Unbeknownst to Castle, who was on his way to the 12th Precinct to catch up with his old friends Esposito and Ryan, the Japanese representatives he had just met were seething with rage. Moments after Castle left, the polite, obsequious smiles they had worn during the meeting disappeared, replaced by scowls of utter contempt.
The man responsible for liaising with Castle was Watanabe Taro, a representative of the so-called Watanabe Consortium. This wasn't just any consortium—it was a highly secretive defense contractor. Watanabe Taro wasn't just a representative; he was the next-in-line to inherit the organization, which had deep, shadowy ties to Japan's military-industrial complex.
The Watanabe Consortium had been established in the aftermath of World War II, with a convoluted shareholding structure designed to obscure its origins. Among its investors were companies like Nissan, which had supplied military vehicles to the Imperial Japanese Army, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which had manufactured the infamous Zero fighter plane. However, the consortium's core originated from Nakajima Aircraft Company, a major wartime contractor that had secretly rebranded and reorganized to avoid post-war accountability.
At its heart, the Watanabe Consortium remained a defense contractor, intent on modernizing Japan's military capabilities. This time, they had come to the United States seeking to procure advanced weapons systems.
What drew their attention to Castle was a recent US military demonstration of a next-generation drone he had designed. The drone outperformed both the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper, boasting greater payload capacity and a cutting-edge semi-autonomous flight control system. The Japanese delegation was awestruck, particularly by the micro-missiles equipped on the drone. Each missile, though only 20 centimeters long, packed an explosive punch far beyond its size, thanks to Castle's revolutionary high-explosive formula.
Their initial attempts to purchase the drones from Northrop Grumman were blocked by the US Congress, which cited security concerns. Unable to acquire the drones directly, the Japanese representatives pivoted, targeting the source of the technology—Castle himself. They hoped to secure either the formula for the explosive or production rights for it.
Yet, despite their calculated efforts and feigned humility, Castle flatly rejected them. He was disgusted by their duplicity and showed no interest in entertaining their requests. If not for the New York mayor's personal appeal, Castle wouldn't have even spoken to them.
Castle's cold reception baffled the delegation. They had expected him to be more open, perhaps even eager to negotiate, given their financial clout. Little did they know, Castle harbored deep-seated hatred for their country. In his previous life, Castle had been from a nation with historical grievances against Japan, and he had never forgotten the atrocities committed during that time. For Castle, the best kind of "little devil" was a dead one.
Moreover, Castle had no intention of sharing such sensitive technology with a nation whose military ambitions were evident. Selling them micro-missiles or the formula for the explosives would be tantamount to arming a potential adversary.
For the Japanese delegation, Castle's outright rejection was infuriating. Watanabe Taro, who had placed high hopes on this meeting, could barely contain his rage. After Castle left, Taro's polite façade cracked, and he vented his frustrations to his subordinates.
"Didn't we gather intelligence suggesting this writer dotes on his daughter?" Taro asked, his tone icy.
"Yes, sir," one subordinate replied deferentially. "Reports indicate that the CIA recently attempted to kidnap his daughter, but their operation was thwarted by Castle's bodyguards. Three agents were killed, and two were captured. The incident led to the resignation of a CIA deputy director."
Taro sneered. "Those blunt, brutish Americans—so unsophisticated. Do they think such crude tactics could achieve results? They lack the subtlety of our methods. Gather detailed information on this writer's daughter. If we can't negotiate, we'll find another way to get what we want."
"Yes, sir," the subordinate replied, bowing deeply.
Taro continued, his tone dripping with malice. "We cannot allow such a treasure as that explosive formula to slip through our fingers. Combined with the semi-autonomous flight system, this technology would revolutionize our drones. Imagine deploying drones armed with micro-missiles—perfectly tailored to our needs. These weapons would conserve resources while delivering unparalleled firepower."
"But, sir," another subordinate hesitated, "what exactly are you suggesting?"
Taro's expression darkened. "Isn't it obvious? If he refuses to cooperate willingly, we'll give him no choice. Start by investigating every detail about his daughter. We'll develop a meticulous plan to target her. Unlike the clumsy Americans, we'll handle this delicately, ensuring he never sees it coming."
He paused, his lips curling into a sinister smile. "If we control his daughter, we control him. Once we have the formula and the flight system, we'll ensure our consortium dominates the next generation of warfare."
The subordinates exchanged uneasy glances but dared not object. They knew better than to question Watanabe Taro when he was in such a volatile mood.
The Watanabe Consortium's ambitions extended far beyond acquiring weapons. They sought to establish dominance in the global arms race, and Castle's technologies were the keys to achieving that goal. However, Castle's disdain and distrust of the Japanese made it clear he would never willingly cooperate.
Taro's decision to target Castle's daughter was not merely a reaction born of frustration—it was a calculated move, one steeped in the underhanded tactics that had been the hallmark of his organization for generations.
Yet, for all their planning, the Japanese failed to grasp one critical fact: Castle was no ordinary man. His System, Jarvis, and his allies ensured he was far better prepared than they anticipated. The game they were about to play would be far more dangerous than they could imagine.
(End of Chapter)
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