Chapter 49: , Field Unit Reach!

7:00 PM, Sakuradamon, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, National Police Agency.

The National Police Agency and the Metropolitan Police Department are two adjacent buildings; the National Police Agency is the national-level police management organization, while the Metropolitan Police Department is the local-level direct agency. Generally speaking, the National Police Agency is filled with bureaucratic positions—that is to say, there is not a single person who is a "Field Unit" as mentioned before; they are all administrative bureaucrats.

The 63-year-old Commissioner of the National Police Agency, Kaneko Takuro, was walking slowly on a treadmill until a subordinate brought him an urgent message.

"What? The Metropolitan Police Department is actually demanding that Fuji TV seal the building?" The elderly Commissioner of the National Police Agency pressed the stop button immediately after hearing the news, took a water glass and towel from his secretary, and looked through the window at the Metropolitan Police Department building across from the National Police Agency building, bewildered: "Such a thing actually happened?"

The Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat standing nearby nodded, his expression as calm as still water: "It is said that a female anchor went missing inside the Fuji TV Odaiba Building. After investigating, the Metropolitan Police Department believes she may still be in the Odaiba Building, and it is possible that she has already... so they decided to seal the building."

"They actually petitioned up to here?" The Commissioner of the National Police Agency was advanced in age and his energy was not what it used to be; he felt disgust the moment he heard of such troublesome matters: "This is a major incident; the entire Kanto Region will be watching. What is the Metropolitan Police Department doing?!"

"Yes, so I am here to ask for your opinion, Commissioner." The Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat bowed to indicate: "Fuji TV has also notified Dentsu, Hakuhodo, and Nippon Life."

"Tsk!" The Commissioner of the National Police Agency only felt that the matter was becoming increasingly troublesome; he interrupted the Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat directly: "I have already gone to sleep."

"Commissioner?" The Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat paused for a moment, then immediately nodded: "I shall strictly follow your instructions."

"As for matters at the station, let Fuji TV solve them themselves; as for matters in Tokyo, they are naturally to be solved by the Metropolitan Police Department." Commissioner Kaneko raised his graying eyebrows: "I have already gone to sleep. Before the Metropolitan Police Department formally submits a report, I know nothing of this matter."

"Yes."

"However, considering the possibility of problems arising, you should first draft a report to be submitted to the Cabinet."

"Yes."

While the National Police Agency was making its decision, the Metropolitan Police Department also received a report from Detective Megure.

On the desk in the Superintendent General's office sat a large wooden "Pine Flavor" food box. Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji was eating dinner; two grilled eels lay flat on the wooden box, with rice and side dishes underneath. Beside it were miso soup, Japanese-style cold tofu sprinkled with toppings, and a cup of Barley Tea.

Thump~ Thump~

The door was knocked, and two men entered from outside, bowing in unison toward the Superintendent General.

One of them was younger, the Superintendent General's dedicated driver, Okada (the chauffeur), whose rank was Police Inspector. The other was the Criminal Investigation Department Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Mouri, whose rank was Superintendent.

"What did they say over there?" Watanabe Eiji said unhurriedly.

"Commissioner Kaneko said he has already gone to sleep." Mouri, the Criminal Investigation Department Chief, said with a hint of mockery: "It is rare for an old man to have such good sleep."

"Superintendent General, is Megure's request to seal the building too rash? He is not qualified to represent this department." The driver, Okada, was very young, only twenty-six or twenty-seven years old.

"Based on current intelligence, Megure's decision is correct." Watanabe Eiji frowned. He put down his chopsticks, walked to the window, and stared at the Metropolitan Police Department building across the way: "As for that person at the National Police Agency, isn't that also normal? Heh heh."

Both Mouri and Police Inspector Okada followed with a few sneers from the bottom of their hearts.

Kantei Puppets are like that.

As mentioned before, the candidates for Superintendent General can be divided into three major categories: the Criminal faction, the Public Security faction, and the Kantei Puppet. The same applies to the Commissioner of the National Police Agency.

So, what is a Kantei Puppet?

In short, taking the Commissioner of the National Police Agency as an example, before Kaneko Takuro assumed the position of Commissioner of the National Police Agency at the age of fifty-nine, he had never engaged in any work related to police affairs or investigation, nor did he understand this area at all. He graduated from the University of Tokyo's Department of Oceanography and previously worked at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Having no prestige and no ability meant that this Commissioner had to firmly hug the Cabinet's thigh and obey the Cabinet's every word. Likewise, having no team and no professional knowledge meant that this Commissioner could only delegate power to his subordinates, because he understood nothing of investigation, intelligence, or police affairs; whatever those below said, that was what it was.

Although Watanabe Eiji was from the Career Track, he had worked his way up from Assistant Police Inspector. He despised from the bottom of his bones these Kantei Puppets who understood nothing yet could become Commissioner of the National Police Agency and his own direct superior.

However, no matter how much he despised the Commissioner's lack of competence, Watanabe Eiji also knew that the position of Superintendent General was his own terminus. If nothing unexpected happened, he would be a head shorter than Commissioner Kaneko for the rest of his life.

The reason for this is very complex and involves issues of Japanese history, culture, and the official system. To put it in the simplest terms, the Superintendent General is the highest level of "Administrative Official," representing that this level still touches upon concrete affairs. The Commissioner of the National Police Agency is already a "Political Official"; at this level, one is only responsible for management and the formulation of general policy directions and will not touch upon concrete affairs.

Administrative Officials adopt the "Appointment System," meaning they need to be nominated by a Cabinet Minister representing a ministry or department and appointed after seeking the Prime Minister's consent.

Political Officials adopt the "Imperial Appointment System," meaning they are appointed directly by the Prime Minister of the Cabinet.

Reaching the level of Superintendent General is already the ceiling for an Administrative Official; there is no mechanism to continue rising. Theoretically, during Watanabe Eiji's term, he should be contacting local autonomous bodies, large conglomerates, or industry associations in key sectors to prepare for his post-retirement destination. Positions such as senior advisor to a large corporation, director of an industry association, or representative of a local group wait in vacancy. Even if one continues in politics, most can only step back to the second line and transfer to other nominal positions.

But Watanabe Eiji is not reconciled!

He is only fifty years old this year, considered a young and vigorous member of the "young guard" in the Japanese environment. But precisely because he is young, there are still a full fifteen years until the mandatory retirement age of sixty-five!

A term as Superintendent General is about two and a half years. Could it be that the next thirteen years are to be wasted in such a muddled way?

But if one wants to continue to rise, one must have extremely outstanding achievements to break this precedent and be considered by the Cabinet.

Megure probably considered this point as well.

"Notify Megure that the Metropolitan Police Department agrees to his request to seal the building, and Investigation Division 1 will be dispatched immediately. As for the television station..." Watanabe Eiji thought for a moment and revealed a slight smile; he knew what Fuji TV was afraid of: "The Metropolitan Police Department can agree to a Live Broadcast for your station, but it can only be broadcast after Ms. Hironaka's body is found."

"Superintendent General!" Mouri was shocked when he heard this demand from Watanabe Eiji and hurriedly said: "Setting such a condition is simply not intending to negotiate! Superintendent General, does the building have to remain sealed as long as the person is not found for a day?"

"I believe in Megure's judgment; the person is definitely still in the building. As for being in a hurry, Fuji TV will be more anxious than us." Watanabe Eiji said coldly: "Kameyama will find a way. We will see how to handle it then; ask for a sky-high price, and settle for what you can get."

"Yes."

Seeing the expression on the Superintendent General's face, Mouri and the driver Okada knew that Watanabe Eiji intended to take responsibility for this matter. For a moment, they both felt excitement and worry; danger and opportunity always coexist.

The Metropolitan Police Department's notification was very fast, and Fuji TV immediately learned of the Metropolitan Police Department's conditions.

A Live Broadcast is possible, but it must be after the Metropolitan Police Department finds the body, and the questions raised by the television station must be reviewed by the Metropolitan Police Department before they can be asked.

"Are you kidding me!" President Kameyama was furious and roared at Detective Megure: "Is this your attitude toward negotiating? Immediately tell Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji to speak to me personally!"

"This is the attitude of this department, and it was precisely conveyed to me by Criminal Investigation Department Chief Mouri." Detective Megure also felt enormous pressure: "The investigation operation is to be broadcast live; this department must also bear the pressure of the public. Afterwards, this department may even have to explain it to the Cabinet personally."

"That won't do either!" President Kameyama flatly refused: "There is nothing left for you to do, Detective. I will talk to Superintendent General Watanabe."

"Yes."

Detective Megure withdrew. The senior executives of Fuji TV had no choice and immediately dialed several special numbers.

On the Metropolitan Police Department side, after waiting for a short while, the office phone rang immediately.

How about that, didn't I say so? The Superintendent General signaled his subordinates with his eyes and then picked up the phone.

However, the moment he heard the voice inside, Watanabe Eiji stood up immediately. Even though he was not face-to-face, he bowed slightly and assumed a look of trepidation: "Yes, yes, I understand. No, this department is not intentionally making things difficult, it is just that the matter is of great importance and we must consider it carefully. Please also understand the position of this department... Yes, very well, I will notify Division 1 to depart immediately."

The black office door opened, and the Superintendent General, the Criminal Investigation Department Chief, and the driver appeared. The many clerical staff working outside the door immediately stood up and bowed. As Watanabe Eiji's footsteps crossed the corridor, the staff chatting at desks, in duty rooms, and in the corridors, the officers buying things in front of vending machines, and the detectives smoking in the smoking room gathered as if they had a premonition. A few, dozens, hundreds—they bowed one after another to the Superintendent General and moved as Watanabe Eiji moved, collapsing like dominoes. The dark clouds formed by suits and uniforms pressed down on the city, blocking the sky with a single thought.

Until the Superintendent General walked to the center of the lobby and stopped, more than three hundred people bowed to him again, just like stars surrounding the sun.

"Dispatch!"

————I am the dividing line of blocking the sky with a single thought————

At the same time, Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Eirina had finished dinner in the restaurant of the Odaiba Building, and they were preparing to go home separately.

"What a fulfilling day today. Meeting the District Public Prosecutors Office in the morning, an autopsy at noon, touring Fuji TV in the afternoon, and tonight..." Uesugi Muneyuki said to his partner in a relaxed manner: "Thank you for your company today, Master Eirina, see you tomorrow."

"Mm, see you tomorrow." Ikeda Erena felt a bit reluctant, but thinking that the two had already spent the entire day together, the tall beauty was relatively satisfied, and with a slight smile, she let this guy off.

She truly disliked wearing a police uniform and also hated wearing Silk Stockings; a police skirt suit was never meant for field work, as movement was restricted and even raising one's arms was inconvenient, and the skirt made it impossible to run, only allowing for small, hurried steps.

Furthermore, because she was so tall, the crotch of the Silk Stockings kept sliding down, and she had to secretly pull them up several times when Uesugi Muneyuki wasn't looking; the feeling of the pantyhose wrapping around her legs made Erena very uncomfortable.

She still felt more at ease in her previous small suit, trousers, and leather shoes.

Of course, it wasn't without its benefits; at the very least, she had caught Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze drifting toward her calves over a hundred times.

If he likes it, it's fine to wear it for him to see, but once I get home, I'll definitely take them off immediately!

Erena clenched her fists; Uesugi Muneyuki was the only reason she would ever voluntarily wear Silk Stockings.

When the two reached the first floor of the Fuji TV Odaiba Building, the scene before them startled them both.

The lobby on the first floor of Odaiba was packed with hundreds of people; a dark, dense crowd was huddled together, and amidst the noise, the sound of police sirens was mixed in. People were gathered in groups of three or five, discussing what had happened, many staff members in suits and leather shoes were anxiously making phone calls, and some entertainers were even wearing their performance costumes, a riot of colorful, vibrant hues.

"Why won't you let us out?"

"We still have an appearance! Let us out!"

"What is the Metropolitan Police Department doing?"

"Why seal the building? What happened?"

At the main entrance, a row of police officers stood with their hands behind their backs, blocking the way out; road barriers were placed at the door, and police cars with sirens blaring blocked the exit. No matter how the crowd pushed or questioned, the police at the door remained silent.

"What's going on?" Uesugi Muneyuki frowned. He casually grabbed a staff member who looked anxious and clearly appeared to be an entertainer's assistant—a "staffer": "What happened?"

This staffer was young; he had just finished a phone call, his face flushed with anxiety, and he was stomping his feet hard. Seeing someone ask him what happened, he immediately treated Uesugi Muneyuki as a pressure relief valve: "How would I know? They suddenly prohibited entry and exit, and the police at the door don't know what happened either. What am I supposed to do about the two appearances I have next? If I don't go to the one at NHK, I'm dead, dead, dead! And there's another interview with a big shot; if I adjust it last minute, it'll be Co-starring NG, NG, aaaaaah!"

"It's all over now, my life is going to be ruined right here, aaaaaah!"

Co-starring NG is a specialized term in the entertainment industry, referring to two entertainers who don't get along, whether due to personal grudges or internal company struggles, or conflicts between companies, making it impossible for them to appear on a program together.

"Ikeda, go ask," Uesugi Muneyuki roughly understood what was going on and gave her a light nudge with his elbow: "You're a Detective, after all!"

As a result, Ikeda Erena grabbed Uesugi Muneyuki's wrist in return: "If we're going, we're going together!"

The two pushed through the crowd blocking the door, and Ikeda Erena showed her Police Handbook: "I am Ikeda Erena from the Criminal Investigation Division of Otsuka Station. May I ask what has happened?"

The police officer at the door already knew Erena and Uesugi Muneyuki, so he pulled Erena and Uesugi Muneyuki to the side.

"There are some developments in the missing persons case, and Police Inspector Megure believes it is necessary to raise the investigation level."

"The First Division is now sealing off the entire Odaiba Building, and support from the Metropolitan Police Department is already on the way," the officer said in a low voice. He didn't look at Erena at all, only staring at Uesugi Muneyuki.

"How long will the building be sealed?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"I don't know. We have to wait for the support from the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters and the precinct to arrive," the First Division detective said helplessly, indicating that the matter was serious: "Sealing the Odaiba Building... Megure is really..."

"Let us help too!" Ikeda Erena immediately became motivated; the tall beauty thought to herself that it was finally her turn to shine!

"Those from the precinct, please stay where you are!"

The First Division detective was very firm toward Ikeda Erena's attitude. He had long heard of Ikeda's notoriety and said sternly: "Please do not add trouble to our work! Patrol Officer Ikeda of Otsuka Station!"

"Uesugi-kun, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to stay inside the building for a while. We will notify the Security Division and arrange a better place for you." After scolding Ikeda, the First Division detective showed a different face, pleasantly signaling Uesugi Muneyuki to quickly take this troublemaker away: "We are short-handed right now; once the matter is handled, we will definitely let you leave at the first opportunity."

"Mr. Uesugi, Ms. Ikeda, please come with us," the building's security guard signaled for Uesugi Muneyuki to follow them.

Having offered to help only to be rejected, the tall beauty's face turned livid, and her fists cracked and popped on the spot.

One moment they say they're short-handed, the next they won't let me participate.

This is blatant discrimination. Erena was on the verge of exploding. Just as the First Division person finished speaking and turned to communicate with other celebrity agents, Erena immediately raised her fist.

Fist!

Uesugi Muneyuki hurriedly hugged the tall beauty from behind: "Alright, alright, we're going, we're going right now."

Just like that, the man pulled the woman into his embrace from behind.

The feeling of his arms tightly hugging Erena from behind was indescribably comfortable; this was yet another time Uesugi Muneyuki felt the magnificence of the tall beauty's figure. He hugged her waist tighter, feeling her perfectly trained, resilient body from behind.

The back of Uesugi Muneyuki's hand made contact, and he instinctively rubbed against her, only to hear Ikeda let out an instinctive soft cry; the tall beauty's ears were dyed a deep, brilliant red.

Erena was also stunned to find herself being hugged. This rare, dazed appearance was actually very cute, and it possessed a unique, moving charm that didn't match her usual indifferent or sharp expression; unfortunately, Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't see it from behind her.

Just like that, the tall beauty was dazed as she was held by the waist by Uesugi Muneyuki, turning away from the door. After walking a few steps, her unfocused pupils gradually regained their focus, and then a brilliant, fiery red flush rose on her face. She gritted her teeth and shook off Uesugi Muneyuki's embrace, glaring at him in shame and annoyance, and whispered through her small mouth: "Are your last words ready? Uesugi-kun?"

"I surrender!" Uesugi Muneyuki quickly raised his hands.

"Hmph!" The tall beauty was quite exasperated. She knew Uesugi Muneyuki was doing this for her own good, but he still took advantage of her!

If it were anyone else, they would have had their nine lives shattered by her Chodai Sotogari!

... This is no longer just an ordinary pervert; I must strike with a heavy blow!

She threw a punch, a precise Lead Punch landing on Uesugi Muneyuki's stomach, just enough to make him feel great pain while ensuring it wouldn't harm his body. Watching the man crouch down in pain, clutching his stomach, the tall beauty's anger finally dissipated quite a bit.

The security guard nearby was already stunned.

"Don't mind it, I'm his Karate master, and this is the master teaching the disciple," the tall beauty said coldly: "Now, take us to the resting area."

"Ah, right, this way please," the security guard shrank his head, acting timid and subservient, terrified of being smashed to pieces by a single punch from this mother-tyrant.

Passing through the lobby, there were people everywhere, whether in the hallways or the elevator area. Uesugi Muneyuki rubbed his stomach while being pulled forward by his wrist by Erena, looking a bit disheveled: "It seems this missing persons case isn't that simple."

Ikeda Erena gritted her teeth, her light brown eyes filled with coldness: "Don't change the subject! Uesugi-kun, how do you plan to apologize?"

"A meal of Tempura?"

"That's something you already promised me!"

"Then, two meals of Tempura, plus two days off to accompany you in activities?"

"Four days off," Ikeda Erena pouted in grievance. I've been so tolerant of you, you should be more accommodating to me.

"Deal."

This chapter is 5400 characters, super sincere, a super big chapter!

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(End of chapter)