Saito leaned forward, resting his arms on the table.
"So, what's the plan?"
"We just storm in and attack them on the spot?"
Alpha shook his head slightly.
"Not quite."
"Before that, I'd prefer we follow one of them first."
"Observe their activities with our own eyes."
Shiro nodded, understanding immediately.
"So we act as spies before making our move."
Alpha inclined his head.
"Exactly."
"We need to understand their operation before we strike blindly."
"Rushing in without proper intel could put Yin's life at even greater risk."
Hashima cracked his knuckles, grinning.
"I could work with that."
"Sneaking around, gathering intel..."
He leaned back, arms crossed confidently.
"Sounds right up my alley."
Makuto glanced at him, unimpressed.
"You're not exactly known for subtlety, my Lord."
Hashima waved a hand dismissively.
"Details, details."
Saito smirked, glancing between them.
"So who's actually doing the following, then?"
Alpha's gaze swept across the room, considering.
"That's what we need to decide."
Kaito straightened slightly. "I could do it. I've got experience blending in, staying unnoticed."
Rin smirked. "Not exactly subtle either, though, are you?"
Kaito shot him a look. "More subtle than you, at least."
Fanny raised a hand eagerly. "Ooh, pick me! I'm great at sneaking around!"
Bomb chuckled. "You once tripped over your own tail trying to sneak past a sleeping guard."
Fanny's face flushed. "That was one time!"
Alpha allowed a faint smile at the exchange, watching the group bicker over the assignment.
"We'll decide carefully."
"This needs to be someone who won't draw attention."
Saito crossed his arms, thinking it over.
"Then I'll go with Kaito and Rin."
Kaito blinked, glancing toward him.
"Wait—you want me paired with him?"
He gestured toward Rin.
Saito nodded firmly. "Yep."
Rin shrugged, smirking. "Hey, we're a crew."
"Might as well get used to working together, right?"
Kaito let out a long sigh, running a hand through his hair.
"...Fine."
"But if you slow me down, I'm not covering for you."
Rin grinned. "Wouldn't dream of it."
Alpha glanced toward Saito, considering the decision.
"If you say so, Saito."
He turned toward Shiro and Hashima, silently seeking their input.
Both gave a small, approving nod.
Alpha reached into his coat, pulling out two small, sleek devices.
"Here."
He held them out.
"Cameras. For the both of you."
Kaito and Rin each stepped forward, picking one up, examining the tiny device curiously.
Alpha gestured toward his own collar.
"You can attach them here."
"Discreet enough that no one will notice."
Kaito clipped his onto his collar carefully, adjusting it slightly.
Rin followed suit, fastening his own with practiced ease.
Bomb whistled. "Fancy gear."
Fanny pouted slightly. "Aww, I wanted a cool spy gadget too."
Alya patted her shoulder. "Next time, maybe."
Alpha's expression turned serious once more.
"Remember..."
"Observe only."
"Do not engage unless absolutely necessary."
Kaito nodded firmly. "Understood."
Rin cracked his neck, smirking. "No promises, but I'll try."
Alpha unfolded a small map, marking a specific point with quick, precise strokes.
"This is the location where they're most likely to appear."
He handed the map to Kaito.
"Once you arrive, report back immediately."
Rin tilted his head. "How exactly do we report, though?"
Alpha tapped the small camera clipped to his collar.
"That device also has a built-in microphone."
"We'll be able to hear everything from here."
Rin's eyes lit up slightly.
"Ooh, cool."
He turned the tiny device over in his fingers, inspecting it further.
"Didn't know Balance Table tech was this advanced."
Alpha allowed a small, knowing smile.
"We have our resources."
Kaito folded the map, tucking it into his coat.
"Alright."
He glanced toward Rin.
"Let's go."
Rin nodded, rolling his shoulders.
"Right behind you."
The two of them turned, making their way toward the door.
Saito called after them. "Be careful out there, you two!"
Kaito raised a hand without looking back. "Always am."
Rin smirked over his shoulder. "Try not to miss us too much, Captain."
Saito rolled his eyes, though a small grin tugged at his lips.
"Yeah, yeah. Just don't get caught."
The door creaked shut behind them as Kaito and Rin stepped out into the hallway, leaving the rest of the group behind to await their report.
Alpha tapped a small device on the table, and a shimmering hologram flickered to life above it — two separate feeds, one from Kaito's camera, one from Rin's, both showing the hallway as they walked.
Alya leaned forward, eyes wide with fascination.
"Wow..."
Fanny pressed closer, practically bouncing.
"This is seriously advanced tech!"
Hashima crossed his arms, smirking proudly.
"This is all thanks to Yin, actually."
"He built this whole system to make our work easier."
Alpha nodded, watching the feeds carefully.
"That's exactly why he's such an important asset to us."
"Not just his research."
"His inventions have saved countless lives in the field."
Saito studied the hologram, arms crossed, a determined look settling over his face.
"Got it."
He glanced toward Alpha.
"All the more reason to bring him back safe."
Bomb whistled, watching the feed shift as Kaito and Rin exited the building. "This is way cooler than anything Bomb tech's ever made."
Fanny giggled. "Don't let him hear you say that, he'll sulk for a week."
Alya's fingers danced across her tablet, syncing additional data alongside the hologram feed. "I could probably improve the resolution a bit, if given time with the schematics."
Alpha raised an eyebrow, mildly impressed. "You have a talent for this as well?"
Alya smiled modestly. "I dabble."
Shiro watched the feeds in silence for a moment, expression thoughtful.
"Let's hope this mission goes smoothly."
"For Yin's sake."
The room fell into focused quiet, all eyes locked on the flickering hologram as Kaito and Rin ventured deeper into the city, drawing steadily closer to their target.
Kaito and Rin arrived at the edge of a quiet village near the hotel, scanning the surroundings carefully.
Kaito tapped his collar. "We've arrived at the location."
Back in the meeting room, Alpha leaned toward the hologram.
"Good."
"Have either of you spotted anything yet?"
Rin glanced around, eyes narrowed. "Nothing so far."
Alpha nodded patiently. "Just give it time."
"They'll appear eventually."
Saito crossed his arms, glancing at the flickering feed. "So we're just... waiting, then?"
Shiro gave a small nod, a faint smirk forming. "Or would you rather revert to your usual habit?"
"Jumping headfirst into a fight before thinking it through?"
Saito raised a hand defensively. "Hey, in my defense..."
"I always thought that was a perfectly valid solution."
Shiro chuckled softly, shaking his head.
Alpha's tone remained steady. "For now, we wait."
"If anything happens, we move immediately."
Hashima stretched, yawning loudly, already sinking further into his chair.
"Well..."
"Guess this is a good excuse for a nap, then."
Makuto glanced at him, unimpressed. "You just woke up an hour ago, my Lord."
Hashima waved a hand lazily. "Doesn't matter. Napping's a skill. Gotta keep it sharp."
Bomb snorted. "Pretty sure that's not how skills work."
Fanny giggled, watching Hashima's eyes already drooping shut.
Alya kept her focus on the hologram feed, monitoring closely.
"I'll keep watch on the feed in the meantime."
Saito settled back into his seat, exhaling slowly, eyes fixed on the flickering images of Kaito and Rin standing watch in the quiet village.
"Alright..."
"Let's just hope this doesn't take too long."