Chapter 51

Usaku Saiki reached out and tapped Morofushi Kagemitsu's heart.

"Just now, it was jumping really hard here."

"...Really? That's normal, isn't it? After all, you actually asked for the Boss's photo directly, I was just taken aback."

Moribu Kagemitsu responded calmly.

His heartbeat was unusually steady at the moment, each beat striking the fingertips of Usoppō Saiki, and no one could tell that he was nervous or flustered.

"Look at his acting... If he hadn't been constantly increasing his suspicion level, I would have thought he really didn't care." The system couldn't help but sigh. "And look at your acting! You should really learn from him!"

Usoppō Saiki retorted: "He's a sniper, and an undercover agent must have been trained! I'm completely natural!"

A sniper's hand stability is also affected by their heart rate, so some snipers have their own little tricks to stabilize their heart rate in a short time. This is difficult, but some people are gifted and, with the help of some self-hypnosis techniques, can indeed maintain it for a short period of time.

The same applies to undercover agents. To avoid being detected by the enemy's lie detector tests, they undergo some extreme high-pressure training. Some people even find that the more nervous they are, the more stable their heartbeat becomes, making them seem like natural-born spies...

Fortunately, Usoppō Saiki wasn't investigating the undercover agent from the organization's perspective; he simply wanted to increase his chances of being suspected.

Because of his hard work in performing just now, the group of people only raised two-thirds of his expected level of suspicion... He has a slight obsessive-compulsive tendency and wants to maximize his target value before doing anything else.

But the phone call ended, leaving only Morofushi Kagemitsu in front of him—coincidentally, Morofushi Kagemitsu was also the one who had just given him the most suspicion.

Perhaps it's because undercover agents always think more than the truly ruthless ones.

Bo Yezaki felt that he should perhaps focus more on undercover agents in the future.

Now is a great opportunity.

He drew his fingers upwards and then placed his palm on Morobuchi Kagemitsu's heart.

"Next, I will use my position as an official to order you to answer my next questions honestly."

"...What's the problem?"

Morofushi Kagemitsu tried his best to remain calm and clear his mind, but he couldn't completely ignore what Usaba Saiki was about to say.

I was careless.

He had been thinking that Usaku Saiki was too approachable. Even when using him as a phone stand, he was sitting too close to him, as if using him as a pillow. It was probably okay to hug the skeleton, but it was definitely not comfortable to lean against it... So it turned out that it was sensing his heartbeat?

He's clearly a completely incompetent cadre, and doesn't seem to have any ambition. Judging from his previous behavior, he doesn't seem particularly loyal to the organization. As for suspecting who the mole is, that's something Gin can handle. Why is Usuba Saiki getting involved?

No... He can't use normal human thinking to understand Usaku Saiki's thoughts.

This kind of mental illness might mean that even if someone has no loyalty to the organization, they might still pay attention to matters within their job scope in order to experience the life of an ordinary person. Just like before, although Usaku Saikito was missing, he was actually actively looking for suitable people to recruit, just like a normal human resources manager. This time, he might have also sensed something, so he is trying to test whether he is a spy with a sense of participation, just like an ordinary person participating in a business war.

Morofushi Kagemitsu quickly recalled the location of his gun. To draw it, he would have to put his hand inside his coat, which was a rather obvious movement, but Usaku Saiki didn't seem to be a very capable fighter, so it should be fine.

Prepare for the worst, then figure out how to get by.

Morofushi Kagemitsu carefully and discreetly observed Usaku Saiki, noticing that the little madman was still smiling, seemingly unconcerned that if he were indeed an undercover agent, he might be exposed in this one-on-one situation and could potentially attack someone.

At that time, the clump of loose hair on Usaku Saiki's body, just like Gin's long hair, will become a weakness in close combat.

The little madman's hand was still on his heart, and the slight pressure made Morofushi Kagemitsu maintain a mild tension while trying to clear his mind.

Usoppō Saiki asked, "I'm asking you—"

Zhu Fujingguang slowed his breathing and listened attentively to what followed.

"—Don't you think Boss is being irresponsible, and that it's really bad to shift the blame to Gin?"

Morofushi Kagemitsu: "………………"

He was speechless for a long time.

That's it?! Is that all you wanted to ask?!?!?!?!

He had been putting on such a serious expression just now—oh wait, Usakabe Saiki had been smiling the whole time; the serious atmosphere was just his own perception…

Morofushi Kagemitsu was in a terrible state. He would rather Usui asked him some less outrageous but serious questions than make him look like a paranoid maniac after all that thinking.

Usoppei pressed a stern hand against his chest, clearly annoyed: "Speak up! Are you going to disobey the orders of your superiors?"

Morofushi Kagemitsu snapped out of his daze, restraining the twitching of his lips, and mumbled a reply: "...Well...if you think this kind of behavior is inappropriate, then maybe it's a bit..."

In any case, he kept his stance to himself to avoid being gossiped about by Bo Yezaki.

However, when Bo Ye Zaiji spreads rumors, just like an unscrupulous journalist, he doesn't need to consider what the person involved actually said.

Upon hearing Morofushi Kagemitsu's answer, Usaba Saiki immediately perked up and withdrew his hand: "That's right! I knew you must also dislike Boss's behavior of only caring about enjoying himself and not wanting to take any risks!"

Morifushi Kagemitsu tried to save him: "I didn't say that..."

"Hmm?" Usaka Saiki frowned. "Are you trying to question my Japanese reading comprehension skills?"

What does this have to do with your Japanese reading comprehension level?! Can you please stop thinking you're so great at Japanese just because you're a returned overseas student?!

Having experienced the same highs and lows that Rei Furuya had also gone through, Morofushi Kagemitsu was now quite exhausted: "No, whatever you say..."

Anyway, this guy talks nonsense everywhere. If he denies it, Gin and Vodka will probably believe him even more.

"That's great!" Bo Yezaki's smile instantly became even brighter. "Sigh, actually I've disliked Boss for a long time. Someone with my level of technical expertise could easily be headhunted by high-paying companies, but Boss wouldn't even meet with me and just had Gin do it instead. Isn't that looking down on me? If it weren't for my father even sacrificing his life for the organization, I wouldn't bother with them at all..."

To be honest, if it were a month ago, if Usaku Saiki had said he was a senior technical talent, Morofushi Kagemitsu would definitely have thought he was just a nepotism hire who didn't understand his own status. But now... Morofushi Kagemitsu quite approves of this claim of being a senior technical talent.

But can we please stop using the term "die in the line of duty" so carelessly?!

Morofushi Kagemitsu, patient and even maintaining his persona as an organization member, advised, "It's better not to say such things carelessly."

"It's alright! Because you're not an outsider!" Bo Yezaki said warmly, "You're one of those who, like me, look down on this Boss!"

Morofushi Kagemitsu: "…………"

Even though the response was so vague, they still managed to pin this dangerous label on them...

Bo Ye Saiki was still grumbling: "You don't know, I've been holding back for so long, and I couldn't find anyone to complain to. If I complained to Vodka, he would definitely tell Gin. Gin is like a die-hard fan of Boss, and he can't stand anyone saying anything bad about Boss... I finally found out that you are the same kind of person as me, and I'm so touched!"

Morofushi Kagemitsu tried to fit into Usui Seiki's logic: "...There's no need to test me like this. Didn't you say I'm your friend? Can't you just ask directly?"

“That won’t do.” Bo Yezhai sighed, his expression melancholy. “The closer the friendship, the more things you can’t say. If you do, you might lose the friendship. I’m also afraid that you’ll be hesitant to tell me the truth because of that…”

At that moment, Morofushi Kagemitsu felt that Usaku Saiki's worries actually seemed very genuine...

Before he could figure out what Bo Yezaki's views on friendship were, he saw Bo Yezaki's emotions suddenly become agitated again.

"But it's different between superiors and subordinates; the pressure of authority is too effective!"

Morofushi Kagemitsu: "...Ordinary people wouldn't treat their friends like this."

Usoppei seemed taken aback: "Really?"

Zhu Fujingguang replied decisively, "Yes."

“…Okay.” Usaka Saiki seemed reluctant. “I understand…”

Not bad, at least he listened to the advice...

Morobuchi Kagemitsu felt a strange sense of relief.

"In short, now that we have reached a consensus, it is time to move on to the next step."

Morofushi Kagemitsu is no longer feeling nervous.

Even if Usui Saiki said he wanted to overthrow the organization because he didn't like the boss, Morofushi Kagemitsu could calmly agree and then report back to Gin.

"—Oh, right." Suddenly remembering something, Usoppei asked casually, "You're not an undercover agent, are you?"

Morofushi Kagemitsu paused for a moment: "...Why do you ask that?"

What's going on? Was all that nonsense just to lower his guard?!

"Because you and Gin seem to have a good relationship."

Morofushi Kagemitsu: "...???"

Why would someone who has a good relationship with Gin be suspected of being an undercover agent?

"Never mind, I trust my judgment."

Bo Yezaki instructed him: "Now, our 'Talking Bad About the Boss' team is officially established, and you are now a key member of our team. If you come across any promising talents in the future, remember to recruit them... Don't make a mistake and recruit an undercover agent, or he might go and complain to Gin."

Morobuchi Kagemitsu: "...Okay."

Are you referring to this undercover agent?! Can you please finish your sentences in the future?! Don't jump around like that!

Well, for someone with a mental illness, that expectation is probably too high...

"Okay, you can swear now."

Usoppaki raised the cross to his chest: "You swear that you will not tell anyone, especially Gin and Vodka, you must keep it a secret, and you are never allowed to worship Boss again, if you break your oath..."

Zhu Fujingguang sincerely replied, "May you be punished by heaven and earth."

“Very good!” Usaku Saiki took off his cross and hung it around Morofushi Kagemitsu’s neck. “This is your token. Remember to carry it with you at all times. I will check it.”

“…This is something you like, isn’t it?” Morofushi Kagemitsu didn’t really want it. “I don’t take what others like.”

Usoya Saiki said, "It's alright, I have more."

As he spoke, he pulled a coin out of his pocket.

What he just gave to Morofushi Kagemitsu was a very simple silver cross, with a smooth surface and no extra decorations, and the chain was just an ordinary black rope.

What's being taken out now appears to be made of crystal, with a chain that's made of shiny metal.

Usakabe Saiki waved his hand in front of Morofushi Kagemitsu so he could see it more clearly: "Look, exactly the same!"

Morofushi Kagemitsu: "…………???"

He glanced at the vase that had been replaced by an identical one but which was now noticeably different, and then at the two necklaces that were completely dissimilar except for the fact that they were both crosses. His gaze momentarily dazed.

I'd always heard that some mentally ill people see the world differently than ordinary people, and now I've actually witnessed it firsthand...

Usaku Saiki pretended not to notice Morofushi Kagemitsu's subtle gaze.

...They're both cross necklaces with +10 luck, and the item slots overlap, so how come they're not exactly the same?!

"Alright, let's put personal matters aside and discuss business." Usakabe Saiki winked. "I feel like we work really well together, and now we're all on the same side... How about you be my partner? Not my deputy, but my partner! We'll definitely become a partnership that surpasses Gin and Vodka... What do you think?"

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Bonus chapter for 5000 nutrient solution!

Mines Gatling Bar: 83/100

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What does it mean to experience the ups and downs of life? Jingguang and Ling have found a new common ground.

Thin leaves are like unscrupulous reporters spreading rumors at will... What's going on here? Sometimes I write strange metaphors.

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The "Disdain for the Boss" group has been officially established, currently with two members. We'll see how many more we add later.

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Bo Ye: The closer the friendship, the more there are things you can't say, because if you do, you might lose the friendship. (This is a genuine feeling)

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Usopp treats Kagemitsu so well... Zero is so envious he could cry (not really).