Jin stood over Sigfrid, who lay sprawled on the cold concrete floor of the warehouse. His body was bruised, broken blood dripping from his mouth , gasping through shallow, ragged breaths. There were Injuries, broken bones yes, but not enough to explain the lifeless look in his eyes—defeat had struck deeper than any blade.
Jin's eyes were sharp, impassive. He watched the broken man for a few seconds longer, then stepped away, giving Sigfrid space. Sigfrid groaned and pushed himself up on one elbow, shaking.
Without a word, Jin grabbed a tal chair from the side and dragged it near, the screeching legs echoing in the silence. He sat down calmly, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled smoke as he watched Sigfrid struggle to breathe.
Sigfrid coughed blood, wiping his mouth with the back of a trembling hand. "You bastard, what's with this harden skin you got " he rasped, glaring up. "You're stronger than they told ."
Jin puffed on his cigarette. "You're weaker than what word's tale ."
Sigfrid's jaw clenched. He looked away, humiliated.
Jin leaned back in the chair, his voice calm but commanding. "From now on, I ask the questions. You answer. Telling the truth will be in your favour."
"…I understand," Sigfrid muttered.
Jin took another drag. "Are you a clone?"
Sigfrid flinched slightly. "How do you kn—"
Jin's boot lashed out, cracking against Sigfrid's face with brutal precision. Blood spattered across the floor.
"I said I ask. You answer."
Sigfrid spat more blood, then nodded. "Yes. I'm a clone."
Jin's gaze didn't waver. "Why are you here, working under so third-rate human gang?"
"I was discarded," Sigfrid replied, voice low. "Brought in from a cloning institution. They called a failure… so they sold off. So attempt to make money out of waste."
Jin's eyes narrowed. "If they spent money buying you, why were you so weak? Your touki shattered in minutes. If I were buying muscle, I'd get soone closer to Toji."
Sigfrid looked away. "I only recently learned to use touki. Given ti, I'd have gotten there."
Jin was quiet for a mont, smoke curling in the air. Then, "Do you know anything about Zero? Your institution wouldn't just hand you off to a nobody. That place isn't exactly public knowledge ."
Sigfrid hesitated, then nodded slowly. "He's a mber of the Manji Clan. They've got a gang here in Kuoh."
Jin tilted his head slightly. "What's his strength like?"
"I don't know specifics," Sigfrid admitted. "Only that he uses a Sacred Gear."
"That tells nothing."
"I said I don't know anything concrete," Sigfrid added, defensive.
Jin leaned forward. "Then tell whatever unconcrete thing you've got. Start talking."
Sigfrid sighed. "He practices a unique sword style—Manji swordplay. It's said he's never lost a fight and win every fight by a landslide . But after many fights , sothing snapped. He started having nightmares, even when he was awake . Since then… he's been spiraling. Drugs and pleasure."
Jin frowned slightly but said nothing.
Sigfrid continued, his voice gaining a touch of rhythm now that pain was numbing. "The Manji Clan—wasn't always like this. Started with a rogue ninja who robbed the rich to help the poor. He establish the maji -clan . He ford a group of assassins with a code. Over ti, they evolved into a gang, trying to control the underground to stop exploitation. But eventually… they beca the very thing they fought against."
Jin stubbed his cigarette out against the leg of the chair and stood. "Thanks for the info."
Sigfrid watched him quietly for a mont. Then, with a weary smile, he said, "What else could I do in this situation? …Now do it."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "Do what?"
"Kill ," Sigfrid said, steadying himself on his elbow again. "Make it quick."
Jin blinked. "And why would I do that?"
Sigfrid chuckled dryly, blood in his teeth. "Isn't that how it goes? You beat , interrogate , then either kill or start the torture depending on my answer's ."
Jin smirked. "You've been watching too many movies."
Sigfrid's face froze.
Jin turned toward the exit. "Run."
"…What?"
"Run," Jin repeated. "If your institution finds you, you're dead anyway. My advice? Hide in Kuoh, but make it look like you skipped town."
Sigfrid stared, wide-eyed.
Jin stopped in the doorway, tossing his spent cigarette into a puddle. "Don't waste the life trying to surpass original . live . Bye."
And with that, Jin disappeared into the night, the warehouse behind him silent but for the dripping blood and the soft rasp of a clone breathing.
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