I'd let the world burn for you... || Tokyo Revengers

Tenjiku (II)

Takemichi had tried everything he could to return to the future, but nothing worked. The truth was devastating—Naoto was dead, and without Naoto's help, Takemichi was stranded in the present. He had no way to leap back and see what would happen. In a moment of confusion and emotional exhaustion, he accidentally spilled everything to Hina, thinking it was Naoto. To his surprise, instead of panic or disbelief, Hina listened, calmly telling him that she loved him, regardless of the strange revelations. That moment gave Takemichi a renewed determination to save her, to change the future no matter the cost.

However, even though Hina's love gave him strength, Takemichi couldn't shake the images of a broken, deranged Kaiya. She had killed someone during the battle between Tenjiku and Toman, but who? Kisaki was alive in the future—Takemichi had seen him. Someone else, then. But who? He decided he needed to talk to Chifuyu; maybe they could figure it out together.

As soon as Takemichi found Chifuyu, he laid out his worries. Chifuyu listened closely, his usual calm demeanor giving way to concern. 

- "So...Kaiya killed someone and went mad?" His brow furrowed as he tried to piece it together. "Shion Madarame? No, she has no reason to kill him. One of the Haitani brothers? Not even a slim chance, she's never interacted with them before. Mocchi? Doesn't seem right. Is there anyone we don't know about in Tenjiku? Hm... maybe Hanma? Maybe she'll kill Hanma."

Chifuyu's mind raced, running through the possibilities. His voice grew quieter, more serious. 

- "Or maybe there's something deeper—something about Kazutora. Maybe someone reveals something about him, and it drives her over the edge. There were times when Kaiya lost control in the frenzy of battle, but Baji-san was always there to bring her back. Now that Baji-san is gone... I just don't know."

- "She did that when I first encountered the Black Dragons, but she managed to pull herself together. I think if you were there to call her back, it would be enough." Takemichi sighed.

- "I wish I were as close to her as Baji-san was." Chifuyu exhaled, his gaze distant.

Suddenly, a mischievous grin spread across Takemichi's face. 

- "Wait a minute... you like Kaiya!"

- "E?! No! I mean... yes... no... I mean, she was Baji-san's girlfriend!" Chifuyu's face turned beet red.

- "It doesn't matter, you can like her." Takemichi nudged him playfully.

- "There's another guy around her now anyway," Chifuyu muttered, clearly flustered, before quickly switching the topic. "But let's get back to the important matters."

Takemichi confessed that he had been thinking of taking matters into his own hands, planning to deal with Izana and Kisaki alone, but Chifuyu revealed that he had already gathered their friends. They were in this together. Just as they were deep in discussion, Sanzu, the vice-captain of the 5th division, appeared, shouting for Takemichi to get out. Without warning, Takemichi was whisked into a car with Muto. The betrayal hit like a punch to the gut when Muto beat him and dragged him into a warehouse where Inui and Kokonoi waited.

Muto revealed his true colors—he was the traitor, not Takemichi. Muto had aligned himself with Izana and had forced Kokonoi to join Tenjiku through blackmail. He had threatened to kill Inui and Takemichi if Kokonoi didn't comply.

Meanwhile, Kaiya was training with Tenshi, unaware of the unfolding chaos. Chifuyu had been trying to reach her to inform her about Takemichi's capture, but her phone had died during their intense training session. After a few hours, once they finished, she finally checked her phone.

- "Wanna grab something to eat?" Tenshi asked, his smile light and carefree. "Don't worry, it's on me."

- "I'd prefer to get back to the hotel and charge my phone. After what happened with Tenjiku, I'd rather check on my friends." Kaiya, still slightly on edge, shook her head.