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Everyone has a weakness.
As a transmigrator with a cheat at his back, Steven knew perfectly well that Miyano Akemi's soft spot was Miyano Shiho.
She was even willing to let the Organization pull her strings, all just to take Shiho away with her.
"Open an account."
Steven didn't rush to reveal his identity. Instead, he quietly wrote a note, slipped it inside his documents, and handed everything over.
A bank was crowded and full of prying eyes, definitely not a place for sensitive talk.
Besides, Steven intended to win Akemi over. To avoid any eavesdropping or attracting the Organization's eyes, he deliberately asked her to meet him at a designated spot after work.
"Please wait a moment."
After reading the note, Miyano Akemi tore it up without changing her expression.
Then she calmly followed procedure, handling Steven's bank card and dollar exchange as usual.
An hour later.
Steven had just stepped out of the bank when a familiar voice sounded behind him.
"Mr. Steven, all done?"
"Oh, Lawyer Kisaki. What a coincidence. I didn't expect to see you again so soon."
Steven turned around and greeted her with a smile.
Fate really was a strange thing.
"Yeah. There's a saying, better to run into a good day than pick one. Since we're clearly meant to meet, do you have time to grab a drink together?"
Kisaki Eri brushed aside her bangs and extended the invitation again.
"I've also made plans with a friend who just came from the States. She's a very popular big-name star. One more person would make it livelier. You wouldn't mind, would you, Mr. Steven?"
The States? A friend?
Steven pieced it together, and a figure instantly came to mind.
Yukiko.
There was no one else who fit Kisaki's description.
So Yukiko hadn't been affected by what happened last night? Or had she already thought it through and decided to act like nothing was wrong, living as usual?
Either way, it was exactly what he expected.
Plenty of celebrities crack after experiencing something like that. Mental breakdowns, self-harm, even suicide weren't rare.
Since Yukiko was still living just fine, that meant there would be plenty of fun later.
"Sorry, I really can't. I've got something very important to deal with later. I hope you and your friend have a great time."
Then, as if casually, he added, "If I may ask, your friend is…?"
He turned her down politely, but truthfully, he had already arranged to meet Miyano Akemi after work. There was no way to spare the time. Otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have missed the chance to get closer to Kisaki Eri.
Compared to that, Miyano Shiho was far more valuable.
"Speaking of my friend, she used to be the most beloved princess of the entertainment world. A globally famous beauty who retired at nineteen. The legendary actress, Yukiko."
When it came to her old friend, Kisaki didn't hold back on the praise.
Back in high school, the two of them were fierce rivals with equal popularity, but in private, they were inseparable best friends.
"Wow, Yukiko? She's my dream girl. Especially when she played a policewoman. Absolutely stunning. I've dreamed of getting her autograph forever, but I just never had the chance."
Steven put on an exaggerated fanboy act.
"Lawyer Kisaki, could you pass along a message for me when you see her?"
"Of course. What do you want to say?"
Kisaki agreed without hesitation.
"If you keep thinking about something, it'll echo back someday. I'm really looking forward to meeting her."
The words slipped out naturally.
"Got it. I'll definitely pass it on."
"Looks like it's about time. I'll be heading off. Bye."
Kisaki glanced at her watch and waved goodbye.
"Bye. I'm sure we'll meet again."
Watching her leave, Steven's lips curled into a meaningful smile.
He was very curious what kind of reaction Yukiko would have when she heard that message.
…
Tokyo, FBI secret base.
"What? Steven showed up at Beika Bank?"
"That bastard really has guts. Just because there's no official wanted notice, he thinks all his crimes are washed clean?"
"I suggest we move immediately and arrest Steven."
Hearing Steven's name, Jodie's emotions flared.
"Calm down. You're currently suspended and under investigation. Don't let impulse make you mess up again."
Akai Shuichi remained as composed as ever.
"I know what situation I'm in. But I can't just let a criminal walk free."
"And if we don't catch Steven, I'll never be able to clear my name."
Jodie clenched her fists, grinding her teeth in anger.
Since her service weapon had been taken by Steven, several murder victims had already been killed with that gun. For her, it was an unforgivable dereliction of duty.
Especially last night. She'd been sleeping peacefully at home, only to be inexplicably tied to two murder cases.
If it weren't for her colleagues staking their futures to vouch for her, the punishment wouldn't have stopped at suspension. At the very least, she'd have been kicked out of the FBI team. Worse, she could've been charged as an accomplice.
She desperately wanted to prove her innocence and live up to her partners' trust. That was why she'd been chasing Steven's trail nonstop.
Now that there was a lead, she wanted more than anyone to catch him, drag him somewhere deserted, and shoot him for five solid minutes.
"We're the FBI. Crime's natural enemy. We don't go easy on criminals."
"But you should also understand that Steven is meticulous and ruthless. If he suddenly shows himself so openly, he's almost certainly got a backup plan."
"Banks are crowded. It's not suitable for a rash arrest. If Steven gets provoked, with his style of doing things, the entire bank could end up paying the price."
James stroked his chin and laid out his analysis calmly.
As the direct leader of the Japan branch team, he had to think not only about his subordinates' safety, but also about avoiding mass casualties and any diplomatic fallout between the two countries.
"So we just let this perfect chance slip by? If Steven escapes again, who knows how long it'll take to find him next time."
Jodie was unwilling to accept it, but she couldn't defy James's decision.
Acting on her own would only make things worse.
"The Tokyo Metropolitan Police have sent word. They've already assigned people to secretly monitor Steven. Once his base is confirmed, they'll coordinate with the FBI to arrest him."
James wasn't stupid. The moment he got the news, he'd already dispatched intelligence agents to track Steven.
Classified intel was best kept firmly in his own hands.
"Jodie, don't worry. Whether it's the Black Organization or Steven, I'll erase them both with my own hands."
Akai Shuichi patted Jodie on the shoulder, turned, and left the room. He quietly pulled out his phone and opened a text message he'd received days ago, his expression complicated.
"If I manage to escape the Organization this time, could you be my real boyfriend and date me? P.S…"
Hopefully.
Akai Shuichi had his own mission. He couldn't help the sender of that message. All he could do was pray she'd make it through safely.
"Shu…"
Watching his back, Jodie's emotions tangled together. She called out, then stopped herself.
…
Outside Beika Bank.
Steven glanced around, then quickened his pace, deliberately choosing quieter streets.
Half an hour later, he stopped in a deserted alley.
The walls on both sides were covered in green moss. Garbage lay everywhere, giving off a moldy stench. Now and then, little "Jerry" rats darted out from the piles.
At the same time, a man at the corner stared at Steven without blinking and quickly dialed a number.
"Hello—"
Biu.
A dull gunshot rang out. The man's eyes widened as he collapsed into a pool of blood.
Two men in black trench coats appeared. The slightly heavier one held a smoking pistol.
Gin and Vodka.
"Dukang, you were careless. You didn't even notice the tail behind you. Good thing Vodka and I happened to be nearby on a mission and caught something off. Otherwise, this whole area would already be swarming with police, and you wouldn't have anywhere to run."
What a coincidence.
Steven didn't believe a single word of what Gin said, not even the punctuation.
It was obvious they'd been secretly monitoring him, checking on his task progress.
"What's that supposed to mean? Want me to thank your entire family?"
Steven picked his nose, his face full of disdain.
So what if the police surrounded him?
Worst case, he'd blow himself a path out. If once wasn't enough, he'd do it twice. If that still didn't work, building a little nuke by hand and giving Japan a taste wasn't off the table either.
With Wolf Bro's talent skills in hand, Steven wasn't worried about his safety at all.
"Watch your attitude. Is that any way to talk to the boss?"
Vodka scowled and hurried to defend Gin's authority.
"What are you barking for? Is my attitude really that bad? Gin hasn't even spoken yet, and you're yapping like a dog. The emperor isn't anxious, but the eunuch is losing his mind."
Being monitored by the Organization already put Steven in a foul mood.
Vodka just had to jump out and put himself right in the line of fire.
"You—"
"Shut up."
Gin shot Vodka a cold glare that sent chills down the spine.
"Dukang, I appreciate your arrogance, but don't forget the Organization's rules."
Inside the Organization, most members were problem children.
Without strict rules, it would've descended into chaos long ago.
Especially the action teams.
Gin spent his days running around on missions. One slip, and things would blow up, leaving him with endless headaches.
So now, Gin set emotions aside. Everything went by the rules.
"I remember those lousy rules very clearly. Anyone who exposes their identity gets cleaned up, right?"
"Relax. Don't keep that sour face like someone owes you millions. I'll arrange my mission my way. I was finally enjoying a little cat-and-mouse game, and you had to ruin it."
"And besides…"
Steven's eyes went cold. He suddenly reached out toward Gin.
With the Biochemical Demon's ability boosting him, his arm stretched impossibly long, leaving Vodka dumbfounded.
"What are you doing?"
Vodka snapped out of it, panicked, and raised his gun at Steven's head.
"Lower it. He has no hostile intent."
Gin stayed calm, gripping Vodka's wrist tightly.
An Organization gun was only meant for traitors and enemies.
If Steven truly meant harm, with that speed alone, neither of them would've had time to react before being hit.
At the same time, two questions surfaced in Gin's mind.
Was what he just saw magic, or some kind of trick?
The next second, an old man walking ten meters away was forcibly yanked right in front of Steven.
"And besides, the two of you aren't exactly that alert either."
Damn it. They'd been watched by a rat.
Hearing Steven's mockery, Gin looked at the old man, his gaze turning ice-cold.
"What are you doing? I was just passing by…"
The old man struggled, desperately making excuses.
"This isn't some restricted area. Isn't it normal for passersby to be around?"
Vodka's dense side kicked in. He couldn't see anything wrong.
"A passerby?"
Steven smiled slightly and tugged, ripping off the old man's disguise.
From the moment he left Beika Bank, he'd sensed someone tailing him.
He'd planned to have some fun with it, but Gin and Vodka showing up spoiled his mood.
"You ever see a middle-aged man wandering around disguised as an old guy? Sure, there are plenty of perverts in this country, but not many hide in the shadows just to spy on three men talking, right?"
"Gin, consider this my gift to you. No need to thank me."
Bang.
Steven kicked the man straight toward Gin.
"Who are you?"
"…"
When the man stayed silent, Gin signaled Vodka to search him.
The result came quickly.
Aside from identification, the man was carrying a service pistol.
"An FBI rat. They belong in the sewers."
Because of Akai Shuichi, Gin hated the FBI to the bone.
An exposed agent's fate was obvious.
Biu.
With a gunshot, another corpse joined the alley.
"Now that the rat's dealt with, let's talk business."
"I don't want Organization members interfering with or monitoring my missions anymore. If you doubt my ability, you can have someone else take over at any time."
Since he'd run into Gin anyway, Steven laid out his demand.
What he wanted was Miyano Akemi alive. He'd never intended to follow the Organization's script.
Thinking it through, handing the mission to someone else and sabotaging it from the shadows might actually be safer.
"Whether or not they're on a mission, all members must be monitored. That's ironclad. You don't get to decide that."
Before Gin could speak, Vodka shot it down.
With undercover incidents happening one after another, upper management had issued strict orders to tighten control.
Anyone beyond control would be treated as a traitor and eliminated.
"In that case, I'm giving up the mission."
Steven tossed out the words and turned to leave.
His arrogant attitude made Gin grind his molars in fury.
Vodka raised his gun again, only to be stopped once more.
"I'll agree to your terms. But if anything goes wrong with the mission, I'll personally blow your brains out."
Gin valued Steven's abilities and chose to endure it again.
The Organization was severely short on talent. In fact, he was almost out of usable people.
To be precise, the capable ones were either undercover or unreliable.
Like that guy Bourbon, obsessed with side gigs and earning extra cash, treating Organization missions as a hobby.
Unless it was a special case, he never joined operations.
Steven didn't respond. He simply flashed an "OK" sign.
"I really can't stand how arrogant he is, acting like he's the boss, doing whatever he wants."
"Boss, why didn't you let me shoot earlier? Dukang is way too out of control. At this rate, I'm afraid he'll bring catastrophic trouble to the Organization."
Glaring at the direction Steven disappeared, Vodka reluctantly holstered his gun.
"..."
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