The air in Abashiri Prison was thick with the stench of sweat, damp wood, and pig feces wafting in from the farm area. The guards were busy barking orders at inmates who shuffled about in their orange uniforms, heads low, eyes darting. The occasional clang of iron doors echoed through the prison, mingling with the distant sound of the Abashiri River rushing beyond the walls.

Kadokura leaned against the wall outside the administration building; his white cap sat askew on his head, and his arms were crossed lazily over his chest. He let out a long sigh, his half-lidded dark eyes scanning the activity around him with an expression that could only be described as "couldn't care less".

His gaze flickered toward the bridge leading into the prison grounds. There was movement—someone new approaching.

"Another one, huh?" he muttered to no one in particular. Whether it was a fresh-faced guard or another sorry b*stard sentenced to rot here didn't matter much to him. Either way, it meant more work.

The head jailer scratched at the stubble on his chin as he considered whether he could fob off any responsibilities onto one of the lower guards. Maybe Yamazaki—poor kid was always eager to please.