Castle paid no mind to the chaos he had unleashed on the Japanese government's Cabinet and the U.S. State Department, which was now in a frenzy over the fallout.
The State Department, in particular, was nervous—not so much because of the ongoing diplomatic implications, but because Castle was a financial backer of the incoming president, Benjamin Arthur. They were deeply concerned about what other catastrophes this volatile novelist might trigger, given that he had already thrown both Hawaii and New York into turmoil. Castle had demonstrated an almost unrivaled knack for destruction.
As for Japan, the Americans were shocked to learn the extent of Tokyo's intelligence infiltration into U.S. territory. The State Department had received a report from the Governor of Hawaii detailing the arrest of over thirty operatives directly linked to Japan's top intelligence agency, the Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office. This didn't even include the even larger number of sleeper agents exposed during the cleanup. Combined with the FBI's ongoing successes in New York, it was clear that the Japanese intelligence network had dug far deeper than anyone had realized.
And yet, despite these developments, Castle had outright refused to hand over the full list of Japanese operatives to the FBI. This decision, oddly enough, relieved the State Department. While the FBI might have been frustrated, diplomats were grateful that the situation hadn't escalated into a full-blown national scandal. They understood that if the entire affair were exposed—especially during the presidential transition—it would cause immense headaches for everyone involved.
The State Department, however, wasn't about to waste such a golden opportunity to squeeze Japan. With dozens of captured Japanese spies as leverage, the department's experts in diplomatic extortion were already drafting plans to wring concessions out of Japan. Whether it was financial reparations or geopolitical advantages, they were determined to make Tokyo pay dearly.
But all of this had nothing to do with Castle. After brushing off the FBI's Hawaii director, Castle had Jarvis send an anonymous email to the Japanese government. The message was simple: he was calling it quits—this time. However, any further provocations would result in devastating consequences. Afterward, Castle called Joe Martinez in New York, hinting that she should use her Eye of God software to track unusual movements among Japanese nationals in the U.S. Having thus passed the baton, Castle returned to preparing for the arrival of John Wick, Gianna, and baby Onora.
Castle's nonchalance baffled his friends Neil and Mozzie, who were also staying at Robin's estate. The duo openly admitted that they didn't understand Castle's audacity. After all, he had not only dismantled Japan's intelligence network in Hawaii but had also sent ripples of chaos through New York. Despite this, Castle seemed entirely unbothered by the potential fallout.
"Honestly," Mozzie remarked, "I can't tell if he's just fearless or completely out of his mind."
Neil smirked. "Maybe both. But I'll give him this: with his connections, his AI, and his knack for stirring up trouble, it's not like the Japanese can really touch him."
When John Wick arrived with Gianna and baby Onora, he was prepared to help his friend exact revenge for Alexis's kidnapping. But when he learned about everything Castle had already done—how he had dismantled decades of Japanese intelligence operations in Hawaii and plunged New York into chaos—John was left speechless. Holding little Onora in his arms, he simply shook his head at Castle's carefree grin, unsure whether to laugh or scold him.
Gianna, however, had no such hesitation. After carefully listening to Castle recount his actions and plans, she delivered a sharp rebuke.
"Rick," she said sternly, "I have to admit, your initial response to Alexis's kidnapping was perfect. You sent a clear message to the Japanese intelligence agency that you are not someone to mess with.
But everything you did after that? Utterly reckless. Why on Earth would you let anyone—especially the FBI—know that you have a complete list of Japanese intelligence operatives in the U.S.? Do you have any idea how dangerous that makes you? Are you trying to make enemies of everyone?"
Castle blinked in confusion, completely taken aback by Gianna's anger. It was rare to see her so serious, especially since becoming a mother. "What? What did I do wrong? Isn't everything sorted now?" he asked, genuinely baffled.
Gianna sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose as she tried to compose herself. "Rick, letting the Japanese know you're willing to retaliate immediately after they targeted Alexis—that was the right move. It forced them to think twice about coming after you again.
But letting the FBI know you have that list? That was a huge mistake. Do you realize how valuable that list is? You might think it's a bargaining chip against the Japanese, but now the FBI knows about it, and they're not going to just let it go.
You told me you refused their request for the list. That was an incredibly stupid decision!"
Castle still looked confused but knew better than to argue with Gianna in her current mood. He decided to take the humble approach. "Okay, okay," he said, raising his hands in mock surrender. "I clearly messed up. But I don't get it—what exactly did I do wrong? Walk me through it, Gianna."
Her anger dissipating slightly at Castle's genuine curiosity, Gianna sighed again. "Alright, let me explain.
When you had Jarvis breach the Japanese intelligence agency's database after Alexis was kidnapped, that was a bold but justified move. You demonstrated both your technological capabilities and your resolve. Everyone—both the Japanese and outsiders—interpreted it as a flex of your power. Even now, the world thinks it was Harry and Ramsey who cracked the database, and they assume you were just showing off by using your own IP address. That's fine—it sent a strong message without causing unnecessary complications.
But then you made a critical error. Instead of keeping things under wraps, you dragged the FBI into the picture. You should have kept that list as your own secret weapon, something to hold over the Japanese government's head. Instead, by letting the FBI know about it, you've invited unwanted attention.
The FBI isn't going to let it go, Rick. They're not going to stop asking for that list. And by refusing them, you've made things worse. Now, both the Japanese and the FBI are going to be watching you like hawks."
Castle scratched his head, still not fully understanding the gravity of her words. "But, Gianna, I thought I handled it pretty well. I mean, I refused to give the FBI the list, so they don't have it. And I sent the Japanese a message saying I'm done with this mess. Isn't that enough?"
Gianna shook her head. "Rick, you need to understand: nobody is going to believe you're done with this. The Japanese don't trust you, and the FBI certainly doesn't either. You've made yo
urself a target for both sides. And what's worse, you've let everyone know you have something they want.
If you had consulted me first, I would've handled this differently. With the resources you have, this situation should've ended with you firmly in control. Instead, you've created a mess that's going to haunt you."
To anyone else, Gianna's blunt criticism might have been too harsh to swallow. But Castle, true to form, wasn't one to take offense when he knew he had room to improve. Flashing his trademark grin, he said, "Alright, I get it. I screwed up. But that's why I have friends like you to keep me on track. So, Gianna, what should I do now?"
His candid humility caught Gianna off guard. She had been ready to continue berating him, but his willingness to listen softened her resolve. For a moment, she simply stared at him, her irritation giving way to reluctant admiration.
Shaking her head with a faint smile, she said, "You're impossible, Rick. But fine. I'll help you clean up this mess."
And just like that, Castle found himself with yet another ally ready to guide him through his tangled web of espionage and chaos.
(End of Chapter)
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