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"Think carefully. Is it really worth risking your lives for people who collude with other races?"
"We welcome all of you to join us!"
"You should know that the Empire's Covert Operations Unit offers excellent benefits. During holidays, we even provide rice, flour, and cooking oil."
"We only work four days a week, and employees with outstanding performance can even receive a small island as a reward."
"After retirement, you can become island lords. Doesn't that sound wonderful?"
Kaito transformed into the head of a pyramid scheme and began enthusiastically describing the benefits of joining the Empire to the stunned group before him.
"Hey, Drake, why haven't I ever heard about an island reward?"
"And aren't we supposed to work year-round? I've never even seen any rice, flour, or cooking oil."
Hearing Kaito's words, Ace quietly moved closer to Drake and whispered his questions.
"You didn't know?" Drake asked back in surprise.
"I've seriously never heard of any of this!"
Rob Lucci's mouth twitched involuntarily at Ace's confused reaction.
Remembering what Rouge had said while receiving the rice, flour, cooking oil, and overtime compensation he had delivered to the orphanage some time ago, he couldn't help giving Ace a sympathetic glance.
Half a Month Ago · Jura Tempest Federation Orphanage
"Director Rouge, these are all of Ace's holiday benefits and overtime pay."
"Are you really not going to tell Ace? He's been working nonstop for quite a while now."
Hearing Rob Lucci's words, Rouge revealed a gentle smile.
"There's no need. Young people should endure more hardship. Besides, if he doesn't work hard, how could he ever repay Kaito-sama's kindness?"
"If that's the case, then I'll be leaving. If the orphanage runs into any problems, feel free to contact me."
Rouge smiled and shook her head, admiration visible in her eyes.
"That won't be necessary. Kaito-sama and the others have already invested so much into the orphanage that we can't even spend it all."
"Is that so? Then I'm relieved. Before I came here, Souka kept reminding me about it."
Looking at the children running around the orphanage courtyard, a rare smile appeared on Rob Lucci's usually cold face.
"Haha... is that so..."
Back to the Present
Ignoring Ace, who had fallen into deep self-doubt, Kaito continued passionately describing the bright future ahead.
"So, joining the Empire is absolutely your best option. Come on, sign this contract and become demons..."
Leone finally couldn't endure Kaito's nonstop sales pitch any longer and hurriedly interrupted him.
"Sir, what exactly is this Empire you're talking about? I don't believe a country like that could possibly exist in this world."
The moment Kaito's speech was interrupted, even Katakuri quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, Kaito wasn't most famous for founding the Do-Nothing Organization.
No, what he was truly infamous for was his speeches.
Once Kaito started talking, he absolutely would not stop for at least two or three hours.
Rumor had it that during the founding ceremony, Rimuru-sama had resorted to unconventional methods just to stop Kaito-sama from giving a speech, forcing him to disappear voluntarily.
"You don't believe me, huh? Then I guess I'll have to use this."
Kaito pulled out something resembling a laser pointer from his pocket, raised it high into the air, and shouted seriously:
"[Origin Explainer]!"
[Host, you are not Doreamon?!"]
'None of your business!'
"Tsk..."
Holding the [Origin Explainer], Kaito scanned the group in front of him.
The confused expressions on everyone's faces instantly changed into shock.
"Y-You... you're actually such an unimaginable big shot?!"
Mine stared at Kaito in disbelief.
"A country like that actually exists? A super-dimensional empire spanning multiple worlds... that's completely unimaginable."
Looking at their shocked expressions, Kaito proudly puffed out his chest and raised his chin, looking unbearably smug.
It practically screamed: 'Hurry up and worship me.'
"Kaito-sama... Sir, may I ask why someone like you would personally invite people like us?"
"There should be countless people in the Jura Tempest Federation who are far more capable than we are."
Leone's face was filled with confusion.
If she had originally believed Kaito was interested in them because they were Teigu users, she no longer thought so now.
To someone like him, Teigu users were probably no different from ants.
No, perhaps even the entire Empire was nothing more than an ant in his eyes.
"Oh, that? Just think of it as a whim of mine."
Hearing Kaito's answer, Bulat stepped forward respectfully.
"Kaito-sama, regarding your invitation, we'd like to return first and discuss it with Boss. Would that be alright?"
"Sure. I'll give you all a ride."
Snap!
The moment Kaito snapped his fingers lightly, everyone present instantly vanished from where they stood.
The ruined noble mansion was left completely empty.
Swish...
"T-This is?!"
The moment Akame and the others opened their eyes, they immediately recognized their surroundings.
"You even know where our base is?"
"Of course. For someone like you, I suppose nothing can remain hidden if you truly want to know it," Leone said with a helpless expression after her initial shock faded.
"Everyone, come with me. I'll introduce you to Boss."
"Mmm... Boss is really nice..."
Crack!
Sheele had already exited her combat state and returned to her usual absentminded self. After taking barely two steps, she tripped over flat ground and fell face-first onto the floor.
"Wow. A genuine flat-ground fall. Truly one of the great mysteries of the two-dimensional world."
"And she's even wearing black too. Tsk tsk."
Kaito clicked his tongue while holding up a camera.
"Huh? Wearing black?"
Sheele tilted her head in confusion and looked at Kaito innocently.
"O-Oh, Sheele, don't ask. It's nothing important. Let's hurry up and go."
Mine's face instantly turned red as she hurriedly interrupted Sheele.
"Oh."
Sheele obediently nodded like a well-behaved child.
"Boss, we're back!"
"Oh? Did the mission go smoothly? Is anyone hurt?"
Hearing Leone's voice, Najenda immediately walked out of the room and looked toward the returning group with concern.
"Don't worry. Nobody's seriously hurt except Lubbock. He only suffered minor injuries."
"That's good. Hurry and get Lubbock treated."
"I say..."
"Akame, I've already prepared the ingredients. You can start cooking immediately."
"Um..."
"And Bulat, I've already contacted Revolutionary Army headquarters. They said reinforcements will be sent soon."
Watching Najenda completely ignore him, a visible vein bulged on Kaito's forehead.
"Are you blind or something?! Can't you see all of us standing here?!"
"If you ignore me again, I'll eat all your food and leave you starving!"
Najenda finally turned toward the sudden outburst.
And the moment she saw Kaito and the others, her expression instantly changed drastically.
"Who are you people?! Everyone, stay on guard!"
Akame and the others immediately covered their faces in embarrassment as they looked at Najenda.
Their usually calm and reliable Boss was acting especially unreliable today.
Particularly in front of someone like Kaito, a figure so terrifying they wouldn't even dare imagine offending him.
"Who am I?"
Kaito pointed at himself proudly before declaring loudly:
"I'm your future boss!!!"