Gran Tesoro, a street in the VIP district.
After a brief spell of chaos, the tourists and local residents gradually returned indoors, their hearts filled with unease.
The Praying Hands squad that emerged from the suddenly fallen Landing Pod was so distinctive that most people obediently accepted their control.
The Praying Hands squads secured all the key positions, while Tesoro's suited underlings, the Tesoro Guards, were ordered to cooperate, allowing the lockdown to proceed relatively smoothly.
Almost every route was sealed off. Apart from the Praying Hands squads occupying the major intersections, only the Tesoro Guards remained on the streets, patrolling.
"Big Brother, is this really going to be okay?"
Six guards in black suits were patrolling a street. One with a mohawk cautiously questioned the squad leader.
"...Don't let those 'things' hear you say that."
The flat-topped squad leader, wearing sunglasses, bit down on his cigarette. He was deeply conflicted.
What the hell was this... How did we end up involved with a monster like that?
Their Boss, Tesoro, had a "legal identity."
But cooperating with Bondrewd, the first Ten-Billion-Berry Century Criminal in eight hundred years, was another matter entirely.
"...But."
"No buts. You know Lord Tesoro's rules."
The rest of the squad fell silent too.
Tesoro was a tyrant who could send his subordinates to their deaths for any reason, such as "laughing before he did."
Whether the World Government would settle accounts with them was a problem for later. Disobeying could get them killed right now.
"Shurururu~"
A "big head" emerged from the nearby wall, like a ghost passing through it.
"-M-Mr. Tanaka!"
The nearly three-meter-tall "Chibi Big-Head Doll," dressed in a black military police uniform, landed before the squad with a sinister smile.
"I believe I heard someone saying a few things that weren't very supportive~"