Chapter 4: The Wolf in the Shadows

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Scene 1: The Aftermath of Victory

Yuuji Kisaragi sat on the rooftop of Shiroyama Academy, staring at the city skyline. His body still ached from the fight against Takeshi, but the real weight on his shoulders wasn't the bruises—it was the attention.

News of his victory spread like wildfire.

By lunchtime, everyone in school was either whispering his name or glaring at him like prey.

Aoi Kanzaki had warned him. "You've made enemies, Kisaragi."

And she wasn't wrong.

The Underground fights weren't just about brawling—they were about status. Every punch thrown was a political move. Every victory put a target on your back.

And now, Yuuji was in the crosshairs.

The door to the rooftop creaked open, and Aoi stepped out, carrying two cans of soda.

"You always hide up here?" she asked, tossing him one.

Yuuji caught it, popping the tab open. "Didn't feel like dealing with the circus downstairs."

Aoi smirked. "Can't blame you. But you'd better get used to it."

He exhaled. "So, what's next? Another fight?"

Aoi took a sip before answering. "No. Not yet. The big names in the Underground are watching, but they won't move immediately. They'll test you first."

Yuuji raised an eyebrow. "Test me how?"

Aoi's smirk widened. "By sending their pawns after you."

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Scene 2: A Bloodstained Welcome

The warning came sooner than expected.

As Yuuji walked down the hallway toward his classroom, he felt it—hostile intent.

A flicker of movement in the corner of his eye.

Too late.

A fist came flying toward his face.

Yuuji barely managed to tilt his head, the punch grazing his cheek. Before he could react, a knee slammed into his ribs.

Pain exploded in his side, but Yuuji gritted his teeth, rolling backward to create distance.

Four guys surrounded him.

All wearing the same black armband.

One of them cracked his knuckles. "Kisaragi, right?"

Yuuji exhaled. "Let me guess. Someone sent you?"

The tallest one smirked. "We're from the Onizuka Group. Our boss doesn't like new guys acting cocky."

Yuuji's eyes narrowed. Onizuka Group… one of the school's smaller factions.

This was a test.

Not meant to kill him—just to see how much punishment he could take.

Yuuji rolled his shoulders, grinning. "Then let's get this over with."

The goons didn't hesitate.

The first charged—Yuuji sidestepped, grabbing his wrist and twisting it sharply.

SNAP!

The guy screamed, dropping to the floor.

The second thug swung a pipe—Yuuji ducked, stepping in close before delivering a brutal uppercut to his chin.

His jaw cracked, and he crumpled.

The last two hesitated.

Yuuji smirked, beckoning them forward. "What's wrong? Weren't you guys just talking big?"

The taller one roared in anger, throwing a wild punch.

Yuuji caught it mid-air.

Then, he pulled the guy forward and slammed his knee into his stomach.

The last thug turned to run.

Yuuji grabbed the back of his collar and slammed him against the lockers.

Silence.

Yuuji dusted off his hands. "Tell your boss… if he wants to test me, he should come himself."

The beaten thugs didn't respond—they were too busy groaning in pain.

Yuuji sighed. "So much for a quiet school life."

From the end of the hallway, Aoi leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

She smirked. "Not bad. But this was just the beginning."

Yuuji sighed. "Of course it is."

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Scene 3: The Wolf Makes His Move

By the time Yuuji reached his classroom, someone was waiting for him.

A guy sat on his desk, one leg casually resting over the other.

He had platinum-blonde hair, golden eyes that shimmered like a predator's, and a smile too sharp to be friendly.

Hiragi Kaito.

The strongest fighter in Shiroyama Academy.

Yuuji's eyes narrowed. "Didn't think I'd be meeting you this soon."

Kaito chuckled, tilting his head. "I was curious."

He stood up, stepping closer. "You're interesting, Kisaragi. Most guys would've backed down after one fight. But you?"

He grinned.

"You keep winning."

Yuuji crossed his arms. "And that's a problem?"

Kaito's smile didn't fade, but there was something unnerving behind his eyes.

"It makes things… fun."

Yuuji didn't flinch under his gaze. "So, what now? You here to fight me?"

Kaito laughed. "No, no. Not yet. That'd be too easy."

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"I just wanted to see you up close. See if you're worth breaking."

Yuuji felt a chill run down his spine.

This guy wasn't like the others.

He wasn't just strong.

He was dangerous.

Kaito patted his shoulder. "Keep surviving, Kisaragi. The real fun hasn't even started."

Then, just like that, he walked away.

Aoi stepped beside Yuuji, watching Kaito disappear down the hallway.

She exhaled. "That was… bad."

Yuuji scoffed. "No kidding."

Aoi turned to him, her expression serious.

"You don't understand. Kaito doesn't just fight. He breaks people. Mind, body, and soul."

Yuuji clenched his fists.

"Then I'll just have to make sure he never breaks me."

Aoi studied him, then smirked. "Then we'd better make you stronger."

She tossed something toward him.

Yuuji caught it. A folded piece of paper.

He opened it—and his eyes widened.

It was an address.

Aoi grinned.

"Meet me there tonight. We're starting your real training."

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Scene 4: The Path to Power

That night, Yuuji followed the address to a hidden underground gym beneath the city.

Inside, the air was thick with the smell of sweat and blood. Fighters trained against punching bags, sparred in makeshift rings, and lifted weights that looked inhumanly heavy.

Aoi stood near the entrance, dressed in black sportswear, her silver hair tied into a ponytail.

She turned to Yuuji, smirking. "Welcome to your new hell."

Yuuji raised an eyebrow. "You train here?"

Aoi nodded. "This place is where the real fighters are born. The ones who dominate the Underground."

A large, scarred man approached, his muscles rippling under his shirt.

He glared at Yuuji, then turned to Aoi.

"This the kid?"

Aoi nodded. "He's the one."

The man grunted. "He won't last a week."

Yuuji smirked. "Guess I'll have to prove you wrong."

The man cracked his neck. "We'll see."

He turned and pointed toward the training area.

"Get in the ring."

Yuuji rolled his shoulders.

Time to get serious.

As he stepped into the ring, Aoi watched from the sidelines, her arms crossed.

A small smile played on her lips.

"Let's see if you can keep up, Kisaragi."

And with that, the real training began.

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