Relying on the memories in his mind, Ryuzaki Shin navigated several turns and quickly arrived at the legendary Suzuran.
Suzuran is also known as "The School of Crows."
The reason for this name is because the school gathers delinquent students who are disliked by people, like inauspicious crows.
Therefore, the school also has the infamous reputation for having the lowest graduation rate and the worst conduct.
Furthermore, due to the excessive number of gangs within the school, there is constant struggle for dominance, yet no one has truly managed to unify the school.
Even before getting close, a chilling and chaotic atmosphere assaulted him.
The iron gate at the school entrance was rusty, covered with various graffiti and dents.
The school walls were plastered with recruitment posters and challenge letters from various clubs, some even bearing dried bloodstains.
Inside the campus, students gathered in groups of three or five, each looking fierce, with hairstyles wilder than the last, and school uniforms worn more rebelliously.
There were those smoking, drinking, playing cards, and some even directly fighting on the sports field, throwing punches with real impact, while others cheered loudly.
"Heh, so this is Suzuran… It certainly lives up to its reputation."
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the chaos before him, and instead of feeling any fear, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
This was the environment he was familiar with!
This was where he belonged!
He carried a cloth wrap containing a bento box, a faint smile playing on his lips, as he walked through the chaotic sports field towards the teaching building.
Along the way, many people scrutinized him, the "new face," with appraising gazes.
Some had mocking eyes, while others showed blatant provocation.
But Ryuzaki Shin ignored them all.
He just wanted to find his class now, and then… cordially greet his classmates.
Class 3-1.
Ryuzaki Shin found his classroom, took a deep breath, and pulled open the creaking, broken door.
"Boom!"
As soon as the door opened, a murky air mixed with the smell of smoke, sweat, and hormones rushed out.
The classroom was exactly as he imagined: desks and chairs were askew, the floor was covered with cigarette butts and snack wrappers, and the walls were similarly covered with various indecent graffiti.
A group of students showed no signs of being in class; some gathered, making loud noises, while others in the back rows had directly used desks to build a platform and were arm wrestling, surrounded by a circle of people placing bets.
The entire classroom was like a chaotic underground casino.
The moment Ryuzaki Shin stepped into the classroom, all eyes turned to him in unison.
The noisy classroom fell silent for a moment.
Immediately after, an empty plastic water bottle, whistling through the air, flew directly towards his face.
Ryuzaki Shin's expression didn't change; he simply tilted his head slightly.
"Whoosh!"
The water bottle whizzed past his ear, hitting the wall behind him with a dull thud.
"Yo, new guy, you dare to dodge?"
A mocking voice rang out.
In the back row of the classroom, three ruffians in Hawaiian shirts stood up and walked menacingly towards Ryuzaki Shin.
Information about them instantly appeared in Ryuzaki Shin's mind.
The leader, with yellow hair and a shallow scar on his face, was named "Sakata Koji," one of the class's small-time bosses.
His two followers were named "Kobayashi Ken" and "Tanaka Akira."
These three were the ones who, on the original owner's first day reporting to Suzuran, under the guise of "welcoming the new student," dragged him into the restroom and beat him severely, robbing him of the last bit of lunch money he had.
This was also the last straw that broke the original owner.
Sakata Koji walked up to Ryuzaki Shin, poked him in the chest with his finger, and said arrogantly:
"Brat, did you bring money today?"
Ryuzaki Shin didn't speak, just looked at him calmly.
Just then, the familiar voice in his mind rang out again.
[Ding! Detecting host facing a choice, God-tier Choice System activated!]
[Option One: The best strategy is to run! Turn around and flee, a wise man knows when to retreat. Reward for completion: Obtain [Ten Million Yen], system will unbind from you, wishing you a pleasant life!]
[Option Two: A true man knows when to bend and when to extend! Immediately kneel and beg for mercy, offer the bento given by the landlady with both hands, begging the other party to spare you. Reward for completion: Obtain the title "Ninja Turtle," wearing effect: pain sensation reduced by 50% when being beaten!]
[Option Three: Suzuran's Crows? Let the delinquents wail! With the wildest, most violent posture, begin your path to dominance! Take down these three scumbags! Reward for completion: Physical fitness increased to the level of [Average Suzuran Delinquent Student]!]
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the three options before him, a cold, sharp curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
Ten million yen?
You think this little money can get rid of me?
As for Ninja Turtle… Ryuzaki Shin has never knelt to heaven or earth, much less to trash!
Sakata Koji, seeing his silence, thought he was scared silly like yesterday, and said impatiently:
"Are you mute? I'm asking you a question!"
With that, he raised his hand, preparing to give Ryuzaki Shin a big slap to "wake him up."
However, the moment his palm was raised.
Ryuzaki Shin moved.
He didn't even look at Sakata Koji, but suddenly turned around, his right hand as fast as lightning, directly grabbing a fallen chair nearby!
No wasted words, no hesitation!
This was the ironclad rule of street fighting—if you can fight, don't talk!
At the same time, he coldly thought in his heart.
"I choose three!"
[Ding! Choice successful! Reward obtained: Physical fitness increased to the level of [Average Suzuran Delinquent Student]!]
In an instant!
Ryuzaki Shin felt an indescribable power, like a bursting flood, instantly surging from his heart to all his limbs and bones!
His body, originally weak from injuries and long-term malnutrition, felt as if it had been injected with the most potent stimulant at this moment!
Muscle fibers were tearing, reorganizing, and strengthening madly!
Bone density was rapidly increasing, becoming as hard as iron!
Blood flow suddenly accelerated, each heartbeat thrumming like a war drum, providing him with an endless supply of strength!
"Ah—"
He even let out a low groan, mixed with pain and pleasure!
It was a feeling of rebirth!
Under his skin, which was slightly pale from malnutrition, veins bulged slightly like coiling dragons, outlining smooth yet explosive muscle lines.
His lean, 1.8-meter frame, at this moment, seemed to be fiercely compressed and tempered by an invisible pair of hands; its density and toughness were elevated to an entirely new level!
Although his appearance didn't change much, Ryuzaki Shin could clearly feel that the strength within him had increased by at least three times!
However, Ryuzaki Shin's hand movements did not stop.
The chair in his hand was already whistling through the air, smashing fiercely towards Sakata Koji's head at an extremely tricky angle!
Damn it!"
Sakata Koji had not expected this wimp, who had been at his mercy yesterday, to dare to attack him today, and with such viciousness!
He wanted to dodge, but it was too late!
"Bang!"
The solid wood chair landed squarely on his cheek!
Sakata Koji felt his vision go black, his ears rang, and he stumbled, a gush of nosebleed instantly erupting.
"Idiot! You dare to strike!"
"Kill him!"
Ken Kobayashi and Akira Tanaka, seeing their boss get hit, were furious and charged forward, swinging their fists.
The other students in the classroom, far from being scared, reacted like sharks smelling blood; they instantly became excited and swarmed around the three, forming a natural gladiatorial arena.
"Get him! Get him!"
"Kill that newcomer!"
"Sakata! Don't you dare embarrass yourself!"
Deafening shouts and whistles instantly filled the entire classroom; everyone looked like they were watching an exciting boxing match, their faces filled with fanaticism and excitement.
Ryuzaki Shin felt the fervent atmosphere, and it was as if his entire body's blood was burning.
He threw away the now broken chair leg in his hand and looked coldly at the two charging men.
Ken Kobayashi's right fist shot straight for his face, while Akira Tanaka cunningly attacked his lower body.
A typical two-on-one street fighting tactic.
But in front of Ryuzaki Shin, it was simply too amateurish!
He sank his body slightly, perfectly avoiding Kobayashi's punch, while simultaneously raising his right leg sharply, not to kick, but to use his knee, slamming it hard into Akira Tanaka's rushing abdomen!
"Ugh!"
Akira Tanaka felt as if his intestines were about to rupture; he instantly curled into a shrimp, falling to the ground and dry-heaving.
One down!
Just as Ken Kobayashi's punch missed, his old strength spent and new strength not yet generated.
Ryuzaki Shin didn't hesitate for a moment; his left hand shot out like lightning, not to grab the opponent's fist, but to directly seize his wrist, then yanked it down sharply!
At the same time, his body followed through with a forward lunge!
"Thump!"
Ken Kobayashi's body instantly lost balance, his face making intimate contact with Ryuzaki Shin's shoulder.
Immediately after, Ryuzaki Shin's hand, still gripping his wrist, didn't release but instead twisted it upwards with force!
"Crack!"
A crisp sound of bone breaking rang out!
"Ah—!"
Ken Kobayashi let out a heart-wrenching scream; his wrist had been brutally snapped!
Only then did Ryuzaki Shin let go, kicking him to the ground.
All of this happened in a flash of lightning!
Decisive! Clean! Vicious!
The surrounding shouts abruptly ceased; everyone was stunned by Ryuzaki Shin's terrifying methods.
They were all delinquents, and fighting was commonplace for them, but a ruthless character like Ryuzaki Shin, who aimed every move to cripple, was something they had never seen before!
Sakata Koji had also recovered from his dizziness by now; he looked at his two subordinates wailing on the ground, then at the indifferent Ryuzaki Shin, and a flicker of fear finally crossed his eyes.
What the hell kind of freshman was this?
This was clearly a demon crawled out of hell!
He was about to admit defeat.
But Ryuzaki Shin was already walking towards him, step by step.
He said nothing more, only his cold eyes, as if looking at a dead man.
Sakata Koji felt a chill run down his spine from that gaze, and he couldn't help but take two steps back.
Ryuzaki Shin didn't stop; he walked up to Sakata Koji, bent down, and picked up the broken chair leg from the ground.
Then, he walked in front of Sakata Koji, who was still sprawled on the ground, and dragged him like a dead dog to the center of the classroom.
He looked around, his gaze sweeping across every person's face; those students who had been shouting earlier instinctively lowered their heads when their eyes met his.
Ryuzaki Shin ignored them; he simply pulled over an intact chair at random and sat down grandly.
Then, he did something that made everyone's scalp tingle.
He aimed the chair leg at Sakata Koji's right palm, then raised his foot and stomped down hard!
"Splish!"
The sharp wooden splinter instantly pierced through Sakata Koji's palm, pinning his hand firmly to the cold floor!
"Ah ah ah ah ah—!"
Sakata Koji let out a scream more horrific than a pig being slaughtered, his body convulsing violently, tears and snot streaming down his face.
The entire classroom was dead silent.
Only Sakata Koji's inhuman wails echoed.
Ryuzaki Shin acted as if he had done something insignificant; he slowly pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from Sakata Koji's floral shirt pocket.
He wiped the blood from his hand on Sakata Koji's face.
Then he pulled out a cigarette, leisurely put it in his mouth, and then took out the lighter to light it.
"Click."
He took a deep drag, a top-tier inhale.
Feeling the pungent smoke surge into his lungs, then slowly exhaling it.
Amidst the curling smoke, his eyes were deep and satisfied.
This cigarette, so refreshing!
Finally found the feeling of youth.
Suzuran, it's really good.
He liked this atmosphere, where classmates were like mortal enemies, their words laced with poison.
The purest combat, unmixed with any interests.
Ryuzaki Shin turned his gaze to the surrounding students, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
"Now, does anyone else want to say hello to me?"
After Ryuzaki Shin finished speaking, he looked with icy eyes at the 'classmates' who surrounded him, their faces unfriendly.
The atmosphere in the classroom fell into an eerie silence amidst Sakata Koji's pig-like wails.
But this silence was quickly broken by angry shouts.
"Baka! You, how dare you lay such a heavy hand on Sakata!"
"Kill him! Let him know we're not to be trifled with!"
"All together! Give him a taste of his own medicine!"
Over a dozen delinquent students were instantly enraged, slowly closing in to form an impenetrable circle.
They were all Suzuran students, with violent blood flowing in their veins.
Although they had been stunned by Ryuzaki Shin's ruthless methods just now, now that they had reacted, it was more a feeling of provoked fury!
A new transfer student, daring to be so arrogant on their turf?!
Could this be tolerated?
If so, would it still be Suzuran?
Ryuzaki Shin looked at this group of restless 'crows'; not only did he show no fear, but he felt the blood in his body begin to boil.
Just then, the familiar voice in his mind rang out again.
"Ding! Host detected facing a choice, God-tier Selection System activated!"
"Option One: Immediately admit defeat, apologize loudly, claiming it was just a moment of impulse, and willing to compensate Sakata for medical expenses. Completion Reward: Obtain the title 'Flexible and Adaptable', equipped effect: posture is more standard when kneeling for mercy."
"Option Two: Try to intimidate the opponent with words, telling them that your previous life was a gang boss and you don't want to bother with children like them. Completion Reward: [Verbal Combat Mastery] (Beginner)."
"Option Three: With the wildest, most violent posture, completely stomp the entire class underfoot, declaring your reign! Completion Reward: Obtain the combat skill [Street Domination Technique]!"
"..."
Ryuzaki Shin's mouth twitched. Was the reward for the first option serious?
What use would learning a kneeling posture be to him?
As for the second, trying to reason with a group of delinquent teenagers, wasn't that just pure idiocy?
He grinned, revealing two rows of stark white teeth, the madness and violence in his eyes no longer concealable.
He raised his hand, took the freshly lit cigarette from his mouth, then swept his gaze across the face of every person before him, and said, word by word, in an extremely arrogant tone:
"Crows, either submit, or... die!"
Silence!
Deathly silence!
Immediately following that, was towering rage!
"Damn! What the hell did you say?!"
"Too arrogant! Brothers, get him!"
"Let him know why flowers are so red!"
Everyone was enraged. Over a dozen delinquent teenagers roared, pouncing towards Ryuzaki Shin like hungry wolves!
However, just as the guy in the very front was about to rush up to him.
Ryuzaki Shin moved.
He flicked the cigarette held between his fingers gently towards the man's face.
"Whoosh!"
The crimson cigarette butt drew a graceful arc in the air, precisely and accurately flicking into the man's eye!
"Ah--! My eye!"
The man let out a scream, instinctively covering his eye, his forward momentum instantly halting.
Ryuzaki Shin sneered, muttering to himself.
"I choose three!"
"Ding! Selection successful! Reward obtained: [Street Domination Technique]!"
A massive stream of information instantly surged into Ryuzaki Shin's mind!
It wasn't any specific move, but a combat instinct almost like a reflex!
How to inflict maximum damage with minimum effort!
How to observe the opponent's tiniest weaknesses!
How to use everything in the surroundings as his weapon!
Countless street fighting techniques and experiences, at this moment, seemed to completely merge with his memories from his previous life!
Moreover, Ryuzaki Shin felt that it was immeasurably more powerful than his fighting experience in his previous life.
But now was not the time for sentiment.
Ryuzaki Shin snorted coldly.
"Idiot!"
A fierce roundhouse kick had already followed, striking hard against his shin bone!
"Crack!"
The sound of bone shattering was clearly audible!
The man didn't even have time to let out a second scream before he collapsed to the ground, clutching his leg, like a tumbling gourd.
"Come on! You scum!"
Ryuzaki Shin felt incredibly refreshed. He laughed loudly and actively charged into the swarming crowd!
A guy with green hair threw a punch. Ryuzaki Shin didn't dodge, but his body subtly shifted at an extremely strange angle.
The opponent's fist grazed his clothes, while Ryuzaki Shin's elbow, like a venomous snake striking, viciously jabbed into the opponent's ribs!
"Pfft!"
The green-haired guy felt a dull ache in his chest, a mouthful of sour liquid almost spewed out, and his body instantly went limp.
Immediately after, from another direction, a table leg swung towards his lower back!
Ryuzaki Shin didn't even turn his head, as if he had eyes in the back of his head. He suddenly leaned back, slamming his back directly into the sneak attacker's embrace, while simultaneously hooking his left foot backward with precision!
The sneak attacker was disoriented from the impact, and his feet were tripped, causing his entire body to fall backward.
Ryuzaki Shin gave him no chance to hit the ground, turning and delivering a kick that landed squarely on the opponent's chin!
The man flew out like a broken kite, knocking over two tables, and instantly fainted on the spot.
At this moment, Ryuzaki Shin seemed to transform into an Asura from hell!
His body seemed to have an instinct; every dodge, every counterattack, was filled with deadly efficiency and a violent aesthetic!
He always found the most tricky angles, using the most effortless methods, to attack the enemy's weakest points!
Knee strikes, elbow jabs, chokeholds, eye gouges... various insidious and ruthless moves were wielded by him with ease, flowing like water!
In less than five minutes.
The entire classroom was a mess.
Broken tables and chairs were scattered everywhere, and cries of pain rose and fell.
Over a dozen delinquent teenagers were now sprawled on the ground, some clutching their arms, others holding their stomachs; not a single one could still stand.
And Ryuzaki Shin stood in the center of this wreckage.
His school uniform was now stained with mottled blood, most of it belonging to others.
During the recent melee, his uniform had been torn to shreds, revealing lean yet explosive muscles underneath, marked with several scratches from fingernails.
He was panting heavily, his chest rising and falling dramatically, but his eyes shone with a terrifying intensity!
In the classroom, he was the only one still standing.
Oh, no, strictly speaking, there was one more.
In the most secluded corner of the classroom, a fair-skinned boy was curled into a ball, trembling, having not participated in the brawl from beginning to end.
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the "corpses" scattered on the floor, first chuckling softly, then his laughter grew louder, finally turning into unbridled, wild cackling.
"Haha... hahahaha!"
What a rush!
It was so damn exhilarating!
At this moment, he felt that the pent-up frustration that had accumulated in his chest for an unknown period had completely vanished!
That wasn't just the original owner's resentment.
It also included his own endless hatred from his previous life, of being betrayed and having his body dumped in Daxia Bay!
But now, none of that mattered!
Because he had rediscovered the feeling of his youth, that thrill and pleasure of fist-to-flesh combat, of solving everything with violence!
He knew what he had to do!
To hell with corporations!
To hell with frontmen!
In this life, I will stand above everyone!
And it starts with... dominating Suzuran!
His life was—
Fight!
Fight!
And fight again!
Ryuzaki Shin stopped laughing. He directed his gaze towards the only "survivor" in the corner and beckoned him with a finger.
The person looked left and right, realizing he was indeed the only one left in the entire classroom, and his pale face instantly turned bloodless with fright.
But he didn't dare to refuse, so he scrambled and stumbled his way to Ryuzaki Shin.
As soon as he arrived, before Ryuzaki Shin could speak—
With a thud!
The kid executed a direct slide, kneeling on the ground, then pulled a stack of crumpled yen from his pocket, holding it above his head with both hands, his voice choked with sobs.
"B-Boss! This is all my money! Please don't hit me!"
Oh?
So sensible?
Ryuzaki Shin took the money and casually counted it.
Well, well, there were a full twenty thousand yen?
This kid looked like he dressed ordinarily, but he turned out to be a small rich kid.
Ryuzaki Shin then scrutinized the kid more closely; although his clothes seemed understated, a closer look revealed they were all unfamiliar but expensive-looking brands.
He's a fat sheep!
He patted the kid's shoulder and asked in a gentle tone, "What's your name?"
"Sa... Sasaki Yu..."
"Hmm, very good." Ryuzaki Shin patted his shoulder again, then pointed at the groaning wretches on the floor:
"Now, I'm entrusting you with a glorious and arduous task."
"Search all the money off them for me!"
Ryuzaki Shin was indeed short on cash; although Mrs. Uehara was very kind to him, he couldn't keep delaying three months' rent forever.
Business is business; the most important thing for him, as someone involved in the underworld, was "trust."
But for him, a big shot from his previous life, to go work a job for money? That was a joke, wasn't it?
So, it was better to stick to the path he was familiar with.
This wasn't robbery; it was merely temporarily "borrowing" his classmates' idle funds, helping them to safeguard them, that's all.
Sasaki Yu looked at Ryuzaki Shin's face, which, though smiling, was more terrifying than a demon, and he dared not utter a single "no."
He swallowed hard, then could only shakily stand up and begin searching the people lying on the ground.
Every time he found a wallet, he would bow ninety degrees to that person, muttering incessantly.
"Sumimasen!"
"I am truly very sorry!"
"Sumimasen!"
Ryuzaki Shin was a bit curious; this kid seemed even more cowardly than the original owner, how had he survived in this class until now?
Suddenly, he noticed that the kid had delicate features and skin even fairer than a girl's.
A thought flashed through his mind.
Could he be... selling himself?
A shiver of disgust ran through him, and he quickly shook off that terrifying thought.
Before long, Sasaki Yu had collected all the money and respectfully handed it to Ryuzaki Shin.
Ryuzaki Shin took it and looked.
Oh ho, not bad, he had managed to collect almost thirty thousand yen more.
Today's haul was quite substantial!
By his diligent hands and clever mind, he had earned fifty thousand yen on the first day of school!
Indeed, a true talent shines wherever he goes!
Considering the actual situation in 1985, 50,000 yen could buy approximately 20-25 grams of gold.
"Well done."
Ryuzaki Shin patted Sasaki Yu's shoulder, then prepared to leave.
After all, in a broken school like Suzuran, you could come and go as you pleased; no one cared.
His alarm for school was originally set for afternoon classes, and now, after all this commotion, it was almost four in the afternoon, so leaving was fine.
Sasaki Yu saw him about to leave, hesitated for a moment, and then followed him, preparing to leave together.
Just then!
A sudden change occurred!
Sakata Koji, who had been lying on the ground with his right hand pinned, had a flicker of extreme malice in his eyes!
He actually gritted his teeth and brutally pulled the sharp table leg out of his palm!
Blood instantly stained the floor!
Enduring the severe pain, he gripped the blood-soaked wooden splinter with his left hand and shakily climbed to his feet.
He took a deep breath, and with all his might, let out an inhuman roar!
"Ryuzaki Shin! Go to hell, you bastard!!"
With that, he charged like a mad dog towards Ryuzaki Shin's back!
The wooden splinter, glinting with a cold light, aimed directly for Ryuzaki Shin's heart!
Sasaki Yu's gaze had been fixed behind Ryuzaki Shin, and when he saw Sakata Koji's berserk, explosive movement, his pale face instantly drained of all color.
He almost instinctively shrieked.
"Look out!"
However, facing this sudden backstab, Ryuzaki Shin didn't even bat an eyelid.
He thought to himself, "Amateur."
What kind of underhanded tricks hadn't he seen?
Getting stabbed in the back was practically commonplace.
With such a meager trick, he thought he could ambush him?
Ryuzaki Shin's hands remained in his pockets, not even changing his posture, but at the moment Sakata Koji was about to pounce on his back, his body subtly shifted half a step to the left at a very precise angle.
It was just this understated half-step.
Sakata Koji's full-force lunge grazed Ryuzaki Shin's clothes, striking nothing but air!
Because of his excessive force, Sakata Koji's body, propelled by immense inertia, surged forward, unable to stop.
And Ryuzaki Shin was waiting for this very moment.
He didn't even turn his head; his right foot shot out like a cannonball, carrying a fierce gust of wind, and accurately kicked Sakata Koji squarely in the back!
Bang!
A dull, heavy thud!
"Pfft—"
Sakata Koji felt as if his back had been violently struck by a battering ram; a mouthful of old blood spurted out, and his entire body, like a kite with a broken string, flew backward towards the classroom door!
Boom!
The already dilapidated wooden classroom door, under the impact of Sakata Koji's body, instantly splintered into pieces, with wood chips flying everywhere!
Sakata Koji crashed heavily onto the corridor floor, his body twitching twice before falling completely still, only a faint groan indicating he was still alive.
Ryuzaki Shin then slowly turned around, looked at the crumpled mess by the door, and curled his lip.
"If you're going to ambush, just ambush. Why yell and scream, making sure everyone knows you're going to stab me in the ass?"
He withdrew his foot, put his hands back in his pockets, as if he had merely kicked away an annoying stone.
After dealing with the ambush, Ryuzaki Shin looked down the corridor, frowning.
Because he suddenly realized that the usually crowded and noisy hallway had become eerily silent.
The students on both sides of the corridor, whether they were roughhousing or smoking, now seemed to have been paused, each one pressed against the wall, heads down, not daring to even breathe.
Ryuzaki Shin thought to himself, "This isn't right. Did I really subdue the entire place with my kingly aura so quickly?"
But the next second, he understood.
From the staircase, a heavy and uniform "thump-thump" sound echoed.
The sound wasn't like students walking; it was more like a well-trained army on the march.
It sounded like at least dozens of people.
Ryuzaki Shin tilted his head, looking in the direction of the sound.
He saw a large group of dozens of people, majestically moving through the hallway, heading towards them.
Serizawa Army
Each person in this group exuded a fierce aura that warned others to keep their distance.
Their school uniforms were disheveled, but their steps were surprisingly synchronized, each stride seemingly landing on one's heartbeat, full of oppressive power.
Ryuzaki Shin's eyes narrowed slightly.
He recognized the person leading them at a glance.
Fluffy curly hair, always half-lidded eyes, a perpetually sleepy and lazy demeanor, yet within that seemingly short body, explosive power was contained.
Serizawa Tamao
The King of Beasts, Serizawa Tamao!
Following closely on his left and right were two people with distinctly different temperaments.
One had sharp eyes and a constant, faint smile on his lips; this was Serizawa's strategist, Tatsukawa Tokio.
Tokio
The other was tall, with a cold expression, hands in his pockets, exuding a "don't mess with me" vibe; he was the Serizawa Army's top enforcer, Tokaji Yuji.
Tokaji Yuji
And behind them was another guy wearing a judo uniform, with a slender build, who seemed very agile.
That was another fierce general of the Serizawa Army, Tsutsumoto Shoji, a monster who had once earned a spot on the national judo team.
Tsutsumoto Shoji
This was Suzuran's strongest delinquent group, currently aiming to conquer Suzuran—
The Serizawa Army!
Serizawa Army
Wherever the Serizawa Army passed, all the students parted automatically, like the Red Sea, making way for them.
They walked straight ahead, without looking left or right, directly to the classroom door.
When they saw Sakata Koji lying on the ground, unconscious and blocking their path.
Serizawa Tamao didn't even pause his steps.
He simply casually lifted his foot, like kicking away a trash bag, and kicked Sakata Koji's body over ten meters away!
With a "bang," Sakata Koji's body slammed heavily against the wall at the end of the corridor, completely passing out.
Serizawa Tamao's steps didn't falter; he merely glanced at Ryuzaki Shin.
Seeing that he was wearing torn clothes and covered in bloodstains.
And in the classroom behind him, bodies lay haphazardly, groaning.
A contemptuous yet intrigued smile slowly formed on his lips.
Then, he simply led his men past Ryuzaki Shin, as if nothing had happened.
The students in the corridor didn't dare to cautiously exhale until the Serizawa Army's figures had completely disappeared down the stairwell.
"Tokio, I haven't seen this guy before. Where's he from?"
Serizawa Tamao asked lazily as he walked.
Tatsukawa Tokio pushed up his glasses and chuckled, "He seems to be a transfer student. I heard he just arrived yesterday."
"Heh…" Serizawa chuckled softly, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes, "Looks like an interesting guy has arrived."
Tokaji Yuji curled his lip in disdain, "He's just a slightly bigger crow, he won't cause any trouble."
Serizawa laughed heartily, patting Tokaji's shoulder, "Come on, let's go play cards on the rooftop. Whoever loses today pays!"
"Alright!"
The group laughed and walked away, as if everything that had just happened was merely an insignificant roadside scene.
This was the School of Crows.
The strong prey on the weak, and the strong are revered .
Ryuzaki Shin watched their retreating figures, feeling no fear at all; instead, his blood began to course faster through his veins.
He could sense an unimaginably terrifying power contained within Serizawa Tamao's body.
That guy is strong!
This school is getting more and more interesting.
A smile, full of fighting spirit, also appeared on his lips.
Just then, Sasaki Yu dared to peek his head out from the classroom. After confirming it was safe, he jogged over to Ryuzaki Shin's side and whispered,
"Um… Big Brother, your bento."
With that, he handed the bento box, exquisitely wrapped in a cloth, to Ryuzaki Shin with both hands.
It had apparently fallen to the ground by accident during the fight earlier.
Truth be told, with Sasaki Yu's reminder, Ryuzaki Shin did feel a bit hungry.
He took the bento, and without caring if it was mealtime or not, or the complex gazes of those around him, he directly found a relatively intact chair on the spot, sat down, and opened the bento box.
An enticing aroma instantly spread through the air.
Over the pristine, plump rice, a layer of golden-yellow thick omelet was spread. Beside it were octopus-shaped sausages made with molds, and a few sprigs of vibrant green broccoli as garnish.
It was simple, yet full of a homey warmth.
Ryuzaki Shin picked up his chopsticks and put a piece of the thick omelet into his mouth.
It was sweet but not cloying, with a rich egg flavor and a perfectly soft texture.
He then tasted a bite of the rice, which was soft, sticky, and sweet, carrying a pleasant aroma.
"What excellent cooking…"
Ryuzaki Shin praised inwardly. Mrs. Uehara was not only beautiful but also an exceptional cook.
She truly was a good woman.
He devoured the entire bento in a flash, leaving not even a single grain of rice.
After eating, he re-wrapped the bento box with the cloth, stood up, and felt his body full of strength.
When he arrived at the school gate, Sasaki Yu actually followed him again and timidly called out to him.
"Big Brother, what's your name?"
Ryuzaki Shin glanced at him. This kid was like a shadow, timid to death, yet full of curiosity.
He wasn't impatient, merely uttering two words faintly.
"Ryuzaki Shin."
"Ryuzaki… Shin…"
Sasaki Yu nodded, then surprisingly pulled out a flip phone from his pocket and earnestly pressed something on it, as if to note down Ryuzaki Shin's name.
Ryuzaki Shin was astonished.
He remembered clearly that the current timeline was 1985. Mobile phones were not yet widespread in Sakura Country; only the elites of top zaibatsu or politicians could afford them.
This kid, an ordinary-looking student, could actually pull out a phone?
He scrutinized Sasaki Yu, his confusion deepening.
But the next second, he became speechless.
"Kid, do you have no common sense? Do I look like someone who owns a phone?"
The implication was, can't you tell I'm poor, damn it!
"Ah?!"
Sasaki Yu's face flushed. He finally realized and quickly bowed ninety degrees to Ryuzaki Shin, his voice loud as if afraid others wouldn't hear.
"Sumimasen!"
Ryuzaki Shin was utterly speechless. This lunatic.
This guy's polite demeanor was completely out of place in Suzuran, this crow's nest.
What exactly was his background?
Why would he come to school here?
However, that was Sasaki Yu's own business, and Ryuzaki Shin couldn't be bothered to ask.
He waved his hand, indicating that he was leaving.
But just as he was about to take a step, Sasaki Yu called out to him again.
"Big Brother!"
Ryuzaki Shin finally showed a hint of impatience, turning back to glare at him.
Sasaki Yu shivered under his glare but still mustered his courage, pointed to a black car parked by the roadside, and whispered:
"Shin-nii, how about… I have my driver take you back?"
...Ryuzaki Shin eventually got into the car.
There was no helping it; if someone was offering a ride, it would be foolish not to take it.
The driver drove steadily through the streets, following the address Ryuzaki Shin had given him.
Although Ryuzaki Shin wasn't highly educated in his previous life, he had a soft spot for cars, and he recognized this one at a glance.
It was a Toyota Century, the second generation launched in 1982.
With a V8 engine, hand-woven pure wool seats, and a low-key luxurious interior, it was known as the "Rolls-Royce" of Sakura Country at the time, the preferred vehicle for top political and business magnates.
His confusion deepened.
What exactly was Sasaki Yu's background?
However, as they weren't close yet, he didn't ask further.
Suzuran was actually not far from where he lived, just a fifteen-minute walk, and a few minutes by car.
The car pulled to a smooth stop in front of the two-story building.
"Shin-nii, please take care."
Sasaki Yu waved to him from inside the car.
Ryuzaki Shin waved back, as a farewell.
The moment he pushed open the car door, he realized something was wrong.
The cozy little restaurant run by Uehara Asuka on the first floor was in complete disarray!
Tables and chairs were overturned, shards of dishes were scattered everywhere, and the walls had even been splattered with red paint!
Ryuzaki Shin's eyes instantly turned cold.
Immediately after, a frantic banging on the door erupted from the second floor!
The voice of the landlady's scoundrel ex-husband, like a soul-reaping demon, rang out again.
"Bitch! Didn't you keep a gigolo? Where is he? Tell him to get out here!"
Then, he turned to a few men in flashy clothes beside him, who looked like the bosozoku of Sakura Country at the time, and smiled fawningly:
"Big Brothers, smash the door open! This woman, you can have your way with her today! I'll take responsibility for anything that happens!"
Ryuzaki Shin's brows instantly furrowed into a knot.
Are you kidding? This building is my spawn point, and my only current place to stay.
And you bunch of scumbags think you can take it over?
Without a word, he grabbed the bento box he had just finished eating and strode towards the stairs.
Just then, the car window of the Toyota Century behind him slowly lowered, and the driver, who had been silent and expressionless, suddenly spoke.
His voice was flat, as if stating a fact.
"Judging by their clothing, they appear to be members of the 'Red Scorpion,' a small local group that makes a living from loan sharking, all bosozoku riding modified motorcycles. You'd best wait until they leave before going up."
The driver's gaze met Ryuzaki Shin's tattered, blood-stained school uniform in the rearview mirror, and he shook his head inwardly.
This kid was, after all, just a student, thin and weak, and already injured.
Confronting armed bosozoku empty-handed now? Wasn't that just pure suicide?
Since the young master held this poor kid in high regard, he should at least give him a hint.
Sasaki Yu also leaned out from the back seat, a hint of worry on his face:
"Shin-nii, how about…"
Before he could finish, Ryuzaki Shin waved his hand, cutting him off, and looked at the driver.
"You mean they're good fighters?"
The driver glanced upstairs at a large man weighing over 200 pounds and three muscular men holding baseball bats.
"Those four men would require at least two people like me to handle."
Ryuzaki Shin looked at the driver's muscular physique and stern face, which indeed had the air of a retired soldier.
But Ryuzaki Shin merely curled his lips slightly.
"Thanks, then I'm relieved."
The driver: