Chapter 48: Am I Not the One You Were Sent to Assassinate?

“Miss Ogiwara,” Hattori Hideo faced Rin Ogiwara, not daring to act too arrogantly. After all, she came from a distinguished family and wielded considerable influence. Adopting a strictly businesslike demeanor, he stated, “We received reports from local residents about a large-scale martial conflict here. We had to urgently deploy the riot squad to bring the situation under control.”

“We are the victims here. What right do you have to seal off the company? There is no such clause in the laws of this country. I want to call my lawyer.” Rin Ogiwara stood her ground, her presence commanding.

“Of course, you’re entitled to legal counsel,” Hattori Hideo replied with a mild expression. “The police are following standard procedures, and all paperwork is in order. Furthermore, we received a tip alleging your company manufactures dangerous goods, so we are required to investigate as well.”

“Absurd.” Rin Ogiwara tossed her hair, certain of her company’s legal standing—at most, there were a few ‘disputed’ points. But Hattori Hideo’s posture made it clear he intended to escalate the matter. Before she could retort, he shut down any further argument: “Our investigation shows you are responsible for the company, Miss Ogiwara. I’m afraid you’ll need to accompany us to the station and assist with the inquiry.”

“Hmph!” Though “assisting with the inquiry” was essentially a polite way of saying “detained,” Rin Ogiwara showed no fear. She had yet to fully leverage her family’s power. Shooting a glance at her adversary, she said, “Fine, but there are some matters I need to explain to my friend first.” Without waiting for permission, she strode toward Xiao Kaitian.

Behind her, Hattori Hideo’s eyes grew increasingly cold.

“It’s obvious this is aimed at you,” Rin Ogiwara said bluntly as she reached Xiao Kaitian, wasting no time on pleasantries. “I have to go assist with the investigation, but it shouldn’t be a major issue. As I warned you earlier, the outcome will depend on whose influence and methods prevail.”

The legality of selling protective gloves was a gray area at best—the matter could be blown up or down, depending on how the police and prosecutors chose to interpret it.

“The man in charge, Hattori Hideo,” Rin Ogiwara continued, her gaze shifting to him with a cold introduction, “is the second-in-command in Kanagawa, with real authority. Given the current situation, the procedural odds are stacked against us.”

Xiao Kaitian pulled out a cigarette and lit it, exhaling a faint tobacco scent into the air. “He’s certainly not the only one involved. I’m sure the real mastermind will come looking for me soon enough.”

“Is their target you, or the gloves?”

“Could be either,” Xiao Kaitian replied with a faint smile. Compared to the open assassination attempts of the past, their methods had become far more sophisticated. “But anything that happens on the official level will require the Ogiwara family’s influence. This is their country, after all.”

“This was always a mutual-defense alliance,” Rin Ogiwara said nonchalantly. “What’s your plan?”

“No rush. Now that they’ve made their move, it’s only a matter of time before they come for me directly. I suspect more than one faction is involved.” Xiao Kaitian flicked away his cigarette and crushed it underfoot. “I’ll handle everything else.”

“You’re not worried the method for making the gloves will end up in their hands?”

Xiao Kaitian shook his head. The key to the protective gloves lay in the internal chip’s operating system—something he had long anticipated. Hidden inside the chip’s main program was his own spiritual imprint; any attempt to duplicate or crack it would instantly trigger a self-destruct mechanism. As for the alloy framework and the GG gloves, they were of little real value.

“Good. Then I’ll wait for you to bail me out,” Rin Ogiwara said, allowing herself a rare joke at his reassurance. No longer sparing him another glance, she turned and headed back toward Hattori Hideo.

Though they called it “assisting with the investigation,” who knew how long it would actually take? Even if she was released, she would likely remain under police surveillance.

Hattori Hideo seemed quite satisfied with this outcome. Raising his voice, he directed his officers, leading away a convoy of about ten vehicles.

With matters settled thus, Harui Sakura’s “assignment” had also come to an end. Hattori Hideo dismissed her as well. Sitting in the car, she couldn’t help but look back at Xiao Kaitian, standing solitary in the wind. Biting her lip, she took out her phone and sent over the information on the Takeda and Hojo families she’d managed to obtain through relatives.

Xiao Kaitian’s phone chimed with a new message. Glancing at it, he broke into a smile, picturing Harui Sakura’s earnest face in his mind.

He skimmed the documents—quite comprehensive, covering the tangled relationships of both the Takeda and Hojo families. He had investigated them because he was convinced the Takeda family’s influence lurked behind these events, while the Hojo family’s stance was of particular interest to him.

Putting away his phone, he stuck his hands in his pockets and turned to look at a distant garbage bin. In the sunlight, a shadow sprawled beside it. The corners of his lips curved up. “You’ve been watching for so long—care to come out and talk?”

There was no response. Anyone else present might have thought Xiao Kaitian had lost his mind, but he remained calmly focused on the bin, leaning against the car door.

The winter sunlight of this country bathed everything in a chill, casting a quiet over the scene, as if the earlier violent conflict belonged to another world.

Xiao Kaitian continued to watch the garbage bin in silence. Only when a few crows, startled, suddenly took flight with loud caws did the shadow beside the bin begin to writhe. A large, snake-like figure reared up.

Seeing this, Xiao Kaitian grew even more interested. This was a form of “mimicry,” though it was rudimentary—no, not even at an entry level, merely a crude imitation of appearance.

“Tsk, tsk.” The snake, about two meters tall, opened its mouth and spoke. “I didn’t expect you to notice me.”

Xiao Kaitian smiled slightly. It was a clumsy trick, but he appreciated the effort. Not wanting to bruise his opponent’s confidence, he patiently waited for the next move.

“Do you like my little gift?” the snake taunted. “How does it feel, watching the business you care most about collapse before your eyes, completely powerless to stop it? Tell me—how does that feel?”

Xiao Kaitian nearly burst out laughing. What was this nonsense? That little company meant nothing to him. Clearly, there was a huge communication gap between them. “I think it’s fine,” he replied.

“Heh heh heh, clearly your intelligence is lacking,” the snake cackled. “Here’s my proposal: hand over the gloves and all your skills, and I’ll restore your company to normal.”

“These attackers were acting on my orders. If they confess to an ‘organized’ assault, the negative press about your company will die down considerably. Surely that interests you?”

“Not at all,” Xiao Kaitian sighed. “You’re from the Bounty Hunters’ Guild, aren’t you? Wasn’t I supposed to be your assassination target? When did this turn into negotiations?”