Order Arc

Sakamoto faces organized crime syndicates and special assassins hired to eliminate him, while his son Shiro discovers secrets about his father's past.

The Order represents the legitimate, hierarchically organized assassination industry that once employed Sakamoto at its highest levels, operating as a structured business entity rather than anarchic violence. This arc reveals the complex bureaucratic structure underlying professional killing, where contracts are negotiated through official channels, assassins are ranked by ability tier, and an entire economy surrounds contract killing with established protocols and regulations. Sakamoto occupied the apex hierarchy at the legendary tier where his mere acceptance of a contract constituted automatic death sentence for any target, regardless of their defenses or power. His sudden retirement created a significant power vacuum and left many wondering whether he would ever return to active service, making his name valuable currency in underworld circles despite apparent retirement. The introduction of Nagumo Ryuuichi as the arc's primary antagonist provides a window into assassination world perceptions of Sakamoto and his legendary reputation. Nagumo, though an accomplished killer in his own right with significant achievements and victories, defines his entire existence around challenging Sakamoto and proving his own superiority. This obsession stems from neither jealousy nor revenge, but pure professional respect taken to its extreme. Nagumo represents a younger generation of assassins who know Sakamoto only through legend and reputation, never having witnessed him fight in direct confrontation. The arc explores how myths and legends function within professional communities, illustrating how the absence of evidence of Sakamoto's abilities becomes evidence itself that they must be supernatural. The Order's hierarchy introduces various assassins operating under the organization's umbrella, each attempting to establish their position within established ranks and advance their careers. These interactions reveal assassination contracts' business-like nature, where negotiations occur in boardrooms and middlemen arrange client-operative meetings. The Order maintains strict protocols governing when and where violence is permitted, treating assassination as a regulated profession with rules rather than anarchic chaos. This corporate structure, with its own politics and internal conflicts, creates ironic contrast with visceral violence occurring whenever contracts are fulfilled or disputes arise. Sakamoto's re-emergence into this world occurs not through choice but through his identity being compromised and verified. People realize he remains alive, still living in Urawa, still within reach of those with motivation and resources. This knowledge alone becomes dangerous, as the assassination community cannot ignore their most legendary operator's continued existence who retired undefeated. The conflict between Sakamoto's peaceful life and his violent legacy becomes impossible to ignore when the Order itself takes interest in his current status and location. Whether the Order wants recruiting him, confirming death rumors, or eliminating him as a loose end remains unclear, creating mounting tension throughout the arc. The arc demonstrates Sakamoto's continued dominance despite years away from active assassination work. His skills have not diminished; years in a convenience store have sharpened his instincts and tactical thinking in unexpected ways. When conflict arises, Sakamoto's movements carry efficiency born from absolute confidence and lifetime experience. His fights against various Order operatives showcase the vast gulf separating legendary tier assassins from talented mortal professionals. Yet Sakamoto derives no satisfaction from victories, viewing each confrontation as an unwanted domestic complication rather than legend validation. The arc culminates in Sakamoto realizing he cannot maintain indefinite separation between his two worlds without consequences. His family's safety becomes the primary concern, driving more forceful action than he otherwise prefers. Nagumo's persistent pursuit, while showing respect rather than malice, forces Sakamoto to decide whether continuing purely defensive status quo or taking active measures to protect his family's future. The Order arc establishes Sakamoto's peace as increasingly precarious, marking a turning point in his psychology from denial to grim pragmatism about his future. Nagumo's character represents the professional killer who sees assassination as calling rather than mere employment. His unwavering respect for Sakamoto despite losing repeatedly suggests that the assassination community contains genuine honor codes and professional standards governing interactions. Nagumo's eventual willingness to temporarily ally with Sakamoto demonstrates that even adversarial relationships can shift when circumstances change and mutual interests align. This characterization prevents the series from becoming purely cynical about human nature within violent professional communities. The Order's hierarchical structure introduces concept that assassination organizations maintain internal rankings, with higher tiers commanding exponentially greater respect and fear. The established rank system creates framework understanding power relationships and operative value within professional community. Sakamoto's legendary tier status explains both why his mere existence attracts attention and why directly challenging him carries such prestige weight. Lu Xiaotang's gunfighting expertise and mysterious background add dimension beyond Sakamoto's dominance. Her weapon specialization and willingness to employ firearms introduce alternative combat approaches contrasting with Sakamoto's environmental weaponization philosophy. Her connection to violent organizations and obvious professional training create mystery surrounding her actual origins and previous occupation. Her growing bond with Hana suggests that Sakamoto's circle will eventually include multiple capable defenders rather than him serving as sole protection source. The series explores how Sakamoto's legendary reputation functions as both asset and liability. His fame attracts professionals seeking to test themselves against him, but also makes him recognizable and vulnerable to targeted assassination efforts. The contradiction that his greatest strength (legendary skill and reputation) simultaneously creates his greatest danger becomes recurring theme driving multiple arcs forward. The arc demonstrates Sakamoto's continued dominance despite years removed from active assassination work, validating that his legendary status remains earned rather than mythologized. Nagumo's character represents the professional killer who sees assassination as calling rather than mere employment. His unwavering respect for Sakamoto despite losing repeatedly suggests that the assassination community contains genuine honor codes and professional standards governing interactions. Nagumo's eventual willingness to temporarily ally with Sakamoto demonstrates that even adversarial relationships can shift when circumstances change and mutual interests align. This characterization prevents the series from becoming purely cynical about human nature within violent professional communities. The Order's hierarchical structure introduces concept that assassination organizations maintain internal rankings, with higher tiers commanding exponentially greater respect and fear. The established rank system creates framework understanding power relationships and operative value within professional community. Sakamoto's legendary tier status explains both why his mere existence attracts attention and why directly challenging him carries such prestige weight. Lu Xiaotang's gunfighting expertise and mysterious background add dimension beyond Sakamoto's dominance. Her weapon specialization and willingness to employ firearms introduce alternative combat approaches contrasting with Sakamoto's environmental weaponization philosophy. Her connection to violent organizations and obvious professional training create mystery surrounding her actual origins and previous occupation. Her growing bond with Hana suggests that Sakamoto's circle will eventually include multiple capable defenders rather than him serving as sole protection source. The series explores how Sakamoto's legendary reputation functions as both asset and liability. His fame attracts professionals seeking to test themselves against him, but also makes him recognizable and vulnerable to targeted assassination efforts. The contradiction that his greatest strength (legendary skill and reputation) simultaneously creates his greatest danger becomes recurring theme driving multiple arcs forward. The arc demonstrates Sakamoto's continued dominance despite years removed from active assassination work, validating that his legendary status remains earned rather than mythologized.