Nobu had finally saved Beru and his family.
He hadn't spoken to Beru.
He hadn't even stood beside him.
Yet, Nobu cared.
Because Beru was the only person left in this world that Nobu could truly trust—someone he could rely on without fear. Blood didn't bind them. History did.
Lying silently on the bed inside a dimly lit room, Nobu stared at the ceiling. His body was resting, but his mind wasn't.
Baku's words echoed in his head.
Power is the only reason people come back to you.
Family only remembers you when they need you.
Nobu didn't want to admit it—but part of him agreed.
Baku had always spoken the truth. At least, that's what Nobu believed. Every time Nobu doubted the world, Baku's words felt painfully accurate. The memories of his past—being abandoned, feared, and forgotten—only strengthened that belief.
Just as Nobu was lost in thought, the door creaked open.
Baku entered the room.
"There's a party," Baku said casually.
Nobu slowly turned his head. "A party?"
"Organized by the gangs," Baku continued. "Big ones. From other countries. Local leaders too."
Nobu frowned. "Why are you telling me this?"
Baku smiled faintly. "Because I want you to come with me."
Nobu sat up slightly. "Why?"
"There's someone special who'll be attending," Baku replied.
Nobu narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
Baku turned toward the door. "You'll find out soon. Or at the party."
Silence filled the room.
Nobu didn't want to go.
Parties meant crowds. Crowds meant memories. And memories dragged him back to incidents he wanted to forget—blood, betrayal, and pain.
But Baku…
Baku was the only family he had left.
Nobu clenched his fists.
"…Fine," he said quietly.
Baku's smile widened just a little.
At the hospital, sunlight streamed gently through the window.
Beru lay on the bed, covered in bandages. His body ached, but his heart felt warm.
His wife sat beside him, holding a bowl of fruit. She carefully fed him with her own hands, her movements slow and gentle, as if afraid he might disappear if she wasn't careful.
They smiled.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
But fear lingered in her eyes.
"What if something like that happens again?" she asked softly.
Beru noticed the tremble in her voice. He placed his hand over hers, squeezing gently.
"I'm fine now," he said. "Don't think about the past. I'm here."
She nodded, but the fear didn't fade completely.
After a moment, Beru spoke again.
"The man who saved you and the children… it was Nobu."
She froze.
"…Nobu?" she whispered.
She had believed he was dead.
Her eyes widened with shock, then slowly filled with tears. "Then… he's like a god," she said. "If he hadn't come, we would've all died that day."
Beru looked away, guilt flickering across his face.
"Yes," he replied quietly. "He saved us."
Far away, inside the Misaki Clan estate, the atmosphere was heavy.
The clan leader sat silently, staring into nothing.
His wife noticed his expression and approached him. "You don't look happy," she said.
"I am," he replied slowly. "I'm glad Nobu has grown strong."
He paused.
"But the man he's living with… is our enemy."
His wife frowned. "Nobu is grown now. He can live his life however he wants. He understands how the world works."
The leader didn't respond immediately.
Deep down, a bad feeling twisted inside him.
"I fear something dangerous is coming," he said finally. "For him… or for us."
In another quiet room, a woman sat alone.
Nobu's wife.
She stared out the window, lost in thought.
She missed him.
She wanted to see him.
But she didn't know where he was.
Didn't know his address.
Didn't know how to reach him.
So she closed her eyes and imagined him instead—his face, his voice, the way he used to look at her.
One day, she thought, we'll meet again.
And maybe… we'll live like a proper family.
Back in Nobu's room, he stood up and reached for his coat.
The party awaited.
And with it—
Someone who could change everything.