Riko stretched, a worried expression on her face. "Brother Yuwen seems to be coming to the dojo less often lately."
Tanaka, who knew the inside story, immediately puffed out his scrawny chest, his voice filled with a proud sense of shared honor, yet he instinctively lowered it as if afraid to disturb something.
"Brother Yuwen… he's implementing both the Full-Time Student Faction and the "fixed-time system" at Suzuran..."
He gesticulated wildly, explaining with a touch of exaggeration how Yuwen had used his immense strength to suppress the two factions, bringing about a superficial peace and reducing large-scale conflicts. He had, in effect, become Suzuran's de facto "mediator" and "uncrowned king."
Kyoko's eyes lit up as she listened, waving her small fists. "Sugoi! Senior Yuwen is truly amazing!" (meaning "So amazing!")
Akemi folded her arms, looking like a seasoned gang leader who "knew it all along." "Hmph, as expected of the man I favor."
Even Mitsuhashi and Ito, who were making small moves to trip each other, paused for a moment.
Mitsuhashi, with his golden curly hair, had an exaggerated expression. "Oh~? That guy is actually doing such troublesome things? That's a surprise!"
Ito nodded solemnly. "Hmm, reducing fights is a good thing."
Just then, Riko seemed to remember something and turned to Mitsuhashi and Ito, her tone becoming somewhat heavy.
"By the way, Mitsuhashi-kun, Ito. I heard that when Sagawa went to the neighboring town a few days ago, he was beaten by some thugs there..."
"It seems they hit him particularly hard," she added, her face filled with concern. "He still hasn't woken up."
"What did you say!?" Mitsuhashi's playful smile vanished instantly, his face darkening.
Ito stood up abruptly, his expression icy. "Unforgivable!" He then turned and started to walk out.
Mitsuhashi quickly grabbed him. "Hey! Wait! Ito! Where are you going!"
Ito didn't look back, his voice stiff. "Do I even need to say? To beat that guy to a pulp!"
"Calm down, you idiot!" Mitsuhashi yelled. "Right now, we don't even know who hit Sagawa, so we can't find anyone to get revenge on!"
Riko quickly nodded. "Yes, Mitsuhashi-kun is right. Tomorrow, on our day off, let's go visit Sagawa at the hospital first."
Mitsuhashi finally released Ito, putting his hands on his hips. Although the smile was gone from his face, he had at least returned to normal.
"That's right! Anyway, let's go wake Sagawa up... no, wait until he wakes up and ask him clearly who the hell did it first!"
Kyoko also leaned in, her eyes dangerous. "Exactly! Once we find out, we'll go settle the score together!"
Akemi nodded vigorously from the side.
Yuwen, in the corner of the dojo, vaguely heard the commotion and sighed softly.
Trouble, it seemed, would never cease.
He tried to follow his master's method, taking a deep breath and slowly exhaling.
"One..."
---Divider---
The air was thick with dust and mold.
A man was tied up tightly with rough ropes, his mouth stuffed with a rag, only able to emit muffled groans, lying in a corner unable to move.
Akano impatiently kicked an empty can on the ground with the tip of his shoe, creating a clanging noise.
Iwata leaned against the peeling wall, occasionally pushing up his glasses, whose lens had cracked during a fight, his eyes gloomy.
The door was suddenly slammed open, and Goro rushed in excitedly, his face still bearing the bruises from his previous beating, but even more so, the thrill of finding his target.
"Found them, found them! Akano!" Goro panted, his voice nevertheless exultant.
Akano immediately looked up, a ruthless glint in his eyes. "Well, Goro?"
"I asked some of the weaklings around here," Goro grinned, a malicious smile on his face.
"Mitsuhashi and Ito, right? They're apparently quite famous around here, some kids with a bit of pull."
He paused, mimicking a frightened tone. "Just now, some guy I 'slightly' taught a lesson to was crying and wailing about 'not provoking them'... Haha, it's hilarious!"
Akano licked his lips, his expression twisted and expectant. "Not bad, little tyrants, huh..."
His voice suddenly became even more venomous. "And... that bastard who made us lose face completely? That kid!"
At the mention of Yuwen, twisted resentment and a deep sense of humiliation simultaneously appeared on Goro's and Iwata's faces, their wounds seemingly throbbing again.
Goro took a deep breath, his tone becoming somewhat complex, but not out of fear; rather, it was as if he were talking about an exciting prey.
"That guy... he's even more incredible. I heard he's the strongest thug at this school... much more terrifying than Mitsuhashi and Ito, according to rumors."
Although he said this, his eyes gleamed with a morbid excitement, showing no sign of backing down.
Akano tilted his head, his neck making a soft clicking sound, and a nearly deranged smile appeared on his face. "Doesn't it... feel super interesting?"
Iwata pushed up his broken glasses, his eyes narrowing behind the lenses, and he spoke in a tone that feigned worry but was actually full of provocation.
"Oh dear... the guys we're looking for, aren't they very, very difficult to deal with?"
As soon as he finished speaking.
A strange silence suddenly fell over the room.
Then—
"Pfft... Hahaha!"
"That's great, Iwata! What you just said was brilliant!" Akano burst into laughter, slapping Iwata on the shoulder.
"Hahahaha!" Goro also started cackling, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.
Akano stopped laughing, his eyes filled with a crazy desire for destruction.
"I've always wanted to make a big splash! To step on all those so-called 'legends' that make people tremble with fear around here, one by one! It'll be super interesting, won't it!"
He turned to A Yu, who had been sitting silently with little expression on his face.
"Thank you, A Yu, even though you were down for half a day, you indirectly prepared such an interesting activity for us! Hahahaha!"
Iwata and Goro also laughed heartily, their laughter echoing in the empty, dilapidated house, sounding particularly jarring.
"The strongest thug school in legend? What was it called? What was it called?"
"Suzuran! I think it's called Suzuran! It sounds like a garden, perfect for their graveyard! Hahaha!"
Akano suddenly stopped laughing, his face filled with bloodthirsty excitement, and he waved his hand. "Alright! We'll go together and—"
He made a throat-slitting gesture; although exaggerated, the meaning was clear.
The three were immersed in a morbid revelry, as if they could already see themselves trampling the strong underfoot.
A Yu showed no emotion on the surface, even forcing a slight tug at the corner of his mouth in cooperation, but his heart was cold inside: 'These guys... they're actually enjoying this..'
But he said nothing, just silently watched his three companions, whose minds were clouded by hatred and arrogance, a hint of detachment and wariness hidden deep in his eyes.
Kaiki Academy.
The atmosphere was oppressive.
Katagiri Satoshi's large frame sank into the old sofa, his arms crossed, his expression heavy.
Sagara Takeshi was slouched on a nearby chair, one leg crossed, a playful yet dangerous smile on his lips.
Around them, standing or sitting, were Kaiki's elite thugs.
A Kaiki member lay on the ground, his face bruised, screaming in pain.
Sagara Takeshi lightly nudged the man's leg with the tip of his shoe, his tone flippant yet cold: "Hey, hey, what's going on? Where did these stray dogs come from, daring to cause trouble on our Kaiki turf? What's their objective?"
Katagiri Satoshi's voice was deep and oppressive: "Who cares who they are. Anyone who dares to challenge Kaiki is asking for death."
He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the elite members present, "Go now, bring them to me!"
"Yes, Boss!" The elite members responded in unison, storming out in a furious stream.
Sagara Takeshi watched them leave, then stood up, stretched his wrists, a cruel excitement on his face:
"They dare to come here looking for trouble and fun... they must be tired of living. We should beat them until they're crippled and can't move anymore."
He said, glancing at Katagiri.
Katagiri's expression seemed to show a hint of hesitation.
Sagara Takeshi keenly caught this, walking over to Katagiri, his tone a mix of instigation and complaint: "Oh, it's all because our boss is worried about the cops and won't let us touch Mitsuhashi and Ito from Soft Leaf."
He spread his hands, making a helpless expression: "So, our brothers have been idle and bored lately, their bones are almost rusty, they're not very good at fighting anymore."
Katagiri looked up, his gaze sharp as he stared at Sagara: "What are you trying to say, Sagara?"
Sagara Takeshi met his gaze, his smile widening, full of provocation and anticipation:
"I'm saying... it's truly exciting, Tomoji. We finally have some decent fun, don't we?" After speaking, he chuckled twice, his hands in his pockets, and sauntered out with the main group.
Sagara Takeshi: 'You're so disappointing, Tomoji.'
Katagiri Satoshi watched Sagara Takeshi's retreating figure, his brows slightly furrowed, remaining silent.
Meanwhile, near a shopping street...
Akano, Goro, Iwata, and A Yu had changed into slightly more ordinary clothes and were casually strolling down the street like wild dogs patrolling their territory.
Soon, they noticed two seemingly not-so-bright thugs ahead—a tall, burly simpleton with a pompadour, and a short, timid follower.
Akano grinned, leading his companions straight over and blocking Imai's path.
"Hey, big guy," Akano pointed at Imai with his chin, "Do you know Mitsuhashi and Ito from Soft Leaf?"
Their plan was simple: first, deal with Mitsuhashi and Ito, who were supposedly easier targets, to make a name for themselves and establish their authority, and then go settle scores with Yuwen from Suzuran.
Imai and Tanigawa exchanged glances, and Imai gruffly replied: "Yeah, I know them! What do you want with them?" He puffed out his chest, looking like he "knew everything."
Akano pretended to be polite, saying: "If you know where they usually hang out, tell us." But his tone carried an undeniable compulsion.
Although Imai wasn't very bright, he sensed that these guys meant trouble.
He stepped forward, almost touching Akano, glaring: "I don't know! Go ask someone else!" With that, he waved to Tanigawa, "Let's go, Tanigawa!"
Watching Imai and Tanigawa's backs as they turned to leave, Akano, Goro, and Iwata exchanged glances, revealing playful yet cruel smiles.
Akano casually picked up a wooden stick from a nearby pile of junk, Goro grabbed an empty iron can, and Iwata unbuckled his belt.
"Hey! Pompadour!" Akano shouted.
Imai had just turned his head—
Whack! Bang!
The wooden stick and iron can simultaneously struck his head and body! Iwata's belt also lashed out!
"Bastards! You dare to ambush me!" Imai cried out in pain, instantly enraged, roaring and swinging his fists as he charged forward.
Although Imai was very strong, he fought purely with brute force, without any technique.
However, Akano, Goro, and Iwata worked together in perfect sync, using dirty tricks: Akano attracted attention from the front, Goro circled behind to kick the back of his knees, and Iwata used his belt to whip and distract, occasionally even delivering low blows.
Imai was screaming in pain, retreating step by step, his immense strength useless.
"Imai-san!" Tanigawa Yasuo, seeing the bad situation, was scared but still mustered the courage to rush forward to help.
Akano easily dodged Tanigawa's weak punch, then casually punched him in the stomach: "Here, good afternoon, little guy."
Tanigawa cried out, clutching his stomach and collapsing to his knees, losing his fighting ability.
"Tanigawa! You bastards!" Seeing his companion knocked down, Imai became even more furious, but two fists were no match for four hands, and he was soon knocked to the ground as well.
Akano stepped on Imai's chest with his foot, squatted down, and patted Imai's face: "Now you can tell me, can't you? Where exactly are Mitsuhashi and Ito hanging out?"
Although Imai was bruised and swollen, he was exceptionally stubborn, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva: "I'm not interested in those two annoying guys!"
As he said the word "ah," Imai suddenly lifted his head and violently slammed his forehead into Akano's forehead!
Even though those two guys were detestable, he couldn't tell these treacherous bastards!
"Bang!" A dull thud.
"Akano!" Goro and Iwata exclaimed in surprise.
Akano was thrown back by the impact, his forehead instantly red and swollen, even oozing a little blood.
He slowly lowered his head, touched his forehead, and seeing the blood on his fingertips, his eyes instantly became incredibly terrifying and crazed.
"Bastard..." Akano's voice trembled with extreme rage, "Even my old man... never hit me like that!!"
The next second, a storm of punches and kicks rained down on Imai.
"Will you talk or not! Will you talk or not! Huh?!" Akano wildly beat the defenseless Imai, laughing maniacally, as if possessed.
A Yu stood a little further away, looking at Akano, who was almost losing his mind, and the dying Imai on the ground, frowning.
He spoke up to warn: "Hey, Akano. If you keep hitting him, he'll pass out, and then we won't be able to find out where those two are."
But Akano was completely consumed by rage and didn't listen at all: "I don't care about that! I'll beat this pompadour bastard to death first! Hahaha!" The punches and kicks continued to fall like rain.
Imai's consciousness was already blurring, the intense pain in his body making him feel like his bones were about to shatter.
But his blurry vision caught sight of Tanigawa not far away, still struggling, crawling towards him little by little.
"I... Imai-san..." Tanigawa's voice was weak, tearful, and incredibly persistent, blood still trickling from the corner of his mouth, "Let... let him go..."
Seeing that his subordinate hadn't abandoned him even in this state and was still trying to protect him, a surge of warmth rushed through Imai's heart.
"Ta... Tanigawa..." Imai squeezed out the words from his throat. He used his last ounce of strength to suddenly hug Akano's leg, which was in the midst of its assault, holding on tightly, like iron tongs, trying to stop him from hurting Tanigawa further, "Run... run away! You idiot!"
Akano looked at the two guys at his feet, who were about to die but were still putting on a boring friendship act, his mad laughter twisting even more: "How touching!"
He kicked Imai's head hard again:
"Then I'll send you both on your way!"
You bunch of scumbags!"
Akano and his group heard the shout and turned to see Yuwen. Far from being afraid, their faces twisted with a mix of excitement and a morbid frenzy.
The distance still gave them courage.
Akano clutched his still throbbing abdomen, a twisted smile spreading across his face as he said excitedly, "Oh my, oh my~! Isn't this Suzuran's watchdog? Did he sniff us out and come chasing?"
Goro also turned around, his eyes, still lingering with fear yet full of malice, fixated on Yuwen. He licked his lips as if savoring a delicious taste: "Your woman must taste good... Next time, we'll take good 'care' of her, hehehe..."
Iwata pushed up his cracked glasses, his eyes behind the lenses gleaming with a cold light, though his voice carried a feigned, regretful mockery: "What a pity~ We couldn't completely dismantle those two wastes in front of you just now. Next time, we won't let you miss it."
A Yu, however, silently glanced at Yuwen, his expression complex, and quickly pulled his still-cursing companions: "Let's go!"
Only then did the group start to flee.
Yuwen listened to their vulgar insults, and the malevolent aura in his chest began to surge again. His eyes instantly turned terrifyingly cold, but he forcibly suppressed the urge to immediately chase and tear them apart.
The immediate priority was to check on Imai and Tanigawa.
He quickly ran to the two, crouching down: "Hey! Imai! Little guy! How are you two?"
Looking up again, Akano and his group had already disappeared into a distant alley, so he had to let it go for now.
Imai barely managed to lift his eyes, swollen into slits, and seeing it was Yuwen, he grunted: "It's... it's you... Those bastards..."
Tanigawa, meanwhile, sobbed: "Yu... Yuwen Senior..."
Just then, another anxious voice called out: "Imai! Tanigawa!"
Ito was seen running over with a serious expression. Seeing the miserable state of the two, his face instantly turned ashen, and his fists clenched, cracking: "Who did this?!"
Tanigawa saw Ito, and enduring the pain, he said disjointedly: "It... it was a few thugs from out of town... They... they were looking for Mitsuhashi and you, Ito..."
Yuwen was stunned. So Akano and his group's target was Mitsuhashi and Ito?
Hearing this, Ito's rage intensified, veins bulging on his forehead: "Looking for us? To hurt innocent people like this... Unforgivable!" He turned to give chase.
"Wait, Ito." Yuwen reached out to stop him.
Yuwen knew very well that although Ito was a strong fighter, his character was upright and fierce. Facing Akano's group with their unscrupulous, well-coordinated, and insidious fighting style, he could easily suffer, or even be severely injured like Imai.
"You stay here and take care of them. They're badly hurt." Yuwen's voice was calm yet dangerous. "Those rats, I'll deal with them."
Ito looked at Yuwen's calm yet slightly dangerous eyes, and then at his companions on the ground who needed help. Although extremely unwilling, he still gritted his teeth and nodded: "...I understand. But Yuwen Senior, when you find them, you must make them pay!"
"Don't worry." Yuwen replied curtly, turning and chasing in the direction Akano and his group had fled, his figure quickly disappearing into the alleyway.
His eyes once again turned cold.
On the other side, the four of Akano's group ran for a distance, and seeing no one chasing them, they slowed down, beginning to mock triumphantly.
"Hahaha! Did you see that guy's eyes just now? Like he wanted to eat us! So scary~" Akano mimicked Yuwen's cold expression, then burst into rampant laughter with his companions.
"Too bad, what good is being strong? He still had to watch us leave!" Iwata pushed up his glasses, saying proudly.
Goro rubbed his still throbbing eyes, adding venomously: "Hmph! Next time, I'll definitely catch him off guard and give him a real beating! And that woman..."
A Yu said nothing, only cautiously observing his surroundings.
Just then, they saw someone wearing Soft Leaf clothes, with an exaggerated golden perm, swaggering ahead.
Akano's eyes lit up, and he led his companions to surround him: "Hey, hey, hey, do you know Mitsuhashi and Ito~"
The golden-haired permed guy stopped and looked at the uninvited guests: "I'm Mitsuhashi!"
Akano revealed a twisted smile: "What good luck."
Before he finished speaking, Akano, Goro, and Iwata immediately displayed their well-coordinated and insidious teamwork, focusing on low blows and blind spots, with various groin kicks, sand throwing, and sneak attacks. Mitsuhashi was on the defensive, unable to retaliate, looking extremely disheveled.
The three seized the opportunity to knock Mitsuhashi to the ground.
Iwata and Goro lifted Mitsuhashi up, one on each side.
Mitsuhashi couldn't help but grit his teeth: 'Damn it, they're even more despicable than me!'
Akano walked triumphantly in front of Mitsuhashi and patted his face: "What's this~ Is this all there is to this place? So weak~" He laughed arrogantly:
"Then it seems that Suzuran guy is nothing special either! Once we're ready..."
Before he could finish, Mitsuhashi suddenly pushed Goro away with force, simultaneously landing a heavy, precise right hook squarely on Iwata's face!
"Poof!" Iwata was caught off guard, his glasses flew off, and he cried out in pain as he fell to the ground.
Akano looked at Mitsuhashi, surprised that he could still retaliate: "You… you're still able to throw a punch like that after being beaten so badly?"
Mitsuhashi panted, his face bruised, but his eyes turned fierce, completely abandoning his playful demeanor: "What a joke, you bastard!!"
He roared, "Just now… which bastard ambushed me from behind?! Come out!"
But his injuries were indeed severe; after speaking, he lost his balance and fell to one knee.
Akano smiled, raised his hand, and said in a tone that could infuriate anyone: "It was me, oh~" He walked over to Mitsuhashi, looking down at him.
"Oh? Why are you kneeling and waiting? Then I'll kick your face this time, oh~" With that, he aimed a kick at Mitsuhashi's face!
Mitsuhashi sharply leaned back, narrowly dodging the kick.
Just then, a loud shout came from the alley entrance: "Found them! It's them!"
A group of thugs wearing Kaiki special attack uniforms instantly swarmed in, blocking the alley entrance, all with hostile expressions.
The leading Kaiki thug glared fiercely at Akano and his group: "Today, our people received your 'care'! It's time to 'repay' you properly!"
Akano and his group, seeing the sudden appearance of a large number of Kaiki thugs, showed no fear. Instead, they revealed excited, twisted smiles.
"Oh dear, oh dear~ They've ganged up~"
"Uh oh~ Looks like we overdid it~"
"Run! Hahahahaha!"
They shouted in a mocking tone, then excitedly turned and fled to the other end of the alley, as if this were just another thrilling game.
"Don't let them escape! Chase them!" The Kaiki thugs roared and gave chase.
The alley was instantly left with only Mitsuhashi, panting heavily.
Mitsuhashi watched the farce, spitting out a mouthful of bloody saliva: "…A bunch of lunatics."
He struggled to his feet, brushed the dust off his clothes, and tried to straighten his back, pretending to be relaxed, as if he had just "warmed up and taught some kids a lesson." He whistled an off-key tune and swayed unsteadily towards home.
Just as he was nearing home, making sure no one was around and he was out of sight, he instantly broke character.
"Ow—!! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts so much!!!"
He suddenly collapsed on the roadside, rolling back and forth without any regard for his image, grimacing as he rubbed his back and lower waist, feeling as if all his bones were protesting.
"Those insidious bastards! They ambushed me! Aiming for the weak spots! Ahhh! It hurts so much!" He wailed in a low voice, tears almost streaming out, "I'm going to get them! I'm going to get them, ah! Ow—It hurts so much!!"
Just as he was immersed in self-pity and fantasies of revenge, a somewhat familiar voice came from above him, tinged with a hint of confusion.
"Mitsuhashi?"
The voice wasn't loud, but it struck Mitsuhashi like a bolt of lightning.
All his movements instantly froze, leaving him rigid on the spot.
This voice… it belonged to his lifelong rival (self-proclaimed) — Yuwen!
'No! Absolutely not! I can't lose face in front of this guy!' Mitsuhashi's heart screamed frantically, 'Body-kun! Hold on for me! My pride is more important than painkillers!'
With a speed and posture that surpassed human limits, he suddenly sprang up from the ground!
He moved so fast that he even stirred up a small gust of wind.
He flashed a brilliant smile, trying to appear nonchalant: "Yo! Isn't that Yuwen! What a coincidence! Taking a stroll? The weather's really nice today, huh!"
His tone was so casual it was as if someone else had been rolling on the ground and wailing just moments before.
Yuwen looked at him, a flicker of oddness in his eyes.
Mitsuhashi's clothes were still stained with grass and dust, his hair was a bit messy, and although he smiled brightly, the corner of his mouth seemed to twitch unnaturally.
"Hmm," Yuwen responded faintly. Seeing that he seemed fine, he nodded, "Good that you're alright. I'm leaving."
Seeing that Yuwen seemed to believe him and was about to leave, Mitsuhashi let out a sigh of relief, secretly congratulating himself on his acting skills.
He quickly bent down to pick up his school bag, which had fallen to the ground when he was rolling around.
The moment he bent down—
"Crack… creak, creak…"
A series of incredibly clear bone-grinding sounds and slight snaps emanated from his lower back.
The sounds were particularly jarring on the quiet road.
Yuwen's already-taken step paused. He turned his head, looking with confusion at Mitsuhashi, who remained in a bent-over, petrified posture.
"Mitsuhashi?" Yuwen's voice was questioning.
Mitsuhashi was completely frozen there, bent at the waist, not daring to lift his head, his mind in a tempest: 'I'm doomed, I'm doomed, I'm doomed! Exposed! Body-kun, you traitor! Failing me at the crucial moment!'
He could only maintain this awkward posture, raising one hand and waving it haphazardly in Yuwen's direction, his voice muffled from below, feigning composure: "N-nothing! Really! Just… just stretching my muscles! You should go quickly! Don't mind me! Really!"
Yuwen didn't move. He simply stood with his arms crossed, watching him at his leisure.
His gaze was calm, but it made Mitsuhashi feel immense pressure.
Mitsuhashi maintained his bent-over posture, continuing to wave, his tone even showing a hint of urgency: "Go on! What are you looking at! Haven't you seen a handsome guy doing stretches before? Go, go, go!"
Yuwen raised an eyebrow. Not only did he not leave, but he took a small step forward, seemingly wanting to see more clearly.
Mitsuhashi groaned inwardly, knowing he couldn't fool him any longer.
He steeled himself, gritted his teeth, silently chanted, 'Mitsuhashi Takashi is the strongest!', and then suddenly exerted force to stand upright—
"CRACK!"
A bone dislocation or ligament tear sound, even clearer and sharper than before, burst out!
"Ugh—!"
Mitsuhashi let out a suppressed groan of pain, and his entire body uncontrollably pitched forward—
Thud!
He landed directly on his knees, facing Yuwen, kneeling solidly.
Due to inertia, he even leaned forward slightly, making it look as if he were performing a deep bow.
Time seemed to freeze.
Mitsuhashi knelt on the ground, head bowed, body rigid, only his shoulders trembling slightly.
He could feel Yuwen's gaze on the top of his head.
He slowly, with extreme difficulty, raised his head.
Yuwen stood still, slightly lowering his head, looking at Mitsuhashi, who was kneeling before him with an expression of utter despair.
Their eyes met.
The air was deathly silent.
Only the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze could be heard.
Mitsuhashi's mind was blank, filled only with immense shame and sharp, pervasive pain.
Yuwen was silent for a few seconds, seemingly processing the surreal scene before him.
The corner of his mouth twitched, as if he wanted to smile, but he managed to suppress it, finally letting out a very soft sigh.
He slowly spoke, his tone calm, betraying no emotion, yet it felt like a sharp knife piercing Mitsuhashi's fragile soul:
"…Even if you suddenly perform such a grand bow, I won't give you New Year's money, Mitsuhashi."
"…" Mitsuhashi opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
He felt his social life, at this moment, along with the excruciating pain in his lumbar spine, had come to an end.
In a dim alley, Mitsuhashi and Ito were cautiously searching for Akano and his gang.
"Where did those sneaky bastards hide?" Mitsuhashi mumbled, rubbing his still aching back.
"Be careful, Mitsuhashi, they are good at ambushes," Ito reminded him in a low voice, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.
Suddenly, two figures darted out from behind a pile of junk behind them!
Akano brandished a metal pipe, and Iwata held a heavy iron chain, both smashing viciously towards Mitsuhashi and Ito's heads with sinister grins!
Bang! Thud!
With two dull thuds, Mitsuhashi and Ito were caught off guard and fell to the ground, their heads instantly bleeding.
"What's this ~" Akano swung his pipe, a twisted, triumphant smile on his face, "The so-called aces of Soft Leaf, Mitsuhashi and Ito, aren't much after all! They're simply no match!"
Iwata pushed up his glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light, his tone filled with cruel excitement: "Next, it's that crow from Suzuran's turn. How exciting ~"
The two exchanged glances, letting out perverted and excited laughter, as if they had already foreseen the bloody scene.
However, their smiles quickly froze on their faces.
When they turned to leave, they saw that the alley entrance was blocked by a dense crowd of people.
Katagiri Satoshi stood like an iron tower at the very front, his face terribly grim.
Sagara Takeshi stood beside him, a mocking and dangerous sneer on his lips, dragging a bruised and battered Goro by his hand, as if he were a dead dog.
Goro saw Akano, as if seeing a savior, and weakly called out: "Aka... Akano..."
Akano's face instantly changed: "Damn it!"
Almost instinctively, he and Iwata turned without hesitation, trying to escape from the other end of the alley!
"Chase them!" Katagiri Satoshi's low voice exploded in the alley.
"Stop! You bastards!" The Kaiki thugs roared like a bursting dam, surging forward!
Akano and Iwata ran desperately, but Akano's face showed a morbid flush and excitement: "It's finally the climax, Iwata!"
Iwata panted as he ran, filled with both excitement and fear: "Now... now we really can't escape!"
Just then, two enraged figures, moving even faster, suddenly overtook the Kaiki crowd from behind!
It was Mitsuhashi and Ito! They wiped the blood from their faces, their eyes terrifyingly fierce.
"Get out of the way! You bastards!" Mitsuhashi roared, he and Ito clinging tightly to the backs of Akano and Iwata!
A frantic chase ensued on the street.
Finally, they chased them to the side of a wide road, only to see Akano and Iwata had already jumped into a dilapidated car, its engine roaring as it sped away!
"Damn it!!" Mitsuhashi stomped his foot in anger.
"Damn it! They got away!" Ito punched a nearby utility pole in frustration.
Katagiri Satoshi's face was ashen, silently watching the receding vehicle.
Sagara Takeshi clicked his tongue in displeasure, throwing the half-dead Goro onto the ground.
However, after driving a distance, the car slowly turned around and stopped at what they thought was a safe distance.
The car window rolled down, revealing Akano's face, extremely excited and twisted by escape and provocation. He even waved arrogantly:
"Goodbye ~ you idiots! Our business is over, right? You should be magnanimous and forgive me! Bye-bye ~"
He thought frantically in his heart: 'It worked! Although I lost that good-for-nothing Goro, the plan is basically complete! Now it's just that crow from Suzuran, I need to find a more cruel way to deal with him... Hehe... Hahahaha...'
Mitsuhashi, Ito, Katagiri, Sagara, and all the Kaiki thugs watched this extremely insulting scene, their lungs nearly bursting with rage, yet they were helpless.
Just then, a lazy voice with a hint of teasing sounded behind them:
"Yo, what a... spectacular chase."
Yuwen was leaning against the alley wall at some point, casually bouncing an old basketball he'd picked up from some roadside court.
Mitsuhashi, Ito, Katagiri, and Sagara Takeshi all looked embarrassed and annoyed.
Mitsuhashi: "None of your business!"
Ito: "Yuwen..."
Katagiri Satoshi snorted coldly, saying nothing.
Sagara Takeshi stared at Yuwen with sinister eyes.
Akano in the distance also saw Yuwen's appearance, and his emotions instantly soared even higher. He leaned out halfway, using all his strength to mock and provoke, his voice shrill and distorted:
"Hey! Crow of Suzuran! Did you come to see me off too? See that! You're next! Wash your neck and wait for me! I'll come for you! Hahahaha!"
"How about it? Aren't you angry? Don't you want to hit me? Hahahaha! Come on, come on! Come here—!"
As he shouted, he made vulgar gestures at Yuwen, preparing to tell Iwata to drive away.
Yuwen seemed not to hear his shouting; he simply stopped bouncing the ball and firmly stepped on it with his foot.
He leaned slightly, adopting a posture similar to a soccer run-up...
Seeing Yuwen ignore him, Akano was provoked to an even greater desire to show off, continuing his frantic mockery: "What? Trying to hit me with a basketball? Useless! Come on! If you've got the guts, hit me with it! Hahaha! From this far away, you think you're—uh?!"
His laughter abruptly stopped.
Yuwen unleashed an incredibly fierce shot!
The movement was fluid and explosive, as if it wasn't a basketball, but a cannonball fired from a barrel!
At the same time, he shouted: "Shaolin Soccer — Good stuff!!"
The basketball, as if endowed with life, cut through the air, carrying a terrifying whistle, and with a terrifying speed and power beyond common sense, it drew a perfectly straight line, precisely and forcefully smashing into the hood of Akano's dilapidated car!
BOOM!!!
A deafening crash!
The hood instantly caved in, and white smoke mixed with steam violently burst from the front of the car!
The entire car shook violently, the alarm blared twice piercingly and then completely died, clearly totaled!
The scene instantly fell into a dead silence.
Akano's wild laughter and twisted expression completely froze, turning into extreme shock and a bone-chilling fear.
He stared blankly at the smoking car front, then stiffly turned his head to look at Yuwen in the distance, who had lowered his foot and was expressionless.
This... this was not something a human could do!
This guy was a monster! A real monster!
A chilling fear instantly gripped his heart, making him almost unable to breathe.
Mitsuhashi: "(⊙ ˍ ⊙)..."
Ito: "(;￣ д ￣)..."
Katagiri Satoshi: "(• _ •)..."
Sagara Takeshi: "(° ー ° 〃)..."
All Kaiki thugs: "(´ ⊙ ω ⊙ `)..."
Everyone's jaws almost dropped to the ground, their brains collectively crashed, unable to process the surreal scene they had just witnessed.
Akano and Iwata's voices trembled, filled with absurdity and fear: "No... impossible... that... that was a basketball... not a cannonball... monster... you are a monster..."
Their previous arrogance and perverted excitement were completely gone, replaced only by the trembling of extreme fear.
Yuwen slowly lowered his foot, twisting his wrists and neck, emitting a faint "click" sound.
He walked expressionlessly towards the smoking wreck and the two terrified people inside.
Yuwen's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling sense of oppression: "Had enough mocking? Did your escape plan fail?" He approached step by step:
"Then... is it my turn now?"
Yuwen, dragging the limp Akano and Iwata like two broken sacks, brought them before Mitsuhashi, Ito, Katagiri, and Sagara Takeshi, casually dropping them on the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust.
His tone was flat, as if he had merely tossed over two pieces of trash: "If you want revenge, do it now. Once you're done..."
Yuwen's gaze swept over Katagiri and Sagara, "They, and that..."
He pointed his chin at the semiconscious Goro, who was being held by Kaiki thugs, "...are mine."
Before Katagiri Satoshi could speak, Sagara Takeshi flared up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, screeching:
"Impossible! This guy is Kaiki's prey! Why should he be yours?!" He looked at Goro, his eyes sinister.
Yuwen didn't even look at Sagara Takeshi, his gaze resting calmly on Katagiri Satoshi's face, awaiting his answer.
This utter disregard shamed Sagara Takeshi more than any words could.
Katagiri Satoshi's thick brows furrowed as he fell into thought.
A tremendous sense of pressure permeated his silent contemplation.
Sagara Takeshi saw that Yuwen dared to ignore him so completely, and that Katagiri seemed to be seriously considering it, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.
He suddenly reached into the inside pocket of his jacket, simultaneously giving a very subtle wink to his core Kaiki elite subordinates.
Those elite thugs immediately understood, and their hands simultaneously and stealthily moved to their lower backs or the insides of their clothing.
The atmosphere instantly tightened, like a fully drawn bowstring, filled with the smell of gunpowder, ready to ignite at any moment.
Yuwen keenly caught the subtle movements of Sagara Takeshi and his subordinates; his eyes instantly narrowed, and a suppressed ferocity began to stir within him.
The muscles in his body tensed slightly, entering a state of readiness for battle.
Only Mitsuhashi and Ito were oblivious to this undercurrent, having already begun their "righteous revenge" on Akano and Iwata on the ground, the thud of fists and feet against flesh and the two men's screams becoming the most jarring background noise at that moment.
Mitsuhashi kicked and cursed, "That's for ambushing me! That's for being arrogant! Taste the might of this great one!"
Ito punched Iwata in the stomach: "You despicable scoundrel!"
Just as a fierce glint flashed in Sagara Takeshi's eyes, and he was almost about to give the order to act—
"Alright." Katagiri Satoshi's low voice broke the stalemate, settling the matter decisively.
"Tomoji! No!!!" Sagara Takeshi suddenly turned, looking at Katagiri in disbelief, his voice sharp with anger and urgency, "This doesn't follow Kaiki's rules! This guy..."
Katagiri merely raised his large palm, making an unquestionable "stop" gesture, preventing Sagara Takeshi from continuing.
He looked at Yuwen, his voice steady yet carrying weight: "This time... you can take the people. Kaiki will give you this face."
Sagara Takeshi's expression instantly turned extremely ugly; he glared angrily at Yuwen, his eyes as if wanting to devour him alive.
But as he lowered his head to conceal his emotions, he cast a very quick and subtle glance at Katagiri Satoshi; deep within that gaze, besides anger, there seemed to be a hint of imperceptible... apprehension and complex calculation.
With the boss having spoken, the Kaiki thugs, though somewhat confused, all withdrew their hands from their clothes and relaxed their bodies.
Katagiri said no more, not even looking at Akano and the other two on the ground, simply waving his hand at the Kaiki members: "Let's go." With that, he turned and left grandly with a large group of Kaiki members.
Sagara Takeshi stood frozen for a second, then finally let out an extremely unwilling snort and quickly followed Katagiri.
The scene was instantly left with only Yuwen, the terrified trio of Akano on the ground, and Mitsuhashi and Ito, who had just completed their "revenge."
Yuwen seemed to remember something and asked, "What about the other one? The one named A Yu."
Ito wiped his mouth and replied, "That guy... we already taught him a lesson before. He and them..." He glanced distastefully at Akano and Iwata on the ground:
"...he doesn't seem to be quite like them. He didn't participate in the ambush, and he's not as... crazy. He still seems to have some conscience, so we let him go."
Yuwen thought about it; that guy indeed didn't exude the pure malice and perversion of Akano and the other two, so he shrugged indifferently and nodded: "Alright then."
His gaze returned to the trembling trio of Akano on the ground, and he said to Mitsuhashi and Ito: "What about you two? Have you vented your anger? Do you need to 'play' a little longer? If not, then I'll take them away."
Upon hearing this, Akano, Iwata, and even the semiconscious Goro, who had been screaming in pain from Mitsuhashi and Ito's beating, instantly had their faces consumed by immense fear!
As psychopaths, they possessed an animalistic intuition for their own kind.
They could clearly feel that this man named Yuwen was completely different from "thugs with a bottom line" like Mitsuhashi and Ito!
He exuded a deeper, colder, and more unpredictable aura of danger.
Falling into the hands of a bottomless, rule-less "monster" like Yuwen was a completely different concept!
Extreme fear overwhelmed everything, and they even desperately begged Mitsuhashi and Ito.
Akano struggled to crawl towards Ito, his voice cracking and distorted with extreme terror, no longer possessing his previous arrogance:
"No... no! Don't hand us over to him! Please! Big Brother Ito! Big Brother Mitsuhashi! Hit us! Keep hitting us! Hit us however you want! Just don't let him take us away! He'll... he'll..." He was so terrified that he couldn't even describe the premonition.
Iwata was also crying and snotting, futilely trying to hug Mitsuhashi's leg:
"Please let us go! We were wrong! Truly wrong! We're willing to go with Kaiki! We're willing to go with you! Don't let him..."
Goro had collapsed, unable to get up: "He'll... he'll really kill us! Please!"
Ito saw their miserable and terrified appearance, especially the genuine shudder that originated from deep within their bodies, and a hint of hesitation and reluctance arose in his heart.
"Relax, relax ~" Mitsuhashi, however, wrapped an arm around Ito's neck, forcibly dragging him backward, a carefree yet lingering smile on his face:
"Since Yuwen has spoken, of course we should help him out! Let's go, Ito, I'm starving, let's go eat ramen!"
As he dragged Ito away, he quickly mumbled in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Idiot! Do you really want to take on these three hot potatoes? It's easiest to let that guy handle them! Anyway, they deserve it!"
Ito was half-dragged, half-pulled away by Mitsuhashi, and couldn't help but look back again.
In the setting sun, Yuwen stood there, his figure stretched long, a gentle smile seemingly on his face as he waved goodbye to them.
But in that instant, Ito seemed to see a layer of distorted, blurry black shadows swirling around Yuwen, and the curve of that smile also appeared unusually... eerie and inhuman.
He blinked hard, and when he looked again, he only saw Yuwen standing there normally, smiling and waving.
Ito rubbed his eyes in confusion: "Did I see wrong...?"
He was eventually pulled away by Mitsuhashi.
Neither of them noticed that after they turned away, the "genial" smile on Yuwen's face did not fade; instead, the curve of his lips became even more subtle, and a very subtle, almost pleasurable... madness flashed in his eyes.
It was the look of someone who had found an interesting "toy," identical to Akano's and the others', yet deeper and more dangerous.
He slowly turned to the three despairingly huddled figures on the ground, and said softly, his tone gently chilling:
"Alright, alright... don't be afraid, don't be afraid... the game... is only truly beginning now, you know."
Akasaka-ryū Jujutsu Dojo.
The atmosphere, however, was not the usual seriousness or relaxation of training time, but rather a strange sense of "business."
Yuwen sat cross-legged in the main seat, his expression calm.
He decided to promote the Full-Time Student Faction and the "fixed-time system" in other academies!
Starting with his subordinates, Soft Leaf and Seiran!
In front of him sat the delegations from Soft Leaf and the unwillingly dragged-in Seiran:
The slacker Mitsuhashi Takashi, the serious Ito Shinji, the worldly Akemi, the gently worried Riko, and the ladylike Kyoko.
The scrawny Tanaka nervously stood in front of a small whiteboard, on which some crooked charts were drawn.
Yuwen raised his chin, signaling to his "secretary-general" Tanaka that he could begin.
Tanaka jolted, like a hamster pushed onto a stage, fumbling to pick up a small pointer, pointing at the whiteboard, his voice trembling, stammering as he began his report:
"Th-that… that… according to Brother Yuwen's instructions, re-regarding the further promotion of 'Full-Time Student Faction' and 'fixed-time system' peaceful coexistence, resource intercommunication, and co-building a harmonious society… uh… ecosystem plan in Soft Leaf and Seiran…"
He recited the incredibly awkward vocabulary, clearly force-fed to him by Yuwen, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Ah—" Mitsuhashi Takashi yawned a huge, ungraceful yawn, brazenly digging his ear with his pinky finger, then flicking away non-existent earwax, interrupting with a look of disgust:
"So—much—trouble! My head's spinning just listening! What's all this sharing and co-building? Why not just have a fight, and whoever wins, everyone listens to them? Making it so complicated is boring to death~"
Ito Shinji retorted with a serious expression: "Mitsuhashi, you idiot! Violence can't solve all problems! Yuwen-kun's plan is for long-term peace!"
But his brows were also tightly furrowed as he added, "However… junior Tanaka, there are indeed many difficulties at the implementation level, especially in terms of personnel coordination…"
Akemi crossed her legs, scoffing: "Huh? Full-Time Student Faction and 'fixed-time system'? Only we Seiran bully others!"
Riko clasped her hands together, saying worriedly: "Everyone, please don't argue… taking it slowly is always possible… but fighting is really not good…"
She added softly, "Besides… colleague Sagawa is still in the hospital recently… everyone should be more united."
Kyoko said demurely: "I support it! Brother Yuwen! Should I go 'persuade' Seiran right now?" Her so-called persuasion clearly involved a lot of physical components.
The protagonist Yuwen's eyes narrowed slightly, a dangerous glint sweeping towards Mitsuhashi, who was still chattering and complaining about the trouble.
Mitsuhashi was oblivious, even escalating, banging on the floor and shouting:
"Exactly, exactly! And why do we have to get involved with Seiran's women in some… some ecosystem thing! It's so troublesome! Women are the most troublesome! Except for Riko-chan and Kyoko-chan… oh, Akemi, you're not bad either…"
His words stopped abruptly.
Because Yuwen had, at some point, silently appeared beside him, one hand seemingly casually resting on his shoulder.
Mitsuhashi's body instantly stiffened, a chill running from his tailbone to the crown of his head.
He slowly, extremely slowly, turned his head, meeting Yuwen's seemingly smiling, yet utterly cold eyes.
Yuwen leaned down, close to Mitsuhashi's ear, and in a soft, yet spine-chilling voice that only the two of them could hear, said:
"Mitsuhashi-kun… I don't like to hear the word 'trouble.' Or… do you want to give me some guidance?"
Mitsuhashi's cold sweat instantly poured down, his golden curly hair seemingly losing its elasticity from fright.
He instantly put on an incredibly fawning, servile smile, his voice cloyingly sweet:
"No, no, no! Not troublesome at all! Brother Yuwen, your plan is truly magnificent! So far-sighted! Share! Must share! Co-build a harmonious society! I raise both hands and feet in agreement! Anyone who objects is going against me, Mitsuhashi Takashi! I'll be the first to 'persuade' him!"
The dojo instantly fell silent.
Ito / Akemi / Riko / Kyoko / Tanaka: "…" (Collectively speechless, watching this master of quick changes)
Only then did Yuwen slowly withdraw his hand, patting Mitsuhashi's shoulder, making Mitsuhashi shiver, and walked back to his seat as if nothing had happened, nodding to Tanaka: "Continue."
Tanaka swallowed, wiped his sweat, and continued his stammering report.
Only this time, the dojo was left with only his stuttering voice, and Mitsuhashi sitting upright, trying his best to look like he was "listening attentively."
---
Meanwhile, Suzuran training ground.
The wind howled, blowing across the empty and somewhat dilapidated training ground.
Serizawa Tamao and his core Serizawa Army cadres—Tokio, Tokaji Yuji, Tsutsumoto Shoji, and others—were either sitting or standing, enjoying a rare moment of leisure.
Serizawa had a cigarette in his mouth, his eyes lazily gazing into the distance, as if everything had nothing to do with him.
Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps broke the silence.
A figure stumbled into the training ground, collapsing to the ground with a dull thud, as if from exhaustion.
He had injuries on his face, his clothes were torn, his breathing was rapid, and his eyes were filled with tension.
Tokio was the first to react, standing up in surprise: "Brother Kawanishi?! What happened to you…"
Serizawa slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on the disheveled Kawanishi, the corner of his cigarette-dangling mouth moved slightly, but he didn't speak immediately, the laziness in his eyes receding, becoming deeper.
Before Kawanishi could catch his breath, more noisy and hostile footsteps came from the training ground entrance!
Two Fengxian delinquents with distinct hairstyles, clearly cadre-level, led a large group of bald-headed thugs wearing Fengxian special attack uniforms, pouring in and instantly blocking the exit completely.
A murderous atmosphere immediately permeated the air.
The two leading Housen cadres (Shibayama Hayato, Ogiri Rikiya) aggressively stepped forward.
Shibayama Hayato pointed his thumb arrogantly at Kawanishi on the ground, shouting to the Serizawa Army: "Hey! Suzuran! If you know what's good for you, hand that guy over!"
Serizawa Tamao finally slowly stood up, and the cadres behind him—Tokio, Tsutsumoto, Tokaji Yuji, and others—immediately rose as well, forming a solid wall in front of Kawanishi.
Serizawa even lazily yawned, calmly looking at the aggressive Housen thugs with his perpetually sleepy eyes.
Tokio, as the Serizawa Army's strategist, tried to calmly control the situation, stepping forward and saying: "Everyone, calm down. Suzuran, Housen, and Oni-Dwell, there should be an unwritten truce agreement between the three parties, right? Are you trying to break the agreement by barging in like this on such a large scale?"
Ogiri Rikiya's temper was clearly more volatile; he shouted back directly: "What are you talking about! Don't bring up the agreement!"
Just then, a more composed and oppressive voice came from behind the Housen crowd:
"Serizawa—!"
The Housen crowd automatically parted, and the leader of Housen's senior members, Matoba Toushi, slowly emerged, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, fixed intently on Serizawa Tamao.
Serizawa frowned slightly upon seeing Matoba, clearly recognizing this troublesome character.
Matoba Toushi walked to the very front, confronting Serizawa, his voice cold: "Hey, Serizawa. Are you really going to protect this Kawanishi Noboru?"
Serizawa did not answer immediately, merely looking silently at Matoba Toushi, an invisible pressure building between the two.
Matoba Toushi continued, "We…"
He pointed to the Housen delinquents behind him, whose eyes were spitting fire: "...have been waiting for this bastard to come out. Now, it's time to settle old scores."
Serizawa finally spoke, his voice still carrying his characteristic laziness, yet it was undeniable: "You want revenge?"
These three short words clearly expressed his stance.
Matoba Toushi sneered, "This guy, I remember he was already dealt with internally by you Suzuran, considered 'retired,' right? He hasn't been one of Suzuran's people for a long time. Serizawa, you don't need to show loyalty to us Housen for the sake of such a guy, do you? Hand him over, it's better for everyone."
At this moment, Kawanishi Noboru, who was lying on the ground, struggled to get up.
He looked at Serizawa's back, which, though not tall, was exceptionally firm, shielding him, his eyes incredibly complex, mixed with guilt, gratitude, and a hint of unwillingness.
He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately made no sound, only clenching his fists tightly.
Serizawa Tamao picked his ear, still looking languid, but the words he spoke carried undeniable weight as he looked at Matoba Toushi:
"It's not a question of loyalty or disloyalty. It's a question of 'territory'." He casually pointed his thumb at the ground:
"This here is Suzuran's turf. What happens here is not for outsiders to meddle with; we call the shots."
Matoba Toushi's face darkened, clearly not accepting this statement:
"Serizawa, no matter what you say, there's no way we're just going back like this. Housen's pride cannot be lost here."
Just then, a flurry of footsteps was heard.
Takiya Genji, along with his GPS Army executives—Tamura Chuta, Izaki Shun, Makise Takashi, and other GPS executives—also appeared at the entrance of the training ground.
Clearly, the commotion here had alarmed them too.
Genji, hands in his pockets, surveyed the scene, his gaze finally landing on Serizawa, a hint of a challenging smirk playing on his lips: "Oh? Muscleman, it's quite lively here."
Tokio's heart tightened when he saw Genji, and he quickly spoke up, trying to ease the tension: "Genji!"
Serizawa also frowned, his tone carrying a hint of impatience: "This has nothing to do with you, Genji."
He knew Genji's impulsive nature well and feared he would push things to an irreversible point.
Genji scoffed, his hands still in his pockets, and he gestured at Serizawa with his chin: "What are you trying to act cool for, poor guy?"
Otokiri Rikiya, a Housen executive nearby, immediately burst into mocking laughter: "Hahahaha! To be called a poor guy by someone like this? Is Suzuran's boss being looked down upon now?!"
Genji chuckled softly, took a deep drag from his cigarette, then tossed the butt to the ground and extinguished it with his foot.
The next second, he moved without warning!
He suddenly looked up, his eyes sharp as knives, and delivered a swift straight punch squarely to Otokiri Rikiya's face!
This was immediately followed by a fierce side kick, sending Otokiri Rikiya stumbling backward!
Housen executive Shibayama Hayato, seeing this, roared and rushed forward to help. Genji reacted incredibly fast, dodging to the side while landing several heavy combination punches precisely on Shibayama Hayato's abdomen and chin, instantly repelling him!
Housen's bald-headed army instantly erupted, roaring and surging forward!
"Everyone, get back!" Matoba Toushi roared, spreading his arms to block his agitated subordinates.
"Get back! Don't move without my command!" As a general, he was still able to keep his composure.
At the same time, Tokio also rushed forward, grabbing Genji from behind, who was still trying to pursue: "Genji! Stop it! What exactly are you doing?! Calm down!"
Serizawa's face became completely serious at this scene, his brows tightly furrowed.
His worst fear had come true.
Tsutsumoto and other Serizawa Army executives behind him also frowned, muttering, "Oh no… This is big trouble now…"
Meanwhile, the GPS executives Genji brought, Makise Takashi and Tamura Chuta, looked eager for a fight, as if they couldn't wait to start.
Only Izaki Shun remained calm, but his brows were also tightly knit, and he thought to himself, 'Trouble… The agreement has been broken…'
Matoba Toushi did not get angry; instead, he smiled, though his smile was incredibly cold. He turned his gaze to Genji, who was being held by Tokio: "You… are also from Suzuran?"
Takiya Genji pushed away Tokio, who was still trying to dissuade him, lifted his head, and said clearly and firmly: "I am Takiya Genji."
Tamura Chuta immediately shouted triumphantly from the side, trying to boost his boss's morale: "Listen up! This is our current boss of Suzuran! Takiya Genji!"
The smile on Matoba Toushi's face vanished instantly, replaced by a ferocious rage. He suddenly turned to Serizawa Tamao: "Serizawa! Thanks to this guy, the truce… is broken! Housen and Suzuran are going to war again!"
Serizawa Tamao tried to make a final recovery, his tone steady: "It's just a small friction, it's not that serious, is it?"
Matoba Toushi said coldly: "Small friction? If the one who made the move is Suzuran's nominal 'boss,' then the meaning is completely different! This matter will absolutely not be settled just like this!"
Takiya Genji, hearing this, instead smiled, his fighting spirit growing even stronger: "Oh? That's perfect then!" As he spoke, he was about to step forward again.
Tatsukawa Tokio and Makise Takashi quickly rushed forward again and held him tightly: "Enough! Genji! Don't be impulsive anymore!"
Genji struggled: "Damn it! Let go! Bastards!"
Matoba Toushi snorted coldly, no longer looking at them, and waved his hand at his subordinates: "That's enough for today! Let's go!"
With that, he turned and left with a heart full of anger and a group of unwilling Housen delinquents.
Kawanishi Noboru gave Serizawa a complex look, nodded slightly, and also left.
It wasn't until the Housen people had completely disappeared around the corner that Serizawa slowly turned around, his gaze heavy as he looked at Genji.
Serizawa Tamao: "Do you know what you've done?"
Takiya Genji lit a cigarette, took a puff, his face still wearing an indifferent expression: "Huh? What's wrong?"
Izaki Shun stepped forward, his tone serious: "It means we're going to be in an all-out war with Housen, Genji."
Makise Takashi was both nervous and a little excited: "Yeah! Boss! We need to recruit quickly!"
Serizawa Tamao gave Genji a deep look, his voice low, carrying an unprecedented weight: "Newcomer… Suzuran's reputation is very heavy."
Serizawa turned and left, while Genji, looking defiant, puffed on a cigarette.
The GPS and the Serizawa Army members glared at each other, the air thick with an intractable hostility and worry about the impending war with Housen.
Caught between the two, Tokio looked at the tense, confrontational atmosphere that threatened to tear Suzuran in half, feeling a deep sense of powerlessness and a headache.
With such internal discord, the two major faction leaders holding divergent philosophies and competing with each other, those below them were even more at a loss.
Tatsukawa Tokio's brows were tightly furrowed: "No... absolutely not... Serizawa and Genji are so confrontational, they can't even unify internally... Facing Housen in this state, Suzuran has no chance of winning... it will only be completely crushed..."
His gaze anxiously swept over every face present: Serizawa's retreating back, Genji's stubbornness, the silent sparks between the two factions' executives...
He needed a variable, a powerful one, someone who could break this deadlock... an outsider?
Suddenly, a figure flashed into his mind: the creator of the so-called "Full-Time Student Faction and fixed-time system" peaceful coexistence within the Crow's Nest, whose actions were absurd—Yuwen!
He belonged neither to GPS nor to the Serizawa Army; it was as if the life-and-death factional struggles within Suzuran were merely child's play in his eyes.
His actions were unpredictable, his motives a mystery, but one thing was beyond doubt—he possessed unfathomable, formidable strength that made anyone take notice!
Genji was stubborn and impulsive, sticking to his principles, but perhaps he would listen to a few words of advice from Yuwen, who had once helped him?
After all, the "logic" that guy delivered with his fists was often more direct and effective than any persuasion.
And Serizawa, this "King of Beasts" who was arrogant to the core and unbelievably conceited, seemed to uncharacteristically shed some of his usual nonchalance when facing Yuwen, revealing a hint of subtle respect.
This was definitely not just because of some vague rumors, best left unsaid to outsiders, about "having been beaten by someone"...
'Perhaps... he could be the key? Even if he can't directly join one side, just his presence in Suzuran is a significant fighting force against Housen, and perhaps... he could even force Serizawa and Genji, these two stubborn guys, to temporarily set aside their differences?'
Once this thought took root, it grew wildly, becoming incredibly clear and tempting.
Although Yuwen was an extremely unstable factor, practically "Suzuran's strongest troublemaker"—he fought everyone, submitted to no one; if Suzuran's thugs were unruly wolves, then he was a fiercer, solitary tiger.
But in this seemingly dead-end predicament, he seemed to be the only possible counterweight to tip the scales.
Tokio took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and unease in his heart, and his gaze once again fell on Serizawa and Genji, who were still silently confronting each other; he had already made his decision.
'I must find a way... to contact Yuwen.'
---
Housen, rooftop.
The wind howled, whipping through the uniformly shaved heads and crisp white tokkōfuku.
Narumi Taiga, the pinnacle of Housen, stood like a rock in the center of the rooftop, flanked by a solemn array of executives and elite members, the atmosphere grim and tense.
Narumi Taiga's voice, steady yet imbued with undeniable authority, broke the silence:
"The truce agreement has been personally broken by Suzuran's new leader."
He slowly paced, his gaze sweeping over each resolute and belligerent face before him.
"Without Serizawa Tamao in charge, Suzuran is probably in chaos by now."
He paused slightly, his eyes sharpening, and continued:
"Since that's the case... we, Housen, should go and 'visit' our old friends properly.
It's time for the guys from Suzuran to remember Housen's name again."
"Yes! Boss!!" All the Housen executives and elites roared in unison as if receiving a military order, their voices shaking the heavens, filled with a zealous eagerness for battle!
Narumi Taiga slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on a figure standing not far from his side.
It was a young man with long hair, his eyes vacant, his face expressionless, as if indifferent to everything around him, exuding a cold aura that warned others to keep their distance—Urushibara Ryo.
"Ryo," Narumi Taiga said.
Urushibara Ryo heard his name and slowly turned his head.
His eyes were hollow and devoid of emotion, like a cold scalpel, simply looking at Narumi.
Narumi Taiga looked into his unmoving eyes, his tone carrying a hint of admonition:
"You always hit too hard, without knowing when to stop.
Although this time the opponent is Suzuran..." He slightly emphasized his words, "...still, control yourself a bit.
Understand?"
Urushibara Ryo's face showed no change; he neither nodded nor replied, simply turning his head back in silence, once again looking at the distant sky, as if the words had not even reached his ears.
That complete disregard and indifference caused several executives nearby to instinctively feel a chill.
Narumi Taiga seemed to have long been accustomed to his attitude and did not press further.
Just then—
"Hey!!"
A sudden commotion erupted at the rooftop entrance!
An arrogant and unruly voice forcefully cut in, shattering Housen's grim atmosphere!
A young man, not wearing Housen's tokkōfuku, with a defiant and arrogant expression on his face, shoved aside a low-ranking Housen member who tried to stop him, swaggered in, and haughtily scanned the entire scene, finally fixing his gaze on Narumi Taiga: "Hey! Which one of you is Narumi Taiga?! Listen up! I'm Washio Gota, just transferred from Suzuran!"
He puffed out his chest, pointed his thumb at himself, and loudly declared, poking his chest: "From today onwards, this Housen... will be taken over by me, Washio Gota!
Do you understand?!"
This sudden intruder and his utterly absurd declaration instantly silenced the entire rooftop.
All the Housen executives and elites fixed their gazes on this fool who didn't know his place, their eyes as if looking at an idiot.
However, Narumi Taiga, who had been directly challenged, did not immediately get angry.
He sized up this former Suzuran thug who had appeared out of nowhere, and a playful smile, whose depth was unreadable, appeared on his face: "Your spirit... is quite good."
However, there was no hint of a smile in his eyes, only cold scrutiny.
The surrounding Housen members had already clenched their fists, just waiting for their boss's command to tear this ignorant fool to shreds.
The air on the rooftop, because of Washio Gota's intrusion, instantly became charged with tension.
Suzuran Rooftop
The wind howled, blowing across the discarded items on the rooftop.
Takiya Genji leaned back on an old sofa, a cigarette dangling from his lips, an expression of impatience on his face.
Serizawa Tamao sat opposite him, hands in his pockets, his gaze languid but profound.
Tokio stood between the two, his face etched with anxiety and helplessness.
"So," Tokio tried to communicate again, his voice sounding a little urgent in the wind, "GPS and the Serizawa Army... how about teaming up this time?"
Takiya Genji puffed out a cloud of smoke from his cigarette, glancing to the side, his tone impatient: "Hmph, this again."
Tokio emphasized his words, trying to make them see reality: "Housen will definitely come! And this time it's all-out war! If we don't team up and cooperate, Suzuran, in its current divided state, will be picked off one by one and completely crushed! Now is not the time to argue about who's on top and who's on the bottom!"
Genji flicked his cigarette ash, his tone carrying his inherent confidence and stubbornness: "We, GPS, won against you guys. As long as I defeat Hayashida Megumi in the end, won't Suzuran naturally unite? Why bother with a team-up?"
He heavily emphasized the word "won."
Serizawa Tamao leaned back on the broken sofa, his hands behind his head, interjecting lazily, yet with a hint of self-deprecation in his voice: "Me, I... I never really thought of myself as a boss."
Takiya Genji scoffed at his words, stood up, and looked down at Serizawa: "If you didn't think that, then don't come begging me when you're about to die."
He turned to leave, tossing out a remark: "That bald group, we GPS are enough!"
Tokio and Serizawa watched his resolute back, one anxious, the other with a complex gaze.
Just then, a voice came from the stairwell.
"Genji, wait."
Takiya Genji paused, frowning as he turned back. He saw Yuwen. Although he looked annoyed, he surprisingly did stop, but his tone was sharp.
Takiya Genji: "What? Are you going to meddle too?"
When Tokio saw Yuwen appear, his eyes instantly lit up with joy, as if he had seen a savior!
Serizawa also took a couple of extra glances at Yuwen, his thick eyebrows raised. He seemed both surprised and to find it reasonable that this variable had appeared. He merely let out a faint "Hmph."
Yuwen ignored Genji's thorny words and walked directly in front of him.
Before Genji could react, Yuwen reached out and placed a hand on Genji's shoulder, forcibly pressing him back down onto the sofa.
"You...!" Genji instinctively tried to break free, but found he couldn't!
He could only be forcibly pressed back into his original seat!
'This guy...' Genji's heart jolted. He looked up at the smiling Yuwen, 'He's stronger than before!'
Seeing Genji sit down, Yuwen casually found a place nearby to sit as well, then nodded slightly to Serizawa and Tokio opposite, as if to greet them.
Serizawa lazily raised his chin, while Tokio quickly responded, his eyes full of anticipation.
Yuwen turned his gaze to the annoyed Genji, cutting directly to the core issue: "Genji, do you know how many people Housen actually has?"
Genji turned his head away, an "I don't care" expression on his face, "..."
In fact, not only him, but even Serizawa and Tokio opposite weren't entirely clear about Housen's exact numbers. In past battles, it felt like the opponent had many people, but it didn't seem to be an exaggerated amount more than Suzuran.
Yuwen didn't keep them in suspense, directly giving the data: "Our Suzuran, everyone, including the 'students' of the Full-Time Student Faction, has about 700 people. And the 'fixed-time system,' which is the thugs who often participate in fights, has a little over 500 people." He paused, looking at Genji,
"Does that sound like a lot? But your GPS right now, the core fighters who are loyal to you, do you even have a hundred?"
Genji pursed his lips, not speaking, just frowning more deeply.
This numerical comparison was indeed a bit jarring.
Yuwen didn't stop, continuing to drop even more significant information: "And Housen... their numbers are also around 700 people."
He watched Genji's eyes gradually become serious, and then spoke the most crucial sentence:
"But they are completely different from us now. Housen is completely united! They only have one apex, only one voice—"
"—That is Narumi Taiga."
When the word "apex" was spoken by Yuwen and clearly reached Genji's ears, his eyes suddenly flickered.
This position he had always pursued, this term symbolizing Suzuran's supremacy, spoken by Yuwen now, carried a chilling sense of cohesion and oppression.
A brief silence fell on the rooftop, with only the sound of the wind remaining.
Yuwen's tone remained steady, but he pointed out the key: "Of course, among Housen's 700 people, it's impossible for all of them to be thugs who can fight and dare to fight, and even less likely for all of them to be blindly loyal to Narumi Taiga. Just like our Suzuran, which boasts over five hundred thugs, but even for you, Genji, or you, Serizawa—"
He swept his gaze over the two, "—how many can you truly command? The other half, I'm afraid, are either watching, or want to be the boss themselves, right?"
His words were, of course, based on information provided by his 'Intelligence Chief'—Tanaka (Glasses), who was always timid but managed to get some inexplicable news.
As for whether Tanaka overheard conversations in the faculty office, or pieced it together from some strange rumors, or even if the data was true or false... Yuwen didn't care at all.
Bragging, the key was that someone believed it, and it sounded impressive enough.
"However," Yuwen's tone shifted, his body leaning forward slightly as he looked at Genji, a hint of provocation in his smile, "even if the data isn't certain, the fact that Housen is united is true. So, Genji, what are you thinking now? Are you planning to single-handedly take on Housen's entire bald group? Or..."
He deliberately drew out his words, his gaze sweeping over Serizawa and Tokio, finally returning to Genji.
"...Are you planning to take your hundred or so GPS brothers and try to go head-to-head?"
Genji took a deep drag from his cigarette, then furiously flicked the butt to the ground and crushed it with his foot.
He looked up, his eyes still full of stubbornness and defiance, but that blind confidence seemed to have a slight crack in it.
"Stop being alarmist here!" His voice was low, tinged with irritation, "So what if it's Housen? So what if they're united? We'll know after we fight!"
He stood up; this time Yuwen didn't stop him.
Genji's gaze swept over Serizawa and Tokio, finally settling on Yuwen's face: "Team up? With this guy?"
He pointed at Serizawa, "No interest! GPS matters don't need anyone else telling us what to do!"
After saying that, he didn't linger, turning and striding towards the rooftop exit. His back was still strong, but his steps seemed a few shades heavier than when he arrived.
Clearly, Yuwen's words were not entirely without effect, it was just that Genji's pride prevented him from immediately lowering his head and accepting.
For a moment, only Yuwen, Serizawa, and Tokio remained on the rooftop.
Tokio looked in the direction Genji had disappeared, sighing helplessly, his face filled with disappointment and worry: "It still didn't work, did it...?"
Yuwen, however, smiled, as if he had anticipated this outcome long ago.
He turned to Tokio, wiggling a finger, and reminded him: "Hey, hey, Tokio, don't forget what we agreed upon. I help persuade—even though that stubborn mule didn't listen—but after we defeat Housen, you guys have to support me in promoting 'Full-Time Student Faction and fixed-time system' peaceful coexistence in Housen, okay? That's the 'reward' you promised me."
This was his goal.
Actually, even if he didn't get involved, according to the passionate fatalism of these thugs, Suzuran would probably... maybe... perhaps... still win in the end? Right?
Serizawa Tamao, who hadn't spoken much, slowly turned his head now, glancing at Tokio with those seemingly languid but actually sharp eyes, his tone revealing no emotion.
Serizawa Tamao: "Oh? Support him in causing trouble at Housen? Tokio... you didn't mention this condition to me before."
Tokio immediately looked awkward, quickly trying to smooth things over: "Ah haha... well... Serizawa, the big picture is important, the big picture! Let's deal with Housen first, the details... the details can be discussed slowly..."
Yuwen looked at Serizawa's scrutinizing gaze, shrugging indifferently, the "I don't care since you guys agreed" smile on his face becoming even more pronounced.
Serizawa let out a meaningful "Hmph," no longer asking questions, and closed his eyes again, feigning sleep, as if everything had nothing to do with him, but the slight upturn of his lips showed that he was not entirely indifferent.
Just then, a sound of impatient footsteps came from the stairwell again.
Takiya Genji had returned, still with a sour face, hands in his pockets, slowly pacing back, as if he had just taken a stroll around.
Yuwen immediately found it amusing, teasing: "Oh? Isn't this our Suzuran's 'apex' lord? What, did you get lost, or have you finally thought it through and come back to sign the 'United Anti-Bald' agreement?"
Genji completely ignored his words, not even looking him in the eye.
He walked straight to the center of the rooftop, near where he had been sitting earlier, then stopped, his gaze sweeping over Yuwen, Serizawa, and Tokio, and said in an extremely calm but undeniable tone:
"Hey, you guys."
He paused, then pointed down at his feet.
"This, is Suzuran's rooftop."
Yuwen didn't react, still thinking he was about to offer some profound insight, and laughed, responding: "So? So the scenery here is uniquely good, suitable for discussing how to deal with that group of bald guys?"
Tokio and Serizawa, however, changed their expressions slightly.
Tokio showed a "this is bad" expression, while Serizawa seemed to have thought of something, a hint of playful amusement in his lazy eyes.
Genji then officially directed his gaze at Yuwen, with a look of disdain as if looking at an idiot, his tone still calm, but firm and clear:
"So, this is GPS's territory. Who allowed you to hold a small meeting here without permission? Now, the conversation is over. You, can leave."
"..." The smile on Yuwen's face instantly froze.
It wasn't until he walked down the stairs that Yuwen muttered unhappily in a low voice:
"Damn it! What's with the attitude... When I max out my knowledge points, the first thing I'll do is 'peacefully coexist' both GPS and the Serizawa Army..."
Serizawa and Tokio glanced at him... His complaints gradually faded away in the stairwell.
On the rooftop, only Genji remained, having reclaimed his "territory."
He walked to the edge of the rooftop, looking into the distance, his brows still tightly furrowed, but Yuwen's words just now lingered in his mind.
A dim alley.
The lingering glow of the setting sun tinged the alley with a bloody hue.
A group of Kaiki thugs formed an impenetrable circle, the atmosphere oppressive and fervent.
In the center of the circle were two figures clashing fiercely.
Kaiki's overlord, Katagiri Satoshi, his eyes sharp, continuously threw precise and powerful punches, each blow landing solidly on Ito's body and face, making dull thuds.
His opponent, Ito Shinji, however, kept his eyes tightly shut!
He fought back with all his might, relying on feeling and the sound of the wind, but his punches were always easily dodged or blocked by Katagiri, who had his eyes open and reacted swiftly.
Katagiri's brows furrowed tighter and tighter as he looked at this opponent who would rather take a beating than open his eyes, a turmoil brewing within him.
Katagiri Satoshi's offensive slowed slightly: 'Is this guy... a block of wood?! Open your eyes already! What's the point of sticking to such a boring rule when your punches can't even hit anyone?! There are no damn rules in a fight! Whoever wins in the end is the boss! That's the truth!'
Ito took another punch squarely, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, but he stubbornly kept his eyes closed, wildly throwing a flurry of punches forward, all missing again.
Ito gritted his teeth and insisted: 'No! I will never open my eyes! This is the challenge I accepted! Rules are agreements!'
'Agreements must be kept! I will never break an agreement! This is my way, Ito Shinji!'
He roared, unleashing all his strength for another fierce attack, but it was still easily seen through and dodged by Katagiri.
Katagiri watched Ito's disheveled yet incredibly stubborn appearance, and the impatience and ferocity in his eyes gradually changed, tinged with a hint of incomprehension, and perhaps even a touch of helplessness?
Katagiri Satoshi paused for a moment: 'What in the world is this guy... doing... How can there be such an idiot in the world...'
Just then, Ito threw another punch, not fast, and its power weakened by exhaustion.
Katagiri could have easily dodged it as before, but he looked at Ito's tightly shut eyes and a face supported solely by belief, his gaze complex, and he actually didn't dodge.
Katagiri Satoshi spat softly, almost inaudibly: '...What a big idiot.'
Bang!
Ito's punch landed squarely on Katagiri's cheek for the first time!
Ito was stunned, seemingly unable to believe he had landed a hit.
But he didn't hesitate; seizing the opportunity, he immediately lunged forward, grabbed Katagiri's collar, and his other fist began to rain down on Katagiri's body and face like raindrops!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Katagiri neither dodged nor raised his hands to defend, merely silently enduring Ito's attacks, his body swaying slightly with each punch.
The surrounding Kaiki thugs were all dumbfounded, not understanding why their boss suddenly abandoned his defense.
It wasn't until Ito threw another punch towards his face that Katagiri suddenly raised his hand, firmly grabbing Ito's fist!
His hand was stained with his own blood, and he stared intently at Ito, who still had his eyes tightly shut, his voice deep yet carrying an undeniable power:
'Open your eyes, Ito!'
Ito was breathing heavily, still stubbornly shaking his head: 'No!'
'Cut the damn crap!' Katagiri roared suddenly, his voice shaking the surrounding air, 'Open your eyes, you bastard! Look closely! This isn't your fight alone anymore!'
Ito was startled by the roar, his tightly closed eyelids trembled a few times, and finally... he slowly opened his eyes.
What met his gaze was Katagiri's face, close by, stained with blood, yet incredibly serious.
Katagiri looked at his shocked eyes, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, and said frankly: 'Let's... have a real, face-to-face duel!'
Ito was stunned for a second, then a surge of hot blood rushed to his head; he broke into a grin mixed with blood and a smile, and loudly responded:
'That suits me perfectly, Katagiri!'
The style of the ensuing battle completely changed!
The two no longer dodged, no longer blocked; they simply stood at extremely close range, punch for punch, purely clashing with strength and will!
The sound of fist meeting flesh was incredibly clear, each hit causing both their bodies to tremble violently!
Both completely abandoned defense, simply continuously smashing their fists into each other, as if through this method, they wanted to convey all their will and strength to the other!
Every hit caused their bodies to shake violently, but neither of them retreated!
It seemed the pain only ignited their stronger fighting spirit!
This was a dialogue between men conducted through pain, a clash of beliefs!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
'Come on!'
'Come!'
The surrounding shouts disappeared; the world seemed to only contain the two of them and their continuously thrown punches!
After an unknown number of exchanged punches, Katagiri, covered in wounds, finally landed a heavy uppercut that completely knocked Ito, whose stamina was exhausted, to the ground.
Katagiri himself was also panting heavily, his body swaying precariously, but he still stared intently at Ito on the ground and shouted: 'Get up! Hey! Get up, you bastard! Ito! Our duel isn't over yet!'
Ito lay on the dusty ground, feeling like all his bones were about to fall apart, and he mumbled: 'So annoying...'
He used all his strength, his arms trembling, slowly pushing himself up, and finally, stubbornly stood up again!
'Hmph!' As he stood up, Ito used his last ounce of strength to throw a punch!
Katagiri neither dodged nor avoided; he bravely took the punch squarely on his chest!
Bang!
The powerful force sent him stumbling back several steps.
Katagiri shook his slightly dizzy head, then suddenly charged forward, using the momentum for a sharp side kick!
'Ugh!'
Ito let out a pained grunt, directly sent flying backward by the immense force, his back slamming heavily against the alley wall, then sliding down the wall to sit.
He tried to stand up again but found he didn't even have the strength to lift a finger, only able to gasp painfully against the wall.
Katagiri, on the other side, was also almost at his limit; unable to stand steady, he too leaned against the cold wall, barely managing not to fall.
The two of them, separated by a few meters, leaned against the wall, looking at each other, both breathing desperately, trying to regain a shred of strength.
Katagiri Satoshi, panting heavily, looked at Ito opposite him, who could barely lift his head, and suddenly spoke: 'I'm not fighting anymore.'
Ito Shinji heard this, struggled to lift his head, and weakly but stubbornly retorted: 'What... what are you talking about... We haven't... decided a winner yet...'
Katagiri Satoshi looked at him frankly, his tone calm: 'I lost.'
'Huh?' Ito was stunned, completely not understanding.
Katagiri looked at his foolish expression and continued: 'When you opened your eyes and threw that punch... I had already lost.' He was referring to that stubborn, pure belief.
Katagiri Satoshi leaned against the wall, as if talking to himself, and as if speaking to the person who could no longer hear clearly:
'You, this guy...'
'If you keep being so stupid, clinging to such boring rules...'
'You won't live long.'
His tone still carried his characteristic aloofness, but within it was a hint of acknowledgment and a faint concern.
Only heavy breathing remained in the alley, and a group of dumbfounded Kaiki thugs, as if they had witnessed a completely different kind of 'fight.'
Just then, a cold voice came:
'Tomoji, what are you doing?'
Just as Katagiri and Ito collapsed from exhaustion, and only heavy panting remained in the alley, a cold and mocking voice abruptly cut in, breaking the brief atmosphere of truce.
"Tomoji, what are you doing?"
Sagara Takeshi, with his signature unpleasant smile, hands in his pockets, led another large group of Kaiki thugs, surging into the already narrow alley, instantly blocking the exit completely.
His men were clearly in a standoff with Katagiri's direct subordinates.
Sagara Takeshi walked closer, disdainfully kicking an empty can on the ground with his toe, his gaze sweeping over Katagiri, who was covered in injuries and gasping against the wall, then looking at Ito, who was sprawled on the ground, letting out an exaggerated laugh:
"Wow~ No way? Our Kaiki boss, the famous Katagiri Tomoji, was actually beaten to this state by such an insignificant fly from Soft Leaf? This is... too pathetic."
Katagiri Tomoji panted heavily, struggling to stand upright, his eyes warningly fixed on Sagara: "Sagara... don't interfere in this matter."
Sagara Takeshi exaggeratedly spread his hands, his smile unchanging, but his eyes grew cold: "That—won't do. This guy's matter can't just be let go like this~"
"Sagara!" Katagiri's voice was tinged with anger, trying to suppress him with authority: "I told you not to meddle!"
He paused, seemingly suppressing his anger, his tone becoming calm but with a dismissive edge: "You can go. I'll handle things here."
Sagara Takeshi sneered, took two steps forward, lowered his voice, and his tone became sinister and inflammatory:
"Tomoji, you can enjoy your 'man's duel' here. But don't forget, we Kaiki rose to the top not by fighting alone, but by strength and ruthlessness! If word of this gets out today, and Kaiki is looked down upon, with people thinking even Soft Leaf's nobodies can step all over us... that would all be your fault, Tomoji!"
"Bastard! Sagara! How dare you speak to the boss like that!" One of Katagiri's loyal subordinates couldn't help but roar.
Another also stepped forward, pointing at Sagara Takeshi: "Be careful, or we won't be polite to you!"
Sagara Takeshi glanced at them contemptuously, sneering: "Tsk, if you want to follow this Tomoji who has become weak, suit yourselves. But—"
He suddenly pointed at Ito on the ground, his voice abruptly rising, "This guy! Ito Shinji! He brought people and ganged up to attack and injure our Kaiki brothers! This debt cannot just be settled like this!"
Ito Shinji struggled to lift his head, his face full of confusion: "Huh? What nonsense are you spouting? I didn't do any such thing!"
Katagiri Tomoji said without hesitation, his voice deep: "I don't believe this guy would do such a despicable thing. There must be some misunderstanding."
Sagara Takeshi burst into laughter as if he had heard the funniest joke, then suddenly stopped, staring intently at Katagiri, his tone becoming dangerous and sharp: "Tomoji? Are you saying... you'd rather believe this idiot from Soft Leaf than your own men who were beaten half to death?"
He looked around at all the Kaiki members, raising his voice:
"No way? It can't really be like this, Tomoji?!"
Katagiri looked at Sagara, at his face twisting facts and fanning the flames, and for the first time, an expression of disbelief appeared on his face, as if he was seeing this "brother" who had always been by his side clearly for the first time.
Sagara Takeshi no longer looked at Katagiri, directly ordering his subordinates: "Alright! Stop the nonsense! Drag this guy away for me! Let him properly 'compensate' our injured comrades!"
Several of Sagara's confidantes immediately approached the collapsed Ito with sinister smiles.
Just then, Katagiri suddenly moved, firmly blocking Ito, using his body to stop them.
Katagiri Tomoji's voice, hoarse from injury and agitation, was exceptionally clear: "Wait! I told you to wait! I believe him!"
Seeing this, Sagara Takeshi, far from being angry, instead revealed a strange smile.
He scanned all the Kaiki members around him, repeating loudly, word by word:
"Everyone! Did you all hear that? Our boss—Katagiri Tomoji! He says he doesn't believe his own comrades! He'd rather believe an outsider enemy who just beat him down!"
These words were like cold water dropped into hot oil, instantly causing a commotion among the Kaiki thugs.
Even some of Katagiri's originally loyal subordinates showed looks of confusion and hesitation on their faces.
Sagara Takeshi dropped his smile, his expression becoming cold and hypocritical, he stared at Katagiri, and said in a tone as if he were carrying out divine justice: "Tomoji, for you, as the boss of Kaiki, to say such a thing... it's truly disheartening. You shouldn't have said that."
Katagiri looked at Sagara Takeshi, at the doubtful eyes of his subordinates around him, and then at Ito on the ground, who was angry but powerless to refute the slander. He was silent for a few seconds.
He slowly and clearly said: "Ah... yes. Perhaps I really shouldn't have said that, and I'm no longer worthy of saying it."
He raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting Sagara Takeshi's:
"Then I quit. This position as boss... you can be the next boss."
At these words, the whole place erupted!
Even Sagara was stunned for a moment, but he quickly reacted, an almost uncontrollable look of ecstasy appearing on his face, but he forced himself to hold it back, putting on a solemn and responsible facade as he said:
"Thank you... Tomoji."
He puffed out his chest and announced to everyone:
"Don't worry! I, Sagara Takeshi, will definitely be an 'excellent' boss! I will absolutely not let down any 'comrade'!"
Katagiri didn't want to watch his performance anymore, and wearily closed his eyes: "You have nothing else to do, right? Then take your men and go."
However, Sagara Takeshi's objective was far from just that.
That serpentine smile reappeared on his face, and he shook his head: "That—still won't do. I'm taking Ito with me."
The air in the alley seemed to freeze.
Katagiri Tomoji used his last bit of strength, blocking Ito, his voice trembling from weakness, but resolute: "This is my... final order!"
He looked around at the subordinates who had once followed him, and said, word by word: "Do not—touch Ito!"
Sagara Takeshi burst into unrestrained laughter as if he had heard the funniest joke: "Hahaha! Final order? Tomoji, what right do you have to order us now? How could I possibly listen to the orders of a loser anymore?"
His eyes were full of mockery and the pleasure of betrayal, as he savored Katagiri's downfall.
Katagiri stared blankly at Sagara Takeshi, as if in an instant he understood everything—the so-called Ito ganging up on Kaiki members was probably just an excuse Sagara had concocted to seize power.
He slowly lowered his head, a tremendous sense of humiliation and apology to Ito intertwined, making it almost impossible for him to breathe, he struggled, squeezing out a faint but clear voice from deep in his throat:
"Then..."
"I beg you... Sagara..." This sentence seemed to drain all his strength.