The Color of Midnight

[Yoshida]

Yoshida smiled slightly. The stakes had been raised and he was going to increase the odds even further.

"That is a very good question Professor Moriarty, though I would personally prefer to call it a card, not a dagger. My successes on the field and Professor Hunter’s open trust have given me a great deal of influence. It will certainly be a considerable boost to a candidate if I support him, should I elect to do such a thing of course." He paused for a moment in order for his words to sink in.

"However, your wisdom is of great value to me, so I would like to hear your thoughts on this matter first."

Moriarty settled back into his chair, though he kept his hands on the desk, ready to react in an instant. If this one possesses the ambition to match his patience, the greed of Phate, and the cunning of Hunter, then I may not be safe no matter how this discussion unfolds. I should have commissioned a far more thorough psychological profile on Yoshida before I departed, but of course, I expected Hunter to deal with her rivals in a fashion lethal enough to save me such troubles.

"If Professor Hunter entrusted you with the task of ensuring the continued productive administration of the Lane Hackers, then I expect that you possess the judgement to make that decision for yourself, Mr. Yoshida. As I stated before, I have returned to share my hard won meditations, not to tend to the mundane details of operations and protocol. Name your candidate, so we may dispense with any further meandering conversation and attend to more vital concerns."

So it is down to business, Yoshida thought. He slowly sat on the chair in front of Moriarty’s desk, despite not being invited to do so. The Hacker then crossed his legs.

"Firstly, I should mention that I have prepared my counter-defences before I stepped into this office, Moriarty. On the event that you do not agree with my judgement, it would be highly inadvisable to attempt a move against me." Yoshida warned, as he wasn’t sure about the mental state of Moriarty after such a long absence.

"I joined the Lane Hackers almost five years ago. Nicole Hunter was not even one of us back at that time. The fact that she raced through the ranks may be impressive but she was never my leader in my eyes. That does not mean I am not faithful to my superiors of course." Yoshida swallowed before he continued.

"To my eyes, you will always be my leader. I cannot think of a more suitable person for this position." Yoshida said while keeping intense eye contact with the man on the other side of the desk.

---

"There are those who lack ambition. Who lack ability. But if you possess both then it is your role to reign over this world."

Ageira Dossier _•_ Hanáchi Syndicate _•_ Cultism _•_ Ascension _•_ Theosis