The aftermath of the warehouse raid sent shockwaves through Tōriku's underworld. Rumors spread like wildfire—about a masked phantom who dismantled ONYX's elite unit without breaking a sweat. Whispers of the Kurogane Empire rippled through back alleys, corporate boardrooms, and even the upper echelons of government.
But Hiroshi wasn't celebrating yet.
He sat in a high-rise office, overlooking the city from a penthouse suite that no one knew existed. The air was heavy with strategy, every moment ticking like a countdown to the next move.
Yuki entered, a folder in hand. "We've intercepted something... interesting."
She dropped the folder on the table. Inside: photos, encrypted messages, and a logo Hiroshi had never seen before—a serpent coiled around a dagger, the mark of the Phantom Council.
Hiroshi's eyes darkened. "Them?"
"Yeah," Yuki said grimly. "We always thought they were a myth. But after last night's stunt? They're awake—and they don't like what we've been doing."
Hiroshi studied the files. The Phantom Council wasn't just any organization; they were the puppeteers behind Tōriku's biggest corporations and shadow ops. Ruthless, invisible, untouchable.
Until now.
A quiet buzz from the secure line jolted them both. Hiroshi answered. On the other end: a distorted voice.
"You've made quite the mess, Kurogane. Impressive... but foolish."
Hiroshi's grip tightened. "Who is this?"
"A friend. Or an enemy. Depends on your next move. You've stirred the nest, and now the Council is watching. Closely."
"I'm not afraid of ghosts."
The voice chuckled. "Good. You'll need that bravado where you're headed."
The line went dead.
Yuki raised an eyebrow. "That sounded... ominous."
Hiroshi's eyes gleamed. "Exactly the kind of challenge I've been waiting for."
---
Meanwhile, deep beneath the city, the Phantom Council convened in a hidden chamber. Cloaked figures sat around a circular table, their faces masked by holographic distortion.
"This boy... Kurogane," one rasped. "He's disrupting the balance. ONYX has failed. Kazuma is humiliated."
Another nodded. "We underestimated him. He's precise—calculating. Dangerous."
A third leaned forward. "Do we crush him now?"
Silence.
Then, the leader spoke—his voice cold, decisive. "No. Let's test him first. Send in Viper."
---
The next evening, Hiroshi and Yuki met in a quiet park, disguised as ordinary students. They sat on a bench, blending in, but eyes always scanning.
"Intel says something's going down tonight," Yuki whispered. "But no details. It's too quiet."
Just then, Hiroshi's phone buzzed. A single message: "Look up."
He barely had time to react. A drone swooped overhead—small, sleek, and armed. It fired a dart straight at them.
Hiroshi grabbed Yuki, diving to the side as the dart exploded in a flash of light and smoke. Chaos erupted—people screamed, scattering in all directions.
From the shadows, a figure stepped forward—tall, lean, clad in black tactical gear. His mask was shaped like a serpent's head.
"Viper," Hiroshi muttered, eyes narrowing.
Viper's voice was calm, almost amused. "You made waves, kid. Now it's my turn."
Without warning, Viper lunged, fast as lightning. Hiroshi countered, blocking with his chopsticks, sparks flying from the impact.
Yuki tried to join the fight, but Viper threw a smoke bomb, separating her from Hiroshi. "One-on-one," he hissed. "Let's see what you've really got."
Hiroshi smirked beneath his mask. "Gladly."
The fight was brutal. Viper was skilled—using a combination of martial arts and tactical weapons. But Hiroshi was faster, sharper, unpredictable. Every strike, every dodge, was a masterclass in precision.
Finally, Hiroshi disarmed Viper, pinning him to the ground with a reinforced chopstick at his throat.
"Tell your bosses," Hiroshi said coldly, "if they want a war... I'm ready."
Viper sneered, tossing a flash grenade that blinded Hiroshi just long enough to slip away into the night.
---
Later, back at HQ, Yuki patched up Hiroshi's bruises.
"That was too close," she said, frowning. "The Phantom Council means business."
Hiroshi stared out the window, eyes hard. "Good. So do we."
He turned back to the wall of monitors, new names and faces popping up—new enemies, new challenges.
The city below pulsed with danger.
And Hiroshi?
He was just getting started.