Alpha lowered the newspaper.
Then looked directly at Shiro.
"What about the Noctarion standing with him?"
Mina immediately knew who he meant.
"Kaito."
Shiro nodded.
"Kaito is no longer a threat."
"I can assure you."
Alpha remained silent for a few moments.
Then slowly leaned back into the sofa.
"Let me say this one more time, White Hat."
His voice became much more serious.
"You are a Primordeus."
The room grew quiet.
Alpha continued.
"And it is our duty to protect Primordeus from falling into the wrong hands."
He folded his arms.
"That's why we don't trust the police with this responsibility."
Shiro didn't look away.
Alpha's gaze sharpened.
"If Kaito truly is a Noctarion..."
"Then you're asking us to trust your judgment."
Shiro nodded.
"I am."
Alpha sighed.
"You're very confident."
Shiro answered immediately.
"I'm one hundred percent sure."
The old man stared at him.
Trying to find hesitation.
Doubt.
Anything.
But found none.
Finally—
Alpha stood up.
His cloak shifted as he adjusted it.
"Then it's decided."
Mina blinked.
"Decided?"
Alpha looked toward the door.
"We will not interfere."
Shiro relaxed slightly.
Alpha pointed at him.
"But."
"If your judgment is wrong..."
The old man's expression became cold.
"The Balance Table will act."
Shiro nodded.
"Fair."
Alpha smiled faintly.
"Good."
Then he turned toward the exit.
"But now I'm even more interested."
He tapped the newspaper.
"The gang leader."
"The Noctarion."
"The resurrection user."
"The former Hollow Gang leader."
A chuckle escaped him.
"What a strange group."
Shiro smiled.
"That's what makes them dangerous."
Alpha opened the door.
"Or useful."
Then he stepped outside.
Leaving the White Hat office in silence.
While far away—
unaware of the conversation taking place—
the Blue Scarf crew continued their journey through Jaha Town.
Meanwhile—
Saito, Kaito, and Bomb continued walking through Jaha Town.
The streets were still crowded.
Travelers moved between shops.
Merchants advertised their goods.
But after checking several hotels—
all of them were either full or far too expensive.
Saito sighed.
"Why is finding a place to stay harder than fighting gangsters?"
Kaito shrugged.
"At least gangsters don't charge per night."
Bomb laughed.
"Fair point."
The three continued walking.
Then Saito suddenly pointed ahead.
Outside the town wall—
a building stood near the roadside.
A wooden sign swung above its entrance.
The warm glow of lanterns shined through the windows.
It looked old.
But welcoming.
Saito smiled.
"That seems like a nice place for us."
Kaito looked at it.
Then nodded.
"Agreed."
"Let's go."
Bomb adjusted his cloak.
"Hopefully they have rooms."
The three headed toward the building.
As they got closer—
they could hear laughter coming from inside.
The sound of mugs hitting tables.
The smell of cooked food drifted through the air.
Saito pushed open the door.
Creak.
The bar was busy.
Travelers sat at tables.
Several merchants were drinking together near the counter.
The moment the three entered—
a few customers glanced at them before returning to their conversations.
Saito looked around.
"Nice place."
Kaito nodded.
"It feels familiar."
Bomb walked toward the counter.
"Let's ask if they have rooms."
The three approached the bartender.
Ready to see if their luck had finally improved.
The three approached the counter.
Behind it stood a middle-aged beastman.
He had fox ears on top of his head and a large fluffy tail swaying behind him.
The bartender smiled warmly.
"Welcome, travelers."
Saito immediately liked the place.
It reminded him of home.
Just a little.
He rested an arm on the counter.
"Do you have any rooms available?"
The fox beastman nodded.
"Sure."
He pointed upstairs.
"There are three rooms available."
Saito's eyes widened.
"Nice."
After spending half the day searching, hearing those words felt like a blessing.
Kaito sighed in relief.
"Finally."
Bomb crossed his arms.
"Our luck is improving."
Saito reached into his pocket and placed a small sack of coins on the counter.
"We'll take them."
The bartender accepted the payment.
Then smiled.
"Excellent."
Saito sat down on one of the stools.
"And also..."
He pointed toward himself, Kaito, and Bomb.
"Three cups of beer."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"For us?"
Saito nodded confidently.
"We're on vacation."
The bartender laughed.
"Coming right up."
He turned around and began preparing the drinks.
Meanwhile—
Saito looked around the bar.
Travelers talked quietly.
Merchants exchanged stories.
The atmosphere was peaceful.
For the first time since arriving in Roma City—
he felt like they might actually get a chance to relax.
Saito, Bomb, and Kaito moved to a table near the back of the bar.
A large window beside them overlooked the road outside.
The atmosphere was calm.
Travelers laughed.
Mugs clinked together.
The smell of food filled the room.
A few moments later—
the fox beastman bartender arrived carrying three mugs.
He carefully placed them on the table.
"There you go."
Then smiled warmly.
"Make yourselves at home, travelers."
Saito raised his mug.
"Thanks."
The bartender nodded before returning to the counter.
Bomb watched him leave.
Then leaned closer to the table.
"Should we tell him we're not travelers?"
Kaito took a sip of his drink.
"Best to keep it that way."
Bomb nodded.
"Fair enough."
Meanwhile—
Saito was already enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
No police.
No gang war.
No explosions.
Just a quiet drink.
Then the front door opened.
Creak.
Rin walked in.
Alya followed beside him.
Both were carrying hotdogs.
Rin immediately spotted the table.
"Jeez."
"At least wait for us first."
He pulled out a chair and sat down.
Alya sat beside him.
Saito laughed.
"We didn't know when you'd get back."
Rin took a bite of his hotdog.
"That's not the point."
Bomb pointed at the food.
"How many did you buy?"
Rin looked down.
Then counted.
"...Five."
Alya sighed.
"I told him two was enough."
"It was not."
Rin replied immediately.
Kaito shook his head.
"Some things never change."
The group laughed.
For a brief moment—
it felt like a genuine vacation.
Just friends sitting together.
Enjoying food and drinks.
Completely unaware that their peaceful evening probably wouldn't stay peaceful for long.
The group continued eating and drinking.
Rin was already halfway through another hotdog.
Bomb sat back in his chair.
Kaito calmly sipped his drink.
For once, nobody was talking about gangs, police, or battles.
Then Saito suddenly remembered something.
He looked at Alya.
"Anyway."
"What about the device you were making at the beach?"
Alya looked up from her food.
"Oh."
"That one."
Saito leaned forward immediately.
"Yeah."
"You've been working on it all day."
Alya smiled slightly.
"I'll show you in the room."
Saito's eyes lit up.
"Really?"
Alya nodded.
"It's finished."
Now even Kaito looked interested.
Bomb lowered his mug.
Rin stopped eating for a moment.
"What's it do?"
Alya shook her head.
"That's a surprise."
Rin groaned.
"I hate surprises."
"No, you don't."
Bomb replied.
"Fair."
Saito pointed at Alya.
"Good."
"I can't wait to see it."
Alya smiled and took another bite of her food.
Meanwhile—
outside the window.
The evening sky slowly darkened.
Lanterns began lighting the road beyond the town wall.
And inside the bar—
the Blue Scarf crew continued enjoying one of the rare peaceful nights they had managed to find in Roma City far from their home.