I was exhausted; I couldn’t keep going like this—at least, that’s what I thought.

  It was late into the night, and as darkness hovered in the room, an unsettling urge crept into my mind, a desire I hadn’t felt before: I wanted to end it. I wanted to die.

  Beside me lay the knife—the very knife I’d meant to use against Aizawa. Now, its cold, gleaming blade pulled me in, almost as if it were calling my name.

  "Yes… maybe it’s better to end it here."

  I gripped the knife, staring at the blade as if it were my last glimmer of hope—the only thing capable of breaking down the wall between me and my father, my mother, and Jin. The cold metal against my wrist felt strangely familiar, as if it had been waiting for this moment. I closed my eyes, trying to ignore the tremor running through me.

  But as soon as I tried to press down, I froze. It felt like an invisible hand clamped around my wrist, stopping me from moving even an inch. I stood there, stunned, breath shallow from the tension and confusion. "It’s normal," I thought. Maybe after a few seconds, the fear would fade, and I would finally be free. But the longer I waited, the tighter the pressure grew, latching onto me like a shadow I couldn’t shake.

  “Damn it!” I shouted, flinging the blade across the room.

  I stood still, fists clenched, breathing hard. I tried to reason it out, to understand what had held me back. But it was pointless. Only one thing was certain: hatred. A fierce, pulsing hatred that smoldered like embers in my chest. A burning hatred for the Ozaki. My own family.

  And yet, I was an Ozaki. I was tied to that name through my father, the last son of the family head. My father, the only one I had ever loved, betrayed by his own blood—the same family that had chosen to renounce us, not once but twice. Thinking of them as "family" felt intolerable, an insult even to his memory.

  As these thoughts swirled in my mind, something seemed to shift in front of me—a glint, a figure… a man.

  “Wh-Who the hell are you?” I asked with my heart racing as I leaped to my feet.

  The figure stepped forward, emerging from the darkness like a fragment of my own shadow. He stopped just a few feet away, his mocking smile making my blood boil. He had my features, but his eyes were icy, a void staring back at me.

  “I’m you, Ryu. Or rather… what you could be, if only you had the courage to accept it.”

  I stepped back instinctively, confused, my breathing growing heavier. “This is impossible. I’m losing it.”

  “Oh, Ryu. Madness is just another face of the truth.” The figure advanced again, with chilling calm. “It’s not insanity; it’s your rage. The hatred that’s been eating you up from the inside, the anger you’ve ignored all these years. Your world collapsed, and you did nothing. You let the Ozaki destroy everything… even you.”

  I shook my head, trying to dismiss that shadow as an illusion, but his gaze locked me in place. “What am I supposed to do then?” I shot back, voice trembling with contempt.

  “You already know…” my alter ego replied, his tone razor-sharp. “But you always let fear hold you back. Your weakness is what made them so powerful. Your parents… Jin… everything fell apart, and you just stood there and watched.”

  “I-I’m not a coward!” I yelled, heart pounding, trying to fend off the anger building inside me.

  “Not a coward? Then tell me, why couldn’t you cut your own veins?” he continued. “The truth is, you’re afraid. Afraid to lose it all, afraid to fail. Over these years, you’ve convinced yourself you’re worthless, incapable, just because you can’t control the Force—as if that’s the only way to be someone in this world.”

  Those words cut deep, and in that instant, I realized I could no longer deny that feeling. The shadow was right. I had spent years suppressing my own strength. My rage had consumed me, leaving me weak, and I had let it happen.

  “You have to destroy them… make them suffer,” the figure whispered, “the way they made you suffer.”

  In that moment, my gaze fell on the computer. I remembered sleepless nights, desperately searching for ways to harness the Force. A memory surfaced, blurred yet persistent: Tokyo’s District 5 and the secrets it held.

  “District 5…” I muttered, looking back toward the shadow. But when I lifted my eyes, it was gone, leaving me alone in a silent room. Maybe it had been an illusion, or maybe not. But it didn’t matter anymore.

  Resolved, I turned on the computer. I began my search, each heartbeat echoing a new search term, digging deeper and deeper. Eventually, I found something.

  A pill. A drug that could open channels for the Force, with a minuscule success rate but unimaginable potential. It was sold by an organization called “The Hand,” ruling the black market, rumored to operate behind a restaurant named "Tiger Feast."

  I paused, doubting myself, doubting my means, doubting everything I was trying to do. But a voice, a strange voice in my mind, kept pushing me forward, telling me this path was the only way.

  I grabbed the briefcase full of money that Yoshiro, my grandfather, had handed me after “kidnapping” my sister. The weight of the cash was nothing compared to the weight of rage driving me onward. I set out toward the dark alleys of District 5.

  The streets were a tangle of decay and misery, a place forgotten by all, where only the desperate and the predators could find a place. The stench of rot mingled with the stagnant air, and shadows moved furtively, watching, sizing up my every step. For a moment, I wondered how a place so dark could exist in a city like Tokyo. But then I remembered it didn’t matter—I had bigger things to focus on.

  Heart pounding, I ventured down the narrow alleys of that grimy district, my tension rising with every sound. Every rustle made me flinch; the place was so sinister, so dark, that it filled me with a terrible fear. The more I walked, the closer the danger seemed to draw.

  But I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t back down again. This time, I would see it through to the end, no matter what happened.

  “I-I just need to keep going… according to the directions, the restaurant should be—”

  As I tried to steady myself, glancing at the makeshift map I had clumsily drawn, something in the shadows caught my eye. At first, I thought fear was playing tricks on me, but then my blood went cold as a group of menacing thugs blocked my path.

  “...Damn!”

  Heart racing, I turned quickly, ready to flee, but as I did, I realized I was trapped—the group had surrounded me without me even noticing.

  I wondered if there was a way out, but the answer came quickly when I saw their eyes fixed on the briefcase—like lions eyeing their prey with cold, cutting stares.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Hey, is that briefcase for us?” sneered the tallest one, cutting to the chase with a sinister grin. “Thanks for the gift!”

  I was terrified, and I knew the old me would have just handed it over. But I had a goal in mind. I couldn’t let them walk all over me this time.

  “L-Leave me alone! I’m not giving you anything,” I replied, clutching the briefcase as if it were my only lifeline.

  “Oh, we’ve got a tough guy here!” another mocked, his laugh harsh. “Well then, since you wanna act tough, we’ll treat you like one!”

  Before I could react, they started hitting me. I fell to the ground, each blow making me stagger, but I didn’t let go of the briefcase, clinging to that last flicker of strength I had left.

  Kicks, punches, insults—they hit me from all sides for what felt like ages. The blows hurt, a lot, and I felt blood trickling from my mouth and nose. But it was nothing compared to the pain I had felt over the years. Pain that no kid my age should know. This was nothing in comparison.

  “D-Damn it!” one of the thugs panted, stepping back. “If we keep going like this… we’ll end up killing him!”

  “So what?!” another snapped, annoyed. “He’s not from here. We’re not in any danger. Let’s just finish him off!”

  Their argument grew heated, each one voicing their opinion, creating a chaotic mess in the alley. For a moment, I thought my stubborn resistance might have saved me, that they’d just leave since there seemed to be some unspoken rules not to cross.

  But the second they stopped arguing and all turned their gaze toward me, I knew things weren’t looking good.

  […I’m finished.] I thought, beginning to tremble in fear. It was incredible how, just a few hours ago, I’d wanted to die. Now, I didn’t want to die. At least not like this, without having accomplished anything in my life.

  [No... I don’t want to die! I can’t leave this world now!]

  The bandits approached me with steady steps as I struggled to stay on my feet. My body, battered from exhaustion and injuries, barely held up before collapsing again. I truly thought that was the end for me.

  But suddenly, the bandits froze in their tracks. Their faces turned ghostly pale, and they began to back away, as though they'd seen a monster. At first, I naively thought they were looking at me. But that idea was ridiculous, considering the state I was in. Then I realized they were staring in terror at something behind me.

  "I-I think we’d better get out of here..." one of them stammered nervously. He took a few steps back, then suddenly bolted, leaving the others. That triggered the rest to flee, vanishing one by one into the night.

  At first, I thought I was saved—that I had somehow escaped death. But that feeling quickly faded. I wasn’t the reason they ran; something else was. Slowly, with a sense of dread, I turned, hoping I hadn’t encountered someone even more dangerous than them.

  When I turned, I finally understood why those wretched bastards had fled. I stood there, frozen, staring at the figure in front of me—more confused than relieved. Of all the people I could have imagined behind me, there was only an old man, humble and out of place.

  His figure was slender, almost skeletal, yet he emanated a presence that filled the space around him. He wore a gray *changshan*, worn and patched with care, as if every stitch had been meticulously done to prolong the garment's life. He looked like the kind of man who would never part with his belongings, no matter their age or wear.

  Deep wrinkles etched his face, telling tales and invisible scars from a life fully lived. But his eyes...his eyes told another story. They were a piercing amber, sharp as blades, filled with an almost primal force that was both unsettling and captivating. That intense, watchful gaze was the only thing about him that seemed untouched by time, and his silence spoke volumes.

  This old man wasn’t here by chance. And that pressure—that aura around him—made me realize quickly why those bastards had fled.

  "You… You’re not from around here, are you? What the hell are you doing here at this hour?" he asked in a cold tone, eyeing me from head to toe, his gaze lingering on my briefcase.

  Despite the terror he instilled, I had nothing left to lose. If I was going to die, I had to give everything to reach my goals.

  “I-I’m looking for a pill…a pill that can unlock the Rinkuh and allow me to manipulate the force. I heard I could find it here… Will you help me?” I asked, trying to remain steady despite my battered body.

  The old man stayed silent for a few seconds before letting out a resounding laugh that echoed through the alley. "I have no idea what you’re talking about, kid. You shouldn’t trust those silly rumors…”

  I could tell by looking at him that he knew something. His demeanor, the way he’d frightened off those bandits—this man was clearly a big shot around here.

  [Maybe luck…is on my side] I thought, a small smile forming as I felt I was on the right path.

  Struggling, I got to my feet, my body still throbbing from the recent blows. Without hesitation, I clicked open the briefcase and turned it toward him, letting its contents do the talking. Fei Long studied me, his expression unreadable, eyebrows slightly raised, as if trying to determine if this was a joke or madness. But when his eyes landed on the stacks of cash, a faint glimmer appeared in them, and his smile sharpened just a bit, almost intrigued.

  “Let’s assume this pill exists,” the old man began, stepping closer. “What do you hope to gain by manipulating the Force? Fame, eternal glory? This pill is dangerous; perhaps you shouldn’t—”

  “I’m not interested in fame or glory,” I interrupted abruptly, catching him slightly off guard. “I… I want revenge.”

  For reasons unknown, my words seemed to widen his smile, sinisterly so. That dark grin sent a shiver down my spine, but I reminded myself to stay strong and not let his expression affect me.

  “...You, I like you,” he said suddenly, catching me off guard. “Tell me, are you sure you want to take this pill?”

  “L-Let me be clear: I’ll either leave here with the pill, or I’ll die here.”

  The man looked me over again, touching his chin as though lost in thought.

  “What’s your name?” he asked abruptly, the question seemingly disconnected from my desperate request.

  “Uh... I’m Ryu Oza—”

  But I stopped. Though that family name had once belonged to my late father, I no longer wished to be associated with them.

  “...You can just call me Ryu,” I said finally, my voice tinged with melancholy.

  “A Dragon, huh…” the man muttered, sizing me up with a scrutinizing look that hadn’t relented for the last few minutes.

  “Well, I suppose I should introduce myself. I am Fei Long, head of this district. I control the trade of that drug – ‘Unlocker’. A pleasure to meet you, kid.”

  “W-What…”

  I was speechless. I had suspected he was important, but the leader himself… I couldn’t have stumbled upon a better opportunity!

  “I can pay you!” I said quickly, pushing the briefcase toward him. “There’s at least a hundred million yen in here! I’ll give you all my money, but please, I need that pill!” I exclaimed, dropping to my knees.

  Fei Long scrutinized every line of my face with an inscrutable expression as he pondered. Eventually, he scoffed. “And you think this money is enough?” He shook his head, amused. “Only the rich can afford these pills, kid. We’re talking fifty-six billion yen.”

  The figure hit me like a punch. It was outrageous. I felt myself sinking, but then something ignited within me. I didn’t have that money; I’d never have it…but if there was a chance, any chance, I’d take it. No matter what I had to do.

  “I don’t have that money,” I admitted, my voice just a shard of desperation. “But… I’ll serve you. I’ll give you my body, my time, my entire life if need be!”

  Fei Long chuckled softly, his laugh cold and merciless. “Oh, really? Giving up your life for a drug? Pathetic.” His voice was icy. “And who’s to say you’d survive it? You’d probably die with the first dose.”

  A fierce rage flared inside me. I sprang up and grabbed his collar, holding on with all the strength I had left. “You don’t understand how much I need this,” I hissed. “I have nothing left. Let me try, let me…”

  I didn’t finish. I only felt his hand press against my stomach, and before I knew it, I was flung back like a rag doll, pain crashing over me in waves. I lay there, gasping for breath, unable to move.

  Fei Long advanced, his gaze impassive. “That was only one of my techniques. It’s called Tiger Roar,” he explained coldly, as if it were any other subject.

  Struggling to look up at him, I coughed. “Why…are you telling me this?” I asked, confused.

  Fei Long crouched down to meet my gaze, his smile growing even sharper. “Because, if your vitality had been any lower, that move would have killed you.” He paused, then added, “But if revenge is truly what you seek, I’ll give you a chance. I’ll give you the pill, for free. Keep your money.”

  I stared at him, breathless. Had I gotten what I wanted?

  “In return, though,” Fei Long continued, “I want you to become my disciple. "If you manage to survive the pill’s terrible side effects, I will make you my one and only disciple. I will teach you everything there is to know about the Force. I will make you powerful and feared throughout the world!”

  "Of course, I’ll be using you to expand our business," he said, his gaze sharp and unyielding. "But before that, I need to know… why do you seek revenge? What lies at the heart of your suffering?"

  As he spoke, I watched his expression shift, layer by layer, each look exposing a different side of him—calm, ruthless, calculating—each one clashing with the last. There was a darkness there, one I couldn’t quite place. Could I trust him? I didn’t know. But if this was the price I had to pay for my revenge, then I would pay it willingly.

  "I… I want to destroy the Ozaki. I want to erase them from the face of the earth," I replied, my voice as cold and unyielding as steel.

  Fei Long’s lips curved into a smile, slow and sinister, a look of chilling delight gleaming in his eyes. Then he took a step closer, extending his hand toward me, his presence suddenly more imposing.

  "I knew you were no ordinary man," he murmured, almost savoring each word. "From this moment on, you will call me Sensei."

  And with that, the die was cast.