Volume 3.5
Shadows of the Elite
Chapter 3: The Serpent Gets Released...
December 29, 2026.
Most people misunderstand intelligence.
They think it is the ability to find answers.
In reality, intelligence is the ability to predict people.
I sat quietly inside Mr. Yamada's penthouse, reviewing a file spread across the table. Beside me, Kenzo leaned back in his chair with the relaxed posture of someone who never seemed worried about anything.
The file contained a photograph.
Reddish-orange hair.
Sharp eyes.
A smile that belonged on a predator.
Ren.
A man who had become a problem for multiple agencies.
A man who enjoyed becoming a problem.
Kenzo looked over at me.
"Did you already talk with the CIA?"
I closed the file.
"They agreed."
Kenzo grinned.
"So the deal's on."
I stood and put on my black coat.
"Let's go."
As we headed for the door, Kenzo turned toward Mr. Yamada.
"Yo, gramps. You coming?"
Mr. Yamada didn't even bother looking up.
"No."
He took a sip from his coffee.
"I'd rather not deal with feral human beings."
The description was accurate.
We left.
---
The detention center was exactly as unpleasant as I expected.
Cold.
Sterile.
Predictable.
Mr. Kagura met us before we entered.
His expression was tense.
"Do not provoke Ren under any circumstances."
I walked past him without responding.
Kenzo followed.
The warning wasn't necessary.
You don't provoke a dangerous animal.
You study it.
The white room was empty except for one occupant.
Ren sat restrained in a WRAP containment suit.
Even sitting still, he looked dangerous.
His eyes shifted toward us.
"Go to hell."
His voice carried amusement.
"Who are you two anyway?"
I took a seat across from him.
"We've come to make a deal."
Ren laughed.
"A deal?"
His grin widened.
"I've heard that one before."
Kenzo folded his arms.
"We heard you're useful."
Ren leaned back.
"Nah."
He tilted his head.
"If you're asking for my help, then that means I'm valuable."
He smirked.
"Seven million yen."
Kenzo burst out laughing.
"Is this a joke?"
Ren didn't react.
"If you need me, I'm the one in control."
I studied him.
Arrogant.
Impulsive.
Self-centered.
Predictable.
"You're right."
The room became quiet.
Kenzo stopped laughing.
Ren raised an eyebrow.
I continued.
"You are valuable."
For a moment, genuine curiosity appeared in his eyes.
"And you're the only person who can help us with a certain problem."
That got his attention.
I removed a photograph from my coat pocket.
Toshiro Sobu.
I placed it in front of him.
Ren looked down.
Then smiled.
"Interesting."
His eyes returned to me.
"What about my money?"
I slid the photograph back into my pocket.
"We don't have it right now."
The smile disappeared.
"No."
Ren's voice hardened.
"Give me my money."
I grabbed his shoulder.
The restraints prevented him from moving.
"If you refuse, you'll remain here."
The room fell silent.
I watched him think.
Eventually, he clicked his tongue.
"If I agree, I'm free?"
"Yes."
"And I get my CIA position back?"
"Under one condition."
Kenzo stepped forward.
"You're temporarily assigned to us."
Ren stared at us.
Then laughed.
"Whatever."
The agreement was made.
---
As we left, Mr. Kagura intercepted us.
His hand landed on my shoulder.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing?"
His voice was low.
"A monster like that can't be controlled."
I looked at him.
Then leaned slightly closer.
"Sometimes the best way to control a monster..."
I paused.
"...is to make sure it never realizes it's being controlled."
Mr. Kagura's expression changed.
Fear.
A useful emotion.
We left.
---
Back at the penthouse, Mr. Yamada looked visibly irritated the moment Ren entered.
Ren noticed immediately.
"What's the old man's problem?"
Nobody answered.
I sat down.
"For now, we wait."
Ren groaned.
"Wait for what?"
"Track Toshiro Sobu."
"Boring."
He disappeared into a guest room.
Kenzo watched him leave.
"He'll be a hassle."
I nodded.
"Yes."
Kenzo crossed his arms.
"So what's the plan?"
I looked toward the closed door.
"You'll see."
---
December 30, 2026.
By noon, Ren had vanished.
Mr. Yamada sighed heavily.
"Why did you bring him into my home?"
Kenzo checked his phone.
"I put a tracker on him."
He looked up.
"He's heading to the NIFL."
I wasn't surprised.
Ren's behavior followed a pattern.
The moment he gained freedom, he would investigate the target himself.
That was inevitable.
---
From a nearby rooftop, I observed the school through binoculars.
Students moved across campus.
Teachers carried paperwork.
Security remained minimal.
Everything was proceeding normally.
Then I saw him.
Ren.
Moving toward the parking lot.
Exactly where I expected.
He crouched beside a vehicle.
Toshiro Sobu's vehicle.
A tracker.
Predictable.
As I watched, another figure entered the scene.
A teenage boy.
Brown hair.
Mahogany tips.
Calm eyes.
Kei Fushimiya.
Interesting.
Neither of them knew the other.
Neither realized they had just crossed paths.
For now.
Ren finished his task.
Moments later, smoke began rising from another section of campus.
Students started shouting.
A fire alarm followed.
The distraction had worked.
A large van entered the lot.
The driver wore sunglasses, a mask, and a cap.
Ren immediately climbed inside.
The vehicle accelerated away.
Before leaving, Ren glanced back toward Kei.
Then disappeared.
I lowered my binoculars.
The operation was complete.
---
The truth was simple.
I knew Ren would go rogue.
Not because I was smarter than him.
Because human behavior follows patterns.
Last night, I intentionally left behind a tracking device and a screwdriver where Ren could find them.
Temptation is often stronger than instruction.
He took the bait.
The janitor scheduled for that area never arrived because I slashed his tires earlier that morning.
Kenzo replaced him.
The cafeteria fire was staged.
Another distraction.
Another variable controlled.
Another predictable reaction.
Everything had been prepared before Ren ever made his decision.
As Kenzo once said:
"Don't come into battle with two plans. Come with two hundred."
For once, he was right.
I looked one final time toward the school grounds.
Toward Kei Fushimiya.
He had noticed more than most people would.
Not enough to matter.
Not yet.
Still...
I made a mental note of his name.
"He turned out to be more useful than we thought."
Then I walked away.
The game was only beginning.
END OF CHAPTER