It didn't take long before four legal servants from the Mayor's office appeared at the tavern's entrance, papers in hand and carrying an odd air about them.
Liora, who had just been on her way out, froze mid-step. Her sharp eyes scanned the men, suspicion instantly coloring her gaze. Without a word, she turned back around and climbed the stairs, heels clicking against the wood until she reached the meeting room.
Inside, Sanemi was lounging in his chair, slouched comfortably with a faint smirk.
"Chairman, people from the Mayor's office are here," Liora reported after a polite knock, her voice steady but laced with intrigue.
Sanemi's brows knit together for a moment before his lips curled upward into a strange smile. He gave her a silent nod. That was enough.
Descending back down, Liora met the men head-on with a businesslike expression. She gestured gracefully toward the stairs.
"The Chairman welcomes you. Please, take the stairway to the right."
Without waiting for a response, she exited the tavern calmly, her departure leaving the four men exchanging uneasy glances before they finally moved.
When they entered the meeting room, the sight was almost comical, papers stacked high across the oval table, open ledgers, and half-finished drafts scattered everywhere. It was obvious this room hadn't seen a cleaner in some time.
At the far end sat Sanemi, his chair tilted back, boots resting arrogantly on the table's edge. His relaxed posture was in sharp contrast to the tension his presence carried.
"Greetings, Chairman," one of the men began, bowing his head slightly. "We are representatives of the Mayor's office—"
Sanemi simply motioned with his hand for them to sit, an unusually wide smile stretching across his face.
The leader of the group cleared his throat, unfolding the papers he carried. His expression was solemn.
"You might be wondering why we're here, Chairman. The matter is simple, we've discovered that you have yet to pay your taxes."
For a moment, silence. Then Sanemi's lips parted in a chuckle, his eyes narrowing with amusement. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the armrest of his chair.
"Taxes?" he repeated slowly, as though savoring the word. "Gentlemen, when have I ever paid taxes?" His voice carried both humor and disdain. "I've been operating here for over two years, and aside from the laughable business operation fees, which are pocket change, I haven't given a single berry to your office."
He grinned, sharp and unbothered.
"And somehow, life has gone on just fine, don't you think?"
The four men stiffened at Sanemi's words, the grin on his face only making their task more difficult. Still, the leader forced himself to speak, his voice a touch sharper than before.
"Chairman Wayne, with all due respect, things have changed. Your group has… expanded. You've acquired other companies, hired hundreds of workers, and established operations across multiple towns. Naturally, the Mayor's office must ensure proper taxation. It is not merely a suggestion, it is law."
Another servant quickly chimed in, as though to boast his superior.
"Indeed. Expansion of this scale places a strain on our island's resources. Roads, docks, security, these are funded through taxes. As one of our largest employers now, your contributions are not only expected, they are required."
The third servant leaned forward, trying to sound reasonable, though his nervous eyes betrayed him.
"We aren't here to create hostility, Chairman. But the Mayor's office cannot overlook such a… large oversight. A formal agreement must be reached, or consequences will follow."
The last man, quieter than the others, muttered just loud enough for the room to hear.
"No one is above the Mayor's law."
Their leader shot him a warning glance, but the words were already out in the open. The room fell silent, heavy with tension, all eyes flicking toward Sanemi to gauge his reaction.
Sanemi remained calm, his eyes flashing with amusement as his grin widened just a touch.
"Right. If I do pay taxes, how much do I owe you?"
The leader of the four straightened, sensing a small victory. He quickly shuffled through the stack of papers in his hands before placing one neatly on the table in front of him.
"Based on your reported expansions, new acquisitions, and estimated revenue from Iron Bull, the Mayor's office has calculated your outstanding taxes at…" He paused, clearing his throat with practiced solemnity. "…nine hundred and fifty thousand berries. To be paid within the week."
One of the other servants leaned in, nodding as if the number were set in stone.
"This amount reflects both your local operations and a retroactive adjustment on the years prior. Consider it… catching up on what was overlooked."
The third added quickly, "Naturally, late payments will result in fines. And should those fines remain unpaid…" He hesitated before forcing the words out, "…the Mayor has the authority to seize property and assets under Organ Island jurisdiction."
The last one smirked faintly, clearly feeling bolder now.
"Offices, warehouses, even your factories. All of it falls under the Mayor's reach."
The number hung in the air like a weight, but Sanemi's relaxed posture and unreadable expression gave away nothing.
An awkward silence hung in the air before Sanemi finally spoke.
"Gentlemen… with all due respect, are you nobles? Do you represent the World Government?" His voice was calm at first, but his smile had gone razor-thin, cold. "All I know is that you govern the Organ Islands. You do not own them."
The room grew tense as his words sank in
"As for seizing my property, my assets…" Sanemi leaned forward, his tone dropping into something far more dangerous. "…I dare you to try. If you even so much as shove a finger into my business, I'll have your bastard mayor resigning within the week—shipped off to some backwater island to rot."
He rose to his feet in a single motion, his chair screeching back across the floor. Veins bulged across his neck as his voice thundered through the room.
The leader of the four jolted upright, ready to bark back, but the words died on his lips the moment Sanemi's glare cut through him.
"It seems you fools don't know your place!" Sanemi roared. "The Wayne Group isn't something you can push around. Mark my words, I'll have you stripped of your jobs in an instant. And when that happens, the people of this island will personally throw you into the sea!"
The force of his voice rattled the walls, spilling out into the tavern below.
"One million berries… my ass! NOW GET OUT!"
The four men didn't wait to be told twice. They stumbled back, nearly tripping over one another as they bolted down the stairs and out into the street, their pale faces dripping with sweat.
For a moment, silence reigned. Patrons of the tavern sat frozen in place, mugs halfway to their lips. One man swallowed hard, the sound loud in the quiet.
Did the Chairman of the Wayne Group just throw out the Mayor's office…