No Payment? No Conctract!

As Zeno answered, Haruto's gaze shifted back to the window, his mind working like a finely tuned machine. The briefest of nods signaled his understanding. Turning his attention back to the Zoldyck patriarch, he posed another question, "And how inclined are you to abandon this mission?"

Zeno's gaze was unflinching as he locked eyes with Haruto. A long, heavy sigh filled the air before he responded, "Once accepted, it cannot be rejected. We will fulfill this contract."

Rather than exhibiting any trace of fear or apprehension at Zeno's words, Haruto's face remained utterly devoid of emotion. A long, tension-laden silence spread through the room before he finally spoke, "You may be formidable, but not invincible." His words were not a threat, merely a statement of fact.

Zeno's response was a simple nod, conceding to Haruto's assertion. The seasoned assassin was under no illusion of an easy victory. "Who commissioned the mission?" Haruto's voice held a steady, icy calm.

Zeno's response was immediate. "The Minister of Foreign Affairs."

At this, Haruto glanced over at Phinx, Uvogin, and Franklin, a slight chuckle escaping his lips. "You must have unsettled him."

A smirk tugged at the corner of Phinx's mouth as he shrugged. "We might have made a few... suggestions."

Haruto, intrigued by this new information, turned back to Zeno. "And if this Minister were to, let's say... disappear?"

The elder Zoldyck contemplated for a moment before answering, "If there's no payment, there's no contract."

Haruto's gaze shifted towards Canary, his trusted enforcer. "Canary," he called out. "Bring me his head."

Canary bowed, not saying a word before disappearing into the shadows with her orders. Haruto turned to Zeno and said, "Why don't you stay here for a few days. Get a taste of the Meteor Kingdom. Perhaps later we can reach an agreement."

Zeno considered his offer for a moment, and then nodded. "A sound proposition," he admitted, his tone begrudgingly respectful. Illumi fell in step behind him as they followed a servant towards the quarters arranged for them.

As the Zoldycks vanished from the room, Pakunoda turned towards Haruto. "Why are you treating them like guests of honor?" she asked, her tone ripe with curiosity.

"Zoldycks are formidable," Haruto said, his gaze steady. "Why make enemies of them when we can make them allies?"

Shalnark was the next to speak up. "This could send the wrong message," he said, his brows furrowed in concern. "They might think we're afraid."

Canary bowed at Haruto's command and melted into the shadows without a word. As the air settled, Haruto turned his gaze back to Zeno.

"Why don't you stay in the kingdom for a few days, Zeno? See Meteor City," Haruto suggested, his tone carrying an easy confidence. "Perhaps, in time, we can reach an agreement."

Zeno considered the offer, his gaze scanning the room before landing back on Haruto. His eventual nod was more contemplative than compliant. Motioning to Illumi, they followed a servant, who led them to the quarters prepared for their stay.

As the door closed behind them, Pakunoda, who had been silent throughout the exchange, voiced her curiosity. "Why are we treating them like honored guests?" she asked, the suspicion clear in her eyes.

Haruto's gaze remained fixed on the door Zeno and Illumi had disappeared through, his voice lacing with a quiet intensity as he replied, "The Zoldycks are formidable opponents. We don't need more enemies."

Shalnark, who'd been fiddling with his controller, frowned at this. "Won't this send the wrong message? They'll think we're afraid."

Slowly, Haruto turned to face him, a cool, measured smile playing on his lips. He shook his head. "On the contrary, it'll send the exact message we want. The world of politics isn't solely about strength and intimidation. It's about forming the right connections..." His voice trailed off, his gaze falling on the chess board placed on a nearby table.

He approached the board, his eyes lingering over the pieces. He picked up the queen, examining it before gently setting it on a different square. "Moving the queen isn't a show of fear. It simply means she's needed elsewhere," he mused.

Shifting his gaze back to Shalnark, he added, "We're powerful, but we're also new on the global stage. Allies are invaluable, especially an established family like the Zoldycks."

The room fell into silence as Haruto's words seeped into their minds. Phinx, who'd been leaning against the wall, pushed away, his gaze thoughtful. He moved to the chessboard, looking over the pieces.

Feitan, who had been watching the entire exchange silently, finally spoke up. "And if Zoldycks refuse?" His words, while casual, held a sharpened edge, as if he was testing the waters.

As the conversation lingered in the air, Haruto gave Feitan a confident smile. "They will not," he asserted. His voice rang with a surety that filled the room, making the air denser with anticipation. "The Zoldycks are pragmatic. Zeno is wise enough to see I'm much more valuable soon enough."

The room breathed out, a ripple of amusement easing the tension. It was a strange cocktail of excitement and comfort when Haruto was the one laying the future. His foresight wasn't something they could easily understand, but they trusted it anyway. His self-assured demeanor wasn't born of arrogance, but of confidence honed from triumphs and conquests. If Haruto said it would be so, then they had no reason to doubt.

In the week that had passed since their last gathering, much had changed. Canary had executed her task with an efficiency that was nothing short of impressive. With the Minister of Foreign Affairs no longer a concern, the Zoldycks' contract had also been nullified, bringing Zeno back to the palace of Meteor Kingdom.

Today found them dining on the sun-drenched balcony of the grand palace, the expanse of the city sprawling beneath them. Seated at the head of the table, Haruto looked out at his domain, his features cast in sharp relief by the midday sun.

Across him, Zeno leaned back, an untouched plate before him. "How did you manage to teach Nen to civilians?" His voice was casual, his interest genuine. He seemed less fazed by the implications of such an achievement.

With a nonchalant shrug, Haruto waved away the query. "It is not that hard. Just regular training, and a little bit of innovation."

----

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