Empire of the Unseen

The Meeting

The message from Kurogane lingered in Hajime's mind as he sat in his office, Renji pacing nervously nearby. The Shadow King rarely trusted anyone, and Kurogane's offer to "talk" reeked of either opportunity or betrayal.

"Set the meeting," Hajime said coldly, leaning back in his chair.

Renji stopped pacing. "You sure about this? Kurogane's not the type to—"

"I know exactly what type he is," Hajime interrupted. "But I need to know if he's an obstacle to crush or a piece to use."

Later that night, the meeting was arranged in a neutral zone—a dimly lit rooftop overlooking Kyoto. Hajime arrived alone, his katana strapped to his back. Kurogane waited with his mercenary at his side: a tall, lean man with wild eyes, the rumored gravity manipulator.

"You're bold, showing up without your entourage," Kurogane remarked, his voice deep and mocking.

Hajime smirked. "If I needed them, you wouldn't be worth my time."

The two men locked eyes, and for a moment, the air between them felt charged. Kurogane finally broke the silence.

"The Oyabun has ruled too long," he said. "But removing him leaves a vacuum. You and I both know that. I'm offering a partnership—split control of the underworld. You take the Yakuza, I take the independent factions."

Hajime's smirk widened, though his mind raced. Splitting control meant splitting power, something he would never allow. But for now, he needed Kurogane.

"Agreed," Hajime lied.

The gravity manipulator spoke up, his voice filled with disdain. "You're lucky Kurogane sees potential in you. Otherwise, you'd be dead already."

Hajime's eyes flashed with amusement. "Lucky? No. Calculated."

As Hajime left the meeting, his thoughts were clear: Kurogane's time will come, but for now, he's a useful ally.