"I have obtained a complete layout of the target's estate, including the terrain and the building schematics. Take a look... Once you've memorized everything, we'll assign roles. I don't need to stress the importance of this mission—just follow the plan exactly as instructed..."
Kenichi Miura, dressed in a sleek black suit, addressed the individuals gathered in the room.
Among them were the leaders representing Turkey and India, along with their respective subordinates.
To be honest, at first glance, Miura didn't look like an intelligence operative at all. Instead, he had the demeanor of a refined British gentleman—a stark contrast to the rugged, action-oriented agents from Turkey and India.
However, underestimating this man would be a grave mistake. Miura was the textbook example of a deceptive Japanese agent—masking his cruel, calculating nature with a polished and cultured exterior. A wolf in sheep's clothing, the perfect embodiment of a "civilized beast."
His background played a key role in shaping him. Though born into a prestigious Japanese family, he came from a branch line. This meant that while he had access to some family resources now, his early years were marked by hardship after his household fell into decline. However, his family—keenly aware of his potential—sent him abroad for education. When he eventually proved his talents and transformed them into real power, the main family took notice.
This explained why, despite his elite lineage, he ended up working as an agent for Japan's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office (CIRO). It wasn't just because the Chief Cabinet Secretary personally invited him—it was also because of his own ambition.
Over the past decade, Miura had established himself as an invaluable asset to Japanese intelligence, particularly in Europe. His refined manners and striking looks, coupled with the psychological techniques he mastered during his MI6 training, allowed him to navigate European intelligence circles with remarkable ease. Thanks to his abilities, he had played a crucial role in advancing Japan's geopolitical strategies across the continent.
This was precisely why CIRO had pulled him out of his European operations and reassigned him as the Japanese team leader for this three-nation alliance mission—to abduct Castle.
They needed a proven specialist like Miura to manage the Turkish and Indian operatives and ensure the mission's success.
At the moment, Miura was briefing the Turkish and Indian leaders inside the room, using a large satellite map of Castle's beachfront estate. This high-resolution image, taken from a reconnaissance satellite, detailed every inch of the terrain.
"The estate where our target is currently residing belongs to a man named Robin Masters. Like our target, he is a best-selling author, but he is not our concern. He is currently not in Hawaii…
"As of now, there are seven people inside the estate. Aside from our target, there is one person we must pay special attention to—John Wick. You should all have reviewed his dossier before departure. This man is highly dangerous. Before retirement, he was widely regarded as the world's deadliest assassin, specializing in close combat and night operations. We cannot underestimate him…
"As for the remaining five, they are newly hired bodyguards. Strangely, no matter how hard we searched, we could not find any records on them. This is something we must take seriously—"
"Enough already. Just tell us when we're going in," the Indian team leader, Malatika, interrupted impatiently. "You're making a big deal out of nothing. So what if there are five bodyguards and a so-called 'world's best assassin'? I refuse to believe these few men can stand against our twenty-man strike team."
Malatika, an agent from India's intelligence agency, wasn't an easy character himself. Born into the Kshatriya (warrior) caste, he had initially hoped to take command of the three-nation strike force. Given that most of the operatives had assembled in Bangalore before deployment, he saw a prime opportunity to assert dominance.
Unfortunately for him, he lost out to Miura—not because of numbers, but because Miura's sheer skill and intelligence earned him command. This loss left Malatika bitter, and ever since, he had resented the Japanese agent for stealing his spotlight.
Now, hearing Miura methodically analyze what he saw as an easy target, Malatika's blood boiled. He completely abandoned the cautious mindset a seasoned field operative should have and began boasting recklessly.
"We've already studied John Wick's file. That was years ago! Recent intelligence shows he's spent the past year playing house and taking care of a kid. Miura-san, do you really think a man like that is worth fearing?"
"And those five bodyguards? So what if we can't dig up their records? Do you seriously think a few unknowns can stop the best operatives from three nations? This is our elite team! Do you really believe a novelist, his 'retired' assassin friend, and some nameless bodyguards pose any real threat to us?"
"You're too cautious, Miura! That's not how a leader should think. Caution is for situations where the enemy is evenly matched. But we hold every advantage here—our target doesn't even know we exist yet. Why are you acting like we're walking into a death trap?"
Before Miura could respond, the Turkish leader, who had been momentarily cut off by Malatika's outburst, chimed in:
"I agree with Malatika. Miura-san, there's no evidence our plan has been compromised. That means the enemy isn't even aware of our presence yet. While caution is important, you yourself confirmed during reconnaissance that the target has shown no signs of heightened security. If that's the case, why are we treating them like a formidable force before we've even begun?"
Miura smirked internally as he watched these two idiots align their positions. Perfect.
If Turkey and India had sent truly intelligent, strategic operatives, Miura would have been much less pleased.
After all, if the operation succeeded, who would take the fall if something went wrong? These two fools and their men, of course.
The truth was, despite their bravado, both Turkey and India had been serious about selecting operatives for this mission. These were highly trained field agents—not reckless amateurs. However, since this particular operation demanded execution rather than deep strategy, the team was naturally composed of action-oriented personnel.
The real issue was that Miura had deliberately positioned himself as the "brain" of the team from the start, frustrating Malatika, who had aspired to command. Now, Malatika's wounded pride was clouding his judgment, making him more reckless.
Feigning patience, Miura responded in an unhurried tone, subtly pushing Malatika further:
"Our equipment will arrive in a day, and we'll need another day to familiarize ourselves with it. The soonest we can launch the assault is in three days. I don't see any harm in overestimating our enemy—it ensures we remain tactically prepared."
Predictably, Malatika took the bait.
"Miura-san, if you lack confidence in your own team's ability to complete this mission, then let us handle the assault," he declared arrogantly.
The Turkish leader, seeing his Indian counterpart take the lead, quickly followed:
"Indeed! The warriors of the Ottoman Empire fear nothing. We can conduct the assault alongside our Indian allies. Your men can remain in a support role."
Miura's expression remained neutral, but inwardly, he was beyond satisfied.
These two morons had just volunteered to lead the most dangerous part of the mission.
But, of course, he couldn't let them think they had won too easily.
"Impossible," Miura countered. "Our brave warriors from the glorious Empire of Japan do not fear battle! We do not ask how strong the enemy is—we only ask where they are!"
Malatika, now fueled by the support of his Turkish ally, became even more aggressive.
With nearly two-thirds of the team supporting him, he felt emboldened.
No way was he going to let that damned Japanese agent take the lead.
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