Chapter 369

In Japan's judicial and law enforcement system, the Tokyo Chief Prosecutor, that is, the Chief Prosecutor of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, holds a significantly higher overall status than the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department, with essential differences in the nature of their power and political threat potential; the Chief Prosecutor monopolizes prosecutorial authority, possesses compulsory investigation powers, can arbitrarily issue arrest warrants, and can even directly alter the political landscape (as in the Lockheed case in the Tanaka Kakuei affair), and the Chief Prosecutor vertically reports to the Supreme Prosecutor's Office, making direct interference by the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet impossible, and also commands the Special Investigation Unit as a trump card department.

The Superintendent General, on the other hand, is responsible for maintaining public order, conducting preliminary criminal investigations, and handling public safety incidents.

The Prosecutors Office can directly summon witnesses and freeze assets, and the Tokyo Chief Prosecutor generally goes on to become the National Prosecutor General, with a promising future, whereas the Superintendent General, upon reaching this position, typically begins considering post-retirement plans.

Therefore, overall, the Superintendent General faces the Tokyo Chief Prosecutor with no doubt in a position of weakness.

However, Japan is relatively rare in having a mixed prosecutorial-police system, where neither side is directly subordinate to the other, nor is there a common superior, so there is no direct or indirect superior-subordinate relationship; regarding Superintendent General Nishikawa's anger toward Inspector Kashiwagi Jin, Watanabe Eiji still has the capability to handle it.

After eating a little something briefly, Watanabe Eiji gestured for everyone to disperse, and he was quite displeased.

Although Inspector Kashiwagi Jin indeed did nothing wrong, and the police indeed have the authority to detain someone for up to 48 hours before transfer, but repeatedly cleaning up after Inspector Kashiwagi Jin, Watanabe Eiji still feels quite unhappy.

"Father, don't be angry, Inspector Kashiwagi is not a bad person, just somewhat impulsive." Watanabe Minami truly is Eiji's thoughtful little cotton-padded jacket; she chuckled while patting her father's back.

"You don't know, Muneyuki, Minami." Watanabe Eiji, in private, lacked that much official authority; the Superintendent General rolled his eyes: "Inspector Kashiwagi Jin's way of doing things actually constantly drains the social resources of those around him, continually sacrificing his relatives and friends; continuing like this is unacceptable. Of course I know he's a good kid and also very justiciable, and that spirit of his—hating evil as if it were an enemy—can also move people, but——"

"Indeed, he really does consume those around him, especially close relatives." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded deeply in agreement, indicating he could no longer agree further.

"Alright, you've both worked hard today; go rest early." Watanabe Eiji didn't want to continue discussing this topic; in fact, whether it was him or the former Section Chief Mikasa or the current Section Chief Sugishita Ukyo, deep down they all quite appreciated Inspector Kashiwagi Jin's sense of justice and drive, and precisely for this reason, the Metropolitan Police Department has repeatedly protected him, but even Watanabe Eiji has truly been rendered speechless by Inspector Kashiwagi Jin!

That's the Chief Prosecutor!

Watanabe Eiji had other activities in the evening, so Uesugi Muneyuki followed Watanabe Minami back to Sakata Bridge by car, naturally with Minami Ojou-sama driving, while Uesugi Muneyuki sat in the passenger seat, reflecting on the "sacrifice" of those around Inspector Kashiwagi Jin.

"Phew, today really scared me to death!" Minami Ojou-sama still had lingering fears; the Special Mission System Management Officer, having survived a catastrophe, couldn't help but complain to her fiancé: "Do you know or not that the Special Mission System almost completely collapsed because of you? Our Special Mission System essentially exists solely on the basis of your case-solving ability? If it weren't for you, Muneyuki, our Special Mission System's only outcome would be dissolution."

"I came to dissolve the Special Mission System!" Uesugi Muneyuki chuckled lightly while humming a tune: "I came from London, bringing with me the desire to enjoy Nai~ just started mygolive, turned around and shoved me~ people's hearts cold and piercing, forming tears to come Western trousers~ band theory of loneliness, Pochi doesn't even compare to me~"

"Hahaha~" Although Watanabe Minami didn't understand what Uesugi Muneyuki was saying, she sensed the pride in his words: "Speaking of which, Misa-nee really is pitiful enough; we all thought she married well, a non-career-track person marrying a proper Tokyo University Watch Group person who is also justiciable Inspector Kashiwagi, but the result was unexpected; Superintendent General Nishikawa may very well become the National Prosecutor General in the future—even Father dare not offend him."

"You didn't marry well either?" Uesugi Muneyuki, hearing Watanabe Minami say this, felt something was odd; although he knew Inspector Kashiwagi Jin's character, he was still somewhat displeased, so he mimicked Watanabe Minami's tone and said: "I'll soon be a Tokyo University Watch Group person too, and I'm still from a noble family, a noble family indeed~Kora~"

"Pfft~" Watanabe Minami was amused by Uesugi Muneyuki, she drove while recalling in her mind the image of Uesugi Muneyuki at the Sakurada-mon hearing, and suddenly a surge of boundless tenderness welled up in her chest: "Muneyuki, you—actually really didn't touch Asuka—·I, I really like you!"

"Forehead no way, my tutor is very strict!" Uesugi Muneyuki tugged at the corner of his mouth.

If I had touched Asuka, by now the grass on the grave would be three feet high!

Mai Xuejie kills without blinking an eye!

And—speaking honestly, Minami, although you're a few years older than the big Asuka, compared to her, you're more like a minor. Uesugi Muneyuki's mind conjured this thought, unfortunately he dare not say it aloud, for Minami would surely hit him, although it wouldn't really hurt.

"Huh? How do I feel like you're thinking about dangerous things? Mune~yuki~" Sure enough, Minami's radar is extremely sharp, catching the change in Uesugi Muneyuki's expression and gaze.

"Nothing, I'm just thinking about how to get along with Asuka in the future." Uesugi Muneyuki quickly shook his head.

"Just interact normally; now all of Kanto knows Asuka is yours, after all it's just really waiting until she turns eighteen, then we'll see how to arrange her career, you don't really want to let her leave you, do you?" At this moment, Minami Ojou-sama suddenly recalled something: "Oh right, Muneyuki, the February Metropolitan Police Department Cherry Blossom Assembly, you remember to participate."

"Cherry Blossom Assembly?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked strangely,

"Yeah, the Cherry Blossom Assembly is an association formed by many married and former police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department; anyone who is married and has served as police can join; we regularly hold gatherings and team-building activities, including flower arrangement, tea ceremony, baking, golf, and singing; Mother is the president of the Cherry Blossom Assembly." Minami nodded: "Although we haven't officially married yet, I've already become yours—moreover we're engaged, so that counts too!"

"Oh, that sounds good to check out." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, expanding one's network is never a bad thing.

"And Misa-nee goes every time." Minami Ojou-sama casually said: "Every Cherry Blossom Assembly we see Misa-nee everywhere apologizing for that guy Kashiwagi, and it's truly quite hard work."

Oh? Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze turned playful.

Will Misa Kashiwagi also go?

"Speaking of which, I didn't participate this year, but starting next year, I will also join as a formal member of Kasumi Kaikan to attend every Peerage Assembly." Uesugi Muneyuki immediately reciprocated the favor.

Hmm? Minami Ojou-sama's eyes also lit up.

The two exchanged smiles, everything understood without words.

Upon returning to Sakata Bridge Tower, at the moment the door opened, Uesugi Muneyuki just encountered a flying meat egg scallion chicken that nearly knocked him over!

It was Ikeda Erena!

"Muneyuki!!!" Ikeda Erena is truly clingy; after only half a day apart, Erena felt as if she had been separated from Uesugi Muneyuki for a long time.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Erena embraced, and he instinctively glanced toward the interior of the room.

Hmm? Mikoto-nee and Asuka haven't returned yet?

"They were taken by the Child Guidance Center and the Prosecutors Office to give statements."

Just then, a clear, moving, and elegant voice came from inside the room.

Under the crystal chandelier in the room, Shirakawa Mai curled up in a corner of the soft sofa, wearing an oversized oat-colored cashmere high-neck sweater, its fluffy texture seemingly wrapping her in gentleness, only revealing her delicate chin, translucent cheeks, and her perfect figure.

The cashmere high-neck was casually piled up, the lower body opted for thickened Wolford velvet silk stockings in dark gray, this material subtly shimmered under light, not only perfectly resisting the chill from the floor, but also shaping her leg lines into smooth and elongated forms; the deep gray steadily received the pale upper half, making the entire ensemble layered yet undisturbed in tranquility.

A pair of long legs stretched out, Mai Xuejie lazily flipped through a book, lifted the tea beside her and took a light sip; the loose sweater hem slightly covered her thighs, forming a subtle transition with the silk stockings, exuding an unintentional ease and elegance; the warm touch of the velvet silk stockings let her fully immerse in the comfort of domestic leisure.

Mai Xuejie, flipping through *The Silence of the Lambs*, sighed: "Being human is really hard."

"How did you come?!" Minami Ojou-sama, upon seeing Mai Xuejie, immediately sounded the alarm, she immediately turned to Ikeda Erena: "Erena? You?!?"

Is there a traitor among us?!