Ma Hongxian's expression twisted violently. His hands clenched. His eyes burned.
The "elder sister" he'd trusted—his confidante—was his enemy all along.
No wonder she was always out of reach.
No wonder nothing ever added up.
He felt like a fool.
Coldness surged through him, as if he'd been hurled into the bottom of an abyss.
He wanted to deny it.
But the truth hit harder than any Genjutsu.
He stood trembling, hatred and rage coiling together in his chest.
He turned to Hikaru Uchiha, eyes blazing.
"Thank you. Now I'm going to find Qu Tong—and end this."
Hikaru gave a calm nod. This was exactly the reaction he expected.
But his voice remained steady and cool:
"Chief Ma, I understand your rage. But Qu Tong isn't just anyone.
She's connected to forces even you might not see."
"If you want vengeance—you'll need a plan."
Ma Hongxian's fists loosened slightly. Logic began to cool the flames.
He wanted to lash out. But he knew… Hikaru was right.
This couldn't be solved with raw emotion.
And worse still, his grandfather—Ma Yuanlu—might still be alive, suffering in Qu Tong's hands.
Pain and fury tangled inside him.
But before he could spiral again, Hikaru placed a steady hand on his shoulder.
"Need help thinking? I have an idea."
The words were simple, but they cut through the noise in Ma's heart like a breeze cutting through mist.
He looked up, confused.
Why was this stranger helping him?
What did he really want?
But… did it matter right now?
So he nodded.
"I'll accept your help… whatever the cost."
Hikaru didn't explain. He didn't need Ma to trust him—
He just needed him to play his part.
Because this wasn't just about revenge.
This was about setting a trap.
Hikaru already had the plan in place.
Qu Tong didn't yet know Ma Hongxian had recovered his memories.
Chen Duo was officially still a "company asset." That made her the perfect misinformation tool.
So here was the idea:
Stage a defeat: Make it appear Ma was overpowered by Hikaru and Chen Duo.
Let "company agents" arrive to recover him (via planted comms).
Qu Tong's network inside the Company would surely act. They'd extract Ma from custody—thinking he was still under control.
That's when Hikaru would follow the trail—and end it.
A clean information gap.
A perfectly laid ambush.
Hikaru explained all of this to Ma and Chen Duo.
Ma immediately agreed.
But Chen Duo hesitated.
Returning to the Company—even as a ruse—terrified her.
The memories. The silence. The cages.
Hikaru knelt and looked her in the eyes.
"Don't worry. I'm not asking you to go back—just to relay a message.
No one's taking you anywhere. Not while I'm here."
His voice was steady. Final.
Chen Duo felt her fears vanish like mist.
She nodded, eyes clear. "Okay."
To ensure the message reached the right ears, they agreed:
Once Ma's allies arrived, Hikaru would defeat them publicly.
Then Chen Duo would report Ma's capture, baiting Qu Tong's inner circle into action.
If all went well, Qu Tong's agents would "rescue" Ma—and Hikaru would trace them back to her lair.
It was safer than waiting on blind leads.
After all, if the Company quietly executed Ma before Hikaru could find her, everything would be lost.
And they knew Ma had reinforcements coming.
Fu Rong and the others had already sent a message:
"Watch out for that man—Hikaru is dangerous."
Ma had only smiled bitterly reading it.
So careful. So thoughtful.
But some disasters come whether you prepare or not.
He never expected to work alongside the "danger" they warned him about.
But here they were.
With the plan set, Ma Hongxian bowed deeply.
Not out of formality—but with heartfelt gratitude.
He looked Hikaru in the eye.
"I don't know your motives… but without you, I'd never have remembered.
Never known the truth. Never stood a chance."
Then, he hesitated.
"I… I have a personal request. Something selfish."
But Hikaru waved his hand.
"If it's selfish, then forget it."
Ma blinked. Then sighed.
He understood.
There are some things that cannot be begged for.
Only earned.
"…Then I'll go. I'll wait for Fu Rong's message and return when it's time."
Hikaru gave a simple nod.
Ma turned and walked away.
Hikaru watched him disappear over the ridge.
This was his fight now. His life.
Hikaru wasn't his guardian.
They made a fair trade—Divine Mechanism Refinement for restored memory.
A deal was a deal.
With Ma gone, Hikaru turned to Chen Duo.
He gently ruffled her hair.
"So… what now?"
Chen Duo's eyes sparkled.
"I want to walk around town. Eat ice cream. Play games…
There's so much I want to try!"
She looked down shyly.
"Is that… too much?"
Hikaru chuckled.
"Not at all."
She had changed.
Her mind might still need time.
But her body—once ravaged by Gu-toxin—was healed.
For her, this was only the beginning.