"Beep—beep—beep—"
Clang!
"Hello."
Hearing the hoarse male voice on the other end of the line, Hydrangea, who was holding the landline receiver, seemed to steel herself. She spoke in a grave tone.
"Is the price we discussed last time still valid?"
"Honest with young and old alike, fair to children and the elderly. Who's the target?"
The man's reply sounded rather casual. It was clear he had been in the relevant line of work for a long time and was not worried that his attitude would ruin the order.
"The Third Tsuchikage."
"."
Hearing that name, the other end of the line fell briefly silent. Just as Hydrangea thought the other party would be cowed by the Third Tsuchikage's reputation and call off the deal, the man's voice rang out again. Compared with the careless tone from when he had first answered, there was now an inexplicable note in it.
"That'll cost extra."
"No problem!"
Hydrangea's face lit up at his words, and she hurriedly sent over the battlefield coordinates.
"That's a bit far. If I travel normally, it'll probably take a day or two—"
"I can pay extra."
Understanding the meaning behind the man's words in a single second, Hydrangea immediately blurted out the standard answer.
"I like clients like you. I'll take off right now and arrive within five minutes."
"Wait!"
"Hm? What else?"
Faintly hearing a burst of noisy electronic sounds through the receiver, Hydrangea looked around. After confirming no one was listening through the walls, she covered the receiver and said in a low voice, "About the amount on the expense invoice."
"Oh, I get it~ I get it. Just give me one point back when the time comes."
"A pleasure doing business!"
"A pleasure doing business."
Clang!
After hanging up, Hydrangea let out a long