"Morning~ Uzuki~"
Duan Mu yawned and habitually called down to Uzuki below.
"Yo, Boss Duan Mu."
But unlike usual, the one replying today wasn't Uzuki. It was the broad-shouldered Habutae, carrying a tray and dressed like a server. "Long time no see. Have you missed me?"
"Boss Duan Mu! And me too—we're back as well!"
The moment Habutae finished speaking, Diao Ao and several underlings jumped out.
"We've returned victorious."
"Boss Duan Mu, the northern Rukongai is ours from now on!"
"Boss, I brought you plenty of the north's finest liquor. But while you were sleeping, Brother Iwao secretly drank several bottles."
"What do you mean, secretly drank? As Duan Mu's big brother, isn't it only natural for me to drink some of his liquor?"
"..."
The incredibly noisy greetings instantly woke Duan Mu, who had still been somewhat groggy.
Looking around, he saw that the tavern was packed. Not only were all the seats taken, but the aisles and the rear courtyard were filled with groups of two or three as well. They watched the battles on the ring in the courtyard while drinking and cheering... The entire tavern was so noisy that Duan Mu felt an intense wave of irritation.
Yet at the same time, he actually felt a little nostalgic.
The scene before him really did feel like something he hadn't seen in a long time.
Habutae acting as a server;
Daimaru maintaining order with several underlings;
Iwao occupying the high chair in front of the bar with his underlings, preventing anyone from disturbing Uzuki;
And Takahashi, beloved by everyone, keeping the atmosphere lively throughout the tavern...
Familiar faces he hadn't seen in some time were scattered throughout the tavern.
The new customers who had arrived while they were gone had completely lost their former arrogance in