The rain drizzled down in a steady, rhythmic pattern, tapping lightly against the cobblestones of the quiet back alley. Riku stood under the dim glow of a streetlight, his phone pressed to his ear as he waited for the call to connect. He didn't need to look behind him to know he was being watched—he could feel the weight of their stares from the shadows. But none of it concerned him. Everything was falling into place, just as he had planned.
Finally, the call connected. Yusei's familiar voice crackled through the speaker.
"Riku, I've got some news. The raid went down just as you predicted. Okada and his crew are in a panic. The authorities are digging into their dirty deals, and it's not looking good for them."
Riku smiled faintly. "Good. They won't be able to wiggle out of this one. But there's still more to do."
Yusei hesitated on the other end, as if choosing his words carefully. "Look, I know you're not worried, but you should be careful. Okada's going to want revenge. His silent partner, too. These guys don't just disappear quietly. You might have dismantled their operation, but they're not out of the game yet."
Riku's eyes flicked to the side, noting a figure shifting in the shadows. Someone had been following him since he left the club, trying to keep their distance but clearly intending to close in. He sighed softly into the phone, unconcerned.
"They can try," Riku replied, his voice calm. "But they're too late. I'm already ahead."
Yusei didn't sound convinced. "Yeah, well, just remember—some people don't give up that easily. Watch your back."
Riku ended the call without responding. Yusei's concern was appreciated, but unnecessary. This was the life Riku had chosen—a life where every move was calculated, every threat neutralized before it could strike. He never left things to chance.
As he pocketed his phone, the figure in the shadows finally stepped forward, revealing a tall man with a sharp, angular face. He was dressed in a long coat, his posture stiff as he approached.
"Riku," the man called out, his voice rough, trying to sound confident but betraying an underlying tension. "You thought you could walk out of that club without consequences? Mr. Okada doesn't take kindly to people sticking their noses where they don't belong."
Riku didn't bother turning to face him directly. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder, his gaze as cold as the rain falling around them.
"And you think you're going to do something about it?" Riku asked, his tone more of a statement than a question.
The man took another step forward, his hand slipping inside his coat. "You've made a lot of enemies tonight. You should have stayed out of Okada's business. But now it's too late for you."
Riku sighed again, almost bored. "You really think you're the first person to try this?"
The man's face twitched with irritation, and his hand emerged from his coat, revealing a sleek black pistol aimed directly at Riku's back. The tension in the alley spiked, the air thick with the anticipation of violence.
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
And then, in a flash, it was over.
Before the man could even blink, a sharp whistle cut through the rain, followed by a heavy thud as something hard collided with his hand. The gun clattered to the ground, and the man yelped in pain, clutching his wrist.
Riku remained where he was, not even flinching as Yusei stepped out from behind the nearby dumpster, twirling a sleek baton in his hand.
"You really should listen to your own advice," Yusei said casually, walking up to the man, who was now on his knees, groaning in pain. "You're not cut out for this life."
Riku turned slightly, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement. "You're late," he said dryly.
Yusei shrugged, grinning. "Had to let you have your moment."
The man, now disarmed and humiliated, glared up at Riku and Yusei, his breath coming in ragged gasps. "You... you won't get away with this. Okada's going to—"
"Okada's finished," Riku interrupted, his voice sharp. "His empire's crumbling as we speak. The only question now is how long you'll last before you're dragged down with him."
The man's eyes widened in disbelief, and for the first time, genuine fear crept into his expression. He hadn't expected this. He thought he was part of a powerful machine, but now he realized he had been left behind, just another pawn in a game he didn't fully understand.
"Take a walk," Riku said coldly. "If you're smart, you'll disappear before Okada tries to cover his tracks."
The man hesitated for a moment, then scrambled to his feet, clutching his injured wrist as he staggered away into the night, vanishing into the rain-soaked streets.
Yusei watched him go, shaking his head. "These guys never learn, do they?"
Riku didn't respond, his eyes focused on the horizon where the city lights flickered in the distance. Everything had gone according to plan—Okada's empire was on the verge of collapse, and his enemies were scrambling to pick up the pieces. But Riku knew this was only the beginning.
"The silent partner," Riku murmured. "He's the real threat."
Yusei glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "You think he'll make a move?"
Riku nodded. "He's not like Okada. He won't go down without a fight. And he's already planning his next step."
Yusei sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess that means we're not done yet, huh?"
Riku's lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Not by a long shot."
End of Chapter 16