**Chapter 3: Police Flower**
The VIP booth was too loud, too bright—too exposed.
Ren didn't care.
He stepped forward, his disguise flickering slightly as the facial scrambler fought to maintain its illusion. The Broker's smug expression faltered when their eyes met.
*He recognizes me.*
Before the man could react, Ren grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the booth's plush seating. Around them, the club's patrons barely noticed—violence was just another form of entertainment in Neo-Tokyo's underworld.
**"Who hired the hit on me?"** Ren's voice was low, lethal.
The Broker's lips curled into a nervous grin. "Ah, the Kuroda heir. I wondered when you'd show up."
A blade flicked out from the man's sleeve, but Ren was faster. His System-enhanced reflexes kicked in, and he twisted the Broker's wrist until bone cracked. The man hissed in pain.
**"Talk."**
The Broker's eyes darted to the side—a signal.
**[Warning: Hostile signatures detected. Four armed individuals approaching.]**
Ren didn't turn. His Shadow Guard moved like ghosts, intercepting the thugs before they could raise their weapons. The sound of suppressed gunfire was lost in the club's music.
The Broker paled. "Alright, alright! It wasn't just the Yakuza. There's a faction inside the **Metropolitan Police**—they call themselves **'Hana'**—*Police Flower*. They've been working with the Yamaguchi-gumi to keep the Kuroda legacy buried."
Ren's grip tightened. *Cops?* That complicated things.
**"Why?"**
The Broker coughed out a laugh. "Because your family wasn't just rich, kid. They were **kings**. And kings don't leave thrones empty for long."
A sudden alert flashed in Ren's vision.
**[Emergency Alert: Police drones converging on this location. Estimated arrival: 90 seconds.]**
*Shit.*
Ren released the Broker with a shove. "If you're lying, I'll find you."
The man rubbed his throat, grinning. "Oh, you'll see the truth soon enough. Hana's already blooming, Kuroda. And their thorns are lethal."
---
### **Escape Through Fire**
The club's exits were swarming with police drones—black, wasp-like machines with glowing red lenses. Ren and his guards moved through the back halls, but the drones were fast. Too fast.
**[Combat Suggestion: Use Legacy Points to activate 'Pulse Disruptor' (80 LP). Temporary EMP burst.]**
Ren didn't hesitate.
A sharp *crack* of energy pulsed from his wrist device, and the drones shuddered mid-air before crashing to the ground.
But it wasn't enough.
A figure stepped into the hallway ahead—a woman in a sleek police tactical suit, her visor retracting to reveal cold, calculating eyes.
**"Ren Kuroda,"** she said, voice smooth as poisoned silk. **"I'm Inspector Sora Hasegawa. You're coming with me."**
Ren's Shadow Guard raised their weapons, but the woman didn't flinch. Instead, she smiled.
**"Shoot, and every officer in this district burns your face across the network. Try to run, and we'll make sure the Yakuza finishes what they started."**
Ren's mind raced. *She's Hana. Police Flower.*
And she wasn't alone.
Behind her, more officers moved in—their uniforms standard, but their eyes… their eyes were all the same. Cold. Loyal.
*To something other than the law.*
**[New Objective: Survive Police Custody.]**
Ren smirked.
*Game on.*
---
**To Be Continued…**