Chapter 513

PS：Yesterday's writing drained all the emotions I had saved up recently, so today let the Emperor take it easy! I'll just combine two chapters for now!

As the bomb was finally removed from Horikawa Nen's body by the bomb disposal experts, the scene finally felt a weight lifted.

Soon, all eyes, whether on-site or watching through surveillance screens, focused on the young detective who had just pulled off a stunning reversal.

It was only then that Kai Toru felt a lingering fear, with waves of soreness and weakness spreading from his arm; he tried to sit up, but found his arm wouldn't obey him!

Oh no, I've dislocated my shoulder!

Kai Toru thought wryly.

Watanabe Minami was the first to rush to his side, saying nothing, just gripping his arm tightly and firmly, her eyes filled with immense relief and admiration: "You did great, Kai!"

"Amazing, Kai-kun!" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but exclaim.

In his past life he was a model student, and in this life he comes from a privileged, even somewhat noble background; you'd think he'd form ranks and fight Horikawa Nen in a true one-on-one man-to-man battle, but Uesugi Muneyuki would without hesitation say he's worth a thousand, and if that fails he could still summon Mai Xuejie to help, but facing a man fully strapped with bombs standing in the Imperial Palace, he temporarily couldn't think of a good solution.

On the contrary, Kai, who though came from a decent background but had been abandoned since middle school, loafed around society as a delinquent hoodlum, often got into wild fights, and then from a local police station patrol officer actually had to face pursuers and captors, ended up thinking of a solution!

Uesugi Muneyuki thought that indeed many things truly must be experienced firsthand to be truly understood and grown from.

Just like Lord Celebration, as Uesugi Kenshin's nephew, orphaned young (and Uesugi Kenshin even had considerable suspicion), long subjected to tense and intense environments, internally filled with multiple opposing endless chaos, externally with endless warfare, when Uesugi Kenshin suddenly died without confirming an heir and faced the Otate Rebellion, Lord Celebration immediately seized Mount Kasugayama, decisively drew out Kenshin's stored vast silver and gold to bribe the Takeda to retreat, and finally narrowly defeated the internally Uesugi Norimasa-supported, externally Hojo-aided but slow-reacting Uesugi Kagetora to become lord of Echigo Province.

However, when Lord Echigo Uesugi Kagekatsu's situation became despairing, the Hokuriku road that Uesugi Kenshin had spent over a decade conquering—Echigo, Noto, Kaga—all fell, Echigo's general Kawada Chikashige died in battle, Fishizu Castle quickly fell to Shibata Katsuhie and preparations for defending Mount Kasugayama began immediately, Echigo's internal Shibata rebellion could not be quelled, and while Ueno Province's territory was almost entirely lost, the situation went from Uesugi Kenshin roughly holding seven provinces before his death to Echigo Province not even being whole.

Moreover, the Uesugi and Oda clans had a death feud (the Uesugi-Oda alliance once existed but then broke, Kenshin still mocked Nobunaga as a national traitor and enemy of the court, and vice versa, the two repeatedly tangled in Echigo, fighting like mad dogs), at that time Lord Celebration had already prepared himself to commit seppuku at any moment.

Fortunately, at this time the Honno-ji BBQ erupted, the inheritor of Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, eager to at least formally unify, and since he had no feud with Celebration, Celebration managed to escape and became one of the Big Five.

The endless suffering and crises from childhood to youth shaped Lord Celebration into a stern, unyielding, calm and taciturn cold personality and a supple physique; thus, though his military ability fell short of Kenshin's, his diplomacy short of the Hojo's, and his domestic governance not particularly outstanding, he ended up faring best among the Tiger, Dragon, and Lion houses.

If Lord Celebration had been raised in privilege and smooth sailing from childhood, he would absolutely have lacked the ability to handle the series of life-and-death decisions beginning with the Otate Rebellion after Kenshin's sudden death.

Vice-Minister of Justice Kai Shu probably also never imagined that his highly valued, meticulously cultivated standard elite second-generation bureaucrat career path for his eldest son would, due to a failed promotion, suffer a blow, return home to discover his son had been directly chosen by Green to end his life (like Uesugi Kagetora), while his completely abandoned younger son, thanks to rich practical experience, would seize the opportunity when it arose and become a national hero?

Truly, worldly affairs are unpredictable, fortune and hardship hard to fathom!

"Don't touch him, Minami, his shoulder is dislocated." Ikeda Erena instantly saw Kai Toru's condition wasn't good, the Tall Beauty suddenly smiled: "But thank you, Kai!"

"Kai-san! You're so handsome ah ah ah ah!" Igarashi teared up and embraced Kai Toru's other arm: "How did you manage it?"

"Amazing Kai-san! Amazing Special Mission Unit!" Nango Yui beside him had already sat on the ground; he, on the contrary, was the first to collapse from exhaustion, as a professional group his stamina wasn't great, but he had already been the first to realize this matter resolved could bring what to the Special Mission Unit.

Direct! Reach! Heaven! Listen!

"Oh dear, oh dear, it seems the Kasumigaseki Peerage Assembly will formally invite me next year." Date Nagamune also came to his senses, he chuckled softly: "Kai-san! I'm truly impressed by you!"

Following closely, the Imperial Household Agency staff, Security Department bomb disposal experts, Imperial Guard officers, regardless of rank, spontaneously gathered around him. No cheers, but that silent gaze, solemn nod, and each individual standard, respect-filled salute were more powerful than any words. He was no longer that inconspicuous local patrol officer, but in the darkest moment stepped forward, saved everyone, and became a hero!

Cabinet Crisis Center, Yamada Prime Minister slowly closed his eyes, gesturing for Onoda Kimiaki to proceed.

Onoda Chief Steward spoke into the microphone, his voice still somewhat hoarse, yet filled with unprecedented strength: "All personnel present, you've worked hard! Especially the Metropolitan Police Department Special Mission Unit's Detective Kai Toru, I represent the Cabinet, thank you for your bravery and decisiveness!"

This sentence, transmitted via radio, clearly reached every person's ears on-site.

We, we have won!

Soon, led by the Imperial Household Agency Director Maeda, a group of top-ranking officials from the Imperial Household Agency and Imperial Guard almost jogged to the scene.

Maeda Director had long ceased to care about bureaucratic decorum, he rushed straight to Kai Toru's face, and amid all the astonished gazes, he actually faced Kai Toru, as well as Watanabe Minami, Uesugi Muneyuki and others behind him, and gave a salute exceeding ninety degrees, the most solemn and respectful salute.

"Thank you so much! Truly, truly thank you very much!" His voice carried obvious choking and trembling, filled with lingering fear and immense gratitude: "It's because of our mistakes that such a great disaster was invited—yet you all have established achievements in saving the nation from crisis, impossible to put into words!"

The other high officials behind him also bowed in unison, the scene momentarily resembling an apology assembly.

This near-collapse-style, unreserved gratitude and apology completely overturned their usual lofty image, yet also truly reflected just how immense the psychological pressure they had borne just moments before.

Uesugi Muneyuki nodded calmly, Watanabe Minami then responded on behalf of the Metropolitan Police Department: "This is our duty."

But her tone also eased and lightened considerably.

Kai Toru then appeared somewhat at a loss, he wasn't used to such occasions, merely repeatedly returning the salute: "I only did what I should have done."

The crisis was finally resolved.

The alarm in the skies over the Imperial Palace ceased, but after that suffocating pressure dissipated, what remained was a chaotic scene, an unconscious criminal, a dangerous piece of evidence, and a group of people physically and mentally exhausted yet filled with victory and relief.

The Special Mission Unit's members, especially Kai Toru, at this moment became true national heroes in the fullest sense, their names already etched into the highest echelons of Japan's ruling class as indelible marks of merit.

The sky remained blue, the Imperial Palace remained solemn, but everyone knew some things had already been permanently changed.

"Call an ambulance." As Horikawa Nen was led away, and the fully armed SATs rushed over one after another, Uesugi Muneyuki said to the Imperial Household Agency staff: "Kai has dislocated his shoulder, immediately arrange surgery."

"Yes!" The Imperial Household Agency staff immediately went to handle it.

"Dislocated? What's the big deal, I'll just pop it back in." Ikeda Erena didn't think much of it, the Tall Beauty gestured implying this kind of thing isn't just a matter of pushing it back into place?

"Oh, you're dense!" Uesugi Muneyuki helplessly shook his head and smiled: "Master! If you don't want Kai-kun to keep dislocating, then you need to go to the hospital for a proper little surgery!"

The old Chinese doctor's bone-setting technique isn't impossible, but as a former surgeon, Uesugi Muneyuki knows this so-called "push and set bone" easily causes habitual shoulder dislocation.

"Mmm!" Ikeda Erena pouted, Uesugi Muneyuki then smiled and patted her shoulder, immediately soothing everyone's emotions.

He again turned his gaze toward the Imperial Palace.

Although this case has already been resolved, many questions remain unanswered.

What exactly is the otherworld seeking, why did Horikawa Nen go to such extremes to come out wearing bombs to detonate, what secrets does the Imperial Palace truly conceal?

Uesugi Muneyuki feels very curious, and what makes him feel even more vexed is whether the Cabinet, Imperial Household Agency, and Imperial Guard Headquarters can get this fellow Horikawa to talk? Can the Special Mission Unit participate? And will this matter even allow him to continue investigating?

Interesting, let's see what happens next?

Indeed, after congratulating Uesugi Muneyuki and immediately calling an ambulance, Imperial Household Agency Director Maeda Toshisuke immediately turned around, wiped the smile from his face, and faced Imperial Guard Headquarters Chief Kenji with a cold face: "You, resign yourself!"

"Imperial Guard Headquarters Chief Kenji, you know how the report should be written afterward." Vice-Minister Nakajima also put on a cold face: "Take responsibility properly!"

"Yes!" Imperial Guard Headquarters Chief Kenji, after a brief moment of joy, immediately wiped sweat from his forehead: "I'm going to write the resignation letter now! I'm going to do it now!

It's obvious this matter will blow up to this extent; from a certain angle, it's entirely his adding feet to a snake, and now, while no major consequences have occurred, proactively resigning might still allow a good ending.

This is already the best possible outcome!

"The matter isn't settled yet; immediately arrange for the Emperor to relocate elsewhere! We must conduct a full inspection of the entire Imperial Palace!" Maeda Toshisuke continued arranging: "Also, immediately communicate with the Metropolitan Police Department! The outside world has surely already detected large numbers of police and bomb disposal units entering the Imperial Palace! No one will let this news slide!"

"How to appropriately disclose some information to the outside world selectively, have Metropolitan Police Department Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji come immediately to discuss with me! Also, regarding how to reward the Special Mission Unit, quickly draft a regulation! Make it heavier, after all, they didn't just save all of our lives, but saved the entire nation."

"Yes!" Headquarters Steward Takeuchi and Vice-Minister Nakajima immediately went to arrange, leaving only Maeda Toshisuke on the spot.

The head of the Kanazawa Maeda clan, Kuninori, who is in his seventies, born before the war and having endured countless storms, gazed far off toward the direction of the Imperial Palace's Honmaru, letting out a long exhale.

Kuninori, you have a wonderful grandson!

This time, whether it's the Cabinet, the Imperial Household Agency, or the Imperial Family, all are indebted to your grandson.

Shortly afterward, although the alarm in the air above the Imperial Palace had been lifted, the clamor from the outside world had only just begun.

Countless reporters, like sharks smelling blood, swarmed toward the vicinity of the Imperial Palace. Although the Imperial Police had set up multiple police cordons, the earlier sight of the bomb disposal expert convoy from the Security Department, explosive-proof vehicles, and even ambulances speeding in had already been captured by countless cameras, sparking explosive speculation online.

"Was the Imperial Palace subjected to a terrorist attack?"

"Did an Imperial Household Agency staff member die under mysterious circumstances?"

Various shocking headlines filled the air, and public opinion pressure reached its peak.

Faced with a situation that could not be completely concealed, the Imperial Household Agency, the Metropolitan Police Department, and even the Chief Cabinet Secretary's office held emergency talks and ultimately reached a consensus: selective disclosure, narrative control, and key commendations.

Soon, an emergency press conference led by the Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson, with Imperial Household Agency officials standing by, was convened. The spokesperson's expression was solemn and slightly fatigued:

"Members of the press, regarding the sudden incident within the Imperial Palace today, we hereby state: an Imperial Household Agency employee recently went missing, and upon investigation, their body was found in a water area within the Imperial Palace; preliminary judgment indicates accidental drowning. In the subsequent internal investigation, a member of the Imperial Household Agency related to the employee, who had a personal grudge, became extremely agitated emotionally and carried out extreme behavior by bringing suspicious items and attacking internal facilities."

"Thanks to the bravery of the members of the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Mission Unit, especially Uesugi Chief, Watanabe Management Official, and Kai Assistant Police Inspector, as well as the swift, decisive, and professional handling by the Imperial Police, the individual was subdued on the spot, suspicious items were safely removed, the incident caused no further casualties, and both Imperial Family members and Imperial Household Agency personnel remain unharmed."

"For safety reasons, His Majesty has temporarily relocated elsewhere; please, citizens, do not worry!"

"Currently, the Metropolitan Police Department is conducting a thorough investigation into the incident on suspicion of occupational negligence resulting in death, obstruction of official duties, and endangering public safety."

"For your concern, we express our gratitude, but due to investigative needs and respect for the deceased, we earnestly request that you refrain from excessive speculation and reporting."

This statement, true and false in equal measure, cleverly replaced "internal personnel extreme behavior" with "failed external infiltration plus internal collusion terrorist attack," shifting focus from Imperial Family security loopholes to the Metropolitan Police Department's "successful handling," while emphasizing the merits of the Special Mission Unit.

At this very moment, Metropolitan Police Department Superintendent Watanabe Eiji finally arrived at the Imperial Palace, his face bearing the expression of one who had survived a calamity, and found the resting Special Mission Unit members such as Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami: "You guys! You really scared the hell out of me!"

"If it weren't for us, then it wouldn't have been so scary." Uesugi Muneyuki and the others quickly stood up, knowing Watanabe Eiji had come specifically to handle the aftermath: "What did the Cabinet say?"

"The Cabinet has sent me to tell you: this matter ends here. The deceased Shizuo Shizuo, intending to expose internal secrets upon discovering them, was murdered, and the case is closed from the angle of whistleblowing. He is posthumously promoted two ranks to Assistant Section Chief of the Shoryo Bureau, while Horikawa is to be handed over to the Cabinet Intelligence Room and Headquarters for joint trial." Watanabe Eiji sighed and said: "This matter has extremely negative repercussions; the Cabinet hopes to keep it low-key—even the U. S. ambassador is asking what exactly happened."

Oh my? The U. S. ambassador?

Now foreign allies are startled, Uesugi Muneyuki thought bitterly, thinking if it had really exploded, then it wouldn't just be a matter of asking a few questions.

Whether it exploded or not, that's the question.

Leaving aside whether it exploded or not, if it really had exploded, then of course the Imperial Police and Imperial Household Agency would bear the primary blame, but the Special Mission Unit would also share secondary responsibility and could not escape, Uesugi Muneyuki thought his future in Japan would be affected, at least the Special Mission Unit might face another freeze or reorganization.

"Regardless, thank you for your hard work, everyone—Uesugi, Minami, come with me." Watanabe Eiji confirmed his daughter and son-in-law were unharmed, Kai Toru had already been sent to the hospital, and then he spoke gently: "The Prime Minister and the Chief Cabinet Secretary, and even His Majesty, wish to see you!"

Oh my?

You want to see me?