Bai Qi felt a flicker of amusement seeing Vermouth and Bourbon before him.
"Well, they sent an Eastern Yi Public Security police mole to meet me. Why not just hang a banner outside? I've already thought of the text: 'Welcome, great Lord of the Fire Demon, King of Kings.' "
However, Bai Qi kept his thoughts to himself, maintaining a devilish aloofness as he was led into the cannery by the two.
Inside, Bai Qi met the cool Gin and his loyal subordinate, Vodka.
This duo was arguably the most frequently appearing members of the Black Organization in the entire anime. Gin, as the creator of the eternally young detective Shinichi Kudo, certainly held considerable sway.
Gin, with a cold expression, addressed Vermouth and Bourbon, "I'm in charge here. You two handle arrangements outside."
Seeing Vermouth about to speak, Gin immediately added, "It's the Boss's order."
With the boss invoked, Vermouth was left with no recourse and obediently followed Bourbon out of the factory.
"You can't go in."
Arriving at the elevator leading to the underground base, Gin stopped Klayven and his companions.
"What do you mean?"
Afu had long disliked the aloof Gin. He doubted this fellow's frail body could even withstand a single punch from him. If not for his master's sake, he would have beaten him up long ago, yet now he dared to put on airs.
Facing Afu's unconcealed threat, Gin replied coldly, "Exactly what it means."
Despite Gin's calm demeanor, his right hand had already subtly moved behind his back, ready to draw his gun.
Instantly, the atmosphere in the workshop grew tense. Snipers hidden in the shadows drew their weapons, aiming at Bai Qi and his group. At Gin's command, they would turn these individuals into sieves. On the other side, Klayven and his men also took up defensive positions, looking ready for a fight.
As a clash seemed imminent, Bai Qi waved his hand. Klayven and his group, understanding his intent, stopped, though a hint of dissatisfaction lingered.
Bai Qi walked up to Gin and said, "You, you're the second person I've seen dare to bare your fangs at a demon alone. Very good, but also very foolish."
In an instant, two shadowy figures, ninjas, appeared to Bai Qi's left and right. By the time Gin instinctively drew his gun, sensing the threat, a hand grasped him from behind. His subordinate, Vodka, was already pinned to the ground by a troll-like ninja, unable to move.
The other hidden attackers were subdued simultaneously by the appearing Black Organization ninjas.
Bai Qi continued, "I admire your courage, but without sufficient strength to back it up, courage only leads to a quicker death."
With that, the ninjas released Gin and Vodka.
"Alright, I'll go in myself. You wait here."
Saying this, Bai Qi entered the elevator.
The elevator descended rapidly.
When the elevator doors opened, Bai Qi was presented with a hall constructed entirely of gold.
"Greetings, Lord Demon. I am the person in charge of this base."
As Bai Qi stepped out of the elevator, a man in a white lab coat with a disheveled beard hurried over.
Despite the man's appearance, it was primarily due to meeting Bai Qi; otherwise, he was usually even more unkempt.
The man said, "Lord Demon, our boss mentioned that I will be leading you on a tour of our pharmaceutical factory and research department. Let me tell you, our research department is second to none, and within the Organization..."
Before the man could finish, Bai Qi interrupted him.
"No need. Take me to your boss directly."
Bai Qi understood the man's reasoning. It was nothing more than showing off and proving his own worth to gain leverage in subsequent negotiations.
However, to Bai Qi, all of this was insignificant. The technology of the organization was indeed decent, but only just. If they were to talk about technology, could the organization even compare to Osborn Industries?
Furthermore, these bases of the organization, while sounding grand, were essentially underground hideouts and not something to be taken seriously.
"This..."
Bai Qi's words left the man speechless and looking at Gin for direction.
"Do as he says."
The man nodded repeatedly and said, "Very well, Lord Demon, this way please. I will take you to the boss's office."
Led by the man, Bai Qi arrived before the so-called office. The man knocked gently, announced their arrival, and then gestured for Bai Qi to enter.
As Bai Qi went in, the man thoughtfully closed the door softly.
Bai Qi surveyed the office.
It was less of an office and more of a lounge. Bai Qi saw nothing related to work, but rather numerous expensive art decorations.
Of course, the most conspicuous was the raven motif on the wall. Ravens could be seen on almost everything.
Bai Qi shifted his gaze to the sofa.
On the sofa sat a short, somewhat stout middle-aged man in a black suit. Notably, a raven perched on his right shoulder.
"Hello, Mr. Demon."
Seeing Bai Qi enter, the middle-aged man stood up and extended his hand in a friendly gesture.
Bai Qi glanced at the outstretched hand but did not take it, instead stating coolly, "Are you the boss of this organization?"
The man retracted his hand, his smile undiminished, and said, "Yes, I am the boss of the Organization, Renya Karasuma. If you don't mind, we can sit and chat."
Bai Qi nodded and sat on the sofa.
After sitting down, Renya Karasuma asked, "Mr. Demon, have you had a chance to see the state of this base?"
Bai Qi shook his head and replied, "No, I'm not interested in such unseemly matters."
Renya Karasuma was not offended by Bai Qi's statement and continued with a smile, "Of course, Mr. Demon would not be interested in these things, but what you see is merely the tip of the iceberg. The Organization has many such bases in Eastern Yi, and we even have a significant number of underground bases in countries like America."
"Is that so? It seems the organization you've established isn't much then. Besides engaging in sneaky little schemes and acting like rats in the sewer, you have no other abilities."
Renya Karasuma replied, "Not at all, not at all. I know Mr. Demon looks down on us, but even sewer rats have their purpose. The Organization's influence spans the globe, and we can provide Mr. Demon with a wealth of intelligence."
Speaking of intelligence, Bai Qi was amused. "I don't believe intelligence provided by an organization infiltrated by agents from multiple countries has any reference value."
"Then do you know why we remain standing despite being heavily infiltrated by agents?"
Before Bai Qi could reply, Renya Karasuma continued, "Those agents are only infiltrating what they can see. They believe they have infiltrated the Organization, but in reality, they are only lurking in the superficial layers. Moreover, it is precisely because the agents from various countries are engaged in mutual scheming and infighting that we can obtain more authentic intelligence."