Chapter 32

The extensive laboratory was a battlefield, and the odds were stacked heavily against Johnny and Kenshi. The dozen Yakuza members moved with precision and deadly intent, circling the two men like wolves hunting wounded prey. Johnny's breathing was labored, every inhale igniting sharp pain in his ribs, while Kenshi stood at his side, tense and determined despite his own exhaustion.

They had managed to take down a few of the attackers, but the remaining Yakuza members had regrouped, forcing Johnny and Kenshi to take cover behind a heavy metal table, trying to catch their breath. Kenshi's breathing was steady, but Johnny's was labored, his battered ribs making each inhale a struggle. Blood trickled from a gash on Johnny's forehead, and his grip on Sento tightened as he scanned the room.

The dozen Yakuza members moved with precision, spreading out to encircle them. They fired sporadically, keeping Johnny and Kenshi pinned. The situation was grim.

Johnny winced as he shifted his weight, leaning heavily against the table. "This is bad, Kenshi," he muttered, gritting his teeth against the pain. "Really bad."

Kenshi knelt beside him, his blindfolded gaze fixed in Johnny's direction. "You're pushing yourself too hard," Kenshi said, concern evident in his voice. "If you keep this up, you'll collapse."

Johnny shook his head, smirking despite the pain. "Oh, I'll collapse, alright—on top of these Yakuza clowns after I'm done kicking their asses."

Kenshi frowned, his worry only deepening as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. More Yakuza members were closing in, their shouts echoing through the massive room.

"We can't keep this up," Kenshi said grimly. "There are too many of them."

Johnny leaned back against the table, wincing as he looked around the room. His eyes landed on a cluster of flammable gas barrels on the far side of the lab, tucked near a wall of intricate machinery. His lips curled into a mischievous grin.

"Babe," Johnny said, nudging Kenshi, "you see those barrels?"

Kenshi tilted his head slightly, focusing his senses. "I sense them," he said slowly. "What are you thinking?"

Johnny's grin widened despite the situation. "We blow 'em up. Big explosion, lots of fire. Take these guys out in one shot."

Kenshi nodded, understanding the logic. "And how exactly are we going to ignite them? Neither of us has a gun or anything that can spark them."

Johnny shrugged, the movement causing him to hiss in pain. "That's where you come in, Kenshi. Can't you use your telekinesis to… I don't know, smash something into them hard enough to trigger the explosion?"

Kenshi hesitated, the doubt clear in his expression. "It's possible," he admitted, "but it would take a significant amount of my energy. I don't know if I can sustain it."

Johnny's jaw tightened, his gaze locking with Kenshi's. "Alright, plan B then. I'll draw their fire. Get one of those trigger-happy idiots to shoot at me, and I'll line it up so they hit the barrels."

Kenshi's head snapped toward Johnny, his voice firm and sharp. "No. You'll get shot in the process."

Johnny flashed a weak grin, attempting to lighten the moment. "What's one more bullet wound at this point?"

"Johnny," Kenshi said, his voice low and serious, "I'm not losing you again. Not to them."

The sound of gunfire shattered the brief silence, bullets peppering the table and the surrounding equipment. Both men ducked instinctively, their breathing quick and shallow.

"We don't have time to argue," Johnny said, his tone softening. "I'll distract them. You focus on getting that explosion ready. We do this together."

Kenshi clenched his fists, his mind racing. Finally, he nodded. "Together," he agreed.

Johnny took a deep breath, gripping Sento tightly as he prepared to move. "Alright, babe. Time for me to do something stupid."

Kenshi placed a hand on Johnny's arm, squeezing it briefly. "Be careful," he said, his voice tinged with both fear and determination.

Johnny winked. "Always."

With that, he bolted from their cover, a loud battle cry tearing from his throat as he zigzagged across the open lab floor. Gunfire erupted instantly, the Yakuza members focusing their aim on him. Johnny ducked and weaved, ignoring the searing pain in his ribs and the blood dripping from his wounds.

"Hey, assholes!" Johnny shouted, swinging Sento to deflect a stray bullet. "You're gonna have to try harder than that!"

Meanwhile, Kenshi closed his eyes, reaching out with his mind to focus on the barrels. His ancestors' voices guided him, grounding him as he extended his telekinetic energy.

"Stay calm. Focus your power. You can do this, Kenshi."

Sweat dripped down Kenshi's face as he concentrated, the barrels beginning to tremble and shift. Across the room, Johnny glanced over his shoulder, catching the faint movement.

"That's my guy," Johnny muttered, grinning despite himself.

Just then, a stray bullet grazed Johnny's shoulder, spinning him to the ground. He groaned, his vision swimming as he tried to push himself up. The Yakuza members began to close in, sensing their advantage.

"Kenshi!" Johnny shouted, his voice strained. "Now would be a good time!"

With a final burst of energy, Kenshi unleashed his telekinesis, slamming a heavy metal crate into the barrels. The impact sent a spark flying, igniting the gas.

A deafening explosion ripped through the lab, flames engulfing the Yakuza members and sending shockwaves through the room.

The force knocked Johnny off his feet, and he hit the ground hard, groaning as red emergency lights began flashing overhead.

" Johnny!" Kenshi shouted, stumbling toward his husband through the smoke, " Are you okay?"

Johnny groaned, the fall taking the wind out of him, " Yup… just… need a moment…"

" Here let me help." Kenshi knelt beside Johnny, helping him sit up.

Johnny looked at Kenshi, his face pale but filled with admiration. "You really know how to make an entrance," he said weakly, coughing.

Kenshi managed a small smile, relief flooding him as he checked Johnny over. "Let's get out of here," he said, his tone urgent.

"Agreed," Johnny said, leaning on Kenshi as they made their way toward the exit, the chaos of the explosion still raging behind them.