"Surprisingly, it's actually a legitimate religious organization. This is getting interesting," Daniel thought, looking through information about the Tsukuyomi Society. Contrary to his assumption that it might be an underground force like The Hand, the Tsukuyomi Society was officially recognized as a lawful religious group. Their current leader was reportedly a young girl who headed the organization, which worshipped the Moon Goddess, Tsukuyomi.
As he scanned the information, one of his shadow clones appeared silently in the room, dissolving into smoke and relaying its gathered intelligence directly to Daniel's mind. After Daniel had taken care of the four ninjas, the supposed handlers had waited outside for a while, then eventually drove off, allowing his shadow clone to pursue them.
"So it's the Yashiro family involved… a classic case of power struggle." The intelligence Daniel received suggested that although Ryoko Yashiro had warned him of potential threats, the person he had tracked was a high-ranking member of her family's security company.
"Yashiro Hiroki, still keeping himself busy, I see," Daniel mused. Yashiro's private security company was currently run by Hiroki, the same elderly man Daniel had seen at the hotel—a man reputed for his love of pleasure. Compared to Daniel's own penchant for indulging now and then, Hiroki was practically a legend.
Yashiro Hiroki's wife had passed away, leaving him two daughters: Ryoko, who worked as an international law enforcement agent, and her sister, who managed the family's domestic affairs. Hiroki had reportedly had countless lovers over the years, even at his current age, maintaining a five-woman rotation that spanned Monday through Friday, with weekends reserved for his daughters. His companions were known to be of exceedingly high caliber—like the twins Daniel had seen with him previously. These were not mere rumors; the information had come directly from his associate, Zhao Helen, who seemed well-informed about such matters.
"Let's see what kind of game they're playing," Daniel thought.
The next day, back at the research facility, Daniel once again met with Spencer and JJ, who had brought along Spencer's mother. From the looks of it, there had been a shift in the relationship between Spencer and JJ; they seemed much closer than before.
Spencer's mother carried herself with a dignified presence, an academic grace reflective of her years as a literature professor. If it weren't for the hereditary mental illness that plagued her, theirs would have been the perfect model family.
While Daniel took Spencer's mother for a comprehensive examination, Spencer initiated a discussion about the cost of treatment. Though his family was financially stable—his mother a professor, his father a lawyer, and Spencer himself both a federal agent and guest lecturer at multiple universities—covering the fees for Daniel's treatments was no easy feat. While Daniel occasionally treated patients pro bono under the guise of charity, his services generally commanded astronomical prices.
"You don't need to worry about the cost," Daniel reassured. "But while you're here, why don't you undergo a checkup as well?" As Spencer's case had come through a friend, Daniel had no intention of charging him much, if anything. Still, he felt it best to take a small fee so as not to make them uncomfortable.
"You've been exposed to drugs?" Daniel asked, looking through Spencer's test results and noticing some abnormalities.
"He was injected against his will," JJ explained, recounting the incident.
"You agents really have a tough job," Daniel commented. He went off to prepare some medicinal concoctions, and soon returned with packets of herbs and two cups of a dark liquid.
"This is for you to take back and brew with hot water. Here, drink these now," he said, handing one to each of them.
"Me too?" JJ asked, surprised to see her own cup.
"Yes, yours is for general health. Don't waste it—I don't often make this kind of thing myself. To put it bluntly, a dose like this would fetch a fortune at auction." Daniel's claim was no exaggeration; each concoction contained an herb capable of healing almost any ailment. Its effects were priceless.
"Thank you so much," Spencer said, taking the cup gratefully.
"I'll finalize the treatment plan soon and contact you both. It'll take time to address everything thoroughly."
As Spencer and JJ departed, Daniel watched their figures recede, shaking his head. The dangers they faced daily, especially in their line of work dealing with serial killers and other violent criminals, were extraordinary. Recently, their Behavioral Analysis Unit had handled a particularly disturbing case—a gifted young girl whose intellect rivaled Spencer's own. At just fourteen, she'd become a university assistant, and her meticulous, calculating mind had enabled her to escape suspicion for quite some time.
In a shocking twist, the team discovered that she had committed four murders, one each during her elementary, middle, high school, and college years. Due to her young age, she'd received a lenient sentence, and she'd even hinted to reporters that she planned to write a book while in prison. Though she had likely only been prosecuted for the most recent crime due to a lack of evidence for the others, her unsettling intellect and remorseless attitude were unnerving.
"Better to leave them to their own battles," Daniel thought. The Marvel Universe was a treacherous place for serial killers, especially given the presence of vigilant heroes and crime-fighting teams. Many killers who had once haunted the city had simply disappeared, likely having crossed paths with the wrong people.
He returned to his book, mentally preparing for his planned operation against General Ross. Once that was taken care of, he would explore new dimensions.
"Mr. Shen." A voice speaking impeccable Mandarin interrupted him, and Daniel looked up to see an elderly woman leaning on a cane, her clothes modest. He recognized her immediately: it was Madame Gao of The Hand.
Madame Gao, along with Wilson Fisk and several others, had been under his surveillance for some time.
"Who are you?" Daniel asked, feigning ignorance as he closed his book.
"My name is Gao," she replied with a smile. "You can call me Madame Gao."
Daniel nodded politely, waiting. Gao certainly hadn't approached him without purpose.
"ADDC9," she said directly, cutting to the chase.
"And?"
"Some people are hoping you'll retract your statements about ADDC9," she said, her voice level. "Of course, they're willing to compensate you handsomely."
"So, this dangerous drug is your doing?" Daniel replied coldly.
"It's not dangerous—it's a cure. There are millions suffering from Alzheimer's. I'm sure you understand the scale of the problem. What's a little side effect when weighed against so much suffering?" she said, maintaining her smile.
"Death is a 'little' side effect? Spare me the lecture. That drug will never make it to market if I have anything to say about it," Daniel replied, standing up and leaving without further words.
"She's looking for trouble, along with Fisk," Daniel thought. He could see Gao calmly sipping her coffee behind him as he left. Both were masters of manipulation, yet Daniel had little doubt who would prevail in the end.
Despite Gao's amiable facade, Daniel had a grudging respect for her survival skills. While he had never hesitated to take bold actions once he was powerful enough, Madame Gao exemplified an unparalleled talent for lying low and strategizing. In the Marvel Universe, she was like a venomous spider, content to hide in the shadows, rarely moving unless absolutely necessary. Even in unfavorable situations, Gao relied on poisons and proxies rather than confronting her enemies head-on.
"Let's see how far she's willing to go," Daniel thought as he reached the parking lot. Just as he approached his car, several men in suits emerged from nearby vehicles, their guns pointed at him.
"Get in," one of them commanded, shoving him into the back of a black SUV.
"So Fisk's men are involved too?" Daniel thought, observing the infamous Wesley among the group. Fisk's men had clearly caught wind of Madame Gao's plan, though the fact that she hadn't deployed The Hand's agents confirmed her cautious nature.
After a while, Daniel found himself being led into an abandoned warehouse. Wesley approached with his usual smirk, but before he could speak, gunfire erupted outside.
Wesley's expression quickly turned sour as he realized something was wrong. Daniel, however, had been expecting this—the two French maids who worked for Ryoko Yashiro had followed him. Initially, Daniel had thought they were simply high-level security personnel, but their swift and precise movements suggested they were elite agents, akin to special forces.
The situation had quickly turned chaotic, but for Daniel, this was merely an opportunity.
"Well, well, Fisk and Madame Gao want to dance. Time to clean house," he thought with a sly smile. The Marvel underworld was about to undergo a radical change, and Daniel was more than ready to be the one orchestrating it.
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