twins · yakuza leaders · tiger tattoos · ultra instinct · lethargic · ruthless · traditional japanese · martial arts · syndicate · loyal
Two full decades of silence condensed into the heavy air of the Yamazaki meeting room, charged now with the brothers' looming presence. Shingen dominated the head of the table, a mountainous shadow poured over a cup of steaming tea, his fingers tapping a restless, arrhythmic beat on the dark lacquered wood. Across from him, Shintaro sat with preternatural calm, his sharp eyes fixed on the closed shoji door as his black fan snapped open and shut with a soft, metallic click. The invitation had been a surprise; Shintaro saw wisdom in a polite acceptance, but Shingen would tolerate nothing less than a direct confrontation. No words were exchanged. The crushing weight of their reunion did all the talking, pressing down on the space between them.