Dark Knight

Vengeance

The next morning, Rin Nanase opened his eyes and found himself lying in a dark alleyway, his back pressed against the cold brick wall. Groaning softly, he slowly sat up, elbows resting on his knees, fists clenched tight. His mind drifted back to the fight from the night before-the words of Yuusuke echoing painfully in his head.

Weak.

He gritted his teeth. But then, he remembered-the emblem. That same strange symbol he'd seen on all of them. The same one Yuusuke had worn on that cursed night years ago... the night he massacred their family.

Later that day, Rin arrived back at his mansion, stepping out of a taxi and walking toward the towering front doors of his home. As he entered, his butler, Sebastian, greeted him in the grand hall.

"Good morning, Master Nanase. You look like you've had a rough night," Sebastian observed with his usual calm tone.

"Just make me some breakfast. The usual-sunny-side-up eggs, toast, and coffee," Rin said, brushing past him and heading toward the large computer room.

"Right away, sir," Sebastian replied before making his way toward the kitchen.

Inside the computer room, Rin clapped his hands twice. The lights dimmed, and blue holographic projections illuminated the dark chamber, scattering a web of floating data streams and translucent interfaces around him.

"Good morning, sir," greeted a calm, synthetic voice. It belonged to RETRO-Reinvented Eternal Time Retro Online-the AI assistant Rin had personally designed to manage his home and digital systems.

"Pull up the drawing board," Rin commanded.

A holographic light board appeared before him. He used his finger to sketch a circular symbol-the emblem he had seen.

"Reverse search that. Look for any organizations associated with it," Rin ordered.

"Understood," RETRO replied. Within seconds, data streams shifted and realigned, bringing up a list of images and reports. One name appeared across the central display: Yubiwa.

According to the records, Yubiwa was a centuries-old mafia organization that operated in Japan. Their activities were hidden from public view, and their hierarchy and objectives were largely unknown.

"Search for any connection between Yubiwa and Yuusuke Nanase," Rin said sharply.

Moments later, RETRO's voice returned. "No direct connection found. Available records identify Yuusuke Nanase as a wanted criminal responsible for the Nanase family massacre. No additional data available."

Rin's jaw tightened. Of course not.

"Your breakfast is served, Master Nanase," Sebastian announced as he entered the room. He placed a plate of sunny-side-up eggs and a steaming mug of coffee on the desk. "Quite an interesting bit of research you're doing."

"Yeah..." Rin muttered, moving toward the desk and sitting down.

"Why the sudden interest in the mafia?" Sebastian asked, his tone cautious.

"Because I suspect Yuusuke is part of it," Rin replied, taking a sip of his coffee. "And I'm going to find him through them."

Sebastian glanced at the holographic projections, his expression unreadable. "How can you be so sure?"

"The emblem," Rin answered. "He had it on him that night. And last night, I saw it again-on the men who came after me. They were his men, Sebastian. All of them."

Understanding dawned on the butler's face. "So that's why you looked so beaten when you returned."

Rin nodded slightly. "They were after me... which means Yuusuke hasn't finished what he started."

Sebastian's voice grew firm. "And you think the Yubiwa will just hand him over once you find them?"

Rin sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I have to try something. I can't let him keep walking free after everything he's done."

"You're stepping into the criminal underworld," Sebastian warned. "This path is dangerous."

"I know," Rin said quietly. "But after last night, I realize I might already be on it. I'll do whatever it takes to avenge my family."

He paused, his eyes narrowing with determination. "I'll be departing for Japan to begin my search there."

Sebastian frowned. "Even if you find your brother and eliminate him, you'll become a target yourself. The mafia won't let it go unpunished. There's little data on Yubiwa-we don't even know their motives. You'd be walking in blind."

"I'm aware," Rin replied. "But if they get in my way, I'll eliminate them too."

Sebastian hesitated. "Then I suggest you gather more intelligence before you go. You know they operate in Japan, but do you know where exactly?"

"Not yet," Rin said. "But I'll find out. I have my ways."

"And your company?" Sebastian asked. "Nanase Corporations can't run itself. How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure," Rin admitted. "Cancel the conference meeting. Kevin can act as temporary CEO until I return. And keep this trip confidential."

"Understood," said Sebastian. "What reason should I give for your absence?"

"Make up something believable," Rin replied, finishing his coffee. "Make it look like I disappeared without a word."

Sebastian's eyes widened slightly. "You're serious, Master Nanase?"

Rin smirked faintly. "If only you wished I wasn't."

He walked past Sebastian, still holding his empty mug. "I'll depart in a couple of days."

Sebastian watched him go, silent for a long moment. He had been by Rin's side since the boy was orphaned, watching him grow into the man he had become-a man driven by vengeance and grief. Despite his reservations, he knew his role: to support Rin, no matter how perilous the path ahead.

And so, in the days that followed, Rin Nanase prepared-researching every trace of the Yubiwa mafia he could find.

The hunt had begun.