The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

102 The Family Who Stay

After almost half of the kitchen set in her house caught in fire, Emma finally managed to use the red heavy tube tool and extinguish the fire that was raging. A few minutes later, the firefighters arrived at her house.

Because of this incident, Emma had to run out of time to clean up the mess. She even had to be bothered by the fire department who asked for some information for their report, even though they arrived very late. If Emma hadn’t managed to put out the fire herself, maybe half the house would have been burned down.

—

“Ugh. What a bad luck.. My plans are all messed up,” Emma moaned quietly.

BUGHH!!

Gozu staggered to the side while holding his jaw that felt like it was going to snap from being hit by Troy’s huge fist.

“Look here, you idiot! Your fight is with me.” Troy laughed.

As usual, Gozu’s anger was easily provoked. Even though he wanted to kill the black helmet because he had put his brother in a coma, he wouldn’t be able to attack the dwarf if he hadn’t crippled Troy who kept getting in his way.

“I came here to avenge Kei Matsumoto for killing my best friend!” Emma exclaimed, “Where’s that trash Kei Matsumoto?!”

.....

Hearing Emma’s question, Ron immediately laughed, “You’re late. Kei Matsumoto has left. He.. is no longer part of Hell Gate.”

Ron Smith’s statement immediately made everyone in the place stop their activities. Both friends and enemies were surprised to hear the words that came out of Ron Smith’s mouth.

“Boss.. What do you mean?” Asked Max whose face was already battered.

In an instant, the vast room became buzzing with the murmurs of the Hell Gate members. Everyone started asking what the number one chief meant. Because, it was an open secret that Kei Matsumoto was actually the brain that drove Hell Gate and all their businesses. Unlike Ron Smith, who only relied on his muscles. If there wasn’t Kei, then, Hell Gate was just a group that could stand by relying on violence only.

“All of Hell Gate’s businesses have gone bankrupt. Kei took all assets and owed me debts. We have nothing but debt. Soon, we won’t have a base either. We’re back to being homeless.” Ron smiled at everyone.

Gozu’s eyes widened with fists tightly clenched, “You bastard, Kei!!” he growled. In fact, all this time, he really trusted the figure of Kei Matsumoto who had changed his life, made him own a good home, registered him and Mezu into a wrestling studio, allowing them to enjoy life. But it turned out that it was all just a trick of him to take advantage of them. In his life, Gozu had never felt so hurt like this.

The reactions of all the members of Hell Gate were exactly as Ron had imagined from the start. He knew, if he no longer had money and power, then everyone would leave. That was human nature. Just like ants swarming sugar.

Ron smiled as one by one his members began to drop the wooden blocks they were holding. They all looked down with disappointed faces mixed with fear. From those faces, it was obvious that they didn’t want to fight anymore.

“I’m giving you one chance to get out of here. Because Hell Gate doesn’t accommodate those who are unfaithful.” Ron said.

“Big Bro! What are you saying?!” Gozu exclaimed in confusion.

Ron raised his palm to Gozu, as a signal for him to be quiet, “Kei has left. Likewise with all the rules he made. If any member wants to leave, they don’t need to be punished anymore. After all.. we don’t have any more secrets to be covered, right?”

All the members of Hell Gate seemed to be glancing at each other. Of course, when they heard that the group they were working for had gone bankrupt, why were they still holding on? It’s true what Ron said, they joined Hell Gate not to serve, but to earn money and instant fun life. Then, Those men walked out of the building one by one. Some were even seen running, as if afraid that Ron might change his mind later.

All had left. Those who were not brothers would eventually leave when there was nothing left to gnaw at. Now only Ron, Gozu, and two others were left. They were all the children who had lived in an abandoned house near the port, as homeless people. In the end, only the real family stayed and remained loyal.

Emma saw the incident with an aching heart. Not only was it dark, but the world behind the beautiful Handway City was also sorrowful. Even within a group, they could hit and deceive each other. The figure of Ron Smith that Emma had hated, even before seeing his face, now looked so pity in Emma’s eyes.

“So, Kei has run away.. Then, how do I repay what he did to Roger?” Emma mumbled sadly. It felt like she had lost her strength and was not in the mood to fight. Because, come to think of it, wasn’t Hell Gate already disbanded? Their business had also gone bankrupt, right?

“That means you can’t get your revenge,” Ron replied. Then, he ran towards Black quickly, “But I will take my revenge on you!”

Fortunately, Emma had very good body reflexes. She was able to quickly dodge when Ron shot toward her as fast as a shadow. Emma even felt that her spirit was still left in the initial position she was standing in. Now, she was two meters away from there.

Emma’s heart was beating fast. She didn’t know that Ron had such a terrifying speed. Emma’s eyes widened again as she watched Ron start to take off his shirt, leaving him shirtless. Emma was not fascinated by the man’s astonishing muscles, for she had seen such sights many times before. She was surprised to see how many wounds were scratched on the man’s body. Even though it was covered by various tattoos, the wound was so big and deep that it could still be seen quite clearly.

“You’ve made our brother laying in a coma until this second. You’ve also destroyed my main base. You and that friend of yours.. you all destroyed our future.” Ron growled.

Hearing what Ron said, Emma immediately laughed loudly, “You are concerned about us destroying your future? Then what about the innocent girls you ruined their future? If you don’t want to be hit back, then don’t hit in the first place!”

“Yeah.. You’re right. I used those girls for the benefit of my group. And you’re also right, that even so, I don’t have enough self-awareness to still want to revenge you for messing up our already happy life.” Ron answered.

“You bastards! You’re all trash!” Emma growled, then, immediately attacked Ron at full speed. She used a Fly Kick that Ron could easily dodge. But it didn’t stop there, Emma gave a follow-up kick while twisting her body.

In that place, only Emma could match Ron’s speed. Even if it looked closely, Emma’s movements were actually much faster than his. Maybe, she would be even faster if she took off her helmet which had been limiting her movements all this time.

Seeing Black who almost got hit in the stomach, Calvin immediately moved to help. Now, he fought alongside Black as a partner to defeat Ron Smith.

“This is my...”

“You’re not the only one who hates him.” Calvin cut Black who was about to complain because he had joined the fight.

Emma couldn’t help it anymore. It’s true that Calvin had held a grudge against the gangsters from the start. Even though Emma thought this fight was hers, for Calvin, all the fight was to please his dead brother.

“I don’t care if I have to die here! I will protect all my remaining brothers! You bastards!!!” Ron exclaimed again as he again attacked blindly.

Likewise, Gozu now had to face Troy and Frank at once. While the other two members of Hell Gate could only be silent in fear in a corner because they were considered as weak members. Even since they were all homeless, Ron had always protected and fed them. But of course, Ron did it sincerely because he thought they were all family.

The battle was very fierce. It’s actually very unfair and shameful to have to do a two-by-one fight like this. But Troy and Calvin had no more choice. With Gozu’s escape from prison, it’s likely that the police were currently on the run looking for him. They would all be caught and things would get worse later on.

Ron was very strong indeed. But the power of Calvin and Black combined into one was like a combination that equalled a disaster. Ron was not unaware that his strength was out of balance with his opponent. But he would not give up until his body really couldn’t fight anymore.

To Ron, who since childhood had lost everything he had, it would be very painful if he felt it for the second time. Along with Hell Gate, he had a family that were his brothers. They had struggled together since living by the roadside, eating stale food to survive, and sleeping in the cold snow. They’ve been through it together. Even though his family was only a few people left now, Ron would protect all those remaining with all his strength.

“Mezu is such a good kid! He’s willing to not eat so the others can eat! Why did you put him in a state between life and death?!” Ron shouted at Black as he threw a spinning kick and was followed by a fist that aimed at her solar plexus. But he was thwarted by Calvin who landed a top-down kick that hit him in the back.

“I am indeed a sinner! Yes, punish me while my body is still left in this world. Maybe, this is the karma I have to pay.” Ron muttered as he vomited blood from his mouth onto the floor in two coughs.