Kuro lunged forward, his claw flashing.
Saito dodged to the side, barely avoiding the strike.
Kuro smirked. "Good move… but it won't help you."
He stepped back slowly.
Then crossed his arms over his chest, forming an X.
"Let's see if you can dodge this… X Slash."
In an instant—
He swung his arms.
A massive X-shaped slash tore through the air, racing toward Saito at high speed.
Saito raised his sword and blocked—
Boom!
The impact was overwhelming.
Saito was sent flying, crashing straight through a wall.
Debris scattered everywhere.
"Saito!" Kaito shouted, rushing forward.
He moved to attack Kuro—
"Stop!"
Saito's voice cut through the dust.
Kaito froze.
Saito slowly stood up from the rubble, breathing heavily.
"No…" he said. "…I need to defeat him."
Kaito clenched his jaw, fists tightening
Kuro smirked, glancing between them.
"Sweet relationship you two have… I see."
Before he could say more—
Saito burst forward.
In a flash, he closed the distance and slammed a kick into Kuro.
Kuro was pushed back, sliding across the ground.
He steadied himself, then smirked wider.
"Wow… you actually managed to injure me."
Saito tightened his grip on his sword.
"That won't be your last scar."
Kuro chuckled.
"Then give me more…"
His eyes sharpened.
"So I can treasure it… and tell the world I defeated a kid who thought he was the strongest."
Saito stepped forward, unwavering.
"The kid you're fighting…"
He raised his sword slightly.
"…is going to become the King of Gangsters."
Kuro burst into laughter.
"That nonsense…"
His expression turned cold.
"You'll die long before you ever reach that."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You know why?"
His voice dropped.
"Because I'm going to crush your little dream."
Kuro lunged again, his claw slicing through the air—
Saito raised his sword and blocked it, the impact ringing out loudly.
Takashi, watching from the side, glanced at Kaito.
"Don't you want to help your captain?"
Kaito stayed silent for a moment.
"…He's not just my captain."
—Flashback—
Saito stood in front of Tina, shielding her.
"Let me help you," he said.
Kaito's blade was aimed at her… yet Saito didn't move.
—Present—
Kaito's eyes sharpened.
"He's my friend…"
He clenched his fist.
"…my respected captain."
A small, confident smirk appeared.
"And one day… he's going to achieve his dream."
He looked straight at Saito.
"And I'll support him no matter what."
Tina stepped forward slightly, her voice small but firm.
"I support Sir Saito too!"
Saito struggled to rise, his body trembling as Kuro's boot slammed him into the ground.
Kuro smirked, looming over him.
"Well… looks like you've lost," he said, voice dripping with confidence.
Saito's eyes narrowed.
In a sudden burst of strength, he swung his leg upward—kicking Kuro square in the face.
"Not yet!" Saito growled.
Kuro wiped the blood from his lip, letting out an impatient sigh.
"Tch… this is taking too long."
Without warning, he leapt into the air, raising his clawed hand high.
"I'm going to end this battle… now!"
Spinning his body like a deadly drill, he hurled himself toward Saito—claw first.
"Fierce Drill!!!"
Saito raised his sword just in time to meet the attack.
Boom!
The clash was deafening.
Dust and debris erupted, the ground trembled and cracked beneath them, and the wind whipped violently around the battlefield.
Saito gritted his teeth, struggling to hold his stance as Kuro's drill-like momentum pushed past him.
With terrifying force, Kuro's claw pierced Saito's stomach.
The crowd around them gasped.
Saito's breath caught, his vision dimming slightly,
but his grip on the sword didn't falter.
The wind fell silent.
Everyone froze, their eyes wide with shock as Saito collapsed to the ground.
"Sir Saito!!!" Tina screamed, rushing forward.
Kuro stretched, smirking down at him.
"Sorry, kid… you're just out of my league," he said casually.
He glanced at the villagers.
"So, where were we?"
A snap of his fingers, and all his crew surrounded the terrified people.
Women clutched their children. Husbands and elderly men closed their eyes, bracing for the torture to come.
Takashi clenched his jaw. Pyvi hugged Tina tightly, crying.
Then a sharp voice cut through the chaos.
"Get up! Saito…"
All heads turned.
Kaito stood, teeth gritted, his eyes blazing.
"You said you wanted to be King of Gangsters… is this the end of your life?"
All villagers watched in disbelief as Saito's fingers twitched. Slowly, painfully, he pushed himself upright.
Kuro's eyes widened.
"Impossible…" he whispered.
Saito's gaze was icy, unwavering.
"I'm not done yet."
Kuro scowled, his patience gone.
"Tch… I'll finish you properly!"
He lunged.
Saito stayed calm, raising his sword in response.
"Sword Style: Wind Knives!"
He swung the blade through the air, then pointed at Kuro.
Kuro stopped mid-step, startled—and suddenly invisible blades of wind sliced across him.
"What… invisible? How—" Kuro gasped.
Saito lunged, stopping at Kuro's waist.
"This is your end," he said, voice cold and precise.
With a single, deadly slash to the chest, Kuro coughed up blood and collapsed.
The crew froze, eyes wide at their fallen captain. Some stopped in disbelief; others didn't know what to do.
Saito's gaze swept over them.
"Get lost."
Panic erupted. The crew scrambled, grabbing Kuro's body and fleeing the village.
The villagers erupted in relief, tears and cheers filling the air.
Kaito exhaled heavily.
"Damn… you gave me a heart attack there."
Tina ran forward, smiling through her tears, and hugged Saito.
"Sir Saito, you're… you're fine!"
Saito smiled back, wrapping his arms around her.
"Yes… I'm fine."
Kaito walked over to Saito, shaking his head with a small grin.
"I thought you were already dead," he said.
Saito gave a tired but determined smile.
"Not until I fulfill my promise."
Kaito chuckled and shrugged.
"Yep… that's my idiot captain."
Takashi stepped forward, the villagers falling silent as they watched their leader approach.
Pyvi gently pulled Tina aside to give Takashi space, her eyes wide but trusting.
Takashi's gaze swept over Saito and Kaito.
"So… the battle is done," he said, his voice calm but serious.
Saito simply nodded.
Takashi studied him for a long moment.
"So… what's your plan now? Are you going to invade us next and torture us like Kuro did?"
Saito looked around at the villagers—the women, the children, the elderly—and his voice was firm.
"No. I'm not here to harm anyone. But I will protect this village… and make it part of my territory."
Takashi's eyes widened, then he slowly knelt.
"Your deal… accepted. Please… take over this place. Rule my village—but promise me… care for my people well."
Saito shook his head gently.
"Your position as mayor stays. You still protect your people. I only protect them from the shadows."
A small smile spread across Takashi's face.
"Then… welcome to Lorum Village, Gangster Saito. And you, Silent Killer Kaito—your presence here is welcomed by all of us."
Saito nodded, a quiet sense of pride filling him.
Takashi turned to the villagers.
"Let's give these two our token of gratitude," he said. "Let's prepare a banquet!"
The villagers erupted in excitement, cheering and rushing back to their homes to gather food and decorations.
Takashi looked at Saito, a small smile on his face.
"This village is known for its tradition of welcoming heroes with a banquet," he explained.
Tina bounced with excitement. "Yes! We have chicken… meat… bacon… soup… chicken…" She trailed off, flustered, realizing she was rambling.
Saito chuckled and nodded.
"I get it," he said, smiling at her enthusiasm.
Tina giggled, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment.
The night lit up with colorful bulbs, casting a warm glow over the village. Villagers bustled around, serving each other food and laughing freely.
Kaito grabbed a chicken leg and a cup of sake. He raised it and took a sip.
"Yep," he said with a grin, "this is the best day of my life."
Saito chuckled as he picked up some meat for himself.
Tina leaned over with a small bottle. "Sir Saito, it'll be even more delicious if you put this on." She handed him some chili sauce.
Saito smiled and thanked her, drizzling it over his meat before taking a bite.
Takashi, watching them, called out, "Eat well, boys. You need to recharge your stamina to protect our village!"
Saito waved a hand lazily. "Relax, old man. I got it."
Takashi narrowed his eyes. "Hey! I'm not an old man—I'm thirty!"
Pyvi giggled, shaking her head. "Do you two need anything else?"
Saito shook his head. "We're fine, thank you."
Around them, the villagers laughed and ate together, celebrating their freedom from the Claw Gang and the new peace that Saito and Kaito had brought.