The road to Jaha Town stretched ahead of them.
Trees lined both sides of the path.
The morning air was cool and peaceful.
Saito walked at the front of the group.
His red cloak swayed behind him.
Beside him, Bomb wore another red cloak while Kaito, Rin, and Alya wore black.
For once—
there were no police sirens.
No shouting.
No gunfire.
Just the sound of footsteps.
Saito looked around carefully.
"There are no police nearby."
Kaito nodded.
"That's actually a good sign."
Bomb adjusted his cloak.
"Or they gave up."
"They won't give up that easily."
Rin replied.
"You're talking about police."
Saito sighed.
"I still don't understand why they chased us that hard."
Kaito glanced at him.
"Maybe because you're a famous gang leader."
"That sounds like their problem."
Kaito shook his head.
"That's definitely your problem."
Alya quietly laughed.
The group continued walking.
After another few minutes—
they reached the top of a small hill.
Saito stopped.
The others followed his gaze.
Far in the distance—
a large settlement could be seen.
Buildings stretched across the landscape.
Watchtowers stood near the roads leading in and out.
Even from here, the place looked much larger than Roma Village.
Saito's eyes widened.
"Whoa."
Bomb whistled.
"So that's Jaha Town."
Kaito crossed his arms.
"The capital of Roma City."
Rin grinned.
"Looks interesting."
Saito smiled beneath his cloak.
"Then let's keep moving."
And together—
the Blue Scarf crew continued toward Jaha Town.
As the group got closer—
the true size of Jaha Town became clear.
The town was far more developed than Roma Village.
And even more organized than Morguin Town.
Wide roads stretched between districts.
Tall buildings stood proudly across the town.
Stone walkways connected busy streets.
Large signs hung from shops and businesses.
People moved everywhere.
Merchants.
Travelers.
Workers.
The entire town felt alive.
Saito slowed his pace as he stared upward.
"Wow..."
"This town is amazing."
Even through his cloak, his excitement was obvious.
Kaito nodded in agreement.
"It is wonderful."
Compared to many places they had visited—
Jaha Town felt modern.
Advanced.
Like a place constantly moving forward.
Meanwhile—
Alya had completely stopped walking.
Her eyes were wide.
Sparkling.
She stared at the buildings.
The machinery.
The various inventions displayed outside stores.
Everything fascinated her.
Saito noticed.
"Alya?"
She quickly pointed toward a shop displaying mechanical tools.
"Look at that."
Then another.
"And that."
Then another.
"And that!"
Kaito chuckled.
"I think we lost her."
Alya didn't even deny it.
She continued looking around with pure excitement.
For someone who loved technology—
Jaha Town felt like paradise.
Rin crossed his arms.
"Should we tie a rope around her before she wanders off?"
Alya immediately looked at him.
"I heard that."
Bomb laughed.
The group continued deeper into Jaha Town—
taking in the sights of the largest and most impressive settlement they had seen since leaving Jokun City.
The group continued walking through Jaha Town.
Eventually they reached a small park near the center of town.
Trees provided shade over several benches.
People sat around talking, reading newspapers, and enjoying the afternoon.
Saito pointed toward an empty bench.
"We can rest there first."
The others nodded.
A few moments later—
they were all seated.
Rin stretched his arms.
"I'm going to get something to eat."
Alya immediately stood up.
"I'll follow you."
Saito looked at her seriously.
"Remember, Alya."
He pointed at Rin.
"Make sure he doesn't buy anything weird."
Alya nodded.
"Got it, Captain."
Rin put a hand over his chest.
"Cruel."
Bomb laughed.
"He's not wrong."
Rin shook his head dramatically before walking away with Alya toward a nearby convenience store.
Saito watched them leave.
Then smiled.
"Heh."
Now only Saito, Kaito, and Bomb remained at the bench.
Saito leaned back.
"Now."
"Time to find a place to stay."
Kaito looked around at the massive town.
Tall buildings filled the horizon.
Hotels and apartments could be seen everywhere.
"This is a big town."
"So it's going to be difficult to find one."
Saito nodded.
"Yep."
"It is big."
Bomb crossed his arms.
"At least there should be more hotels than Roma Village."
"That's true."
Saito looked around the busy streets.
Travelers moved in every direction.
Merchants shouted from nearby stores.
The town felt much larger than anything they had seen since leaving Jokun City.
Finding a place to stay wouldn't be easy—
but it certainly wouldn't be boring.
Meanwhile—
far away in Morguin Town.
Inside the White Hat office.
The atmosphere was calm.
Several members continued their work while Mina and Herion discussed reports nearby.
On one of the sofas—
Alpha remained seated comfortably.
A mug rested in his hand.
Across from him, Shiro sat at his desk.
"So."
Shiro folded his arms.
"Why is the Balance Table suddenly on the move?"
Alpha took a sip of his drink.
Then set the mug down.
"Because the leader has concerns."
Shiro raised an eyebrow.
"What kind of concerns?"
Alpha's expression became serious.
"The threat."
Shiro immediately understood.
"The Calamity Table."
Alpha nodded.
"The leader suspects their activity has increased in several regions."
The room became quieter.
Even Mina stopped reading her documents.
Shiro leaned forward.
"And?"
Alpha looked toward the window.
"The leader believes there must be someone leading them."
Mina frowned.
"You mean they have a leader now?"
Alpha nodded slowly.
"Or perhaps they always had one."
Herion crossed his arms.
"We've never heard of anyone above the Calamities."
"Neither have we."
Alpha admitted.
"But recent reports suggest greater coordination."
"Too much coordination."
Shiro remained silent for a moment.
Thinking.
The Calamity Table had always been dangerous.
But if someone truly stood above them—
then the situation was far worse than anyone expected.
Alpha looked directly at Shiro.
"That is one of the reasons the Balance Table is gathering its members."
"Something is changing."
"And the leader wants answers."
The room fell silent once again.
As outside—
the lights of Morguin Town slowly began to glow beneath the evening sky.
Alpha took another sip of his drink.
Then looked at Shiro.
"And because you're one of our members who defeated a Calamity..."
"The leader wishes to praise you in front of the other members."
Shiro raised an eyebrow.
"You mean Scrapper?"
Alpha nodded.
"Of course."
Shiro shook his head.
"I'm not the one who defeated him."
Alpha frowned.
"That's impossible."
He leaned forward.
"According to every report, your name is attached to the incident."
Shiro sighed.
"Yes."
"It is."
Then he reached toward his desk.
Picked up a newspaper.
And tossed it across the room.
Alpha caught it.
He unfolded it.
His eyes scanned the headline.
JOKUN CITY CONQUEROR
Below it—
a familiar face.
Blue scarf.
Young.
Smiling.
Alpha's eyebrow rose.
"...Blue Scarf."
Shiro nodded.
"Yep."
Alpha looked back at the newspaper.
Then at Shiro.
"Since when did you make an ally out of him?"
The old man folded the paper.
His expression growing more serious.
"And I thought we already ordered you to kill him."
The room became silent.
Mina immediately looked toward Shiro.
Herion did the same.
Even the guards nearby stopped moving.
Shiro calmly rested his chin on his hand.
Then looked directly at Alpha.
"I remember."
Alpha narrowed his eyes.
"Then explain."
Shiro smiled slightly.
"The order was given before I met him."
Alpha remained silent.
Waiting.
Shiro continued.
"I thought he was just another gang leader."
"Another troublemaker."
"Another ambitious kid."
He glanced toward the window.
"But I was wrong."
Alpha crossed his arms.
"And now?"
Shiro smiled.
"Now I think he might become something much greater."
The old man's gaze sharpened.
"That's a dangerous gamble."
"Maybe."
Shiro admitted.
"But if I'm right..."
He looked back at Alpha.
"...he might become exactly what this world needs."
For the first time since arriving—
Alpha said nothing.
Simply staring at the newspaper in his hands.
At the smiling face of Blue Scarf Saito.