Davis wasn't joking. It wasn't just an insult or a taunt—he actually brought out the twin-ram zun, and he really did bring dozens of dogs into the old water plant.
And those dogs weren't just strays either. They were well-known breeds, commonly used in police training—mainly German Shepherds and Dobermans.
That's when everyone realized Davis wasn't just mocking Bruce—he genuinely transported all those dogs there.
[Why is Davis challenging Kaitō Kid? Is he being used like a pawn, just like the Yamaguchi-gumi was?]
[What the hell? If Davis was being pressured from above, would he still be taunting Bruce like this?]
[Davis called Bruce and the FBI agents dogs—he's clearly doing this to get back at them for arresting Pritt!]
[He even put the twin-ram zun on the table. There's no way Kaitō Kid doesn't show up!]
[Are those dogs professionally trained? If so, with their hearing and sense of smell, they'll definitely detect Kaitō Kid!]
Davis's challenge instantly became a global hot topic. Speculation ran wild as people eagerly waited for Kaitō Kid's response.
When Zhang Yang woke up and saw Davis's challenge, he couldn't help but laugh.
"Comparing Bruce and the others to dogs—and then actually following through with it… this Davis is something else."
Although Bruce's current predicament was largely thanks to him, Zhang Yang still found it hard not to laugh when he saw the news coverage and public reactions.
Zhang Yang pulled up Davis's challenge post. When he saw the twin-ram zun, he was genuinely a bit stunned.
A twin-ram zun from the Shang Dynasty of Dragon Nation—only two remained in the world, and neither was in Dragon Nation.
"If I remember correctly, the other one should be in a museum in the Island Nation."
Zhang Yang shook his head with a smile. After all those years of invasion and war, too many of Dragon Nation's cultural relics and treasures had ended up abroad.
The system hadn't made any sound yet, so Zhang Yang didn't immediately respond to Davis's challenge.
By noon, after he finished the lunch delivered by the hotel, the system finally chimed in.
[Ding]
[Challenge mission received: Accept the challenge from Davis of the Eagle Nation. Steal the twin-ram zun and return it to the Dragon Nation Embassy!]
[Mission benefit: For the next twenty-four hours, you can use the max-level Beast Mastery skill!]
[Mission reward: Permanently unlock the Beast Mastery ability, starting at Level 1!]
Once the system's voice faded from his mind, Zhang Yang picked up a napkin, wiped the corner of his mouth, and got ready for action.
There was even a mission benefit—temporary access to max-level Beast Mastery.
This skill had always felt kind of useless to Zhang Yang, so he'd never exchanged for it or paid it much attention.
But now, with Davis gathering so many dogs, being granted temporary access to the max-level Beast Mastery skill was the perfect gift at the perfect time.
"The dogs Davis brought in might just become his biggest headache."
Zhang Yang's lips curled into a smirk. The max-level Beast Mastery skill allowed him to completely command those dogs.
The stronger the dogs, the smoother tonight's operation would be.
"Mr. Davis, the abilities of Director Bruce and Director Harrison aren't something you can challenge by just dragging in a few dogs."
"If you don't believe it, I'll prove it to you tonight!"
As soon as Zhang Yang made his public response, the internet exploded—everyone had been waiting for Kaitō Kid to accept the challenge.
[Oh my god! Kaitō Kid really accepted Davis's challenge!]
[Damn, this is gonna be good! If Davis's dogs actually manage to detect Kaitō Kid, Bruce and Harrison are going to be completely humiliated!]
[Davis is ruthless. Even if he doesn't catch Kaitō Kid, just detecting him entering the water plant means he's already won most of the battle!]
[Poor Bruce and Harrison. They're about to be publicly shamed again!]
[Serves them right. They did nothing back at Pritt's villa and let Kaitō Kid steal the goods—totally deserved!]
Bruce and Harrison immediately saw Kaitō Kid's response, and both of them were fuming inside.
With that many dogs tied up at the water plant, there was no way they wouldn't detect Kaitō Kid.
If that happened, then they really would be just as Davis said—less useful than a bunch of dogs.
"Shit! That bastard Davis! I'm going to confront him right now!"
The more Bruce thought about it, the angrier he got. He slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
But Harrison reached out and pressed down on his arm.
"Director Bruce, if you go to Davis now, he's just going to humiliate you again."
It was obvious now—Davis was deliberately trying to provoke and shame the two of them.
Even though Bruce held the title of the Eagle Nation's top agent, Davis clearly didn't take him seriously.
If Bruce went to him now, he'd only be walking into another round of mockery.
"But what are we supposed to do then?"
"Just sit here and wait? Let Davis's dogs catch Kaitō Kid while we get laughed at by the entire world?"
Bruce couldn't bear to even think about it. If that happened, he'd never be able to show his face again.
The so-called "top agent of the Eagle Nation" being outperformed by dogs?
And the worst part was—Davis really had brought in dozens of dogs. With their heightened hearing and sense of smell, it was almost certain they would notice Kaitō Kid's presence.
Which meant the outcome was practically set in stone.
"Director Bruce, there's an old saying in Dragon Nation: the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind."
Harrison looked up, eyes glinting with a trace of confidence.
"You don't actually think Davis can catch Kaitō Kid, do you?"
"Bruce, Kaitō Kid will definitely show up at the old water plant. We can set up an ambush nearby. Once he's done and tries to slip away, we make our move."
"Trust me, Davis won't be a match for Kaitō Kid."
Even though they hadn't seen any trace of Kaitō Kid the night before, Harrison chalked it up to bad luck.
As for Davis, no matter what preparations he made, Harrison was sure he wouldn't be able to catch Kaitō Kid.
But now that Kaitō Kid had accepted the challenge, it was guaranteed he would appear at the old water plant.
There was no need to cooperate with Davis or even go into the plant.
All they had to do was set up a perimeter around the area. Once Kaitō Kid slipped away after completing his mission, Harrison believed that's when he'd let down his guard.
After hearing Harrison's plan, Bruce immediately called it brilliant.
"Yes, Director Harrison, your plan is perfect!"
"As long as we catch Kaitō Kid, all the criticism and mockery will disappear on its own!"
"Fuck! That bastard Davis—once I catch Kaitō Kid, he's next on my list!"
Bruce's expression turned fierce. Davis was the first person to insult him this badly.
News outlets around the world were covering the showdown between Davis and Kaitō Kid at California's Water Plant No. 4.
Bruce and Harrison were also mentioned in the coverage, but so far, neither of them had made any public statements.
So no one knew yet whether they would take part in the capture operation—or join the battle at the old water plant.