Chapter 471
Rum was under a lot of pressure, but he persevered.
He did what Vodka had always wanted to do but dared not do—he firmly rejected Potnis.
After all, this mission is really important and crucial. It's not like the usual missions where failure wouldn't have much of an impact. We can't just let others play around with it; it's too risky. If we fail, there really won't be any other opportunities.
Of course, Rum's refusal wasn't too blunt; he still gave a reason, saying it was a matter of great importance and he needed to consult the Boss.
Then, without even having time to carefully choose his words, fearing that Bortenis would beat him to the punch and ask the Boss for permission, Rum quickly contacted the Boss, frantically emphasizing the importance of this mission and the uncertainty surrounding Bortenis, and directly saying that he hoped the Boss could restrain Bortenis and prevent him from interfering in this mission.
"He doesn't listen to anyone else, but at least he'll listen to you."
Rum was also secretly putting eye drops on the ground.
On the one hand, it emphasizes Potts's disobedience, and on the other hand, it gives the Boss an expectation: if the Boss really thinks his words are useful and goes to talk to Potts, but Potts still refuses, then Potts's image in the Boss's mind will be seriously damaged.
The boss will feel offended.
Rum has risen to the second-in-command in the organization, so he can't be stupid. He's not afraid to flirt with women, and when he gets serious, his skill level is even higher than that of amateur player Potts.
However, Rum's weakness lies in his high position and power, his desires, pursuits, and ambitions, which makes the organization's boss subconsciously wary of him.
The more trustworthy one is the harmless, laid-back Potts, who went through a rebellious phase but has now become a good kid and makes the Boss quite proud.
Fortunately, the Boss is not the kind of person who is overly emotional or acts based on personal likes and dislikes, so after Rum persuaded him, the Boss agreed.
The boss felt that Potts was indeed not suitable to be involved.
After ending his communication with Rum, Boss went to persuade Usui Saiki.
Before speaking, the Boss was quite tolerant, thinking that if Potniss was unhappy at first, he would tolerate it. After all, the kid was still young and had always been willful, so it was normal for him to have a bad attitude.
As long as you don't act crazy, just respect him as the boss.
As a result, when the Boss explained his decision, Usoppō Saiki responded.
"I see. Then I'll do as you say."
Again, there was a lack of honorifics. Potts' use of honorifics is always inconsistent, perhaps because although his Japanese has improved over the years, his thinking is still very foreign.
However, what surprised the Boss even more was that Potts' tone didn't show any reluctance or displeasure; he simply agreed casually.
The boss then tentatively asked, "Why don't you try to hold on a little longer?"
“It’s fine to hang out with other people when I’m bored, but didn’t you say this mission is very important and crucial? As an outsider, it’s really not convenient for me to get involved.”
Her reasonableness almost made the boss think that Potts had let Vermouth take over the phone and play for him!
"...It's good that you think that way."
Although the boss was quite pleased, he still had a subtle suspicion that the other party's sudden obedience might be for some ulterior motive.
Then he heard Usoppō Saiki continue speaking.
"And I've heard that some people say Gin's mission failures are all because of me, and that the failure rate of any mission I participate in increases... I also heard Vermouth say that Rum likes to mess things up at crucial moments, and I'm afraid that if he fails again this time, he'll blame me."
Boss: "…………"
Oh, this.
That makes sense! He'd heard those rumors too!
Rum's Waterloo seventeen years ago was truly outrageous. Back then, no one took the blame for him. If he fails this time, Rum won't let go of such a good scapegoat as Potts.
Let's exclude Potts from the equation and let him see if Rum's skill level has improved since that major failure seventeen years ago.
Boss immediately believed what Usaku Saiki said and felt that he should not suspect that the other party was trying to curry favor with him.
Potnis's style of not trying to please anyone, even when facing him, and saying whatever comes to mind, is the most trustworthy!
The Boss happily chatted with Bo Yezaki again, then comforted him, saying that he heard Bo Yezaki had so much stuff that he didn't have room to put it all, so he would give him a villa to use as a warehouse.
Even if Usoya Saiki actually pays more attention to the attributes of those things and can't really put all the props elsewhere, who wouldn't be happy to get a house for free?
Bo Yezaki happily agreed, and unusually sweet-talking her, she said a few nice things, which made the Boss feel much better.
Boss was in a good mood until he went to explain the situation to Rum and told him not to worry and that Potts would not get involved.
Rum replied, "Potnis is really troublesome; it must have been tough for Boss to persuade him to give up."
The boss's mood immediately plummeted.
“Potnis is very sensible. He listened to what I said. Don’t be prejudiced.”
Rum: "...Huh?"
The boss coldly skipped over the topic and started discussing other work with Rum, but inwardly he couldn't help but complain because Usakabe Saiki had mentioned that Rum had messed up at a crucial moment.
How dare you criticize Potts? Are you any better yourself?
Do you think I can't tell you're trying to seduce me?
I'm too lazy to talk about what happened with Koji Haneda seventeen years ago, so you think I've forgotten?
Botnis is very sensible in front of me. Even if he is not very polite to others, he is still very respectful to me.
The difference in attitude of Usoya Saiki actually gave the Boss a rather superior feeling.
Look at you, so arrogant in front of others, but so obedient in front of me. Doesn't that just prove that I'm superior to you?
In a world where everyone treats him with utmost respect, the Boss no longer derives much pride from such respect. However, Usakabe Saiki's early behavior was unusually erratic, even going so far as to criticize him. Therefore, his current transformation is all the more precious.
Potts is more worthy of protection than those who have respected him from the beginning—of course, this is based on the premise that the organization's smuggling operations cannot do without Potts for the time being; otherwise, no matter what attitude he takes, the Boss will not care.
If you asked Usakabe Saiki to comment on the Boss's mentality, he would say: This is just being a jerk.
If a skepticism assessment system were to evaluate this, it would say: This person has been manipulated...
If Rum were to give his opinion, he would think...
Is Potts out of his mind?!
Despite the feedback from vodka, gin, and even bourbon, it was clear that Potts was criticizing even the Boss!
Why should I listen to the boss this time?! Doesn't that make him look like a petty person for speaking ill of others before?!
Could this be targeting him?!
Aside from rejecting Potts this time, he doesn't seem to have offended Potts before, does he? It seems like Gin is the one who attracts more hatred, right?
Rum was puzzled, Rum was confused, Rum was filled with grief and indignation.
Although his loyalty to the Boss was actually just so-so, at this moment, he seemed to understand the feelings of those people in ancient times who clamored for "removing the emperor's inner circle of corrupt officials".
Damn it, Potts is such a nuisance, but he doesn't seem to have a way to get rid of him...
Forget it, let's finish this task first before thinking about anything else.
Because this mission was really important, Rum was worried that too many people would see it and leak the information, which would lead to failure. He didn't even plan to let anyone other than the Boss and Curaçao know about it.
If Curaçao acts alone without any support, the margin for error is much lower, so we can't rush things and must proceed slowly.
Therefore, Rum held back for the time being, thinking that Potts might forget about it after a while, which would also reduce the risk factor.
In fact, not only did Usaku Saiki not forget, he also directly informed Furuya Rei.
Indeed, Vodka, Rum, and the Boss didn't reveal any important information to him, but wouldn't that be a better way to prove his innocence after things went wrong?
Otherwise, why would he agree so quickly?
What a great opportunity to cause trouble!
Usoya Saiki excitedly invited Furuya Rei to his house to cook.
Rei Furuya didn't realize it at first, thinking that it was just that Saiki Usaba was craving something.
As soon as he entered, he saw Usakata Saiki speaking to him mysteriously, "I have some important information."
Jianggu Ling: "..."
A bad feeling.
Rei Furuya thought for a moment, then tentatively asked, "What if I said I don't want to know...?"
"Oh, then you can just wait to be arrested by Gin as an undercover agent."
"...Are your threats this direct now?" Furuya Rei was somewhat speechless. "What good would it do you if I were captured? You really believe I won't betray you?"
Usoppai raised an eyebrow: "Who threatened you? Do you think I'm going to report you with evidence? I'm just normally describing my speculation about the future caused by this situation."
Rei Furuya's expression turned serious.
If it wasn't Usui Saiki who reported him, then who could it be? Has he given himself away recently? But he hasn't been doing any missions lately, just keeping an eye on Kogoro Mouri and Conan Edogawa...
So, without beating around the bush and not wanting to give Usui Saiki a chance to play tricks, Furuya Rei asked directly, "What's going on?"
Usoya Saiki blinked: "I heard that your Metropolitan Police Department has a computer that stores the names of undercover agents sent by various countries into the organization?"
Rei Furuya narrowed his eyes: "How did you know?"
"...There really are?" Bo Yezaki's expression was indescribable. "You can keep a list of your own public security undercover agents, but where did the lists of agents from other countries come from?"
Rei Furuya paused for a moment before answering, "Because of some resource exchanges."
"Then you put their information on the computer." Bo Yezaki nodded. "It's smart of you not to use the internet, but why not just use paper documents? Are you putting them on the computer because you're afraid it will be too much trouble for others to find them?"
Rei Furuya ignored his trash talk, thought for a moment, and came to a conclusion: "So the organization is planning to target our undercover database recently."
Usakabe Saiki nodded, then said with great interest, "I have a suggestion!"
"...Are you trying to create a fake list and put Gin in it too?" Furuya Rei squinted at him, feeling that he had already predicted Usui Saiki's thoughts.
"Huh? No way, that would seem too fake from the start and wouldn't achieve the desired effect at all."
Bo Yezaki stroked his chin thoughtfully: "Come on, let's discuss this and take this opportunity to give Rum a hard time."
Jianggu Ling: "…………"
So the target of persecution has changed to Rum, which is why Gin was spared?!
Rei Furuya frowned, still concerned: "Not many people know about this kind of operation. If you tell me, won't it expose you?"
Usoppei waved his hand: "Don't worry, if the information is exposed, even if Rum suspects me."
Jianggu Ling: "...???"
What on earth did this kid do?!
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