Chapter 411

PS: Checking various materials and documents took a lot of time, so this chapter is a combined 4700 characters first!

Perhaps it was many years of shut-in experience and living under an assumed name that caused a severe urge to pour everything out, or perhaps it was knowing he would absolutely be sentenced to death this time so he wanted to tell his story clearly in one go — Sakuma Kaito was fairly straightforward after Uesugi Muneyuki arrived, quickly confessing everything about himself; he spoke urgently, giving Uesugi Muneyuki a sense of impatience.

Sakuma Kaito's father was Benjamin J. Thomas of the U. S. Forces Japan in the 70s, and his mother was named Sakuma Yumiko, a high school girl near the Yokota U. S. military base.

After his father's term of service ended, he did not stay, but returned directly to the United States, leaving behind 2000

US dollars for the mother and son, saying it was for Yumiko to raise the child.

Then, how much is 2000 US dollars from the 70s worth now?

The answer is, 2000 US dollars from the 70s, calculated by purchasing power, is equivalent to 28,000-32,000 US dollars now,

2000 US dollars in the 70s = 720,000 yen, while the starting salary for Japanese university graduates at the time was only about 35,000 yen,

Even skilled technical workers in Japan at the time had a monthly salary of only about 50,000 yen, a Toyota Corolla sedan at the time sold for only 500,000 yen, and a luxury 60-square-meter apartment in Tokyo's central Minato Ward sold for less than 20 million yen.

This was undoubtedly a huge sum of money.

According to what Thomas thought, this money was enough for Yumiko to support Sakuma Kaito through middle school; as for after that,

it had nothing to do with him.

However, this money was never actually used on Sakuma Kaito; it was all taken by Yumiko and squandered recklessly,

spent on wine and revelry.

Kaito became a "ghost" with no official birth record, no parental relatives contact; paternal side in America no one knew of his existence; maternal relatives (rural grandparents) had long cut ties, and Yumiko also did not proactively register Kaito's existence with the Japanese family registry system.

Born a blacklisted resident, nothing more.

In childhood he suffered severe bullying in society due to his mixed-race appearance (black-brown curly hair, slightly deep eye sockets), called "half-breed"; after his mother Yumi spent all the money she began drinking heavily and emotionally abusing him, often cursing "It's all because of your American devil father!"

By the time Kaito was 15, Yumiko died in a drunk-driving accident, and he was utterly alone; the 15-year-old fell to the bottom of Tokyo, living in homeless men's cardboard boxes, doing illegal work, and working as a Tsukiji fish market porter forged his terrifying arm strength and endurance, later becoming an outer enforcer for a Shinjuku Kabukicho violent group (participating in brawls, learning lethal street fighting),

and later a worker at an illegal shipbreaking yard in YokohamaPort (contact with various tools, adaptability to harsh environments, high-altitude/dangerous operations).

These high-intensity, high-risk physical labors laid an abnormally robust foundation of physical ability, pain tolerance, and core strength during Sakuma Kaito's adolescent physical development period.

Not a bodybuilder's physique trained in a gym, but beast-like practical strength and resilience.

Coupled with the innate physical quality bonus from mixed-race genes, Sakuma Kaito soon possessed a powerful physique comparable to LeBron James.

At age 20, Sakuma Kaito forged a "Nakamura Kai" identity through a black broker introduced by the Yokohama violent group,

using the shallow mechanical knowledge gained from the shipbreaking yard, obtained a basic seaman's certificate, and joined "Hokuyō Transportation Co., Ltd." — a small-to-medium old cargo ship company headquartered in Hokkaido Otaru, specializing in high-risk routes to Africa and South America.

This company is known for loose management, cash salary settlement, and sloppy background checks on crew, making it a perfect shelter for "ghosts".

Naturally, such a company has nothing to do with comfortable routes; this company's main business is the West Africa — South America —

Southeast Asia triangular route, passing through but not limited to the Gulf of Guinea, Malacca Strait, Nigeria, Angola Luanda, Brazil Venezuela, etc.

This determined that Sakuma Kaito had to undergo quasi-military training and truly experienced multiple robberies and defensive battles against pirates, as well as boarding assault battles.

Normally, cargo ships are not equipped with weapons, but running such dangerous routes, the ship actually had many non-lethal weapons and old-model weapons equipped.

At the same time, as a deep-sea crew member, Sakuma Kaito worked long-term in high-temperature, high-humidity, violently rocking holds and decks; his cardiopulmonary function and sense of balance far exceed ordinary people; resisting seasickness and harsh weather became daily routine; loading and unloading heavy cargo, repairing giant machinery, reinforcing cargo in stormy waves, cleaning oil sludge — every single time was an extreme test of physical strength,

will, and practical skills.

20 years of continuous labor not only did not cause Sakuma's body to deteriorate, but kept him maintaining incomparably robust core strength and physical quality throughout.

"When going ashore in Lagos, Manila and other ports, I was dragged into street conflicts and even gunfights multiple times for self-protection,

compared to you cowardly Japanese police's so-called 'emotional training', and playing with little water hoses *hiss hiss* all day,

isn't that stronger by many times?" Sakuma Kaito laughed calmly: "Without truly experiencing blood and fire, the so-called SAT, 50 of you against 1 of me, is that glorious? If it weren't for this Uesugi finding me, all of Tokyo Metropolis would tremble because of me; my ghost name can stop children's night crying, just like Zhang Barracks! Barracks comes! Barracks comes! Hahahaha!!!"

The Ghost Guest's relaxed laughter made the high-ranking Japanese police officials in the control room collectively turn black-faced, as if slapped in the face, their faces burning hot.

"Muneyuki, ask him where that gun came from?" Watanabe Eiji thought no wonder this Ghost Guest is so strong!

Deep-sea crew member, large amount of actual combat experience, quasi-military training, and even while at sea this person always maintained near-masochistic "training"; due to childhood experiences, Sakuma Kaito is a person severely lacking a sense of security; he long remained in high-danger environments, therefore he never gave up training for a single day.

"Where did your gun come from?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"Philippines, Mindanao Island, Davao Port outer anchorage."

"Ah?"

"A group of pirates disguised as fishing boats attacked us; we used water cannons and shotguns to repel them; while cleaning up, I found this gun." Sakuma Kaito said indifferently: "I don't know how it came to be either; anyway, it's mine now."

I see; the doubts of the high-ranking police officials in the control room were finally answered.

Director of Security Shinzou Kamiya nodded: "Indeed, what he said is correct; there are a large number of guns domestically that come from Southeast Asia imported parts assembled into imitation guns; this person's M1911 pistol could be a Southeast Asian gang imitation weapon, or possibly a leftover weapon from the Vietnam War US military."

"So he acted alone?" Onoda Kimiaki's biggest worry was whether he had backing behind him, but now it seems this person has no backing.

This is best; otherwise if something else gets dragged out the country would have to be turned upside down!

The subsequent interrogation became simple; from age 20, Sakuma Kaito was a deep-sea crew member; deep-sea voyages often lasted months, port stays brief, perfectly creating the illusion of an "alibi"; at the time of the incident his ship registration was docked at YokohamaPort, he lied "ashore for medical treatment" and left the ship originally wanting to visit an old acquaintance, but unexpectedly while secretly observing a sudden killing intent erupted, so in one breath he killed the entire Sato family.

Deep-sea crew members have high mobility, often use aliases, and have thin interpersonal relationships. Kaito came and went alone, regarded as a "reclusive but hardworking" weirdo; salary mostly paid in cash to avoid bank records.

The murder weapon ice pick was a ship refrigeration equipment repair tool; as a crew member, hiding one during inspection was very easy.

After completing the crime, Sakuma Kaito very skillfully changed into new clothes and threw the evidence into Tokyo Bay, leaving only that Zippo lighter (as a memento of his bond with the Sato family) and over 100,000 yen cash (happiness tax) and departed with the ship; he originally had multiple aliases like "Nakamura Kai", "Lin Haiyi", "Dà Shànghǎi rén", etc., no fixed address, bank account, social security record, marriage or children. Communication only used prepaid anonymous mobile phones, consumption extremely low-key, income mostly used for black market purchase of fake IDs or cash savings.

Thus he completely became the "Deep Sea Ghost".

"The reason you stayed at the Sato residence that long that day, is it because of what I said in my program — you longed for a happy family yet also hated it?" Uesugi Muneyuki was silent for a moment, then asked.

"Mmm———" Sakuma Kaito pondered for a long time, looking wistful: "That is something I never had — happiness; I imagined, imagined watching TV together with Kenichi-san's family, I imagined being a member of the family; I just wanted to know what it feels like to have a home."

"After that incident, I hid for several years, finally made up my mind to go to America to search for my father; I spent several whole years just to find traces of my father, but he had already been dead for a long time; upon learning he was dead, I knew I would never have a home."

"So you never committed crimes again after that?" Uesugi Muneyuki finally understood.

The Ikebukuro Phantom Guest finally found his US biological father at that moment, and he reconciled with himself.

The reason his name always had a "Kai" character is because mother and son both spent whole days gazing at the other side of the sea.

"I never kill without reason; if it weren't for Kenichi-san's family being so happy that it made me feel pain, I actually didn't plan to kill them; at first I just wasn't sure if he still remembered me, so I observed secretly for a while." Sakuma Kaito's expression remained calm throughout, even carrying a hint of regret: "Well, back then I indeed did a not-so-good thing, but anyway I'll be sentenced to death, killing two more police officers makes no difference; I'm 40

years old this year, my body isn't what it used to be, just right to enter prison and retire."

"Prosecute me however you want, sentence me to death; I know Japan's cowardly laws, I just need to appeal, appeal again, wait until the death penalty is executed — heh, I've lived enough; I know I can't be a sailor for life——."

Sakuma Kaito spoke to this point, looking deeply at Uesugi Muneyuki: "If the police weren't so useless, I almost thought you had colluded with the television station and the Metropolitan Police Department to play a fishing tactic; falling into your hands, I have nothing to say. In this line of work, one always has to pay the price. I do, and those two police officers did too."

"Absurdity! You extremist! What did you treat our police officers' lives as?! Do you know,

one of the two police officers you killed was the only son in his family, and the other had been married for less than a year!!!!" Criminal Investigation Department Chief Uchimura Kanji slammed his fist on the table in anger: "You destroyed not just one, not just two, not just three families! Even if Okada hadn't stopped you, the children, the children—"

Department Manager Uchimura could not continue speaking.

Watanabe Eiji waved his hand, gesturing to end this interrogation.

Special Assault Team Unit members entered, unfastened the still blank-expressioned Sakuma Kaito from the special chair, heavy feet dragging across the floor, emitting a cold metal friction sound.

The Ikebukuro Phantom Guest was taken away. Only cold equipment and the lingering, breath-stifling flat evil remained in the interrogation room; on the one-way glass, reflected Watanabe Eiji's face, etched with fifty-three years of wind and frost, now showing only an expression of reminiscing the past and relief at finally achieving his wish.

The ghost of the Toshima Ward Massacre Case, after leaving a clap of thunder flat to the extreme, was finally completely sealed into the law's iron coffin; yet that malice born of "happiness," like the disinfectant smell in the interrogation room, lingered long without dissipating, becoming a cold brand on everyone's heart that could never be erased.

The Metropolitan Police Department's high-level officials had originally come to enjoy the victory, wanting to see the culprit wail, apologize, beg for mercy, regret.

However, there was nothing; Sakuma Kaito indeed had a little regret for killing the Sato family but not much,

for killing the two police officers he had even less psychological pressure.

More importantly, after they caught this person, how could they punish him?

The answer is actually also very simple—death penalty.

Sakuma Kaito committed the most extreme serious crimes, bearing at least six lives; murder + robbery-murder + killing a public official on duty, any one is enough for a death sentence; simultaneously there are also obstruction of official duties + kidnapping + attempted confinement + attempted murder (Okada and the nursery school girl).

Japan's death penalty application standards are very cautious, usually following the "Nagayama Standard" (originating from the Nagayama Norio serial murder case precedent), comprehensively considering multiple aspects to decide whether to sentence to death.

However, Sakuma Kaito in any aspect far exceeds the death penalty standard; he will certainly be sentenced to death.

But, can this punish him?

Arrest, prosecution referral, indictment, first trial opening takes over a year; if sentenced to death, Sakuma can appeal, second trial another year; even if the final verdict upholding death penalty is almost one hundred percent, even after the death sentence is finally finalized, one must still wait for the Minister of Justice signing procedure.

Japanese death row inmates from sentencing to execution average eighteen years; the highest record is waiting a full forty-eight years before execution; even with the fastest procedure and encountering a hardline Justice Minister, generally eight to fifteen years.

And Sakuma Kaito clearly knows Japan's death penalty laws; he even enjoys it a little.

Finally can live a few days of peaceful life. Uesugi Muneyuki came out from inside the interrogation room; District Public Prosecutors Office Prosecutor Kamibayashi came up and said coldly: "We will prosecute him on capital charges; our District Public Prosecutors Office will spare no cost to have this person sentenced to death."

"It would be strange if this guy weren't sentenced to death, right?" Uesugi Muneyuki's god color was somewhat desolate: "Not to mention other things, if the court doesn't sentence death, will the victim families and all citizens agree? What I think is to make the procedure as fast as possible."

"Our District Public Prosecutors Office will work hard." The prosecution side nodded.

Shocking to hear, enraging gods and men alike; Sakuma Kaito will undoubtedly be finally sentenced to and executed with the death penalty; any other punishment before this case appears completely disproportionate, unable to reflect the law's equity and authority, also unable to answer the victim families' grief and society's expectation.

This is already the most severe punishment modern society can execute.

(China from sentencing to execution generally also takes three years or more and the execution quantity overall shows a trend of fewer and fewer and detention time shows a trend of longer and longer; South Korea theoretically has not abolished death penalty but actually has not executed death penalty for twenty years; Japan in the past fifteen years has only executed less than thirty cases, also needing the Justice Minister to have willingness and be able to withstand pressure)

Regardless, the Toshima Ward Massacre Case fifteen years ago, for the Sato family, for his other relatives, and for an entire group of police officers who sacrificed, were injured, and fought tirelessly in the pursuit operation, can also be considered to have an accounting.

"Hard work, Sōsetsu." Watanabe Eiji patted Uesugi Muneyuki's back; the Superintendent General also appeared somewhat fatigued at this moment; he said softly: "Need to rest a bit?"

"No need." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head; adoptive father and adoptive son both saw on each other the relief of a heavy burden lifted and a trace of comfort at the fifteen-year cold case finally being solved.

"Then you go to the hospital to see Okada like Minami; Okada's father will definitely go; remember to be polite; he is one rank higher than me." Watanabe Eiji said in a low voice: "Right, this weekend's leave, do you have any arrangements?"

"Temporarily none." Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head.

"Then, we together with Minami, go sweep the Sato family's graves, how about it?" Watanabe Eiji tentatively proposed.

"Good, definitely!" Uesugi Muneyuki immediately agreed; he knew Watanabe Eiji wanted to comfort the wandering souls, fulfill a long-cherished wish.

Under the two's joint efforts, the countless wind and rain vicissitudes of the fifteen-year cold case finally came to an end here!