It is not your fault that I won't accept it."
About 35 minutes later, she got a call.
Almost whispering, she said, "Hello?"
A friendly sounding male voice said, "Hello. I'm a friend of your friend in Tokyo. I think I can help you, miss. My name is Raymond Kohl"...
*The Security Detail - known as "The Pool" to its members and insiders, is an elite group of highly trained and fiercely loyal bodyguards, combat survival instructors and covert operatives - all under the guise of being an ordinary Executive Secretary.
[Submitted for your entertainment. Enjoy the Original Art.]
May you and yours be well and loving life today.
In Lak'ech, JaiChai
The "Codename: Ms. Ichiban" NFT on OpenSea:
Checkout my new house "Codename: Ms. Ichiban" on OpenSea:
May you and yours be well and loving life today.
In Lak'ech, JaiChai
[See more of my NFT collections on OpenSea: Dark Wing Valkyries II; Filipina Allure II; THE SECURITY DETAIL, Latina Allure; Empyrean Beauty II; Dark Wing Valkyries; La Silhouette Se Souvient; Filipina Allure; Empyrean Beauty; Viking Women Warriors; Proud, Strong and Beautiful; Exotic Allure; Assassin's Exotique; Orbiting Outliers; Quae Volant and Ancient Alien Digs]
