《GODFATHER OF SIN》

Volume 1: Young Blood Chapter 1: The Unforgettable School Days Late 90s. Camden High School, Camden, NJ. Two teens with neon-dyed hair cornered a scrawny student against the hallway wall. "Hey punk, empty your pockets!" The boy lowered his head. "I don’t have money." SMACK! The taller one slapped him. "Don’t bullshit me, shitstain! Now!" The boy’s lip bled as tears welled. The chubby one snickered, "Chill, Ace. Don’t break the straight-A wonder." "Straight-A?" Taller guy spat. "Worthless." He nudged his friend. "Meatball—check his jeans." Meatball grabbed the boy’s wrists. "Hands off the pockets, Russo." When Dominic Russo clenched his fists, Meatball kicked his gut. Russo slammed against the wall. Meatball yanked his hands away and fished out a crumpled five-dollar bill. Tossing the cash to his buddy, Meatball sneered, "Should’ve cooperated, dumbass." They swaggered off, leaving Dominic gasping in pain. Dominic Russo was Camden High’s top freshman, but his quiet nature and slight frame made him prey. The school was lax—outsiders roamed freely, hunting easy targets. Dominic picked up his backpack, tears burning as he walked home. Why me? Why always me? Dusk hid his shame. He wiped his face before entering. At dinner, his mom frowned. "Dominic? You sick?" "No." He pushed food around his plate. His railroad-worker father was on night shift. They weren’t rich, but Dominic never wanted for anything. Next morning, Dominic arrived first. He sat front-row—the "honors kid" spot. As classmates flooded in, the room buzzed with gossip and laughter.

Rusty "Ace" Callahan strutted in. Spotting Dominic, he shoved his head. "Money today, loser?" Dominic flinched. "No." "No?" Rusty grinned. "Let’s see." He reached for Dominic’s pockets. Dominic swatted his hand. "I—I need it for lunch." CRACK! Rusty backhanded him. "Callin’ me a liar?" Dominic’s eyes reddened. Classmates froze. Riley, Dominic’s tomboy deskmate, shot up. "Back off, Callahan!" "Shut your trap, Riley!" Rusty snarled. "Or what?" She glared. Others murmured nervously. Rusty jabbed a finger at Dominic. "You’re dead after school." Riley huffed, elbowing Dominic. "Stand up for yourself! Got a brother? Cousin? Anyone?" Dominic whispered, "Thanks." She turned away in disgust. When the bell rang, Dominic stayed put. Chris, the last kid cleaning up, asked, "Staying late?" "Finishing something," Dominic lied. Only when the clock hit 6:15 did he lock the classroom. The first-floor hall was dim and empty. Halfway out, a door burst open. Rusty and Meatball emerged with three thugs. "Took you long enough, Russo," Rusty drawled. They surrounded him. Dominic’s blood ran cold. "Look, Rusty, about earlier—" "Save it!" Rusty shoved him. "Wallet. Now." "Spent it on lunch—" "Wrong answer." Rusty kneed his thigh. Fists and boots rained down. "Aim below the neck, morons!" Rusty barked. Dominic curled against the wall. The pain was nothing next to the humiliation. "Enough!" Rusty hauled him up by the hair. "Ten bucks tomorrow. Or we replay this. Got it?" Dominic’s tears hit the linoleum. Rusty yanked his head. "GOT IT?" A strangled "Yeah" escaped. The gang vanished, laughter echoing.

Slumped against the wall, Dominic sobbed. Straight A’s mean nothing. Why am I their punching bag? He slammed his fists against his temples—hating his fear, his silence. Finally, he stood. Smoothed his wrinkled shirt. Stepped outside. Rain fell in sheets. He tilted his face upward, grateful for nature’s curtain. Just wanted a normal life. Why’s it so hard? Then, through the downpour, the vow formed: No more. Never again. That rain-soaked shame forged Dominic Russo’s resolve. The day the prey decided to bite back. Dominic Russo didn’t know how long he walked. Finally home, he found both parents waiting. "Dominic! What happened to your face?" his father demanded. Pride choked the truth. "Slipped in the rain." "Are you alright? Should we go to the hospital?" his mother fretted. "I’m fine. Leave me alone." Dominic shut his bedroom door, needing solitude. His father knocked. "At least eat something!" "Ate out," came the curt reply. His parents exchanged worried glances. "We’re losing him," his father murmured. Past 10 PM, hearing his parents retire, Dominic slipped out. He scrubbed himself raw in the shower, then retrieved a utility knife from the garage toolbox. Back in his room, he stood naked before the mirror, blade in hand. "Remember this, Dominic Russo," his reflection hissed. "No one hurts you again." He snapped the blade open. Left palm upturned, he drew the steel across his flesh. Three inches of skin parted. Blood welled. He choked back a cry, teeth gritted at his twisted reflection.

"This pain is nothing compared to humiliation." Dizziness hit—blood loss or agony—but he clutched the knife. Whimpers escaped. His parents burst in, freezing at the sight: their son collapsed in a crimson pool. His father bundled him in a blanket. They raced to the ER. A week later, Dominic walked into Camden High, left hand bandaged. Ignoring stares, he took his seat. Riley leaned over. "Heard you were hospitalized. What happened?" "Cut my hand." Dominic smiled faintly. "Idiot! Be careful!" she scolded, though his newfound calm unsettled her. Rusty "Ace" Callahan swaggered over. "Playing hooky, Russo? Scared of me?" Riley flushed. "He’s injured, you jerk!" "Defending your boyfriend?" Rusty sneered. Dominic tugged her sleeve. "Ignore the garbage." Riley snorted a laugh. Rusty’s jaw tightened. "What’d you call me?" Dominic rose, closing the distance until their noses almost touched. "Garbage." The class held its breath. Rusty’s fist flew, cracking Dominic’s jaw. Blood trickled. Dominic laughed. He slid a hand into his pocket. Rusty scoffed—until Dominic withdrew a gleaming utility knife. Click-click. The blade locked into place. Silence swallowed the room. "Think that toy scares me?" Rusty shoved Dominic’s head. "Pathetic—" Dominic moved like lightning. The blade flashed. A scarlet line opened on Rusty’s cheek. Students screamed. Rusty touched his face—fingers came away red. Dominic yanked his hair, forcing eye contact. "This is the price." Rusty stared into feral eyes—not human, predatory. Death breathed down his neck. A boy bolted for the teacher.

Mr. Henderson, fond of his star pupil, dismissed the claim: "Dominic? Impossible!" But he followed. The classroom was tomb-silent. Dominic sat reading. Rusty clutched a blood-soaked handkerchief. "Who did this, Callahan?" Mr. Henderson demanded. Rusty glanced at Dominic. Those eyes promised annihilation. "I... cut myself, sir." Mr. Henderson sighed, annoyed. "Get to the nurse. And clean this mess!" He glared at the tattletale. "Lying wastes my time." The boy paled under Dominic’s gaze. "S-sorry, sir. My mistake." Mr. Henderson beamed at Dominic. "Ready for midterms?" "Top of the year, sir." "Good lad." The teacher patted his shoulder and left. The weight of silence crushed the room. Riley finally whispered, "Why so brutal?" Dominic stared ahead. "Weakness invites cruelty." "But a scar? That’s forever!" "Destiny’s written before we’re born." He turned away. Rusty returned, nose bandaged. He stopped at Dominic’s desk and bowed low. "Don Russo. I’m your man now." The bully who once tormented Dominic Russo became his most loyal shield. Countless scars would later mark his body—each taken for his Don. The Crucible Next day. Camden High restroom. A lanky teen blew smoke in Rusty "Ace" Callahan’s face. "Heard Meatball got carved up by that loser Dominic. You really bent the knee?" Rusty’s jaw tightened. "Call him ‘loser’ again, I’ll break your teeth." Vic Steele—the tall smoker—grabbed Rusty’s cheek, twisting the flesh. "Know who you’re talking to, fatass?" Rusty slapped his hand away. "Fuck you, Vic! Think your crew scares me?" Vic’s smile turned icy.

"Be in your classroom after school. Run, and I’ll snap your legs." "I’ll be waiting," Rusty spat. Classroom. 6 PM. Rusty slammed a wooden chair against the floor. Splinters flew. He handed Dominic a jagged leg. "For the fight." Dominic pushed it away. "Won’t need it." The door exploded inward. Vic swaggered in with eight thugs. "Still here? Brave or stupid?" Dominic remained seated, icy calm. Rusty lunged. "Settle this one-on-one, pussy!" Vic sneered, shoving past him to Dominic. "You stole my dog. That stings." Dominic stood, eyes shadowed by his hair. "He chose loyalty. Be smart—walk away." Vic seized Dominic’s hair, kneeing his face. Blood gushed from Dominic’s nose. Rusty roared, but four thugs pinned him. "This is your king?" Vic stomped Dominic’s cheek into the linoleum. Dominic’s hand shot out, locking on Vic’s ankle. A snick echoed—utility knife plunging into Vic’s thigh. Vic’s scream split the air. Dominic rose, a storm of fists and boots. Vic’s crew froze at the blood. Rusty broke free, swinging the chair leg. "Now!" he bellowed. Six loyalists surged from the hallway, swarming Vic’s men. Dominic dragged Vic up by his hair. The blade kissed his throat. "Swear fealty… or bleed out." Vic’s good eye locked on Dominic’s feral gaze. "Dominic Russo… I’m yours." Two days later. School courtyard. Vic paced, chain-smoking. Rusty eyed a group of leather-jacketed teens. "Scar’s men. Nervous?" "Scar Malone eats guys like us for breakfast," Rusty muttered. Dominic emerged, hands in pockets.

A thug with yellow shades spat, "Took you long enough, pendejo." Rusty’s fist shattered the shades. Scar’s crew reached for hidden blades. Their leader, a scarred Latino, held up a hand. "My boy’s mouthy. No offense." "Train your dogs," Rusty snapped. Vic kicked the leader’s gut. "Or shut ’em up!" Blades flashed. Chair legs clattered. Dominic stepped between them. "Enough." The leader wheezed, "Scar wants a meet. Tonight. Lucky Break Pool Hall." "Tell him I’ll be there," Dominic said. Lucky Break Pool Hall. 8 PM. The hall reeked of stale beer and chalk dust. Brick "Scar" Malone leaned over a table, a jagged forehead scar gleaming under bare bulbs. "Dominic Russo." Scar chalked his cue. "Claiming turf in my backyard. Rude." Dominic took a cue. "Didn’t know the rats needed permission." He miscued badly. Scar sank a stripe. "My ‘rats’ collected $1k a week from Camden High. You choked that off." "Three choices," Dominic said, lighting a cigarette Rusty offered. "You leave. I leave. Or… we merge." Scar laughed coldly. "Merge? Who rides shotgun?" Dominic blew smoke. "Single combat. You and me. Winner runs both crews." Scar’s cue froze. "You’re serious?" "Deadly." Dominic stripped off his hoodie. Rusty grabbed Vic’s arm. "Scar’s killed men bare-handed!" Dominic stepped into the cleared space. Scar rolled up his sleeves, smirking. The first punch missed. Scar’s boot didn’t—cracking Dominic’s ribs. He crumpled. Before he could rise, Scar’s heel slammed his gut. Dominic skidded across the stained concrete, gasping.

Scar seized his hair, lifting him eye-level. "Still think you’re boss material, kid?" Dominic spat blood. "Try harder." Scar Malone smirked as Dominic Russo lay motionless on the pool hall’s grimy floor. "Guess that settles it, kid." He turned to grab his leather jacket from a lackey. "Not quite." Dominic’s voice cut through the silence like broken glass. He stood, eyes blazing crimson. Scar froze. His kicks should’ve shattered ribs—yet here the kid stood, nose bleeding, cheeks swollen, smiling through bloodied teeth. "Son of a bitch." Scar charged, driving a boot toward Dominic’s face. Dominic staggered back but held his ground. Another kick sent him reeling three steps. He spat blood, grin unbroken. Fear prickled Scar’s spine. Nobody took hits like that. "Stay down!" he roared, throwing a haymaker. Dominic dropped, Scar’s fist whistling over his head. In one fluid motion, Dominic drew a switchblade from his waistband and pressed it to Scar’s ribs. The tip pierced skin. "Dead," Dominic whispered. Scar touched the welling blood, slumping against the graffiti-stained wall. Dominic waited, blade steady. Rusty "Ace" Callahan grinned at Vic Steele. "Don’s got this!" Vic edged closer, hand on his own knife. Finally, Scar met Dominic’s gaze. "I’m beat. A deal’s a deal. I’m yours. This life? Yours to take." He bowed. Dominic chuckled—then collapsed. Scar caught him. "Get a fucking car now!" Rusty was already bolting into the Camden night. Camden General Hospital. Two weeks later. Diagnosis: Cartilage damage, internal bleeding, mild concussion.

Dominic’s parents rushed in after Rusty’s "car accident" cover story. Vic Steele pointed at Scar, who flushed under his fresh bandages. "This jackass ran him over, ma’am." Scar forced a guilty nod. Dominic’s Homecoming. His mother’s lasagna sat untouched. Shame curdled in Dominic’s gut. They’d disown me if they knew. Yet the thrill of respect—earned with fists and blades—was a drug he couldn’t quit. He shoved the guilt down, swallowing pasta with a smile. Next Morning. Camden High. Fifty leather jackets lined the sidewalk. Scar, Vic, and Rusty snapped to attention as Dominic approached. "Don Russo!" they boomed. Pedestrians scattered. Scar rubbed his bandaged side. "Doc said you missed my liver by an inch. Thanks for that." Dominic clasped his shoulder. "Wouldn’t waste good muscle." He offered his hand. Scar gripped it hard. Rusty and Vic piled theirs on top—a blood oath sealed in silence. Rusty shoved a wad of cash at Dominic. "Protection money’s up. Almost two grand." Dominic tossed it back. "Feed the crew tonight. My treat." A roar went up: "Fuck yeah!" Lucky Dragon Diner. 8 PM. Dominic’s crew flooded the restaurant, scattering terrified patrons. The owner, sweating through his silk shirt, forced a smile. "Honored, gentlemen! Dinner’s on the house!" Rusty jabbed a thumb at Dominic. "The Don’s buying. Price it fair or we torch the place." Dominic waved him off. "Just feed us. We’ll pay." Beers flowed. Rusty flirted clumsily with a waitress until Dominic cuffed his ear. "Six crates of local brew!" Scar yelled.

A toast rose: "To the Don’s health!" Another: "To taking Camden!" Dominic raised his glass. "Eyes on the prize, boys. Drink." Half the crew slid under tables by the entrées. Scar nursed his beer. "We need a name. A real syndicate." Vic nodded. "Like the fucking Riverfront Crew." Dominic swirled his drink. "And fund it how? High school lunch money won’t buy bullets." Rusty slammed his mug. "Then what?" "School," Dominic said. "You and Vic ace your finals. Get into Camden Prep." Vic choked. "Prep? That rich-kink shithole?" Dominic’s smile turned predatory. "Exactly. We take it over next." Rusty whooped. "Goddamn yes! Heard half the dealers in Jersey graduated from there!" Scar snorted. "Bullshit." "Swear to God!" Rusty bellowed, scanning the room. "Yo, Finch! You lying sack—" A hand rose from beneath a booth. "Whaaa…?" Later. Dominic walked home alone, beer buzzing in his veins. Behind him, Scar half-carried a puking Rusty while Vic hailed a cab. The Camden night swallowed them whole—soldiers of a war just beginning. Chapter 3: Crossroads Dominic Russo walked alone down the desolate street past ten o'clock. The night wind whispered through roadside grass as occasional cars roared past the unnervingly quiet Camden neighborhood. Kicking loose gravel, Dominic grappled with his future - lingering in gray-area delinquency or diving headfirst into organized crime. Both felt like dead-end paths the deeper he sank into this world. A dangerous idea flashed through his mind, startling him. He shook his head violently, physically dismissing the thought.

Little did he know how close he'd come to that very crossroads years later. Some roads you choose, he mused, others destiny forces upon you. The following month became Dante's Inferno for Rusty "Ace" Callahan, Vic Steele, and their crew. Freedom vanished under Dominic's iron-fisted study regime. Teachers gaped as these delinquents' grades skyrocketed. At the faculty assembly, beaming administrators praised the "miraculous turnaround," oblivious to the real catalyst behind their sudden academic zeal. On high school entrance exam eve, Dominic assembled his crew. "However you manage it," he commanded, "get pagers by tomorrow morning." "Paggers, Don Russo?" Rusty scratched his head. Vic smacked his shoulder. "Knucklehead! For answer transmissions!" After sorting logistics for pager-deficient crew members (including a sheepish Rusty), Dominic revealed his true motive: "I refused to let you enter high school as clueless hooligans. Remember this - without education, you're nobody in this world. Not even street cred changes that." Dawn broke over Camden Elementary, swarmed with anxious parents on placement exam day. Brick "Scar" Malone chain-smoked by payphones. "Where's Don Russo?" he growled. Just as panic set in, Dominic dropped from the perimeter wall, exam cheat sheets in hand. "Go! Cover all testing zones!" Results stunned educators: Dominic aced the district while his crew passed against all odds. When he chose notorious Camden High over elite academies, counselors lamented "wasted genius." His parents reluctantly conceded after Dominic's vow: "Let me forge my own path. I'll make college happen."

Thus Dominic Russo entered Camden High with his hundred-strong crew, closing one chapter to begin another. That summer, Dominic transformed. After getting pummeled by Brick, he knew brains and grit weren't enough - he needed combat skills. For ten brutal weeks, he lived at boxing gyms and martial arts dojos. Brick watched in awe as Dominic's "all-or-nothing" mentality forged a lethal physique. Their first sparring session left both men bruised mosaics. When Dominic summoned Brick weeks later, Vic and Rusty trailed anxiously outside. Brick emerged with a shiner, muttering "The kid's a natural athlete." At the third challenge, Brick flat-out refused. "Not even steak dinners, Don Russo. I like breathing." Rusty foolishly volunteered - and spat out two molars over dinner that night. Soon, Dominic couldn't find sparring partners within twenty feet. "Track star material," Brick observed. Rusty nodded, gingerly touching his jaw. Dominic cycled toward Camden High's crumbling gates, past peeling flyers advertising dubious clinics. The senile security guard misheard his registration inquiry as tardiness. "Stop dawdling, boy! Get to class!" A motorcycle suddenly roared behind him. Dominic dove aside as his bike clattered to pavement. The rider removed her helmet, midnight hair cascading over denim-clad shoulders. "Watch where you're walking, moron!" "Your Harley nearly turned me into roadkill!" Dominic protested, momentarily captivated by her fierce beauty - obsidian eyes, rosebud lips, and willowy grace matching his height. She appraised his lean frame and unusual almond-shaped eyes. "New meat? Call me senior, rookie." She ruffled his hair. "Look scrawny.

Bullies give you trouble? Find me." Flustered by her boldness and his own reaction, she remounted hastily. "Senior!" Dominic called after the mystery girl. "Thanks for the... protection!" Rusty's bellow interrupted: "Don Russo! Wait up!" He arrived sweating with Vic and six recruits. "Fresh blood from Brick's crew," Vic explained. "Streetfighters all." Dominic eyed the newbies. "Keep things cool when the whole crew arrives. No fireworks." "Relax, Don Russo!" Rusty grinned. "Learned from the best." "Exactly why I'm worried," Dominic muttered, wheeling toward the bike racks. At the "Faculty Only" bike shed, two seniors blocked entry. "Beat it, freshmen. Teachers' section." "But other students just parked here!" Rusty protested. "Rules don't apply to them," sneered the squint-eyed teen, his companion tilting his nosehair-revealing snoot higher. Rusty parked defiantly. "Make me move, pencil-necks." Dominic watched impassively, letting his enforcer handle the initiation. When "Little Eyes" heard this, his eyes bulged wide open. He yelled, "Kid, are you looking for a fight? Get the hell out of here; I don’t have time to waste on you!" "Yeah? You’ve got small eyes, buddy. You can squint all you want, but they still won't be bigger than a damn pea!" "Little Eyes" couldn’t take it anymore. He hated when people mocked his small eyes. Today, though, a freshman had the audacity to say that to his face. His temper flared, and he rolled up his sleeves, ready to throw down. Dominic Russo stepped in and held out his hand, trying to calm things down.

"Hey, let’s just forget this, alright? My friend is new, he didn’t mean it. We’ll park our cars somewhere else." "Little Eyes" didn’t even acknowledge Dominic. He shoved his hand away and sneered, "What? You think it’s over now? Get the hell out of my way, and mind your business! I’m gonna teach you a lesson!" Rusty "Ace" Callahan’s blood started boiling. The thing he hated most was when people insulted Dominic Russo, and this guy had crossed the line. Rusty couldn’t take it, so he charged at "Little Eyes," slapping him hard across the face. "Little Eyes" staggered back, dazed, stars flashing before his eyes. "You son of a—!" he shouted, furious. "Hit you? I’m gonna show you why flowers are red!" Rusty retorted, kicking "Little Eyes" hard in the stomach. "Little Eyes" lost his balance and collapsed to the ground. Rusty stepped forward, landing a series of heavy kicks, showing no mercy. A skinny guy who was with "Little Eyes" started to move in, but Vic Steele blocked his way. Vic glanced back at Dominic, who was grinning. That reassured him. Vic turned to his new recruits and said, "Alright, fellas, let’s stretch out and warm up." The group wasn’t made up of pushovers. As soon as their leader stayed quiet, they hesitated, but now that Vic had given the signal, six of them surrounded the "Skinny Guy," smirking. One of them said, "I’ll go first!" He kicked the "Skinny Guy" in the leg, sending him stumbling.

"Stay bent over!" another guy shouted, grabbing the "Skinny Guy" by the hair and pulling his head down forcefully. The "Skinny Guy" groaned, trying to straighten up but unable to. The rest of the gang piled in, landing punches and kicks. Suddenly, a teacher-looking guy walked into the shed. Everyone froze. They had just graduated from middle school, so teachers still intimidated them a bit. They stopped fighting and stepped aside. The man acted as though he hadn’t noticed anything. He locked up his bike, turned, and walked out quickly. Rusty "Ace" Callahan raised an eyebrow and asked Vic, "Is that guy a teacher? He didn’t say a word." Vic shrugged, "Who knows? This school’s got weirdos everywhere!" Dominic Russo glanced at the two on the ground and said, "Alright, let’s go!" The group followed Dominic Russo, walking a bit farther until they reached a much larger bike shed. They locked up their bikes and made their way to the field, where there were already a lot of people standing around. Rusty "Ace" Callahan mumbled, "Looks like a lot of new guys here." The people on the field were grouped in all kinds of cliques, some in small groups, others in larger ones, all dressed in various styles. Almost everyone had a cigarette in hand—except for the girls. Dominic Russo thought to himself, "Looks like all the troublemakers in town are concentrated here." His heart raced with excitement.

He loved the rush of challenges and the idea of conquering new territory. Dominic Russo and his crew took the front, and slowly, their group grew to about forty people. He turned to Rusty "Ace" Callahan and said, "Ace, go check if there are any more guys who haven’t shown up yet." Rusty "Ace" Callahan nodded, stepped back, and shouted loudly, "All the guys looking for Don Russo, get over here!!" His voice echoed across the field. Vic Steele, standing next to him, winced at the volume, kicking Rusty "Ace" Callahan in the butt. "Dammit, Ace, Don Russo told you to check, not blow everyone’s eardrums out!" Rusty "Ace" Callahan laughed, proudly saying, "How was that? Pretty powerful, huh? I honestly think I’m better suited to sing 'Tibetan Plateau' than Li Na." Suddenly, there was a collective thud from behind him. The sound of his booming voice had definitely made an impact, as more of Dominic’s crew started to gather. But the surrounding students didn’t exactly appreciate the racket. "Who the hell’s yelling like that?" "Who just howled like a damn ghost?" Rusty "Ace" Callahan’s face turned bright red. Enraged, he yelled, "Yeah, it was me, your grandpa! Anyone got a problem with that, come and face me!" Dominic Russo gave a casual wave, signaling to his guys, and they all parted, leaving Rusty "Ace" Callahan exposed in the middle of the field.

He hadn’t planned on stirring up trouble right away, but his youthful impulsiveness pushed him to do it. Plus, he liked the idea of establishing dominance in front of the new kids. So, he didn’t stop Rusty "Ace" Callahan. A few hot-headed students charged at Rusty "Ace" Callahan. A guy in a blue shirt was the first to throw a punch. "What? You think you can just shout like that?" Rusty "Ace" Callahan sized him up, sneering, "You’re not even worth my time. Get out of here!" The blue-shirted guy, furious, swung his fist, but Rusty "Ace" Callahan, quick as ever, caught his punch, and with his free hand, slapped the guy hard across the face. The punch sent him stumbling back to the ground, unable to get up. Rusty "Ace" Callahan scanned the crowd and taunted, "Who’s next? If you’re a man, stop pretending and come at me!" A group of seven or eight guys surged forward, surrounding Rusty "Ace" Callahan. "Oh, so you guys want to jump me?" Rusty "Ace" Callahan snarled. "Alright, let’s see if you can handle me." Vic Steele and Rusty "Ace" Callahan started swinging, knocking the guys back one by one. They took a few down, and the remaining ones tried to run, but Dominic’s other guys stopped them, knocking them to the ground with vicious kicks. As the last few students lay groaning on the ground, Dominic Russo raised his hand and called for a stop.

Rusty "Ace" Callahan wiped the blood from his lips and grinned, "That was satisfying. Who else wants a piece of me?" The surrounding freshmen lowered their heads, nervously glancing at the bloody students sprawled on the ground. Rusty "Ace" Callahan’s grin faded as he realized that maybe he had gone too far. He looked at Dominic Russo, who nodded at him with approval, and Rusty felt the tension ease. He stood up straight and called out loudly, "I know some of you are still thinking you can take us on. But do you know who we are? Behind me is Dominic Russo from Camden High. If you want to mess with us, you better think twice!" The new kids started whispering. They had heard the name Dominic Russo—he was already becoming a legend at the school. At that moment, the loudspeaker blared, "All freshmen report to the field immediately. All freshmen, report to the field. Class assignments are about to begin..." The buzz of conversation died down as everyone lined up. Those who had been knocked down were helped to their feet, standing off to the side. Soon, several teachers walked out of the school building. The lead teacher, a balding man in his fifties, holding a megaphone, stepped onto a small platform in front of the crowd. He cleared his throat and took the mic, "Ahem, uh... Hello, everyone! I’m the principal of this school, and on behalf of the entire staff and student body, welcome!

It’s an honor to have you all here..." He went on with a long, drawn-out speech about the school’s history and future, with about 60% of it being irrelevant details. A smattering of applause broke out at the end, but it wasn’t very enthusiastic. Rusty "Ace" Callahan was practically shaking from boredom. Vic Steele pinched his leg under the desk, making Rusty jump. The vice-principal took the mic next. "Ahem, good morning, students! I’m the vice-principal, Mr. Ma. If you have any questions, feel free to come see me..." Rusty muttered to Dominic, "Man, these guys are ridiculous. Are all the teachers like this?" Dominic sighed, "It’s not just here. There are clueless people everywhere." After what felt like forever, the principal handed the mic back to the vice-principal, who finally announced, "Alright, let’s begin the class assignments!" The crowd let out a collective sigh of relief. Teachers handed out class assignments, and soon enough, Dominic Russo and Rusty "Ace" Callahan found themselves in Class 6. Vic Steele got assigned to Class 3, which didn’t make him happy. The homeroom teacher was a short, middle-aged man with glasses. He seemed a bit shady, and Dominic couldn’t help but feel uneasy about him. Dominic was placed in the middle of the class, with an outgoing girl named Emily Carter as his desk partner. She immediately introduced herself. "Hi, I’m Emily Carter," she said, holding out her hand. Dominic shook it, "Dominic Russo.

Nice to meet you." He couldn’t help but notice how cute she was, with big eyes and long lashes that fluttered like little fans. "Dominic Russo?" Emily frowned a little, trying to place the name. "I think I’ve heard that somewhere before..." Dominic smiled but didn’t say anything. Rusty "Ace" Callahan, who was sitting in front of Dominic, kept turning around to stare at him, his eyes filled with envy. Dominic, noticing this, playfully tapped Rusty’s head and asked, "What’s up with you, Ace?" Rusty groaned, "Don Russo, I’m suffering here!" Emily giggled, finding the whole situation amusing. Dominic glanced at Rusty’s desk partner, who had overheard their conversation and was looking back at them, intrigued. As the teacher started his introduction, Dominic leaned over to Emily and whispered, "You ever heard of the time when a guy’s looks were so bad, he could scare the life out of enemies?" He joked about "the most patriotic guy" in history, leaving Emily in fits of laughter. Rusty could only shake his head in despair, thinking, "Why do I always miss the mark?" Finally, the teacher began taking attendance. "Rusty ‘Ace’ Callahan..." Rusty, half-heartedly raised his hand and muttered, "Here." "Dominic Russo..." The teacher paused, then chuckled, "What a weird name. Reminds me of an old bandit chief from the northeast..." He ignored the hostile stares from students, continuing with, "I wonder what your parents were thinking when they named you that..."

Rusty’s blood boiled, and he almost stood up, but Dominic held him back. The teacher, totally unaware of the tension, added, "I wonder if your parents even know how to spell." Dominic stood up slowly, his face calm but firm. "Sir, making fun of someone’s name isn’t polite. Didn’t your parents teach you any manners?" “What the hell are you? Who do you think you're talking to?” The teacher was enraged, feeling his pride being challenged. He yelled, flailing his arms in the air. Dominic Russo stared at the middle-aged man, unblinking, feeling an increasing sense of irritation. He pointed a finger at the teacher. "You’re nothing in front of me. You’d better not mess with me, or you’ll regret it." With that, he rolled up his pants and sat back in his seat. “You…” The teacher tried to say something, but seeing the beastly glare in Dominic's eyes, the words got stuck in his throat. He didn't want to admit he was intimidated by a new student, but his trembling legs betrayed him. The teacher quietly muttered Dominic Russo's name to himself, giving a sinister smile as he continued with roll call. Rusty "Ace" Callahan turned to Dominic Russo and whispered, "Don Russo, we’re just gonna let this slide?" Dominic Russo squinted his eyes. "There will be a time for it." Then, he lay down on the desk, ready to sleep. Lately, for some reason, Dominic had been feeling unusually tired.

He used to wake up at 4:30 AM, but now he slept in until 6:00 AM and didn’t want to get up. If someone interrupted his sleep, it made him exceptionally cranky. The teacher finished roll call and began selecting class officers. Of course, Dominic’s grades were the best, but the teacher’s impression of him was so “memorable” that he didn’t get selected for anything. What the teacher didn’t know was that Dominic was perfectly fine with that outcome. Afterward, the class officers happily took the new books. Once the books were handed out, the teacher said, “Alright, school’s over. Be here at 7:00 AM tomorrow, class starts at 8:00. No one better be late.” He walked toward the door, secretly plotting how to get back at Dominic for embarrassing him earlier. Dominic Russo and Rusty "Ace" Callahan walked out of the classroom, followed by their classmates. They saw a few people standing in the hallway, all in Camden High uniforms. One of them, whose face was swollen and looked like a pig’s head, pointed and said, “Tiger, it’s them! Ohhh—” His finger stabbed too hard, causing him a sharp pain. Dominic Russo glanced over and saw it was Squinty, the guy Rusty "Ace" Callahan had beaten up that morning. Dominic couldn’t help but admire him—after taking such a brutal beating from Rusty, he was still walking, which spoke volumes about his resilience. Rusty "Ace" Callahan also recognized him and sneered, “What’s up, still not satisfied?”

The guy called Tiger walked over, sizing up Rusty "Ace" Callahan. “You’re new here, huh? Showing no respect for the old-timers, huh? I can’t just let that slide.” Tiger was over 6 feet tall, built like a tank, with three prominent wrinkles on his forehead, making him look more like a tiger. “What do you want, then?” Rusty "Ace" Callahan didn’t underestimate Tiger. He knew he didn’t stand much of a chance in a one-on-one fight. Tiger nodded. “Meet me in the little woods behind the field after school. We’ll settle this.” Then he turned and walked away. Squinty limped behind him, turning around to look at Rusty "Ace" Callahan. “You better get a stretcher ready. If you don’t show up, you’re the kid’s son!” “Damn it! I’m bringing some people with me. You better be ready, I’ll show you what happens next.” Vic Steele walked up and asked Dominic Russo, "Don Russo, what’s going on?" Before Dominic could answer, Rusty "Ace" Callahan jumped in. “The two assholes we beat up this morning got a crew together and want us to meet them in the little woods behind the field to ‘settle things.’” Vic Steele chuckled, cracking his knuckles. “Don Russo, it’s been a while since we had a real fight. Might as well get some ‘exercise’ in today.” Dominic Russo nodded. Looks like establishing dominance here was unavoidable. After all, Camden High was a “hotbed” for troublemakers. “Vic, go gather the brothers. I’ve got a plan.”

Vic Steele nodded and ran off. The little woods at Camden High weren’t big, located behind the field, with overgrown weeds and trash scattered everywhere. The school administration never came to this place. It had become the hangout spot for the school's troublemakers—where people came for one-on-one fights, gang beatdowns, and even parties. You could still see old bloodstains on the ground. Dominic Russo and Rusty "Ace" Callahan walked into the woods, followed by more than ten brothers. From far away, they saw Tiger leading his crew, all of them holding “pipes” in their hands. Both groups arrived at the center of the woods and sized each other up. Dominic Russo looked at Tiger and spoke first. “So, which one of you is the big shot here at Camden High?” Tiger grinned. “Who are you? And who the hell do you think you are talking to me?” Rusty "Ace" Callahan, handing Dominic Russo a cigarette, said, “This is Don Russo, our boss!” Tiger looked Dominic Russo up and down. “Don Russo, huh? Never heard of you. Doesn’t matter where you’re from, Camden High is ‘High Lord’s’ place. Since you’re here, if you’re a dragon, you better sit low. If you’re a tiger, you’d better crouch. You’re not gonna come here and act like you run the place. Today, we’re just here to talk about how you beat up my guy.” Rusty "Ace" Callahan lit his cigarette, “I don’t know who this ‘High Lord’ is, or what his deal is…”

Dominic Russo stopped him before he could finish. “We beat up your guy, and that’s how it is. What you wanna do about it is your business. Whether or not we respect the ‘rules’ here is for us to decide. You don’t get to make that call.” Tiger sneered. “Alright, kid, you got guts. But let’s talk about how you beat up my guy. How are you gonna pay for this?” Rusty "Ace" Callahan yelled, “I’ll tell you how I’ll pay for it—fuck you! What are you, a joke? Just because you got a few lines on your forehead, you think you’re a real tiger?” “Heh,” Tiger laughed. “Fat boy, you don’t get to talk big. After I’m done with you, you’ll be picking teeth off the ground.” Rusty "Ace" Callahan took off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. “Bring it on, little shit! Let’s see you make me pick my teeth!” Dominic Russo crossed his arms, knowing a fight was inevitable. He stared down Tiger and said, “This fight’s happening, no backing out. I was trying to avoid it, but it looks like there’s no way around it now.” Without warning, Dominic Russo charged at Tiger, raising his knee and slamming it into Tiger’s stomach. Tiger didn’t expect such a fast move. The sudden blow to his stomach made him double over in pain. Dominic Russo seized the moment, pressing Tiger’s head down and using his knee to slam into his face.

Tiger, an experienced fighter, quickly recovered, blocking Dominic’s knee with his arm. Dominic saw this wasn’t working, so he switched tactics, using his elbow to strike Tiger’s exposed back. The elbow is one of the hardest parts of the body. Dominic put all his strength into it, and Tiger felt like his back was hit by lightning. With a scream, he collapsed to the ground. Tiger’s arrogance was his downfall—before he could counterattack, Dominic had him on the ground. Dominic knew that once you start a fight, you don’t hold back. He wasn’t going to give Tiger a chance to recover. Now, Dominic’s eyes glowed like a wild animal. He no longer saw Tiger as a human but as prey. He grabbed Tiger’s hair and slammed his face into the ground, over and over, until Tiger was unconscious and covered in blood. As Dominic Russo attacked Tiger, Rusty "Ace" Callahan didn’t just stand there. He shouted and charged at Tiger’s crew. His brothers pulled out their own pipes and joined in. Rusty "Ace" Callahan spotted Squinty in the crowd and grinned, “You’re not so tough, huh? I’m gonna make you regret this.” Squinty, standing behind the group, saw Rusty charging toward him and panicked. He limped away, shouting, “Oh shit!” Rusty chased him down, quickly knocking him to the ground. In the morning, Rusty had held back a little, but now he didn’t show any mercy. He put everything he had into beating Squinty senseless.

Meanwhile, everyone else was locked in their own one-on-one fights. Then, about thirty more guys entered the woods, each armed with pipes they’d ripped off chairs. Without hesitation, they joined the fight. Leading them was Vic Steele, a tall guy with colorful hair and his shirt unbuttoned. The shouts and chaos filled the woods. Meanwhile, the students on the field barely noticed. Some were chatting, others were playing basketball—everything seemed peaceful out there. But in the woods, it was hell on earth—students lying on the ground, screaming in pain, others bleeding heavily, unable to hear anything but their enemies before them. And so, the battle for dominance at Camden High began. Dominic Russo stood up, his hands drenched in blood, his face streaked with red. Tiger was unconscious on the ground. He wiped his face, then bent down, grabbing Tiger’s hair and dragging him up. “Everyone, stop!” Dominic Russo shouted, his voice as loud as Rusty "Ace" Callahan’s. The students heard his command, and everyone froze, looking his way. They were all terrified. To them, Dominic Russo didn’t look like a person anymore—he looked like a demon. His face, smeared with blood, looked even more monstrous as he held Tiger’s limp body by the hair, lifting it up, unsure whether he was alive or dead. He looked like he had just crawled out of hell. “Holy shit!” “Help!

Help!” Two of Tiger’s underlings screamed and ran for the woods’ edge, only to be intercepted by a dozen of Dominic’s guys, who kicked them to the ground before dragging them back. Tiger’s crew was frozen in shock. Dominic Russo smirked. “Nobody leaves here today. Not a single person.” After hearing his words, some of the students sat down and began crying. Others had lost all their will to fight. Dominic Russo smiled even more broadly. He was satisfied with the effect. This was just intimidation. “You can either end up like him”—he gestured to Tiger—“or you can join me! Your choice.” Some of them dropped their weapons and shouted, “Don Russo, I’m with you!” A few who were still loyal to Tiger stood there, unsure of what to do. Dominic Russo chuckled and nodded at them. “I won’t force you. Take your injured guys and go. And take this guy with you.” He pushed Tiger’s body forward. “Tell ‘High Lord’ that I did this. I started this fight. If he’s got a problem, tell him to come to me. My name is Dominic Russo.” Once they understood, he added, “You can leave now. I’m letting you off this time. But next time you cross me, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” They looked at Dominic Russo, saw he wasn’t joking, and muttered their thanks as they carried their wounded away. But they would never forget what had happened today. It would be etched in their memories forever.

Once they left, Dominic Russo turned to his brothers. “Take the injured to the hospital, hurry up! Vic, go with them!” Vic Steele nodded, then helped carry the injured out of the woods. Dominic Russo thought for a moment and then turned to Vic Steele. “When you get to the hospital, look for Brick ‘Scar’ Malone. He’s got the money.” Vic Steele was already far off, and turned around, shouting, “Got it, Don Russo!” before running toward the school entrance. Rusty "Ace" Callahan walked up to Dominic Russo and laughed. “Don Russo, that was fun! I knocked out three of them. But still, you’re way tougher. Tiger was almost dead by the time we were done!” Dominic Russo shook his head and looked at Rusty "Ace" Callahan, almost laughing. Rusty’s clothes had been torn in several places, covered in blood, with sweat and dirt all over his face. He looked like a beggar. Dominic Russo pulled out a handkerchief and handed it to Rusty. “Here, wipe your face.” Rusty “Ace” Callahan sheepishly took the handkerchief and wiped his face. He muttered to himself, “Don Russo’s face can’t be any cleaner than mine.” Dominic Russo turned to the guys who had just pledged loyalty to him. “I know some of you are here because you had no choice. But now that you’re with me, I’ll treat you like my own brothers. I expect you not to betray me. Otherwise…” He paused, letting the threat hang in the air.

“I don’t need to say more. You have one last chance to back out. If you want to stay, I welcome you. If not, get the hell out now!” Some of them had been won over by Dominic’s strength, others just had no choice. After hearing his speech, they were torn. Dominic noticed their hesitation and shouted, “From now on, if you’re with me, you’re my people. If anyone dares to hurt you, I won’t let them go. No exceptions! Today is the example. I, Dominic Russo, always keep my word!” After hearing that, their hesitation disappeared. They all bowed to Dominic Russo. “We’ll follow Don Russo, and if we have any second thoughts, may the heavens punish us!” Dominic Russo smiled, then turned to his original brothers. “Look, these guys are your brothers now. Take care of each other!” It was funny. Just moments ago, these people were enemies, now they were all united under one leader. Their fates were intertwined by a single person. One of the new guys spoke up, “Don Russo, I know you’re strong, but ‘High Lord’ isn’t someone to mess with. You beat up our guys—no, you beat up them—High Lord isn’t going to let this go easily.” Dominic Russo looked at him and asked, “What’s your name?” “Don Russo, I’m Silas Finch. I’m in Class 2.” Dominic Russo nodded and asked, “Tell me about Camden High. What’s the situation? Focus on the main points.”

Silas Finch thought for a moment, then said, “Before you came, Camden High had two main factions. One was led by ‘High Lord,’ and the other was the Black Dragon Brotherhood, founded by Magnus ‘Iron Fist’ Donovan…” Dominic Russo interrupted him, “Who’s Magnus ‘Iron Fist’ Donovan? What’s the Black Dragon Brotherhood about?” Silas Finch explained, “Magnus ‘Iron Fist’ Donovan is a senior. Everyone calls him Iron Fist. He was one of the first to establish dominance at Camden High. A lot of the seniors are his people. But not long after, ‘High Lord’ showed up and brought in some local thugs. He quickly built up his own faction. The two sides have clashed countless times. The most violent one was a brawl with over 200 people on campus. Three died, and the injuries were countless...” He paused, still a little shaken. Dominic Russo asked, “And the school didn’t intervene?” Silas Finch sneered. “Intervene? The school doesn’t care. The principal just said, ‘These people are all trash. Losing one is one less problem.’” Rusty "Ace" Callahan shouted, “What? The school doesn’t care if people die? Even if the principal doesn’t get arrested, shouldn’t he be fired?” Dominic Russo smiled wickedly. "I don't care about the principal. As long as he doesn't mess with me, he can still play his little emperor role. But I'm curious, what's the relationship between High Lord and the Jade Triad now?" Silas Finch said, "There are occasional frictions, fighting almost every other day.

But the scale isn’t big, mostly just students arguing and brawling among themselves." He paused for a moment and added, “I’ve heard that it’s because Liu Jinglong has fallen for High Lord!” Dominic Russo was momentarily stunned, but Rusty "Ace" Callahan quickly asked, "High Lord is a woman?" Silas Finch nodded, “Yes! Don’t let her gender fool you, she’s ruthless! Usually, a few guys together aren’t a match for her. She’s apparently also connected to the Jade Triad. I’ve heard she’s the mistress of the Jade Triad’s leader, but I don’t know if that’s true.” Rusty "Ace" Callahan looked confused, tapping his head. “What kind of mess is this? I don't get this school at all. Don Russo, you figure it out. I’m not doing it.” Silas Finch smiled and turned to Dominic Russo, "Don Russo, Tiger is High Lord’s top enforcer. I didn’t expect you to take him down so quickly, but if High Lord finds out, she won’t let it slide easily. You’ve got to be careful." Dominic Russo didn’t speak, lost in thought. Rusty "Ace" Callahan, however, spoke up, "What are you scared of? We face soldiers with soldiers, water with water! I don’t believe a woman can be that powerful." Silas Finch gave a dry laugh, "You think we want to be under a woman’s thumb? We’ve got no choice! But, trust me on this one: High Lord is not someone you want to mess with. When you meet her, you’ll see.

She’s a beautiful, poisonous black rose." Rusty "Ace" Callahan stared at him and teased, "Hold up, are you telling me you’ve got a thing for High Lord?" Silas Finch shook his head, “Someone like her is not someone we can just like.” Rusty "Ace" Callahan was even more confused, “What do you mean? If you like her, you like her. If you don’t, you don’t! This guy’s mind is messed up.” Dominic Russo suddenly muttered, “I can’t wait to meet her. I’m looking forward to that day.” He knew High Lord had connections to the Jade Triad, and the thought of going up against them made his blood boil. The Jade Triad was one of the top three underground organizations in Camden, NJ, alongside the Ax Gang and the Brotherhood, known as the underground emperors of the city. Though Dominic wasn’t sure of the outcome, he couldn’t suppress his impulsive nature, yearning for extreme challenges. Silas Finch was momentarily stunned by Dominic’s words. The sunlight pierced through the trees, casting a glow on Dominic’s face, and Silas found himself inexplicably drawn to him. He silently thought to himself: What kind of man is this? Maybe following him could lead to a completely different journey in life. At that moment, Silas truly became curious about Dominic Russo. From then on, he was completely captivated by him, realizing that someone like Dominic was exactly the kind of person he had been searching for in his life.

Silas Finch turned to Dominic Russo and said, “High Lord is strong. If we confront her head-on, even if we win, the losses would be too great. How about…” He paused, unsure of whether Dominic would accept his suggestion, especially since he was new to Dominic’s group and had previously defected. Seeing Dominic nod for him to continue, Silas Finch licked his lips and said, “If we could escalate the conflict between High Lord and Liu Jinglong, we might gain a lot from it. At least we wouldn’t have to worry about two enemies at once.” Dominic Russo nodded thoughtfully. Silas Finch, despite appearing unremarkable, seemed to have a sharp mind, which Dominic appreciated. This was the kind of person he needed in his corner. He smiled and asked, “You mentioned Liu Jinglong might have feelings for High Lord? How do we make their conflict worse?” Silas Finch smiled confidently and explained, “I’ve been at Camden High for almost two years, and I know Liu Jinglong’s personality. He’s very loyal, and without that, he wouldn’t have built such a strong following. His friends stick by him no matter what, and if we can get a few of his closest friends hospitalized, and make him think High Lord was behind it…” Silas paused, making sure Dominic was listening intently, then continued, “With his personality, no matter how much he likes High Lord, he would still go after her.” Dominic Russo was silent for a moment, reflecting for almost five minutes.

Even Rusty "Ace" Callahan, who usually acted without thinking, found this idea to be solid. He slapped Silas on the back with a grin, "Bro, you've really got some brains!" Silas Finch, who appreciated Rusty’s bluntness, responded modestly, “It’s just something I came up with. Nothing special.” Smart people don’t always like hanging around other smart people, but they don’t mind being around people who are simpler-minded, because they know they are the ones with the real brains. Dominic Russo thought for a moment and then spoke slowly, “Even if this plan works and Liu Jinglong and High Lord end up in a mutual destruction, the Jade Triad will get involved… The truth is, I don’t care much about Liu Jinglong and High Lord’s power. What I’m concerned about is the Jade Triad. This plan won’t hurt them at all. Instead, it’ll make them come at us with everything they’ve got…” Dominic didn’t want to crush Silas’s idea completely, so he gave him a reassuring pat on the back, “It’s a good plan, but in the future, we need to think bigger. Don’t get caught up in short-term gains! Focus on what truly matters. You’re smart, I just hope you won’t let me down.” After hearing Dominic’s words, Silas Finch felt a cold sweat on his back. He had always thought he was smart, but compared to Dominic, he felt like a child. Silas bowed deeply to Dominic Russo and said, “Thank you, Don Russo, for your advice.

I realize there’s a lot I still need to learn. I’ll work harder and won’t disappoint you!” Dominic Russo nodded, “You’ve got a sharp mind. I need people like you. I just hope you’ll always be sincere with me…” Silas Finch grinned and said loudly, “Don Russo, you’re the only person I truly admire. I’ll follow you for life!” Dominic Russo grabbed Silas’s hand and said warmly, “Good brother, we’ll take on the world together. Haha~” “Yeah!” Silas nodded firmly, his eyes slightly moist. He felt lucky to have met such an extraordinary man at such a young age. Dominic Russo released his hand and walked outside the woods. He gazed up at the sky, saying, “You know, I don’t worship unlimited power, I don’t care about endless wealth, and I’m not concerned with what kind of empire I’ll leave behind. What I want is the journey. The kind of journey where you can feel your heartbeat as you fight for dominance. That’s the only thing I truly seek. It’s like a bird flying in the wide open sky—nothing can bind its wings, and it can look down on everything below!” His voice wasn’t loud, but everyone present could hear it clearly. The rising sun was right behind him, casting a golden glow over his figure, making it almost blinding to look at. Everyone felt a sense of awe.

They didn’t know exactly what they were feeling, but they couldn’t deny that Dominic Russo’s presence was imposing, as if he were towering over them—an unreachable height. Rusty "Ace" Callahan, breaking the silence, chuckled, “Don Russo, you sound kinda weird there! I don’t get it!” Dominic Russo laughed lightly. He didn’t even know why he spoke those words, but he realized that he was changing day by day. Surrounded by this group of passionate young men, his character was shifting from who he used to be. Yet, he didn’t resist the change because he was enjoying his life right now. He also cherished the loyalty these young men had toward him. Dominic Russo turned to Rusty "Ace" Callahan and said, “Rusty, you know, you said something right.” Rusty "Ace" Callahan raised an eyebrow, “I did? What did I say that was right?” Dominic Russo laughed heartily and said, “No matter what, when soldiers come, we fight; when water comes, we block it!” With that, he turned and walked toward the school gates, with laughter echoing in the distance. The others looked at Dominic’s retreating figure, exchanged glances, and burst into laughter. They tried to suppress the feelings of admiration in their hearts and ran after their hero. Meanwhile, Rusty "Ace" Callahan, looking confused, muttered to himself, “What’s going on today? Did everyone’s brain rust over or something? Hey, wait for me! I’m slow, cut me some slack...”

When Dominic Russo stepped out of the school gates, he could hear Rusty’s loud voice from behind. In the afternoon, Dominic Russo and Rusty "Ace" Callahan went to the hospital to check on their injured brothers. Brick "Scar" Malone and Vic Steele were already there. They learned that five people were hospitalized, but none of the injuries were too serious. Dominic Russo finally felt relieved. Brick "Scar" Malone suggested, “We don’t have much to do, why not go play pool?” Though Dominic Russo wasn’t interested in pool, he didn’t want to spoil everyone’s mood, so he nodded in agreement. Brick "Scar" Malone immediately added, “But I’m not with Don Russo's crew, you guys gotta make that clear!” “...”“...”“...” Dominic Russo and the others were speechless. The first time Brick "Scar" Malone met Dominic Russo, he remembered that Don Russo didn’t even make a single shot, and the memory lingered in his mind... The sound of Rusty "Ace" Callahan’s discontent echoed in the hospital hallway: "Hey! Why do I have to be with Don Russo’s crew?" The voices of Brick "Scar" Malone and Vic Steele responded in unison, “Because you’re the best at pool among us!” “Yeah, that’s true! But wait, I don’t think I’ve ever beaten you two!” “...”“...” The hallway fell silent. The next day, Dominic Russo decided to skip his bike and run to school. He realized that he would be dealing with more powerful people, and a strong body was necessary to handle it.

His home was about two kilometers from Camden High, so he ran while punching the air, taking breaks every now and then. By the time he arrived at school, he was covered in sweat. He was in a good mood today, so he stopped by the gate to greet the old guard. The old man waved at him, “Young man, why are you all sweaty? Hurry up and go inside, don’t catch a cold!” Dominic Russo smiled and nodded before running toward the teaching building. He hadn’t run far when he heard the sound of a motorcycle. "No way!" he thought, quickly jumping to the side of the road. A motorcycle pulled up next to him. “Hey, what’s up with you? Do you always walk in the middle of the road?” Dominic Russo turned his head and couldn’t help but laugh. The rider was the beautiful, popular senior girl who almost ran him over yesterday. He gave her a nod and smiled, “Hey, senior!” The motorcycle girl blushed a little and laughed, “You’ve got a good memory!” Dominic Russo deliberately looked her up and down. Under his intense gaze, the girl became slightly embarrassed, teasing him, “Hey, what are you looking at? Never seen a pretty girl before?” Dominic Russo feigned injury and said, “It’s only because you’re so beautiful, senior, that I can’t forget you! It’s not that my memory is so good.” Actually, that was his real feeling—someone as beautiful as her was hard to forget.

The girl’s face turned even redder, and she felt a flutter in her heart, like a little rabbit hopping inside. If someone else had said those words, she wouldn’t have paid attention, but from this boy who didn’t even know her name, it felt entirely different. There was a strange sense of joy in her heart, though every time she saw him, her heart would race, and she didn’t know what it was. So, she decided to escape. The girl got back on her bike and, without waiting for Dominic Russo to respond, waved, “Bye!” As she rode off, she turned around after about ten meters and called out, “My name is Luna Rossi!” Her voice echoed in Dominic Russo’s ears. “Luna Rossi… what a beautiful name!” Looking at the girl’s elegant figure, his heart stirred. A thought popped into his head: Could this girl be High Lord? He shook his head and dismissed the thought. There are plenty of girls with the last name 'Rossi'. It can’t be that coincidental, right? For some reason, Dominic Russo hoped this girl wasn’t High Lord. When Dominic Russo entered the classroom, it was noisy inside. Rusty "Ace" Callahan was talking animatedly with a couple of other guys, gesturing wildly. Dominic Russo sat down at his desk. His deskmate, Evelyn Shaw, noticed him and asked, “Hey, did you hear? There was a fight behind the school’s field yesterday, and now several students are hospitalized and couldn’t come to class.”

Dominic Russo smiled and shook his head. “I’m not really sure.” Then he asked Evelyn Shaw, “Has the school said anything about dealing with it?” She shook her head. “I haven’t heard anything about it, but such a big incident, the school has to deal with it, right?” Dominic Russo replied, “Not necessarily! Don’t forget, this is Camden High—there’s no other school in the city more chaotic than this one. By the way, why did you come to Camden High?” Dominic Russo felt that Evelyn Shaw seemed like a smart girl with good grades, so she shouldn’t be attending a school like this. Evelyn Shaw made a face. “I’m just too playful, my scores weren’t good in the middle school exam, so I had no choice but to come here.” Dominic Russo raised an eyebrow. “What do you usually do for fun? There aren’t that many things for girls to do, are there?” As soon as Evelyn Shaw mentioned her hobbies, she became lively, gesturing with her hands just like Rusty "Ace" Callahan did when he first entered, and said, “When I'm at home, I watch TV, listen to music, go rollerblading, swimming, hit up clubs, watch movies, sing karaoke... you know, all sorts of things…” Dominic Russo looked at her and smiled, “So basically, you don’t like reading, right?” Evelyn Shaw blushed and lightly pinched Dominic Russo's arm, "You're annoying!" Seeing her playful expression, Dominic Russo couldn't help but laugh. What a cute girl!

But he quickly reined in his laughter when he noticed Rusty "Ace" Callahan's fiery gaze glaring at him, filled with ‘hurt’ and jealousy. Dominic Russo, with a serious face, patted Rusty "Ace" Callahan on the shoulder, “Bro, you’re really suffering. But you have to endure. Be an ‘American Patriot’ for one year!” From the back of the classroom came Rusty "Ace" Callahan's gritted teeth, "Don Russo! That’s not funny at all... I… I’m suffering..." followed by Evelyn Shaw’s laughter. Three days later, during lunch, Silas Finch came to find Dominic Russo, cautiously saying, “Luna Rossi was really mad when she heard about what happened yesterday. But she won’t act immediately; she wants to observe you a little more. Don Russo, you’ve got to be careful!” Dominic Russo nodded and asked, "How’s Tiger doing? How many people were injured?" Silas Finch looked around, then whispered, "I heard Tiger's injuries are serious. He won’t recover soon. That’s also why Luna Rossi is angry; she thinks you went too far and were too brutal. As for the others, there are about ten or so injured." Dominic Russo smiled, "Well, when they’re enemies, I never show mercy. How did you find out all this?" Silas Finch said, "Even though I’m with Don Russo now, I still have friends working under Luna Rossi. It was one of them who told me!" Dominic Russo nodded thoughtfully and asked lightly, "Is this person reliable? Can we trust the information he gave us?"

Silas Finch nodded, “Don Russo, don’t worry. We’ve been close since we were kids. He listens to me about everything. When I mentioned my situation with you, he wanted to come over here with me, but I stopped him. I felt it would be more useful for him to stay with Luna Rossi for now. We can get more inside information.” Dominic Russo patted him on the shoulder, "You did the right thing. With your friend in there, we’ll always know what’s going on with Luna Rossi." He paused, then suddenly asked, "What does Luna Rossi look like?" Silas Finch paused, then said, "She’s a very beautiful girl, long hair, big eyes, about 5'7", very slender..." Dominic Russo interrupted, "Does she always wear denim and ride a motorcycle?" Silas Finch looked surprised, “Don Russo, how do you know that? Have you met her?” Dominic Russo sighed inwardly, thinking: Here it comes... I didn’t expect that girl to actually be Luna Rossi. But she looks so pure. She doesn’t seem like the kind of person to be someone’s mistress. Dominic Russo felt a wave of frustration rise within him, and he lightly tapped his fingers on the desk. Seeing the change in Dominic Russo’s mood, Silas Finch wisely left. In his mind, he wondered if Don Russo and Luna Rossi might have some unusual connection. Three days later, during lunch, Dominic Russo was eating noodles alone at a small restaurant by the school gate.

He hadn’t seen the girl again these past few days, and his mind was filled with questions. Just as he had eaten a few bites, a student rushed in. His eyes scanned the room and immediately spotted Dominic Russo, quickly walking over and loudly saying, "Don Russo, something’s wrong! Rusty 'Ace' Callahan, Vic Steele, and some of our brothers have been beaten by a group of people!" "What?" Dominic Russo stood up, and seeing his brothers covered in blood, he thought, That was fast! Luna Rossi isn’t wasting any time! "Let’s go. Take me to them," he said, leaving two dollars on the table before running into the school with the student. The student led Dominic Russo into a classroom, which was in complete chaos. Broken desks and chairs were scattered everywhere, and injured brothers groaned on the ground. As soon as they saw Dominic Russo, one of the brothers staggered over, tears in his eyes, and said, "Don Russo! Rusty 'Ace' Callahan and Vic Steele have been captured by Luna Rossi’s people. They said you have to go to the third-floor art room alone to get them! If you don’t go, we’ll have to prepare for their bodies." Dominic Russo, with an expressionless face, nodded without saying a word and turned to leave. But the brother who spoke grabbed his clothes. "Don Russo, you can’t go alone, it’s too dangerous! Let me go get Brick 'Scar' Malone to discuss it."

Dominic Russo patted the hand on his clothes and said, "There’s no time. Don’t worry, I’ve got it covered. No need to bring Brick 'Scar' Malone, he’ll just cause more trouble." The brother hesitated for a moment, then released his grip, seeing the confidence in Dominic Russo. At that moment, more than twenty people entered the room, and Silas Finch was among them. He said loudly, "Don Russo, you can’t go! I’ve heard that Luna Rossi is serious this time. If you go, she won’t let you walk out. And the information is tightly controlled—none of our men even knew about today’s action. I just got the news!" Dominic Russo shook his head, hands in his pockets. "Rusty 'Ace' Callahan and Vic Steele have been captured. If I don’t go, what will happen to them? What’s coming will come; there’s no avoiding it. I also want to meet Luna Rossi." "But going alone is suicide!" Silas Finch insisted. "Enough!" Dominic Russo snapped, “If I wait any longer, Rusty 'Ace' Callahan and Vic Steele will be in even more danger. Trust me, brother, I’ve got it under control.” With that, he walked out of the classroom. Seeing all the brothers following him, he stopped and held up his hand, "Stay in the classroom! If anyone follows me… don’t blame me for being rude!" Hearing this, everyone stopped following him, though they still silently prayed for him. Silas Finch gathered the others together and whispered, nodding repeatedly.

Dominic Russo hurriedly walked towards the third-floor art room, his heart burning with anxiety. Rusty 'Ace' Callahan and Vic Steele were the first to follow him, and their bond ran deep. Hearing that they had been captured made Dominic Russo’s heart twist in pain, knowing that Luna Rossi’s men would not go easy on them. He silently swore that if anything happened to Rusty 'Ace' Callahan and Vic Steele, he would fight Luna Rossi to the death. Upon reaching the third floor, he didn’t need to ask. He saw four or five students standing at the end of the corridor, holding sticks. Dominic Russo knew that must be the art room. He walked over, slowly calming himself down. "Hey! What are you doing here?" A student with a buzz cut tilted his head at Dominic Russo. With a calm expression, Dominic Russo said, "Go tell your boss that Dominic Russo is here." The buzz-cut student looked him over carefully, whispered something to the others, and then nodded. The door opened, and the student gestured for Dominic Russo to wait. Dominic Russo placed his hands in his pockets, half-turned to face the wall, his mind racing as he thought about how to safely rescue Rusty 'Ace' Callahan and Vic Steele, and whether he could still be ruthless with Luna Rossi if she was the motorcycle girl he met earlier. After a moment, he sighed inwardly. I’ll just have to improvise. Whatever happens, happens.

After five minutes, the door opened, and the student who had gone inside spoke to Dominic Russo, “The boss wants to see you.” Dominic Russo didn’t hesitate. He entered the art room. It was dimly lit, with the curtains drawn. The space was huge, about three times the size of a regular classroom, with dozens of tables and chairs scattered about. A woman sat in the center, her back turned to Dominic Russo, so he couldn’t see her face. But there was something familiar yet foreign about her silhouette—long black hair, dressed in denim. Dominic Russo couldn’t shake the feeling that she wasn’t the same girl he had met before. "Are you Dominic Russo?" The girl’s cold voice interrupted Dominic Russo's thoughts. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Dominic Russo replied, “Yes! You must be Luna Rossi, right?” The girl remained with her back to him, speaking, “You’re smart, but you’re also arrogant! You’ve only just arrived at Camden High, and already I’ve lost a good brother because of you.” Dominic Russo coldly responded, “I didn’t want to cause this trouble, but when it comes to me, I won’t back down.” Luna Rossi sneered, “Boy, how old are you?” Dominic Russo didn’t expect her to suddenly ask his age. He hesitated for a moment and said, “Sixteen.” “Hmm, two years younger than me. What a pity...” Luna Rossi sighed. Dominic Russo asked, “What do you mean by that?”

Luna Rossi stood up but didn’t turn around, “I didn’t plan on letting you leave here alive. You’re only sixteen, don’t you think that’s a shame?” Dominic Russo laughed loudly, as though hearing the best joke ever, as if he didn’t care about the dozens of people in the room. “Whether I walk out alive or not, you can’t control it. What I want to know is, how are my friends?” “You’re really arrogant, huh? Well... what else can happen? My men are giving them a ‘warm welcome’ right now,” she said with a cold smile. Dominic Russo understood what she meant. He replied, “Since I’m here, I’ll treat Luna Rossi as someone who keeps her word. If you can’t even do that, then I have nothing more to say!” Luna Rossi scoffed, “You can’t even control yourself, let alone control others. But you do keep your word, so I’m not unreasonable.” She then spoke to one of her men, “Go release those two.” The man nodded and left. Luna Rossi finally turned around to face Dominic Russo, her eyes filled with surprise. What an unusual pair of eyes! Dominic Russo finally saw Luna Rossi's face and felt a little relieved because she wasn’t the motorcycle girl, Stella Rossi. Although they looked very similar, Dominic Russo was sure they weren’t the same person. This girl was also an exceptionally beautiful woman, with thick, curved eyebrows that almost reached her hairline.

Her large, shimmering eyes flashed with an eerie coldness, and her delicate nose was framed by red lips. She had an air of unapproachable masculinity, quite different from Stella Rossi's more playful and charming demeanor. Looking at her now, Dominic Russo couldn’t help but think that her position and the number of men under her weren’t a coincidence; Luna Rossi exuded an irresistible aura. “Have you seen enough?” Luna Rossi asked, her discomfort growing under Dominic Russo's intense gaze. Dominic Russo, slightly embarrassed, realized it was rude to stare at a girl like that. When he didn’t respond, Luna Rossi stepped closer and said, “You’re nothing like what I imagined.” Dominic Russo muttered, “Oh,” and looked into her eyes, waiting for her to continue. Luna Rossi raised her hand, lightly tracing her finger over Dominic Russo's face as she spoke softly, “I didn’t expect you to be a somewhat delicate and shy boy...” As she spoke, the fragrance she exhaled brushed against Dominic Russo's face. The sweet, warm scent made his heart skip a beat, but he quickly regained his composure. In his mind, the words "earthly goddess" flashed. Dominic Russo had always been more traditional, and the principle of men and women keeping proper distance had influenced him greatly. He rarely initiated conversations with girls at school, not because he was shy, but because he believed it wasn’t appropriate. Dominic Russo blushed deeply and lowered his head.

This was the closest he had ever been to a girl, other than his mother. A warmth rose in his lower abdomen, something he couldn’t control. He kept repeating to himself in his mind: Stay calm! Stay calm! Luna Rossi, observing the boy in front of her—one who could defeat Tiger without breaking a sweat and had so many brothers under him—was struck by how shy he was, with his head lowered in embarrassment. Seeing this, she couldn't help but want to tease him. Luna Rossi’s rosy cheek drew closer to Dominic Russo's face, and her red lips almost brushed against his. The sweet, warm scent enveloped him, and he felt he could barely control himself. His hand in his pocket was already soaked with sweat. At that moment, Dominic Russo suddenly regained his composure. He had felt the knife in his pocket, the one that could change his fate. Taking a deep breath, Dominic Russo gently pushed Luna Rossi away. His face no longer showed embarrassment, and his eyes were no longer dazed. A cold, hard glint flashed in his eyes, which made Luna Rossi quickly regain her composure as well. She blushed, thinking to herself: What just happened? I was teasing him, why did I almost lose control? Luna Rossi glanced around. Her men were all stunned, still caught in the moment, mesmerized by her alluring beauty. Sighing quietly, Luna Rossi looked at Dominic Russo and said, “You’re quite something!

If you’re willing to join me, I won’t make things difficult for you. In fact, I’ll give you a lot of responsibility. You’re a smart guy. I won’t say more. Think about it.” Dominic Russo shook his head and said, “I’m a man. There’s no way I’d work under a woman, and I have no intention of even considering it.” Dominic Russo’s words were like a giant hammer, smashing into Luna Rossi's heart, as well as the hearts of everyone in the room. Luna Rossi’s subordinates blushed and lowered their heads. Luna Rossi admitted to herself that she had some feelings for this boy and didn’t want to hurt him. If he joined her, she wouldn’t make things difficult for him, and it would be a way to show her men that she was fair. But she never expected him to shut her down so definitively. At the same time, his words wounded her pride—no one had ever treated her like this before. Looking at her subordinates, Luna Rossi's anger flared up. With a red face, she shouted, “Dominic Russo! You think you’re something, don’t you? I gave you a chance, and you refused? Don’t blame me for what happens next!” She turned to one of her subordinates and said, “Mad Dog, go test him. See if he really has the guts to back up his arrogance!”