The carriage rolled to a stop in front of the Lorum Village gate.
The crew stepped out, stretching after the long ride.
Saito took a deep breath, looking over the familiar streets.
"Good to be home."
Before he could take another step—
A small figure barreled into him, wrapping her arms tight around his waist.
Saito blinked, startled.
"Tina?"
Tina looked up at him, beaming.
"You're back, Sir Saito!"
Saito chuckled, patting her head.
"Yeah, I am."
Footsteps approached from the side.
Takeru walked up, wolf ears twitching, arms crossed.
"You said you'd only be gone a week."
Saito rubbed the back of his neck.
"Yeah... we ran into some problems."
Takeru's expression sharpened with interest.
"Then I'm ready to hear it."
His gaze shifted past Saito, landing on Fanny.
His ears perked up, catching sight of her fox tail swaying behind her.
"...Another beast?"
Saito snapped his fingers.
"Oh, right. Forgot."
He gestured between them.
"Takeru, Tina, this is Fanny. My new member."
Fanny gave a small wave.
Tina's eyes lit up instantly.
She reached out, grabbing hold of Fanny's tail.
"Wow, it's so soft!"
She hugged it tightly, grinning.
Takeru leaned closer, tail wagging slightly.
"Wow, she's—"
Before he could finish—
A hand shot out, pulling hard on his ear.
"Ow—!"
Feina stood beside him, arms crossed, giving him a pointed look.
"Control your eyesight, mister."
Takeru winced, rubbing his ear.
"Hey, I'm just looking..."
Saito burst out laughing at the scene.
Feina turned toward him, softening into a warm smile.
"Welcome back, Sir Saito."
Saito and the crew made their way deeper into the village.
Villagers turned as they passed, waving enthusiastically.
"Welcome back, Sir Saito!"
"Sir Saito's home!"
Saito waved back, smiling as they continued toward the mansion.
They stepped through the front doors, making their way to the living room—
Then stopped.
Takashi stood there, arms crossed, adjusting his glasses with a sharp glance.
"Saito."
"You're late."
Saito rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Yeah, yeah... sorry."
Takashi's expression shifted, a small smirk forming.
"I saw the news."
"Looks like you're causing a mess again, huh?"
Saito raised a hand defensively.
"Well, he started it first."
Takashi shook his head, adjusting his glasses again.
"Anyway..."
"The documents are ready in your office."
Saito's shoulders sagged instantly, a long groan escaping him.
"Not this again..."
The rest of the crew snuckered behind him, watching him drag hisance toward the office, defeated before he even sat down.
Takashi settled into a chair among the crew, his sharp eyes drifting toward Fanny.
"New member?"
Kaito nodded, gesturing toward her with a grin.
"Yep."
"This is Fanny."
He turned slightly.
"Fanny, this is Takashi—our mayor here in Lorum Village."
Fanny gave a polite nod, offering a small smile.
"Nice to meet you."
Takashi adjusted his glasses, studying her for a brief moment before returning the smile.
"Likewise."
Fanny leaned back, glancing around the room, taking in the tall ceilings, polished floors, and warm furnishings.
Her eyes widened slightly.
"I didn't know you all had a mansion."
Bomb grinned, spreading his arms wide.
"This one?"
He gestured proudly around the room.
"The villagers built it for Saito themselves."
Rin chuckled from the couch.
"Yeah, took them months, but they wouldn't let anyone else help."
Alya nodded, smiling.
"They really wanted to show their appreciation."
Fanny let out a soft laugh, shaking her head in amazement.
"I can tell..."
She glanced toward the hallway where Saito had disappeared with his mountain of paperwork.
"They really love you all here."
Tina, still lingering nearby, plopped down onto the couch beside Fanny, grinning brightly.
"Everyone loves Sir Saito!"
"He saved our village, you know!"
Takeru leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, a proud smirk tugging at his lips.
"Yeah... this whole place used to be nothing before he showed up."
Feina walked past with a tray of drinks, setting them down on the table.
"Now look at it."
She gestured toward the wide windows, sunlight spilling into the room.
"Lorum Village, thriving because of him."
Fanny took it all in, warmth spreading across her face.
"...I really did join something special, huh?"
Kaito smirked, nudging her shoulder.
"You're just realizing that now?"
The room erupted into laughter, the warmth of home settling comfortably around them all.
Saito sat hunched over his desk, scribbling his signature across yet another stack of papers, letting out the occasional groan of protest.
Then—
The soft tap of a wooden cane echoed against the floor.
Saito looked up instantly, his expression brightening.
"Fein!"
The old man gave a warm nod, leaning slightly on his cane as he approached.
"You're home."
Saito set his pen down, stretching his arms with a satisfied sigh.
"Yeah."
He grinned.
"Just got done with... let's call it a very eventful vacation."
Fein chuckled, settling into the chair across from him with a soft grunt.
"Eventful, huh?"
"I saw the news too."
"You really can't stay out of trouble, can you?"
Saito laughed, leaning back in his chair.
"Trouble finds me, old man. What can I say?"
Fein shook his head, amused, tapping his cane lightly against the floor.
"So..."
Saito folded his hands on the desk, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"How are the villages doing?"
Fein's expression softened into a proud smile.
"Like always..."
"Thriving."
He gestured vaguely toward the window, where the village bustled faintly in the distance.
"Crops are strong this season."
"And we've started delivering our products outside the city too."
"Merchants have been very pleased."
Saito's grin widened.
"Seriously?"
"That's fantastic news."
Fein nodded, pride evident in his voice.
"The people have worked hard."
"Your name carries a lot of weight these days, you know."
Saito rubbed the back of his neck, a little bashful.
"Ah, don't say it like that..."
Fein laughed heartily, the sound warm and full of genuine affection.
"It's true, though."
He leaned forward slightly, resting both hands on his cane.
"Everything's turned out more than okay, Saito."
"Better than any of us could've imagined."
Saito let out a relieved breath, glancing around his office — stacks of paperwork, sunlight streaming through the window, the comforting hum of a village he helped build thriving just outside.
"Glad to hear it..."
"Really glad."
In Morguin Town, Scrapper approached the White Hat base, drawing in a slow breath as he stood before the door.
He raised his hand, ready to knock—
"Scrapper!"
He froze.
Turning around, he spotted a familiar figure — Mina, a cat beastwoman, standing just behind him, eyes wide with disbelief.
Scrapper offered a small, awkward smile.
"Hey, Mina."
Mina's expression shifted rapidly — shock, confusion, then something softer.
"But we thought you were dead."
Scrapper rubbed the back of his neck.
"It's... a long story, I—"
Before he could finish, Mina lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around him.
"Stupid..."
Her voice cracked slightly.
"You're so stupid."
Scrapper's smile widened, returning the hug gently.
"Yeah..."
"I know."
Mina pulled back slightly, wiping at her eyes, then smiled up at him.
"Welcome back, old friend."
Scrapper glanced toward the doorway.
Standing there was Shiro, dressed in his signature white hat and white suit, arms folded, watching the reunion with quiet amusement.
"It's good to be back, Shiro."
Shiro's lips curled into a small smile.
He gestured toward the open door behind him.
"A cup of tea?"
Scrapper chuckled, shaking his head slightly.
"I could go with that."
He stepped forward, following Mina and Shiro inside, the door closing softly behind them.