As he continued his exploration, he noticed the raising of protective barriers around the plaza, sturdy yet elegant in their design. This was a crucial feature, considering the clandestine work that would soon commence within its walls.
The stonework mimicked natural elements, creating a seamless transition from the surrounding environment to the architecture of the plaza itself. It was well balanced what Xavier had struck: protection without compromising the plaza's vision.
Security, after all, was imperative, as it helped in concealing his laboratory from prying eyes. That was regarding those who might trend inside or look from outside.
Who among them would know how to use this elaborate design? Surely, they would have to have the innate skills and wisdom Arthur Bennett possessed.
Yeah, and say they did. Did they also have the knowledge in science? Or what about literature and skills from the trade?
Taking a moment to collect himself, Arthur walked to the center of the plaza, his gaze drawn to an open space destined to become a central courtyard.
This area would not only serve as a gathering point but also as a hub for discussion, collaboration, and ideation among those he aimed to attract here.
Things truly started to become much clearer with each passing moment, as it became a sanctuary for his innovative mind to converge, free from the constraints of conventional expectations, and dedicated solely to pushing the boundaries of knowledge.
As he continued to roam the immense expanse of the plaza, he felt a quiet reverence for the craftsmanship emanating around him, both inside and out.
The plaza's main entrance was framed by a broad archway, embellished with arches that cascaded like waves. Frosted glass inserts captured and refracted light, giving the impression that the entire structure glistened, as if in direct conversation with the nearby sea.
Beautiful, stalwart hedges lined the paths leading up to the entrance, setting a stage that beckoned visitors to come closer.
Of course, they couldn't since things weren't finished. There were still fences bordering the entire plaza, preventing the city from looking onward.
Once Arthur stepped back inside, he ambled through the main atrium. Towering ceiling panels enshrined the space in grandeur. Natural skylights, designed to mimic the currents of the sea, bathed the atrium in soft, filtered light that created a serene atmosphere.
'Thirty million ryō,' he thought to himself.
That's how much this entire place cost him to build. That was for the materials and the labor, ten times the average price. On Earth, this would have totaled him in the billions. Surely worth more than the Mall of Tripla, located in Helsinki, Finland, or the Jewel Changi Airport, located in Singapore.
Of course, if Arthur did have billions on Earth, he would never waste it by spending it on something like a mall. His only purpose for doing this was for the sake of the laboratory, something he would use to even destroy the same nation that helped build it.
In the corners of the atrium were small alcoves furnished with benches. Arthur noted the absence of sharp edges, each piece crafted with rounded contours, carefully designed for comfort, inviting visitors to linger.
Classy, but not what he wrote in his blueprints. If this is what Xavier was trying to hide, Arthur didn't have a problem with it.
Grand, sweeping staircases also graced the atrium, each one leading to terraces that surrounded the environment. When completed, these terraces would serve as enclaves.
Arthur traversed the expansive corridors, finding many empty rooms. The unfinished garden would soon be a biophilic paradise, a space for him to grow what he needed. The floors would be lined with grass instead of mundane tiles, creating a more natural experience.
Everything had been planned out precisely, with little nooks here and there.
He took a moment to once again scan the plaza. It was time for him to ensure that his investment was safe.
As he prepared to apply his personal brand of insurance, he was acutely aware of the construction crew coming back tomorrow.
First, he moved toward the entrance archway, sliding into a narrow gap where the stone pillars met like smoky essence. It took mere moments to situate the first flying raijin mark high on the inner circumferential wall that most would never notice—a perfect vantage point, hidden from both man's eyes and critters that might dare to explore.
Next, he glided through the folds of a boxwood hedge that bordered the unfinished garden area. Dropping low, he touched the heart of one of the larger bushes, adding another mark at its core.
Although anyone could easily see the greenery, it was the kind of hiding spot where even a determined rat would tire from searching—his flying raijin marks were safe here.
From there, he floated into a nearby boulder bed that would comprise part of the outdoor water feature—simplicity in disguise. Nestled within one of the rocks, he inscribed yet another mark.
Move after move, he traversed the plaza, leaving discreet tracks, and before long, he had secured more than thirty separate marks that connected to the network he had in mind.
He placed the last one on the underside of the massive granite slab that would support the exhibition area's fountain, cleverly tucked away so that even an ingenious inspector would overlook it.
With this, he had hidden the keys to his repertoire in ways that would keep them shrouded in secrecy forever.
Once satisfied with his work, he returned to his form as John Belfort. He then straightened his garb and prepared to leave. That is, until his senses alerted him to the presence of a massive chakra source nearby.
The moment he recognized the signature, his instincts screamed at him. Mei Terumi had arrived!
'Why is she here?' he asked himself.
He was far from prepared for her timing. He knew her presence in the town was anything but coincidental. Perhaps it stemmed from her official duties, yet he also recalled the growing tension between him and the Mist Village.
Yet that wasn't enough to piece together the implications of her visit, especially since she was accompanied by two other notable figures: Ao and Chōjūrō.
The latter lacked his famed sword, Hiramekarei, lending to Arthur's stance per a discreet ruling no one could disannul.
Deciding that an inquiry was warranted, Arthur maneuvered toward a remote building outside the plaza. It was completely unobstructed and perfect for him to come out of.
He opened the door, stepping outside and allowing himself to act like the soon-to-be-named feudal lord once again.
Approaching the trio, he showed innocent surprise and said, "Well, what do we have here?" His voice was filled with cordial familiarity, yet Chōjūrō was caught completely off guard. "Is it customary now for the Mizukage to pay surprise visits to this humble part of the country?"
Both Mei and Ao were also astonished as they processed Arthur's sudden appearance.
"It's lord Belfort!" Chōjūrō stuttered, unable to mask the surprise in his tone.
The honorific he addressed Arthur held both respect and disbelief, indicating he hadn't anticipated seeing the feudal lord's successor in such a setting.
Ao, however, remained silent, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on Arthur. Then there was tension, something Arthur was keenly aware of.
He offered a polite yet sly smile to quell their thoughts.
"Yes," Mei replied with an even tone. "It certainly is interesting that you would be here, too, lord Belfort."
Her eyes showed that she was curious, but there was an undeniable sharpness beneath her polite exterior, signaling that she wasn't making small talk.
She was after Arthur's agenda.
The sudden influx of onlookers around them began to transform the encounter. Citizens fanned through the crowd as nearby townsfolk abandoned their tasks just to witness what was happening.
Some peeked from within nearby stores, while others pushed closer to catch a glimpse of the gathering.
How could they not be interested? Both their soon-to-be-named feudal lord and the Mizukage herself were present in one place.
Arthur knew this would happen, having gauged the situation. Clearing his throat to ensure formality, he leaned in and asked, "May I know what our beloved Mizukage and her fellow companions are doing here?"
"My lord, you'll have to excuse me if I'm being blunt," she said, regarding him. "It's truly your presence here that's piqued our interest."
"Then I shan't waste your valuable time," Arthur replied. "I'm here before you to see this simple yet innovative plaza."
As he spoke, his words held no conviction, allowing his aspirations to touch the crowd. It was quite wise of him to say, for now, his vision of peace consolidated with the masses.
All eyes were upon him, including Mei's, who remained stoic in her contemplation. He waited for her response with a calm demeanor. Yet her eyes darted to Ao and Chōjūrō, and for a brief moment, it seemed that no one was inclined to answer.
So Arthur pressed on, "You can tell me anything; I assure you there's no need for secrecy."
Finally, with a serious expression, Mei asked, "Is this plaza yours?"
Arthur softly chuckled due to their sudden interest.
"Why would the Mizukage and her trusted advisors care about a construction project?" he quipped.
The moment he asked, the mood quickly changed.
"Answer the question," Ao snapped with disdain.
His words startled Chōjūrō and drew murmurs of disbelief from the crowd. This was, after all, the feudal lord successor. The nerve of someone as lowly as Ao disrespecting the man who had diligently sought to better the Water Country was an affront that left many bewildered.
"Enough," Mei sternly interjected. Her authoritative tone was enough to silence the burgeoning discontent. She turned her gaze to Ao, reprimanding him for his actions. "He is still a delegated official, Ao. Mind your manners."
Ao kept a straight gaze before slightly lowering his eyes as he said, "My apologies, lord Belfort…"
It was in that moment that Arthur became uneasy; the reaction of the trio suggested that something was indeed gravely amiss. Their scrutiny felt more like an investigation than a casual visit.
'I have to know why they're here…'
Accepting the apology with a wave of his hand, he smoothly replied, "All fair, my friend. Mistakes do happen, and I'm quite used to it by now."
This caused the crowd to love him even more. Mei, however, was unmoved.
"If you have the time, my lord," she stated, "we need to talk to you in private."
With a casual smile, Arthur responded, "Of course, Mei. But I hope this isn't about my interest in public infrastructure, because I assure you, this plaza is dedicated to the needs of others."
There was a moment's hesitation since he had dropped his professional façade. Whoever Arthur truly was, he knew how to work the crowd.
"Actually, my lord," she replied in a steady voice, "we'd like to discuss something much more serious, and we're here under the auspices of a secret investigation."
"Oh…" Arthur mused, welcoming the suspicion. "And what exactly are you investigating? Surely, a visit like this requires a bit more context."
"I suppose it does," Mei answered. "But it's concerning your recent financial dealings and associations. I didn't expect you to be here, which only escalates their plausibility."
The crowd murmured, with many of them doubting what they had just heard. Arthur, however, remained unfazed as the thoughts quickly registered.
"A secret investigation on my financial actions, eh?" Arthur wondered, stroking his chin. "That sort of proceeding seems rather informal upon an appointed official. Are we really resorting to public accusations without any writ?"
Aware that the crowd was gauging his every word, tension quickly escalated. Their gazes shifted between the Mizukage and Arthur, wondering just what was happening.
"There's no warrant or any real papers involved," she admitted. "But since you're here, perhaps you'd agree to come with us to the nearest station for some questioning."
"You make it sound like I've done something wrong," Arthur said with a gentle smile.
Chōjūrō, glancing between Arthur and Mei, interjected, "It would be best if you comply, my lord. We don't want to cause unnecessary drama."
Drama was exactly what Arthur had in mind, especially now that he was being accused of something while the eyes of the plaza were locked onto the proceedings.
"Of course," he smoothly replied, "but if there's something that needs to be discussed, I would prefer to do it here, in front of the Water Country's finest—our citizens."
This suggestion ignited fervor among the crowd as cheers erupted, many voicing their support for Arthur. A few raised their fists, chanting his name, for they desired transparency.
Mei hesitated, weighing her choices, before ultimately conceding.
"Very well," she said, turning to Chōjūrō. Her advisor unfurled a scroll, summoning forth a cloud of smoke that dissipated to reveal a machine. "We can hold this discussion here, out in the open."
Arthur recognized the device as it came into focus—a polygraph test, commonly known as a lie detector!