78: Chapter 78 The Strength of the US

Tokyo, in the emergency conference room of the Prime Ministers Official Residence, smoke filled the air, and the atmosphere was as heavy as the sea before a storm.

The Prime Minister of the island nation slammed the intelligence briefing in his hand onto the table, scattering papers everywhere. His face was flushed with anger, and his voice carried an irrepressible roar:

"Absurd! What does the US military take us for?! They brazenly took away a wanted criminal from our territory, and dare to say they haven't seen him?!"

The Cabinet members present all had ashen faces, but no one dared to respond.

The intelligence showed clearly—the person the US military helicopter picked up in the deep mountains of Chiba Prefecture was none other than Akai Shuichi, who was listed as a "Special Grade Terrorist." The accompanying FBI Agent even engaged in a fierce firefight with the Public Security Bureau during the evacuation.

Yet, when the island nation's ambassador to the US urgently requested a meeting with the high-level officials of the US, the reply received was: "After verification, the US military only assisted in the evacuation of FBI Agents on duty and did not find any wanted personnel. It is possible that your country's intelligence has errors."

"Errors?"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs was trembling with anger. He picked up the satellite photo on the table and slammed it down, "This was taken by our reconnaissance satellite! It's clear as day! The person on the helicopter is Akai Shuichi! How dare they lie with their eyes open!"

The conference room fell into a dead silence, with only heavy breathing rising and falling.

Everyone understood that the US military's attitude was already very clear—they were deliberately shielding Akai Shuichi and the FBI. This kind of blatant provocation was more frustrating than a direct firefight.

"Prime Minister," the Minister of Defense spoke with difficulty, "The Self-Defense Forces are ready. As long as you give the order, we can..."

"Give the order? Give what order?" The Prime Minister interrupted him abruptly, his eyes filled with exhaustion and helplessness, "Fire on the US military? Do you know what that means? Once a war starts, our Navy and Air Force won't last three days! The entire Tokyo will become a battlefield!"

The Minister of Defense lowered his head and said nothing more.

He knew what the Prime Minister said was the truth. Although the island nation's military strength was not weak, it was completely vulnerable in front of the global hegemon, the US military.

Moreover, the two countries had signed a security treaty. Once they initiated a conflict, it would only leave the island nation in an isolated and helpless situation.

"So we're just going to let it go?" The Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry gritted his teeth, "The Zaibatsu are still waiting for our reply, and the public is watching us too! If we can't even catch one wanted criminal, the government's credibility will completely collapse!"

The Prime Minister rubbed his throbbing temples, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly spoke:

"Send a telegram to the embassy in the US, lodge a serious protest again, and demand that the US side immediately extradite Akai Shuichi and provide an explanation for the FBI's overreach."

He paused, his tone carrying a hint of unwillingness:

"Additionally, tell the US side that if they do not cooperate, we will consider suspending some cooperation projects related to US military bases."

This was the greatest concession the island nation's government could make, and also the most helpless threat. Suspending cooperation projects would not hurt the US military's foundation, but it could express their anger.

...

Washington, the White House Oval Office.

The US President looked at the protest note from the island nation, a cold sneer hooked on the corner of his mouth, and he threw the document onto the table.

"These islanders really take themselves seriously."

He said to the Secretary of State beside him, "Tell them that the FBI's operation was based on counter-terrorism needs. Akai Shuichi is involved in multiple transnational cases, and we need to interrogate him. As for extradition... we'll talk about that after we finish the interrogation."

"What about the suspension of cooperation projects proposed by the island nation?" the Secretary of State asked.

"Let them suspend them then."

The President was unconcerned, "They need our protection more than we need their bases. Within a month, they will obediently restore the projects themselves."

The Secretary of State nodded: "Additionally, the island nation seems very dissatisfied with our attitude. Do we need to do some superficial work to appease them?"

The President thought for a moment: "Fine. Send a 'Counter-terrorism Expert Group' over, nominally to help them catch 'terrorists,' but in reality... keep an eye on the situation there, and don't let things really spiral out of control."

"Yes."

...

Tokyo, Prime Ministers Official Residence.

When they received the US reply agreeing to 'send a counter-terrorism expert group to assist in the arrest, but refusing to extradite Akai Shuichi,' the faces of the Prime Minister and cabinet members were extremely ugly.

"This is their reply?!"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs was trembling with anger, "They want to dismiss us with an expert group? They don't take us seriously at all!"

"Enough!"

The Prime Minister waved his hand wearily, "Leave it at that. Accept their 'expert group,' but we must supervise them throughout the process."

"Additionally, notify the Public Security Bureau and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to continue tracking the whereabouts of Akai Shuichi. Find out where the US military took Akai Shuichi, and also investigate the remnants of the Black Organization."

He knew that in this game, the island nation had already lost. In the face of absolute strength disparity, any anger and protest seemed pale and powerless.

But he also held a fire in his heart—since he couldn't openly fight the US military and the FBI, he would find a way to get back at them in the shadows.

Although Akai Shuichi had run away, the Black Organization was still there, and that mysterious 'Joker' was also still there. If he couldn't deal with the former, he could at least deal with the latter.

"Additionally," the Prime Minister added, "Have the Public Security Bureau speed up the investigation into the 'Joker.' I suspect that he is behind the recent series of events. If we can catch him, perhaps we can regain some face."

...

Public Security secret base, Amuro Tooru looked at the latest intelligence, a sharp light flashing in his eyes.

US military intervention, Akai Shuichi's escape, the US sending an 'expert group'... this series of changes was unexpected, yet it seemed reasonable.

"Amuro-san, the Cabinet's order is for us to cooperate with the US expert group, while simultaneously speeding up the investigation into the 'Joker.'"

Kazami Yuya walked in and handed over a file.

Amuro Tooru took the file but didn't look at it, just asked: "When will the US military's expert group arrive?"

"In three days."

"Got it."

Amuro Tooru nodded, a cold look flashing in his eyes, "Tell them we will 'cooperate.' But in secret, keep a close eye on their every move. I want to see what these 'experts' are actually here for."

"Additionally, Kazami, pull some men to secretly investigate where the US military is holding Akai Shuichi."

"See if we can find a chance to intercept Akai Shuichi," Amuro Tooru ordered Kazami Yuya in a low voice.

"Remember this matter, don't let those expert groups know."

Kazami Yuya nodded: "What about the 'Joker' side..."

"He will come to find us on his own."

Amuro Tooru's mouth curled into a cold sneer, "I can feel it, he is waiting for this opportunity."

...

In the surveillance room of the Lin Family Manor, Lin Long watched the game between the island nation's cabinet and the US side on the screen, smiling like a cat that had stolen fish.

"The US military is sending an expert group?"

He watched the intelligence with great interest, "Expert group? I think they're sending a group of ancestors."

Ghost stood to the side: "BOSS, the Public Security Bureau has received orders and is intensifying the investigation into you."

"Let them investigate."

Lin Long was unconcerned, "I happen to be missing a guide to show those 'American experts' around Tokyo properly."

He picked up the phone and dialed a number: "Hello, it's me. Help me prepare a 'big gift' to send to the American guests arriving in Tokyo in three days. Remember, it needs to be 'surprising' enough."

Hanging up the phone, Lin Long walked to the window, looking at the ruins of Tokyo Tower in the distance, his eyes flashing with excitement.

US military experts, Amuro Tooru, the remnants of the Black Organization, and those ambitious Zaibatsu... the new chess pieces were already in place.

This storm triggered by Akai Shuichi not only hadn't subsided, but because of the US military's intervention, it had become more complicated and chaotic.

And this was exactly what Lin Long wanted.

Chaos could hide the truth.

Chaos could create opportunities.

He seemed to be able to see the scene in the near future where Tokyo would once again fall into chaos. And he would stand in the center of the storm, looking down at all of this, harvesting the 'fruit' that belonged to him.

Three days later, the US military's 'Counter-terrorism Expert Group' would arrive in Tokyo.

A new contest was about to begin.