Crime is an inseparable part of human existence. From century to century, it has evolved alongside humanity, taking on various forms. The previous types of crime have not disappeared; instead, they have acquired levels that allow for the assessment of the severity of offenses. A person is incapable of achieving great deeds without society or socialization, which is why many criminal elements created their closed clubs. In society, such clubs are referred to as "organized crime groups." Many sociologists and optimists believed that a bright future without crime and cruelty awaited us. The naive human soul believed in everything to avoid the harsh reality, creating fantasies of a peaceful future.
While some dreamed, others, more determined individuals, created their own societies and hierarchies. Crime has touched every corner of the world where people exist. A part of human cruelty and injustice did not bypass Japan. Even during the Edo period, there were two social groups in Japan.
Tekkiya — street vendors, often working without licenses and pursued by the government and its representatives.
Bakuto — professional gamblers engaged in gambling, which was prohibited but still in demand.
The two groups had one thing in common: both were banned due to various circumstances. One group was banned for evading taxes to temples. Tekkiya were ordinary traders at festivals and markets, earning money by selling toys, cheap goods, or items related to the theme of the holiday. To sell goods, a license from the temples or higher officials was required. Naturally, no one wanted to give them free permission to sell goods on their territory. Many were unwilling to share their profits, leading them to sell goods without authorization. For evading tax payments, many officials arrested cunning traders or confiscated their belongings, leaving them with nothing.
Due to the desire to live in comfort and security, people found like-minded individuals, creating a closed community where they shared information and provided protection to one another. Over time, Tekkiya established a strict hierarchy, laying the groundwork for a new formation known as the Yakuza.
Bakuto, like Tekkiya, were also banned by local authorities. Bakuto were professional gamblers, unlike Tekkiya. Gambling was completely prohibited during the Edo period in Japan. In rural areas, where state control was absent, Bakuto emerged. People engaged in gambling outside their villages and towns, wandering to other places where people were unaware of such games. Everything new always attracted those who had never seen "Hanafuda" or "Tё-han bakuti." In villages, they rented houses from local residents, creating gambling establishments and inviting people or finding like-minded partners.
To identify their supporters, they used bright tattoos depicting various animals, gods, or natural phenomena, serving as metaphors. Naturally, such organizations were known for collecting debts from those who refused or hid from paying. The shogunate or state also had interests in Bakuto, as they paid tribute to avoid being completely banned; sometimes, the state itself used Bakuto to collect debts from their colleagues and obnoxious traders or unwelcome political opponents.
Numerous rumors circulated about them — from positive to absurdly mythical. Many residents considered their gambling "the devil's dice," claiming that playing once would draw you into a cauldron where you would simmer until you lost everything. Others viewed Bakuto as servants of yokai due to their tattoos with various metaphors.
Such organizations had their own hierarchy and governance system, led by one person or a council. The leader was known as the "father" or Oyakubun, while the followers were called Kobun, effectively creating a foundation for the formation of the Yakuza.
At the turn of the 20th century, they had to unite with Tekkiya, creating one organization that is now known throughout Japan.
****
"Today is a day of mourning in Japan: recently, at the age of 89, the head of the Yakuza clan passed away from old age," announced a middle-aged host, with a monitor displaying numerous people in suits and tattoos behind him. The death of the leader signified major changes not only in society but across the entire country. The choice of a new candidate would determine the future development of the Yakuza and its influence.
"Today marks a month of mourning throughout Japan. Thanks to him, during his 30 years of leadership, he positively impacted Japan's economy and developed various sectors, creating jobs across the country, including investments in heroes and agencies." The camera remained static, capturing him live. The entire country and news sources were flooded with stories about this. Some heroes expressed their condolences, as he seemed a hero to many.
"Our reporters are actively trying to interview Yakuza members, but most of them remain silent or refuse to comment on the matter." Sighing in frustration over the lack of details from Yakuza members, the host could do nothing but filter his words. Those who spoke carelessly about the Yakuza, regardless of gender or background, faced consequences based on their words.
"On this day of mourning, we have invited a high-ranking police officer responsible for combating organized crime." A middle-aged man, 176 cm tall with a neat haircut, dressed in a blazer and suit, appeared live.
"Welcome, sir, to our show." The police officer sat down at a long table and tried to smile despite the heavy workload awaiting him this month.
"Greetings to all viewers." A lively discussion began, lasting over an hour. The conversation ranged from mundane topics to the new changes awaiting Japanese society and its heroes.
"Currently, all police forces across the country are working at full capacity to maintain peace on the streets and avoid conflicts among people." The police officer deliberately refrained from naming families or individuals, as civilians are not typically privy to such details.
"Do you have any information regarding who will lead the Yakuza?" A pointed question from the host caused slight panic in the police officer. He could not avoid answering this question since thousands of people across the country were watching the live broadcast.
"At this moment, we have no information on this matter. We only have assumptions that bear no relation to reality." With ease in his voice, the officer sidestepped the difficult question. However, the host was not satisfied with the situation and, to avoid trouble, chose not to delve into more complex inquiries.
****
In a dimly lit room sat a man in ordinary clothes, observing opportunities that had become a reality. He was merely a lackey, but the death of the Yakuza leader felt like a star moment for him. Burdened by debts to a shadow broker, he had constantly hidden from people, trying not to be caught by his collectors.
Having accumulated a decent sum of money from various orders, from debt collection to property damage involving heteromorphs, his latest assignment came from a representative of Uraraka Construction Group, who sought his services for a client named Shuichi Iguchi, who operated a shelter for heteromorphs.
As naive as it sounded, this was a harsh world where an ordinary child with a quirk could kill you with a mere sneeze on the street.
Moloch — that was the name he was known by in the area. This name became synonymous in criminal circles to the point where he himself forgot his real name. Like all criminals, he had a reputation, but most people perceived him as a trash collector. He took any order from anyone, regardless of their standing. Wherever the pay was higher than average, he was there.
"I'm tired of picking up scraps from the table; I want more," he yelled in his head. Tired of running from the shadow broker's collectors, he was ready to play his game, where he could declare himself in the criminal world not as a garbage collector, but as a respected chess player with authority.
Glancing at the brochure, he read the bold letters and smirked slyly.
"Cultural festival and concert in the center of Mustafa. We are waiting for you all!"
"Admission is absolutely free!!!"
"In two days." The plan to set up the heads of criminal families was ready. Just a little more, and the members of these families would be prepared to kill each other right on the city streets. Even the heroes would not be able to stop this war. At that moment, he would emerge, pitting them against each other for valuable information, gaining wealth and influence in the criminal circles.
****
As long as Fuyumi could remember, she was not a fighter and certainly was not meant for battles. A timid girl, or rather the ideal woman, whose goal was to guide young minds toward a bright future. Her quirk, ice and warmth, inherited from her father, she did not particularly value, seeing them merely as tools. Like all other members of the Todoroki family, she underwent annual checks for the purity of the Himura clan's bloodline.
She did not understand why they needed this. After all, they were an independent family that owed nothing to anyone, especially to the elders. Attempts to ask Rei had been unsuccessful; she always brushed it off, finding plausible excuses. She only remembered a conversation with her mother that occurred many years ago when she was 14. In it, she recalled how her mother could have taken her away from the family forever, but that did not happen, which pleased her but left many questions.
The end of the school day had long passed, and the school was enveloped in tranquility. Only the wind gently pushed dust along the empty paths. Fuyumi still sat on an old swing near the trees that had seemed enormous during her childhood. The metal creaked with each sway, echoing her internal tension. In her hand, she held her phone, but the screen had long gone dark. Thoughts swirled in her mind like crows in a gloomy sky.
The words of the Himura clan representatives troubled her:
"You carry not only the blood of Endeavor but also ours. Responsibilities cannot be forgotten. When the time comes, you will obey."
Their discussion about her departure was known only to them. Left alone in her favorite spot, swinging on the swing, she couldn't shake the thought of her origins.
The representatives of the Himura clan had become increasingly insistent each year, and she felt that all of this was not merely coincidence.
Lost in thought, she failed to notice that someone had been watching her all this time, ever since she started working as a teacher.
"A girl wishing to teach others something." Snorting at her own words, she swung even harder to forget about this thought that wouldn't leave her alone. Remembering how she was valued not for her skills but for her origin, she lowered her gaze to her feet, gripping the ropes.
Looking at her hands, she created ice and melted it in the same second. For her, her quirk was a source of amusement and a tool; each time, she thought about what she would have to go through to become the best teacher in the eyes of the children. No matter how hard she tried to eradicate bullying in school, contemptuous behavior among students continued to arise. These were merely everyday and insignificant attempts, but the very thought of violence among students did not please her at all.