THE TOKYO RAIN

The rain poured down on Tokyo like a relentless curtain of gray, drowning the neon-lit streets in shimmering reflections. Shibuya Crossing, the heartbeat of the city, was a sea of umbrellas, shifting and colliding as pedestrians hurried through the downpour. The rhythmic patter of raindrops against concrete blended with the distant hum of city life, a symphony of urban melancholy. Tokyo was a city of contrasts, of glittering lights and hidden shadows, of hope and despair all coexisting in harmony.

Detective Kenji Kuroba stood under the awning of a small convenience store, cradling a steaming cup of coffee in his gloved hands. He took a slow sip, letting the heat chase away the damp chill seeping through his coat. His sharp brown eyes flicked across the bustling streets, watching people disappear into taxis, slip into alleyways, and vanish behind the glow of vending machines. It was the calm before the storm—the type of night where nothing seemed unusual until the quiet cracked open like a hidden door to chaos.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, vibrating against his thigh. He sighed and pulled it out, the glow of the screen casting pale light on his weathered face. The name of an officer blinked on the screen—Officer Tanaka, one of the night-shift patrolmen. His voice, as always, was crisp and urgent, the kind that never wasted time.

“Kuroba,” he answered, his voice low and gravelly.

“Detective, we have a body,” came the clipped response. “Shinjuku Gardens, apartment 3B. The victim's a foreigner.”

Kenji’s grip on the cup tightened. Foreigner killings were always a diplomatic headache, especially in a city as politically charged as Tokyo. He knew all too well the web of complications that could entangle such cases.

“I’ll be there in twenty,” he said, tossing the coffee into a nearby trash bin and making his way to his car.

The drive to Shinjuku Gardens was slow, the rain turning the streets into glassy rivers of light. Kenji's wipers scraped against the windshield, barely keeping up with the deluge. His thoughts were heavy, drifting toward the name—the victim. A foreigner, a journalist. Was this a robbery gone wrong? A personal vendetta? Or something far worse, hidden in the dark corners of the city's underbelly?

By the time he arrived, the crime scene was already buzzing with activity. The apartment complex was unremarkable—a gray, mid-range building tucked between office towers and izakayas, indistinguishable from the thousands of similar structures in Tokyo. Yellow police tape cordoned off the entrance, keeping a small crowd of onlookers at bay. Flashing red and blue lights reflected off the wet pavement, flickering like ghosts in the mist.

Kenji stepped out, pulling his coat tighter against the rain. He kept his head down, avoiding the eyes of the bystanders who stared with a mixture of curiosity and unease. As he approached the entrance, an officer lifted the tape for him.

“Detective Kuroba,” the officer acknowledged with a nod.

Inside, the scent of bleach and stale cigarettes clung to the air. The hallway was dim, the flickering overhead light adding to the unease. The building felt like a relic of an older, dirtier Tokyo—one with more secrets and less regard for who got caught in the shadows. He took the elevator up to the third floor, where more officers and forensic techs were already at work. Their soft footsteps and murmured conversations filled the air, but Kenji’s focus remained sharp, scanning every detail as though he could see beyond the obvious.

“Kenji, over here,” called a familiar voice.

Detective Yui Nakajima stood near the doorway of apartment 3B, her short black hair damp from the rain. Petite but fierce, Yui had been Kenji's partner for nearly five years. She was the kind of person who noticed everything—the kind who would see something in the corner of the room that no one else would. Today, her eyes were scanning the scene with the same intensity.

Kenji approached, taking in the scene. He could see the somberness on Yui’s face, her expression taut, as if she already knew the victim’s story wouldn’t be a simple one.

“What do we have?” he asked, stepping into the apartment.

“Alexandre Dubois,” Yui said, flipping through her notepad. “Thirty-two years old. French national. Journalist. His girlfriend found him about an hour ago.”

Kenji exhaled sharply. A journalist. That complicated things. Journalists, especially foreign ones, didn’t just die in Tokyo without making waves. There were people to upset, stories to bury. And where there were journalists, there were secrets.

The apartment was modest—a single-room setup with a kitchenette, a small couch, and a cluttered desk. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood. The body lay sprawled near the desk, a pool of crimson staining the hardwood floor. Alexandre Dubois had been a handsome man in life, with dark hair and sharp features. In death, his blue eyes stared vacantly at the ceiling, his throat slashed cleanly from ear to ear.

“Any signs of forced entry?” Kenji asked, crouching near the body. His gaze flicked to the window, the small corners of the apartment that didn’t quite seem right. Too neat. Too deliberate.

Yui shook her head. “None. The door was unlocked when the girlfriend arrived. No signs of struggle. It was quick and precise.”

Kenji glanced at the desk, covered in papers, notebooks, and a laptop. He gestured to one of the forensic techs. “Bag that laptop. I want it analyzed.”

As he scanned the apartment, his gaze landed on something in the corner of the room—a small piece of folded paper, half-hidden under the edge of the couch. He reached for it, carefully unfolding the damp note.

The message was written in French, scrawled hastily in black ink:

“Lâche l’affaire, ou tu le regretteras.”

“Drop the story, or you’ll regret it.”

Kenji frowned. A threat? Or a warning? Was it a warning to Alexandre—or to someone else?

He pocketed the note and turned to Yui. “We need to know what he was working on. If this was a hit, someone wanted to silence him.”

Yui nodded. “I already called in a request for his recent articles and contacts. His girlfriend is waiting at the station for questioning.”

Kenji stood, taking one last look at the scene. Something about this felt... off. Too clean. Too calculated. Whoever did this had been meticulous.

As he stepped out into the hallway, his phone buzzed again.

“Kenji, it’s Captain Nakahara,” came the gruff voice on the other end. “This case is now top priority. I want you and Nakajima leading the investigation.”

Kenji’s jaw tightened, and a wave of unease crept into his chest. This wasn’t just another routine murder. “Understood, sir,” he said, exchanging a glance with Yui. This was bigger than a simple murder.

INVESTIGATION BEGINS

Back at the precinct, Sophie Patel sat in the interrogation room, her hands wrapped around a cup of untouched tea. She was a striking woman, with long dark hair and intelligent brown eyes. But tonight, those eyes were red-rimmed, her face pale.

Kenji and Yui entered, taking seats across from her.

“Miss Patel, I’m Detective Kuroba. This is Detective Nakajima. We appreciate your cooperation,” Kenji began gently.

Sophie nodded numbly, as though the weight of the world had already settled on her shoulders. “I just... I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Kenji leaned forward. “I understand this is difficult, but we need your help. Can you tell us if Alexandre had been acting strange lately? Was he worried about anything?”

Sophie hesitated. “He was... different these past few weeks. Paranoid. He kept looking over his shoulder, locking the doors multiple times. He wouldn’t tell me much, just that he was working on something dangerous.”

Yui took notes. “Did he receive any threats? Phone calls? Emails?”

“Yes,” Sophie said, rubbing her temples. “A few days ago, he got a package—no return address. Inside was a single note: ‘Arrête d’enquêter, ou tu vas avoir des problèmes.’”

Kenji translated aloud. “'Stop investigating, or you’ll have problems.’”

Sophie nodded. “He was shaken, but he refused to back down. He said he was close to uncovering something huge.”

Kenji exchanged a look with Yui. This was confirmation—Alexandre Dubois had been silenced. He turned to Sophie. “Did he tell you anything else about what he was investigating? Did he mention names or locations?”

Sophie swallowed hard. “He mentioned human trafficking. Corruption. He believed there was a connection between the Yakuza and a European crime syndicate. He was planning to go public with his findings.”

Kenji’s jaw tightened. This wasn’t just a murder. It was a warning. The case had just taken a darker turn.

As they exited the interrogation room, Yui looked concerned. “Do you think she’s telling the truth?”

Kenji frowned, his mind working through the puzzle. “I think she’s scared. But she’s hiding something. Maybe she didn’t know the full extent of what Alexandre uncovered.”

Yui nodded. “I’ll dig into his past work. Maybe we can find a lead there.”

Kenji rubbed his temples, feeling the weight of the investigation pressing down on him. They were just scratching the surface.

_____

Kenji and Yui decided to pay a visit to Alexandre's office, hoping to find some clues about the mysterious package and the note that said "Drop the story."

As they arrived at the office, they were greeted by Alexandre's editor, a middle-aged man named Pierre.

"Ah, detectives, please come in," Pierre said, his voice laced with a thick French accent. "We're still trying to process what happened to Alexandre."

Kenji and Yui exchanged a sympathetic glance before following Pierre into the office.

The office was a small, cluttered space filled with stacks of papers, books, and empty coffee cups. Alexandre's desk was in the center of the room, with a large computer monitor and a notebook filled with scribbled notes.

Pierre handed Kenji a small package wrapped in brown paper. "This was delivered to Alexandre's office a few days ago. He was very secretive about it, but I think it might be important."

Kenji's eyes narrowed as he examined the package. It was identical to the one Sophie had described.

"Did Alexandre say anything about the package?" Yui asked.

Pierre shook his head. "No, he just said it was something he needed to take care of."

Kenji's gut told him that this package was a crucial piece of evidence. He carefully unwrapped the paper to reveal a small, unmarked USB drive.

"What do you think this is?" Yui asked, peering over Kenji's shoulder.

Kenji's eyes locked onto the USB drive. "I think this is the key to unlocking the truth about Alexandre's murder."

As they continued to investigate, Kenji couldn't shake off the feeling that they were getting close to something big.

But what?

And who was behind it all?

Kenji carefully inserted the USB drive into his computer and waited for the files to load. After a few moments, a folder appeared on the screen, filled with documents and audio files.

Yui leaned in closer, her eyes scanning the files. "What's all this?"

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "It looks like Alexandre was investigating a large-scale corruption scandal."

Yui's eyes widened. "That's huge. Do you think this is what got him killed?"

Kenji nodded. "I think it's a strong possibility. Let's dig deeper."

As they began to sift through the files, Kenji's phone buzzed. He answered, listening intently.

"Kenji, it's Captain Nakahara," the voice on the other end said. "I've got some news. The forensic team found a piece of torn fabric near the crime scene."

Kenji's eyes met Yui's. "What kind of fabric?"

"It's a piece of a black hoodie," Captain Nakahara replied. "We're running tests to see if we can match it to a suspect."

Kenji's mind was racing. A black hoodie? That was a good lead.

"Thanks, Captain," Kenji said, hanging up the phone.

Yui raised an eyebrow. "A black hoodie? That's a pretty generic description."

Kenji nodded. "I know, but it's a start. Let's see if we can find any surveillance footage of someone wearing a black hoodie around the crime scene."

The tension was building, and Kenji knew that they were in for a long and treacherous journey.

But he was ready.

For Kenji, justice was not just a job – it was a calling.

And he would stop at nothing to uncover the truth.

As the sun began to set over Tokyo, Kenji and Yui were still hard at work, following leads and gathering evidence.

But they knew that they were just scratching the surface of a much larger conspiracy.

And they were determined to expose it, no matter the cost. As the night wore on, Kenji and Yui decided to take a break and grab some dinner. They walked to a nearby restaurant, a small ramen shop that was a favorite among locals.

As they sat down at a table, Kenji couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. They were getting close to something, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.

Yui seemed to sense his tension and put a hand on his arm. "Hey, we're making progress, Kenji. We just need to stay focused."

Kenji nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. Let's just take it one step at a time."

As they waited for their food to arrive, Kenji's phone buzzed again. He answered, listening intently.

"Kenji, it's Captain Nakahara," the voice on the other end said. "We've got a match on the black hoodie."

Kenji's eyes met Yui's. "Who is it?"

"It's a local gang member," Captain Nakahara replied. "Name of Taro Matsumoto. We've got an address for him. I want you to bring him in for questioning."

Kenji nodded, his mind racing. This was it. This was the break they needed.

"Got it, Captain," Kenji said, hanging up the phone.

Yui raised an eyebrow. "Looks like we've got a lead."

Kenji nodded, a sense of determination washing over him. "Let's go bring him in."

The investigation was heating up, and Kenji was ready to take on whatever came next.

But little did he know, the truth was more complex and sinister than he could have ever imagined.

As they arrived at Taro Matsumoto's address, Kenji could feel his heart racing with anticipation. This was it. This was the moment they finally got some answers.

Yui nodded at him, her eyes locked on the door. "Ready?"

Kenji nodded, his hand on his gun. "Let's do this."

They knocked on the door, and after a moment, it creaked open. A young man with a scruffy beard and a black hoodie looked out at them.

"Taro Matsumoto?" Kenji asked, his voice firm.

The young man nodded, his eyes darting back and forth between Kenji and Yui.

"We need to talk to you," Kenji said, his hand on Taro's arm.

Taro nodded, stepping aside to let them in.

As they entered the apartment, Kenji's eyes scanned the room. It was a small, cluttered space with piles of dirty laundry and empty food containers.

Taro sat down on the couch, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"So, Taro," Kenji began, his voice firm but controlled. "We know you were at the scene of the crime. We have evidence."

Taro's eyes snapped up to meet Kenji's. "I didn't do anything," he said, his voice shaking.

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "Don't play dumb, Taro. We know you're involved."

Taro's eyes darted back and forth between Kenji and Yui. "I swear, I didn't kill anyone," he said, his voice desperate.

Kenji leaned forward, his eyes locked on Taro's. "Then tell us what you do know."

Taro hesitated, his eyes fixed on the floor.

"I was hired to deliver a package," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "What package?"

Taro's eyes snapped up to meet Kenji's. "I don't know. I swear. I was just hired to deliver it."

Kenji's gut told him that Taro was telling the truth. But he still had a lot of questions.

"Who hired you?" Kenji asked, his voice firm.

Taro hesitated again before answering. "I don't know. I was approached by a stranger on the street."

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "What did this stranger look like?"

Taro's eyes darted back and forth between Kenji and Yui. "I don't know. I didn't see his face."

Kenji's gut told him that Taro was hiding something. But he still had a lot of questions.

Yui seemed to sense Kenji's frustration and jumped in to ask some questions of her own.

"Taro, can you tell us more about this stranger who hired you?" Yui asked, her voice gentle.

Taro hesitated before answering. "I don't know much. He was tall, with a scar on his cheek."

Kenji's eyes narrowed. A scar on the cheek? That was a distinctive feature.

"Did you see which direction he went in after he hired you?" Kenji asked.

Taro nodded. "He walked towards the Shibuya station."

Kenji's mind was racing. Shibuya station was a busy area, but it was also a hub for several major streets.

As they finished questioning Taro, Kenji couldn't help but feel that they had only scratched the surface of the case. There were still so many unanswered questions.

Yui seemed to sense Kenji's frustration and put a hand on his arm. "We'll get to the bottom of this, Kenji. We just need to keep digging."

Kenji nodded, taking a deep breath. "You're right. Let's get back to the station and review the evidence."

As they walked back to the station, Kenji's mind was racing with possibilities. Who was the stranger with the scar on his cheek? And what was his connection to Alexandre's murder?

When they arrived at the station, Kenji and Yui spent hours reviewing the evidence and interviewing witnesses. But no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't seem to find any leads on the stranger.

Just as they were about to give up for the day, Kenji's phone buzzed. He answered, listening intently.

"Kenji, it's Captain Nakahara," the voice on the other end said. "We've got a break in the case."

Kenji's eyes met Yui's. "What is it, Captain?"

"We've found a surveillance camera that caught a glimpse of the stranger," Captain Nakahara replied. "And we've enhanced the footage."

Kenji's heart was racing. This could be the break they needed.

"Send the footage to my phone," Kenji said, his eyes locked on Yui's.

As they waited for the footage to arrive, Kenji couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. This could be the moment that cracked the case wide open.

And when the footage finally arrived, Kenji's eyes widened in shock.

The footage showed a grainy image of the stranger, but it was clear enough to make out his features. Kenji's eyes scanned the image, taking in every detail.

The stranger was tall, with a scar on his cheek and a distinctive tattoo on his neck. Kenji's mind was racing as he tried to place the tattoo.

Yui leaned in closer, her eyes locked on the image. "What's that tattoo?" she asked.

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "I think it's a symbol from the Yamaguchi-gumi."

Yui's eyes widened. "The Yamaguchi-gumi? That's one of the biggest yakuza organizations in Japan."

Kenji nodded. "I know. And if our stranger is connected to them, this case just got a whole lot more complicated."

As they continued to analyze the footage, Kenji couldn't shake off the feeling that they were in over their heads. The yakuza was not to be trifled with, and if they were involved in Alexandre's murder, it could mean big trouble for Kenji and Yui.

But Kenji was not one to back down from a challenge. He was determined to solve the case, no matter what dangers lay ahead.

"Yui, I think it's time we paid a visit to the Yamaguchi-gumi," Kenji said, his eyes locked on the footage.

Yui's eyes widened. "Are you crazy? We can't just walk into a yakuza headquarters."

Kenji nodded. "Why not? We have a lead, and we need to follow it."

Yui sighed. "Okay, fine. But if we get killed, I'm blaming you."

Kenji smiled. "Don't worry, Yui. I'll protect you."

But as they prepared to face the yakuza, Kenji couldn't shake off the feeling that they were walking into a trap. But he was determined to see it through.

"Yui, I want you to stay behind and keep digging into Alexandre's background," Kenji said, his eyes locked on the footage. "See if you can find any connections to the yakuza."

Yui nodded, her eyes widening. "Be careful, Kenji."

Kenji nodded, his hand on his gun. "I will."

As he walked out of the station, Kenji couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. He was about to walk into the lion's den, and he wasn't sure if he would come out alive.

But he was determined to solve the case, no matter what dangers lay ahead.

Kenji took a deep breath and walked towards the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters, his heart pounding in his chest...

As he approached the building, Kenji noticed that the streets were eerily quiet. The only sound was the distant hum of traffic and the soft rustling of leaves in the wind.

Kenji's eyes scanned the area, his hand on his gun. He knew that the yakuza was notorious for their ruthlessness, and he wasn't sure what to expect.

But he was determined to see it through.

As he walked into the building, Kenji was greeted by a group of heavily tattooed men. They eyed him warily, their faces expressionless.

"Can we help you?" one of them growled.

Kenji flashed his badge. "I'm Detective Kenji Kuroba. I'm here to ask some questions."

The men eyed him warily, but one of them nodded and stepped aside. "Follow me."

Kenji followed the man through a maze of corridors, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger...

They finally arrived at a large office, where a heavily tattooed man sat behind a desk. He eyed Kenji warily, his face expressionless.

"Welcome, Detective," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm Ryota Nakamura, the leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi."

Kenji's eyes locked onto Ryota's. "I'm here to ask you some questions about a murder."

Ryota raised an eyebrow. "A murder? I don't know what you're talking about."

Kenji smiled. "Don't play dumb, Ryota. I have evidence that links one of your men to the crime." Ryota's expression didn't change, but Kenji noticed a flicker of anger in his eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about," Ryota repeated.

Kenji smiled. "Don't play dumb, Ryota. I have evidence that links one of your men to the crime."

Ryota leaned forward, his eyes locked onto Kenji's. "Even if one of my men was involved, which I'm not admitting, what makes you think I would know anything about it?"

Kenji raised an eyebrow. "You're the leader of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Ryota. You know everything that goes on in this organization."

Ryota smiled, a cold, calculating smile. "You're a clever detective, Kenji. But you're also very naive. You think you can just walk in here and start making accusations?"

Kenji's eyes locked onto Ryota's. "I'm not making accusations, Ryota. I'm just trying to get to the truth."

Ryota leaned back in his chair, a look of amusement on his face. "The truth? Ha! You don't know what the truth is, Kenji."

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "I'll find out, Ryota. You can count on it."

Ryota smiled again, a cold, calculating smile. "I'm shaking in my boots, Kenji."

Kenji stood up, his eyes locked onto Ryota's. "This isn't over, Ryota. I'll be back."

Ryota nodded, a look of amusement still on his face. "I'm looking forward to it, Kenji."

As Kenji walked out of the office, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just scratched the surface of something much bigger

As Kenji walked out of the office, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just scratched the surface of something much bigger. He knew that Ryota was hiding something, but he didn't know what.

Kenji's phone buzzed as he walked out of the building. He answered, listening intently.

"Kenji, it's Yui," the voice on the other end said. "I've been digging into Alexandre's background, and I think I found something."

Kenji's eyes lit up with interest. "What is it?"

"I'm not entirely sure," Yui said, "but it looks like Alexandre was investigating a connection between the Yamaguchi-gumi and a local politician."

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "Which politician?"

"I'm not sure yet," Yui said, "but I'm working on it."

Kenji nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. This could be the break they needed to solve the case.

"Keep digging, Yui," Kenji said. "I'll meet you back at the station and we can compare notes."

Yui nodded, even though Kenji couldn't see her. "Be careful, Kenji."

Kenji smiled. "I will."

As he hung up the phone, Kenji couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. They were getting close to something, and he could feel it.

But as he walked back to the station, Kenji couldn't shake off the feeling that he was being watched. He looked around, but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Shrugging it off, Kenji continued on his way. But the feeling persisted, growing stronger with every step.

Suddenly, Kenji heard footsteps behind him. He spun around, his hand on his gun.

But there was no one there. Kenji's eyes scanned the area, but he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart.

It must have been his imagination, Kenji thought. But the feeling of being watched persisted.

Kenji quickly made his way back to the station, his senses on high alert. As he walked in, he saw Yui waiting for him, a look of concern on her face.

"Kenji, what's wrong?" Yui asked, noticing the look on his face.

Kenji shook his head. "I don't know. I just felt like I was being watched."

Yui's eyes narrowed. "That's not good. We need to be careful."

Kenji nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's focus on the case. What did you find out about Alexandre's investigation?"

Yui nodded, pulling out a stack of files. "It looks like Alexandre was investigating a connection between the Yamaguchi-gumi and a local politician named Takeshi Nakamura."

Kenji's eyes widened. "Takeshi Nakamura? I know him so well. We had an encounter years back."

Yui nodded. "Yes, and it looks like Alexandre was getting close to exposing a deep-seated corruption scandal involving Nakamura and the Yamaguchi-gumi."

Kenji's eyes narrowed. "This is getting bigger by the minute."

Yui nodded. "I know. We need to be careful."

As they continued to dig deeper into the case, Kenji couldn't shake off the feeling that they were in over their heads.

Suddenly, Kenji's phone buzzed. He answered, listening intently.

"Kenji, it's Captain Nakahara," the voice on the other end said. "We've got a problem."

Kenji's eyes met Yui's. "What is it, Captain?"

"It looks like Takeshi Nakamura has gone missing," Captain Nakahara said.

Kenji's eyes widened. "What? That's not good."

Captain Nakahara's voice was grim. "I know. We need to find him before it's too late."

Kenji nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. This case just got a whole lot more complicated. As Kenji listened to Captain Nakahara's words, he felt a sense of urgency wash over him. Takeshi Nakamura's disappearance was a game-changer.

"Captain, I need to speak with Ryota Nakamura again," Kenji said, his mind racing with possibilities.

Captain Nakahara's voice was grim. "Be careful, Kenji. We don't know what we're dealing with."

Kenji nodded, already on his way to the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters.

As he arrived, Kenji could feel the tension in the air. Ryota Nakamura was waiting for him, a look of calm calculation on his face.

"Ryota, we need to talk," Kenji said, his eyes locked on the yakuza leader.

Ryota nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm listening."

And with that, Kenji launched into a series of questions, determined to get to the bottom of Takeshi Nakamura's disappearance.

Ryota's smile grew wider as Kenji questioned him. "I don't know what you're talking about, detective," he said, his voice dripping with innocence.

Kenji's eyes narrowed. He knew Ryota was hiding something.

Just as Kenji was about to push Ryota further, his phone buzzed. He answered, listening intently.

"Kenji, it's Yui," the voice on the other end said. "I've found something. Meet me at the old warehouse on 5th and Main."

Kenji's heart skipped a beat. What had Yui found?

He turned to Ryota, his eyes locked on the yakuza leader. "This isn't over," Kenji growled.

Ryota's smile never wavered. "I'm counting on it."

As Kenji turned to leave, he felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he was getting close to the truth.

But as he walked out of the Yamaguchi-gumi headquarters, Kenji couldn't shake off the feeling that he was walking into a trap.