Chapter 1022

What happened at the Nagoya Police press conference? Uesugi Muneyuki naturally saw it from Okinawa.

Before he could speak, he heard Maeda Toshihide shout: "Oh my god, I went, died?! Holy shit!"

"Died?!" Asō Kōta also exclaimed: "Why bother? Is it that serious? It's just a job transfer—does the police have to be so inflexible?"

"Heh————" Date Nagamune glanced sideways a few times.

Maeda, Asō, Nanxiang, Uesugi, Okada.

The logic of the rich and the poor is naturally different; the poor have no room for error, Japanese society is like this—one misstep often leads to utter ruin, just like Date Nagamune, a complete idiot, was actually persuaded to join the Self-Defense Forces due to poor employment prospects.

You lot, this gaggle of aristocratic political cliques and conglomerates, have no idea what the poor suffer!

And among us, the only ones who truly qualify as poor are————

Date Nagamune glanced at Ikeda Erena, whose face read: "Yeah, why suicide?" "Is the Japanese police system really that dark?" "I'm also one of the 300,000 police officers—why do I feel no oppression?"—a pure, innocent expression.

Sure enough, only Date Nagamune is truly proletariat, the lowest rung of society.

Wuwu wuwu wuwu~ Suō Hinata, Akane-chan————if I were strong enough, Akane-chan wouldn't have————

Thinking this, Date Nagamune felt sorrow well up from his heart, and tears involuntarily streamed down.

Uesugi Muneyuki had no idea what Date Nagamune was thinking; he assumed Date Nagamune was recalling how, due to his Self-Defense Forces background, he'd once been deemed "disloyal." Seeing that Watanabe Ren had actually committed suicide, he realized things had gone seriously wrong.

He immediately picked up his Huawei 11 Proma Senzoku Ōkami and dialed.

Watanabe Eiji's voice came from the earpiece, a bit faster than usual, but still strained with effort to stay calm: "You saw it?"

"I saw it."

"Don't do anything right now—just rebook your ticket, fly back to Tokyo first thing tomorrow morning, and come straight to the Police Agency to see me. Before that, say nothing to the media, send no messages, make no online replies. Understand?" Watanabe Eiji said in a low voice.

Uesugi Muneyuki was somewhat dissatisfied; he furrowed his brows, thinking, Father-in-law really is calm.

It was you who initially advised me not to intervene early, and now it's you again telling me to stay calm.

Watanabe Eiji ultimately has a bureaucratic side.

This is the system: at first you hate it, reject it, want to leave it—but over time, you realize you've become part of it, and can't break free.

The sea breeze blew from behind, lifting the hem of his shirt, then letting it fall. The charcoal on the grill still burned, a few embers emitting faint crackling sounds, sending sparks into the twilight.

"Muneyuki? Are you listening? Did you hear what I said?" Watanabe Eiji, seeing Uesugi Muneyuki delay his reply, asked doubtfully.

"You killed Watanabe Ren." After a moment's hesitation, Uesugi Muneyuki said: "The greatest mechanism of the bureaucratic system is to break down a wicked act into countless reasonable, compliant micro-tasks.

Making frontline executors bear all the guilt, while letting those at the top wash their hands clean of all responsibility."

The line went silent for about two seconds.

Then Watanabe Eiji's voice returned, eight degrees higher, filled with the urgency of having been struck in a sore spot and forced to rebut: "It wasn't me who killed him. Who knew this guy was so stubborn? Who forced him to confess?"

"Muneyuki, debts have creditors and sins have origins—what does this have to do with me?!"

"If Aichi Prefecture had requested support from the Police Agency earlier, would things have come to this?"

"It was Shimada Masahide, trying to save face, who kept the case in his own hands! It was Watanabe Ren who chose that path himself! I never asked him to take the fall, never told him to die!"

"Who could have predicted things would reach this point?!"

"Or are you saying, Muneyuki, you intend to take the fall yourself? Sure, if you stepped in, the case might be resolved—but would Nagoya just accept that?"

"We must learn to act as much as possible without harming or offending others! This is the system! You can't just enjoy its benefits while refusing to bear its necessary evils!"

Uesugi Muneyuki held the phone, gazing at Okinawa's midsummer night sky, silent for a long time.

Yeah, wanting to do something—how difficult it is!

After Watanabe Eiji finished his rapid-fire rebuttal, he immediately shifted tone: "————Muneyuki, I know you're angry. I'm angry too. But things have already happened; all we can do now is prevent them from getting worse. Watanabe Ren used his death to push this case into a position where it can't be covered up. The Cabinet will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow—almost certain they'll name you directly to take over the Hirate case. You need to prepare."

"Alright, I'll have Okada rebook the tickets—we're heading back to Tokyo tomorrow." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded.

He didn't argue further with Watanabe Eiji; he knew the blame truly didn't lie with Watanabe Eiji, who'd initially said it wasn't "no investigation," but "delayed, slow, planned investigation"—who knew Nagoya Police would push so hard? Who knew Watanabe Ren would crack under pressure after just seven days of investigation, five of full-scale search?

What the hell did this guy actually uncover?!

"Fine. Contact me when you get there."

The call ended.

Uesugi Muneyuki put his phone back in his pocket, turned around, and faced the seven pairs of eyes staring at him: "Rebook the tickets—we're heading back to Tokyo tomorrow morning. After you've eaten, head back early to rest."

"Ah, these Nagoya Police are just so damn weak, so damn weak, really weak! Weak is weak, yet they still commit suicide! Why bother?" Maeda Toshihide couldn't help but complain: "Just one or two national idols died—our Special Mission Division carries the weight of the four main islands of Japan in our hearts!"

"Yeah, strike up the music, strike up the dance!" Asō Kōta didn't care either: "Just enjoy Okinawa to the fullest, then work hard in Tokyo! Maeda-san is absolutely right!"

Only Ikeda Erena felt a little excitement inside.

Again, looking forward to seeing Uesugi Muneyuki turn the impossible into possible—bring it on!

Within three hours of the news spreading, the situation shifted from mourning to anger.

The fan groups of Red Slope 46 simultaneously launched vigils at Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, Nagoya's Sakae Town, and Osaka's Shinsaibashi—but the vigils lasted only a short time.

After Watanabe Ren's suicide note was repeatedly broadcast on national television stations, the line "Born human, I am sorry" acted like a fuse, igniting the fans' emotions, which had been building for a whole month.

All kinds of conspiracy theories sprang up.

Toyota conspiracy theories, Nagoya conspiracy theories, police conspiracy theories, Yoshimoto conspiracy theories, Sakura conspiracy theories, Imaizumi conspiracy theories, Sugai Yuuka-Moriya Akane conspiracy theories, Fuji TV conspiracy theories, Nagatacho conspiracy theories, Park Yoo-chun conspiracy theories, US Forces Japan conspiracy theories, even ASEAN conspiracy theories and Hirate conspiracy theories emerged.

Around nine o'clock that evening, the first wave of demonstrators gathered in front of the National Diet Building in Nagatacho.

Their numbers surged from a few hundred to over two thousand within moments; in the crowd, moderate fans held photos of Hirate Sarina, rationalists held printouts of Watanabe Ren's suicide note, and extremist fans held signs reading "Return the truth" and "Who should bear responsibility."

The barriers in front of the National Diet Building were pushed over in the first row, the Mobile Police Unit was urgently deployed, but facing thousands of

emotionally charged demonstrators, the police line was quickly scattered.

The Mobile Police Force on site also dared not really open fire on the marching crowd.

The crowd surged into Nagatacho's streets, with some shouting "Go ask those officials for answers," then the flow began moving toward the Members' Office Building.

In the midst of this chaotic night, Ishiba Shigeru, the member of parliament elected from Tottori Prefecture, happened to be nearby.

This guy, known in political circles for "not going with the flow," whose remarks party colleagues often find "hard to control," a veteran politician, was eating at a small restaurant near the Members' Office Building with several corporate representatives from Tottori who had come over.

The funniest part? He paid out of his own pocket.

This Ishiba lawmaker finished the last piece of sashimi, raised his wine cup and took a sip, was about to stand up to pay the bill, when the glass door of the restaurant was violently pushed open from outside!

A group of young people wearing various coats, with tear stains and anger on their faces, surged in, some still clutching cardboard signs with the words "Truth" written on them.

They saw the face of this Ishiba lawmaker that they had seen on television, and someone recognized him.

"That's the lawmaker!"

"He's the guy who initially impeached Foreign Minister Akimoto!"

"Why won't he speak up for Hirate!"

"I think he took 500,000 from Koreans!"

"Beat him! Beat him! The more our enemies support us, the more it proves we're right! The more our friends support us, the more it proves we're right!"

Then no one knows who started it first.

The Ishiba lawmaker was dragged up from his chair, his supporters tried to stop them, but the crowd surged like water and scattered everyone.

Punches and kicks rained down from several directions, he used his arms to shield his head, was shoved and slammed into the restaurant wall, then someone grabbed his collar and dragged him outside.

Then the crowd surged rapidly toward the next direction, just as they had come.

The Ishiba lawmaker fell to the ground, his glasses shattered, there was a bruise on his forehead, his suit jacket had one sleeve torn off.

He lay on the ground at the restaurant entrance, gazing at the night sky over Nagatacho, took a few breaths, then used his hands to brace

against the ground and slowly sat up.

"————What is this all about."

"Wū wū wū wū~I don't want to work anymore, I want————to see a beautiful girl————to play games and do promotions with a beautiful girl————"

"Wū wū wū~It really wasn't me who did it, what does it have to do with me?"

At the same time, in the underground emergency meeting room on the first floor of the Prime Minister's Official Residence, the lights were blazing brightly.

Hanzawa, acting as Prime Minister, sat at the center of the long table, the teacup before him untouched, already gone cold.

To his left sat Koizumi Minister, the current acting finance minister, known in political circles for constantly mouthing "reform," "future," and "sense of responsibility," yet actually having no concrete measures whatsoever.

"I believe continuing the national debt like this is unacceptable, it is unsustainable, so continuing like this is unacceptable."

"We need sustainable reform, sustainable meaning it can continue indefinitely, so I need sustainable reform!"

"A future without a future is not the future I want, so if it's not the future I want, this country will have no future."

Koizumi, acting finance minister, was flipping through a document, his brow furrowed tightly, but his speed of turning pages made the secretary beside him suspect he wasn't actually reading the content.

Onoda Kimiaki sat to Hanzawa's right, his glasses already removed and placed on the table, he pressed his fingers to his brow, his expression as if he hadn't slept well for days, his head throbbing.

Nanko Taro, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, sat at the other end of the table, today he wore a dark blue suit, his expression calm, but no one dared to overlook his weight in this room; aside from his identity as a cabinet member, Nanko Taro held another identity, known only to a handful of people, and at this moment his silence made the air in the entire room feel slightly heavy.

"Nagase Ren is dead, he committed suicide!" Hanzawa spoke, his voice heavier than usual: "After his suicide note was made public, we have no way out. This matter has already shifted from a police officer's dereliction of duty" to a crisis of trust in the entire police system". The public won't care about the details of the Hirate case, they only see someone driven to suicide. And that person is the one we assigned to handle this case!"

"If this continues, our country will become a laughingstock in the international community!"

Onoda Kimiaki lowered his hand from pressing his brow, his voice hoarse: "Prime Minister, I suggest immediately replacing the head of the Investigation Headquarters. At this time we cannot transfer personnel from within Aichi Prefecture, as that would be seen by international opinion as internal digestion". We must dispatch from Tokyo. Send from the Special Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department."

"Only he personally taking action————can quell public opinion!"

"Chief Medical Examiner of the Metropolitan Police Department Special Investigation Division, Associate Professor of Forensic Medicine at the University of Tokyo, Uesugi Muneyuki." Nanko Taro spoke that name.

The cabinet atmosphere instantly froze.

Uesugi Muneyuki, what will he uncover?

Hard to say!

But now there's nothing we can do!

Nanko Taro's gaze swept over the people around the table: "He is the only one who can both solve the case and stabilize the situation in the public arena. Park Yoo-chun's case has just ended, his name has sufficient credibility domestically and internationally. If the cabinet directly appoints him to take over the Hirate case, at least on the public level, we will receive a signal that we are getting serious."

"A signal that the situation is stabilizing and improving, if he cannot solve the problem, then it's his incompetence, if he solves the Hirate case, then reward him." Foreign Minister Isayama nodded: "No matter what, we can give the outside world an explanation."

Koizumi Shinjirō raised his head, pushed up his glasses: "Uesugi Muneyuki————he indeed has achievements, but pushing him to the forefront of the Hirate case, will public opinion link the Park Yoo-chun case and this matter? After all, both are related to the entertainment industry?"

"They're already linked." Hanzawa, acting as Prime Minister, interrupted him: "From the moment Park Yoo-chun's suicide note was made public, the public has already viewed this matter as the system lying about the truth. We need someone who won't lie. Uesugi Muneyuki at least has a reputation in this regard."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Nanko Taro: "Chairman, what is your opinion?"

Nanko Taro gave a slight nod: "I discussed it with Watanabe Commissioner, everyone is in agreement."

"So, as Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, my view is————" Nanko Taro spoke, voice steady: "I agree. By direct cabinet appointment of Uesugi Muneyuki, in the capacity of Special Investigation Advisor of the National Police Agency, to take full investigative authority over the Hirate Sarina case. No time limit, no resource restrictions. This is currently the only way to quell public opinion."

Hanzawa, acting as Prime Minister, picked up the untouched cold tea before him, took a sip, then set it down and stood up.

Everyone in the meeting room followed suit and stood up.

"In that case, adjourned." He said: "Tomorrow morning, hold a cabinet press conference. The Chief Secretary will announce the appointment."

He walked toward the door, his leather shoes making a clean echo on the marble floor. When he reached the doorside he paused, without looking back: "Inform Commissioner Watanabe that Onoda Minister has notified him. Have his people all in place by tomorrow."

"If there are any needs, do your best to meet them, tell Uesugi Muneyuki, his shoulders bear, the entirety of the four islands of the main island!"

Onoda Kimiaki slightly lowered his head: "Understood."

The Chief Secretary felt somewhat reluctant in his heart.

Not letting Uesugi Muneyuki prematurely participate in breaking the political tradition of criminal charges not applying to senior ministers, was his and Watanabe Eiji's tacit understandingo

But who could have imagined Watanabe Eiji would be so steadfast?

He sacrificed himself and forcibly summoned Uesugi Muneyuki!

That young man's death, do I also bear responsibility?

Onoda Kanchoukanbou felt somewhat uneasy in his heart, but he hesitated for a moment, still shook his head, thinking such things happen too often, we can only look forward, wait until the case is solved, then posthumously award Watanabe Eiji the rank of Superintendent and let him enjoy bereaved family treatment, which would also be considered doing justice to this fine fellow!

How rare, after the millennium there will still be such a passionate person, especially a Japanese man!

It would be possible to vigorously promote this wave————

The meeting room lights continued to glow for a while after the door was closed, then automatically extinguished.

On the street below Nagatacho, the shouts of the demonstrators still continued, in the distance the police sirens echoed through the night, sometimes far, sometimes near.

Hear you say~solving cases look to Uesugi~