In Ibaraki City's seaside district, Minke Building stood among numerous modern structures. It was not the tallest, but its design was striking.
Its streamlined glass curtain walls reflected shimmering sunlight, like a flawless crystal on the coastline.
News of the jewelry exhibition had long since spread, and media vehicles and security personnel arriving early for duty had begun appearing around the building.
The three of them stood on the second floor of a café across the street, observing through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Mizai Istom ordered a black coffee and sipped it slowly.
Kanzai got the largest cup of iced cola and downed half of it in one gulp.
Leo only ordered a glass of water.
"The exhibition begins in two days."
Mizai Istom set down his cup, his gaze fixed on Minke Building's main entrance.
"We need to familiarize ourselves with the interior layout, especially the escape routes and possible assault paths."
Kanzai burped and wiped his mouth.
"Then let's go inside and take a look. We've got licenses, anyway."
He made it sound easy, but it was indeed the most straightforward approach.
A Hunter License was a universal pass in many situations.
Half an hour later, the three stood before Minke Building's main entrance.
Mizai Istom and Kanzai showed their licenses, and the head of security immediately stepped aside respectfully, even personally escorting them inside.
Leo circled around to the side of the building and found the rooftop of a tall building with a good view.
The rooftop terrace of a business hotel happened to overlook Minke Building and the surrounding blocks.
He paid a waiter a little money and obtained temporary access to the terrace.
The rooftop offered an unobstructed view. Leo leaned against the railing and covered his eyes with Gyo.
His vision became incomparably clear. He could see the windows on every floor of Minke Building, the vehicles entering and leaving, and every subtle movement made by pedestrians on the street corners.
The wind was strong, making his clothes flap loudly.
Leo stood motionless like a statue.
Inside Minke Building, the jewelry exhibition hall was still being set up in a flurry.
The white display stands had already been assembled, glass cases were being put into place one after another, and staff were testing the lighting and security systems.
Mizai Istom walked slowly.
His eyes swept over every corner—the height of the ceiling, the positions of the load-bearing pillars, the coverage angles of the surveillance cameras, the doors to the fire exits, and the outlets of the ventilation ducts.
He constructed a three-dimensional model in his mind, calculating potential combat zones and assessing the risks.
From time to time, he stopped to ask the accompanying guard about certain details.
"Is the glass on this display case bulletproof?"
"What is the emergency evacuation plan?"
"Does the power system have backup lines?"
His questions were professional and direct.
The head of security was initially somewhat nervous, but once he realized this Hunter genuinely wanted to understand the situation, he answered in detail.
Kanzai's method of "reconnaissance" was completely different.
With his hands clasped behind his head, he wandered around the hall in a lazy sway, looking like an idler who had accidentally wandered into the venue.
Yet whenever he passed somewhere, his nose twitched slightly—as if a real beast were catching a scent.
His fingertips casually brushed against the walls, the edges of the display stands, and door handles, leaving behind nearly imperceptible aura marks.
"Hey."
Kanzai suddenly stopped and pointed at a ventilation opening near the rear entrance.
"How big is this opening?"
The guard froze for a moment, then checked the blueprint in his hands.
"Sixty centimeters in diameter. A standard ventilation duct."
Kanzai snorted and said nothing more.
But Mizai Istom understood what he meant—it was a possible route for infiltration or escape.
It took the two nearly three hours to finish inspecting the entire floor.
By the time they left the building, the sky had already begun to darken.
Leo came out of the hotel across the street, and the three regrouped before returning to the inn where they were staying.
Their room was a standard suite, with a living room large enough for the three of them to hold a meeting.
Mizai Istom drew the curtains, switched on the projector he had brought, and projected Minke Building's floor plan onto the wall.
"The situation is somewhat complicated."
He got straight to the point.
"On the day of the jewelry exhibition, thirty professional security guards will be stationed there, all armed. The exhibition site has only one main entrance for visitors, but there is also a rear entrance connected to the freight passage and staff area."
The red dot of his laser pointer moved across the map.
"The most troublesome issue is the guest list—more than two hundred prominent figures from political and business circles have confirmed their attendance, including three mayors, over a dozen entrepreneurs, and quite a few media personnel."
Mizai Istom paused, his tone grave.
"There are too many people. If we mishandle this and cause panic or accidental injuries, it will have serious political and social repercussions."
Leo nodded.
He understood Mizai Istom's concerns—Hunters might possess special privileges, but they still had to uphold basic principles.
In a large-scale public incident, the safety of ordinary people had to come first.
Kanzai, however, sneered and flung himself back onto the sofa.
"Hmph, that's why I hate people like them the most."
His voice was filled with undisguised disgust.
"They dress themselves up like decent people, but behind the scenes, they do nothing but filthy things. I've worked as their bodyguard before. I know all their dirty business—corruption, bribery, sex-for-power deals... beasts wearing human faces."
Kanzai had worked security for many wealthy magnates and political figures, and he had seen too much filth beneath their glamorous exteriors.
Those experiences had filled him with contempt for so-called high society.
He sat up and spread his hands.
"If you ask me, the simplest way is to guard the entrance directly. The moment those three scum show themselves, we take them down! Clean and quick!"
"No."
Mizai Istom rejected the idea outright, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"You're too conspicuous. If you stand at the main entrance, they definitely won't show themselves."
Kanzai immediately got angry and shot to his feet.
"What did you say? You stinking cow! Who are you calling conspicuous?!"
Just as the atmosphere was about to turn tense, Leo spoke at the right moment, his voice calm but clear.
"Mr. Kanzai, calm down. Mr. Mizai Istom has a point."
He stepped between them, facing Kanzai, his tone sincere yet firm.
"You are both Zodiacs of the Hunter Association. Your reputations precede you."
"If the Jackal Trio did their homework, they will most likely recognize you. Once we alert them, they'll either call off the operation or alter their plan—either way, we'll be at an even greater disadvantage."
Kanzai glared at Leo, his chest heaving, but he did not shout again.
A few seconds later, he dropped heavily back onto the sofa, folded his arms, and sulked.
Leo turned to Mizai Istom and gave his suggestion.
"I can keep watch at the main entrance. I'm new, and I only recently became a Hunter, so there's no information about me outside. Besides..."
He smiled faintly.
"My Zetsu is fairly well-practiced. As long as I conceal my aura, I'll look like an ordinary person. They definitely won't notice anything unusual."
The room fell silent for a moment.
Mizai Istom sank into thought.
Kanzai also looked up at Leo. The anger in his eyes faded somewhat, replaced by appraisal.
"Hmm..."
Mizai Istom slowly nodded.
"This arrangement is indeed more prudent. You will be in the open, and we will remain in the shadows."
He looked at Kanzai.
"Kanzai, lie in wait around the exhibition hall's rear entrance. It is relatively concealed and suitable for you to make use of your tracking expertise."
Kanzai curled his lips, but did not object.
"If they show up,"
Mizai Istom continued.
"I will send a signal from inside the venue. We move simultaneously, end this quickly, and avoid involving the visitors as much as possible."
The plan was basically settled.
Mizai Istom looked at Leo.
"Did you notice anything while observing from outside?"
Leo shook his head.
"I watched from the nearby rooftop for a long time. I didn't find anyone suspicious scouting the area. Either they are extremely confident and believe they don't need advance reconnaissance, or..."
He paused.
"Or they have an insider and have already obtained sufficiently detailed intelligence."
That possibility made the atmosphere in the room turn heavy for a moment.
"Whichever it is,"
Mizai Istom stood up.
"We prepare according to plan. For now, get some rest and conserve your strength."
Two days later, on the day of the jewelry exhibition.
The weather in Ibaraki City was excellent, with bright sunshine and a gentle sea breeze.
A security perimeter had been set up around Minke Building early in the day. The media aimed their cameras at the entrance, and flashes went off in rapid succession.
Leo changed into a fitted black suit—one of the casual outfits he had prepared in advance. The tailoring was fine, but the fabric was flexible enough not to hinder his movements.
He stood beside the reception desk on the right side of the main entrance, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, his expression calm.
He looked like an ordinary event staffer, or perhaps a plainclothes member of the security team.
He swiftly assessed every person who entered.
Ordinary person, ordinary person, ordinary person... Occasionally, one or two had faint aura on them, but none posed a threat.
Mizai Istom and Kanzai had already entered the venue in advance.
Kanzai looked somewhat awkward in a suit—he kept tugging at his collar, wearing the expression of a tiger forced into a leash.
Mizai Istom, on the other hand, adapted perfectly. He even wore a pair of rimless glasses, making him look like a refined scholar or curator.
"Suits still don't suit me."
Kanzai complained in a low voice as he adjusted his cuffs.
"They're too uncomfortable. I don't know how you people put up with them!"
Mizai Istom ignored him, his gaze sweeping over the visitors filing into the venue.
He silently counted their numbers, assessed each person's behavior, and searched for any possible irregularities.
Standing at the entrance, Leo watched luxury cars pull up one after another. Their doors opened, and men and women in extravagant clothes stepped out.
Some were arrogant, some reserved, and some chatted and laughed, displaying perfect social masks before the cameras.
The air was thick with the scents of perfume, cigars, and power.
Leo remained expressionless, his eyes as calm as still water.
The hunt was about to begin.
Before you continue