The operation to capture Gin failed due to an inadvertent error by Agent Camel.
By nine o'clock that evening, Moroboshi Dai—also known as Akai Shuichi—was a hunted man, exposed as an undercover FBI agent pursuing the Organization.
At that precise moment, I was in Sherry's laboratory, a three-hour drive away.
I was there on recent business, but the timing could not have been worse.
—That detestable man. Was he really FBI? I wonder if he even had authorization to investigate on Japanese soil?
—I hardly think that is the priority right now, owner of this body.
I conversed silently with Furuya-san, my lips never moving.
The advantage of this telepathy was that no one could detect it. It was a brilliant technique, allowing me to ask for instructions even while speaking face-to-face with Gin.
It seemed the news had reached Sherry simultaneously. She kicked her chair back violently, shooting to her feet in a panic.
"That man... He deceived my sister...!"
"I will handle Miyano Akemi."
"Impossible! My sister is the one who brought him into the Organization! Not even you can protect her now, no matter what you do!"
That was my weak point.
I am a combat specialist. While they respected my standing, I held no authority when it came to organizational decisions.
Deep within my subconscious, Furuya Rei nodded in agreement, his expression grim.
The only remaining option was to fake her death and place her under the protection of Public Security.
But Public Security had no valid reason to save her.
She was merely a rank-and-file member, with no background as a NOC.
Even if we cut a plea deal, she possessed no intelligence of particular value.
Perhaps we could force the issue somehow by leveraging Furuya-san's negotiation skills...
Next Step: Would you like me to continue translating the next section, or should we refine the internal dialogue between the narrator and Furuya regarding the "Public Security" justification?
"What should I do? My sister... my sister is going to die."
"I'm heading there immediately. You stay here; it's too dangerous."
She nodded innocently, like a small child.
The situation was critical. I had to hurry.
—I'll drive. It's going to get a little rough, but you don't mind, do you?
—Yeah. I'm counting on you.
I jumped into the car, leaving my belongings behind, and switched personas.
In an instant, the RX-7 roared out of the spacious parking lot at full speed.
The laboratory was situated in a remote mountainous region, surrounded by passes filled with sharp hairpin turns and steep descents.
The way he attacked the corners with a smooth drift made the car look like the "White Comet."
Or rather, the scene was straight out of an Initial D race.
It might not have matched the Tofu Shop's "Panda Trueno," but his driving was spectacular enough to warrant a guest appearance in the series.
Yet, the distance remained an insurmountable obstacle.
Even cutting the travel time from three hours to two wouldn't get us there on time.
Rum was involved in this matter as well.
With someone present who treated time as sacred, things would move quickly... and we wouldn't make it.
Sure enough.
By the time we reached the pier, it was already past midnight.
The other party to the deal was gone, and even the federal agents staking out the location had completely vanished.
The abandoned factory was entirely empty.
Nothing remained but a few bloodstains on the ground.
Only the Japanese police were there, setting up blue tarps and cordon tape.
Given the late hour and the lack of onlookers, silence hung heavy in the darkness.
A single woman stood watching the crime scene from a distance.
It was Miyano Akemi.
"Hello."
"!!? You... the Organization's executioner, the Wolf-Dog!"
She recoiled violently, using her bag as a shield while eyeing me with extreme caution.
I was under the impression that Furuya Rei and Miyano Akemi were childhood friends. Did she not remember him?
Inside, Furuya-san wore a complicated expression. I couldn't tell if he considered her reaction a blessing or a curse.
"It appears 'Rye' has already fled."
"...That is correct."
"Will you allow me to take you into custody?"
Given the situation, my only option was to fake her elimination and then place her under protection.
Sherry might hold a grudge against me, but I intended to reveal the full truth once her sister was safely settled at Professor Agasa's house.
When I vaguely conveyed this intention to Furuya-san, he looked at me with puzzlement.
—I also support restricting information, but why not tell Sherry about the protective custody immediately?
—So she can meet her true savior.
—Wait, do you possess precognition along with your physical abilities?
No, I didn't. I simply had knowledge of the original story, but I would keep that buried deep.
It seemed Furuya-san was beginning to suspect my enigmatic behavior, which often appeared to anticipate events before they occurred.
That was what made dealing with detectives so terrifying. Though, admittedly, my own hastiness was the greater problem.
Miyano Akemi trembled visibly, staring at me with stiff shoulders.
"...Are you going to kill me?"
"Well, if you resist, I may be forced to."
"!"
The moment Miyano Akemi took a step back, I executed that secret technique of the manga world: the "Neck Chop"!
That fictional strike that renders an opponent instantly unconscious with a single tap—thud.
I had learned it from Master Goemon, though Furuya-san had retorted angrily, "I can do that too!"
Really? Even Vermouth had mastered it. Why could everyone do this move?
I hoisted Miyano Akemi's body like a sack of rice and made a call to Gin.
"I have secured Miyano Akemi. Since we are in this situation, I am thinking of disposing of her as a warning message to the FBI. What do you think?"
"...Kukuku. Well done, Bourbon. Send them a film documenting her gruesome death."
"Understood."
One phone call, and approval was granted in ten seconds.
Furuya-san's eyes widened. "Does Gin trust me that much?"
Trust truly is power. I would invite him for a drink tomorrow; a good shipment of the liquor Gin preferred had just arrived at the usual shop.
—What will we do about Akai Shuichi?
—That detestable FBI agent? Sending him the fake murder film is fine. It is the price of his recklessness; he deserves it.
—Isn't that a bit too harsh? Our image with the FBI will deteriorate significantly.
—We aren't in a position to reveal our identity as Public Security anyway. Eliminating any suspicion surrounding us is a crushing victory.
Was that really true???
Wasn't there a chance Akai Shuichi would hold such a grudge that he'd snipe me from behind?
Well, even if he did snipe at me, I could dodge the bullet by sensing the air movement, even without seeing it.
The other problem was the excuse I would offer Miyano Shiho for the time being.
I could fix things later, but she would undoubtedly loathe me to death.
"...Fine. I'm counting on you to contact Public Security and arrange things skillfully, owner of this body. —Say what you will, but eliminating any potential suspicion from Gin is a major gain."
Swirl and flip.
With a sensation akin to passing through a revolving door, I swapped control with Furuya-san, bringing him to the surface.
When he opened his eyes slowly, his appearance suggested to any onlooker that he was a completely different person.
Sharp eyes radiating iron will, a stance overflowing with confidence and power, and a smile playing on his lips that carried a note of defiance.
He grabbed the phone and dialed a number unfamiliar to me.
It was likely the secret line for Public Security.
In his capacity as Furuya Rei of the Secret Police, he began to speak in a tone that could only be described as commanding:
"...Kazami, can you hear me? I have an emergency case. There is something I need you to prepare within one hour."