Minke Building, Preparing for the Hunt

In Ibaraki City's waterfront 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 waves beneath the sunlight, like a translucent crystal set along the coast.

Word of the jewelry exhibition had long since spread, and media vans and security personnel arriving early for duty had begun appearing around the building.

Leo and the other two 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 ordered the largest iced cola and downed half of it in one go.

Leo only had a glass of water.

"The exhibition starts 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 emergency exits and possible assault routes."

Kanzai burped and wiped his mouth.

"Then let's go inside and take a look. We've got licenses, anyway."

He said it casually, but it was indeed the most direct approach.

A Hunter License was practically an all-purpose 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 accompanying them inside.

Leo, meanwhile, circled around to the side of the building and found the rooftop of a nearby high-rise with an excellent view.

The top-floor terrace of a business hotel happened to overlook Minke Building and the surrounding streets.

He paid the waiter a little money and obtained temporary access to the terrace.

The rooftop offered a wide-open view. Leo leaned against the railing, covering his eyes with Gyo.

His vision became incomparably clear. He could see the windows on every floor of Minke Building, the vehicles coming and going, and the slightest movements of every pedestrian at 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 arranged in a flurry of activity.

The white display stands had already been assembled, glass cases were being put in place one after another, and the staff were testing the lighting and security systems.

Mizai Istom walked slowly.

His gaze swept over every corner—the ceiling height, the locations of load-bearing columns, the coverage angles of surveillance cameras, the doors to the fire exits, and the ventilation duct outlets.

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 security 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 after realizing that this Hunter was genuinely trying to understand the situation, he answered in detail.

Kanzai's method of "reconnaissance" was entirely different.

With both hands clasped behind his head, he wandered leisurely around the hall, looking like an idle bystander who had accidentally wandered into the venue.

Yet everywhere he passed, his nose twitched faintly—as though a real beast were catching scents.

His fingertips casually brushed against walls, display stand edges, and door handles, leaving behind nearly imperceptible aura marks.

"Hey."

Kanzai suddenly stopped and pointed at a vent near the back entrance.

"How big is this opening?"

The guard froze for a moment, then checked the floor plan 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.

The two spent nearly three hours inspecting the entire floor.

By the time they left the building, the sky had already begun to darken.

Leo emerged from the hotel across the street. The three regrouped and returned 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 with him, 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 personnel will be stationed there, all armed. The exhibition floor has only one main entrance for visitors, but there is also a back entrance connected to the freight passage and staff area."

The red dot of the laser pointer moved across the map.

"The most troublesome part is the guest list—more than two hundred prominent figures from political and business circles have already confirmed 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 this is mishandled and causes panic or accidental injuries, the political and social repercussions will be severe."

Leo nodded.

He understood Mizai Istom's concerns—Hunters might possess special privileges, but they still had to uphold basic principles.

During a major public event, the safety of ordinary people had to come first.

Kanzai, however, gave a scornful snort and sprawled back on the sofa.

"Hmph. That's why I hate people like them the most."

His voice was filled with undisguised disgust.

"They all dress up like respectable people, but behind the scenes, they do nothing but filthy things. I've worked as their bodyguard before. I know all about that crap—corruption, bribery, sex-for-power deals... beasts wearing human faces."

Kanzai had worked security for many wealthy figures in political and business circles and had seen far too much filth hidden beneath glamorous exteriors.

That experience had left him full of contempt for so-called high society.

He sat up and spread his hands.

"If you ask me, it's simple—wait right at the entrance. The moment those three pieces of trash show up, we take them down! Quick and clean!"

"No."

Mizai Istom rejected the idea outright, his tone leaving no room for argument.

"You stand out too much. If you wait at the main entrance, they definitely won't show themselves."

Kanzai instantly flew into a rage and shot to his feet.

"What did you say? You stinking bull! Who stands out?!"

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 and faced Kanzai, his tone sincere yet firm.

"You are, after all, Zodiacs of the Hunter Association. You're well known."

"If the Jackal Trio did their homework, there's a good chance they'll recognize you. Once we alert them, they'll either cancel the operation or change their plan—then we'll be even more passive."

Kanzai glared at Leo, his chest heaving, but he did not shout again.

A few seconds later, he dropped heavily back onto the sofa and folded his arms, sulking.

Leo turned to Mizai Istom and offered his own suggestion.

"I can watch the main entrance. I'm new, and I only just became a Hunter, so there's no information about me out there. Besides..."

He smiled faintly.

"My Zetsu training is pretty good. 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 raised his head to look at Leo. Some of the anger in his eyes faded, replaced by appraisal.

"Hmm..."

Mizai Istom slowly nodded.

"This arrangement is indeed more reliable. You'll be in the open, while we remain in the shadows."

He looked at Kanzai.

"Kanzai, lie in wait by the rear entrance of the exhibition hall. It's relatively concealed there, making it suitable for your tracking skills."

Kanzai curled his lip, but did not object.

"If they appear,"

Mizai Istom continued.

"I'll signal from inside the venue. We'll act at the same time, end this quickly, and avoid involving the visitors as much as possible."

The plan was basically settled.

Mizai Istom looked at Leo.

"Did you discover anything while observing from outside?"

Leo shook his head.

"I watched from the nearby rooftop for a long time. I didn't spot anyone suspicious scouting the area. Either they're extremely confident and think they don't need to scout in advance, or..."

He paused.

"Or they have an insider and have already obtained sufficiently detailed intelligence."

That possibility made the room's atmosphere heavy for an instant.

"Either way."

Mizai Istom rose to his feet.

"We'll prepare according to plan. 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.

Security barriers had been set up around Minke Building early in the day. Media cameras were aimed at the entrance, and flashes went off one after another.

Leo had changed into a fitted black suit—one of the casual outfits he had prepared in advance. It was finely tailored, but the fabric was flexible enough not to hinder movement.

He stood beside the reception desk to the right of the main entrance, his hands hanging naturally at his sides, his expression calm.

He looked like an ordinary venue staff member, or perhaps a plainclothes member of the security team.

He quickly assessed every person who entered.

Ordinary person, ordinary person, ordinary person... Occasionally, one or two carried faint traces of aura, 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 fierce tiger forced into a collar.

Mizai Istom, on the other hand, had adapted perfectly. He even wore a pair of rimless glasses, making him look like a refined scholar or curator.

"Suits really don't suit me."

Kanzai complained in a low voice as he adjusted his cuffs.

"They're too damn uncomfortable. I don't know how you people stand them!"

Mizai Istom ignored him, his gaze sweeping across the visitors entering one after another.

He silently counted their numbers, assessed each person's behavior, and searched for any possible anomaly.

Standing at the entrance, Leo watched luxury cars pull up one after another, stop, and open their doors to reveal men and women dressed in extravagant attire.

Some were arrogant, some reserved, some chatted cheerfully, all displaying perfect social masks before the cameras.

The air was thick with the scent of perfume, cigars, and power.

Leo remained expressionless, his eyes as calm as still water.

The hunt was about to begin.