Aeon Mall, Hamamatsucho, Tokyo.
Inside a dessert shop, a woman wearing a baseball cap with her hair tied into a ponytail sat sipping a drink. She was dressed in jeans and a light blue casual jacket. The lace-trimmed bra peeking from her low neckline highlighted her fair skin between her collarbone and neck. The subtle yet alluring cleavage added a hint of charm to her overall appearance.
Though she appeared to be casually dressed, every detail had been carefully styled to give the impression of someone out on a date.
She was Mizunashi Rena, the ace reporter of Nichibei TV and a well-known online celebrity.
Across from her sat a tall man also wearing a baseball cap, face obscured, chatting and laughing with her.
Throughout their conversation, Rena would either giggle behind her hand or playfully scold him. From the outside, the two looked like a passionate couple, deep in love.
Since their interview and the exchange of Line IDs, Toru had found an excuse to ask Rena out.
Even if someone spotted them, they could simply pretend to be secretly dating.
As Central Intelligence Agency operatives, both had undergone professional training. They could carry out sensitive tasks while putting on the perfect act of an affectionate couple.
"The investigation's done. Those guys are gangsters from Luzon."
"They were invited by the Matsuba Society, a Tokyo-based yakuza group, to help seize territory from the Sumiyoshi-kai, the largest yakuza organization in Tokyo."
"The recent gang shootout was linked to those Filipinos."
Toru spoke in a relaxed tone.
Due to certain historical reasons, yakuza groups in Japan were semi-recognized by the government.
Back in the last century, yakuza power expanded significantly, leading to countless violent conflicts.
But entering the new century, with the aging of their members, the rise of social withdrawal among the younger generation, and increased government crackdowns, their influence had sharply declined.
Still, a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Many yakuza had shifted into business sectors, especially those involving gray areas, where they still held considerable sway.
"Agency intelligence discovered that Tsugawa, director of the Eguchi Library, is involved in drug trafficking. The drugs are traced back to Mexico, some smuggled through America."
As the head of the CIA's Japan branch, once Toru gave the order, the entire network moved into action.
With their capabilities, gathering this intel didn't take long.
Rena, experienced and sharp, asked, "Is Tsugawa acting alone, or part of something bigger?"
Toru looked at her approvingly. "He's just one part of a larger drug network. He manages a sales and transport route."
"And the organization behind it is large. It even involves a Diet member."
Rena's expression shifted subtly. She lowered her voice. "Political donations?"
"Exactly. They're using their political power to protect drug deals, then using the money to climb higher in government. Same old playbook."
Toru curled his lip. He'd seen this too many times.
During his years in the CIA, he had come across countless corrupt politicians like this. In many countries, especially the poorer ones, clean politicians were a rare breed.
"Tsugawa set the fire to destroy evidence after the drugs were discovered. He was scared the people above him would hold him responsible and kill him."
"He had connections with the Matsuba Society's third-in-command, which is how he arranged for the thugs to kill the witness."
"This guy is clever. He used the terrorist attack to distract the police and security departments, throwing them off the drug trail."
Toru took a sip of milk tea.
"I called you out today because I want to know—are these drugs linked to the Organization?"
He meant the Black Organization.
Rena gently shook her head. "The Organization used to dabble in this business, but they've pulled out."
"Even though it's profitable, it brings too much heat and can turn them into international targets."
"Plus, the Organization has investments in legal industries around the world. Combined with some covert operations, they already have stable funding."
Toru nodded to himself.
The Black Organization was preparing to legitimize itself.
Or rather, it had started as a clean business group. Renya Karasuma had created the Organization and used force to grow his empire. Now, with the business side thriving and the group pursuing research goals, they were shifting back to the legitimate path.
The medicinal data they stole from that institute had massive commercial potential. Once developed, it could generate enormous profits.
And if they got too deep into drug trafficking, they'd never be able to fully clean their hands. The Organization wasn't willing to risk that.
"Good. With the Organization not involved, I can handle this more freely."
"Boss, you're planning to go after Tsugawa?"
"Yes."
"Will you also go after those behind him?"
"No need. We already have the evidence. That Diet member is finished. He can't run. We can even use it to control him, make him work for us."
Toru's tone was indifferent, but chilling.
If a yakuza group had leverage over a politician, the politician could fight back.
But if it was the CIA, that politician was done for.
The Agency didn't respond to threats, especially not from Japan's political puppets.
"Get ready. We're moving tonight. And I also need your help with something."
"Please, tell me."
Rena lowered her voice.
"The Agency checked Tsugawa's accounts. No large transfers. No hidden real estate. The money's probably all in cash at his home."
"I need you to use the Organization's channels to make that money usable. You understand what I mean, right?"
Toru's eyes turned cold.
Rena's face tightened. She instantly understood—he was planning to take that cash for himself.
But she didn't dare question his orders and replied, "The Organization has its own channels for dirty money. It can be laundered easily."
Toru nodded and added, "Even though the Filipinos acted alone, their attack caused major damage in Japan. The public is furious."
"We should take advantage of this. With the right pressure on both sides, we can make the relationship between the two countries move however we want."
This was common CIA practice. Use public sentiment, fund radical groups, stir tensions, even push countries to war.
"If I need anything else, I'll let you know. Alright, let's go, dear. The movie's about to start."
Toru suddenly smiled warmly and stood up.
Rena responded with a sweet smile. She stood and wrapped her arm around his, pressing close as they walked to the cinema, chatting and laughing.
...
"What a bunch of idiots!"
Tsugawa, director of the Eguchi Library, stormed into his home angrily.
It was a detached house where he lived alone.
He was glad he had never married or had children. That would've made hiding certain things far more difficult.
He had long since set up the incendiary device at the library. Being cautious by nature, he had always planned for the possibility that the drugs would be discovered.
Alongside surveillance, he had also made arrangements to destroy evidence.
Everything had been perfectly calculated—except for one thing. The human witness survived.
He knew the thugs sent by the Matsuba Society were professionals. He trusted the third-in-command wouldn't betray him. The team they sent was top-tier.
What he hadn't accounted for was Fujiwara Toru being at the library.
The witness wasn't eliminated. He didn't even know if that girl had told the police about the candy-like drugs.
If she had, he would have to disappear for a while to avoid exposure.
The only silver lining was that the police had been completely distracted by the terrorist attack. There was still a chance.
"I have contacts inside the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. I'll ask them if they know anything. If not, I'll have to send someone to silence that girl once and for all."
"And that damn Fujiwara Toru, he ruined everything!"
Tsugawa cursed bitterly.
But there was nothing he could do about Toru.
He'd already been warned—Toru was untouchable. The power behind him was too much. Making a move on him could bring down more than just himself.
Not to mention Toru's overwhelming combat skills. Tsugawa didn't dare.
Even if he was furious, he could only swallow his anger.
"This was a heavy loss. But at least the network's still intact. I'll just push more product to the addicts and make it back."
"I need to be more cautious next time. I got lucky this time, but luck won't last forever."
He began planning new precautions.
While thinking, he entered his study and flicked on the light.
The next instant, his pupils shrank.
There was someone sitting in his chair.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)