The one who can control Noah's Ark is Hiroki Sawada.
In the original work, after completing Noah's Ark, he jumped off a tall building, and Noah's Ark set sail into the Internet via the connected broadband line.
Noah's Ark has been hiding in the Internet ever since.
They waited until Schindler Company used Hiroki Sawada's legacy to complete Cocoon, and when it was released in Japan, they hacked the back end and took over the entire server.
After fulfilling Hiroki Sawada's last wish and after Thomas Schindler was punished for his murderous behavior, Noah's Ark chose to end itself.
"If computers like me continue to exist, they will only be used by adults to do bad things. Artificial intelligence should not appear in this world at this time."
This was the conclusion of an AI that inherited Hiroki Sawada's will and emotions.
Thomas Schindler never had the authority to control Noah's Ark.
So, if Hayashi Yoshiki wanted to use Noah's Ark to obtain the information he needed, only two options remained:
One, go directly through Hiroki Sawada.
Two, make Thomas Schindler gain permission to access it.
If Hiroki Sawada were asked directly, he might discover that Hayashi Yoshiki was a member of the Winery and had taken many lives through unspeakable means... but Hayashi could also simply use the Death Note to control him.
It was the simplest and most direct method.
But killing a lonely ten-year-old whose only wish was "to play with friends"...?
Hayashi Yoshiki hesitated.
Maybe he could use hypnosis instead.
The second option was more... secure:
Let Thomas Schindler — already controlled by the Death Note — act as the proxy.
Just like with Pisco at the Haido Hotel, Hayashi could pre-write Thomas's actions in the notebook, and combine that with Spider's hypnosis technique to gain total control.
In fact, had Schindler been less cruel, Hiroki may have never attempted suicide.
In the original work, Thomas was terrified the world would learn that his DNA ancestry traced back to Jack the Ripper.
To preserve his reputation, he imprisoned Hiroki and planned to kill him after AI development was complete.
That reasoning is so absurd it gives me a headache.
Maybe it was the Japanese obsession with bloodline theory.
Hiroki Sawada must survive after completing Noah's Ark.
And above all... everything must be done in secret.
Hayashi Yoshiki remained in the U.S. for almost a week.
The game script discussion went smoothly, and the rest of his objectives were essentially achieved.
"Although I feel there are still many areas that need polishing," said Kudo Yusaku, "this script is already very good. I can't wait to see it brought to life on a world stage."
"Yoshiki-kun, are you flying back to Japan around 8?"
"We still really need you here, but it's okay. We can discuss things by video later."
"Oh—and Yukiko said she's sorry she only treated you to one meal. When you're back in Japan, we must make proper arrangements!"
Hayashi Yoshiki smiled, suitcase in hand.
"That's fine. I have a feeling you two will be visiting Japan again soon anyway."
"Haha... see you then, Yoshiki-kun."
After bidding farewell, he boarded the luxury car arranged by Syndora to take him to the airport. He quietly thanked the driver and closed his eyes.
"You're flying back to Japan today?"
"...You're well-informed."
"Don't get me wrong. Just a coincidence."
Gin didn't elaborate.
"There's a task waiting for you when you return. I'll send the details to your email."
Gin knew when he was flying out—and that was no surprise.
The Winery had been watching Schindler for a long time.
Thomas Schindler had said an anonymous company had supported his startup in its earliest days—and that support led him to industry dominance.
That company was the Winery.
The "Cocoon" system was nearly identical to the Winery's own training simulation system.
And the moment Noah's Ark was complete, the Winery would move.
At the end of The Phantom of Baker Street, when Noah's Ark self-destructed, it claimed:
"Adults will use me for evil."
That "evil" undoubtedly referred to the Winery.
Thankfully, Hayashi Yoshiki had already become suspicious.
He had remained cautious.
He never revealed any flaws.
In a development room at Schindler 's HQ...
Hiroki Sawada put down his work and walked to the terrace.
He looked out over the city skyline.
Hayashi Yoshiki had left.
He was... a gentle and unbelievable person.
He'd negotiated with Schindler and had given Hiroki a break from his grueling development schedule.
Since discovering the company's secrets, Hiroki had been under strict control—working nonstop except to eat or sleep.
But now, thanks to Hayashi Yoshiki, he had time to breathe.
They even agreed to play together after the game's release.
Hiroki had been instantly drawn to him.
He never had a friend before...
A child who never tasted warmth would cling to it deeply.
Hayashi had even told him the plot outline he co-wrote with Kudo Yusaku.
Although Hiroki didn't understand much about Sherlock Holmes or mysteries, he became fascinated the moment he heard the name:
"I have to finish Noah's Ark soon..."
He whispered quietly.