The warehouse still smoked when Mr Bagrovskiy and Haruto arrived. The blast had gutted it from the inside, tearing through steel like paper. Firefighters stood aside, already paid to keep their mouths shut. A blackened Bagrovskiy crest lay among the ashes, burned and crumbling.

Mr Bagrovskiy bent down near a body bag, eyes sharp. “This was personal.”

“San Diego doesn’t send messages. He signs death certificates,” Haruto said, scanning the perimeter.

Gabriel approached with a tablet. “Security footage was wiped remotely. Military-grade wipe. Only a few groups have that kind of access.”

Haruto leaned in. “You mean government access.”

Gabriel nodded slowly. “Or someone who used to be part of one.”

Mr Bagrovskiy’s gaze hardened. “San Diego’s getting help from someone outside the families. I want that rat found.”

Haruto placed a hand over him, grounding him. “We’ll find them. But you need support.”

He looked at him. “Then it’s time for blood.”

“Blood? Do you ever think of anything other than violence?” he said sharply.

Mr Bagrovskiy looked at him and sighed.

*****

That night, in the basement of an old Bagrovskiy church, Mr Bagrovskiy summoned his inner circle. The Capo’s Blades. Each loyal to him, each with blood on their hands. In a circle of candles, they cut their palms, dripping blood into a bowl.

Haruto watched silently as he raised the cup, even though he didn't know what was happening.

“A Bagrovskiy does not beg. A Bagrovskiy does not kneel. We stand. We fight. We burn our enemies to ash.”

The oath echoed through the basement.

As the last candle flickered, Mr Bagrovskiy turned to Haruto. “You’re not family. Not yet. But tonight, you bleed with us.”

“What?” he asked with a confused look on his face.

Mr Bagrovskiy walked beside him and didn’t hesitate. He took the knife, sliced his palm, and pressed his blood on him. He was surprised, and the pain on his face was obvious.

“Argh..” That’s hurt motherfucker, he mutters to himself.

A bond formed. Not of love. Not yet. But of war.

N..not yet? Love.. What? What kind of cult is this? He mutters to himself.

After that, he took his hand to wrap the gauze around it. And he looked him in the eye.

Why is this fucker looking at me like that? He looks like a pervert, he thought to himself.

Are you ready for war? he said calmly with a soft voice.

Is there anything else I can do, right? I'm already here. He said, annoyed.

Mr Bagrovskiy smirked, "Great, then I won't have any problems."

As if I’m the problem here. He said in his mind.

“I'll give you 3 days to train and find information about San Diego and find Dominic San Diego, one of the heirs of the San Diego family. He is one of the rats in the organization. I want you to find him. That's your mission.”

“Then, will you lend me your man and equipment that I can use, so I can get some information?” 

“As you wish,  just get all the information. And tell Gabriel what you need. After that, we're gonna raid where their whereabouts are,” he said without hesitation.

"Then.. I’m coming with you?" he asked nervously.

Mr Bagrovskiy sat down and poured himself a glass of whiskey. "Why do you want to come?"

He thought for a moment before answering, "Can't I?..." he asked hesitantly.

He looked at her intently and said, "Why, to give me a headache? You said you're an Intelligence officer before, right? Do you still know how to use a gun?" he asked suspiciously.

“I… I think I still can.” He stuttered.

He looked and observed him, and said, “It's already late, go to your room. We'll just see tomorrow."

Haruto left the basement, and as he went, Mr. Bagrovskiy was looking at him as he sipped his whiskey.

As he left, he was deep in thought. Am I doing the right thing? Won't he get suspicious? I hope my plan doesn't fail. He said to himself.