Tōriku City — 2:43 a.m.
The city never slept, but it groaned in its sleep. Sirens echoed in the background, and cold neon light painted the rain-slicked pavement with the color of blood. From the top of an abandoned construction tower, Hiroshi stood alone, his trench coat fluttering in the wind like a flag of war.
Below him, the district shimmered with life, unaware of the silent empire coiled around its veins. The Syndicate had moved again. Quietly. Strategically. But not quietly enough.
His contact stepped beside him.
"Satellite confirms the data leak was staged. They're baiting us," said SPARK, adjusting her augmented lens.
Hiroshi didn't reply. He already knew.
"Let them bait. I'm hunting something bigger tonight."
---
Elsewhere, deep within the Industrial Ring, Black Viper crouched on a rooftop. Her black bodysuit blended with the shadows. Her breathing was calm. Focused. She watched Yuki through a sniper scope as the heiress left a closed-door event hosted by one of Kurogane Corp's shell companies.
Yuki moved like royalty, guarded by trained professionals, but none knew the girl's soul was armored far stronger than any bulletproof vest. Viper had been watching her for weeks. Studying her.
And something didn't add up.
Syndicate intel said Yuki was the face. A puppet. But Viper saw decisions. Saw leadership. Saw eyes that weren't just acting powerful—they were born from fire.
A faint click.
She felt it before she saw it—someone behind her.
A soft voice.
"If you're going to shoot, aim two degrees lower. Otherwise, the glass will shatter and ruin your clean hit."
Black Viper whirled, blade in hand, only to find nothing.
Then she felt the pressure.
Behind her. Again.
Hiroshi Kurogane stepped into view, completely unarmed.
"You're not like them," he said calmly.
Black Viper's grip tightened. "You don't know me."
"But I know your eyes," he replied, folding his arms. "You've never believed in Syndicate doctrine. You play along for the contracts, but your kill sheet is... selective."
She narrowed her gaze. "You think flattery gets you anywhere?"
"I think truth does."
She moved in a blink, blade aimed for his ribs.
But he wasn't there.
Only his coat remained, fluttering in the wind where he once stood. She spun and found him seated on the ledge casually, feet dangling over a 40-story drop.
"You're good," he said. "But you're tired. Of orders. Of targets. Of politics disguised as purpose."
She stayed silent.
"What do you want, Hiroshi Kurogane?"
He looked at her seriously now.
"You saw something in Yuki. That means your vision is sharp. I'm offering you something real: not a paycheck. A cause."
She chuckled coldly. "Cause? You're a ghost leading a ghost company."
He reached into his pocket and flicked her a coin. Silver. Embedded with a falcon crest.
"I'm not a ghost anymore," he said. "And I'm not building an empire of sheep. I need predators with purpose. You've killed for money. Try killing for something that matters."
Viper caught the coin mid-air. Her expression darkened.
"Why should I believe you?"
Hiroshi stood. Walked slowly to her.
"Because you've already stopped reporting to the Syndicate. Because you're already questioning. And because deep down... you hate them more than you hate me."
She held his gaze. A storm churned behind her eyes. For once, indecision.
"You have until sunrise," he said, stepping back. "Walk away and I won't stop you. Come to the rooftop of Arashi Tower if you want in. If not..." He turned. "We'll meet again. As enemies."
Then he vanished.
---
Sunrise. 5:59 a.m.
The city stretched under a golden sky, unaware of the quiet war raging beneath it. On the rooftop of Arashi Tower, Hiroshi stood with WRAITH, SPARK, and VEGA. No words were exchanged. They were waiting.
And then she came.
Black Viper, dressed in dark tactical gear but no longer wearing the Syndicate insignia.
She walked with calm finality. A woman who had made peace with her decision.
She reached Hiroshi and extended her hand.
"Name's still classified," she said. "But you can call me VIPER."
He smiled faintly.
"Welcome to the fold."
---
Later, in the underground Kurogane headquarters, the team debriefed. The room resembled a modern war command center fused with a hacker's paradise—glass screens floated mid-air, maps, data streams, and faces glowing with silent menace.
Viper watched it all.
"So this is the engine?" she asked. "What drives the Kurogane machine?"
WRAITH replied dryly. "More like the shadow that drives it."
Hiroshi addressed them.
"With Viper onboard, we can start Phase Three. We're done reacting. It's time to move the pieces."
SPARK lit up a 3D blueprint.
"Our next target: Orikan Heavy Tech. Major arm dealer. Backchannel supplier for the Syndicate."
VIPER raised a brow. "That's a fortress."
Hiroshi smiled, tapping the screen.
"Good. Let's test how far our new predator is willing to strike."