Chapter 114 Masters Clash
For undercover agents, orders from their superiors are their guiding principles. But what happens when their superiors don't intend to honor their initial promises?
At this moment, Jingguang desperately wished that Ling would be by his side, just like they were in elementary school. That way, he wouldn't have to face the terrifying headmaster alone.
"The lessons learned from the FBI and CIA's handling of the mole in 2017 serve as a warning. We must bring them all down in one fell swoop, giving them no chance to defend themselves or reverse their actions. I want them to remember that blood debts must be paid in blood!"
This is what Zero said.
"I think everyone in the Metropolitan Police Department meeting has a problem."
This is what Conan said.
“They only allowed me to claim the body. The autopsy report was written by another forensic doctor without my consent. However, I can understand this practice.”
This is what Dr. Oda, the widow of Senki Ryo, said to Date.
"Prying into every detail is not a good habit. Some cases, if investigated too deeply, will only go on and on, with new cases leading to old ones, and old cases leading to long-standing unsolved cases. So, it's best to stop when you've touched on the details."
This is what a senior colleague told Jing Guang when he first joined the Ministry of Public Security.
"There are no permanent friends or permanent enemies, only permanent interests."
This was said by a politician.
"Now is the best time to take down the organization... My goal is to eliminate it without bloodshed."
This is what Jingguang said to Ling.
"I have never spoken about snacks. Not before, and never will!"
If you can't even trust your superiors, then trust yourself and your partner.
From the long string of truths and lies that Ibe had just spoken, Kagemitsu extracted two undeniable facts:
First, the open and covert struggle between Kuroda and Ikube has been going on for several years, and it seems that Ikube has the upper hand now.
Secondly, Kuroda bears undeniable responsibility for Chikura's death. As for the role Ibe played in it, that's a matter worthy of deep consideration.
"Why waste your time and energy on meaningless infighting? You have nearly 20 years to resolve the organization's problems!"
Unfortunately, short-sighted people are fixated on immediate conflicts of interest, struggling in the mire of reality. They always believe that the path they are adhering to is the right one, and that there is still plenty of time.
Little did they know that the gifts bestowed by fate already came with a hidden price. In a deal with the devil, no one can escape unscathed. The wheels of history rumble and roll forward, relentlessly crushing everything humanity is proud of—the greatest enemy has already begun preparing the instruments of torture, and the object of judgment will be the entire Earth.
The hourglass countdown is almost over, but the masses remain oblivious.
"It seems you've made your decision." Kibe revealed a confident expression. "Do you agree to join our side?"
"I agree."
"I'm not taking sides!"
"Very good, he's a smart man!" Kibe exclaimed with satisfaction.
"Inspector General Ikube, but now there's a big problem: the organization has sent its top assassins to hunt me down. If I cooperate with you..."
"Don't worry, I will handle this matter properly and will definitely be able to ensure your personal safety."
Jingguang was extremely grateful and asked, "How may I help you?"
Kibu leaned forward and said, "As you probably already know, the Superintendent General of Police caused trouble during his inspection."
"You mean Okuninushi's gun?"
"Yes, but not entirely. The gun was just a trigger; I have to calm this down and prevent it from escalating like last time."
Kagemitsu understood that the "last time" that Ikube was referring to was the prison break bombing. However, this raised a question: "I always thought you were the mastermind behind the last incident."
"Oh?" Kibe's face showed a shocked expression. "Morofushi, I think you have completely misunderstood. I would never do anything that would damage the image of the national police."
"Could my reasoning be wrong?"
Jing Guang frowned: If that's really the case, then how did their step-by-step plan work? It couldn't have been a lucky accident, could it?
There must have been a problem somewhere.
Ikube clearly had no interest in discussing the bombing; he was focused solely on dealing with the immediate problem: "Morofushi, I need your help."
"You want to pin all the blame on Kuroda? That way you can get rid of your opponent once and for all."
Jibu was overjoyed and praised, "You are indeed quick-witted!"
"Don't worry, I've got it covered."
After the meeting, Ibu sent Iori to escort Kagemitsu to a safe hiding place.
Sitting in the passenger seat, Kagemitsu gazed out the window at the scenery and exclaimed, "Iori, spring in Tokyo is truly beautiful!"
"Huh? I didn't know you had such a sensitive side."
"It's just something I felt like saying. I can finally relax. It feels so good, so comfortable!" Jing Guang sighed contentedly.
"So, it's important to follow the right people. The saying 'choice is more important than effort' still holds true. But someone as flexible and adaptable as you will never suffer anywhere."
“Well, if I hadn’t been assigned to Kuroda’s team, things would definitely be very different,” Jingguang said quietly. “Speaking of which, I’ve been having nightmares lately, dreaming that all my relatives and friends are dying, and I’m the only one still alive.”
"That must feel awful, right?" Iori looked at Kagemitsu with a hint of sympathy.
“Of course it’s scary in dreams, but once you wake up, it’s not so scary anymore. Because dreams and reality are always opposites!” Jingguang said with a smile.
These words were somewhat unexpected by Iori. He didn't understand the implied meaning and replied with a perfunctory compliment, "Scotland, you really are optimistic."
About half an hour later, the relaxed and pleasant atmosphere of their conversation was broken by a black Porsche following behind them.
"Iori, is this your sincerity in cooperating?" Jingguang glared angrily, looking like a cat with its fur standing on end, ready to devour the other party alive.
"Huh? What happened?" Iori asked, puzzled.
"Damn it, what are you pretending for? That's Gin!"
As they spoke, the Porsche 356A followed even closer, almost touching the rear of the car in front.
Jingguang fiercely denounced Yizhi for being treacherous and tried to grab the steering wheel: "You said it was a safe and reliable hiding place, but you actually just wanted to take me to a deserted place to end my life!"
However, Iori, who was accused of "asking a question he already knew the answer to and being a treacherous villain," was on the verge of tears. He tried his best to defend himself, saying, "Scottish, calm down! Think about it carefully, why is Gin here?"
"Of course you're the one who brought them here!" Jing Guang roared furiously.
"If Gin wanted to kill you, why didn't he lie in ambush and just attack? Why did he show up beforehand? Why did he pull this stunt?"
"How would I know your plans? Don't try to fool me with sweet talk!" Jing Guang pulled out his gun and threatened, "Turn around and turn left up ahead."
Iori had no choice but to obediently comply. She mentally listed out all the possible scenarios:
Is it possible that Superintendent Ikebe wasn't telling me the truth? Did he originally intend to eliminate Scotland? But why did he make me drive him around?
Or is it possible that Gin is hunting me down because Scotland's whereabouts have been exposed? But why is he being so blatant? Does Gin think I'm Scotland's accomplice and want to execute me as well?
Iori considered the matter carefully and concluded that this was highly likely. He knew that the codenamed Burgundy's Imaizumi had been somewhat strained with that gentleman recently. One reason was that the fallacy of the Scottish death had seriously hampered the organization's operations.
"Could it be that Gin witnessed everything that happened before?"
Iori broke out in a cold sweat: This is terrible! This will definitely widen the rift between that man and Ikube.
"Rather than eliminating Kuroda once and for all, consolidating our cooperative relationship with the organization is the most urgent task."
At this critical juncture, Iori made this decision: Scotland must die!
"Hey, hey, it's really awkward for me to have a gun pointed at me like that." Iori looked quite innocent. "I've already said, I really don't know anything. And look, Gin didn't fire. Could it be that you've mistaken me for someone else?"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than a gunshot rang out and the rear window of the car shattered with a crash.
Iori and Kagemitsu were both stunned, but Kagemitsu reacted faster, pointing his gun at Iori's temple: "Drive faster! Or I'll shoot you!"
Even without Jingguang saying anything, Yizhi stepped on the gas, her mind reeling: What a terrible day!
Jingguang, however, remained calm and composed. He had known all along that Gin would show up. In a way, he was the one who lured Gin here.
However, the appearance of Iori and Ikube was nothing short of an unexpected complication. But since Zero hadn't lured Gin away, it meant things would proceed as planned. The gunshot earlier indicated that Gin had planted a listening device in Iori's car, and Kagemitsu couldn't help but think that experience still mattered.
Gin must be questioning Iori's identity and stance now, but it's unclear whether he overheard Iori's "I have a clear conscience." If he did, then Kagemitsu is in luck.
"Scotland, what are you laughing at?" Iori noticed the subtle change in the other person's expression and asked suspiciously.
"It'll be over soon." Jing Guang revealed a gloomy smile.
Iori felt a chill run down her spine, thinking: Could it be that he guessed my intentions? Or does he want to kill me? No, I have to finish this quickly and strike first!
There is an old bridge ahead. Under the bridge flows a river, the water of which is murky and smells foul.
This is not a pleasant place, but it is an ideal place to dump a body.
Iori's plan was to seize Scotland's gun during the sudden braking moment, kill him, and throw him into the river.
This plan is extremely risky, but he has no better choice at the moment and can only trust his own skills: when masters clash, the outcome is often decided in an instant.
The sharp screech of brakes still echoed in the air, the tire tracks still stretched out, and the two police officers inside the car had already finished the first round:
Kagemitsu anticipated Iori's plan. Before Iori could turn around and grab the gun, he unbuckled his seatbelt and struck her in the abdomen with the butt of the gun with lightning speed. By the time Iori tried to retaliate, Kagemitsu had already jumped out of the car and escaped.
Immediately afterwards, the sound of gunfire drowned out the sound of brakes, and the Porsche driver behind him seized the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow to the man who had escaped.
From Iori's perspective, Scotland is like a bird with a broken wing: having just escaped its cage, it is hunted down and killed. Falling into the water, it spreads a dark red hue.
It all happened so suddenly; all the actions and choices were purely instinctive, and the sound of brakes still faintly echoed in my ears…
Meanwhile, in his office, Ibu, who was happily plotting how to deliver a fatal blow to his arch-rival Kuroda, received devastating news that made his heart stop:
Gin killed Scotland.
"Where is the body?" Kibe pressed.
"Gin and his men pulled it out of the water. He said he wanted to take it back to report to that gentleman. But..."
"But what? Stop dawdling and tell me!"
Iori had no choice but to report the truth: "A woman stole the Scottish body."
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