At the G-1 Branch, Aequus was handling paperwork as usual.
Christa was peacefully taking an afternoon nap.
Brick was working up a sweat on the training grounds.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew into the G-1 Branch.
The breeze drifted into Aequus's office and circled around.
Aequus sneezed and raised his head from the paperwork.
"Why does it feel a little creepy? Am I imagining things?"
Aequus thought it over. By now, no one should have dared cause trouble at the G-1 Branch.
So he paid it no further mind and lowered his head to the documents.
The breeze slowly drifted away again, wandering around the base.
Finally, it left, circling reluctantly above the G-1 Base a few times before departing for good.
Zou, the Mokomo Dukedom.
Pedro and his two companions, who had returned home, were now sitting before a large cat.
He was called a cat, but with that scarf-like mane, he looked more like a lion.
There were also his sharp teeth and the savage scar across his face.
He was a truly ferocious sight.
"Boss Nekomamushi!"
Pedro and his companions gazed at the big cat before them, their eyes brimming with emotion.
"Ah, you three finally decided to come back?"
Cat Viper's voice was low, like a big cat's purr.
"Boss Nekomamushi, we..."
Pekoms was eager to blurt out everything to Cat Viper.
Zepo and Pedro reacted quickly, clamping their hands over Pekoms's mouth.
You can't tell him yet, you idiot!
We need to reconnect with Boss Nekomamushi first!
The two glared at Pekoms in exasperation.
But their actions only made it more obvious that they were hiding something.
Far too obvious.
The already scant joy of reunion on Cat Viper's face vanished completely.
"What exactly happened? Speak!"
He turned stern, like an enraged lion.