The carriage rolled through the streets of Lorum Village, wheels bumping softly over the packed dirt road.
Inside, Hashima peered out the window, taking in the scenery.
"Well, well..."
"What a nice village."
Makuto gave a short, approving nod beside him.
"Peaceful."
"Well-maintained."
Hashima smirked.
"Bet the food's decent too."
"Villages like this always have the best food."
Makuto glanced at him.
"You think about food at a time like this?"
Hashima shrugged.
"I think about food at every time."
The carriage rolled to a stop in front of Lorum Mansion.
Outside, Saito and his crew were already gathered, bags packed, ready for departure.
The doors swung open.
Hashima stepped out, stretching his arms with a satisfied grin.
"There you are, Blue Scarf."
He glanced over the group.
"You all ready?"
Saito nodded firmly.
"Ready as we'll ever be."
Bomb adjusted the strap on his equipment bag. "Ready and armed."
Rin cracked his neck. "Ready to see some action, finally."
Fanny bounced slightly on her heels. "Ready and excited!"
Hashima chuckled at their energy.
"Good, good."
He gestured toward the carriage.
"We'll be heading to Feerus City."
"That's where Alpha's base is."
Saito raised an eyebrow.
"Feerus City, huh?"
"Never been there."
Hashima grinned, waving them toward the carriage.
"Well, get comfortable."
"It's a bit of a ride."
The crew climbed in one by one, settling into their seats as the carriage prepared to set off, the morning sun rising steadily over Lorum Village.
The crew settled into the carriage, glancing around at the spacious interior.
Alya's eyes widened, running a hand along the polished wood paneling.
"Wow..."
"From outside, it looked so small."
"But there's actually a ton of space in here."
Hashima leaned back with a proud grin.
"This one's built by my people."
He knocked his knuckles against the wall.
"Sturdy craftsmanship. Comfortable too."
Bomb whistled, sinking into the cushioned seat. "Comfortable's an understatement. This beats our usual ride by a mile."
Fanny bounced slightly, testing the seat. "Ooh, it's soft too!"
Rin smirked, arms crossed. "Red Sun really doesn't skimp on quality, huh?"
Hashima chuckled. "We take pride in our work. Can't have important guests riding in some rickety old box."
Saito and Kaito settled into the seats nearby, exchanging an amused glance at the crew's excitement.
Up front, Makuto glanced toward the driver and gave a single, sharp nod.
The driver responded instantly, flicking the reins.
The horses lurched forward, hooves clopping steadily against the road as the carriage pulled away from Lorum Village, beginning the long journey toward Feerus City.
Hashima leaned back, studying Saito with a curious grin.
"So, anyway..."
"Your name's already spreading among my people, you know."
Saito raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"
Hashima nodded. "The one who challenged Calamity Table."
"And Noctarion, too."
He glanced toward Kaito.
"You've got one of their own on your crew..."
"And you personally took down another."
He crossed his arms, tilting his head.
"Makes me wonder..."
"Are you declaring war on them or something?"
Saito rubbed the back of his neck, laughing nervously.
"Well..."
"Technically, I'm just protecting my friends."
"Things just... kind of escalated from there."
Hashima blinked for a moment—
Then burst into loud, hearty laughter, slapping his knee.
"That's it?!"
"That's your explanation?!"
Makuto, seated stiffly beside him, allowed the faintest twitch of a smile.
Kaito chuckled, shaking his head. "It's true, though. He doesn't plan any of this. It just happens."
Fanny grinned. "Trouble finds him. A lot."
Bomb nodded solemnly. "Constantly."
Hashima wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Man, I like you already, Saito. Simple guy, complicated reputation. Perfect combination."
Saito shrugged, a small grin tugging at his lips. "I'll take that as a compliment."
The carriage rattled on down the road, laughter echoing lightly from within as they continued their journey toward Feerus City.
Hashima's expression shifted, growing more serious despite his earlier laughter.
"But seriously, Saito..."
"You should be careful."
He leaned forward slightly.
"You might not be trying to start trouble with them..."
"But if you keep this up..."
"They just might declare war on you instead."
Saito's expression hardened with quiet resolve.
"Then let them."
He crossed his arms confidently.
"If I can't even handle their officers..."
"Then I might as well put my dream on the shelf right now."
Hashima raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Oh?"
He leaned in.
"And what exactly is this big dream of yours?"
Saito grinned, a spark of determination flashing in his eyes.
"Become the King of Gangster."
Silence.
Hashima blinked once.
Twice.
Then burst into another round of booming laughter, nearly doubling over in his seat.
"Oh my—"
He wiped at his eyes.
"What a big dream you've got there, kid!"
Makuto, ever composed, glanced toward Saito with a flicker of genuine curiosity.
"King of Gangster..."
He repeated it slowly, as if testing the weight of the words.
Kaito smirked. "He's serious about it too. Trust me."
Fanny nodded proudly. "It's actually kind of inspiring, once you get used to how ridiculous it sounds."
Hashima finally settled down, still chuckling, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Ridiculous or not..."
He glanced at Saito with newfound respect.
"With how far you've come already..."
"Maybe it's not so impossible after all."
Saito grinned wider. "That's the spirit."
The carriage continued rattling down the road, the warm afternoon sun filtering through the windows as laughter and camaradery filled the air.
Hashima's expression turned more serious, arms crossing.
"But if you want to become the King of Gangster..."
"You'll have to beat him."
Saito tilted his head, confused.
"Huh?"
"Wait, I thought Silver Arthur was the only one who ever held that title."
Kaito's eyes widened slightly.
"You actually know that name?"
Alya nodded, glancing over. "That name's legendary."
"It's written in nearly every history book about this era."
Rin leaned forward, intrigued. "Silver Arthur. The King of Gangster."
He said the name slowly, like it carried weight just being spoken aloud.
Hashima raised a hand.
"But here's the thing..."
"He wasn't the only one to ever hold that title."
He glanced around at their surprised faces.
"There was a King of Gangster before his era, too."
He paused for effect.
"And..."
"There's one right now."
Saito blinked, sitting up straighter.
"Wait, wait, wait—"
He held up a hand.
"So someone's already taken Silver Arthur's title?"
"Right now? Currently?"
Hashima nodded firmly.
"Exactly."
Bomb let out a low whistle. "Didn't see that coming."
Fanny leaned forward eagerly. "Okay, now I really want to know who this guy is."
Makuto spoke up quietly. "Not many do. He's... elusive."
Saito's jaw tightened slightly, a spark of determination flashing across his face.
"Then I guess that's who I need to find."
Hashima smirked, nodding approvingly.
"Now you're getting it."
The carriage rattled onward, the weight of the new revelation settling over the group as the road stretched on ahead of them.
Makuto glanced at the road ahead.
"We still have about two hours before we arrive."
Hashima groaned dramatically, slumping back into his seat.
"Ugh, that's way too long."
He perked up almost immediately, glancing toward the crew.
"So, anyway..."
"I heard you're friends with Shiro."
Saito nodded. "Yep."
Hashima grinned. "And Alpha too?"
Saito rubbed the back of his neck. "Just recently, but yeah."
Hashima burst into laughter, shaking his head.
"Nice one."
He leaned back, studying Saito with clear amusement.
"You've got friends in Calamity..."
He held up a finger.
"Balance..."
Another finger.
"And Noctarion."
A third finger raised, punctuating the point.
He shook his head, grinning wide.
"What a strange kid you are."
Kaito chuckled. "He collects allies like trading cards, honestly."
Fanny snorted. "Enemies too, apparently."
Bomb crossed his arms. "Balance, huh. Never thought I'd see the day Saito's on good terms with them."
Rin smirked. "Guess that's what happens when you keep punching above your weight class."
Saito shrugged, a lopsided grin forming. "What can I say? I make an impression."
Hashima laughed heartily, slapping his knee once more.
"That you do, kid."
"That you do."
The carriage rolled steadily onward, the group's easy banter filling the remaining hours of the journey as they drew closer to Feerus City.