Daigo Sumeragi poured a measured amount of whiskey into his glass, his movements deliberate and precise, as if every action held some deeper meaning. He held the decanter in one hand, his eyes lingering on Ash, and with a subtle gesture, he offered. "Drink?"


    Ash shook his head, his voice calm and firm. "I prefer to keep my mind clear."


    Daigo''s lips quirked in a slight smirk, acknowledging the wisdom behind the choice. "Good instinct," he remarked, his tone laced with approval.


    Leaning back in his chair, Daigo swirled the amber liquid in his glass, the motion slow, deliberate—measured. After a brief pause, he took a sip, savoring the taste before his sharp eyes locked with Ash''s. "You''ve made an impression tonight. But impressions aren''t enough. The Keiretsu operates on power, leverage, and control. So, tell me—what do you have that makes you worth their time?"


    Ash met his gaze without hesitation, his voice steady. "The real question is—what do you need that none of them can provide?"


    Daigo''s eyes sparkled with a glint of amusement, and he chuckled softly, tapping a finger against the rim of his glass. "A bold counter," he mused, "But let''s not waste time, Shirogiri. You proved you can outmaneuver Arisaka, but now you need to prove you can be more than just a disruptor."


    The air thickened between them, the weight of unspoken tension hanging like a storm cloud, charged with expectation. Ash knew that this wasn''t just a conversation—it was a test, one that would determine where he stood in the Keiretsu''s intricate web of power. Every word, every gesture mattered.


    Daigo leaned forward slightly, his expression shifting into something more serious. His voice dropped, low and almost conspiratorial. "I have an offer. One that could change everything. But it comes at a cost."


    Ash''s fingers tightened slightly around the armrest of his chair, though his face remained unreadable. "I''m listening."


    Daigo set his glass down with an almost imperceptible sigh, his demeanor shifting as he looked at Ash, his gaze sharp and calculating. "There''s a schism forming within the Keiretsu," he began, his words measured but carrying an underlying gravity. "Old alliances are fracturing, and soon, the balance of power will shift. When that happens, those who are unprepared will fall. I intend to ensure I''m not one of them. And I need someone like you to make sure of it."


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    Ash remained silent, his posture relaxed, but his mind raced. Daigo''s words were dripping with intent, each one loaded with meaning. The Keiretsu was a complex beast—its alliances, its power struggles, all shifting in the wake of unseen forces.


    Daigo continued, his voice unwavering. "You''ve shown you can win battles of strategy and deception. But that was just a game. The real war is fought in the shadows—deals made behind closed doors, betrayals orchestrated with a handshake. I want you to work for me, Shirogiri. Not as a pawn, but as a partner. You''ll have access to resources, influence, and protection. In return, you''ll ensure my interests remain untouchable."


    The offer was tempting, but Ash was no fool. He had been navigating treacherous waters long enough to know that nothing came without a price. Daigo''s offer was an invitation into a world where power played a far deeper and more dangerous game. To accept it meant aligning himself with a man who was already preparing for a future that would likely leave little room for anyone who didn''t fall in line. To refuse it might mean closing doors that were quickly closing behind him, but it also meant becoming a target in a battle that was already well underway.


    Daigo studied him carefully, reading the silence between them like a chess player watching his opponent consider the next move. "I won''t ask twice, and I won''t offer again. Think carefully. This is a game you don''t walk away from."


    Ash exhaled slowly, his mind moving at lightning speed, analyzing the implications of every potential outcome. If he accepted Daigo''s offer, he would be stepping into the undercurrent of a far more dangerous game, one where loyalties shifted like sand beneath his feet. If he rejected it, he risked losing any chance of advancing within the Keiretsu. The stakes were high—higher than he''d ever faced before.


    After a long pause, Ash leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Daigo''s. "I''ll decide and send you a message in a couple of days."


    Daigo''s smirk deepened, satisfaction flickering in his eyes. "Good. Take your time, Shirogiri. Just don''t take too long."


    With that, Daigo lifted his glass in a silent toast, then took another slow sip, the conversation ending but the weight of his offer lingering in the air like a dark promise.


    Ash stood up, his movements fluid and deliberate, and with a single nod, he turned to leave. As he stepped out of the lounge, Kaede fell into step beside him, her gaze assessing. "Well?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity. "Are we in business?"


    Ash didn''t answer immediately. His mind was already churning, weighing the options, calculating risks. Every step he took was a calculation, and every move had consequences. He''d danced with shadows his entire life—this was no different, except now the stakes were higher.


    "We''ll see," he finally said, his voice a low murmur as they moved through the corridor. "We''ll see."