Chapter 1013: , Islands Tremble!

Ren Nagase rushed back to the Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters almost immediately.

On the way, Ren Nagase learned that the Headquarters Chief had fully intervened in this matter, and they had also handed over all on-site reports to the Headquarters Chief.

By the time Ren Nagase arrived at the Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters, the Headquarters Chief was already waiting.

Inside the Headquarters Chief's office was a room much larger than the Section Chief's office, where a burly middle-aged man with gray-white hair sat behind a dark desk—this was the Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters Chief, Masahide Shimada.

Masahide Shimada is fifty-eight years old; he previously served as a Section Chief in the Police Agency Security Bureau, later transferred to become the Local Prefectural Police Headquarters Chief, and has been serving in Nagoya for nearly three years, known for his steadiness and practicality, belonging to the Public Security faction.

At this moment, he sat behind the desk with his hands folded on the desktop, his expression very solemn, even somewhat heavy.

Seeing Ren Nagase enter, he slightly lifted his chin to gesture for him to sit down.

Ren Nagase sat in the chair opposite the desk, without pleasantries, and spoke directly: "Headquarters Chief, after preliminary testing and identification at the scene, it is indeed Hirate Sarina without doubt; the preliminary cause of death is mechanical asphyxiation, i. e., strangulation. The time of death, based on corpse temperature and lividity progression, is estimated to be within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after her disappearance, i. e., the night she vanished or the early morning of the following day."

Masahide Shimada's gaze did not leave Ren Nagase's face, but his fingers lightly tapped the desktop once, gesturing for him to continue.

Police officers from the Public Security faction generally remain composed in the face of major incidents, but they often lack sufficient criminal investigation skills, thus relying more on the field unit: "I heard the forensic results from the scene are not normal?"

"Yes——" Ren Nagase paused, carefully choosing his words: "The lower body of the corpse shows extensive——sexual violence traces. The bruising and laceration locations and distribution indicate possible repeated assault. Currently, it cannot be determined whether this occurred before or after death, but judging from the bleeding response in the surrounding tissue of the wounds, some injuries likely occurred while the victim still had blood circulation."

"Sexual violence? Then this indicates an extremely恶劣 situation, Ren Nagase-kun, do you know how the outside world would react if we made this public?" Headquarters Chief Shimada said in a deep voice: "Can you be certain?"

"The preliminary findings of the Forensic Identification Division will be detailed in the official report, but based on visual observation at the scene, the likelihood is extremely high." Ren Nagase skillfully passed the buck to the Forensic Identification Division personnel.

I am not a professional forensic pathologist, so I won't make judgments at the scene!

"Is that so?" Headquarters Chief Shimada leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting from Ren Nagase to the Nagoya skyline outside the window, as if seeking to organize his thoughts using that distant cityscape.

Half a minute later, his gaze returned: "Regarding this case, what do you think?"

Ren Nagase hesitated not: "At present, there are at least three possibilities."

"First, the son of Yuasa Party General Affairs, who is also his first secretary, Yuasa Yang, is the person behind Hirate. He claimed ignorance, but their relationship is semi-public, and he has long used resources to help Hirate take leave and adjust schedules. If Hirate wanted to break free from his control, or if some conflict arose between them, the possibility of deteriorating relations cannot be ruled out, but———Yuasa

Yang proactively called to inquire about progress; if he were truly responsible, this action would also seem somewhat abnormal."

"Second, Hirate herself initiated contact with someone; she has seemingly always wanted to develop toward an acting career, wanting to shed her idol identity, so it is not excluded that she privately contacted some unclear resource parties, thereby inviting danger."

"Third, indiscriminate crime—she left on her own, wearing casual clothes, walking alone into the city; at that time and place, there is a high probability she was targeted by a stranger. Nagoya is not a small city; a young woman walking alone at night encountering malicious approaches is not uncommon."

Masahide Shimada listened, then fell silent for a moment.

It was obvious he was very dissatisfied with Ren Nagase's three speculations.

What kind of people are the Yuasa father and son? That's the former Party Secretary General! The current Party General Affairs!

Without the support of the Cabinet's Four Ministers, even the Prime Minister, who would dare to provoke them? And from the phone call, Yuasa Yang didn't know this would happen!

As for Hirate proactively contacting someone, this issue is even more troublesome—what could make Hirate willing to give up the Yuasa father and son's resources to choose a newcomer? The Yuasa father and son forcibly paired her with the《Hand of God》placard girl and《Hand of God》

TV drama version cameo, and even had Oguri Shun and Kitagawa Keiko play supporting roles in her film?

Who could provide more resources? Toyota Akio?

That would be even more disastrous!

Toyota, as the world's top automaker, has a debt ratio of only 84% (excluding prepaid expenses and next year's unpaid planned expenditures, only 50%), and is the lifeline of the entire Nagoya metropolitan area!

You go mess with Toyota, seeking death, huh?!

And indiscriminate killing is even more terrifying!

This would plunge all of Nagoya into panic and chaos! Once the news spreads, saying Nagoya has such an existence————damn it, we'll become a laughingstock of the international community, and also become a high-risk travel zone!

TMD, are we saying Japan is just a transporter for serial killer maniacs?!

Why have we been seeing such things these years?

"Don't talk about the Yuasa side!" Headquarters Chief Shimada said sternly: "Unless there is definite evidence————if Hirate and Yuasa Yang's relationship is dug up by the media, the political circle will also be shaken! This matter————being handled internally within Aichi Prefecture is best, try not to alarm the Police Agency. You know what it means once the Police Agency intervenes, the media will go even more frenzied, and pressure from above will double. If we can use our own strength to clarify her murder and catch the killer, that would be Aichi Prefecture's merit."

"Try not to frame the case around Hirate! Don't let the public focus on sexual violence and Hirate's personal relationships, understand?"

"Yes." Ren Nagase did not retort; he also understood in his heart that the local police headquarters has its own stance when dealing with major cases.

But he silently added in his heart: If the killer involves Yuasa Yang or other background-connected figures, can Aichi Prefecture's strength suppress it? However, he did not say it out loud, only nodding: "I understand."

Masahide Shimada stood up, adjusted his tie: "Go prepare the press conference. We proactively release information, which is better than letting media dig it out from other channels. Wording should be restrained, do not reveal specific cause of death. Just say under detailed investigation."

"Draw reporters' attention to the direction of 'we will spare no effort to solve the case'!"

"Yes!" Ren Nagase stood up, gave a slight bow to the Headquarters Chief, then turned and walked out of the office.

He was very clear.

Lower-level merit goes to superiors, while superiors' faults are borne by subordinates!

Why did the Headquarters Chief emphasize not applying for Police Agency assistance?

Because if such a major incident occurred and we applied for Police Agency assistance, the ones coming would definitely be Uesugi Muneyuki!

And Uesugi Muneyuki, meddling in this and that, would surely come over, take a few glances, and directly announce externally that Hirate was gang-raped and then strangled!

Oh my! What would happen then?!

The outside world would explode! Hirate's fans would explode! The international community would explode!

Therefore, the best approach for the local headquarters is to first not speak, downplay this matter, and quickly find the killer.

But if so, would not all the pressure of solving the case fall on this responsible handling and front-line detective deputy section chief?

Headquarters Chief! You really know how to be a person!

He knew that from this moment on, Hirate Sarina's case was no longer an ordinary missing persons case.

And the upcoming press conference would be the moment when all of Japan first officially learned the full truth of this matter!

At two o'clock that afternoon, the press briefing room of the Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters was packed to capacity.

The briefing room originally held about eighty people, but the actual number of reporters and photographers present exceeded one hundred twenty, with latecomers only able to squeeze into the hallway, extending microphones through door gaps.

Cameras were set up on both sides of the passageway, flashing lights like stars densely covering the seats. Ren Nagase stood behind the podium, with a row of microphones in front of him.

Headquarters Chief Masahide Shimada sat beside him, expression solemn.

"The Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters confirms that the body found at the South District Waste Treatment Field is that of the missing person Hirate Sarina. Cause of death is mechanical asphyxiation, estimated time of death within twenty-four to forty-eight hours after disappearance. Detailed circumstances remain under investigation."

The briefing room fell silent for about two seconds.

Then, just like yatoro, the triple crown winner of TI, when the Shadow Demon unleashes his ultimate, the questioning voices erupted instantly from the scene!

"Excuse me, if Hirate Sarina's cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation, does that mean she was murdered?"

"There are eyewitness reports that Hirate Sarina was seen near Nagoya Station before her disappearance. Does the police have her movements prior to her death?"

"Residents near the scene have said there are signs of possible sexual violence. Is this true? Can the police confirm?"

"Has the perpetrator been identified? Are there any suspects?"

"Such a major case, and a national idol tragically died in a garbage dump! Does the police have confidence in solving this case? Give the nation an explanation? Will they seek help from the National Police Agency? Does Aichi Prefecture have sufficient resources to handle such a high-profile case?"

The journalists surged forward as if they had gone mad.

Nagase Ren stood behind the podium, gripping its edges, waiting for the wave of sound to subside slightly before answering one by one.

"Regarding signs of sexual violence, it cannot yet be confirmed; we must await the official forensic pathologist's findings."

"As for suspects, we are currently investigating all possible leads, but no one has been formally identified so far."

"Regarding whether the National Police Agency will take over — " he paused for a moment, instantly feeling the shadow from Sakuradamon, swallowed a mouthful of saliva: "For now, the case is led by the Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters. The National Police Agency has indicated it will provide technical and intelligence support, but will not dispatch personnel for direct intervention. Nagoya University will provide us with laboratory facilities — "

After the press conference ended, the news was synchronized to major media websites and social media feeds within seconds.

The official confirmation of Hirate Sarina's death! And all the unmentioned details in the statement only fueled stronger speculation and anxiety!

How exactly did Hirate Sarina die?

Was it murder? An accident? Or something else?

The Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters said nothing at all!

Why not request assistance from the National Police Agency? Has Aichi Prefecture already grasped some key points? But without a definite suspect? Why?

External news roared loudly, quickly occupying the front-page headlines!

About half an hour after the press conference ended, the operating company of Red Slope 46 released a statement.

The wording was brief but heavy: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hirate Sarina. All members of the operations team offer our deepest condolences. Currently, we are unable to arrange further responses; please understand."

"Starting today, all activities of Red Slope 46 are indefinitely suspended until we deem it appropriate to resume — "

"Please await notification. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to everyone."

Meanwhile, internally within the operations, it is said that in the conference room, Tangqian Yang sat alone for a long, long time.

The fan clubs were different.

Fan groups quickly gathered on social media, urging everyone not to believe or spread rumors, to wait for official notices. Many of Hirate Sarina's fans changed their avatars to black, some fans made video edits of her life, but most still awaited the results from Nagoya Police.

How exactly did Hirate Sarina die?

The members of Red Slope 46 mostly learned of the news through phone push notifications or television screens.

After hearing the news, Captain Sugai Yuuka remained silent for a long time. She had dissatisfaction and resentment toward Hirate Sarina, as well as weariness from her repeated disappearances and their impact on team dynamics, but upon hearing of Hirate Sarina's death, Sugai Yuuka still remained silent for a long time, lighting three pillars of incense for Hirate Sarina.

Lin! Bing! Dou! Zhe! Jie! Zhen! Lie! Zai! Qian!

Meanwhile, Moriya Akane sat on the apartment sofa, seeing the alert, her water cup slipped from her fingers, rolled once on the wooden floor before stopping, and she couldn't help but tear up.

We once debuted together, first appeared on Kohaku in our first year, and struggled together on variety shows, laughing and joking.

Everyone once struggled together as idols on stage, pouring out our youth!

The other members of Red Slope 46 also received this news; I won't elaborate further here.

That night, fans of Red Slope 46 began gathering across Japan. Some started lighting candles along the edges of plazas, some gathered at places where Red Slope 46 had held activities, some gathered in front of the operations building or even the National Police Agency building, awaiting results, similarly conducting silent protests.

This brought immense pressure upon everyone.

Even Watanabe Eiji, as Commissioner of the National Police Agency, had to secretly slip out of the National Police Agency building via another path from the underground garage.

The Shogun walks this small path!

Meanwhile, in the Aichi Prefecture Police Headquarters office building, Nagase Ren had not yet left work.

He sat at his workstation in the temporary Special Investigation Headquarters office, with several unfilled forms and a recently updated suspect investigation list piled before him.

In the hallway came chaotic footsteps and voices; more police forces were being mobilized from various precincts across Aichi Prefecture, those in different uniforms continuously passed through the hallway into the office area, some holding file folders, some making phone calls, some confirming handover information with colleagues.

The air was filled with a pre-battle tension, like a string pulled to its limit.

The pressure is maxed out!

Must, must solve the case quickly!

And must not involve Hirate Sarina's private life! Must not involve the Tangqian father and son, nor must the National Police Agency intervene, forcing Uesugi Muneyuki to descend and reveal everything!

Nagase Ren cursed inwardly.

The Headquarters Chief only allows two things: this is not allowed, that is not allowed!

The Headquarters Chief only prohibits two things: this is not allowed, that is not allowed!

How can we investigate this?

Just as Nagase Ren was preparing to turn the page, planning to begin a carpet-like search around the garbage trucks in the entire southern ward, a young technician from the Forensic Identification Division knocked on the open doorframe of his office, holding a freshly printed preliminary inspection report.

The expression of this Forensic Identification Division member was very subtle — not exactly shocked, but clearly something unexpected had occurred.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Nagase Ren sensed an even worse situation approaching.

He handed the report to Nagase Ren, his voice lowered very low, very low, as if afraid of being overheard by people passing in the hallway: " — Detective. We detected LSD residue in Hirate Sarina's blood and bodily fluid samples. The concentration is not high, but it is indeed present. She must have taken anesthetics within seventy-two hours before death."

Nagase Ren received the report.

LSD, a drug, is called anesthetic in Japan.

After this drug is metabolized in the body, its residues typically remain in blood and urine for about one to three days.

If the test results confirm its presence, then during the time period of her last appearance before disappearance — that is, one to three days before the night she vanished — her body already contained this substance.

A person with hallucinogenic drug residues in their body left the concert venue backstage alone, then walked toward that corner in the city from which she could never escape.

Drugs?

Anesthetics?

Park Yoo-chun?!

Damn it!

Nagase Ren's face turned dark!

It turns out Hirate used anesthetic, no wonder she's been acting strangely mentally, and even mysteriously absent!

That explains why she suddenly left before the concert started!

But — is this a slide you can touch?

Our country just finished battling with South Koreans, sent Park Yoo-chun to prison, and now we're supposed to self-destruct the National Female Idol who's also a drug dog?

What ultimate boomerang, international joke?

South Koreans will laugh so hard they'll eat three big bowls of Nongshim ramen in one sitting!

" — who else knows about this?"

"Currently only the three people who handled it in the lab and you."

Nagase Ren fell silent for a moment: "This report must not be spread for now. Put it away first."

"If this LSD line gets out, the media will turn this case from a murder into a drug case, which will cause irreversible harm to our country's international image, and the investigation direction will be swayed by public opinion! What we need now is to find out exactly who she came into contact with that night. Before that one6"

Nagase Ren took a deep breath: "Lock this report in the safe!"

The young technician nodded, turned, and walked out of the office.

Nagase Ren leaned back in the chair, picked up the report again, and his gaze fell once more on the words "LSD residue detected."

Anesthetic — where did it come from?

Suddenly, his body trembled.

He understood, he understood everything, he realized!

He understood why Tangqian Yang wouldn't know Hirate's whereabouts, he understood why Tangqian Yang would anxiously call to inquire about Hirate's situation and proactively express concern and indirectly expose his relationship with Hirate when she went missing, he understood why Tangqian Yang remained silent immediately after Hirate's death was announced!

He understood why!

That's because — 【142】 >

>