Rising from the Ashes ‖ Tokyo Revengers

Chapter XXIX

When Takemichi returned to the future, he swiftly relayed his request to Naoto. Consequently, the duo found themselves once again within the cold confines of the prison they had previously visited. Unfortunately, the future seemed obstinately resistant to change; Draken remained on death row, and the tragic fates of Amalie and Hinata persisted hauntingly.

" Thanks for accommodating my request, Naoto". Takemichi expressed his gratitude as they navigated the somber corridors.

Naoto nonchalantly shrugged," I'm used to it. Happens all the time. What are you going to ask him this time ?".

Takemichi maintained a stoic silence as they entered the visiting room. Soon, Draken emerged, taking a seat on the other side of the unforgiving glass partition.

" You're here again, Takemitchy". Draken remarked.

" Sorry to keep bothering you, Draken-kun". Takemichi apologized.

Draken sighed," Didn't I tell you to leave Tokyo ?".

Nervously, Takemichi swallowed as he observed the changed demeanor in Draken. It seemed as though he had lost some of his vitality.

" I just want to ask you one thing. Do you remember that biker gang from 2005...". Takemichi's voice trailed off.

" The one without a leader, Valhalla ?". Draken inquired.

" Weren't they led by Tetta Kisaki ?". Takemichi clarified.

" No, he wasn't. The headless angel's head was Mikey". Draken corrected.

Takemichi's eyes widened in disbelief at Draken's response.

" Valhalla was a gang created for Mikey to lead". Draken continued.

" But that's impossible ! Mikey-kun is the leader of Toman, isn't he ?!". Takemichi exclaimed.

" Impossible ? You remember too, don't you ? Twelve years ago, on Bloody Halloween, Valhalla took over Toman. Valhalla, as the present organization, birthed a new Tokyo Manji Gang. That's the one that exists today". Draken revealed.

" Could that have been the day of Toman and Valhalla's big battle ?". Takemichi wondered.

Draken nodded," Yes. That day, Toman suffered its first loss".

" What ?! Toman lost ?! How could they lose with the Invincible Mikey on their side ?!". Takemichi demanded in disbelief.

" No. It's Mikey's fault that Toman lost". Draken asserted.

" Mikey-kun's fault ?". Takemichi repeated with confusion.

Naoto, who had heard everything, nervously gulped, remaining silent. He knew from his own research that Draken's revelations were about to unravel more than Takemichi bargained for. After all, when Takemichi journeyed to the past, Naoto continued his own investigation about the events that transpired.

" That day... Why didn't I realize that Mikey was just a 15-year-old kid with an enormous cross to bear ?". Draken muttered with sorrow, his gaze fixed on his hands.

Still haunted by the echoes of a face being shattered, Draken recalled the cries for Mikey to stop, and Amalie's tears with the anger burning inside Kol's eyes beside a lifeless body.

" On that day, Mikey killed Kazutora". Draken revealed as he stood up.

Takemichi, panting with a horrified expression, exclaimed," What ?".

" Mikey didn't get arrested because Kisaki had a decoy prepared. Mikey descended into darkness, and Amalie left after that day. Despite her attempts to help, Mikey became an empty shell, pushing Amalie and Kol away. The two then left to live their life away from Japan.