The Asano Protocol - Nick Asano Novels by Roman Zaytsev

The Story

Nick Asano was supposed to be scouting startups, shaping the future of tech. But when his AI investment product becomes the target of the world’s most dangerous criminal network, he’s forced back into a life of blood and shadows.

From the high-rise casinos of Las Vegas to the ports of California, and the backstreets and rural areas of Vietnam, Nick uncovers a conspiracy that ties criminal networks, top government officials, and a ruthless syndicate. Each step closer to the truth puts a target on his back - and those he cares about most.

Nick isn’t alone. Ray, an ex-mercenary turned MMA coach with a taste for brutal close combat. Hanna, a cryptographer with fire in her veins and vengeance in her heart. Leo, the hacker who sees what no one else can. Together, they form a fragile alliance against a machine far bigger than them.

But the deeper he goes, the more one question haunts him: is he hunting the syndicate, or has he been part of their plan all along?

Three truths emerge fast: The syndicate has no flag. AI is their weapon. And Nick’s past might already be their future.

Meet the Characters →

THE AUTHOR

Roman Zaytsev

Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and later moving to Sydney, Australia at the age of 30, Roman Zaytsev built a mind-blowing career as a product management leader, working across multiple startups in the US, UK, and Australia for over 15 years.

A lifelong fan of cinema since 1987, he founded Budomate Magazine (budomate.com) in 2009, the first online publication dedicated to action movies, which he continues to run today. His passion for martial arts started at the age of 9, training in Judo, Shotokan Karate, Aikido, American Kenpo, Boxing, and Muay Thai.

Drawing on his global career, deep knowledge of action cinema, martial arts discipline, and MMA’s raw energy, he decided to craft high-intensity, cinematic thrillers where technology, espionage, and raw combat collide.

Now he travels the world in search of stories, experiences, and inspiration with his wife, son, and their Shiba Inu dog.

Contact me at roman@nickasano.com

“To my father - who brought home that first Bloodsport VHS in 1989 and lit the fire. For every push, every spark, and for backing me in movies, martial arts, and travel. This one carries your mark.”

THE UNIVERSE

Characters

Meet the people who shape the story — and the forces working against each other.

Nick Asano

Investor, Former Assassin

Former elite operative of Kage no Rengo who vanished without a trace. He reemerged in Silicon Valley under a new identity as a powerful investor.

Ray Navarro

Former Mercenary, MMA Coach

Former mercenary turned MMA coach. Loyal, fearless, and brutally effective, Ray becomes Nick’s closest ally when the mission turns into war.

Leo Pritchard

Hacker

Brilliant hacker who penetrates systems others consider untouchable. Leo provides the team with intelligence, surveillance, and digital access.

Hana Leone

Cryptographer

Gifted cryptographer driven by revenge. Hana deciphers the Circle’s secrets while struggling between her personal vendetta and the team’s survival.

Darragh Keane

Enforcer for hire

Brutal striker with street-level skills. Hired as a freelance enforcer to disrupt Nick’s movements and eliminate anyone standing in his way.

Shane

AI Nest Founder

A founder of AI Nest startup whose technology attracts powerful enemies. His creation becomes the key to a global surveillance system.

Kaito Ren

Kage no Rengo Leader

Leader of Kage no Rengo’s operations. A disciplined and ruthless strategist trained in the shadow traditions of Japan.

Ichiro Kanda

Kage no Rengo Boss

Ancient head of Kage no Rengo and master of the Shadow Union. Calm and feared, who sees Nick as both threat and opportunity.

Bao

Criminal Boss

Powerful criminal boss controlling a dangerous network across Southeast Asia. Bao serves larger interests while protecting his own growing empire.

Callum

Former British SAS, Mercenary

Former British SAS operative turned mercenary. Highly trained and pragmatic, Callum survives by treating every mission as business.

Scorpion

Assassin

Ruthless assassin known for his speed, precision, and twin knives. He hunts his targets patiently, turning fear into another weapon.

Mr Clarke

Politician

Politician and financial operator representing the Circle’s interests. He moves between governments, corporations, and criminals with equal ease.

THE SOUND OF THE STORY

Music Tracks

Every character has a rhythm. Every city has a pulse. Explore the soundtrack of the book.

01

Shadow Protocol

Main theme for The Asano Protocol cinematic thriller.

02

Quiet Ground (Akio)

Quiet Ground captures the moment where away from investors, conspiracies, and violence, Nick finds peace beside Akio.

03

Push Back

Push Back captures the moment Nick Asano makes it clear that the rules have changed, when Sebastian Riedel of Wolfsbrigade 88 comes for Shane.

04

Briefings Change

Briefings Change captures where a routine extraction collapses into a calculated execution.

05

The Brawl

The Brawl captures where instinct, control, and precision collide in a single chaotic night.

06

Marked (Kage No Rengo)

Marked captures the moment Nick Asano recognizes the mark of “Kage no Rengo”, a symbol he first encountered years earlier in Okinawa.

07

Neon Glow

Neon Glow captures Nick Asano’s first meeting with Hanna that turns into a high-speed ride through the vibrant streets of Vietnam.

08

In The Dark

In The Dark captures Nick Asano’s transformation from survivor into hunter inside an abandoned factory.

09

Earn Respect

Earn Respect captures a moment where in a hidden training compound Ray faces The Wolf in a test where reputation means nothing and only skill remains.

10

I Don't Knock

I Don’t Knock captures Nick’s confrontation with Bao, a ghost from his past who built his power on fear, deception, and borrowed influence.

11

Not Fast Enough

Not Fast Enough captures Nick’s final battle against Scorpion, deadly assassin and one of his most dangerous opponents.

START READING TODAY

Get The Book

The Asano Protocol is for readers who love cinematic action thrillers, international espionage, martial arts, organized crime, and high-stakes technology. If you enjoy relentless pacing, brutal close-combat scenes, shadowy Japanese assassins, global conspiracies, AI surveillance, and heroes caught between powerful governments and criminal syndicates, this book is for you.

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THE ASANOPROTOCOL