FIFTEEN

A shot rang out and Kenji reeled back.

Ryuji was standing by the door with a pistol in hand. The anger radiated off of him like a thousand fires.

Ryuji glared at Kenji, his eyes narrowing in fury. "What have you done?" His voice shook with rage.

Kenji scoffed, his arrogance apparent in his posture.

Lily's heart hammered in her chest, the fear that had been coursing through her veins since the moment she'd entered this dark room now reaching its zenith. She watched as Ryuji leveled his gaze at Kenji, his eyes flaring with a fierce resolve.

It seems you have overstepped your bounds, Tanaka," Ryuji growled, his voice dripping with menace. "And for that, you will pay dearly."

Kenji sneered in response, attempting to regain his composure. "Oh no, you will be the one who will pay." He snapped his fingers and ten yakuza goons appeared from the shadows like demons.

"I'm not the only one who knows you've gone soft for this girl. You kicked me out and abandoned us during one of the biggest challenges our clan has ever faced. Yeah, you've killed alongside us. But our soldiers have been falling left and right to rival gangs while you've been caught in this woman's trap."

Kenji taunted, his smug expression showing that he thought he had won. However, he hadn't accounted for Ryuji's cunning nature.

Ryuji's eyes flashed with anger and frustration. He quickly assessed the situation, his calculating mind already working on a solution. "You have put yourself in quite a predicament, Tanaka."

Kenji smiled maliciously, "Indeed, I have."

With a swift motion, Ryuji drew his gun again and aimed it directly at Kenji.

"This is my territory, Tanaka, and you have dared to step on it." His voice boomed, echoing throughout the dimly lit room. "Your treachery is unforgivable."

Kenji stood frozen in fear, staring at the barrel of the gun. Sweat began to form on his brow, his heart racing in his chest. He knew that there was no escape from this situation.

The man looked around wildly at the other goons, who stood at the ready. "Get him!" He shouted.

The ten yakuza goons leaped forward, entering the fight with Ryuji.

Despite being vastly outnumbered, Ryuji did not falter. His years of experience fighting alongside these very men had given him an intimate knowledge of their combat style, strengths, and weaknesses. In the heat of battle, his movements were fluid and precise, leaving his enemies unable to match his speed or skill. He moved gracefully through the room, taking down opponent after opponent, with a deadly efficiency. A single strike of his knife was all that was needed to fell each of them in turn.

Lily watched the confrontation with bated breath, her heart thundering in her chest.

Despite her terrifying circumstances, she found herself oddly entranced by the battle before her. Ryuji was a force to be reckoned with, a masterful warrior whose prowess seemed to transcend the boundaries of time itself.

Suddenly, Kenji launched himself toward Ryuji, intent on overpowering him. With lightning-fast reflexes, Ryuji managed to avoid the attack, grabbing Kenji by the throat and slamming him against the wall.

Kenji gasped for air, his face turning red from the sudden pressure. Ryuji's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, and Lily could see the depth of his anger etched into his face.

"Let's finish this once and for all," Ryuji growled, his muscles tensing with anticipation. "I'll teach you the consequences of betrayal."

Kenji sucked in a breath before pushing his knees out and slamming them into his former boss' gut.

Taken by surprise, Ryuji staggered back and released his captive.

Kenji ran to Lily, grabbing by the hair and pointing the knife at her throat.

Ryuji's face twisted in rage, seeing the knife hovering dangerously close to Lily's neck.

Lily felt a surge of terror wash over her as the cold metal edge of the blade pressed against her skin. Her heart raced in her chest, and sweat beaded on her forehead. She was helpless, trapped in this horrifying nightmare.

Ryuji saw the agony and fear etched across Lily's face and knew he had to act fast.

Without hesitation, he lunged towards Kenji, grabbing him by the wrist and forcing the knife away from Lily's throat. The two men struggled violently, each trying to gain the upper hand.