Betrayal

"Rumble!!"

Unbeknownst to them, the sky had become densely packed with dark clouds. Just a while ago, it had been clear blue.

Standing by the window, Otto gazed calmly at the churning clouds above. It reminded him of the giant waves he'd encountered at sea in his youth. That feeling of being at the mercy of fate, of potentially drowning at any moment, was truly terrifying. Ever since then, he'd fled back to shore in a panic, never to set sail again.

He hated the sea, and therefore he hated the sky now. The churning clouds were just like the waves back then.

But he wasn't the same person he was then. He no longer felt fear; only peace filled his eyes.

His reflection was faintly visible on the transparent glass: a middle-aged, stout man, plump all over, with short arms and legs, and a round head. Dressed in a sharply contrasting black and white gentleman's suit, he looked rather comical, like a penguin.

"Knock, knock."

A knock came from behind him.

"Come in."

Otto's voice was slightly sharp, with a hint of hoarseness that made it not unpleasant to the ear.

"Creak."

The solid wooden door was pushed open, and a youth, or rather, a brat, walked in.

He looked about twelve or thirteen, his face still tender and youthful, but he was already tall, only slightly shorter than Otto, nearing 1.7 meters. He wore a neatly pressed black suit, a tie, his jacket unbuttoned to reveal a white shirt underneath, and his sleeves casually rolled up.

His black hair was long, reaching about his waist, tied into a high ponytail. His complexion was almost pale, but his features were exceptionally handsome. Most striking were his sharp, crimson eyes, like knives.

He was a memorable youth.

"Boss."

Silently closing the door, the youth walked softly behind Otto, maintaining a perfect distance. He bowed slightly. "Everyone is ready."

At this moment, his sharp, knife-like eyes softened, as if sheathing his blades. He was a very proud youth, but only before this man was he willing to temper his pride.

"It's going to rain."

Looking at the dark clouds outside, Otto suddenly sighed.

"That's perfect."

A cold smile flickered across the youth's lips. He raised his head, his eyes filled with cruelty. "This city really needs a thorough cleansing."

"I hate rainy days."

Otto turned around, picking up the Civilization Staff by his side. The youth understood and took a coat from a nearby coat rack, draping it over Otto's shoulders.

"But life is unavoidable, just like storms!"

Opening the grand doors, strolling down the corridor, amidst the smiling bows of the attendants, he opened the main door of the house.

Outside, a dense crowd of people had been waiting for a long time.

"Since that's the case,"

Otto's calm gaze disappeared, replaced by a sharpness more piercing than a young boy's eyes, "let the storm come even harder!!"

Behind him, the young boy's face showed an incredibly excited smile.

The battle erupted extremely suddenly, catching the opponents off guard.

That's how it was supposed to be.

Otto was a pirate a long, long time ago, perhaps almost thirty years ago. Now he was a Mafia boss, dominating this city in the South Sea.

While not exactly famous, he lived a very happy life. The only annoyance was that another man dominated the area alongside him. The conflict between them had started who knows when, but it had long since reached a point of no return. Even so, both sides maintained a basic level of restraint, as everyone knew that a real war would absolutely result in mutual destruction.

So Otto found it strange. Why had that person been so rampant lately, attacking his businesses everywhere, and acting so carelessly? Today, he had actually found the best opportunity, and perhaps he could take back the city in one fell swoop.

Now he finally understood.

In the empty building facade, Otto and his subordinates stood without feeling crowded. There should have been many people here.

"Tell me, why, Louis,"

Otto said softly without turning his head, "Was I not good enough to you? Or, as a boss, did I disappoint you?"

The smile on the young boy's face behind him had vanished. He quietly took two steps back and whispered, "Mr. Otto is indeed an excellent leader, but regrettably, I was a mole from the very beginning."

Behind the young boy, the Mafiosi who had formed a circle instantly raised their firearms, aiming at Otto's back.

"My family has been infiltrated to this extent."

Otto sighed. More Mafiosi raised their weapons, this time aiming at the traitor.

"Hahahahaha, Otto, this brat Louis has been my man from the start!"

Triumphant laughter came from behind. More dense figures began to swarm in from all directions. Otto's side was completely surrounded. The crowd parted, and a tall man appeared. "Hard to imagine, right? This little kid found me not long ago and said he wanted to work for me. I casually told him to take care of you, and he actually did it. Quite an impressive kid, isn't he?"

"Following someone like this,"

Otto turned his head, looking at the young Louis with some regret, "Don't you feel a bit wronged?"

"Mr. Aldo will be a very good leader."

Louis said softly.

"What a shame. I originally thought you would be a good successor."

Otto shook his head. He had no children, nor did he wish for any other relatives to be involved in this kind of world.

"Talking is useless. Die! Otto, this heavy rain today is meant to wash you away!"

Aldo laughed heartily.

"Is that so?"

Otto shook his head, looking at Louis with pity in his eyes. "It's a shame you chose the wrong side."

"Whoosh!!"

Despite his obese physique, his speed was astonishing. Like a heavy cannonball, Louis had no time to react as the Civilization Staff smashed into his shoulder. The young man's eyes rolled back, and he immediately fainted. His body was sent flying, crashing through several Mafia members before piercing the wall and disappearing from the room. Otto never showed mercy when he decided to act.

"So strong!!"

Aldo froze. "You bastard!"

The strength Otto displayed was far beyond what he should have possessed.

"People always have some trump cards."

Effortlessly defeating the traitors surrounding him, Otto's face was not flushed, and he wasn't even out of breath. It was incredibly easy. "So you see, now you're the one who's dumbfounded."

"Damn it!! Cunning bastard, you have big plans, don't you?"

Aldo felt humiliated. He had greater strength but had always held back, willing to maintain a fragile balance with him. This guy must have had other intentions.

"Never mind that, we still have the absolute advantage in numbers!"

Aldo drew the long saber at his waist. "Let's go together and kill him!!!"

"Ooh ooh!!!"

And so, the battle began.

"Tch!"

Otto gritted his teeth. He hadn't reached the point where he could ignore numbers.

The battle was incredibly fierce. While everyone in the city was unaware, the two organizations that could decide the city's fate were engaged in combat.

"Hoo hoo hoo..."

Panting heavily, the battle's outcome was decided. Otto stood with his foot on Aldo's neck. The disadvantage in numbers meant his subordinates were all killed by Aldo's men. However, at the same time, his superior individual combat prowess allowed him to kill all of Aldo's men. The result was as such, and Otto's expression remained smiling, for he was the victor. "You've ruined our big plans, Mr. Aldo. You're truly going too far."

"Sorry, sorry, Boss Otto,"

Aldo's body was immobilized, and he could only wail powerlessly, "I was wrong, I was wrong, please forgive me! I won't fight you anymore, I'll give you this whole city! It was all, all that brat Louis who instigated me, it has nothing to do with me!"

"Don't say such spineless words, Mr. Aldo,"

Otto said with a gentle smile, "As a mature Mafia member, you should learn to take responsibility for your actions."

"Crack!"

Otto stepped on Aldo's neck, breaking it.

"Hoo."

Scratching his hair with some annoyance, Otto casually wiped the blood off his body. Even he couldn't guarantee he'd emerge unscathed when facing a battle with such a vast disparity in numbers.

"This is troublesome. How can I secure enough troops now? Even if I take over Aldo's territory, it won't be easy to completely subdue it."

Otto was somewhat troubled.

"Can it be completed before the scheduled time?"

"I think Mr. Otto should refrain from worrying about such things for the time being."

A shadow suddenly flashed behind Otto, and Iron Fist struck towards Otto's spine.

"What?"

Otto was startled. The whistling wind behind him made him realize what a master had arrived. He instantly blocked behind him with the Civilization Staff.

"Crack!"

But it was useless. The sturdy Civilization Staff instantly broke. Otto felt a sharp pain in his back, several bones snapped, and his body was sent flying like a cannonball.

"Lou-Louis? You little brat!!!"

Otto struggled to get up from the ground, almost in disbelief that the young man standing before him was Louis, the very same one he had sent flying at the beginning.

"Do you want revenge for Aldo?"

Otto gritted his teeth, "What is it about him that attracted you?"

"No, don't misunderstand, Mr. Otto. My target from the very beginning was you, Mr. Otto,"

Louis patted the dust off his clothes. Although he had been sent flying by Otto, he was unharmed. He tugged at his tie, straightening the slightly messy knot. "But Mr. Otto, neither your personal strength nor your influence was something I could easily shake. So, I found Mr. Aldo as an external ally."

"Who exactly are you..."

Otto suddenly sprang up, instantly closing in on Louis, Iron Fist striking. Although he was heavily injured from the previous battle and further wounded by the young man's sneak attack, this all-out blow could still shatter boulders.

"Tekkai."

Louis didn't dodge or evade, a faint smile on his lips.

"Bang!"

A dull thud.

"What?"

Otto could hardly believe it. His punch was completely useless against this brat? How was that possible? "Who exactly are you?"

"Tekkai Style!"

Louis clenched his right fist, trembling slightly. His arm seemed to turn into steel as he slammed a heavy punch into Otto's chest.

"Kalala!"

Accompanied by a clear cracking sound of bones, Otto flew out, crashing heavily onto the ground, a mouthful of blood gushing from his mouth.

"It seems you were really badly injured just now, Mr. Otto,"

Louis walked slowly with his hands behind his back, leisurely strolling behind Otto, and chuckled, "Normally, even with Tekkai, I wouldn't dare to directly tank your full-power punch. That's great."

"Ugh!"

Great gulps of blood poured from his mouth. Otto couldn't even manage to stand up. "Who are you, who are you?"

"Didn't I tell you?"

Louis picked up a gun, slowly loaded a bullet, spun it with a flourish, and then aimed the muzzle at Otto's head.

"I'm an undercover agent."

"Bang."