Chapter 385: 385. The Enforcer
When l realized l was being followed, a dark thrill honestly rushed through me. I was actually excited at the prospect of getting ambushed in a quiet alleyway again.
As I passed a fragrant outdoor food stall, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a thick wad of cash. "Can I get a meat skewer?" I asked the elderly female vendor behind the counter.
"That will be 100 yen, my son," she responded with a warm smile.
I casually peeled a crisp ¥10,000 note from the bundle and slid it across the counter. "Just give me one. Keep the change."
The poor woman froze, her jaw dropping in absolute shock. She immediately tried to push the money back, stammering that it was far too much, but I insisted, waving her off. As she showered me with endless blessings and tearful words of gratitude, I took the skewer and walked away, casually munching on the meat.
"Hmmm delicious." I moaned loudly as l enjoyed the food.
Behind me, I could practically feel the two lackeys burning with pure envy and rage. I was openly flexing my wealth right in front of them, turning myself into an irresistible target for them.
I kept strolling, deliberately turning down a dark, narrow side street that provided the perfect, secluded spot for an ambush. And they fell for the trap, maybe thinking l was a stupid idiot, walking into the quiet parts of the city just to get robbed.
The moment I stepped deep into the shadows, a harsh voice barked from behind me.
"Hey, kid!! Stop right there!"
I turned around slowly, putting on my best act of an oblivious, frightened loser. "Me?" I asked, pointing a trembling finger at my chest, widening my eyes in mock terror.
"Yes, you!" The person responded, still harsh. "Which other kid, besides you do you see around here."
I looked around. Technically, l was older than them, even though l was stuck in the body jf an 18 year old teenager.
"The only people I’m seeing here are kids." I said with a shrug, pointing at them.
That got them angry. I could see one of them clenching his fists, veins popping in his bald head, while the other tried to calm him down.
"Chill, bro. The boss is on his way."
Within seconds, the screech of tires tore through the alley as a sleek black sedan whipped around the corner, braking hard and completely blocking my path. The doors flew open, and out stepped a massive imposing figure of a man wearing a loud, unbuttoned red beach shirt that exposed a broad, heavily scarred chest.
He was built like a brick wall, easily a few inches taller than me, with his dark hair expertly permed and tied back in a neat bun. He looked exactly like a high-tier thug straight out of an Asian crime thriller movie.
Four more men piled out of the sedan behind him, their hands firmly gripping heavy tactical pistols. With the introduction of weapons, this was starting to spark some excitement inside me. My wives Anna and Tama always told me l was a battle junkie. I loved fighting. I used to disagree with them, but now l could see they were right.
The giant casually pulled a thick cigar from his trouser pocket and popped it between his lips. Then, in a terrifying display of absolute swagger, he drew a suppressed pistol from his waistband, pointed the barrel directly at the tip of his cigar, and pulled the trigger. The sparks ignited the tobacco, and he took a long, slow drag, exhaling a thick cloud of grey smoke.
’Damn,’ I thought, suppressing a smirk. ’Bro really came out here just to farm aura.’
"So..." the giant began, his voice a deep, gravelly baritone vibrating through the smoke. "This is the brat who beat you ungrateful shits to a pulp last time?"
The two lackeys who had followed me from the market nodded furiously, bowing low and shivering in shame. "Yes, Division 4 Senior Commander! He’s the one!"
’Divisions?’ I noted internally. ’Just how massive is this Shinigami syndicate?’
"I see," the giant murmured, casting a critical eye over my hooded figure. "He doesn’t look like much to me, but I’ll trust your word." He stepped closer, locking his dark eyes onto mine. "Yo, kid. You’ve got hands. How about you come work for us instead? Do a good job, and I’ll make you my right-hand man."
The lackeys in the alley gasped in unison, murmuring among themselves about how absurdly lucky I was. To them, an offer like this meant my life was set, I’d never have to worry about money or safety in Tokyo ever again. It was an absolute dream for each and every thug around here.
But I just chuckled. The chuckle quickly evolved into a loud, mocking laugh that echoed off the brick walls. I looked the massive guy dead in the eye. "My apologies, Mr...?"
"Call me Zero."
’They have code names too? They really love the theatricality.’ I almost laughed.
"Yeah, Mr. Zero," I said, a dangerous smirk cutting across my face. "I’m sorry, but I have absolutely zero interest in playing gangster or being your little errand boy. Find someone else better suited for the charity case."
The surrounding four enforcers instantly raised their weapons, their faces contorting with rage.
"Such disrespect for the Senior Commander!"
"Just say the word, boss, and we’ll wipe this arrogant stain off the face of the earth!" another growled, his finger tightening on the trigger.
The lackeys behind me were practically foaming at the mouth. I had completely isolated myself, standing like a prime piece of meat surrounded by a pack of ravenous wolves.
"I see, you aren’t as cowardly as l assumed you were." Zero muttered coldly. He reached up, casually removing the cigar from his mouth and flicking it toward the ground.
The exact microsecond the burning ember hit the ground, his men unleashed hell, pressing their triggers, guns pointed directly at me.
BAM! BAM! BANG!!!!!!
To be continued...
