"Aren't you sure this was the guy who took down the boss?" a tattooed man whispered, his voice laced with skepticism.
" Were you even there, dumbass?" another man shot back, his eyes fixed on the figure in question.
"He's so different from back then... it's like he's two completely different people," a third man chimed in, his brow furrowed in confusion.
The group of tattooed men stood with their hands clasped behind their backs, their eyes fixed intently on Shinsei. He was laughing and playing with a black-haired girl, completely carefree. The stark contrast between his current demeanor and his reputation as a formidable fighter had clearly left the men bewildered.
Although Shinsei naturally had a carefree manner, the way he played with the kid was far too childish than what he had shown them.
"Ruyo," Shinsei suddenly called out to one of the tattooed men, who immediately walked forward and bowed. "Yes, boss!"
"Where's Kaito" Shinsei questioned, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"He's currently settling a matter between our gang and the Kurokaze, a nearby gang," Ruyo replied, his eyes locked on Shinsei's
. "They've been making aggressive moves into our territory, and Kaito is meeting with their leader to negotiate a truce."
Upon hearing this, Shinsei's brows raised in question. "What happened?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of concern.
Ruyo hesitated for a moment before responding, "It started a few days ago, when some of our members from the Ryūjin-kai reported being jumped and beaten up by the Kurokaze."
Shinsei's expression turned thoughtful, his eyes narrowing as he processed the information. "And Kaito's meeting with the Kurokaze's leader now?" he asked, his voice low and even.
Ruyo nodded. "Yes, boss. He's trying to negotiate a peaceful resolution, but...to be honest, we're not sure what kind of vibe the Kurokaze is giving off. They're a new gang in town, and we don't know much about them."
Shinsei's gaze drifted back to the black-haired girl, who was now watching him with wide, curious eyes. He smiled faintly, then turned back to Ruyo. "I think it's time I paid the Kurokaze a visit," he said, his voice dripping with a hint of menace.
"But, boss, aren't you supposed to start at J High today?" Ruyo questioned nervously, which made Shinsei pause.
"Ah, that's right...but family comes first," Shinsei said with a hint of a smile, before adding, "or should I say, business?"
Ruyo's expression faltered, and he looked disheartened, which only made Shinsei chuckle. As they walked outside the mansion, Shinsei turned to the men at the door with a playful glint in his eye.
"Keep Crystal happy, got it? If I hear even a whisper of a complaint from her - and that includes you not giving her piggyback rides - I'll rip your throats out. Hear me?"
Despite the calm and playful tone, Shinsei's words sent a shiver down the spines of the tattooed men, who nodded hastily in unison.
Getting the confirmation he wanted, Shinsei walked towards the car parked in front of the house. "Please..." Ruyo mumbled, opening the back door for Shinsei before entering the front seat.
Soon, they arrived at the designated meeting spot, where Kaito and the leader of the Kurokaze were supposed to have their meeting. It was a rundown, abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town, its crumbling facade a testament to years of neglect.
Shinsei's eyes scanned the area, his gaze lingering on the black SUVs parked nearby, their tinted windows reflecting the pale morning light. He could sense the air of tension, the weight of unseen eyes watching from the shadows.
Shinsei, escorted by Ruyo, entered the warehouse, the creaking of the rusty door echoing through the dimly lit space. As they stepped inside, Shinsei's eyes adjusted to the faint light, and he saw Kaito standing tall, his back against the wall, his eyes fixed intently on the figure across from him.
The leader of the Kurokaze, a towering man with a menacing scar above his left eyebrow, sneered at Kaito, his voice dripping with malice. "You think you can just waltz in here and demand respect? You're nothing but a punk, Kaito."
Shinsei's gaze swept the room, taking in the scattered crates and boxes, the rusty machinery, and the half-dozen Kurokaze members standing guard, their eyes flashing with hostility. Ruyo subtly shifted his position, his hand resting on the knife sheathed at his waist, ready for a fight.
"Oh? What do we have here?" Shinsei joked, drawing the attention of the Kurokaze and Kaito, who stood alongside some of his gang members. Kaito's eyes widened in surprise. "Boss, what are you doing here? I thought you were starting at J High today?"
Shinsei smirked. "I decided to make a special introduction to the great Kurokaze boss I've heard so much about."
The Kurokaze boss snorted, his face reddening with anger. "Watch your tongue, kid!"
Shinsei chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement, as he strolled further into the warehouse, Ruyo following closely behind. "Oh, I'm just making the rounds, introducing myself to the local... entrepreneurs," Shinsei said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
The Kurokaze boss took a step forward, his massive frame looming over Shinsei. "You think you're funny, kid? Well, let me tell you something. You're not as special as you think you are. You're just a rich brat playing gangster."
Shinsei's grin never wavered, but his eyes flashed with a hint of anger. "Rich brat?" he repeated, his voice low and even. "I've earned everything I have, unlike some people who rely on intimidation and violence."
Kaito's eyes darted nervously between Shinsei and the Kurokaze boss, sensing the tension escalating. "Boss, maybe we should—"
But Shinsei waved him off, his focus fixed on the Kurokaze boss. "No, no, let's hear more about what our friend here has to say. I'm fascinated."
"That's it!" the large man bellowed, sending a meaty fist hurtling toward Shinsei, who dodged with an almost imperceptible blur. "That's so low, attacking a 'rich brat' without a heads up~" Shinsei said, his smile a razor-sharp taunt.
The Kurokaze leader's face purpled with rage. "You punk!" he roared, unleashing a flurry of wild swings that Shinsei evaded with ease, his movements almost dance-like as he continued to goad his attacker.
The Kurokaze leader's face turned beet red with rage as Shinsei dodged and weaved around his clumsy blows. "You think you're quick, huh? You think you can take me down?" he bellowed, swinging wildly.
Shinsei chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "You're not even close," he said, sidestepping a particularly vicious hook. "I'm starting to get bored. Want to try something new?"
The Kurokaze leader snarled, spittle flying from his lips. "You're going down, you little—"
But before he could finish, Shinsei landed a lightning-fast jab to his nose, sending him stumbling backward. The sound of crunching cartilage filled the air, followed by the Kurokaze leader's pained roar.