112: Chapter 112 Shuichi Akai Imprisoned

The iron door of the federal maximum-security prison slowly closed behind him, emitting a dull metallic clang that struck Akai Shuichi's heart like a heavy hammer.

The incandescent light in the interrogation room was blindingly bright, casting his sharp, angular face into a bloodless pallor.

He wore a prison uniform, his handcuffs rubbing lightly against the tabletop, leaving fine scratches—this was his third month of incarceration, and the first time the FBI had formally interrogated him, yet it was for the person he least wanted to mention.

"Agent Akai, it's been a while."

The Deputy Director sitting opposite him adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, the lenses reflecting a cold light.

He held a file between his fingers, the cover stamped with the FBI emblem, yet it exuded a sinister air that didn't belong to the judicial system.

Akai Shuichi didn't speak, only lifting his eyes to glance at the two people behind the Deputy Director—James was wearing a crisp suit, the white hair at his temples more noticeable than it had been three months ago; Jodie stood beside him, her face pale, her eyes hiding an undisguisable anxiety.

This setup was more "grand" than he had anticipated.

The Deputy Director pushed the file in front of Akai Shuichi; the photo on the cover was clearly Akai Mary's profile—that was how she looked before she shrank, her gaze sharp, carrying the detached air characteristic of British nobility.

"Let's get straight to the point."

The Deputy Director's voice carried an undeniable sense of oppression, "Your mother, Akai Mary, a former MI6 Agent. Two years ago, she exhibited signs of de-aging and then disappeared. Later, she was kidnapped by 'The Joker' in Japan. Do you admit to this?"

Akai Shuichi's fingertips tightened abruptly, his knuckles turning white.

Although he had long known that his mother's de-aging would be exposed after being kidnapped by the Joker, he still felt worried for her now that this evidence was truly laid out before the American government.

As an ace FBI Agent, Akai Shuichi knew all too well the true nature of these American government officials and the Zaibatsus behind them.

"No comment." His voice was hoarse, as if scraped by sandpaper.

"No comment?" The Deputy Director chuckled, his tone mocking, "Agent Akai, do you think this is a negotiation? Right now, every Zaibatsu in Washington is watching this matter. The heir to the Rockefeller family personally called the Attorney General, and the board of directors of the Morgan conglomerate has even established a special fund—do you know what this means?"

He leaned forward, lowering his voice, enunciating every word: "It means that 'de-aging' is no longer a secret. Those at the top of the pyramid will do anything for immortality. Your mother's whereabouts are now their lifeblood."

Akai Shuichi snapped his head up, a flash of ferocity in his eyes: "So, the FBI has also become a lackey for the Zaibatsus?"

"Watch your language!" The Deputy Director slammed the table, causing the photo on the file to tremble slightly, "We are performing official duties! The Director said that as long as you reveal Akai Mary's whereabouts and have her cooperate with 'relevant research,' not only can all charges against you be dropped, but we can also provide her with the highest level of protection."

"'Relevant research'?" Akai Shuichi sneered, "That sounds nice. Is it to draw her blood, or to dissect her body?"

He knew these people's methods all too well. The so-called "research" was nothing more than treating his mother as a lab rat, draining her of every secret regarding "shrinking."

What those Zaibatsus wanted wasn't a scientific breakthrough, but a formula for their own immortality; for that, they would sacrifice anyone.

The Deputy Director's face darkened: "Akai Shuichi, don't push your luck. Who do you think you are right now? A former Agent who has had his license revoked and is facing multiple charges! Your life is in our hands, and so is your mother's!"

"Then try it." Akai Shuichi's eyes were as cold as ice, "I guarantee you will never find her."

The interrogation room fell into a deathly silence, with only the wall clock ticking away, as if counting down for this standoff.

The Deputy Director stared at Akai Shuichi for a full five minutes before finally standing up and straightening his suit jacket: "It seems we cannot communicate. James, Jodie, you are his old colleagues; I hope you can make him see reality."

As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped without turning back: "I'll give you half an hour. After half an hour, I want to hear an answer."

The iron door closed again, isolating the interrogation room from the outside world.

Jodie immediately stepped forward, her voice choked with emotion: "Shuichi, you..."

"Don't say it." James held her back, shook his head, then walked over to Akai Shuichi, pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and offered him one.

Akai Shuichi did not take it.

James lit one for himself and took a deep drag. Amidst the swirling smoke, his voice carried fatigue: "Shuichi, I'm sorry. I couldn't stop this."

He had received the transfer order three days ago, when the Director had personally spoken with him, the sense of oppression in his tone making him shudder.

"The Akai Mary matter must be investigated to the end. This is not a request; it is an order."

Only then did he realize that the so-called "protection" was just a cover; the FBI never intended to let the Akai family go from the very beginning.

"I know this isn't your fault." Akai Shuichi finally spoke, his voice softening slightly, "From the moment my mother was kidnapped by the Joker, I knew the secret of 'shrinking' couldn't be hidden. Those people have a sharper sense of smell than dogs."

Jodie couldn't help but interject: "But Shuichi, the Deputy Director is telling the truth! It's crazy out there right now! I heard at headquarters yesterday that even the Central Intelligence Agency has started to get involved! They've already blocked all flights from Japan to America, and anyone related to the Akai family will be interrogated!"

Her voice carried despair: "Your mother's body is so small now, and your sister is still a student; it's too dangerous for them out there! If the FBI could provide protection..."

"Protection?" Akai Shuichi interrupted her, his gaze as sharp as a knife, "Do you think the 'researchers' kept by those Zaibatsus would be any more merciful than the Black Organization? Jodie, you're too naive."

He clearly remembered his father telling him when he was a child that American Zaibatsus, in order to research nuclear weapons, had once secretly imprisoned hundreds of civilians for human experimentation. Now, faced with the temptation of "immortality," they would only be more insane.

James sighed and stubbed out his cigarette: "Shuichi, I know what you're worried about. But the current situation is worse than you think. The Director just hinted to me that if we can't get an answer today, you'll be transferred to the 'Black Prison' tomorrow."

"Black Prison"—that was a secret prison established by the Central Intelligence Agency overseas; those who went in never came out alive.

"And," James's voice dropped even lower, "they have already tracked down Sera Masumi's whereabouts; she's at a high school in Japan. If there's still no news by tomorrow..."

Akai Shuichi's pupils constricted abruptly!

He could not care about his own safety, but he could not let his sister fall into danger! Sera Masumi was still in school and had no idea she was already being targeted!

"They wouldn't dare!" He slammed the table, the sound of the handcuffs echoing in the interrogation room, "If I lose even a single hair, the FBI headquarters will be blown to the sky!"

"Do you think they're afraid?" James gave a wry smile, "The entire intelligence system has been infiltrated by the Zaibatsus now. The Agent responsible for monitoring Sera Masumi yesterday died in an 'accidental' car crash early this morning—this is a warning."

Jodie's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She finally understood why James had kept her from speaking—this matter was long past what the FBI could solve internally; they were facing the very core of American power.

The interrogation room fell into silence again, with only the ticking of the wall clock becoming clearer and clearer, striking everyone's heart like a death warrant.

Akai Shuichi closed his eyes, his mind flashing with his mother's vigilant gaze after she shrank, his sister's cheerful laughter on the phone, and his own struggles while undercover in the Black Organization...

He had spent his whole life fighting to protect his family; was he now to push his mother into the fire pit with his own hands?

"Shuichi," James's voice carried a faint, imperceptible tremor, "I know this is difficult. But think about it; if you talk, you can at least buy time. We can make arrangements in secret to have your mother transferred to a safe place under the guise of 'cooperating with research'..."

This was the only way he could think of, even though he knew himself that it was almost impossible. The Zaibatsus' eyes and ears were everywhere; any unusual movement would be detected.

Akai Shuichi slowly opened his eyes, the struggle in them gradually replaced by a sense of determination.

"James," he looked into his old partner's eyes, saying every word clearly, "do me a favor."

James's heart tightened: "Say it."

"I will reject the Deputy Director's request today, and I expect I'll be transferred to the 'Black Prison' tomorrow."

"I need you to go to The Continental Hotel, have someone find John Wick, and find a way to get this message to him."

Akai Shuichi's voice was very soft, yet carried an undeniable power.

John Wick—nicknamed the Baba Yaga, the ace assassin under the High Table's The Continental Hotel. Akai Shuichi had once helped John Wick while performing missions abroad.

James was stunned for a moment, then nodded solemnly: "I'll find a way."

He knew this was the last resistance Akai Shuichi could muster.

Jodie looked at the two men before her and suddenly understood the look in James's eyes earlier—they weren't giving up; they were preparing for the worst.

Before absolute power, any resistance seemed pale and powerless; all they could do was protect those they still could, as much as possible.

The hands of the wall clock pointed to the end of the half-hour, and footsteps were heard outside the door.

Akai Shuichi closed his eyes again, returning to his initial silence.

James patted his shoulder, his tone heavy: "Take care."

Jodie followed James, and when she reached the door, she finally couldn't help but look back.

Akai Shuichi stood under the incandescent light, his shadow stretched long, like a lonely statue.

She suddenly remembered many years ago, at the FBI training base, when this man had smiled and said to her: "Justice may be late, but it will never be absent."

But now, it seemed that justice had lost its way.

The iron door opened again, and the Deputy Director walked in. Seeing that Akai Shuichi still had his eyes closed, his face instantly turned gloomy: "It seems you have chosen the worst path."

He spoke into the intercom: "Notify the warden, prepare to transfer the prisoner tomorrow; the target is 'Black Prison'."

Akai Shuichi did not react at all, as if they weren't talking about him.

As for those Zaibatsus and politicians coveting his mother's secret... he curled his lips into a cold arc.

Just wait.

Even if he were in hell, he would drag these people down to hell with him.

The door to the interrogation room closed completely, shutting out all light and sound.

And this hunt for "immortality" had only just begun.