Shingo’s Diary

It had been many months since I last heard Shiori’s voice inside my head.

Now, the whispers were as though silenced. And strangely, I felt extremely lonely instead or relieved.

Since I underwent a rough life as a thug, I didn’t dare to see Mariko even once.

Luckily, I had my patron, mentor, and best friend, Hayato Mori, only six years older than me to keep me busy.

As a thug, my job was not to conduct common crimes, robbery, and the like. I was more of a clean-sweeper and a troubleshooter.

So, if trash was a person, I dispose of him. If trouble was a person, I shoot him. Not necessarily to the death, but simply to give him a lesson not to challenge the authority of the Silver Skull Yakuza.

Obedience was way better than death. It was a violent method, but effective. We saved lots of time and money that way.

Sometimes we called it an “aggressive negotiation”.

And now, I was with Hayato to handle that sort of problem.

The local Wushunese Triad, the Jade Phoenix had been expanding their influence into our territories.

So, our job here was to teach the Jade Phoenix Godfather, Wang Zi a lesson not to mess with the Silver Skull and our Supreme Yakuza Godfather, Akiba Maeda.

We must fight our way into their territory, the Wushutown District in Daitoshi.

To reach their lair, we must fight our way to the Wushunese restaurant with the same name as the Triad, Jade Phoenix and to fight their leader.

Shingo’s heart was pounding as he stepped into the bustling streets of Daitoshi City Wushutown Sub-District. He was dressed in his school uniform, looking like any other ordinary high schooler.

But beneath that facade, he was a troubleshooter, a young man tasked with fighting troublemakers in this black world of crime.

Beside him stood Hayato Mori, the Silver Skull Champion, his mentor, and guide in this treacherous world. The two of them had trained together for months, preparing for this very moment. And now they were here, ready to take on the thugs who lurked in the shadows of the city.

“Here we are, Shingo,” Hayato said, his voice low and steady. “This is the place for your debut as a troubleshooter.”

Shingo nodded, his eyes scanning the street for any sign of trouble. He knew that the enemies here were tough, but he was determined to prove himself worthy of this mission.

“You still remember our briefing back in the lair, right?” Hayato asked as they made their way through the crowded street.

“Yes, every single word,” Shingo replied, his mind racing with anticipation. “So, shall we press forward?”

“It’s not that simple, Shin,” Hayato said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We have to ‘tenderize’ that tough meat first before we can cook it.”

Shingo frowned, not quite understanding the last message.

“Before we enter the Jade Phoenix Restaurant, we must defeat as many thugs as possible around the vicinity,” Hayato explained. “That way, when we fight Wang Zi, we won’t have to face too many enemies.”

Shingo nodded, impressed by Hayato’s strategic thinking. He knew that his mentor had a wealth of experience in this world of crime, and he was eager to learn from him.

“Just lead on, Brother Hayato, and I’ll follow,” Shingo said, his eyes shining with determination.

Hayato smiled, clapping him on the back. “Good. By the way, by keeping that innocent schoolboy appearance, you show good potential. Just don’t get cocky and keep learning our trade. That way, you’ll go far in this harsh world.”

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

As they walked, Shingo noticed that they were being watched by several suspicious-looking men. He tensed, ready to fight if necessary.

But Hayato simply grinned and walked on, his eyes fixed on their goal. “Remember,” he said, as they accelerated their steps. “Plan your moves wisely, your survival depends on it.”

Shingo nodded, feeling the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. He knew that this mission was just the beginning of his adventures. Nonetheless, he was ready to fight, armed with his wits, his courage, and the guidance of his mentor.

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After doing much “tenderizing” and taking down as many Triad thugs as they could encounter, Shingo and Hayato dashed toward the Jade Phoenix Restaurant, ready to take on the Triad godfather.

But before they could even make their way past the entrance, they were stopped by Gale Zhao, a redhead young man relying on his fists, martial arts, and great courage to survive in the violent life of crime.

“Halt! You shall not enter the restaurant,” Gale said, his stance fierce and ready for a fight.

Hayato warned Shingo, “Careful, he’s Gale Zhao, a very tough martial artist, and the Triad Champion.”

“My reputation precedes me, it seems,” Gale said with a sly grin. “But wait, I know you too. You’re Hayato Mori, the Yakuza Champion. It’s my lucky day.”

Hayato was surprised. “Really? How come? I’m not a celebrity.”

“In the crime world, you’re a celebrity all right! You broke many gang leaders’ pride and made them bow to Akiba Maeda’s will,” Gale said, his tone a mix of admiration and challenge. “Well, you’re looking at the one man who can’t be broken.”

Hayato’s face remained unreadable. “Listen, underestimating people is not my style. I only judge and measure people with my fists.”

“The same with me,” Gale said, nodding in agreement. “Fancy talk isn’t my style either. How ‘bout you, school boy? What’s your name and what kinda gangster are you?”

“I’m Shingo Amiga. I have my most important mission to accomplish. The Silver Skull is just a vessel to get me there,” Shingo said confidently. “So, if teaching you and Wang Zi a lesson not to mess with the Silver Skull can bring me farther, I’ll go all the way.”

“You have your principle, I like it,” Gale said with a smirk. “So, you surely won’t mind if someone crushes you along the way, right?”

“Not if I can prevent it,” Shingo replied with a determined glint in his eyes.

“Let’s cut the chit-chat and rumble!” Gale declared. “The more the merrier, so I bring some friends along with me.”

Hayato was unfazed. “It saves time and effort, just go ahead.”

“You heard him, guys! Let’s thrash ‘em!” Gale commanded his thugs.

Amidst the chaos of swirling fists and flashing blades, Shingo and Hayato found themselves facing off against Gale Zhao and a horde of fifty formidable Triad thugs. The air crackled with tension as the combatants sized each other up, their eyes filled with determination and adrenaline.

Gale, relying on his bare hands and kung-fu skills, leaped into the fray with a fierce determination, his movements fluid and precise. His punches and kicks were lightning-fast, his agility and strength evident in every strike.

Shingo, with his katana in hand, moved with calculated grace, parrying and counterattacking with deadly precision. Hayato, his double claws gleaming ominously, demonstrated his mastery of Karate as he weaved through the onslaught, delivering punishing blows to his adversaries.

The clash of metal against flesh reverberated through the night, accompanied by grunts of pain and shouts of exertion. Shingo’s katana sliced through the air, expertly deflecting attacks and finding gaps in the Triad thugs’ defenses. Hayato’s double claws danced in a macabre symphony of destruction, tearing through flesh and bone with ruthless efficiency.

The outcome became apparent. One by one, Shingo took the thugs down with his katana, and Hayato simply overpowered the less seasoned Gale.

Gale, impressed by their strength, realized that he was no match for them. “Guh! Even if Hayato only fights alone, I’m no match for him! Gotta split!” he exclaimed before running away. “Mark my words, Yakuzas! I’ll get even with you two one day!”

Shingo was about to pursue Gale and the thugs, but Hayato extended a hand in front of him, preventing him from doing so. “Just let him run. I think he has learned his lesson,” Hayato said.

“But he wanted to get even with us,” Shingo protested.

“Don’t mind his words. If he didn’t learn his lesson, he’ll keep fighting headlong with a much stronger fighter than him and he’ll get himself killed,” Hayato explained.

“So, running away was the best thing to do. I bet he’ll train even harder to fight and survive another day. Enemy or not, he deserves my respect,” Shingo said, impressed by Gale’s determination.

Hayato patted Shingo’s back. “Good, you learn quickly. Let’s go and seek Wang Zi,” he said, leading the way.