Assistance required

The air in Italy was thick with anticipation as Nefario, Rolin, and Cheng settled into their hotel room after a long journey. The room was small but clean, with a view of the bustling streets of Milan. Nefario didn't waste any time, immediately pulling a sleek black laptop from his bag and placing it on the desk. His fingers moved quickly, typing in a string of codes, the screen flickering as it connected to a satellite.

"With this computer, I can track down anyone, anywhere, anytime," Nefario said, his voice low but full of confidence. His eyes flickered with a determined gleam as the laptop hummed to life.

Cheng leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "That's some serious tech you've got there. You sure it'll find your brother?"

"It'll find him," Nefario replied, his focus narrowing as the satellite feed began pinpointing a location. He zoomed in on the coordinates, his lips curling into a small but satisfied smile. "Got him. Adam's in Milan. He's underground, literally."

The screen shifted, showing an image of a hidden part of the city—an underground boxing arena where fighters, both amateur and professional, clashed in brutal combat. It was a place where money changed hands, and reputations were made or broken.

"An underground boxing champion," Nefario muttered. "Of course. Adam always had a knack for winning, no matter the stakes."

Rolin raised an eyebrow. "I thought he was hiding out. How's he running an arena?"

"Same way he did everything," Nefario said. "He's ruthless. Uses his skills to build connections, make money. But he'll want a reason to join us. We'll have to prove it to him."

---

The three of them made their way to the underground arena, the scent of sweat, blood, and alcohol hanging thick in the air. The place was a maze of dark corridors, and the sound of pounding fists and cheers echoed from the main arena. When they finally reached the fight floor, the crowd roared as Adam, standing tall in the ring, landed a decisive punch on his opponent. The fighter collapsed in a heap, and Adam's undefeated streak remained intact.

Nefario approached the ring, his voice cutting through the noise. "Adam!"

Adam looked down from the ring with a sharp gaze, his eyes briefly lighting up when he spotted Nefario. There was a flicker of recognition, but it was quickly replaced with a cool indifference. He wiped the sweat off his brow and climbed out of the ring, his movements smooth and calculated.

"Been a long time," Adam said, his voice almost casual, though there was something darker in his eyes. "Didn't expect you to show up like this."

Rolin and Cheng stayed back, letting Nefario do the talking.

"We came for your help," Nefario said, keeping his voice steady. "The Banpai is making its move. We need you, Adam. We're assembling a team to take them down."

Adam looked him over, his gaze flicking to Rolin and Cheng. His expression didn't shift. "A team, huh? You think you can take on the Banpai, with this ragtag bunch?"

"We're not asking you to join for fun. We're asking because this is the only way we'll survive. The Crime War is coming," Nefario replied, his voice firm, unyielding. "We need someone who knows how to fight, how to lead. And you're the best."

Adam chuckled dryly. "Lead, huh? That's cute. So, what do you want from me, exactly?"

"We need you in," Nefario said, his words carrying weight. "Help us assemble a team. If you think we're serious, then we'll fight alongside you. But if not… then we walk."

Adam stood still for a moment, sizing them up, before raising an eyebrow. "I'll join. But first, I want a sparring partner."

"A sparring partner?" Cheng asked, his brow furrowed.

"If one of you can land a hit on me," Adam said, looking at Nefario, then at Rolin, "then I'll follow you. If not, you're wasting my time."

Nefario immediately stepped forward, but Adam shook his head. "No. I want Rolin. It's been a while since I saw him in action. A turned police officer, huh? Let's see if you're as good as your old man."

Rolin narrowed his eyes. "Fine. But don't expect me to go easy."

The two men squared off, the tension palpable. Adam's stance was relaxed, almost too casual, but Rolin knew better than to underestimate him. Adam's reputation had been built on brutal efficiency, and he wasn't going to hold back.

The bell rang, and the sparring session began.

Adam's speed was mind-boggling. He didn't just move fast; he created afterimages, multiple copies of himself that blurred in the air. Each afterimage landed a punch, but they couldn't take any hits themselves—each copy would vanish upon contact. Rolin found himself constantly dodging, the punches coming from every direction.

But Rolin's mind was sharp, and he quickly adapted. He began to see the pattern in Adam's movement, the subtle shifts in the air that betrayed where the real Adam was. He waited for the perfect moment, and when it came, he used his knowledge of physics and human reaction time to predict Adam's next move.

With a quick feint, Rolin sidestepped an afterimage and landed a solid blow to Adam's jaw. The crowd gasped, and Adam staggered back, eyes widening for the briefest of moments.

"That's the Rolin I remember," Adam said with a grin, shaking off the blow. "You've still got it. Nice move."

The sparring session ended, and Adam offered Rolin a handshake. "You've got my attention. I'll join your little team. But we're gonna need smart people if we're going to challenge the Banpai."

Nefario stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Adam. "We've got a plan. And we're going to need all the help we can get."

Adam nodded. "Then we're gonna need to go to Tokyo."

Rolin looked at him, confused. "Tokyo?"

Adam's grin widened. "You can't take down a global syndicate without a few experts on your side. And I know just where to find them."

As they left the arena, the weight of the coming war hung heavily on their shoulders. The road to Tokyo was just the beginning, but now, with Adam by their side, they had a real chance. The true fight had just begun.