Note: Don't Forget to join my Patreon.com/flokixy to get access to +50 Advance Chapters or unlock the full story from the shop support so I can bring more Chapters for you
At the headquarters of JNN (Japan News Network).
The station director burst into the office, shouting loudly, "Mizuno!"
"What's the matter, Director? You seem so urgent," asked Mizuno Reina, JNN's ace reporter and host. She was highly praised on Japanese social media and often referred to as the "First Beauty of JNN" by many netizens. But in reality, she was also known as Honda Eri, an undercover CIA agent.
"I've received an urgent tip-off—there's been a large-scale gunfight reported in the suburbs of Tokyo. Dozens of police officers are already heading to the scene."
"Hurry up and take your team there. Get the first-hand scoop, and don't let other stations beat us to it!" the director shouted hastily.
In this era of booming self-media, much of the news was first reported on independent platforms. However, traditional media outlets like JNN still held significant sway over public opinion. Their reports were considered more reliable and trustworthy compared to the chaotic and sometimes unreliable self-media.
News had a time-sensitive nature. While traditional media might not compete with the speed of self-media, they had to outpace their rivals in the industry. For a case involving dozens—or even hundreds—of police officers, sending their top reporters was essential.
Mizuno Reina's heart skipped a beat. Could this be the CIA's assault on the organization's research facility? She hoped this wouldn't jeopardize her undercover work.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she responded with a quick "Yes!" and immediately mobilized her entire reporting team.
Meanwhile, on a street in Tokyo, inside an SUV...
Gin sat in the passenger seat, smoking cigarette after cigarette, while Vodka, sitting in the driver's seat, received a phone call. After listening to the report, he hung up and urgently relayed the information to Gin.
"Boss, the intel we received is correct—someone is attacking our research facility!"
Gin nodded coldly, simply saying, "Let's move."
"Yes!"
Vodka grabbed the walkie-talkie and began issuing commands. A convoy of over ten vehicles quickly set off toward the suburban research institute.
Gin stubbed out his cigarette, his expression darkening.
"Ahh, Sherry... you'd better not die. I want to kill you myself!"
---
At the suburban research institute, the mercenary squad led by Fujihara Tōru was in the middle of cleanup operations.
Simultaneously, they were planting C4 explosives throughout the facility. Once they left, the entire building would be destroyed to erase any traces of their presence.
The security personnel at the institute were merely trained civilians, equipped with subpar weapons. Against Fujihara's elite special forces unit, they stood no chance and were swiftly neutralized.
As for the researchers—they were like sitting ducks.
"Bang—"
Fujihara kicked open a door, cautiously stepping inside with his submachine gun raised. Upon seeing the setup of the room and a pair of metal handcuffs hanging from the railing, he muttered softly, "Hmm?"
He walked over to inspect the handcuffs. One end was attached to the railing, but the other was empty.
Soon, Fujihara discovered a garbage chute just large enough for a child-sized body to pass through.
"It seems she escaped not long ago. Heh, Sherry, you can't run forever."
Fujihara smirked and left the gas chamber. His mission wasn't just to eliminate the researchers—he also needed to retrieve important documents.
He soon arrived at the largest laboratory in the facility, filled with bottles, vials, and computers that were still running. The researchers had already fled.
Fujihara began rummaging through the pile of finished drugs, tossing useless ones onto the floor until he found what he was looking for.
A red-and-white capsule labeled "APTX4869."
Since the Black Organization didn't know about the drug's secondary effect of shrinking the human body, they treated it purely as a poison. As such, it wasn't considered particularly confidential and was left out in the open.
As a double doctorate holder, Miyano Shiho (Sherry) wasn't only responsible for developing this toxin. She also worked on legitimate pharmaceutical projects that could be patented and sold for profit. Such a large organization required vast sums of money, and Miyano Shiho was a legitimate researcher in her field.
After securing the APTX4869, Fujihara turned his attention to transferring files from the computers. However, these files were heavily protected, requiring passwords to copy. Cracking them within a short timeframe was impossible.
And if the wrong password was entered three times, the files would self-destruct.
But Fujihara had no intention of wasting time. He promptly dismantled the computer and removed the hard drive.
Just then, his phone vibrated.
Before the operation, he had blocked all incoming calls except one. Whoever was calling him now could only be one person.
"Boss, what's so urgent that you're calling me during the mission?"
"Wick, take out your tablet."
Fujihara followed the order and pulled out a small tablet. Data connected, and the screen displayed a live feed of Tokyo's streets. Dozens of police cars with sirens blaring were speeding toward the research institute.
Fujihara had anticipated this. It was inevitable that someone would call the police once the cleaning operation began. This was, after all, just outside Tokyo, not some remote wasteland. The police would arrive sooner or later.
But Fujihara knew this wasn't what Spencer wanted to show him.
The satellite footage switched to another scene—over ten black SUVs were lined up, racing toward the same location.
Fujihara's eyes narrowed. "Are these members of that organization? Has our plan been exposed?"
Spencer's tone remained calm, but the anger in his voice was unmistakable. "There's a mole in the CIA!"
"How many people were involved in planning this operation?"
"I assigned it to an operational team."
"That complicates things. Any one of them could be the traitor."
"For now, leave this matter to me. I'll find the mole. How dare they interfere with a CIA operation—it's audacious."
Director Spencer's voice turned icy. "...It seems equipping you with heavy firepower was the right decision, Wick. Teach them a lesson. Let them know the price of interfering with the CIA."
"Understood!"
"Did you retrieve the target items?"
"Yes."
"Good. As expected, you're the most trustworthy, Wick."
Spencer praised him.
Fujihara didn't respond, simply hanging up the call.
"From Spencer's tone, it's clear he doesn't take the Black Organization seriously."
"But that's understandable. As the head of the CIA, why would he care about an international crime syndicate? To him, they're nothing more than stray dogs."
"Heh, this organization isn't simple at all. Just look at the things they're researching—they're likely tied to deeper, darker forces. Let them fight amongst themselves."
Fujihara chuckled.
"When the clam and the oyster fight, the fisherman benefits. With Director Spencer leading the charge, a small operative like me won't attract too much attention. Hopefully, their clash will expose more secrets."
After planting the last C4 bomb in the lab, Fujihara contacted the mercenaries via the channel. "New orders from above—reinforcements are coming. We need to ambush them."
"Roger!"
The mercenaries didn't ask unnecessary questions. As long as they were paid, they would follow any order.
After finishing the cleanup, the seven-man team regrouped.
Fujihara gave them a rough estimate of the enemy's size. "Our objective is to inflict maximum casualties, then retreat immediately."