Saito hunched over his desk, letting out a deep, exhausted sigh.
Takashi glanced up from his own stack of papers.
"We're almost finished, Saito."
"Almost isn't finished," Saito muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Kaito walked over, handing him a glass of wine.
"Here. You've earned it."
Saito took it gratefully.
"Thanks, man."
He downed a sip, letting the tension in his shoulders ease slightly.
Then—
Footsteps approached the doorway.
Takeru poked his head in.
"Sir Saito, you have visitors."
Saito perked up.
"Shiro?"
Takeru nodded, then hesitated.
"Yeah, but... not just him."
He rubbed the back of his neck.
"There's also this old man. Calls himself Alpha."
Saito blinked, sitting up straighter.
"Wait—"
"Alpha too?"
Before he could process it further, the door opened fully.
Shiro stepped inside, white suit as pristine as ever, offering a small bow.
"Sorry for the sudden visit, Saito."
Saito waved a hand, setting his glass down.
"It's fine, it's fine. Have a seat."
Shiro moved to the couch, settling in comfortably.
Behind him, Alpha entered, cane tapping softly against the floor, and took the seat beside Shiro.
Saito gathered himself, sitting across from them, Takeru, Kaito, and Takashi arranging themselves nearby.
Saito leaned forward, curiosity mixed with wariness.
"So..."
"What's with the sudden visit, guys?"
Shiro folded his hands in his lap.
"Alpha wants to ask for your help."
Saito blinked.
"My help?"
He glanced toward Alpha, brows furrowed in confusion.
"With what, exactly?"
Alpha's cane tapped once against the floor, drawing attention.
"We already know you defeated one of the Calamity Table's members."
Saito raised an eyebrow.
"Scrapper?"
He tilted his head.
"Yeah, I did... is he causing trouble again?"
Shiro shook his head quickly.
"No, no. Nothing like that."
Alpha's expression grew more serious.
"My territory..."
"Haruki Village."
He paused.
"There's tension building there."
Saito's brow furrowed.
"Tension?"
"What kind?"
Alpha's gaze hardened slightly.
"A bad one."
He leaned forward, resting both hands atop his cane.
"I was hoping to ask for your help in dealing with it."
Saito straightened, caught off guard.
"Them?"
He glanced between Alpha and Shiro.
"Who exactly are we talking about?"
Shiro raised a hand calmly.
"We'll explain further once reinforcements arrive."
Saito blinked.
"Reinforcements?"
He threw his hands up slightly.
"Okay, what the heck is going on here?"
Alpha's lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
"You'll see."
His tone softened.
"But I believe we can count on you."
Saito glanced around the room at his crew, weighing the situation.
Kaito spoke up first, arms crossed with unwavering resolve.
"Whatever you decide, I'm coming with you."
Takeru gave a firm nod.
Takashi adjusted his glasses, nodding as well, silent support written across his face.
Saito let out a breath, a small grin tugging at his lips.
"Alright, then."
He glanced back toward Alpha.
"If it's something awesome..."
"I'm in."
Alpha reached into his coat, producing a small folded paper, handing it over.
"Good."
"Here's the time and place for us to meet."
Saito took it, glancing over the details.
"Alright then."
Alpha rose from the couch, cane tapping softly as he made his way toward the door.
Without another word, he exited, disappearing down the hallway.
Saito turned toward Shiro, arms crossed.
"Okay, seriously..."
"What's going on?"
Shiro offered an apologetic smile.
"Sorry, Saito."
"I couldn't leak that information in a public place."
Saito let out a long sigh, slumping back into his seat.
"You people and your secrets..."
Before he could continue—
Footsteps approached from the hallway.
Fanny and Alya walked in, chatting animatedly.
"So, where's this Primordeus you keep talking about?"
Fanny scanned the room eagerly—
Then froze, spotting Shiro seated calmly on the couch.
She squinted.
"Wait..."
"Is this the one?"
Saito nodded, gesturing between them.
"Fanny, meet Shiro."
"White Hat gang leader."
Fanny blinked rapidly, processing.
"Wait, wait, wait—"
She pointed dramatically.
"You're a gangster..."
"But also a god?"
Shiro chuckled lightly, adjusting his hat.
"If you want to put it that way..."
"Then yes."
"I suppose I am."
Fanny's jaw dropped slightly.
"Whoa..."
She leaned forward, eyes wide with disbelief.
"You know literally everyone in Jokun City worships you, right?"
Shiro simply nodded, unfazed.
Fanny straightened, glancing around awkwardly.
"So, should I bow or something?"
"Or, like, kneel? What's the protocol here?"
Shiro waved a hand casually.
"Just sit down."
"It's fine."
Fanny hesitated for a moment before plopping down beside Saito, still slightly starstruck.
Shiro glanced toward her, tilting his head.
"New member?"
Saito nodded.
"Yep."
He gestured toward her proudly.
"This is Fanny."
"Our fox beastwoman."
Fanny leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.
"So, you're his friend?"
Saito nodded, taking another sip of wine.
"Yep."
"We became allies before heading to Roma."
Fanny hummed thoughtfully, glancing at Shiro.
"I see..."
"So do you just, like... chill around with your people?"
She paused, tapping her chin.
"What are they even called?"
Her eyes lit up.
"Servants?"
Shiro chuckled, shaking his head.
"I wouldn't call it that."
He straightened slightly, a faint air of dignity settling over him.
"There's a reason I'm known as the God of Sovereignty."
Fanny snapped her fingers.
"Right, right, that's what they call you."
She squinted, studying him closer.
"So you're basically... Felin's reincarnation?"
Shiro gave a small nod, amused.
"You ask a lot of questions."
Fanny laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Sorry, sorry."
She shrugged.
"It's just... where I'm from, we don't have a Primordeus."
"So this whole thing is kind of new to me."
She gestured vaguely between Shiro and the room around them.
"Feels a little awkward, honestly."
Shiro's expression softened, a warm smile forming.
"No need to feel awkward."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Curiosity is a good thing."
Fanny relaxed a bit, offering a small, grateful smile in return.
"...Thanks."
Saito smirked, nudging her shoulder.
"Told you he was cool."
Fanny rolled her eyes playfully, though her smile lingered.
Saito leaned back in his chair.
"So, you just wanted to visit?"
Shiro nodded.
"Of course."
"I heard you beat Void."
Saito let out a short laugh, rubbing his shoulder as if remembering the pain.
"Yeah... he was actually pretty tough."
Shiro's expression turned thoughtful.
"Still, it's an achievement."
"Defeating one of Noctarion's own isn't something just anyone can do."
Saito shrugged modestly.
"Yeah, well..."
Shiro's gaze shifted toward Kaito, studying him for a moment.
"And you don't mind it?"
"Fighting your former comrade?"
Kaito's expression stayed steady, though a flicker of something quieter passed behind his eyes.
"Void chose that path."
He glanced down briefly.
"Even so..."
"He's still alive."
Shiro nodded slowly, respect evident in his gaze.
"That's true."
He folded his hands.
"He's currently being held in Ajria Prison."
Takashi adjusted his glasses, chiming in.
"That's the prison no one's ever managed to escape from."
"Highest security in the region."
Shiro nodded in confirmation.
Saito let out a small breath, leaning back further into his seat.
"I see..."
He glanced toward the window, expression softening slightly.
"...Feel a little bad for him, honestly."
The room fell quiet for a moment, the weight of the sentiment settling gently over everyone present.
Inside Ajria Prison, a guard stood in front of Void's cell, arms crossed, sneering.
Void sat motionless on the small bed, dressed in a plain prison uniform, gaze fixed forward.
The guard let out a mocking laugh.
"So, how does it feel?"
"Getting defeated by some newbie?"
"What a joke."
Another guard leaned against the wall, chuckling.
"Guess you're not as powerful as everyone thought."
They both burst into laughter, the sound echoing down the hall.
Without warning—
Void's hand shot through the bars, grabbing the first guard's collar, yanking him forward hard against the metal.
The laughter stopped instantly.
"Hey—!"
The second guard raised his weapon quickly.
"Let him go, or I shoot! Right now!"
Void's expression remained blank, utterly unaffected by the threat.
His grip stayed firm.
The trapped guard choked slightly, eyes wide with fear.
"W-what... what is it?!"
Void's voice was calm. Cold.
"You want to know one thing, gentlemen?"
Silence.
"You'll never reach his level."
He released the guard's collar without another word.
The guard stumbled back, gasping, rubbing his throat.
Void simply returned to his seated position, staring forward once more, indifferent to the tension still hanging thick in the air.