Chapter 18: An Encounter Behind Bars

"Damn it! Who are you?!" Daigo yelled, his voice a mix of rage and fear.

"We'll talk later," Arata replied, pointing to the alley. "Now, run!"

Daigo hesitated, his pride as a gang leader still clinging to him. But a stray bullet hitting the wall beside him brought him to his senses. He followed Arata, running with all his might.

As they reached the end of the alley, police sirens wailed. The two rival gangs fled, while the battered Green Dragon members were arrested. Arata and Daigo hid behind a pile of boxes. Arata pulled Daigo, dragging him into a waiting black car.

"Where are we going, Sensei?!" Daigo asked.

"We're going to prison," Arata replied calmly. "To meet someone."

Upon arriving, Daigo saw a sturdy building with high fences. His face went pale. It was Tokyo West Prison, where his brother, Kaito Ishigami, was incarcerated.

Daigo was taken to the visitation room. Kaito was already there, looking at a news report on a tablet, his eyes filled with fury.

"YOU IDIOT!" Kaito screamed, slapping the glass. "YOU'RE USELESS! How many times have I told you not to follow the same path as me?! Forge your own future!"

Tears streamed down Kaito's face. "But... I want to be like you! I want to be respected!" Daigo cried.

"THAT'S NOT HOW YOU GET IT!" Kaito's voice was now full of sadness. "Be a good person... earn achievements. That's true respect!"

Daigo could only cry. Kaito looked at Arata through the glass, his eyes pleading. "I can't do anything anymore. It's up to you, Arata. Please, watch over my brother."

Arata nodded. He had what he wanted: a soul he could save.