Nen Artifact?

Kortopi, looking puzzled, interrupted, "Wouldn't something like this pose a risk, though? If word gets out that we're involved in an underground auction..."

Haruto waved his hand dismissively, turning his gaze back to his companions. "It's fine. Canary, notify President Hiden that we'll be creating a bit of a ruckus tonight to solve his Mafia problem. Ask if he has any issue with that. Selling slaves at my age? They're bold."

Canary grinned as she pulled out her phone. "Bold or foolish, they won't know what hit them." She quickly sent a message and looked back up. "Message sent."

Machi leaned forward, her eyes shimmering with a barely-contained thrill. "I've heard the underground in Yorknew City is quite... entertaining. Will we be participating actively, or just observing?"

Haruto met her gaze, and his lips twisted into a half-smile. "Oh, we'll be more than spectators. I intend to acquire some valuable assets, material or otherwise."

Kortopi frowned, his concern still palpable. "Isn't this a departure from your usual diplomatic methods?"

"Sometimes, you need to venture into the gray to understand the full spectrum," Haruto responded, his eyes piercing through any lingering doubt.

Canary's phone buzzed at this time. She glanced at the screen and showed the message to Haruto.

Hiden's envoy conveyed the President's message. It was carefully worded but clearly conveyed an interest in some sort of collaborative scheme that went beyond mere training. Haruto studied the message with an unreadable expression before speaking.

"Tell him that we will double the people to train for the same cost. But I am determined to deal with the underground problem myself. He can bend the narrative as he likes later."

Canary smiled at the nuance in Haruto's words and typed swiftly. After hitting send, she pocketed her phone and met Haruto's gaze.

"Done. Your move."

Machi leaned back in her chair, scrutinizing Haruto with a careful eye. "You don't seem the least bit surprised by President Hiden's hint at a hidden agenda. Why?"

"Leaders rarely offer gifts without expectations of returns," Haruto observed, meeting Machi's gaze squarely. "President Hiden is no different."

"A snake pit with untapped resources," Haruto pointed out, a slight smile playing on his lips. "And snakes can be charmed—or killed."

The room felt charged, the air pulsing with a collective sense of anticipation and risk.

"Does everyone have their tasks clear for tonight?" Haruto's eyes scanned the faces of his companions. Each nodded, some with excitement and others with a reserved form of acknowledgement.

Canary's phone buzzed. She glanced at it and then back at Haruto. "President Hiden has no objections. He's intrigued by how we plan to handle the situation."

"Good," Haruto nodded. "We move at dusk."

At dusk, the team gathered. Canary had already arranged a vehicle, so Haruto sat in the front passenger seat next to her as she drove. Kortopi and Machi occupied the seats behind them, their presence quiet but palpable.

"Everything's ready?" Haruto asked without turning his head, his eyes locked onto the thick dossier in his lap.

"Yes, the auction invitations are secure, and the private room has been confirmed," Canary replied, her focus split between the road and the atmosphere within the car.

"Perfect," Haruto said, finally closing the dossier and looking out the window. The setting sun bathed the city in hues of gold and amber, contrasting sharply with their dark intentions.

Before they left the car, they donned masks that were intricately designed to both conceal identity and allude to a sense of mystique. The silk threads woven into the fabric of the masks were so finely spun they seemed to be a part of their faces. Canary ensured her own mask was snug before assisting Haruto with his. The subtle gaze they shared was a silent affirmation; they were ready.

Showing a cryptic invitation code on her phone to the masked attendant, Canary secured their entrance. "We have a private room," she said, her voice slightly muffled by the mask but still clear. The attendant nodded, accepting the code without question, then gestured for them to proceed.

They entered through a velvet-lined corridor intentionally designed for privacy. Tall barriers obscured the sightlines between different sections of the hallway, ensuring guests would not cross paths. Though gilded chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their light was carefully diffused, casting an inviting yet secretive glow on the intricate carpet below.

Haruto noticed these details in silence, and a nod was all he gave, appreciating the level of discretion. Machi and Kortopi followed suit, their eyes scanning the surrounding details but remaining silent.

At last, they arrived at their room, the door of which bore no number—just an abstract art piece, a form of encrypted identification known only to those who needed to know. Canary entered a quick code into the touchpad beside the door, and they heard the lock disengage.

Inside, the room was a marvel of privacy engineering. One-sided glass walls allowed them to see out but prevented any prying eyes from looking in. Acoustic panels on the ceiling and walls guaranteed that their conversations would not leave the room.

Haruto stood at the center and looked around, finally breaking the silence. "They've done well in ensuring privacy. Canary, did you manage to get information on the items that will be auctioned?"

Canary handed him a tablet. "The list is here. Most are what we'd expect, but there's a particular item that stands out—a Nen artifact."

"A Nen artifact?" Machi leaned in, her eyes widening slightly. "Those are rare."

Kortopi looked puzzled. "But why would anyone auction something that dangerous? Isn't that a risk?"

Haruto chuckled softly. "Risk and reward are two sides of the same coin. Besides, only those knowledgeable in Nen would recognize its value. To others, it's just a trinket."

Canary received a notification on her phone and showed it to Haruto. "Our presence has been approved, and we've been granted bidding authority. No limits."

----

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