Yellow and Red

The tavern was fairly large, with over a hundred people inside. It was noisy and boisterous. The dim yellow lights swayed, stretching and shrinking the people's shadows.

Some were drinking, the clinking of glasses mingling with the sound of alcohol being swallowed. Some were playing games, their excited shouts rising one after another. Others were playing cards, while curses and laughter filled the air. The entire tavern was shrouded in smoke and reeked of strong alcohol. Everyone looked like they had nothing better to do.

Faced with Kino's assessing gaze, the nicer ones simply ignored him, while the worse ones were far less polite.

"Kid, hurry up and go home. This isn't a place for playing house."

"Hey, little guy, want to pick me? I'll give you a wonderful night."

Kino ignored the voices. He merely moved quietly through the crowd, choosing his target.

He couldn't see their strength or sense their aura, so he could only make a rough assessment based on their weapons and equipment.

Then he saw a figure carrying two swords slowly approach him, revealing a handsome face with a hint of recklessness.

The other man was playing cards, surrounded by a circle of people, with constant commotion all around him.

He paid no attention to Kino at all, focusing entirely on the cards in his hand.

"Deadpool."

Or rather, the mercenary Wade Wilson, who had yet to become Deadpool.

Kino smiled. He hadn't expected to meet his idol, Little Rascal. The man's carefree, uninhibited attitude was something he had admired in his previous life.

Without disturbing him, Kino quietly stood to the side and watched him play cards.

"Fuck, I lost again." Wade angrily slammed his cards onto the table.

"Cut the crap, Wade. Pay up." The person opposite him held out a hand.

Wade angrily pulled out a handful of loose change. It was the last money he had.

"Hello, Wade. May I bother you for a moment?" Kino asked softly.

"All right, kid. Since you didn't disturb Wade, give you one minute. If you're asking me to play house with you, I'll shave your head clean."

Wade spoke without the slightest courtesy, rambling on for quite a while. Though he hadn't become Deadpool yet, his habit of running his mouth was exactly the same.

"Take me into a laboratory." Kino got straight to the point.

"And then? Take you in there to steal some Mysterious Serum, have you drink it, and turn you into a hero? Kid, read fewer comics!" Wade laughed mockingly.

"Hahahaha..."

The entire tavern erupted in laughter.

"One million dollars." Kino raised one finger. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

The entire tavern instantly fell silent, as if time itself had stopped.

Kino calmly watched everyone's reaction.

"I can pay half of it in advance."

"Pfft!"

The tavern owner, Jason, sprayed out the alcohol in his mouth, the liquid forming a mist under the lights.

"Does this little guy even know how much a million dollars is? You only get a few thousand for killing someone."

Castle sighed. "I haven't had time to teach Young Master about this yet."

Kino looked at Wade's expressionless face. "You don't agree? Then I..."

Before he could finish, Wade lunged forward and grabbed the raised finger.

"No problem, Boss. Let alone infiltrating a laboratory, I'd have no problem killing someone."

"So you agree?" Kino smiled faintly.

"That's right, Boss. So when does the first half of the payment arrive?"

"Castle."

Wade happily watched the payment notification arrive on his phone. One million dollars. He could spend two comfortable years with Vanessa, and still have enough left to replace his equipment.

The people around them looked at Wade enviously. They had never heard of a job where you could earn a million dollars just by playing house with a child.

"By the way, Boss, what were you about to say just now?"

"Nothing. I was just going to say that if you didn't agree, I'd add another five hundred thousand."

"..."

The smile on Wade's face froze instantly. For the first time, he hated how quickly he had reacted. If he had been a little slower, he would have earned another five hundred thousand.

When he came back to his senses, Wade discovered that Kino was still looking for people, glancing around in every direction.

This time, every mercenary who caught his eye showed off their muscles and weapons. There was nothing shameful about making money.

"Boss, are you still looking for people to play—no, infiltrate the laboratory with?"

"Yes. You're the main attacker. I still need a few people to protect me."

Wade realized that this Little Boss seemed to be serious. After thinking for a moment, he spoke.

"Boss, I know someone. I lost to him in a fistfight before. He should have no problem protecting you."

"Oh? Where is he? Take me to see him." Kino's eyes lit up. He wanted to see anyone Wade considered strong.

"But he's a mutant, Boss. If that doesn't bother you."

Wade had discovered the man's mutant identity when they fought. A punch to the chin had felt like striking steel. If he hadn't been wearing hand wraps, the bones in his hand would have cracked.

"As long as he's strong enough, I don't mind." Kino answered without hesitation.

Under Wade's guidance, Kino arrived at a table where a burly man was drinking whiskey like water.

"Logan, still drinking? I've got a job here. Want to join us?"

"Cough..."

Wade slapped the burly man on the back, causing him to choke on his drink.

The burly man turned around, revealing a wild look in his eyes.

"If you put your hand on my ass again, I'll chop it off."

"You can't blame me. Your ass is just too perky. I've found a big job, and I specifically recommended you to the Boss."

Wolverine, Logan. Why was he here, and why did he know Wade? According to the Timeline, Wade should have been killed by Logan.

"So this is your boss? Playing house with some little brat?" Logan looked at Kino disdainfully. He had heard the conversation in the tavern earlier.

"Don't say that. This Boss seems to be serious." Wade hurriedly spoke up.

"Get lost. Don't make me beat you up." Logan raised his fist.

"Oh! You want to extend your little claws? Let me give them a tune-up." Wade slowly drew both swords, provoking him.

Logan also slowly extended his bone claws, one sharp tip emerging.

Kino suddenly spoke.

"Wade, stop. Wolverine, Logan, can we talk?"

"Wolverine? What a cool name. Too bad it doesn't suit you." Wade obediently sheathed his weapons, but his mouth kept running.

Logan narrowed his eyes. That was the name on his identification tag. "You know me?"

"One million dollars, plus some information I know. Help me with one thing." Kino stated his terms.

"How do I know you're not lying to me?" Logan looked at Kino suspiciously.

"Hmm, that's true."

Kino thought for a moment before saying, "The metal in your body is Adamantium, indestructible. You have an identification tag on your chest."

"When do we leave?" Logan asked directly.

"Now. Castle, prepare a car for me."

"No problem, Young Master. Are you really sure you don't need me to come along?"

Castle sounded a little worried.

"Relax. It's a simple matter. They're enough. Castle, prepare some chocolate milk for me."

"Yes."