Takashi looked at the scene, eyes sharp as he watched the fight unfold.
Kaito moved like lightning, weaving between the Claw Gang members, striking them down one by one.
Saito planted himself in front of Kuro, sword ready, muscles tense, eyes locked on the gang leader.
Takashi's mind flashed back—his dad's words still echoed in his head.
"I'm going to give protection to a gang."
Takashi had argued, frustration in his voice. "But dad… we can't trust them!"
His father had stared him down. "This is a final word from me."
Takashi had shrugged back then, unsure what to think.
Now, as mayor, he protected his people, remembering that treaty. When gangsters tried to harass someone, he stepped in. His presence alone reminded them—he was not to be crossed.
The Claw Gang shrugged, uncaring.
Saito's grip on his sword tightened. The air buzzed with tension, every heartbeat echoing like a drum. Kuro stepped forward, smirking, confident.
The stage was set.
Saito lunged, sword aimed at Kuro.
Kuro easily dodged.
"You're weak," he sneered.
He swung his leg in a powerful kick.
Saito blocked it just in time and stepped back, his eyes narrowing.
Meanwhile, Takashi rushed to Tina, who was hiding behind a rock.
"Let's go save your mom," he said firmly.
Tina nodded, clutching the gift tightly.
Together, they moved toward the Claw Gang's house, where Tina's mother was being held.
Saito stood firm, sword raised.
"Your cruelty to these people ends now," he said, voice steady.
Kuro smirked.
"You talk like you're the boss… time to remind you who's the leader here."
He lunged at Saito with terrifying speed.
Before Saito could fully react, Kuro's claw flashed.
"X Slash!" he shouted.
The blade slashed toward Saito, who barely dodged—feeling a sharp cut along his arm.
Kuro stepped closer, grinning.
"How is it? Scared?"
Saito tightened his jaw, wiping the blood from his arm.
"I don't fear someone like you," he said, eyes blazing with determination.
Kaito moved like a shadow through the chaos.
He swung his knives with deadly precision, taking out member after member of the Claw Gang.
Still, more kept coming, surrounding him from every side.
"Tch…" Kaito muttered under his breath.
"If this keeps up, I might have a problem."
He stepped back, scanning the battlefield carefully, looking for openings.
His eyes flicked toward Saito to make sure he was okay, assessing the situation before planning his next move.One of the members swung his knife—
Kaito dodged effortlessly and stabbed him in the back.
Without stopping, he spun and slashed another nearby member, then dashed away before they could react.
"How dare you!" one of them shouted.
Kaito stepped in and kicked him straight in the stomach, sending him crashing down.
Another rushed forward. "Take this!"
Kaito caught his wrist mid-attack, twisted it, and swung him into the others, knocking them off balance.
"I already said…" Kaito muttered coldly,
"You're not my league."
One member, trembling, pulled out a gun and aimed.
Before he could fire—
Slash.
The gun was cut clean in half.
Kaito glanced at him.
"It's dangerous to use that in a public area."
The member froze in fear.
Before he could run, Kaito grabbed his collar—
And slammed a punch into his face.At the house—
Tina and Takashi slipped inside quietly.
"Pyvi! Are you here?" Takashi called out.
"Mom! Where are you?" Tina shouted, panic in her voice.
Takashi's eyes scanned the room—then stopped.
A basement door.
"Tina… get behind me."
He slowly walked downstairs.
Step by step—
The air grew heavier.
Then they saw it.
A jail cell.
Inside—
Pyvi.
Her hands bound, her mouth wrapped with cloth.
"Mom!" Tina cried and rushed forward.
"Are you okay? Hold on, we'll get you out!"
Then—
A voice echoed from the shadows.
"Oh no… you don't."
A bulky man stepped forward, blocking their path.
Pyvi's eyes widened.
"Tina! Get out from here!"
The man reached out, trying to grab Tina—
But suddenly—
A rock hit him.
He turned sharply.
Takashi stood there, firm and unshaken.
"Over here, you filthy gangster."
The man's face twisted in anger.
"You dare mess with me, Mayor…?"
He cracked his knuckles.
"I'm going to rip you in half."In the basement—
Takashi was grabbed by the collar and lifted off the ground.
"Mayor!" Pyvi cried out.
Takashi struggled, gasping. "Tina… get your mom… and get out of here…"
The man tightened his grip.
"Still talking…?" he growled.
Takashi's vision blurred as the air left his lungs.
Then—
A kick slammed into the man's face.
He was sent flying straight into the wall.
Takashi dropped to the ground, coughing.
He looked up—
Kaito stood in front of him.
"You good?" Kaito asked calmly.
Takashi nodded, catching his breath.
"Sir Kaito!!" Tina shouted in relief.
Kaito didn't look back.
"Mayor… get them out."
The man slowly stood up, wiping blood from his mouth.
"It's been an honor to meet you… Silent Killer."
Kaito's grip tightened on his knives.
"It's my pleasure…" he said coldly.
"But this is the last time you see me."The man swung his fist at Kaito—
Kaito dodged smoothly and moved toward the wall, then pushed off—
Landing a sharp kick straight into the man's side while stabbing multiple times into his arm.
The man barely flinched.
"You need to do better than that," he growled.
Kaito's eyes narrowed. "You sure?"
He swung his knife again—
But the man blocked it.
In a flash, the man grabbed Kaito's hand and slammed him hard into the ground.
The impact echoed through the basement.
But before the man could react—
Kaito was already behind him.
He drove a punch straight into the man's face.Kaito stepped back, catching his breath.
"…Too strong," he muttered. "But a worthy prey."
Before he could react—
The man grabbed his face and slammed him into the metal bars of the jail.
Clang!
Kaito coughed out blood, dropping to one knee.
The man walked toward him slowly.
"So… who's the one going to die now, assassin?"
Kaito reached for his knife, struggling.
The man got closer.
Step by step.
Then—
"Hey, big guy! Over here!"
Tina's voice rang out.
The man turned. "Huh?!"
In that instant—
Kaito moved.
His blade flashed—
Stab.
Straight into the man's neck.
The man froze… then collapsed to the ground.
Dead.
Kaito stood up slowly, breathing hard.
"You made a mistake…" he said coldly.
"…looking away from me."
He walked toward Tina and the others.
"Let's get out of here."
Tina nodded quickly.
Pyvi looked at him, eyes full of relief.
"Thank you, sir… you saved me again."
Kaito shook his head.
"Not me…"
He glanced at Tina.
"Your kid saved you this time."Tina looked up at Kaito, worry clear on her face.
"How is Sir Saito?"
Kaito glanced toward the outside, expression calm but serious.
"…Let's hope he beats that guy."
Pyvi blinked in surprise. "That young kid is here too?"
Kaito nodded. "Yeah…"
He looked ahead, voice firm.
"We're going to save this village."
Takashi stayed silent, watching him.
His eyes shifted slightly—thinking about both Kaito and Saito…
…and their kindness.Takashi stared at the two—Saito and Kaito—moving with purpose and determination.
These two… he thought, they're different from what I've heard about gangsters.
If what they said was true…
Maybe my people won't have to endure this miserable life any longer.
A small spark of hope flickered in his chest.