𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

♡Chapter-57♡

Third point of view.

The air inside the shrine was thick with tension. The atmosphere was heavy considering the fact that they were planning to go up against Tenjiku.

Takemichi stood beside Chifuyu, his jaw tight with determination. This wasn't just about bringing back You and Baji, it was about the future itself. The things he had seen, the horrors he had witnessed... they all led back to this moment.

"This is gonna be an all-out war." Draken declared, his sharp gaze sweeping over everyone. "Tenjiku will use any means necessary to win. That means they'll fight dirty, and they won't hesitate to take any of us down."

"Then we fight just as hard!"

Hakkai's call cut through as heads turned around to see him standing at the entrance of the shrine, his hands clenched into fists.

"Taka-chan and Smiley got jumped, they're in the hospital right now. And it doesn't help that they already have Baji and Y/n locked up." His voice wavered slightly in frustration. "If we don't act now, Toman will lose."

At his words, a ripple of unease passed through the crowd. The men exchanged glances, some shifting uncomfortably. Whispers began to spread.

"We should be using weapons, too."

"How do we win against those monsters otherwise?"

Their growing doubts filled the air like a poison. But before it could take root, a loud voice shut them down.

"Oi! Shut the hell up!"

Peh stepped forward, glaring at everyone who had spoken. His voice carried the weight of conviction. "Are you all so scared to lose that you wanna use weapons?"

His fists clenched, his tone turning colder. "Pah-chin got arrested because he used a weapon. I attacked Draken over a stupid misunderstanding. But even after that, Mikey told me that he didn't wanted to fight me."

The area fell silent.

Peh continued, his voice steadier now. "That's why we're all still here. If we go in swinging with weapons, how are we any different from Tenjiku?"

His words struck deep.

"If I'm gonna fight, I'll fight the way Mikey wants us to!"

He turned toward Hakkai, his gaze hard. "I get it. You're pissed about Mitsuya and Smiley. But look at Mikey. Is he smiling?"

Hakkai's breath hitched. Slowly, he turned his gaze towards their leader who stood atop the stairs, his face devoid of emotion.

Hakkai's breath hitched. "Mikey.."

"Hakkai." Mikey's spoke up in a calm, almost distant tone. "You stay with Mitsuya and Smiley."

"What? No! I wanna avenge Taka-chan--"

"It's not about them being hurt." Mikey let out a slow breath. "When they wake up, they'll want to fight. No matter how bad they're injured, they'll try to stand. And I don't need that."

"Keep them out of it."

Silence stretched thick between them.

Mikey turned his head to face the men gathered before him.

"Listen up! Not a single captain will have your back in this battle." His sharp gaze swept across the room.

A slow, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at his lips.

"I'm all you need. And together, we're taking Baji and Y/n back. No one lays a hand on my girl and walks away. No one touches our people and leaves unscathed. Tenjiku's gonna learn exactly how cruel Toman can be."