Saito stepped outside for a moment, the sounds of celebration fading behind him.
He glanced around—
And spotted a familiar figure standing at the edge of the street.
Scrapper.
Saito walked over, a small smile forming.
"You don't want to come inside?"
Scrapper shook his head slightly.
"I prefer not to."
Saito tilted his head.
"There's plenty of room."
"You helped us too, you know."
Scrapper shrugged, adjusting his coat.
"It's fine."
"I'm heading off to Jokun City."
Saito raised an eyebrow.
"We could head off together tomorrow."
Scrapper shook his head again.
"No..."
"I want to surprise an old friend."
Saito chuckled softly, nodding in understanding.
"Say hi to Shiro and Mina for me."
Scrapper gave a small nod, turning to leave.
He paused for a moment, glancing back over his shoulder.
"You're getting better, Saito."
A faint smirk tugged at his lips.
"Maybe one day, we'll have a rematch."
Saito grinned, crossing his arms.
"You know I'll be waiting for it."
Scrapper gave one last nod before turning fully and walking off into the night, disappearing down the quiet streets of Jaha Town.
Saito stepped back into the bar, the warmth and noise wrapping around him again.
Kaito glanced up as he approached.
"Who were you talking to?"
Saito grabbed his drink, settling back into his seat with a small smile.
"A friend."
He raised his cup toward the group.
"Let's enjoy our drink."
The others raised their glasses in response, laughter and chatter picking back up around the table.
Clink!
Their cups met in the center, the sound ringing out over the celebration as the night carried on around them.
Morning light spread over Jaha Town as Saito made his way toward the carriage outside the bar.
The rest of the crew followed close behind, bags in hand, ready for the road ahead.
They turned back one last time.
Marquis, Martha, Aria, Henry, and Malfoy stood together near the entrance, watching them off.
Fanny stepped forward, wrapping her arms around her father in a tight hug.
Malfoy held her gently, voice soft.
"Be a good girl, okay?"
Fanny nodded against his shoulder, tears quietly slipping down her cheeks.
Bomb and Rin climbed into the carriage first, followed by Kaito and Alya.
Fanny wiped her eyes and joined them shortly after.
Saito lingered for a moment, looking toward the group gathered to see them off.
"Thank you..."
"For everything you've done."
Marquis stepped forward, bowing his head slightly.
"Thank you for saving us, Saito."
Saito nodded back at them, a quiet smile on his face.
Martha's eyes softened.
"Will we see each other again?"
Saito glanced at her, his smile steady.
"One day..."
"We will."
He turned and climbed into the carriage.
The wheels began to turn, rolling forward down the road.
As they pulled away, Saito and the crew looked back one last time, watching Malfoy and the others waving from the distance until they faded from view.
Bomb leaned back in his seat, arms crossed.
"I already like this city."
Rin nodded, grinning.
"Same here."
Alya glanced between them, smiling.
"Don't worry, when we have time, we'll visit again."
She looked toward the front.
"Right, Saito?"
Saito nodded, watching the road ahead.
"Right."
Kaito turned toward the window, watching the town fade into the distance.
Then—
Something caught his eye.
An envelope, tucked against the edge of the window frame.
He reached out, pulling it free, and opened it carefully.
Inside was a folded letter.
He unfolded it slowly, eyes scanning the words.
"If you choose this way..."
"...then I think I don't have to worry about anything."
At the bottom, a single signature.
Void.
Kaito stared at the words for a long moment.
Then, slowly, a quiet smile formed on his face.
Saito looked forward, a determined smile crossing his face.
"Alright, guys."
"Let's head to our home."
Kaito leaned back, grinning.
"I can't wait to see how Takashi's face will look."
Bomb chuckled.
"He's probably already preparing a mountain of documents for you, Saito."
Saito's expression dropped instantly.
"Not that again..."
He let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple.
The others laughed at his reaction.
Fanny smiled, looking out the window at the passing scenery.
"I can't wait to see your place."
Saito glanced at her, smiling back.
"It'll be wonderful..."
Fanny's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"But first..."
"You have to show me this Primordeus you said you're friends with."
Saito grinned confidently.
"Absolutely."
Fanny beamed, settling back into her seat as the carriage rolled steadily down the road, carrying them all closer to home.
The carriage rolled through the gates of Roma Village, passing by Norway and his officers stationed nearby.
One of the officers glanced toward the carriage, lowering his voice.
"Shouldn't we arrest him, Captain?"
Norway watched the carriage pass, expression calm.
"We will..."
"One day."
He crossed his arms, gaze lingering on the retreating vehicle.
"But let him enjoy his victory for now."
"We already caught a Noctarion member thanks to him."
The officer tilted his head slightly.
"So he helped us?"
Norway allowed a faint smirk.
"Technically..."
"We helped him."
He turned back toward the gate, watching the carriage disappear down the road, the morning sun rising steadily over Roma Village.
Kaito leaned back, arms crossed behind his head.
"So, what now, Captain?"
"Beating some ass again?"
Saito laughed.
"Who knows..."
"Maybe."
Bomb sat up suddenly.
"Yeah, but first—"
"Where's my bomb rocks?"
Rin held up a small crate beside him.
"Here."
"You shouldn't leave it downstairs..."
"Someone could trigger them."
Bomb clutched the crate protectively.
"Hey, don't talk to my baby like that."
Fanny and Alya chuckled, shaking their heads at the exchange.
Saito glanced around at his crew, a small smile forming.
"Besides..."
They all turned toward him, curious.
Saito's expression steadied, eyes filled with quiet determination.
"I still have a long journey ahead of me."
Kaito grinned.
"And we'll follow you."
Bomb and Rin gave a confident thumbs-up.
Alya and Fanny nodded in agreement.
Saito's smile widened as he looked out at the open road ahead.
"Let's go, Blue Scarf."
The crew responded together, voices ringing out in unison.
"Aye aye, Captain!"
The carriage rolled forward, carrying them onward toward whatever adventure awaited next.
Inside the White Hat base, Shiro stared at the news report, eyes widening.
"Wow..."
"Saito just beat a Noctarion."
He glanced up toward Alpha, standing nearby.
Alpha gave a slow nod.
"I was a witness."
His expression turned thoughtful.
"That kid surely has some hidden power within him."
Shiro looked back at the screen, scanning the footage.
"So..."
"You guys will recruit him in?"
Alpha shook his head slightly.
"No orders yet."
He turned toward the window, gazing out at the horizon.
"But I'll personally keep watch over him."
His tone grew quieter, more contemplative.
"After all..."
"Maybe he can do what the rest of us couldn't."
Shiro studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly.
"You're right."
The carriage rolled steadily onward, wheels rattling against the dirt road as laughter echoed from inside.
Bomb was still arguing playfully with Rin over the crate of "bomb rocks," while Fanny and Alya traded jokes about Saito's upcoming reaction from Takashi.
Kaito leaned back, grinning at the chaos around him.
Saito watched his crew with a quiet smile, the morning sun spilling through the carriage window.
Ahead, a large stone marker came into view — the border between Jokun and Roma.
The carriage passed through it smoothly, wheels crossing from Roma's dirt roads onto the familiar streets of Jokun City.
Saito leaned toward the window, watching the city skyline rise in the distance.
"We're home."
The crew's laughter softened for a moment as they all turned to look, taking in the sight of Jokun City stretching out before them, alive with movement and color under the morning light.
Then—
Bomb broke the silence.
"So... does this mean we can finally get some real food?"
The whole carriage burst into laughter again as they rolled deeper into the city, the Roma City Arc finally behind them.