Lure the Snake from Its Hole

"Nice to meet you, Akechi."

Akechi gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping across everyone in the dimly lit room.

His meeting with the Pheasant Faction's core members had gone far more smoothly than he had expected—or rather, these people who had resolved to make one last stand had far more resources than the rumors suggested.

They had long since cast everything else aside. Every resource, connection, and even their escape routes had been staked on the single goal of rescuing Hanako Arasaka.

Aside from the ninety elite members of the Ninja Hundred serving as the main force, who knew how many support personnel had quietly infiltrated North America from the shadows?

These pieces hidden in the dark were now operating with astonishing efficiency.

It was through this intricate underground network that even someone as sensitive as Akechi—a high-ranking target constantly monitored by Arakawa Sesen's faction—had managed to shake off surveillance without anyone noticing and make this secret contact with the Pheasant Faction.

The Pheasant Faction members showed extraordinary respect toward Akechi, who had never truly been one of their upper ranks.

Although Hanako Arasaka was now imprisoned, with her contact with the outside world sealed off layer by layer, the Pheasant Faction was not entirely helpless.

Through covert channels, they could still receive scattered fragments of information from the trapped young mistress and her most loyal guard, Oda Sandayu.

Among that fragmented yet precious intelligence, Akechi's name was mentioned again and again.

Miss Hanako, in her characteristic tone tinged with scrutiny, had called him "one of the few people sent to the chaotic land of North America who could still keep a clear head."

Oda Sandayu's assessment had been even more direct—a man of considerable talent, highly suitable for participating in the operation.

It was precisely these weighty endorsements