The seemingly polite words were full of sarcasm.

The man in the black robe spoke in a nonchalant manner.

It was as if he wasn't worried about what Shuichi Akai might do to him.

However, he was not worried at all.

He has enough chips in his hand to keep him safe.

After saying this, the man in the black robe felt he should pick up his coffee and take a sip.

This further demonstrates his fearlessness.

But then I thought about how this was just plain black coffee with nothing added, and it was incredibly bitter.

Let's forget about it.

That's settled then.

Taking a sip of black coffee, Shuichi Akai calmly replied:

"I think you don't need to waste your time."

"Just say it."

What do you want?

He certainly wouldn't fall for such a low-level provocation.

The man in black robes wanted to agitate him.

Although he didn't know whether the man in black was certain he could defeat him and wanted him to make a move, or whether he had some other reliance on.

But it doesn't matter.

In any case, he was unlikely to give in to the other party's wishes.

Putting aside his personality, he is inherently rational.

Furthermore, if this is true...

Only this man in black robes knew Mingmei's whereabouts.

If the man in black robes uses this to threaten him, he won't gain anything.

It cannot be confirmed at this time that the female voice in that recording is indeed Akemi.

But he cannot relax because of this.

What if it really is true?

Two years ago, because her sister was an important member of the organization, she believed that the organization would not take action against her.

So he kept Akemi.

For the sake of both of their safety, he has not contacted Mingmei even once in the past two years.

The only communication between the two was that text message that night.

It's still one-way.

If the woman in the recording really is Akemi, then he definitely won't miss this opportunity.

What do you want?

Upon hearing this, the man in black robes laughed:

"Didn't I already say that?"

"I need the intelligence you possess."

Even under these circumstances, Shuichi Akai would not consider exchanging information for it.

"Intelligence is impossible."

"I only have a little bit of knowledge about it."

"The rest are in the hands of my colleagues."

"Even if I agree, you won't get much information."

"So I think it would be more worthwhile for you to change your request."

The man in black robes, contrary to his villainous character, laughed instead of getting angry.

He politely declined Shuichi Akai's offer.

"As expected of you."

"Even at this point, you still have the mind to bargain with me."

"This isn't a farmers' market, how can you just change it like that?"

Shuichi Akai was not surprised to hear his refusal.

However, he still couldn't possibly exchange intelligence for it.

But at the same time, he didn't want to give up the opportunity to meet Akemi.

He looked at the man in black robes expressionlessly and then presented a few other options:

"It's impossible for me to give you the intelligence."

"But I can exchange something else for you."

As if genuinely moved, the man in black robes asked with great interest:

"for example?"

"For example, a legitimate identity."

No gimmicks, Shuichi Akai unleashed his ultimate move right from the start.

Changing one's identity is not difficult; he believed the man in black robes in front of him could definitely do it.

Especially in present-day Japan.

But those identities weren't exactly legitimate either.

Some things can still be a bit troublesome to do.

He can solve this problem.

There are several other interpretations of "legitimate identity":

—Witness Protection Program.

Also known as "Project Marshall" or "Evaporation Order".

It was named after its executive office, which was called the Marshall Office.

As for calling it the "evaporation order".

With the help of the US government, he secretly changed his identity and went into hiding, disappearing from the face of the earth.

Hence the name.

The main method of witness protection programs is to design an anonymous identity for the protected person, their relatives, and other people with social relationships.

Help them live in a new city where they won't be recognized.

The protected person can receive:

Reasonable job opportunities, assistance in finding housing, and financial support averaging $60,000...

Provide identity information for changed witnesses and their family members...

Provide psychologists, ethics counselors, and social workers when necessary...

People who join the Witness Protection Program are almost no different from ordinary people.

It can be said that joining this program completely clears one's name.

However, this plan has drawbacks.

For example:

I cannot contact some people I knew before.

You cannot go to your former residence, lest you be recognized.

...

But no matter how many drawbacks there are.

For those living in a dark world, joining this program is more beneficial than harmful.

In the past, the man in the black robe might have actually agreed to Shuichi Akai's condition.

However, he was originally white.

His identity makes it the same for anyone to investigate.

Even the world's four major intelligence organizations would never be able to find out about his past.

Therefore, this plan, like the coin-operated kiddie rides on the street, no longer held any appeal for him.

The man in black robes refused without hesitation:

"Witness protection program?"

"never mind."

"I prefer this free life I have now."

Seeing that the man in black robes refused, Shuichi Akai did not, like some other agents, promote the various benefits of the "Witness Protection Program".

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