Inside an elegant mansion, wrapped in shadow, Alpha stepped through the grand hall.
He approached a figure seated deep within the darkness, barely visible.
"I assume you've already heard the news about Blue Scarf."
The figure's voice was calm, measured.
"Yes, I have."
Alpha folded his hands behind his back.
"What's your opinion of him?"
A brief pause.
"Determined."
"Strong."
"And the one who wields a God Eye."
Alpha nodded slowly.
"I'd advise we give him an invitation."
He glanced toward the shadows.
"What about you?"
The figure shifted slightly, gaze sharpening.
"That fast?"
Alpha's expression remained steady.
"I was with him during Void's attack on Roma."
"I saw his strength with my own eyes."
Another pause, longer this time.
"If you say so..."
The figure's tone grew more serious.
"But remember..."
"We still have problems in your territory."
Alpha's steps halted.
"...Yeah."
Silence settled between them.
Then the figure spoke again, quieter now.
"But I already know what you'll do."
Alpha allowed a faint, knowing smile.
He gave a small nod, turning toward the exit.
His footsteps echoed softly as he walked out of the grand hall, leaving the figure alone once more in the shadows.
In Lorum Village, a small cat perched high on a tree branch, meowing anxiously.
Fanny stood beneath it, reaching upward with a soft smile.
"Come here, kitty..."
Beside her, a young girl clutched her hands nervously.
"Be careful..."
Fanny waved a hand casually.
"It's okay."
She stretched further, coaxing gently.
"That's it... almost there..."
The cat's eyes locked onto her—
Then it leapt.
Straight at her face.
"Wha—!"
Fanny stumbled backward, crashing onto the ground with a startled yelp, the cat scrambling right past her.
It landed gracefully onto the girl's outstretched arms instead, purring instantly.
The girl's face lit up.
"You're back, Spot!"
She turned toward Fanny, bowing slightly.
"Thank you, ma'am!"
Then she scurried off happily, cradling the cat.
Fanny groaned, pushing herself up off the dirt, rubbing her sore cheek.
"...You're welcome."
She dusted herself off, muttering under her breath.
"Cats really don't appreciate rescue missions..."
Then—
A presence shifted behind her.
She spun around quickly, spotting an old man standing there, leaning on a simple wooden staff, watching her with quiet curiosity.
"You must be new to this village."
Fanny straightened, eyeing him cautiously.
"Who are you?"
The old man offered a warm, weathered smile.
"Rick."
"Mayor of Grizzly Village."
Fanny blinked.
"Oh—"
Recognition sparked in her eyes.
"One of Saito's territories."
Rick's eyebrows lifted with interest.
"You know Saito?"
His smile widened.
"Then you're probably his new member."
Fanny straightened up properly, offering a polite nod.
"I'm Fanny."
"Nice to meet you, Rick."
Fanny tilted her head, curiosity flickering.
"So, how long have you known him?"
Rick chuckled, leaning on his staff.
"Oh..."
"Long enough."
His expression softened with gratitude.
"He helped cure my shrine."
"My crops finally grow as they should now."
Fanny's eyes widened slightly.
"I heard about that."
Rick nodded, gesturing broadly toward the horizon.
"When you travel through this city..."
"Every village carries the Blue Scarf flag."
Fanny blinked, glancing around at the rooftops in the distance, spotting the familiar crossed-sword emblem fluttering here and there.
"Saito's sure famous around here, huh?"
Rick let out a hearty laugh.
"Famous doesn't even begin to cover it."
He straightened slightly, pride evident in his voice.
"He united five villages under his territory."
He glanced at her, a playful glint in his eye.
"So... what do you think of that?"
Fanny crossed her arms, a proud grin spreading across her face.
"Wow..."
She let out a small laugh, shaking her head in amazement.
"My captain really is awesome after all."
Rick chuckled warmly, nodding in agreement, the two of them sharing a quiet moment beneath the rustling trees.
A voice called out from nearby.
"There you are!"
Alya jogged up, slightly out of breath, hands on her hips.
"I've been looking for you everywhere."
She glanced past Fanny, spotting the old man beside her.
"Oh—"
Her expression brightened with recognition.
"Mayor Rick."
Rick offered a polite nod, smiling warmly.
"Alya."
"Good to see you again."
Alya returned the smile before turning back to Fanny, tilting her head curiously.
"So, what have you two been talking about?"
Fanny grinned, glancing back toward Rick.
"Just a story..."
"About our captain."
Alya let out a small chuckle, crossing her arms.
"Ah, I see."
She shook her head knowingly.
"Let me guess — another 'Saito's amazing' story?"
Rick laughed heartily, tapping his staff against the ground.
"Guilty as charged."
Fanny grinned wider, nudging Alya's shoulder playfully.
"Well, it's true, isn't it?"
Alya rolled her eyes, though a fond smile tugged at her lips.
"Can't argue with that."
The three shared a light laugh together, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows across the peaceful village streets.
Inside Lorum Mansion, Kaito, Bomb, and Rin lounged in the living room, sunlight streaming through the tall windows.
Beside them sat a man wearing sharp claw gloves, listening intently as Bomb recounted the events of Roma City.
His eyes went wide.
"Wait—"
"Saito just beat a Noctarion?!"
Bomb nodded proudly, grinning from ear to ear.
"Yep."
"Blew my mind too."
Rin leaned forward, arms resting on his knees.
"That's not even the wildest part."
He gestured toward Kaito.
"He also got Kaito back into the crew."
Kaito raised a hand, giving a small wave.
"Hey."
Rin continued, grinning wider.
"And in Roma City..."
"The king himself raised the Blue Scarf flag."
"Right next to the royal banner."
The clawed man let out a long sigh, shaking his head in disbelief.
"How much more famous are you all trying to get?"
Kaito chuckled, leaning back with his arms crossed.
"Not our fault trouble keeps finding us, Kuro."
Kuro rubbed his temple, muttering under his breath.
"That kid..."
He glanced toward the hallway, almost as if picturing Saito buried under paperwork somewhere.
"He's growing too fast around here."
Bomb smirked, patting Kuro on the back.
"Better keep up then, old man."
Kuro shot him a look, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Watch it, Bomb."
The room filled with easy laughter, the warm afternoon settling comfortably over the mansion.
Saito stared down at the paperwork, brows furrowed in confusion.
He groaned loudly, running a hand through his hair.
"What is this?"
He held the paper up toward Takashi.
"How am I supposed to do this part?"
Takashi leaned over, adjusting his glasses as he examined the document.
"Just sign at the bottom."
"Then attach it to the matching form."
He slid a stapler across the desk without missing a beat.
Saito stared at the stapler like it had personally wronged him.
"...A nuisance."
"This whole thing is a nuisance."
Takashi crossed his arms, unfazed.
"You wanted territory."
"You got territory."
Saito groaned, slumping back in his chair dramatically.
"Yeah, but not like this."
He gestured weakly at the towering stack of papers still waiting beside him.
"I imagined more... sword fights."
"Less stapling."
Takashi smirked, pushing his glasses up.
"Welcome to leadership, Captain."
Saito shot him a half-hearted glare, grabbing the stapler with visible reluctance.
"I liked you better when you weren't smiling."
Takashi's smirk only widened.
"Noted."
He slid another stack toward him.
"Now, next page."
Saito's forehead hit the desk with an audible thud.