Accompanied by a slight spatial fluctuation, Uchiha Kazuhiko's figure appeared inside a high-end employee apartment. Simultaneously, a stream of information was transmitted into his mind.
[Host's background modified to: Member of a secret special forces team under Umbrella Corporation headquarters, dispatched by high command to execute a mission in the Hive alongside the Umbrella Strike Team.]
[Current timepoint: One hour before entering the Hive.]
After receiving the relevant information from the system, Uchiha Kazuhiko left the apartment and headed to the nearby Umbrella Corporation facility in Raccoon City, intending to rendezvous with the waiting Umbrella Strike Team.
Upon seeing Uchiha Kazuhiko, the seven strike team members all frowned, their gazes turning to their leader, the black commander, James Shade.
Before Captain James could speak, the hot-tempered woman from the original story, Rain Ocampo, pointed at Uchiha Kazuhiko and asked with a mix of anger and amusement,
"Boss, is it April Fool's Day? This is the special forces member we waited half the day for? A primitive still using cold weapons?"
"The file says so, though I can hardly believe it myself," Captain James replied, opening the micro-computer on his arm, calling up the personnel files to check and confirm Uchiha Kazuhiko's identity.
Rain walked up to Uchiha Kazuhiko, looking down at him from her slightly greater height, and said in a scornful tone,
"Hey, kid, we're going on a very dangerous mission, not playing house. I suggest you stay here and wait for us. Don't hold us back."
The undisguised contempt in her words made Uchiha Kazuhiko narrow his eyes slightly.
Although he had little interest in bullying ordinary people, he knew that to have a say in the upcoming mission, he first needed to Intimidate these soldiers who respected strength above all.
He had already planned to find an opportunity to establish his authority. Now that someone was volunteering to walk right into the line of fire, it saved him some trouble.
"Heh," Uchiha Kazuhiko let out a light laugh, retorting mercilessly,
"The corporation wasn't too confident about this mission, hence they sent me. It seems their arrangement was indeed correct. If it were just relying on you trash, you'd likely mess up the corporation's important business."
"Kid, what did you say?"
"Bastard, you looking for a beating?"
The soldiers who could join the strike team were all hot-blooded individuals. Faced with such arrogant provocation, they all rolled up their sleeves, ready to teach him an unforgettable lesson.
Confronted by the angry strike team, Uchiha Kazuhiko showed no fear and continued to provoke them:
"Don't agree with me? That's fine. I'll give you a chance. Come at me together. If you can beat me, I'll take back what I said."
This time, even the steady Captain James was provoked into burning anger, looking at Uchiha Kazuhiko as if he were an idiot.
"Kid, I can handle you by myself." Rain was furious. She lunged forward, closing the distance in a flash, and threw a punch aimed at his face.
Her punch was fast, but only by ordinary standards. In Uchiha Kazuhiko's eyes, it was at most equivalent to the speed of a genin using basic taijutsu.
Uchiha Kazuhiko tilted his head slightly to the left, dodging the powerful blow. His leg shot out instantly, kicking Rain squarely in the abdomen. Using clever force, he sent her flying back several meters.
The other team members only saw a black shadow flash past before their teammate was sent flying. The entire process took less than a second; they didn't even clearly see how Uchiha Kazuhiko had kicked.
At this, everyone's expressions changed, looking at Uchiha Kazuhiko, who appeared completely unruffled, with shock and awe.
They all knew Rain's strength. Even if she wasn't quite the match for the captain, she was among the best in the team. Such skill couldn't even withstand one move from Uchiha Kazuhiko. They were utterly astonished by the formidable power he had displayed.
"Alright. Although you are no match for me, you can still be considered an elite team among the corporation's various strike forces. From now on, let's cooperate and complete the corporation's mission together."
Seeing that he had successfully intimidated them, Uchiha Kazuhiko saw no need to press further. He smiled, extending an olive branch.
His words provided the strike team with a way to save face, easing the previously tense and awkward atmosphere.
Captain James secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He extended his hand to Uchiha Kazuhiko and said apologetically, "Sorry about earlier. It was our fault. I hope you won't hold it against us."
"Of course. We're teammates." After shaking hands with him, the conflict was resolved.
Looking at the equipment the team was wearing, Uchiha Kazuhiko recalled the battles they might face next and asked, "Is firearms all you have for equipment? Are there any cold weapons like Tang swords or katanas?"
"Cold weapons? There are some in the armory, but we only use knives occasionally at most." Although curious why Uchiha Kazuhiko would ask about long-obsolete cold weapons, Captain James still answered him truthfully.
"I suggest you all go to the armory and pick a suitable cold weapon. Sometimes, they are far more useful than firearms."
What they would face next were hordes of zombies that wouldn't stop unless their vital points were destroyed. The killing efficiency of cold weapons would far surpass that of ordinary firearms. With their help, Uchiha Kazuhiko could also take it easier.
The team members obviously didn't quite agree with the notion that cold weapons were stronger than firearms.
However, constrained by the formidable strength he had displayed earlier, they each went to choose a cold weapon to carry. They also brought back a set of small-sized standard strike team equipment for Uchiha Kazuhiko.
After thanking them, Uchiha Kazuhiko changed into the new gear.
Then, along with the strike team, carrying the device meant to shut down the Red Queen, they headed towards another hidden entrance to the Hive—the villa where the protagonist, Alice, was located.
While still some distance from the villa, all personnel entered combat mode, maintaining concealment while providing alternating cover as they quietly advanced.
Chad, the computer expert responsible for electronics, used infrared surveillance and reported to Captain James, "Captain, there are two individuals inside the villa perimeter. Likely the two Hive gatekeepers."
"JD, Rain, Ronald, Sheree, you four enter the villa and secure those two first."
Captain James selected four team members for the assault. The others waited in place to prevent any unexpected situations.
The four members used various objects for cover as they approached a section of the villa. They climbed onto the roof and moved towards the room where the two individuals were located.
Once above the room, the four fixed their safety ropes and carabiners to the roof.
Then, they rappelled down simultaneously, threw in a flashbang, kicked through the wooden window, and stormed into the room, securing the two people inside.
After receiving the signal that the operation was successful, Uchiha Kazuhiko entered the room with the remaining strike team members and saw the subdued man and woman.