The city smelled of asphalt, neon, and opportunity. Three years behind bars had taught me the weight of power, the price of control, and the necessity of patience. Now, Kanagawa was mine to navigate, and I was ready.
Jun had made it clear: I was No. 3 in the branch, tasked with managing my own crew, maintaining order, and expanding influence. Kou walked beside me, steady and alert, a reminder of loyalty forged in hardship.
I moved through the streets in silence, observing the ebb and flow of the underground. Gambling dens, bars, protection rackets—each had its own rhythm. Rival gangs lingered on the edges of influence, testing, probing. Every shadow could be a threat, every alley a trap. My mind cataloged everything: routes, exits, weak points, and potential allies. Knowledge was power. Control was authority. Respect came next.
Jun had promised support, but the backbone of influence was my own team. I sought men who understood loyalty, discipline, and discretion. Street fighters, ex-prison contacts, and smaller-time operators with potential were all considered. Kou helped test them, pushing candidates with tasks, observing reactions, noting weaknesses. By nightfall, I had assembled six men, loyal, capable, and ready to execute my orders without question.
The opportunity to assert control came sooner than expected. A small-time rival gang attempted to encroach on a territory I was assigned to oversee. They expected hesitation; they expected caution. Instead, they found my crew positioned strategically, each corner and alley controlled. When the rival gang arrived, the confrontation was swift and decisive. Fighters fell back, intimidated by our coordination and resolve. No blood was shed, but the message was clear: Kanagawa was under my command.
That evening, Jun called. His voice carried a mixture of pride and warning. "Good work, Akira. You've made yourself visible. But remember—Kanagawa is just the start. The branch and the rest of Western Japan watch your moves. Keep your head, your crew, and your influence sharp. Do not overreach, but do not hesitate. Balance is everything."
I nodded, Kou standing silently by my side. "Understood."
Word of my actions spread quickly. In bars, alleyways, and rival territories, my name carried weight. My crew moved with discipline, rivals hesitated, and the branch's senior members took notice. For the first time outside the prison walls, I felt the full measure of my reputation. I was no longer just the former prison boss. I was a rising lieutenant in Kurogane-gumi, a presence that demanded recognition and respect.
Night fell over Kanagawa, neon lights shimmering on wet streets. I looked out over the city, Kou at my side, my crew behind me. The game had begun. The city, its shadows, and its secrets awaited me.
And I was ready.