Chapter 198: A Happy Max Dud had been moments away from walking off until a single name froze him in place. "The Billion Bloodline?" Chrono repeated the words, his brow furrowing. He said it like it should’ve meant something, but the name rang hollow in his mind. That’s when Dud, with a swift movement, tapped Na in the stomach, harder than necessary. It wasn’t just a playful jab. It was firm, almost aggressive, like he meant to remind him of something... or hurt him for saying something foolish. "I thought you said they were nothing to worry about," Dud said sharply. "Just a bunch of high school kids playing dress-up in some flashy uniform." "A bunch of kids?" Chrono scoffed, visibly irritated. "Are you seriously bringing up some nonsense about teenagers again? Sure, a few of them have talent, Max and Wolf come to mind, but they’ve never managed to push beyond that, have they?" He leaned against the wall, folding his arms with a smug tilt of his head. "They’re just a recruitment pool. Groups like ours have always picked off the best from schools like that. I’m surprised, Na. You of all people, wasting your breath on this?" Na’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. He wanted to explain, to backtrack, to show them there was something more to this, but after being talked down so easily, he just let it go. They didn’t want to hear it. The truth was, during that drive with Dud, Na had seen something that stuck with him. There were more students wearing those Billion Bloodline uniforms than he expected. And it wasn’t just the usual crowd. Some of them were from Max and Wolf’s school. Others were popping up in unexpected places. So Na had done what he always did when something felt off, he looked into it. Just a little. Just enough. And what he found... didn’t make sense. There were newly opened gyms, real ones, not some converted garages. Their clothes were being sold like wildfire. Their symbol was spreading across the city like it had been part of a long-term branding strategy. And this was all coming from some high school group? No. It felt too big. Too organized. Almost like someone else, someone powerful, was pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Maybe, Na thought, it was just a new trend sweeping through the younger generation. Maybe a company had latched onto their image and ran with it. But still, why was this trend expanding into territories they controlled? That part was dangerous. Because if it was a company, then they weren’t dealing with just a street gang. They wouldn’t even have the influence to touch something like that. Not yet. Only once a group reached the level of a syndicate would they have a say in such affairs. And if this group was tied to a syndicate, perhaps one that was keeping quiet, it could mean something big was coming. Na didn’t know. And that uncertainty was enough for him to stay quiet. "You’re right," he finally said, voice low. "It’s nothing we need to worry about. Just forget I said anything." The next day arrived with a clear sky and a calmer heart. Max stood tall, dressed for school. His thoughts felt more collected than they had in days. For once, there was no lingering pressure on his shoulders. He could spend his money freely again. He didn’t have to look over his shoulder every second worrying about Abby. Chad had gone silent. There were no moves, no messages, no lingering threats. ’Still... I wonder what’s happening with Chad?’ Max thought to himself. ’The Rejected Corps were supposed to keep an eye on him, but I haven’t heard a thing. No updates, nothing. It’s strange.’ School life was, for the most part, calm, almost peaceful. And yet Max’s mind was still running with three problems that refused to go away. The first was the Rejected Corps itself. It was a mess he could only handle case by case, as situations popped up. Second, was the mystery surrounding his current body. Someone from the Stern family had killed the original Max Stern, and he didn’t know who. It could be any of them. All of them. He had to be cautious. And lastly... the White Tiger Gang. The one he once led. Someone had betrayed him, and he still had no idea who. But one thing was clear, even with his vow, even with his newfound power, he wasn’t strong enough to confront them. Not yet. As he arrived at school, the murmurs started almost instantly. He could hear the whispers behind him. Students weren’t exactly subtle. "Did you see the video footage?" one said, eyes wide with awe. "Yeah, I saw it! I knew Max had taken over from Dipter, but I didn’t think he was that strong!" "Now that Rick’s alliance is broken up... doesn’t that mean Max is basically the head of East Brinhurst now?" "Even if it’s not official," another added, "everyone knows it. No school on the East Side is going to go up against him." It might have just been teenage gossip, but it still brought a small, genuine smile to Max’s face. After everything he’d been through, all the fights, the schemes, the sacrifices, it was starting to pay off. When he walked into class, he noticed something different. Students from other classrooms had filtered in. They were surrounding Joe, asking questions about the events. Not everyone had been allowed to attend the fight, but word had spread fast. Fast enough that nearly every delinquent in Brinhurst knew what had gone down. As Max walked past them, he could feel their eyes on him. It wasn’t long ago that they wouldn’t even spare him a glance. And now? They looked at him like he was a living legend. ’Funny,’ Max thought, staring down at the empty desk beside him, ’All of you ignored me not too long ago. Now you can’t stop staring. Honestly... it’s the first thing today that’s soured my mood.’ Classes moved on like normal. Max and Joe were at the center of attention, though Max made it a habit to shrug off anyone who came up to him uninvited. Then, when lunch finally rolled around, Joe slid over to him with urgency in his step. Max didn’t mind talking to Joe. The guy had proven himself time and again, and he’d been through his own share of hardships since joining the Bloodline. But before Joe could get a word out, he pointed out the window, finger trembling with energy. "Max... look outside. Now." Max turned his head, and it wasn’t just him. Students from every corner of the room rushed to the windows to see what was happening. Marching through the school gates were gangs. Delinquents. Dozens of them. But not just any random group of punks. Gi, the fierce leader of Berket. Bando. Reece. Bazma. Each of them flanked by their school members, walking with heavy steps and hard eyes. Following them were the dominant West Brinhurst leaders, Print and Erik, bringing their own squads with them, like shadows at their backs. And then, at the very end of the procession... stood Rick. All eyes were glued to the window. The school air turned still. Joe swallowed, a knot forming in his throat. "What the hell is going on?" he asked. "Are they here... to attack us?"