Holmeska drove Leo straight to Stutgart. On the way, Leo called the head of Scorpio Security.
After some negotiation and clearance, Leo got what he wanted—Scorpio Security agreed to let him join the Nago Auction's security team.
"Leo, you have to follow orders and keep your identity hidden."
"Public opinion online isn't on your side right now, so…"
"Getting you inside the auction is already the best I can do."
Leo agreed without hesitation. He knew the stakes well. His old contact at Scorpio had already gone out of his way. Scorpio Security had no reason to take this risk for him. His former status as a BND chief meant nothing to them now.
Worse, he was in the center of a media storm. Even BND had abandoned him—why would Scorpio stick their necks out?
Inside a conference room of a five-star hotel in Stutgart, Scorpio Security was finalizing the last details of their protection plan, double-checking everything for possible gaps.
Once the director got Leo's call, he immediately stepped out to meet him.
"Leo!"
"Leyton, long time no see!"
Leo didn't carry the presence of a BND officer anymore. Now, he was just a man looking for help.
Leyton glanced at the person beside him and instantly recognized Holmeska.
Leo hadn't mentioned him at all on the way.
So Leyton shut it down immediately.
"Sorry, Mr. Holmeska. You won't be participating in this operation."
"I only cleared Leo's info. You're not authorized to enter the Nago Auction."
Holmeska showed a brief flicker of surprise, but rules were rules. He didn't argue and just nodded with regret.
"Alright then, Director Leyton."
"Good luck, Leo."
He turned around and headed back to the car.
With his intellect, Holmeska understood the situation clearly. Leyton had drawn the line. Pushing it further would only be beneath him.
Sure, Scorpio Security had a great reputation in Country D, but all the forces who'd tried to catch Kaitō Kid were famous in their own right.
And they had all failed.
This time was no different. Holmeska had a gut feeling: Kaitō Kid would pull it off again.
'Fine then, I'll wait in the wings. Maybe I'll catch something.'
It wasn't the first time he'd played this game.
Zhang Yang's calling card was like a summons. Ever since it was posted that afternoon, people started flocking to the auction hotel.
Media outlets were the first to show up, of course. But the Nago Auction hadn't invited any press to attend or report.
So both reporters and fans were blocked at the door.
[No unrelated personnel allowed in the hotel. So what's Kaitō Kid gonna do?]
[Come on, did you all forget? Kaitō Kid can fly!]
[Seriously? Since when did he ever walk in through the front door? Why would that change now?]
[Scorpio Security is the top outfit in Country D. Who knows what they've got planned for Kaitō Kid!]
[There's a saying from Dragon Country: when the path rises, the trick grows stronger. Kaitō Kid will have a way.]
Zhang Yang clearly had more fans than Scorpio Security had personnel. Even though Scorpio was a big name in Country D, when it came to a showdown with Kaitō Kid, the public still leaned toward the phantom thief.
Inside the hotel, Leyton was discussing the final security plan with another supervisor. In just half an hour, all security teams would be in place.
"Leo, do you have any other suggestions?"
After re-simulating the plan, Leyton turned and asked Leo directly.
No matter what, Leo had still been a BND chief just two hours ago. His opinion carried weight.
Scorpio Security didn't earn its reputation for nothing. After reviewing the entire setup, Leo couldn't find a single flaw.
"Nope, Leyton. Your security plan is airtight."
Leo gave his approval without hesitation.
Soon after, all security personnel were dispatched to their posts.
When Scorpio agents appeared in the hotel lobby, the crowd outside erupted in excited gasps.
[It's starting? This is getting intense!]
[Scorpio Security is in motion. Can't wait to see how Kaitō Kid pulls this off!]
[This Nago Auction is gonna be the most talked-about event in auction history!]
[Still no sign of BND? What are they doing?]
[Leo's already been kicked out. Isn't BND sending someone else to take over?]
While fans speculated, Zhang Yang had already arrived in Stutgart.
He'd thoroughly gathered all intel on the Nago Auction.
With Scorpio's tight security and possible BND involvement, he decided it was easier to just assume an identity and walk in.
"Tonight, I'll be the most mysterious billionaire in the room."
Just thinking about it made Zhang Yang grin.
"The richest shadow in the crowd."
At this point, he had already replaced someone in the auction's guest database. He'd also forged a Nago Auction invitation. This time, he would walk right through the front door.
Around 5 PM, luxury cars began arriving in waves.
The guests stepping out were all powerful and wealthy. They didn't care about Zhang Yang's calling card.
Whether Kaitō Kid showed up or not had nothing to do with them.
All they cared about was getting the pieces they wanted—and how much they'd have to spend to win them.
Zhang Yang drove up in a modest high-end vehicle. He passed through the crowd of fans and parked calmly in the hotel lot.
"No driver makes this feel a little low-class."
He adjusted his black suit and strode confidently to the hotel entrance.
"Mr. Mike, welcome to the Nago Auction."
After verifying his invitation and identity, Scorpio Security smiled and granted him access.
At 7 PM, the Nago Auction officially began.
"Only Scorpio Security? No BND at all?"
Every visible guard bore Scorpio's insignia. Zhang Yang didn't spot a single BND agent, which caught him off guard.
As the sun set and the sky darkened, people outside were growing restless.
Still no sign of Kaitō Kid. Still no sign of BND.
[What's going on? Not even a peep from Kaitō Kid or BND?]
[Did BND run out of agents after firing Leo?]
[Doesn't matter. Kaitō Kid will show. I swear on my life.]
[Hah! Only Kaitō Kid could inspire that kind of loyalty!]
[Shit! With Scorpio locking down the hotel like this, even a fly couldn't get through—let alone Kaitō Kid!]