"It was just getting good." The man murmured after he raised his gaze from his cap. "Yo, Eustass-ya. You took your time. But I can't say I'm not surprised to see you here. Care to share how many people have you killed?"

"Shut your mouth, asshole. My business has nothing to do with you. So, beat it!" Even tho the car's door was shut, I could hear a mild bickering outside.

I was half awake-asleep when I heard two voices arguing, one belonging to Kid and the other unknown to me.

"Still bad-tempered, huh Eustass-ya? Tch, so sad." The man glanced at his companion that leaned down to him and quickly whispered something.

"Already? Oh well, see you inside Red. Of course, if you'll ever get inside with that nasty attitude of yours. " The other man chuckled, leaving the redhead in total rage and despise while looking at the strangers back as he strutted inside.

It had felt like hours before a snapping voice crept to my side. Obviously not being considerate, a rough hand gripped my shoulder and shook me forcefully, making me jolt a loud 'what'.

"Oi, Y/n wake up! We are here!" I had let my eyes widen in surprise, before I automatically reached to my hair as it was used to get messy on trips during my napping.

"Oh, already?" I asked, my voice sounding as if it were coming from far away.

"Yes, so hurry." I groaned in response while I was trying to open the seatbelt. My attempt to free myself was postponed by a sudden blue car that parked beside Eustass, seconds later the familiar blond stepping out of it.

"Hey Kid! We're ready!" Echoed Killer's voice.

"Then, why are we standing here for?! Let's move!" His annoyance wasn't easily eaten back as he abruptly turned on his heels and walked towards the entrance.

_______________________________________________

The mansions differed from one another. No, that would be an understatement. They were like day and night. This was...like a castle.

Small square towers were scattered in a neat pattern, made from grey stones with build grand windows, shaped in asymmetric lines. The main gate was a bit different tho. Were there was like a Chinese made door with two wine-red columns, the door decorated in circled golden spirals and a dragon drawn on it on Kid's hideout, here it was a bit drabber, but remained in the area of a modern design. It was part wooden and part metallic, two 3 meters high gargoyles standing beside it.

We were almost at the door when a tall man, a bit unpleasant on the eye, greeted us with a laugh.

How is he even laughing with that snake-like curling tongue? Nope, don't wanna know!

"Nyororo~ Welcome!" The man spoke in a deep, but a little bit rough voice. As we came and closed the vicinity, I noticed his hair brushed back of his head and his pale skin ditto eyes hidden by a pair of small round sunglasses. He wore a magenta suit with a yellow cravat, and a revolver hung from his belt.

I gulped.

"We came as Bege told us to, Vito. Let's get over with this." Kid warningly reached to his gun, intentionally hinting on what he was going to do if they would just thing about messing with him. "I need to settle some things with him."

Use violence.

"I'm not so fond of people who give me a call early in the morning and throw me a shitty proposal out of nowhere." He half growled. "But surely he knows that."

"Threatening again." I murmured, only for him to give me a deadly glare.

Vito went on full ignorance mode and in courtesy nodded. "I see you've brought some companions Mr. Eustass. Adequate. But you know the rules..."

"Yeah, yeah I know that fucking rules of yours." He turned towards me, Killer, Heat and Wire. "Take a bath and dress nicely." Kid quickly glanced at Killer. "Did you bring all of the necessary attire?"

The blond simply nodded, then looked to the window, as if he was deep in his thoughts.

"Good. I won't have to listen again to the old man's ridiculing."

Vito raised his hand, and mildly smiled. It was evident that he tried to look at Kid sharply, but a reminder slipped to his mind. Surely angering Kid on the front door wouldn't be the wisest decision. Kid did indeed threaten him not just a minute ago. And everyone knows that he isn't that kind of a man that would just back away from his word.

"Then if you are all well informed, let's proceed inside." He bowed and indicated for us to follow him.

The entrance was mesmerizing. The floor was covered in a wooden tappet, small columns with Greek design decorated the side of the hallway. The same went for the hanging chandeliers that were reflecting the light on the large-sized picture frames that decorated the white-stony walls. At the end of it a spirally semi-large stare case went up, covered in black paint.

Even tho Shanks was successful and lived in a large house like this, it never seized to amaze me how much all off this was worth.

My fingers subconsciously brushed over the smooth, cold surface of the golden cover; my eyes fixated to every small detail.

"Y/n!" Kid's bloodshot eyes danced over me while he hissed. "Focus. We didn't come here for a show."

I shuddered, looking a bit wretched. "Sorry." Why do I suddenly feel so...disappointed?

The silence wasn't all that bad. After the redhead's warning I only focused on the rhythmic sound of boots that were hitting the ground.

"This way. Other leaders are already preparing themselves. We have arranged 5 different rooms for you. Everything you'll need is there, but if anything lacks, please call us, and we will immediately bring it."

Even tho his appearance was a bit intimidating; it was clear that he didn't lack any courtesy. He seemed to notice my uneasiness.

"Kid, let's meet in half an hour." Killer interrupted, nonchalantly leaning on the wall.

Kid drew his breath in sharply before he agreed. "Good."

"I have a question!" I swallowed visibly. After being trying to sustain the curiosity ever since we got here, I finally had the guts to speak up. "I don't get it. What are we doing? I mean..." I corrected myself. "I'm aware of this dressing up and stuff. But what I don't know is ...why?" A wave of shame swamped me, even tho I knew I had the right to ask.

Kid relented, studiously avoiding looking at me. "Of course, you hadn't met that crazy Bege. He's a clean freak. Everything needs to be fucking neat and tidy."

The explanation clearly bothered me, so having to suppress a confused grimace was nearly impossible. "Oh, that...makes sense."

Timeskip_______________________________________________________________

"Our last guests have arrived. The Red Dragon Clan." An unknown man, very large with spiky light purple hair informed the other participants. My eyes were drifting to the stone floor, as I avoided any unnecessary eye contact. I already tried to conceive how other mafia leaders looked like during the travel.

Only one glance and I would have found out. But I couldn't bring myself. I could already feel the tension rising in the air.

But when the curiosity got the best of me, I stared, wide-eyed at the group of people, sitting in split groups. They were surrounding the table that reached a bit under the knees and dominated the space, so it was easily defined who was from which gang. The large room was painted dark red, heavy looking curtains decorating the windows while number of men, all wearing black jackets, stood close to the walls, as if they were trying to merge with them any minute.

I wasn't the only one who carefully observed others. I could feel a pair of eyes lingering in my direction. After eagerly glazing from face to face I found the owner who bore at me with his unnecessary attention. The man didn't look fazed when I caught him at staring. I got the feeling that his grin even widened after the eye connection.

The only fact that took me away was him being handsome. And a bit...ominous? He was a relatively tall man with faint shadows right under his grey eyes and short black hair, sideburns and a small goatee. His hands were crossed on the chest as he was casually leaning on the white seat, his mouth forming a mild smile.

Who is that?

Chills went down my spine.

I carefully sat on the white leather couch and tried not to move so much in the new bought clothes that I had received not so long ago. The black wide-leg jumpsuit with a high-mock neck collar was soft on touch but sleek and it seemed as if it will tear any minute if I would make a sudden move.

But the stare was still present. As if he was intentionally antagonizing me.

"Yo, Kid it has been a long time, huh? How were ya doing?" chimed the pink haired girl, not bothering to stand up but just to yell from her seat.

I had enough time to guess that she was somewhere around 20 or maybe 21, the same as Kid. She was slim, with curves on right places for which many girls would gladly fight for. Her brow eyes were boring into Kid's face as he as usually responded with a grunt.

"What do you fucking think, Bonney? Cause I like to me dragged around." That shut her up immediately. For about 10 seconds. Then she directed her attention to the guy on her left. I didn't notice him until she called him 'Bartolomeo' quite loudly. In the contrast from the pinky, he was light-skinned, tall yet muscular. He had light green-colored hair made in a wild rocker style with no eyebrows.

How didn't I notice him?

His demonic looking face was extinguished by his sharp fangs and a ring piercing.

So the pinky is Bonny, the greenhead Bartolomeo and if my memory served me right... Law... I quickly glanced at him from the side, before I averted my gaze at the central empty seat....

Where is then Bege?

Luckily, I wasn't the only one that the lack of a certain presence was bothersome. "How come Capon is late?"

A deep silence fell upon the room, until a large woman, tidily dressed, though a bit eccentric for my taste, spoke up, making many heads turn: "Good day to you all! My name is Charlotte Chiffon and as many of you know, I'm Bege's wife. I would like to apologize in his behalf for his unpunctuality." Her mouth quirked into a smile. "But how kind of you to join us today. As well your companions."

A little murmur ran around the room until someone entered the room with a heavy step. Kid next to me tensed.

"Alea iacta est"

The die is cast