Kirov's behavior made Yamamoto Takehito's face pale. This was Russia, not Japan—certainly not Yamamoto's turf. With Kirov acting like this, there was nothing Yamamoto could do.
"But…"
Yamamoto wanted to say more. After all, if he couldn't accomplish the task Kitazawa Ryōta had set, he felt certain he'd never be able to return to Japan for the rest of his life.
The reach of NERV's power was not something a small-time figure like Yamamoto could possibly resist.
Just then, Kitazawa suddenly cut him off.
"Apologies, Mr. Kirov. I suppose we've troubled you enough. I'm sorry—we'll be on our way."
With that, Kitazawa turned and walked out of the café alone. Yamamoto could only sigh helplessly and follow after him with Katsuragi Ryōji close behind.
"Kitazawa, Kaji-san—are we really just leaving like this?" Yamamoto said anxiously once they were outside. "Kirov is extremely influential. If even he doesn't know anything, I honestly can't think of anyone else who could help us."
"Kaji-san, what do you think?" Kitazawa ignored Yamamoto and instead turned to Katsuragi with the question.
"It's strange. His reaction was a little too strong. Maybe he really doesn't like dealing with government people," Katsuragi said, rubbing his nose.
"Hmm. Still, we have to keep looking for leads. Let's go back to the hotel for now, take it slowly."
"That works. This isn't the sort of thing we can rush," Kaji agreed with a nod.
"Well then… why don't I drive you back?" Yamamoto offered with an ingratiating grin. "I know Moscow well—let me be your driver for today."
"Haha, in that case, we'll trouble you, Mr. Yamamoto," Kaji laughed heartily.
It was a strange feeling—having a man who ruled the underworld like Yamamoto playing chauffeur.
Only Kitazawa remained silent.
His instincts told him that something about this man called Kirov was off. He couldn't yet put his finger on exactly what, but the unease lingered.
While Kitazawa was lost in thought, back on Telo Street, inside that unassuming café, Kirov sat brooding, his face dark and unpleasant.
"Boss, what do we do? Those Japanese guys actually came looking for us—what's our move?"
A young Russian man approached from the café bar, bowing slightly as he addressed Kirov.
"Hmph. I didn't expect the Americans to come, but instead the Japanese showed up first. Very good. These Japanese dogs have sharp noses—too sharp. To sniff me out so quickly…" Kirov said in a low, grim tone.
"So what do we do now, boss? If their noses are that sharp, and they sense something's wrong, that could be bad for us." The young man's voice was tight with worry. Even in Russia, if the Japanese—or the Americans—found out about the things he and Kirov had done, the government might be able to protect him officially, but it wouldn't stop an assassin's bullet one day in the street.
"Hmph. What else can we do? We weren't the masterminds behind what happened. That was the Sun Gang's (OC) handiwork—and I'll be damned if we take the fall for them." Kirov gave a cold snort, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Go. Find the Sun Gang and tell them exactly what happened today. Give them the descriptions of those two Japanese. Moscow's not that small—but it's not that big either. If the Sun Gang wants to find two Japanese, it'll be easy."
"Boss… you mean…" The young man's eyes lit up and he made a shooting gesture with his hand.
Kirov glanced at him, a faint smile curling his lips. "Well? What are you waiting for?"
"Yes, boss!"
…
The young man slipped quietly out of the café. Soon after, a message reached one of the largest criminal organizations in Moscow—and from there, through secret channels, spread farther and wider.
Meanwhile, Kitazawa, Kaji, and Yamamoto continued driving through the city.
For the moment, there were no new leads. Kaji was starting to feel impatient, while Kitazawa sat silently in the car, looking as though he were deep in thought.
The whole business reeked of strangeness, forcing Kitazawa to think carefully.
In the manga's world, the incident where Unit-04 automatically activated the Dirac Sea was itself a mystery, never fully explained. From the clues he'd gathered, Kitazawa suspected it might be connected to the Vatican Treaty—but he didn't know the specifics.
"Past Red Square is Russia's most famous gourmet street," Yamamoto's voice droned from the driver's seat. "Since you're here, of course you have to try the local cuisine. There's a place I know near Red Square—great Russian beef stew. And of course, after a good meal, you've got to find a woman. A Russian girl. That way the trip won't be wasted."
Yamamoto kept chuckling lewdly. In front of them, he was no longer the underworld boss, but more like a fawning errand boy.
Then, suddenly, a chill ran down Kitazawa's spine. An awful premonition surged into his mind, raising every hair on his body.
The sensation was all too familiar to him—back in the War God's Space, during that year of constant battles, his body would always react this way in the face of mortal danger. "Alert" was perhaps the best word for it.
They were in Red Square now. He didn't believe anyone would dare open fire here—such a thing would be a major international incident. Still, Kitazawa's eyes flicked sharply toward the surroundings, searching for the direction of the threat.
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