Detective Conan: Shadow Legion Office

56: Chapter 56 The Black Organization AttacksNight fell like a thick black cloth, shrouding an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Tokyo.

This was once a defunct auto parts processing plant; rusted mechanical arms hung in mid-air, broken glass windows let in the dismal moonlight, and the pungent smell of machine oil mixed with dust permeated the air.

At this moment, this place of dead silence had become the temporary hideout for the Shadow Mercenary Group under Lin Long’s command.

Thirty mercenaries were resting in shifts; some were wiping and maintaining their weapons, some were leaning against corners with their eyes closed, and others were alertly observing the movements around the factory on monitoring screens.

James stood before a crude map, marking retreat routes and alternative plans with a marker.

Although this operation had ended successfully, he didn’t dare relax in the slightest; The Boss’s order was ”absolute safety,” and he had to ensure everything was foolproof.

As for why they hadn’t retreated to their base in Africa, it was because Lin Long felt they might still be needed, so he let them find a place to stay for now while he had people racing against time to build an underground base.

”Chief, everything is normal outside.”

Reported a mercenary on guard duty, his voice coming through the tactical headset, ”No suspicious individuals or vehicles are approaching.”

James nodded and said in a heavy voice:

”Keep watching, don’t be careless. This is Tokyo, a real mixed bag.”

”Understood.”

What they didn’t know was that in a forest three kilometers outside the factory, a black Porsche 356A was parked quietly in the shadows.

Gin sat in the driver’s seat, a cigarette between his fingertips, the crimson glow flickering in the darkness.

His gaze pierced through the windshield toward the silhouette of the abandoned factory in the distance, his eyes as cold as a Siberian wind.

Vodka, in the passenger seat, held an investigation report, his tone carrying a hint of excitement:

”Big Brother, I found them! This group is indeed hiding here! Our members staked out the area for three days and finally captured footage of them changing shifts, confirming they are the ones who attacked the Mihua Grand Hotel!”

Gin didn’t speak, only slowly exhaling a smoke ring. Amidst the swirling smoke, the lines of his profile were as hard as if carved by a knife.

The Black Organization’s intelligence network was far larger and more secretive than the FBI imagined.

After news of the tomizawa family’s extermination spread, ”The Boss” ordered a thorough investigation—not out of sympathy for the tomizawa family, but out of vigilance against this suddenly emerging force that dared to stir up trouble in Tokyo.

Gin personally oversaw the investigation; he didn’t obsess over the source of the weapons like the FBI, but instead started directly with the ”people.”

Through outer members and informants scattered across Tokyo, he screened all suspicious armed personnel who had recently entered the country, tracked their movements, and finally pinpointed this abandoned factory.

”This group has very strong counter-surveillance capabilities,”

Vodka added,

”Our people were almost discovered; their security perimeter is at least one kilometer, and they’re equipped with thermal imagers.”

Gin finally spoke, his voice raspy and low:

”To be able to plan and execute an attack of that scale in such a short time, and perfectly hide their tracks... interesting.”

He was very interested in the subordinates of this ”Joker.”

Although the Black Organization was powerful, there were only a few truly capable core members; an elite squad like this, well-trained and well-equipped, was exactly what the organization needed.

”Big Brother, do we move now?”

Vodka rubbed his hands together, ”I’ve already gathered over a hundred brothers, all skilled men who’ve followed us for years, and they’re all armed!”

”Even if this group is elite, they can’t withstand a siege by so many people.”

Gin shook his head, stubbing out the cigarette in the ashtray: ”No rush.”

His plan was to use diplomacy before force—no, it should be said, intimidation before recruitment.

”Spread the men out, form a perimeter, and block all exits; don’t let a single rat escape.”

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Gin’s eyes, ”Then, we go in to ’talk’.”

”Talk?”

Vodka was stunned for a moment, then realized, ”Big Brother, you want to recruit them?”

”There’s no need to waste useful pawns.”

Gin said indifferently, ”If they are sensible and submit to the organization, they won’t lack benefits; if they aren’t sensible...”

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the killing intent in his tone made Vodka shudder.

”Yes! I’ll arrange it right away!” Vodka didn’t dare delay and immediately picked up the walkie-talkie to begin deploying the troops.

Soon, twenty Black Organization members infiltrated the area around the abandoned factory from different directions.

Dressed in black, they moved with agility like panthers merging into the darkness, silently taking up advantageous positions—rooftops, corners, the edge of the woods... everyone held a gun, aiming at the various entrances of the factory.

The perimeter formed quietly.

Gin pushed open the car door and adjusted his black trench coat with composure.

He didn’t bring many people, only letting Vodka and two other core members follow him as he walked straight toward the factory’s main gate.

”Halt! Who goes there?”

Just as they approached the factory gate, two mercenaries on guard raised their guns and shouted sternly.

Their night vision goggles had already captured the figures of Gin and the others.

Gin didn’t stop, didn’t even look at the two mercenaries, and only said coldly:

”Have your leader come out to see me.”

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried a heart-palpitating pressure that made even the battle-hardened mercenaries instinctively tense up.

”If you know what’s good for you, leave now! This isn’t a place you should be!”

Warned one of the mercenaries, his finger already on the trigger.

A mocking curve formed at the corner of Gin’s mouth. Just then, Vodka stepped forward and pulled out a black badge, waving it in the moonlight—it was the symbol of the Black Organization.

”We are...”

”No need for nonsense.”

Gin interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over the factory interior as if he could see the people inside through the walls,

”Tell your so-called Joker to either come out and talk, or we’ll go in and ’invite’ him.”

The two mercenaries glanced at each other, both seeing vigilance in the other’s eyes.

They didn’t recognize the badge, but they could sense the danger of this group—the bloody aura emanating from their bones made them the same kind of people.

”Wait here!”

One of them spoke a few words into his headset, while the other kept his gun pointed at Gin, not daring to relax for a second.

A moment later, the iron gate of the factory creaked open, and James stepped out. He was still wearing black combat gear, his face alert, followed by four equally fully armed mercenaries.

”I am James. Mr. Joker doesn’t have time to meet; you can tell me if you have any business.”

He looked at Gin and said coldly, ”Who are you? What do you want with us?”

Gin looked him up and down, his gaze lingering for a moment on the gun at his waist and the people behind him:

”The Mihua Grand Hotel incident—was that your doing?”

James didn’t deny it, only looking at him coldly: ”What if it was?”

”Very well.”

Gin nodded and got straight to the point,

”The organization I represent is very interested in you. Join us, and you’ll live well; weapons, resources, intelligence... as long as you want it, the organization can provide it.”

He paused, adding a hint of threat to his tone:

”Of course, you can also refuse. But the consequences are something you cannot afford.”

James laughed, his laughter filled with undisguised mockery: ”Join you? Who the hell do you think you are?”

He was a dark member personally converted by Lin Long, possessing absolute loyalty to Lin Long; how could he possibly join some unknown organization? Moreover, although the man in front of him looked dangerous, compared to The Boss, he was not worth mentioning.

Gin’s expression darkened, a flash of killing intent in his eyes: ”It seems you’ve chosen the most foolish path.”

”Foolish?”

James took a step forward, a faint dark aura emanating from his body,

”I advise you to get lost before we make a move. Otherwise, this place will be your burial ground today.”

”Arrogant!” Vodka roared, about to draw his gun.

”Wait.”

Gin stopped him, his eyes fixed on the aura around James—it was a cold, evil, yet exceptionally powerful energy that made him instinctively feel a sense of discomfort.

”Who is behind you?”

Gin asked, his tone becoming more solemn. He didn’t believe these mercenaries could obtain so much military equipment on their own, let alone possess such eerie power.

James sneered: ”Our Boss is not someone you’re allowed to inquire about.”

”It seems we can’t come to an agreement.” Gin’s voice was cold to the extreme. ”Since you can’t be used by me, then...”

”Die!”

The moment the last word left his mouth, Gin suddenly raised his hand!

”Bang! Bang!”

Two gunshots rang out almost simultaneously!

Gin’s bullet was aimed precisely at James’s chest, while the mercenaries behind James also opened fire instantly, bullets whistling toward Gin!

Gin was prepared; he rolled to the side, dodging the bullets, while growling into his walkie-talkie: ”Action!”

”Bang bang bang!” ”Da da da!”

Dense gunfire instantly erupted around the factory perimeter! The Black Organization members lying in wait opened fire, bullets raining down into the factory interior!

James reacted extremely fast, pushing the person beside him away and throwing himself to the ground, while shouting into his headset:

”Enemy attack! All units, pay attention! Hold your positions!”

The Shadow Mercenary Group members inside the factory had already heard the gunshots and instantly entered combat mode! Relying on the machinery and obstacles within the workshop, they began to return fire!

The rapid fire of M4 assault rifles, the roar of M249 machine guns, and the explosion of grenades... instantly shattered the silence of the night!

Bullets whistled as they zipped through the air, muzzle flashes flickered in the darkness, and the abandoned factory transformed into an intense battlefield!

Gin hid behind a concrete pillar, calmly observing the battle.

He found that the combat effectiveness of these mercenaries far exceeded his expectations—their marksmanship was precise, their coordination seamless, and they were fearless, continuing to fire even when hit as if they couldn’t feel pain.

”These monsters...”

Vodka hid nearby, his face pale.

Gin’s gaze grew even colder. He knew that taking down this group today would likely not be easy.

”Increase firepower! Use the RPGs!” Gin ordered.

Soon, a rocket trailed fire as it flew toward the factory workshop!

”Boom—!”

A violent explosion sounded, a large hole was blown in the workshop wall, and debris and dust filled the air!

”Hahaha! Blast them!” Vodka shouted excitedly.

However, before he could celebrate for long, several dark figures suddenly charged out of the dust, their speed as fast as ghosts! The guns in their hands spat fire, accurately hitting the Black Organization members operating the RPGs!

It was the Shadow Mercenary Group! They actually charged out despite the explosion!

”How is that possible?!” Vodka’s eyes widened.

Gin’s expression became even more unsightly. He realized he might have underestimated his opponent’s strength.

Just then, James’s voice came through the gunfire, carrying an eerie echo:

”Give up! You can’t win! Our reinforcements will be here soon, and when they arrive, none of you will escape!”

Gin’s heart skipped a beat. This group had reinforcements?

He glanced at the battlefield; half of his side was already dead or wounded, and while the other side had also suffered losses, their combat effectiveness hadn’t diminished in the slightest—instead, they were becoming more frenzied. If they continued this way, they would be wiped out.

”Retreat!” Gin made a decisive call.

”Big Brother?”

”Retreat!”

Gin repeated sternly, ”As long as the green mountains remain, one need not worry about firewood! This group... we will deal with them sooner or later!”

With that, he took the lead in retreating toward the forest, with Vodka and the remaining dozens of members following quickly.

The Black Organization members receded like a tide, and the gunfire gradually thinned out.

James stood at the factory entrance, watching the direction they vanished, without the slightest relaxation on his face. He said into his headset:

”Boss, members of the Black Organization attacked us and were driven back. They might come again.”

Lin Long’s cold voice came from the other end of the line:

”Understood. Just a bunch of clowns, nothing to worry about. Clean up and move to the backup stronghold immediately.”

”Yes, Boss.”

Hanging up, James immediately ordered: ”Everyone, pack up within five minutes and move out!”

The Shadow Mercenary Group members moved quickly, methodically clearing the battlefield, destroying traces, and preparing to evacuate.

Meanwhile, in the Porsche in the distance, Gin looked toward the abandoned factory, his eyes sinister.

”Big Brother, are we just going to let it go?” Vodka asked unwillingly.

”Let it go?”

Gin sneered,

”Investigate! Investigate them to the death! I want to know who that ’Boss’ really is! And the background of that group!”

He had a premonition that this suddenly appearing ”Joker” and the force behind him would become a massive threat to the organization.