The moment the black-suited men ceased their barrage of gunfire, a blur shot out from behind the building.
"WHOOSH!"
Ryu exploded forward with incredible speed, his figure becoming little more than a streak racing across the battlefield.
"W-What?!"
The black-suited men's eyes widened in shock as they barely managed to catch a glimpse of him. Their expressions froze, sweat dripping down their faces as the distance between them and Ryu vanished in an instant.
"Impossible...! He's too fast!"
Like a predator lunging at its prey, Ryu dashed straight toward them, leaving the stunned black suited men completely unprepared for what was coming next.
"Ryu Sword Style: Rising Spring."
"AAAGGHH!"
Ryu swung Chi Hime upward in a dazzling crimson arc. The blade sliced through the air with a sharp whistle before carving across a black-suited man's chest. Blood burst forth as the man was hurled backward, his eyes widening in shock while the others stared in disbelief at Ryu's overwhelming speed and swordsmanship.
The muscular man in the black suit clenched his fists, veins bulging across his forehead as fury twisted his face. He stomped forward and pointed at the others with a trembling finger.
"What are you idiots doing?!" he roared, his voice booming across the street like a cannon blast. "Stop standing around and shoot him down!"
The other black-suited men flinched at the furious outburst, cold sweat streaming down their faces. Their hands trembled, but fear didn't stop them. Gritting their teeth, they raised their pistols once more and unleashed another barrage of bullets at Ryu.
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
Ryu's lips curled into a fearless smirk. In the blink of an eye, he threw himself into a rolling dodge, bullets tearing through the air where he had stood moments before. The ground cracked beneath him as he spun across it like a whirlwind. Before the black-suited men could react, Ryu exploded forward and seized the nearest gunman by the collar.
"Too slow!"
With great strength, he yanked the terrified man in front of him, using him as a human shield. The barrage of bullets struck their own comrade instead, causing the black-suited men to freeze in shock as panic spread across their faces. Meanwhile, Ryu's grin only widened, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of battle.
The instant the gunfire ceased, Ryu's eyes flashed with savage intensity. With a powerful swing, he hurled the lifeless body he had been holding straight toward one of the black-suited men.
"WH-WHAT?!"
"THUD!"
The terrified gunman barely had time to react before the corpse crashed into him, sending both tumbling across the ground in a tangled heap.
Using the opening he created, Ryu exploded forward like a cannonball, his feet tearing into the ground. A trail of dust erupted behind him as he charged headlong into the remaining black-suited men, his fierce grin sending chills down their spines.
"He's coming!"
"Ryu Sword Style: The Great Dawn."
Ryu's eyes flashed sharply as he gripped Chi Hime with unwavering confidence. In a single fluid motion, he brought the blade down in a breathtaking arc, so graceful it seemed almost beautiful. The crimson edge whistled through the air before carving deep across the black-suited man's chest. Blood burst forth as the man's eyes widened in shock, his body staggering backward from the devastating slash. The elegance of the strike only made its brutality more terrifying.
The muscular man in the black suit felt a vein bulge across his forehead again as his face twisted into a mask of pure fury. His eyes burned with rage, and his clenched fists trembled violently.
He then bellowed at the top of his lungs,
"WHAT ARE YOU IDIOTS DOING?! USE YOUR NUMBERS AND SURROUND HIM! HE'S JUST A BRAT!"
His thunderous roar shook the alley, causing the other men to flinch.
"Are you trying to disgrace the name of the Capone Family?!"
Sweat poured down the gunmen's faces as they hurriedly moved to obey, too terrified to face their superior's wrath.
In an instant, the black-suited men closed in from every side, guns raised and fingers tightening on the triggers, intent on erasing Ryu in a single coordinated volley.
But Ryu only tilted his head, a feral, bloodthirsty smirk cutting across his face.
"Too slow…"
The moment the words left him, he launched himself upward—spinning through the air with effortless grace. His body twisted like a ribbon in the wind, slipping between the tightening aim of their guns as if the very concept of being surrounded didn't apply to him.
"Ryu Sword Style: Circular Whirlpool Sword."
Ryu spun Chi Hime in a flawless circular arc, the blade singing through the air with an almost impossible elegance. The motion was smooth—too smooth—like a dancer tracing the edge of death itself.
The moment Ryu touched down with effortless grace, the battlefield fell into a brief, suffocating silence—until the black-suited men's heads slowly slid free and dropped to the ground one after another, their bodies still standing for a heartbeat longer and collapsed onto the ground.
Ryu's lips curled into a smug, almost playful smirk as he noticed the muscular man in the black suit had gone rigid.
The man's eyes widened in pure disbelief—his confidence shattered in an instant, replaced by a creeping, unmistakable terror. His body refused to move, as if the very air around him had turned heavy and unforgiving.
Ryu strolled forward without a hint of urgency, each step light as if he were walking through a quiet harbor his eyes were locked at the muscular black suited man while wearing a wide maniacal grin on his face.
"Now tell me where the Capone Family's base is," Ryu said, his voice low but razor-sharp. A faint, almost amused smile tugged at his lips as he tilted his head.
"If you value your life… you'll answer."
"Refuse… and I'll cut you down just like I did those fools a moment ago."
The muscular man in the black suit broke into a cold sweat, his bravado crumbling in an instant. Slowly, as if his arms no longer belonged to him, he raised both hands high above his head in trembling surrender, his eyes darting with raw, helpless fear.
"W-Wait, hold on… calm yourself!" the man stammered, voice cracking as cold sweat poured down his face.
"Th-The Capone Family base… it's that mansion right behind you! Please, I'm begging you—don't kill me!"
His legs trembled as he pointed shakily over Ryu's shoulder, eyes locked on the looming luxurious estate as if it might somehow save him from the blade's shadow.
Ryu's lips curled into a faint, almost manic grin as the words reached him. Without a word of reply, he gave a slow, deliberate nod.
Then he turned on his heel
.The air seemed to grow heavier as he began walking toward the mansion, each step unhurried and certain—like a fierce beast looking forward for the challenge ahead.
The muscular man in the black suit panted heavily, his chest rising and falling in sharp, panicked bursts as sweat dripped down his brow.
He looked at Ryu as he advances slowly towards Capone Family base, without sparing him a single glance.
His fingers twitched for a split second—then snapped into motion.
In a blur, both hands shot down to his waist, seizing the twin pistols hidden at his sides. Metal scraped softly as they were drawn, and in the same breath he unleashed a thunderous roar that shook the air around him.
"GRAAAH!"
"Die, you insolent brat."
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
Ryu's lips curled into a wicked grin as he hit the ground in a fluid roll, the barrage of bullets tearing through the space he had occupied a heartbeat before.
"Too slow," he muttered.
In the same motion, he planted his hand, twisted his body, and sprang forward like a coiled beast finally released.
"Ryu Sword Style: Seizing Life Slash."
Ryu's expression didn't change as Chi Hime traced a smooth arc through the air.
In a single, elegant motion, the blade cut across with blinding precision the muscular man in the black suit barely had time to register what had happened. His eyes widened in shock… before his body froze, the momentum of his charge halting all at once.
A heavy silence followed.
Then he collapsed, the world around him seeming to split apart with him as Ryu stood already a step beyond the strike, sword still humming softly in his hand.
Ryu lowered his gaze to Chi Hime, the blade resting quietly in his grip as it stopped humming.
"Girl. It seem you finally acknowledged me, good I promise I will live to your expectations."
He slid Chi Hime back into its sheath with a calm, deliberate motion then Without even glancing back, Ryu began to walk toward Capone Family base with eyes full of anticipation.
A sharp grin curled across his face as his gaze swept over the luxurious mansion.
"It is time you show me what you Mafia had to offer" he muttered, under his breath His eyes gleamed with quiet, dangerous anticipation as he tilted his head slightly, like a beast sizing up prey that dared to stand its ground. "this better be worth my time."
______
With Jack
When Jack finally reached the location where Ryu had clashed with the black-suited men, his steps slowed.
The air was thick—heavy with the metallic scent of blood and the silence that followed slaughter.
His eyes widened.
Bodies lay scattered across the ground like discarded puppets, the aftermath of a one-sided storm. Some still wore expressions of disbelief, others frozen in the final moment of panic.
A faint grin crept across his face as he stood back up, brushing an imaginary dust from his coat.
"Well, well… you are getting more interesting, Ryu."
A slow, satisfied grin curled across his face as he spoke under his breath.
"You're making my job easier now." he muttered, eyes glinting with predatory amusement. "All I have to do now… is slipping inside Capone Family base and steal Captain Ning's treasure."
He took a long, greedy swig of the booze, the liquid burning its way down his throat. For a moment he lingered there, savoring the sting—then hurled the empty bottle to the ground.
It shattered on impact, glass exploding across the floor like scattered sparks, the sound ringing out as he wiped his mouth with a rough, satisfied grin.
"Well… looks like it's finally time to put my custom bullets to the test," he muttered, a crooked grin curling at the edge of his lips. "Never had a chance to fire them at a living target before… this is gonna be fun."
Jack let out a low chuckle, the sound dripping with careless confidence.
With a smooth, practiced motion, he drew his sabre—steel whispering against its sheath—while his other hand settled around the grip of his pistol as if it belonged there more than his own heartbeat. His fingers flexed once, testing the weight, savoring it.
Then he strode forward.
Not rushing. Not hesitating.
Just walking—calm, unbothered, almost playful—toward the mansion looming ahead like a someone enjoying a stroll around the park.
Each step carried that unmistakable swagger, the kind that said he didn't fear what waited inside… because he fully intended to enjoy every second of it.
__________
With Ryu
Ryu halted before the towering gates of the Capone Family base, his smirk curling wider as if he'd already decided how this would end. Without slowing his stride, he bent his knees slightly—then launched himself upward in a smooth, almost playful leap.
He cleared the iron gate effortlessly, Kimono fluttering behind him like a dark banner in the wind.
For a brief moment, he hung in the air above the estate's courtyard… then descended with calm precision.
His boots touched the ground without a sound.
The landing was graceful, almost refined—too clean for someone stepping into a place like this. Ryu straightened slowly, rolling his shoulders as his eyes locked onto the mansion ahead, that same fearless grin still carved across his face.
The moment Ryu came into view, the Capone Family guards stiffened, fingers snapping toward their weapons as tension rippled through the air like a drawn blade.
"INTRUDER! SOUND THE ALARM!! AND SHOOT HIM DOWN NOW" the guard leader bellowed at the top of his lungs, his voice cracking as panic swallowed his composure.
"DONG!, DONG!, DONG!, DONG!"
"BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!, BANG!"
Ryu shot forward in a zigzag burst, his feet barely touching the ground as he weaved through the air like a ghost. The guards barely able to keep up with him before the pressure of his killing intent washed over them.
Above him, Chi Hime rose high over his head—its blade catching the faint light, gleaming like a silent omen of death.
"Ryu Sword Style: Death Melody."
Ryu slipped through the guards like a blade through silk.
The guards barely registered what happened—only the cold flash of steel and the faint shift of air behind them. In a heartbeat too fast for fear to bloom, his path curved between their ranks with impossible grace.
Chi Hime hummed softly.
And in that single note of steel, the battlefield split into silence and falling bodies, each guard collapsing as if their strings had been cut all at once.
Ryu gave a slow, almost careless flick of his wrist.
Chi Hime spun through the air with a faint metallic chime, the blade cut through the air and crimson droplets scattered in the ground.
He caught the sword effortlessly on its descent and slid it back into its sheath with a soft click—clean, precise, almost elegant.
Ryu glanced down at his shoulder and waist, his eyes narrowing as he caught the dark crimson staining his kimono. The blood is clinging stubbornly to the fabric.
"Tch… I got shot three times…" he muttered, glaring at the empty space ahead as if it had insulted him. "I need to train harder. There's no way I'm this slow."
His fist tightened.
"Just because those weaklings rely on guns…" his eyes sharpened with cold resolve, "doesn't mean they should ever be able to lay a hand on me again."
"I need to get faster… more flexible too," he muttered, eyes narrowing with determination. "If I can't move like a phantom, I'll never dodge foes attacks… and I'll never be able to overwhelm them."
Ryu shrugged off his kimono, letting it fall to the ground without a second glance. He rolled his shoulders, then cracked his neck with a sharp snap that echoed in the silence.
A faint, dangerous grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Step by step, he began walking forward again—slow, steady, unhurried—toward the mansion's main entrance, while his hand rested calmly on Chi Hime's hilt.
"SWISH!!"
With a sharp whistle of steel, Ryu brought Chi Hime down in a single devastating arc.
The massive wooden door—split cleanly apart as if they were nothing more than paper caught in a storm.
A thunderous crash followed as the halves collapsed inward, dust and splinters erupting into the air.
Without even slowing his stride, Ryu stepped through the ruined entrance.
The shadows of the mansion swallowed him whole… yet his grin only widened—cold, sharp, and hungry for blood—as he vanished inside.
A slow grin tugged at his lips as the tension in the air thickened.
"It's about time I have my fun… I hope you don't bore me," Ryu said, his voice is low and sharp with anticipation. "Francisco Capone… Bege."
_______