Chapter 488: , Welcoming Banquet

PS: Last month, 3000 monthly tickets, the Emperor owed +2 updates, so he owed 4 updates, but it seems rounding makes it roughly equal to not owing anything (laugh)? Anyway, everyone help me remember this—I'll look for time to slowly make up for it. This update first shows sincerity with 4200 words: Police Agency, Chief Cabinet Secretary's Office.

The Chief Cabinet Secretary of the Police Agency, Onoeda Kōken, sat with his back to the Security Bureau Chief, Jinshō Sōichirō, who was seated on the reception sofa, gazing into the distance at the Metropolitan Police Department across from the Police Agency, the corners of his mouth slightly upturned, clearly extremely satisfied with the operation he had planned.

The most important thing about taking control of the PMC was successfully expanding the Public Security's overseas resources.

As everyone knows, although the Japanese Public Security is called police, it actually bears many special warfare intelligence and secret surveillance duties. If placed in the context of the Celestial Dynasty, this group is actually closer to "National Security" than to regular police.

Public Security police had occupied an absolute dominant position from postwar times through the Cold War era, but as the late 1970s approached, with China and the U. S., and China and Japan formally establishing diplomatic relations, plus the Soviet Union's financial collapse, external espionage and internal counter-× had degraded from the primary contradiction to a secondary one. Japanese police attention gradually shifted to social order, and the criminal investigation faction overwhelmed the Public Security faction, especially after the 1990s, when more and more Police Superintendents came from the criminal investigation faction.

Even after the Aum Shinrikyo incident occurred, the influence of Public Security police still inevitably declined step by step, and their privileges were also restricted.

Reforging the glory of Public Security, it is our duty—Onoeda must rebuild the Public Security police's overseas intelligence network and influence. In this, the Pacific-rim PMC company plays a very important role, with offices in the U. S., Canada, Japan, Australia, HK, Singapore, and even Seehigh.

Of course, more importantly, the Public Security police also discovered that behind the PMC seems to be a very large dark force.

This force is not limited to the Yutasa father and son; it even connects to something deeper and darker behind them—Yutasa Masamichi is at most just one of the Four Heavenly Kings.

"In that case, the document stolen by Miyabi Sakura, we can now openly and legitimately 'investigate' it." Security Bureau Chief Jinshō also rarely showed a hint of satisfaction.

This is the most crucial step—namely, enabling Public Security police to shift from "illegal theft" to "legitimate investigation." When the time comes, Public Security police retrieving the document stolen by Miyabi Sakura will truly leave PMC with no way to defend itself, no matter how many mouths speak.

Public Security police doing this kind of thing are old hands.

"That's right, hehe~" Onoeda Kōken gazed into the distance at the Metropolitan Police Department, thinking: Right Kyō, did you see that?

"You guard society's justice and righteousness, but I guard the great righteousness of this nation!"

"By the way, Chief Cabinet Secretary, you said Miyabi Sakura—has she been discovered yet?" Security Bureau Chief Jinshō hesitated for a few seconds, probing: "I mean, what about Uesugi Sōsetsu's side?"

"Yes, hehe. If it were anyone else, I'd definitely tell you, no." Onoeda slowly turned around, gazing meaningfully at Jinshō: "But if it's Uesugi-kun, I can't say—this person is too formidable. He can spot a pinhole at a glance, scan for insect eggs on the spot, immediately find a U. S. expert—I tend to believe he has already discovered something."

"But if Uesugi really discovered something, why would he remain silent?" Jinshō pondered.

"Heh, this just means our probe has already succeeded halfway, hehe~" Onoeda's heavy eyelids flickered with sharp light: "It seems Miyabi Sakura holds a special place in Uesugi's heart."

"This might be an important channel for us in public security to leverage Uesugi-kun's extraordinary investigative and forensic abilities!" Onoda clearly felt very confident about his plan: "His exceptional talent would be wasted if used only in criminal investigations—don't you think our collaboration with Uesugi has been very pleasant? He needs our strength, and we need his abilities."

Security Bureau Chief Jinshō nodded slowly.

Actually, Public Security also very much needs Uesugi Sōsetsu's ability, but Uesugi Sōsetsu is simply too formidable, and Public Security isn't suited to dig into everything.

If Onoeda Kōken's judgment is correct, then this time, Miyabi Sakura has truly given herself united front value!

Just because she can make Uesugi Sōsetsu stay silent and protect him, she has value to Public Security—great value!

"YKC48 is probably finished—even if it doesn't fully explode, it will have to step down from the position of national female idol. Chief Okada will never let go of anyone who harmed his son." Onoeda Kōken said coldly: "Perfect—arrange something around Miyabi Sakura's side, and through her, establish a contact channel with Uesugi-kun! As for what she wants, we can give it bit by bit, as appropriate."

"Yes!"

Second night, Tokyo, end of April.

In the largest private room of the "Gyōkai" izakaya, voices buzzed, smoke swirled, the charred aroma of grilled chicken skewers, the malt scent of draft beer, and colleagues' lively laughter blended together, forming a warm current full of life's vitality.

After successfully solving the case, the belated welcome party for the Special Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division, First Section, of the Metropolitan Police Department was held here.

New recruit Nangō Yūi sat in the guest of honor seat, beside tonight's main character—Watanabe Minami, Management Officer, and Uesugi Sōsetsu, Chief Forensic Examiner. She took off her neat police uniform jacket, wearing only a simple white shirt, appearing even more graceful and delicate. She raised a beer cup almost as large as her face, her voice clear yet extremely penetrating, instantly overpowering the noise in the room.

"Everyone! Quiet down!"

The entire room fell silent immediately, everyone smiling as they looked at her: "Today, our Criminal Investigation Division's Special Investigation Unit welcomes new combat power—Nangō Yūi! He is our peer, also our junior. From today on, he is a member of our 'family'! Police work is bearing human lives and justice—arduous and heavy. Precisely because of that, this moment after work feels precious. Let us temporarily forget the case, and with maximum enthusiasm and noise, welcome Nangō Yūi! Cheers!"

(Noise), welcome Nangō Yūi! Cheers!

"Cheers—welcome Nangō Yūi!"

Eight beer cups slammed together, foam flying everywhere. Nangō Yūi quickly raised his own cup and drank it all in one go with everyone. The cold beer slid down his throat, dispersing the slight tension from just starting his job.

He glanced at the scene before him: the wooden table was full of yakitori, edamame, fried chicken bites, and Japanese dishes—typical "common people's izakaya" fare, with average spending probably not exceeding 5000 yen.

In Nangō Yūi's life experience, this belonged to the "common people," even somewhat "shabby" setting. His mother's welcome party at Mori-Hamada Matsumoto Law Firm was held at a high-end ryokan in Ginza, and his father directly had the head chef from a Mitsubishi UFJ Group-affiliated restaurant come to their villa to host a banquet.

However, here, he felt a completely different kind of energy.

Among them, Kai Kyō was the most unrestrained, relying on his seniority and his father's considerable status, he slapped Nangō Yūi's back hard: "Nangō-kun, don't be shy! Eat more! This store's grilled chicken cartilage and grilled pork belly are absolute! When we work cases until midnight, this is our 'energy refueling station'!"

After saying that, he shoved a large skewer into Nangō Yūi's hands.

Beside him, Ishihara Mikoto laughed and teased: "Kai-kun, don't scare the newcomer, Nangō-kun. If you have any questions about forensics later, just come ask me and Sōsetsu-kun. As for work, just ask Watanabe Management Officer—don't let her youth fool you, she controls the case-solving KPI for all police in Tokyo!"

Watanabe Minami smiled slightly, poured herself a cup of oolong tea: "Don't put a high hat on me, Mikoto! Nangō-kun, remember: in the Metropolitan Police Department, theory and practice are two different things. I'm just an office-based commander. During this time, you should learn more from Sōsetsu and the seniors about field experience—they are the true foundation supporting the Metropolitan Police Department, especially Sōsetsu."

"Yes!"

Nangō Yūi noticed that when Watanabe Minami spoke, all the seniors—including Chief Forensic Examiner Uesugi Sōsetsu and the judo beauty female officer Ikeda Erina—listened attentively, their eyes filled with sincere respect and recognition, not merely fear of her position.

Indeed, his father's advice was spot-on: although Uesugi Sōsetsu is very capable, his energy and interests are focused elsewhere; administration and clerical work have been fully taken over by Watanabe Management Officer.

Date Chūsō, still drunk, leaned over: "Nangō-kun, got a girlfriend yet? We cops, because work is too busy, have a pretty high divorce rate, huh! Hahaha!"

"Hey! Date, don't curse me—there's still the Management Officer and Uesugi Chief!" Kai Kyō was the first to jump out.

"I think Date doesn't need a vacation anymore." Uesugi Sōsetsu muttered: "When we take leave, we just assign Date to other divisions—after all, he's 'so busy with work'."

"A-da a-da! Bo-gu wa a-da!" Date Chūsō screamed, covering his face: "I have to go see the Second Miss—I promised!"

This idol chef drew laughter from the entire room.

"Yes, Nangō-kun, our Special Investigation Unit is different from other places—whenever a major case ends, we always take time off, after all, Uesugi-san needs to rest!" Igarashi said foolishly: "We get at least ten days off each month—compared to other divisions, it's practically paradise! But you mustn't tell anyone else!"

It was exactly this unrefined, even somewhat crude care and joking that made Nangō Yūi feel a strange kind of "warmth." Here there was no step-by-step calculation like in banking, no precise accounting like in law—only a near "family"-like frankness and unity.

He didn't need to play the role of "the son of a household manager" or "the son of a top lawyer" here—he was just "the newcomer."

His slight sense of superiority regarding the restaurant's level quickly melted in this lively atmosphere. He took off his suit jacket, loosened his tie, and revealed the most sincere smile he'd had since starting work.

"Management Officer, please give me another skewer of pork belly!"

"Uesugi-san, I'll toast you again! Please keep guiding me in the future!"

"The fried chicken bites at this place are really delicious!"

He let loose, joined everyone in grabbing food, laughing loudly, fully integrating into this "noisy" big family.

"Uesugi-san, there's a KTV here!"

"Uesugi-san, sing us a song!"

"Uesugi-san, sing us a song!"

"Yeah, yeah, Uesugi-san, you actually made us come up empty-handed this time, and instead let the Public Security Police achieve merit there—we're not happy with that, you should be punished, sing a song, and we'll forgive you then."

Everyone quickly started making noise, especially the detectives who were very dissatisfied with this arrest operation; they went to the temporary residence and office of Takigawa, but came up empty-handed, and in the end it was the Public Security Police who caught the person.

Want to hear, want to hear! Eirina usually doesn't speak, but this time she immediately opened the KTV and handed over the microphone.

"Alright, I'll do my best to fulfill your wishes." Uesugi Zongxue said helplessly, only able to take the microphone from Eirina's hands: "A song 'Guest' dedicated to Mina-san!"

As Uesugi Zongxue selected the song, a lingering and graceful prelude began to play.

"After work, what age are we now this year? What year is it T? And what updates are there?"

"The hero's operation has already deformed, winning or losing doesn't matter anymore, playing in the game hall without climbing the ranked ladder~"

"When the war drums sound again each year, when the immortal shield is raised high, it turns out my youth has descended once more~"

"A year of ten-time championship legend, a 3v1 counterkill miracle, I've witnessed too many dazzling moments, those past times~"

"The former invincibility was written as IG, the former NewBee twin stars, the former most romantic divine wing in Seattle—alas, all are now just memories~"

"That day I congratulated OG, I developed PTSD, fireworks sounded at the venue, how splendid~"

"The splendid light shone onto the player seats, illuminating his blank expression; outside, the cheering was so passionate, here it could feel so lonely~"

"Wow~ Clearly separated by thousands of miles, why do I feel this pain as if I were right there~ Not banning the fierce beast in the fifth game x~

Singing and singing, Uesugi Zongxue also got a bit teary-eyed, he seemed to return to that scorching summer at school, listening to the commentator's voice, staring intently at the screen, not daring to breathe.

Please PSG. LGD select a hero!

So hot, so hot!

Although everyone didn't understand what Uesugi Zongxue was singing (he was using Chinese), they still felt it was impressive, just like how he solves cases—unclear but awe-inspiring, yet he just can do it.

When the welcome banquet ended, Watanabe Minami naturally pulled out her wallet and walked toward the counter to pay; Nan'gō Yui subconsciously also wanted to take out her own credit card, but was stopped by Uesugi Zongxue beside her with a glance.

"Nan'gō-kun." Uesugi Zongxue said softly, a hint of realization in the corner of his mouth: "This is the rule. Tonight you only need to feel welcomed."

Nan'gō Yuiichi was stunned, then immediately understood the meaning and thoughtfulness behind it; he withdrew his hand and nodded solemnly: "Yes! Thank you very much, everyone!"

Today I am very happy! I am serious!

He watched Uesugi Chief and the seniors skillfully each take out several thousand yen in cash and hand it over to Minami Management Officer, with no one objecting at all, as if it were perfectly natural; at this moment, what he felt was not the amount of money, but a sense of being protected and accepted—a "ritual feeling."

Everyone, are truly kind and good people! There is absolutely no bullying of any kind.

Nan'gō Yui thought to himself: the benefits are good, vacation time is sufficient, solving cases is fast and still brings a strong sense of accomplishment.

Wow, how amazing is the Special Mission Unit!

If this continues, I'm going to become the shape of the Special Mission Unit!

Unfortunately, I didn't get to see Okada Section Chief, who is currently hospitalized and recuperating; however, just from seeing him risk his life to save a girl in Toshima Ward and what followed,

Okada should also not be a difficult person to get along with, and moreover, everyone is part of the same circle, so they know each other and have exchanged greetings.

Walking along the cool evening street, listening to colleagues discuss whether to go to the second stall's noisy scene, Nan'gō Yui felt that this welcome banquet, which seemed rather "shabby" to him, was actually more precious and warm than any high-end banquet he had ever attended.

His new chapter in life began formally amidst the smoky aroma of the grilled skewers.