A few months had passed since I took command of my crew in Kanagawa. The city had settled into a tense rhythm, and under my watch, nothing major had disturbed the branch's control. My men moved efficiently, quietly enforcing our influence, and rival gangs had learned to respect—or fear—our presence.
Then, one evening, my phone buzzed with Jun's call. His tone was sharp, deliberate, leaving no room for hesitation.
"Akira. Come to the Kanagawa headquarters. Now."
Kou and I didn't waste time. We navigated the familiar streets, the neon lights reflecting off wet asphalt, until we arrived at the branch headquarters. The place was quiet, orderly, but beneath the calm, the air carried the weight of authority and vigilance.
Jun was already there, waiting in a private conference room. Beside him sat Fujimoto Ryo, No. 2 of the branch, a lean man with calculating eyes and a presence that commanded respect. Both greeted me with nods; the subtle weight of hierarchy pressing down.
Jun gestured to a seat. "Sit. This is important."
The meeting began with few words. Fujimoto leaned forward, his voice low but sharp. "We've received reports of drugs starting to circulate in Kanagawa. We don't know the full scale yet, but it's spreading. You know our policy—drugs are unacceptable. They destroy neighborhoods, attract unwanted attention, and invite chaos. The branch will not tolerate this."
Jun's gaze met mine. "We need this stopped before it becomes a problem. The plan is simple: find the source, identify the dealers, and trace the chain all the way back. Whoever is behind this, we dismantle them completely. You'll coordinate your crew for this task. I'll handle the broader network and any political fallout with other branches."
Fujimoto added, "Information is key. We don't just hit blind. Find where the drugs are coming from, who's supplying them, and how they're moving. Minimize exposure, avoid unnecessary fights, and report every finding to Jun directly."
I absorbed the details, nodding. This was different from the minor skirmishes with rival gangs. This was intelligence, infiltration, and precision. Mistakes could escalate quickly.
"Understood," I said firmly. "I'll start gathering intel immediately. My men are ready."
Jun leaned back, a rare smile flickering across his face. "Good. Keep your head clear. Kanagawa relies on you. And remember, this is more than just about territory. It's about maintaining the order we've fought to establish."
We left the headquarters with a sense of purpose heavier than usual. The streets of Kanagawa now held a new threat, hidden beneath the familiar neon glow. And it was my job to root it out before it became a problem.
The game was changing. The shadows were moving, and I would be the one to control them.