The city that never sleeps was abuzz under New York's night sky as Ellis Barker descended from the private plane that brought her back to the city. Her deep, brown eyes absorbed the urban landscape, but her focus was on a man in an immaculate suit waiting at the foot of the stairs. Kenji Ito's driver, the Yakuza leader, greeted her with a polite bow, indicating she should follow him.

Within minutes, the luxurious vehicle traversed the bustling streets of Manhattan, heading towards the ...