Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

At two o'clock in the morning, the entire street was immersed in sleep, except for a lamp still lit in the study of a mansion.

The air was filled with an intense, almost suffocating, aroma of coffee.

Shuichi Akai, his brows furrowed, was slumped in the large leather office chair.

In front of him were piles of books and documents, like a small mountain.

Advanced Mathematics, Linear Algebra, C++ Primer Plus, Embedded System Architecture, Mechanical Drawing and CAD Practice...

These might just be dry, basic textbooks for ordinary engineering graduate students, but to Shuichi Akai, the FBI's top investigator, they were more obscure and difficult to understand than the Black Organization's highest-level encrypted documents.

"Damn it..."

Akai cursed under his breath and instinctively grabbed the mug next to him, wanting to gulp down a mouthful of coffee to keep himself going.

But the cup was already empty, leaving only a ring of dried brown stains.

He irritably threw the cup aside and picked up the thick book "Introduction to Algorithms" again.

The sound of pages turning was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

The silly mistakes he made in the lab kept replaying in his mind like a revolving lantern.

Plug the fiber optic cable into the network port, use the sniper ballistic formula to correct the PID algorithm, and almost burn the oscilloscope to a crisp...

If this continues, Gin won't even need to lift a finger; Subaru Okiya's identity will automatically collapse due to his "lack of intelligence."

"This thing is too difficult."

Shuichi Akai gritted his teeth and pressed his fingers hard against his throbbing temples, trying to relieve the bursts of headache.

He stared at the distorted Greek letters and integral symbols on the pages, symbols that seemed to come alive and dance before his eyes.

His head was about to explode.

"I feel like I can't stay in this lab any longer," Shuichi Akai muttered to himself, looking out at the dark night, a hint of frustration in his voice.

He knew nothing and didn't fit in at all in the lab.

We must find a way to leave that laboratory in a legitimate manner.

……

Meanwhile, in a secluded safe house somewhere in Tokyo.

The lights were off inside, with only the faint blue glow from the computer screen.

Gin held a lit cigarette between his fingers, his eyes fixed on the lines of data on the screen amidst the swirling smoke.

That was an audit report on the organization's recent cash flow.

"Damn it..."

Gin muttered a curse under his breath.

He could clearly sense that the organization was declining.

Although the organization is not short of money, the loss of talent and the shrinking of resources are fatal.

Many things have been taken over by that bastard Zheng Yi.

What he found most unbearable was Pisco's car company.

Ever since that old man Pisco was "dealt with" for stupidly exposing his identity, the large car manufacturing company that he used to control was swallowed up by Zheng Yi.

Although that bastard Zheng Yi made a joking promise afterwards:
Don't worry, even though the company has changed owners, the organization will continue to receive the necessary funding, intelligence network, and specialized technical support.

They say nice things.

But how does it actually work?

Gin picked up another document from the table; it was a repair report for his beloved car.

Just last week, his classic Porsche 356A needed a routine engine upgrade and bulletproof coating maintenance.

Based on Pisco's previous efficiency, such a task would only take half a day, and would be completed by a specialist in a top-secret underground factory, with even the engine oil being specially supplied.

The results of it?
The car was sent to the repair center under Zhengyi Company, but there was no movement for three whole days!
When Gin went to retrieve the car with a dark expression, he discovered that that bastard Shoichi had hidden his beloved car in the deepest part of the warehouse, covered with a tattered cloth that read "Vehicle to be scrapped"!

He wanted to steal his car!

Or rather, he wants to dismantle this antique car and sell the parts!

Fortunately, I discovered it in time and prevented Zheng Yi from succeeding.

At that moment, Gin drew his Beretta and stood there, holding the gun to the technical director's forehead, watching as the group of trembling technicians completed the repair and upgrade of the car.

But Gin was disappointed.

That bastard Zheng Yi only cares about making money. He cut off many of the special vehicle development projects that were originally intended to serve the organization.

Gin sneered, crumpled the repair report into a ball, and slammed it against the wall.

Now, although payments are still being made on time, the transmission of intelligence has become incredibly slow, and the readily available technical support of the past has become a luxury.

Shoichi seemed to regard the organization as an insignificant member among his many clients, and that nonchalant attitude made Gin feel an unprecedented sense of loss of control.

"This can't go on like this."

Gin took a deep drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray full of cigarette butts.

Since that bastard Zheng Yi doesn't take the organization's needs seriously, Gin has to take some extraordinary measures to regain control of the situation.

A dangerous glint flashed in Gin's eyes.

He reopened his computer, his fingers flying across the keyboard, and connected to a hidden port.

“Vodka,” Gin said coldly into his headset.

"Big brother, I'm here." Vodka's honest yet slightly nervous voice came through the earpiece.

"Go check Zhengyi Group's recent recruitment list, and the personnel structure of that 'black box' laboratory." Gin's voice was deep and imposing.

The organization also has an inside agent within Zheng Yi's company.

Although Zheng Yi is a cunning bastard, money can always pave the way, and he can always plant a few eyes in the cracks.

According to intelligence, Zheng Yi attaches great importance to that laboratory and has invested a lot of money in it. The laboratory undertakes very important research and development tasks.

Gin agrees with Shoichi's money-making acumen. Since that bastard thinks that laboratory is valuable, Gin will naturally value it as well.

"Brother, why are we investigating that?" Vodka asked, somewhat puzzled.

“The organization needs fresh blood,” Gin said.

It is unreliable to rely on Zheng Yi for research and development; the organization must have its own laboratory.

This way, we won't be hindered by Zheng Yi.

Otherwise, Zheng Yi's influence and voice within the organization will only grow stronger, and then it will be unclear who will be in charge.

……

Subaru? Are you alright?

Shuichi Akai slowly turned his head, and his neck made a crisp "crack" sound.

He managed to twitch the corners of his mouth.

"Ah... good morning, teacher." His voice was hoarse.

"What happened to you?"

His performance today was even worse than yesterday.

"Ah, sorry." He shook his head sluggishly. "I didn't sleep well last night, my hands are shaking a bit." "Your hands are shaking! Your whole body is swaying!" Professor Igarashi said. "Look at yourself! Your dark circles are practically down to your chin. What were you doing last night?"

Hideaki Akai subconsciously touched his eye socket.

I was studying all night.

But it didn't work; they still didn't understand anything.

"Teacher..." Shuichi Akai, leaning on the lab table, swayed slightly, looking as if he might collapse. "I feel... a little dizzy, it might be low blood sugar..."

Seeing the student's half-dead state, Igarashi said helplessly, "Alright, alright, stop standing there and go back to sleep."

"Thank you, teacher... I'll head back now..."

Seeing Shuichi Akai leave, the researchers finally raised their heads, silently mourning for the guy.

Subaru Okiya will definitely fail the end-of-month assessment and will be punished by Shoichi.

Furthermore, Mr. Shoichi came over last night to offer his condolences and already knew that Subaru Okiya had taken leave on his first day of work.

Not long after, Zheng Yi came to the laboratory again to express his concern.

He looked around at everyone and asked, "Has Mr. Subaru Okiya, who took leave yesterday, arrived?"

Everyone looked at each other, and it was Igarashi who stepped forward and said with a forced smile, "Mr. Shoichi, he is not feeling well and will only be a hindrance here, so I have no choice but to let him go back first."

"Oh." Zheng Yi nodded.

He asked casually, "Professor Igarashi, I heard that he originally didn't want to work here, but you dragged him here?"

"Ahem." Igarashi coughed and said, "He wanted to continue his studies and had no intention of working. I persuaded him to combine theory with practice, and that's when he agreed to work."

"Oh, so he doesn't want to work," Zheng Yi said softly. "I thought he looked down on me."

No one dared to speak.

But all the researchers had already begun to mourn for Subaru Okiya.

He is now firmly in Zheng Yi's mind, and is already prepared to die.

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Since he's not feeling well, I'll send him some tonics."

"Ah." Igarashi opened his mouth.

I have no idea whether the supplement I'm taking is a bomb or poison.

……

The afternoon sun lazily spilled into the courtyard, where Shuichi Akai was wearing loose loungewear and holding a book he couldn't understand.

"Ding-dong-"

The doorbell rang abruptly.

Shuichi Akai paused in his movements.

He looked out through the peephole.

A man in a gray suit and black sunglasses stood outside the door, carrying an exquisite gift box.

Shuichi Akai narrowed his eyes, not opening the door immediately, but asking through the door, "May I ask who this is?"

"Hello, I am the business manager of Uozuka Trading Company. My surname is Uozuka." The voice outside the door was very honest: "At Mr. Shoichi's request, I have some supplementary information about the new laboratory project to pass on to you. Since you are on leave today, President Shoichi specially asked me to deliver it to your residence."

Shuichi Akai's lips curled up slightly.

He opened the door: "It's Mr. Uozuka, please come in."

Manager Uozuka walked into the courtyard, quickly and discreetly scanning the surroundings before handing the gift box to Shuichi Akai.

"These are some supplements, just a small token of my appreciation." Manager Uozuka adjusted his glasses, his tone relaxed. "Actually, besides the documents, I have a personal matter I'd like to ask Mr. Okiya about."

"Oh? Please go ahead." Shuichi Akai observed the other person without making a sound.

"I heard from President Shoichi that Mr. Okiya has unique insights into 'signal processing'," Manager Uozuka said with a smile.

"Ah, that? That's indeed my main research area, but I wouldn't say I'm good at it." Shuichi Akai nodded haphazardly.

It's Okiya Subaru's forte, not Akai Shuichi's.

"You're too modest." Manager Uozuka took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over with both hands.

"Our company is currently recruiting consultants with special skills. No need to be in the office, flexible hours, and the compensation is... very generous."

Shuichi Akai accepted the business card.

The business card only had a name and a phone number printed on it, and the company name was Uozuka Trading. It looked quite ordinary.

“Our boss really appreciates talented young people,” Uozuka said.

"Mr. Uozuka, you flatter me too much." Shuichi Akai gently held the business card between his fingers.

"Someone like me who can even miscalculate lab data probably wouldn't even meet your company's hiring requirements." He lowered his eyes slightly and stuffed his business card into his shirt pocket.

"However... if there is anything I can do to help in the future, I will do my best."

"It's alright." Manager Uozuka was not discouraged; instead, he smiled even more warmly.

"If Mr. Okiya ever feels that the current work environment is too oppressive, or is dissatisfied with his current compensation, he can contact us."

Uozuka said with a smile, "Also, if you encounter any problems in your life that you can't solve, you can contact us."

"After all, some problems cannot be solved by professors at the university."

"Thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Uozuka." Akai Shuichi nodded. "I will consider it."

"Then I won't disturb Mr. Okiya's rest any longer." Manager Uozuka bowed slightly and turned to leave.

After leaving Shuichi Akai's house, Uozuka took out his phone and made a call to someone.

"Brother, we've already met that guy named Subaru Okiya," Vodka said.

Gin on the other end of the phone said, "Yeah, keep in touch. If there aren't any shady characters behind him, you can bring him into the organization."

"How is his health?" Gin asked.

Vodka said, "No problem, he doesn't look sick at all."

"Oh?"

He investigated the identity of this Subaru Okiya, and found that he was exactly the kind of talent the organization needed.

A graduate student from a prestigious university, I possess outstanding abilities and am highly regarded by my professors.

Most importantly, after going to Zheng Yi's company, I immediately asked for two days off.

The fact that this person dared to do this despite Zheng Yi's notorious reputation shows that he has a lot of grievances against Zheng Yi and has no intention of working for him.

I heard that he only went to work at Zheng Yi Company reluctantly because of his mentor's strong insistence.

If you oppose Zheng Yi, then he might become one of your own.

"Besides Subaru Okiya, investigate the others in the lab as well, and see if they are clean," Gin ordered.

"Yes!"

Shuichi Akai stood by the window, watching Vodka leave, and a lot of thoughts suddenly came to mind.

"What brings Vodka here to see me?"

Judging from his appearance, he didn't seem to have discovered his identity, otherwise he wouldn't have dared to come looking for him directly.

"Could it be that they're trying to recruit me into their organization?" (End of Chapter)