As Rudra and Eddie walked the bustling streets of New York, they both knew they had to act fast. The mafia wasn't going to wait around, and their enemies were growing by the hour. But Rudra had a plan—a clever, slightly illegal, but utterly brilliant plan.
Eddie: "So…what's the next move, genius?"
Rudra (grinning): "We're going to the public library."
Eddie (raising an eyebrow): "The library? You want to read up on revenge?"
Rudra (laughing): "No, Eddie. I'm going to hack the universe."
The New York Public Library was an iconic building, towering in its grandeur. For most, it was a place of learning, a sanctuary of knowledge. For Rudra, however, it was a training ground.
Rudra: "We've got what's left of the cash. It's not much, but it's enough for now. While I'm studying, you'll handle the front. I need time to work."
They entered the library, finding a quiet corner where Rudra could go undisturbed. With Eddie nervously keeping an eye out, Rudra pulled out his phone and got to work. His mind—now enhanced by the peak-level intelligence he wished for—moved like lightning. Every keystroke felt intuitive, every piece of information snapped into place like puzzle pieces.
SYS: "Boss, you sure you wanna go full hacker mode?"
Rudra (focused): "I'm not just hacking, SYS. I'm building a life."
Within minutes, Rudra had accessed vast databases on hacking, cybersecurity, and the hidden corners of the internet. His eyes scanned through articles, tutorials, and videos at an inhuman speed.
Eddie (whispering): "You really think we can pull this off?"
Rudra (still typing): "Oh, we're not just pulling it off, Eddie. We're about to build an empire."
SYS: "Acquiring knowledge at this rate, boss, your brain might overheat."
Rudra: "Good thing I'm not using an ordinary brain, am I?"
Hours passed. Rudra dove deeper into the rabbit hole, exploring the dark web, learning how to create false identities, untraceable accounts, and ways to move money without leaving a trace. He found stocks that were in flux and started calculating how to play the market to their advantage.
Rudra: "Alright, first thing's first—let's get ourselves some new identities."
His fingers flew across the keyboard, opening portals into the web's underbelly. He set up multiple fake accounts, using complex algorithms to ensure they couldn't be traced.
Eddie: "How do we know this'll work?"
Rudra: "Trust me. In two days, you're not going to recognize yourself. But first, we need some funds."
Eddie (laughing nervously): "Yeah, because we're really low on cash."
That's when Rudra shifted gears. He began scouring the dark web for information on unaccounted-for bank accounts—money that had been lost, forgotten, or stolen by those who wouldn't notice a few digits disappearing.
Rudra (grinning): "There's always a way to find what's been hidden. Especially when you can look where others can't."
In the span of a few hours, Rudra had funneled small amounts from various untraceable accounts, amassing enough to get them started. But they needed more, and for that, Rudra had another plan.
Rudra: "Alright, Eddie. Time to go shopping."
Eddie: "With what? Stolen cash?"
Rudra (grinning): "No, with stolen watches, jewelry, and antiques."
Rudra left the library with a new mission: hit up the underground market for stolen goods. Using his Shadow Clone Jutsu, he infiltrated several illegal auction houses and fences known for selling stolen items. The clones moved in sync, swiping valuable watches, vintage jewelry, and rare antiques, all while remaining undetected.
The beauty of the Shadow Clone Jutsu was that each clone had his intelligence, skills, and cunning. They blended in with the crowds, slipped through security, and within hours, had acquired a small fortune in stolen goods.
Back in their hideout, Eddie was dumbstruck when Rudra arrived with bags filled with high-end watches and sparkling jewels.
Eddie (eyes wide): "How the hell did you…?"
Rudra (shrugging): "Clones. You can't go wrong with clones."
They spent the next few hours selling the goods. Rudra split his efforts between selling items to honest dealers and others to more questionable ones. When some tried to pull a fast one on him, Rudra demonstrated new self-defense techniques he'd picked up—swift takedowns, precise strikes. In no time, the would-be thieves were subdued, stripped of their belongings, and left wondering what hit them.
After two days of nonstop work, they had amassed $100,000 in cash.
Eddie (counting the money): "This is insane. We actually did it."
Rudra (smiling): "This is just the beginning. Now, let's get you a makeover."
With their new wealth, Rudra arranged for new identities, buying a modest house to use as a base of operations. Eddie was now officially his legal guardian, but the real power rested with Rudra, who was quietly pulling all the strings from behind the scenes.
The first step was making Eddie unrecognizable. Rudra dyed his hair blonde, gave him a new wardrobe, and outfitted him with a whole new persona. The mafia wouldn't know who he was if they bumped into him in broad daylight.
Eddie (looking at himself in the mirror): "I can't believe this. I look… ridiculous."
Rudra (laughing): "Ridiculous? Eddie, you look like a rich tourist who couldn't find Fifth Avenue if it bit him. Which means you're perfect."
With their identities secured and a safe house bought, Rudra turned his attention to the next stage of his plan: creating the perfect version of NZT. His peak intelligence allowed him to absorb information on molecular biology, neuroscience, and pharmaceuticals at an alarming rate.
He spent hours researching the chemical compounds behind the pill, tracing the history of Alzheimer's research, and understanding how the original formula worked. Every bit of knowledge he gained brought him closer to cracking the code.
Rudra (talking to himself): "If I can perfect this, I'll have control over the ultimate intelligence. No side effects. No limits."
SYS: "You really think you can pull this off, boss?"
Rudra (smirking): "I don't think. I know. And once I do, this entire universe will be obsolete for me."
With Eddie playing his part as the public face and Rudra working behind the scenes, they were becoming an unstoppable team. The mafia had no idea that the kid they were chasing was now the mastermind of a growing network. Soon, they'd come face to face with the consequences of underestimating him.
Eddie: "What's next?"
Rudra: "Next? We get back to work. We've got a pill to perfect and an empire to build. But first, let's take care of the guys coming after us."
Eddie: "The mafia?"
Rudra (grinning): "Yeah. And they're in for a surprise."
To Be Continued...