Takemichi is still being tailed by the Tenjiku members, unable to get close to Kisaki. That bastard, meanwhile, is well protected by his subordinates. Draken and Kakuchou are locked in a fight that's evenly matched. As for Taiju and Hanma, they're clearly enjoying the show - the twisted excitement on their faces is enough to make anyone want to stay far away.

But the fiercest battle is still the one between the leaders of Touman and Tenjiku. They go at each other with devastating kicks. If in the past Izana held the upper hand in the early stages of the fight, now it's clear that Mikey completely dominates. Izana is only holding on for now, but it's only a matter of time before he goes down. Mikey's mind is steady as a rock, while Izana's is shattered - Takemichi has stirred up all his buried pain and broken him from the inside. The more unhinged Izana becomes, the faster his strength burns out.

"I have to kill you, Mikey! It's all your fault! You took everything from me!" He took Shinichiro. He took away Izana's hope. He stripped him of every ounce of love he ever had.

"I didn't take anything from you. Why can't you just end this meaningless fight, Izana?"

Mikey, seemingly fed up, slams a punch straight into Izana's face. The blow lands clean. The pace of the fight slows instantly.

"It was your people who killed Shinichiro! Because of you, I lost everything! And now you want to take him too!" Izana's voice cracks with rage. "I thought he would understand me. I thought he'd stay by my side... but..."

He clenches his fist, his face twisted in hatred, eyes clouded by madness. Takemichi's cold stare and cruel words echo in his head. He'll never stay by his side. Loneliness? Salvation? Lies. All of it. Takemichi is a liar. He'll be just like Shinichiro - he'll only ever love Mikey. He won't hesitate to hurt Izana for Mikey's sake.

"Go home, brother. Shinichiro is gone... but you still have me. And Emma. She's waiting for you to come back."

Mikey's voice trembles, barely holding itself together. After all, they're all grieving the same loss. Izana's head pounds. Every word feels like a blade cutting deeper into his chest. He doesn't want to hear any of it.

"I told you to shut up! I'm not your brother!"

He screams and lunges, throwing a punch. Mikey catches it without flinching. He grips Izana's fist tightly and steps closer, bringing their faces inches apart.

"Why are you so damn stubborn? All you had to do was open your heart - say one word, and both Emma and I would welcome you. No matter how much you hate me, we're still family, aren't we? Is it really that hard to love your own family?"

Mikey shouts too, overwhelmed by the fury and sorrow inside him. He knows Izana hates him - but standing face to face with this madness, Mikey finally understands what true hatred looks like, down to the marrow.

Izana is twisted, broken in ways words can't reach. Can I really save him? Takemichi... can I really save this brother?

Mikey's voice calling him "brother" and that single word - family - only deepen Izana's pain and fuel his rage.

Brother? Family? Don't say words that disgust me.

"Ha! Don't be ridiculous, Mikey. Didn't he already tell you? Didn't he say anything?" Izana scoffs. "I don't share a single drop of blood with you or Emma. I'm not related to either of you. Brother? Family? What a joke."

Mikey's eyes widen. His whole face freezes in shock. He glances at Takemichi, then back at Izana, trying to process what he just heard. Even Izana arches an eyebrow at his expression.

"...You didn't know?"

Mikey says nothing. Silence grips him. But suddenly, he remembers something Takemichi once said.

"Manjirou, no matter what happens, you, Emma, and Izana are all Shinichiro's siblings. So no matter what, bring Izana back. He needs you two."

Back then, Mikey didn't understand why Takemichi had emphasized all of Shinichiro's siblings like that. Now he does. Takemichi knew. He knew everything. He knew Izana hated him. He knew Izana would attack Touman. He knew Izana wasn't blood. And because he knew, he set all of this in motion.

Takemichi won't say it outright. It's Izana's secret, and he wants Izana to be the one to tell it. He just plans to push him, corner him into speaking. And he wants Mikey to truly face his own feelings. He'll let Mikey decide for himself.

In the past, Izana only told the truth - the real truth - right before he died. His death made the story more painful, more tragic. Takemichi wonders if Mikey hears it this time under less devastating circumstances... will he be different? Will he try to save Izana - this man who hates him to the bone, who shares no blood with him?

Takemichi believes in Mikey. With all his heart. He knows Mikey is kind, warm, and far more mature than his boyish face suggests. Takemichi always calls himself Mikey's hero. But deep down... Mikey is his hero too. A stubborn one. A relentless one. A hero who shoulders the pain of everyone else... And still wants to protect them all. To Takemichi, Mikey is the sun. Blazing. Brilliant. Full of fire and dreams.

And yet... he knows Izana, too. Knows the twisted, brutal, unhinged man he's become. Takemichi still remembers the cold gleam in Izana's eyes, the spine-chilling smile when he coldly ordered Kakuchou to kill him. That face haunts him. It's one of his worst nightmares - the moment he and Naoto lay on the freezing ground, death so close they could taste it. Part of him had wanted to die.

After all, he still fears Izana and still hates him. Because Izana let Kisaki kill Emma. He was the one who turned Mikey into ashes, left him hollow, manipulated him until he trusted no one - not even Draken - and drove him to destroy Touman. He reduced Sanzu, someone who worshiped Mikey like a god, to nothing. Sanzu didn't even show up in that timeline. Maybe back then, when Kisaki and Izana ruled Touman, the Japanese underworld was even more terrifying than what Bonten later became. And Taiju - his presence now is a brutal reminder. Takemichi remembers the time he returned and found Taiju praying in a church for Hakkai.

"Please free Hakkai from his regrets."

And those other words...

"They're all dead."

They're all dead!

So Izana, don't blame me for being cruel today. You were cruel first.

Even though Takemichi chooses to save him, he truly hesitates. But that moment - Izana shielding Kakuchou from the bullet, that glimpse into his past, that dying scene - Takemichi can't turn his back on him. It hurts. It hurts so damn much. He keeps telling himself Izana is to blame, but the truth is... Izana is just so broken. Now that there's still a sliver of warmth left in Izana's heart, Takemichi swears - he's going to save him. Before it's too late.

He's not trying to become Izana's salvation. The hatred between Izana and Mikey? That's theirs to settle. Mikey needs to face that, not him. Takemichi just clears the path so Mikey can do it.

Izana, don't make me regret this.

"I didn't know. Takemitchy never told me anything."

Izana tries to sneer at Mikey, but Mikey cuts him off before the smirk even forms.

"Does it matter? You're Shinichiro's brother. So are Emma and I."

Yeah, maybe it surprises him. But long before Takemichi made his plea, before Emma's dying wish, before even meeting Izana face to face - Mikey had already accepted him as his brother. He was ready to welcome him. And now that he knows they share something - both loving Shinichiro, both broken by his death - blood doesn't matter anymore.

But that only fuels the pain and fury inside Izana. No one gets it. No one ever understands. People like Mikey - who had love - how could they ever know? Even he wouldn't understand.

"Shut up. What the hell would you know?!"

Mikey steps in, their faces inches apart.

"What I don't get is why you keep clinging to that pain like it's all you've got - when you still had me. And Emma. Why destroy everything instead of reaching out to us? Izana, stop making the same mistake."

Mikey's voice doesn't waver. His eyes are fierce, unrelenting, but so honest. They stare into Izana's, straight through the hate - and it rattles him. His mind spirals, his chest tightens so hard it's hard to breathe. And then... Takemichi's words echo again.

"Izana, do you still believe you never got any love because you don't share the Sano family's blood? No. It's all because of you."

Was that true? Had it all been his fault?

No. No way. He isn't wrong. They are the ones who don't get it. None of them ever suffered like he did. None of them were abandoned. None of them were bullied, helpless and alone. None of them know what it's like to finally touch happiness - only to watch it vanish like smoke. None of them understand living with nothing but ashes.

But Mikey sees him hesitate - and that's all he needs. Takemichi already told him:

"Just hit him with everything you've got. Make it count. We're delinquents, right? Settle it with our fists - let the hate fly out with every punch."

Mikey channels everything into one final kick. Izana's strength is gone. He collapses to the ground, blood dripping from his nose and mouth, Kakuchou and the Tenjiku crew staring in stunned silence.

"You lost, Izana," Mikey says from above.

Izana, of course, refuses to accept it. He groans, drags himself up - but Mikey's already on him, pinning him down.

Izana thrashes, yelling: "Get off me, you bastard! I didn't lose!"

If he loses to Mikey - even in a fight - then he loses everything. There'll be nothing left.

"I said you lost. Tenjiku's done. You're done. End this pointless fight already! Why can't you see? Takemichi and I - we're trying to save you!"

Mikey's voice breaks as he yells the last part.

Save him? Both of them? One who stole everything, and one who dangled hope in front of him just to tear it away? And they say they want to save him?

Izana laughs - wild, unhinged. He's past reason now. He won't listen. He'll never accept it. Izana - the stubborn, broken madman - is too far gone.

"Mikey, move aside but keep this guy in check," Takemichi suddenly appears behind him.

Everyone stares at him, confused and stunned. But Mikey just nods and does what he says, no questions asked.

"So... the bad kid finally gets his punishment, huh?"

Takemichi flashes a grin like the Cheshire Cat, and it sends chills down everyone's spine. He breathes into his fist. In the shocked silence - including Mikey and Draken - he slams it into Izana's face. His punch isn't as powerful as Mikey's, but Izana's already wrecked from the last blow. Blood bursts from his nose, and it hurts like hell.

This... this is assault. Takemichi - the nice guy of Toman - actually throws hands. Mikey and Draken gape in disbelief, low-key mourning the fact their boys aren't here to witness this moment.

"Takemichi, stop! That's enough!"

Kakuchou rushes in, panic all over his face. But Draken grabs him.

"Real talk? Don't interfere. Let him do this. He's trying to help Izana."

Kakuchou freezes, teeth clenched, forced to watch Takemichi beat on Izana.

"Can you stop being insane for one damn second?"

"How many times do I have to tell you, you asshole?"

"Why won't you just stop already?"

"Crazy."

"Stubborn."

With every word, Takemichi throws another punch. Then he grabs Izana by the collar and yanks him up. Mikey flinches and lets go of Izana.

Mikey swallows hard. Draken winces at each merciless hit. Izana's face looks wrecked now, swelling more and more.

They silently promise themselves to never, ever make Takemichi this mad again. Thank you, Izana, for the valuable lesson.

They don't get it - Takemichi is collecting an old debt. This anger? It's been festering. Taiju, arms crossed, smirks proudly like a dad watching his kid grow up. The rest of Black Dragons and Tenjiku are dead silent, paralyzed by fear, watching him.

"Now you see it? Blood ties mean everything, huh? Who stole your love, exactly? You dumped everything on Mikey."

"Shinichiro died - did you think Mikey didn't grieve? Did you even try to understand how he felt? 'Turned to ash'? 'Turned into Shinichiro'? You're obsessed with your brother and it's sick. People aren't puppets you can force into some role to comfort your delusions. That mindset? Twisted and toxic."

"Look at me. I'm not Shinichiro. Mikey's not him either. He's gone. Accept it and let him rest. Do you even know what it means to respect the dead, you psycho little brother freak? If he's really watching from heaven, he'd regret ever finding you, you piece of shit."

"And what's that crap about 'only you,' 'no one by your side'? What about Kakuchou, huh? Don't you care about him? He's done everything for you and you know it. What about your crew? They've been with you for years, followed you, respected you like a king. You think they're just afraid of you?"

"Have you ever asked Emma how she feels? Whether she sees you as her brother? Have you ever noticed Mikey tried to save you? Do you even look at the present anymore? You're all twisted up inside - go get therapy or something. No matter how many people you hurt, it's not gonna fix your past."

"Stop screwing up already! If your past is that painful, let it go! Have you ever stopped and looked at what you do have? Mikey. Emma. Kakuchou. Even the guys in Tenjiku. Let go of that dead past and start valuing what's right in front of you. Stop obsessing over Shinichiro, you damn idiot. You're not alone, Izana. I - Mikey - Emma - we all want to save you. We want you to be happy, you stubborn lunatic!"

Takemichi yells everything in one breath - a flood of frustration, grief, and rage finally let loose. He's had enough of playing nice. Words don't work on boys. But punches? They hit different. And this one? This one won't stop until Izana finally gets it.

"Takemitchy... take a breath."

Even Mikey sounds scared. He speaks gently, cautious. He doesn't really get everything Takemichi just said - but one thing's clear: if this keeps going, not even Izana's strength will save him from becoming a human punching bag. Mikey quietly wonders... why has Takemichi never yelled at him like that? Is he lucky? Or is Izana? It's the first time Mikey sees Takemichi like this. Fierce. Raw. Beautiful. Terrifying, but... something about it is amazing.

Izana's stunned. He just stares at Takemichi - at those angry blue eyes. He listens to the words, every scolding syllable, and something inside him breaks. Like a child getting scolded too harshly, his emotions burst. He starts sobbing uncontrollably.

Takemichi scowls and finally lets him go. Izana crumples, curling into himself, hiding his face as tears fall.

He's the bastard. Takemichi came to him so gently at first. Forced him to see Shinichiro in him. Lured him in. Made him care. And once he got what he wanted - he ripped Izana apart. And now? Now he's yelling, angry, calling it "help," calling it "saving." Talking about happiness?

What a joke.

All he's done is throw Izana's whole world into chaos.

Takemichi... is a cruel, cruel man.

Takemichi still wears that scowling face as he stands up and pulls out his phone. No one dares to speak; they all just watch him in silence. Even his sigh makes the group flinch - hell, even the fights don't feel this tense. If the Touman guys were here, they wouldn't believe this was their precious little sun, their fragile baby, making people freeze like this.

He clears his throat right as the line connects. His voice switches instantly, back to his usual light and cheerful tone - faster than flipping a pancake.

"Emma-chan, it's me. Hey, talk to Izana for a sec, okay?"

Takemichi doesn't spare a glance at the broken man curled up on the concrete. He grabs Izana's trembling arm, pulling it away from his tear-streaked face, forcing him to look up. The others swallow hard, mentally cursing him. Sadist. Definitely a sadist.

"Emma-chan has something to say to you. Listen. Now."

His tone drops, voice low and threatening. Izana doesn't move, doesn't respond. What more does Takemichi want? Hasn't he suffered enough?

Takemichi takes another breath to rein it in.

"Taiju. Mikey. Hold him down." Takemichi says, voice sharp like a command.

Taiju clicks his tongue but obeys, abandoning the half-conscious Hanma and walking over. He mutters under his breath about regrets - but what can he do now? He already said he'd follow this guy. Who knew he'd end up being pushed around like this? God really has a twisted sense of humor.

"Sit him up. One on each side."

Takemichi's pissed. Manners, appearances, all of that - out the window. Mikey and Taiju lift Izana roughly. He grits his teeth so hard his lip nearly bleeds. His furious, teary eyes glare at Takemichi, but he can't break free. Takemichi holds the phone to his face, on speaker.

Emma's soft voice comes through.

"Izana-nii... do you remember me?"

Izana bites down on his lip, refusing to answer. Takemichi really feels like smacking him.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it? It's okay if you don't remember me. But I still remember you, Izana-nii. I was really little back then, so I don't remember your face that well... but I remember you said you'd come back for me someday."

She pauses, then continues.

"How have you been? Mikey-nii is there with you, right? Has he told you anything yet? Do you... want to live with us? I already talked to Grandpa. He said you can come live with us anytime. But even if you don't want that, can you at least come visit me? I know how to cook now. I'll make all your favorite food."

Each word from Emma stabs deeper into Izana's heart. And he cries harder.

"Emma... I'm not your real brother," he chokes out. "I'm not a part of the Sano family... I can't..."

There's a stunned silence from the phone. Emma doesn't speak for a moment.

Izana breaks down completely, collapsing forward, tears spilling onto the concrete. The proud, wild boy is gone. All that's left is a lost, lonely teen, drowning in the dark, longing for someone to care, someone to heal all those old wounds.

"It's okay. You'll always be my brother, Izana," Emma finally says. "We're both Shinichirou-nii's siblings. He loved all of us, and we all love him. Mikey and I already lost him... I don't want to lose you too. So it's really okay, Izana. I miss you so much. Please... come back to me."

Izana slowly lifts his head, eyes fixed on the phone in Takemichi's hand. Takemichi sees it - something shifting in those eyes. Something soft. His lips tremble, then press together again.

Takemichi gives a small smile and nods at Mikey and Taiju to let go. Then he hands the phone over. Izana takes it slowly. And then the sobs come - loud and raw.

What kind of heart doesn't melt at words like that from a sweet little sister?

Izana doesn't say anything. He can't. He just cries. Every ounce of pain, every humiliation, every lonely wound comes pouring out with those tears.

And finally, Takemichi turns his gaze toward Kisaki, who's still surrounded by his men.

"Kimura, clear them out. Grab the guy with glasses and drag him over here."

The man seems to snap out of something. He looks at Takemichi with a strange expression - but Takemichi doesn't have the time to figure it out. In the blink of an eye, the man returns to normal and turns to Kisaki, who's frozen in place, his face twisted in panic as he stares back at Takemichi.

But before Takemichi can get any closer, Kisaki's loyal dogs rush in and block his way.

A second later, a roar of a motorbike cuts through the noise - and just like that, Kisaki is yanked away. Hanma laughs as he speeds off, glancing back at Takemichi, who stands there, stunned.

Okay. Now I'm pissed.

The fury boils over. It's just like old times. Too focused on Izana again - and once more, he misses Hanma's move. Over two hundred people here - some still on their feet, some down - total chaos. Add to that the "emotional reunion" with Izana, and no one's paying attention to Hanma. That bastard sneaks in, grabs a motorbike, and rides off with Kisaki right under their noses. And of course, Kisaki's annoying loyalists just had to get in the way.

Damn it. This isn't a game.

"Mikey, watch Izana. Draken, handle the rest of Tenjiku. Taiju - you're with me!"

Takemichi bolts, grabs a bike, and takes off.

"That punk's getting cockier by the minute," Taiju mutters, then jumps on a bike and races after him.