Beru's eyes froze.
The man standing in front of his car was someone he had buried in memory long ago—someone he had sworn never to see again.
The mafia boss.
The man who created their hell.
The man who shaped them into weapons.
For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The air itself felt heavy, like it refused to move between them.
The mafia stepped forward slowly, his polished shoes echoing against the pavement. He stopped just inches away from Beru and placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"You've grown," he said, his voice calm, almost proud. "Very much."
Beru did not respond.
His face remained expressionless, but inside, old scars were reopening.
No matter what that man had done to them… no matter how many nights of blood and screams he had dragged them through… Beru and Nobu had once respected him.
Because to two abandoned boys, even a devil can look like a savior.
Beru opened the car door and sat inside without a word.
The mafia entered from the other side.
Silence filled the car.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Dangerous.
Finally, Beru broke it.
"What are you doing here?"
The mafia leaned back casually. "I just wanted to meet you."
A faint smile appeared on Beru's lips—but it wasn't a smile of happiness. It was cold.
"Meet us?" he repeated.
The mafia looked ahead, staring at the road.
"You, Nobu… and Kashi," he said slowly. "You three were my finest assassins. The peak of my organization."
Beru's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
"We were never your favorites," he interrupted sharply. "You used us. For your own motives."
The mafia didn't deny it.
"Yes," he said quietly. "I used you."
Beru glanced at him in surprise. He hadn't expected honesty.
"But," the mafia continued, "I cared about you. Not as servants. As sons."
The word sons felt strange in the air.
"When I first met you and Nobu," he said, his voice lowering, "I saw something in you. Potential. Fire. The kind that either destroys the world… or rules it. That is why I picked you."
Beru remained silent.
"And Kashi…" the mafia paused.
"He was my younger brother."
The car jerked slightly.
Beru's eyes widened.
"You… had a brother?"
The mafia nodded slowly.
"Yes. And he was the only person who truly stood by me."
Beru's voice hardened. "Then why did you turn him into that?"
A faint shadow crossed the mafia's face.
"Kashi was just a child," he said. "When he was ten, he saved my life. Took a knife meant for me."
Beru's breathing grew heavier.
"After that… I told him my dream. I told him I would conquer the world. And he smiled at me and said he would stand beside me—no matter who stood against us."
His voice trembled for a split second.
"I believed him."
Beru swallowed.
"Then why did you do what you did to us?"
The mafia looked out the window.
"Because I couldn't afford to lose you."
"That's not an answer."
"It is," the mafia replied. "In this world, we do what is necessary."
Beru's jaw clenched. "Necessary?"
"You wouldn't understand what I've lost," the mafia said quietly.
Silence fell again.
Then the mafia turned slightly toward him.
"I want to see Nobu. Call him."
Beru's eyes sharpened instantly.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because he finally lives with his family," Beru replied. "After years of blood and war, he finally has peace. I won't interrupt that."
The mafia smiled faintly. "Perhaps you misunderstand me."
Beru suddenly stopped the car.
Hard.
The tires screeched slightly against the road.
"Get out," Beru said coldly.
The mafia opened the door without resistance. Before stepping out, he looked back once.
"You will regret this," he said softly.
Then he closed the door.
Beru drove away.
But his mind…
His mind was chaos.
His brother had appeared.
The mafia had returned.
And nothing good ever followed that man.
Danger was coming.
He could feel it.
When Beru reached home, the warm light from inside almost blinded him.
His wife opened the door with a gentle smile.
"You're back."
For a moment, Beru felt normal again.
He stepped inside.
"Where are the kids?" he asked.
"They're at school," she replied, slightly confused.
Beru blinked.
Of course they were.
For a second, it was as if he had forgotten he had children. Forgotten he had a life beyond killing.
"What happened?" his wife asked softly, noticing his distant expression.
"Nothing," he replied.
But his voice lacked conviction.
He removed his coat and sat down.
"Nobu and his family will live with us," he said after a moment. "Tell everyone to prepare rooms."
His wife's eyes lit up. "Really? That's wonderful!"
"They deserve peace," Beru said quietly.
She smiled warmly. "Then we'll give it to them."
Beru nodded.
But inside…
He wasn't sure peace would last.
Meanwhile—
In a quiet park, under the shadow of old trees, the mafia sat alone on a wooden bench.
His face had lost all warmth.
He took out his phone and dialed a number.
The call connected almost instantly.
"Execute the order," he said calmly.
The voice on the other side remained silent, waiting.
"Kill every member of the Misaki Clan."
A pause.
"Except Nobu and his family."
He ended the call.
The wind rustled the trees.
Somewhere far away, war had just begun.
And Beru didn't even know it.