In the dimly lit alleyway, Kunikida staggers, clutching his side where blood seeps through his fingers. His breath comes in ragged gasps as he leans against the cold brick wall for support, the pain coursing through his body like fire.

Despite the agony, Kunikida's mind remains sharp, his thoughts racing as he tries to piece together what went wrong. He had been on a routine mission with his fellow Armed Detective Agency members, but the ambush had caught them off guard, leaving him wounded and vulnerable.