It must be admitted that the little devils inherited much of China's cultural heritage regarding "strategy," which, combined with their own national character, gives them a significant edge in scheming and plotting.
Take World War II as an example: they essentially deceived the entire world!
Nowadays, people across the globe often perceive the bowing and overly polite little devils as well-mannered individuals. Nonsense! In their ideology, politeness isn't about respecting others but serving their own purposes.
This habit of incessant bowing and saying "sumimasen" has effectively confused everyone. Even the USA, with its sharp acumen, was duped by these consummate actors (with or without clothes).
Though the USA keeps Japan as a watchdog in East Asia, closely monitoring the unstoppable rise of the Eastern Dragon, and uses it as a cash cow for occasional exploitation, it's undeniable that many in the USA have been fooled by Japan's façade of feigned virtue.
These traits are on full display in Watanabe Taro. His obsequiousness towards Castle earlier was matched only by the venom he now harbors. Even though Castle's influence has grown so formidable that Watanabe knows he can't provoke him recklessly, Watanabe's confidence in his scheming abilities compels him to order his subordinates to gather every detail about Castle. His aim: to plan meticulously, target Castle, and obtain the synthesis formula for the powerful explosives Castle possesses.
Meanwhile, Castle, sitting openly in the Twelfth Precinct's lounge, chatting idly with Esposito and Ryan, had no idea that Watanabe was scheming against him. Even if he had known, Castle likely wouldn't have cared. After all, while there were many forces and individuals he couldn't or wouldn't confront in this country, the little devils? Ha.
But this doesn't mean the devils' schemes weren't venomous. Their efficiency, especially under Watanabe Taro's directive, was terrifying. Using their wealth and influence, they quickly compiled a comprehensive dossier on Alexis, Castle's only daughter, within an hour.
Satisfied with the results, Watanabe didn't waste time idly. While his subordinates gathered intelligence, he used a satellite phone to contact his father, the head of the Watanabe conglomerate in Tokyo. He not only reported his progress in arms negotiations but also shared his plans to target a Northrup designer, hoping to acquire their latest drone technology. His father, impressed, gave full support to the scheme.
Northrup's drones, renowned for their advanced technology, are strictly off-limits for sale to other nations, even allies. Not even NATO members or Britain managed to procure such equipment in the past. Watanabe Taro, having witnessed the drone's test firing of a micro missile nicknamed "Ex-Wife," was deeply envious. With 24 missiles per drone—six times the payload of the MQ-1 or MQ-9—it was a game-changer.
To the resource-scarce Japanese, such technology seemed tailor-made for their needs. Although post-WWII efforts had improved their resource access, frugality remained ingrained in their national psyche. This mindset also shaped Watanabe Taro's obsession with securing the drones.
Using their own satellite phone network to evade NSA eavesdropping scandals, Watanabe's communications slipped under the radar of Jarvis, Castle's AI guardian. Although Jarvis detected the devils collecting Castle's data and alerted him, Castle underestimated the threat, assuming they wouldn't dare act rashly in New York.
But Castle had forgotten how audacious the little devils could be. Before Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, who could have imagined a small island nation daring to provoke the USA?
Despite Jarvis' warnings, Castle dismissed the threat. He spent the afternoon at the Twelfth Precinct catching up with Esposito, then returned home. Meanwhile, the devils executed their plan in secret. Unlike the CIA's recent failed attempt to kidnap Alexis, these devils utilized their extensive local networks in New York to devise a more cunning strategy.
Watanabe Taro decided to send a girl, trained by Japan's intelligence agency, to pose as a transfer student and befriend Alexis. Once trust was established, they would lure her overseas under the guise of a trip and kidnap her there, far from Castle's base of operations.
They rejected the idea of using a boy to charm Alexis because she was still at an age where romantic feelings hadn't developed. Castle would immediately become suspicious if a Japanese boy suddenly entered Alexis' life.
Thus, Taro opted for the safer route: a "friendship" strategy. With the girl gaining Alexis' trust and persuading her to travel abroad, taking Alexis away from New York and American soil would make her an easy target. After all, once outside the USA, who could stop them?
(End of Chapter)
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