Chapter 82: Peace makes more profit
Oscar then looked Blake as he spoke. "Get ready, we have another group too meet with".
Miltiades looked as she spoke. "Oh Wich group".
Oscar the spoke. "Remember when I said the White fang is split, how one group want too be treated as Equal and The Other Wants War, and how I said I will keep the war group in arm's length, Roman is part of that group, so guess who I am dealing with now".
Blake raised an eyebrow, her expression serious as she processed what Oscar had just said. "So, we're meeting with the more peaceful faction?" she asked, already understanding where this conversation was going.
Oscar nodded, a small but determined smirk on his face. "Exactly. They're not interested in the kind of destruction Roman's group is causing. In fact, they want to negotiate, find common ground with the other factions, and establish peace. But they still need leverage—something Roman has plenty of, and we're the perfect people to help them with that."
Miltiades seemed intrigued but skeptical. "How do you plan to convince them? I mean, they don't exactly have the best history with anyone outside of their own group, and you're hardly a beacon of trust for them."
Oscar's expression remained unfazed. "True, but that's where my connections come in. You forget, I've got some... assets in places they wouldn't expect." He gave a wink, clearly confident. "We'll be playing the long game, but it's a game we can win if we're careful."
Blake nodded, crossing her arms. "And you trust this faction?"
"I trust them more than Roman's group, at least," Oscar replied, his eyes narrowing. "They might have their own agenda, but they understand what it means to truly fight for their people. Roman's group is too focused on destruction and chaos. This group wants control, power, but they're more organized. And they know that if they want to win the people over, they'll need to build a future, not burn it down."
Miltiades nodded thoughtfully. "It's risky, but it might be worth it. If we help them, we'll gain some much-needed allies for the future."
Blake didn't seem entirely convinced but trusted Oscar's judgment. "I guess we'll see. When do we meet them?"
Oscar stood up from his desk and moved towards the door. "Soon. They'll be arriving shortly. We need to make sure everything is in place before they get here."
As Oscar led the way, Blake couldn't shake the feeling that this meeting could go either way. But Oscar's confidence was infectious, and if anyone could negotiate their way into a strategic alliance with the White Fang's peaceful faction, it was him.
Meanwhile, at the meeting location, the atmosphere was tense. Oscar's reputation was known to many in the criminal underworld, and while his dealings with Roman's group had painted him as a potential enemy to some, his approach to diplomacy and subtle influence gave him a reputation as someone not to be underestimated.
The door creaked open, and in walked several members of the more peaceful White Fang faction, their leader standing tall among them. A Faunus with distinctive white fur and sharp eyes, his gaze locked onto Oscar as he entered.
"Mr. White," the Faunus leader greeted with a steady voice. "I assume you know why we are here."
Oscar looked as he smiled. "Why yes, come right in, so do you like Tea or Coffee more".
The Faunus leader raised an eyebrow at Oscar's casual greeting, but his stern expression softened slightly as he nodded. "Tea, if you have it. I'm not here for pleasantries, Mr. White. We have matters to discuss."
Oscar waved his hand casually, gesturing for them to take a seat as he walked over to a small table near the window. "Of course, of course, but what's the harm in a little hospitality? It helps set the mood, don't you think?" He motioned to Blake and the others to begin preparing the drinks.
Blake gave Oscar a curious glance but remained quiet as she set up the tea for their guest. The Faunus leader's team sat down, and the tension in the room grew, but Oscar didn't seem fazed in the slightest. He poured tea for the Faunus leader, then took his own seat across from him with a relaxed posture.
The Faunus leader took the tea, though his eyes remained sharp as he examined Oscar. "I've heard a lot about you, Mr. White. You've worked with Roman and his... more aggressive faction. Now, you come to us with the promise of an alliance. What exactly do you want in return for your help?"
Oscar leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table as he thought for a moment. "What I want, my friend, is simple. The White Fang is divided. There are those who seek to make the world burn and those who want peace. I, for one, am far more interested in the latter. Peace is profitable. War? Well, war leaves no room for negotiation. You know this as well as I do." He smiled, letting the words linger in the air.
Blake, standing off to the side, watched the interaction closely. She wasn't sure how much of what Oscar said was true, but he had always had a way with words. She couldn't deny that his approach was one of the calmest ways to manage a negotiation with people like this.
The Faunus leader took a sip of his tea, his gaze never leaving Oscar's face. "You think peace is profitable?" he asked, his voice skeptical but intrigued. "Then why align yourself with people like Roman, who are more concerned with fueling conflict than resolving it?"
Oscar's expression shifted slightly, the smile still there but his eyes sharper now. "Roman's group is a necessary evil. For now, they're useful in keeping the more... volatile elements in check. But they won't be in power forever. That's why I'm here. To position you in a place where you can take control of the narrative, and when the time is right, we'll both walk away with everything we want."
The Faunus leader's eyes narrowed, but he said nothing for a long moment. "And what exactly do you want from us in exchange for all of this, Mr. White?"
Oscar smiled again, leaning forward slightly. "A little help here and there. Disrupt Roman's operations when necessary. Keep the peace while I handle the more... complicated matters. You help me, I help you. Simple as that."
Blake raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, knowing Oscar was leading them somewhere. The Faunus leader looked at him carefully, weighing his words.
"You want us to act as a stabilizing force for your plans," the Faunus leader said slowly, as if testing the waters.
"Exactly," Oscar replied smoothly. "You provide the muscle and the credibility. I provide the resources, and together, we can shift the balance of power in this city. It'll be slow at first, but in the long run, it's the most profitable option for both of us."
The Faunus leader set his cup down, his gaze never wavering from Oscar. "You're asking for a lot, Mr. White. But you're right about one thing—the White Fang needs direction. And I don't intend to waste this opportunity."
Oscar leaned back, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "I'm glad we see eye to eye. Trust me, this is just the beginning of a very profitable partnership."
The Faunus leader gave a curt nod. "We'll need more than promises, Mr. White. But I believe in action, not words. Show us what you can do, and we'll decide if this partnership is worth continuing."
Oscar's eyes gleamed. "Oh, don't worry. I'll show you exactly what I can do."
The atmosphere in the room shifted subtly, the tension now feeling more like an understanding. The Faunus leader wasn't fully convinced yet, but Oscar had planted the seed of potential. It was up to him to nurture it, and with time, he knew he'd have this faction eating out of his hand just like the rest.
Blake, noticing the shift in the mood, took a breath and stepped forward. "So, what's the next step in all of this?"
Oscar glanced at her, then back to the Faunus leader. "The next step is for you to leave here knowing that you've just made the best decision of your life. The next steps will unfold soon enough."
With that, the meeting was officially concluded, and as the group of Faunus left, Blake turned to Oscar with a look of mild amusement.
"You really do know how to sell a plan, don't you?"
Oscar chuckled softly. "It's all about knowing when to push and when to wait. The White Fang has always had a choice—they just needed someone who knew how to make them realize it."
Blake crossed her arms, still skeptical but clearly intrigued. "You really think you can trust them?"
Oscar's eyes gleamed with confidence. "I don't need to trust them, Blake. I just need them to trust me. And if they don't? Well, that's when I start pulling the strings."
Melanie looked as she walked with him and blake. "You getting good at this you know".
Oscar chuckled a faint blush on his face. "Um yeah thanks".
Miltiades then spoke looking at him. "Almost like you were born too lead, maybe not a criminal Organization but sometimes".
Oscar shrugged, trying to keep his composure, though he couldn't hide the faint smile that tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I guess I've had a lot of practice," he said, keeping his tone light. "It's just about knowing how to read people, understanding their desires and fears. Once you get that down, everything else falls into place."
Blake shot him a sideways glance, clearly skeptical but also a little impressed. "You're starting to sound like a professional," she remarked, her arms crossed. "Maybe you should stop calling yourself a 'regular guy.'"
Oscar raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile on his face. "What can I say? The regular guy just knows how to adapt." He shot a glance at Miltiades and Melanie, his tone softening slightly. "Thanks, though. I'm still getting the hang of it, but it's nice to know I'm making progress."
Melanie nodded, her eyes glinting with amusement. "You're better than I expected. I thought you were just some kid with a system, but you're handling all this like it's second nature."
"Yeah," Miltiades added with a grin, "Pretty sure you're better than some of the seasoned criminals I've worked with. Maybe you should get a new title. 'Mr. White' might be too... modest for you."
Oscar chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know about all that. I'm just doing what I have to, to survive—and to make sure all of you are safe. That's what matters most."
Blake gave him a knowing look. "You've always been a lot more capable than you let on. Maybe it's time you started believing it."
Oscar paused for a moment, his eyes softening as he glanced at his team. "Maybe you're right," he said quietly. "I've been so focused on surviving that I never stopped to think that maybe, just maybe, I'm already more than that."
Miltiades nodded. "The sooner you accept it, the better. You've got people who believe in you, Oscar. So don't sell yourself short."
Oscar smiled warmly, feeling the weight of their words settle in. As much as he tried to downplay it, the support of his team meant everything. He had no doubt that with them by his side, he could handle anything that came his way.
"Alright," he said with newfound resolve, straightening his posture. "Let's get moving. There's still plenty of work to do, and this partnership with the White Fang is just the beginning."
Blake smirked, stepping ahead of him. "Lead the way, Mr. White."
Oscar chuckled, his confidence growing as he followed them. It wasn't just about the mission anymore—it was about carving his own path, his own future. And this time, he wasn't going to let anything or anyone stop him.
To be continued
Hope people like this ch and give me power stones and enjoy