The soft hum of the city buzzed through Riku's ears as he made his way down a narrow alley, his thoughts racing through the details of Yuki's case. The envelope Yusei had given him revealed a tangled web of corruption and crime. Okada wasn't just some crooked businessman; he was connected to a criminal syndicate that had influence stretching far beyond what Yuki had imagined.
Riku's phone buzzed, breaking his focus. It was a text from Yuki.
"When do we start?"
Riku paused for a moment, staring at the message. Yuki was eager—too eager. He knew that the thirst for revenge could cloud judgment, and right now, she wasn't thinking clearly. But that was part of the game, and Riku was used to it.
He typed a quick response:
"Soon. Be ready."
As he hit send, a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Riku, got a minute?"
Riku turned, spotting a tall figure leaning against the brick wall, his face half-hidden in the shadow of a streetlamp. It was Haruto, a former client of his. Haruto had come to Riku months ago, seeking revenge against a group that had ruined his family's business. It had been a messy job, but Riku had delivered. Now, Haruto worked as an information broker, occasionally passing useful tidbits to Riku.
"What do you want, Haruto?" Riku asked, his voice calm.
Haruto pushed off the wall, walking over with his usual cocky smirk. "Heard you're working a new case. The name Okada keeps popping up around certain circles."
Riku didn't respond, but his gaze sharpened.
"I'm not trying to get in your way," Haruto said, raising his hands defensively. "Just thought you'd like to know that Okada's people are on edge. Word's out that someone's gunning for him. They're upping security, moving assets around. You've got a window, but it's closing fast."
Riku's mind churned as he processed the information. Haruto was good at sniffing out the details most people missed, and if Okada's people were already on alert, the timeline for Yuki's revenge was shrinking.
"Thanks for the heads-up," Riku said, turning to leave.
"One more thing," Haruto called after him. "I don't know what kind of heat you're planning to bring down on Okada, but... you should be careful. This one feels different. There's more at play than just business deals."
Riku didn't respond. He had already sensed that this case was different—Yuki's desperation, the criminal connections, the hidden layers beneath the surface. It was a complex game, but Riku wasn't one to back down.
That night, Riku found himself in his usual hideout, a small apartment tucked away in an old, rundown building on the outskirts of the city. The place was sparse, with only the bare essentials—a bed, a table, a laptop, and a few tools of his trade.
He sat at the table, going over the files Yusei had given him. The names on the list were powerful, and if Okada fell, they would move quickly to protect their interests. But Riku knew how to dismantle people like them—one step at a time, with precision and patience.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was Yusei.
"Got more info. Okada's group is planning something big. Meet me tomorrow."
Riku leaned back in his chair, staring at the message. The situation was evolving faster than he had anticipated, and if Yusei was right, they were running out of time. But rushing wasn't an option—one misstep could lead to disaster.
The door creaked open, and Mina, another one of Riku's informants, stepped inside. She was a small, quiet woman with an uncanny ability to blend in wherever she went. Mina had been invaluable to Riku over the years, slipping into places unnoticed and gathering the kind of information that others overlooked.
"I got what you asked for," Mina said, placing a small flash drive on the table. "Okada's been moving money around, but he's hiding it under layers of fake companies. It'll take time to track it all, but this should give you a start."
Riku nodded. "Good. Keep digging."
Mina hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Be careful, Riku. This one feels... off. Okada's playing a different game, and I don't think he's the only one pulling the strings."
Riku didn't respond. He had already sensed it—the invisible hand moving the pieces behind the scenes. But whoever it was, they would have to deal with him sooner or later.
As Mina left, Riku plugged the flash drive into his laptop and began scanning through the files. There was no turning back now. The pieces were moving, and the game was just beginning.
End of Chapter 13