[King: My, my. I didn't think you'd be at my door… Y.]
Y scoffed and looked away, unwilling to meet his eyes. The rest of the Imaginarias weren't with him.
[King: Coming all the way here with no backup or help takes some courage, doesn't it?]
Y glared, then pinched the bridge of his nose.
[Y: Shut up. I'm not here to fight anyway.]
[King: Then why are you here?]
King tilted his head, amused. The two weren't really enemies, but Y truly was a pain in the ass. For someone trying to achieve total union, one reckless kid refusing to take his side was frustrating, even if King refused to admit it. He already hated the fact that he had a wildcard like Loco in his division, someone uncontrollable.
[Y: You heard the rumors, didn't you? Biznes got insider information again. This month's skirmish is a tournament.]
King lowered his voice, the teasing in it gone.
[King: I did. What of it?]
Y placed his hands in his pockets and took a daring step forward.
[Y: If it really is true, then it's not looking great for you. We're bound to face each other in the tournament eventually. If you win against someone like me, even on a technicality, you'd surely be taken out for the missions outside. We both know the warden doesn't care who actually wins the tournament. He's just looking for an excuse to get his hands on you, but you keep losing deliberately each time. And without you here, even for a day, Q3 will fall into chaos.]
[King: That is true, Y. It looks like you did your research.]
King hummed, then his smile suddenly dropped, replaced by a cold, almost threatening stare.
[King: But we both know I'm not winning against you on my own.]
Y smirked.
[Y: And that's where the new rule the prison added comes into play. In matches, either side can forfeit now, making the opponent victorious on a technicality.]
King sighed.
[King: …Where are you going with this, Y?]
[Y: Give me leadership of the Vermelhos until the end of the tournament. Or else I'll forfeit and make you victorious, causing Q3's demise.]
Everyone around them gasped at the sheer audacity Y had to make such a demand of someone like King. Even Loco, who didn't care about any of the gangs and was normally only interested in Elif, couldn't help but be amused.
King stood up and approached Y, got in his face, and tenderly grabbed his chin despite the height difference. For now, just for now, King was the taller one.
[King: That is smart, really. What if I just forfeit before you?]
Y slapped King's hand away.
[Y: Hm. What 'if' you do?]
The rebuttal hit harder than the slap, which was why King didn't respond or fight back. As much as he hated to admit it, Y had a point. King really couldn't afford an 'if'.
And yet, King patted Y's shoulder and turned around.
[King: I think I'll pass.]
Y gasped.
[Y: Are you sure about this, you half-assed King?]
King stopped and cackled.
[King: Pretty sure. The only thing in this prison that poses a threat to me is Koppi. Not you. You're just a bug that doesn't know its place. Grow up.]
Y's eyes widened at that. Just as he was about to raise his fist and activate his Treasure, someone behind him grabbed him by the wrist. The grip alone left him unable to move, as if his entire body were locked, not just his wrist.
[Tsuyoi: It hasn't even been an hour since the gates opened, you babies.]
Tsuyoi's grip on Y's wrist tightened as Y attempted to break free. Y turned around and locked eyes with Tsuyoi, teeth clenched.
[Y: You want to let me go.]
[Tsuyoi: The other divisions are scheming for war, and you two are trying to start a civil war.]
Due to his inherent kindness, Tsuyoi unintentionally accepted Y's request and let go of him. King turned around, his interest piqued.
[King: Civil war? I've seen plenty like this kid. He is not the type to start one.]
Y's attention now turned to King.
[Y: I'm itching to start one just because you said that.]
Tsuyoi stepped between the two to keep them from duking it out like little children.
[King: This is between him and me, Tsuyoi. It has nothing to do with you.]
[Y: I unfortunately agree with that piece of shit on this, you half-assed pirate. Piss off.]
Despite King's warnings, Tsuyoi held his ground, more firmly this time. The mission Erik gave him was more important than anything else.
[Tsuyoi: It has a lot to do with me.]
Silence was the only thing left after Tsuyoi's declaration. Both sides were staring at each other, evaluating their options. The silence was finally broken by Y's scoff.
[Y: See you next week, King.]
He then turned around and walked away, leaving the two conflicted and unable to tell what would happen next.
[King: I appreciate that you cared enough about union to stop a potential fight, but for your own good, you should stay out of politics if you won't take a stance.]
[Tsuyoi: What that mean? I have a stance, genius. I'm not your enemy, but I'm not your guy either. Wanting union isn't the same thing as being on your side.]
King raised an eyebrow and gave a mocking smile.
[King: Oh? How come?]
Tsuyoi shrugged and walked away as well, not intending to continue this boring conversation.
[Tsuyoi: Dunno. I don't do that thinking stuff.]
With that handled, he set his sights on Division 1, intending to talk to its leader and get to know the division in its entirety. On his way, in the prison yard connecting Divisions 3 and 2, he ran into that division's Monster Squad, bruised, broken and barely able to walk.
[Biggie: Damn. You see the brass knuckles that girl used, right? Not to mention the bulletproof vest she wore underneath her jumpsuit.]
[Enrul: Of course I did! She wouldn't stand a chance against you if she had no weapons, Biggie! I think I even saw a gun in her hand.]
[Kunen: I think she was actually a guy in disguise.]
[Niddun: Kunen, you're brilliant! You were always the smart one!]
The group shared a laugh, though each cackle made their injuries hurt again, so their laughter was mixed with 'ouches', 'ows' and 'damns'.
Noticing how fucked up they actually were, as if a truck had run over all of them, Tsuyoi stopped and paid attention.
[Tsuyoi: What happened to you guys?]
Seeing the size of Biggie, he realized whoever did this to them was someone strong.
The four stopped, the insecurity on their faces replaced with anger now that they'd finally found someone to direct it at.
[Biggie: Keep it going, fucker.]
Biggie towered over Tsuyoi, who stood at 6 feet (183 cm) himself.
[Tsuyoi: Huh? All I did was ask a question.]
Tsuyoi scratched the inside of his right ear with his pinky.
[Biggie: And all I did was order you to keep it going.]
Biggie got in Tsuyoi's space, ready to fight and vent his frustration. Not intimidated in the slightest, Tsuyoi grinned.
[Tsuyoi: I don't like when people do that.]
Before they could throw hands, Loco approached Tsuyoi from behind, holding Mr. Free in his hands.
[Loco: Where are you going, kid?]
[Tsuyoi: Oh, hey man.] He smiled. [Tsuyoi: I'm on my way to Division 1. I'll meet you at the cell once I deal with this.]
Loco nodded and started walking past Tsuyoi and Biggie.
[Loco: Oh. Alright then–]
But Enrul placed a hand on Loco's shoulder, stopping him. The three grinned menacingly, having found a toy for themselves just like Biggie had.
[Enrul: Where you going, old man?]
[Loco: Mr. Free said he wanted some air.]
[Enrul: Huh? Who's Mr. Free?] He took a step forward and placed his arm around Loco's shoulder.
Loco grunted quietly, but decided to answer anyway.
[Loco: Him.]
He pointed at the vase in his hands with his eyes, which made the three laugh like crazy. Enrul stared at the supposed 'Mr. Free' and grinned mockingly.
[Enrul: This shit? This told you 'he' wanted some air?]
Loco's voice grew quieter and more threatening at the same time.
[Loco: Watch the tone, youngo-bucko-kiddo-lad.]
Enrul's heart skipped a beat when Loco said that. There was just something about it, something Enrul's dumbass ignored. He pulled his arm off Loco and swatted the vase out of his hand.
[Enrul: Oops.]
His grin widened.
To Enrul's surprise, though, Loco only smiled softly and looked at Tsuyoi. Biggie and Tsuyoi were still staring at each other, very intensely, one could say.
With speed invisible to the naked human eye, Loco grabbed the vase before it hit the floor.
[Loco: Tsuyoi. How about you go to Division 1 and leave this to me? I'll meet you at the cell. Take care of him for me.]
Loco threw Mr. Free in the air, and Tsuyoi caught it easily, careful not to harm the plant.
[Tsuyoi: …Aight.]
Recognizing the intent and danger behind that smile, even the undying phoenix knew it was time to leave.
[Biggie: Tsk. Coward.]
Biggie watched him walk away.
[Tsuyoi: This ain't worth getting into solitary.]
The three formed a circle around Loco, ready to finally make a name for themselves. It was truly unfortunate that they didn't know who he was.
[Niddun: Heh! Don't worry, we won't kill this boomer.]
[Loco: He didn't say that to you, y'know?]
Loco cracked his wrists and neck, then his smile grew bigger as he flashed his rotten teeth. Enrul swung his fist, only for Loco to dodge it by twisting his body to the side, one foot curled behind the other.
[Enrul: He dodged?! This geezer has some moves!]
[Niddun: Holy shit, Enrul, just shut the fuck up! Stop narrating like this guy is on some Bruce Lee shit!]
Noticing Loco's foot was in an awkward position, Niddun realized Loco couldn't dodge another attack and threw a right hook at his face.
Loco jumped and flipped through the air, causing Niddun's punch to hit Enrul in the face.
[Niddun: He dodged?! This geezer has some moves!]
Loco came down from the sky like a hammer, landing on Kunen's head and slamming his face into the floor, knocking him out easily.
[Enrul: Niddun, he is on some Bruce Lee shit! What do we do?!]
Tired of their nonsense, Biggie pushed the two away and charged toward Loco with all his might. In response, Loco lifted both of his arms in the air and put one foot behind the other. Then the other, then the other. Swaying side to side, almost like he was dancing, not fighting.
Biggie stopped dead in his tracks and stepped back.
[Biggie: You guys got this. Time to make me proud.]
Loco frowned, disappointed.
[Loco: Aw, aren't you guys going to dance with this old man?]
Enrul gulped his fear away and dashed, letting out a war cry. He wound up his right fist for a desperate attack.
Loco lowered his head, causing Enrul's own momentum to betray him. Loco also extended his right leg behind him, causing Enrul to trip and start falling on his face.
But before Enrul could hit the floor, Loco used that same leg to sweep him into the air like a mop and kicked him with his other leg, sending him flying like a bullet toward Niddun.
And yet, miraculously, Niddun managed to block the impact with a cross-guard. His feet slid across the floor, but the impact easily put Enrul to sleep. Surprised by Niddun's defense, Biggie cheered him on.
[Biggie: What a block! That's Niddun for ya! I knew I could count on you!]
Blood streamed from Niddun's nose as his body trembled violently.
[Niddun: A-Actually B-B-B-Biggie… I don't think I can move my body anymore. This guy is seriously on some Bruce Lee bullshit.]
And just like that, Niddun collapsed and went to sleep like the others, his body unable to keep up anymore. Biggie gasped and tried to hide his fear.
[Biggie: Damn it…]
Biggie clenched his fists and wiped the sweat off his forehead, trying to ignore his anxiety.
[Biggie: I'll give it to you, you old bastard. You really have some nice moves…]
He suddenly grinned and yelled, his voice cracking and shaking all at once.
[Biggie: …BUT! YOU FORCED ME TO USE MY TRUMP CARD!]
He let out a war cry and charged his ki, ready to go Super Saiyan 2. Then he did the last thing Loco expected: he dropped to the floor, lay on his back, and raised his legs and hands.
[Biggie: You don't stand a chance against my jiu-jitsu! I've trained for years for this, just for people like you! That bitch didn't give me a chance to use it! Now, I'll show you the fruits of my labo–]
Loco lowered his arms, giggled, put his hands in his pockets and walked past Biggie, ignoring him.
[Loco: Fucking loser.]
Every ounce of pride, ego and honor Biggie had left crumbled the moment Loco dismissed him. He went pale, feeling as though his heart had frozen.