The days following the alliance with Hiroshi were anything but calm. Though the agreement was made, trust was a luxury none of them could afford. Nam, Lan, and Kaito returned to their base with a renewed sense of urgency—Taro was not just a rising threat; he was already moving.
Intel from Kaito's informants confirmed that several border towns had quietly shifted allegiance. No battles were fought, no blood spilled—just whispered promises and sudden disappearances of local leaders. It was clear: Taro didn't need war to conquer. He was winning with fear, manipulation, and quiet coercion.
Nam gathered the council that evening. The room was filled with tense faces, a mixture of commanders, strategists, and civilians who had survived the last war. All eyes were on him.
"We don't have time to wait," Nam said, his tone sharp. "Taro is winning hearts through fear and false hope. If we let him keep spreading unchecked, we'll be cornered before a single bullet is fired."
Lan stood beside him, her voice steady. "We must strike, but not with brute force. We need to expose him—show the people who he really is."
Kaito nodded. "I've tracked one of his top envoys—someone named Shun. He's been traveling across the northern corridor, turning village heads with promises of protection and power. If we intercept him, we might uncover more than just propaganda—we might find proof."
Nam's eyes narrowed. "Then let's move. We'll take him alive. No mistakes."
The night air was thick with humidity as the small team of elite operatives crept through the forest. Kaito led the way, his senses attuned to every sound. The target—Shun—was expected to pass through a narrow valley on his way to another village. The terrain favored them.
They didn't wait long.
The soft sound of hooves and hushed voices reached them first. Shun rode with two heavily armed guards, but he looked relaxed—too relaxed for someone carrying the weight of a revolution.
In a flash, the ambush was sprung. Smoke bombs exploded, confusing the guards. Within seconds, Nam had Shun pinned to the ground, a blade at his throat.
"Speak," Nam growled. "What's Taro planning?"
Shun laughed, blood trickling from his lip. "You're too late. He doesn't need to plan anymore. The people are already his."
Nam tightened his grip. "Tell me something useful, or you won't leave this forest."
Shun's grin widened. "You think Hiroshi is your ally? You're more naive than I thought."
Nam froze.
"What do you mean?" Lan demanded, stepping forward.
Shun looked at her, then back at Nam. "Why do you think Hiroshi agreed to your terms so easily? You gave him everything he wanted—a front-row seat to your downfall."
Back at base, the revelations hit hard. Kaito's interrogation confirmed it: Hiroshi had been in contact with Taro. It wasn't clear how deep the betrayal ran, but the possibility of a double-cross was real.
Nam paced the war room, fists clenched. "We made a deal with a viper."
Lan's expression darkened. "And now we're surrounded by shadows. Every step we take must be precise."
"We move forward carefully," Nam said. "We still need Hiroshi's support for now—but the moment he turns, we'll be ready."
Kaito stepped into the light. "I'll keep watching him. From the inside. I'll gain his trust—if he plans to betray us, I'll know before it happens."
It was a bold offer. Dangerous. But necessary.
Nam nodded solemnly. "Then it begins. The war isn't just against Taro anymore. It's against everyone hiding behind masks."