Chapter 278: Why is the Japanese Medical World So Dark?!

Hospital Director Ukai originally thought he could force Uesugi Muneyuki to submit.

Indeed, things like academic cliques—not to mention in a place like Japan with its deeply feudal and conservative culture—are unavoidable and possess immense power, even in social-democratic countries in Northern Europe that are considered the ultimate in freedom and openness.

A relatively typical example is the research on ice cores; that is to say, by studying the isotopes and elemental analysis within various ice layers in the Northern European polar regions, one can, much like tree rings, roughly reconstruct elemental changes, climate shifts, and the geological environment from many years ago.

The Northern European research team is laid-back, often finishing work and heading home to rest by four or five in the afternoon; the Northern European research team is indifferent, often taking three to five years to produce a single major result, with no sense of urgency.

But even so, that ice core research team still monopolized the entire project, and the project leader declared within the industry that all papers involving ice core research must be privately sent to him for review before being submitted to "Nature" or "Science," otherwise, as the reviewer for that major field, he would directly kill all ice core-related scientific submissions that had not been reviewed by him first.

If academic cliques are that severe in a place like Northern Europe, it goes without saying for the three East Asian countries where Confucian culture is so deeply rooted.

According to the unwritten rules of the Japanese medical world, if a doctor takes actions detrimental to their own hospital, then unfortunately, they must voluntarily resign; if it is more serious, like Uesugi Muneyuki who did not follow hospital requirements and affected hospital interests, no formal hospital in the entire Kanto region would ever give him a formal job again—he would either have to go to an emergency hospital to be an emergency doctor or go to a small clinic to be a consulting physician.

But Hospital Director Ukai never imagined that just a few minutes after he fired Uesugi Muneyuki, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare of the Cabinet would call his office phone!

That is the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, a vice-national-level existence! The Kanto Medical Association is nothing compared to him!

Then came calls from the director of the University of Tokyo Hospital and the president of the Japan Medical Association; Professor Funao inquired about Uesugi Muneyuki and happily stated, "Good, since you at the Medical and Dental University don't want this person, then we at the University of Tokyo will take him; prepare the file transfer procedures."

What? This isn't according to the rules?

Ukai-kun, have you misunderstood something?

In the entire 23 wards, 26 cities, 5 towns, and 8 villages of Tokyo, 70% of the general hospital directors are graduates of our University of Tokyo Medical Department.

In Kanto, and even the entire Japanese medical world, we, the University of Tokyo Medical Department, are the rules.

Damn it!

Uesugi Muneyuki! You bastard! You, a second-rate doctor who started as a Forensic Pathologist and was driven from the First Surgery Department to perform autopsies, what right do you have to act so arrogant here?

Eating from my bowl and smashing my pot!

And there's that third-rate female Forensic Pathologist who was cast out by the Kansai natives, you even brought her back to the hospital as an Assistant like she's some kind of treasure; you have disgraced the face of the Yonezawa Uesugi Clan for eighteen generations!

Hospital Director Ukai was so angry he kicked the back of the sofa and fiercely pounded the sofa cushion with his fist.

Yet, he had absolutely no way to do anything about him!

Damn it! Why is the Japanese medical world so dark???!!!

……………………

After Uesugi Muneyuki decided to resign, he returned to his office to pack his things; he got a cardboard box, packed up his documents, books, and some tools, and then prepared to start writing his resignation letter.

Seeing this, Ishihara Mikoto also began to pack her things and wrote her resignation letter along with him.

"Mikoto-nee?" Uesugi Muneyuki was not nearly as good at writing resignation letters as Ishihara Mikoto; he had only written half when the Forensic Beauty had already finished, and he couldn't help but complain: "Actually..."

"Forget it! Uesugi, the only reason this hospital was willing to take me was because of you; since you're leaving, how could I possibly stay?" Ishihara Mikoto was swift and decisive in her actions, and she quickly packed up most of her things: "Do you need me to help you?"

"No, I just wanted to ask, do you regret resigning with me?" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but smile.

"Of course I don't regret it." The Forensic Beauty raised her eyebrows, her beautiful, fox-like face full of indifference: "Where you are is where I am."

"Really don't regret it?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked with a half-smile.

"Really, if I were an Associate Professor, I might regret being fired, but didn't I just start?" Ishihara Mikoto was unconcerned: "Although this means I'll have to go full-time at the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Mission Unit, Section Chief Minami should be able to help us find a new hospital, right? It's just... I didn't expect you to be so unyielding; actually, there was no need for this."

"No, this is domestication, or rather, a part of the CPU." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head: "I must absolutely not yield on this issue; otherwise, once there is a first time, there will be a second, a third, and then because of the previous evidence, I would have to accept the hospital's 'proposals' again and again. Over time, I would also become a part of the White Tower, blending in and becoming one with them."

"Young doctors with ideals, ambitions, and morals are gradually corroded in this way; they can either choose to leave or they can only choose to become a part of the White Tower."

"And more importantly, I am also a Forensic Examiner Uesugi of the Metropolitan Police Department; once I compromise on medical ethics, it will inevitably involve cases and criminal matters, which is absolutely unacceptable."

"Do you remember what you taught me in the infirmary back at Gunma Tokiwa High School? Forensic medicine is a discipline for the future; forensic medicine is the right of the living, the spokesperson for the dead."

"Since I've chosen this line of work, I can't fail to hold the line!" Uesugi Muneyuki flashed a smile at Ishihara Mikoto: "It's just that I've implicated you."

Implicated me? No, not at all.

Before, I was always the one teaching you, but I didn't expect that today, it would be you teaching me a lesson instead.

The Forensic Beauty gazed at Uesugi Muneyuki, her pair of fox-like eyes shining with brilliant light, and she couldn't help but purse her slightly thick lips.

That high school boy from the past has truly grown up.

Grown up enough to be someone one can rely on.

When Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto came out carrying their boxes, they happened to run into Professor Zaizen of the First Surgery Department in the hallway.

Professor Zaizen had a square face, a tall build, and wore his hair in a slicked-back style; he was about forty-something with a haughty and serious expression. When he saw Uesugi Muneyuki come out, he originally wanted to greet him, but then discovered that both he and Mikoto were carrying large cardboard boxes: "It's Uesugi from the Forensic Medicine Department, right? You should know what to do regarding the second trial testimony... what is going on?"

"It's nothing, it's just that because of you, Professor Zaizen, Uesugi had to be fired by the hospital! Fired~" The Forensic Beauty was full of resentment toward Professor Zaizen; seeing him, Mikoto fiercely blocked Uesugi Muneyuki and said: "Are you satisfied now? You guy who treats human life like grass! You actually altered Uesugi's Pathological Autopsy report for the sake of winning the second trial; super~ terrible! Super~ scumbag!"

"Eh? What Pathological Autopsy report?" Professor Zaizen was stunned: "I didn't alter any report! I didn't do anything wrong, why would I alter a report?"

"Hmph~ still trying to deny it!" The Forensic Beauty was even more furious seeing Professor Zaizen's innocent look: "In any case, we are fired now, are you satisfied?"

"What satisfied? What are you talking about? Sasaki's death was force majeure; I already chose the best treatment plan, and the surgery was also very successful, what does that have to do with me? My judgment was not wrong at all, why would I alter Uesugi's report?" Professor Zaizen realized something at this point, and he reached out to grab Uesugi Muneyuki's shoulder: "Wait! Let's go to the director together; I didn't tell them to do that!"

"I really don't understand, what is the point of bringing this up over and over again? We are doctors, not gods; is it possible that we don't even have the qualification to make judgments and provide the best treatment plan?" Professor Zaizen said urgently, clearly agitated: "I'm not afraid of you testifying in court, Uesugi, I'm not afraid! You can testify as much as you want, I fully accept the challenge, but for you to be fired because of this? I cannot accept it! Let's go, let's go find the director together!"

"No need." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head: "I wasn't fired; I resigned voluntarily."

"I will not accept a hospital that secretly altered my report, nor will I accept the so-called admonitions that teach me to ignore the rights of the dead and invert black and white for the sake of the organization's interests."

"Professor Zaizen, thank you for your guidance; we shall meet again." Uesugi Muneyuki signaled to Ishihara Mikoto not to argue with Professor Zaizen anymore, and said, "Let's go."

"Hey, hey!" Professor Zaizen shouted a few times, but received no response; watching the figures of Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto leaving with their boxes, a look of struggle appeared on the face of the First Surgery Department professor.

I didn't do anything wrong, why are they all like this?! Professor Higashi, Satomi, Okochi, and Uesugi too?

Cancer patients die every day; it's just one or two failed surgeries. If doctors had to take responsibility and find a culprit for every failed surgery, this White Tower would never be able to connect upward to that strange land.

That Promised Land where cancer is conquered.

I am not wrong!!!

Professor Zaizen turned resolutely and walked in the other direction.

He was very busy; he still had two surgeries and an international online conference to handle today.

……………………

In the afternoon, at the famous Japanese restaurant chain, Gyoza no Ohsho.

The chain store was sparsely populated because it was the afternoon, and many shops were resting; Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto could only choose this chain store to have a quick meal.

"I absolutely love eating here." There was no look of sadness or desolation on Uesugi Muneyuki's face; he held the menu and ordered a standard Gyoza no Ohsho set meal.

Soy sauce ramen + pan-fried gyoza + egg fried rice.

The most classic Japanese carbohydrate trio, and then he ordered a thick-cut pork cutlet, a yakitori snack set, and a cup of freshly beaten orange juice.

It is worth complaining that the cost of living here in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, is indeed very expensive.

250 yen for a serving of pan-fried gyoza, and they only give you 5.

Humorous old Japanese, don't they understand one principle?

Five is not enough!

"It's a wonder you still have the mood to eat." The Forensic Beauty had no appetite, and seeing Uesugi Muneyuki still grinning after being fired, Mikoto said irritably: "You should hurry up and report this matter to your fiancée, Section Chief Minami, beg that Superintendent General for help, or quickly seek help from your grandfather!"

"Why?" Uesugi Muneyuki blinked his eyes: "I am upright and honorable!"

"Now is not the time for Gourmet Uesugi to make an appearance; hurry up and become Peerage Uesugi for me!" The Forensic Beauty was truly thinking of Uesugi Muneyuki, and she whispered: "Director Ukai said that Professor Zaizen's foster father, Zaizen Mataichi, is the Vice President of the Kanto Medical Association. If he exerts his influence, you won't be able to find a job here in Kanto! The medical world is a very closed and feudal system; even if your future father-in-law is the Superintendent General, his word might not necessarily carry weight."

"Oh, is that so?" Uesugi Muneyuki was completely unconcerned: "Sister Mikoto, I see you know nothing about the dark side of the Uesugi Residence."

"Hm?" The Forensic Beauty's eyes widened.

"I am going this time to negotiate. If the hospital is reasonable, then I will be reasonable. If the hospital plays dirty with me, using connections to suppress me, I am not afraid of offending people. Do you think I am afraid of offending people?" Uesugi Muneyuki sighed: "Sister Mikoto, I see you completely don't understand!"

"Sister Mikoto, you know that once I join the Tokyo University Affiliated Hospital, I will still need a Forensic Assistant, a Chief Forensic Assistant, to handle all professional-related projects for me with full authority... do you think you..."

The Forensic Beauty's expression went blank.

"Oh!!! Uesugi-kun? Oh... Kami-sama above!"

Why is the Japanese medical world so dark?!

(End of this chapter)