Chapter 515

Bourbon claimed to believe Usakata Saiki, but he still harbored a slight suspicion. It wasn't until he went to the band's rehearsal and solved a case where a suicide was disguised as a homicide that he finally asked the band members why "ASACA" was pronounced "CA" instead of the more common "KA" in Romanization.

"Because he was drinking coffee in a coffee shop at the time, he wanted to use CA from 'cafe' instead of KA."

Bourbon: "...I see."

If you gave this reason to Rum, Rum would probably curse you out.

As expected, Bourbon handed the report to Rum, who was speechless.

Rum didn't care about the love, hate, and deaths involved; he only felt that he had wasted his time and energy paying attention to this matter.

What a moronly rock singer! Seventeen years ago, he found out his girlfriend was pregnant and wrote a song for the baby. He planned to name the baby Asaka, but then he changed the Romanization to an uncommon spelling because of coffee... He lost the baby and didn't finish writing it. Now, seventeen years later, he's learned the truth about the miscarriage and wants to write it again...

Did it really have to be such a coincidence?! He was starting to think that Potts was targeting him!

He even subtly tried to sow discord in front of the Boss, saying that he had recently seen Potts and that Potts' behavior was a bit strange—he didn't go into details about how embarrassing it was to introduce sushi and accept tips, only saying that it was strange—he wondered if Potts might do something to him… and that was it!

Even the boss would secretly think he's overthinking things!

—This time Rum wasn't wrong; after receiving the report, the Boss did indeed seem quite disgusted with Rum.

The cause and effect are clear, and there is no possibility of forcibly concealing it for Potts; it's just a misunderstanding.

No wonder Potts suspected Rum of trying to poison him; Rum was indeed petty.

He'd left Potts to Rum for so many years, and Potts hadn't done anything to Rum. It was only last time that Rum went too far, actually believing that the Japanese Public Security Bureau was hiding a real list of undercover agents. Potts couldn't stand it anymore, so he had no choice but to come to him to complain about Rum...

On the other hand, Rum felt that Potts was looking for trouble because he was wholeheartedly devoted to the organization. Even when Potts went out for sushi, Rum thought that Potts was going to do something to him—even if Potts really wanted to do something, he hadn't done anything yet!

Moreover, although Potts is unreliable, he still knows what he should and shouldn't do. It's impossible that he would actually leak organization intelligence and tell outsiders about Rum's dirty secrets from seventeen years ago just to get revenge on Rum.

Rum himself has a narrow perspective, and he thinks of Potts in such a petty way!

Both being second-generation members of the organization, Rum's character is far inferior to Potnis'.

...Indeed, we should nurture Potts.

After so many ups and downs in the organization, the veterans have all become too ambitious, and newcomers from outside can't be used immediately. But Potts is different; he has some ability but no ambition, and he's quite sensitive to malice.

Especially given the recent turmoil within the organization and Rum's numerous clandestine activities, it's the perfect opportunity for Potts to connect with the elders and discern which individuals still deserve his continued trust.

With that thought in mind, Boss closed his eyes and began to devise a plan in his mind on how to persuade Potts.

In fact, Bo Yezhai had been waiting for Boss Zhipin to contact him, but he still had to maintain a certain level of composure on the surface. So when Boss asked him if he was willing to do some more core tasks, he declined.

[Boss, I know you're good to me, but I really didn't learn anything useful in the Middle East. Promoting me rashly might make me do something wrong and affect the organization… Promotions should be based on ability. If you're short-staffed, I'll go recruit new people right away. Don't give up!]

The boss wasn't angry at being rejected; in fact, he was even more satisfied.

After his rebellious phase, Potts is great in every way, except he has such low self-esteem. Is that why Potts is always reluctant to do chores? Is he afraid of messing things up?

Having an overly strong sense of responsibility means always feeling that you must do it well, and if you can't do it well, then you shouldn't do it at all.

So the boss replied amiably: "It's not a difficult job. It's similar to your usual work of maintaining relationships with people in the Middle East. It's just about connecting with the organization's leaders on my behalf, occasionally going over for tea, and giving them gifts. If they gather any intelligence, just summarize and report back to me. It's very simple."

This time, it took Bo Ye Zaiji a long time to reply: "But my reputation within the organization isn't very good..."

Seeing that the boss's attitude had softened, he quickly replied: "You don't need to worry about any of that. Just visit regularly according to the list."

It's better that Potts has a bad reputation!

Boss knew all too well what kind of reputation Potts had within the organization. Aside from the less-than-ideal rumors about mental illness circulating in the early days with Vodka and Gin, later on, he was mainly known for being "exceptionally accurate at spotting undercover agents."

Anyone who has heard of Pottnis's reputation, and then sees him come knocking on their door, making small talk over tea and giving gifts... will definitely feel uneasy if they have something to hide, and that might make it easier for Pottnis to discover the problem!

What he's most worried about right now are the people who were the first to join him in creating the organization and their descendants, such as Rum, who all know his true identity.

These are the people least likely to be influenced by "mystery" and develop awe. Instead, they might look down on him upon learning his identity, thinking he is just an ordinary person struggling to survive.

Rum's ambition was probably related to knowing his true identity.

Thinking about it this way, "building relationships" with the elders really is the most suitable job for Potts.

Whether it's fear due to Potts's reputation, or the feeling that Potts is just a brat and not worth respecting, it's tantamount to underestimating oneself who stands behind Potts... all of this is useful information.

As for those who have always been loyal to him, the boss doesn't have high expectations. He just wants Botnis to treat them the same way he treats people in the Middle East, and there won't be any problems.

After the boss's sincere persuasion, Bo Yezaki finally agreed.

Perhaps people only appreciate things after they've put in the effort. At least when the Boss saw that Potts had agreed, he felt that such a good start shouldn't be changed, so he immediately gave Potts all sorts of good treatment.

Previously, Potts didn't work, just received a salary and had a reimbursement limit. Now, there's no limit to the reimbursement limit. Theoretically, if Potts wanted to, his salary could be higher than Rum's.

After making arrangements, the Boss gave Potts a name.

Although he trusted Potts, Boss was cautious by nature and didn't give him information that he thought was definitely one of his own. Instead, he gave him information about someone that he suspected had sided with Rum.

This guy used to have a good relationship with Pisco, and he's also quite familiar with Pisco's adopted son, Ireland. You could bring Ireland along.

Potts: [Got it. Then I'll ask where Ireland is... What if he's on a mission abroad? Someone might even arrange a job for him?]

The boss promised: "You have higher priority."

Ireland is currently on a mission abroad and only occasionally returns to Japan, mainly to avoid seeing or bothering Gin.

But Gin is, after all, the head of the action group and has command over Ireland. He didn't reflect on his failure to kill Ireland last time and continued to use people to the point of exhaustion.

Ireland already harbored a grudge against Gin, and now it was determined to get rid of Gin and take over. Every time it heard about Gin's plans, it got annoyed, but it couldn't find a way to directly overthrow Gin, so it could only endure it for the time being.

This time was no different. Gin assigned him a task, and Ireland patiently listened to Gin speak when a phone call suddenly came in.

Ireland hadn't planned to answer, but when he saw it was a call from Potts, who had saved him, he immediately perked up: "Gin, wait a minute, Potts is looking for me."

"...The mission is very important."

"Bottenis's matter is also very important. Otherwise, should I tell Bottenis to talk to you first and then come to me?"

Gin hung up the phone immediately.

Ireland inwardly mocked Gin for clearly being a coward in front of Potts, then answered the phone: "Potts, long time no see!"

"Long time no see, Ireland. Hope I haven't bothered you?" Potney's friendly voice rang out.

“Of course not,” Ireland asked with a smile. “Gin wants to give me a new task, and I’m getting impatient with it!”

Botnis smiled and said, "Then I must have brought good news... You're coming with me to visit Norio Wada this time. You don't need to worry about Gin's mission. The Boss said that I have higher priority."

Ireland recognized the name immediately: "Mr. Rinda... ah, he's an old acquaintance of Pisco's... I remember his codename was..."

“Yes, that’s him. Don’t be nervous. I’m just representing Boss to connect with the elders.” Potnis said casually. “Boss asked me to bring you along so we can have more topics to talk about. There’s nothing important. We’re just visiting.”

Although Potts spoke casually, Ireland had been involved in the underworld for many years.

Listen to this: [On behalf of the Boss, they're trying to build rapport with the veterans!]

Is this something an ordinary person could do?!

That must be something only the Boss's most trusted confidant could do!

Sure enough, following Potts is a promising career path! Look at Vodka, he's been with Gin for so many years and he's still driving!

In the workplace, sometimes your own abilities aren't as important as working with the right people!

Ireland immediately perked up, even more so than when Potts was entrusted with this important task: "Great! Where? Still Japan, right? I'm heading back home right now! What did Gin say?"

Potts said casually, "There's no need to hide this from Gin. He's at a high enough level to know."

Ireland understands.

So after he finished talking to Potts, he called Gin back.

Gin, in a businesslike manner: "Continue from where you left off..."

“Wait, stop talking now. I’m not participating in this mission,” Ireland said. “Don’t bring up the fact that I failed a mission before and this is to atone for it… Potts has taken me away. I have to go back home and visit the elders with Potts to build relationships on behalf of Boss. He said if you have any complaints, go talk to Boss.”

Gin, unusually flustered, asked, "...What?"

Botnis went to visit the elders?! And not just a few elders, which could be explained by other tasks, but a group of elders...

This wasn't something Potts could just decide to do on his own; it was definitely Boss who suggested it first...

What?! Having Bortenis appear before the elders, making his presence known, gaining their favor... Is the Boss planning to groom Bortenis?!

Has the world gone mad?!

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The comment disappeared after I corrected a mistake... It's so frustrating...

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Anyway, let's congratulate Bo Ye on her promotion... It took her 500 chapters to get promoted, that's really not easy (wiping away tears). What kind of life did she live before...?

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See, the benefits of Bo Ye's consistent efforts in maintaining relationships with the Middle East, even though he may not do much else... are coming...

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Boss: Potts is a friend to middle-aged and elderly people.

Gin: Boss, have you forgotten how you were driven to the brink of neurasthenia by Potney's midnight phone calls back then?