The moment Ren crossed into Hanami Park, the atmosphere shifted.
Downtown's harsh noise faded, swallowed by distance and the soft hush of trees.
The aggressive energy vanished, replaced by something gentler.
The park was large easily over thirty acres. Winding paths lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom.
Open lawns where people spread picnic blankets. A central fountain surrounded by benches and a small pond with ducks
Ren slowed just inside the entrance, breathing in the clean air that smelled like grass and flowers instead of exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke.
So this is what neutral territory feels like.
Shiin had told him no gang fights were allowed here. All the gangs—Sakuratei, Crimson Dragons, even the minor crews respected that boundary. Because if they didn't, the yakuza would intervene.
And nobody wanted that.
