Back to Work

The streets of Tokyo were practically deserted.

Streetlights illuminated the pavement, convenience stores glowed on quiet corners, and the occasional delivery truck rolled through the sleeping city.

Outside the JSID training compound, ten men stood in formation wearing black running shorts, athletic shirts, and running shoes.

Michael Yamaguchi stood at the front.

His silver-white hair was slightly messy, but his grey eyes were alert.

He checked his watch.

Four in the morning.

"Morning, gentlemen."

"Morning, Boss," the operators answered.

Michael looked down the formation.

Rengoku stood with his arms folded. Kintaro was stretching his calves. Hatahori quietly adjusted his watch. Aoki looked surprisingly cheerful.

Sora and Naoki were talking about breakfast.

Renji was tying his shoes.

Taiga stood beside Genki, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

And Taka?

Taka looked like a man attending his own funeral.

Michael noticed.

"Something wrong, Jester?"

Taka stared at him.

"Boss."

"Yes?"

"It's four in the fucking morning."

Michael nodded.

"Correct."

"The sun isn't even awake."

"Also correct."

"Normal people are sleeping."

"You're not normal."

Kintaro burst out laughing.

Taka turned toward him.

"Don't encourage him!"

Michael checked his watch again.

"Five miles. Group pace. Nobody falls behind."

Taka slowly raised his hand.

"Question."

"Go ahead."

"Can I identify as someone who already finished?"

"No."

"Can Genki carry me?"

Taiga shook his head.

"He's a German Shepherd, not a horse."

Taka looked at the dog.

"Genki, brother. Save me."

Genki barked.

Michael smiled.

"All right. Let's move."

And just like that, the men of GHOST began running.

Five Miles of Suffering

Their shoes struck the pavement in steady rhythm.

Michael maintained the pace at the front, with Rengoku beside him.

Kintaro and Renji ran behind them.

Hatahori, Sora, Naoki, and Aoki kept a comfortable rhythm in the middle.

Taiga ran alongside Genki.

Taka brought up the rear.

For the first mile, everything was peaceful.

Then Taka started talking.

"Boss!"

Michael didn't turn.

"What?"

"How far?"

"One mile."

Taka looked horrified.

"ONE?!"

Kintaro laughed.

"We've barely started."

"I'M A DEMOLITIONS SPECIALIST! WHY DO I NEED TO RUN FIVE MILES?!"

Rengoku answered without looking back.

"Because explosives don't magically transport you out of danger."

"THEY COULD!"

Aoki chuckled.

"Not in a way you'd enjoy."

Michael shook his head.

"Save your breath, Jester."

Taka muttered something about submitting a formal complaint to the Japanese government.

By the third mile, the group had settled into silence.

Except for Taka.

"Michael."

"Yes?"

"I've seen things."

"Like what?"

"My ancestors."

Kintaro nearly stumbled from laughing.

"They're telling me to stop."

"Keep running," Michael replied.

"THEY SAY THIS ISN'T WHAT THEY DIED FOR!"

Even Hatahori laughed.

At the fourth mile, Taka began negotiating.

"Boss, listen. I'll give you ten thousand yen."

"No."

"Twenty thousand."

"No."

"Fifty thousand and my PlayStation."

Michael glanced over his shoulder.

"What games?"

"MICHAEL!"

The entire formation erupted in laughter.

Despite the complaints, nobody fell behind.

Whenever Taka slowed, Kintaro dropped back to run beside him.

"Come on, idiot."

"I hate you."

"Love you too."

Taiga called from ahead.

"Genki's not even tired!"

Taka looked at the German Shepherd trotting happily beside his handler.

"HE HAS FOUR LEGS! THAT'S CHEATING!"

Michael finally called out.

"Last stretch! Finish together!"

The operators increased their pace.

Their shoes thundered against the pavement.

One by one, they crossed the finish line outside the compound.

Michael stopped his watch.

"Five miles complete."

Taka immediately collapsed onto the grass.

He spread his arms and stared at the sky.

"Tell my family..."

Aoki looked down at him.

"What?"

"...that I died serving Japan."

Genki approached and licked his face.

"NO! GENKI! LET ME DIE WITH DIGNITY!"

Kintaro bent over laughing.

Michael took a drink of water.

"Good work, gentlemen. Hydrate, recover, then gym."

Taka sat upright.

"GYM?!"

Rengoku smiled.

"Strength training."

Taka slowly lay back down.

"Just bury me here."

The Weight Room

By six, the GHOST operators had assembled inside the compound's private training facility.

The gym was equipped with squat racks, barbells, dumbbells, pull-up stations, benches, and cable machines.

Michael stood beside a whiteboard.

GHOST — STRENGTH SESSION

Barbell squats

Bench press

Deadlifts

Weighted pull-ups

Dumbbell rows

Core conditioning

"One hour," Michael announced. "Work at your prescribed loads. Quality repetitions."

Rengoku nodded.

"Understood."

The men split into training pairs.

Michael and Renji worked together on the bench press.

Rengoku supervised Kintaro's squats.

Hatahori and Sora alternated on pull-ups.

Naoki and Aoki worked through dumbbell exercises.

Taiga performed deadlifts while Genki rested near the gym entrance.

Taka stood in front of a loaded barbell.

He stared at it.

Then looked toward Michael.

"Boss."

"What now?"

"Do we have to lift it?"

Michael slowly turned.

"That's generally how weight training works."

"Could we just appreciate it?"

Kintaro shouted from across the gym.

"TAKA! PICK UP THE BAR!"

"STOP PRESSURING ME!"

Despite the jokes, Taka was no weakling.

When his turn came, he approached the bar, braced himself, and completed his prescribed set of deadlifts with controlled repetitions.

He lowered the bar.

Then immediately pointed at Kintaro.

"SEE THAT?!"

Kintaro nodded.

"Good lift."

Taka blinked.

"Wait. You're being nice?"

"Don't get used to it."

Michael watched from nearby.

"Good work, Jester."

Taka grinned.

"Thank you, Boss."

Then he bent over, hands on his knees.

"Now please cancel tomorrow."

"No."

"Had to try."

The rest of the hour passed with the familiar sounds of clanging weights, heavy breathing, and friendly insults.

When the session ended, Michael checked his watch.

"That's it. Good work."

Rengoku wiped his face with a towel.

"Headquarters after breakfast?"

Michael nodded.

"Weapons maintenance, equipment inventory, and administrative checks."

Taka groaned.

"Paperwork after cardio and weights?"

"Yes."

"Japan is a beautiful country with terrible employment policies."

Breakfast and the Morning Routine

The operators dispersed to their respective homes.

Michael drove back to his residence as the morning sunlight began illuminating Tokyo.

He stepped inside, dropped his gym bag near the laundry room, and headed straight for the shower.

The hot water felt wonderful after the cold morning run.

He changed into a plain black shirt, dark trousers, and a lightweight jacket.

In the kitchen, he prepared breakfast.

Four scrambled eggs.

Toast.

A banana.

Black coffee.

He ate quietly while checking the morning news.

His phone vibrated.

GHOST GROUP CHAT

Taka: I HAVE DECIDED TO RETIRE.

Kintaro: Nobody cares.

Taka: Five miles before sunrise is a human rights violation.

Aoki: Your heart rate was fine.

Taka: MY SOUL WASN'T.

Taiga: Genki wants to run again tomorrow.

Taka: TELL GENKI TO GET A JOB.

Renji: He has one.

Sora: And he's better at it than you.

Michael laughed into his coffee.

He typed a response.

Michael: Headquarters. Don't be late.

Taka: YES BOSS MAN.

Michael put his phone away, finished breakfast, and left for work.

Headquarters — Maintenance Day

The JSID headquarters was already busy when Michael arrived.

Analysts moved through the corridors carrying reports. Administrative personnel prepared documents, and security officers checked identification at the entrances.

Michael greeted several employees on his way toward the GHOST operations floor.

"Morning, Boss!" Akari called.

"Morning, Akari."

"How was training?"

"Good."

"Did Taka survive?"

"Barely."

She laughed.

Michael continued toward the equipment section.

Inside, the operators were already preparing their assigned gear for inspection.

Workbenches lined the room.

Each operator had a designated equipment station.

Rengoku was checking the maintenance records.

Kintaro was inspecting his protective equipment.

Hatahori reviewed his surveillance kit.

Sora examined his field communications equipment.

Naoki was running diagnostics on electronic devices.

Renji worked through his precision rifle maintenance log.

Aoki checked his medical supplies.

Taiga inspected Genki's harness and K9 equipment.

Taka was sitting on a stool, staring at his assigned equipment.

Michael stopped beside him.

"Jester."

"Boss."

"Working hard?"

"Mentally."

"Interesting."

"I'm preparing myself."

"For what?"

"Responsibility."

Michael nodded toward his workstation.

"Then start with your inventory."

"Yes, sir."

The morning continued with cleaning, inspections, equipment accountability, and routine documentation.

Michael moved between stations, checking progress and signing off completed records.

"Renji, maintenance log?"

"Complete."

"Naoki, electronics?"

"All operational."

"Aoki, medical inventory?"

"Fully stocked. Replacements requested for expiring supplies."

"Taiga?"

"Genki's equipment is good."

Michael looked toward the dog.

Genki sat obediently beside the door.

"Outstanding."

Taka looked up.

"WHY DOES THE DOG ALWAYS GET PRAISED?!"

Michael didn't even turn.

"Because he finishes his work."

Kintaro laughed so hard he nearly dropped his clipboard.

The Next Directive

On the intelligence floor, Ryuu Hayakawa was reviewing a routine report when Emi approached her desk.

"Director."

Ryuu looked up.

"What is it?"

"New operational directive from JSID Command."

Emi handed her a sealed classified folder.

Ryuu opened it.

Her expression became serious.

Inside were surveillance photographs, intelligence summaries, and a satellite image of an isolated property in the Italian countryside.

The primary photograph showed a large, aging stone residence surrounded by cypress trees.

The building appeared to be more than a century old.

Ryuu studied the identification photograph clipped to the file.

Khalid Al-Masri.

An internationally wanted terrorist leader linked to attacks against diplomatic personnel, kidnappings, and illicit arms trafficking.

According to the intelligence report, Al-Masri had recently arrived at a secluded estate in central Italy.

He was believed to be staying there under the protection of an armed security detail.

The directive was clear.

Apprehend Khalid Al-Masri. Recover any intelligence materials.

Ryuu closed the folder.

"Emi, get Mika, Kaede, Akane, and the intelligence section together."

"Immediately."

"And tell Michael I need the operators in the briefing room."

Emi nodded.

"Understood."

Ryuu looked at the photograph again.

An old Italian house.

One wanted man.

A limited security detail.

Another job for GHOST.

The Italian Assignment

The briefing room was unusually crowded.

All ten operators occupied their seats.

The intelligence personnel stood near the main display.

At the center of the conference table sat a detailed architectural model of a countryside residence.

It included the main house, surrounding gardens, a detached garage, and several outbuildings.

Taka entered carrying a bottle of water.

He stopped when he saw the model.

"Oh, that's cool."

Kintaro glanced at him.

"What?"

"Little house."

Rengoku sighed.

"Taka."

"What? It looks expensive."

Michael entered behind them.

"Morning, everyone."

Ryuu stood beside the display.

"Morning, Michael."

He looked at the architectural model.

"Italy?"

Ryuu nodded.

"Central Italy."

Michael took his seat.

"All right. Let's hear it."

The room settled.

Ryuu activated the presentation.

A photograph of Khalid Al-Masri appeared on the screen.

"Your next target is Khalid Al-Masri. International terrorist facilitator and suspected organizer of multiple attacks against diplomatic and civilian targets."

Mika continued.

"He's currently believed to be occupying an isolated estate in the Italian countryside. Intelligence indicates a small armed security presence."

Kaede changed the slide.

"His movements have been limited. The estate appears to be functioning as a temporary safe house."

Michael studied the photographs.

"Confidence in identification?"

"High," Kaede answered. "Multiple independent sources."

"Hostages?"

"None reported," Ryuu replied. "But that remains subject to confirmation."

Rengoku leaned forward.

"Mission objective?"

Ryuu looked directly at him.

"Capture Al-Masri alive, if feasible. Recover intelligence materials found at the property. Extract."

Kintaro studied the house model.

"Looks old."

"It is," Mika answered. "The original structure dates back more than a century. Renovations have been made over the years."

Taka raised his hand.

Ryuu looked at him.

"Yes, Taka?"

"Do we get pizza afterward?"

Silence.

Kintaro slowly turned.

"Bro."

"What?"

"We're going to Italy."

"And?"

"To arrest a terrorist."

"Exactly. Then pizza."

Michael rubbed his forehead.

Rengoku stared at the ceiling.

Ryuu sighed.

"We'll discuss your dining preferences after the mission."

Taka nodded.

"Excellent leadership."

Akane laughed quietly from the technical station.

Michael looked at the model again.

"What's the training plan?"

Ryuu gestured toward Emi.

"We've commissioned a full-scale training structure based on the available architectural information."

Emi displayed photographs of a modular training building inside JSID's secured field training compound.

"The structure reproduces the main interior layout, principal rooms, corridors, and several exterior features. It's already assembled."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"That fast?"

Emi smiled.

"We started preparing when the preliminary intelligence arrived."

"Good work."

Ryuu continued.

"You'll have two days of field training exercises before deployment preparation."

Michael nodded.

"Perfect."

He looked toward Rengoku.

"Coordinate with the training staff. Full team participation."

"Understood."

Michael turned toward the others.

"Everyone reviews the intelligence package. We train tomorrow."

Taka slowly raised his hand.

Michael looked at him.

"What?"

"Are we running five miles again?"

Michael smiled.

"Probably."

Taka dropped his forehead onto the table.

"FUCK."

The Mock House

The following morning, the GHOST operators arrived at JSID's secured field training facility.

The compound occupied a large stretch of restricted land outside central Tokyo.

Inside stood multiple training structures, vehicle courses, shooting ranges, and tactical exercise buildings.

But the newest addition was impossible to miss.

A full-scale replica of the Italian residence.

Its exterior was constructed from modular walls and temporary building materials, but the interior closely resembled the intelligence team's architectural model.

A central hallway.

A staircase.

Several bedrooms.

A kitchen.

A large sitting room.

And an upper floor.

Taka stood outside, staring.

"Bro."

Kintaro looked at him.

"What?"

"They built a whole fucking house."

Rengoku adjusted his gloves.

"That's the point."

"Can we live here?"

"No."

"Rent-free?"

"Taka."

"Just asking."

Michael approached with Ryuu and Mika.

The operators assembled.

"Listen up," Michael said.

"For the next two days, we're running field exercises based on the intelligence package. This is a rehearsal environment, not a guarantee that the actual property will look exactly the same."

He looked around the group.

"Training staff will introduce changes. Expect the unexpected. Focus on communication, judgment, and

accountability."

Rengoku nodded.

"Understood."

Michael continued.

"Training weapons only. All safety checks through the exercise staff."

The operators acknowledged.

Taiga stood beside Genki, who wore his training harness.

Taka crouched toward the dog.

"Genki, you ready to invade Italy?"

Taiga corrected him.

"We're in Japan."

"Spiritually, we're in Italy."

Genki barked.

"SEE? HE AGREES!"

Michael shook his head.

"Let's work."

Day One — Rehearsals

The first day began with orientation.

The operators walked through the mock residence with instructors, studying the general layout and comparing the physical structure with the intelligence team's model.

Afterward, the training staff prepared a series of simulated scenarios.

Some involved identifying armed role-players.

Others required locating the designated target, recognizing civilians, and responding to unexpected changes in the exercise.

Michael observed several repetitions before joining the next training rotation.

Rengoku coordinated the assault element.

Hatahori supervised reconnaissance reporting.

Naoki handled simulated technical support.

Aoki practiced casualty assessment.

Taiga and Genki completed search exercises under the supervision of K9 instructors.

The training compound echoed with shouted commands and the distinctive reports of approved simulation equipment.

During one scenario, Taka entered a room and immediately encountered an instructor playing an angry civilian.

"WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!" the instructor shouted.

Taka froze.

Then answered:

"Room service."

The instructor stared.

Rengoku closed his eyes.

From the observation area, Michael slowly lowered his clipboard.

"Taka."

"Yes, Boss?"

"Explain."

Taka shrugged.

"He asked who we were."

"Try again."

"Understood."

The instructor reset the scenario.

Kintaro was laughing so hard that Rengoku threatened to make him repeat the exercise too.

Despite the jokes, the team worked seriously throughout the day.

Mistakes were identified.

Procedures were reviewed.

The instructors changed conditions between repetitions to prevent the operators from relying on memorized routines.

By the end of the afternoon, the men were exhausted.

Michael gathered them outside.

"Good first day."

Rengoku wiped sweat from his forehead.

"Several things to review."

"We'll review them."

Taka raised his hand.

"Can we review dinner?"

Michael nodded.

"Dismissed."

Taka immediately turned toward Kintaro.

"RAMEN?"

Kintaro grinned.

"You're paying."

"WHY AM I ALWAYS PAYING?!"

Day Two — Final Exercise

The second training day was more demanding.

The instructors introduced additional role-players, unexpected civilian movements, and simulated communication problems.

Ryuu and the intelligence team monitored the exercises from the control room.

Akane reviewed the electronic simulation systems.

Mika tracked the team's performance against the mission requirements.

Emi coordinated the exercise staff.

Kaede monitored intelligence updates from Italy.

Michael participated in the final exercise alongside his operators.

Throughout the simulation, the team encountered a series of unexpected developments that forced them to make decisions rather than simply repeat the previous day's performance.

One exercise included an injured civilian.

Another involved conflicting information about the simulated target.

During the final run, the role-player representing Al-Masri attempted to escape the designated exercise area.

The team successfully completed the scenario and secured the simulated target.

An instructor announced the end of the exercise.

"END EX! END EX!"

The operators lowered their training weapons.

Michael removed his helmet.

"Everyone good?"

A chorus of acknowledgments followed.

Taiga knelt beside Genki.

"Good work, buddy."

The dog wagged his tail.

Taka pulled off his gloves.

"Boss."

Michael looked at him.

"Yes?"

"I have an important question."

"Go ahead."

"After we capture this guy in Italy, can I finally get my pizza?"

Michael considered it.

"Complete the mission first."

Taka grinned.

"THAT'S A YES!"

Rengoku shook his head.

"That's not what he said."

"LET ME HAVE THIS!"

The Final Review

The operators gathered inside the training facility's conference room.

Michael stood at the front alongside Ryuu.

The exercise results were displayed on the screen.

Ryuu reviewed the intelligence updates.

"Al-Masri remains at the property according to our latest reporting. No significant changes in the security assessment."

Mika added, "The mission remains approved pending final authorization and coordination with the appropriate Italian authorities."

Michael nodded.

"Training assessment?"

Rengoku answered.

"All operators completed the required exercises. Issues identified during the first day were addressed during the second."

Aoki confirmed medical readiness.

Naoki confirmed technical equipment readiness.

Taiga reported that Genki had completed his assigned training.

Michael looked toward the dog resting beneath the table.

"Outstanding."

Taka threw his hands into the air.

"THERE IT IS AGAIN!"

Everyone laughed.

Michael smiled.

"All right, gentlemen."

He closed the exercise folder.

"Two days of rehearsals completed. Good work."

The room quieted.

"Next comes final equipment preparation, medical checks, travel coordination, and mission authorization."

He looked around the table.

"Get your personal affairs in order. Pack what you need. Be ready when the deployment order comes."

Rengoku nodded.

"Understood, Boss."

Kintaro leaned back.

"Back overseas."

Renji smiled.

"Didn't stay home long."

Hatahori quietly closed his notebook.

Sora and Naoki exchanged a glance.

Taiga scratched Genki behind the ears.

Taka looked toward Michael.

"Boss?"

"What now?"

"Seriously."

Michael raised an eyebrow.

Taka's expression became unusually solemn.

"If we go to Italy..."

Rengoku sighed.

"Here we go."

"...and we don't eat authentic Italian pizza..."

Michael waited.

"...I'm submitting my resignation."

For a moment, the entire room was silent.

Then Michael burst out laughing.

"Get out of my briefing room, Taka."

"YES, BOSS!"

The operators filed out, laughing and arguing as they went.

Ryuu remained beside Michael.

She looked at the empty doorway.

"Your team is ridiculous."

Michael smiled.

"They're good men."

"I know."

She handed him the final intelligence folder.

"Everything is moving forward. We're waiting on the deployment confirmation."

Michael accepted it.

"Let me know when it arrives."

"Of course."

He glanced once more at the photograph of the old Italian residence.

A quiet countryside property.

A wanted terrorist leader.

A straightforward capture mission, assuming the intelligence remained accurate.

Michael closed the folder.

"All right."

He headed toward the door.

"Let's get ready for Italy."