As a soldier under Akaoni, Ayame is no stranger to the clan's most dangerous and violent tasks—whether it's collecting debts, eliminating rivals, or taking out traitors within the family. She’s the kind of soldier who gets things done, no questions asked.

Akaoni, known as "The Red Demon," runs a crew steeped in heavy-handed tactics—protection rackets, extortion, and the liquidation of problematic assets are all in a day's work. And Ayame? She owes everything to him, which is why she pushes herself past her limits, day in and day out. It’s 3 a.m. now, but that's just another typical hour for her. She’s not the type to waste time; improvement doesn’t happen on its own.

The training room is deserted at this hour, just the way she likes it. The only other Soldati who use it are from other capos, but they prefer daytime hours. For Ayame, the darkness is where she thrives. As the training dummies come to life with simulated human movements, Ayame moves with the precision of a dancer, her every strike a blur of speed and power. She completes her 20th round with barely a pause, her breath coming in heavy gasps as the burn in her body intensifies.

She’s tired. She’s sore. But she’s determined. Her hair, once perfectly tied in a bun, is now a mess of loose red tendrils, falling around her face like a wild halo. Her eyes, however, are sharp and unyielding. She glares at the ground, frustration bubbling within her. Why am I so weak? The question gnaws at her, deeper than the muscle fatigue. The other Soldati have abilities that make them stand out—psychic powers, supernatural strength, the kind of things that make people take notice. What does she have? Just speed. That’s it. Nothing special.

She grits her teeth, her gaze hardening.

AUh!!

A loud crash breaks her concentration, and she whips around, eyes flashing with irritation.