CHAPTER 2

Late Night – Takagi’s Apartment, Naka Ward, day 1

Nagoya glimmered beyond the rain-streaked window, its lights dancing faintly on the glass like distant stars caught in motion. Takagi Tetsunori sat on the edge of his neatly made bed, his silhouette framed by the dim glow of the city. The muted symphony of urban life filled the room—traffic rumbling on slick streets, the faint chime of a crossing bell echoing somewhere in the distance, and the steady percussion of rain tapping against the windowpane.

The apartment was modest, almost spartan, a reflection of Takagi’s practical mindset and his refusal to indulge in luxury. The walls were painted a plain, off-white, devoid of photographs or artwork save for a single hanging scroll near the door. The kanji for giri—duty—was inked in bold, flowing strokes, a constant reminder of the code he lived by. Beneath it, his shoes sat neatly aligned on a small mat, a stark contrast to the disarray found in the lives of many of his peers.

A small table stood in the corner, cluttered but orderly in its own way. A stack of unopened bills lay alongside a scuffed lighter, a pack of cigarettes with its foil peeled back, and an unopened bottle of sake collecting condensation from the evening’s humidity. The faint tang of tobacco lingered in the air, mingling with the metallic scent of rain sneaking in through the slightly ajar window.

Takagi himself was a picture of quiet intensity. His black slacks were pressed but subtly worn at the knees, and his white shirt was unbuttoned at the collar, its sleeves carefully rolled up to expose his corded forearms. His ink—coiling dragons and waves etched across his skin—was barely visible beneath the fabric but carried the weight of unspoken stories. His broad shoulders bore the tension of years spent in the Nagasawa-kai, where trust was rare, and survival required constant vigilance. His jacket hung over the back of a nearby chair, the faint scuffs on its lapels testifying to countless nights spent under neon lights, enforcing the clan’s will.

The furniture in the apartment was as unassuming as its occupant: a small but sturdy bed with tightly tucked sheets, a low kitchen counter lined with neatly arranged dishes, and a single, battered armchair angled toward the window. The only personal touch was a sleek, black radio perched on a shelf, currently silent but often used to fill the space with the haunting strains of old enka ballads—a rare indulgence in an otherwise austere existence.

Takagi sat motionless, his hands resting on his knees, staring down at the clean, polished floor. His thoughts churned in the silence, heavier than the humid air that clung to the room. He wasn’t dwelling on the tasks ahead; he had long since learned to compartmentalize the dangers of his work. Instead, his mind lingered on the questions that arose when the streets were still: the meaning of loyalty, the toll of sacrifice, and whether he had crossed a line he could never return from.

A sharp buzz from his phone broke the stillness. The screen illuminated the room for a moment, casting faint shadows across his face.

Kondo: “Report to Golden Crane. Sho’s already there.”

Takagi sighed, the sound barely audible over the rain. He rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the familiar pull of duty and the weight it carried. The city waited, indifferent to his deliberations. The game continued, whether he moved or not.

He reached for the pack of cigarettes on the table, tucking them into his pocket with a practiced motion, then shrugged on his jacket. The rain had seeped into the night, the rhythm a reminder that the city never truly rested. With a final glance at the dim glow of Nagoya beyond the window, Takagi left the quiet solace of his apartment and stepped into the waiting storm.

Late Night – Nagoya Streets, day 1

The rain fell in steady sheets, blurring the edges of Nagoya’s bustling nightlife. The streets of Sakae pulsed with energy even at this hour—salarymen stumbled out of izakayas, their ties loosened and laughter spilling into the night. Taxi drivers honked impatiently as revelers jostled for space under the cover of umbrellas. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting kaleidoscopic reflections on the slick pavement. From a nearby alley, the smell of grilled skewers mingled with the metallic tang of rain. Takagi moved through it all with practiced ease, his steps deliberate, his presence unnoticed amidst the chaos.

His mood matched the weather: cool, subdued, but with an undercurrent of tension. The city moved around him with its usual frenetic energy—salarymen laughing under shared umbrellas, a street vendor packing up his stall, the sharp clatter of bicycle wheels against the slick asphalt. But to Takagi, it all felt distant, muffled by the rain and the weight of his thoughts.

As he passed a convenience store, its automatic doors opened briefly to release a gust of warm air and the faint jingle of an electronic chime. The aroma of instant ramen mingled with the damp night air, stirring an idle memory of simpler times. He shook it off, his sharp eyes scanning the street ahead.

Takagi’s mind wandered back to the message from Kondo. The Golden Crane. Sho would already be there, probably cracking jokes with the staff and pacing like a restless dog. Takagi smirked faintly at the thought, the expression gone as quickly as it appeared. Despite Sho’s recklessness, he trusted him. Tonight, though, trust alone wouldn’t be enough.

The pachinko parlor came into view, its garish lights spilling out onto the rain-soaked street. The sound of chiming machines, chaotic and relentless, reached him even from this distance. Takagi stopped under the overhang of a shuttered storefront, shaking droplets from his jacket and lighting a cigarette. He took a slow drag, letting the warmth and bitterness steady him.

The rain coursed down the edges of the awning in rivulets, forming a curtain that blurred the world outside. Takagi stared at the Golden Crane’s glowing sign, its colors distorted through the downpour, and exhaled a stream of smoke into the night.

Time to go to work, he thought, stepping back into the rain.

Late Night - Golden Crane Pachinko Parlor, Naka Ward, day 1

The pachinko parlor roared with life as Takagi stepped inside. Lights flashed in frantic patterns, their colors bouncing off the chrome-plated walls, while the relentless chiming of the machines created a dissonant symphony. The haze of cigarette smoke curled above the heads of players, their faces lit by the glow of spinning balls. Amidst the chaos, Takagi’s sharp eyes picked out the subtle signs of Yakuza control: the careful watch of a suited man near the cash desk, the guarded nod from a floor manager. This was no mere parlor—it was a cog in the Nagasawa machine, its pulse tied to the rhythms of the clan.

Leaning against a corner post, Takagi crossed his arms, his sharp gaze steady and unhurried. His black jacket, worn open, revealed the telltale hint of ink climbing his collarbone—a quiet declaration of loyalty to the Nagasawa-kai.

Beside him, Nishikawa Shoji couldn’t sit still. He flipped a lighter open and closed, the metallic snick barely audible over the racket of the machines. His restless energy contrasted sharply with Takagi’s calm, like a flame dancing next to stone. Sho had already made two circuits of the room, greeting patrons with exaggerated charm, his grin wide and his voice loud enough to draw attention. Now, he hovered near Takagi, the itch for action practically radiating off him.

“You gonna stand there all night, Aniki?” Sho asked, tossing the lighter in the air and catching it without looking. His grin was cocky, but his tone carried a playful edge. “Feels like we’re babysitting a bunch of zombies. Gotta be more exciting places to be than this.”

Takagi’s eyes didn’t move from the room. “Patience. Kondo-san doesn’t send us anywhere without reason.”

Sho scoffed, leaning against a machine and surveying the players. “Reason, sure. I just don’t see it. This place is locked tighter than a politician’s wallet. Nobody’s dumb enough to try anything here. What’s the point of us standing around?”

Takagi finally glanced at him, his expression calm but sharp. “Overconfidence will get you killed, Sho. I’ve seen it before. Kondo must’ve heard something. If you don’t see the threat, it just means you’re not looking hard enough.”

Sho gave a mock sigh, straightening up. “You’re no fun, you know that? Maybe you should loosen up. Get a drink, play a round. Hell, chat up Ayaka for once—she’s over there.”

Takagi didn’t rise to the bait, but his gaze did flick briefly toward the far corner of the parlor. Kitagawa Ayaka stood behind the counter, organizing trays of cups and ashtrays. Her uniform looked a little too big for her small frame, the sleeves slightly rumpled, but she carried herself with quiet focus. Sho’s grin softened the moment his eyes landed on her.

“Why don’t you talk to her yourself?” Takagi asked dryly, turning back to his vigil.

“I do,” Sho shot back, smirking. “But you’ve got that whole ‘serious, mysterious guy’ thing going on. Chicks dig that. Maybe she’s waiting for you to make a move.”

“Or maybe she’s just doing her job,” Takagi replied evenly.

Before Sho could fire off a comeback, Ayaka approached, carrying a tray of empty cups. “You two just going to stand there all night, or are you actually working?” she teased, raising an eyebrow as she stopped a few steps away.

Sho straightened up, his grin widening. “Working, Ayaka-chan. Just keeping the peace, you know? But if you need help carrying that tray…”

Ayaka rolled her eyes, brushing past him toward the counter. “I think I’ll manage. You, on the other hand, look like you could use something to do.”

Takagi inclined his head slightly in greeting. “Anything unusual tonight?”

Ayaka shook her head as she set the tray down. “Not yet. But the crowd’s been different lately. More strangers. Quiet types.”

Sho tilted his head. “New faces, huh? Anyone worth keeping an eye on?”

Ayaka glanced over her shoulder, her expression thoughtful. “Hard to say. Most of them just sit and play. But there’s this… vibe, I guess. Like they’re waiting for something. Or someone.”

Takagi nodded. “Thanks. Let us know if anything feels off.”

Ayaka smiled faintly. “I will. And Sho—try not to cause a scene, okay?”

Sho clutched his chest dramatically. “Me? A scene? Never.”

Ayaka’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, her lips quirking upward in the barest hint of a smile before she disappeared behind the counter again.

“You’re hopeless,” Takagi muttered, shaking his head.

“And you’re blind,” Sho retorted, but his grin faltered as he glanced at Ayaka one last time.

The bell above the entrance chimed, cutting through the noise of the parlor. Takagi’s attention snapped to the door. A man stepped inside, his entrance casual but deliberate, like someone who always knew exactly where they were going. His dark, tailored jacket clung snugly to his lean frame, and his hands rested casually in his pockets. His posture was relaxed, but there was a quiet intensity to his presence that rippled through the room like an unseen tide.

“Looks like our night just got interesting,” Sho murmured, slipping his hand into his pocket to touch the hilt of his switchblade.

“Stay sharp,” Takagi said quietly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the newcomer.

It wasn’t just his clothes or the way he walked that caught Takagi’s attention—it was his eyes. Sharp and calculating, they scanned the parlor with deliberate focus, dissecting the room like a hunter surveying a field. Most patrons wandered in with the slack-jawed eagerness of gamblers chasing a fleeting high, their gazes swallowed by the hypnotic whirl of lights and sounds. But this man’s eyes lingered elsewhere—on the peripheries.

He cataloged everything in quick, efficient glances: the placement of the exits, the cash counter, the overhead security cameras. His gaze swept the room’s players, briefly lingering on Takagi and Sho before moving on. Each glance carried the weight of calculation, as though he were piecing together a puzzle only he could see.

Takagi’s instincts prickled, a familiar tension tightening in his chest. There was a rhythm to the pachinko parlor’s chaos—a constant, predictable noise of clinking balls, chiming machines, and muttered curses. This man didn’t move to that rhythm. He seemed detached, immune to the parlor’s usual pull. His stride carried a tension beneath its calm surface, like a spring wound tight and hidden just out of sight.

The man’s face was lean, almost gaunt, his high cheekbones casting subtle shadows under the harsh fluorescent lights. A faint stubble lined his jaw, adding a rugged edge to his otherwise polished appearance. His hair, short and slightly disheveled, clung damply to his scalp, but he made no effort to adjust it. If anything, it added to his image—carefully casual, a mask of indifference that felt almost too deliberate.

Sho’s ever-present grin faltered, suspicion creeping into his expression. “Who the hell is this guy?” he muttered, his voice low enough to be drowned by the machines. Straightening up, he flicked the lighter open and shut again, the tiny metallic snick barely audible over the din.

Takagi didn’t answer. He kept his eyes on the man, tracking his movements as he drifted between the machines. Every step felt intentional, every pause a moment to take in another detail of the room. He wasn’t here for pachinko, that much was clear. This was reconnaissance, not curiosity.

The man paused near the machines, his gaze flickering briefly to the cash counter, then to the back office door. It was subtle, the kind of glance most people wouldn’t notice, but Takagi caught it. A muscle tightened in his jaw as he pushed off the wall, his movements slow and deliberate.

Sho shifted beside him, his voice cutting through the haze of smoke and noise. “Think he’s one of Hanabira’s?”

“Could be,” Takagi murmured. His posture was relaxed, but his eyes were steel. “He’s not a gambler, that’s for sure.”

As if sensing the weight of their stares, the man turned slowly. His dark, piercing eyes locked onto Takagi’s, the briefest flicker of surprise crossing his face before it was replaced by something more practiced—amusement. His lips curled into a faint smile, thin and rehearsed, as he stepped closer.

“Looking for someone?” Takagi asked, his voice slicing through the noise of the parlor with quiet authority.

The man stopped, tilting his head slightly as though considering the question. “Nah,” he said finally, his tone smooth and unhurried. “Just here to play. Gotta scan for my lucky machine, you know?”

The way he spoke set Takagi further on edge. His voice was too polished, too measured—like someone who had spent years perfecting how to sound casual without letting anything slip. The kind of voice that left no trace, no memory.

Takagi didn’t respond right away. He let the silence stretch, his gaze drilling into the man, searching for cracks in the mask. Finally, he nodded toward the rows of machines. “Be my guest.”

The man’s smile didn’t waver. He inclined his head slightly—gratitude, acknowledgment, or something more pointed, it was hard to tell—and moved past them with the same calculated ease. Sho’s hand lingered near his pocket, brushing the switchblade hidden inside, but Takagi gave a subtle shake of his head. Not yet.

The stranger took a seat near the back of the parlor, where the light was dimmer, the noise slightly less oppressive. His hands slid from his pockets, reaching for the pachinko lever with casual precision. Soon the mechanical chime of falling balls joined the cacophony of the room, blending seamlessly into the chaos. But his eyes—they weren’t on the game.

Takagi returned to his post near Sho, who leaned against the counter, the metallic snick of his lighter slicing through the relentless chime of pachinko machines. Sho’s usual grin had faded, replaced by a tense line that betrayed his growing unease. The restless rhythm of the lighter’s clicks matched the taut energy radiating from him, his bravado tempered by suspicion.

“What’s his deal?” Sho muttered under his breath, his voice low enough to be swallowed by the surrounding noise.

Takagi didn’t immediately respond. His sharp eyes remained locked on the stranger, who was still seated at the pachinko machine, his movements too smooth, too deliberate. “Not a local,” Takagi said finally, his voice flat, unreadable. “Hanabira-gumi, maybe.”

Sho’s expression darkened at the mention of the rival clan. His hand drifted toward his pocket, fingers brushing the handle of his switchblade. “Or maybe a cop. You want me to—”

“No.” Takagi’s reply was sharp, cutting through Sho’s suggestion like a blade. His tone brooked no argument, the authority in his voice unmistakable. “We watch. For now.”

Sho bristled but swallowed his protest. For all his recklessness, he wasn’t stupid enough to ignore Takagi’s instincts. Instead, he redirected his frustration, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the edge of the counter. The itch to act buzzed under his skin, his switchblade a tempting reassurance against the unknown.

The minutes dragged on, each one stretching taut as the stranger continued his mechanical, joyless game. He pulled the pachinko lever with a rhythm that felt almost choreographed, his eyes drifting away from the machine as though the game were nothing more than camouflage. Takagi caught every nuance—the way the man’s gaze lingered a beat too long on the cash counter, the slight tilt of his head toward the back office door. This wasn’t idle curiosity.

“He’s casing the place,” Sho muttered, his voice a low growl.

Takagi didn’t look at him. “Let him,” he said, his tone calm but edged with a warning sharp enough to cut steel. “Just keep an eye on him.”

Sho exhaled sharply, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, his frustration barely contained. He wanted to act, to move, to do something, but he bit back the urge. Instead, he watched the man with a predator’s focus, his free hand tapping restlessly against his thigh while his other lingered near the blade in his pocket.

The parlor seemed to close in around them, the chaotic noise fading into the background as their attention narrowed on the stranger. He moved like a ghost through the room, unseen by most but not by them. Takagi’s instincts hummed with tension, every detail feeding the nagging certainty that this man didn’t belong.

Finally, the stranger stood. His movements were fluid, unhurried. He didn’t stretch or glance at the screen tallying his minimal winnings. Instead, he slid his hands into his pockets, abandoning the game without so much as a flicker of interest.

Takagi tensed, his body coiled like a spring ready to snap. He watched as the man’s gaze swept the room one last time, brushing over the counters, the cameras, and finally Takagi himself. There was no acknowledgment, no sign of recognition—just a faint, deliberate pass as though Takagi were another detail to be filed away.

The bell above the entrance chimed, the sound cutting through the haze of noise as the man exited into the rain-soaked night.

Takagi pushed off the counter, his movements smooth but purposeful. “That was an invite,” he said, his voice low, already heading toward the door.

Sho fell into step beside him, his earlier tension morphing into sharp anticipation. “An invite to what?” he asked, his grin returning, sharp and wolfish.

“To follow him,” Takagi replied, his eyes fixed ahead. The rain hammered against the pavement outside, its relentless rhythm matching the pounding in his chest. “This was intentional. He wants us to follow.”

Sho’s excitement bubbled to the surface, his frustration melting away as a spark of reckless energy lit his expression. “Now we’re talking. I was starting to think I wasn’t losing sleep for anything.” He cracked his knuckles, the grin on his face widening. “I wonder what’s at the end of the rainbow.”

Takagi didn’t respond, his focus razor-sharp as they stepped into the downpour. The city stretched out before them, its neon glow fractured by the rain into shimmering pools of light. The man’s figure was already disappearing into the shadows ahead, his movements deliberate but not hurried, as though he expected them to follow.

Sho flipped his collar up against the rain, glancing at Takagi. “You think this is a trap?”

“Probably,” Takagi said, his tone as calm as ever. “But if it’s a trap, it’s one worth springing. Let’s move.”

The two men slipped into the night, their footsteps muffled by the rain. The city’s usual clamor was muted, replaced by the rhythmic patter of water against asphalt and the faint hum of distant traffic. Sho’s lighter clicked open and shut, the tiny flame illuminating his face for the briefest moment before it disappeared again.

Ahead, the stranger’s silhouette turned down a narrow alley, the faint glow of a streetlamp casting him in sharp relief before he melted into the darkness.

“Think he knows we’re on him?” Sho asked, his voice low but brimming with adrenaline.

Takagi’s lips tightened. “He’s counting on it.”

Late Night – Nagoya Streets, day 1

The rain fell steadily, a constant drumming that swallowed sound and smudged the edges of the city. Neon signs reflected off the pavement in fractured pools of red, blue, and green, shimmering like oil slicks on the waterlogged streets. Streetlights cast wavering halos through the downpour, their glow distorted by streaked windows and overflowing gutters. Nagoya was alive even at this hour—cars glided through the mist with headlights cutting thin white lines, and the distant hum of voices blended with the rain to create a hollow, almost dreamlike ambiance.

The man moved with purpose, his stride smooth and deliberate, threading through the late-night crowds like a shadow that belonged to the chaos. Umbrellas bobbed and shifted, shielding the faces of salarymen stumbling out of izakayas, their laughter loud and slurred. A group of university students darted across the street, dodging puddles, their sneakers splashing through shallow pools of light and water. Yet amidst it all, the man never faltered, his pace unwavering as though the crowd parted for him alone.

Takagi and Sho followed at a distance, their presence muted, their silhouettes folding seamlessly into the city’s darker corners. The rain soaked through their coats, its cold bite forgotten as their focus narrowed to the quarry ahead. Takagi moved like a shadow—silent, deliberate—while Sho’s steps, though controlled, couldn’t help but splash against the uneven pavement.

“He’s heading east,” Sho murmured, his voice barely cutting through the steady hiss of the rain. “Hanabira dog’s leading us back to his master’s yard.”

Takagi didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the man’s silhouette as it passed under a flickering streetlamp. His expression was carved from stone, unreadable. He noticed everything: the subtle way the man adjusted his stride near shopfront windows, avoiding puddles too neatly placed to be accidental; the way his head barely tilted to mark passing alleyways, as though mapping escape routes with every step.

“Good,” Takagi said finally, his voice flat but sharp. “Let’s see how many shitheads he’s got waiting.”

Sho smirked, his hand brushing against the hilt of his switchblade. The familiar weight steadied him, the cool surface a promise. “I’ve got your back, Aniki... and I’ve got some anger issues to work out.”

Takagi shot him a sidelong glance, the faint flicker of a street sign catching on the sharp lines of his jaw. “Just don’t get ahead of yourself. Fighting is one thing. Bodies? That shatters the truce.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sho drawled, his grin widening though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll keep ’em breathing. Might just rearrange their faces a little.”

The man turned suddenly, slipping down a side street barely visible in the rain-soaked haze. The main thoroughfare faded behind them, the hum of conversation and neon glow replaced by the quieter, grittier pulse of Nagoya’s underbelly. Buildings pressed closer here, the narrow alley shrouded in shadow and reeking of damp concrete, mildew, and discarded cardboard. Graffiti scrawled across the walls, remnants of old gang tags now peeling under years of neglect.

Takagi raised a hand, signaling Sho to hold back as they neared the entrance of the alley. The rain trickled down from rusting awnings, the sound sharp and rhythmic like a ticking clock. The faint glow of vending machines—always open, always waiting—offered sparse illumination, their humming presence the only sign of life.

The man paused under a cracked streetlamp, the pale light catching the glistening raindrops as they rolled off his coat. Slowly, deliberately, he reached into his pocket. Takagi tensed, his hand brushing the concealed grip of his pistol beneath his coat. Sho, already coiled like a spring, nearly stepped forward, but Takagi’s glare held him in place.

The faint scrape of a lighter flint echoed in the stillness. A tiny flame flared, briefly illuminating the man’s face—a mask of calm indifference, gaunt and shadowed but betraying nothing. The cigarette perched on his lips like punctuation to an unfinished sentence, smoke curling upward and vanishing into the mist.

“He’s stalling, man,” Sho muttered, his voice tight. He shifted his weight, the leather of his jacket creaking softly. “Leading us into the doghouse.”

“Or a trap,” Takagi said, his tone low, calm but edged with steel. The rain dripped down the back of his neck, soaking into his collar, but he barely registered the discomfort. “Stay sharp.”

The man flicked his spent cigarette to the ground, the ember extinguishing with a faint hiss as it met the puddle. Then, almost lazily, he turned his head. His eyes swept the shadows with deliberate precision, his gaze lingering just a moment too long where Takagi and Sho were concealed.

Sho’s breath hitched. “Shit. He sees us.”

Takagi’s jaw tightened. The man’s lips curved into a faint smile—thin, knowing, and sharp enough to draw blood. Adjusting his collar with slow deliberation, the man turned and disappeared around the corner, his steps unhurried as though he already knew they would follow.

“Move,” Takagi ordered, his voice slicing through the rain like a blade.

They stepped into motion, Takagi leading with measured precision, Sho close behind, his earlier impatience morphing into something sharper. The alley narrowed, the sound of the rain muffled by the closeness of the walls. Water pooled in shallow dips, splashing against their steps as they maneuvered past overturned crates and dumpsters.

The man stayed ahead but never far enough to lose them—turning corners with unsettling fluidity, weaving through streets that twisted in ways that didn’t seem to add up. Twice Takagi hesitated, glancing back the way they’d come, the streets folding in on themselves as though the city were rearranging its own bones.

“Where the hell is he leading us?” Sho hissed under his breath, his voice tight with frustration.

Takagi didn’t answer. His focus was unshakable, though his instincts screamed at him to slow down, to reassess. This was too easy, too calculated.

Another corner. Another narrow street. The hum of the city seemed impossibly distant now, swallowed by the labyrinthine back alleys and the steady pulse of rain. The only light came from the occasional vending machine or a flickering bulb above rusting doorways, casting strange, dancing shadows across the walls.

Then, suddenly, the man turned sharply into an alley so narrow it seemed more like a crack in the buildings than a street. For the briefest second, he glanced back. Their eyes met—just a flicker of contact before he melted into the dark.

Takagi stopped short, holding up a hand. Sho nearly bumped into him, swearing softly. “What now?”

Takagi’s voice was low, his tone unreadable. “We tread carefully.”

Sho’s grin returned, sharp and wolfish, adrenaline gleaming in his eyes. “This just got interesting, Aniki.”

Takagi glanced at him, his expression dark and focused. “Interesting’s a word for it.”

They crept through the narrow alley, their silhouettes swallowed by shadow, the rain pattering down like a relentless drumbeat warning of something unseen just ahead.

When they rounded the corner, the man was gone. The street ahead was narrow and deserted, save for two figures standing under the fractured glow of a streetlight. Broad-shouldered and solid, their tailored suits clung to their frames, the fabric darkened by rain. The faint gleam of Hanabira pins on their lapels caught Takagi’s eye.

The air thickened, heavy with unspoken violence. One of the men reached into his coat, the motion slow and deliberate, his fingers brushing the edge of something metallic. Sho’s grip tightened around his blade, the faint sound of the knife flicking open masked by a low roll of thunder.

“Looks like they were expecting us,” Sho muttered, his voice low, excitement dancing on its edges.

The taller of the two men took a step forward, his lips curling into a sneer. “What brings Nagasawa dogs to our turf?” he asked, his tone laced with mockery.

Sho matched the step, his grin wolfish and sharp. “Ah, you know. Just out for a walk. Beautiful night for it.”

The tension snapped taut, the rain growing louder as it hammered against the pavement. Takagi’s hand rested on his weapon, his expression unreadable as he stepped into the light. The city held its breath, waiting for the storm to break.

The taller thug took a step closer, his lips curling into a sneer as he gestured lazily between Takagi and Sho. “Out for a walk, huh? Cute. You two always take midnight strolls together, or is this date night special?” His voice dripped with mockery, the kind meant to provoke.

Sho’s grin turned razor-sharp, his fingers twitching at his side. “Let’s see if you’ll still be laughing when I dissect that ugly mug of yours.”

“Hold on, Sho,” Takagi said quietly, his voice a low growl that cut through the rain. He stepped forward, meeting the taller man’s gaze with cold intensity. “We were following one of yours. I’m guessing there’s a good reason for this little rendezvous.”

The shorter thug let out a barking laugh, his knuckles cracking audibly as he flexed his hands. “Reason? Sure. Wanted to see what all the fuss is about. They say the Lion of Sakae is some kind of legend.” He leaned forward, his grin wide and predatory. “But legends tend to fall apart when you put the squeeze on ’em.”

Takagi’s expression didn’t flicker, his dark eyes boring into the man like the weight of an avalanche. His voice dropped, slow and deliberate. “I wouldn’t test that theory if I were you.”

The taller thug smirked, rolling his shoulders. “Tough words, old man. Let’s see if you can back ’em up.”

The rain seemed to grow louder, hammering against the pavement as the moment stretched taut. Sho shifted slightly, the subtle scrape of his blade flicking open punctuating the silence. “Aniki’s being polite,” he said, his voice dangerously light. “But don’t expect that shit from me.”

The taller thug lurched forward first, his arm swinging in a wide, reckless arc. Takagi moved like a shadow, sidestepping the blow at speed. In one fluid motion, his fist shot out, a sharp jab that caught the thug’s nose with a sickening crunch. The man staggered back, clutching his face as blood spilled between his fingers, but Takagi was already on him, driving a brutal elbow into his temple that sent him sprawling to the ground.

Meanwhile, the shorter thug charged at Sho, his fists raised in a clumsy brawler’s stance. Sho met him halfway, his blade flashing under the pale streetlight. The thug yelped as the knife carved a shallow line across his forearm, but Sho didn’t let up. He darted in and out like a jackal, landing quick, punishing strikes with the flat of his blade and the heel of his boot. The thug stumbled, slipping on the wet pavement as he tried to backpedal.

“Running already?” Sho taunted, his grin feral. “Thought you wanted to see the Lion. You can’t even get through me!”

The man turned to flee, but Sho’s blade was faster, slicing through the back of his jacket and nicking his shoulder. He let out a strangled cry and disappeared into the shadows, clutching his wound.

Takagi stood over the taller thug, who groaned weakly as he tried to rise. Without a word, Takagi grabbed the man by the collar and yanked him upright, slamming him against the wall with enough force to rattle the bricks. “You’ve got one chance,” Takagi said, his voice low and deadly. “Why were we led here?”

The thug coughed, blood dripping from his split lip. “W-we didn’t—”

Takagi slammed him against the wall again, cutting him off. “Try again.”

“They wanted to see what you’d do!” the thug blurted, his voice cracking with panic. “Orders from above—just to feel you out! I swear!”

Takagi released him, letting the man slide to the ground in a heap. “Message received,” he said coldly. He turned to Sho, who was wiping his blade on his sleeve with a satisfied smirk.

“Guess that answers that,” Sho said. He gestured to the thug on the ground. “What about him?”

Takagi glanced down at the crumpled figure, who was barely conscious. “He’s done. Let’s go.”

Sho twirled his blade once before tucking it away. “Fine. But next time, I’m not leaving them in one piece.”

The rain continued to pour as the two Nagasawa men melted back into the shadows. Behind them, the taller thug groaned and clutched his ribs, his breath hitching as the sound of their footsteps faded into the storm. Takagi grinned but didn’t respond. His eyes were already scanning the street ahead, his mind examing a multitude of possibilities. The night’s events proved Kondo's hunch correct, Takagi thought to himself. It was just some blowhard looking to make a name for himself.

The night pressed close as Takagi and Sho emerged onto the main street, the rain beginning to fall in earnest. Neon reflections shimmered on the wet pavement, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. The distant hum of a passing train blended with the low murmur of nightlife, a steady rhythm to the chaos they’d left behind.

Sho adjusted his jacket, his breath misting in the cool air. “A bit nippy for Spring. Fuck! So, what’s next?”

Takagi didn’t answer immediately. His mind replayed the fight in the alley, the calculated way the Hanabira men had waited to spring their trap. They hadn’t come to fight for glory—they’d come to test. They came to see if they could lure us away. They've shown they can isolate both us and the parlor. It was also a message, the orders most likely coming from the highest echelons of the Hanabira-gumi.

“We'll report it to Kondo,” Takagi said finally, his voice low. “The oyabun should hear about this.”

Sho snorted, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Kondo’s gonna love it, man. You know it, too! He's gonna bring out that big map and put his little miniatures on it.”

Takagi shot him a sharp look. “Kondo's caution has paid off before and don't let him hear you saying shit like that. He's sensitive about his maps.” Takagi ended with a grin.

Sho busted out laughing, "You know that dude's house is probably filled with that stuff. Gotta be."

"Yeah," Takagi replied, "He definitely has some kind of complex."

Sho’s grin was big, a flicker of mischief in his eyes. “You ready to see him?”

"We're here already."

Late Night – Nagasawa-Kai Office, Naka Ward, day 1

The Nagasawa-kai office blended the sterile precision of a corporate firm with the weight of an underworld empire. The building's polished brass plaque read “Nagasawa Business Solutions” in elegant kanji, its façade unassuming to the untrained eye. Inside, the scent of polished wood and fresh paper filled the air, the quiet hum of air conditioning masking the underlying tension. Framed certificates hung on the walls, testaments to the clan’s outward success. But beneath the veneer of respectability lay subtle signs of their true power: the guarded eyes of staff, the faint outline of a gun holster beneath a receptionist’s blazer. Here, every detail served a purpose—an intricate dance of appearances and control.

Takagi and Sho stepped inside, the muted hum of an overhead air conditioner blending with the distant patter of rain. The lobby was understated but immaculate—a few leather chairs, a low table adorned with neatly arranged business magazines, and a framed scroll bearing the kanji for "honor" hung behind the reception desk.

A middle-aged woman in a crisp blouse sat behind the desk, typing briskly at her computer. She glanced up as they entered, her expression neutral but respectful. “Kondo-san is still in his office,” she said, her tone efficient but warm enough to imply familiarity.

Takagi offered a small nod of thanks, his footsteps silent on the tiled floor as he led the way down the hall. Sho trailed behind him, glancing briefly at the framed certificates and awards that lined the walls—official acknowledgments of the Nagasawa-kai’s “business ventures.” The hall smelled faintly of polished wood and fresh paper, an environment of calculated calm that belied the reality of the organization’s true dealings.

The private offices were equally unassuming. The sliding door to Kondo Masaru’s room was slightly ajar, and the sound of papers shuffling and the faint scrape of a chair could be heard within. Takagi slid the door open further, stepping inside without hesitation.

The office was neat and professional, much like the rest of the building. A sturdy desk dominated the room, its surface meticulously organized with ledgers, neatly stacked files, and a well-used ashtray. A single bonsai tree rested on the windowsill, its delicate branches meticulously pruned. Behind the desk, Kondo Masaru sat in his tailored suit, his posture relaxed but his sharp eyes instantly locking onto his visitors.

“Takagi,” Kondo greeted, his gravelly voice carrying the authority of years spent in the shadows of power. “Nishikawa.”

“Kondo-san,” Takagi replied, bowing slightly. Sho offered a quick nod, his usual casualness tempered slightly in the presence of the older man.

Kondo gestured toward the chairs in front of his desk. “Sit.”

Sho hesitated, his fingers fidgeting with the edge of his jacket, but Takagi moved smoothly into one of the chairs, settling himself with calm precision. Sho leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his energy restless.

Kondo took a long drag from his cigarette, the ember flaring briefly in the dim light. Smoke curled around his face as he exhaled slowly, his sharp eyes never leaving Takagi. “What happened?”

Takagi adjusted his stance slightly, his voice calm and deliberate. “Hanabira men. Three of them. One led us into an ambush near the pachinko parlor in Sakae.”

Kondo’s fingers tapped idly on the desk as he took another drag. “And?”

“They were feeling us out,” Takagi said. “Testing boundaries. It wasn’t about turf—it was about sending a message. Seeing if they could make us dance.”

Sho leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, the faintest smirk tugging at his lips. “They weren’t shy about it either. They called out the Lion of Sakae by name. You could smell the desperation on them.”

Kondo’s gaze flicked briefly to Sho, but he didn’t respond. His attention returned to Takagi. “And what was the message we sent back?”

Takagi’s expression hardened. “We reminded them whose streets they were walking on. They weren’t the Hanabira’s best—just grunts. They got what they came for.”

The room fell quiet, save for the faint hum of the overhead light and the soft patter of rain against the windows. Kondo leaned back in his chair, exhaling a thin stream of smoke as he studied Takagi.

“Good,” he said finally, his voice measured. “But that’s only the start. Beating down a few foot soldiers doesn’t send a message—they’re used to losing men. What we need is leverage.”

Sho straightened slightly, his grin widening. “You want us to hit them where it hurts? Their bar? Their shipments?”

“No,” Kondo said sharply, cutting through Sho’s enthusiasm like a blade. His tone left no room for argument. “Not yet. That’s the response they want. We’re not going to play their game.”

He stubbed out his cigarette, leaning forward as his voice dropped, colder now. “There’s a bar on the edge of Hanabira territory—up in Nishiki, one we think they’re using to move product. Arms, maybe drugs. I want you to go there, take a look. Quietly. If they’re moving something, I want to know how, when, and where.”

Takagi gave a small nod, his face calm but resolute. “Understood.”

Kondo’s eyes shifted to Sho, his tone hardening. “And you—keep that knife of yours in your pocket. This isn’t the time for bloodshed. You’re there to gather intel, not to start a war.”

Sho raised his hands in mock surrender, his smirk still lingering. “Whatever you say, Kondo-san. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

Kondo’s gaze lingered on him for a moment, skeptical but unwilling to press further. Instead, he turned back to Takagi, his hands folding together on the desk. “One more thing. The oyabun wants a report on my desk by tomorrow morning. Clean, detailed, and actionable. Don’t waste his time—or mine.”

Takagi inclined his head slightly. “You’ll have it.”

Kondo nodded once, leaning back in his chair. “Good. Watch your back. If the Hanabira are bold enough to test us, they won’t stop with small moves. They’ll want to bait us into something bigger.”

Rising smoothly, Takagi bowed with precision. “We’ll handle it.”

Sho pushed off the doorframe, his energy bubbling to the surface. As they stepped into the hall, his voice broke the silence. “This is gonna be good, Aniki,” he said, his grin wolfish. “Poking around their turf, sniffing out their secrets? Feels like Christmas.”

Takagi didn’t respond immediately. His footsteps echoed softly against the polished floor as his mind churned over Kondo’s words. The Hanabira weren’t acting on impulse—this was calculated. And Takagi knew the stakes were higher than they appeared.

As they stepped outside, the rain greeted them once again, cool and relentless. Neon signs reflected off the wet pavement, the streets alive with the quiet hum of Nagoya’s nocturnal pulse. Sho pulled out his lighter, flicking it open and closed with restless fingers.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Takagi said, his voice low as they walked. “We’re not just sniffing around. If they catch us, it’ll be knives first, questions later.”

Sho smirked, the lighter snapping shut. “Good thing I brought mine, then.”

Takagi glanced at him, his face unreadable. “Keep it sheathed. We’re there to watch, not to fight.”

The two moved down the rain-slick streets, their silhouettes blending into the restless city. The game had begun, and every move mattered.

The Wee Hours – Nagoya Streets, day 2

The rain had evolved into a steady downpour, drumming against the pavement and masking the usual sounds of the city. Takagi and Sho moved with purpose through the deserted streets at the edge of Hanabira territory, rain soaking through their coats. Neither carried umbrellas—Takagi hated having his hands tied up, and Sho would rather shiver than look “soft.” The steady patter of water against the concrete blurred the edges of their world, sharpening their focus on the task at hand.

“On second thought, this feels like a wild goose chase,” Sho muttered, flicking wet strands of hair out of his eyes. “Could’ve sent anyone to watch this place. We’re just babysitting a bar.”

“They didn’t send anyone,” Takagi replied, his voice calm but cold. “They sent us. Kondo doesn’t waste my time.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sho grumbled, kicking a stray bottle cap into the gutter. “Still feels like grunt work.”

Takagi didn’t answer. His eyes remained fixed ahead, scanning the narrow streets as they approached their destination—a small izakaya on the edge of Hanabira-gumi territory. It wasn’t just a drinking spot; it was a hub, a suspected site for moving illicit shipments. Takagi knew why they were here. A lesser team might miss the nuances of the Hanabira’s operations. Kondo needed eyes that could see every angle, ears that could catch every slip, and hands steady enough not to act until the moment was right.

They arrived at a quiet corner where streetlights buzzed faintly, their yellow light barely piercing the haze of rain. The sickly glow reflected off puddles that spread like veins across the cracked pavement. Takagi stopped under the shadow of a rusting fire escape, his presence melting into the darkness. Sho leaned against a lamppost a few feet away, lighting a cigarette with hands that were never still.

“So,” Sho said after a long drag, the ember casting faint light on his sharp grin. “You think they know we’re here?”

“Probably,” Takagi said, his voice low. “Doesn’t matter.”

Sho smirked, tapping his fingers against his thigh in a jittery rhythm. “Think we’ll get another warm welcome if we walk in there?”

Takagi’s expression didn’t change. “We’re not walking in.”

Sho rolled his eyes, the smirk never leaving his face. “Right. Because watching them pack boxes into a car is a real thrilling way to spend the night.”

“Use your head,” Takagi said evenly, not bothering to glance at him. “This isn’t about catching them in the act. Kondo sent us because they’ll notice us. It’s a message.”

Sho frowned slightly, his fingers brushing the hilt of his switchblade. “A message, huh? What kind of message is ‘two guys standing in the rain’ supposed to send?”

“The kind that makes them sweat,” Takagi replied, his gaze fixed on the glowing red lantern of the izakaya down the street. “They’re used to people looking the other way. We’re here to remind them we’re not.”

The sliding door to the izakaya creaked open, spilling a group of men onto the wet street. Their laughter echoed through the rain, loose and unguarded. But Takagi’s eyes honed in on the details—the way one of them staggered slightly from too much sake, the glint of a concealed blade tucked into another’s waistband, and the sharp, controlled movements of the man trailing behind them. That one wasn’t drunk. He wasn’t here for drinks.

The clatter of heels against pavement cut through the din as a black sedan pulled up to the curb, its headlights slicing through the rain. Takagi stiffened. “There.”

Sho followed his gaze, squinting. “The old guy with the umbrella?”

Takagi nodded. “Shingiin,” he murmured. “Hanabira advisor. Probably overseeing tonight’s operation.”

Sho’s grin widened, his fingers itching over his blade. “Want me to carve him a retirement package?”

“No,” Takagi said sharply, his tone low and steady. “We’re not here to leave bodies. Just watch.”

The sedan’s driver stepped out, holding the door open for the shingiin, who slid into the back seat with the air of a man accustomed to being obeyed. The remaining men from the izakaya loaded two wooden crates into the trunk with practiced efficiency, their movements quick but unhurried. Takagi’s eyes flicked over each one, cataloging details: their numbers, their coordination, the subtle body language of men who had done this before.

“Guns,” Sho muttered, taking another drag on his cigarette. “Or maybe cash. What do you think?”

Takagi shook his head slightly. “Doesn’t matter. It’s not about what they’re moving—it’s about how.”

The shingiin said something to the driver, who nodded curtly before shutting the trunk. A few men lingered on the sidewalk, laughing and smoking as if nothing significant had just happened. Takagi stepped back into the deeper shadows of the alley, the glow of his lighter briefly illuminating his face as he lit his own cigarette. The rain hissed as droplets hit the smoldering ember.

“They’re confident,” he said, exhaling slowly. “Too confident.”

Sho tapped his foot impatiently, the rhythm breaking the silence between the rain and their breaths. “So what’s the play? Follow the sedan? Rough up the leftovers?”

Takagi flicked ash from his cigarette, his gaze locked on the retreating taillights of the sedan. “No. Let them think we’re not paying attention. Kondo wants us to send a message, not blow our cover.”

Sho scoffed, grinding his cigarette under his heel. “You’re too patient for this life, Aniki.”

Takagi didn’t respond. His mind was already working, turning over every detail of what they’d seen and what it could mean. The Hanabira weren’t just moving shipments—they were growing bolder, more brazen. That meant something bigger was in play.

“It’s coming,” he murmured, almost to himself.

Sho’s grin faltered, his tone losing its usual cocky edge. “What’s coming?”

Takagi’s eyes remained fixed on the empty street ahead, the rain dripping from his coat. “A storm bigger than this rain. And when it does, we’ll be ready.”

Sho smirked, the tension lifting as he flexed his fingers at his sides. “Let it come. I’ve been itching for some real action.”

Takagi turned, his coat catching the wind as he moved toward the darker streets. “Come on. Kondo’s waiting. Tonight was just the first move.”

The Wee Hours – Nagasawa Office, day 2

The faint creak of the office door cut through the heavy stillness as Takagi and Sho stepped inside. Rainwater dripped from their coats onto the polished wooden floor, the quiet plip-plip swallowed by the low hum of the Nagasawa office at work. Cigarette smoke hung thick in the air, mingling with the faint scent of stale coffee and damp wool. Outside the frosted windows, dawn broke reluctantly over Nagoya, its light muted and gray.

The Nagasawa machine never stopped. Foot soldiers shuffled papers with sharp efficiency, aides murmured into burner phones, and faint echoes of hurried footsteps carried from adjoining rooms. There was no wasted movement—only the practiced rhythm of men and women who knew that silence spoke louder than chaos.

At the heart of it all sat Kondo Masaru, steady as an anchor behind his desk. A cigarette burned low in the tray beside him, its ember long and neglected. His sharp eyes flicked up as Takagi and Sho entered, their soaked coats dripping trails across the floorboards. Kondo gestured to the chairs across from him with a slight tilt of his chin.

“You’re back,” he said, his voice clipped and dry, as though he’d spent the night chewing on gravel. “Sit.”

Takagi moved smoothly to the nearest chair, lowering himself with an ease that belied his soaked clothes and the fatigue lingering in his shoulders. Sho, of course, remained standing, wiping the rain from his brow with the back of his hand. He leaned against the wall instead, fidgeting with a lighter he’d swiped from the desk earlier that week. The click of metal punctuated the quiet like a nervous heartbeat.

“They’re moving product,” Takagi began, cutting through the haze of smoke with his low, even tone. “Crates. Two of them, loaded into a sedan. The shingiin was there, overseeing the operation. We sent the message.”

Kondo’s cigarette paused midair, his expression hardening. “The shingiin?” His tone sharpened, like a knife dragged across stone. “That high up? You’re sure about that?”

“Certain,” Takagi replied, his words deliberate. “This wasn’t small-time. It was routine—practiced. Whatever they’re moving, they’ve done it before.”

Sho chimed in, his usual grin laced with something darker. “Aniki called it—guns or worse. They’re not smuggling tea sets.”

Kondo ignored the quip, leaning back in his chair as the weight of Takagi’s words sank in. Smoke curled lazily around his head as he exhaled, his expression unreadable. He tapped ash into the tray, the faint sound sharp in the heavy silence.

After a moment, he spoke. “We’ve got a tip. Quiet, but credible. The Hanabira are making deliveries to our warehouse—one we’ve owned and operated for years, Shimizu Logistics.” His eyes snapped back to Takagi, as if to gauge his reaction. “Someone’s dirty, and the Hanabira know it.”

Sho straightened at that, the lighter forgotten in his hand. “The hell? Our warehouse? Why? How?”

Kondo fixed him with a look that could freeze fire. “You think they’d tell us? Someone’s helping them move product under our noses. Either they’ve bought someone inside, or we’ve got cracks in our walls. If they’re bold enough to pull this shit on our turf, they’re counting on us not seeing it—or not believing it when we do.”

Sho’s mouth opened as though to retort, but he shut it again, his jaw tight.

Takagi’s brow furrowed slightly, his mind already turning over the implications. “The tip reliable?”

“Reliable enough to send you two out there,” Kondo said. He gestured to the drawer, retrieving a manila folder and sliding it across the desk. “The warehouse is near the port—isolated, remote. The kind of place that’s useful for quiet deals and fewer prying eyes. You’re going in to confirm. Eyes open, mouths shut. If there’s anything unusual, I want to know about it.”

Takagi reached for the folder, flipping it open to scan the contents: a set of coordinates, a rough floor plan, and a few grainy photos of the warehouse—shadows swallowing its industrial frame, rusting fences wrapped in weeds.

Sho leaned over his shoulder, scanning the images. “Doesn’t add up,” he muttered, his brow creasing. “Why not use their own place? Why risk coming onto our turf?”

Kondo stubbed out his cigarette, the hiss faint but final. “Because they’re sending a message. If we catch them, we look weak for letting them get this far. If we don’t, we look blind. Either way, we lose face.”

Sho frowned, his fist clenching as he straightened up. “So why not hit them now? Kick their teeth in and send them crawling back to Fujimoto?”

“Because we don’t strike blind,” Kondo snapped, his gaze narrowing into a glare that pinned Sho to the spot. “We don’t make noise until we know where to aim. You think Fujimoto’s the type to hang his neck out? If he’s running this, he’s buried under ten layers of deniability. We find proof, then we decide what to burn.”

Sho bit back whatever retort had been forming, his jaw working silently as his hand drifted back to the lighter. Takagi spoke instead, his voice measured and steady. “Understood. If they’re using our warehouse, they’re counting on someone inside keeping it quiet. We’ll find out what’s happening.”

Kondo’s expression softened just slightly, though his gaze remained sharp. “Good. But don’t get comfortable. If this pans out, you might have more than just crates to deal with. Corruption spreads like mold—it only takes one rot to bring the whole house down.”

Takagi closed the folder and rose smoothly to his feet. “We’ll handle it.”

Sho pushed off the wall, his earlier tension already burning off like mist. “About damn time,” he muttered. “Our warehouse? Dirty rats. I’m ready to clean house.”

Kondo sighed, rubbing his temple as though the conversation had added years to his life. “Nishikawa.”

Sho paused, mid-stride. “Yeah?”

“Keep your blade where it belongs. You’re there to watch, not to carve anyone up. Not unless Takagi gives the word.”

Sho grinned, all wolfish charm. “Scout’s honor, Kondo-san. Quiet as a grave.”

Kondo’s glare lingered. “If I hear otherwise, I’ll be putting you in one.”

Takagi shot Sho a warning look before bowing slightly. “We’ll report back as soon as we know something.”

Kondo nodded once, dismissing them with a tired wave of his hand. “I’ll send the location to your phone. Watch your backs—if the Hanabira are pulling strings, don’t expect this to be clean.”

As they stepped out into the hallway, Sho exhaled sharply, the weight of the conversation lifting enough for his usual cockiness to return. “Dirty deals, port warehouses, and a nest of rats? Feels like we’re in a damn movie, Aniki.”

Takagi tucked the folder under his arm, his voice low. “Keep your head clear. If the tip’s right, this could get ugly fast.”

Sho cracked the lighter one last time, the tiny flame dancing before he snuffed it out. “Good. I’m itching for a little ugly.”

The Wee Hours – Nagoya Streets, day 2

By the time Takagi and Sho stepped out of the Nagasawa office, the rain had eased to a light drizzle, the remnants dripping lazily from rusting gutters and sagging power lines. The sky overhead was a dull slate gray, as though the city itself was reluctant to wake. Nagoya stirred slowly—shops were beginning to roll up their shutters, steam rising from the grates of noodle stalls where early commuters huddled for warmth and cheap breakfast.

Sho shoved his hands into his jacket pockets, his bleached hair damp and tousled by the mist. “Think this warehouse’ll be worth the trip?” he asked, falling into step beside Takagi. His voice carried that same edge of restless energy, though it was dampened by fatigue.

Takagi flicked open his lighter, the tiny flame steady despite the lingering wind. He lit a cigarette, the faint ember casting harsh shadows across his face for a moment before fading. “Kondo doesn’t waste time on guesses,” he said, his tone calm and certain. “If he says Shimizu Logistics is worth looking at, then it is.”

Sho snorted softly, the sound half amusement, half exasperation. “Yeah, well. Feels like we’ve been chasing ghosts all night. How do we even know the tip’s not bullshit? Could be some punk feeding Kondo bad intel just to stir up trouble.”

Takagi glanced at him, exhaling a thin stream of smoke that was carried off by the damp air. “It doesn’t matter what we think. Kondo’s already weighed the risk. If we don’t check and the Hanabira are running goods under our noses, we lose face. And losing face in this city is worse than losing blood.”

Sho grumbled something under his breath, the toe of his shoe kicking at a loose stone that skittered across the slick pavement. “Yeah, yeah. I get it. Watch the shadows. Follow the ghosts. That’s what keeps us alive, right?”

Takagi smirked faintly, though his gaze remained steady ahead. “That’s exactly what keeps us alive. Shadows tell the truth, Sho. People don’t.”

The words hung between them for a moment, heavy but unspoken as Sho rolled his eyes and fell quiet. The two men walked in step through the emptying streets, their footsteps blending into the city’s slow heartbeat—the steady hum of distant traffic, the hiss of tires on wet asphalt, the occasional clang of a shuttered storefront being unlocked.

As they passed a ramen stand, Sho’s stomach gave a quiet growl, though he ignored it. “You ever wonder why they picked us for this one?”

Takagi arched a brow at him. “Us?”

Sho gestured broadly, his grin returning, though it was weaker than usual. “Yeah. You and me. An old-timer who barely cracks a smile and a hothead with a shiny knife. Doesn’t exactly scream ‘trustworthy recon team.’”

Takagi chuckled under his breath, though there was no warmth in it. “You think too much for someone who claims not to think at all.” He took another long drag of his cigarette, flicking the ash onto the damp sidewalk. “Kondo trusts me. And you’re… energetic.”

Sho shot him a look, the closest thing to indignation he could muster. “Energetic? That’s what we’re going with?”

“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” Takagi replied dryly.

“Barely,” Sho muttered, but there was no real bitterness in it. He fell quiet again, the banter fading as they turned the corner into a smaller side street.

Ahead of them, their destination came into view—a small, near-empty lot tucked between a convenience store and a shuttered electronics repair shop. An older, grey and unmarked industrial truck sat waiting under the flickering glow of a single streetlight, its surface slick with rain. The silence of the lot was unnerving, broken only by the faint buzz of the streetlamp and the occasional splash of water as droplets hit the hood of the truck.

Takagi’s gaze swept the area instinctively, cataloging details—the graffiti scrawled across the far wall, the flickering “OPEN” sign in the konbini window, the kid on a bicycle zipping past without a second glance. Even here, in the early lull of the city, Nagoya felt vast—its secrets tucked into every corner, its pulse hidden just beneath the surface.

Without a word, Takagi slid into the driver’s seat, the door closing with a low thunk. Sho hopped into the passenger side, the leather creaking beneath him as he settled in and pushed his damp hair back from his forehead.

The engine rumbled to life, a low growl that broke the silence. Takagi gripped the wheel with steady hands, his expression unreadable as he eased the vehicle out of the lot and onto the slick streets. The windshield wipers scraped slowly against the glass, clearing the drizzle in rhythmic swipes as the city unfolded before them—endless rows of gray buildings, empty intersections, and faint neon lights that buzzed faintly like a dying heartbeat.

Sho stared out the window, watching as the streets slipped past, shrouded in mist. “Shimizu Logistics,” he muttered, almost to himself. “Portside. Bet the rats there are fatter than the ones in town.”

“Maybe,” Takagi replied, his tone distant. He kept his focus on the road, his mind already turning over the possibilities. “If the Hanabira are moving shipments through our warehouse, someone’s letting them. Could be an inside man. Could be someone bought off.”

Sho’s fingers tapped against the armrest, a restless rhythm that mirrored his unease. “Yeah, well, I hope whoever it is got a nice payout. ’Cause they’re gonna wish they were dead when we catch up to ’em.”

Takagi didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he glanced briefly at the side mirror, watching the empty road stretch out behind them. The rain had faded almost completely now, leaving behind a dull, suffocating stillness that seemed to press against the glass.

“Careful with that blade of yours, Sho,” Takagi said finally, his voice low but pointed. “If this goes bad, we’ll need answers, not bodies, cops and war.”

Sho snorted, though he didn’t argue. “Yeah, yeah. You’re no fun, Aniki.” He paused, his fingers stilling. “But let’s hope this isn’t just another dead end.”

Takagi didn’t answer. Ahead, the narrow streets began to widen as they neared the city’s industrial outskirts. The faint glow of Nagoya’s port district bled through the haze, cranes and warehouses rising like dark, skeletal giants against the black sky. The weight of what lay ahead settled quietly between them, unspoken but shared.

The brighter lights of the city fell away behind them as Takagi pushed the truck toward Shimizu Logistics, the pulse of their mission quickening with each passing block despite the traffic.

The Wee Hours – Approaching the Warehouse, day 2

Sakae’s neon brilliance was disappearing, the towering silhouettes of office buildings fading into the distance. In their place, the industrial sprawl of Nagoya stretched wide and gray, like a scar on the edge of the skyline. Warehouses and storage facilities loomed over narrow, empty roads, their corrugated metal facades slick with rain and rust. Smoke stacks jutted into the low, overcast sky, barely visible through the mist rolling in from the bay.

The rhythmic scrape of windshield wipers filled the silence as Takagi guided the unmarked sedan through the labyrinthine streets, his hands steady on the wheel. Puddles splashed beneath the tires, water kicking up against the undercarriage with dull thuds. The rain had picked up again, streaking the windows and blurring the edges of the road ahead.

Sho reclined in the passenger seat, fiddling with his switchblade. The blade snapped open with a click—a brief flash of steel—before he flicked it shut again with a sharp snap. The motion was automatic, a restless tic that filled the quiet. He stared out at the warehouses passing by, their locked gates and empty lots looking like the aftermath of some forgotten war.

“You think we’ll find anything worth reporting?” Sho asked, his tone light, though his fingers never stopped moving over the blade.

Takagi’s gaze remained fixed on the road, his expression as unreadable as ever. “We’ll find something,” he replied, his voice low and steady. “Whether it’s worth reporting depends on what we do next.”

Sho grinned at that, flicking the knife shut one last time and tucking it away in his jacket. “I like the sound of that. Means we get to improvise if things go sideways.”

Takagi exhaled faintly through his nose—a sound that could have been amusement or a sigh of resignation. “Improvising’s just another word for not having a plan.”

“Nah,” Sho shot back, propping his boots up on the dash. “Improvising means you’ve got options. You should try it sometime, Aniki. Live a little.”

“Options don’t mean anything if you’re too reckless to use them,” Takagi replied dryly, glancing at Sho for half a second before returning his focus to the road. “Last time you improvised, we ended up in a back alley with half the Hanabira ready to skin us alive.”

Sho snorted, clearly unbothered. “And didn’t we walk out of there without a scratch? That’s my point. Sometimes you’ve gotta trust your gut.”

Takagi shook his head slightly, though the ghost of a smirk played on his lips. “Your gut’s going to get you killed one day.”

“Maybe,” Sho said, shrugging. “But not today.”

For a few moments, the only sound was the steady hum of the engine and the rain pattering against the roof. Sho’s fingers drummed against his thigh in rhythm with the wipers, his gaze drifting out the window. The industrial district felt vast, its empty streets stretching on endlessly, interrupted only by the occasional shadow of a crane or the glint of barbed wire fencing.

“You ever think about what you’d be doing if you weren’t here?” Sho asked suddenly, his voice quieter.

Takagi’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn’t look away from the road. “Here as in Nagoya, or here as in the life we’re in?”

“Either. Both.” Sho tilted his head back against the seat, his expression oddly thoughtful. “I mean, this can’t be it for us forever, right? Running around, chasing ghosts, watching our backs.”

Takagi took a long drag of his cigarette, the ember flaring in the dim light of the car. The smoke curled upward, disappearing somewhere above the dashboard. “Forever’s a long time, Sho. Longer than any of us have.”

“That’s depressing,” Sho muttered, though his grin had softened into something quieter. “Come on, you must’ve had something else in mind once. Before all this.”

Takagi was silent for a moment, his eyes following the road as it curved past another warehouse. “Doesn’t matter what I had in mind,” he said finally. “This is what I am now.”

Sho turned to look at him, his grin slipping completely. “You’re really no fun, you know that?”

Takagi glanced at him, one brow lifting faintly. “And you think you’d be a farmer, I suppose?”

“Hell no,” Sho said quickly, his bravado snapping back in place. “You’ve seen me try to keep plants alive. I’d be bankrupt in a month. Nah, I’d probably be dead, stuck in some other gutter for doing something stupid.”

“At least you’re self-aware.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Sho rolled his eyes, though the edge of his grin had returned. “You know, Aniki, I think you’d be a fisherman.”

Takagi blinked, turning to look at him. “A fisherman?”

“Yeah.” Sho leaned back, grinning like he’d just told a punchline. “Can’t you see it? Some tiny boat, just you and the water. A couple of beers and a lot of silence. Real peaceful. You’d love it.”

Takagi snorted softly, shaking his head. “You’re a strange kid.”

“Takes one to know one,” Sho shot back, kicking his feet off the dash as the skyline shifted. The warehouses were becoming larger, more isolated now, their lots sprawling and filled with forgotten cargo containers and rusting equipment. A faint breeze rolled off the bay, carrying with it the smell of saltwater, oil, and something faintly metallic.

Sho’s fingers brushed his switchblade again, his energy sharpening as they drew closer to their destination. “There it is,” he said, nodding toward a hulking structure half-obscured by mist. “Shimizu Logistics.”

The warehouse rose in the distance, a dark monolith at the end of the road. Its towering walls were lined with loading docks and shadowed entrances, the fences topped with barbed wire that glistened with rain.

Takagi slowed the vehicle, his grip on the wheel tightening slightly as he studied the lot ahead. “Keep your head clear,” he said quietly. “If the Hanabira are here, they won’t be far.”

Sho cracked his knuckles, the grin on his face growing sharper. “Don’t worry, Aniki. I’m calm as a monk.”

Takagi snuffed out his cigarette in the ashtray, his expression hardening as he pulled the car to a stop just shy of the warehouse gates. The faint hum of the engine lingered for a moment before he cut the ignition.

“Then let’s see what ghosts we find.”

Sho smirked, pulling his collar up against the misty drizzle as they stepped out into the quiet lot. The stillness of the place pressed against them like a held breath, and ahead, the shadow of Shimizu Logistics loomed, waiting.

This was no longer reconnaissance—it was the beginning of something larger. And Takagi knew that whatever they found inside would shape the battles to come.

The Wee Hours – Shimizu Logistics Exterior, Minato Ward, Portside District, day 2

The rain was relentless, falling in heavy sheets that turned the industrial sprawl into a landscape of shadows and fractured reflections. Neon bled onto the pavement in muted colors, drowning in the dark pools of water that collected along the cracked asphalt. The faint hum of the port echoed in the distance—a mix of machinery, the low moan of foghorns, and the faint clink of unseen cranes at work.

Takagi and Sho stood concealed in the mouth of a narrow alley, their backs to the damp brick wall of a forgotten building. A rusted fire escape stretched above them, its bolts groaning softly as water dripped from its edges. Nearby, a battered ramen shop hunched beneath a faded red awning, its flickering sign barely visible through the downpour. The kanji—"忍耐" (Nintai)—glowed blood red in the misty air. Patience.

Takagi exhaled slowly, his cigarette burning low between his fingers, its ember glowing like a tiny act of rebellion against the gloom. The kanji caught his eye for half a moment before he looked back toward the warehouse across the street. He couldn’t help but feel the irony of it—patience wasn’t something their enemies practiced, yet here they were, waiting in the rain while the Hanabira tried to play clever.

The warehouse loomed in the darkness, a hulking silhouette of corrugated metal and concrete. Its shadow spilled across the lot like a black tide, its edges softened by the mist rolling in from the bay. It looked forgotten—its rusted fences and peeling walls giving it the facade of abandonment. But the small signs betrayed its activity: a delivery truck idling at the loading dock, its taillights glowing like dying embers in the fog; the faint clatter of crates shifting against metal; and two men moving back and forth, their outlines faint through the sheet of rain.

Takagi watched them with surgical focus, cataloging every movement. The men weren’t seasoned professionals—he could tell that much from the way they moved. They were thin, their cheap windbreakers clinging to their bodies as rainwater streamed down their shoulders. One stumbled under the weight of a crate, sneakers squealing against the wet pavement. The other kept wiping his nose with the back of his hand, twitchy and distracted.

“Hey, Aniki, look at this shit,” Sho muttered beside him, his voice threaded with dry amusement. He leaned back against the wall, his red leather jacket slick with rain, though he didn’t seem to care. In his hands, his butterfly knife danced open and shut with a rhythmic snick-snick, the blade catching brief flashes of light from the streetlamp at the alley’s mouth.

Sho tilted his head toward the dock, a wolfish smirk pulling at his lips. “Look at those goofy fucks. Like they just learned what a crate was yesterday. Tell me we didn’t haul our asses out here for that. Kondo’s batting 2-0 tonight.”

Takagi didn’t answer right away. He let his sharp eyes track the scene—the awkward movements, the unmarked truck, the shifting figures at the dock. There was a rhythm to the world of the Yakuza, a steady beat where even chaos had its pattern. This? This was too clean, too uncertain. It didn’t belong.

“Too clean,” Takagi said finally, his voice low and quiet, almost drowned by the rain’s insistent patter.

Sho stopped mid-spin with the knife, his grin slipping slightly. “Too clean? Aniki, these clowns couldn’t clean their way out of a public toilet.”

Takagi’s gaze remained fixed on the two men and the truck. “They’re not part of the usual rotation. Look at the truck—the plates are wrong. It doesn’t match anything we’ve seen.” He took another slow drag of his cigarette, letting the smoke curl upward before it was snatched by the wind. “This isn’t their operation.”

Sho frowned, squinting through the rain at the dock. “Hired help? Outsourced?”

“Maybe,” Takagi murmured. “Or maybe someone wants this to look like nothing.”

Sho flicked his blade shut with a sharp snap, tucking it back into his jacket. “So, what now? Knock on the door, tell ’em they’re shit at lifting crates, and ask what’s in the boxes?”

Takagi turned his head just slightly, his voice carrying that quiet, deliberate weight that always managed to ground Sho’s restlessness. “We watch and wait. If they’re smart, they’ll make the first mistake.”

“And if they’re not?” Sho asked, the smirk creeping back into his tone as he cracked his knuckles, the sound lost beneath the rain.

“Then it’s their funeral,” Takagi replied, calm as stone.

For a moment, the only sound was the steady rhythm of the rain against concrete and steel. Sho shifted his weight, fidgeting like a wolf waiting for the hunt to begin, while Takagi’s gaze lingered on the men at the loading dock.

“Doesn’t make sense,” Sho muttered finally, as though thinking aloud. “Why the amateurs? If the Hanabira are moving product, why send rookies and an unmarked truck?”

“Because they think no one’s watching,” Takagi said, his voice as low and steady as before. “Or someone’s making sure it looks that way.”

Sho looked back toward the ramen shop’s flickering sign, the glowing red kanji casting its light onto the rain-slicked street. “Patience, huh? Maybe that’s a sign for you, Aniki.”

Takagi’s lips twitched faintly as he flicked his cigarette into a puddle, the ember dying with a hiss. “Patience doesn’t mean standing still.”

Sho grinned, the edge of his earlier restlessness returning. “Good. ’Cause I’m starting to itch just standing here.”

Takagi turned back to the warehouse, his sharp gaze narrowing as he took stock once more: the truck, the men, the darkened loading docks. There were too many questions, too many loose threads tangled in a situation that smelled like trouble.

“We’ll wait,” he said finally, his voice carrying quiet authority. “But not for long.”

The two men stood in the shadows, their silhouettes blending into the alley as the rain continued its relentless downpour. Across the street, the warehouse loomed like a sleeping giant, its secrets shrouded behind corrugated walls and the veils of mist that twisted through the air.

The red kanji continued to flicker—忍耐—a heartbeat against the gloom, its meaning lingering in Takagi’s mind. Patience. He’d follow it, for now. But only for so long.

The rain had settled into a steady downpour, relentless but quiet, the sound softening the edges of the world like a gray blanket. The heavy plink of droplets on metal echoed faintly across the empty streets, mixing with the low hum of the industrial district. Across from the alley where Takagi and Sho were concealed, the warehouse loomed—a shadowed monolith surrounded by rust-streaked fences and drenched concrete.

A flash of motion near the loading dock snapped Takagi’s focus back to the scene. A third figure emerged from the shadows within the warehouse, stepping into the hazy glow of the truck’s taillights. He was older, heavyset but solid, with broad shoulders that strained slightly against his cheap coat. A clipboard hung in one hand like an extension of his authority. His voice cut across the rain, sharp and commanding even from this distance, barking orders that sent the two younger workers scrambling to adjust their pace.

Sho’s grin faded as he watched the scene unfold, his knife momentarily forgotten. “Now that guy,” he muttered, his voice quieter now, “looks like he belongs.”

Takagi studied the man carefully, noting the small but telling details—the way his head swiveled to take in the dock and street like a hawk, the impatience in the sharp flick of his clipboard as he gestured at the crates, the nervous energy he wrung from the two workers.

“He’s managing the shipment,” Takagi said, his tone soft but certain, more to himself than Sho. “But those two? They don’t belong here.”

Sho glanced over, shifting slightly against the damp brick wall. “Cheap labor, maybe? Plausible deniability? Send the kids in case someone’s watching?”

Takagi shook his head slightly, his eyes narrowing as the older man checked his watch, frowning as though something was already behind schedule. “Could be. But you don’t hire amateurs for something like this unless you’re hiding the real players.” He gestured subtly to the truck, its plates unfamiliar. “And you don’t run a truck like that unless you’re trying to disappear into the cracks.”

The heavy crate finally disappeared into the yawning darkness of the warehouse, and the two workers hurried back to the dock, moving with stiff, jerky motions. The metal door groaned as it began to lower, its clatter muffled by the rain. But it stopped partway, settling just above ground level.

Sho’s brow furrowed as he pointed at the gap. “Why leave it open like that? They getting some air, or are they expecting someone?” His voice carried an edge now, the restlessness bubbling just beneath the surface.

Takagi didn’t respond immediately. His cigarette had burned down to its filter, the ember flickering out as he flicked it into a puddle. The faint hiss was almost drowned out by the soft growl of tires cutting through wet pavement. He straightened slightly, his posture sharpening. “Heads up.”

The sound grew louder until a black sedan appeared at the edge of the lot, gliding into view like a shadow come to life. Its polished surface gleamed even in the muted light, the rain rolling off in slow rivulets. Takagi’s jaw tightened as the car coasted to a stop near the loading dock, its headlights flaring briefly before they cut out, leaving the vehicle’s silhouette stark against the foggy backdrop.

Sho tensed beside him, his fingers brushing the outline of his knife beneath his jacket. “Fancy car. Wingtips, too. You see that?”

Takagi nodded once, his eyes locked on the sedan as the doors opened with practiced precision. Three men stepped out, each of them moving with a purpose that set them apart from the slouching workers who’d been carrying crates earlier. Their suits were understated but expensive, clean cuts and muted colors that screamed professionalism. One man slung a small duffel bag over his shoulder; another adjusted his tie with a casual, practiced motion as he scanned the street.

“These guys aren’t here for grunt work,” Sho murmured, his voice low but tense. “They’re not locals. Yakuza for sure. Look at the shoes—they’re not stomping around in sneakers.”

The three men wasted no time. Without exchanging a word, they moved toward the warehouse, their footsteps sure and deliberate. Takagi caught the way the last man paused briefly at the door, turning just enough to sweep the street with his gaze. The look wasn’t hurried or nervous—it was calm, methodical, and predatory. His eyes lingered on the shadows of the alley for half a second longer than Takagi liked before he slipped through the opening and vanished inside.

The heavy dock door rattled faintly as it settled back into place, but once again it stopped short, leaving the same deliberate gap.

Sho exhaled slowly, the sound almost drowned by the rain. His grin returned, sharper now, but there was tension behind it. “So, Aniki… you think we knock, or do we let ourselves in?”

Takagi didn’t respond right away. He stared at the partially open door, his sharp eyes cutting through the veil of rain as he turned the pieces over in his mind. This wasn’t random. The sloppy workers, the clean professionals, the sedan, the deliberate gap left in the door—it felt staged, but for whose benefit? Were the Hanabira confident no one was watching, or were they expecting someone to take the bait?

“We follow,” Takagi said at last, his voice calm but edged with something harder. “Quietly. No blades unless we need them.”

Sho’s grin widened into something wolfish, his fingers flexing at his sides like a boxer before the first bell. “Quiet as a mouse, Aniki. You’ve got my word.”

Takagi shot him a glance, the corner of his mouth twitching faintly as he adjusted the collar of his jacket. “Just don’t let your word get us killed.”

Sho chuckled, the sound low and eager. “Scout’s honor.”

They waited another beat in the shelter of the alley, the rain falling steady and cold around them. The silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable—it was the silence of two men slipping into the roles they knew best.

Then, without another word, they moved.

Sho fell into step beside Takagi as they slipped across the rain-slicked street, their figures blending into the misty gloom. The heavy thrum of the idling sedan faded into the background as the warehouse loomed larger, its shadow swallowing them whole. The partially open door waited like a mouth left ajar, a question that begged to be answered.

Takagi’s instincts prickled as they neared the entrance, his mind cataloging every possible outcome. Whatever was happening here, it was deliberate—too clean to be a coincidence, too calculated to be comfortable.

He flicked a glance at Sho, who was already grinning like he’d won a prize. Takagi shook his head faintly and muttered under his breath.

“Quiet as a mouse, huh?”

Sho’s grin widened as he ducked through the opening, his voice a whisper of humor in the dark. “Mice bite when they need to, Aniki.”

Takagi followed, the rain finally falling silent as the warehouse swallowed them whole.

The two men slipped from the shadows, crossing the rain-slicked street with the fluidity of seasoned predators. Takagi moved with deliberate precision, every step confident and unhurried, his silhouette blending into the misty gloom. Sho followed close behind, his movements looser, almost lazy, but his sharp gaze darted everywhere—tracking light, shadow, and the faint glimmers of movement within the open dock door.

The rain softened their footfalls, a muffled rhythm against the concrete. As they reached the loading dock, Takagi crouched low, his fingers brushing the cold, wet surface of the pavement. He peered through the narrow gap beneath the partially closed metal door, his eyes narrowing against the faint glow spilling out. Shadows played on the other side, distorted by the dim light. The low hum of voices filtered through the space—indistinct but urgent.

He raised two fingers in a silent signal, motioning for Sho to follow. Together, they slipped under the door with practiced ease, their movements soundless against the warehouse’s concrete floor.

Inside, the air hit them like a wall—thick with the stale tang of damp wood, oil, and metal. The scent of rainwater tracked in by heavy boots mingled with something faintly chemical, sharp and artificial. Overhead, dim industrial lights flickered sporadically, buzzing softly as they cast pale pools of light across the cavernous space. The darkness between the lights felt alive, swallowing the rows of stacked crates that rose like grim monoliths.

Sho shifted behind him, his boots brushing faintly against the floor as he straightened. “Smells like a goddamn garage in here,” he muttered under his breath, barely audible.

Takagi didn’t respond, holding up a hand to signal Sho to stay close. His sharp eyes scanned the warehouse, mapping out the layout with military precision—the rows of crates stacked unevenly, a forklift left abandoned near the far wall, the rusted metal catwalks that snaked above them like forgotten scaffolding. Light and shadow played tricks on the eye, but Takagi focused on what didn’t fit: the faint scuff marks near the dock, the gleam of fresh tire tracks that cut through an otherwise dusty floor.

They moved cautiously, weaving between the crates. Takagi led the way, his steps measured and deliberate. Sho followed with impressive quiet, though the tension in his movements was undeniable—like a spring coiled too tightly, ready to snap.

As they approached the voices, the conversation began to take shape, fragments of it drifting through the warehouse like smoke. The sharp, clipped tones carried urgency, though the words themselves were calm and careful.

“...shipment was delayed... took a risk bringing it here.”

Takagi froze, pressing his back to a crate. He glanced at Sho, whose brow furrowed at the words, and motioned for silence. Both men crouched lower, their bodies sinking further into the shadows.

“It’s secure now,” another voice replied, this one steadier, more composed. “The boss wants everything in place before the weekend. No mistakes.”

Weekend. Takagi filed that away, his mind already ticking over possibilities.

Sho leaned in close, his voice a whisper threaded with tension. “What the hell are they planning? Has to be something big, Aniki.”

Takagi didn’t respond, his focus fixed on the source of the voices. He eased around the corner of the crate, his eyes narrowing as the scene came into view. Near the center of the warehouse, beneath one of the flickering overhead lights, stood three men.

The professionals from the sedan.

They were gathered around a large crate that had been pried open, its splintered lid resting nearby. From this distance, the contents weren’t visible, but the way the men hovered over it—one of them kneeling to inspect something inside—spoke volumes. This wasn’t the casual posture of workers unloading cheap contraband. It was tense, careful.

Takagi studied them with practiced calm. The burly man with a shaved head, clearly the leader, stood slightly apart, one hand in his coat. Then, in a smooth, practiced motion, he pulled out a handgun, checking the chamber before tucking it back into his jacket. The simple gesture confirmed everything Takagi suspected—these weren’t street-level kids playing gangster. They were soldiers. Professionals sent here for a reason.

Takagi’s jaw tightened as unease coiled in his gut. Whatever was in that crate, it wasn’t drugs or petty goods. This was bigger, and whatever the Hanabira were planning, it had weight.

Sho’s hand drifted instinctively toward his jacket, his fingers brushing the handle of his blade. His voice was barely audible. “Guns, maybe? Or worse?”

“Focus,” Takagi murmured, his voice calm but firm, a warning threading through the word. Sho stilled, though Takagi could feel the restless energy vibrating off him.

The man with the clipboard—the same heavyset figure who’d emerged earlier—stepped into view, joining the others. He spoke low, his voice barely carrying, but his tone was clear—sharp, decisive, authoritative.

“Get it secured. I don’t want to leave it here longer than we have to.”

The man kneeling over the crate stood, giving a short nod before glancing back toward the warehouse entrance. Takagi tensed. The man's gaze swept the space briefly, though he gave no sign of alarm. For now, they were still invisible.

Takagi motioned for Sho to stay low as they shifted positions, creeping further behind the cover of a nearby crate. His mind raced. If the Hanabira were bold enough to move something this sensitive onto Nagasawa territory—into their warehouse—there had to be a leak. And the weekend deadline? It reeked of something larger looming on the horizon.

“Aniki,” Sho whispered, barely able to contain himself, “we can’t just sit here. If they’re—”

“We’re not making a move yet,” Takagi cut in, his tone firm but low enough to avoid carrying. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the men. “We need more. Watch and listen. Don’t lose your head.”

Sho exhaled slowly, his fingers flexing in silent frustration before he nodded. Despite his impulse to act, Takagi’s word held him steady.

The two of them crouched lower, their silhouettes swallowed by shadow. The flickering light overhead pulsed faintly as the professionals began securing the crate, their voices low but tense, as if they too were aware of the weight of what they carried.

The hum of the rain outside seemed distant now, replaced by the faint creak of boots, the rustle of clothing, and the sound of something heavy shifting within the crate. Takagi’s instincts prickled, his gut telling him they were on the edge of something much bigger than either of them had realized.

The warehouse loomed around them, every shadow deeper and every sound sharper. For now, they waited. But the weight of the moment pressed down like a held breath—something was going to break.

And when it did, Takagi intended to be ready.

The Wee Hours - Inside Shimizu Logistics, day 2

The muted voices in the warehouse grew louder as Takagi and Sho crept closer, their figures weaving through the long shadows cast by the towering rows of crates. The steady hum of the rain outside had become little more than a distant whisper, swallowed by the cavernous silence inside. Every step was deliberate, every breath controlled.

Takagi’s sharp eyes stayed locked on the three men clustered near the open crate, each detail seared into his mind: the burly man with the handgun now standing over the cargo, the tense posture of the others as they hovered like hawks. The man with the gun—Tatsuma, judging by how the others deferred to him—reached down and grabbed the edge of a heavy tarp, pulling it back to reveal something inside.

Takagi squinted, trying to make out the contents, but the angle and distance obscured the view. Whatever it was, the men’s focus on it was absolute, their attention coiled like springs.

Sho shifted beside him, his movements so slight they’d be imperceptible to anyone else, but Takagi could feel his shatei’s impatience vibrating in the air like an electric charge.

“Stay down,” Takagi whispered, his voice barely audible, more a vibration than a sound.

Sho shot him a look but nodded reluctantly, his hand twitching toward the butterfly knife in his jacket. The blade had been quiet for too long, and Takagi knew that the tension had Sho’s nerves screaming for release.

The moment snapped without warning.

Thud!

A heavy crate slipped from the hands of one of the workers near the truck, slamming to the ground with a sound that tore through the warehouse like a gunshot. The crash echoed off the metal walls, sharp and deafening, before the silence snapped back, twice as heavy.

All three men by the crate turned sharply, their hands moving instinctively toward their jackets. Tatsuma’s head whipped around, his face contorting with anger. “Idiot!” he barked, his voice cutting through the stillness. “Careful with that! You wanna blow us all to hell?”

The words landed like a fist to Takagi’s gut. Blow us all to hell.

Explosives.

The realization hit hard and fast, his instincts locking into place like a hammer pulled back on a trigger. This wasn’t drugs or stolen goods—this was something far worse. The Hanabira weren’t stockpiling contraband. They were preparing for war.

Sho’s head jerked toward him, his voice a hushed rasp, tinged with excitement. “Aniki. Did you hear that? They’re staging shit for an attack. I fucking knew it.”

Takagi didn’t respond, his mind already racing, calculating. Why explosives? Who was the target? The Hanabira wouldn’t be this bold unless they had something big planned—something that could tear through the fragile truce and send blood spilling into the streets.

The tension ratcheted up again as the sound of a door creaking open cut across the room. A fourth man entered from the side—a sharp contrast to the others.

He was older, his hair slicked back, his posture unbending. His sharp suit was immaculate, dark and expensive without being gaudy, and his polished shoes clicked softly against the concrete as he stepped into the light. The faint glow of his cigarette flared, casting a brief orange gleam across his face.

The moment he entered, the atmosphere shifted like a held breath. The workers froze mid-motion, Tatsuma straightened instinctively, and the air seemed to grow heavier. This wasn’t a grunt or a soldier—this was the boss.

“Tatsuma,” the older man barked, impatience dripping from his tone. “What’s the holdup?”

“Yamamoto-san,” Tatsuma replied, his voice smoother now but still edged with caution. “Just a minor delay. We’re almost done.”

“Get those crates loaded and the truck out of here,” Yamamoto snapped, his cigarette dangling precariously from his lips. “We don’t have all night.”

Takagi ducked lower, the hair on the back of his neck prickling as Yamamoto’s gaze swept the warehouse. Beside him, Sho froze mid-breath, the grin wiped from his face as he realized how exposed they were. Takagi’s instincts screamed retreat, but he couldn’t move—not yet.

Not when they were this close.

Yamamoto paused suddenly, his eyes narrowing as they locked on the far end of the warehouse, near the shadows where Takagi and Sho had entered. “Who’s there?”

His voice cut through the space like a blade. The men near the crate stiffened, hands hovering near their weapons.

Takagi cursed silently, his mind racing. They were too close to back out clean. Any sudden movement would give them away.

Sho, predictably, was already reacting. His fingers curled around the handle of his knife, his body tensing like a runner waiting for the starting pistol. His grin returned—sharp, eager—just as he started to rise.

“Don’t,” Takagi hissed, grabbing Sho’s arm and yanking him back down with a grip like steel. The kid was fast, but Takagi was faster.

Sho shot him a look of protest, whispering harshly, “They’ve made us, Aniki.”

Takagi ignored him, his mind working furiously. Yamamoto’s posture was taut, his instincts obviously pricked, but the uncertainty lingered. He hadn’t seen them yet—not fully. That gave them seconds, maybe less.

“Tatsuma,” Yamamoto said sharply, flicking his cigarette to the ground. “Check it out.”

The burly man nodded, drawing his handgun again. The weapon gleamed faintly as he began to move, his boots scraping against the concrete as he approached the rows of crates. The sound seemed impossibly loud, each step carrying the weight of inevitability.

Beside him, Sho shifted, his voice barely a whisper. “Aniki…?”

Takagi’s mind ticked over the options. Run and they’d expose themselves. Fight, and they’d have to take out Tatsuma quickly—before the others could react. Either way, the outcome was blood.

His hand moved to his coat, brushing the grip of his pistol. His jaw tightened as he spoke, his voice low but firm. “We wait. Be ready.”

Sho stilled, though Takagi could feel the tension radiating off him like heat.

Tatsuma’s footsteps drew closer, the sound like nails being driven into the coffin of their cover.

The warehouse seemed to shrink around them, the shadows closing in, the space between hunter and prey growing thinner with every passing second.

Takagi’s eyes flicked to Sho, his voice sharp as a whisper. “Stay quiet. No blades unless I say.”

Sho’s grin, despite everything, widened just slightly. “Got it, Aniki. Quiet as a corpse.”

Takagi didn’t smile. He just watched, every nerve locked into place, ready for the moment the storm broke.

Tatsuma’s heavy footsteps approached, each thud on the concrete reverberating like a countdown. Takagi waited until the man was close enough to hear a whisper, then stepped out from behind the crates. His movements were deliberate—unhurried and cold—like a hunter emerging from shadow.

Sho followed a step behind, fluid and loose-limbed, the knife in his hand flashing once before vanishing back into his jacket. His grin was slight, but the gleam in his eyes spoke volumes.

Tatsuma froze mid-stride, his gun already snapping up to aim at Takagi. “Who the fuck are you?” he growled, his voice thick with surprise and fury.

Takagi didn’t flinch, his gaze boring into the man like a spike. “The fucking foreman,” he replied, his voice low and razor-sharp. “Who do you think?”

Sho snorted quietly behind him, but the humor never reached his hands, which hung close to his weapons.

Another voice cut through the tension, dripping with disdain. “Nagasawa-kai.”

Yamamoto stepped into view, the glow of his nearly spent cigarette lighting up his face—a smirk carved from stone, his slicked-back hair and immaculate suit untouched by the grime of the warehouse. He scanned Takagi and Sho with cold, calculating eyes. The cigarette hung loosely at his lips, ash clinging stubbornly to the tip.

“Figures,” Yamamoto said, his tone edged with mockery. “You lot never know when to mind your own fucking business.”

Takagi’s jaw tightened, his sharp eyes tracking every twitch in Yamamoto’s posture, every shift of Tatsuma’s weight. “Hard to mind our business when you’re moving crates full of what, exactly? Guns? Explosives? On our turf. That makes it our business.”

Yamamoto’s smirk didn’t fade, but his eyes darkened, their cold amusement turning into something sharper. “And if we are? What are you gonna do about it, Lion of Sakae?”

The name landed like a slap, heavy with challenge. Sho tensed beside Takagi, his hand drifting toward his blade. The title grated on Takagi, but he refused to take the bait. Silence stretched, sharp as a drawn wire, the tension in the room building to a breaking point.

The moment shattered.

A crash echoed through the warehouse as one of the fumbling workers dropped another crate, the wood splintering with a crack that thundered through the cavernous space. Yamamoto’s cigarette tumbled to the ground, the ember hissing as it hit a puddle.

“Idiot!” Tatsuma barked, his gun jerking toward the sound.

“Shoot them!” Yamamoto snarled, his voice slicing through the chaos as he reached for his own weapon.

The warehouse exploded into motion.

Tatsuma’s handgun barked first, the deafening crack of gunfire splitting the air. Takagi and Sho moved as one, diving behind a stack of crates just as bullets punched through the wood, sending shards and splinters flying. The sharp scent of gunpowder burned through the damp air, mingling with the metallic tang of the warehouse’s stale grime.

“Sho!” Takagi barked over the roar of gunfire, his voice cutting through the din. “Keep low and flank them!”

Sho’s grin flashed wide and reckless, his knife disappearing as he reached into his jacket and pulled out a snub-nosed revolver. “About fucking time!”

Before Takagi could respond, Sho darted around the crates, his movements quick and erratic as he weaved between cover. Bullets snapped through the air around him, ricocheting off metal crates with sharp pings, but Sho was already gone, a ghost in the chaos.

Takagi pressed himself against the crate, steadying his breath. He drew his pistol—a sleek, black sidearm that felt cold and familiar in his grip. Peering around the edge, he sighted Tatsuma lining up another shot.

Bang.

Takagi fired, his aim deliberate and smooth. The bullet struck just shy of Tatsuma’s shoulder, shattering a crate behind him and forcing the man to stumble back with a curse.

Gunfire erupted from the far end of the warehouse where Sho had disappeared. “Over here, assholes!” Sho’s voice rang out, laced with wild energy.

The distraction worked. Tatsuma’s attention shifted just long enough for Takagi to move, his steps silent despite the chaos around him. He slipped through the gaps between crates, working his way closer to the truck.

Another round of gunfire tore through the room, bullets chasing Sho as he popped out from behind a stack of pallets. He fired twice, the Colt roaring in his hands, before ducking back into cover. Yamamoto snarled, barking orders to his men as he ducked behind the idling truck.

“Don’t let them near the shipment!” Yamamoto yelled. “Kill them both!”

Takagi’s mind raced. The shootout was a beacon, loud enough to bring cops swarming if it stretched much longer. He darted to the next stack of crates, glancing toward the truck. A splintered crate lay open now, the tarp pulled halfway back. His sharp gaze caught a flash of the contents—bricks of explosives, each marked with a cold, professional logo.

They’re planning something big. The thought sat heavy in his chest, grim and certain. And we just walked into the middle of it.

“Aniki!”

Sho’s voice rang out from somewhere deeper in the chaos, half-panicked, half-thrilled. “What are you waiting for? Shoot them!”

Takagi exhaled slowly, forcing his focus to sharpen. “Focus on the ringleader,” he called back, his voice like steel. “Everything else falls apart.”

“Good enough for me!” Sho’s voice crackled back, brimming with that wild energy that kept him alive.

Takagi moved. He stepped out from behind the crates, his pistol steady as he sighted Yamamoto. The older man caught the movement and ducked, a curse tearing from his lips as he vanished behind the truck.

Gunfire roared again as Tatsuma opened fire, his aim frantic now. Takagi twisted sharply, a bullet whipping past his ear close enough to hiss, before dropping low and returning fire. Tatsuma grunted as Takagi’s bullet punched through his thigh, sending him staggering to the floor.

The gunfire’s noise became a physical thing—sharp and brutal, ringing against the metal walls. Rain hammered against the roof above, its steady rhythm drowned by the cacophony below.

“Sho!” Takagi barked, glancing toward the truck. Yamamoto was cornered, shouting orders as he scrambled for cover. “Flank him!”

Sho’s answer came in the form of gunfire, his figure blurring as he swept around the far side of the truck. Yamamoto turned, his face contorted with rage, just as Sho emerged.

“Got you, asshole!” Sho shouted, his grin wild as his revolver barked.

Yamamoto ducked, but his options were running out. Takagi moved forward, his pistol trained on the truck, his every step deliberate. The storm wasn’t over yet, but the Lion of Sakae was closing in, and Takagi knew one thing for sure—whatever the Hanabira were planning, this warehouse would tell him everything he needed to know.

The Wee Hours - Warehouse Fight Continued, day 2

The gunfire ricocheted through the vast warehouse, each shot cracking like a whip and reverberating off the towering walls. Smoke hung thick in the air, stinging eyes and mixing with the acrid tang of gunpowder. Takagi moved with lethal purpose, every step deliberate as he advanced toward the truck. In the distance, Sho’s wild laughter cut through the chaos like a madman’s hymn, his Colt SAA barking, forcing Tatsuma and his men into frantic retreats.

Takagi pressed himself against the rusted side of the idling truck, his breath steady despite the frenzy swirling around him. Yamamoto’s barked orders cut sharply through the noise, laced with the panic of a man losing control.

“Keep firing, you idiots! Don’t let them—”

He never finished.

Takagi rounded the corner of the truck in a single, fluid motion, his pistol raised like an extension of his will. Yamamoto barely had time to turn before Takagi drove the butt of his weapon into his temple with a brutal, bone-jarring crack. The cigarette fell from Yamamoto’s lips, spiraling toward the concrete like a tiny comet. The old man staggered, blood streaking his graying hairline as his knees buckled.

Takagi grabbed Yamamoto by the collar, yanking him upright with one hand, his iron grip swallowing the older man’s struggles. “Call them off,” he growled, his voice a low snarl—calm, but laced with a promise of violence.

Yamamoto writhed like a fish caught on a hook, his fingers clawing helplessly at Takagi’s arm. “B-Bastard! You’re dead! You hear me? You’re—”

Takagi didn’t bother letting him finish. He brought the pistol down hard on Yamamoto’s jaw, the blow snapping the man’s head to the side with a sickening crack. Blood sprayed, painting the concrete as Yamamoto’s struggles weakened into drunken spasms. Takagi yanked him back up, his gun pressing against the man’s temple as his sharp gaze cut across the room, locking onto Tatsuma and his men.

“Drop your weapons!” Takagi’s bark carried through the room like thunder, cutting through the lingering echoes of gunfire. “Or your boss eats the next one.”

Tatsuma froze where he crouched behind a stack of crates, his gun steady but his expression tight with hesitation. His men glanced nervously at him, their fingers twitching on their triggers.

“You idiots!” Yamamoto spat through bloodied lips, his voice slurred and wet. “Shoot them! Kill them now!”

Takagi didn’t flinch. The butt of his pistol struck Yamamoto’s temple again, harder this time. The old man crumpled further, legs folding like a marionette, blood dripping steadily to the floor. The room seemed to still for a heartbeat as Tatsuma’s jaw clenched and his grip tightened on his weapon.

“Do what he says!” Tatsuma finally barked, his voice booming with reluctant authority. He raised a hand, motioning to his men. “Stand down!”

The Hanabira men hesitated, their gazes flicking between their leader and Takagi’s uncompromising silhouette. Finally, one by one, they dropped their pistols, the clang of metal hitting concrete ringing out like funeral bells.

“Kick them over,” Takagi ordered, his eyes pinned on Tatsuma.

With sour expressions, the men obeyed, nudging their weapons across the floor with their boots. Sho emerged from his cover, his Colt SAA still trained casually on Tatsuma’s chest as he sauntered forward. The grin on his face was sharp and mocking.

“Nice and easy, boys,” Sho drawled, spinning his gun once before aiming it again. “Don’t do anything stupid.”

With the guns collected, Takagi released Yamamoto with a shove, letting the older man collapse onto the cold floor like a sack of meat. Yamamoto groaned, his fingers clawing at the slick blood pooling beneath him.

Takagi’s sharp gaze shifted to Tatsuma, who stepped out from behind the crates. The man loomed large, his broad shoulders and squared jaw lending him an imposing air. Unlike Yamamoto, Tatsuma didn’t reek of desperation—he radiated defiance, his eyes dark and challenging.

“Now,” Takagi said, his voice low and cutting, the quiet authority of a man who expected obedience. “You’re going to tell me about that shipment. What’s in the crates? Where are they going? Why bring them here?”

Tatsuma’s lip curled into a smirk, his thick arms folding across his chest. “You want answers? Then earn them.”

Sho’s grin faltered, his Colt still steady in his hand. “The hell’s that supposed to mean?”

Tatsuma took a single step forward, his boots thudding heavily on the concrete. The sound echoed ominously. “I’ll tell you what you want to know,” he said, his voice low but clear, “if you beat me. One-on-one. No guns. Just fists. You and me.”

Sho scoffed, spinning his revolver with a theatrical flourish before holstering it. “Tough talk for a guy with no options, big man.”

Takagi raised a hand, silencing Sho before he could escalate further. His piercing gaze pinned Tatsuma in place. “You’re challenging me?” he asked, his tone unreadable, though the weight behind it sent a ripple of unease through the room. “Do you even know who you’re dealing with?”

Tatsuma shrugged, rolling his thick shoulders like a boxer readying for a fight. “I’ve heard the stories. The Lion of Sakae, right?” He grinned, teeth glinting in the dim light. “Let’s see if the legend lives up to the name.”

For a moment, silence reigned. Then Takagi’s lips twitched into the faintest ghost of a smile—humorless, sharp as a blade. Without looking, he handed his pistol to Sho, who accepted it with gleaming excitement.

“Hold this.”

Sho crouched beside the pile of confiscated weapons, his grin wide. “Don’t hold back, Aniki. Break something for me.”

Tatsuma cracked his knuckles, stepping into the open space between the crates. Takagi mirrored him, his stance loose and coiled, his sharp eyes studying Tatsuma’s every movement.

The warehouse seemed to shrink around them. The remaining Hanabira men stayed silent, their backs pressed to the far wall, their wide eyes darting between the two combatants.

Then Tatsuma lunged, a freight train of muscle and rage.

Takagi moved like a shadow. He ducked the first sledgehammer of a punch, Tatsuma’s fist grazing the top of his head and smashing into a wooden crate with a hollow crunch. Takagi twisted smoothly, driving a sharp jab into the ribs beneath Tatsuma’s outstretched arm.

The man grunted but recovered quickly, spinning with surprising speed for his size. His knuckles sailed toward Takagi’s jaw, but Takagi slipped the blow, stepping inside Tatsuma’s guard and delivering a brutal elbow to the side of his neck. Tatsuma staggered back, his breath a wheeze as he shook off the strike.

“You hit like a drunk salaryman,” Takagi said coldly, his voice calm despite the strain in his shoulders.

With a snarl, Tatsuma charged again, his fists swinging wildly. Takagi ducked the first blow and pivoted sharply, his knee driving into Tatsuma’s stomach with the precision of a machine. The burly man’s roar turned into a strangled gasp as Takagi followed up with a vicious uppercut that snapped Tatsuma’s head back.

Tatsuma’s body wavered before crashing to the floor with a heavy thud, the sound echoing through the silent warehouse.

Takagi straightened, shaking out his fists as he stepped back. Around him, the remaining Hanabira men stared in stunned silence, their leader sprawled unconscious on the ground. Sho let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.

“Well,” Sho said, his grin returning as he rose to his feet, “looks like we earned some answers after all.”

Takagi’s gaze swept the room, cold and commanding. “Start talking,” he said, his voice like iron.

Takagi flexed his bruised knuckles, the sting sharp against the damp chill. The quiet that followed the fight was uneasy—thick with the lingering smell of blood, oil, and spent gunpowder. Silence like this never lasted long. Someone had heard the commotion, and every second they lingered risked exposure.

Crouching down to meet Tatsuma’s glare, Takagi’s voice came cold and low, the calm coiling like a snake. “One more chance. If there’s anything else you’re not telling me, now’s the time.”

Tatsuma coughed, spitting blood onto the concrete. His bravado was gone, replaced by grim resignation. “That’s all I know,” he muttered, his voice rough. “Downtown. Tomorrow night. That’s the drop.” His swollen eyes met Takagi’s unflinching gaze. “Kill me if you want. It won’t change a damn thing.”

Takagi studied him for a beat longer, then stood, his sharp gaze cutting across the room. “Sho,” he said quietly, “check the crates.”

Sho, always eager for orders that promised action, slid his revolver into its holster. “On it.” He strode to the nearest crate, his movements uncharacteristically efficient, and pried it open with a grunt. The lid creaked, the wood splintering. His face tensed as he took in the contents.

“Yeah…” Sho whistled low, running a hand through his damp hair. “It’s explosives, alright. Bricks of the stuff. Enough to turn this block into dust.”

Takagi’s jaw tightened as the implications sank in. This wasn’t the usual pissing contest over turf or black-market goods. The Hanabira-gumi were staging something big. And if this operation slipped through their fingers, the Nagasawa-kai would be caught flat-footed—and bleeding.

“We’re not leaving this behind,” Takagi said, his voice like tempered steel. “Sho, grab zip ties from that bench.”

Sho raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue, muttering as he rummaged through the cluttered workbench. “Zip ties… explosives… I’m starting to think we need a damn checklist.”

He returned with a bundle of plastic ties, tossing them onto a crate. One by one, Takagi secured the wrists of the Hanabira men, ignoring their muffled protests. Tatsuma squirmed when his turn came, his muscles straining against the zip ties until Takagi leaned in close, his voice a razor’s edge.

“Try me,” he said, his tone as cold as death. “I dare you.”

Tatsuma stilled, the fight draining out of him like air from a punctured tire. Sho, watching from the side, snickered under his breath. “Guess he’s not feeling lucky, huh?”

“Enough talk,” Takagi snapped. He nodded toward the crates. “Load them into our truck. Every last one. Get it after we finish up with them.”

Sho hesitated, glancing at the stack of heavy crates. “All of them? You planning on blowing up half of Nagoya on the drive back?”

Takagi shot him a look that brooked no argument. “Move.”

With a resigned groan, Sho grabbed the nearest crate, hefting it with visible strain. “Hell of a workout tonight…”

The two men worked quickly, Takagi’s movements efficient and silent while Sho muttered under his breath, his usual sarcasm bleeding into the effort. The crates were heavier than they looked, and the truck’s bed groaned as each one was loaded in.

They were nearly finished when the distant wail of sirens sliced through the rain.

Sho froze mid-step, his eyes widening as the sound grew louder. “Shit. Cops.”

Takagi didn’t flinch. He wiped his palms against his slacks, his gaze flicking toward the bound Hanabira men sprawled on the floor like discarded trash. “Sho, finish loading the handguns. Quick.”

“On it,” Sho replied, his voice tight. He grabbed the scattered pistols, shoving them into a duffel bag with swift, jerking motions.

The red-and-blue glow of a patrol car washed across the warehouse walls, seeping in through cracks in the door. Its engine rumbled to a stop just outside.

Takagi slid his hands into his coat pockets, forcing himself to relax as he turned to Sho. “Stay here.”

Sho crouched beside the crates, his Colt ready but low, watching Takagi move with a mixture of wariness and respect. “You’ve got balls, Aniki. I’ll give you that.”

Takagi stepped out into the rain. The downpour had softened to a drizzle, the wet street glistening under the halo of streetlights. Across the lot, a patrol car idled, its driver’s side door opening with a creak. Sergeant Arai emerged, his raincoat gleaming under the faint neon glow. Stocky and in his fifties, Arai moved with the weary resignation of a man who’d seen too much.

His sharp eyes landed on Takagi and softened—not by much, but enough to betray familiarity. “Tetsunori,” he greeted, his voice gravelly. “Didn’t expect to find you here.”

Takagi inclined his head slightly, his posture casual but alert. “Arai-san. Routine security work. This warehouse is under Nagasawa-kai’s contract.”

Arai raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the warehouse. “Routine? Sounded like gunshots to me.”

“Stragglers,” Takagi replied smoothly. “Some punks thought they’d make a move on the property. We intervened. No real harm done.”

Arai stared at him for a long moment, his sharp gaze peeling back the layers of Takagi’s calm facade. Finally, he sighed, fishing a notepad from his coat. “You’ve got five minutes to wrap this up. I’ll circle the block a couple of times, real slow.” His tone darkened. “Make sure it’s clean when I get back. And tie their legs—I don’t want them crawling out.”

Takagi inclined his head, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. “Understood. Appreciate it, Sergeant.”

Arai turned, muttering as he climbed back into his car. “I better not regret this, Tetsunori. And tell your boss I’m still waiting on that favor.”

Takagi’s voice followed him, calm and confident. “No problem, no regrets, Arai-san.”

The patrol car pulled away, its headlights carving a path into the rain-soaked night.

Takagi ducked back into the warehouse. Sho was waiting by the truck, the duffel slung over his shoulder, his expression equal parts impatience and excitement.

“Well?” Sho asked, glancing toward the now-empty lot.

“Secure their legs and finish up,” Takagi said, drawing his pistol and scanning the room one last time. Sho grabbed a roll of duct tape from a pegboard, working quickly to bind the Hanabira men while Takagi kept watch.

Once the last crate and weapons were loaded, Takagi and Sho moved toward the truck. Takagi spared a final glance at the bound men, his gaze cold.

“The cops will clean them up,” he said quietly.

“We’re clear, Aniki,” Sho added, his voice tinged with exhilaration.

Takagi climbed into the driver’s seat, his mind heavy with the weight of what they’d uncovered. As the truck pulled into the rain-slicked street, the warehouse faded behind them, silent once more.

The explosives rattled softly in the bed of the truck, a grim reminder of what they carried—and what the Hanabira-gumi were planning.

“They’re not testing boundaries anymore,” Takagi murmured, more to himself than Sho. “They’re preparing for war.”

Sho cracked his knuckles, his grin sharp as a knife. “Then we’ll hit first, right?”

Takagi didn’t answer. His gaze remained fixed on the dark road ahead, the storm stretching far beyond the horizon.

The rain hadn’t let up. It poured steadily as Takagi guided the truck through the empty streets, the soft thrum of the engine blending with the muted hiss of tires on wet pavement. The city was still asleep, its neon lights dulled under heavy clouds, as if the storm itself were trying to wash away the sins of the night.

Sho sat in the passenger seat, legs stretched out and arms folded behind his head. His energy had mellowed to something quieter now, but there was still a glint in his eye—a mixture of adrenaline and satisfaction. He cracked a grin, staring out at the empty streets.

“Well, that escalated quickly,” Sho said, his voice breaking the long silence.

Takagi’s hands stayed steady on the wheel, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. “It usually does.”

Sho snorted. “Y’know, I was starting to think we’d be stuck watching crates all night. Then—boom—explosives, gunfire, and a bunch of Hanabira assholes tied up like Christmas presents.” He shook his head with an incredulous laugh. “Can’t wait to see Kondo’s face when we tell him what’s in the truck bed.”

Takagi exhaled slowly, the tension still coiled in his chest. “We’ll tell him when the time’s right.”

Sho turned his head, watching Takagi for a beat. “You worried about something, Aniki?”

Takagi didn’t answer immediately. The wipers scraped rhythmically against the windshield, clearing paths through the rain only for droplets to reclaim the glass moments later.

“This doesn’t sit right,” he said finally, his voice low and even. “The Hanabira wouldn’t move this much firepower unless they had something big planned. And whatever they’re planning, it’s not just for show.”

Sho’s grin dimmed slightly as the implications settled in. “You think they’re coming for us?”

Takagi’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing. “They’re testing us. And now that we’ve taken this shipment, they’re going to come looking.”

Sho mulled that over, chewing on the inside of his cheek. “Good. Let them.” He smirked, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ve been getting bored lately.”

“Boredom will get you killed,” Takagi said, his tone sharper. “Focus will keep you alive.”

Sho raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. I get it. You can scold me later.” He leaned back again, his gaze drifting to the rearview mirror. The crates, tightly strapped down, rattled faintly in the truck bed as they hit a rough patch of road. “Where are we dropping these off, anyway?”

“Old dockyard. Kondo has a safe spot there.”

They drove in silence after that, the faint sound of the truck’s engine and the rain filling the gaps where conversation might’ve been. When they reached the dockyard, it was deserted—a rusting graveyard of shipping containers, forgotten equipment, and stray cats darting between shadows. Takagi pulled the truck into a secluded corner, the vehicle’s headlights briefly sweeping over walls streaked with graffiti and rust.

The two men stepped out into the rain, the chill biting through their clothes now that the heat of action had finally ebbed. Sho whistled softly as he looked around.

“Real cozy,” he muttered, kicking a dented can out of his path.

“Grab the crates,” Takagi ordered.

They worked quickly, unloading the explosives and transferring them into an old, padlocked storage container tucked at the far end of the lot. The container groaned in protest as the heavy metal door swung shut. Takagi slid the lock into place, ensuring it was secure.

Sho dusted his hands off with exaggerated flair. “I hope this safe spot’s really safe. I don’t wanna find out what happens if some junkie wanders in and lights a match.”

“It’s secure,” Takagi said simply. “Let’s go.”

They wiped down the truck as best they could, erasing fingerprints and any lingering traces of their presence. Once satisfied, Takagi handed Sho a clean pair of gloves from the glovebox, and they drove the truck to an old lot Kondo’s men occasionally used for clean-up operations.

Sho lingered as he stepped out, giving the truck one last look. “Feels like a waste, leaving it here. She handled well.”

“Better than us handling a police investigation,” Takagi replied dryly.

Sho grinned. “Fair point.”

Once the truck was abandoned in the shadows of the lot, the two men began their walk toward Nagoyako Station. The rain had eased into a light drizzle, clinging to their coats and turning the pavement into a reflective sheen of amber streetlights and neon glimmers. The faint hum of the port’s machinery faded behind them, replaced by the distant wail of a train horn and the muted rhythm of tires slicing through puddles.

Nagoya sprawled around them, vast and unyielding. Beyond the port's industrial arteries, the city unfolded in layers—row after row of tightly packed houses, towering apartment blocks, and the glint of skyscrapers farther off in Naka Ward. It was a city of movement, even in the rain, where night workers shuffled toward 24-hour convenience stores, and taxis prowled for late-night fares.

For a while, they walked in silence. It wasn’t the uneasy kind they shared earlier, but something quieter—an understanding, the kind of calm that follows a storm. Sho kicked at a stray can, the metallic clatter echoing briefly before being swallowed by the city’s noise.

“You sure we shouldn’t just tell Kondo now?” Sho asked finally, breaking the stillness. His voice was softer than usual, edged with something like uncertainty. “About the drop. About everything.”

“Not yet,” Takagi replied, his tone steady as ever. “We’ll brief him in the morning, once we’ve had time to think. Too many variables. Too many risks.”

Sho sighed, shoving his hands deep into his coat pockets. “Yeah, sure. But what if Fujimoto or one of his goons figures out the hiding place and tries to hit the stash tonight? We’re sitting ducks.”

“They won’t,” Takagi said, his voice quiet but firm. “They’re smarter than that even if they did know. Moves like tonight are meant to stir things up, make us doubt ourselves. Besides, the stash is well-hidden.”

Sho snorted, a half-laugh that didn’t carry much humor. “Yeah, but…”

Takagi glanced sideways at him, his expression unreadable. “We’ll handle it, Sho. In the morning.”

Sho muttered something under his breath but didn’t argue further. The station loomed ahead, its fluorescent lights cutting through the rain. Nagoyako Station was quiet at this hour, the usual rush of commuters replaced by the occasional port worker or late-shift salaryman heading home. The scent of damp concrete and metallic train grease filled the air as they descended into the underground.

They moved through the tiled corridors in silence, their footsteps echoing faintly. At the ticket gates, Sho tapped his IC card against the reader with a resigned sigh.

“So, what’s the plan, Aniki? You heading back to Sakae?”

Takagi nodded. “Yeah. Long night, early morning.”

“I hear ya,” Sho muttered, stuffing his hands back into his pockets. “I’m heading home to my little palace in little ol’ Taiko-dori, crash the fuck out. You know, because sleep is such a rarity these days.”

Takagi gave him a sharp look, but it lacked real bite. “You’re not wrong. Be careful.”

Sho smirked as they reached the platform. The subway line split here—the Meiko Line would take Sho toward Taiko-dori, while the connecting Higashiyama Line would carry Takagi into the heart of Naka Ward. The platform was mostly empty, save for a middle-aged man reading a folded newspaper and a young woman staring at her phone.

As the train lights appeared down the tunnel, Sho turned to Takagi. “You know, sometimes I think this city’s too damn big. It’s like… you fix one problem in one corner, and there’s five more waiting for you in another.”

Takagi huffed a quiet breath, the closest he’d come to a laugh. “That’s Nagoya. Doesn’t sleep. Doesn’t stop. Doesn’t give a fuck.”

Sho’s smirk widened. “Yeah, well, I wouldn’t mind it slowing down just once. Give a guy time to breathe.”

The train slid into the station with a rush of cool air. They exchanged a brief nod before Sho stepped onto his car, the doors sliding shut behind him. Takagi waited for his own train, staring at the wet platform tiles made worse by commuters with umbrellas. The silence returned, but this time it felt different—emptier, heavier.

When the Higashiyama Line train arrived, Takagi stepped inside, settling into a seat near the door. The bright lights of the subway reflected off the rain-streaked windows of the metro, and he watched the city blur past in fragments of concrete and light. His mind turned to Kondo, to Sho’s words, and to the ever-growing weight of Nagoya’s restless pulse.

The Wee Hours – Takagi’s Apartment, day 2

The apartment welcomed him with its familiar silence, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the steady tap of rain against the window. Takagi Tetsunori stepped inside, letting the door close behind him with a dull, decisive thud. He stood there for a moment, the weight of the long night clinging to him like the dampness on his black jacket. His fingers ran along the edge of the collar before he shrugged it off and draped it neatly over the back of a chair.

His shoes scuffed faintly against the floor as he slipped them off, tucking them next to the door with a precision that spoke of routine. The scent of rain, faint tobacco, and worn leather lingered in the air, a cocktail of his daily existence. As Takagi moved toward the window, his steps were measured, deliberate. The faint buzz of neon from the streets below bled into the apartment, adding a dim vibrancy to the otherwise sparse room.

Nagoya sprawled beyond the rain-streaked glass, its veins of neon light pulsing with restless energy. The city, with all its chaos and noise, was somehow muted in these late hours. But even now, it breathed—the hum of taxis, the distant wail of a siren, the faint murmur of voices from street corners and alleys. He could almost feel it—alive, unyielding, pulling him deeper into its currents.

Takagi lit a cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating his face. His sharp features softened in the glow for a fleeting second before retreating into the dimness. He took a long drag, exhaling smoke that curled into the air like unspoken thoughts. The cigarette rested loosely between his fingers as he turned away from the window and crossed the room.

The apartment itself was utilitarian, much like its occupant. A small, neatly made bed occupied one corner, the sheets crisp and unadorned. A single armchair sat near the window, its leather cracked but still sturdy. On a low table nearby sat an unopened bottle of sake, catching the city’s faint glow. Next to it was a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, and a ceramic ashtray scarred with years of use.

Takagi dropped into the armchair, its creak almost lost beneath the rain. He rested his elbows on his knees, the cigarette dangling idly between his fingers as he stared at the floor. Tonight’s events churned in his mind, replaying in sharp detail—the crunch of bone, the muffled groans of the Hanabira men in the alley, the deafening cracks of gunfire in the warehouse. Each move had been precise, each decision calculated, but the weight of those choices lingered long after the adrenaline had faded.

The cigarette burned low, its ember casting faint shadows across his face. He thought of the crates of explosives, now sitting in a Nagasawa-kai warehouse, and the quiet fear he had seen in the Hanabira men’s eyes. They were small players, nothing more than messengers in a larger game. But the message they carried was clear: boundaries were being tested, lines pushed.

Takagi took another drag, the ember flaring as he inhaled deeply. His eyes dropped to his hands, steady now, but he could still feel the fleeting tremor of adrenaline leaving his veins. How many times had he done this? A dozen? A hundred? The number didn’t matter anymore. It was the life he’d chosen—or the life that had chosen him.

The weight of loyalty pressed heavily on his chest, a familiar burden he had learned to carry. The oyabun would demand answers, would demand action, and Takagi would deliver. He always had. But here, in the quiet of his apartment, the questions he could never voice found him: How far could he push before the weight crushed him? How many more lines would he cross in the name of duty?

He glanced at the unopened bottle of sake on the table, its sheen catching the faint light. Sho had given it to him weeks ago, he realized—a gesture of camaraderie after a long night. Or maybe it had been Kondo, a quiet acknowledgment of his work. He couldn’t remember anymore. It sat untouched, a silent witness to his refusal to indulge in anything beyond necessity.

The buzz of his phone jolted him from his thoughts. He exhaled slowly, stubbing out the cigarette in the ashtray before reaching for the device.

Sho: “You still up? Kondo wants us at the office tomorrow. Big meeting. Bright and early. You want a ride?”

He stared at the message for a moment, his thumb hovering over the keypad before typing a single reply.

Takagi: “Sure. Get some rest.”

The little screen dimmed as he flipped it closed and set the phone back on the table. Outside, the rain continued its relentless rhythm, washing the streets clean but leaving the stains beneath untouched. The sound filled the room, a steady pulse that matched the weight in his chest.

He leaned back in the armchair, his head resting against the worn leather as he closed his eyes. For a moment, the faint glow of neon from the city below painted shifting patterns on his face. Memories flickered at the edges of his mind—the scent of incense at his mother’s funeral, the gruff voice of the oyabun the first time they had met, the younger version of himself standing at a window much like this one, imagining a different life.

Sleep didn’t come easily for men like him, but eventually, it came all the same. It pulled him under like the rain outside, carrying with it the echoes of things he could never leave behind—faces, names, and the ever-growing weight of loyalty and loss.

Morning – Akiko’s Apartment, day 2

The blaring ringtone shattered the stillness of Akiko’s apartment, yanking her from a restless sleep. She sat up sharply, the thin comforter slipping from her shoulders as her hand fumbled across the nightstand. Her fingers closed around the vibrating phone, and she squinted at the small screen, her heart sinking as she recognized the number. Ogawa.

Her voice was sharp despite the hour. “Hanabira.”

On the other end, a man’s voice spilled out, shaky and frantic. “Hanabira-san, there’s been... an incident.”

Akiko’s brows furrowed, and the last vestiges of sleep fell away. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet brushing against the cool floor. “What incident? Calm down and tell me clearly.”

“It—it was the warehouse. The delivery tonight. We were ambushed.”

Her stomach dropped. She tightened her grip on the phone. “What? How?”

“I don’t know! Some Nagasawa men—they came out of nowhere. They took everything but the truck, the crates—they smashed them open and took everything inside.”

Akiko’s heart was pounding now, the weight of the words sinking in. Her voice cut through Ogawa’s rambling. “And the car we sent? The men with it?”

“Most of them made it out alive, but... Takeda’s in bad shape. And—” The man hesitated. “And Kobayashi-san was arrested with the bunch. Yamamoto. Tatsuma. Takeda. The others…”

Akiko froze, her mind racing. She had planned the operation herself—routine, low-risk, a simple drop-and-go. But this? Captured? Ambushed? None of it made sense.

She stood, pacing the room as she pressed the phone harder to her ear. “Wait. What about the crates? Did they know what was inside?”

There was a long pause on the other end. “They... they know, Hanabira-san. They took everything. They’ll figure it out if they haven’t already. Semtex.”

Akiko closed her eyes briefly, her free hand running through her hair. She had assumed the shipment was drugs—another mundane task in the endless operations that funded the Hanabira-gumi’s enterprises. But explosives? She hadn’t been told. Her father hadn’t told her. But at least it explains why there were the extra crates.

Her voice dropped, cold and biting. “Why wasn’t I informed about this? Who approved the cargo before us?”

“I don’t know! I swear, I didn’t know either!” The man’s panic was palpable now. “Please, Hanabira-san, what should we do?”

Akiko’s jaw tightened, her mind already spinning through the implications. The Nagasawa-kai wouldn’t take this lightly—explosives were a declaration of intent, a weapon of war, not business. This wasn’t just an ambush. It was a prelude to something bigger.

“What do you mean you don’t know?! Ugh! Pull back from the area,” she ordered. “Lay low and keep your mouths shut. I’ll inform father.”

“Hai, Hanabira-san. … Wait.”

“Yes?’

“I think it came from one of Fujimoto-san’s operations.”

“Are you sure? You just went from not knowing to being pretty specific.”, her tone indignant.

“Yes. I’m looking at the invoice in front of me now. Fujimoto Ryusuke.”, Ogawa’s voice evened out, “These drawers are a mess. It took me a bit to find it. I mean, I’m finding out this stuff at almost the same time you are, Hanabira-san.”

“Good. Thank you, Ogawa. I’m going to get to the bottom of this.”

She ended the call and dropped the phone onto the bed, her hands trembling slightly. Explosives. It all made sense now—the urgency of the shipment, the extra crates, the insistence on secrecy. But her father hadn’t seen fit to tell her, to trust her with the truth.

Her reflection caught her eye in the mirror across the room. She looked tired, the tension carving faint lines into her otherwise smooth features. Her mother’s face stared back at her, a ghostly reminder of the path she had chosen—or been forced to follow.

Akiko let out a slow breath, her mind clearing as the pieces began to fall into place. This wasn’t just about the Nagasawa-kai or the lost shipment. This was about her father, about the moves he was making behind her back.

She reached for her phone again, her thumb hovering over the keypad. There were calls to make, questions to ask, damage to control. But for a brief moment, she hesitated, her shoulders slumping under the weight of it all.

“Explosives,” she whispered to herself, the word heavy in the stillness of the room.

She straightened, her resolve hardening. Whatever her father was planning, whatever the cost, she couldn’t afford to falter. Not now. Not ever.

Outside, the rain continued to fall, its rhythm a steady drumbeat against the city that never truly slept.

Midday – Nagasawa Home Office, day 2

The meeting room at Nagasawa-kai headquarters exuded an understated tension. Smoke curled lazily from ashtrays placed around the low, lacquered table, mingling with the faint scent of tatami mats and polished cedar beams. The early light filtering through shoji screens cast a muted glow over the room, softening the edges of sharp expressions and sharper minds.

Men knelt in their places around the table, their postures taut with deference. Each belonged to the inner circle of the Nagasawa-kai, seasoned veterans and younger lieutenants who had earned their place through loyalty, cunning, and force. This was not a room for idle chatter. Every breath felt measured, every movement deliberate.

At the table’s head sat Kondo Masaru, the so-honbuchiko, his sharp eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. His cigarette smoldered between two fingers, the faint ember underscoring the weight of his presence. To his left was Makabe Hiroshi, the wakagashira, his scarred face impassive but his body radiating the composed strength of a man who had seen countless battles. To Kondo’s right knelt Matsuda Daigo, the hot-blooded wakagashira-hosa, his jaw tight with barely-contained frustration, his arms crossed as though physically holding himself back from speaking out of turn.

Further down the table, Takagi Tetsunori and Shoji Nishikawa knelt side by side, their roles clear: they were here to report, not to speak unless spoken to. Takagi, as calm as ever, exuded a quiet confidence, his posture relaxed but his presence unmistakable. Beside him, Sho vibrated with barely-contained energy, his fingers tapping lightly against the floor as if itching to prove himself.

Kondo stubbed out his cigarette with deliberate force, the sound punctuating the silence and signaling the meeting's start. “Let’s begin.” His tone was measured, but the hard edge beneath it betrayed his irritation.

Midday - Nagasawa HQ, day 2

Kondo’s gaze swept across the table, his voice cutting through the haze of smoke. “We’ve had two provocations in as many nights. First, Hanabira men scoping out our parlor in Sakae. That led to an ambush in the alley—a poorly executed one, but an ambush nonetheless. Second, they ran a shipment of explosives through our turf under our noses. No escort, no subtlety. They’re testing us.”

Matsuda slammed his hand on the table, the force rattling an ashtray. “It’s not just testing—it’s a goddamn insult! They’re pushing boundaries, laughing at us while we sit here talking like politicians!” His growl carried the weight of frustration, his eyes darting toward Takagi as though seeking someone to blame.

Makabe, ever the voice of reason, exhaled a steady plume of smoke and replied evenly, “And what’s your brilliant solution, Matsuda? Set fire to their dens? Gun down their men in broad daylight? The cops are already circling tighter than usual. If we draw more heat, they’ll choke us out faster than the Hanabira ever could.”

Matsuda sneered, leaning forward. “Hesitation is weakness, Makabe-san. You know that as well as I do. Every day we do nothing, they grow bolder. They targeted Takagi’s turf because they think he’s soft.”

All eyes turned to Takagi.

Takagi remained composed, his expression neutral, though his hands curled into loose fists on his thighs. He met Matsuda's glare with unflinching calm.

Before Takagi could respond, Sho broke the silence, his voice sharp. “You’ve got a big mouth, Matsuda-san, for someone who spends more time yelling than doing. Say one more word about Aniki, and I’ll make you eat those cigarettes.”

Matsuda's lips curled into a sneer, his fingers twitching toward the edge of the table as though daring Sho to make good on his threat.

“Enough!” Kondo’s voice thundered through the room, silencing the tension instantly. He glared at Matsuda first, then Sho, his tone dropping to a dangerous calm. “This is not the time for petty squabbles. You both forget yourselves. Matsuda, keep your insults to yourself. Sho, if you can’t hold your tongue, leave.”

The room fell silent once more, the only sound the faint hum of the overhead light.

Noon – Nagasawa HQ, day 2

Kondo turned his gaze to Takagi, his tone softening but no less firm. “Takagi, report.”

Takagi inclined his head slightly, his voice steady. “The man at the parlor wasn’t there to gamble. He watched the counters, the exits, the security cameras. After a few minutes, he got up and left. We tailed him. He led us into an alley where three men were waiting. We fought. They weren’t their best—low-level grunts. No major injuries on our side.”

“And the shipment?” Kondo pressed.

“Fifteen crates,” Takagi continued. “Explosives. High-grade. The men moving them weren’t professionals—small-time contractors or freelancers. The Hanabira didn’t want the shipment traced back to them if it went sideways. They’re using outsiders to test us.”

“And your assessment?” Kondo asked.

Takagi’s jaw tightened. “They’re staging a shit-ton of explosives right in our own backyard. They could’ve blown up this office and whole damn building with that much Semtex. If we don’t respond, they’ll might be emboldened to go to Plan B and try again.”

Makabe nodded, his expression thoughtful. Matsuda, however, scoffed loudly, shaking his head.

“See?” Matsuda barked, his voice rising again. “That’s exactly my point! They see a weak link, and they’re exploiting it. This isn’t just about territory—it’s about Takagi. They think he’s lost his edge.”

Sho bristled beside Takagi, his fury barely contained. “Say that again, and you’ll lose yours.”

Kondo raised a hand before the tension could boil over again, his voice cutting through the rising anger. “This isn’t about Takagi. It’s about the Hanabira overstepping. Keep your focus where it belongs.”

Noon – Nagasawa HQ, day 2

The sound of soft footsteps echoed down the hallway. Instantly, the room shifted. Men straightened their backs, their postures tightening. The sliding door opened, and Nagasawa Hiroto, the oyabun, entered with deliberate calm.

The room seemed to shrink under his presence. Dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, his silver hair brushed back neatly, Nagasawa moved with the quiet authority of a man who didn’t need to raise his voice to command respect. He knelt at the head of the table, folding his hands in his lap.

Kondo bowed deeply. “Oyabun.”

The others followed suit, murmuring, “Oyabun.”

Nagasawa’s voice, low and steady, broke the silence. “Continue.”

Kondo recapped the situation with precision, laying out the events and the clan’s responses so far. When he finished, Nagasawa turned his sharp gaze to Takagi.

“You were there both nights,” Nagasawa said. “What’s your impression?”

Takagi met his gaze with quiet respect. “They’re testing us, on the one hand. On the other, they could be plotting to demolish the Nagasawa-kai’s offices. The shipment was deliberate. They’re fucking with us, but they’re careful. They might want us to react recklessly.”

Nagasawa nodded slightly. “And your recommendation?”

Takagi hesitated briefly. “We need to respond, but strategically. Something minor. Escalation could easily backfire. Precision is key. In-and-out job.”

Sho, unable to contain himself, chimed in. “There’s a gambling den in Nishiki. It’s small, but it’s symbolic. We hit it, we send a message.”

Nagasawa’s gaze shifted to Sho, his eyes narrowing. “And what message would that be, little Nishikawa?”

Sho faltered under the weight of the oyabun’s stare but managed, “That this is still our city.”

Nagasawa’s expression remained unreadable. “Kondo. Risks?”

“That den is usually lightly guarded and in our territory, but they’ll be on heightened alert,” Kondo replied.

Nagasawa nodded once, his tone decisive. “Take it, then. Quietly. No unnecessary theatrics. Kondo, select the team. Takagi, you’ll lead it since you’ve got the momentum.”

Takagi bowed deeply. “Understood, oyabun.”

As Nagasawa rose, signaling the end of the meeting, he paused at the door, his voice calm but edged with warning. “Discipline, precision. Desperation is dangerous. Remember that.”

He stepped through the sliding door, leaving behind a room heavy with purpose—and the quiet understanding that the Hanabira would soon feel the weight of their misstep.

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