š HEAR YE, HEAR YE, BRAVE SOULS! šāØ
š„ Let the drums of destiny roar as we welcome our newest LEGENDARY adventurerā¦ āļø Buddyschlym! āļø šā”ļø Our journey just leveled UP with their arrival!
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Liam leaned back in the passenger seat of Toji's car, his head resting against the cool glass of the window. His breathing was steady but shallow, exhaustion weighing down every inch of his body after his encounter with Sukuna. His eyes, usually sharp and calculating, were dulled, though his lips curved into a faint smirk.
"That was reckless," Toji said, glancing at Liam from the corner of his eye as he navigated through the dark streets.
"Reckless? More like genius," Liam replied, his voice hoarse but laced with satisfaction. "I just gained Shrine. A cursed technique even Sukuna considered his pride. Tell me, Tojiāwhat's life without a little risk?"
Toji snorted, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Yeah, well, you looked like you were about to keel over back there. Would've been hilarious if you died for nothing."
Liam chuckled, though the sound was strained. "Oh, please. If I died, who'd keep you entertained? Admit itāyou'd miss me."
Toji shook his head, his smirk widening. "You're delusional, kid. The only thing I'd miss is the money you owe me for that ridiculous stunt."
They exchanged more jabs, the car filling with a sense of camaraderie that neither would openly admit to valuing. It was unspoken but understood: they worked well together, a strange duo bound by circumstances and mutual respect that neither would voice outright.
By the time they pulled into the driveway of Liam's estate, the humor in the air had faded into quiet exhaustion. Toji helped Liam out of the car, slinging the younger man's arm over his shoulder for support.
"You good?" Toji asked, his tone unusually genuine.
"I'm fine," Liam muttered, though his body leaned heavily against Toji. "Justā¦ tired."
The two made their way inside, the grand halls of Liam's estate eerily quiet. They hadn't gone far before three figures appeared at the top of the staircaseāSakura, Aiko, and Akane.
Sakura's sharp eyes widened at the sight of Liam's disheveled and pale appearance.
"Liam!" she exclaimed, rushing down the stairs, followed closely by Aiko and Akane.
"What happened?" Aiko asked, her voice filled with concern.
"Did you fight someone?" Akane added, her tone accusatory as her gaze flickered to Toji.
Toji shrugged lazily, ignoring the daggers in Akane's eyes. "Don't look at me. He brought this on himself."
Liam chuckled softly, though the sound turned into a wince as he clutched his side. "Relax, I'm fine. Just pushed myself a little too far."
The three women exchanged worried glances before Sakura stepped forward and looped his other arm over her shoulder. "You're going straight to bed. No arguments."
Liam groaned but didn't resist as they guided him to his room, the weight of his exhaustion finally catching up with him.
Two Days Later
Liam's energy had mostly returned, his usual sharpness restored. He was lounging in the study with Toji when the butler entered, his expression tense.
"Boss," Leader Kong said with a slight bow. "The Zenin Clan representatives have arrived."
Liam arched an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Ah, the vultures. Let's not keep them waiting."
Toji stood, his expression neutral but his shoulders tense. "This'll be good."
They made their way to the meeting room, where Naobito Zenin sat at the head of the table, his son Naoya standing at his side. The elder Zenin exuded authority, his gaze sharp and condescending as it swept over Liam and Toji.
Naoya, meanwhile, wore a smug grin that made Liam want to punch him on principle alone.
"Ah, the infamous Toji Fushiguro," Naobito drawled, his tone dripping with disdain. "And the boy who thinks he can outsmart a clan like ours. How quaint."
Liam took a seat across from them, unbothered by the thinly veiled insult. Toji remained standing, his arms crossed, his gaze unwavering.
"Let's skip the pleasantries," Liam said, leaning back in his chair. "You're here for Megumi, right? Let's talk numbers."
Naobito's lips curled into a sneer. "We don't negotiate with stray dogs."
Liam's smirk widened. "Stray dogs? Funny, considering you're here begging for scraps."
Naoya bristled, but a glance from Naobito kept him silent.
"We're not begging," Naobito said coldly. "We're offering you an opportunity to avoid conflict. Name your price."
Liam's gaze sharpened, and his tone turned icy. "Fifty million yen. That's what I paid Toji for Megumi. I was even planning to raise it to 250 million."
He leaned forward, his smirk growing sharper. "If you want him, you'll have to outbid me. Let's sayā¦ 300 million. Minimum."
Naoya's eyes widened slightly, but Naobito remained composed, though a vein in his temple twitched. "You expect us to pay that much for a child?"
"You're the one who wants him," Liam said with a shrug. "If he's not worth it, you can leave. The door's right there."
Naobito's hand tightened into a fist, but he forced a smile. "You're bold, boy. But you've underestimated us."
Before Liam could respond, Naobito's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen and smirked.
"While you've been playing businessman, my men have been working," Naobito said, his tone triumphant. "The Kukuru Unit is already at Megumi's school. By now, they've taken him."
Liam's smirk faltered, his body stiffening. Toji's eyes narrowed dangerously, his jaw tightening.
"You didn't think this through, did you?" Naoya said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Do you really think you can fight the entire Zenin Clan? You're outnumbered, outmatched, and out of time."
Liam's mind raced, but outwardly he maintained his composure.
"Bold move," He said, his tone deceptively calm. "But you're forgetting one thing."
Naobito raised an eyebrow. "And what's that?"
Liam leaned back in his chair, his smirk returning, though it didn't reach his eyes. "You don't know me as well as you think."
Toji shifted slightly, his stance relaxed but ready, his hand brushing the hilt of his weapon.
"What's the plan, genius?" He muttered under his breath.
Liam didn't answer immediately, his gaze locked on Naobito.
"Give me a moment," He said, standing. "I'll make a call."
Naobito laughed, his tone condescending. "Go ahead. Call whoever you want. It won't change a thing."
Liam stepped out of the room, his expression hardening as he dialed a number. He waited, tension crackling in the air, until the line connected.
"Hello," He said, his voice sharp and commanding. "Yeah, it's me. I need your help... Yep. I want you to intercept the Zenin clan's move. They're making a play for Megumi, and I won't allow it. This needs to be clean and decisiveāno loose ends, no room for their retaliation."
Liam's grip on the phone tightened as he continued, his tone deadly serious. "Megumi's safety is the top priority. But if they refuse to back off, you know what to do. No mercy."
"Good. Then I will leave the children in your care."
Liam ended the call, exhaling slowly as he leaned against the wall for a brief moment. His expression softened, only to harden again as he composed himself and reentered the room.
Naobito's smug confidence faltered slightly at Liam's reappearance, his smirk twitching.Ā
"You underestimated me, Naobito," Liam said, his own smirk returning, this time sharper and far more dangerous. "That was your first mistake."
Naobito frowned, his confidence slipping further.Ā
"And your second?" Liam continued, easing back into his chair with calculated grace. "Thinking I play fair."Ā
--- ā¦ ā¦ ā¦ ---
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