before the war starts

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The next morning, Kazuki and Senju wasted no time. They knew that even though they had made progress with Mikey, the clock was ticking. The tension within Toman was like a coiled spring, and if they didn’t resolve things quickly, it would snap—and the gang war they were so desperate to avoid would become inevitable.

After a quick breakfast, they went over their plan once more. Their next step was critical: they needed to meet with both Kaito and Aiko’s factions and solidify the agreements they had hinted at during their previous discussions. They had to ensure that these two key groups would fall in line before anyone else in Toman took matters into their own hands.

“We need to lock this down before the gang war starts,” Kazuki said as he checked his phone for updates. “Takemichi told me there’s already rumblings about a possible fight breaking out in the east.”

Senju nodded, her expression sharp. “That’s where Kaito’s group has most of their influence. If anyone decides to move, it’ll be there.”

“We can’t let that happen,” Kazuki replied. “We need to settle things before any blood is spilled.”

Senju picked up her jacket, already prepared for what lay ahead. “Let’s get to it. We’ll meet with Aiko first.”

They set off to the abandoned warehouse where they had arranged to meet Aiko. It was an ideal location—neutral territory, away from prying eyes, and distant enough from the core of Toman’s operations to avoid any unexpected interruptions.

When they arrived, Aiko was already there, standing with a few of her key lieutenants. Her striking presence commanded the room, and her eyes flickered with curiosity as Kazuki and Senju approached.

“You’ve come sooner than I expected,” Aiko remarked, her voice calm yet edged with caution. “I assume this means there’s been movement on your end?”

Kazuki nodded, stepping forward. “Mikey’s willing to consider your concerns. He knows that to keep Toman strong, we need to include your faction. But we need your commitment as well—there can’t be any more covert moves or building support behind the scenes. We need unity if we’re going to avoid a war.”

Aiko considered this for a moment, her sharp gaze locking onto Kazuki. “I want to believe you, Kazuki. But I need more than promises. If I agree to this, what guarantees do I have that Mikey won’t sideline us the moment things calm down?”

Kazuki took a deep breath. This was the crux of the problem. Aiko wasn’t wrong to be cautious—Mikey’s leadership had always been about maintaining control, and it was hard to imagine him sharing power freely. But Kazuki had a solution in mind.

“Mikey knows that if we don’t adapt, Toman will collapse from within. What we’re proposing isn’t just temporary—it’s a restructuring of how things work. You and your faction will have a seat at the table, and we’ll make sure your voice is heard. That’s not something Mikey can take away, because the entire gang will see the benefits.”

Aiko’s eyes narrowed slightly. “And if Mikey tries to push us out later?”

Senju, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. “Then you’ll have allies in us. We’re committed to making sure Toman doesn’t fall apart—and that means keeping factions like yours as part of the whole. If Mikey crosses that line, he’ll have to answer to more than just your group.”

Aiko studied them both, weighing their words. After a tense silence, she nodded slowly. “Very well. I’ll commit to this, but only if the changes are real. If Mikey goes back on his word, we’ll be ready.”

Kazuki felt a surge of relief. Aiko was on board—at least for now. “You won’t regret it,” he said. “Now we just need to finalize things with Kaito’s faction.”

Aiko’s expression softened, but only slightly. “Kaito’s more unpredictable than I am. You’ll need to tread carefully with him. He doesn’t trust easily, especially when it comes to Mikey.”

Kazuki nodded. “We’re prepared for that. We’ll handle it.”

They left the warehouse with a sense of cautious optimism. Aiko’s commitment was a huge win, but they knew the real challenge lay ahead with Kaito. His group was the most volatile, and convincing him to fall in line would take every ounce of their diplomacy.

The meeting with Kaito’s faction was set to take place in the same market district where Senju had first made contact. The district was lively as always, with street vendors and crowds of people creating a constant buzz of activity. But beneath that, Kazuki could sense the tension simmering just below the surface. Eyes followed them as they made their way to the agreed-upon location—a secluded back room in a local pub.

When they arrived, Kaito was already waiting, his demeanor tense and agitated. Unlike Aiko, Kaito didn’t hide his frustration. He was a man who spoke his mind, and right now, that mind was filled with anger.

“You’ve got a lot of nerve showing up here,” Kaito growled as they walked in. “Mikey’s been stringing us along for too long. Why should I believe anything’s going to change now?”

Kazuki held up a hand, trying to diffuse the tension. “We’re not here to make excuses, Kaito. We’re here to offer you a real solution. Mikey knows things need to change, and he’s willing to make room for you and your faction. But we need your help to keep Toman from falling apart.”

Kaito crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. “Help? Why the hell should I help? Mikey doesn’t give a damn about us. He’s made that clear.”

Senju stepped forward, her tone measured but firm. “You’re right, Kaito. Mikey’s leadership hasn’t always been fair. But if this gang breaks apart, no one wins. Not you, not Aiko, not the rest of Toman. We’re offering you a chance to shape the future of the gang—to make sure your voice matters.”

Kaito stared at her, his anger simmering beneath the surface. “And what if I say no? What if we take our chances and go to war? We’ve got numbers—we could make a move right now.”

Kazuki knew this was the critical moment. He could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the decision hanging over them. He needed to make Kaito understand that the war he was threatening wasn’t just a battle against Mikey—it would tear Toman apart.

“If you go to war,” Kazuki said quietly, “everyone loses. Toman will be weakened, and we’ll be vulnerable to outside threats. There are other gangs waiting for us to implode. They’ll pick us off one by one. But if we work together, we can make Toman stronger. This isn’t just about Mikey—it’s about survival.”

Kaito’s eyes flickered with uncertainty. He looked from Kazuki to Senju, weighing their words against the anger that had fueled him for so long.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kaito let out a long breath. “Fine. I’ll hear you out. But if Mikey doesn’t follow through, there won’t be any more talk. We’ll take matters into our own hands.”

Kazuki nodded, feeling the tension in his chest ease slightly. “That’s all we ask.”

They spent the next hour laying out the details—how Kaito’s faction would be included in decision-making, how they would avoid future conflicts, and how the changes they were proposing would benefit everyone. By the time they left the meeting, Kaito had agreed to a temporary truce, just like Aiko had. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a step in the right direction.

As they walked back through the bustling market district, Senju turned to Kazuki. “We did it. Both factions are on board.”

Kazuki exhaled, feeling the weight of the past few days lifting slightly. “Yeah. But the real challenge is still ahead. We need to make sure Mikey follows through—and we need to settle this before any more sparks fly.”

Senju nodded in agreement. “One wrong move, and the whole thing could still explode.”

Kazuki checked his phone, seeing a new message from Takemichi. It was short, but the message was clear: the gang war was coming, and if they didn’t finalize the peace talks soon, it might be too late.

“We’ve bought ourselves some time,” Kazuki said, his mind already racing with plans. “But we need to settle things before the war starts.”

Senju looked ahead, her eyes sharp with determination. “Then let’s make sure it doesn’t come to that.”

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