Talent Reborn
Episode 25: The Offer from the Shadows
A Visitor in the Night
The wind howled against Haruto's apartment window, rattling the glass.
It was past midnight, but he couldn't sleep.
Renji's warning still echoed in his mind.
"You have to get stronger."
"Not just as a doctor… but by mastering your ability."
But how?
How could he go beyond copying?
As he sat at his desk, flipping through medical journals absentmindedly, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number.
Haruto frowned.
Something in his gut told him not to answer.
But just as he was about to ignore it—
A message appeared.
"We need to talk. Come to the rooftop."
His body tensed.
Someone was here.
And they weren't just watching anymore.
They were making their move.
A Dangerous Proposition
Haruto's footsteps were cautious as he pushed open the rooftop door.
The cold air bit at his skin.
A lone figure stood by the edge, their back turned to him.
Dressed in a black suit, the man exuded an aura of quiet authority.
Without turning, the stranger spoke.
"Dr. Haruto Aizawa."
His voice was deep, smooth—calculated.
Haruto clenched his fists. "Who are you?"
The man finally turned.
A sharp, confident smile.
"My name is Kirisaki."
His eyes glinted under the city lights.
"I represent an organization that is… very interested in your abilities."
Haruto stiffened.
So Renji was right.
This was them.
The people who had been watching him.
Kirisaki took a step closer.
"You've done well hiding your power," he said. "But talent like yours doesn't go unnoticed forever."
Haruto kept his expression neutral.
"What do you want?"
Kirisaki smirked.
"To offer you an opportunity."
Haruto narrowed his eyes.
"What kind of opportunity?"
Kirisaki's smile widened.
"To work with us."
A Tempting Offer
Haruto's heart pounded.
"…Work with you?"
Kirisaki nodded.
"We have resources beyond your imagination," he said smoothly. "Technology, medical advancements… access to things that even the best hospitals in the world don't have."
Haruto remained silent.
Kirisaki continued, voice persuasive.
"With us, you wouldn't just be a doctor."
"You'd be a pioneer."
"A revolutionary figure in medicine."
Haruto's fists tightened.
It was tempting.
Too tempting.
The chance to push medical science beyond its limits.
To save lives in ways normal doctors never could.
But then—
He remembered Renji's warning.
"They don't just observe, Haruto… they collect."
Haruto met Kirisaki's gaze.
"And if I refuse?"
Kirisaki sighed, as if disappointed.
"I would advise against that."
Haruto's body tensed.
Kirisaki took another step forward.
"We know everything about you, Haruto."
A pause.
"Your family. Your friends. Your colleagues."
Haruto's blood ran cold.
Was this… a threat?
Kirisaki's expression remained calm.
"No need to look so tense," he said. "We don't force cooperation."
He smiled again.
"We persuade."
Haruto's jaw clenched.
This wasn't just a simple offer.
It was a trap.
A well-crafted one.
And the moment he stepped in—there would be no turning back.
A Silent War Begins
Haruto took a deep breath.
Then—he smiled.
"Thank you for the offer," he said, voice even.
Kirisaki raised an eyebrow.
"But I became a doctor to help people."
Haruto's gaze sharpened.
"Not to be owned by anyone."
A tense silence stretched between them.
Then—
Kirisaki chuckled.
"Interesting."
He straightened his suit, his eyes glinting with something unreadable.
"I had a feeling you'd be difficult."
He turned, walking toward the rooftop exit.
But just before he left, he paused.
Without looking back, he said:
"This was just an introduction, Dr. Aizawa."
A chilling smile.
"We'll talk again soon."
And then—he was gone.
Haruto exhaled, realizing he had been holding his breath.
His hands were shaking.
Not from fear—
But from the realization of what had just begun.
This wasn't just about medicine anymore.
It was about power.
Control.
And survival.
The shadowy organization had made their first move.
And now—
Haruto had to decide his next.
End of Episode 25.