"Don't think I don't know what you're plotting." Ito's tone was icy. As the representative of his faction, however hotheaded he was, he knew exactly what Black Tiger was thinking.
If they failed to reach an agreement with Ice Mask, would those two use their abilities to find another opportunity and pick them off elsewhere? Ice Mask might even switch sides and become part of the enemy's fighting force. Without some new opportunity, Ward 6 would be doomed to be swallowed up.
But agreeing to cooperate with Ice Mask and acknowledging him as their new leader, even in name only, carried considerable risks as well. After all, even a nominal leader could do far too much. One careless move could lead Ward 6 to destruction, and the outcome might be even worse than submitting to an outside force.
A leader had to take responsibility for every decision he made.
Yet now that all four sides had gathered and laid everything out in the open, he, who seemingly held the strongest hand, had instead been forced to make a choice as soon as possible.
"..." Louis looked ahead and waited quietly. Some decisions were for Ito alone to make.
Ito slowly raised his head, only then realizing that everyone present was staring at him. Their gazes pressed down on his shoulders like physical weight as they awaited his choice.
Ito realized that his forehead had become drenched in sweat without his noticing. "A leader in name only? Mr. Shachi didn't leave Ward 6 in my hands so I could agree to ridiculous terms like that..."
He took a deep breath, his gaze turning resolute again as he stared at Ice Mask on the ice chair. Then he kicked over the other, empty ice chair.
"If you want to lead Ward 6,