Inoiki wasted no time with words. With a mere thought, he seized control of both guards using his Psychokinesis. Their bodies stiffened, their limbs locking in place as if caught in an invisible grip. A second later, they were hurled backward, crashing violently into the gates on either side. The wooden doors shattered under the impact, sending splinters flying.
A third figure, the man who had been lurking behind one of the gates, barely managed to leap aside, narrowly avoiding the airborne guard that would have slammed into him.
Inoiki didn't even glance at the groaning men on the ground. Instead, his eyes settled on the one who had emerged. "Didn't I tell you to come out earlier?" he said, his tone calm yet laced with irritation. "Why waste my time?"
The man swallowed hard, bowing slightly. "Forgive me. That was my mistake." His voice was steady, but the slight tremor in his posture betrayed his fear. Seeing the guards incapacitated in an instant, he had no doubt—defying this man was a mistake he would not survive. "The Town Head is expecting you. Please, follow me."
Without another word, Inoiki nodded and followed. The man led him through the grand halls of the mansion until they arrived in front of a large, ornately carved door. With careful hands, he pushed it open.
Inside, the room was refined yet imposing—undoubtedly the office of the Town Head. Behind a polished wooden desk sat a man who looked nothing like the crime lord Inoiki had envisioned. He was poised, elegant, exuding an air of sophistication rather than menace.
Inoiki studied him for a moment before speaking. "Honestly, I didn't expect you to look like this," he admitted, tilting his head slightly. "I thought you'd be more… ferocious. Maybe a few scars."
The man's expression shifted to one of mild confusion. "What do you mean, Lord Inoiki? Why wouldn't you expect me to look like this?"
Inoiki leaned slightly forward, studying him. "Because after everything I've heard about you—Black Scorpio, the most formidable of all black market leaders—I wasn't expecting someone so refined."
The man chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "You must be mistaken, Lord Inoiki. My name is Tsubasa, the Town Head of Tetsuyuki. Nothing more, nothing less."
Inoiki's eyes narrowed. "Drop the act." His voice was calm, yet sharp enough to cut through the air like a blade. "I know exactly who you are—the infamous Black Scorpio. I wouldn't have come here otherwise. I confirmed it myself from one of the black market leaders, so spare me the nonsense." He crossed his arms. "I'm here for a deal. Let's skip the formalities and get straight to business. Good?"
Tsubasa's calm smile slowly faded. His fingers tapped against the polished desk, his eyes calculating. Then, after a brief silence, he asked, "What is it that you want?"
Inoiki met his gaze, unwavering. "I need materials for Chakra weapons. Around 120 kilograms."
Tsubasa's eyes narrowed, a flicker of surprise breaking through his composed demeanor. That was a massive amount—even for someone like him.
Tsubasa folded his hands on the desk, his expression unreadable. "And what exactly do you need this for?"
Inoiki exhaled sharply, already tired of the conversation. "I'm creating a weapon for myself. That's all you need to know." His gaze hardened. "Don't waste my time asking about the specifics. I don't care for whatever unnecessary questions you have. Just answer me—can you provide the materials or not? Simple."
Tsubasa studied him for a few moments, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I can only supply you with 20 kilograms of the material."
Inoiki sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if dealing with a stubborn child. "Why bother lying to me?" His voice remained calm, but there was a sharp edge to it. "I know for a fact that you have at least 60 kilograms in your inventory. And according to a certain black market leader I spoke with, you have more than enough influence to arrange the rest. You have the connections. You have the resources."
Tsubasa clenched his jaw, cursing under his breath. Who the hell is leaking my business? Whoever it is… they better pray I never find them.
Inoiki leaned forward slightly, his presence imposing. "I'll ask you one more time—politely. Provide me with the materials."
A tense silence stretched between them before Tsubasa let out a slow breath, regaining his composure. "Fair enough," he admitted. "I can arrange the materials for you. But first…" His eyes sharpened. "We need to discuss the price."
Inoiki spoke with unwavering certainty, as if the matter had already been decided. "There's nothing to negotiate—half the official price."
Tsubasa's eyes widened in disbelief. "What!?" His voice rose, unable to mask his frustration.
Slamming a hand on the desk, he scoffed. "Are you here to rob me? Do you have any idea how much profit I could make with that amount of material? You expect me to sell it for half the official price when the black market rate is more than double? Ridiculous. If that's your offer, you can turn around and leave. This deal is impossible."
Inoiki remained unfazed. He simply tilted his head, regarding Tsubasa as one might a stubborn child. "I'm not leaving without the materials," he stated calmly, yet there was an unmistakable finality in his tone. "That's a fact."
He took a step forward, his presence growing heavier, suffocating. "If you want me gone, then sell me the materials at my price. If you refuse… well, I'll have no choice but to destroy this entire place." His gaze darkened. "And then, I'll simply extract the location of the materials from your mind myself."
Tsubasa tensed, suddenly aware of how dangerous the man standing before him truly was.
"I don't want to do that," Inoiki continued, voice as casual as if he were discussing the weather. "It's just a hassle to negotiate with multiple black-market leaders when I can have you arrange everything instead. But make no mistake—I will get what I came for. One way or another."
A heavy silence filled the room. The weight of his words pressed down like a vice.
...
(A/N: If you like the story please vote power stones.)
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