While Zhu Yuan and Qing Yi were handling the aftermath at the scene, Zhong Yan approached them once more—this time, with Anby at his side.
"You're saying… the two of you want to help as well?" Zhu Yuan asked in surprise after hearing their intentions. She glanced toward Qing Yi, clearly unsure what to make of it.
Qing Yi furrowed her brow in thought.
The Mountain Lion Gang, as an organized group, was as elusive as the Red Fang Gang had once been. Their deeply hidden structure had made any kind of investigation extremely difficult. So far, the Bureau had only managed to locate a few of their mid-tier bases.
Now that they'd caused a public catastrophe, it was certain the higher-ups would demand their total eradication. Those mid-tier outposts would be targeted soon—but if Zhong Yan and Anby joined the operation, things might move more swiftly.
After all, they had helped take down the Red Fang Gang. There was every chance they could lead them to the Mountain Lion Gang's main stronghold too.
"Senior Qing Yi, do you think it's wise…?"
"Let them in," Qing Yi decided after a beat. "The Mountain Lion Gang plays dirty and without remorse. It's no surprise they've drawn the ire of people with a sense of justice. If their goals align with ours, why shut them out?"
Zhu Yuan let out a quiet breath of relief.
Sure, recruiting two Hollow Divers to assist in an official operation wasn't exactly standard procedure. But in her heart, she hoped they would join. Their abilities far outstripped most rookies in the Bureau.
With a shared understanding reached, the group exchanged contact information. All that was left now was to wait for the Bureau to organize their plan of action—and include them when the time came.
——
Meanwhile, inside a high-security prison somewhere in New Eridu…
As soon as Zhao Anmen was assigned to the Mountain Lion Gang investigation, he headed here first.
This facility was no ordinary prison—it housed New Eridu's most dangerous criminals. Every inmate here had abilities far beyond normal people, and capturing them had been no easy feat.
As such, the prison's security rivaled that of the Mayor's mansion. Saying not even a mosquito could get in was hardly an exaggeration.
Zhao Anmen wasn't here to inspect, though.
He had come to meet someone—a prisoner, to be exact.
The Red Fang Gang had shown him just how hard it was to trace these underground organizations. He needed a way to fast-track the investigation.
Which was where this man came in.
In the depths of the facility stood a unique holding cell—suspended in mid-air, with transparent glass walls. Even the toilet was clear. The only hint of color in the entire chamber was the bed.
Clearly, the person locked up inside was not your average criminal.
This particular inmate had ties to Zhao Anmen.
He was once a Shadow of the Nin-Village. But due to certain reasons, he defected—and with both the New Eridu Public Security Bureau and Nin-Village hunting him, he eventually chose to turn himself in.
Thankfully, he hadn't committed any heinous atrocities, so he avoided a death sentence. Instead, he received life imprisonment.
Zhao Anmen was here to ask for his help—because this man was a master of tracking… or more accurately, a master of manipulation.
"I need him lowered. I have something to discuss."
Below the floating cell, an entire armed unit stood on constant watch. Each officer wore specialized goggles, fully prepared for the worst.
Zhao Anmen presented his credentials and an official order to the squad captain. Once verified, the captain gave the signal.
The cell slowly descended, chains rattling as it was lowered to ground level.
Every officer nearby immediately shifted into combat stance, ready for anything.
But they needn't have worried. Breaking out wasn't even on this inmate's mind.
Out here, he might live a quiet life—but once back in the open, he'd be hunted by the entire Nin-Village. He knew exactly where the safer option lay.
When the chamber finally touched down, Zhao Anmen stepped forward and addressed the man inside.
"Long time no see… Shi."
The man known as Shi turned slowly. A disheveled face in his thirties, scruffy and unshaven, came into view.
Upon recognizing his visitor, Shi stepped closer, pressing one hand to the glass with a sly grin.
"Well, well. What a rare guest. What does Officer Zhao Anmen want with me?"
Shi knew exactly who Zhao Anmen was. But he'd never outed him—otherwise, Zhao would've never made it this far.
"There's a case I need your help with. I've already received approval from the higher-ups. All I need is your word."
Zhao got straight to the point. But Shi wasn't impressed.
"I don't work for cops. I'm not interested in shaving time off my sentence by playing good boy. Go find someone else."
Zhao expected the refusal. He also understood the real reason.
Shi wasn't afraid of the Bureau. He was terrified of the Nin-Village.
"The Nin-Village has taken a huge hit," Zhao said calmly. "They're holed up in their bases now. They don't have the resources to come after you anymore."
Shi narrowed his eyes. "Sounds like I missed a lot while I was in here."
Being locked away had cut Shi off from the world. He knew nothing about the Uchiha, or the major recent events.
But if the Nin-Village really didn't have the strength to hunt him down, maybe it was time he saw the outside again.
He hesitated, just long enough to seem reluctant.
Then he smirked. "Alright, fine. Just this once—since it's you asking. But I want everything. Schedule. Plans. Targets. I want full intel."
As he spoke, Shi's mind was already calculating the angles, weighing his options.
What he didn't realize…
Was that among those involved in this operation, there was someone far beyond his league.
A power he could never afford to cross.