Chapter 3

Gin's questioning was within Usui Saiki's expectations.

Although the undercover system malfunctioned, forcing the suspicion value system to clean up the mess, the undercover system still gave the assigned background information to Usakata Saiki before leaving.

The "adoptive father," codenamed Alex, was in charge of the Black Organization's smuggling operations in the Middle East and was indeed an undercover agent.

...However, he was not a Soviet spy, but an undercover agent of the Japanese Public Security Bureau.

Gin even asked the wrong organization about the true efficacy of the arsenal, which just proved that the organization hadn't actually found out anything. Moreover, Usui Saiki knew Gin's purpose, so he was very relieved and even had the mood to tease him.

"You're not planning to embezzle my father's inheritance, are you? So you're making up excuses to slander him?" Bo Yezai asked suspiciously.

Gin's cold smile froze for a moment: "..."

He has questioned dozens, if not hundreds, of people with similar questions. Some were sarcastic, some were angry, but this is the first time I've seen someone come up with such a question that they don't get to the point or even question his character. After all, everyone knows what the crime of betrayal means.

At that moment, Gin suddenly remembered.

...Bo Yezhai is only 17 this year, still a minor, at an age when he is fearless and thinks that the world is not at fault.

Moreover, although this guy is the adopted son of Alex, he has not had any direct contact with the organization. Having seen many battlefields, it is normal for him not to have any respect for the organization.

The situation in the Middle East is chaotic and complex, making it difficult for the organization to intervene. They can only rely on the exceptionally capable Ariel. Therefore, with Ariel's death, the organization's control over the smuggling routes in the Middle East was immediately weakened.

How potent is Alex wine?

He was so powerful that he became friends with those smugglers who only cared about money and not people. When the organization came to take over his power, these superiors were uncooperative. Even the villagers who used to help pass messages to Yalijiu on the roads they often traveled by turned a blind eye and watched them being double-crossed.

Fortunately, while sorting through the estate, the organization finally remembered that Ari had an adopted son. They tested the group and found that their attitude towards the adopted son taking over Ari's work had softened considerably.

This is truly a society based on personal connections. I don't know how Alex has brainwashed these vultures whose veins are filled with money.

Because they needed to use Usakabe Saiki to maintain the crumbling Middle Eastern smuggling line, the organization had to allocate manpower to find him after he went missing. In addition, they needed his help, so they couldn't go too far with this adopted son before they could take care of the smuggling line, lest they lose more than they gain... Gin struggled to suppress his urge to use a gun for "friendly interaction".

However, his hand reaching towards the gun was noticed by Usaku Saiki.

Bo Yezaki was even more indignant: "I advise you to be more considerate. The gun and bullets in your hand may have been smuggled by my father at great risk. You're threatening me with my father's gun, trying to make me smear my father. Are you even human?"

Vodka rarely saw anyone speak to Gin in this manner; he was stunned.

No, your father is dead, you've lost your backer, and the organization is coming to your door questioning whether you might be a spy's underling. Why are you reacting like this?!

Even when the CIA attempted an assassination, Usakabe Saiki only got angry for a moment before getting preoccupied with the inheritance issue... Isn't this guy a bit cold-blooded?

Vodka couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so calm, still dwelling on these issues... Don't you want to avenge your adoptive father?"

Bo Yezaki remained calm, after all, he had never even met this adoptive father on paper, let alone had any feelings for him, but he definitely needed to find a reason to explain it to the outside world.

I'm so sad.

Usoba Saiki's light green eyes looked at Vodka with a hint of indifference, and even his messy clothes couldn't hide the almost ruthless coldness on his handsome face.

"But this is my own business. Why should I use body language and cry my heart out to make you understand that I'm sad and that I'm the one who's truly sad?"

Vodka was speechless.

That makes sense, but... he felt that the person was just saying it, and wasn't actually that sad.

This guy wasn't even willing to put on an act!

Vodka retorted, "But you don't even think about revenge, nor do you care that he's suspected of being an undercover agent; all you care about is the inheritance of the liquor."

Bo Yezaki said matter-of-factly, "The most important thing I learned in the Middle East is not to overestimate my abilities. Since I can't touch the CIA, there's no need to waste my energy on it. As for the undercover agent... he's definitely not a Soviet undercover agent. You think he is, of course I have to question whether you have ulterior motives."

Vodka: "..."

This person is incredibly rational, to the point of being ruthless. Even those brainwashed from childhood in an organization's training camp are no better than this!

He didn't even know if Alex could be considered a good parent. What if he deliberately raised him like this?

Gin was not offended by Usui Saiki's words, and even admired him a little - he was determined, did not waste his emotions on useless things, knew when to do what, and was a smart person.

For those in their line of work, callousness isn't an intolerable flaw; disloyalty is.

Although Usui's attitude towards the organization was rather indifferent, even to the point of being disloyal, since he wasn't considered a member of the organization, Gin decided to let it slide for the time being. He would only take action if Usui continued to be so irresponsible once he realized the reality of the situation.

Therefore, Gin said without changing his expression, "Alex has provided aid in the construction of hospitals and roads in many parts of the Middle East..."

Bo Yezaki looked completely calm, as if he didn't think it was a big deal at all, his face practically screaming "That's it?"

"Besides the Soviets, can't anyone else provide aid? Those people saved my dad when he was attacked, so what's wrong with them giving him some aid? Besides, they helped him keep in touch afterward, and we were doing well together. You were using the smuggled goods just fine before, and now you're turning your backs on them and accusing them of being undercover agents?"

Bo Yezaki crossed his arms, his body language suggesting impatience: "Any other questions? If not, I have to go to work. My father hasn't allowed me to get involved in your affairs, and I don't know anything about you. From now on, we'll all go our separate ways. Don't make excuses about the inheritance; if you don't want to give it, then don't. I just wanted to be self-reliant, live like an ordinary person, and stay away from the Middle East..."

Vodka: "...An ordinary person???"

“Yes, just an ordinary person.” Usakata Saiki raised his chin. “I’ve had enough of the Middle East. I long for ordinary society and the life of ordinary people, which is why I came back to Japan… Although I’m still a little unaccustomed to it, I think I can support myself.”

Vodka paused for a moment: "Ordinary people don't hire hitmen when they're looking for a job."

Speaking of this, Bo Yezaki also paused awkwardly for a moment: "Uh... because I'm not quite used to many normal jobs yet, so once I make some money, I plan to take some classes to learn how to be an ordinary person in a normal society. Right now, the only thing I can rely on is my eye for people, which I'm very confident in."

That's true, they took a liking to him and his older brother at first glance, trying to poach them... Vodka thought to himself.

From this conversation, Gin had obtained the information he wanted.

He didn't actually think that Alex was a Soviet spy.

As for the aid projects, Alex had submitted a report, and it was indeed useful for smuggling. After all, time is money sometimes, and repairing roads can improve efficiency, gain favor with the locals, and obtain some inside information. The organization agreed to it from the beginning.

As for the CIA, they see everyone as a Soviet spy. Besides, the smuggling of Alex also affected American interests, so it's normal for them to find an excuse to eliminate Alex and boost their performance.

Gin's conversation with Usui Saiki about this was actually just a test. Because Ariel has protected his adopted son very well and has almost no intelligence on him, he wanted to use this test to find out what kind of person Usui Saiki is so he could report back to the Boss.

...The result of the test was neither good nor bad. This guy was a bit unruly, but not impossible to win over and use.

Gin lit a cigarette, dropped the threatening stance he had put on to test the waters, and calmly followed the Boss's instructions to whitewash the organization: "Most of your legacy is with the Americans, and the rest is in the Middle East."

Vodka, as if on cue, launched into the persuasive maneuver: "The organization didn't intend to seize any inheritance; the Americans beat us to it. If you want to inherit the legacy, go back to the Middle East. Our organization treats the descendants of meritorious individuals well. If you join, the organization can take better care of you. And if you want to inherit the work of the 'Ali Liquor'—"

Usakabe Saiki: "I have a psychological trauma related to the Middle East. I didn't have a choice before, but now I want to be an ordinary person."

Vodka: "..."

Why be an ordinary person?! The smuggling of Alex is so lucrative! And because the organization has little say in it, as long as the quota is met, the organization pretends not to know how much money Alex pockets—now it all belongs to the organization, of course. Blaming the CIA is also because the CIA itself isn't entirely innocent; they did take a portion—in short, so many people are fighting tooth and nail to take over the Middle East, and they won't even take what's offered for free here!

Even if the organization didn't actually intend to hand it over completely to Usui, but only planned to let the "old friends" of the Alex Wine accept it first, and then gradually have the organization sideline Usui, this rejection was still too decisive!

Are ordinary people really that great?!

Vodka was about to say something when he saw the silver-haired boy suddenly tilt his head, his pale green eyes falling thoughtfully on him.

"You seem to really want me to go back to the Middle East... No wonder you suddenly came to see me, do you need something from me?"

Vodka felt a chill run down his spine.

Oh no, he's not exactly a bargaining or negotiating expert; his eagerness betrayed him, which is the worst thing you can do during negotiations.

Gin frowned as well, but he was well aware of Vodka's abilities. The other party was indeed difficult to deal with, so it was normal for problems to arise. The main concern now was how the other party would react. If things got really bad, he would send in the negotiation team...

But then Bo Yezhaiji changed the subject: "It wouldn't hurt to let me hear your request. Do me a favor first, and I'll consider it."

Vodka asked warily, "What favor?"

"You guys register to become my company's killers, help me boost my sales so I can collect my wages for today."

Although somewhat speechless, at least there was a glimmer of hope. Vodka, who was reluctant to register, started to take out his wallet: "How much is the salary? Can I just give it to you directly?"

Bo Yezhai said sternly, "No! We ordinary people earn our wages through our own hard work!"

Vodka: "…………"

—What kind of ordinary person are you?! What exactly did this guy go through in the Middle East? He seems to have some unrealistic fantasies about ordinary people!

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I've seen people call it "Little Mint" or "Mint Leaf"... they're all so cute!

He won't go back to the Middle East; his home turf is Japan, so don't worry!

.

Thin Leaf: Me, an ordinary person

Vodka: (I'm almost allergic to the word "ordinary person")