Ke Xue: Ai-chan and I have an agreement

"You don't trust us?"

"Otherwise what? Are you FBI agents all so clueless? The title of world police is...infamous" for most people in most countries?"

Shiina Yuichi tried to express his thoughts as tactfully as possible.

Judy almost laughed in anger. She thought he had some issues with Shuichi Akai, but she didn't expect that the FBI would also be viewed with prejudice.

But after thinking about it, Judy couldn't find a good explanation for herself.

Judy decided to skip the effort of finding the right words to argue with Shiina Yuichi and instead went straight to the heart of the matter.

“Miyano Akemi’s witness protection program is already in the archives, and even I have no right to investigate it, so this is impossible…”

Upon hearing this, Shiina Yuichi revealed a strange smile:

"What if I'm willing to help you destroy the Kanto branch of the brewery's stronghold? Or what about the whereabouts of several codenamed members?"

"Aren't you even tempted by this?"

If their clash was like playing cards, then Shiina Yuichi threw out a royal flush.

Judy had to admit that Shiina Yuichi's suggestion was really convincing.

Think about how much they've suffered over the years trying to dismantle the distillery?

Having a genuine liquor producer who is willing to cooperate with them and has no official background would undoubtedly provide the greatest help.

But... Judy hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke:

"I'm sorry, but according to the terms of the Witness Protection Program, I cannot accept your request. Whatever your reason, I can assure you that the Witness Protection Program will be very effective in ensuring that lady's safety."

Judy is very confident about this.

Because... she is one of the beneficiaries of the witness protection program.

The fact that she is still alive and well is the best proof of that.

Although Shiina Yuichi's proposal was tempting, Judy did not want to betray others for it.

According to Shuichi Akai, the young woman had been living in the United States for some time and was doing quite well.

Since that's the case, there's no need to bother them any further.

For both her and Shiina Yuichi, becoming an ordinary person is not a bad thing.

As for dismantling the distillery and finding that woman... she can do it all.

Yuichi Shiina naturally understood Judy's thoughts.

But... he wouldn't accept it!

The reason why Miyano Akemi was allowed to leave was not only because the situation at the time made it impossible to take care of the two sisters, but also because it was out of respect for Miyano Akemi's own wishes.

but now……

"In that case, may I speak with her? I need to know her true thoughts... First, I need to make one thing clear: from beginning to end, what I care about is Miyano Akemi's thoughts, and has nothing to do with any FBI clauses."

"Secondly, she's my sister. That's not an unreasonable request, is it?"

Shiina Yuichi remained indifferent. Those who knew him well knew that he would not back down on his bottom line at the negotiating table.

"Then I and..."

“No.” Shiina Yuu interrupted Jodie directly, his tone serious. “I need someone who can speak to me, like your superior and that sniper-loving bastard’s superior!”

"Friendly reminder: this deal is between you and me, and no one else is involved. Plus, this is a one-time opportunity."

Chips!

Judy understood the meaning from Shiina Yuichi's words.

He was using himself as a bargaining chip, completely transforming himself into an inside agent.

Having said that, Judy understood just how serious Shiina Yuichi was.

“I understand, but…” Judy suddenly smiled, like winter snow meeting spring, “Let’s forget about the deal. I don’t want you to break your principles… Friends don’t talk about these things, right? Just consider it helping you out a little?”

Take measures!

Shiina Yu's face darkened; she hadn't expected Jodie to be so shameless.

I asked you to help me run a phone line, and you expect me to risk my life as an inside man?

You like playing with inequalities, huh?

Yuichi Shiina stared at Judy, who was smiling broadly, and returned a professional sneer.

"Let's talk about it when you can actually help me get it sorted out."

"OK~"

Judy replied with a smile, and casually winked at Shiina Yuichi, her charming demeanor earning her a "see you out" from Shiina Yuichi.

Soon, Judy was escorted away from the manor by Dian.

Yuichi Shiina remained seated in the same spot. Shortly after, Shiho Miyano appeared behind him, pushing her wheelchair toward the flower garden not far away.

"Have you reached an agreement?" Shiho Miyano asked softly.

"More or less." Shiina Yuichi hesitated, then swallowed the words he was about to say and changed the subject, "Curaçao's defection is very useful to us."

"Is it worth it?" Shiho Miyano asked again, "Just for her alone, is it worth going through all this trouble?"

Upon hearing this, Shiina Yuichi smiled and, as he passed by the flower bed, casually broke off a section of a brightly blooming lilac.

Taking a deep sniff of the flowers, Shiina Yuichi picked up the conversation.

“Our target isn’t her, is it? If we can take down Gin this time, we might as well hand over all the other spies in the brewery as bait.”

The soft voice carried a chilling undertone.

Shiho Miyano looked down at Yuichi Shiina's unpredictable expression and the fragrant lilac blossoms, a hint of heartache flashing across her face.

For a long time, Yuichi Shiina has been under a lot of pressure.

Even after returning to his hometown, he remained highly tense.

And a large part of it was for her.

In order to be able to stand openly in the sunlight.

"It's almost over, isn't it?"

"Well, let's go back to Tokyo then, and see some old friends."

"Well, it's up to you."

…………

In the abandoned factory, Shuichi Akai's expression was ashen.

He hadn't expected Gin to actually escape, right under his nose.

"Investigator Shuichi Akai!"

A blond man carrying an M4 carbine walked up to Shuichi Akai and reported.

"We found Agent Camille's body in the factory building on the west side of the factory."

Camille?

Akai Shuichi frowned.

It seems like I saw him not long ago.

"...Time of death." Connecting this to Gin's whereabouts, Shuichi Akai suddenly had a flash of inspiration, "How long ago did he die?"

"Well... based on our initial assessment, it must have happened about an hour ago."

That was... the beginning of the encirclement.

Shuichi Akai recalled the man who had helped his teammates pass by him.

It had been no more than thirty minutes since he had seen Camille.

That means she came too.

Belmode!

"Let's call it a day." Shuichi Akai turned and walked out of the abandoned factory.

"Aren't we going to expand the contraction area?" the agent asked, puzzled.

“No need.” Akai Hideki replied without turning his head. “Thirty minutes is enough time to travel a great distance, whether entering or leaving Vladivostok. There’s no need to continue.”

Shuichi Akai, carrying the agent away, smirked slightly, his eyes sharp and piercing.

It's been a long time, Vermouth.

The incident in New York was still fresh in his memory.