SUB ROSA | Wind Breaker

Arc 3 || 11. Red Light District II

The fight ended in Roppo-Ichiza and Bofurin's favor, and as the dust settled, Akame watched quietly from a distance, her nerves on edge. She hadn't joined the brawl, instead remaining a shadow in the background as the boys ensured no one got too close to her.

But just as relief began to settle over the crowd, a chill crept through the air. Akame's breath hitched as her gaze followed theirs, her stomach sinking as she took in the figure standing against the backdrop of the city's neon lights.

A young man stood there, his silhouette sharp against the glow. His stance was calm, almost nonchalant, but there was an unmistakable menace in the way he held himself, a predator assessing his prey. Even from a distance, she could feel the power radiating from him, a dark, dangerous energy that was somehow both intoxicating and repulsive.

The low hum of the red light district stilled as Endo's smooth, detached voice drifted from the rooftop above. "The fun things, the enjoyable things... they're all just things to pass the time until life eventually burns out," he drawled, stepping forward so the glow of neon signs cast an eerie light across his face. His presence was magnetic and chilling, a calm intensity that radiated something deeply sinister. The way he looked down at them, eyes gleaming with a predatory delight, sent a prickle down Akame's spine.

"Hey, hey, hey," he greeted, his smile cool and mocking, "it's been forever since I last saw you all. If you're all rarin' to go... well, that's gonna get my blood pumpin' to go."

With an almost lazy ease, he jumped from the rooftop, landing in the middle of the battle like a panther. His messy black hair and tattoos glistened under the streetlights, his blue eyes sharp and electric. He wore his signature black tank top and checkered jacket, his appearance almost casual, though the energy radiating from him was anything but.

The crowd around him stilled, warriors and enemies alike recognizing the sheer danger of the man standing before them.

Tsubakino's voice was the first to break through the tense silence, warning Sakura and Suo immediately. "Don't. React." Their usually confident tone was laced with something else—fear.

Sakura and Suo exchanged glances but did as they were told. Who was this guy?

"Who the hell is he?" Sakura muttered under his breath, his fists still clenched at his sides.

Tsubakino stepped forward, their eyes fixed on Endo. "That's Endo... He's not someone you fight unless you want to lose. Badly."

Endo, unfazed by the gathering of Bofurin's best fighters, smirked. He ignored the masses and instead turned his attention toward Sakura, his eyes gleaming with a predatory interest. "You're the one they're all talking about... Sakura, right?" His voice was smooth, almost too calm for the chaos surrounding them.

Sakura tensed, but before he could respond, Tsubakino stepped between them. "Leave him alone, Endo. This fight doesn't concern you."

Endo's smirk widened, his gaze flickering briefly to Tsubakino before returning to Sakura. "Oh, but it does. You see, I like interesting people... and you?" He tilted his head, the smile never leaving his face. "You might just be interesting enough to break."

Sakura's fists tightened at the taunt, but before he could react, Suo grabbed his arm, pulling him back. "Don't fall for it," Suo muttered, his voice low and tense. He could feel the danger emanating from Endo, the kind that made every instinct scream to back down.

Yet, as Endo's gaze slid past them, his expression shifted, his lips twisting into a sly smile when his eyes landed on Akame. His interest was sharp and immediate, like a wolf catching the scent of prey, and the amusement flickering in his eyes was as twisted as it was enthralling. The group fell into an uneasy silence, tension rising like a coiled spring, each of them sensing the sudden shift in his focus.