It was 1:30 AM.
Canghai Road, in the south of Toyaru City.
This secluded road, connecting the port and the urban area, was as silent as a ghost town at this hour.
Thick dark clouds completely obscured the already dim moonlight; only an occasional glimmer piercing through the cloud gaps and the half-dead streetlights along the road added a touch of eerie atmosphere to the darkness.
A massive container truck was driving steadily on this deserted road.
Inside the cab, smoke billowed, and the choking smell of cheap tobacco mixed with body odor was almost suffocating.
The driver, a burly fat man named Ono, was skillfully maneuvering the steering wheel while boasting about his glorious past to his companion in the passenger seat.
"Kenta, I'm telling you, back in the day when I was on the streets, I was a big shot! With my driving skills, I've helped so many big brothers run errands and never once failed!"
He exhaled a thick smoke ring, and the smoke instantly covered the entire windshield.
In the passenger seat, the equally thuggish guy named Kenta immediately flashed a fawning smile, fanning away the smoke with his hand as he flattered, "That's right! That's right! Who doesn't know your reputation, Big Brother!"
He paused, then rubbed his hands and asked in a lewd tone, "Big Brother, after we deliver this cargo, the girl Kageyama Big Brother promised..."
"Don't worry!" Ono laughed heartily, his jowls scrunching together. "After we deliver this cargo, I'll take you to 'Paradise on Earth' for a good time! I heard the new girl named Lily has top-notch skills, and her waist... tsk tsk tsk, she could drain your soul dry!"
"Really, Big Brother?!" Kenta's eyes instantly lit up. He swallowed, feeling a surge of lust in his lower abdomen. "Then tonight, you have to let me have some fun! Damn it, constantly following Kageyama Big Brother and being on edge, my bird is almost going bad!"
"Don't worry! Kageyama Big Brother said that if this cargo is delivered safely, we'll each get 500,000! Enough for us to have fun for half a month!"
"Hahahahaha!"
The two of them, in the cramped cab, brazenly fantasized about the upcoming good life filled with money and women.
They were completely unaware that in the shadows of a corner not far ahead, several cold pairs of eyes had already marked them as lambs to the slaughter...
The truck rounded a bend, and its dazzling headlights instantly tore through the darkness ahead.
Immediately after, Ono's brows furrowed into a knot.
Less than a hundred meters ahead, in the middle of the road, a dilapidated van, looking as if it could fall apart at any moment, was parked sideways. Its hood was open, emitting wisps of white smoke, clearly broken down.
Beside the van, three students, dressed in cheap school uniforms and looking even poorer than him, were gathered around the broken vehicle, anxiously tinkering with something.
"Damn it! Are you blind?! Are you looking for death?!"
Ono didn't even think, he just slammed on the horn!
"Beep—! Beep beep beep—!"
The ear-piercing honking, like a clap of thunder, instantly shattered the tranquility of the night!
However, the three students seemed not to hear it, still slowly tinkering with the broken van.
"A bunch of poor students, driving a broken car and daring to be on the road, get out of the way now!"
Kenta also stuck his head out, yelling and cursing at the top of his lungs.
But it was still useless.
Ono's patience was completely exhausted.
He fiercely threw his cigarette butt out the window, then unbuckled his seatbelt, pushed open the door, and angrily jumped out!
"Damn it, you don't appreciate kindness, do you?!"
Seeing this, Kenta immediately followed him out of the car. The two, one on the left and one on the right, strode menacingly towards the broken-down van.
They were ready to give these few ignorant poor students a vivid lesson in social practice...
Beside the van.
Tokaji Yuji looked at the two burly men with scarred faces walking towards them, then at his two 'companions' beside him, who were bowing their heads, looking timid and cowardly like quails. He couldn't help but feel speechless again.
Damn, is the boss's acting a bit too exaggerated?
He thought to himself.
Serizawa, on the other hand, was even more direct; he didn't even bother to act. He just lowered his head, idly drawing circles on the ground with his toe, muttering something under his breath, as if complaining.
Just then, Ryuzaki Shin moved.
He saw the two burly men who had already approached. His face immediately broke into a humble yet slightly fawning smile. He quickly stepped forward and bowed ninety degrees to the two men.
"Big Brother! Big Brother! I'm so sorry, our car broke down, and we're really troubled. Look at this..."
Ono looked at the young man in front of him, who was half a head taller than himself but as humble as a dog. The anger in his heart instantly dissipated by more than half, replaced by an extremely satisfying sense of superiority.
He didn't even bother to curse anymore, just impatiently waved his hand and pushed Ryuzaki Shin away.
"Stop your damn nonsense! I don't care if you're broken down or not! Quickly push your car to the side of the road, or if you delay my business, I'll break your legs!"
Ryuzaki Shin stumbled from the push, but there was no anger on his face; instead, he smiled even more humbly.
He pulled out a crumpled pack of Seven Stars cigarettes from his pocket, drew one out, and offered it with both hands.
"Big Brother, calm down, here, have a cigarette."
"We're just unlucky too... Oh, Big Brother, are you still on the road so late? Looking at this truck, it must be delivering goods from the port, right? You must be working hard."
Ryuzaki Shin asked this question to be sure, to ensure he hadn't mistaken the vehicle.
He hadn't seen the license plate number at the warehouse earlier.
If he had known this was Red Scorpion's smuggling vehicle, Ryuzaki Shin wouldn't have wasted words here.
The words "the port" acted like a switch, instantly triggering the sensitive nerves of Ono and Kenta!
Both of their expressions changed simultaneously!
Kenta reacted even faster; he slapped the cigarette out of Ryuzaki Shin's hand, his eyes instantly becoming wary and fierce!
"Why the hell are you asking so many questions?! Who are you?!"
As he spoke, he instinctively reached for his lower back.
A switchblade for self-defense was hidden there!
Ryuzaki Shin saw this reaction and sneered.
His expression turned cold, and he gestured to Serizawa.
Serizawa and Tokaji, who had been keeping their heads down, moved!
They moved without any warning, one on the left and one on the right, swift as lightning!
Serizawa's target was Kenta, who was about to pull out his knife!
He didn't even use any fancy moves, just a simple, incredibly fierce uppercut!
The punch, carrying the force of tearing through the air, like a cannonball leaving its barrel, landed squarely on Kenta's jaw!
"Bang!"
A dull, extremely loud thud!
Kenta flew backward like a kite with a broken string!
He traced a graceful arc in the air, without even a chance to let out a scream, and crashed heavily onto the ground three or four meters away, instantly passing out!
On the other side, Tokaji Yuji's movements were even more decisive and efficient!
Instead of clashing head-on like Serizawa, he lunged forward in an instant, before Ono could even react, closing in on his body!
Immediately after, one of his hands firmly locked onto Ono's wrist, which was preparing to throw a punch, and then he twisted it sharply backward!
"Crack!"
A crisp sound of bone breaking, exceptionally jarring in the silent night!
"Ah—!"
Ono let out a scream, his entire right arm instantly losing all strength!
Just as he bent over in excruciating pain, Tokaji Yuji's other foot, like a venomous snake striking, fiercely kicked him in the back of his knee!
"Thud!"
Another muffled thud!
Ono's legs buckled, and he directly fell to his knees with a "plop"!
Ryuzaki Shin nodded in satisfaction.
The smile on his face instantly vanished, replaced by an extreme cold indifference.
He slowly walked in front of the still dazed Ono, then slowly squatted down and gently tapped his face, which was already contorted with fear and pain, with his foot.
"Get lost."
His voice was as flat as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
"I'm taking this cargo..."
The truck's headlights remained on, shining directly on Ryuzaki Shin's calm yet cold face.
Kenta lay on the cold asphalt, feeling as if his jaw had been struck hard by a sledgehammer. His entire head buzzed, and his mouth was filled with the taste of blood.
He struggled, trying to get up from the ground, but his body felt like it had fallen apart, completely unresponsive.
Damn it!
Where did this monster come from?!
Just these few kids who haven't even fully grown?
Are they crazy?!
Kenta's heart was filled with shock and disbelief.
He and his Big Brother, Ono, although not top-tier enforcers in Red Scorpion, were at least seasoned veterans who had been on the streets for many years.
Fighting was like a daily routine for them.
But today, they were easily taken down by three seemingly harmless students in a single encounter?!
Who the hell would believe that if it got out?!
"You... do you damn well know whose goods these are?! These are Big Brother Kageyama's goods from Red Scorpion! If you dare touch them, you're going against the entire Red Scorpion! You're looking for death!"
Kenta struggled to get up from the ground. He knew that at this moment, he absolutely couldn't back down!
He roared, putting on a brave front, trying to use the names "Red Scorpion" and "Kageyama" to intimidate these ignorant guys in front of him.
When Serizawa heard the words "Red Scorpion," a flicker of disdain instantly crossed his eyes, which were already a little red from excitement.
It was something he already knew, did it need to be stated multiple times?!
He was just about to step forward and use his large, iron-fisted punch to give this stubborn guy a vivid physics lesson.
But Tokaji Yuji, who was beside him, stopped him.
Tokaji slowly shook his head at him, then turned his gaze to the man who hadn't spoken a word the entire time.
He knew that here, only one person truly called the shots.
Ryuzaki Shin ignored Kenta's barking, which was like that of a defeated dog.
He simply slowly pulled out his slightly crumpled pack of Seven Stars cigarettes from his pocket, took one out, and put it in his mouth.
Only then did he turn his gaze to the bewildered Ono.
However, just at that moment!
Kenta, who had been lying on the ground playing dead, saw Ryuzaki Shin's face illuminated by the truck's headlights, and his already cloudy eyes suddenly narrowed!
Immediately after, the fear and anger on his face quickly receded at an extremely strange speed!
It was replaced by an indescribable, twisted expression mixed with shock, ecstasy, and madness!
"Haha! Hahahahaha!"
He pointed at Ryuzaki Shin, bursting into a hysterical laugh like a madman!
"I remember now! You're that kid from Suzuran! Your name is... Ryuzaki Shin, right?! Damn it, you had a path to heaven but didn't take it, and you barged into hell where there was no gate! Our boss was just worried about not finding you, and you damn well delivered yourself to our doorstep!!!"
"You can take these goods, hahaha, let's see how many days you can live, haha!"
Serizawa and Tokaji were both stunned when they heard this.
They looked at the suddenly deranged Kenta, then at the calm Ryuzaki Shin, and both instinctively frowned.
Is this guy... brain-damaged from the beating?
His brain is truly stupid. Doesn't he know the biggest taboo in robbery is being recognized?
Can't you have a little more cunning, you bastard?
Then they both simultaneously thought of Ryuzaki Shin's ruthless methods and shivered.
However, the moment Ryuzaki Shin heard the other party recognize him, his eyes became bone-chillingly cold.
He knew there was trouble.
These two people couldn't be left alive.
Once they were allowed to return alive and report, Red Scorpion's main force would soon come knocking.
The True Dragon Society had just been established, its personnel were not organized, and it hadn't yet formed a structured system.
Now was not the time to go to full-scale war with a local snake like Red Scorpion, which had been entrenched for many years.
More importantly, he needed time to consolidate Inokari's and Onizuka's territories and establish his own funding sources.
This would take at least several days, and it might not even be enough.
Moreover, Inokari's and Onizuka's territories were originally within Red Scorpion's territory.
Given a little time, Red Scorpion would know that he was the one who took over these two men's territories.
However.
Judging by the tone of these two drivers, Red Scorpion had other matters to attend to recently and couldn't spare the effort to deal with him.
This also gave him a little breathing room.
Any variable that could disrupt his plan had to be eliminated.
It seemed... there would be blood tonight.
Ryuzaki Shin said no more. He simply stood up slowly, glanced at Kenta, who was still laughing wildly, and the bewildered Ono.
Then, he lightly gestured with his chin towards the dark patch of woods by the roadside to Serizawa and Tokaji beside him.
The two instantly understood.
They exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of solemnity in the other's eyes.
They knew that tonight, someone else would have to go... The two no longer hesitated. Each took one, dragging the still cursing Ono and Kenta like dead dogs towards the bottomless darkness.
The small grove beside Canghai Road, where moonlight was fragmented by dense branches and leaves, cast mottled and eerie shadows on the ground.
A cold air, mixed with the smell of damp earth and blood, permeated the atmosphere.
"Bang!"
"Ugh ah—!"
Serizawa Tamao delivered a powerful, heavy whip kick squarely to the lower leg of the driver named Kenta, the crisp sound of bone cracking exceptionally jarring in the silent night.
Kenta let out an inhuman shriek, his entire body collapsing limply to the ground like a sack with its tendons severed, convulsing violently and completely losing the ability to resist.
"Damn, this guy can really take a beating."
Serizawa spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, his face, already bruised from yesterday's big fight, now filled with savagery and excitement.
On the other side, Tokaji Yuji had already beaten the fat driver named Ono half to death.
He stepped on Ono's face, which was already swollen like a pig's head, grinding it down with each press, cursing all the while:
"Damn it, with your pathetic demeanor, you dare to challenge our boss? Next life, remember to open your eyes wider when you reincarnate!"
Although Serizawa and Tokaji were fighting with gusto, they felt a bit strange.
Where was the boss?
They subconsciously looked back, only to find that Ryuzaki Shin had not participated in the one-sided beating.
He simply stood quietly in the shadows of the grove, hands in his pockets, observing everything with an extremely calm, even indifferent, gaze.
It didn't feel like he was watching a fierce fight.
It was more like... appreciating a boring play.
Actually.
Ryuzaki Shin was thinking about how to maximize the value of these two people.
Now that his power was just taking shape, every step had to be carefully considered.
Simply killing the two of them felt somewhat lacking.
Just then, Ryuzaki Shin felt the pistol he had taken from Sato.
His mind stirred, and he took the gun into his hand, playing with it for a couple of seconds.
Serizawa's heart tightened for no reason.
Just as he was about to ask, Ryuzaki Shin moved.
He slowly emerged from the shadows.
He didn't look at the two useless men groaning on the ground.
He just calmly, leisurely, aimed the gun at Kenta, who had just struggled to get up from the ground, his face etched with terror and disbelief.
Kenta trembled all over as he looked at the dark muzzle of the gun.
Damn it!
How did this little lunatic get a gun?
That wasn't important; what was terrifying was that this guy looked like he was going to kill them to silence them.
He stumbled and knelt on the ground, crying and wailing with snot and tears:
"B-Boss! I was wrong! I was really wrong! Please... please let me go!"
However, Ryuzaki Shin seemed not to have heard him.
He just slowly pulled the trigger.
"Bang!"
A dull gunshot, piercingly loud in the dead of night.
The flash of light instantly illuminated his cold, emotionless face, and also cast a pale glow on Serizawa and Tokaji's faces, which were filled with shock.
Kenta's body stiffened abruptly.
A small, still smoking bullet hole appeared on his forehead.
His eyes were filled with disbelief.
Then, as if all strength had been drained from him, he slowly fell backward.
"Thud!"
A dull thud, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Ryuzaki Shin didn't hesitate; he slowly moved the gun to Ono, who was already completely terrified.
Ono looked at the bloody scene before him, smelling the strong scent of gunpowder and blood in the air, and felt his bladder tighten, a warm liquid instantly soaking his crotch.
He looked at the figure like a demon god, and with all his strength, let out a hysterical scream filled with fear and despair!
"Ah—!!!"
"Bang!"
Another gunshot.
The world fell completely silent.
Serizawa and Tokaji stared blankly at the two lifeless bodies before them, watching the warm blood slowly flowing out from beneath them.
Their minds were blank.
They felt as if they... had experienced an extremely real nightmare.
Having seen a dead person during the day, and then witnessing a shooting at night.
Just today's experiences were already more exciting than all their previous ones combined.
Just then, Ryuzaki Shin slowly turned around.
He casually wiped the still-smoking pistol on his pants, then re-holstered it at his lower back.
As if those two shots just now had merely crushed two insignificant ants.
He looked at the two completely stunned guys, pursed his lips, and said in an extremely calm tone:
"Hey, why are you still standing there?"
"Time to get to work."
...Half an hour later.
Ryuzaki Shin, Serizawa, and Tokaji were back in the minivan parked by the roadside.
Inside the car, there was still a deathly silence.
Serizawa and Tokaji sat stiffly in the back, like two soulless statues, unmoving.
Their faces still bore traces of undried rain, and... the blood splattered from the two dead men.
Their minds kept replaying the bloody and cruel scene they had just witnessed.
And they couldn't understand.
They had initially thought Ryuzaki Shin would ask them to take the bodies away and dispose of them in a secluded place.
But Ryuzaki Shin had said to just leave the bodies where they were; it would be good if they were discovered.
Even Tokaji couldn't figure it out for a while.
Just then.
Ryuzaki Shin's voice rang out again, breaking the oppressive silence.
"Tokaji."
Tokaji's body trembled violently, and he instinctively looked up, his eyes filled with awe as he gazed at Ryuzaki Shin.
"Boss..."
His voice was hoarse and dry.
Ryuzaki Shin ignored the change in his tone; he knew these two were scared.
Following him meant having this kind of awareness; they would just adapt to it over time.
Ryuzaki Shin looked at their inexperienced expressions, smiled, and then, in an extremely calm tone, began to issue orders.
"Nakamura, you lead the way, take the back roads, avoid all surveillance."
"Kobayashi, you, get in the truck, and follow closely."
Tokaji had brought three subordinates tonight, and Kobayashi was one of them, also a skilled driver.
Throughout the entire process, these three subordinates hadn't lifted a finger, staying motionless in the minivan.
They were also breaking out in cold sweat now, having heard the gunshots, and all knew what had happened.
Ryuzaki Shin didn't care if these few people would keep quiet; he had seen the home addresses of these three subordinates, and they were all in Toyaru City, heh heh, they couldn't run.
Then he looked at Serizawa.
"Serizawa, drive this car straight back to Suzuran, and park it in the gym.
"Can you spray paint? Tomorrow, find someone to repaint this car inside and out, change its appearance, remove the license plate, and just put on a random one for now."
Serizawa nodded heavily and replied in a deep voice: "Yes! Boss!"
"Alright."
Ryuzaki Shin clapped his hands, and then, in an extremely relaxed tone, said:
"Go home tonight, and get some rest early."
"Tomorrow, there are... more important things to do."
The minivan in front, the truck behind.
The two vehicles silently drove into the darkness, leaving those two bodies and their former "innocence" forever in this night...
Early morning, five thirty.
The sky was not yet fully bright, and a thin, cool mist shrouded Canghai Road on the southern outskirts of Toyaru City like a specter.
The air was filled with a unique scent of damp earth and decaying plants, and the occasional chirping of unknown insects from afar added a touch of eeriness to this silence.
A small car that looked fairly new was parked quietly by the roadside, incongruous with the surrounding desolate scenery.
The car windows were tightly closed, with a layer of fine water droplets condensed on them, blurring the view inside.
"Takeo... will anyone really come here...? I... I'm a little scared..."
Inside the car, a young girl named Miki was nervously clutching the corner of the man beside her, her voice carrying a hint of barely concealed trembling.
Yamaguchi Takeo, sitting in the driver's seat, revealed an extremely confident, yet somewhat lewd smile upon hearing this.
He turned his head, looking at his girlfriend beside him, who, while not exactly a beauty, had an exceptionally hot figure.
Damn!
This is the third time!
If this doesn't fucking work again, I... I'll become a monk!
Takeo swore fiercely in his heart.
He put his arm around Miki's soft waist, pulling her closer to him.
Then, in a tone that he thought was very gentle, but was actually sickeningly greasy, he comforted her:
"Don't worry, baby! You can't even see a ghost on this broken road! Absolutely safe!"
As he spoke, he impatiently began to unbutton Miki's clothes.
"Don't... not in the car..." Miki's face was as red as a ripe apple. She pushed Takeo's chest, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum, "Go... go to the woods over there..."
Miki was actually a little scared. The last time she and Takeo were getting into it, a motorcycle suddenly crashed through the windshield.
Suddenly a head popped in, who wouldn't be traumatized.
Fortunately, she hadn't taken off her top, and her bottom was completely blocked by Takeo, so nothing was seen, otherwise she would have wanted to die.
"Hehe heh..."
Hearing this, the smile on Takeo's face became even more lascivious.
He knew that although Miki said no, her body was very honest.
The two pushed open the car door and walked into the dark grove, still damp with morning dew.
The forest in the early morning was unusually quiet, with only the "rustling" sound of feet stepping on the moist fallen leaves.
Miki followed behind Takeo, her heart pounding. She always felt that there were countless eyes staring at her in this forest, making her feel uneasy all over.
She subconsciously hugged her arms, and couldn't help but look around, vigilantly observing her surroundings.
But Takeo, walking in front, didn't notice her abnormality at all.
Right now, he only had one thought in his mind—
Restore his manhood!
He found a tree that looked quite sturdy, and then, with a sudden turn, he directly pressed Miki, who was behind him, against the cold tree trunk.
"Takeo..."
Miki was startled by his sudden movement. Just as she was about to say something, her warm lips were rudely blocked.
Takeo could even be said to be somewhat rough.
But at this moment, in this environment full of unknowns and excitement, Miki's heartbeat uncontrollably accelerated.
Her body gradually softened.
Takeo felt the change in the body in his arms, and felt a burst of pride in his heart.
He knew that the time was almost right.
Here it comes!
That's the feeling!
I, Yamaguchi Takeo, will let you know what a real man is today!
He roared wildly in his heart, and the movements of his hands became bolder and more presumptuous.
He lifted Miki's skirt in one fell swoop.
"Takeo... don't..."
Miki's voice had a hint of weeping, but it sounded more like coquetry.
Her heart was both nervous and excited, and there was also a hint of... unspeakable anticipation.
However, just as Takeo was about to take the last step and completely regain his lost male dignity.
Miki in his arms suddenly pushed him away!
"Wait!"
Damn!
Again?!
Takeo's brain buzzed, and the fighting spirit that he had finally mustered up was instantly half-drained!
He looked at the girl in his arms who was looking around vigilantly, and the anger in his heart could no longer be suppressed!
He roared in an almost roaring voice:
"What's wrong again?! Are you fucking sick?! I've already taken off my pants, and you're telling me to wait?!"
Miki was startled by his sudden roar. She pointed to the bushes not far away that were taller than a person, her voice carrying a hint of uncertainty and fear.
"There... there... there seems to be someone..."
Takeo followed the direction she pointed, and saw that the bushes were gently swaying in the breeze, but there was nothing else.
"Someone? Someone my ass!"
Takeo was completely angry. He thought that another pervert with no eyes was peeping.
He cursed and pulled up his pants, picked up a stone the size of a brick from the roadside, and smashed it hard at the bushes!
"I fuck your mother! Which son of a bitch dares to ruin my good deed? Get the hell out of here!"
The stone smashed into the bushes with a "poof", making only a muffled sound, but there was no reaction inside, not even a groan of pain.
"Huh?"
Takeo's brows instantly furrowed into a knot.
Something's not right!
This is too quiet!
He cursed and walked forward, pushed aside the wet bushes, and prepared to drag out the "peeping tom" and beat him up.
However, when he saw the scene in the bushes clearly, the anger on his face instantly solidified, replaced by endless horror.
In the bushes, there were two men lying prone.
They were not peeping, but were facing down, motionless.
Summoning his courage, Takeo kicked one of them with his foot, but there was no response.
He swallowed, and with trembling hands, turned the man over.
A face distorted by extreme horror came into view, and in the center of his forehead, a bullet hole that was still oozing black blood, like the entrance to hell, stared at him intently.
Takeo and Miki looked at those unblinking eyes, their minds blank.
A few seconds later, two screams, even more shrill and desperate than before, pierced the night sky.
"Ah—murder—!!!"
Noon, Inokari's casino, now the temporary headquarters of the True Dragon Society.
Outside the window, the hustle and bustle of Toyaru City, the honking of cars and the chatter of pedestrians, faintly drifted in.
Inside the office, however, there was a strange atmosphere, a mix of grimness and exhilaration.
The room had been cleaned overnight and looked brand new; the bloodstains and mess on the floor were gone.
Inokari's broken boss's desk had been thrown out and replaced with a simple, efficient solid wood office desk.
In the corner, a brand new large-screen TV silently broadcasted the midday news, with the female anchor's face sporting a professional, sweet smile.
"Boss!"
Ryuzaki Shin yawned and slowly walked out of the inner lounge; he had made do there for the night.
Seeing him come out, Izaki Shun and the others, who had been busy in the office, immediately stood up straight, bowing respectfully to him.
Their voices were uniform and full of reverence.
Ryuzaki Shin waved his hand casually, indicating they didn't need to be so formal, then plopped down onto the large boss's chair, propping his feet directly on the desk, stretching in a very lazy posture.
"What is it? Speak."
Izaki Shun stepped forward, his face, which usually held a hint of playfulness, was now filled with excitement and agitation.
He respectfully placed a handwritten list in front of Ryuzaki Shin.
"Boss, the inventory was completed overnight last night."
"After raiding Onizuka's establishments, we collected a total of over 53 million in cash."
"Adding what we got from Inokari's place, and after deducting last night's expenses and rewards for the brothers, the True Dragon Society's current available funds total 92 million Japanese Yen!"
Ninety-two million!
Hearing this number, even Izaki Shun couldn't help but breathe a little heavier.
He had never seen 90 million in cash in his life, let alone 9 million!
And now, after only a few days of following Ryuzaki Shin!
The True Dragon Society had acquired so much wealth, giving him even more expectations for the future.
Ryuzaki Shin listened to the number, but his face showed no ripples.
Ninety million?
Is that a lot?
This is just the beginning.
He casually tossed the list onto the table, then turned his gaze to Izaki Shun, asking in a very calm tone:
"Izaki, have you thought about how to use this money?"
Izaki Shun was clearly well-prepared; he pushed up his glasses, a shrewd glint in his eyes, and said in a deep voice:
"Boss, my idea is to proceed steadily."
"Although we have taken over Onizuka's and Inokari's territories, the Red Scorpion's influence in Karasumachi is still deeply entrenched."
"So, I suggest we first use this money to reorganize these two men's establishments, continue operating loan sharking and casinos, and use war to sustain war."
"Then, we will gradually encroach upon other forces in Karasumachi, and once we have a firm foothold, we can consider other matters."
Izaki Shun's plan could be said to be quite stable and seasoned, and it was also the most suitable solution for their current situation.
However, after Ryuzaki Shin finished listening, he first nodded.
The overall direction was correct; they indeed needed to encroach upon Karasumachi.
But it couldn't be that slow; they had to quickly uproot them.
Because the True Dragon Society didn't have much time left; it wouldn't be long before they knew everything Ryuzaki Shin had done.
Moreover, the methods Izaki mentioned were different from what Ryuzaki Shin had in mind.
So Ryuzaki Shin slowly shook his head.
"No."
He took his feet off the table, leaned forward slightly, and in his deep eyes, a chilling light flickered.
"The scope is too small."
At these words, everyone present was stunned.
Izaki Shun even subconsciously asked: "Then... what does Boss mean?"
Ryuzaki Shin smiled.
He looked at the cadres in front of him, who, though capable fighters, still had their horizons limited to the "delinquent youth" level, and knew it was time to give them a good lesson.
"Loan sharking? Casinos?"
He sneered, his tone full of disdain.
"These kinds of unsavory things are fine for playing around, but to think of getting big and strong relying on them? What a joke."
"What we need to do is not to fight over scraps with those rats hiding in the sewers, but to become... the rule-makers!"
What Ryuzaki Shin had in mind was this:
From his experience in his previous life, he understood that eventually, those in the underworld had to move into the legitimate world; staying hidden in the dark would lead to trouble sooner or later.
So from the very beginning, businesses operating in the open had to be legitimate.
He had no intention of touching loan sharking, something that could be used against them.
And who said legitimate lending made less money than loan sharking? Haha, do you think banks make less money?
There are so many unfinished buildings, and they still collect debts.
Ryuzaki Shin stood up, walked to the office window, and looked down at the bustling street below, slowly saying in a tone full of ambition and grandeur:
"From today onwards, the True Dragon Society will engage in legitimate business on the front stage!"
"I'm going to establish a company, called — 'Shinryu Credit' !"
"You know, many of those who borrow from loan sharks are gambling addicts, and the bad debt rate is too high."
"We won't do loan sharking; our interest rates will only be slightly higher than banks, specializing in short-term loans for individuals who urgently need money but cannot get loans from banks."
"We won't engage in violent debt collection; all our sales representatives will wear suits and ties!"
"We want all our clients to know that we are a professional financial company, not those street thugs who only know how to fight!"
"We will use the most professional service and the lowest interest rates to snatch all the underground money lending business in Karasumachi!"
Upon hearing this, Izaki Shun's eyes instantly lit up!
He felt as if a lightning bolt had struck his mind, and a door to a new world was slowly opening before him!
He trembled with excitement, his voice a little shaky:
"Boss... do you mean... to unify the underworld through commercial means?!"
"Precisely."
Ryuzaki Shin turned around, looking at Izaki Shun's face, which was filled with shock and fanaticism, and nodded with satisfaction.
As expected of a strategist, he understood with just a hint.
His smile became even more sinister.
"Those guys certainly won't stand by and watch us take their livelihoods."
"They will definitely use the methods they are most familiar with to deal with us."
"And all we need to do is... 'legitimately defend ourselves' when they make a move."
"And then, legitimately, turn their territories, their money, all of it... into our own!"
"..."
Silence!
A deathly silence!
In the entire office, you could hear a pin drop!
Everyone was completely stunned by Ryuzaki Shin's words!
They looked at the man standing by the window, overlooking everything like a monarch, and felt their scalps tingle!
Too ruthless!
This is just too damn ruthless!
This is an open conspiracy!
This is a dimensionality reduction attack!
It's an all-encompassing crushing blow delivered with a mindset from another dimension, something they couldn't possibly comprehend!
Izaki Shun looked at Ryuzaki Shin, his eyes, hidden behind his glasses, filled with unparalleled fanaticism and adoration!
Just as everyone was still immersed in the shock brought by Ryuzaki Shin's grand blueprint, unable to extricate themselves.
From the TV in the corner, which had been silently broadcasting the news, the anchorwoman's clear and articulate voice suddenly broke the silence.
"We interrupt this program for a breaking news update."
"Police in Toyaru City discovered two unidentified male bodies early this morning near Canghai Road in the south of the city."
"They are suspected to be port transport workers."
"The deceased had multiple blunt force trauma injuries."
"According to preliminary police assessment, this case is highly likely to be related to the city's underworld forces, and the investigation is currently ongoing..."
"..."
The atmosphere in the office instantly dropped to freezing point.
Izaki Shun's pupils suddenly constricted; he subconsciously looked at Ryuzaki Shin, his eyes full of shock and suspicion.
He knew Ryuzaki Shin had gone to the port after finishing his business last night, but he didn't know what he did specifically.
However, he suspected this matter was related to Ryuzaki Shin... A huge shadow quietly loomed over the nascent True Dragon Society...
The office was dead silent.
On the TV, the female anchor was still reporting the murder case in her sweet yet emotionless voice.
Izaki Shun felt his back was completely soaked in cold sweat.
He waved for his still-stunned subordinates to leave, then quickly walked over to Ryuzaki Shin, lowering his voice, a hint of unconcealed anxiety in his tone:
"Boss, the police are involved now, this matter... it might be difficult to handle."
He paused, then added in an even lower voice:
"Should we... go out and avoid the limelight for a bit?"
Ryuzaki Shin didn't answer immediately; he just slowly raised his hand and extinguished the burnt-out cigarette in his ashtray.
Then, he slowly lifted his head, his deep eyes showing no ripple.
He merely glanced at Izaki Shun, his gaze as calm as a bottomless cold pool, yet it inexplicably made Izaki Shun's heart pound.
"What are you panicking about?"
Ryuzaki Shin's voice was still so flat, devoid of any emotion.
"The sky won't fall."
He pondered to himself.
This news actually sounded quite interesting.
They only mentioned that the two people were beaten, not mentioning gunshot wounds.
It certainly wasn't that the police didn't know both died from gunshots.
That meant it was deliberately concealed, which was pretty much what he expected.
Sakura Country's gun control was quite strict.
And the police must have also discovered that the bullets were from a police gun.
This was a huge deal; the investigators must be thinking either a police officer committed the crime, but that was too unlikely—what police officer would be so foolish as to kill with his service weapon?
Then the most likely scenario was that the police gun was lost.
This was no small matter.
So, the news report deliberately concealed it.
His plan could proceed to the next step.
However, there was no need to explain it in such detail to his subordinates.
The fewer people who knew, the more secure it was; these people, after all, weren't trusted confidantes, so it was important to be wary of others.
Thinking of this.
Ryuzaki Shin no longer paid attention to the still-nervous Izaki Shun, but simply called out casually towards the door:
"Chuta, come in."
The door opened, and Tamura Chuta walked in with a serious expression; he first bowed respectfully to Ryuzaki Shin, then stood at attention like a spear.
Ryuzaki Shin looked at him and asked in an extremely flat tone:
"Chuta, how are the things I asked you to handle last night?"
Upon hearing this, Chuta instantly straightened his back!
He thought the Boss was testing his competence!
A proud smile appeared on his face, and he patted his chest, confidently and boastfully declaring:
"Boss, don't worry! When I handle things, it's absolutely reliable!"
"Yesterday, I found two iron barrels and sealed the two people in cement."
"But it was too late, so I'll throw them into the sea tonight."
"Those two iron barrels are currently in my rented room! I've covered them tightly with three layers of waterproof cloth; not even a fly could get in! Absolutely safe!"
"..."
Silence!
Dead silence!
Izaki Shun almost spat out a mouthful of old blood when he heard Chuta's words!
They looked at Chuta's face, which was practically screaming "Praise me!", and felt their minds completely crash at that moment!
Damn it!
Iron barrels?
Room?!
You... you actually moved two corpses back to your home?!
Ryuzaki Shin was also silent after hearing this.
He looked at Chuta for a full ten seconds before cursing with a wry smile:
"Damn it... you really are a piece of work!"
"Did you sleep with two corpses last night?"
Chuta was stunned by the sudden question; he scratched his head and, with an innocent look, nodded matter-of-factly:
"Yeah! Boss, is there a problem?"
He paused, then added, a hint of pride on his face:
"I even made sure to sleep with the windows closed, so no smell would get out."
"..."
Izaki Shun had completely given up on speaking.
He looked at this guy with a bizarre thought process, and only one thought roared in his mind:
Damn, your psychological resilience is insane.
I never realized you were so twisted before!
However, just as Izaki was still shocked by Chuta's bizarre actions.
Ryuzaki Shin smiled.
His smile was incredibly bright.
Chuta, not bad... He slowly rose from the executive chair and walked to the large, hand-drawn map.
His finger gently traced the map, finally stopping at the "Karasumachi" area.
An extremely sinister smile appeared on his face.
Then, he turned around, looked at the two men in front of him, and began to give orders.
"Izaki."
"Here! Boss!"
"Now, immediately, find a few of your most trusted brothers and go investigate Karasumachi; Red Scorpion has an executive named 'Kageyama.' I want to know all his information, including his address, activity areas, and even... how many mistresses he has, before this afternoon."
Upon hearing this, Izaki Shun's eyes instantly gleamed!
He knew that the Boss was about to fight back!
"Yes, Boss!"
Then, Ryuzaki Shin thought for a moment and continued.
"Izaki, go handle the company's procedures today."
"You don't have much experience in this area, Xiao Yu should be fine with it; if you can't do it, just hand all the tasks over to him."
"Then, tell the brothers to all put on suits and ties, damn it!"
"This afternoon, I want the entire Karasumachi to be covered with Shinryu Credit flyers!"
After Ryuzaki Shin finished speaking.
He turned his head and looked at the still-stunned Tamura Chuta, smiling as he said:
"Chuta, you kid, don't just stand there."
"Come on, accompany me to do one last thing."
Chuta was startled and subconsciously asked, "Boss... where are we... going?"
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the bustling streetscape outside the window, a very gentle smile on his face.
In his mind, Uehara Asuka's gentle, charming, and slightly shy face involuntarily appeared.
"To buy a house."
"Preferably a two-story villa. Do you know where there are any?"
Yes, he also needed to arrange a place for himself.
Being homeless, he was too shabby as a boss.
What was he doing all this for? It was still to live a comfortable and enjoyable life.
But now, house prices in Sakura were ridiculously high.
Fortunately, it was mainly the rooms in the Tokyo area that were insanely expensive.
Although Toyaru wasn't cheap, it was within his affordability.
A two-story villa, with his current funds, wouldn't cause significant financial strain or affect Shinryu Credit's cash flow.
Nor would it be too shabby; it was just right.
Besides, hadn't the smuggled goods stolen last night not been sold yet?
That was also a large sum of money.
Serizawa and Tokaji should be at the school dealing with that truck, the shipping would be tomorrow, he supposed.
When Chuta heard the words "buy a house," he was first stunned, then a knowing smile appeared on his already honest face.
He nodded heavily and patted his chest, assuring:
"Don't worry, Boss! This matter, leave it to me!"
"I know a place that just opened recently; the environment is good, security is in place, and most importantly... it has strong privacy!"
"I'll take you there right now!"
Ryuzaki Shin looked at his winking expression, smiled, and said no more.
He knew that Chuta, sometimes, was exceptionally shrewd.
He took Chuta and strode out of the office.
The image of that foolish woman, Uehara, appeared in his mind.
He murmured to himself:
"This woman... it's time to bring her back."
"Otherwise, sleeping alone at night is too cold..."
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Just a quick note, all live-action adaptations of the Crows series will appear, but they will definitely be interspersed within the plot.
You should be able to tell that I am carefully designing every plot point.
The characters and plots you envision from the series will all appear in some form.
It's just not time yet; you can understand it as one world, where only a part of it is the Crows series.
Also, some readers suggested adding Japanese dramas like Kakegurui, which I also find very interesting and am considering. If you have any ideas, feel free to leave a comment.