CIA Headquarters, USA
Linna watched the video of Zhao Min's press conference and smiled faintly.
She had to admit—the March Ant Company's response was quick. Just from the situation alone, it was clear that something was wrong inside the University of Tokyo.
The university had done an excellent job of redirecting public attention. Shifting focus onto the March Ant Company aligned with the opinions of many, so aside from the Chinese authorities, no one stepped forward to question the University of Tokyo.
But while that trick might work on ordinary people, it didn't fool the professionals. In fact, it had only highlighted a flaw for those watching closely.
They had already suspected the "Satan" virus was linked to the University of Tokyo and had dispatched agents to investigate. Progress had been good—they'd already narrowed it down to the Institute of Artificial Intelligence.
Just as Linna was enjoying the video, her phone rang.
"Director, Rukawa—one of the escaped members from the University of Tokyo's AI team—has been apprehended. He confessed that the 'Satan' virus originated from their lab."
"As expected. Did he have the source code?"
The source code of the Satan virus was incredibly important. Ever since the outbreak in Japan, it had been clear: this virus was as dangerous as a digital nuclear weapon.
If they could get the code, it could be turned into the ultimate tool for cyber warfare. That's why they'd invested so much in tracking it down.
"No, the source code is in the hands of their team leader. But Rukawa revealed something else."
"What is it?"
"He said the virus isn't actually called 'Satan.' Its real name is 'Azure.' And it's not a virus—it's a runaway artificial intelligence."
"What?" Linna shot to her feet, visibly shaken. "What did he say?"
"Yes, ma'am. I'll send you the video now."
Ten minutes later, Linna sat in silence, her expression grave.
She contacted the agents monitoring the University of Tokyo and confirmed that the entire R&D team had been taken into custody by Japan's special forces. The Japanese government clearly knew what was going on.
Removing the drive with the video, Linna stood and left her office.
"'Satan' is actually an artificial intelligence created by Japan?" President Trump stared at Linna, clearly stunned.
"Yes, Mr. President," Linna confirmed.
Immediately after receiving the intel, she had ordered agents to track down the source code through Murakami—the AI team's leader—but the response was swift: Murakami and his team had already been secretly taken into custody by Japan's special forces.
It was now impossible to obtain the AI through conventional means. They would have to resort to diplomatic pressure—or government-level coercion. Only then might Japan hand it over.
Artificial intelligence was a cornerstone of future development, and whoever controlled it would take the lead.
The March Ant Company had already built its empire on AI. Now there was another high-level artificial intelligence program—this time in Japan. It was a golden opportunity.
"We must obtain this AI," Linna said. "But with the R&D team under Japanese control, we'll need to pressure them diplomatically—demand both the team and the program code."
"Are we certain about the intel?" Trump asked.
"Absolutely. Our investigation traced 'Satan' to the University of Tokyo. We narrowed it down to the Institute of Artificial Intelligence. Then we captured a key team member who confirmed everything." Linna handed over Rukawa's profile and interrogation footage.
Trump skimmed through the files and nodded.
"I'll contact Japan's ambassador immediately. We'll demand they hand over the R&D team and the 'Satan' virus code. Send a team to assist onsite—we must acquire this AI. But make sure we keep the truth quiet. We don't want the public to know it's an AI."
Trump understood the stakes. If the truth got out, it would backfire—after all, he had just used the Satan virus as an excuse to sanction the March Ant Company under claims of national security.
It had only been two days since that announcement. If it turned out the virus came from Japan, the entire sanction effort would collapse, and he'd be left red-faced.
Japan — Prime Minister's Meeting Room
The mood in the room was heavy.
The Satan virus had originated from the University of Tokyo's Institute of Artificial Intelligence. This revelation meant that the disaster had been their own doing—entirely self-inflicted.
Prime Minister Anbei looked especially grim. He knew more than most people in the room.
"Satan" was a quasi-advanced artificial intelligence. That wasn't necessarily good news, nor bad—it simply meant the program wasn't fully mature.
The Americans had already discovered that the team behind the virus was Murakami's group. Their government was now demanding that Japan hand over the entire team for extradition to the U.S., on the grounds that the virus had attacked American infrastructure and harmed U.S. interests.
Anbei wasn't sure whether the Americans knew the full truth—that "Satan" was actually an AI. If they did, handing over the team would be like feeding meat buns to a dog—there'd be no getting them back.
But if they refused to comply, they risked U.S. sanctions, or worse—exposure of the secret.
The U.S. held far more sway over Japan than most realized. No one could say how many cabinet members might be loyal to American interests. In any case, every anti-American prime minister in recent history had failed to complete their term.
Anbei himself leaned pro-America, and that stance had protected his position so far.
"Any suggestions?" he asked the room.
Silence.
These were seasoned politicians—they weren't foolish enough to speak up. They didn't know which side would prevail, and the wrong stance could end their careers.
"Perhaps we could allow American agents to come and interrogate the suspects here," someone finally offered. "We assist them and keep everything under observation."
South China Sea — Sanya
Chen Mo and Xiao Yu were having breakfast when Ink Girl's voice came from the phone.
"Good morning, Master."
The AI's holographic projection appeared above the phone.
"Morning," Chen Mo replied. "Any updates?"
"The University of Tokyo's AI team has been detained by the Japanese government. One team member escaped and was later captured by U.S. agents. The Americans are now pressuring Japan to hand over the AI team and the source code of 'Azure.'"
"Azure?" Xiao Yu asked curiously between bites of breakfast.
"That's what they actually called the 'Satan' virus," Chen Mo explained. "It's not a normal virus—it's an out-of-control artificial intelligence developed by the University of Tokyo. The networked machine learning system spiraled out of control and triggered a global digital disaster. The public still believes it was just a regular virus."
"So that's what caused the internet catastrophe." Xiao Yu's eyes widened in realization. "No wonder the University tried to frame us. They were just looking for a scapegoat."
She had been unsettled these past two days because of the bad press surrounding the March Ant Company. Their honeymoon had taken a backseat so Chen Mo could monitor the situation.
"What will you do now?" she asked.
"Send the intel to Zhao Min. She'll know how to handle it. Still, I didn't expect the Americans to find out."
The U.S. had captured a researcher and learned that "Satan" was actually an AI. Now they were pressuring the Japanese government, hoping to acquire it. But Chen Mo had no intention of allowing them to succeed—he couldn't let the AI fall into anyone else's hands.