[2 Days Later]
After indulging in the luxuries of Dream Hideaway, Iguro prepared to leave the opulent hotel, aware that his finances wouldn't sustain him for long. He studied the city map, dividing the metropolis into five distinct districts: downtown, Eastside, Southside, uptown, and waterfront. Currently in uptown, surrounded by upscale buildings and boutiques, Iguro chose the Eastside as his next destination, seeking a glimpse into the city's authentic culture.
The city's impressive warp-capable vehicles whisked him away, leaving him breathless at their incredible speed. Stepping out, Iguro paid the fare and watched as the vehicle vanished into thin air. His goal was to experience the city's lifestyle, particularly in regions controlled by sects or gangs, rumored to hold secrets to rapid cultivation.
Settling into a modest inn, Iguro cultivated until dusk, ecstatic to reach Peak E Grade. This minor advancement felt monumental, like bridging the gap between ordinary earth and precious gold. As he emerged, he witnessed gang members extorting local businesses, their intimidating presence radiating an aura of fear.
However, Iguro's attention locked onto their uniforms – blood-red jackets emblazoned with a snarling ape. "Blood Ape Gang!" he cursed, recognizing the emblem. A grunt spotted him and shouted, "Boss, I found him!" He heard a voice sneer from the grunt's communicator, and the grunt laughed, "I am Heaven's Favored Son indeed! Our lieutenant posted a bounty on your head this morning."
Iguro's enhanced senses picked up the menacing tone. "Follow me peacefully, or I'll break your arms," the grunt growled. Suddenly, Iguro vanished, leaving the grunt stunned. Over fifty members chased him, but Iguro's speed, amplified by his movement technique, further enhanced by his recent advancement, turned him to a blazing figure amidst the darkness.
Cries of agony echoed through the streets as he executed Humble Fury, even as he evaded capture. Weaving through buildings proved futile, as the gang's cultivation technique granted them exceptional agility. Iguro aimed to reach a region beyond their control, forcing them to retreat.
His pursuers' footsteps pounded the pavement, relentless in their pursuit. As Iguro crossed into the Southside district, his pursuers halted, unwilling to venture into rival territory. Iguro flashed a triumphant smile but froze at the sound of Mr. Kaito's voice, echoing from the shadows.
Losing his footing, he toppled and fell, vulnerable to attack. A D Grade cultivator seized the opportunity, striking Iguro with a crushing blow.
[Chi no Shōjū-dan HQ – Bloody Ape Gang]
Iguro spent two weeks captive in an abandoned warehouse district near the waterfront. He surveyed his surroundings nightly, exploiting the gang's poor night vision due to their ape-inspired cultivation technique.
The dimly lit corridors seemed to whisper secrets, and Iguro listened intently. The makeshift headquarters revealed the gang's hierarchy: the leader occupied a spacious office, while the deputy oversaw daily operations.
Lieutenants led smaller crews, and heavily armed guards patrolled the perimeter. Iguro discovered a shrine dedicated to the gang's founders, portraits of fallen members, and a hidden armory storing illicit firearms.
In the silence, Iguro contemplated his situation. How did the Blood Ape Gang amass such power? What drove their ambition? The answers, he realized, lay within their cultivation technique, forged from an unknown source he sought to reveal.
As Iguro explored the headquarters, he encountered various members, each embodying the gang's brutal ethos. Their leader, whom they all hailed as 'Great Ape', seemed particularly intriguing – a figure shrouded in mystery, with whispers of inhuman strength.
Detention Facility
An abandoned underground bunker, hidden beneath a derelict warehouse, served as Mr. Kaito's prison. Weary and disoriented, he struggled to move within the cramped, dimly lit cell. Rusting metal bars and padlocked doors confined him, while flickering lanterns cast eerie shadows.
Despite his disabled state, Mr. Kaito swiftly took stock of his surroundings. The 6' x 8' cell contained thin mattresses, and distant wails and banter hinted at shared cells for multiple prisoners.
Suddenly, a hulking, ape-like figure dragged him to the interrogation room, a familiar torment. Soundproofed and equipped with steel tables and restraints, the room forced Mr. Kaito to squint under the harsh overhead light.
The ape-like interrogator questioned him, likely recording his responses via hidden devices.
__________
Meanwhile, Iguro endured agonizing torture. Kuroma's frenzied punches shook his restrained body, threatening to break his vital organs. Stripped of his Starry Sky Robes, Iguro's bloody vest testified to days of brutal beatings.
Kuroma's 'modified tools' – pliers, batons, and knives – all bore bloodstains, evidence of his sinister expertise.
In his cell, Mr. Kaito's restored limbs tensed, ready to unleash his Peak C Grade cultivation. Multiple layers of steel doors and locks posed no challenge, nor did disabling the patrolmen.
However, amidst the oppressive atmosphere and prisoners' cries, Mr. Kaito sensed a familiar aura. His rage and ferocity simmered, concealed beneath a limp facade, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
AU: Chapters are going to be a bit shorter now, because of my editor, KeenKnuckles. Hmph..... :-{
Aside from that, it's my first chapter being edited! Yay! <3