Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

The black Porsche sped along the winding mountain road and finally stopped in front of an abandoned factory hidden halfway up the mountain.

This is a secret base of the organization.

Gin opened the car door, turned his head, and looked at Shizuo Ang in the passenger seat.

"get off."

In the base's laboratory, several researchers in white lab coats were arguing heatedly around a piece of equipment. Upon seeing Gin enter, they immediately fell silent, except for the bald researcher who, forcing a smile, approached: "Gin, what brings you here? And who is this...?"

“Subaru Okiya, the newest member.” Gin said succinctly, his gaze sweeping over the messy equipment. “Let him see your progress.”

Shuichi Akai stepped forward and casually glanced at the data flashing on the screen.

The researchers looked at him expectantly, hoping that this new member would be quite capable.

This laboratory was hastily put together.

They were all lured here by Gin for various reasons, so their skill level is limited, and most of the equipment here is second-hand, lacking various tools.

Gin, however, had high hopes for them, expecting them to come up with something.

This was too much of a challenge for them, so they hoped the newcomer would be more capable so they could handle Gin's task.

However, Shuichi Akai merely raised an eyebrow and said lazily, "I don't really understand these things."

The researchers' expressions changed instantly.

Shuichi Akai shrugged, offered no explanation, and simply remained where he was.

Gin stood to the side, watching Shuichi Akai's nonchalant demeanor, his eyes devoid of anger.

Of course he knew that Subaru Okiya was pretending to be stupid.

When this man worked under Zheng Yi, he often used this uncooperative attitude, which angered Zheng Yi and led to his pursuit and killing.

Now that he's with the organization, he's resorting to the same old tricks, clearly indicating he doesn't want to work for them either.

What a wild and unruly little horse!

"Looks like you haven't been tamed yet." Gin walked up to Shuichi Akai. "What, do you think our place is too small to accommodate someone as big as you? Or do you have some kind of moral fastidiousness?"

Shuichi Akai remained silent, lost in thought, as he surveyed the guards around the area.

He genuinely didn't understand, so he could only use this persona to deal with Gin.

Gin snorted coldly, said nothing more, and turned to walk out of the laboratory: "Come with me."

Subaru Okiya's current task is not to work in the laboratory, so Gin can tolerate his willfulness for the time being.

He has always respected technical talent.

The two arrived at the training grounds beneath the base.

The facilities here are complete, including a shooting range and a combat zone.

Gin pointed to the target in the distance: "Since you're a member of the organization, even if you're just an office worker, you should have the ability to protect yourself. Let me see your skills."

“I don’t know how to use a gun,” Shuichi Akai said.

"You can't even pull the trigger?" Gin asked.

Shuichi Akai walked up to the gun rack and picked up the gun in front of him.

His movements were not skilled, even somewhat clumsy, and his grip on the gun was rather casual.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

All three bullets missed the target.

"good."

"Huh?" Shuichi Akai was a little confused.

Can a shot that misses the target three times still be considered good?

His scores were better when he first held a gun.

Gin looked at Shuichi Akai again. His grip on the gun was wrong, and he was taking too long to aim; he was clearly a novice who had just picked up a gun.

But he controlled his breathing rhythm very well while shooting, and even at the moment of firing, his eyes became unusually serious.

"Try fighting."

“I’m not good at fighting either,” Shuichi Akai said. “Although I exercise, I’ve never practiced fighting.”

"Let me see what's wrong." Gin walked to the mat in the fighting area, put his hands in his pockets, raised his chin slightly, and gestured for the sparring partner next to him to come forward.

He was a burly, menacing thug from the organization. Standing next to him, Shuichi Akai looked extremely small.

The thug grinned maliciously, cracking his knuckles as he flexed his wrists. He clearly didn't take this somewhat thin, pale-faced young man seriously.

Shuichi Akai couldn't understand why Gin was making things difficult for him, a technician.

He joined the organization as a technician, so why would he want to see my marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat skills?

Shuichi Akai had no choice but to slowly walk into the arena, his feet even standing too parallel, which was completely inconsistent with the defensive stance in martial arts.

"Begin." Gin uttered two words coldly.

The thug roared and threw a powerful right hook straight at Shuichi Akai's face.

Shuichi Akai seemed startled by the imposing aura, staggered, and leaned back sharply, appearing to be desperately trying to dodge.

The heavy punch grazed just past the tip of his nose.

"That was close."

Shuichi Akai straightened up and patted his chest.

Seeing this, the thug became even more enraged and immediately unleashed a series of punches, the wind howling through the air.

Shuichi Akai dodged and weaved in the ring, looking like he was about to be hit several times.

"boom!"

Finally, the thug kicked Shuichi Akai in the shoulder, sending him tumbling to the ground, clutching his shoulder and groaning as he couldn't get up.

"good."

Gin looked at Shuichi Akai rolling on the ground and a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.

"what?"

Gin looked at Shuichi Akai.

Although Subaru Okiya was badly beaten just now, he saw very clearly that a second before the thug's toes touched Shuichi Akai's shoulder, Shuichi Akai's muscles had already prepared to absorb the force.

That roll that seemed to send him flying actually absorbed most of the impact, and with the cushioning from the roll, the damage he suffered was negligible.

Moreover, amidst the chaos, Subaru Okiya's breathing rhythm remained relatively stable.

This is an innate fighting talent.

"Slow to react, distorted movements, no technique whatsoever, just a showpiece." Gin walked up to Shuichi Akai and looked down at him.

Shuichi Akai dusted himself off, a wry smile on his face: "I don't understand, why should a technician like me have to shoot a gun, and why should I have to fight?"

Gin sneered and patted Shuichi Akai on the shoulder: "Because you offended Shoichi, you have to arm yourself if you want to survive."

Shuichi Akai asked, "Didn't you say that the organization had already made Shoichi stop persecuting me?"

"Heh." Gin didn't say it explicitly.

He couldn't very well say that Zheng Yi had no respect for the organization, that he verbally agreed but would actually continue to persecute its members.

Shuichi Akai frowned, sensing that his situation was somewhat dangerous.

Gin looked at Shuichi Akai again, very satisfied.

He is both literate and skilled in martial arts, a rare talent; the organization hasn't recruited someone like him for a long time.

This little wild horse, however, has a bit of a personality. (End of Chapter)