Lou arrived late at Sakamoto’s shop, which immediately angered Shin. He confronted her, asking why she was late. Lou dismissed him, saying it was just a small delay. However, Shin retorted angrily, pointing out that being two hours late was far from a small delay.
Looking at the refrigerator, Shin noticed it was in complete disarray. He criticized Lou, saying she was doing everything wrong. Lou nonchalantly replied that organizing things wasn’t that important. Shin, visibly frustrated, remarked that she had no work experience at all. Lou countered with a sarcastic response, saying she used to help her father wrap and bury bodies underground.
Shin stormed over to Sakamoto, urging him to fire Lou, claiming she wasn’t suited for the job. Lou shrugged off the accusation, reiterating that organizing things wasn’t essential. Shin argued back, insisting that the shop’s work depended on proper arrangement and order.
Sakamoto intervened, telling Shin not to speak to Lou in that manner. He then turned to Lou, calmly asking her to apologize if she was late again in the future. Both Shin and Lou stared at Sakamoto in disbelief, surprised by his unusually calm demeanor.
Sakamoto, noticing their reactions, asked why they were looking at him as if they’d seen a ghost. He then instructed Shin to sit with him outside while asking Lou to prepare the pork dishes he had ordered. Shin mentioned that he had never heard Sakamoto talk so much since coming to the shop.
Sakamoto replied casually, saying he was simply speaking normally. He then warned Shin to stop babbling so much, or he’d kill him. Shin, taken aback, thought to himself about how much Sakamoto had changed, noting that this wasn’t his usual way of speaking.
Suddenly, another Sakamoto entered the shop, leaving Shin utterly shocked. The original Sakamoto calmly took a seat while the newcomer greeted him before lunging at him with a knife. Sakamoto dodged the attack with ease, countering by placing a weapon at the fake Sakamoto’s neck.
The impostor backed off, laughing, and revealed his true appearance, greeting Sakamoto as an old acquaintance. He admitted he still had a few tricks up his sleeve, which he was glad to show off. Shin, puzzled, wondered who this man was and why he couldn’t read his thoughts.
The stranger laughed and apologized for the earlier attack, introducing himself as an old friend of Sakamoto. He claimed to be 18 years old and mentioned owning a shop on the same street. Lou, skeptical, pointed out that there wasn’t another shop nearby. Shin added that the man looked too young to be a longtime friend of Sakamoto.
Sakamoto clarified that the man was indeed an old friend, though he was actually 27 years old. Despite the explanation, Shin and Lou still restrained the stranger by tying him to a chair to prevent him from escaping.
The stranger calmly revealed that Sakamoto’s life was in immediate danger. He explained that there was a $1 million bounty on Sakamoto’s head and that anyone who killed him would claim the reward. Shin scoffed, remarking that the amount seemed insultingly low for someone like Sakamoto.
The stranger added that the association had finalized the decision to kill Sakamoto yesterday and that the news would spread widely by tomorrow.
Just then, a pizza delivery man entered the shop, asking who had placed the order. Lou excitedly admitted she had, delighted to see her order arrive. However, Shin read the pizza man’s thoughts and realized he was an assassin.
Before anyone could act, the delivery man brandished a pizza cutter weapon and lunged at the stranger, pressing the blade against his neck. He warned everyone not to move, threatening to kill the stranger.
Turning to Sakamoto, the assassin grew more agitated upon noticing that Sakamoto remained completely unbothered, calmly eating his food. Furious, the assassin shouted at Sakamoto, accusing him of ignoring him even as he spoke.
Before the situation could escalate further, the stranger, now identified as Tojo, swiftly overpowered the pizza assassin, choking him and rendering him helpless.
Tojo looked at Shin and insisted that he had been truthful about everything he had said earlier. He even suggested they work together, offering an alliance.
Sakamoto, still unshaken, told Tojo to let the man go and leave. Tojo, however, questioned how Sakamoto planned to defend himself against the endless threats and what he would do if Tojo himself became an enemy.
He quickly added that he was joking and assured them he wasn’t one of the attackers. Before leaving, Tojo hinted that it might be time for Sakamoto to return to the battlefield and fight alongside him.
As Tojo was leaving, Sakamoto called after him, asking who else wanted to kill him. Tojo replied that such information was a secret he couldn’t disclose but advised Sakamoto to remain calm and composed, especially given his past record of eliminating so many people.
Lou, curious, asked Tojo if all the assassins would disguise themselves like the pizza man. Tojo laughed and said he didn’t think so, but added that assassins could be unpredictable.
Picking up the unconscious pizza man, Tojo addressed Sakamoto one last time, saying it was an honor to see him again and a privilege before he met his end. Shin tried to chase after Tojo, but he was too fast and disappeared.
Lou then mentioned that it was time for her to return to China. Sakamoto, staring at the untouched pizza, noticed something unusual on the screen of a hidden surveillance monitor connected to the association.
In another location, within the association’s headquarters, a cleaner remarked in frustration that he didn’t understand why so much effort was being made to kill Sakamoto. He claimed that a man referred to as the Black Figure was far more dangerous than Sakamoto.
His colleague, a man with long hair, hesitated before replying that Sakamoto’s true potential was not to be underestimated. He suggested that Sakamoto could even kill him if he wished.
Irritated, the cleaner snapped, asking why his colleague was speaking to him at all. The long-haired man apologized, admitting he had a bad habit of saying unnecessary things. Then, shifting the topic abruptly, he said he was hungry and suggested they order pizza.
The leader of the association warned his subordinates to be extremely cautious of Sakamoto. He emphasized that they wouldn’t be able to defeat him unless they caught him outside his usual environment. He stressed the importance of choosing the time and place carefully and creating difficult conditions to weaken him.
He reminded them that Sakamoto was once one of them, which made him even more dangerous. The cleaner assassin expressed skepticism, questioning—
Why there was much caution around Sakamoto. The long-haired man added that Sakamoto had been retired for five years and doubted his combat skills were still sharp. However, their conversation was abruptly interrupted when Sakamoto appeared on their surveillance feed.
Calmly, he declared that he was waiting for any of them to come to him, promising to bury them in his shop. Shocked that Sakamoto could see them, they froze in disbelief as Sakamoto shot out the surveillance camera hidden in the pizza box.
Later, Sakamoto and Shin sat outside the shop discussing recent events. Shin admitted he wasn’t sure if Tojo could be trusted, but if what he said was true, they were likely heading for serious trouble. Sakamoto reassured him that they were fine for now, eating and drinking well, but emphasized the need to be prepared for anything. He added that they should improve their skills because their enemies could be anyone.
Sakamoto’s wife and daughter then approached them. His daughter excitedly announced that she was ready to go. Curious, Shin asked where she was headed. She explained that she was going to the amusement park, something she had been eagerly anticipating for a long time.
Sakamoto, confused, admitted he didn’t remember anything about this plan but agreed to go.
The next day, the group found themselves at the amusement park. However, boredom quickly set in for the adults. They rode a challenging amusement ride that left them all dizzy and exhausted. Lou, visibly tired, rested while Sakamoto groaned, saying he felt like vomiting. Shin, concerned, jokingly offered to call a doctor, but Sakamoto’s wife assured him it wasn’t necessary and that Sakamoto would be fine.
As they rested, Lou noticed a magazine in Sakamoto’s daughter’s hands. The girl excitedly explained that it featured Sugar Bunny, a massive rabbit she had been eager to see. Lou remarked that the rabbit was as big as a gang leader.
Sakamoto’s wife expressed her happiness at having everyone together and urged them to enjoy the day. Meanwhile, Shin couldn’t shake off Tojo’s warning about Sakamoto being a target. Turning to Lou, he suggested they should ensure the safety of Sakamoto’s family and make sure no one could get close to them.
Lou noted that the amusement park was crowded, making it difficult to identify any potential threats. Shin reassured her, explaining that he could read the thoughts of people within a 30-meter radius. He added that if someone harbored murderous intent, he would sense their emotional energy immediately.
Annoyed, Lou asked Shin if he also listened to her thoughts when they were together. Shin denied it, saying he was too busy with other concerns. Lou, somewhat relieved, commented that it was a useful skill to have.
Soon after, Shin sensed the presence of a killer nearby and warned Sakamoto. Sakamoto acknowledged the threat calmly while Lou distracted Sakamoto’s wife and daughter to keep them occupied, ensuring they wouldn’t witness anything troubling.
The assassin, known as The Cleaner, approached Sakamoto, who readied himself for the confrontation.
Tension thickened as The Cleaner moved closer, his hand gripping the handle of a knife concealed in his box. With a sudden lunge, he attacked Sakamoto, but in a swift and calculated move, Sakamoto grabbed a pen from the assassin’s pocket and drove it into his body, neutralizing him instantly.
Shin and Lou arrived moments later, their expressions a mix of shock and awe. Sakamoto’s wife, unaware of the commotion in the distance, casually asked if anyone else had heard something unusual. Meanwhile, Shin and Lou discreetly transported the assassin’s body to a secluded forest.
As they disposed of the body, Shin marveled at Sakamoto’s efficiency, wondering aloud how he managed to kill the man seemingly without even looking at him. Elsewhere, the long-haired man from the association reflected on his earlier warnings to The Cleaner about underestimating Sakamoto’s strength. Despite his advice, The Cleaner had met his demise. Now, the long-haired man turned his attention to Shin, recognizing his ability to read thoughts as a potentially greater threat. He resolved to test his own luck against them.
Back at the amusement park, Shin sensed an unusual presence but couldn’t pinpoint its source. An unknown figure brushed past him unnoticed as Sakamoto, despite feeling uncomfortable due to his weight, joined his daughter on another ride. Shin and Lou followed suit, boarding the final ride of the day.
As the ride began, Lou, still uneasy, asked Shin why they had chosen to sit where they did. Shin explained that their position allowed them to ensure the safety of Sakamoto’s family. Lou, still skeptical, voiced her doubts, pointing out a long-haired man she had noticed nearby.
The long-haired man, hearing Lou’s suspicions, thought to himself that she had correctly identified him. Shin, picking up on the man’s thoughts, immediately recognized him as an assassin and discreetly informed Sakamoto. “To your left,” he said, nodding in the man’s direction.
Sakamoto glanced at the assassin, who wasted no time drawing his gun and firing. Sakamoto dodged the bullet with sharp precision. Shin, reacting quickly, broke his chair and leapt into the air, landing on the assassin and dragging him from his seat. Both tumbled onto the amusement ride’s rails in a chaotic struggle.
The assassin struck Shin midair, breaking free from his grip. They fell onto the rails, their movements causing a ripple of panic among nearby parkgoers. The assassin taunted Shin, calling him reckless and declaring his intent to kill him.
Shin, unfazed, retorted, “Sakamoto’s on his day off. You picked the wrong place to cause trouble.”
As the ride’s train approached, Shin leapt onto it to avoid being hit. The assassin followed, vaulting high into the air and hurling a barrage of knives at Shin. Shin dodged one, but the second grazed his side, inflicting a painful wound. He fell to the ground, disoriented and struggling to regain his focus.
The assassin loomed over Shin, mocking him. “You took a strong hit. You’re on the verge of death.”
Despite his exhaustion, Shin met the assassin’s gaze with defiance. “I’m not dead yet. And you won’t be the one to kill me.”
The assassin smirked. “Denial. Typical. You’re not like Sakamoto. He stares down death with unyielding eyes. You? You have the mark of a loser.”
He continued, “When people face death, it shows in their eyes. Over time, fear takes hold, paralyzing them. They hesitate, just like you did when you failed to evade my knives.”
The assassin’s words hung in the air as Shin, bloodied but unbroken, prepared to make his next move.
Shin, unfazed, called the assassin foolish and ignorant. He retorted that Sakamoto wasn’t afraid of death, even if the assassin and all his allies came at him with everything they had. Shin confidently stated that Sakamoto’s purpose was to protect his family, and that’s what kept him alive and fighting.
The assassin sneered, claiming he couldn’t see the resolve Shin was talking about. Shin dismissed his words, saying it didn’t matter what the assassin saw. He then declared that there was only one way to attack from their current position, narrowing the assassin’s options.
As the amusement train approached again, Shin made a calculated leap, confusing the assassin. Using the momentum, Shin positioned himself on a chair and launched a counterattack. However, the assassin managed to block Shin’s strikes. The assassin then drew a knife and attempted to land blows on Shin, but Shin dodged each one with precision.
While evading, Shin began analyzing the situation, recalling earlier moments in their scuffle. The assassin struck again with several rapid attacks, but Shin anticipated and avoided each one. Then, Shin caught a fleeting thought from Sakamoto, giving him clarity. Seizing the assassin’s momentary focus on attacking, Shin grabbed hold of him and leapt off the amusement train.
The two plummeted into the middle of a stage performance below. One of the performers, confused and startled, asked the assassin who he was. The assassin, visibly annoyed, threatened to kill the performer if he didn’t get off the stage. Before he could act, another performer—a large rabbit mascot—intervened, urging the other performer to leave. The rabbit then revealed itself to be Shin in disguise, standing ready for the fight.
The assassin revealed a set of knives, declaring his intent to kill Shin. However, Shin didn’t let him finish his threat. He landed a powerful punch that sent the assassin staggering. The audience, thinking the fight was part of the stage performance, erupted in excitement and applause.
The assassin retaliated with a flurry of strikes, but Shin dodged skillfully. Taking advantage of an opening, Shin delivered another solid punch, sending the assassin reeling.
Meanwhile, Sakamoto’s wife, sitting in the audience, turned to him and remarked on how realistic and thrilling the show was. Noticing Sakamoto’s silence, she told their daughter that her father must be thoroughly enjoying the performance. In reality, Sakamoto was quietly guiding Shin, instructing him on the best moves to evade the assassin’s attacks.
Following Sakamoto’s advice, Shin skillfully dodged the incoming strikes and countered with another powerful blow, further surprising the assassin. Bewildered, the assassin admitted he couldn’t predict Shin’s moves.
In a desperate attempt, the assassin lunged at Shin with a sharp strike, cutting part of Shin’s outfit near his face. The small tear revealed something startling—Shin had been keeping his eyes closed during the entire fight.
Sakamoto, observing from the sidelines, calmly declared, “It’s over.”
With renewed determination, Shin delivered a final, devastating punch, knocking the assassin out and ending the fight. The audience erupted in cheers, applauding what they believed was an extraordinary stage performance.
Sakamoto, signaling his approval, gave Shin a nod and a subtle gesture of acknowledgment. Shin, catching the gesture, responded in kind with a confident smirk.
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