#bsd 74

Well, the answer Fyodor gave to the last one was yet another misdirection—he changed the question to pretending to be offended about comparing ‘levels of Sigma and the Hunting Dogs’, explained how Sigma was created from the Book etc. etc. which all might be true...

But he still didn’t answer the actual question, did he?

Going back to the Cannibalism Arc, Dostoyevsky pitted the two main protecting forces of Yokohama against each other to test the loyalty and trust among the members. A lot of things happen but what I want to highlight is how Atsushi has started to actively fight for the place he now thinks of as home instead of running away like he used to do in the beginning. Remember, how the first time he came to know of the bounty on his head, he ran away believing that him not being with the others will protect them from the Port Mafia? He didn’t think the Agency would be able to stand on their own against the Mafia. But now, he trusts in them and fights with and for them. Well, at least to some extent (coz he still freezes up when he is alone against an adversary but that's understandable)

Then comes the DoA arc and what is the true outcome of this arc? Every member of the ADA has been named a terrorist, either arrested or forced into hiding. Except for Atsushi (and Kyouka) who has been running from place to place, seeking help from various sources to clear the name of the place he has finally come to call home.

Which... exactly is Fyodor’s MO. Using the weakness of a person against themselves. Breaking them with their own weakness. (Just like how he did for Kunikida)

By making Atsushi feel like he is the only one who can save the ADA, he is actually playing right into the enemy’s hands. He is the one who needs to be protected the most bc of whatever connection he, or rather, his tiger has to the Book and yet he is the one on the center stage, most vulnerable to the enemy’s traps. The Agency members who continually came to his rescue in the first two arcs are now unable to provide him any help.

Finally comes the Sky Casino Arc.

Okay, to be very honest, I always agreed with what Dazai said about Sigma. I felt Sigma is indeed no match to the Hunting Dogs (no matter how profound his resolution is.) True; Sigma fought tooth and nail but in the end, in spite of having a gun lol, he really was no match to Teruko. Just as she asked: why do you think you’re the only one who houses that power?

See? Exactly. Say, if geniuses like Ranpo, Dazai or Fyodor (and others in this series) become truly ‘desperate’? Honestly, Ranpo fits in his classification of ordinary man is the strongest, doesn’t he? Someone without an ability or influence but desperate to defend the one thing he cherishes the most in his life? Even the latter two...they actually use their abilities so little—most of what they do are complete intellectual activities. So, whether or not Sigma was created from the Book, I don’t think he’d hold a candle to these men if and when they become ‘desperate’.

That’s why I think the real reason Sigma was placed at the Casino was not to fight the Hunting Dogs head-on (I think Dostoyevsky meant it when he said Sigma was free to run away if he faces the Hunting Dogs)

—or to protect the secrets of the terrorist Casino (the coin bombs are meant to be discovered by the Hunting Dogs so that they can pin the accusation on the ADA even more, so what’s there to protect? See, even that plane contains those coins—they are everywhere!)

—but to come in contact with Atsushi and co., so he can use his ability on Atsushi and extract whatever it is that Fyodor needs to locate the Book (assuming the Book is an actual physical blank novel and not a metaphor/allegory for something else)

Or, rather, I should probably put this as shooting two birds with one bullet.

Fyodor, as many people have pointed out, has a totally different aim (that is not World Domination)—he is seeking out the Book to destroy the sins of abilities and ability users. (However he might lie, I believe he did say the truth to Dazai in that panel coz of the framing.) He merely crafted a plan for Fukuchi for Fukuchi’s aim of World Domination. A plan that he didn’t plan out to perfection because ‘perfect is so boring’ (Who entrusts planning to this guy anyway? He is chaos incarnate)

To put it shortly, I think he sneaked in his own agenda disguised as steps-unto-world-domination. The coin bombs from the Casino were meant to be distributed all-round the world for bringing about an economic recession and tightening the rope of accusation around the ADA’s neck (this for Fukuchi). He moved his pieces in such a way that Atsushi is the one that escapes from the Wretched Chair Arc, is the one that comes to the Sky Casino so that Sigma can come in contact with him (this for himself). And then, Sigma gives away the information about the Page held by Kamui. Resulting in the Vampire Outbreak and the One Order and whatnot (this for Fukuchi)

Now, mayyybe, Fyodor will pull the plug on Fukuchi? Seems likely coz if he’s got what he needed, he no longer needs the guy’s powerful influence. Maybe, he will wait out till Fukuchi sinks lower and lower, till he is completely exposed and arrested/defeated etc. etc.. He must have some sort of firewall so his name won’t and can’t be dragged into the mess and so he can continue his Plan -insert letter- in peace allied with some other (next) influential personality (I am guessing The Order might be his next plaything. Hope Agatha Christie is skilled enough to not trust this guy with plans.)