Power Corrupts the Heart, Military Operation Targeting Bai Xing

Inside the car.

Nagai sat in the back seat, curling himself up and blending into the darkness.

"I need an explanation."

Tozaki Yuu breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

What he feared most was Nagai refusing to even give him a chance to explain.

But now, it seemed Nagai was still fairly rational.

"It was an order issued by the Cabinet. Those stupid, arrogant fools always think the troops under their command can handle anything."

Tozaki Yuu had never thought highly of Ajin either, but as the head of the Ajin Research Management Association, he deeply understood how dangerous they were.

Especially second-stage Ajin!

Well, he did not know Bai Xing existed. He believed the changes in Nagai and Sato meant they had entered the second stage of being Ajin.

Much like how some Ajin could summon Little Black while others could not.

After a moment of silence, Nagai said, "How do you plan to deal with Sato?"

Although Sato's actions today had not harmed Eriko, they had thoroughly enraged him.

They only strengthened his determination to eliminate him. That was also why Nagai had risked returning to find Tozaki Yuu.

"I watched your fight with Sato. Do you think you can beat him in your current condition?"

Nagai fell silent again.

Clearly, although today's battle had been brief, he had been completely overwhelmed from beginning to end.

If Little Black had not assisted him, he would have fared even worse!

Tozaki Yuu then took out a tablet and played a video for Nagai.

It showed the scene of Sato triggering the Torrent Phenomenon after Nagai had been paralyzed by nerve gas.

"This is called the 'Torrent Phenomenon.'"

After briefly explaining it, Tozaki continued, "I don't know how likely it is, but if Sato really has mastered this phenomenon and can trigger it at will, the gap between you will only grow wider!"

"What exactly are you planning? Stop beating around the bush."

Tozaki Yuu's voice was low, his tone serious. "Special training! You need formal, comprehensive, high-intensity training! That's the only way to quickly improve your combat ability!"

"Why me?"

"At least for now, you are the only hope of defeating Sato!"

One month later.

The uproar surrounding Ajin had temporarily died down.

During that month, there had still been attacks carried out by Ajin, but compared to the 'Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Airliner Attack Incident' and the 'Enoki General Hospital Torrent Outbreak Incident,' the impact they caused was hardly worth mentioning.

The main reason was that one key figure was missing from those who continued carrying out the assassinations.

That was Sato!

No one knew where Sato had gone.

Tanaka Kouji had become the team leader.

Along with his three teammates: Okuzan Masumi, Takahashi Ryota, and Utsumi Akihiko.

Though the four of them were not as powerful as Sato, they were not to be underestimated.

Tanaka had followed Sato for many years and possessed extensive combat experience.

Okuzan Masumi was a computer genius and had also learned to summon Little Black.

Takahashi Ryota and Utsumi Akihiko were both ruthless and fearless fighters, while Takahashi had also learned to summon Little Black.

Among their four-man squad, only Utsumi Akihiko could not master Little Black, an advanced technique that only a small number of Ajin could use.

That alone showed how formidable they were.

Over the past month, they had carried out numerous operations, and the names on the assassination list had gradually dwindled.

Many influential figures in business and politics had become deeply anxious, and quite a few had even secretly fled overseas.

Yet there were still some stubborn fools who refused to believe it, such as Japan's current Prime Minister, Abe Tetsuya.

And today, he was Tanaka and the others' assassination target.

"They... They're even going after the Prime Minister..."

When Nagai Kei heard the news, his eyes widened in shock.

He was astonished by Tanaka and the others' audacity.

"They are nothing but anti-human, anti-social lunatics. There's no question about that. And lunatics are capable of anything."

After two seconds of silence, Nagai asked, "Will Sato show up?"

Tozaki Yuu shook his head. "I don't know. He hasn't accompanied the previous operations. He only had Tanaka lead the teams."

Then he looked at Nagai. "This time is of great importance. You've also undergone a month of high-intensity training. It's time to show what you can do."

After giving it some thought, Nagai nodded. "Yeah. All right."

Sato had not appeared in the previous operations, but this time, they were assassinating the Prime Minister!

Sato would very likely act personally. Otherwise, Tanaka and the others had little chance of completing the mission on their own!

That evening.

Led by Tozaki Yuu, Nagai headed for the Prime Minister's Official Residence.

At the same time.

Inside the Takahashi Syndicate Headquarters Building.

Bai Xing lay in an enormous bathtub, his body snugly enveloped by the warm, soft water as he enjoyed Takahashi Hitomi's attentions.

"Aren't you worried about your brother?"

Of course, he also knew what would happen tonight.

And among those planning to assassinate the Prime Minister was Hitomi's brother, Takahashi Ryota!

Hitomi froze for a moment, then straightened up. "I respect his choice."

Bai Xing smiled. "Is that so?"

He rose from the tub, put on a bathrobe, and lit a cigar.

"I heard you've been managing the Takahashi Syndicate quite well lately. Its overall revenue has at least tripled, and its territory has expanded by more than double."

Hitomi did not know why he was bringing this up, but she still replied, "It's all thanks to the Yamaguchi-gumi's full support."

Bai Xing looked at her. "Oh, right. I haven't seen Iketani in a while. The last time I went looking for him, I saw Kawamoto Zentaro, who was limping on one leg, preparing to go home and retire. What happened?"

Hitomi's face instantly turned pale. "Please, let me explain."

Bai Xing sighed and placed a finger against her lips, stopping her from speaking.

His hand brushed over Hitomi's fair, smooth, delicate cheek.

"People can change awfully fast sometimes, don't you think?"

"Please... I can give everything to you. Please don't doubt my love and loyalty toward you. I can even prove it with my life!"

Bai Xing stopped Hitomi from doing anything rash.

"I actually don't care about those little moves you've been making behind my back to satisfy your own desires. I'm only reminding you to know your limits. Iketani really is a good subordinate."

In less than two months, Hitomi, who had tasted power, was no longer the timid, love-struck girl she had once been.

Not only had she privately cut off every channel through which Iketani could meet Bai Xing in order to monopolize him for herself, she had also purged the entire Takahashi Syndicate. The powerful executives led by Kawamoto Zentaro had all been stripped of their authority, which naturally ended up in Takahashi Hitomi's own hands.

She could not have accomplished that alone in such a short time, of course. But with Bai Xing's reputation and the Yamaguchi-gumi's assistance—

It was no longer impossible.

And the real reason she did not want her brother to return was simply that she did not want to hand over the power she had worked so hard to obtain to that so-called "legitimate heir."

After giving Takahashi Hitomi a warning, Bai Xing had intended to head to the Training Room.

But he suddenly stopped.

One brow lifted.

"Oh? Interesting. I wonder who has the nerve."

At the same time, a large number of soldiers in combat uniforms had quietly infiltrated the building and taken control of the entire first floor.

They then continued advancing upward.

At the same time, several helicopters hovered overhead.

Fully armed soldiers descended one after another on fast ropes, landing on the building's rooftop.

This was clearly a planned and prepared military operation!

And their target was changing clothes at that very moment.