𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 | 𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘴𝘶𝘺𝘢 𝘵. ᯓ ᡣ𐭩

032. | ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ'ꜱ ᴍɪꜱᴊᴜᴅɢᴍᴇɴᴛ

As the Toman members arrived on their motorcycles, the air was filled with the sound of revving engines and the smell of gasoline and exhaust. The abandoned lot was surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers, creating a contrast between the rough and tumble gang members and the peaceful countryside surroundings. The members all dismounted from their bikes and began gathering together in the center of the lot, their eyes fixed on the opposite side where Ronin were scattered together.

The atmosphere between the two gangs was tense and uneasy, as they surveyed each other from a distance. The Toman members stood in a tight formation, their eyes fixed on the scattered ronin members across the lot. The air crackled with tension as the two groups silently sized each other up, both gangs aware of the dangerous stakes at play.

The size difference between the two gangs was striking. While Ronin remained a formidable force with dozens of members present, Toman was significantly reduced in size. Half of Toman's members had been left behind with Kana, leaving them with a smaller group of fighters to face off against their opponents.

The difference in numbers were obvious to both gangs, and it added to the tension in the air. The Toman members tried to look confident, but underneath their tough exteriors, they were aware that they were outnumbered and outclassed. The Ronin members, on the other hand, exuded a sense of superiority and confidence, knowing that they held the advantage in both numbers and fighting ability.

Kiyomasa stood amongst the scattered Ronin members, a satisfied smirk on his face as he took in the diminutive size of Toman. His heart pounded with excitement at the sight, knowing that his plan had worked perfectly. He scanned the Toman members carefully, taking in their expressions and body language before his gaze never found Kana amongst them. He smirked even more when he saw that she had indeed kept her end of their deal, and the fact that she had managed to convince half of Toman to stay back with her impressed him even more.

Tetsuo, standing beside Kiyomasa, also scanned the Toman members with a calculating gaze. He noticed immediately that Kana was not amongst the crowd, and he raised an eyebrow in surprise and respect. "Looks like your plan worked," he murmured to Kiyomasa, his voice a low rumble.

Kiyomasa nodded in agreement, a hint of grudging admiration in his expression. "Never thought she'd have it in her," he said, his voice tinged with reluctant approval.

Kiyomasa stepped forward, his voice loud and confident as he called out to the Toman members.
"Good to see Toman coming here after all," he sneered. "Looks like you guys have gotten smaller since the last time we met. What happened, lose some members along the way?"

The other Ronin members snickered and smirked, watching the Toman members in smug satisfaction.

The Toman members' faces darkened with anger and frustration as Kiyomasa's mocking words rang through the air. They clenched their fists and glowered at the Ronin members, their eyes burning with a mixture of embarrassment and anger at being ridiculed for their reduced size. There were mumbled mutterings and muttered curses among the Toman ranks, their pride wounded by the mocking words.

Mikey stepped forward, his expression serious and unperturbed by Kiyomasa's words. "We don't rely on numbers to win our fights," he said, his voice steady and confident. "We have always managed to take down our opponents, no matter the odds. And we'll do the same against you."

His calm demeanor and unwavering certainty seemed to silence some of the Ronin members, who were taken aback by his confidence.

Kiyomasa, in particular, looked annoyed at being challenged by the younger boy, but he suppressed his irritation and continued to smirk. "Is that so?" he said, feigning surprise. "But where's the one you claim to have put so much faith in? I only see one weak girl in the crowd."