Chapter 291: Justice Delayed is Justice Denied

Within the Japanese system, overturning a verdict is an extremely difficult matter; the public prosecutors' conviction rate is as high as 99%, and the probability of a second-instance court overturning a first-instance verdict is only 10%. Even when the original verdict is not upheld, the second-instance court almost only appropriately reduces the sentence or carefully modifies the criminal charges.

Because without new evidence, the second-instance court basically only checks whether there were any problems with the procedural flow of the first instance, and will not consider other matters at all.

At the same time, although the Japanese police, public prosecutors, and courts are theoretically three separate systems, the courts are clearly in a weak position when facing the public prosecutors. Both sides have to deal with each other extensively and exchange resources to maintain their relationship, so they generally will not turn hostile over some unimportant cases—it's a "you're good, I'm good, everyone is good" situation.

They are all public servants, humble instruments of the state earning a few hundred thousand yen a month, so why go looking for trouble?

By the same token, regarding previous results, once a verdict is overturned, an entire series of people on the network—from the police to the District Public Prosecutors Office to the court—who handled the matter will be affected. The original intention of the Japanese regulation that whoever makes the judgment is responsible for it was good, but it has gradually turned into everyone along the entire chain covering for and guaranteeing each other.

But Uesugi Muneyuki appeared and broke the status quo. He almost single-handedly used scientific proof to tell everyone that the evidence was problematic, the corpse was problematic, and the police's judgment was problematic.

The various parties on the scene were unwilling to restart the investigation, yet they had nothing to say against Uesugi Muneyuki's judgment.

Therefore, finally, at Uesugi Muneyuki's request, five years later, the Yokosuka City Murder and Abandoned Corpse Special Investigation Headquarters was established, and they began to re-investigate the case.

Acting Headquarters Chief Kobayashi immediately summoned a group of key personnel from the Criminal Investigation Division, formed the Special Investigation Headquarters, and requested the Special Mission Unit to provide technical guidance.

"I told you all! I told you!" Nikaido Kei's parents emphasized repeatedly: "Before Kei left, he told us he was going to handle a big matter. If he didn't return, we must call the police. And what did you do? You denied our words again and again! Now we are going to tell Mr. Uesugi the matter on the spot."

"Call the police?!" Uesugi Muneyuki nodded: "What exactly is the matter?"

"We don't know the specific details," Nikaido's father and wife said: "Before he had his accident, Kei started to be preoccupied. He often told us that the company had problems, but when we asked what specifically, he wouldn't say, always looking unhappy."

"Company?" Police Inspector Okada flipped through the documents: "Nidoshi Foreign Trade?"

"Yes." The victim's family had a tough attitude: "We told the police many times that the department manager, Mitamura Ken, had major suspicions, but they just ignored it and firmly refused to open a case!"

"Where is Mitamura Ken now?" Police Inspector Okada asked hurriedly.

"Now... he is currently still under investigation!" The entire Special Investigation Headquarters was in a mess, with dozens of detectives sent by the Kanagawa Headquarters participating in the search.

"You don't need to search anymore, you bunch of losers!" Nikaido's father was furious: "Mitamura Ken resigned from his job shortly after the case occurred five years ago and flew abroad to South Africa!"

"What?" Eirina's eyes widened, round and large. The tall beauty had originally planned to have a big go at it and personally strike to catch the murderer: "Then we should immediately apply for extradition!"

"Sigh, I really don't know what to say about you, Ikeda." The Forensic Beauty sighed on the side: "We only have extradition treaties with the United States and South Korea."

"Then we'll go directly to South Africa to catch him!" Eirina was full of fighting spirit, straightened her waist and stood up: "We will contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs immediately and communicate with South Africa!"

"........." Ishihara Mikoto couldn't be bothered to pay attention to Eirina. Because there was no corpse, the Forensic Beauty had nothing to do.

"Besides these, is there anything else you can tell us?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked Nikaido's father.

"These years, we have been investigating this matter. Without the police investigating, we investigated privately and hired detectives. We haven't forgotten for a moment that our son died unclearly and died unjustly." Nikaido's father nodded. He took out a document and handed it to Uesugi Muneyuki: "It's just that we really can't trust these losers in Kanagawa. Now that Forensic Examiner Uesugi has come, we'll speak plainly."

"According to our investigation, Kei was with Mitamura Ken later that day. We don't know what happened specifically, but Mitamura Ken had a lover named Kitano Yukari. After the incident, she also went abroad to South Africa with Mitamura Ken. However, unlike Mitamura, she returned to Japan three years ago and is now settled in Chiba Prefecture. We seriously suspect that this matter is related to Mitamura Ken and Kitano Yukari."

After speaking, Nikaido's family handed all the investigation results to Uesugi Muneyuki.

"Even private detectives are more useful than the Kanagawa police." Police Inspector Okada looked at the Kanagawa Prefectural Police, who were busy in the Special Investigation Headquarters investigating the exit reports, and shook his head helplessly: "What should we do? Should we hand it over to Kanagawa, or do it ourselves?"

"Do it ourselves? Are you kidding? There are only four of us!" Ishihara Mikoto said irritably: "At least we should apply for support from the Metropolitan Police Department, right?"

"No need, Ishihara, you can just stay here, Uesugi and I will go!" Eirina had been annoyed with Mikoto for a long time: "Anyway, the technical ones should just stay in the rear!"

"Tsk, it really suits your style, Ikeda. Next, are you going to eat a salted plum, then ride a bike and prepare to carry Uesugi along Tokyo Bay all the way to Chiba?" Mikoto had also been annoyed with Eirina for a long time.

Hmph~ Muscle idiot! Doesn't understand anything in her brain, only fit to be a pig who feels good about herself, only knows how to rely on her body to charm, and uses Judo as an excuse to have secret meetings with him!

Hmph~ Lewd teacher! Bullying Uesugi-kun for being young and pure, not only stealing a taste, but also a slut who wears flashy, fashionable clothes to work every day to utilize his lingering feelings for you!

The Forensic Beauty and the tall beauty glared at each other, neither giving an inch.

Seeing this scene, Police Inspector Okada on the side immediately made a heroic and fearless tactical retreat, resolutely shielding Uesugi Muneyuki in front of him.

However, at this moment, Uesugi Muneyuki did not pay attention to the two women's fight. After hearing Sister Mikoto's words, he suddenly realized something: "Right, perhaps we do indeed need to apply for support from the Metropolitan Police Department..."

Hearing Uesugi Muneyuki say this, Ishihara Mikoto quietly made a "V" sign, triumphant, while Eirina pouted aggrievedly, looking at her partner.

"Wait a moment, I'll make a call." Uesugi Muneyuki signaled for them not to argue; he was going to call Investigation Division 1 Chief Sugishita Ukyo.

The call was answered almost instantly.

"Hi↑i↓ As expected of Uesugi-kun, you overturned the case on the very same day." Investigation Division 1 Chief Sugishita Ukyo said with a smile on the phone.

"This is all thanks to you, Division Chief." Uesugi Muneyuki said calmly: "Now it's your turn to play a role, Division Chief. You are very familiar with Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda, right?"

"Well, slightly..." Sugishita Ukyo said, trying to cover it up.

"Then I'll entrust you with one thing. Ask Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda if the Public Security's investigation into the Kudo-kai of the Yokohama Case involves Yokosuka City, that is, the Nidoshi Foreign Trade in the Nikaido case?" Uesugi Muneyuki said: "You cannot refuse, Division Chief. After all, I didn't refuse your request."

"Understood."

At the Metropolitan Police Department Sakuradamon, Sugishita Ukyo hung up the phone, thought for a moment, and dialed the number of Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda Kimihide.

"Oh my, sure enough, I knew it would turn out like this." Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda was silent for a while on the phone, then said with a hint of playfulness: "Ukyo, you couldn't make Uesugi-kun listen either?"

"The police's vocation is to protect the lives, property, and physical safety of the citizens." Sugishita Ukyo said.

"The police's vocation is to obey orders." Onoda Kimihide's reply was faster: "You are his superior, he must learn to obey. I am your superior, you must learn to obey."

"So, can you reveal the results of the Public Security's investigation?" Sugishita Ukyo knew this was the eternal opposition between the two, so he could only change the subject.

"Well~ what can you do even if you know? The person died 5 years ago, and from what you said, the main suspect has also gone abroad. Are you and Uesugi-kun planning to go to South Africa to hold him accountable?" Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda's reply was very cold.

"No, we police have already owed Nikaido's family too much, far too much. At the very least, we must clarify the truth. This is the only thing we police can make up for now. And it seems there is one person who knows the ins and outs of the matter who has returned to Japan." Sugishita Ukyo was equally polite but very firm: "Please tell me, will you?"

"I often regret arranging for you to become the Investigation Division 1 Chief, Ukyo." Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda thought for a long time: "Nidoshi Foreign Trade is indeed related to the Kudo-kai. Public Security investigated that it was precisely this foreign trade company that smuggled many narcotics through entrepôt trade with Southeast Asia and other countries."

"I see, thank you."

"You owe me a favor, Ukyo."

"I don't owe anyone any favors. This is originally the duty that the police should fulfill, Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda." After speaking, Sugishita Ukyo hung up the phone.

"Always so childish, Ukyo." Putting down the phone, Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda couldn't help but shake his head, his tone full of reproach.

However, the Chief Cabinet Secretary's Secretary right next to him saw that after Onoda Kimihide talked to Sugishita Ukyo, the fatigue and gloom on his entire body were swept away, and a proud, triumphant smile hung on the corners of his mouth.

He had never regretted appointing Sugishita Ukyo as the Division Chief.

The Secretary thought to himself that the relationship between these two people was truly strange and ambiguous. They clashed all day but ate together all day, always disagreed but could cooperate closely. One liked to use official authority to oppress, and one liked to talk about justice and morality. While they were tirelessly playing this game, one case after another was solved.

Soon, Uesugi Muneyuki received a call from Sugishita Ukyo.

That's right, Nidoshi Foreign Trade was indeed related to the Kudo-kai of the Yokohama Case.

After receiving this news, a flash of lightning crossed Uesugi Muneyuki's mind.

Drowning, suicide, a detective falling from a horse, nine police reports with six complaints rejected without investigation, the Dodosi Foreign Trade Company, Kudo-kai, narcotics, fleeing the country to South Africa!

Understood, it's all understood!

I get it now!

(End of chapter)