Mariko had witnessed the cruel scene just now where this handsome man had killed people without even blinking. Naturally, she didn't lower her guard.
While continuing to point the gun at Harvey, she said coldly, "I am Mariko. The patriarch is very interested in people like you who possess superpowers."
"As long as you are willing to become a subordinate of the patriarch, money, women, and power—everything you want can be provided."
Harvey let out a disdainful chuckle and said, "I have no intention of being anyone's dog."
"Besides, the rewards you're offering are all far too vulgar."
"First of all, I already have more money than I can ever spend. To me, money is nothing more than a string of numbers."
"And so-called power is nothing more than a prison for commoners."
"As for women..."
He stared at Mariko with malicious intent.
"If it were you, I might consider it."
Mariko shifted her aim upward, pointing the gun at Harvey's head, and said in an icy tone, "Since you're unwilling to cooperate, then go to hell!"
With that, she pulled the trigger.
The expected gunshot did not occur.
Mariko watched in shock as the silver pocket pistol in her hand turned into a rose!?
After the shock, she realized this must be some kind of special ability of Harvey's.
"How did you do that?"
"Are you a mutant?"
"Is your ability matter transmutation?"
Harvey interrupted, "Don't waste your energy trying to distract me. Now that you don't have a weapon, behave yourself."
"I speak, you do!"
"First, stick your ass up."
"You...!" Mariko's face turned pale and red by turns. The bodyguards and driver in the front were acting as if they were deaf, completely ignoring the fact that she was being threatened.
Recalling the scene where the other man had killed decisively, Mariko knew that this smiling, seemingly harmless man was actually a ruthless executioner.
So she didn't dare to snap. She could only humiliatingly shed two lines of tears and follow Harvey's instructions...
"SMACK! SMACK! SMACK!"
After a few resounding slaps.
Mariko's pretty face was covered in a flush. A glint of hatred flashed in her eyes, yet she gritted her teeth and looked at the scenery passing quickly outside the window, letting out a high-pitched, coquettish moan.
"Harvey-kun... don't touch there... ah!"
Harvey grew even more excited as he listened.
His merciless actions caused the moving Toyota Century to rock and sway.
The driver and the bodyguard in the passenger seat were both female. Sensing the abnormal rocking, they were just about to turn around and see what was happening.
The Confundus Charm took effect.
A look of bewilderment flashed through their eyes, and they began to treat all the abnormalities as a perfectly normal occurrence.
An hour later.
The Toyota Century slowly drove into a Japanese courtyard in the suburbs.
Two maids in kimonos respectfully stepped forward to open the car door, bowing low.
"Milady!"
But with that bow, they caught a glimpse of an unfamiliar man in the car. Coupled with their master's disheveled appearance, it was clear that...
"SLAP!"
With one foot out of the car, a humiliated and angry Mariko slapped both maids across the face.
"What are you looking at? Why aren't you helping me out of the car?"
"Yes! Milady."
The two maids, having been slapped, didn't dare to look around any further. Knowing too much could get you killed.
After being helped out of the car, Mariko turned to Harvey and said politely, "My apologies, Harvey-kun. I'll have the servants lead you to the tea room to sit for a while. I'll take you to see my grandfather shortly."
Having experienced how "moist" a Sakura girl could be, Harvey naturally wouldn't refuse such a minor request.
Twenty minutes later.
Mariko took a bath in the hot spring pool, washing away all the filth. She changed into a home kimono, tidied her appearance, and stepped into the tea room wearing geta.
She saw Harvey flirting with her maid and a nameless fire of anger rose in her heart.
"Get out!"
The pretty maid, blushing as she huddled in Harvey's arms, shivered at her master's scolding.
"I'm sorry, Milady."
The pretty maid scrambled up, bowing repeatedly in apology, and ran out without even bothering to straighten her open collar.
Seeing that Mariko seemed jealous, Harvey smiled and said, "Alright, take me to see that old guy Ichirō Yashida."
Mariko said with a cold face, "Follow me."
Then, Harvey followed her out of the tea room to a living room deep within the courtyard.
Passing several expressionless bodyguards in black, Mariko led Harvey into the room.
Several low wooden tables and tatami mats were placed in the corners of the spacious living room, and a faint scent of herbal incense greeted him at the door.
In the center of the room was a hospital bed with an IV drip. Yashida was leaning back against the bed with his eyes closed to rest.
Hearing the commotion, he opened his eyes and spoke in a raspy, aged voice.
"Mr. Harvey. I've seen your file. Being besieged by S.H.I.E.L.D. yet managing to escape unscathed... it's hard to imagine that the Avengers who saved the world could be defeated by your hand."
"I am very glad to be able to invite such a distinguished guest today."
"I hope you can do me a small favor. Once it's done, I will offer a reward that will leave you absolutely satisfied."
...
Five minutes later, Mariko led Harvey out of the living room.
Returning to the tea room, Mariko knelt on the tatami, respectfully picked up the teapot to pour a cup of hot tea, and presented it with both hands.
"Harvey-kun. I never expected you to be so outstanding."
Harvey took the cup and had a sip, ignoring her flattery. He was still thinking about the intel he had just received.
Based on the images seen in Ichirō Yashida's memories.
The Hand, having lost its five leaders, had been forcefully absorbed by Madame Hydra, Viper.
Viper had also secretly reached a deal with Yashida.
To put it simply, it was an exchange of resources. Viper wanted Yashida's money and a chance to test an experimental virus that could steal mutant abilities.
Yashida, on the other hand, wanted Wolverine's immortality.
The two old foxes, both harboring their own ulterior motives, both wanted to double-cross the other.
Yashida was trying to buy him off with money; he wanted immortality, but he didn't want to give up the cash.
On the surface, Harvey agreed to the cooperation, but in his heart, he had set his sights on one of Viper's secret treasures.
That was the Serpent Crown from the elder demon Set. It possessed various special superpowers, including telepathy, mind control, levitation, and projecting illusions...
Releasing mystical energy blasts, psionically manipulating matter and energy, and more.
Putting such a great item in Viper's hands was a pure waste.
Moreover, legend had it that Odin's brother, the God of Fear, Cul, had also possessed the Serpent Crown.
This treasure might even be able to summon the God of Fear sealed in Japan.
Harvey had always been very interested in the corpses of physically powerful creatures. He certainly couldn't miss this Serpent Crown.
Seeing Harvey lost in thought, Mariko tentatively asked, "Harvey-kun, could you refuse to cooperate with my grandfather?"
Harvey broke off his thinking and turned to give Mariko a look of surprise.
"You have a grudge against Ichirō Yashida?"
Recalling all her experiences over the years, a thick resentment appeared in Mariko's eyes as she said:
"As the third-generation heir to the Yashida family, that old man treated me as a political marriage tool to be sacrificed."
"He even sent my brother, Kenuichio Harada, to watch me."
"Even my own father, Shingen, wanted to send people to kidnap me just to seize the family inheritance!"
"Since this family doesn't care about me at all, there's no need for me to keep enduring everything."
Tsk tsk. One really couldn't underestimate the women raised in these great families.
Mariko seemed innocent, but she had likely harbored greed for the entire family for a long time and had planted plenty of spies.
Otherwise, how could she have learned in advance that Shingen wanted to kidnap her?
However, Harvey was uninterested in the cliché drama of inheritance struggles in big families. He tilted Mariko's delicate chin up and said with a playful tone:
"If you want my help, it depends on what price you're willing to pay."