Groovy Guy Russell Part 2 is the thirty-first chapter of the Black Lagoon spinoff series Eda Initial Stage. It was originally released on October 19, 2024.

In Washington, D.C., handcuffed in the back of a car, Russell mutters that he was just doing his job. Sitting next to Cyrus, the cowboy claims that Jack Bonham and all U.S. senators are the same since they use professionals like themselves and throw them away afterward. Cyrus ignores his rant, annoying him. Grouching loudly, Russell complains that he has stomach pain and needs to use the bathroom as soon as possible, but both Cyrus and the driver ignore him again. Seeing the captive crouch his head, Cyrus asks if he is done trying to trick them. As soon as the bodyguard grabs Russell's head, the latter grabs his cowboy hat and shoves it into Cyrus's face. He then shoves his elbow into the hat's crown, dispersing a powder which disorients the bodyguard. As the driver becomes startled, Russell wraps his handcuff chain around the man's neck, causing the driver to swerve off the road and crash into a street lamp. Immediately squirming out of the car, he runs away and jokes that he should not have underestimated him, declaring he needs to finish his business first.

Elsewhere, Eda, Jaden and their two colleagues arrive at the Hay–Adams Hotel and enter the Fontainebleau, where an employee guides them to a meeting room. There, Jack Bonham welcomes them and everyone sits down. Meanwhile, Russell opens a locker and retrieves a duffel bag, saying that he has no one to entrust it to in D.C. Admitting he hates to suck up to Bonham, he nonetheless states that "work is work." Commencing the meeting, Bonham posits that there is a serious threat to the U.S.'s interests in Southeast Asia, asking the CIA agents if they know about the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC). He explains that the leader of the EAEC took advantage of anti-American sentiment that spread in his country, assessing that the U.S. cannot allow the EAEC's economic zone to expand any further and must do something about it. When the eldest CIA colleague is hesitant, Bonham rhetorically asks him if the CIA's only task is to line its pockets in South America. Trying to write it off, the CIA agent says that it is a story of the past, to which Bonham retorts that the CIA needs to prove it by showing him what they are made of.

The senator clarifies that their target is the anti-American Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad. Nervous, the CIA agent whispers to Jaden that he cannot talk anymore. Volunteering to take over speaking, Jaden tells Bonham he read through all of the reports on Southeast Asia, adding that he has a proposal. Specifically, he reasons that they can soften Mahathir's anti-American stance by reaching out to Japan because Malaysia has a strong relationship with them through the latter country's Look East Policy. Jaden mentions that the CIA could engage in a two-pronged strategy to shake up Mahathir's domestic base by boosting the Semangat 46 Party, his political rival. At the same time, he suggests strengthening intelligence gathering on Southeast Asian scandals, which has dwindled on the ground since the Vietnam War. Impressed, Bonham likes the idea, though Jaden's colleague reminds him that the scope of intelligence gathering in Southeast Asia is too vague.

Assuring him that they have candidates for possible locations, Jaden professes that the CIA has a promising candidate for an intelligence gathering base. Recalling that the city is the capital of vice and violence in Southeast Asia and a "modern day Libertalia," Jaden tells them that the town is called Roanapur. Hearing the name and recognizing it, Eda is surprised at the proposition. As the meeting ends, Russell arrives at the French restaurant, recalling that Bonham's secretary mentioned there is supposed to be a meeting going on. Upon entering the building, he notices several people staring at him, making him realize that he cannot be inside for too long. Going around one corner, Russell darts back behind it when he spots Bonham talking to the CIA officers. The senator commends the officers for having a productive meeting, joking that he envies the elderly CIA agent for having reliable young officers. As the men shake hands, Russell notices Eda in her blue dress as she leaves.

In the corner of his eye, Bonham sees Russell and demands to know why he is at the restaurant, reminding him that he wanted his men to handle the delivery. The cowboy answers that his liaison suggested delivering the item sooner. Angered, Bonham says that the establishment is not a place for people like him. Russell responds that he does not like fancy places either but asserts that he is in a hurry since he was abducted by Bonham's political rival. Noticing that the senator knows whom he is talking about, the cowboy claims that the men offered to pay him three times what Bonham is paying him for the blackmail video. Although the senator believes that Russell is going to turn on him, the cowboy tosses him the duffel bag. Smirking, he warns the senator to learn a lesson from the situation, declaring that he should not use people so cheaply, especially a self-proclaimed professional like himself.

Nearby in an adjacent area, Eda jokes to Jaden that his "big speech" was actually important after all. She elaborates to the confused Jaden that she is referring to the rant he made while waiting for Enrique at the bar a while back. Urging her not to bring that up, he blushes and asks her not to make him remember that moment. Smiling, Eda assures him that she is genuinely complimenting him and how his speech was not mere talk. Jaden wonders how Enrique is and confesses that he did not dislike the boy despite his cockiness, commenting that it seemed like a long time ago. After joking about being in the world of suits, he thanks Eda for everything she has done and extends his hand to her, confusing her. Slyly smiling, Eda claims that shaking hands is not her style, and she leaves, baffling Jaden and leaving him speechless. Exiting the hotel, she jokes to herself that Jaden is still so formal even after their work together.

Pulling up to the curb, Amber tells Eda to get in her Jeep. Annoyed, the blonde agent sternly asks why the car is in such bad shape given that she had it repaired just the other day and at great cost. Amber only replies that a lot happened while she was in South America. Eda is concerned about the bumper only being attached by tape, though Amber alleges it will be okay. As the two talk about how they cannot get car repairs for personal use paid off, Amber assesses that money will not matter due to times having changed and the U.S. no longer having a major opponent. She additionally believes that they simply have to clean up the world "in the American way," joking that even people like Jaden will become the mainstream of the bureau staff. Eda sternly says she will get by, and Amber suddenly remembers that she had some news to brief her on: Enrique has disappeared and most likely escaped since the intelligence agent who was supposed to detain him was killed. Amber notes that he apparently did not like his "birdcage" despite being saved, remarking that no one can be exactly as they want them to act.

Looking outside the car window, Eda is confused as to where they are going. The car hits a bump and the women hear a loud noise, startling them. They look through their rearview mirror and witness their bumper falling off and being run over by a semitruck. In another part of D.C., Russell suddenly finds himself at gunpoint by Cyrus, who orders him to begin walking. The cowboy claims he cannot be killed in the middle of nowhere, prompting the bodyguard to warn him to get moving. Going to the base of the Key Bridge near the Potomac River, Cyrus pushes Russell away, with the latter mumbling that the rival senator is persistent. Russell is surprised to see Cyrus put his gun away. The bodyguard explains that he was fired, telling the sarcastic cowboy that he needs to speak with Bonham. Russell asks if he means he needs a new job, to which Cyrus clarifies that he has a video of his former employer for Russell if he agrees to help him. Realizing that the video is a blackmail tape, Russell wonders what is wrong with politicians.

Cyrus asks if they have a deal, but Russell answers that though he wants to help, he already ended his previous deal with Bonham on a sour note. Confused, Cyrus only asserts that he only cares about his answer. At that point, the bumper from Amber's car suddenly flies into the bodyguard's face, knocking him down and into unconsciousness. Though completely shocked, Russell notices the blackmail tape in Cyrus's pocket. Up above, as they continue traveling, Eda yells at and chastises Amber for not taking better care of the car. Sometime later, it is shown that Russell turned in the rival senator's blackmail tape to Senator Bonham, receiving yet more money alongside the original pay. Bonham is pleased that he now has leverage against the rival senator who attempted to blackmail him first.