A few days went by again while I was trying to find the butler's location, so I can study his character and personality and decide if he's fit to be a member of Aogiri Tree.
But it was so damn hard finding him, because he leaves, no trace when he moves around The Capital, and that's nearly impossible in such a big city.
So all I could do was ask around about places he used to come and then hope he comes around, and this just shows how much experience he has around the city.
Right now I'm on my way to a bench where the butler used to spend his early mornings, and when I reached near the bench it is occupied by an old man with fully gray hair, just like his immaculate beard. He has visible wrinkles on his hollow face, which makes him seem gentle in appearance, but his eyes are as sharp as an eagle's while sitting with a straight back looking at the rising sun with his traditional black butler uniform.
And just when I looked at him for some time, he may have felt me looking intently on him because he turned his hawk eyes at me and stared me straight in the eyes.
I just walked forward and sat down on the bench beside him with my normally emotionless face looking at the pedestrians walking around.
After a few minutes of silence, it was surprisingly the old butler that broke the silence.
"Young one, what do you think power is?" the butler suddenly asked breaking the silence.
"...Power isn't determined by your size, but the size your heart and dreams!" I replied with closed eyes and a hand on my chin.
"A hearts' size can't be determined on a few minutes, so then what is your dream?" the butler asked again questioning my dream.
"Be strong enough to be someone who even the demons would fear!" I said with determination and no hesitation while opening my eyes fully, pressuring and scaring the pedestrians walking by before I hastily stopped releasing the pressure.
"...." The old butler was a little surprised about my dream and the pressure I can release, as I'm still just a kid.
"Why do you want so much power, even more, why do you want to be feared?" The butler asked after removing his gaze on the sky and focused on me.
"Only strength can truly give one freedom and the power over one's choices, but if people don't fear you they will try to take advantage of you," I told the old butler.
"...." We just sat there and looked at the sky in silence before I asked the old man some questions.
"Do you regret it?"I asked, and as if he knows what I'm referring to he replied.
"People's lives don't end when they die. It ends when they lose faith, but I do miss them very much!" he said a little sad at the end of his sentence.
"...." Now it is my turn to turn silent thinking about his words, before nodding in a little in approval.
"What are you going to do now?" When I asked this question we both took our attention away from the now fully raised sun and looked at each other.
"I'm a man that believes it is the duty of the strong to protect the weak! I'm not weak, and definitely not the strongest, but I will still do what I can to protect the weak."
"Then how about you join me? I promise you will be able to live up to your words!" I offered the butler.
"You think it's the duty to protect the weak too?" he asked me with his hawk eyes looking intently at me, trying to spot any lies.
"No, if you give people free meals they will take you for granted and betray you without a second thought! What I'm offering are equal exchanges, like if the poor people in the slums want food or money, they have to give me information, herbs, Danger Beasts, or whatever might be useful. If they want me to protect their family from any harm, they will have to protect mine too without hesitation, or if they want to get rid of their depressing feelings of being weak and get stronger, I can help them, but if they point that power against me, then they are dead!" I told the butler a little ruthlessly about my ideology with squinted eyes, eradicating killing intent at the end.
"So how about it?" I asked him again if he wants to join me.
"I will join you!" He nodded and agreed without any hesitation.
"That was fast! Do you seek revenge for your family? I will not stop you if that's what you want." After being a little surprised, I asked him about his goal.
"No, but I do wish for a change so things like that won't happen to others, and you may be able to do it, or not. The difference between our ideologies is that mine is selfless and only wish to give others, whereas yours is to give and take so both parties gain something. I am not a person who looks down on other ideologies, because there is no right or wrong in this world, only people with different opinions!" he said with no hint of anger, so he's telling the truth.
I just nodded to his words agreeing, before I remembered i haven't introduced myself yet.
"I'm Tatsuki Zen" I introduced myself while reaching out my hand for a handshake.
"This old man is Sebastian Tian, I will be in your care." He also introduced himself politely while shaking my hand with a firm hand.
"So do you have anything to do first before we leave?" I asked Sebastian.
"Yes I have to say goodbye first, so can I meet you at the Zen clan, right?" he questioned if I live in the Zen clans territory, so he can find me later.
"Sure take you time" I nodded and then left him still sitting on the bench.