Footsteps In The Dark

Takemichi's breaths came out in ragged gasps as he sprinted through the backstreets, his heart thumping against his ribs like a relentless drum. The warehouse loomed ahead, its towering silhouette cutting through the twilight haze—an ominous beacon of impending chaos.

"Mikey!" Takemichi burst into the cavernous space, his voice echoing off the high ceilings and bare walls. The Tokyo Manji Gang, an assembly of resolute faces and clenched fists, turned to him in unison. "We can't let this fight happen!"

Mikey, sitting imperious amidst his gang, narrowed his eyes at Takemichi. "How'd you find us, Takemichi?"

"Does it matter?" Takemichi panted, ignoring the question. "Ah—Ayame told me—"

"Damn," Mikey muttered, more to himself than to Takemichi. "I'll have to have words with her about revealing Toman business to outsiders."

"Listen to me, Mikey," Takemichi pleaded, stepping forward. "This fight—it's not worth it! There's still time to stop this. There must be another way to—"

But Pah-chin shook his head, his determined gaze never leaving the shadows at the far end of the warehouse. "No backing down," he said, his voice low and steadfast.

The moment shattered as Osanai and his Moebius crew crashed into the warehouse like a tidal wave of malice. Metal clanged and curses flew as they launched their surprise attack, surrounding the Tokyo Manji Gang.

"Outta my way," growled Pah-chin, his eyes ablaze with reckless determination. "Osanai! You and me, one-on-one!"

Osanai laughed, a sound that rumbled with scorn as he eyed Pah-chin. "You think you can take me on? I've got two years on you, kid... Fine," Osanai spat.

The fight was brutal, Osanai's fists raining down on Pah-chin who had no answer for the relentless assault. Takemichi wanted to jump in, to help, but a firm hand on his shoulder held him back. Mikey's gaze was fixed on the one-sided brawl, his expression unreadable.

"Mikey, stop this!" Takemichi begged, the scene unfolding like a nightmare.

"Let them fight," Mikey said, cold as ice.

The circle tightened around the Toman members, hostile faces sneering from all sides. Takemichi caught Osanai's eye, disbelief etching his features. This couldn't be the same man he knew from the future.

Feeling scrutinized, Osanai lashed out, striking Takemichi across the cheek. A burning pain spread, but it was Pah-chin's outcry that stole his attention.

"Osanai!" Pah-chin spat, wiping blood from his mouth as he rose unsteadily. "I'm not done with you!"

"Nobody interferes," Mikey instructed, his voice leaving no room for argument.

Osanai dispatched Pah-chin with ease, leaving him crumpled and breathless. "Sorry, Mikey... I'm worthless," Pah-chin gasped, shame coloring his battered face.

"Shut up," Mikey retorted, stepping forward. "You didn't lose."

Laughter came from the Moebius ranks, jeering and taunting until Mikey's silhouette stood in front of Osanai. There was a pause, a moment stretched thin, before Mikey's leg whipped out, catching Osanai under the chin. The thud was sickening, Osanai's body going limp before it even hit the ground.

Silence claimed the warehouse as Mikey surveyed the Moebius members, his presence alone commanding their attention. "If anyone here thinks Pah-chin lost... come out and fight or leave because I'll kill you," he declared, his tone brooking no argument. "As long as I'm here, Toman will never be defeated." Mikey declared, his voice deadly calm.