“I was planning on going easy on the work for you two, but I changed my mind.” As he watched the clock.

“Do not blame them sir it was my fault, and I am sorry,” apologized Saiguichi.

“Oh? Since it's your fault, I want you to teach them how to do the job—starting from packing and fixing the boxes.”

Saigoichi sighed. Mr. Miura shot him a sharp glare.

He laughed nervously. “Alright, guys. Let’s go to the storage room.”

The trio made their way out.

At the headquarters of the Austinites gang. Inside, two limping henchmen stood before a tall, lean figure seated in a chair.

“Don't you guys work underneath Varo?” Ryesuchi asked, staring at them with obvious disgust. “What happened to you?”

“Well, you see,” one of them began, “Varo gave us an order to go teach that errand boy a lesson… for disrespecting you like that.”

Ryesuchi sucked his teeth. “That idiot Varo.”

He narrowed his eyes. “So, what you're telling me is… a simple errand boy did this to you two?”

“Uhhh, it wasn’t him,” the second henchman stammered. “There was a girl with him who had an Arsil. She was strong. They looked like friends.”

Ryesuchi laughed, leaning back. “You guys got beat up by a girl?”

The entire room went silent.

He stood. “Anyways, I’ll deal with this. Because what’s our motto?”

With synchronized intensity, the five generals and everyone else in the room shouted, “YOU MESS WITH ONE, YOU MESS WITH ALL!”

As the crowd dispersed, Ryesuchi made a gesture for someone to stay behind.

“Onzi,” he said, calling out to his most trusted gang member.

“Yeah, boss?”

“Go scout out and see who this mysterious girl is.”

“Should I bring her?”

“Nah. Just beat her—but don’t kill her. She might be from another gang. I don’t feel like hosting a gang war right now.”

Onzi nodded once and disappeared.

Back at Mr. Miura’s store, Saigoichi addressed the others.

“Alright, y’all have to go tell the boss you understand the packaging and have a gist of how our system works.”

Najime and Ayana left the storage room and headed to Mr. Miura’s office.

“Mr. Boss Man,” Ayana said playfully, “I think we understand the business better now. What do you want us to do?”

Mr. Miura glanced at Najime.

Najime gave a small nod to confirm.

Just then, Saigoichi emerged from the storage room, prompting all eyes to turn toward him.

“Alright,” Mr. Miura said. “Let’s go.”

“Wait, what?” Saigoichi blinked. “Where are we going? And do you mean all of us?”

“Yes,” Mr. Miura replied. “All of you. We’re going to collect the items from the factories in Alfynite, and at the same time I’ll show the newcomers the different routes we take.”

“Woah, he isn’t playing with y’all. That’s a full day journey,” Saigoichi said, a little overwhelmed.