Chapter 217
Due to Usuha Izuki's unpredictable temperament, even though Akai Shuichi had received his guarantee and was temporarily on his side, he didn't dare drag it out too long, fearing that delays would bring changes.
What if this psychopath suddenly changed his mind and decided watching his drama would also be good?
After all, in Usuha Izuki's eyes, he seemed very similar to Gin, and Usuha Izuki hated Gin—love me, love my dog; hate me, hate my dog was also possible!
Therefore, after Akai Shuichi's FBI colleagues arrived in Japan and everything was properly arranged, he patiently selected missions, looking for a suitable opportunity.
Although among the organization executives he had contact with, Gin seemed to know the most, he didn't necessarily have to listen to Usuha Izuki and definitely target Gin. Being able to trap someone comparable would also work, and the success rate might be higher.
But as time passed, a perfect opportunity to scheme against Gin appeared before Akai Shuichi.
Facing this opportunity, Akai Shuichi was highly tense.
Because it was really too coincidental—just when his colleagues were all ready, this opportunity appeared before him... Could it be that Usuha Izuki had grown impatient and personally delivered this mission to him, warning him to act quickly?
How did Usuha Izuki know his colleagues had arrived in Japan and made all necessary preparations, ready to cooperate with his withdrawal plan at any time?
How did Usuha Izuki, who never interfered with organizational affairs, influence the mission assignment channels, create this mission, and have it assigned to him?
Usuha Izuki seemed to be composed of mysteries, incomprehensibility, and the ineffable.
The more he thought about it, the more terrifying it became.
Akai Shuichi's previously normal smoking addiction suddenly increased dramatically. He smoked two packs in one night, thinking about whether to accept this bait of unknown toxicity.
He thought until dawn, finally leaning toward acceptance, but didn't dare make the decision just like that, afraid his overnight vigil had clouded his judgment. He forced himself to sleep and made his decision after waking up.
Akai Shuichi hadn't been this cautious even when deceiving Gin to recruit him into the organization...
It could only be said that encountering Usuha Izuki, no amount of caution was excessive.
Once he made up his mind and formulated a plan, preparations in all aspects had to begin simultaneously, or they might not catch up with this mission.
The FBI team stationed in Japan began working at full capacity, discussing arrest locations, methods, escape routes, backup plans, and other critical points from multiple angles.
This had to succeed in one attempt. To avoid alerting the enemy, they couldn't even arrange rehearsals.
"...Will this be okay?"
Judy asked Akai Shuichi, looking somewhat worried: "According to what you said, wouldn't all this also be within that Botanist's calculations? Why don't we just give up and return to America directly? If someone could tell your identity at first sight, it definitely wasn't your problem but an issue with our FBI's fake identity channels. So even if the undercover investigation mission fails, it can't be blamed on you. The intelligence you've collected over these years is already substantial..."
Akai Shuichi lit a cigarette and said thoughtfully: "Although I also think Botanist is... but since he said so, if I don't do anything, I might not be able to leave safely. Let's try it for now. If nothing unexpected happens, we have more people, so withdrawal shouldn't be a problem."
Words from someone like Usuha Izuki couldn't be completely believed, but couldn't be completely disbelieved either. Distinguishing when he was telling the truth, when he was speaking casually, when he was deliberately telling the truth in an unbelievable way... was a very delicate science. He still hadn't figured out the pattern.
It felt entirely mood-dependent—such people were really the most difficult to deal with.
Although he felt he could still hold on, the FBI thought he was already exposed and suggested he withdraw early, so he could soon be rid of Usuha Izuki...
Akai Shuichi remained tense until the day before plan implementation, checking everything once over. But remembering Usuha Izuki's earlier words that seemed to be waiting to watch his drama, he still felt uneasy and had everyone check again and again.
Judy was tortured beyond endurance.
Being cautious was fine, but being cautious to this extent was a bit... Shu wasn't this neurotically paranoid before coming to Japan!
What had Japan done to him!
But seeing Akai Shuichi frowning, seemingly still inexplicably concerned about something, Judy felt heartbroken.
"How about this." Judy began telling cold jokes to lighten the mood. "Since you don't trust our plan that's been checked multiple times, why don't you call that Botanist and have him go through it to see where the problems are."
FBI colleague Cameron listened with great embarrassment: "Agent Akai just wants the plan to succeed. Checking a few more times isn't a problem. After all, we can't rehearse and must ensure success in one attempt..."
Although he was also a bit tired, he still admired Agent Akai's serious and cautious attitude. Even just for Agent Akai's efforts, this plan couldn't possibly fail!
Akai Shuichi: "...Sorry, it's my problem. To ensure tomorrow's plan succeeds, everyone should rest early today. I should go back too."
For such important missions, if conditions allowed, adjusting mental and physical state a few days in advance was better. He really shouldn't continue disturbing them.
Usually it wasn't noticeable, but he hadn't expected Usuha Izuki's influence on him to be so great... Perhaps listening to headquarters and withdrawing early from the organization was right.
If he continued getting involved with Usuha Izuki, he would probably really become mentally ill.
Returning to his safe house, Akai Shuichi leaned against the headboard, thinking for a long time before finally unable to resist sending Usuha Izuki an email.
Recently, Usuha Izuki sent him an email about once a week, asking when he would go on missions with Gin—this was also why he felt that continuing to stay and being unable to provide Usuha Izuki with entertainment would lead to Usuha Izuki seriously exposing his identity and turning him into entertainment—anyway, now he should reply.
[Tomorrow.]
The next day, Usuha Izuki woke up late and finally saw this email.
"Not easy. Finally making a move." He yawned and called Vodka, then put his phone on speaker by the sink while washing up.
Miyano Akemi knew he'd been staying here recently, so she came early to make breakfast. Seeing him washing up, she didn't pay much attention and naturally did housework in the laundry room outside the bathroom.
Earlier, afraid of disturbing Usuha Izuki's sleep, she had put dirty clothes and such in the washing machine but hadn't started it. Now she could finally turn it on.
Miyano Akemi didn't know who Usuha Izuki was calling. She just heard the phone ringing, and when it was about to hang up after a long wait, it finally connected, transmitting Vodka's voice.
"Botanist, what's up?"
Usuha Izuki was brushing his teeth with a toothbrush in his mouth, unable to speak, so he gave Miyano Akemi a look.
Miyano Akemi was full of question marks, not knowing what Usuha Izuki wanted to say, and could only help explain: "Botanist is still brushing his teeth and can't speak conveniently."
Vodka: "...Then why is he calling me at this time!"
Usuha Izuki quickly rinsed his mouth and asked in a very urgent tone: "Where are you?"
Vodka's tone became cautious, not knowing what urgent matter Usuha Izuki had that he wouldn't even waste time brushing teeth.
Although most of the time Usuha Izuki's words were unreliable, he should still listen when necessary.
So Vodka said: "I'm on a mission with big brother, currently on the road."
"Who else is on this mission besides you two?"
"Rye and the intelligence team..." This level of intelligence wasn't unspeakable. After Vodka finished, he cautiously added, "If you want to come on this mission, it's already too late..."
"Why would I want to go?" Usuha Izuki's tone was puzzled. "Do you think I called you right after waking up just to work for you?"
Vodka was choked up, but became more serious: "So? What exactly do you want to say?"
"Is Gin beside you?"
Vodka: "...Yes."
"Then put it on speaker."
Vodka: "..........."
This was bad. This situation of delaying getting to the point while confirming various intelligence, even disregarding his falling out with big brother—wouldn't there really be something very important to report?!
Especially according to Miyano Akemi's reports, Usuha Izuki particularly loved sleeping in, and disliked talking for a while after just waking up. If he endured even this displeasure to make this call...
Vodka looked at Gin and pressed speakerphone.
Gin's icy voice rang out: "Speak, Botanist. What exactly is it?"
Usuha Izuki's tone was very serious, as if about to tell a horror story: "Gin, you must not be afraid of what I'm about to say."
"...Cut the nonsense and speak quickly."
Though he said this, Gin gave some face and became slightly more serious, planning to hear if Usuha Izuki could say something useful.
After all, although his eye for spotting undercover agents was very blind, Usuha Izuki was still quite useful in other aspects...
Just as Gin was mentally giving Usuha Izuki some small praise, he heard Usuha Izuki's voice say:
"Rye is an undercover agent."
Gin: "..........."
Vodka: "..........."
Miyano Akemi: "..........."
All three minds went blank for a moment.
Miyano Akemi rarely witnessed this scene and was slow to react. Even though Akai Shuichi had prepared her for similar situations, she still felt somewhat shocked and worried about Akai Shuichi.
Vodka, after recovering, couldn't help shouting: "Are you done or not! I'm asking if you're done! You've been saying this for years! Can't you change it up?!"
You've even learned to set up suspense, right?! Building up for so long, making them finally have some expectation, then giving them such a critical hit...
Wait, that Usuha kid had used this trick before, but it had been so long since he used it that he suddenly fell for it...
Usuha Izuki protested: "What do you mean done or not? I also know you definitely won't believe me saying this, but what happened today makes me unable to pretend I don't know. I feel I must remind you again."
"...?" This routine was rare. Although Vodka was very tired, he still cooperatively asked, "So, what happened today?"
As he spoke, he was also a bit puzzled.
At this time, if he was brushing teeth, according to Usuha Izuki's schedule, he should have just gotten up, right? What could happen?
Then everyone heard Usuha Izuki say forcefully:
"I dreamed that Rye and Gin died together. I didn't expect you were really going on a mission together. He's an undercover agent—you should withdraw quickly."
Miyano Akemi: "..........."
Vodka: "..........."
Gin: "..........."
The three fell silent again.
It was... a dream... So the so-called thing that happened today that made you unable to turn a blind eye was because you dreamed that Rye betrayed the organization?!
Vodka completely broke down.
Actually, this was just a new excuse Usuha Izuki found because he hated Rye and big brother and wanted to torment them both, right?!
He even wanted big brother to withdraw from the mission... How important this mission was, Usuha Izuki had no idea! Even Rum was coming! How could they withdraw now!
Could it be that Usuha Izuki also knew this mission was very important and was deliberately causing trouble?
Gin was disgusted by Usuha Izuki's new routine.
He couldn't help stubbing out his cigarette and pressing his nose bridge—he realized something was wrong when he noticed Usuha Izuki had just woken up, but he hadn't expected the other party to so nakedly reveal his intention to torment them...
"Enough, Botanist." Gin said coldly. "You always felt we were brushing you off before. This time I'll tell you clearly—I investigated Rye, he's fine. Stop causing trouble for me in the future."
"...You investigated him? Who told you to investigate him! I said long ago you're all in it together! What problems can you find when your own people investigate your own people?!" Usuha Izuki was indignant. "Vodka, you..."
The phone was manually hung up by Gin.
Vodka looked tremblingly at Gin, who had a low pressure like a great demon: "Big brother..."
"Don't answer Botanist's calls recently."
Gin commanded: "Even if he has some ability, if he won't be used by the organization, he's still waste. Don't let me know you fear a piece of waste."
Vodka took a deep breath—it was okay. He had developed contacts in logistics too. If they really blocked his equipment and such, having contacts accommodate him would make life manageable.
The key was not letting big brother look down on him!
"I understand, big brother! I'll blacklist Botanist right now! If I answer his calls again, I'm a grandson!"