Chapter 12: The Storm Breaks

The air in Tokyo was thick with tension. Kaito's gang had been shattered, leaderless, and broken. Yet, the city's underworld never remained empty for long. The Viper Gang, ruthless and opportunistic, moved in like scavengers over a fresh corpse. They seized Kaito's territory, executing any remnants of his men who dared to resist. It wasn't just a takeover—it was a message.

Taro had tried to stay out of it. He had done his part—helped Kenji Sato get revenge, taken down Kaito, and avenged Ken's death. He wanted to move on, leave the violence behind. But the city wouldn't let him.

The night was cold as he walked the dimly lit streets with Mia by his side. Their footsteps echoed against the concrete, the distant sound of sirens blending into the ever-present hum of Tokyo. He pulled his hoodie up, trying to disappear into the shadows, but he could feel eyes on him. They had been followed for days now.

The Viper Gang was making its move.

Their takeover of Kaito's old turf had been swift, brutal. Men loyal to Kaito were either executed or forced to swear allegiance. Those who refused were found dumped in alleyways, their bodies riddled with bullets. But it wasn't just about claiming power—the Viper Gang wanted to erase any trace of the past, including those who had played a part in Kaito's downfall.

That meant Taro was a marked man.

He had tried to stay low, but the streets weren't safe anymore. Every alleyway, every corner store, every familiar place from his time in the gang felt like a trap waiting to be sprung. And now, as he walked beside Mia through the silent streets, he knew the storm had finally reached him.

Mia glanced at him, her expression unreadable. She had been quiet ever since they first noticed the men tailing them. "They're not going to stop, are they?" she finally asked.

"No," Taro muttered. "They want us dead."

Mia sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Then we have to move before they do."

Before Taro could respond, the streetlights above flickered and dimmed. A group of figures emerged from the alley ahead, blocking their path. A chill ran down Taro's spine as he recognized the man leading them.

Lee.

He was barely recognizable. His face was bruised, stitched together from the wounds he had suffered during Kaito's fall. His left arm hung uselessly at his side, but his eyes still burned with the same reckless rage.

"Taro," Lee sneered, his voice hoarse but full of venom. "You thought you could just walk away?"

Taro's fists clenched. He had assumed Lee was dead, left for nothing after Kaito's downfall. But he had survived, and now he stood before him, his broken body carrying a purpose far more dangerous than before.

"I should've killed you when I had the chance," Lee continued, stepping forward. "But don't worry—I'll fix that mistake tonight."

Taro instinctively stepped in front of Mia, his eyes scanning the men surrounding them. Five—no, six of them. Armed. The fight was already decided before it even began.

Mia's fingers tightened around his wrist. "We need to get out of here," she whispered.

Lee chuckled. "No running this time, Ishida." He pulled a gun from his waistband, aiming it straight at Taro's head. "This is where your story ends."

Taro's heart pounded. The alley behind them was blocked, and there was no way they could fight their way through six armed men. But before Lee could pull the trigger, a loud gunshot echoed through the streets.

It wasn't Lee who fired. It came from above.

The moment of confusion was all Taro needed. He grabbed Mia's hand and yanked her behind him as he dashed toward the nearest alleyway. Another gunshot rang out, hitting one of Lee's men, who collapsed with a pained scream. Someone was helping them—but who?

Taro didn't waste time questioning it. He ran, Mia close behind. Bullets ricocheted off the walls, shattering glass and sparking against metal. They weaved through the narrow streets, leaping over debris, slipping into the shadows.

Only when they reached an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of town did they stop. Taro leaned against the wall, trying to catch his breath. Mia was panting beside him, her hands gripping her knees.

"That… was close," she gasped.

Taro nodded, glancing toward the entrance. "Who the hell was that?"

A voice echoed from the darkness. "You owe me one, Ishida."

Taro's eyes narrowed as a figure stepped into the dim light. It was one of Kaito's former men—someone who had respected Taro for his strength. A survivor.

"I figured you'd need a little help," the man continued, lowering his gun. "Lee's working for the Vipers now. He's their informant, and they're not stopping until you're dead."

Taro exhaled sharply. So it was true. Lee had switched sides, and now the Viper Gang was using him to clean up what was left of Kaito's people.

Mia's voice was quiet. "Then we can't stay here."

"No," Taro agreed. "We have to disappear."

But as he said it, he knew it wouldn't be that simple. He had thought he was done with the gang life. He had tried to walk away. But the past had caught up with him, and the war had already begun.

And worst of all, he was about to uncover a truth that would change everything.