Uvogin, still seething with anger, kept muttering, "Those guys don't deserve to be called human!!"
"Although I don't usually agree with you..."
Even Phinks frowned, his browless face looking especially savage and terrifying.
"But this time, I completely agree with your decision."
"Are you two idiots?!"
Big brother Franklin said in a deep voice, "With Mog and Chrollo around, there's no need for us to act recklessly."
"They'll come up with a good solution!!"
Uvogin pursed his lips and muttered something else under his breath.
Feitan, Nobunaga, and the others did not say much either.
Seeing this, Sarasa blinked.
Someone had to do something about this gloomy atmosphere~~~
"Um, Machi..."
Sarasa rolled her eyes, then asked curiously, "When did you first meet Mog?"
"When..."
Machi was slightly startled.
The others—Nobunaga, Feitan, Phinks, as well as Franklin and Shalnark, who had joined them later—
Even Shira and Pakunoda all turned curious looks toward her.
"It wasn't that early..."
Machi lowered her head. When she saw Sarasa winking at her, she immediately guessed what Sarasa wanted to do.
Without showing it, she cooperated.
"Mog was the one who came looking for Uvogin and me. He asked if we were hungry."
"And then? Then?!"
"Then... after Uvogin said he was obviously hungry, Mog took Uvogin and me to plant rice seedlings."
"Huh?!"
Phinks turned his head in astonishment and looked at Uvogin, whose face had gone blank again.
"I couldn't tell at all. So you've actually done something like planting rice seedlings before~~~ Tsk!"
Phinks looked Uvogin over with great novelty, clicking his tongue.
Uvogin: "..."
"The food I earned through labor back then—what the hell would you know about it!"
Uvogin snapped back without any politeness.
"Labor? How rare. I never thought those two words could come out of your mouth."
"You bastard!!"
"Enough, stop arguing!!"
Franklin stepped in irritably to stop them, while Shalnark curiously asked another question.
"What kind of food did you earn through labor, Uvogin?"
"Food? It was Sticky Rice Cake."
Uvogin said casually, "We mainly planted glutinous rice back then, then Mog used the [Mochi Maker] to make Sticky Rice Cake."
"Sticky Rice Cake?!!!"
This time, not only Phinks but even Feitan abruptly raised his head.
"No wonder. I was wondering why you smelled like Sticky Rice Cake all over when I saw you that day. I knew the Sticky Rice Cake you stole from us couldn't have lasted that long..."
Phinks first came to a sudden realization, then grinned viciously as he began rotating his arm.
"Sticky Rice Cake was delicious, wasn't it, Uvogin?!!"
"Delicious, of course it was delicious!!"
Uvogin grinned and stood up. "Delicious, of course it was delicious!!"
He was clearly provoking Phinks, looking eager to fight.
"If it was so delicious, I'll make sure you remember that flavor even more deeply!!"
Phinks roared and lunged at Uvogin.
"For stealing my Sticky Rice Cake back then!!!"
"I already ate the Sticky Rice Cake anyway. You think I'm afraid of you?!!!"
Uvogin met him without fear, and the two quickly began wrestling in a heap.
Franklin: "..."
Forget it. I'm not stopping them anymore. They can do whatever they want.
Big brother Franklin gave up completely and sat down on the ground.
It wasn't like he was going to rush in and pull them apart while shouting, "Stop fighting, you two!"
Feitan had no desire to join the fight anyway. The two of them were just testing their strength one-on-one, so he would let them play by themselves.
Mm. As far as Feitan was concerned, one had stolen his Sticky Rice Cake, and the other had dragged him into playing a villain back then.
They were both bastards. He would not help either one.
In fact, if the two of them ended up badly injured on both sides, Feitan would not mind reaping the benefits.
Still, with those two making such a fuss, the mood in the room improved considerably.
"That's more like it. Better than everyone looking so miserable..."
Little Sarasa was very satisfied with her work. Mm, even though Uvogin and Phinks were exchanging fist-for-fist blows, everyone pretended not to see it.
Then, she continued listening to Machi talk about Mog.
She was genuinely quite curious.
And it was not just her. Pakunoda, Shira, Franklin, and Shalnark all gathered around.
Even Feitan moved much closer.
They were truly far too curious about this central figure who had suddenly appeared in Meteor City and brought them all together~~~
While Uvogin, Phinks, and the others had returned to the warehouse base and the two started fighting again—
Mog and Chrollo found Father Zhol.
First, they had him help the bound children find their homes again.
Then, led by Father Zhol, they went to see Elder Babagra once more.
"You truly haven't disappointed me."
Elder Babagra looked at Mog with a kindly expression.
"I didn't expect that in such a short time, you would already hand in such an excellent answer."
Elder Babagra had already sent people to take custody of the two van drivers and the tattooed man with the mole.
No one would care whether they lived or died. Their fate had long since been decided.
"I'm looking forward to the future you have your eyes on."
Babagra's words carried two meanings.
They contained both his high regard for Mog and his approval of Mog's earlier words about keeping an eye on the future.
They also implied the support he would give Mog next.
Mog had proven his capabilities through his actions.
Now, it was time for Elder Babagra to show the sincerity expected of an elder of Meteor City.
"Are you Chrollo?"
After making his promise to Mog, Elder Babagra looked at Chrollo, who stood quietly at the side.
"I've also heard Father Zhol and Mog talk about you."
The smile on Elder Babagra's face faded again as he scrutinized the younger child.
"I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions regarding Meteor City."
With Mog before him, Elder Babagra actually had little interest in Chrollo.
But since he had come here as well, and had received recommendations from both Mog and Father Zhol—
He would give him this opportunity.
"Yes."
Chrollo nodded and stepped forward.
Originally, he had not planned to come along.
Mog had stopped him and brought him here.
I know you have great ideals and ambitions...
And if you want to achieve them, you cannot do without Meteor City's help at present.
Even if you may not have realized it yet, if we want our troupe to develop better, then go earn the respect you deserve.
It was because of those words that Chrollo followed Mog here.
And now, faced with the opportunity Elder Babagra had offered, Chrollo began displaying his abilities to the fullest.
"I believe that this world is currently undergoing a communications revolution..."
Before you continue