Editing Ryōma Kuroda (section)

=== Expedition to Los Santos ===
At 27 years old, Ryōma was sent to Los Santos to help the Yakuza deal with the syndicates in the city for the third time. Initially, Ryōma operated under [[Yorinobu Honda|Yorinobu Honda’s]] command, assisting in surveillance efforts and coordination as the Yakuza sought to regain dominance in San Andreas. But tensions began to rise, internally and externally as their efforts stalled. Frustrated by a lack of progress, Yorinobu decided to take matters into his own hands and ordered Ryōma to join him in tracking down [[Edward McHaggis]], viewing the mission as a chance to restore momentum.

By coincidence, they spotted Edward in a brown Corvette and gave chase through Strawberry, only to lose him on the highway. Ryōma, ever hopeful, proposed they search [[Paleto Bay]]. After hours of failure, they slept in their car near the Great Ocean Highway, waking cold and empty-handed. They later travelled to McKenzie Airfield and took an old plane once used by [[Hans Naumann]]. As they flew over Blaine County, Ryōma suggested searching the coast near the lighthouse an idea that, against the odds, led them to Edward’s Corvette parked near a small coastal house.

Returning to confront him, the two discovered their car had been impounded. Ryōma offered to use his anime-themed car instead, which Yorinobu found humiliating, unleashing his temper on a random civilian in the process. Ryōma intervened to prevent the man’s death, straining their dynamic even further. Eventually, they arrived at the house and confronted Edward. After a tense standoff, Ryōma against Yorinobu’s direct orders accidentally revealed that the Yakuza had [[Marty Marcano|Marty]]. The slip shattered any trust and exposed Yorinobu’s hand.
Following the confrontation, Ryōma met secretly with Yue at Manta Trading & Exports. Disillusioned and disturbed by Yorinobu's behaviour, he questioned their entire mission and expressed doubt in Yorinobu’s leadership. Yue explained that their superior, [[Kensuke]], was still in Japan and out of reach. There was little they could do.

Three days later, Ryōma received a call from Yorinobu claiming to have found a hidden cache belonging to Edward. The two met and drove out to an abandoned mine in the hills. Inside, under the dim glow of a flashlight, Ryōma turned to speak—only to find Yorinobu aiming a pistol at his head. Without ceremony, Yorinobu accused him of "ruining it for us all" and pulled the trigger, killing Ryōma instantly. Ryōma’s body was left in the mine, lost to the darkness and never recovered.