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A City on Edge
The air in Kurokawa City was different now.
The streets felt tenser, the people quieter.
News stations buzzed with strange power outages, unexplained collapses, and entire districts suddenly abandoned.
The Phantom Syndicate was moving.
And they weren't being subtle about it.
Inside the safehouse, Akira, Hiroshi, Daisuke, and the others gathered around a map of the city.
Renji's voice was calm, but the meaning of his words was anything but.
"They've started their attack."
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Strategic Breakdown
Renji's Analysis:
Five locations across the city have reported incidents.
Each event happened within the last two hours.
The pattern isn't random—they're cutting off key districts, isolating the heroes.
The conclusion?
They want to control the battlefield.
They're forcing us to react.
Shoji narrowed his eyes. "They're funneling us into a trap."
Mei flipped her knife. "Typical."
Akira took a deep breath. "Alright. Then we won't play their game."
Renji gave him a sharp look. "Oh? And how do you propose we do that?"
Akira's fingers drummed against the table. "We break their formation before they can set it up."
Daisuke smirked. "Now that sounds fun."
Renji sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fine. Then let's pick our targets."
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Splitting the Team
They had to strike fast and hard before the Syndicate could tighten its grip on the city.
Team 1 – Akira, Hiroshi, and Mei
Target: The Financial District (rumored location of Phantom Syndicate movement)
Reason: Cetz's men have been seen there—they want control of the city's resources.
Team 2 – Daisuke, Shoji, and Nao
Target: The Central Train Station (reports of unusual Stand activity)
Reason: If the Syndicate controls transportation, they control movement.
Team 3 – Renji (alone, operating remotely)
Mission: Intel gathering and tactical coordination.
Renji didn't like that last part.
"You're putting me on the sidelines?" he grumbled.
Akira smirked. "You're our brain. We need you where you can see everything."
Renji sighed. "Fine. But if things go south, I'm pulling you out."
Akira's grin sharpened.
"No need."
Because this time, they were going on the offensive.
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Team 1 – Financial District
The city lights flickered as Akira, Hiroshi, and Mei moved through the alleys.
The closer they got to the district's center, the more they noticed something off.
The streets were empty.
No guards. No cameras.
Nothing.
Mei's grip tightened on her knife. "This is wrong."
Hiroshi exhaled. "Yeah. It's too quiet."
Akira's instincts screamed at him.
Something was waiting for them.
Then—
A voice echoed from the shadows.
"Took you long enough."
A figure stepped forward.
A tall man in a pristine suit, adjusting his tie.
Akira's stomach dropped.
He recognized that face.
Takashi "Void" Nakamura.
The Hollow Specter.
A high-ranking Phantom Syndicate member.
One of Minh's most trusted lieutenants.
And the user of Abyss Waltz.
A Stand that could erase anything into nothingness.
Void's sharp gaze landed on them.
"I was getting bored."
His lips curled into a smirk.
"Let's fix that."
Then—
The entire street disappeared beneath their feet.
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