Cross had been waiting outside for a long time. Turning to Hotaru was his last resort.
It had been a year since Hotaru left the Assassin Brotherhood. They had been on good terms back then, and if it weren't for Sloan targeting his son, he wouldn't have had the face to trouble her.
When his phone rang and he heard the words "Come in," Carlos breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed there was room for negotiation.
Entering the Shiranui Agency, Carlos looked at the three people in the room: an Asian man with a scar on his face, a handsome young man, and Hotaru. Not sure who to address, he directed his gaze toward Hotaru.
Hotaru introduced them: "Boss, this is Carlos, the one who needs our help. His codename is Cross."
"Carlos, this is my boss, Shiranui Hayate. You can talk to him about your problem!"
Hearing the name and seeing the man before him, the image of Cross from the movies flashed through Hayate's mind.
Hayate immediately recalled that the Brotherhood possessed one genuine treasure and one item of great curiosity.
The treasure was the Recovery Wax. For someone currently lacking a Medical Ninja or healing ninjutsu, a formula that could heal bruises, cuts, and fractures in mere hours was invaluable.
The curious item was the Loom of Fate. The loom allegedly wove fabrics containing binary codes that, when decrypted, provided the names of targets who needed to be eliminated. The Brotherhood believed they were killing those who would eventually cause harm to the world.
To many, it sounded absurd—a group of elite assassins in the modern age taking orders from a textile machine. However, Hayate lived in a Marvel world where technology, magic, and divine power coexisted. Perhaps the Loom was a relic of "Fate" or "Destiny" itself.
These thoughts crossed his mind in a split second. Hayate spoke warmly: "Iruka, please show our guest to the meeting room."
Seeing Hayate's enthusiasm, Hotaru smiled and led Carlos inside. Iruka approached and asked, "Would anyone like a drink? Coffee, whiskey, ice water?"
"I'll take a whiskey," Hayate said with a smile.
"Coffee for me," said Hotaru.
"Ice water," Carlos added.
"Coming right up," Iruka replied, heading out to prepare the drinks and keep watch at the front desk.
Once settled, Hayate leaned forward. "Mr. Cross, let's hear about your mission."
Carlos sat up straight and placed a photograph on the table. "I need you to protect my son. He's been targeted by Sloan. I'm afraid I won't be able to get him out of the city alone, so I need your agency to ensure his safety."
Hayate glanced at the photo. It was the "unlucky kid"—the one monitored by his father, cheated on by his girlfriend, and eventually tricked into killing his own father.
"Mr. Cross, you just left that organization. You know their strength better than anyone," Hayate remarked. "A thousand-year-old organization doesn't give up on a target easily."
Carlos hesitated, confused. "What are you trying to say?"
A smile played on Hayate's lips. "It'll cost extra."
Before Carlos could respond, a knock came at the door. Iruka entered with the drinks, placed them down, and quietly retreated.
Hayate took a sip of his whiskey and signaled for Carlos to continue.
Carlos grabbed his ice water, drained the glass in one gulp, and spoke slowly. "Three million."
"I'll pay three million dollars to ensure my son's safety."
Hayate calmly uttered two words: "The duration?"
"Why?" Carlos asked, slightly taken aback.
"Mr. Cross, I haven't done a full investigation yet, but if I'm not mistaken, you are in open conflict with the Brotherhood. We can protect your son, no problem. But for how long? A week? A month? Or until your war with them is over?"
Carlos froze. How long indeed?
Three million was a lot, but protecting a "sheep" from a "wolf pack" like the Brotherhood required top-tier talent. For a legendary assassin like Hayate, three million wouldn't last long for a long-term guard detail.
After a moment of silence, Carlos spoke again. "Five million. For one month."
In one month, he would either have dealt with Sloan, or he would be dead. Either way, it would be over.
Hearing the price hit five million, Hayate made a counter-proposal. "Sir, I have a suggestion. Let's split this into two contracts."
"First: You pay three million for the Agency to provide comprehensive, absolute protection for your son. We guarantee his life."
"Second: You pay me to exterminate the Assassin Brotherhood."
The room went silent. Not only Carlos, but even Hotaru stared at Hayate with wide eyes. She had left the Brotherhood because she stopped believing in the Loom, but the idea of wiping out the entire organization was a massive shock.
Carlos regained his composure. "Sir... I don't have that kind of money. I can't afford the price of destroying an organization that has lasted a thousand years."