Time-Traveling Rookie

Panel 1: A close-up on Takemichi's face, eyes wide with shock as he stares at the news report playing on the TV. Smoke billows from a burning building, news ticker scrolling: "Tragic Train Accident. Multiple Casualties."

Takemichi (thought bubble): Hinata... No way... it can't be...

Panel 2: A flashback. Young Takemichi and Hinata walk hand-in-hand along a cherry blossom lane, laughing and talking. Sunlight filters through the pink petals.

Takemichi (thought bubble): We promised to watch the fireworks together this year...

Panel 3: Back to the present. Takemichi stumbles back, hitting the wall. His face twists in agony, tears welling up in his eyes.

Narrator: 12 years ago, my life hit rock bottom. I was a loser, bullied by everyone. And then, the girl I loved...

Panel 4: A dark alleyway, bathed in the ominous glow of moonlight. Shadows twist on the walls. Three figures stand menacingly, their faces obscured.

Narrator: They took her away from me. The Tokyo Manji Gang.

Panel 5: A burst of light engulfs Takemichi. He stumbles, disoriented, then looks around in bewilderment. He's back in the alleyway, but everything is different. The buildings are older, the clothes of the passersby are outdated.

Takemichi: What the...? I'm back in middle school...?

Panel 6: A young, blond boy with a mischievous grin walks up to Takemichi. He wears the trademark Toman jacket, a dragon emblazoned on the back.

Mikey: Hey, you new here? You look lost.

Takemichi: Uh... yeah, kind of. I'm Takemichi.

Mikey: I'm Mikey. Welcome to the Tokyo Manji Gang!

Panel 7: A montage of scenes: Takemichi hanging out with Mikey and the Toman gang, facing off against rival gangs, witnessing Hinata's bright smile.

Narrator: I can't change the past... but maybe I can save Hinata. Even if it means becoming the biggest delinquent in Tokyo!

Panel 1: Mikey throws his arm around Takemichi's shoulder, a boisterous grin splitting his face.

Mikey: So, Takemitchy, ready to join the Toman? We could use a guy with your... uh... moxie!

Takemichi: (awkwardly) Yeah, sure! I mean, if that's okay with everyone else.

Panel 2: A group of tough-looking delinquents, with Draken leading the pack, eye Takemichi skeptically. Mitsuya, the stoic artist, raises an eyebrow.

Draken: Mikey, this punk just wandered in off the street. How do we know he's not trouble?

Mikey: Don't worry, Draken. I got a good vibe from him! Besides, we need all the muscle we can get for the rumble with Valhalla tomorrow.

Panel 3: Takemichi gulps, his knees trembling slightly. He's surrounded by delinquents, facing off against an even bigger gang. This isn't how he imagined going back in time to save Hinata.

Narrator: Rumble? Valhalla? My head's spinning faster than a pachinko machine. But if joining Toman is the only way to get close to Hinata...

Panel 4: A montage of intense training – Takemichi dodges punches, scrambles from kicks, and gets tossed around like a ragdoll by Draken. His body aches, but he grits his teeth and pushes forward.

Panel 5: The day of the rumble arrives. Tokyo's streets swarm with Toman and Valhalla members, tension crackling in the air. Mikey rallies his troops, his eyes fierce with determination.

Mikey: Toman! Today, we fight for our turf, for our family! Show these Valhalla punks what it means to be Tokyo's strongest!

Panel 6: Chaos erupts. Fists fly, shouts echo, and the ground trembles with the clash of bodies. Takemichi, overwhelmed but fueled by adrenaline, throws himself into the fray.

Panel 7: In the heat of the fight, Takemichi spots Hinata standing on the sidelines, her face etched with worry. His heart jumps – there she is!

Narrator: I have to protect her! Even if I can't change the past, I can't let history repeat itself!

End of Chapter 2.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***