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

Kanto Manji vs Tokyo Manji (I)

One day before the battle, the remnants of Kaiya's once-mighty gang, Kinkō no Shugosha, gathered in Tenshi's room. The atmosphere was heavy with unspoken tension, a quiet sense of finality looming over them as they sat in a circle on the floor. To Kaiya's left was Tsurugi, tall and stoic as always, and to her right sat Tenshi, a cigarette idly burning between his fingers. Mamoru, Iyashi, Suto, and the lone member from the former Attack Unit who stayed, Masaru, completed the group. The room felt smaller than it was, weighed down by the gravity of the upcoming battle.

Masaru, head bowed low to the floor in front of Kaiya and Tenshi, broke the silence.

- "I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "I wasn't able to keep Renji and the others from leaving."

Kaiya reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, her touch gentle but firm.

- "It's not your fault, Masaru," she said quietly, her voice laced with understanding. "I'm surprised they stayed with us as long as they did."

Masaru swallowed hard, glancing up at her with guilt etched on his face. 

- "We... we were only with you because Kinkō no Shugosha was one of the four big gangs in Tokyo. People believed you were the only one who could control Manjiro Sano. But after the battle of the three deities, when Mikey defeated you, and you disbanded Kinkō no Shugosha, they lost faith. They joined the strongest side."

His words were timid, almost fearful, as though he expected Tenshi to lash out at him for even suggesting doubt in Kaiya's leadership. Everyone in the room knew how fiercely protective Tenshi was of her. Masaru braced himself for a reaction, but what happened next left him stunned.

Kaiya bowed her head in front of him.

- "I want to apologize," she said softly, her voice steady but filled with the weight of regret. "I wasn't strong enough, smart enough, or influential enough to protect you all, or our gang. And I'm sorry that now, you're forced to fight in a war we're more likely to lose."

Masaru stared at her, wide-eyed, unable to comprehend her humility. In that moment, something inside him shifted. The sight of his leader, someone he had looked up to for so long, bowing in apology—he felt a surge of loyalty stronger than anything he had ever experienced before. From that day on, he swore to follow her to the depths of Hell and back.

- "Boss, you did your best," Suto said, his voice thick with emotion as he placed a hand on her shoulder. He chuckled, though tears welled up in his eyes. "Shit... boss, you're gonna make me cry."

- "Pussy," Iyashi muttered, trying to hide his own emotion behind a smirk, though his voice wavered.

Kaiya took a deep breath, composing herself as she straightened up.

- "Now then," she said, her tone shifting to something more serious. "I asked you all to come here to discuss our strategy. I went by the Wangan freight yard earlier, and I'm sure I saw Haruchiyo Sanzu there. Tsurugi," she turned her gaze to him, "even though Toman has always been against using weapons, I'm going to ask you to bring your sword to this battle. I have no doubt Sanzu will have his, and you're the only one who stands a real chance against him."

Tsurugi nodded, his expression unreadable, but a glint of determination shone in his eyes.

Kaiya continued:

- "Mamoru and Iyashi, your role will be on the sidelines, providing medical assistance. Suto, you'll make sure no one attacks the medics. Masaru," she said, turning to him, "you'll need to keep an eye on Senju and make sure she's safe. I don't want anything to happen to her."

Masaru nodded solemnly, feeling the weight of the responsibility she had placed on him.

- "Tenshi," Kaiya's eyes softened as they met his, "you'll fight our former Attack Unit. I'm counting on you. I know our former members will be some of the most violent and dangerous in this fight."