Chapter 359: , Ikeda Promoted Again

PS: I was typing away, typing away, and fell asleep at my desk, waking up at 9:30—so today I only managed one update. The emperor had no choice but to write straight through until 12 o'clock, and this single update is actually a double release totaling 4,700 characters!

No matter how hard everyone tried, Ikeda Erena never expected that, despite all the pressure, she would still end up facing not only a warning but also a recommendation for additional training!

Is this… my fault?

The more I do, the more wronged I feel. Faced with such a serious offender caught in the act, how could I possibly just stand by and watch her stab a knife into Uesugi Munesuke's kidney and then do nothing? Moreover, she's already killed several people, seriously injured multiple innocent civilians including police officers, and taken a hostage. If we don't act now, are we really just going to stand by and watch her keep killing?

Acting gets me punished, not acting gets me punished!

Can these people from the Ministry of Justice please give us police a way to survive?

This country is utterly rotten!

After the Ministry of Justice announced the results of the emergency investigation committee, Ikeda Erena's beautiful face was shrouded in gloom. She tightly pressed her lips together, her nose wrinkled as she inhaled deeply, struggling not to let embarrassing tears fall.

She felt wronged!

Ikeda Erena unconsciously glanced at Uesugi Munesuke, her large eyes brimming with tears.

If it weren't for Uesugi and Minami, this police officer… well, it wouldn't matter if I quit!

The emergency review ended, and in a daze, Ikeda Erena felt a pair of small hands grab hers. The tall beauty's eyes were completely blurred by tears, so she couldn't see ahead—but she recognized the owner of those small hands. The soft, delicate touch, so clearly weak and boneless, could only be Minami's.

"Come with me," Minami said, her voice carrying a hint of a smile.

Five minutes later, in a small meeting room at the Ministry of Justice building.

"Knock knock—Vice Minister, Director Watanabe, Inspector Uesugi, and Chief Inspector Ikeda have arrived," said the attendant from the Vice Minister's office at the door.

The small meeting room door opened, and Watanabe Minami, Uesugi Munesuke, and the deeply wronged Ikeda Erena entered—only to discover that Internal Affairs Bureau Chief Uchimura Kanji from the Metropolitan Police Department was also there.

"Oh oh oh, the great heroes protecting Tokyo have arrived!" said the Ministry of Justice Vice Minister, Kai Akira—father of Kai Kyō—gesturing for the three to sit. Unlike the previous stern and imposing atmosphere of the emergency review committee, Kai Akira now seemed like a kind old man. He was already quite advanced in age…

"Thank you for your hard work," said Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Affairs Director Uchimura Kanji, smiling. "Would you like something to drink? Tea?"

"No, just water is fine—I'm really thirsty," said Uesugi Munesuke, while Minami took the hand of the wronged Ikeda Erena and sat her down.

"Sorry, you've been wronged, haven't you?" Kai Akira gestured for his secretary to bring water, clasped his hands together, and pushed a disposable cup toward Erina: "Miss Ikeda?"

"No—" Erina replied slowly, her voice thick with tears.

"Hahahahahahahahaha!" "Hehehehehehe!" Kai Akira and Uchimura Kanji couldn't help laughing, and even Minami and Uesugi beside them, seeing Erina like this, couldn't stop shaking their heads and laughing.

This made Erina feel even more wronged.

Even you guys are bullying me!

"Everyone from the Metropolitan Police Department, today's review content and handling were indeed slightly strict." Kai Akira coughed: "We all know the situation back then was one of helplessness, forcing us to use lethal force. Chief Inspector Ikeda, let me say this: the Ministry of Justice unanimously agrees your on-site judgment was correct. You saved Uesugi's life, and you saved many innocent civilians."

"Eh?!" Ikeda Erena heard this soft-spoken remark from such a high-ranking official (equivalent to the Vice Minister and Police Commissioner, both top-tier positions in Japan's civil service system) and momentarily forgot to cry, stunned into silence.

"Ikeda, you also need to understand the Ministry of Justice's position. If we set a precedent allowing the use of force without prior warning, this example could easily be abused." Minami gently squeezed Ikeda's hand, speaking seriously: "Japanese police quality has plummeted since the Heisei era—not every officer is like those in Investigation Division One or the Special Missions Unit. Think of the Kanagawa Police—if we set a precedent for skipping warnings, the Ministry of Justice must uphold strict boundaries."

"Yes, after all, there are precedents from the Special Higher Police and Public Security Police." Uesugi Munesuke nodded. On this point, he agreed with Watanabe Eiji,

and Watanabe Minami stood to the side—that is, public security police must exist, but must also be restricted; otherwise, their power would grow too great, enabling mass production of false, wrong, and mistaken cases.

Are we really supposed to expect every public security officer to be paragons of justice, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens in their hearts, shouting, "My lover is this nation"?

"Ah, that's right. Listen, Chief Inspector Ikeda: your failure to fulfill duty of care in this case will not affect your promotion or disciplinary record. On the contrary, we've informed the Metropolitan Police Department that, due to the recommendation for additional training, your transfer has been formalized—from the Criminal Division's Violent Crime Unit One at the Bunkyo Ward Police Station to headquarters at the Metropolitan Police Department. In short, you'll soon become a regular female officer in Investigation Division One!" Kai Akira smiled: "No more needing to act under the guise of temporary assignment in the Special Missions Unit—for a local police non-career unit, this could be considered a miracle!"

"Not only that," said Criminal Affairs Director Uchimura Kanji: "Because Ikeda, you've repeatedly achieved major accomplishments and left a deep impression on the entire nation, demonstrating our Metropolitan Police Department's equipment, action, and flawless work style, earning nationwide public approval. Therefore, one year from now, your experience in handling major incidents will be added as a special evaluation item in your promotion exam to Superintendent."

"Huh? Department Chief?" Ikeda Erena was struck dumb by a falling dish of authentic Roman-Byzantine-style grilled meat doner

kebab wrap.

Although I was punished, because I had to accept punishment, I ended up getting a special appointment and a formal transfer to the Metropolitan Police Department?

Is there really such a good thing?

This is something Minami and her father put considerable effort into arranging—and still had to wait for the right moment!

Ikeda Erena's brain felt like it had short-circuited. How could she not understand? To accept punishment, she's now being transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department?

And what does it mean that major incident response experience will be added to the Superintendent promotion exam?

Ikeda's brain could no longer process this, so at this moment, her external brain—Uesugi Munesuke and Watanabe Minami—explained: "In other words, by this time next year, you'll be Superintendent Ikeda Erena of the Special Missions Unit! Erina, congratulations!"

"Pfft, a 26-year-old Superintendent—those who don't know might still think she's a career officer. No, even if she is, becoming a Superintendent at 26 is an incredible achievement." Uesugi Munesuke said, patting Ikeda Erena on the shoulder: "Ikeda, don't forget to thank Vice Minister Kai and Director Uchimura."

"Yes! Thank you so much!" Ikeda Erena finally stopped feeling wronged. She sprang to her feet and saluted: "Thank you for the information. I understand the Ministry's difficulties, and from now on, I will give my all to my duties!"

In *Detective Conan*, Sato Miwako, a full-fledged career officer, is 28 and still only a Superintendent!

Kai Akira and Uchimura Kanji nodded, glancing at Uesugi Munesuke and Watanabe Minami, feeling helpless inside.

A superior who's a killer and a maniac—there's actually no need to deliberately appease or comfort him.

But Ikeda Erena is Minami's person, and Uesugi's person. If before there was doubt about whether she and Uesugi had a relationship, after that leak, it's now 100% certain she's Uesugi's concubine, his little male attendant in the Inner Chambers.

Truly worthy of Uesugi Munesuke—the father of the Metropolitan Police Department, the man who opened the Great Inner Chambers at Sakurada Gate!

We must give face to Watanabe Eiji and Uesugi Munesuke, so we had to handle it this way: publicly stern and unyielding, no leniency, but privately flexible and accommodating, with promises of priority promotion.

Uesugi Munesuke also seems to have some thoughts about the Japanese system.

Letting Ikeda Erena accept "institutional wrongdoing" in exchange for job security, and even gaining hidden promotion advantages due to high-level attention—forming a "surface accountability, substance reward" approach uniquely Japanese—this kind of thing really only happens in Japan.

Japan's bureaucratic system has long had the tradition of "punishment symbolic, reward substantive."

Recording faults is to answer to "legal principles"; private promises are to repay "human contribution." In the end, all sides maintain system stability through "mutual understanding."

You also have it hard, we also have it hard—everyone is doing their best, enduring for the nation's sake!

This also reflects the Japanese people's deeply ingrained stubborn conservatism: they always seek precedents; otherwise, they'd rather compromise privately, while publicly adhering strictly to rules—just like Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who could privately kneel before Tokugawa Ieyasu begging for mercy for the sake of peace, hoping Ieyasu would show him favor… but the next day, in the formal audience in the great hall, he would publicly denounce Ieyasu, demanding he perform vassal rites with overwhelming force.

Erina no longer feels wronged. The five of them sat in the small meeting room and chatted for a few moments.

According to Kai Akira, due to the severe impact of the Kabukicho incident, Japan's Diet elders finally, reluctantly, activated two proposals.

First, the Diet plans to officially classify "host clubs" under the "adult entertainment industry" category—meaning from now on, host clubs' business scope, financial flows, and social impact will be subject to the same regulation as other adult entertainment businesses. No more casual money laundering or reckless large-scale income; they must operate openly.

Second, the Diet plans to revise the *Police Use of Force Guidelines*, proposing to amend the rules so that, in cases involving serious offenders who have already caused major casualties, police use of force and firearms may be discretionarily relaxed—meaning that in future incidents like Kabukicho or the earlier Edogawa case, police shooting to kill serious offenders may no longer require emergency review.

The first proposal is called the "Kabukicho Proposal," the second the "Ikeda Proposal."

The previous proposal was called the Song and Dance Town Proposal, and the latter proposal was called the Ikeda Proposal.

Then came the recent Taiga drama set corruption case, NHK was extremely passive because of this case, and because of this matter, NHK President Matsumoto Masayuki apologized on the spot with a dogeza, announced his resignation on the spot, and the newly appointed president Pinko Masaru announced that he would fully accept external supervision and judicial investigation, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that they would establish an "unprecedented transparent review mechanism" to handle NHK corruption cases, and the district prosecutors' office had already arrested seven or eight people, claiming externally that they had grasped a lot of criminal evidence.

And behind these three matters, there is the shadow of Uesugi Muneyuki.

Damn, this kid keeps causing us trouble all day, through the anti-corruption campaign-style governance forcing us to carry out institutional reform, right?

Cannot Cultivate! The tranquility of Nagatacho is shattered by people like you!

After chatting a few sentences, since we were still at the Ministry of Justice and time couldn't be too long, the Metropolitan Police Department side immediately announced their departure.

However, Jia Autumn gestured for Uesugi Muneyuki to stay a moment, as he wanted to go to the toilet with him.

Thus, the two men stood in the male toilet specially opened by the secretary, each urinating.

"Uesugi-kun, I'm sorry to intrude on your private time so abruptly, I'm very sorry." Administrative Vice-Minister Jia Autumn, who is on the same level as Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji, actually couldn't squeeze out a few drops of urine: "He's in the Special Mission Unit, he must be causing you trouble, right?"

"No, on the contrary, your son is a very capable and distinctive person; I have to say, I am still looking for a way to work with him, but I believe we will have excellent chemistry between us." Uesugi Muneyuki already knew from Kai Toru about this father-son relationship: "He has mentioned you to me."

Uesugi Muneyuki smiled apologetically.

Jia Autumn raised his eyebrows, thinking this person is really formidable! He understands his son's stubborn temperament, and it's not easy for him to voluntarily bring up this father!

"As an unsuccessful father~" the Administrative Vice-Minister of Justice sighed slightly, gave a bitter laugh: "Being able to arrange for him to work under your excellent supervision, I truly feel deeply grateful in my heart."

"I am already at this age, and he is my only son; although I know he doesn't want to have much contact with me, and I know he has his own path to walk, but as a father, saying I'm not worried would be false; now knowing he is working under your trustworthy and powerful hands, I also feel relieved." Jia Autumn said sincerely: "Having such a useless son, whether it's success or failure, honor or disgrace, all depend on your discipline, Uesugi-kun, I hope you won't worry about me!"

This is equivalent to entrusting my only son entirely to you!

After speaking, this Administrative Vice-Minister, who is on the same level as the Superintendent General, bowed deeply toward Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi Muneyuki also hurriedly bowed in response: "Your Excellency Vice-Minister, having received such trust from you, I am truly humbled! I fear I may disappoint your expectations, and I hope you will not grudge giving me guidance!"

Jia Autumn nodded his head, he remained silent for a few seconds, then suddenly said: "Uesugi-kun, I am not trying to blame you"

but the timing of the Taiga drama set case is somewhat lacking in consideration."

"Please grant me your guidance, Your Excellency Vice-Minister!" Uesugi Muneyuki was slightly startled, then immediately went with the flow and said: "Your Excellency's willingness to guide me is deeply appreciated, beyond words!"

He knew the other party was waiting for exactly this opportunity.

"In short, Uesugi-kun, you have already stirred up many people's interests in the Kabukicho matter, many people don't like you, and this Taiga drama incident is again, even Tokyo University Tokyo University is reconsidering your admission and employment." Jia Autumn said in a low voice: "After all, who knows what you will do? Tokyo University was last time messed up by you, and now NHK is again, everyone is afraid you will investigate them!"

"Wanting to do something, how difficult it is!" After hearing this, Uesugi Muneyuki did not feel surprised, he just casually said: "Do not discuss worldly affairs, do not seek heroic deeds, always be roundabout, always be humble, officialdom and livelihood should be at ease, do not display extraordinary merit, do not speak of pure loyalty, all human affairs should be at ease, no need to discuss, no need to refute, eight directions peaceful, years of abundance, national fortune prospers, official fortune flows."

"Don't worry, Uesugi-kun, the Ministry of Justice and Tokyo University here, we of the Gold Watch Group will do our utmost to take care of you, after all, in the forensic pathology field of all Japan, if you don't come to interfere, who else would?" Jia Autumn said seriously: "What you truly need to be careful of is the arrows coming from other directions!"

"In those places, we of the Gold Watch Group cannot help you." After saying this, Jia Autumn left.

Other aspects of threats?

Uesugi Muneyuki's expression turned grave, he recalled the paparazzi from Weekly Bunshun before.

If a person is flawless in system and procedure, then one must strike from other places.

Then in which aspects do I have weaknesses?

Hmm, hard to guess!

Uesugi Muneyuki understood why Jia Autumn was willing to take the risk and meet with him privately.

After all, I have grasped his soft spot as a father, it's so difficult—·