dmims Page 118
Page 118
Kurosawa nodded and silently walked towards a small door on the other side of the factory.
The newlyweds looked at each other, hesitated for a moment, and then followed one after another.
Yuuki Takada walked at the back, coldly observing the group's reactions.
Bourbon walked among the crowd at a steady pace, neither standing out nor falling behind, blending in perfectly like a true newcomer.
But Yuki Takada could sense that beneath the other person's seemingly relaxed demeanor lay a cheetah-like alertness.
The equipment room contained some old boxing gloves and protective gear, as well as a few well-maintained pistol models.
Yuuki Takada casually picked up a model gun and weighed it in his hand.
"Learn not to be killed before you learn how to kill."
He raised the model gun and pointed it at a target with a simple human figure drawn on it at the far end of the room. "Holding position, aiming baseline, firing technique. Kurosawa, you demonstrate for them."
Shinichi Kurosawa silently stepped forward, took the other model gun, and completed a set of procedures for holding the gun, aiming, and pre-pressing the trigger with extremely standard and swift movements. His movements were clean and neat, with a clear military style.
"Practice in groups and correct each other's mistakes," Yuuki Takada ordered. "I will check in an hour. No one is allowed to rest if they don't meet the standard."
The newcomers began to clumsily imitate, and sporadic metallic scraping sounds and hushed conversations filled the factory.
Yuki Takada stood with his arms crossed, leaning against a rusty machine, his gaze mostly fixed on the wave itself.
Bourbon learned very quickly, mastering the technique almost immediately after watching Shinichi Kurosawa's demonstration once. His grip on the gun was stable, and his eyes were focused.
After that, Kurosawa Shinichi began to quietly instruct a somewhat clumsy young man next to him.
"Everyone, focus!" Yuuki Takada suddenly spoke, his voice not loud, but it made everyone shudder.
Yuuki Takada walked over to the back of Nami and said, "A stiff wrist will affect fine-tuning. Do you think you're holding a rock?"
Bourbon paused, but didn't turn around. He simply adjusted the angle of his wrist as instructed.
Yuuki Takada didn't leave; instead, he moved even closer, almost touching Takada's back, his voice low and carrying a chilling undertone that only the two of them could hear: "You're quite the actor, Bourbon. I just wonder, who will you ultimately point your gun at?"
Bourbon's body tensed for a moment, but he quickly recovered. He turned his head, his face showing just the right amount of confusion and a hint of displeasure at being offended: "Instructor? I don't understand what you mean. Besides, I seem to be able to clearly sense a strong hatred in you."
"Excuse me, when did I offend you?"
Yuuki Takada chuckled and patted his shoulder lightly: "Sorry, I never have a memory of outsiders, including you."
"As for whether you've offended me, I think you should know better than I do."
After saying that, Yuki Takada ignored Bourbon and turned to the other groups, continuing to point out everyone's mistakes with cold and critical language.
The entire training process was intense yet highly effective, with the air thick with the smells of sweat, dust, and an invisible tension.
From basic combat and physical training to simple tracking and counter-tracking techniques, these are the fundamental methods of intelligence transmission.
Yuki Takada's teaching style is brutal and direct; he never explains the principles, only demands results.
Losers will be punished, which could be extra training, serious punishment, or public humiliation.
Yuuki Takada clearly sensed that the way the newcomers looked at him gradually changed from initial curiosity to more complex emotions, including hatred and obedience.
Bourbon is undoubtedly the most outstanding of these newcomers.
Whether it's physical fitness, fighting skills, or learning ability, he far surpasses others.
But he always kept a low profile, never provoking others or showing too much of his brilliance.
Yuki Takada gave him "special" pointers during several fighting training sessions, using ruthless tactics. Bourbon gritted his teeth and endured it all, and showed amazing improvement in their next encounter.
This guy is more difficult to deal with than I imagined.
Yuuki Takada thought to himself.
No wonder he's an undercover agent from the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau.
His performance at all times was truly perfect.
What followed was part of the anti-interrogation training – an endurance test.
The newlyweds were required to maintain a specific posture for an extended period of time on the cold, damp ground after expending intense physical exertion.
The factory was dimly lit by only one dim emergency light.
Sweat trickled down his forehead and dripped onto the dusty ground.
Some people started to tremble, and some couldn't help but let out soft groans.
Yuki Takada sat on a worn-out chair, fiddling with a model gun in his hand, twirling it around a few times.
When he looked up again, his eyes had returned to their usual coldness.
His gaze swept across the crowd and he noticed that although Bourbon was also covered in sweat and pale, his posture remained steady, his breathing was well controlled, and he even had the energy to observe his surroundings.
Of course, she also happened to make eye contact with Yuki Takada.
Yuki Takada stood up, slowly walked to Bourbon's side, squatted down, and said in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"You're very patient."
"It seems you've suffered quite a bit in the past? Or...did you receive professional training before?"
Bourbon closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them again, his eyes revealing a calm, deep pool: "It's just to survive, Instructor."
"Survive?" Yuuki Takada chuckled. "Here, to survive, endurance alone isn't enough. What's needed is absolute power, and... absolute loyalty. Do you think you have that?"
Bourbon remained silent and did not answer.
Yuuki Takada didn't expect an answer. He stood up and coldly addressed all the newcomers who were nearing their limits:
"Remember how you feel right now. When you are captured, tortured, and abused by the enemy, this feeling will be amplified a hundredfold."
"If you can't survive, you'll die. Or, something worse than death."
He paused, a cruel glint in his eyes: "Of course, if anyone wants to back out now, it's not too late. Walk out this door, forget everything here, and perhaps you'll find a way to survive."
The factory was deathly silent, save for the heavy breathing.
No one moved.
They all knew that from the moment they stepped into this place, the word "exit" had long since disappeared from their vocabulary.
They had all heard about the organization's "rules" to some extent.
Yuuki Takada watched this scene with satisfaction. Fear is one of the most effective tools for controlling people's minds.
After the training, the new recruits were almost exhausted and helped each other to the makeshift rest area.
Chapter 144 Bourbon's Secret Operation
Yuki Takada gestured for Shinichi Kurosawa to come over.
"What are your thoughts on the new recruits?" Yuuki Takada asked softly.
Shinichi Kurosawa remained expressionless: "Most people are mediocre, a few are promising, but their character needs to be tempered."
"As for that person named Bourbon..." After thinking for a while, Shinichi Kurosawa said with particular satisfaction, "He is quite a promising talent. If he proves useful in the future, he will surely be a good candidate."
“I know.” Yuuki Takada looked in the direction Bourbon had disappeared, his eyes deep. “Keep a close eye on him. Also, find an opportunity to test the others, especially those who seem quick-witted, see if they are…”
“...Mr. Rum wants a loyal dog, not a wolf that might bite back at any moment.”
"Understood." Kurosawa Shinichi nodded and then disappeared into the shadows.
Yuki Takada walked alone on the open ground outside the abandoned car factory, his footsteps echoing continuously in the empty space.
His face remained expressionless, but his mind was racing as he repeatedly pondered his conversation with Shinichi Kurosawa.
Bourbon—this newcomer is indeed remarkable; his unique temperament and keen insight make him stand out among the many newcomers.
"A good seedling is a good seedling..."
"Unfortunately, he was still an undercover agent sent by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau to infiltrate the organization."
"However, none of these things have anything to do with Takada Yuuki. As long as he won't affect me, I have plenty of time to torment him during this period."
Yuuki Takada repeated Shinichi Kurosawa's assessment in a low voice, a slight smile playing on his lips, "I hope he won't let us down."
The corridor lights flickered on and off. The organization's base was located underground in an abandoned car factory on the outskirts of Tokyo, which had been converted into one of the training grounds for new recruits.
Shinichi Kurosawa, as Rum's direct subordinate, is responsible for evaluating the abilities and loyalty of new recruits.
Therefore, there are some things that Yuuki Takada naturally won't let Shinichi Kurosawa know.
Yuki Takada originally planned to go straight back to his office to review the new employees' files, but a casual glance around the corner made him stop in his tracks.
About fifty meters ahead, at the entrance to the emergency exit, a familiar figure stood with his back to him, cautiously glancing around before quickly pushing the door open and entering.
Upon closer inspection, the person was none other than a familiar figure.
Bourbon.
Why is he not in the newcomers' rest area, but instead running to this secluded corner all by himself?
Yuuki Takada immediately concealed his presence and silently moved into the shadows by the wall.
His years in the organization have honed his cat-like agility.
He glanced at his watch—it was 11:47 p.m., well past the designated time for the newlyweds' activities.
A hint of doubt arose in Takada's mind.
He recalled Bourbon's file: Amuro Tooru, 27 years old, an outstanding graduate of Tokyo University, skilled in hand-to-hand combat, shooting and intelligence analysis, with an impeccable background.
Perhaps it was this overly perfect profile that made Yuuki Takada always maintain a degree of wariness while admiring him.
Regardless, the other party still managed to outmaneuver him, so they must have some skill.
Yuuki Takada quietly approached the emergency exit door and peered inside through the small window in the door.
Bourbon was facing away from the door, half-squatting on the ground, seemingly holding something in his hand.
Due to the angle, Yuki Takada was unable to see the specific details clearly.
After a moment's hesitation, Yuki Takada decided to take a direct approach.
He adjusted his breathing, deliberately making his footsteps more obvious, and then suddenly pushed open the emergency exit door.
What are you doing here so late?
Bourbon's body stiffened for a moment, but he quickly returned to normal.