Zhang Yang sat in his hotel room, reading through the flood of online reports and comments, the corners of his lips curled in satisfaction.
Everything happening with the media buzz around Harrison was exactly what Zhang Yang had predicted.
Out of all his opponents, Zhang Yang only saw Harrison as a true rival.
As for Bruce, Nakajima Misaki, and the others—they were just background characters.
"This time, Harrison's not getting away. Unless MI5 doesn't care about saving face."
He set his phone down and headed to the bathroom for a hot shower.
Whatever happened next with Harrison and the White House, the whole world could gossip all they wanted. Zhang Yang had already completed the mission and collected his reward.
While Zhang Yang was in the shower, Harrison was just starting to wake up in the back of a black SUV.
The moment his memories connected, his hand shot up to feel for the mask on his face.
"Fuck!"
Not finding it there, Harrison cursed under his breath and climbed out of the vehicle.
At that moment, Bruce was busy directing agents and security to conduct a sweep of the White House. This was where international state affairs were discussed—there couldn't be even the slightest breach.
Losing a stolen item was one thing. But if Kaitō Kid had planted any bugs or surveillance devices in the White House, the diplomatic fallout would be far worse than the theft itself.
"Director Bruce!"
Harrison called from beside the vehicle.
When Bruce spotted Harrison standing there, he instantly recalled the earlier footage of people collapsing after Kaitō Kid used one of his tricks.
But since there were no signs of lasting harm, Bruce had just told his people to carry Harrison into the car and let him wake up on his own.
He'd done his homework. He knew this was how Kaitō Kid operated.
"Commander Harrison!"
Bruce quickly walked over.
"You okay?"
"Not really," Harrison snapped, his brow furrowed tight.
"Where's my mask?"
Bruce could only shrug helplessly and filled Harrison in on what had happened while he was unconscious. How Zhang Yang had impersonated him, appeared on livestream, and declared all those things.
By the time Bruce was finished, Harrison's neck had gone stiff from shock. His eyes were wide with disbelief.
"What the hell?"
"Kaitō Kid actually said all that live on camera?"
Bruce gave a solemn nod.
"Sorry, Commander Harrison. Your identity is out now. The media is already blowing up."
"If you don't believe me, just check the trending headlines. You're still topping the charts."
The two of them got back into the SUV. Harrison opened his phone and tapped into the most viral articles. He clicked on the video clip of Zhang Yang making his statement outside the White House.
After watching it, Harrison's scalp tingled.
This was the exact scenario he had feared most—and now it had come true.
"Shit! Why the hell did Kaitō Kid do this?"
"Was this revenge?"
His hands clenched into fists.
He hadn't even wanted to be part of this operation.
That's why he'd agreed to appear only under a secret identity. If the mission failed, he wouldn't be dragged into it again.
But things had clearly gone off script. Now he was caught in the mess, and Zhang Yang had made sure there was no clean exit for him.
Unless MI5 didn't care about its reputation at all, there was no way they'd let Harrison walk away from this.
"Commander Harrison, based on the current narrative in the media, I think you'll have to stay involved in this operation moving forward."
Bruce spoke with a steady, serious tone. "Only by catching Kaitō Kid can we put an end to this farce."
Harrison shot him a glance. He made it sound so simple.
If Harrison had truly believed he could capture Kaitō Kid, he wouldn't have resigned in the first place.
The only reason he'd agreed to help with the White House operation this time was because his former superior had repeatedly promised he wouldn't be dragged into the spotlight again.
"Director Bruce, can Kaitō Kid really be caught?"
"How confident are you that you'll get him?"
Harrison hit him with two sharp questions, leaving Bruce speechless.
He really wanted Harrison to stay on board.
Tonight's operation had proven Harrison's value. He had made several accurate calls in critical moments.
That alone showed Bruce hadn't been wrong about him. Harrison's reasoning when it came to Kaitō Kid was sharp and reliable—exactly what they needed if they hoped to capture him.
But Harrison's spirit was clearly low, and that left Bruce with a headache.
"Commander Harrison, regardless of whether we think we can do it, we have to give it our all."
"Are we really going to let our careers end in disgrace because of one master thief?"
"If that's how it ends, I'd rather fall in battle than live with that kind of humiliation."
Harrison stared into Bruce's furious, determined eyes. His heart twisted, like he'd been struck by lightning.
"Commander Harrison, I hope you'll give this some serious thought."
"The honor and record we've spent our lives fighting for—are we just going to let it be destroyed by a single thief? Can you really accept that?"
"I don't understand why you've lost your edge."
With that, Bruce stepped out of the car and shut the door behind him.
Harrison leaned into his palm and let out a long sigh.
"Bruce, you still underestimate Kaitō Kid."
He pressed his knuckles to his forehead. Bruce's words had definitely struck a nerve.
But it was still hard to find the courage to face Kaitō Kid again.
Just then, Harrison's phone rang. The call was from his MI5 superior.
Harrison's brows tensed. He answered.
"Harrison, are you alright?"
His superior's concern was clear, but Harrison sounded deflated.
"Not really, sir. Kaitō Kid tore off my mask and made a statement right in front of a livestream."
"The exact thing we feared most has happened."
The higher-ups at MI5 already understood Harrison's position and didn't place any blame on him.
After all, they still needed him in the Eagle Nation to continue leading the pursuit of Kaitō Kid.
Right now, there was no backup option. Harrison was the only one who could do it.
Besides, he was already caught in the storm. Keeping him partnered with Bruce was the best course of action.
"It's alright, Harrison. We've seen the footage."
"The global media spotlight is on you. We believe it's best you stay in the Eagle Nation and continue working with Bruce."
Harrison took a deep breath, but didn't respond right away.
"Whatever support you need, just ask. We'll back you unconditionally."
"Harrison, if you back out now, the consequences won't just fall on you—it'll damage the MI5 Investigation Bureau as a whole."
"I hope you'll consider the bigger picture. It's time to stand tall again."
Bruce's words had already begun to sway Harrison.
Now, hearing his old boss call directly, he didn't really have a reason to say no.
What's more, that old flame in his heart—the one called pride—was starting to burn again.
"I understand. I'll get back in touch with you soon."
"For now, I need to talk to Bruce—and review what was taken during the White House incident."
Hearing Harrison's agreement, the voice on the other end lit up with satisfaction.
"No problem. Wishing you both success."