"What bargaining chip?" Nathan Hawke immediately asked.
"Gene Modification Technology. This was a technology improved by Kalkov, but Mr. NESTS decided to seal it away. It's currently in a base in Europe." As soon as Ryoma Sengoku finished speaking, Nathan Hawke immediately understood.
"What about Igniz? Has he contacted Dr. Keitz?"
"I don't know. But Dr. Keitz hinted to me that as long as he gets the Gene Modification Technology, he'll come with me. At the same time, he hinted that he doesn't want to get caught in the middle of a conflict."
"So?" Nathan Hawke raised a brow.
"So, Dr. Keitz should have received an invitation from Igniz and is only considering it for now. If we don't get this technology, then for its sake, Dr. Keitz will probably go to Igniz." Ryoma Sengoku finally gave a definite answer.
"What else is there to say? Let's do it." Nathan Hawke stood and said to Ryoma Sengoku, "Give me the exact location when you get back. You can do that, right?"
"Of course. Wait for my good news." Ryoma Sengoku left.
Nathan Hawke looked at the electric-powered man beside him. "No more watching. Let's go."
When Nathan Hawke handed the suitcase to Andrew for safekeeping, Andrew asked with a puzzled expression, "Boss, are you going to do something? Do you want me to come too?"
Nathan Hawke instructed him, "No. Over the next few days, ask Master Zhen Yuanzhai more about using your telekinesis and developing your own techniques. Master Zhen Yuanzhai may not have telekinesis, but his mastery of martial arts is more than enough to teach you. The competitors in the KOF Tournament are all strong, so fight well. Treat it as training. You have too little experience fighting powerful opponents."
"Alright." Andrew blinked.
This guy... Nathan Hawke was speechless. At that moment, he desperately wished Andrew could fight Iori Yagami. Then again, Andrew could fly, while most people in the KOF world couldn't.
"Oh, right." Nathan Hawke spoke seriously.
"What is it, boss?" Andrew blinked with childlike curiosity.
"Don't reveal that you can fly. Absolutely do not reveal it." Nathan Hawke was exceedingly serious.
Andrew shakily agreed, "O-okay." Yet inwardly, he thought, How did the boss know that if I can't win, I was planning to fly into the air and bombard them with telekinesis?
"If people find out you can fly in this world, someone will immediately come looking to dissect you. Be careful." Nathan Hawke waved a hand and left.
A few days later.
After receiving word, Nathan Hawke and the electric-powered man arrived at a bar.
"This way, boss." Ryoma Sengoku led the two of them toward a private room.
After entering, Nathan Hawke found two people already waiting inside. When they saw him enter, both stood up.
"Nathan Hawke."
"Max Dillon."
"Dr. Keitz."
"Ramon."
"Ramon?" Nathan Hawke looked at the shrewd-looking man wearing a small eyepatch. This guy was one of the teammates of K, the male lead of the second season.
He then looked at Dr. Keitz.
Dr. Keitz had short black hair, neatly combed back. His deep brown eyes carried an attentive, calm light. His features were sharply defined and well-proportioned, giving him an air of determination and confidence.
He was tall and lean, standing straight with the healthy, capable bearing of a trained man. He often wore a white laboratory coat, revealing his focus and dedication to scientific research. His movements were steady, and every gesture conveyed intelligence and calm.
"I merely injected some genes." Dr. Keitz smiled and shook Nathan Hawke's hand.
Nathan Hawke raised a brow. This guy had some personality. His handshake was quite firm too.
After the five of them sat down, Dr. Keitz spoke first. "Ramon was hired by me. However, Mr. Sengoku told me that Mr. Hawke has an electric-powered individual under him?"
As soon as Dr. Keitz finished speaking.
Crackle, crackle...
The electric-powered man floated into the air, lightning flashing across his entire body.
"Magnificent!" Dr. Keitz exclaimed as he stared at the floating electric-powered man. Behind him, Ramon also looked at him in shock.
"I thought Rai Den from the KOF Tournament was already incredibly impressive. I never expected Mr. Hawke's Max Dillon to be even more astonishing."
"You can test his combat ability," Nathan Hawke said, glancing at Ramon behind Dr. Keitz.
"Haha, no need, no need." Dr. Keitz hurriedly waved his hands.
"Then let's begin preparing our plan," Ryoma Sengoku said.
Dr. Keitz nodded and began, "There are currently three copies of the Gene Modification Technology improved by Kalkov—one in the open and two hidden. Aside from the original one Mr. NESTS placed at the European branch, my investigation found that one is with Zero. The other is in Igniz's hands."
No one spoke. They listened patiently as Dr. Keitz continued, "The European branch is heavily guarded, so we can't go there. Igniz's place is absolutely impossible. That leaves only Zero's."
Dr. Keitz then looked at Ramon beside him.
Ramon revealed a sly smile. "The intelligence I gathered says that Zero of NESTS made a deal with the leader of Vipers, Long. That deal includes a copy of Kalkov's improved Gene Modification Technology."
"Customs in Long Nation are tightly controlled, but NESTS is the largest trade organization. As long as the taxes are legally paid, there won't be any problem."
Ramon raised one finger.
"One Gene Modification Technology data disc is stored in a safe along with other supplies. It is currently at a NESTS port in Sakura Nation. It should arrive in ten days."
Dr. Keitz added, "I've been there. Apart from NESTS security, Vipers experts are secretly guarding the interior. However, the supplies have not all been assembled yet, and according to the insider I planted, the safe containing the data disc has not yet been transported to the port."
"During this time, I'll find excuses to visit the port more often. By then, I'll draw a map." Dr. Keitz looked at the three of them, then said seriously, "If we succeed, I'll join you. If we fail..."
"Don't worry. We won't fail." Ryoma Sengoku said confidently. "Other than the Vipers experts, the rest of those NESTS security forces are small fry unless they're executives." After speaking, he winked at Nathan Hawke.
Nathan Hawke, meanwhile, considered the timing.
Ten days later would be around mid-July. With the remaining time, perhaps he could cause some trouble for Hell Band and obtain their blood.
"Fine. Contact Ryoma Sengoku when the time comes," Nathan Hawke decided.
"Alright, then we'll leave first." Dr. Keitz nodded to Nathan Hawke, who might become his boss in the future, and left. Ramon followed closely behind.
After they left.
"I don't think he's the type to be obsessed with technology for its own sake." Nathan Hawke looked at Ryoma Sengoku. He only knew a little about Dr. Keitz from the original plot and had never paid much attention to him. Now that he had met him, Nathan Hawke felt that the man's goal did not seem to be scientific research.
Ryoma Sengoku seemed to remember something and snickered. "That's because his original dream was never to become a researcher." He struck a boxer's pose. "His dream has always been to become a fighter. Gene Modification Technology is simply something he needs in order to become one. One reason he doesn't want to work for Igniz is that he doesn't want to remain just a 'researcher' forever."
Nathan Hawke could not help shaking his head. "Looks like if he wants to become a scientist, he first has to become a good researcher."
Ten days passed just like that. Aside from watching the superpowered team's match with Andrew, the remaining time was spent making plans, memorizing the port map drawn by Dr. Keitz, and mapping retreat routes through the surrounding area.
They met in a safe house marked by Ramon.
Ramon said with a serious expression, "Dr. Keitz sent the latest information. The leader of Vipers, Long, is at the port. This transaction must involve something even more valuable. The Gene Modification Technology is only incidental. Are we still carrying out the plan?" Ramon watched Nathan Hawke's expression closely. If Nathan Hawke said they were not going, Ramon's job would be over, though he had already received the deposit.
"We're going. Definitely." Nathan Hawke loosened his shoulders. "I also happen to want to see how strong I am."
The electric-powered man revealed a cold smile, his lips curving upward. He had done plenty of good deeds lately. A little slaughter would not be a bad thing.
Watching their eager expressions, Ramon turned around with a sly look on his face, his thoughts unreadable.
"In that case, let's move."
As they headed downstairs, Ramon looked around and saw no trace of the electric-powered man. He asked curiously, "Where's Max?"
"He's already on the way," Nathan Hawke replied calmly.
He pulled on a hood and headed toward the nearby NESTS port.
"Isn't this different from what we agreed on?" Ramon could not help feeling worried. According to the original plan, they would use work passes to enter the port, then enter the utility room, knock out the temporary workers hired by NESTS, take their ID cards for the processing workshop, infiltrate the warehouse, and search for the data disc.
"We have a faster method." Nathan Hawke disliked this method somewhat, because it was far too beneath him.
As the chairman of a superhero company in the Marvel World, being made to do something like this—would Dr. Keitz look down on him afterward if he succeeded? Would such shady methods make Dr. Keitz regret joining him later?
"Wait here. We'll create an opportunity for you. You just need to go in and take it." Nathan Hawke stretched his muscles.
"You guys, this—" Ramon began, but his unfinished words stopped short. His previously shrewd face went slack, his mouth hanging open as he stared in shock at Nathan Hawke floating in the air. Nathan Hawke rose higher and higher, then flew toward the port.
"Th-this... Are all of you able to fly?" Ramon wildly shook his head, goosebumps rising across his skin.
Before you continue