Chapter 89
Seeing that Shuichi Akai's expression suddenly became a little distorted, Scotland thought back to what she had just said and couldn't guess why the other person's mood had suddenly soured...
Based on his own experience, in such situations, it is absolutely correct to directly conclude that it was Usakabe Saiki who did it.
Scotland coughed and changed the subject: "Well, I'm your senior, so feel free to ask me any questions. How many of the names on your list have you dealt with?"
He'd been working for Vodka and Gin these past few days, and Vodka wouldn't keep anything from him about Usui Saiki, so even though he wasn't there, he still had some understanding of Usui Saiki's movements.
Akai Shuichi put down his backpack, then sat on the sofa to calm himself down: "Three."
"That's great, the commission alone is enough to buy xxx." Scotland casually quoted the auction price of a famous sniper rifle.
Shuichi Akai, whose mood had just calmed down a bit, suddenly frowned: "We still need two more to make it enough."
Scotland was taken aback: "xxx is being auctioned again? When did that happen?"
The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then suddenly their expressions became subtle as if they had thought of something.
Scotland coughed and gave an awkward but polite smile: "Excuse me, I'll go make a phone call."
He went into his bedroom and started calling Usakata Saiki. After a while, he couldn't get through. He hesitated for a moment, then typed an email to Usakata Saiki and called Vodka instead.
Vodka cautiously answered the phone: "What's wrong?"
Didn't Scotland say today that she was going back to see Usui Saiki? Why is she calling so soon after leaving?
Was this call made by Saiki Usaba or by the Scottish man himself?
Vodka, like a frightened bird, carefully recalled the events, confirming that he had neither received nor missed a call from Usakata Saiki today, before finally feeling a little relieved.
“I’ve discovered something with Potts,” Scotland said, looking quite embarrassed. “Do you remember the list Potts asked you for a couple of days ago?”
"I remember, he was supposed to give it to the guy Miyano Akemi bumped into, right?" Vodka quipped. "He bumped into just anyone, and they're just a gangster. It's a good thing he has some brains that Potnis wouldn't recommend them to the organization."
Scotland chuckled dryly twice: "It probably wasn't for such a normal reason..."
Vodka felt a headache coming on whenever he thought of descriptions that sounded like Gin or the FBI: "Whatever the reason, it was Miyano Akemi who caused him trouble, so it's good enough that he's willing to take responsibility."
As for the assassination list, it was all chosen from a list of people who could be outsourced. So far, it seems that the guy was quite skilled, and subsequent investigations show that he was killed with a single shot and left no trace.
Although the circumstances of their appearance are a bit suspicious, as long as their skills are up to par and their identity isn't questionable, we can recruit them later... Hmm? Speaking of which, how long will it take Rum to finish his investigation?
Vodka's mind wandered for a moment.
Scotland tried to express the problem he had discovered in a more subtle way: "I think Potts probably wasn't in charge... Do you remember him saying that Moroboshi Dai felt a bit like a gin bar?"
"I do remember. What's wrong? Does it really look that similar?"
“Uh… he does have that vibe, and what we think isn’t important, what’s important is that Potts thinks he does.” Scotland took a deep breath. “I suspect he’s using Dai Moroboshi as a substitute for gin, just torturing people.”
Vodka was puzzled: "...? It's strange that he doesn't cause trouble... but how did it escalate to the point where you had to call me?"
Scotland paused for a moment: "Potnis might have taken a kickback from the money you gave him to pay for Moroboshi's expenses."
Vodka: "..."
“When I was talking to Moroboshi Dai just now, I noticed that the figures didn’t quite add up… Anyway, Moroboshi Dai has probably already realized it.” Scotland sighed.
Vodka couldn't help but say, "He's not short of money. When have I ever not reimbursed him? Is he just trying to experience what it's like for an ordinary person to embezzle?"
Because they were so used to discussing Usaku Saiki's affairs, the two chatted for a while, but neither of them focused on whether Usaku Saiki's behavior was problematic. Instead, they were guessing what bizarre reason it was for this time.
After all, Usoya Saiki is really not short of money! I haven't seen Usoya Saiki make any big expenses, so the main purpose of taking kickbacks is definitely not money, but something else!
The Scottish man who had met Shuichi Akai was convinced that Saiki Usaba was using him as a substitute to settle a personal score.
"He even made Moroboshi sleep on the sofa, even though there were empty rooms... It seems that Potts really hates Gin, and he's taken his anger out on him to this extent."
Vodka, who has never met Shuichi Akai and thinks that Saiki Usaba's comparison to Gin is an insult to Gin, insists on his own opinion.
"He must have seen some ordinary people's life experiences from somewhere, or he felt that money earned honestly was not exciting to spend, and money stolen sneakily was more exciting."
At least Scotland remembered the purpose of his call: "Anyway, because I accidentally let it slip, Moroboshi Dai probably already knows that Potts is setting him up, and he might be very angry and do something that Potts didn't expect... I couldn't get through to Potts, so to prevent Moroboshi from doing anything rash, if something happens, can I kill him?"
"Although you are nominally still Potness's partner, don't you know what really happened? You still have to clean up his mess? Since he dared to do this, he should be responsible for the problems that have arisen. You killed his people without permission, and he might not appreciate it and might even be angry with you."
Vodka sighed: "Although Potts seems a bit careless, he still knows what he's doing. Moroboshi Dai only knows a few code names at most and is unaware of the organization's situation. He can't possibly call the police, and his revenge against Potts won't amount to much. At most, he'll burn this house down. You should leave it to Potts to handle."
Compared to Saiki Usaku, Vodka prefers Scotland, who can share his complaints about Usaku.
“I can’t just pretend I didn’t see it, especially since it was because I let it slip… If Potnis knew I was ignoring it, he’d be even angrier, and who knows what he’d do to me then.”
Vodka thought that what Scotland said made a lot of sense.
While the two were discussing whether Scotland should silence Shuichi Akai if necessary, Shuichi Akai was still questioning the meaning of life.
If he's not mistaken, Usoppō Saiki took a kickback from him, right?
Is it necessary?!
Although he had only known Bo Ye Zaiji for less than three days, he could tell that Bo Ye Zaiji was not greedy or pleasure-seeking. Compared to expensive things, he seemed to prefer fun and interesting things, as could be seen from the strange decorations in the room... He was not picky about food either, and liked ordinary fried food.
He didn't seem like someone who desired money at all, and most of the geniuses he had met weren't very interested in money—because their abilities were enough to make people hand over money to them; they cared more about other interesting things than money.
Moreover, the fact that the organization even appointed junior staff members as assistants to Usaku Saiki shows that Usaku Saiki's position in the organization is not low, and he is not just a member with a glamorous code name. Such a person is even less likely to be short of money.
So! Why would anyone take kickbacks?! What's the point?! Is this some kind of test?!
As an organization member, you have to tolerate your boss taking kickbacks?!
Shuichi Akai felt that the organization's vast and mysterious image, as presented in the materials he had previously seen, was gradually crumbling...
Scotland had returned from the call, looking somewhat apologetic: "I'm sorry, you probably already know what happened... Uh, it's a bit difficult to explain, but please believe that Potts meant no harm; he must have his own reasons."
He thought to himself, "This guy seems pretty calm, that's good. Otherwise, I would have had to be ruthless to prevent him from dragging Potts down with me."
He would much rather have Potts consolidate his position within the organization than a stranger, as this would be the optimal solution from both his own self-interest and the perspective of infiltration efficiency.
Shuichi Akai stared at the Scottish man, who was blatantly lying, and paused for a moment: "...You're a senior, have you ever been taken a kickback?"
Scotland: "...No."
Shuichi Akai, as expected of the FBI's ace investigator, despite being a bit mentally unstable, still managed to probe: "Is it because I really look like that guy named 'Gin'?"
"...Well, it shouldn't be for that kind of reason." Scotland spoke confidently to the vodka, still trying hard to smooth things over for Usui Saiki in front of the person involved. "Potnis has his own ideas..."
Just then, the phone rang in Scotland. He picked it up and saw that it was Potney calling him back.
Scotland quickly went to a corner to answer the phone, listened for a few minutes, and then returned hesitantly: "Potnes says he wants to talk to you."
Shuichi Akai calmly answered the phone: "Hello?"
"Scotland emailed me saying they knew about my taking kickbacks... First of all, I want to say that I didn't take kickbacks."
Shuichi Akai told a lame joke: "Is that a handling fee? A brokerage fee? A commission?"
No! In the end, I did it all for you!
Akai Shuichi: "...???"
Taking kickbacks for him?! What kind of nonsense is this guy spouting now?!
Bo Yezhai said with great regret: "I didn't expect it to be exposed so soon, which prevented you from understanding my good intentions. But it's okay, I'll explain it to you now—did you think before that I introduced you to a job so you could earn money and let you live in my house for free as compensation for hitting you?"
“Isn’t that right?” Shuichi Akai retorted.
Bo Yezaki denied it: "Of course not! I actually wanted to pay you the market price first, so you wouldn't suspect anything. After you finished your work, I would give you the extra money as a surprise!"
Shuichi Akai felt he understood the logic behind this sophistry, so he calmly asked, "You mean, this kickback is the compensation you're giving me?"
"No," said Bo Yezaki. "The surprise and joy you felt when you received the unexpected bonus is my compensation to you... As the saying goes, the sentiment is the most precious thing. How about that? Aren't you touched?"
Akai Shuichi: "…………"
—It's confirmed. With this absurd logic, he thinks others should understand and be moved by it... Usakabe Saiki isn't just a genius incomprehensible to ordinary people; he's definitely mentally unstable!!! It's not his imagination!!!
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Extra chapters will be added if the time limit is exceeded.
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Akai: I actually got a kickback...
Thin Leaf is very skilled at destroying the organization's image.
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Akai: So you took kickbacks from all the benefits the Japanese gave me?
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