The Necessary Lie
The incident with Gin at the Baker Street arcade confirmed Conan Edogawa was the highest-priority target—both for Kaito to protect and for the Black Organization to eliminate. Kaito needed scientific certainty regarding the APTX 4869's effects.
Kaito leveraged his General's authority and his family's vast, private medical network. He arranged a highly confidential, mandatory health check for all children attending the local school district, specifically targeting Conan.
In a state-of-the-art Tenryuu medical facility, masked as a routine check-up, blood samples were discreetly drawn from Conan. The General's orders ensured the samples bypassed the standard lab and went directly to the secretive, deep-underground research facility beneath the Tenryuu Tower.
The AP-X 1111 Initiative
Deep below the city, Dr. Elara Vance, the brilliant molecular biologist, received the biological asset. Her eyes, usually detached, lit up with scientific curiosity upon examining the sample.
Kaito, monitoring her via a secure comms link from the Sky Lounge, received the definitive report.
"General Kaito," Dr. Vance reported, her voice resonating with professional awe. "The sample confirms a biological miracle. The cellular destruction caused by the drug is not random apoptosis; it is a programmed genetic restart. The drug is a key that unlocks the human genome's reverse-aging mechanism. It is genius, and it is terrifying."
"Can you replicate the process and, more importantly, create an antidote?" Kaito asked.
"With your current resources—the unrestricted funding, the custom synthesis machines, and the complete data sets—AP-X 1111 will succeed. I can guarantee a stable, reversible shrinking compound and, eventually, a permanent antidote. But this will require the deepest security."
Expanding The Hound
The clash with Gin proved the Black Organization had tactical killers. Kaito knew John Wick, the Captain of The Hound, was an unmatched force, but the Serpent had many heads, requiring specialized counter-units.
"Shiori," Kaito commanded. "The threat has diversified. We need specialized acquisition. We are expanding The Hound into dedicated operational divisions. Each division requires a Captain with a unique mastery."
Shiori, already anticipating the strategic need, confirmed the acquisition list was ready.
"The Dragon Throne's reach is absolute," Shiori stated. "We have provided the necessary leverage—untraceable sanctuary, unlimited operational budget, and purpose—to recruit the world's most dangerous specialists."
Kaito acquired four new division Captains, each assigned a specific, high-risk role within The Hound, all reporting directly to John Wick:
Agent 47 (Acquisition Codename: The Ghost): Recruited to lead the Infiltration and Disguise Division. His unmatched ability to infiltrate any location and flawlessly assume any identity made him essential for gathering intelligence from the highest security tiers of the Organization.
Agent 007 (Acquisition Codename: The Charmer): Recruited to lead the Counter-Intelligence and Deception Division. His mastery of espionage, counter-surveillance, and high-level social deception was needed to plant disinformation and track the Organization's political connections.
Caine (Acquisition Codename: The Blade): Recruited to lead the Unconventional Combat Division. His terrifying skill set in close-quarters, weapons-agnostic fighting was the perfect counter to any ambush or unexpected confrontation.
Ghost (Codename: The Phantom): Recruited to lead the Military Strategy and Covert Ops Division. His expertise in military tactics, psychological warfare, and establishing secure operational perimeters was crucial for large-scale interventions.
The operational arm of the Cerberus Network—The Hound—was now complete. Led by John Wick, it possessed the ultimate spectrum of lethal and tactical force, ready to defend Kaito's assets and dismantle the Black Organization's entire structure.
Kaito looked at the schematic of the newly expanded command structure. The chessboard was set. He had the scientific key, the General's shield, and the world's most formidable tactical force waiting for his command.