Chapter 544

The duckbill cap, the mask—when Uesugi Muneyuki called out Hironaka Mariko, the cursed grudge anchor immediately recognized who Akimoto Shota was.

Of course, speaking humorously, Akimoto Shota is Akimoto Shota, the son of Foreign Minister Akimoto Shin'ichirō.

But Uesugi Muneyuki's strong sense of déjà vu is not wrong!

If everyone still remembers, in the incident involving the son of Lawmaker Suo Masao, Suo Ryohei, at the Ebisu Gym, in the Burning Bar that Uesugi Muneyuki had the Smoke Ghost exhale smoke in, he noticed at the time that the security was protecting a so-called VIP coming out from inside, who hastily got into a car!

At that time, that VIP covered his mouth, wore a duckbill cap, and due to protection on both sides plus his own disguise, Uesugi Muneyuki did not recognize who this guy was.

Moreover, Akimoto Shota's current demeanor differs greatly from then; back then, although he faced danger, he remained composed, his every gesture exuding an air of nobility and arrogance, even bearing a hint of kingly ease.

But where is Akimoto Shota's former grace and aura now? With an explosive collar around his neck, he alternately anxiously tears at his hair and depressively weeps while crying out for help to his father—where is there any semblance of a minister's noble son?

As a result, Uesugi Muneyuki simply failed to recognize him for a long time!

It turns out to be Li!

That VIP who escaped from the Burning Bar!

Good buddy, having searched through Ikeda in vain, obtained it without effort!

However, Uesugi Muneyuki hesitated for a moment, facing the gazes of everyone present, still did not speak out: "Alright, let's continue!"

"?" The Special Mission Unit members all found it strange, but geniuses are geniuses, always exhibiting some odd behavior and remarks; Uesugi Muneyuki occasionally seems to talk to himself to the air, and saying strange things everyone has grown accustomed to; Date Nagamune, seeing this, continued playing the recording: "Everyone, look here."

"Akimoto Shota approximately got out of the car at 2:38, then he might have been playing high, after getting out of the car he stood in place for about two minutes, then proceeded to the elevator entrance."

"It can be confirmed that Akimoto Shota definitely pressed the elevator, but when the elevator arrived at 2:45."

Date Nagamune then pulled out the elevator's surveillance.

At 2:45, the elevator arrived, but there was no sign of Akimoto Shota in the opened doorway.

"So speaking, Akimoto Shota was kidnapped within these few minutes." Okada Masayoshi nodded, making a judgment: "Then we only need to investigate the time before and after..."

"Yes, but the problem lies here." Date Nagamune continued playing the recording: "Although this apartment is not exactly a top-tier tower mansion, its construction is relatively new, security facilities are very complete, and we have investigated the recordings from one or two hours before and after the kidnapping, seeing no suspicious vehicles, nor any suspicious persons."

"Similarly, the surveillance around the basement we also found no suspicious persons, several fixed entry and exit points also revealed nothing, meaning that if this group kidnapped Akimoto Shota, then either they succeeded through internal cooperation with the residents, or..." Date Nagamune hesitated for a moment: "The kidnappers, successfully hid."

Similarly, we also found no suspicious persons in the surveillance around the basement, and none of the fixed entry and exit points showed anything, which means that if this group kidnapped Akimoto Shota, then either they succeeded in kidnapping Akimoto Shota through internal cooperation with the owner, or… Date Nagamune hesitated for a moment: "The kidnappers, successfully hid."

"Hide!" Minami Ojou-sama chewed on this word, only to feel her scalp go numb.

Just like that mysterious person in the Imperial Palace case who was never found!

Although we all know such a person definitely exists, although we all understand it is this person who kidnapped Akimoto Shota, but he hid!

If we cannot confirm this person through surveillance and forensics, then this person is as good as nonexistent!

How do you go looking for a nonexistent person? And how do you apply for a search warrant and arrest warrant for such a nonexistent person?

And Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze then locked onto a certain spot in the underground garage, his eyes showing a hint of anger.

And Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze was locked onto a certain spot inside the underground garage, his eyes showing a hint of anger.

The Imperial Palace case was you, this time the Foreign Minister's son bombing incident is also you!

How can you hide so well?

Then I am willing to call you—Counter-Terror Elite God!

The target is Major Champion! Major Stancon!

The clues end here, and the Special Mission Unit members also fell into confusion.

Of course, they could conduct a household inspection of that apartment, but first, the detectives lack this authority and must apply for a search warrant; second, even if they used the Public Security Police's privilege to inspect each household, they would not have time!

"Has the Foreign Minister not replied yet?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"No, reportedly the Cabinet is holding an emergency meeting, and our country's attitude toward terrorists is the same as Russia's—that is, no compromise." The Battle Wolf Date Nagamune gritted his teeth in hatred: "No forgetting, no forgiveness!"

"No, it's said the Cabinet is holding an emergency meeting, and our country's stance toward terrorists is the same as Russia's — that is, no compromise whatsoever." Senzoku Ōkami Date Nagamune gritted his teeth in hatred: "Never forget, never forgive."

"Management Officer, Chief, Unit Chief, I have an opinion, can I speak it out?" Just then, Nango Yui suddenly spoke up, gesturing for everyone to listen first: "You don't find it a bit strange?"

"Management Officer, Chief, Division Head, I have an opinion — can I say it?" At that moment, Nango Yui suddenly spoke up, gesturing for everyone to listen to him first: "Don't you think… it's a bit strange?"

Nango Yui considered for a moment, then softly said: "Time, location, and environment and such—everyone, can you listen to me for a bit?"

Minami gestured for Nango Yui to continue.

"Of course, we know such extremist organizations always use the most extreme means and methods to attract like-minded individuals and domestic and international attention, but I believe this organization's modus operandi is strange; first, they chose this place, and moreover, this organization has long delayed exposing their name, which is strange, and furthermore, there is one thing I find strange." Nango Yui thought it over, then gestured for a long time: "That is, why, why do they wait until all our police are assembled before stating their conditions? Since it's already being live-streamed at the scene, why not just say it directly?"

"Moreover, as you all saw, Uesugi-san went up to deliver the Hōkōriki, clearly staying outside the 12-meter requirement, but the other side quickly noticed Uesugi-san communicating with Akimoto, then flashed the indication light as a response—doesn't this indicate the other side is nearby monitoring?"

"What you said is correct." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, he shook his phone: "So we are not having the Public Security Police investigate nearby buildings, onlookers, and possible surveillance equipment, are we? But so far nothing has been found."

"No, I don't mean that!" Nango Yui continued: "My meaning is, is there a possibility, I mean, possibly... you know, Akimoto Shota previously had a terrible record, with multiple suspected rapes but either through threats, bribery, or inducement, ultimately silencing the victims, but..."

Nango Yui voiced his judgment, and upon hearing it, everyone in the Special Mission Unit widened their eyes.

Nango Yui voiced his judgment, and the moment they heard it, everyone in the Special Mission Unit widened their eyes.

If Nango Yui's guess is true, then this would be an extremely likely scandal capable of destroying the entire Metropolitan Police Department, even the whole Japanese police force!

But, if all impossible answers are eliminated, then the remaining option that seems most impossible must be the truth!

"Management Officer, Chief, we... we what should we do now?" Indeed, hearing this judgment, Kai Toru's voice trembled slightly.

"If Nango Sang's judgment is true... then we must see whether Foreign Minister Akimoto Daijin is willing to save his son." Uesugi Muneyuki's complexion was grim, he coldly said: "Just investigate as Nango said, but first do not act, first see what they plan over there."

"................" Outside the weather is very hot, but inside the temporary command center, it feels as if shrouded in a layer of dark clouds.

"………………" Outside, the weather was very hot, but inside the temporary command headquarters, it felt as if a dark cloud had settled over everything.

At the same time, Prime Minister's Office, secret conference room.

Cold air silently infused into the solemnly decorated conference room, yet could not dispel the heaviness lingering in the air. Yamada Prime Minister sat in the main seat, brows tightly furrowed, before him the tablet computer played live footage of Kōku Hiroba. His staunch ally, Foreign Minister Akimoto Shin'ichirō, sat opposite like a stone statue, his complexion a pallid bluish-gray, eyes fixed dead on the screen where his son cried out "Dad."

"Akimoto-kun," Yamada Prime Minister first broke the silence, his voice low and steady, yet carrying undeniable pressure: "The situation cannot get any worse. All of Japan's, no, the world's eyes are fixed on that place. The kidnappers' demands... what do you think?"

"Akimoto-kun," Yamada Prime Minister spoke first to break the silence, his voice low and steady, yet carrying an undeniable pressure: "The situation has already become as bad as it can get. All of Japan — no, the whole world's eyes are fixed on that place. The kidnappers' demands… what do you think?"

His gaze remained fixed on his son, as if trying to see through the screen that useless yet blood-related young man. Time passed second by second, the conference room only had the low hum of the air conditioning and the screen transmitting Akimoto Shota's faint, intermittent wails.

Finally, Akimoto Shin'ichirō slowly, extremely slowly raised his head. He looked toward Yamada, the previous panic and anger in his eyes completely vanished, replaced by a heart-pounding, icy emptiness. He lifted the already cold tea before him, took a light sip, the movement stiff yet deliberately maintaining decorum.

Finally, Akimoto Shin'ichirō slowly, extremely slowly raised his head. He looked toward Oowada, the previous panic and anger in his eyes completely gone, replaced by a chilling, hollow emptiness that made one's heart skip. He lifted the tea water in front of him, long since cold, and took a small sip, his movements stiff yet deliberately maintaining composure.

Then, he spoke softly, his voice not loud, yet it slipped into Oowada's ears like a venomous snake:

"Prime Minister... I have more than one son besides Shōta."

Oowada Prime Minister's pupils contracted sharply, a flicker of undisguised astonishment crossing his face. He leaned forward slightly, as if he hadn't heard clearly, or rather, couldn't believe what he had heard.

Akimoto Shin'ichirō ignored the Prime Minister's astonishment, continuing in that flat, almost conversational tone, as if discussing someone else's household chores: "His mother... passed away early. Perhaps I have indeed been lax in his upbringing. Over these years, he has relied on my name to indulge in wine and women outside, stirring up trouble... He has enjoyed all the glory and convenience brought by the surname 'Akimoto'."

He paused, his gaze sweeping once more over Shōta's fear-distorted face on the screen, the last trace of warmth in his eyes completely extinguished.

"Now, the group (referring to the kidnappers) wants him... wants us to pay this price. For the Cabinet's stability, for the nation's future and the people's expectations, to preserve the existing stability so it does not collapse because of this scandal..."

He looked again at Oowada, the corner of his mouth even twitching into an extremely faint, nearly cruel arc.

"He too... should give something back to me, to the Cabinet."

Oowada was even more astonished, leaning back in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping the desk surface.

After a brief silence, Oowada Prime Minister slowly nodded, his voice regaining the composure of a statesman, yet tinged with an almost imperceptible chill:

"I understand." He said in a deep voice, his sharp gaze fixed on Akimoto: "Akimoto-kun, you can prioritize state affairs, grasp the greater good... I deeply admire you."

"Prime Minister, for your sake, I am willing!" Akimoto Daijin said with deep emotion: "To me, what matters most is not family, but you!"

"Shin'ichirō!" Oowada Prime Minister's eyes welled with tears as he called out the name of his steadfast ally with deep emotion.

"Prime Minister Oowada!" Akimoto Daijin suppressed his grief and inner resentment, gazing back at Oowada.

May I be the river water, to meet you again!

The two men standing at the pinnacle of power reached a silent, blood-stained consensus at this moment.

They no longer paid attention to the "son" on the screen who was about to be sacrificed by his father and ally, but began to whisper, discussing how to exploit this "tragedy" to seize the initiative in public opinion, how to steer the investigation's direction, and... how to ensure that after seven o'clock tonight, all secrets could vanish together with that possible explosion.

The cold air in the Prime Minister's Office seemed to grow even colder.

Only after their discussion did Akimoto Daijin say he needed to use the toilet; he came to the washstand and remained silent for a while, still unable to hold back, bowing his head to sob, but soon he recovered, vigorously wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes.

Shōta, sorry, Dad had no choice.

These years, you've had enough fun, haven't you? Now, it's your turn.

This country's tradition is to never compromise with terrorists!

For my and Oowada's future... we... can only be father and son in the next life!

At this moment, time was slipping away second by second, dusk approaching, the time of twilight, and Akimoto Shōta, still kneeling in the center of the square, continued to desperately await his father's response and promise.

Father, save my teeth!!!

Chapter End