The streets were busy as Saito and the Blue Scarf crew made their way through town.
Malfoy walked beside Fanny while Scrapper led the group.
After several minutes—
a tall building came into view.
Its stone walls towered above the surrounding shops.
Saito stopped and looked up.
"...Wow."
Scrapper smiled faintly.
"Here it is."
"The client's headquarters."
Saito adjusted the Blue Scarf around his neck.
"Let's go."
The group walked through the front entrance.
Inside, the lobby was clean and quiet.
Several people sat waiting on wooden benches while a guard stood behind a reception desk.
As the Blue Scarf crew approached, the guard looked up.
"Name?"
Saito answered without hesitation.
"Blue Scarf Saito."
"I'm here to meet your boss."
The guard stared at him for a moment.
Then he checked a small notebook.
He closed it and nodded.
"Level fifteen."
Saito returned the nod.
"Thanks."
Instead of waiting for an elevator, he turned toward the stairwell.
"Come on."
Bomb looked up the seemingly endless staircase.
"...Captain."
"Fifteen floors?"
Rin sighed dramatically.
"My legs already hurt."
Alya laughed.
"You complain before we've even started."
Kaito simply walked past them.
"Less talking."
"More climbing."
Scrapper chuckled as he followed behind.
"You'll need the exercise."
Bomb groaned.
"I liked you better when you were our enemy."
The group began climbing the long staircase together, each step bringing them closer to the mysterious client waiting on the fifteenth floor.
After climbing the long flight of stairs—
the group finally reached the fifteenth floor.
Bomb leaned against the wall.
"...I'm never complaining about missions again."
Rin laughed.
"Told you to train your legs."
Saito ignored the banter and looked down the hallway.
At the very end stood a pair of large wooden doors.
Scrapper stopped walking.
"This is it."
He looked at Saito.
"I'll wait outside while you deal with him."
Saito nodded.
"Alright."
Then he turned toward his crew.
"Rin."
"Alya."
The two looked at him.
"I want you both to stay out here."
Alya tilted her head.
"Why?"
Saito glanced at the closed doors.
"I don't want all of us in the same room if something happens."
Rin understood immediately.
"So we'll guard the outside."
Saito nodded.
"Exactly."
Rin rested his scythe against his shoulder.
"Got it."
Alya smiled.
"We'll keep watch."
Saito looked at Scrapper.
"You too."
Scrapper folded his arms.
"Works for me."
With that decided—
Saito stepped forward.
Beside him stood Kaito.
Bomb followed close behind.
Fanny took a deep breath.
Malfoy swallowed nervously.
Together—
the five of them pushed open the large doors.
Creak...
A spacious office came into view.
Polished wooden floors reflected the sunlight pouring through tall windows.
Shelves filled with ledgers and books lined the walls.
At the far end of the room sat a large desk.
Behind it—
someone waited.
The door slowly closed behind the Blue Scarf captain as the meeting finally began.
The office was silent.
Saito looked toward the man standing behind the desk.
The man smiled warmly.
"Oh..."
"Look who's here."
His eyes moved across the visitors.
"Malfoy."
"The bartender."
He looked at Fanny.
"With his daughter."
Then his gaze shifted to Saito and the others.
"And..."
"The Blue Scarf crew."
Saito smiled casually.
"Hi there."
The man walked around his desk and stopped in front of them.
He extended a hand.
"Henry."
"Nice to meet you."
Saito accepted the handshake.
"Blue Scarf Saito."
"Nice to meet you too."
Henry chuckled.
"I've heard quite a few stories about you."
"The conqueror of Jokun City."
"Quite a fascinating reputation."
Saito shrugged.
"Thanks."
Henry's eyes then settled on Kaito.
"So..."
"The Eighth Noctarion."
"Kaito."
"What a pleasure."
Kaito simply gave a small nod.
Henry smiled.
"Quiet, just as the rumors say."
Saito cleared his throat.
"Anyway, Henry."
"We're here to talk about Malfoy's debt."
Henry nodded.
"Of course."
He returned to his desk.
"Malfoy came to me asking for money."
"He needed it to pay taxes."
"So..."
"I lent it to him."
Saito folded his arms.
"And now he's repaid it."
"He even handed the money to Warren."
Henry nodded again.
"That's true."
Saito looked directly at him.
"But Warren said..."
"...it wasn't enough."
Henry rested his hands on the desk.
"Listen carefully, Blue Scarf."
"My empire..."
"...is a business."
"And every business has costs."
He smiled politely.
"So naturally..."
"There are taxes and service fees attached to every loan."
Saito raised an eyebrow.
"Let me guess."
"You increased the amount he owed."
Henry's smile didn't fade.
"Absolutely."
He spread his hands.
"For business, of course."
The room grew quiet.
Bomb frowned.
Fanny clenched her fists.
Malfoy lowered his head.
Only Saito remained calm, studying Henry's expression as though trying to decide whether he was speaking with a businessman—or someone hiding behind the language of business to justify squeezing more money from desperate people.
Saito looked Henry in the eyes.
"So..."
"How much more does he have to pay?"
Henry picked up a document from his desk.
He flipped through a few pages before answering.
"Hmm..."
"About another thousand coins."
Fanny's eyes widened.
"A thousand?!"
She stepped forward.
"That's not a debt anymore."
"You're just taking advantage of us!"
Henry remained calm.
"No, Miss."
He adjusted the sleeve of his black suit.
"It's the art of trading."
"Money flows."
"It grows."
"And that money strengthens my empire."
He smiled politely.
"In return..."
"I make paying taxes easier for my clients."
Saito frowned.
"Stop this nonsense."
He took one step closer.
"So if Malfoy pays another thousand coins..."
"...his debt is completely settled?"
Henry tapped the document with one finger.
"...Maybe."
Saito narrowed his eyes.
"...Maybe?"
Henry smiled.
"But..."
"I believe an opportunity like this shouldn't be wasted."
Saito crossed his arms.
"What opportunity?"
Henry looked directly at him.
"Blue Scarf."
"Work for me."
The room fell silent.
Henry continued.
"You..."
"And your crew."
"Become my personal bodyguards."
He spread his arms confidently.
"In return..."
"I'll expand your reputation."
"My influence."
"Your strength."
"Together..."
"We could become the most famous names in Roma City."
Saito didn't hesitate.
"...Sorry."
"I'm not interested."
Henry's smile remained.
"Not even..."
"...for your friend's debt?"
He pointed toward Malfoy.
Malfoy lowered his head in shame.
Henry spoke calmly.
"One decision."
"And his debt disappears."
The office fell quiet as everyone waited for Saito's answer.
Outside the office...
The hallway was quiet.
Rin leaned against the wall with his scythe resting across his shoulder.
He glanced at Scrapper.
"So..."
"We good?"
Scrapper looked at him.
"What do you mean by that?"
Rin shrugged.
"You know."
"I betrayed Metal Rod."
"And joined Saito."
He scratched the back of his head.
"I didn't expect we'd end up on the same side again."
Scrapper let out a quiet chuckle.
"Oh..."
"That."
He folded his arms.
"We're good."
Rin smiled.
"Good."
"Because I didn't expect to work with you again."
Scrapper nodded.
"Me neither."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Alya, standing near the office door, watched the exchange with a small smile.
Scrapper noticed.
"What?"
Alya shook her head.
"Nothing."
"I just didn't think two former enemies could get along this quickly."
Scrapper smirked.
"Life's strange."
He stretched his shoulders.
"Anyway..."
"I need some fresh air."
He glanced down the hallway.
"Or maybe just a trip to the bathroom."
Rin pointed toward the corridor.
"End of the hall."
"Left side."
Scrapper nodded.
"Thanks."
He turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing softly through the quiet hallway.
Rin watched him disappear around the corner before turning his attention back to the closed office doors.
"...Hope Captain doesn't punch that businessman."
Alya laughed quietly.
"Let's hope he doesn't have to."