Spy-x-War Showdown
Chapter 312 - 311 Arrogance

Chapter 312: Chapter 311 Arrogance

Mike’s implication was crystal clear, that Yang Yi would emerge as the savior when Brian had lost all hope.

At present, Brian had just come out of prison and hadn’t officially started searching for Kate, whom he’d been ruminating over for decades—Kate, his lover.

Brian had now found two helpers. Although Paul and Charles were also keen to root out the mole that caused their dissolution, the camaraderie forged in the trenches was exceptional. Their objective might be to find the mole, but they would still wholeheartedly assist Brian in his search for Kate, without a single complaint.

So even though Brian’s team only consisted of two others, the three of them together constituted the Pandora Squad, a unit not even death could part.

The Organization of Water belonged to Yang Yi, and his goal was to expand the organization into a major force in the intelligence community, thereby catching the attention of the Grey-cloaked People. Only by establishing contact with them would he have a chance to find them and seek his revenge.

Since their core goals were different, even though they were together now, they would eventually part ways and head toward their respective objectives.

But the Pandora Squad was formidable, an extremely potent force in combat. Who wouldn’t want them on their side?

The Pandora Squad was currently a trio, yet even with only three members, they were the strongest force within the nascent Organization of Water. This was a case of the guest being stronger than the host.

When the Organization of Water grew powerful enough to have sufficient strength to help Brian find Kate, that would mean Brian would be in need of the Organization of Water, in need of Yang Yi, rather than the current situation where the Organization of Water had to rely on the overwhelming military power of Pandora Squad.

Mike’s thought was to have Brian leave first, and once Brian became desperate, and the Organization of Water became more robust—even if its military power still couldn’t match Pandora’s, or even if Brian found other old comrades to further strengthen the squad—so long as Brian still wanted to find Kate, the Organization of Water would be in a strong position, with the Pandora Squad at a disadvantage.

Only then would Yang Yi truly control the military power brought by Brian and even have the opportunity to completely absorb the Pandora Squad.

Observing Yang Yi deep in thought, Mike calmly said, "It seems you understand what I mean."

"I think I do."

Mike smiled faintly and spoke quietly, "In any intelligence organization, the intelligence department’s status is always higher than that of the operations department. Do you understand?"

Yang Yi replied with a smile, "Intelligence organizations primarily focus on gathering information, so of course, the intelligence department takes precedence, with operations being secondary."

Mike nodded and said, "What if Brian can’t find this woman? He’ll keep searching. But what if he does find her then? What do you think Brian will do?"

Yang Yi replied with a troubled look, "He would probably leave this life of violence behind and live his own world with Kate, wouldn’t he? But it’s hard to say because Brian also wants to expose the mole."

Mike smiled and nodded, "Yes, and while the two tasks could be carried out simultaneously, Brian is very skilled at killing, but when it comes to finding people, that’s definitely a job for the intelligence department, for us."

Mike didn’t want Brian to stay in the Organization of Water because if he did, Brian would be credited with contributing to its growth. Then, when the time came for Brian to utilize the organization’s intelligence-gathering capabilities, Yang Yi would have no reason to refuse.

Yang Yi grasped the intricate details and then looked towards Mike, saying softly, "I understand what you mean, but I don’t want to do it."

Mike, taken aback, asked, "Why not?"

Yang Yi answered seriously, "I’m not opposed to using schemes, but only against enemies, not... comrades-in-arms. I’m not sure what my exact relationship with Brian is—friends? Comrades-in-arms? But I do know that he is not my enemy. I can employ all means against enemies, but I absolutely will not resort to scheming against comrades."

Mike furrowed his brows, "It’s not a conspiracy; it’s just a very normal management tactic."

Yang Yi shook his head, "But after all, it’s not an approach you could justify under the light of day, right? Mike, I don’t like it. I can part ways with Brian amicably, but I don’t want to use these tactics against him."

Mike was astonished, his face etched with disbelief, "Who do you think you are? You are a spy, leading a secret organization, yet you harbor such ludicrous sentiments!"

Yang Yi replied with a bitter smile, "It’s just my personality, Mike, my personality. Maybe in the future my way of thinking will change, and I might become someone I don’t even recognize, but right now, I can’t do it. Even if it’s not really a scheme, plotting against a comrade like this—it’s just not something I can do!"

Mike sighed in disappointment, then nodded, "Alright, I’ve said that I wouldn’t tell you what to do. This is just my suggestion, for your consideration."

Yang Yi said in a low voice, "Mike, do you still hate Brian? Can you tell me the truth?"

After hesitating for a moment, Mike finally replied coldly, "Hate? Do I hate him? It’s beyond hate now. After learning the full truth, my hatred subsided, but I never forgave him, and I don’t trust him. Betrayal by an agent is unforgivable, and if he betrayed once for that woman, what’s to say he won’t betray again for her?"

Yang Yi was left speechless. Reluctantly admitting to the logic in Mike’s words—what if the Grey-cloaked People found Kate and forced Brian to kill him, using her as leverage? What choice would Brian make then?

Yang Yi, looking helpless, heard Mike’s cold voice, "You’re clearer on this than I anticipated. You have a level of calm not usual for your age. Although your sentiments are a bit naive, that’s a common fault in the young, and I can understand. Therefore, I acknowledge you as a capable leader. I will assist you with all my might, for my own goals and to repay the debt I owe your father. From this moment on, I will fully uphold your authority, and establish your supreme position within the organization. That was the main purpose of our conversation. I’ve said all I need to—do you have anything you want to say to me?"

Yang Yi sighed, "I’m not someone who lets emotions override logic. I know your proposal is very advantageous, so I’ll let Brian search for Kate on his own since we truly can’t help much at the moment. But I will tell him that once I possess the necessary capability, I will help him unconditionally."

Yang Yi pointed to himself and said gravely, "I am a very confident person. I trust in my abilities, and I believe I can earn Brian’s unconditional support, and not just because he has to help me. Mike, do you think I am too arrogant?"