Nobu had saved Beru and his family.
Even though the two of them hadn’t spoken properly, even though time and distance had carved a silent wall between them, Nobu still cared. Beru was the only person he had ever truly trusted. The only one he had relied on without fear.
Family was a fragile thing.
And Beru was the last piece of it.
Lying on the bed, Nobu stared at the ceiling, his thoughts tangled and heavy. Baku’s words echoed again and again inside his mind—sharp, confident, absolute.
“People only show their true faces when power is involved.”
Nobu didn’t fully want to believe it.
But a part of him did.
Because Baku had never lied to him before.
He had always spoken the truth, even when it hurt.
Nobu closed his eyes, breathing slowly, trying to quiet the storm inside his chest.
Then—
Knock.
The door creaked open.
Baku stepped inside, his presence filling the room instantly. “Get ready,” he said casually. “There’s a party tonight.”
Nobu turned his head. “A party?”
“An underground one,” Baku continued. “Big gangs. Local powers. Even leaders from other countries.”
Nobu frowned. “Why are you telling me this?”
Baku looked at him directly. “Because I want you to come with me.”
Nobu sat up slightly. “Why?”
“There’s someone special attending,” Baku said.
Nobu’s eyes sharpened. “Who?”
Baku turned away. “You’ll find out. Either before the party… or at the party.”
Nobu didn’t like that answer.
Memories stirred—blood, chaos, betrayal. Parties like that were never harmless. They were breeding grounds for violence.
“I don’t want to go,” Nobu said quietly. “Not after what happened before.”
Baku was silent for a moment.
Then he said, “I’m asking you.”
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
That alone was enough.
Baku was the only family Nobu had left.
So he nodded. “Fine.”
At the hospital, sunlight filtered through the window as Beru’s wife sat beside his bed. She peeled fruit carefully and fed him piece by piece, her hands trembling just slightly.
They smiled at each other.
But fear lived behind her eyes.
The memories of that night—the blood, the screams, the way Beru had almost died—refused to leave her.
“What if something like that happens again?” she whispered.
Beru gently placed his hand on her shoulder. “I’m fine now,” he said softly. “Don’t think about the past.”
She nodded, though the fear remained.
Then Beru spoke again. “The one who saved you… and the kids…”
She looked up.
“That was Nobu.”
Her eyes widened. “Nobu…? But everyone said he was dead.”
Beru shook his head. “He’s alive.”
Tears filled her eyes. “Then he’s like a god,” she whispered. “If he hadn’t come… we would have all died that day.”
Beru said nothing.
But deep inside, his heart tightened.
Elsewhere, within the Misaki Clan estate, the leader sat quietly, staring into nothingness.
His wife noticed his expression. “You don’t look happy.”
“I am,” he replied slowly. “I’m glad Nobu grew strong.”
“Then why do you look troubled?”
He exhaled. “Because the man he’s living with… is our enemy.”
His wife paused. “You think he’s manipulating Nobu?”
“Maybe.”
She shook her head gently. “Nobu is grown now. He can choose his own path. He understands how the world works.”
The leader wanted to believe that.
But something in his chest felt wrong.
A quiet, creeping dread.
“I feel like something dangerous is coming,” he said. “For him… or for us.”
Far away, in a small room lit by a single lamp, a woman sat alone.
Nobu’s wife.
She held a photograph close to her chest, her fingers tracing the edges.
“I wish I knew where you are,” she whispered.
She imagined his face. His voice. His warmth.
One day, she promised herself, they would meet again.
One day, they would live like a real family.
Back with Nobu, curiosity gnawed at him.
Who was this “special person” Baku kept mentioning?
He also thought of Beru—injured, recovering, surrounded by family. Nobu wanted him to join his journey.
But Beru had people to protect now.
And Nobu couldn’t risk putting them in danger.
The door opened again.
“Get ready,” Baku said. “We’re leaving.”
Nobu glanced at his clothes. “We don’t have anything suitable.”
Baku clicked his tongue in irritation. “Then we’ll buy some.”
“Now?”
“Yes. And then we go straight to the party.”
Nobu smiled faintly. “Fine.”
They went to the market, selecting expensive clothes, watches that cost more than most people earned in years. By the time they were done, Nobu barely recognized himself in the mirror.
Then they went straight to the party.
The venue was massive.
Lights shimmered. Music pulsed. The air smelled of wealth and danger.
Politicians stood beside gang leaders, smiling as if they weren’t responsible for countless deaths. Deals were being made silently—money exchanged for murder, power traded for silence.
This was the real world.
Baku scanned the crowd carefully.
Nobu nudged him. “Why are you in such a rush? Enjoy it.”
“I didn’t come to enjoy,” Baku replied. “I came for someone.”
Nobu kept asking, but Baku didn’t answer.
Then—
Baku froze.
His world went silent.
Nobu followed his gaze.
A woman stood across the hall, holding a child in her arms.
Baku whispered her name.
She didn’t respond.
He walked toward her.
“Where have you been all this time?” he demanded.
A man stepped in front of her. “Who are you?”
Baku opened his mouth—
But the woman interrupted. “He’s no one. Just someone who mistook me for someone else.”
The man wrapped an arm around her. “My wife.”
Shock tore through Baku.
She was his wife.
The one who had disappeared.
And the child—
Baku lost control.
He stepped forward, rage boiling.
Nobu rushed in, grabbing him. “Stop!”
“I’m sorry,” Nobu said quickly to the couple. “He’s drunk.”
He pulled Baku away.
Back at the table, Baku sat in silence, staring into nothing.
Nobu whispered, “Who was she?”
No answer.
Moments later, Baku stood up and left.
Nobu followed him all the way home.
“YOU wanted to come to this party!” Nobu snapped. “And you ruined everything!”
Baku didn’t respond.
He just stood there.
Silent.
Broken.
And for the first time, Nobu felt afraid—
Because whatever Baku had just seen…
had shattered something inside him.
