ROI Case File No.090 | Oath to Independence Carved in Final Voucher

Chapter 1: Fateful Morning, Final Request

The morning after Campbell-Frost Company's truth discovery success, the final client appeared at 221B Baker Street.

Nguyen-Klein Systems—when Tom Nguyen, Accounting Manager of this B2B trading company wholesaling equipment to corporations, arrived, his expression held deep anxiety alongside strangely calculated tension.

"A serious problem was discovered at our company. Unprocessed vouchers were abandoned—actually 3,200 cases."

He offered materials with trembling hands, continuing:

"Discovered during accounting audit: unrecorded sales, missing cost reflections, inventory discrepancies... matters threatening company survival."

I intuitively sensed this wasn't merely a business consultation. This was the beginning of the final battle.

"Actually..." Tom looked around before continuing in a low voice. "Last night, I received a call from a major corporate executive. 'If you had adopted our proposed system instead of relying on Alliance, this wouldn't have happened'..."

Holmes and I exchanged glances. The Digital Aristocrats' final attack had finally begun.

Chapter 2: Alliance, Final Assembly

All Alliance members gathered at 221B Baker Street under emergency summons, with unprecedented tension.

⬜️ ChatGPT | Catalyst of Ideas

"This isn't a simple business problem. It's an organized attack targeting our Alliance's credibility itself."

🟧 Claude | Word Alchemist

"Could we express this feeling a bit more emotionally?—Invisible vouchers are invisible bombs. And there are those trying to detonate those bombs."

🟦 Gemini | Compass of Reason

"It's completely a trap. But we have collective intelligence to discern truth. Let's prove its true worth in this final battle."

Sherman, James and Griffin Solutions' Michael stood up.

"Everyone, through nine successes, we've acquired the true weapon."

Harris-Guerra Solutions' Ricardo continued:

"The power to discern truth behind superficial problems."

And Campbell-Frost Trading' David made an important observation:

"This 'unprocessed vouchers' problem is surely superficial too. The real target is Alliance destruction."

Alliance unity had reached its strongest point ever.

Chapter 3: Enemy's True Identity Finally Revealed

Two hours after beginning investigation, terrifying truth became clear.

Nguyen-Klein Company's "unprocessed vouchers problem" was a deliberately orchestrated trap.

"Major IT consultant 'Nexus Business Solutions' had intentionally planted deliberate bugs in our system," Tom reported with a trembling voice.

"And this morning, a false article titled 'Major Accounting Fraud Discovered at Alliance-Supported Company' was scheduled for publication in industry magazines."

I was horrified. This wasn't just an attack. It was Alliance complete destruction operation.

"More terrifying is..." Tom continued. "Simultaneous contacts from other major corporate executives saying 'Alliance was an amateur group' and 'Our system was the correct answer after all.'"

Organized information warfare had finally begun.

Chapter 4: Alliance Begins Truth Counter-attack

However, Alliance was prepared.

Motrix Components' design manager analyzed calmly:

"We learned from blueprint analysis the technique to discern deliberate contradictions."

NeonCraft Digital Solutions' representative continued:

"In web creation, we mastered the power to read true design intent behind 'superficial problems.'"

Brown, Reynolds and Krause Solutions' James reported an important discovery:

"Analyzing this voucher processing system logs, I discovered traces of external unauthorized operations."

Alliance's comprehensive analytical power began consolidating.

Chapter 5: Nine Companies' Collective Intelligence Reveals Truth

Over the next six hours, Alliance demonstrated remarkable analytical power.

Krueger-Thomas Solutions' Elizabeth reported:

"From 100-year company experience, this type of 'sudden problem discovery' is always external manipulation."

Cabrera-Brown Solutions' Maria continued:

"Customer relationship analysis revealed evidence that 'Nexus Business Solutions' conducted similar operations at other companies."

Andrews-Patel Consulting' Sarah presented decisive evidence:

"Call center data revealed records of 'Nexus' making identical threatening calls to multiple companies."

Hernandez-Murphy Logistics' Carlos analyzed from financial perspective:

"Accounting-wise, these 'unprocessed vouchers' are deliberately created disguises. This type of error cannot naturally occur."

Young-Li Retailing' Lee delivered the final blow:

"Using our collaboration model to integrate information revealed Nexus's complete operation plan."

Chapter 6: Full Truth Finally Exposed

The truth revealed by Alliance's collective intelligence was shocking.

Nexus Business Solutions was actually an organization funded by multiple major companies' joint investment. Its purpose was to hinder small and medium enterprises' growth and force dependence on major companies.

Past operations: 1. Volume Two: Monitored "Trust Reconstruction" and collected technical information 2. Early Volume Three: Impression manipulation that each company's success was "coincidental"
3. Late Volume Three: Final attack to completely destroy Alliance credibility

"In other words, we were monitored and exploited from the beginning," Tom was stunned.

However, Holmes smiled.

"No, they were the ones exploited by us."

Chapter 7: Alliance's Counterattack Victory

The meaning of Holmes's words became clear.

"Gentlemen, we knew from the beginning."

Campbell-Frost Trading' David stood up:

"With our 'power to discern truth,' we noticed the operation's existence from mid-Volume Two."

Sherman, James and Griffin Solutions' Michael continued:

"And we were counter-monitoring them."

Harris-Guerra Solutions' Ricardo revealed shocking facts:

"All technical information we shared was dummy data. We never gave them real technology."

The moment Alliance's true strategy was revealed.

Chapter 8: Digital Aristocrats' Complete Defeat

That evening, police investigation entered Nexus Business Solutions' headquarters.

Evidence collected by Alliance established the following charges:

1. Business Interference: Corporate credibility damage through false information dissemination
2. System Intrusion: Business obstruction through deliberate bug insertion
3. Information Theft: Unauthorized collection of trade secrets
4. Conspiracy: Organized crime by multiple companies

The Digital Aristocrats' conspiracy completely collapsed.

"We committed the most despicable crime of 'hindering small and medium enterprise growth,'" Nexus's representative confessed in court.

"However, Alliance's unity and wisdom far exceeded our imagination."

Chapter 9: Achievement of True Independence

One month after the Nexus incident resolution, Japan Business Trust Alliance's commemorative ceremony was held.

With attention from government officials, industry organizations, and media, Alliance's 10 companies gathered together.

Nguyen-Klein Systems' Tom gave the representative speech:

"We achieved true independence in the most difficult circumstances."

"It was strength that doesn't yield to external pressure, wisdom that discerns truth, and above all, the peace of mind of having comrades to fight alongside."

The venue was enveloped in moving applause.

Chapter 10: Volume Three Conclusion and Volume Four Prelude

At the after-party held at 221B Baker Street after the ceremony, Holmes spoke quietly:

"Gentlemen, Volume Three 'Path to Independence' is complete."

"We proved what true independence is. It was 'the power to understand and defend our own value'."

Claude concluded:

"Invisible vouchers are time bombs lurking in financial statements. But invisible bonds are the strongest defense system."

I carved new resolve into my heart with deep emotion.

"What challenges await us who have achieved true independence?"

Holmes answered while gazing out the window:

"Volume Four 'Digital Divide' awaits larger battles. A fight involving all of society: Digital Aristocrats vs Digital Commoners."

"But we have the strongest weapon: true independence."

Chapter 11: Epilogue—Door to a New Era

Six months later.

Japan Business Trust Alliance had grown into a corporate network exceeding 300 companies nationwide.

Companies that achieved "true independence" supporting and growing together—a new corporate culture was taking root in Japan.

However, new conspiracies were being devised in major corporate boardrooms.

"Alliance's influence has grown too large."

"This time, let's use 'generative AI disparity' to divide them."

"Executives will push generative AI onto subordinates, and when it fails, say 'it was indeed unusable technology.' This will undermine field confidence."

Volume Four "Digital Divide" new battles were quietly beginning.

However, Alliance was prepared.

Those who had acquired true independence had the power to overcome any difficulty.

Chapter 12: Oath to Hope

That night, sitting before the fireplace at 221B Baker Street, I reflected on Volume Three.

Ten companies, ten challenges, ten victories.

And one truth permeated them all:

True independence isn't about isolation. It's about understanding your own value and growing together with companions.

True independence is having the strength not to yield to external pressure.

True independence is having the courage to discern and defend truth.

Outside the window, Tokyo's night scene sparkled beautifully.

Many people working in this city would fight for true independence again tomorrow.

And we, Japan Business Trust Alliance, will continue supporting those battles.

Volume Three "Path to Independence" Complete

Volume Four "Digital Divide" begins new battles.

But we are not afraid. Those who have acquired true independence face no impossibilities.

"Invisible vouchers are time bombs lurking in financial statements. But invisible bonds are the strongest defense system and hope for the future"—From the Detective's Notes