Two days had passed since the events at the Blue Castle.
Mutsumi Nishikawa's survival had yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Hayashi Yoshiki was summoned that afternoon to the organization's research facility—the same one that studied APTX4869.
This time, however, he immediately noticed something different: the security had clearly been intensified. The atmosphere among the guards was tense, and their stances were more alert than usual.
Hayashi Yoshiki took mental notes, discreetly observing everything around him.
"Lord Cointreau, please wait a moment."
The security guard stationed outside was notably respectful. He escorted Yoshiki to the biometric lock, swiped his ID card, and input the password to activate the elevator.
Hayashi Yoshiki merely smiled, saying nothing, as he took stock of the guard's facial features. Then, he silently boarded the elevator and ascended to the designated floor.
As soon as he exited, someone was already waiting.
"Lord Cointreau."
"Good afternoon. Where's Gin?"
"Lord Gin is finishing a report. He asked that you wait here for the time being."
"I see."
Hayashi Yoshiki offered a cordial nod to the female researcher who had come to receive him. His gentle demeanor caught her off guard—clearly, she wasn't used to someone so calm and courteous in such a dangerous place. Still, she quickly recovered and escorted him inside.
During their walk through the institute, Hayashi Yoshiki spotted Shiho Miyano.
She was seated in front of her computer, eyes strained, surrounded by several notebooks. At the moment, she was rubbing her temples with a fatigued expression.
By now, she surely understood that Shinichi Kudo had been turned into a child by APTX4869.
But her conscience had kept her from reporting this fact to Gin, and her scientific curiosity was deeply stirred by such an unprecedented effect of the drug.
Still, the endless overtime and stricter protocols had worn her down. Two of her recent requests to leave the facility had been rejected, and she didn't know why. Even Gin, Chianti, and Vodka had all been oddly silent about using live test subjects lately.
Yoshiki continued walking, keeping an eye on her briefly before casually turning to the researcher beside him:
"It seems the atmosphere is much more serious than last time. Did something happen?"
"Ah, yes… security has been tightened, but we researchers haven't been told why."
"I see…"
Hayashi Yoshiki pondered silently: Is this increased security due to Japanese law enforcement—or is the threat from that rival group, the 'Zoo'?
The last confrontation between the Black Organization and the Zoo had ended with the death of Snake and several assassins. Since then, there had been no activity from that enemy camp.
Was this a retreat… or preparation for something far worse?
"It must be exhausting."
"Huh?"
"Martial law like this makes it hard to go outside, doesn't it?"
"Oh, for us, it's not too bad…"
The researcher smiled bitterly.
"If we have a valid reason, we can still leave for fresh air. But… it's true, two of our latest requests were denied."
Those rejections were from Shiho Miyano.
Even with the facility's strict security, researchers were technically allowed to go out—but only under escort by members of the Organization.
As they spoke, Hayashi Yoshiki subtly released hypnotic gas in the air.
He avoided probing too directly, instead leading the conversation so that the researcher revealed insights on her own.
He now understood that aside from Gin, the highest security authority at the facility was a man named Naoki Matsuzuka—a captain-like figure.
Thankfully, this wasn't the first time Hayashi Yoshiki had seen the man's face.
"Lord Cointreau."
Naoki Matsuzuka had a stern, military-like bearing. After completing his report, he saluted Yoshiki and left.
Gin was inside the next room.
Without any preamble, he said:
"Follow me."
This time, Gin had arranged a new psychiatrist—possibly even a professor. Unlike previous sessions with Kyosuke Fudo or Yumi Iwaki, this doctor took a different approach: telling stories, gauging reactions, and drawing conclusions.
Hayashi Yoshiki stayed calm and played along.
After an hour and a half of measured discussion, the doctor concluded the session and reported to Gin:
"Mr. Hayashi's mental state is… extremely healthy."
Gin's gaze turned cold.
"But," the doctor continued quickly, sweating, "I find something unusual. Based on my analysis, Mr. Hayashi appears to be a deeply empathetic, kind, and gentle person. It… doesn't align with his documented profile."
"Go on."
"I don't think this discrepancy is due to stress or trauma. It's something deeper… I just can't explain it."
Gin narrowed his eyes.
The contradiction was glaring. Cointreau—known to the Organization as a killer, a field agent—should not test this clean. That only left one possibility: he's faking it.
But Gin already suspected this. What bothered him more was that none of these psychiatrists had been able to break through the mask.
"So after all this, you still can't give me a proper diagnosis?"
"I-I'm sorry. There's nothing more I can say."
"Useless."
Gin's voice dropped like a guillotine.
He'd had enough of these psychological evaluations. Cointreau was clearly playing them all like puppets. Assigning him a few high-risk missions would be a better test of his mental limits.
Gin began reviewing recent contracts. After a moment, he decided to reassign one of Chianti's sniper kills to Cointreau. Given her current interest in him, she wouldn't mind.
After a brief phone call, Hayashi Yoshiki left the facility.
Once inside his car, he retrieved the Death Note from his coat pocket, flipped to a blank page, and calmly wrote:
Naoki Matsuzuka