Chapter 500

Metropolitan Police Department, Superintendent General's Office.

Ah, it feels so quiet.

I love the scenery of Tokyo Metropolis the most, the grand traffic flow, the dense steel forest.

Sigh, when will crime and conflict ever end?

Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji sipped his coffee, the internal dedicated line phone on his desk suddenly rang. This phone's ringtone is different,

low and urgent, usually meaning an emergency communication from other top-tier bureaucratic institutions or the political core.

Watanabe Eiji put down his coffee, picked up the handset: "This is Watanabe."

The voice on the other end of the phone made him instantly straighten his spine.

It wasn't the usual secretary or vice minister, but the Imperial Guard Headquarters Chief Kenji himself calling, his voice hoarse and solemn, even carrying a hint of... pleading meaning?

"Superintendent General Watanabe, this is the Imperial Guard Headquarters, sorry to disturb. An extremely thorny and absolutely confidential incident has occurred—" Chief Kenji's voice was pressed extremely low, as if afraid the air would hear it: "We discovered the body of an Imperial Household Agency staff member this morning within the 'Imperial Gardens'."

"What?!" Watanabe Eiji exclaimed in shock, nearly jumping up from his chair. Imperial Palace? Imperial Household Agency staff? Corpse? These phrases combined have enough impact to make any police bigwig's scalp go numb. He immediately realized the extreme seriousness and explosiveness of the situation.

"Preliminary judgment is drowning, but it cannot be determined whether it was an accident or other circumstances." Chief Kenji's voice was full of helplessness: "The Imperial Household Agency Director Maeda and I urgently discussed—this matter concerns the Imperial Family's dignity and peace, it absolutely cannot be let known to the outside world, but we must also ascertain the truth as soon as possible. We—we need your help."

Watanabe Eiji's heart sank heavily.

This is not just a case, but a huge political and reputational quagmire!

An abnormal death incident occurring within the Imperial Palace, if not handled well, the Metropolitan Police Department will also be dragged down, bearing unimaginable pressure. His first reaction was deep worry and caution.

Moreover, as Superintendent General, for incidents occurring within Tokyo Metropolis—although he is not the main responsible person, he will still be affected!

Thinking of this, Watanabe Eiji really wanted to cry but had no tears.

What the hell is this?

I've only been Superintendent General for three years, non-stop explosions, since taking office I've never had a moment's rest, the day before yesterday came a serial killer,

yesterday came a University of Tokyo professor dismemberment, today is the Tokyo Bay serial body disposal and Fuji TV Odaiba Building murder case, tomorrow will be what Toshima ghost bulletproof vest incident, the day after tomorrow someone died in the Imperial Palace?

Just no rest!

How am I so unlucky? If it weren't for my good luck meeting the god-like Uesugi appearing out of nowhere time and time again to save me, I would have long since rolled down from this position.

I'm probably the most unlucky Superintendent General in a hundred years!

Imperial Guard Headquarters, isn't the Imperial Guard Headquarters directly subordinate to the National Police Agency? Why come to me at the Metropolitan Police Department to do what?

I'm not the first responsible person either!

To be able to reach this level of bureaucrat, each one is a non-stick pan master, Watanabe Eiji temporarily isn't sure what Chief Kenji wants from him.

However, Chief Kenji's following words were like a flash of lightning, splitting the fog in his heart.

"Director Maeda and I unanimously believe, the fewer people who know about this matter, the better. We trust your judgment and discretion, therefore, we earnestly request you to assign an absolutely reliable, top-tier forensic expert whom you can completely trust, to secretly enter the 'Imperial Gardens' to conduct a judicial autopsy, to ascertain the true cause of death." Chief Kenji paused, his voice becoming even lower, almost word by word: "We specifically request—. Please Chief Uesugi Muneyuki to come."

Yes, this is the only feasible solution discussed by the Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Guard Headquarters.

Uesugi Muneyuki! Watanabe Eiji's prospective son-in-law! Chief Medical Examiner of the Metropolitan Police Department, absolute authority in Japan's forensic field, renowned nationwide for his keen insight and countless legendary case-solving experiences, even enjoying international acclaim. The Imperial Household Agency and Imperial Guard Headquarters specifically requested him!

Ah, I see!

Is it coming for Uesugi?

In an instant, Watanabe Eiji's mind raced through a hundred turns, the initial shock and worry quickly replaced by an indescribable, mixed-with-ambition dark joy.

The Superintendent General instantly understood why the Imperial Guard Headquarters came to find himself.

Someone died in the Imperial Palace! And it's still an Imperial Household Agency regular employee!

This is indeed a hot potato, but at the same time, this is also a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity!

An opportunity to directly demonstrate the Metropolitan Police Department's (especially his Watanabe Eiji's under) superhuman abilities and absolute reliability before Imperial Household Agency, Imperial Family, and soon-to-know Cabinet high-levels!

Assigning his own son-in-law, this nationwide-recognized first expert, to successfully solve this case, would not only bring great reputation and trust to the Metropolitan Police Department, but also greatly consolidate his own position, Watanabe Eiji, even paving the way for possible future higher political careers. The Imperial Household Agency and Imperial Guard Headquarters' this "nomination" itself contains immense political trust and reliance,

What does this indicate?

As previously mentioned, Japan's officialdom is the same as that certain country, also distinguishing between "official" and "clerk".

For example, in front of a Police Sergeant (having independent investigation rights), only able to play the assisting role of Patrol Officer Section Chief and Patrol Officer are "clerks".

In front of a Police Inspector (having independent command rights and direct reporting rights), even having to go to the scene to investigate and handle cases, Police Inspectors and Police Sergeants are "clerks" in this manner, and so on, actually in front of a bunch of national-level bigwigs in the Cabinet, the Superintendent General, although he is the highest rank of Administrative Official, is still merely a very high-ranking "clerk".

Japan's bureaucratic system is like this, one level presses down on another, strict hierarchy.

"Sometimes when I think, how big does one have to be an official to be called big?"

One by one Light Kingdom Defense Corps Captain Ultraman Father Ken

But, no matter how high the demands, upon reaching the level of National Police Agency Director General, no matter what, one is an "official".

After all is said and done, still need to ask Uesugi for help, right?

Watanabe Eiji's facial expression began to turn playful.

Sorry, he is my son-in-law, everyone in Japan knows, wanting to mobilize Uesugi Muneyuki, must first get past my daughter Minami!

"I understand." Watanabe Eiji's voice quickly returned to its usual calm and authority, even carrying a hint of undeniable strength: "The situation is very severe, the Metropolitan Police Department understands the concerns of the Imperial Household Agency and Imperial Guard Headquarters. Please rest assured, we will handle this case with the highest standards of confidentiality measures and processing. Uesugi Muneyuki is indeed currently the most suitable person, I will immediately personally arrange."

He had not the slightest hesitation, almost immediately agreeing to all the other party's demands. At this moment, any pushing or haggling would be foolish.

"Thank you very much, Superintendent General Watanabe!" Chief Kenji's voice sounded as if he had let out a breath, but still heavy: "Everything is entrusted to you and Chief Uesugi. We will arrange internal reception and absolutely confidential channels. Please be sure to—act quickly, and secretly."

"No problem. I will have Uesugi Muneyuki prepare as quickly as possible, and only dispatch the Special Mission Unit to assist, all investigation results will only be directly reported to you and Director Maeda and other extremely few responsible persons." Watanabe Eiji made the guarantee.

"Deeply grateful!" Chief Kenji hurriedly said, thought for a moment, seemed to feel it wasn't enough, then simply said in a low voice: "This time the Metropolitan Police Department's full support, our Imperial Household Agency and Imperial Guard Headquarters, and even the Imperial Palace for a lifetime will not forget!"

"Just doing my duty, dare not accept such thanks!"

After hanging up the phone, Watanabe Eiji did not move immediately, he leaned back in the wide leather chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk surface. The office was so quiet a pin drop could be heard, but his heart was already surging with waves. Outside the window, Tokyo Metropolis still had flowing traffic like horses and dragons, no one knows that deep within the Imperial Palace a storm possibly shaking the entire Japanese upper class is brewing.

He took a deep breath, pressed a button on the confidential line directly connected to the Special Mission Unit office.

Opportunity and risk coexist, and now, he holds in his hand the key to unlocking the mystery—his prospective son-in-law, Uesugi Muneyuki.

He must ensure this key can perfectly open that lock, and furthermore, all the glory must belong to the key-holder.

Heh~

After this matter is settled, transferring (Mouri Takayoshi) Saburo from the Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters to the National Police Agency to serve as Criminal Investigation Department Chief is both proper and justified,

the upgrade of the Special Mission Unit to the Special Mission Division seems natural as well—who in the cabinet could still oppose?

And, a larger and greater budget.

Watanabe Eiji calculated in his heart, and a faint, extremely subtle smile appeared on his face.

I, ah, might be the most fortunate Superintendent General in a hundred years.

Who let me meet Uesugi?

Minami, you did well, ah, Minami!

Also, truly peaceful and stable—how else could I demonstrate my capability?

He recalled the sight of Nishikawa Souchou, the Tokyo Chief Prosecutor, submitting to him, and wanted to smile—don't look now, the Prosecutor's Office is investigating the bulletproof vest case with great vigor, vividly and colorfully, having consecutively taken down 28 officials at department chief level or above, but in reality, it was the materials provided by Uesugi Muneyuki that gave the Prosecutor's Special Investigation Unit its foothold.

Thus, a historically rare scene unfolded: the Tokyo Chief Prosecutor, for the first time in history, stood half a head shorter than the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department.

This makes Nishikawa Souchou truly nauseating and hateful, yet the Prosecutor's Office has no recourse—who let them lack both Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami?

My Metropolitan Police Department face > your Prosecutorial face (if you have one)!

After feeling satisfied in his heart, Watanabe Eiji let go and regained composure.

"Hey, Uesugi Chief, I am Watanabe Eiji—please immediately bring the Special Investigations Unit Management Officer Watanabe to my office; there is an urgent matter!"

"You, you have been designated!"

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