"Are you working for them?"
Elon Musk's heart tightened. His eyes narrowed slightly as he subtly adjusted his posture.
Of course, Elon knew exactly who Toru was referring to.
The Jewish financial magnates who had migrated to the United States from around the world when the country was becoming the world's foremost industrial power.
And the Anglo-Saxon establishment that had secured its position there even earlier.
Taking advantage of both World Wars, the United States watched as Europe lost its place at the center of the world. Protected by its geography, America turned its distance from the conflict into an advantage, emerged as the greatest victor of both wars, and ultimately became the world's sole superpower.
During that process, the so-called shadow governments that had invested heavily in America gained unimaginable wealth and influence.
Like all people who possessed great power, they sought immortality. During an era of explosive technological growth, they poured enormous sums into research aimed at extending human life.
The Black Organization had been created against that backdrop.
Its apparent leader was Renya Karasuma of the Karasuma Group.
But the head of a business conglomerate in a defeated nation like Japan could never have created a behemoth like the Black Organization by himself.
It had been established with support from powerful figures in the United States.
And the Organization's purpose was to research immortality for them.
After all, such research would inevitably involve countless ethical and legal violations and could never be conducted openly.
An international criminal organization like the Black Organization was perfect for concealing it.
Elon might not have known any of this in the past, but as his wealth grew and his status rose, those people would inevitably have approached him.
Elon thought carefully.
If Toru worked for them, then he needed to keep his distance and minimize all contact.
Otherwise, even the so-called richest man in the world could be torn apart by that group.
"No, no, no. I think you've misunderstood me, Mr. Musk. I am connected to those people, but I don't work for them."
"On the contrary, I am their enemy. I used a few subtle methods to take control of the vast organization they spent decades building."
"Mr. Musk, I know you're a man with ideals. You may not say it publicly, but you must be deeply dissatisfied with society as it is today."
"The current world order and social structure restrict technological innovation, placing countless limits on technology leaders like you."
"I respect technology. I believe science and engineering are the engines that drive human progress."
"Mr. Musk, would you be interested in joining forces with me and changing the world together?"
Toru spread his arms as though embracing the planet, or perhaps the vast universe beyond it.
His voice carried a fervent conviction, as though he were a true believer in science and genuinely believed technology could change everything.
Elon Musk was not a young man who could be swept away by a few passionate words.
He calmly asked, "Mr. Adam, how old are you?"
"I just turned twenty."
"You don't seem like someone in his early twenties at all. When I was twenty, I was still excited about earning my first real money."
"I had youthful ambitions and dreams, but compared to what you've already accomplished, Mr. Adam, I was nowhere close."
"I'll gladly accept the compliment, Mr. Musk."
"Do you know what you look like to me right now?"
"What do I look like?"
"One of those grand villains in a Hollywood movie who plans to reshape the entire world."
Toru laughed loudly.
"This world is filled with mediocre people. They obstruct scientific progress for the sake of personal interests and political power."
"If advancing science makes me a villain in the eyes of the world, then I'm perfectly willing to become that villain."
Although Toru was not a fanatical worshipper of science, he genuinely believed technology could change everything.
Humanity should not still be fighting among itself over this small, damaged planet.
Compared to the insignificance of Earth, the universe was vast, and its resources were practically limitless.
He sincerely hoped for world peace, with humanity united and advancing toward the space age together.
Toru's ambition might have sounded like a grandiose adolescent fantasy, but after being reincarnated, he felt he ought to accomplish something extraordinary.
"Why not propose this kind of cooperation to the former president?"
"Mr. Musk, you must be joking. You should understand perfectly well that the former president is still fundamentally a businessman, and he's already too old."
Toru shook his head.
"He's an extraordinary person. Many of the things he does on social media look childish and make people laugh, almost as though he's playing the clown."
"But anyone who truly mistakes him for a clown will lose everything."
"Even so, the American system limits what he can accomplish during his term."
"Unless he becomes a complete dictator like Hitler, he cannot simply do whatever he wants. America is not suffering from the kind of hyperinflation where a loaf of bread costs fifty thousand dollars."
"He doesn't possess that level of public support. His authority still comes from elections and the Constitution."
After a brief pause, Toru continued.
"He's a capable businessman, and he has now become a capable politician."
"But he isn't a researcher, much less a technical expert."
"That is why, if I'm seeking technological cooperation, you are the only person worth approaching."
Elon Musk's expression remained unchanged, and he continued to smile, but the pressure he felt was immense.
He could not understand the young man sitting before him.
Toru was a lunatic. A complete madman.
What made him even more terrifying was that this lunatic appeared to control an enormous power and, just like the CIA, showed no respect for laws or rules.
Elon felt uneasy about cooperating with such a person.
But becoming his enemy would be even more dangerous.
This young man placed him under just as much pressure as the former president did.
The difference was that the former president's pressure came from his influence and political power.
The pressure Toru created came from the immediate threat of death.
Elon could not reach a decision in such a short time, so he answered vaguely.
"I'm interested in the cooperation you're proposing, but what exactly would it involve? I would need a much more detailed plan."
"You understand that I'm also a businessman. I cannot act against my own interests."
Toru smiled.
"Of course, Mr. Musk. I greatly admire technology leaders like you, so I won't waste your time with empty language."
"I'll be direct. What I'm seeking is technological cooperation."
"There's no need to feel so much pressure."
Elon wanted to say that he would never feel pressured by a young man like Toru.
But he could not bring himself to say it.
His head of security looked extremely tense.
The man seemed to have recognized who Toru was, and he was afraid.
The security chief's hand had never once left his waist, a clear sign that he did not trust himself to handle the situation.
"I'll take this report back and show it to a professor I know."
Elon spoke calmly, but in truth, he simply did not want to remain alone with Toru any longer.
For some inexplicable reason, Elon felt that his life was no longer under his own control while sitting across from this young man.
He found that feeling almost unbelievable.
He was the richest man in the world.
He had met countless powerful people, spoken with them as equals, and could even express his opinions freely in front of the former president.
Yet this young man made him feel afraid.
Could there really be forces in this world that went beyond ordinary understanding?
"This report is merely the foundation of our cooperation. It will allow you to recognize the strength we possess."
"However, I also have a small request."
Toru smiled.
The Black Organization's finances were under strain. Although it could still barely maintain its operations, Toru needed a larger and more stable source of funding.
The world's richest man was clearly an excellent candidate.
He not only possessed immense wealth, but also technology that Toru greatly desired.
"Go ahead, Mr. Adam."
"I would like to borrow your Starlink network, Mr. Musk."
"Specifically, the military functions, not the civilian system."
That was also one of the main reasons Toru had come to meet Elon Musk.
Although the Black Organization was powerful, it lacked its own satellite network.
And Toru had grown accustomed to using satellites to carry out certain operations.
(To be continued.)