3 Prologue

Cold February was filled with gunfire. It was followed by shrill screams and bodies thudding on the ground.

A young man's head was covered with blood, which flowed into a pond on the tatami mat. He lay motionless, holding a revolver in his hand.

Natsuo's hands were shaking on his thighs as he sat on his knees across from the dead man. His frightened deep blue eyes were hidden behind teal-colored hair strands and he felt a drumming heartbeat in both ears as his chest pounded loudly.

Someone forced him to stand by grabbing his arm. He was led to the garden, where the frosty land was also stained with blood and the bodies of black-suited men. The sound of the helicopter's propeller faded as it flew farther away from them. Authorities shouted commands at those who were still standing and those who had dropped their machine guns. The police officers pushed the surrendered yakuza men to their knees, and their evil eyes glared at Natsuo and the person leading him.

A badly wounded man lay next to wilted azalea flowers as they walked toward the torii gate. His lips moved weakly as he mumbled prayers, puffing steam into the chilly air. The body beside him was covered in a white sheet, a pale hand peeking beneath it.

These shot men who had only recently scowled at him under the snowy cherry trees were now lying in dead silence. Natsuo knew this would happen and didn't even warn them about the upcoming attack, but he was left with no choice. He was willing to risk the lives of many to protect the one he cared about.

Natsuo breathed in the winter's pungent air, the smell of smoke and gunpowder still floating everywhere, before he was pushed into a police car. The sounds of sirens and screams of pain echoed in his ears as they drove away, leaving the gruesome scene behind.