Chapter 76 : Trust issues

[ A few moments ago ]

Inside a massive room, dimly lit yet filled with an imposing presence, a giant table stood at the center.

At the head of the table—

A woman sat silently.

She had deep ocean-blue hair that flowed smoothly behind her, and sharp brown eyes that carried an unnatural calmness. Her expression was composed, yet there was something cold hidden beneath it.

Around the table—

Four more individuals were seated.

Each one of them radiated strength, their auras tightly controlled, barely leaking any presence despite the pressure they naturally carried.

Two of them were women.

One appeared to be a teenage girl with a grim expression, her eyes sharp and observant. The other was a woman in her thirties, her posture relaxed but her gaze calculating.

The remaining two were men.

One was in his forties, his build solid and his expression serious. The other was a teenage boy, sitting quietly, yet his presence hinted at something dangerous beneath the surface.

Suddenly—

The man in his forties stood up.

"My lady... are you sure that in the future you have seen... this guy really destroys the world?"

Before anyone else could react—

A cold voice cut through the room.

"Are you doubting my powers right now, David?"

The blue-haired woman didn’t even look at him directly as she spoke.

"My system, as you all know, allows me to see the future... and even gives me the ability to change it."

David immediately shook his head. "No, that’s not what I meant... it just seems unreal. That a boy—even if he possesses a system like us—could be capable of something like this."

Tsunade’s eyes shifted toward him.

"If that is what you truly think... then you are underestimating the power of a system."

A pause.

"And you don’t even deserve to have one."

David’s eye twitched slightly, but he controlled himself. "I was just speaking based on my own experience... as you know, my system’s abilities are... unusual."

He let out a small breath. "It rewards me based on good karma and bad karma."

Before the tension could rise further—

The teenage girl spoke.

"Forget him, my lady... but if that guy you’re talking about is that dangerous... do you think we can make him join us?"

Tsunade leaned back slightly.

Her expression remained unreadable.

"Well... if that doesn’t work out... then you already know what we have to do."

Her voice turned colder.

"You can go all out... and finish it."

She paused briefly.

"Thankfully, Yuna Akatsuki isn’t with them."

Her eyes darkened slightly.

"Otherwise... we would have to call every member from all our bases across different countries."

Silence filled the room.

Then—

All four of them nodded.

Agreement.

Without hesitation.

Just then—

Tsunade’s phone buzzed.

She picked it up.

A voice came through. "Both of them have left the house."

Tsunade stood up slowly.

"Alright... everyone."

Her gaze sharpened.

"It’s time to work."

The other four stood up as well.

Their voices echoed together—

"For a better world."

Tsunade smiled faintly.

"For a better world."

--------

[ Present ]

Arthur stood calmly in front of Tsunade, a faint smile resting on his face, as if nothing around him carried any real weight.

Then—

Suddenly—

A sharp metallic sound echoed.

A sword blade rested against his neck.

Liana’s voice followed, filled with anger. "How dare you raise your hand against us when we didn’t even intend to fight... we only asked for a simple apology for your rudeness."

Her grip on the sword tightened.

"And now you’ve gone ahead and hit... and insulted someone from the Imperius household. Do you even understand what will happen to you and your family when they find out?"

Her voice turned colder.

"Get on your knees and ask for forgiveness... this is your last chance."

Arthur didn’t move.

Instead—

He smiled.

"My family, huh...? I wish someone would actually try to do what you’re saying."

Liana’s eyes widened slightly.

Arthur tilted his head. "Also... you’re forgetting something."

His smile deepened.

"I’m not alone."

The moment those words left his mouth—

A blur of movement flashed.

A kick landed directly on Liana’s hand—

Knocking the sword away.

And then—

BAM!

A punch followed instantly, aimed straight at her jaw.

But—

Just before the impact—

Liana reacted.

She raised her palm, blocking the attack.

Even then—

Her body slid backward across the floor.

Her eyes filled with shock.

Her hand trembled slightly.

’What the hell... what kind of strength does this bitch have...?’

Julia stood there, calm and composed.

"Back off... before I twist that neck of yours."

She paused slightly.

"And just so you know... I held back deliberately."

Liana’s face turned red—

From anger.

From humiliation.

But—

She didn’t step back.

Instead—

She pulled out another sword from her spatial storage ring.

Her aura flared violently, pressure spreading across the area.

"I’ll show both of you—"

Arthur sighed lightly.

"You really don’t seem worth my time anymore... but I’m sure I’ll enjoy playing with you."

He raised his hand slightly.

"Come on."

Liana moved.

Her speed blurred.

She dashed forward—

Sword aimed straight at Arthur.

But just as she was about to strike—

A figure appeared between them.

Without warning—

Her attack was stopped.

Two fingers.

That’s all it took.

Her sword was caught effortlessly between them.

Liana’s eyes widened.

Tsunade stood there.

Her voice cold.

"On whose authority are you fighting here... and disturbing everyone present?"

The pressure in the room shifted instantly.

Liana froze.

"Lady Tsunade... we didn’t mean to cause a disturbance."

She quickly pointed toward Arthur and Julia. "They are the ones who started this—"

"That’s enough, Ms. Clington."

Tsunade cut her off.

"I’ve seen everything that happened."

Her gaze shifted toward Jafar.

"And I also know who escalated this situation."

Jafar’s breath hitched. "I... no... I was just—"

Tsunade glanced at him.

He immediately fell silent.

Tsunade spoke again. "Since you are here on behalf of the Imperius family... I will let this go."

A pause.

"But you cannot stay here any longer."

Her voice turned firm.

"Please leave immediately."

Liana’s expression twisted. "You’re telling us to leave... because of these beggars?"

Arthur chuckled.

"Using the Imperius family’s name everywhere... just because your Clington family are beggars clinging to power."

His eyes locked onto hers.

"And you’re calling us beggars... what a joke."

Liana’s face turned bright red—

As laughter erupted across the hall.

People whispered, some openly mocking, others barely holding back their amusement.

Jafar’s expression twisted.

Both of them stood there—

Grinding their teeth in anger and humiliation.

Arthur looked at them calmly. "I suggest you pick up that Oliver guy and leave... before the Imperius family finds out you’ve made a mockery of their name and decide to execute you."

For a moment—

Silence.

Then—

Liana and Jafar froze.

His words hit them.

Hard.

Slowly—

They came back to their senses.

Jafar’s face paled slightly.

He immediately turned and shouted, "You useless mutts! What are you standing around for? Go and pick up Mr. Oliver right now!"

The servants rushed forward in panic.

They carefully lifted the unconscious Oliver from the ground.

Without wasting another second—

They began to leave.

As Jafar passed by Arthur—

He stopped.

His eyes filled with rage. "Boy... don’t think this is over. You’ve insulted the wrong people today... and you will pay for it."

Arthur didn’t respond.

Instead—

As Jafar took a step forward—

Arthur casually extended his leg.

Jafar tripped.

Hard.

"Thud—!"

He fell face-first onto the ground again.

The hall exploded with laughter.

Jafar scrambled up instantly, his face burning with humiliation.

He didn’t dare look back this time.

He ran after Liana. "Liana! Wait for me!"

And just like that—

They were gone.

Tsunade stepped forward.

Her voice rang clearly across the hall. "Everyone... apologies for the interruption."

The room quieted instantly.

"The auction will begin shortly... please remain seated."

Almost immediately—

Voices rose.

Chanting her name.

Respect.

Authority.

Arthur glanced around casually.

But his eyes sharpened.

He noticed something.

There were too many waiters.

Too many maids.

Moving around.

Serving.

Watching.

’...That’s not normal.’

’I wonder why she needs this many people.’

A voice echoed inside his head.

[Host... the maids and servants here, aside from the guards brought by the guests... are all hypnotized.]

Arthur’s eyes widened slightly.

’...So that’s how it is.’

He exhaled slowly.

’Looks like we’ll have to be careful.’

Just then—

A voice reached him.

"Can I talk to you... in private?"

Arthur looked up.

Tsunade.

Julia immediately stepped forward. "I will also come with—"

Tsunade cut her off.

Her voice cold.

"I just want a little of his time... in private."

Julia frowned.

She was about to argue—

But—

Arthur spoke first.

"It would be my pleasure."

He turned toward Julia.

"Do you trust me?"

Julia looked straight into his eyes.

"Absolutely not."

Arthur nodded. "Good."

He smiled slightly. "Then let me go with her... and save me if I’m in danger."

Julia’s mouth twitched.

She sighed.

Then nodded.

Suddenly—

Arthur stepped closer.

And hugged her.

Julia froze in surprise.

Arthur leaned close to her ear and whispered in a low voice—

"Leave this place in two minutes. The guests she has called... she intends to kill them all today."

A brief pause.

"And don’t trust James... that guy is really suspicious."

Julia froze for a brief moment.

Shock ran through her mind.

A thousand questions surged at once.

’What did he just say...? Kill everyone...? What is going on...?’

But—

She didn’t show it.

She forced herself to stay calm.

Her expression remained steady.

Controlled.

As if nothing had happened.

Arthur pulled back slightly—

And kissed her cheek.

Playing along.

"I know you can’t live a second without me... but just hold yourself back, okay?"

A vein popped on Julia’s forehead.

She clenched her fist slightly.

’This idiot...!’

For a split second—

She really wanted to punch him.

But she held herself back.

She forced a smile instead.

"Of course... babe. Come back fast."

Arthur almost laughed—

But managed to hold it in.

He turned toward Tsunade.

"Let’s go, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade smiled faintly.

"Follow me."

The two of them walked away.

They moved through a long, silent hallway, away from the crowd and noise of the main hall.

Only the sound of their footsteps echoed.

The atmosphere—

Heavy.

Then—

Arthur broke the silence.

"So... Miss Sakura."

Tsunade stopped.

Her eyes sharpened.

Arthur continued calmly, looking straight at her. "You know... your dad is really worried about you. He sent me here to take you back."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"So what do you say... will you come with me quietly?"

A brief pause.

"Or will I have to drag you... and maybe even dance with you a little?"

Silence.

Then—

Tsunade stared at him.

For a moment—

Nothing.

Then suddenly—

She laughed.

A clear, amused laugh.

"You really are becoming more and more interesting... the more I get to know you."

Her gaze locked onto his.

"How did you find out...? Even the people I work with don’t know my real name."

Arthur shrugged slightly. "Sorry... but I don’t share my contacts."

Just then—

Arthur’s expression changed slightly.

He felt it.

Multiple presences.

Hidden.

Watching.

Waiting.

’...So they’re here already.’

He spoke inside his mind.

’System... show me the conditions.’

Instantly—

Notifications began appearing in front of him.