The chamber was vast—its ceiling high, its space deliberately open. A velvet-draped bed sat near a towering window overlooking the city. Bookshelves climbed the walls, packed tight with leather-bound volumes and ledgers. Incense burned from a silver brazier, thick and cloying, masking something sharper beneath.
At the center, a single man stood—short, portly and balding at the crown. His body stayed upright, hands clasped behind his back. His chin was lifted, accustomed to being obeyed.
"Who's there?" The man called. His voice carried no tremor or panic—merely irritation.
Hatori and Geo slipped in last, slowly shutting the door behind them. The latch clicked softly.
Geo turned the lock.
Danzo stepped forward, boots stopping just short of the carpet's edge. "Mushira, I presume?"
The man studied them—eyes flicking from face to face, lingering on weapons, masks, and posture. He took in the room like a man assessing odds, not danger.
A long second passed, then he nodded once. "Yes," he said calmly. "And you're trespassing."
Azumi's lips twitched.
"Not even going to pretend?" Knoxx asked, a faint grin sprawled on his face.
"You made it this far… I suppose it warrants some honesty."
With a lazy stroll, he walked over to a small lever mounted on the side of his bed.
Danzo's voice dropped a level. "Careful, we didn't come for theatrics. In an instant, he raised his hands, and the members all jumped to the side, expecting a sort of trap.
"Relax," Mushira chuckled. "I'm not so petty to put a trap in my manor. Too much money and effort."
He pulled the lever. Inside the wall, a clank sound echoed through the room, before opening a large hidden stash of APC uniforms behind his bedframe. To the right were a collection of shipment ledgers, flags and medals. To the uniforms' left, armory crates, and documents stamped from the council itself.
"There it is. Your big reveal," he said, almost calmly mocking the squadron.
He turned to face them, his arms wide.
"I'm The Lantern you've been chasing! I handle everything that flows through these docks—grain, medicine, weapons, soldiers—you name it! The APC lets me keep my cut."
Danzo gave a pitying scowl.
"In return," Mushira continued, "I give the council unlimited access to whatever they want. I own this damn district. Ability users are pathetic, letting men like us gain this much power!"
He laughed, clearly unfazed by Judgments' presence.
"Us?" Tsuki asked with a raised brow. "Who else were you meaning?"
"Wouldn't you like to know, sweetheart!" Mushira responded. "I've more than learned that keeping your mouth shut in moments like this, always proves better."
"Why not take the stage?" Danzo questioned, his hands fiddled behind his back. "Show the public the truth. The real Riche. A district leashed by the council."
"Because I already control the narrative."
He took a step closer, that smug grin carved on his face.
"You won't find evidence. We burn what matters. I am the evidence, and I control what's real! I report to the council, and tell them what they want to hear. That's how I got this throne!"
He leaned in, just enough to be disrespectful. Knoxx put his hand on a dagger, but Danzo swung his arm out to prevent any action.
"...And don't think you can kill me," Mashira laughed. "Or take me in. Harm me, and you tarnish Memento's image in a district we still have sway in. You'll push Riche right into the council's arms."
He turned away.
"Now, be good little rebels and get out."
The room was silent, and eerily so. Tsuki clenched her fists. Azumi and Knoxx both looked seconds from drawing their blades.
But, Danzo smiled. Calmly.
"...You're right."
Tsuki's eyes snapped to him. "What?"
Danzo turned to the others, waving them to follow.
"C'mon. He won."
"You serious?" Asked Knoxx, jaw dropped.
"Let's not cause a scene," Danzo responded.
Mushira let out a loud laugh, from the pits of his stomach. "Now you're catching on. Shoo. Shoo, before I call my guards," he muttered, returning to his irritated voice. His hands flicked outward like he was swatting a bug.
With narrowed eyes, and clenched jaws, the squad exited from the same window they came. Tsuki's shadows carried them silently across the lawn, and back under the gate. Her heart pounded with frustration, and the others felt the same.
Once they had reached the roads back to downtown Riche, Hatori started the questioning.
"Danzo… what the hell? We had him!" He asked with a sharp addition to his voice. Tsuki had never seen Hatori so worked up, and even then, he didn't raise his voice.
"He just admitted it all, and we let him go!" Azumi followed up.
"You all doubt me too much," he said chuckling. "You really think I'd walk into a snake-pit unprepared?"
"What are you talking about?" Tsuki asked.
Danzo pulled a rune from his back pocket, flaunting it in front of the others.
"Cool, a rune. What's it got to do with this?" Geo sighed, still his hands in tightly held fists.
"An echo rune," Danzo corrected. "Watch."
He tapped it lightly. The swirls carved on the stone began to glow, and a voice followed. Mushira's.
The squad froze. Azumi's jaw dropped abnormally low.
"Danzo… you genius bastard," Knoxx said, pumping a fist in the air. "Maybe we're not complete failures after all!"
Danzo tucked the rune away deep in his pockets. "Maybe now we've got all we need," he said, a smile still pulling at his cheeks.
Tsuki gave a quiet and genuine laugh, wiping sweat from her forehead. The last hour or so had been stressful.
The energy had changed drastically. What just a few minutes ago held edge and a blade's sharpness, now held relief and the normal banter.
They vanished into the dark of the night, aiming for the inn for some good rest. The wind tagged along, carrying the whispered confession of a man who thought he was untouchable.
They returned to the inn, quieter and tired from the night. Each said their goodnights, before heading into their rooms, resting well for the next morning.