Kaito lunged forward.
Saito raised his sword just in time, blocking the attack.
Without hesitation, he grabbed Tina and ran.
Kaito chased after them.
Saito leapt onto a nearby roof and kept running. "Tina, you must go back to your house!"
"But what about you, Sir Saito?" Tina asked, holding on tightly.
"Don't worry about me," Saito said. "Our priority now is your life."
Suddenly—
Kaito appeared beside him.
His knife swung.
Saito blocked, but the force knocked him off balance.
He fell—
But held onto Tina as they crashed onto a trash bin below.
Saito clenched his jaw in pain.
Kaito stood above, looking down at them.
Saito turned to Tina. "Tina, you need to run."
Tina hesitated, then nodded. "Okay."
She ran.
Kaito's eyes followed her. He moved to chase—
But suddenly, his leg was grabbed.
Saito pulled him back.
"Fight me first."Kaito moved first.
A sharp slash cut across Saito's cheek.
Saito gritted his teeth and threw a punch in return. "You were supposed to join me!"
Kaito stepped back slightly. "This world is full of danger."
Saito lunged forward—
But his sword was kicked away.
Before he could react, Kaito rushed in and drove his knife forward.
The blade pierced into Saito.
Saito coughed out blood, his body going weak as he fell to the ground.
Kaito looked down at him for a moment.
"You have a better future than this," he said quietly.
Then he turned and ran after Tina.Tina ran toward a nearby stall, hope flashing in her eyes.
She rushed to the door and tried to get in—
But the shopkeeper saw Kaito chasing her.
Fear filled his face.
He quickly shut the door.
"Wait!" Tina cried, banging on it. "Please!"
But the door stayed closed.
Her hands trembled.
Footsteps approached behind her.
Kaito stopped a few steps away. "Stop running, kid."
Tina turned, her voice shaking. "Please… Sir Kaito…"
Kaito raised his knife. "I'll kill you fast."
Tina closed her eyes.
Kaito dashed forward—
But suddenly—
A hand grabbed his wrist.
Kaito's eyes widened in shock.
Saito stood there, blood still on his lips.
"I said…" Saito's voice was low, steady.
"Fight me first."
He pulled Kaito in and slammed a punch into his face—
Sending him crashing into a car door.Kaito stood up, wiping the blood from his mouth. "You're still alive."
Saito smirked slightly. "You'll have to do better than that to kill me."
Kaito lunged forward, swinging his leg.
Saito blocked—
But the force pushed him back several steps.
Without pause, Kaito threw his knife.
Saito dodged—
"Return."
The knife flew back into Kaito's hand.
Saito's eyes narrowed. "So this is his power…"
"You're not in my league, newbie," Kaito said coldly. "I could kill you instantly."
"Then do it," Saito replied, stepping in front of Tina again.
Kaito lunged, slashing forward.
Saito raised his sword and blocked.
Kaito pulled out another knife. "Barrage Slash."
His blades moved rapidly, striking again and again.
Saito blocked most of them—
But a few cuts slipped through.
Kaito saw the opening and kicked him hard.
Saito hit the ground.
Kaito walked toward him slowly. "Any last words?"
Saito looked up. "You could stop this."
Kaito paused for a brief second. "You're right… but I choose not to."
He lunged—
Clang!
A metal rod struck his face.
Kaito staggered back, clutching it in pain.
He looked up—
Tina stood there, holding the rod with both hands, trembling.
Kaito's eyes hardened. "Damn you…"
Suddenly—
Saito rushed forward and slammed into Kaito.
"Eyes on me, Silent Killer."Kaito steadied himself, his grip tightening on his knife.
"You know it's no use to protect her," he said coldly.
Saito didn't move. "She's a kind kid. She deserves better than this."
Kaito's eyes narrowed. "You're a gangster, right? Why protect someone weak?"
Saito took a step forward, standing firm in front of Tina.
"I want to become the King of Gangsters…"
He paused, then continued, his voice steady.
"…not by killing, but by proving myself—and protecting my friends."
He looked straight at Kaito.
"That includes you."
Kaito stayed silent.
Saito went on, "You let that girl go before… because you knew she was innocent. She was just a victim—betrayed by someone close to her."
His voice softened slightly.
"Why can't you do the same for Tina?"
Kaito's gaze dropped for a moment.
"You don't understand…" he said quietly. "I've had enough of that place. I want to end my life as an assassin."
Saito stepped closer. "Then let me help you."
Kaito clicked his tongue. "Tch… a newbie like you… help me?"
Saito smiled faintly. "You trusted me enough to tell me your past."
"Now trust me with this."
Kaito looked down, silent.
The street fell quiet.The thug looked at Saito and sneered. "You… that brat from before."
He raised his gun. "Now I get my revenge."
Saito stared at him coldly. "I hate people like you."
He started walking forward.
Bang.
The thug fired.
Saito raised his sword and blocked the bullet with ease.
"You didn't just hurt my feelings…" Saito said calmly. "…you hurt my friends."
"Tch… why won't you die already!?" the thug shouted, firing again.
But Saito blocked every shot effortlessly.
"You're a dead man," Saito said.
He lunged forward.
The thug's eyes widened in shock—
Before he could move, Saito's blade cut across his chest.
The thug dropped, lifeless.
"Sir Saito! Behind you!" Tina shouted.
Saito turned—
Three thugs stood there, guns aimed at him.
Before they could fire—
Flash.
Knives flew through the air.
Each one struck precisely.
The thugs fell on the spot.
Saito looked back.
Kaito stood there… barely.
Then his body gave out.
He collapsed, coughing blood.
Saito rushed to him, Tina following close behind.Saito's eyes scanned the street.
He spotted a nearby shop and kicked the door open.
He glared at the shopkeeper. "Give me bandages—now."
The shopkeeper stammered, hands shaking. "O-okay! Okay!"
He handed Saito a few bandages quickly.
Saito rushed back to Kaito, who was still lying on the ground, coughing weakly.
He carefully applied the bandages, tying them around Kaito's wounds.
Kaito looked up at him, voice faint. "Sorry… Saito. I betrayed you."
Saito shook his head. "That's in the past. Now stay still."
Tina stepped closer, her small hands holding onto Kaito gently. "Don't worry, Sir Kaito. We saved you."
Kaito's gaze softened as he looked at the little girl.
A small smile appeared on his face. "Okay… kid."Kaito walked slowly, supported by Saito.
"You can go home now," Saito said, glancing at Tina. "Stay safe."
"Thanks," Tina said softly.
Kaito stopped her. "Wait, kid."
Tina turned, curious.
Kaito held out the present box. "You left this."
Tina's eyes lit up. "Thanks, Sir Kaito!"
She hugged the box and ran home.
Saito smiled, looking at Kaito. "So… today was very interesting."
Kaito nodded silently.
Saito scratched his head. "Hmm… what should we do now?"
Kaito stopped, looked up at him, and clenched his fist.
"I hope you'll recruit me to your crew."
Saito froze for a second, then smiled. "Of course, silly."
He bumped fists with Kaito.
Kaito smiled back. "So, captain… what now?"
Saito grinned. "Hmm… how about burgers?"
Kaito chuckled. "Agreed. I could use a meal before I die of hunger."
Saito shrugged. "Stop saying scratch words, man."