If Zhang Yang had stolen from anyone other than Carlos in the Eagle Nation, it might have been just another typical theft. But he had stolen from Carlos, not only one of the top billionaire collectors in the Eagle Nation but also a national legislator.
Carlos had two motivations: personal gain and the pride of the Eagle Nation.
So, when it came to capturing Kaitō Kid, Carlos's stance was firm and unwavering.
"This matter is not just about my Twelve Zodiac Bronze Heads, but also about our dignity and face. It's of great significance. Even if we have to chase him to the ends of the earth, it is necessary to catch him!"
The proposal from Carlos was unanimously passed in the council.
Frank, however, was just an ordinary member of the FBI. Within the FBI, there was a special operations unit that handled more specific and delicate missions. These operatives were the top elite of the Eagle Nation, skilled in intelligence gathering, physical prowess, and mastery of various techniques.
"Make contact with the Island Nation's Imperial Palace as soon as possible. If they don't agree to cooperate, then the operatives will act on their own!"
First, communication was diplomatic, but the real action was not to be delayed. Even if the Island Nation refused, it wouldn't affect the operatives' mission. At worst, it would shift from being a public operation to a more covert one.
Zhang Yang's single post made all three parties take their positions with extreme caution.
The two actions in the Eagle Nation had allowed Zhang Yang to return two pieces of the Twelve Zodiac Bronze Heads to the Dragon Nation.
This news brought immense joy and excitement to the Dragon Nation. The Twelve Zodiac Bronze Heads, which had been scattered and lost abroad, had never been abandoned in the search for them. However, because they had been privately owned, they had never appeared in public, making it nearly impossible to locate them until now.
Zhang Yang had returned four of the Twelve Zodiac Bronze Heads to the Dragon Nation, and naturally, they were ecstatic!
Zhang Yang received a private message from the Dragon Nation.
"Dear Kaitō Kid, we have received your gift. We are deeply grateful for your generous donation, and we wish you a pleasant journey in the Island Nation!"
"Finally, we wish you a happy life, smooth sailing, and salute to you!"
At the end of their message, there was a number, and the words were filled with sincere gratitude.
When Zhang Yang arrived in the Island Nation, it was already late, so he planned to take action the following day.
Just like in the Eagle Nation, Zhang Yang booked a hotel to stay in.
Matsumoto Kinzo, traveling on a private plane provided by the Island Nation embassy, arrived earlier than Zhang Yang. By the time Zhang Yang stepped off the plane, Matsumoto Kinzo had already reached the Imperial Palace.
Matsumoto Kinzo had taken full control of the operations at the Imperial Palace. No matter what, he had to ensure the safety of the Twelve Zodiac Bronze Heads in the palace.
Moreover, the head of the Itō family, Itō Tōji, was also at the Imperial Palace.
Itō Itsuki was still in the hospital in the Eagle Nation. His injury was a result of Kaitō Kid's actions.
When Itō Tōji received the Emperor's orders, he immediately brought dozens of elite ninjas from the Itō family to the Imperial Palace.
"Matsumoto-kun, my ninjas are ready, we're just waiting for Kaitō Kid to show up!"
"Will Kaitō Kid come tonight?"
Matsumoto Kinzo furrowed his brows and shook his head, his gaze fixed on the monitor screen.
The entire Imperial Palace was under full surveillance, with guards stationed 24/7.
This was not just a private estate but the Imperial Palace. It may not be the safest place in the world, but at the very least, it was the safest place in the Island Nation.
"Itō family head, according to Harrison, the Imperial Palace hasn't received any pre-announcement from Kaitō Kid, so he won't be showing up tonight."
"But Kaitō Kid is very crafty, and we can't rule out the possibility that he might try something sneakily!"
Itō Tōji's eyes turned cold, his desire to catch Kaitō Kid boiling over. He would welcome his appearance tonight.
Itō Itsuki was his son, the youngest of the Itō family's land ninjas, and his pride.
But now, he had lost everything.
"Bastard! If he appears, we must catch him at any cost!"
Although the Imperial Palace is where the Emperor of the Island Nation resides, the Emperor still agreed to allow FBI operatives to enter the palace to act on the request made by the Eagle Nation's top leaders.
In the early hours, just before dawn, Matsumoto Kinzo couldn't hold on any longer.
"Itō family head, the day is about to break. Kaitō Kid will not appear."
"If the Imperial Palace receives the pre-announcement, I will notify you immediately!"
The two of them hadn't slept all night, staring at the surveillance screens the entire time.
Itō Tōji responded quietly, and ordered the Itō family ninjas to withdraw.
Zhang Yang, having returned to his hotel and gone to sleep, left the fans online restless.
There was even a Kaitō Kid fan forum where people were discussing posts about Kaitō Kid.
"Kaitō Kid went to the Island Nation, why hasn't there been any news?"
"Could he have been caught on the way? I heard an FBI task force was dispatched!"
"What is Kaitō Kid up to? Did he really go to the Island Nation to see the cherry blossoms?"
"Let the bullets fly for a while, what's so great about the cherry blossoms? He must be after some precious treasure in the Island Nation!"
After Zhang Yang woke up and packed, he released a dove to deliver the pre-announcement to the Imperial Palace.
At the same time, he posted a new update on Kaitō Kid's account, to calm the fans online.
"The cherry blossoms in the Island Nation are beautiful, but there are more important things waiting for me. See you at the Imperial Palace tonight!"
Once this post was made, it immediately sent the internet into a frenzy.
Everyone had been watching closely, and now with Zhang Yang's pre-announcement directly targeting the Imperial Palace, things had escalated.
This was no ordinary place.
"What? The Imperial Palace? Bastard! Do you even know what that place is?"
"Oh shit! The Imperial Palace in the Island Nation, Kaitō Kid has really gone insane!"
"Hahaha, Kaitō Kid going straight for the lion's den, that's brilliant!"
"Oh my god! Kaitō Kid is going to the Imperial Palace, that's a crazy decision!"
"Bastard, how arrogant of Kaitō Kid!"
Matsumoto Kinzo saw Zhang Yang's post first, and more than half an hour later, the pre-announcement arrived via dove.
At the same time, the FBI agents dispatched by the Eagle Nation were also present.
"Director Sente, Kaitō Kid will act tonight. What's your plan?"
Matsumoto Kinzo handed the pre-announcement to Director Sente.
Along with Sente, there were four others. They typically handled dangerous, special missions, so teamwork and mutual understanding were essential.
"Director Matsumoto, just follow the original plan."
"Unless something unexpected happens, we will operate separately!"
This time, both sides did not intend to cooperate directly but would act independently with information shared, without interfering with each other.
The main advantage of this approach was that it allowed each party to think and act independently without being influenced by the other.
This was an insight Sente had gained from the two failed missions by Frank and Harrison. Every time something went wrong, they had acted together, which had exhausted all their resources.
After hearing Sente's analysis, Matsumoto Kinzo agreed with his suggestion.
"Alright!"
"Director Sente, good luck!"