Tokyo was more alive than ever. Neon lights shone in the streets, reflecting off the skyscraper windows and blending with the endless flow of people going about their daily routines. Train tracks vibrated under the weight of speeding cars, while motorcycles and cars fought for space on the congested avenues.
Among the dirty alleys and narrow passageways, where society's spotlights didn't shine, something moved in the shadows. Something no one could notice.
Inside an old warehouse, hidden from the masses, a group of men worked tirelessly. Tools whirred, sparks flew through the air, engines were dismantled and reassembled. They were the underworld's mechanics—men who never asked questions, only delivered results—as long as the payment was right.
At the center of all this activity, Kaina Tsutsumi watched intently. Her sharp eyes studied every detail of the place, while beside her, Kei Uzuki remained impassive, hands in his pockets, as if detached from everything around him.
She broke the silence first.
"How did you find this place?" Kaina asked, crossing her arms and looking at a group of mechanics stripping down the stolen Tártaro vehicle, reducing it to loose parts within minutes.
Uzuki didn't look away as he replied:
"A guy mentioned it during one of our stops. Though I expected you to turn it down."
His response wasn't enthusiastic, but it carried a hidden weight. Uzuki trusted no one in that place, but he also saw no other choice.
A rough, indifferent voice from an older man interrupted their conversation:
"You're a special case."
They turned around and saw a man with a graying beard, worn-out clothes, and a cigarette hanging from his lips. Oliver, the owner of the workshop, was a veteran in the world of crime—someone who had survived long enough to build a discreet empire, far from the eyes of heroes.
He continued:
"You freed a lot of people who worked for me. And now, I have all my branches back. The folks here call you... 'The Prison Breaker.'"
Oliver let out a dry laugh.
"And because of that, I'll do this job for free."
Uzuki's gaze remained the same: calm, expressionless, almost analytical.
"I see," he said, emotionless. "I hope everyone is doing well."
Oliver raised an eyebrow, surprised by his words.
"Heh. You're kind for a man who's killed many."
It was a test.
Uzuki realized it immediately.
The old man was assessing his character, trying to understand what kind of man he was. A ruthless killer? A cold vigilante? A heartless psychopath?
But Uzuki didn't blink, nor did his expression change in the slightest.
He responded in a neutral, direct tone:
"Does it matter?"
Silence fell between them for a few seconds.
"Seriously," Uzuki continued. "People only care about those they have some connection with. Unfortunately for anyone in that prison, I had no connection with anyone."
The coldness in his words wasn't arrogance. It was a statement of reality.
Oliver smirked, taking another drag from his cigarette.
'Cold and calm…' he thought. 'Basically a top-tier villain. Not just some guy who thinks he can do anything. This one proves everything he does with his actions.'
Oliver studied Uzuki with a sharp gaze, his mind calculating possibilities. He had dealt with many criminals before, but Uzuki… he was different. Not just a mere pawn, not a lunatic craving destruction without purpose.
He was methodical. And, more importantly, he wasn't bound by the morality of an ordinary man.
"You know…" Oliver began, lighting another cigarette. "...if you really wanted to, you could build an empire in the underworld. You already have the reputation, the respect, and from what they say, a power that even makes heroes tremble."
Uzuki stared at him, his expression neutral as if the conversation was irrelevant.
"I'm not interested."
"Not now," Oliver corrected, exhaling a cloud of smoke. "But one day, you might need it. The entire country wants your head, kid. And when the time comes, it'll be better to have allies than to be alone."
Kaina watched the conversation without interfering. She was starting to understand how Uzuki operated. He wasn't someone who could be manipulated. But at the same time, she knew Oliver wasn't wrong.
The underworld was already shifting around the name of Kei Uzuki. Gangs were organizing, old leaders were reclaiming power, criminals were gathering like soldiers waiting for a general. Even if he didn't want it… chaos had already been sown.
"Keep an eye on the movements, then," Uzuki finally said, closing his eyes for a moment. "If there's anything relevant, let me know. But I don't lead anyone."
Oliver smirked.
"Of course… Prison Breaker."
Kaina stepped closer to Uzuki, keeping her voice low to ensure none of the mechanics could hear.
"We've been here too long. We need to move, and it's going to be harder without a vehicle."
Kei Uzuki's eyes narrowed slightly. He had already realized that staying in one place for too long increased the risks. With the government and heroes on high alert, any mistake could be fatal.
On the other side of the workshop, Oliver watched them, taking a drag from his cigarette with a subtle smile on his face. He saw what few others noticed.
'The kid is a natural conqueror,' he thought to himself. Not just romantically, but in the sense that people gravitated toward him—whether as allies or enemies.
Without a word, Oliver grabbed something from the counter and tossed it toward Uzuki. The object cut through the air swiftly, spinning at high speed.
Before it could even get close to touching the ground, Uzuki caught it mid-air with a fluid, precise movement.
His reflexes were impeccable.
That wasn't mere chance. His [Sixth Sense] trait ensured that he perceived the movement even before his eyes could fully register it.
"What's this?" Uzuki asked, examining the small card in his hand.
Oliver exhaled a puff of smoke before responding.
"The location of the Underworld Bank."
Uzuki raised an eyebrow.
"Underworld Bank?"
Oliver chuckled, shaking his head.
"Ah, kid, the normal banking system isn't for people like us. This bank is where the big players stash their wealth without having to worry about the government or heroes sticking their noses where they don't belong."
Oliver pointed at the card Uzuki was holding between his fingers.
"This isn't just a simple piece of plastic. Use my invitation card and open an account there. Once you're in the system, I'll be notified and transfer the money from the sale of the parts to you. It should take about a day."
Uzuki twirled the card between his fingers, examining it carefully. At first glance, it looked like an ordinary credit card. However, upon closer inspection, he noticed something different. A small symbol glowed on the surface, almost imperceptible to the untrained eye.
He narrowed his eyes.
'It's still in Tokyo… Looks like I need to hurry.'
Slipping the card into the inner pocket of his coat, Uzuki turned to Kaina, having already made his decision.
"Let's go."
Kaina nodded quickly, keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings.
As they walked toward the exit, Oliver watched them leave, his mind still reflecting on the possibilities that encounter could bring.
"That kid… He's going to change the game."
...
Uzuki and Kaina moved through the streets of Tokyo, staying away from crowded areas. As wanted criminals, avoiding large crowds was a necessity, not a choice.
Weaving through narrow alleys and dimly lit passageways, they navigated the city while remaining completely out of sight. They had planned this to minimize risks, and every shadow was a potential cover.
As they walked, Uzuki decided to check his system.
==========================
You have 4 achievements!
==========================
Uzuki frowned.
'Achievements?'
He didn't remember anything like this being mentioned before. Curious, he opened the notification.
==========================
You escaped from Tartarus once!Reward: 1 Gold-Rank Ticket and Title: Prison Breaker.
You met the Heroine Lady Nagant!Reward: 1 Random Ticket.
You became a public target!Reward: 1 Silver-Rank Ticket.
You became Infamous!Reward: 1 Diamond-Rank Ticket.
==========================
Uzuki stopped for a moment, processing the information.
'…Ah, that makes sense. I've done quite a lot in a short time, huh?'
Being recognized by the system as "Infamous" was something he had already expected. His face was plastered on every screen, newspaper, and social media platform. He had become a feared name.
His eyes fell on the Diamond-Rank reward.
That was an uncommon prize, something extremely rare. Uzuki felt a slight urge to use it right away, but he held back.
'If it's this rare, I can't waste it recklessly. Better to wait for the right moment.'
Deciding to start with something safer, he selected the Random Ticket.
==========================
Rolling…
A rare power!
|[Umbrakinesis]|
|Rarity: Rare|
Allows you to shape your own shadow and others around you for your own benefit. Hidden powers may be obtained by further exploring the shadows.
==========================
Uzuki's eyes gleamed briefly.
'Oh, this is good.'
Shadow manipulation wasn't just useful for combat; it was perfect for stealth. He could hide better, attack from unexpected angles, and explore new ways of movement.
A subtle smile formed on his lips.
'This will be very useful.'
Uzuki subtly raised his hand, feeling an almost instinctive connection to the darkness around him. With a mere thought, the shadows began to distort and move, like serpents slithering across the ground, climbing the walls, and filling any space that might expose them.
Every previously exposed corner was now cloaked in a dense, malleable blackness—a shroud of darkness that absorbed any trace of their presence. The streetlights seemed to be slowly devoured, rendering Uzuki and Kaina invisible to any prying eyes.
Kaina stopped for a moment, her eyes widening at the display.
She had seen incredible abilities before, but this was different. The shadows didn't just obey Uzuki; they seemed alive—flowing, stretching, bending, and merging to completely conceal their silhouettes.
"This is…" Kaina murmured, both fascinated and uneasy at the same time.
She turned her gaze to Uzuki, expecting to see him at least slightly surprised by her new power. But he didn't look the least bit impressed.
He has a lot of tricks up his sleeve.
Kaina took a deep breath, snapping back to reality and following Uzuki, who continued moving forward without hesitation. If he wasn't surprised, then she wouldn't show that she was either.
After a few minutes of stealthy walking, they reached their destination.
The Underworld Bank.
Or, to the rest of the world, the Central Bank of Tokyo.
The building was an imposing structure, with a modern and immaculate façade—a symbol of wealth and security for ordinary citizens. But for those who knew where to look, it was a financial sanctuary for Japan's worst criminals.
Uzuki approached the reception desk, keeping his hood low to cover part of his face. Without saying a word, he handed the receptionist the invitation card Oliver had given him.
The man behind the counter took the card and examined it for a second, his expression neutral. But the moment Uzuki lifted his face, revealing his piercing gaze, the receptionist's demeanor changed.
His eyes widened slightly before a subtle smile formed on his lips. He recognized that face.
The Prison Breaker.
The man nodded, needing no further confirmation. His hands moved swiftly over the keyboard, entering information into the system with precision and efficiency.
A few seconds later, he extended his hand and handed something to Uzuki.
A black card with silver details.
"Here is your card, sir. Welcome to the Underworld Bank, Prison Breaker."
Uzuki took the card with a small smile, slipping it into his pocket before turning around and disappearing once again, melting into the shadows as if he had never been there.
Courtesy of Umbrakinesis.
In the silence of a dark alley, Kaina crossed her arms, watching Uzuki with an assessing expression.
"That was fast," she remarked before narrowing her eyes. "And there's also this."
She was referring to the restless shadows around them, still shifting subtly, as if they had a will of their own.
Uzuki just let out a low chuckle.
"Hehehe."
The carefree sound made Kaina scoff, clearly irritated by his indifferent attitude.
"Tch."
She crossed her arms again, looking away. Uzuki's absolute confidence was irritating… but at the same time, fascinating.
Suddenly, as they walked through the dark alleys of Tokyo, the sharp sound of sirens cut through the silence of the night. Red and blue lights reflected off the concrete walls around them, and a police car screeched to a stop in front of the Underworld Bank.
Kaina took a deep breath, impatient, before clicking her tongue in frustration.
"Looks like someone ratted us out," she muttered, already turning to run.
Uzuki remained calm, quickly analyzing the situation. If the police were already there, going back to Oliver wasn't a viable option. They needed an immediate escape route.
"We can't go back to Oliver now," he stated, dashing into the street, his eyes searching for a solution.
That's when he saw the car.
[Image Here]
A cutting-edge technological model, clearly equipped with a powerful engine and an advanced structure. The idea formed in his mind within seconds, and before Kaina could ask what he was planning, Uzuki raised his hand.
A gravitational attractive force enveloped the vehicle, pulling it violently toward Uzuki. The driver, still inside, let out a cry of surprise as he was yanked from his seat and thrown out, landing on the asphalt amid protests and shouts of indignation from pedestrians who recorded everything on their phones.
Kaina's eyes widened at Uzuki's sequence of actions. In an instant, he had not only stolen a high-tech car but had also pulled her toward him with the same gravitational force.
"Agh!" she exclaimed as she was suddenly drawn into the vehicle, landing directly on Uzuki's lap.
"Now, goodbye license plate," Uzuki murmured, extending his hand once more.
A repelling force made the car's license plate detach and fly away, eliminating any chance of immediate tracking. Wasting no time, he turned his body, took control of the vehicle, and slammed his foot on the accelerator.
The tires screeched as the car shot backward in a risky maneuver, sparking against the asphalt as it sped away from the bank.
Bang!
The sound of gunshots echoed through the street. Kaina looked forward, seeing police officers drawing their weapons and firing at the vehicle. Bullets struck the body and windows, but the car seemed sturdy enough to withstand the impact.
Uzuki remained expressionless, continuing to reverse until he reached a side street.
With a precise yank of the handbrake, he jerked the steering wheel sharply, making the car slide in a perfect drift. As soon as the front aligned with the new escape route, Uzuki shifted gears and accelerated to the max.
The tires screeched against the asphalt, and the car shot down the street, leaving behind sirens and bullets cutting through the air.
Kaina glanced over Uzuki's shoulder, watching the police grow smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror. The sirens were still audible, but the distance between them was increasing rapidly.
Then, she shifted her gaze to Uzuki, who kept his serious, focused expression on the road.
"So... how are we escaping?" she asked, crossing her arms and trying to stay calm.
"Simple," Uzuki replied without hesitation.
Suddenly, he slammed on the brakes, turned the steering wheel sharply, and pulled the handbrake. The car skidded across the asphalt in a precise drift, sending up a cloud of tire smoke.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
The sound of gunshots came from above. Kaina's eyes widened as she saw the bullets hitting the asphalt around them.
"Damn it... they have a helicopter!" she exclaimed, looking up at the sky.
A police helicopter hovered over the buildings, its lights illuminating the car as snipers fired at them. The sound of machine-gun bursts echoed through the city, and the bullets ricocheted off buildings and asphalt, leaving impact marks everywhere.
Uzuki remained calm, gripping the wheel tightly as he made the car weave in a zigzag pattern, skillfully dodging the gunfire.
"We need to get them off our tail as fast as possible," he declared, his eyes locked on the road ahead.
Without hesitation, he shifted into second gear and floored the accelerator.
The engine roared powerfully, and the car shot down the avenue at high speed. The exhaust rumbled through the city as Uzuki maneuvered through the narrow streets, trying to shake off the police and find an escape route before the helicopter could completely box them in.