Morning sunlight bathed Lorum Village in warm gold.
The chaos from the battle was already fading into memory.
Villagers moved through the streets rebuilding broken stalls and repairing damaged homes while Wolfbeasts carried wood and stone side by side with them.
Hammering echoed peacefully across the village.
Children ran through the streets again laughing like nothing had happened.
At the center of the village—
A brand new Blue Scarf flag slowly rose into the air.
The villagers stopped working briefly to watch it climb higher.
The blue fabric fluttered proudly against the morning sky.
Several Wolfbeasts bowed their heads respectfully toward it.
Near the market area—
Merchants from Grizzly Village had already reopened trade routes.
Fresh vegetables, meat, tools, and cloth lined the stalls once again.
Nearby, Hiraki soldiers calmly patrolled the streets while chatting with villagers.
At another side of the village—
Blacksmiths from Kor Village taught younger workers how to forge weapons and farming tools.
The sound of steel hitting steel mixed naturally with the peaceful atmosphere.
Lorum Village was alive again.
Not because of one person—
But because everyone chose to rebuild together.
Above the village—
Saito stood quietly at the mansion balcony.
The wind gently moved his blue scarf.
He watched the people below with a small smile.
Then his eyes lifted toward the large Blue Scarf flag waving proudly at the center of the village.
For a moment—
He simply stood there in silence, watching the symbol that once nearly burned away now flutter peacefully in the air once more.
Far away from Lorum Village—
Inside the massive white building of the White Hat base—
The atmosphere was calm and luxurious.
Soft music played quietly in the background while members moved professionally through the halls.
Inside the leader's office—
The Catwoman lazily rested across the lap of the White Hat leader while flipping through several news papers.
"…Hey, Shiro."
She lifted one paper slightly.
"This boy just defeated Joshua."
Shiro raised an eyebrow with interest.
"…He really did?"
The paper showed a rough drawing of Saito beside headlines about the collapse of Ash Rat.
Shiro chuckled softly.
"…Heh."
"Looks like he solved one of our problems for us."
The Catwoman narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…But his reputation is rising higher than yours."
Shiro gently patted her head.
"…And?"
She looked at him curiously.
Shiro smiled calmly.
"…How about this."
He turned toward the office door.
"Herion."
Standing nearby, Herion straightened immediately.
"…Yes, boss?"
Shiro stood up slowly.
"Prepare my carriage."
Herion blinked once.
"…Where are we heading?"
Shiro adjusted his white gloves calmly.
"…We're going to meet Blue Scarf Saito."
The Catwoman sat up slightly.
"…You sure about this, boss?"
Shiro smiled faintly.
"…I'm sure."
"…He sounds like a nice kid."
Herion gave a small respectful nod.
"…I assure you he is, boss."
Inside the Lorum mansion meeting room—
For the first time in a long while—
Everyone looked relaxed.
Warm sunlight entered through the large windows while maids moved around serving tea and snacks across the long table.
The tension from the previous days had finally faded.
Rick leaned comfortably against his chair while Gein laughed loudly at something John said.
Even Fein looked calmer than usual.
At the head of the table—
Saito lifted his tea cup slightly.
"…Let's celebrate our victory."
Immediately—
The room erupted into cheers.
"Haha!"
"Finally some peace!"
"About time!"
Several tea cups clinked together.
Takashi smirked slightly while looking toward Saito.
"…So."
"What's next, Saito?"
The room slowly quieted.
Everyone looked toward him curiously.
Saito leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment.
"…I don't know."
Kaito sighed dramatically beside him.
"…Great leader answer."
Bomb laughed quietly.
Saito grinned slightly.
"…Let's just wait."
"The fun will come eventually."
The mayors chuckled lightly at his response while outside the mansion windows—
The Blue Scarf flag continued fluttering proudly over the peaceful village.
Suddenly—
The meeting room doors opened quickly.
A guard stepped inside and bowed respectfully.
"Sir Saito."
"There is a letter for you."
Saito blinked once.
"…A letter?"
Kaito immediately smirked.
"…Maybe another gang declaring war."
Bomb leaned back slightly.
"…Or another village asking for protection."
Saito laughed lightly.
"…Maybe new territory."
The guard stepped forward and handed him the sealed envelope.
A white symbol was stamped clearly on the front.
Saito casually opened it.
The room stayed relaxed—
Until his expression shifted slightly.
"…Hm?"
Takashi noticed immediately.
"…What's wrong?"
Saito slowly lowered the paper.
"…White Hat."
The room instantly became quieter.
Even the air felt heavier.
Rick frowned.
"…White Hat?"
Gein's expression sharpened slightly.
Fein stopped holding his tea cup midway.
Kaito's relaxed posture disappeared immediately.
Saito reread the letter once more before speaking.
"…They want to meet me."
Silence filled the meeting room.
No one celebrated now.
Even Kaito looked uneasy hearing that name.
Evening slowly covered Lorum Village in orange light.
The streets were calmer now.
Villagers moved peacefully through the market while guards watched the gates carefully.
Then—
The main gate slowly opened.
A white carriage entered the village.
Elegant.
Clean.
The symbol of White Hat was displayed proudly on the carriage door.
The moment villagers noticed it—
Whispers spread instantly.
"…White Hat…"
"…Why are they here?"
The horses moved calmly through the village streets until the carriage finally stopped in front of the mansion.
The door opened.
A man wearing a spotless white suit and matching white hat stepped out first.
Shiro.
Behind him came the Catwoman, stretching lazily while looking around curiously.
Herion stepped out last, calm as always.
Several guards instinctively became tense nearby.
But Shiro only smiled pleasantly.
"…Nice village."
He looked toward the mansion.
"…And a nice mansion too."
Without hesitation—
He casually walked toward the entrance as if he had visited before.
The Catwoman followed beside him while Herion quietly scanned the surroundings.
Inside the mansion—
The guards quickly opened the doors nervously.
Shiro walked in calmly.
"…Now then."
"…Let's meet this Blue Scarf Saito."
Shiro calmly walked into the meeting room.
The atmosphere instantly became tense.
All the mayors were already seated alongside Saito's crew.
Kaito quietly watched every movement.
Bomb crossed his arms.
Takeru stayed near the wall silently.
Shiro's eyes slowly moved across the room—
Until they landed on Saito.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"…Blue Scarf Saito."
"It's nice to finally meet you."
He adjusted his white hat slightly.
"…A normal gangster in Jokun City for once."
Several mayors exchanged glances hearing that.
Saito stood up respectfully.
"…White Hat Shiro."
He gave a small bow.
"It's a pleasure to have you here."
Shiro suddenly laughed.
"Haha!"
"No need to be so formal."
He casually sat down at the table with the Catwoman and Herion beside him.
The maids carefully approached and served cups of tea to the White Hat guests.
The room remained cautious but calm.
Shiro picked up the tea cup and looked around the meeting room.
"…Not bad."
"…You really built all this from nothing?"
Saito gave a small smile.
"…Thanks for the compliment."
Shiro took a sip of tea before setting the cup down carefully.
"…Well then."
"Let's introduce ourselves properly."
He leaned back slightly.
"I'm Shiro."
"Leader of the White Hat gang."
Then he gestured beside him.
"…And this is Mina."
"My girlfriend."
Mina dramatically looked away with crossed arms.
"…Hmph."
Shiro chuckled lightly before gesturing toward the other side.
"And you already know Herion."
Herion gave a respectful nod toward Saito.
Saito nodded back politely.
Then Saito placed a hand against his chest slightly.
"I'm Saito."
"Leader of the Blue Scarf gang."
He gestured toward his side.
"This is Kaito."
"And Bomb."
Shiro's eyes slowly moved toward Kaito.
A faint amused smile appeared.
"…Noctarion."
"…How nostalgic."
Kaito's expression stayed calm, but his eyes sharpened slightly.
Meanwhile Mina suddenly growled quietly at Kaito.
"…Tch."
Kaito looked back at her blankly.
"…Do I know you?"
Mina narrowed her eyes.
"…You smell dangerous."
Shiro lightly patted Mina's shoulder.
"No no."
"Behave."
Mina pouted dramatically and looked away again.
The tension eased slightly.
Then Saito leaned forward a little.
"…So."
"Why are you here?"
Shiro's expression became calmer.
He folded his hands together on the table.
"…I want to discuss something with you."