Act Three: Traces of the Gatherer

Shingo’s Diary

Being in the lowest tier of the city, the lowest tier of life didn’t keep me down.

I knew, to live in the light again I must climb up and gather as much power as I go.

So, now I had Gale by my side, my partner, my helper, and my best friend.

However, both of us were still on probation as thugs in training in the Silver Skull Gang.

To move up as officers, we must pass the trial and get acknowledged by our big Yakuza boss, Akiba Maeda, by recommendation from Hayato Mori, our gang leader.

So here we were, I and Gale fighting our way to reach the only underground district in Daitoshi.

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Shibeno Slums was a rundown area, with crumbling buildings and narrow alleys. It was said that the slum areas in Daitoshi City were remnants of the old city not rejuvenated on purpose.

The purpose was to contain the “trashes of society” and to keep those who couldn’t afford the regular citizen living in this metropolis in one place without wasting the city budget on building new, cheap housing for the poor.

The air reeked with the smell of stale cigarettes and cheap alcohol. The two gangsters, Shingo and Gale, walked through the labyrinthine streets, the tension palpable in the air.

“I hope you’re ready, Gale. Because honestly, I’m kinda nervous here,” said Shingo.

“I’m ready as always. On the other hand, you better wipe that nervousness out and keep your eyes peeled. Because surprises may come any time from unexpected places, as it’s within our nature as gangsters,” replied Gale with a confident grin.

“You’re right! So, let’s do this!” said Shingo with newfound determination.

But Gale had other ideas. “Wait a minute, Shin. I want you to be clear about our trial. Let me explain things up one more time.”

Shingo nodded, and Gale began to lay out the mission. They only needed to go all the way from their house to Hayato’s club and pub in the Akabeno Underground District. The catch is, they must fight their way through the other gang members to prove their prowess and intelligence as Yakuza full-member candidates. And they must fight with their bare hands only.

“Good. Now we’re really good to go then,” said Shingo with a sense of excitement.

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Soon, they found themselves exchanging blows with their bare hands with fellow Yakuzas “orientating” the officer candidates every step of the way.

The battle was nothing more than a display, a comparison, and a measurement of their skills and strength. So, the “examiners” got nothing worse than bruises and the candidates went through the first trial without a scratch.

Little did they know that the second trial would be much harder and the final trial would be the most challenging of all.

From a secret entrance, Shingo and Gale descended into the Akabeno Underground District just below Shibeno Slums. Despite the absence of sunlight, the whole vast area was visible thanks to the adequate lighting, and the electricity stolen from the surface and generated independently from the sewers.

Again, more and more thugs came to find out whether the candidates were worthy to become their officers or not. Despite the higher ranks and being stronger and tougher than the thugs on the surface slum, the underground thugs were sent running away by the two young wannabe officers’ prowess.

The candidates passed the second trial with flying colors.

Along with Gale, Shingo went to Hayato’s pub at the center of the Akabeno Underground District, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension.

As soon as Shingo entered the pub, he saw Hayato Mori, the leader of the Silver Skull Gang himself, standing before them with his claws gleaming in the dim light.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Thank goodness you’re here, Boss. Are you going to brief us about the final phase of the trial?” asked Shingo.

But Hayato’s expression changed suddenly, and he said, “Wrong question. I’m the final trial.”

Gale was taken aback. “What? We must fight and defeat you?”

Hayato nodded. “Yes, that’s obvious, isn’t it? Who else is more fitting to give you two the final assessment than the leader of the Silver Skull Gang himself?”

Shingo shrugged. “That makes sense. We’re in a harsh, black world where everything goes.”

Hayato smirked. “Good, you know your place, Shin. Rest assured, I won’t go hard against both of you.”

Gale wasn’t impressed. “Don’t underestimate us. We’re not born yesterday.”

Shingo was quick to back him up. “Gale is the Jade Phoenix ex-champion, and I trained hard in Miura Dojo.”

“So, let’s just do our best and give a fight we can enjoy and remember for the rest of our lives,” said Gale with fierce determination.

Shingo had a different idea. “Let’s make this fight only between me, Gale, and you, Brother Mori. Not between boss and underlings. No Silver Skull, no Yakuza, no trial, just the fight.”

Hayato raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. Most interesting.” He flexed his muscles. “But beware, don’t make me enjoy myself too much or I might lose control. Let’s do this! Here I go!”

Shingo didn’t reply. Instead, he drew his wooden sword and took a few steps forward, his eyes locked on Hayato’s.

Gale stepped forward from behind Shingo, his kung-fu stance at the ready. Hayato simply smirked and cracked his knuckles.

The three fighters circled each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Finally, Hayato lunged forward with a fierce punch, but Shingo blocked it with his wooden sword. Gale followed up with a spinning kick, but Hayato dodged it with ease.

The fight continued in a flurry of kicks and punches, with Shingo and Gale using their weapons and Hayato relying on his bare hands. Hayato’s movements were lightning-fast, and it seemed as if he was always one step ahead of his opponents.

Despite the odds, Shingo and Gale held their ground. They exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them. They needed to work together if they were going to defeat Hayato.

Shingo swung his wooden sword at Hayato’s head, but Hayato blocked it with a swift kick. Gale moved in from the side, aiming a punch at Hayato’s gut. Hayato ducked and countered with a punch of his own, which caught Gale in the shoulder.

Shingo and Gale stumbled back, bruised, and battered, but they didn’t give up. They knew that they couldn’t let Hayato win.

Hayato grinned, sensing their desperation. He was enjoying this fight, the thrill of the battle coursing through his veins.

“He’s too strong!” groaned Shingo.

“We can’t defeat Godbrother Mori at this rate!” added Gale.

But they refused to give up. “We have to defeat him somehow!” shouted Shingo.

“Yes, even if it kills us!” added Gale.

Shingo stood in front of Hayato and Gale, feeling like he was about to receive a punishment for failing the trials.

But to his surprise, Hayato spoke up, “That won’t be necessary. You two have passed the trials excellently.”

Shingo was taken aback, and Gale looked equally surprised. “What?!” Shingo exclaimed.

Gale chimed in, “How come, Boss?”

Hayato chuckled, “You know, we Yakuzas are like samurais and ninjas in some aspects.”

Gale raised an eyebrow, “Which are?”

Hayato leaned back against the wall, folding his arms, “We’re not as honorable as samurais. We are not too disciplined like ninjas. However, there is something that all Shimanese have in common.”

Shingo leaned in, curious, “What’s that?”

Hayato looked at them both and said, “It’s the spirit to pursue perfection in anything we do, either for a living or for giving life a purpose. You two have that spirit, abundantly. And that’s enough to pass this trial and be full members of Silver Skull Gang.”

Gale and Shingo looked at each other, shocked, and then turned back to Hayato. “Thank you, Godbrother Mori!” they both said in unison.

Hayato nodded, pleased. “Alright! Well, we must go and have a meeting with our Supreme Godfather, Akiba Maeda in his mansion and take your oaths of loyalty to the Yakuza and receive your special tattoos on your backs.”

Shingo gulped, nervous about the tattoos, but Hayato continued, “For now, it calls for a celebration! Let’s have a party in the club! The karaoke, sake, and drinks are on me!”

Shingo’s face lit up at the mention of a party. “Ow, yeah! But wait, I’m still underage for alcoholic drinks, sake, and the like, right?” Hayato smiled, “You can order matcha or boba tea too if you want to.”

Shingo grinned widely, “If that’s the case, I’m in! It’s party time!”

But Gale interrupted, “Hold it! We’re not there yet!”

Shingo realized that he was getting ahead of himself, “He-eh, sorry, Bro. I’ll let you sing the karaoke later.”

Hayato chuckled, “Don’t ever do that, Shin! Don’t ever let Gale sing, if you care about your ears!”

As they walked out of the room and towards the club, Shingo felt like he was walking on air. He was about to become a full member of the Silver Skull Gang, and the thought of being part of such a powerful group filled him with excitement and pride.