In the bustling capital of Orakano Island, neon lights shimmered above the crowds, loud music filled the air, and street vendors called out, selling their goods in the side markets. Amidst the chaos, Akio and Yoko walked together, but unlike the lively atmosphere, Yoko’s face was filled with tension and worry, as if she was searching for something important—or rather… someone.

Yoko (her voice uneasy as she looks around): “To be honest, I’m not from Orakano Island. I came here to search for someone, but I don’t know if I’ll find him or not.”

Akio (curious): “And who is this person?”

Yoko: “His name is Ken. He’s sixteen, the same age as me. We were childhood friends.”

Akio: “I’ll help you looking for him!”

But suddenly, as they walked through a side street, something caught their attention—a strange scene unfolding in a dark alley.

A group of thuggish men had surrounded a single individual who stood calmly, leaning against an old wall. He had vivid red hair, a white cap covering part of his face, and a cigarette between his fingers, which he lit nonchalantly, as if nothing in the world mattered. That person was Ken.

Yoko’s eyes widened instantly, her heart skipped a beat, while Akio watched the scene with cautious curiosity.

Thug #1 (smirking): “Hahaha, look at this kid! He looks lonely and miserable. What do you guys think? Should we have some fun with him?”

Thug #2 (laughing arrogantly): “Sounds good! Hey, you! Look at us when we talk to you, boy!”

But Ken didn’t move. He didn’t even lift his eyes.

Thug #3 (irritated by the silence): “Are you deaf, brat? Don’t have a tongue to answer us?”

The gang’s frustration grew. One of them stepped forward aggressively, reaching out to grab Ken by the collar. But before his hand could touch Ken… A sudden burst of fire erupted from Ken’s body! In an instant, flames surged around him, heat flooding the alley in mere seconds. The gang members jumped back in terror.

Thug #1 (shouting as he stumbled backward): “What… what the hell is this?!”

Their eyes widened in horror, staring at Ken, who still hadn’t moved. But now, his feet were surrounded by flickering red flames, glowing a deep crimson. For a moment, he remained silent, his eyes still cast downward.

Then, slowly, he took a drag from his cigarette, exhaled, and finally lifted his head. His gray eyes—cold and sharp like unsheathed blades—locked onto the gang members. There was no fear in him, and no emotion.

Just a chilling indifference, mixed with an overwhelming presence, enough to make some of the thugs instinctively step back.

Thug #2 (forcing a nervous grin, trying to regain confidence): “You’re pretty bold to be standing here alone, kid. Do you think you can take on the Orakano Gang?”

Ken took another slow drag of his cigarette, then glanced at them briefly, as if they were nothing more than insects.

Ken (his voice quiet, yet carrying a hidden menace): “I wasn’t looking for trouble… but it seems trouble was looking for me.”

One of the gang members, unwilling to back down, lunged forward, reaching for Ken’s sword. Before he could lay a finger on the blade, Ken vanished completely. Not even a flicker of movement, and then he reappeared behind the man, standing right behind his shoulder.

A sudden wave of scorching heat hit the thug, followed by a scream of agony! He realized too late—his hand, the one that had reached for Ken’s sword, was now partially burned!

Ken (his voice eerily calm, yet paralyzing): “I think this conversation is over… It would be best if you all left.”

The gang froze in place, but when Ken stepped forward just once, a violent burst of flames ignited beside him, as if warning them. They didn’t need to be told twice.

In the blink of an eye, they turned and ran, fleeing the alley as fast as their legs could carry them—like they were running from death itself.

While the gang scattered, Yoko remained frozen in place. She stared at Ken, her eyes wide, filled with an indescribable shock, it was as if she couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Akio (confused, looking at Yoko): “What’s wrong? Do you know this guy?”

But Yoko didn’t answer. Her lips trembled, her eyes welled with tears she couldn’t stop from falling. She was looking at Ken, as if he were a ghost from her past… or a dream she had longed for.

Yoko (her voice shaking as she whispered to herself): “This… this is impossible… Ken?!”

And before she even realized what she was doing, she ran toward him!

Ken, who had been watching the thugs disappear into the distance, felt someone suddenly crash into him—arms wrapping around him tightly. Her grip tightened around him, and before he could react, she began sobbing uncontrollably.

Yoko (her voice breaking as she clung to him): “Ken… I missed you… I can’t believe I finally found you!”

Ken froze, his mind stopped for a second, Something about this… felt strangely familiar.

But before he could fully process it, Yoko lifted her tear-streaked face to look at him. Her eyes were filled with longing and disbelief. Ken was still frozen.

And then, in a voice that sent a chill down her spine—

Ken (coldly, with the slightest trace of hesitation): “Who… are you?”

Yoko’s body stiffened. Her breathing hitched, and for a moment, she thought she misheard him.

Yoko (her voice shaking, almost pleading): “Ken… it’s me, Yoko… Don’t you remember me?! I came to Orakano to find you!”

Ken’s gray eyes flickered—not with recognition, but with something unreadable.

Ken (muttering, as if repeating the name to himself): “Yoko? Are you… Yoko?”

Yoko nodded quickly, smiling through her tears, her heart racing. But Ken didn’t say anything, his expression remained unreadable. Then, after a brief moment, he stepped back slightly, lowering his gaze.

And without a word, he dropped his cigarette and crushed it beneath his boot. As if trying to process the unexpected reunion in his own, cold, detached way.