Inside the Overseer's residence of Iwahato Station Town, if Imu were here, he might have remarked how every Station Town's Overseer residence in the Land of the Rising Sun was modeled after a miniature version of Osaka Castle.
"The guests have arrived."
As two maids in half-white robes and red skirts knelt on the floor, sliding the doors open on either side, Amatori Biba, along with Horobi and Mumei, appeared before everyone.
Horobi—the name of the golden-haired beauty—was, according to Laskey's Observation Haki senses, also a Kabaneri, a Kabane warrior.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"I am Amatori Biba, leader of the Hunter Group."
At the same time, Yomogawa Ayame, who had been conversing with Overseer Maeda, and the red-haired woman kneeling behind her, turned their gazes toward the trio.
This red-haired woman, named Yukina, was the conductor responsible for operating the Iron Fortress, possessing an extraordinary familiarity with armored trains.
Yet both were surprised by the appearance of the red-clad girl, Mumei.
"Ah, what an honor to finally meet the face of our liberating hero!" Overseer Maeda chuckled cheerfully behind his round glasses, appearing to be a very amiable man.
"Please, have a seat!"
"Thank you very much!"
"Hmm?"
However, the moment Amatori Biba stepped onto the redwood floor of the reception room after expressing his gratitude, a burly Warrior to his right raised a Steam Rifle and unceremoniously pressed it against Biba's temple.
This prompted Horobi to immediately step between them, a dagger hidden in her sleeve ready to strike.
"Stop! Itagaki!"
"Lord Biba is here for negotiations!"
Overseer Maeda hastily reprimanded his Warrior Overseer for such rudeness, but the latter remained unmoved, coldly stating, "If this is a discussion, can't it proceed even with a gun pointed at him?"
"Please, sit!"
Meanwhile, Marta, clad in a black dress and high heels, quietly arrived atop the roof of the reception room.
Due to the elevated position of the Overseer's residence, she could enjoy the most comfortable sunlight and the coolest breeze while taking in the entire view of Iwahato Station Town.
Yet Marta had no interest in any of this—her Observation Haki had already enveloped the entire Overseer's residence.
"Hmph, as expected..."
She noticed over thirty armed soldiers and three Warriors with notably stronger auras lurking around the reception room, clearly waiting for the slightest disagreement to storm in and seize them.
[Clang, clang, clang...]
Suddenly, the alarm bells from the city gates rang out, loud enough to echo throughout Iwahato Station. Marta's head snapped up toward the distance, but she immediately lowered her gaze to the roof tiles beneath her.
Because she sensed Amatori Biba suddenly standing up and killing the Warrior who had pointed the Steam Rifle at his head. Horobi, who shared the same golden hair but a different disposition, swiftly rose as well, dispatching another Warrior who had attempted to fire.
"He's making his move already!"
At this moment, Marta realized the situation had become complicated. Their people hadn't arrived yet, but Laskey's orders were for her to keep an eye on Amatori Biba.
Yet from the looks of it, it was Biba who was doing the killing...
Meanwhile, outside Iwahato Station.
"What's going on?"
Laskey stared in astonishment as the massive drawbridge-style city gates began lowering on their own.
Just as he thought this was the result of Amatori Biba's negotiations within the city, he suddenly spotted a group of black-clad Hunter Group soldiers in the distance riding steam motorcycles. They sprayed fresh blood while luring hordes of wild Kabane toward the wide-open gates!
And that wasn't all.
Another motorcycle squad, led by Kurusu, first severed the ropes holding up the drawbridge gate, then swiftly cut down several gate guards who had no time to fire their guns before charging into the city.
"This is bad. Why does Amatori Biba have zero patience?"
Laskey sighed as he watched the flood of Kabane successfully pour into Iwahato Station. The city was doomed now, and he had to consider his next move.
At that moment, the pitch-black Armored Train, the Steel Fortress, began moving along the tracks, clearly intending to enter the city as well.
"It can't be allowed to leave Iwahato Station!"
Making up his mind, he dashed forward at high speed, effortlessly leaping onto the roof of the moving Steel Fortress. His black attire, no longer concealed, made him stand out slightly.
But neither the defending soldiers nor the attacking Hunter Group paid him any attention.
By now, Iwahato Station had descended into utter chaos and despair. The dull thuds of gunfire echoed everywhere, and Kabane chased after fleeing people, biting at their heels.
It was as if they had stepped into a feast of the Living Dead. The sight made Laskey frown—he couldn't help imagining how terrifying it would be if Kabane ever spread in his home world.
"Marta's keeping an eye on Amatori Biba. I'll deal with that researcher first!"
His Observation Haki pulsed outward, swiftly locating the target's presence. He sprinted across the moving train's roof before leaping down onto the connector between two carriages.
Boom!
Without hesitation, Laskey kicked the reinforced iron door clean off its hinges. The flying door slammed into a black-clad soldier on the other side, crushing him against the opposite door before he could even scream. Blood gushed from his shattered chest and ruptured organs.
The gruesome scene stunned Dr. Shoei and three white-coated researchers inside the carriage. But the eleven black-clad guards on duty reacted quickly.
"Who the hell—?!"
"Open fire!"
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
They pulled the triggers, their personal high-pressure steam boilers strapped to their backs feeding power through tubes connected to their Steam Rifles. The bullets, propelled with extraordinary force, packed far more impact than conventional firearms at close range.
Yet, the black-clad man walking toward them step by step wasn't hit by a single shot. The bullets whizzed past him, striking the metal walls behind with bright sparks.
The Hunter Group soldiers gaped as if they'd seen a ghost, even doubting their own marksmanship for a split second.
"Get him!"
"Take him down first!"
Several black-clad soldiers at the front exchanged glances before charging with their Steam Rifles, bayonets fixed. Years of close-quarters combat with Kabane had left them fearless.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
They wanted close combat, but Laskey had no interest in it. Casually flicking his clean nails, he instantly launched several invisible air bullets that pierced bloody holes in each of their throats in the blink of an eye.
This was the 'Flying Finger Gun,' a technique only achievable by those with exceptional mastery of 'Shigan.'
To Dr. Shoei and the others, it seemed as though the black-clad intruder had done nothing—yet the three soldiers collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from their necks.
"Shoot! Shoot now!"
The remaining black-clad soldiers abandoned any thought of capturing him up close, frantically pulling their triggers and spraying bullets at Laskey.
But just like before, he merely swayed slightly, and the bullets inexplicably whizzed past him. Amid terrified screams, he effortlessly killed one black-clad soldier after another blocking his path, finally stopping before Dr. Shoei and the other two.
"Tell me, are you the scientist researching the Kabane Virus?" Laskey paused, offering a friendly smile.