#not in a way that kazutora is still his enemy or whatever (although for the first timelines perhaps) but just in a way to find a way to

[just-sp-in-inginthevoid]

I've already talked about the 龍虎, Ryūko, the great rivals, in Japanese culture and how Kazutora being the one to kill Shinichiro was a way to show the balance was no more

But now, I'm focusing on why Mikey decides to get the dragon tattooed on his neck (and not the same side as Kazutora) and not somewhere else. And the only (interesting) answer I found is.. ^ 龍虎. Ryūko.

[deathfavor]

Kazutora really dislikes when people say he'll always be a part of Toman, both Valhalla era and in his future verse.

When he's younger, it provokes him into a violent fit of rage. He wants nothing to do with Toman. I don't think he ever had that connection with Toman despite Baji having the idea to do so for Kazutora. But Kazutora never asked for anyone to help with his problems with Black Dragon. He also never seemed to really find his place other than besides Baji, although he's always cool with Pah and seems decent at least with Draken. ( Enough to answer a phone call and meet up with him even as enemies. ) Mitsuya's always been icy for whatever reason and Kazutora didn't like Mikey for a good while there. So he could enjoy some times, sure, but it wasn't his gang. They weren't his friends per se. And the situation with Junpeke also destroyed his faith in friendships other than Baji. So when he gets out of juvie, all he wants to do is have that chapter sealed and shut. He burned his uniform that night. Toman is just an enemy in his mind. He participates in those hunting down Toman members and beating them / burning the outfits. Like he said " Don't stop if they can still move. " He's not Toman. He doesn't WANT to be affiliated with it.

In his future verses, it causes discomfort rather than the fury of his youth. In some ways, his mindset hasn't change. Kazutora never really bought into the whole 'always a part of Toman' bit because he never really felt he fit in to begin with even before everything went bad. And he actually spent more time as a member of Valhalla than Toman, he connected better in Valhalla than he did with Toman. So in the future when/if someone says it, it feels awkward and uncomfortable. Other than Bad Toman for obvious reasons. But Bonten? It causes a lot of discomfort and he'll generally just try to push the conversation on or look away or anything other than directly responding it. Because his history with Toman isnt good. Because he missed out on the years everyone else did things and grew. He's not a part of that. Valhalla was always the gang that felt more like his than anything else. ( And his white jacket in that timeline is suspiciously similar to Valhalla's, all im saying. )

In his other AUs for the future though, it DOES provoke a mix between youthful rage and older discomfort depending on the particular one.

All in all, saying he's a part of Toman really just does provoke negative or uncomfortable emotions at best with Kazutora.