Chapter 189: Special Mission Unit's Major Purchase

Early June, office of the Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat at the National Police Agency.

The newly appointed Investigation Division 1 Chief, Sugishita Ukyo, knocked on the door: "Excuse me?"

"Oh! Welcome! Investigation Division 1 Chief Sugishita Ukyo!" Onoda Kenshō, the Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat, was overjoyed to see his old partner, Sugishita Ukyo: "I figured you'd be coming around about now. Tell me, how does it feel to crawl out of that island within the Metropolitan Police Department?"

"............ Then who was it that sent me to that island in the first place?" Sugishita Ukyo smiled.

During the embassy hostage crisis years ago, Onoda Kenshō had served as the commander-in-chief, while Sugishita Ukyo served as the operations consultant. Both sides initially intended to resolve the issue through negotiation, but because the United States Secretary of State was about to visit Japan, and considering the international implications and the need to deny the hostage-takers any further opportunity to bargain, Onoda Kenshō ultimately ordered a forced entry. This resulted in three deaths and two injuries among the eight special police officers, all the hostage-takers were shot dead, and one relative of a high-ranking figure was killed while another was seriously injured.

At the time, Sugishita Ukyo had refused the order for a forced entry. Afterward, it was he who was held accountable and demoted to the Life Safety Division, while Onoda Kenshō was merely transferred from his position as Management Officer of the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Department to the National Police Agency's Public Security Department. Moreover, relying on his older brother's rising influence, he was now at the rank of Assistant Commissioner, serving as the Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat, while Sugishita Ukyo, despite also being a graduate of the Tokyo University Faculty of Law, was still only a Police Superintendent.

Furthermore, because his brother was the Chief Cabinet Secretary, Onoda had effectively sidelined the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, becoming the primary decision-maker of the National Police Agency in his capacity as the Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat.

To say that Sugishita Ukyo held no resentment in his heart would naturally be impossible. However, to this day, Sugishita Ukyo did not believe he was wrong. In his view, the decision Onoda made at the time to force an entry did not conform to the essential "justice" of the police profession. He expressed understanding for Onoda's decision, but he could not accept it.

Likewise, Onoda also expressed understanding for Sugishita Ukyo's refusal to accept his order for a forced entry. Sugishita Ukyo pursued "justice," while Onoda pursued "the greater cause"; their ideals were different.

"Didn't I just fish you out?" Director Onoda took a party popper from his drawer, smiled, and pulled it hard. The streamers hit the office ceiling and fell all over Sugishita Ukyo's body and face: "Welcome back to the Criminal Investigation Department, Sugishita Ukyo. Although you don't officially take office as Investigation Division 1 Chief until next week, as your partner, I've been waiting impatiently. I have always been a person who dislikes abusing power, but when it comes to you, I really can't help but want to be unreasonable!"

"............" Sugishita Ukyo had nothing to say to this.

"I've been so forceful, and you won't even give me a reaction? Sugishita Ukyo, you guy." Director Onoda walked out from behind his desk, pacing: "Well, never mind. Since you won't acknowledge me as your partner, he certainly will, right?"

"Ring-ring," the telephone sounded.

"Come in."

The office door opened, and a senior police officer in his forties entered the room. Although he was a man, his delicate appearance and slightly charming temperament gave him a hint of fox-like cunning: "Yūkyō-san!"

"Kobe-kun?!" Sugishita Ukyo was somewhat surprised.

"Long time no see. How have you been?" The person who arrived was none other than Kobe Takeru, Police Superintendent and Counselor of the National Police Agency's Public Security Department.

If everyone remembers, this guy was the representative of the Public Security Division who reminded Department Manager Mouri during the Chiba Prefecture Serial Murder Case that the phone was ringing and that they could go directly to search the premises based on an informant's tip. He had worked with Sugishita Ukyo for a period of time.

"Counselor Kobe will be responsible for coordinating matters between the Criminal Investigation Department and the Public Security Department. If you need the Public Security Division to put in some effort, feel free to find him," Director Onoda continued: "Also, I have already notified Kousaka of the First Unit, Shiratori of the Second Unit, and others. Feel free to use them, don't worry. Be a little careful with Kashiwagi of the Third Unit; although this person is also a Tokyo University graduate, he is a slave to honor. And there is Shimano of the Fourth Unit. Itami of the Fifth Unit is a member of the Criminal Investigation faction, so be careful."

"I agreed to serve as Investigation Division 1 Chief, not for these things." Sugishita Ukyo frowned instinctively.

"I had you serve as Investigation Division 1 Chief precisely to provide a compromise between the Criminal Investigation faction and the Public Security faction." Onoda's expression turned serious: "Whether it is the Criminal Investigation faction or the Public Security faction, internal conflicts should be resolved internally. Do not let this matter affect the investigative capabilities of the Japanese police and the stability of the overall situation! That is the reason why you, Yūkyō, were chosen."

"You finally said something human, Onoda." Sugishita Ukyo's expression finally looked a bit better.

"And then there is the Special Mission Unit." Director Onoda nodded: "Uesugi Muneyuki is too capable; you must use him. But while using him, also help our National Police Agency assess whether he has sufficient capacity and a firm heart for the greater cause."

"If this person is worth using extensively, then we can also entrust him to help with some matters that the Public Security Division cannot bring to light."

"I understand."

"Everything is for the greater cause of our police organization!" Director Onoda said calmly: "Remember, Yūkyō, today I can appoint you for the sake of the greater cause, and tomorrow I can dismiss you for the sake of the greater cause."

"Do not let anything like the last incident happen again. When you encounter something, remember to come and discuss it with me before making a decision."

"...... I will."

At the same time, following the official appointment of Uesugi Muneyuki, Miss Minami took the approved budget of 80 million yen to make a major purchase.

First, the Special Mission Unit needed a dedicated vehicle. Miss Minami purchased a black, inconspicuous Toyota Camry; this mid-range sedan was the vehicle for the Special Mission Unit.

Subsequently, in accordance with Uesugi Muneyuki's requirements, the Special Mission Unit began purchasing specialized forensic equipment.

Evidence collection kits, portable light sources, and high-precision cameras were naturally indispensable. At the same time, at Uesugi Muneyuki's request, the Special Mission Unit also increased its purchase of drones and portable spectrometers.

Electronic forensics equipment, communication and surveillance equipment, and protective and tactical gear were also necessary. It was just a pity that the application for the semi-automatic rifles Uesugi Muneyuki had hoped for was not approved. The Metropolitan Police Department only allowed the three police officers of the Special Mission Unit to be equipped with new SIG Pistols to replace the previous SW Small Revolvers. Among them, Unit Chief Minami almost never went to the scene and had no use for a pistol, so they were mainly for Okada and Ikeda to use.

Basic office equipment such as computers, servers, and printers went without saying.

Miss Minami also allocated a monthly "Special Fee" of 10,000 yen for clothing, used for purchasing stockings. As everyone knows, going out on field missions with Uesugi Muneyuki is quite "hard" on stockings, especially for Ikeda Erena, who consumes them particularly quickly. After observing this, Miss Minami knew that she would certainly consume them quite quickly in the future as well, so this item had to be prepared in advance.

Then there were the field mission expenses. Travel expenses were increased from 8,000 yen per person per day for accommodation and 3,000 yen for meals to 10,000 yen and 5,000 yen, respectively.

At this point, someone would surely say that a standard of 8,000 yen per person per day in a prosperous area like Tokyo is only enough for a capsule hotel or the most ordinary budget hotel in the off-season, right?

Yes, you laugh at the Metropolitan Police Department for not understanding Tokyo prices, and the Metropolitan Police Department laughs at you for not understanding the bureaucratic system.

Simply put, as long as it is a hotel that the Metropolitan Police Department negotiates with, facing a powerful department under the direct jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Department, hotels are basically very willing to offer a 30% to 40% discount. Uesugi Muneyuki's 8,000 yen per day could actually be used as 13,000 yen, and now that it has risen to 10,000 yen, it can basically be used as 16,000 yen. This price is already enough to stay in a very nice room, not to mention that he and Ikeda actually only need to book one room for the two of them (laughs).

Then there were 24-hour duty supplies, including folding beds, emergency food, first-aid kits, etc.

Miss Minami could be said to have indulged her shopping addiction, purchasing all kinds of items and listing various reimbursement forms. Added to some other reimbursable expenses, Uesugi Muneyuki suddenly discovered that he didn't seem to need to spend much money on his daily life?

Because all the living expenses he might incur would be reimbursed by the Metropolitan Police Department!

Miss Minami even arranged for enough food ingredients and some daily necessities to be purchased every week and delivered to his home at Sakata Bridge, with Asuka responsible for checking them in. This expenditure was counted as part of Uesugi Muneyuki's special allowance and overtime pay, issued in the form of physical goods. Whatever Uesugi Muneyuki needed, the Special Mission Unit would be ordered to purchase, and it was completely legal.

Naturally, as a bureaucratic department, the Metropolitan Police Department's operational structure was also quite bloated, with slow processes and complex procedures. Fortunately, Watanabe Eiji, as the Director General, could handle special cases specially, and no one within the Metropolitan Police Department dared to play tricks.

Everyone was counting on Uesugi Muneyuki to boost their KPIs.

Thus, busy until mid-June, the Special Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department gradually completed its major purchases. Compared to the illegal organization it was before, it finally looked a bit like a formal department.

The only remaining problem was Erena's personnel status. After all, for a woman like her in the Non-Career Track, as long as the starting point is not good, it is almost impossible to be transferred to the headquarters to hold a position. Miss Minami tried to coordinate, but still couldn't get an official quota; she could only wait until next year.

It was also in mid-June that the new Criminal Investigation Department Chief, Uchimura Kanji, and Investigation Division 1 Chief, Sugishita Ukyo, took office.

The new Criminal Investigation Department Chief, Uchimura Kanji, was a typical image of a middle-aged senior bureaucrat: a square, "national character" face, wearing rimless glasses, serious and dignified. His Police Commissioner uniform was kept very clean, his hair was groomed meticulously, he was clean-shaven, and his lips were pursed.

Inside the office, he handed the appointment letter for the Division Chief to Sugishita Ukyo. Department Manager Uchimura's face was very ugly: "Sugishita, I really don't want to see your face. If this weren't the Director General's appointment, you would have to get out of the Criminal Investigation Department right now. Even if this is the Director General's appointment, you will get out of the Criminal Investigation Department sooner or later."

Investigation Division 1 Chief Sugishita Ukyo's expression was as calm as still water; he had long expected this.

In short, he and Onoda were in the way of Watanabe Eiji's faction monopolizing the Metropolitan Police Department.

"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave, Department Manager," Sugishita Ukyo said.

"Wait, the reason I called you here this time is that there is one matter that requires you, this Division Chief, to handle." Department Manager Uchimura took out a folder and handed it to Sugishita Ukyo: "This."

Sugishita Ukyo took the file.

The suicide case of a Toyokawa Group accountant in Shinagawa Ward.

"Is there a problem with this case?" Sugishita Ukyo asked.

"This case appears to be a financial accountant at a trading company under the Toyokawa Group committing suicide by taking poison, and Chief Kurosu of the Ebara Police Station has also judged it as such." Department Manager Uchimura said with some schadenfreude: "But, according to intelligence from Investigation Division 2, this matter involves a bad debt of the Toyokawa Group, and the maximum amount involved may reach 16.8 billion yen!"

"Therefore, as the Investigation Division 1 Chief, the task of investigating whether this case is actually a suicide is handed to you!"

(End of chapter)