Chapter 119, Twenty-Sixth Cycle (1)

Time is of the essence, and even though the decision to collaborate with Shuichi Akai has been made, it is not a simple matter.

First of all, Shuichi Akai was tricked by Rei Furuya and ended up abroad. Even though Rum immediately asked him to come back, it was around 10 p.m. by the time he managed to get back to Tokyo, it was already past 10 p.m.

If we wait until he comes back at 10 p.m. to talk to him about cooperation, it will be too late.

But given that it's just online communication, would Shuichi Akai really trust and help them with such a serious matter concerning national infiltration and life and death?

Logically speaking, he should be more wary that this is a trap specifically set for him, designed to lure him back and capture him.

However, Shuichi Akai is a gambler who is crazy and daring enough to do anything, even if he is not sure of the safety, as long as there is enough bait.

besides……

“I’ll go and cooperate with Shuichi Akai,” Hiromitsu Morofushi said seriously. “Zero should continue to hide and not reveal Bourbon’s identity. He should only communicate with him as Sakura. Is that alright?”

Rei Furuya paused for a moment: "However, as Bourbon, I will ultimately be involved in this matter. If I don't make things clear with Akai, some terrible accidents might happen, like that dream..."

"It's not difficult to get Bourbon involved without revealing his identity." Morofushi Hiromitsu had already made his decision. "Both Scotland and Sakura know Bourbon very well and can easily control him. It will be easy to pretend to control you and get you into the script."

“Even if Shuichi Akai began to doubt Bourbon’s identity during this process, it doesn’t matter. After all, in the original timeline, he started to doubt your identity from this incident, didn’t he?” Morofushi Kagemitsu smiled. “Although it was only confirmed much later.”

He had said everything he could, so Rei Furuya could only sigh helplessly.

"Really, there's no need to worry about me like this." He tilted his head and pouted. "After all, the misunderstanding has been cleared up. Although it's really hateful that he hid the truth from me for so long, which made me rush around like an idiot for so long, and although I still can't hold a grudge about him chasing you and causing you to commit suicide, I now feel more like simply disliking him than hating him."

"I hate everything about Shuichi Akai."

"However, although I do hate Shuichi Akai, I have always regarded him as an opponent to be defeated, and I do not want to admit defeat in front of him, now... when it comes to serious matters, I can still suppress my emotions and treat him normally."

"I... I don't hate him that much to the point that I wouldn't cooperate with him in dangerous situations." Rei Furuya stammered, finally exploding in anger, "I'm just worried the FBI will take advantage of me! Shuichi Akai doesn't affect me that much!!!"

“Alright, alright, of course I know that Shuichi Akai can’t influence Zero’s normal judgment at all. Zero is just worried that the FBI will make excessive demands.” Hiromitsu Morofushi immediately smoothed things over. “But let’s do as I say for now. Zero isn’t willing to patiently negotiate with Shuichi Akai and the FBI, is he?”

Rei Furuya, his face still a little dark, said seriously as he was gently stroked. "No, it's too dangerous to let Hiro go to the FBI for help. Who knows what conditions they'll propose or what outrageous things they might do?"

“Let’s mediate,” he said. “I won’t act as Bourbon, but Sakura will exchange some intelligence with them so that we can cooperate on an equal footing. We have plenty of resources on our side to use in our cooperation with the FBI, enough to get their help.”

Morofushi Kagemitsu didn't object to this, but he was a little worried: "Won't this really cause the world line to change by more than 2%?"

"It's not a collaboration between the Public Security Bureau and the FBI, but rather a private collaboration between Shuichi Akai and Hiromitsu Morofushi, and at most Sakura, based on this matter. It shouldn't have that much of an impact," said Rei Furuya.

Once the plan was confirmed, Rei Furuya immediately began to act.

There wasn't much he could do right now, so after thinking for a moment, he lay down.

Even though he knew from his childhood friend's explanation that he probably didn't have the memory of the previous timeline, Morofushi Kagemitsu was still somewhat unwilling.

However, he did not dream of gaining the memories of the previous cycle.

Zhu Fujingguang stood up and sighed silently.

If Zero wasn't lying to him, then this save point has already been played six times, exceeding the five loops during his time at the police academy.

While it's not entirely certain whether only the five of them possess the memories of reincarnation, Morofushi Kagemitsu is fairly certain that the reason he was able to break through the limitations and possess all the detailed memories of those five cycles was because his repeated deaths and watching his most important childhood friend die in front of him had a tremendous impact on his mind.

The immense shock and the outburst of accumulated emotions directly broke through the limitations of different world lines, resulting in him obtaining all his memories after five playthroughs and briefly possessing the same abilities as the lonely observer outside the realm, "Player" Rei Furuya.

Why are only these five people able to possess the memories of reincarnation? It's probably because the four of them have a very close relationship with the core member, Rei Furuya.

Although Rei Furuya refused, his "wish" after destroying the organization was indeed to save the four of them and reunite with them. This set the core tone and save point for this game of loading and looping.

The five of them were too close together, and the causal relationships and emotions they developed were too intense and dense, so a bug appeared in the world, giving the other four, except for Furuya Rei, the opportunity to awaken their memories.

Similar to the "déjà vu" phenomenon that Zero explained before.

Morofushi Hiromitsu didn't have his memories this time, probably because Zero died alone in front of Komei for the third time. He probably didn't realize his childhood friend was dead until half an hour later when the world restarted.

Because it was interrupted, it was unable to break through the limit.

There was also a sixth time, in which Zero died first. This is why Morofushi Kagemitsu didn't have the memories of the previous timeline, and why it was difficult for him to have detailed memories afterward.

This might not be important to Rei Furuya, or even a blessing in disguise, as he never wanted anyone to have those painful and cruel memories.

As Natsuki Subaru said, he could go to Hell alone, since he had been there many times before.

However, this was a terrible outcome that Morofushi Kagemitsu and the other three were very unwilling to see.

Their desire to stand on the same track as Rei Furuya, to share everything with him, and to work hard with him has never changed.

But it was really too difficult. They didn't even have a chance to realize something was wrong, so it was impossible for them to stand on the same track as Rei Furuya.

It seems that Rei Furuya had already run far ahead into the unknown darkness to explore and pave the way. They couldn't see anything, so they could only worry about the stubborn blond youth while working hard behind him, at least to catch him if he failed and fell, and then everyone could work together again.

In any case, a solid support system can still provide that.

Of course, those are not the key points for now; what matters now is future development.

Let's talk to Zero about his psychological issues after this is resolved.

Morofushi Kagemitsu sat down next to his childhood friend and looked at the screen on his computer.

Choosing to cooperate with Shuichi Akai and the FBI behind him is a completely new development, and the possibilities for development will be more numerous and complex, making it impossible to rely entirely on the experience of previous iterations.

First, their Plan A was to cooperate only with Shuichi Akai and try to avoid involving the FBI.

If it succeeds, that would be the best outcome.

*

November 7th, 8 PM.

Bourbon was summoned by Rum to carry out a mission.

Shuichi Akai had just returned from abroad. He looked no different when he entered the Whiskey Group's safe house, but his eyes suddenly sharpened after the door closed.

He was originally supposed to be back two hours late, but thanks to Sakura's secret help, he finished the mission two hours early.

The seemingly omnipresent and mysteriously powerful abilities of super hackers are indeed terrifying, which explains why the FBI has been constantly warning him to be careful and investigate Sakura.

He also never expected that Bourbon, who was Sakura's mortal enemy and had close ties with Scotland, was actually in cahoots with Sakura and was an undercover agent sent by the Public Security Bureau to infiltrate the organization.

...Looking at it this way, it seems like Bourbon is the one who's really in trouble?

So what exactly were Scotland's feelings as it navigated between Bourbon and Cherry, two long-time rivals who frequently clashed?

Sitting on the sofa, Morofushi Kagemitsu smiled and waved to him: "It's confirmed that there are no bugging devices or surveillance cameras installed here. They're probably afraid that I'll find something wrong and run away."

Rum and Gin did know about this safe house for the three of them, but if they had secretly installed a bug inside, it would have been impossible for the three people living there not to have noticed. Instead, it would have alerted the bug.

"So, Mr. Akai, could you come over and discuss this in detail?" Morofushi Kagemitsu sincerely met his gaze and extended an invitation.

Shuichi Akai didn't remain silent for long. Since he chose to come back, it meant he had made his decision and wouldn't procrastinate any longer.

He sat on the sofa opposite the dark-haired man, looking him up and down with a completely new and new perspective: "When did you find out who I am?"

Morofushi Kagemitsu smiled but did not answer. He simply extended his hand and said gently, "Let me introduce myself again. I am Morofushi Kagemitsu, an undercover agent from the Japanese Public Security Bureau."

Shuichi Akai chuckled and extended his hand, saying, "I am Shuichi Akai, from the FBI of the United States."

Regardless, although the situation was shocking and dangerous, it was ultimately a good thing for him.

He joined the FBI and the undercover organization to investigate his father's whereabouts. Now that Sakura has information about his father, he wouldn't mind helping to save Scotland, or even arresting Gin right now.

Moreover, even without Sakura's subtle threat to expose his identity, he would still try to save Scotland once he learned that Scotland was an undercover agent and that his identity had been exposed.

only……

"Are you sure you don't need the FBI's help? The situation is so dangerous and urgent right now, can the police alone safely rescue you?" Shuichi Akai remained skeptical.

"Of course!!! Are you underestimating our police capabilities???" A voice, barely concealing its agitation, came from the cell phone on the table.

Shuichi Akai glanced at her and said, "Oh, so you're here too, Sakura."

It has to be said that Sakura's temper isn't exactly mild either, given that she and Bourbon have been constant rivals.

Moreover, Sakura is more easily angered than Bourbon, often uttering embarrassingly childish and melodramatic lines that instantly shatter a serious atmosphere, and can easily sway the entire atmosphere and everyone's thinking. She is indeed a completely naive and idealistic melodramatic brat. Although she is very capable, she is still too inexperienced. No wonder that even though she has been tricked by the cunning Bourbon several times, she is still easily trapped next time.

However, this guy does indeed possess the ability to create an ideal world, and even if he falls into a trap, he can still run away arrogantly, making Shuichi Akai truly realize the horror of chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).

“Don’t do anything unnecessary. We’ve already arranged the route after your fake death. All you need to do is act with Scotland to fool Bourbon and the rest of the organization,” Sakura warned him.

Shuichi Akai didn't answer, but just chuckled and said meaningfully, "It seems that Scotland is very important to you, you seem quite nervous."

The cherry blossoms instantly bristled.

Shuichi Akai felt a little relieved and stopped paying attention to Sakura's loud explanations that it was just because Scotland was a police officer who went undercover in the dark but still insisted on justice, and that he was not a good person and that the FBI was a bunch of bastards who liked to take advantage of people's misfortunes. Instead, he turned to look at Scotland, who was looking at his phone with a helpless expression.

Oh, now we should call him Morofushi Kagemitsu, that's his real name.

He had someone investigate and only agreed to cooperate after confirming the information was genuine. However, five hours have passed, and they haven't uncovered any further details about Morofushi Kagemitsu. His intelligence is very well hidden, suggesting that Sakura is involved.

“I’m serious, this country is dangerous. Even if you successfully fake your death, you’d better not stay,” Shuichi Akai said. “As you probably already know, this is the organization’s headquarters. This small island nation is not very big, so it’s easy to run into each other. Plus, the organization has many henchmen. If we’re not discovered, even I will be in danger.”

"So I suggest you use the FBI's witness protection program to go to the United States to lay low for a while. The FBI will protect you, and with my help, there won't be any problems," he said. "If you're willing to trust me."

Morofushi Kagemitsu paused for a moment, then shook his head helplessly: "I'm very sorry, Mr. Akai. Thank you for your suggestion, and I believe in you, but I have reasons to stay."

What could be more important than one's own life?

Akai Hideaki immediately thought of Bourbon, then denied it, glancing down at his still-nagging phone.

Are they cherry blossoms?

Hmm... I'm really a bit confused about their relationship.

"Japan is safer than America!" Sakura retorted angrily. "We can protect it!"

“There is no safe country in the world,” Shuichi Akai said.

The cherry blossoms died of anger.

Shuichi Akai thought this chuunibyou kid would continue to lash out, but to his surprise, the other person suddenly quieted down, and when he spoke again, his voice became incredibly firm and serious.

"I will risk my life to protect this country," Sakura said earnestly. "I will gradually build this imperfect country into the best version of what I envision, and strive to ensure that everyone living in this country can live a happy and peaceful life."

Shuichi Akai fell silent.

He thought to himself, although she was naive and immature, her ideals and awareness were not bad, so he didn't dislike her.

However, Sakura and Bourbon are truly two extremely opposite personalities, almost like two representatives of extreme evil and extreme good. How did Scotland manage to maintain good relations with both of them at the same time?

Shuichi Akai couldn't get along with either Bourbon or Sakura.

So in some ways, Scotland really is a pretty scary guy.