- The director of Serano Genomics is abducted again. Things get clearer on his first abduction, years ago.
- A police black and white patrols a large estate. The Laughing Man walks toward the central tall building.
Major Kusanagi briefs the team that the chief wants them to go after Assemblyman Kaoru Yakushima, standing Secretary General of the ruling coalition. He was Minister of Health during the LM incident six years before and has connections to the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). There was suspicion he had embezzled government funds but the lead prosector was found dead. Aramaki arrives and adds that the retired Superintendent General Daido was Yakushima's junior at school and the late Dr. Imakarusu was one of Yakushima's golf buddies. Aramaki tells Section 9 to use any means to get Ernest Serano, the head of Serano Genomics for questioning, the man is under close house arrest under the pretext of protection.
The Laughing Man enters Serano's secure apartment, Serano tells him he has been expecting him. The two leave together but none of the police surveillance can see the LM figure. The limo leaves the complex. LM asks Serano why he has broken his promise and stayed silent for six years.
Batou, Saito and Aramaki drive up to Serano's apartment building. They prove to the police guards that the LM has hacked them and taken Serano right under their noses. Section 9 begins to search for Serano's company car.
Aoi and Serano get out of the car and go to a Starchild Coffee shop. They chat over coffee and reminisce of the incident six years earlier overlooking the same city intersection. Serano admits his promise to reveal the true state of micromachine therapy was only to escape. Serano explains that after the kidnapping he realized the LM was a youthful idealist and wasn't behind the later ransom demands. A representative from a certain politician came to Serano later and requested an amount equal to the government ransom subisidies plus extra to end the corporate blackmail. LM reveals he knows Yakushima is the man behind it all. The two agree to try and bring down Yakushima.
Batou leads a SWAT team assault on the coffee shop and recovers Serano, there is no sign of the Laughing Man. Batou meets the LM in the basment and congratulates him on the acting job. Taking off the overcoat and hat it is Major Kusanagi, not Aoi. The conversation with Serano had confirmed the Laughing Man's story.
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