Eichi was exhausted. His lack of sleep was catching up to him, and after a long few hours of thinking, his body finally gave in. He slumped over onto the table, his head resting on his arm, the map still sprawled out in front of him. His finger, almost as if by instinct, traced a path across the paper as he drifted into a light sleep.
Meanwhile, Kazuna was following orders. Eichi had asked him to keep an eye on Sakimura, to ensure that things didn't go rushing headlong into chaos.
Kazuna found Sakimura quickly, who was already preparing for action.
"We need to be careful, Sakimura," Kazuna cautioned, his voice low but firm. "Eichi gave no clear orders, just a suggestion. We can't act without thinking."
Sakimura, eager to follow through, nodded without much hesitation. "Understood," he muttered. "But we must be swift."
They both left to gather the needed information.
Hours later, they returned to Eichi's room. They knocked, but when there was no response, they pushed the door open cautiously. The sight they found caught them both off guard.
Eichi was still slumped on the table, his finger still pointing at the map. His finger was resting on Tsukiji and Ginza, lines drawn between them, with text scrawled in a hurried hand: Don't draw attention to Bakurocho.
Sakimura's eyes widened in understanding. "So this is it… The plan." He leaned closer to Kazuna, lowering his voice. "Attack Tsukiji and Ginza first to force the Unuodera Clan to focus on those areas. Then we can move on Bakurocho. It's genius. Divert their attention, weaken them, and then strike."
Kazuna, still a bit confused but trusting in Sakimura's confidence, nodded. "Yes, it makes perfect sense. He's leaving Bakurocho as the final move. We'll hit the other districts first and cause chaos."
The two of them stood there, pleased with the apparent brilliance of the plan. They were unaware that the lines Eichi had drawn and the words he had written were merely his exhausted, half-conscious attempt at making a note to himself—his way of reassuring himself not to be too hasty.
Eichi had just wanted to avoid attention from the Unuodera Clan on Bakurocho in the moment—not strategize an all-out offensive.
he scene shifts to a dimly lit office in the heart of the Arata Clan's stronghold. Keisei, the clan leader, sits behind a large wooden desk, his eyes focused on the papers in front of him. His loyal servant, a quiet but imposing figure, stands nearby, awaiting his next command. The door to the office creaks as someone knocks.
"Enter," Keisei's voice is calm but firm, filled with authority.
The door opens slowly, revealing a tall man with sharp features and a composed demeanor. His name is Ryuunosuke, and he is Keisei's most trusted servant, a man known for his loyalty and unshakable resolve. As he steps forward, he bows respectfully.
"You called for me, Master?" Ryuunosuke asks, his voice smooth but tinged with anticipation.
Keisei leans back in his chair, eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, Ryuunosuke. We need to discuss something important."
Keisei's gaze sharpened as he leaned forward, his voice low and deliberate. "I want you to keep a close eye on my son, Eichi," he said, his tone carrying a mix of concern and cold calculation. "I know he may seem confident, but I suspect he might act too rashly. His actions could easily put us at risk. I need you to know every move he makes, and everything about the people around him. Just observe, do not interfere unless absolutely necessary."
Ryuunosuke bowed deeply, his expression unwavering as he took in the weight of Keisei's request. "Understood, Master. I will ensure we are always informed about his actions and those who are with him. You can rely on me."
Keisei nodded, his eyes distant as he continued, "Good. I trust you to handle this with discretion. We can't afford any mistakes."
With that, Ryuunosuke turned and exited the room, the heavy responsibility weighing on him as he set off to begin his task. Keisei, however, remained seated, lost in thought. He knew that if his son was to succeed, he had to be sure of his every step.
The scene shifted to two men standing near a serene lake, the calm waters reflecting the clear sky above. The peaceful atmosphere contrasted sharply with the tension brewing between the two figures. Their faces remained obscured in shadows, hidden from view, but their voices were thick with unease.
"What the master said in the meeting is dangerous. He might put us all in harm's way," one of the men murmured, his voice filled with doubt. "How did Master Keisei accept his actions so easily? It's reckless."
Before he could finish, the second man, faster than expected, grabbed the first man's neck with a swift and deadly motion. The force of the grip lifted the first man off the ground, his feet dangling as he struggled for breath.
"Say anything against Master Keisei again," the second man growled, his voice low and threatening. "And I'll kill you without hesitation."
The first man gasped, barely managing to speak. "I-I didn't mean it like that... I just…"
But the second man's grip only tightened, his fingers pressing harder into the neck. "Are you provoking me?" he hissed, his tone laced with menace.
The first man, struggling against the grip, reached up, his hands trembling as he tried to pry the fingers off his neck. He squeezed the second man's wrist with all his strength, but the pressure didn't relent. His vision blurred as he fought to stay conscious.
Finally, the second man released his hold, shoving the first man roughly to the ground. The first man collapsed, gasping for air, clutching his throat as the cold lake water rippled nearby, oblivious to the danger that had just unfolded.
The second man stood over him, his cold eyes locked onto the first man's desperate face. "Speak again, and you won't live to see tomorrow."
The first man grimaced, his body trembling as he slowly got to his knees. The second man didn't spare him another glance, turning away, the sound of his boots crunching on the gravel the only noise that broke the silence.
"Don't forget your place," the second man muttered, his voice quiet yet dangerous. "Master Keisei's word is law. No one questions it."
The first man remained on the ground, his breath shaky, as the cool breeze from the lake brushed over him, leaving him with a sense of helplessness in the face of the power around him.
The first man, Masaki Hozumi, who controlled Kiyosumi Shirakawa, coughed violently as he struggled to catch his breath, his throat aching from the iron grip that had nearly crushed it. His vision was still hazy, but the overwhelming presence before him was unmistakable.
The second man, Riku Abeno, the one who had strangled him, stood tall with an unwavering expression. As the one who controlled Toyosu, Riku was known for his brutal efficiency and unwavering loyalty to Master Keisei. His reputation for handling dissent was infamous, and Masaki had just felt it firsthand.
Masaki wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, glaring up at Riku with barely contained resentment. "I wasn't questioning Master Keisei," he muttered, his voice hoarse. "I only meant that this situation is dangerous for all of us."
Riku narrowed his eyes. "And yet you doubted his decision," he said coldly. "That alone is enough to make me wonder where your loyalties lie."
Masaki clenched his fists but said nothing. He knew better than to challenge Riku outright. Instead, he cast his gaze toward the lake, its tranquil surface a cruel contrast to the tension between them.
Riku exhaled sharply, turning on his heel. "Be careful with your words, Masaki," he warned. "The wrong ones could be your last."
With that, he walked away, his footsteps fading into the distance, leaving Masaki alone by the lake—his mind racing with thoughts of what would come next.
Masaki Hozumi rubbed his sore neck, still feeling the phantom grip of Riku's hand. His breath was steady now, but his mind was anything but calm. Tch… that brute. Always so quick to violence.
Just as he was gathering himself, a messenger approached swiftly, bowing deeply before handing them a sealed letter bearing Keisei's insignia.
Riku Abeno took it first, breaking the seal and unfolding the letter. His sharp eyes scanned the contents, his expression unreadable. After a few moments, he handed it to Masaki without a word.
Masaki took the letter hesitantly and read it. His eyes widened.
Keisei's order was clear—both he and Riku were to move under Eichi's command. Each of them would lead three hundred men, and together, they would march on Bakurocho.
Silence hung between them. The lake's gentle ripples were the only sound.
Masaki clicked his tongue. "So, we're supposed to follow that kid?" His voice was low, careful, but the irritation was evident.
Riku crossed his arms. "Master Keisei's decision is absolute."
Masaki exhaled through his nose. "You say that, but don't you think it's reckless? That kid—he's not a warrior. He's—"
"A monster," Riku interrupted, his tone as cold as the evening breeze.
Masaki paused, caught off guard. "...What?"
Riku looked out at the water, his jaw tightening. "That child played everyone in that meeting. You saw how calm he was, how easily he declared war. And now this? If Master Keisei put us under his command, it means he sees something in him that we don't."
Masaki scoffed. "Or maybe he's testing him."
Riku turned his head slightly, a smirk barely forming at the corner of his lips. "Then let's see how this test plays out."
Both men stood there for a moment longer, the tension between them lingering like the ripples on the lake's surface. Without another word, they turned and walked away, each heading toward their respective territories.
They had their orders, but the time of the attack had yet to be chosen by the Arata Clan.
For now, all they could do was prepare.
Masaki clenched his fists as he strode toward Kiyosumi Shirakawa, already running through strategies in his mind. His three hundred men were disciplined and skilled, but how would they fare under Eichi's command? Would they be used wisely—or wasted in some reckless assault?
Riku, meanwhile, moved toward Toyosu with a different thought process. He wasn't concerned about Eichi's ability—he was concerned about what the young master was truly planning. That kind of mind… was dangerous.
Both men would be ready. But when the time came, would Eichi be?