Outside the factory, at the temporary command center of the NYPD.
Police Commissioner George Stacy was assigning tasks to his officers, arranging the routes and operational guidelines for each team using a layout map of the factory.
The appearance of Gaia Memories—items that grant superhuman abilities—in the New York underground black market had triggered a series of chaos.
As the local authority responsible for maintaining order in New York, the NYPD naturally received information.
George Stacy, as the NYPD Commissioner, was not an incompetent official and certainly wouldn't just let things slide without acting.
Upon receiving information about this Gaia Memory transaction, he immediately mobilized the police force and planned this arrest operation.
He intended to use this as an opportunity to follow the trail, root out the entire organization selling Gaia Memories, and prevent these dangerous items from circulating in the market.
Not far from the police force, Gwen, transformed as Kamen Rider Lazer, observed the situation in secret.
During this period, Gwen had assisted Li Hua and Elena in multiple "battle operations" dealing with the Bugster Virus, and the three had become increasingly proficient in using Game Gashats and the Gamer Driver.
She was already capable of independently deploying a Game Area initially, and her ability to remain undiscovered now was because she had deployed the Game Area to envelop her surroundings, concealing herself.
This method of using the Game Area to hide one's presence was far more effective than any optical camouflage technology.
In a sense, it was equivalent to isolating another space, bearing a remarkable similarity to the Mirror Dimension inherited from the lineage of the Sorcerer Supreme.
[Kamen riders from Ryuki would be extremely overpowered then]
Gwen was only dozens of meters away from her father and the large number of police officers, yet the elite police team with all their equipment was completely unable to detect Gwen's presence.
Gwen was there, naturally, because she was worried about her father and had followed him all the way.
Gwen had inadvertently learned about the Gaia Memories from her father, knowing that the criminals George needed to apprehend this time were highly likely to possess superhuman abilities.
Therefore, she was hidden in the Game Area, observing the situation on-site so that if any danger arose, she could intervene in time.
"Gwen, what's the situation like on the ground? Do you need our help?"
Elena's voice suddenly came through the communication channel.
Gwen was momentarily stunned: "Didn't you two say you shouldn't get involved in these matters?"
Before acting, Gwen had asked Li Hua and Elina. Although they understood her concern for her father and didn't stop her, they clearly stated they wouldn't participate in the matter.
"As doctors, healing and saving lives is our duty, and combating the Bugster Virus is our undeniable responsibility."
"But conflict between humans is indeed not something we should participate in," Li Hua's voice came through.
"However, the nature of this thing that has recently appeared, which grants people unusual abilities, and what its influence is, remains to be verified," Elena immediately supplemented.
"If the power of this thing is entirely controlled by the user, then any conflict that arises originates from humanity's own desires and struggles."
"Just like all other weapons developed by humans, the key to any destruction caused is not the tool, but humanity itself.
"No matter what happens, it is absolutely not something we, as doctors, should interfere with. Conflicts initiated by humans and the resulting targeting are not something we can resolve."
"But it is also possible that this thing has properties similar to the Bugster Virus that influence humans, posing a danger to humanity as a whole."
"In that case, for doctors, it is also a 'virus' that needs to be excised."
"Of course, no matter what, the Bugster Virus remains the threat we should be most concerned about, especially since we are short on personnel," Li Hua said with a measured tone.
"So, you want me to use this opportunity to find out exactly what is going on?" Gwen asked thoughtfully.
"Exactly. If you run into any trouble, we can support you anytime," Elina said cheerfully.
"Actually, I might not even need to show myself."
Gwen felt a warmth in her heart: "My father has mobilized the elite officers of the NYPD for this operation; it might go very smoothly and result in an arrest."
"Besides, even if something unexpected happens, it shouldn't be harder to deal with than a Bugster monster, right?"
"That's good. I hope there won't be any accidents."
"If it truly reaches a point where one person can't handle it."
"You can notify us, and we'll go over directly to help." The sound of flipping through medical records could be heard as Li Hua spoke.
Elina echoed: "That's right."
Jim walked into the empty factory and, as agreed, gave the signal.
Dex Role emerged with a few men in black suits.
"Only you came alone?" Dex's eyes moved slightly, but he suppressed his eager thoughts.
All Gaia Memories are sold by the organization, which certainly possesses extremely powerful Gaia Memory abilities itself, so there was no need to take risks.
Jim's heart tightened, but he appeared perfectly composed: "It's just a transaction; one person is enough."
"Is this the advanced Gaia Memory with greater power that your organization spoke of?"
Dex's gaze was fixed on the briefcase in Jim's hand.
Jim nodded and, following his superior's instructions, said: "That's right, Mr. Dex."
"However, I need to remind you that the more powerful the Memory, the greater the burden on the user."
"It's best to prepare and adapt slowly before truly beginning to use it."
Dex waved his hand, somewhat impatient: "You don't need to worry about that. Let's just start the transaction."
A subordinate behind him opened a briefcase, displaying the US dollars inside.
Jim was about to open his case and begin the transaction.
A sudden change occurred.
Over a dozen ninjas, fully clad in black tights, seemed to burst out of the shadows from thin air, surrounding Jim from various directions.
Their target was clearly the Memory in the briefcase Jim was holding.
"Damn it, it's the Hand! They're after the Memory?" Dex immediately recognized the identity of the ninjas by their characteristic attire.
"Open fire! Stop them!"
Dex's subordinates immediately pulled out pistols and fired at the suddenly appearing ninjas.
However, these Hand ninjas moved swiftly and eerily, their figures like ghosts.
Dex's subordinates reacted too slowly and couldn't lock onto the ninjas, only shooting wildly.
They could only slightly restrict the Hand ninjas' movements. After the bullets in their clips were emptied, several people were immediately hit in the throat by shurikens and fell during the reload gap.
"What's going on? Why were these ninjas ambushed at the transaction location?" Jim demanded, clutching the briefcase, and questioning Dex.
"I fucking want to know too!" Dex's face was extremely grim as he watched his subordinates fall one by one.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted all around, suppressing the Hand ninjas for a moment.
This was because other underworld factions, who had been lying in wait coveting the Gaia Memory, heard the gunfire. Knowing that someone had initiated the conflict, and fearing they would be preempted, they immediately took action.
However, as they began to act, they discovered that many of their own men had been silently assassinated by killers in the shadows.
Upon noticing the Hand ninjas, they immediately identified the perpetrators.
After suffering heavy losses, they collectively and tacitly turned their focus onto these ninjas.
Nevertheless, these gangs were still pushed back in the face of the well-trained Hand ninjas, and members were occasionally assassinated by hidden killers in the shadows.
"What should we do now?" Jim asked anxiously, seeing the situation becoming increasingly complex.
"Don't worry, leave it to me," Dex sneered.
"If it were before, facing the Hand's assassins, I wouldn't have any real means of resistance."
"But after gaining the power of the Gaia Memory, what difference does the Hand make?"
"Once I deal with these interfering bastards, we can continue the transaction."
"What's the situation? A fire fight? Black-on-black violence?" George Stacy's expression changed upon hearing the gunfire, and he guessed what was happening.
"Notify everyone to move out immediately, enter the factory, and proceed with the arrests."
"Report, we've found a large number of gang member bodies around the factory."
"However, their wounds are all from blades, and judging by the condition of the bodies, it looks like they were assassinated silently."
The police who entered the factory quickly discovered the bodies of many members of other gang factions, who had been killed by the Hand while trying to get a piece of the action.
"The Hand?" George immediately thought of this notorious, mysterious organization of assassins in the New York underground.
"Everyone remain vigilant and ensure no one is alone."
"I will immediately lead the main force for support."
He immediately grabbed his sidearm and led the main force of the NYPD, entering the factory through the main entrance.
"They're fighting, and the NYPD has moved out." Rumlow listened to the exchange of fire coming from the factory and watched the large number of police officers flooding in, a slight smirk on his face.
"We can pretty much move now. Remember, we are now special personnel of the Department of Homeland Security."
The Hydra agents embedded within SHIELD, disguised as special personnel of the Department of Homeland Security, also began their operation.
(End of Chapter)