No one objected to Hikaru's proposal.
They stood up, casually left some coins on the table to pay for their food, and began walking toward the direction where they had previously sensed that energy fluctuation.
They didn't have to go far before encountering a large crowd gathering ahead—it seemed a performance was underway.
Curious, the group moved closer.
They saw a group of street performers energetically showcasing their talents.
Some somersaulted through the air with dazzling agility, others performed acrobatics on the ground, while a few wielded weapons in graceful, coordinated routines. Each act drew cheers from the excited audience.
One man, in particular, stood out—his act involved breaking stones on his chest. From his body radiated a distinct energy signature—he was clearly a practitioner of this world's power system.
However, despite his stunning display, the crowd's attention was drawn elsewhere.
Hikaru and the others followed the gaze of the audience—and spotted two burly men beating drums and shouting enthusiastically.
Beside them was a bizarre-looking "dog."
This "dog" had long limbs, was covered in thick fur, and moved with animalistic grace—but its face… was unmistakably human.
The grotesque sight had the crowd murmuring in shock and fascination.
When one of the men cracked a whip, the "dog" barked and obeyed like a trained performer, even doing tricks just like a human would.
Its movements were fluid and eerily lifelike, drawing waves of applause.
Delighted spectators began tossing coins toward the creature.
It swiftly picked up the money in its mouth and delivered it neatly into the man's pocket—earning yet another burst of laughter and cheers.
But Hikaru and his companions didn't laugh.
With their sharp eyes, they could immediately tell—
That so-called dog was a human being.
They might not have been saints, but this level of cruelty disgusted them.
Chinatsu, the kindest and most innocent among them, couldn't bear the sight any longer. She was about to act.
But Hikaru grabbed her wrist and stopped her.
Surprised, she turned to him with confusion in her eyes.
She had seen him lose his temper over lesser things. By now, those two men should've been burned to ashes.
Why was he holding back?
Hikaru could read her thoughts. He drew a deep breath, suppressing the fury in his heart, and whispered:
"They likely have more accomplices. If we rush in now, we'll only alert them. Once the show's over, we follow them. I'm betting they've got more children like that."
Chinatsu finally understood.
He wasn't just trying to punish these men—he planned to take down the entire operation and rescue the children.
She nodded silently in agreement.
Meanwhile, the others had begun noticing other alarming details.
Among the crowd were many parents who had brought their children to watch the show.
On the surface, it looked like a scene of joyful entertainment.
But hidden beneath that cheer was something deeply sinister.
Right there among the giggling, clapping children—some were being stolen.
Petty thieves moved quickly through the crowd. Short and agile, they weaved through the chaos and snatched children right from their parents' sides.
The parents, oddly enough, didn't notice a thing.
It was as if their minds had been clouded by something—entranced by the show, smiling stupidly, totally unaware their child was gone.
Hikaru's group realized that the kidnappers must have been using some kind of illusion technique—a mind-affecting spell that created false perceptions to keep the parents distracted.
Eventually, once they seemed to have taken enough children, a few thieves exchanged subtle signals with the performers.
The street show began to wind down. Performers bowed, laughter filled the air, and the crowd slowly dispersed.
Blending in with the departing audience, Hikaru's team tailed the group silently.
They followed them through winding alleyways until they reached a secluded compound on the outskirts of town.
The criminals were cautious.
Before entering, they looked around thoroughly, ensuring no one was following. Then they slipped through the gate and locked it behind them.
Hikaru and the others didn't rush in.
They stood still, eyes closed, quietly sensing the chakra—or rather, energy—within the building.
Once everyone's position was confirmed, they moved.
Silently, efficiently, they infiltrated the courtyard.
The scene inside made their blood boil.
Numerous people bustled about. Some were guarding iron cages with harsh glares, whips in hand.
Inside the cages were children—thin, dirty, and terrified.
They huddled together in silence, weeping quietly.
"Quit your crying! Wanna taste Grandpa's whip again?!" one guard bellowed at a sobbing child.
Not waiting for an answer, he lashed out at the cage with a loud CRACK.
The sharp sound made the children freeze. Tears stopped. Little hands clutched trembling bodies. The fear was palpable.
"That's enough, Lao San."
A voice came from inside the house—it belonged to the man who'd performed the stone-breaking act.
Clearly, he was their leader. All the street performers had been part of the same ring.
"Those kids are silver to us. Don't break the goods," he warned coldly.
Lao San turned and grinned sheepishly. "Don't worry, Boss. I was just scaring them. Their crying's giving me a headache."
The leader waved him off, then turned to another lackey.
"What about the mutts? Still usable?"
The man shook his head. "No good. They've worn out."
The boss sighed. "Then pick a couple from the new batch. Swap them in."
He spoke as if ordering supplies—not caring that these were children.
And just then—
Hikaru appeared.
He had heard everything.
Rage surged through him, blazing like an inferno.
With a sweep of his arm, his spatial ability activated.
In an instant, all the caged children vanished—transported to the group's side.
Then, with a whisper, Hikaru sent each one into a deep sleep.
Because what would happen next… was no scene for children to witness.