"Hey, Kikoka-san, isn't it about time you let me out?" Argo asked.
"Sorry, but we might need your hacking skills soon," Kikoka replied.
Argo was under hospital "confinement" orchestrated by Kikoka—not as a criminal, but due to her past. She'd infiltrated numerous organizations' servers, never stealing but driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, making her a person of interest to Kikoka during his Public Security days. Seizing the chance with her among the SAO victims, Kikoka secured her to keep her information contained, intending to leverage her skills later. That moment had arrived: Hachiman's group discovered Asuna in ALO, necessitating an investigation into Recto Progress. Kikoka targeted Argo, but her distrust required more than words to convince her.
"Not enough?" Kikoka asked, showing photos of Asuna and Hachiman's group.
"Anyone can fake photos," Argo scoffed.
"Maybe they need to meet you in person," Kikoka sighed.
His phone rang. "Excuse me… Kikoka here. Yes, Yomino-san, go ahead. I'll switch to speaker… Okay, you're on."
Kikoka ensured Argo could hear. She listened, arms crossed.
"So, Hachiman-kun needs you to contact some people: Klein, Egil, Silica, and Argo," Yomino said. "They were supposed to meet at Dicey Cafe, but things changed, and they need help urgently."
Argo twitched at her name but feigned disinterest. Kikoka smirked, continuing, "So Hachiman-kun wants their help, correct?"
"Yes, Kikoka-san," Yomino confirmed.
"Hachiman-kun's there too?" Kikoka asked.
"Yes," Hachiman's voice came through. "Kirito and I are giving it our all, but we need every advantage to save Asuna. I trust these friends completely."
Argo recognized Hachiman's voice, signaling Kikoka she was convinced.
"Understood. I'll arrange it immediately," Kikoka said.
"Thanks, Kikoka-san. How's the negotiation with that person?" Yomino asked.
"Just wrapped up during this call," Kikoka replied.
"Mid-negotiation?" Yomino asked.
"Yes, thanks. Showing her the call worked," Kikoka said.
"Enough, Kikoka-san," Argo interjected. "For A-chan, I'll give it my all. Get the equipment ready."
Kikoka nodded, reporting, "Negotiation successful. She's ready to act."
"Great! Hachiman-kun, the deal's done. It's on speaker, so say thanks!" Yomino urged.
"Thanks. I'll repay this," Hachiman said.
In her mind, Argo vowed, (We'll save A-chan, Haa-bo, Key-bo. I'm all in.)
Thus, Argo accepted Kikoka's request and sprang into action.
Argo first met two collaborators: Hachiman's friend and a sister-like figure. At a designated apartment, she welcomed Kikoka, Yomino, and another.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Argo-kun," Kikoka said.
"I'm Argo, nice to meet ya," she said, then, seeing Yomino, corrected herself, "I mean, please, nice to meet you."
(Haa-bo's sister figure? She's bad news. Seriously bad news.)
Yomino stared, then laughed, slapping Argo's back. "No need to be so tense! I'm Haruno Yukino. Nice to meet you, Argo-chan."
"I am Yoshiteru Zaimokuza! Pleased to make your acquaintance!" the other declared.
"Y-Yeah, hi…" Argo replied.
(Is everyone around Haa-bo like this?!)
"Call me whatever feels friendly, Argo-chan," Yomino said. "Zaimokuza-kun… do what you want."
"Got it, Boss and Zaimokuchi," Argo said.
"Boss? So uncute! Big sis is sad!" Yomino teased.
"It's fine. I can gauge people's strength," Argo said.
"Strength?" Yomino asked.
"You're a fighter, right, Boss?" Argo said.
"You can tell?" Yomino grinned.
"Even with Kikoka-san and Zaimokuchi, I wouldn't stand a chance," Argo admitted.
"Alright, Kikoka-san, you can go. We'll handle it," Yomino said.
"Understood. Keep in touch," Kikoka replied, leaving.
Argo, unnerved by Yomino dismissing Kikoka, braced herself.
"So, Argo-chan," Yomino began.
"Yes, Boss?" Argo replied.
"Talk however you like from now on," Yomino said.
"Got it, Boss," Argo nodded.
Yomino suddenly asked, "Would you die for Hachiman-kun?"
"Nope," Argo answered.
"Oh?" Yomino raised an eyebrow.
"If I died, Haa-bo would be crushed. So I can't die. Might end up dead, but I'd never choose it. So, no," Argo explained.
Yomino nodded, satisfied. "Perfect. You pass!"
"That's it?" Argo asked.
"Of course," Yomino said. "Zaimokuza-kun and I love him and want to stay with him. We don't choose or allow death because it'd hurt him. Like you said, we live to see his smile. Lend us your strength."
"For all our friends, not just Haa-bo," Argo added.
"Saying it's for Hachiman-kun was just a figure of speech. No issue," Yomino smiled.
Zaimokuza, teary-eyed, said, "I'm deeply moved!"
"Still so intense, Zaimokuza-kun," Yomino teased.
"You're a character, Zaimokuchi. Here's to working together," Argo said.
"Accepted!" Zaimokuza declared.
"Let's plan," Yomino said.
The trio operated behind the scenes, playing critical roles at key moments to support Hachiman.
"Argo-chan, infiltration date's set. Wait for Zaimokuza-kun's signal," Yomino said.
"Got it. Diving in. Zaimokuchi, pull me out if anything goes wrong," Argo instructed.
"Understood!" Zaimokuza replied.
"Boss, confirmed A-chan inside. Successfully passed the ID card," Argo reported.
"Looks like a bento delivery! Use it to infiltrate!" Yomino said.
"Zaimokuchi, hit this, and it'll ease things for Haa-bo's group. It's on you," Argo said.
"Hachiman, I shall aid you now!" Zaimokuza declared.
"Boss, mission accomplished. We're pulling out. Don't overdo it," Argo said.
"Just two left? Easy. But I won't get cocky. Thanks, Argo-chan," Yomino replied.
"Cheers! Great work, you two. Our victory!" Yomino toasted.
"Ugh, I did it, Hachiman!" Zaimokuza cried.
"Argo-chan, work for me personally, not the company. Zaimokuza-kun, I can help with a job if you want. Your efforts were stellar," Yomino offered.
Their contributions were immense, known only to Hachiman's group. Undoubtedly, they were the ALO incident's greatest unsung heroes.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
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