A Shadow over Jinsei

Kaito flexed his fingers, feeling the blood rush back into his wrists. The ropes were off, but the situation was far from over. His sharp eyes remained locked on the man in the black jacket—the one who had just ordered his release.

The insignia on the man's sleeve stood out clearly now: a crow wreathed in flames.

This guy wasn't just another thug.

The tension in the warehouse was thick, the Seiran delinquents who had jumped Kaito standing uneasily in the background, waiting for some kind of signal.

The man in the black jacket took a slow step forward. His gaze was sharp but unreadable.

"You're Kaito Renji," he stated. It wasn't a question.

Kaito didn't respond immediately. His muscles were still sore from the beating, but he straightened his posture. He wouldn't show weakness—not now.

"And you are?" Kaito asked, his tone steady.

The man smirked faintly. "Toru Renji."

Kaito's eyes narrowed. That name…

"You're lying." His voice was cold. "He's dead."

The warehouse went silent. The Seiran delinquents shifted uncomfortably, as if the temperature had dropped.

The man—Toru—studied Kaito for a moment before letting out a dry chuckle. "You've got guts, kid. I'll give you that." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. He tapped one out, placing it between his lips but not lighting it.

"I never said I was your brother," Toru continued. "But I did know him. More than you ever did."

Kaito clenched his jaw. His fists tightened, but he forced himself to stay still.

Toru turned slightly, his gaze drifting to the faint graffiti on the warehouse wall—the barely visible mark of the Vetrax.

"You don't even understand what you're getting yourself into, do you?" Toru mused, looking back at Kaito. "Jinsei isn't the same as it was when your brother ruled the streets. The Vetrax… they were more than a gang. And now, they're just ghosts."

Kaito exhaled slowly, his heartbeat steady despite the rising storm inside him. "Then why are you here?"

Toru finally lit his cigarette, the flame casting flickering shadows on his face. "Because ghosts don't stay buried forever."

He turned towards the door, walking away as if the conversation was over. But before he left, he glanced back.

"I'll be watching, kid. Let's see if you're really his brother… or just another reckless idiot trying to chase a legend."

The warehouse door shut behind him, leaving Kaito alone with his thoughts.

His body ached. His mind raced.

For the first time since coming to Jinsei, he had a lead—a name.

Toru Renji.

Whoever he really was, one thing was clear.

Kaito wasn't just fighting for himself anymore.

He was stepping into something much bigger.

And there was no turning back.