Unbeknownst to Alex, Jin had already begun his sweep of the area, blending seamlessly into the morning crowd flowing past the gleaming skyscrapers. His gaze, sharp and calculating, flicked over every street corner and alley, every face moving through the city's pulse.
He was a shadow in plain sight, stepping between business people rushing to their meetings, tourists marveling at the towering structures, and street vendors setting up for the day.
With a subtle ease, he adjusted the collar of his jacket, casting a quick glance toward Taylor, Wright, and Co.'s sleek glass facade. The firm's entrance was already buzzing with employees arriving, exchanging greetings, and tapping at their phones. Jin's eyes narrowed, cataloging each face and movement, mentally marking who belonged and who felt…out of place.
To anyone else, he might've looked like just another young professional, idly loitering near the entrance. But his stance was deliberate, his posture relaxed yet alert—a careful disguise. Every detail matters, he reminded himself, scanning the faces once more. And nothing gets past me today.
A few feet away, a man paused to take a phone call, his gaze flicking toward the building in quick, assessing glances. Jin's instincts flared, his gaze locking onto the man's reflection in a nearby window.
Dressed in a faded hoodie and worn jeans, the man didn't fit the usual crowd that filled this part of town. Jin watched as the man's free hand drifted toward his pocket, then shifted quickly back to his side when he noticed Jin's stare.
Interesting, Jin thought, keeping his movements casual as he drifted closer, slipping his hand into his own pocket. His fingers brushed against his phone, ready to snap a quick photo if needed.
The man hung up and cast a wary glance around before drifting off into the crowd, his attention now firmly elsewhere. But Jin didn't break his gaze until the man had turned the corner, disappearing from sight.
Only then did he relax slightly, though his senses remained alert, his mind ticking through possible scenarios. Could've just been a nosy passerby…or something else entirely.
A street musician set up nearby, strumming his guitar and singing as people tossed loose change into his open case. Jin sidestepped the small gathering, his attention returning to the building.
Through the front doors, he caught a glimpse of Alex walking across the lobby with Jack, their figures briefly visible before the bustling crowd swallowed them up.
As he surveyed the area, a few guards passed by, stationed strategically to cover the building's entrances and exits. Jin took note of their uniforms and their routes, mentally marking any gaps in their security routine. He couldn't afford even the smallest oversight.
Today was too important. Alex, Master Kenjiro's successor, needed to be safe, whether he was aware of it or not.
Just then, a sharp sound—a car backfiring—echoed from a nearby street, and Jin's gaze snapped in that direction. His instincts flared, fingers tensing for a split second before he caught sight of the car rolling harmlessly past.
He released a slow breath, rolling his shoulders as he forced himself to relax. Years of training had honed his instincts to razor-sharp precision, and every noise, every flash of movement kept him on high alert.
A soft chuckle escaped his lips, almost surprised at his own level of focus. Guess I'm getting a bit too used to this bodyguard thing, he mused, shaking his head slightly.
Still, he knew it was more than just a job. He respected Alex—though he'd never admit it aloud—and he knew the importance of what they were doing here.
A woman with a stroller paused nearby, her gaze drifting toward him, curious. He gave her a friendly nod, slipping his hands casually into his pockets.
As she moved along, her attention fading back to her child, Jin returned to his silent observation, his expression hardening as he reminded himself of his purpose.
His phone vibrated in his pocket, a message flashing across the screen: "Status update: All clear?"
Jin smirked slightly, giving a quick swipe on the screen to confirm the message. Yeah, all clear for now, he thought, his gaze trailing over the crowd once more.
But his mind was already a few steps ahead, planning his next move, strategizing every inch of this operation. Nothing will get past me today—not on Alex's first day.
—--
The lobby doors opened, and Jack stepped outside, raising his hand slightly—a subtle signal that only Jin would catch. Jin, who had been blending effortlessly with the crowd, spotted the gesture immediately. With his typical quiet grace, he approached Jack, maintaining his watchful demeanor.
"I'm heading to Vegas," Jack said as Jin reached him, his gaze steady. "It's time to lay the groundwork for Master Kenjiro's plan there."
Jin nodded, sensing the importance of the mission. "Understood?"
Jack nodded, his tone softening with a rare reverence. "Look out for Alex. He's not just anyone, Jin. He's being groomed for something significant—Master Kenjiro wouldn't pass this down casually. Alex already has an instinct that's sharp, a perception that most people miss."
Jin's gaze shifted, a look of respect forming as he considered Alex's role. He'd seen flashes of what Jack described: Alex's precision, his quiet confidence, and the way he seemed to absorb his surroundings with a strategist's eye.
As they walked toward the parking area, Jack stopped beside his car, giving Jin a final nod of approval. "Stay close enough to watch over him, but don't interfere. You're guarding more than just a successor—you're guarding the legacy of Master Kenjiro's work."
"Understood," Jin said, his voice carrying the weight of his commitment. "You focus on Vegas. I'll protect him here."
With that, Jack slipped into his car and, before starting the engine, dialed Master Kenjiro's number. The phone rang twice before a calm, measured voice answered.
"Master Kenjiro," Jack greeted, keeping his tone steady. "Alex has started his first day at the firm. Jin's here watching over him, and I'll be starting things in Vegas."
The voice on the other end was quiet for a moment. "And Alex? Is he adjusting well?"
Jack paused, choosing his words carefully. "Master, with all respect, I know this isn't about 'punishing' Alex. We both know he's more than ready for what's coming. If he seems to make a strange move, it's calculated. Every choice he makes feels thought out, even if it seems unconventional to the rest of us."
There was a hint of a smile in Master Kenjiro's response. "I know, Jack. I trust him to understand what's at stake, and I trust you to support him when he needs it. He must walk this path independently—guided but not led."
Jack nodded, a hint of mystery settling over him. "Understood, Master. I'll do what's needed in Vegas and let him take his own course."
As he hung up, Jack took a final glance at the building's towering glass facade, feeling the weight of the responsibility on them all. Whatever lay ahead, he knew it was Alex's time to step into his role as Master Kenjiro's successor. With a steady breath, Jack started the engine and pulled away, leaving Jin to watch over the heir of their shared legacy.