Chapter 574

At the Prime Minister Oowada's place, we hit a wall, and Foreign Akimoto Daijin returned to his official residence in a dejected state.

Fortunately, on the Ōsumikawa side, since Ōsumikawa had informed the Metropolitan Police Department, Akimoto Shōta was not the person who directly violated and harmed his daughter, and the Metropolitan Police Department was unwilling to directly confront the Foreign Minister head-on, so they slightly adjusted their investigation strategy, and at this time, the online doxxing campaign only targeted people around Akimoto Shōta; as mentioned earlier, if this Foreign Minister's son were a friend, he would be very loyal and righteous, and with four people in one car spiraling upward plus the nature of a terrorist attack, Foreign Akimoto Daijin has not yet been forced to the point of being compelled to resign.

However, when he saw on television Uesugi Muneyuki being placed on a pedestal by the Metropolitan Police Department and the media, a bone-deep hatred ignited and burned his five viscera and six bowels.

"Uesugi Muneyuki—it's all because of you! If it weren't for your meddling, how would things have come to this!" he gritted his teeth, growling at the empty office: "I will make you pay the price! Let you see, let you see, the true dark side of this country!"

First, Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda Kimiaki is undoubtedly someone from the police organization side, so Akimoto first sought out another of the four cabinet ministers, Finance Minister Hanzawa.

He hinted that Uesugi Muneyuki and the Metropolitan Police Department, in the case, were "acting beyond their authority, with suspicion of political interference," hoping that Finance Minister Hanzawa could "exercise some restraint."

As a result, Finance Minister Hanzawa sipped his tea without lifting his eyelids: "Akimoto-san, the Metropolitan Police Department's case handling over these years has yielded remarkable results, evident to all the people. Doctor Uesugi is even a national treasure; he alone has saved us at least twenty billion yen in budget. What we need to do now is unite all forces that can be united, reshape the international image. You, you should look forward, not keep dwelling on some—uh, unpleasant things from the past."

"I really like one saying, that is, an eye for an eye, tenfold repayment, no, hundredfold repayment!" Finance Minister Hanzawa said with a half-smile: "I know Foreign Akimoto Daijin you want an eye for an eye, but—perhaps others are thinking the same way! And—preparing for next month's G7 summit, Foreign Akimoto Daijin-san, please put in more effort, don't let private affairs affect state affairs."

After hitting a soft nail at the Finance Minister's side, the enraged Foreign Akimoto Daijin had no choice but to change his approach.

Coincidentally, given the long-standing conflict between prosecutors and police, he immediately sought out the head of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Unit, Kirekawa Ryoichi.

Foreign Akimoto Daijin's proposal was that Uesugi Muneyuki, during the investigation process, had "procedural flaws" or "unjust enrichment."

He was quite confident about this, as the prosecutors' office in recent years has been wildly overshadowed by the police, reduced to a second-string cleanup role, and surely wants to make a move!

However, Kirekawa Ryoichi, the head of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Unit, this iron-faced unit chief, during this informal meeting, looked at him with deep meaning:

"Foreign Akimoto Daijin, the duty of the Special Investigation Unit is to investigate corruption and dereliction of duty. In the case of Doctor Uesugi, the evidence chain is clear, procedures are open and transparent, and internal supervision of the Metropolitan Police Department has already confirmed no error. Our current work focus is to pursue some—uh, clues related to 'abuse of authority' and 'obstruction of judicial fairness.' Minister—regarding your son Akimoto Shōta possibly being suspected of past offenses against women, since the son has already died, all judicial proceedings have been halted, but if it involves civil compensation—"

Foreign Akimoto Daijin hastily cut off this topic.

TMD, I came to threaten you, not to let you threaten me!

The key is he also doesn't know what exactly his son did.

Fortunately, since the person himself is already deceased, the prosecutors cannot indict a dead person, but Kirekawa Ryoichi undoubtedly implied his backside isn't clean, merely that precious prosecutorial resources won't and can't be used on a dead person, but if you want to "guide" our Special Investigation Unit, then we might also need to "guide" you, Minister.

Damn, it seems Kirekawa is also from the peerage!

Our prosecutors' Special Investigation Unit isn't afraid of things blowing up, but afraid of things not blowing up! If no case comes, how do we rack up merits and existence?

As for the police organization side, Watanabe Eiji even publicly declared at the Special Investigation Headquarters wrap-up meeting: "The Metropolitan Police Department's current prestige relies on impartial law enforcement, relies on outstanding talents emerging in succession! Anyone, no matter how high their position, if they want to stretch their black hand into the Metropolitan Police Department, interfere with justice, frame the loyal and good, I, Watanabe Eiji, will be the first to disagree! Don't forget, behind us stand the people, the law, and—honor that must not be desecrated!"

This time, the police organization is very hardline, after all, the whole organization is counting on Uesugi to boost their KPIs.

Akimoto even resorted to desperate measures, trying to hint via private channels to the U. S. Embassy side that "Uesugi Muneyuki has strong nationalist tendencies, unfavorable to Japan-U. S. security cooperation," but the U. S. official in charge of political affairs, after listening, merely smiled: "Doctor Uesugi's case-solving ability, we have also heard of it, without doubt he is a world-class forensic scientist. His work actually promotes our shared interests in the forensic counter-terrorism field. We value such talent, Professor William Edwards of MIT and Professor Ken Tanaka have given him high evaluations, Minister, you are probably overthinking it."

And finally, Foreign Akimoto Daijin learned of the news that the Imperial Household Agency invited Uesugi Muneyuki and others to go together to Karuizawa for a vacation.

To him, this was no less than a bolt from the blue on a clear day!

With the last sliver of hope, Foreign Akimoto Daijin sought out a "royal attendant" at the Imperial Household Agency to inquire about the situation.

What exactly is going on?

"Oh, this matter, yes, Doctor Uesugi, thanks to his outstanding scientific contributions and fearless courage, has gained the Emperor's recognition. The Imperial Household appreciates talent and virtue, unrelated to political winds and clouds. The Karuizawa summer retreat is a schedule already arranged long ago, intended to comfort the pillars of the nation. Minister, you should still focus more on foreign affairs." This royal attendant said calmly: "The Retired Emperor also gave Doctor Uesugi a very high evaluation."

"The Retired Emperor said, the snow of Yonezawa, pure and self-contained, unstained by dust. Worldly turmoil, there will naturally be public judgment."

Upon hearing this news, Foreign Akimoto Daijin's face instantly turned snow-white.

Done for!!!

After a series of setbacks, Akimoto Shin'ichirō sat alone in the dim office, exhausted, his face contorted.

He felt like a fly that had slammed into transparent glass, clearly seeing the target, yet obstructed everywhere, head broken and blood flowing.

Thinking of himself as the Foreign Minister, yet unable to move even a small University of Tokyo doctorate, instead being kicked around like a ball by various forces, a wicked fire surged straight to his forehead.

He slammed the table hard, making the teacups jump wildly, using all his strength, grief and indignation intertwined.

Soul-less!!!

The Imperial Household Agency, the Cabinet, the peerage, the prosecutors, the police, and even the U. S. people are all against him!

Am I the Foreign Minister or is he the Foreign Minister? How come this kid's connections are even more outrageous than mine???

TMD, this Japan—this Japan how so dark ah!!!

At the same time, filled with endless anticipation for the Karuizawa vacation, Saito Asuka returned home and, like a happy little skylark, began shuttling between the wardrobe and the suitcase.

She carefully selected a few beloved dresses, comfortable casual clothes, and that straw sun hat she really liked, of course, she also didn't forget to bring a few pairs of stockings and high-heeled shoes that Mr. Uesugi likes.

The girl slightly dressed up, light makeup making her already delicate and exquisite face even more fresh and lovely, her whole person radiating bright brilliance.

Following the time instructed by Uesugi Muneyuki, she dragged her small suitcase to the designated spot, and Uesugi Muneyuki's Lexus was already waiting there.

The driver's seat window lowered, revealing a face with strong mixed-race features, handsome and carrying a touch of nonchalance.

"Arrived? Get in." Ikeda Erena calmly greeted, the tall beauty preparing for vacation wearing a sleeveless black工字 vest, revealing smooth lines of her arms, sunglasses pushed onto her head, pressing down her slightly wavy light brown long hair, the whole person looking fresh and capable, no longer the previous sharp and keen criminal policewoman, more like a summer cool girl stepping down from a fashion magazine.

Again this big-breasted怪! Ultimate busty alien!

Saito Asuka, upon seeing Erena, pouted her lips, she thought, just wait, I will someday surpass your bust size—-

"Ashūshū came?" Uesugi Muneyuki sat in the passenger seat, as always, he doesn't like driving, since going out for summer retreat, he rarely wears casual clothes, laughing and saying a greeting: "You sit in the back!"

"Yes, Mr. Uesugi!" Saito Asuka happily greeted, politely opening the rear car door.

There were already two passengers seated in the back.

By the window, Watanabe Minami was smiling and waving at her.

Today, Miss Minami wore a pale lavender purple puff-sleeve top, paired with white shorts and white系带 thick-soled sandals, her temperament fresh as water, like a hydrangea blooming in the summer morning dawn. She looked quiet and sweet.

"Asuka Sauce, here!" Minami's voice carried delight.

And beside Minami, near the other side window, sat a woman with a serene and dignified smile, Ishihara Mikoto. She chose an elegantly tailored olive-green linen long dress, paired with a simple white T-shirt, and casually tied a silk scarf around her neck as an accent. She wore no heavy makeup, her demeanor graceful and outstanding, like a gentle, mature breeze in the Karuizawa forest, naturally exuding the aura of a senior elder.

"Hello, Asuka Sauce" Ishihara Mikoto softly greeted, her eyes carrying a hint of teasing, after all, she is her "mother."

"Hello, Ishihara San." Saito Asuka hurriedly bowed in greeting, sat down in the empty seat beside Minami, her heart both nervous and excited.

The car started smoothly, driving toward the expressway to Karuizawa.

The five-day, six-night vacation time is about to begin: "Karuizawa, ah," Ishihara Mikoto spoke with her unique, slightly magnetic sweet voice, eyes showing reminiscence: "Truly a good place. Going this season, just right to avoid Tokyo's mugginess. I remember that place's Yunba Pond, in summer it's like a huge piece of jade, strolling through it, even one's mood becomes clear."

"Right right! And that 'Old Karuizawa Ginza Street'!" Miss Minami excitedly added, her body slightly leaning forward, "I heard there are many great jam shops and coffee shops there, plus small stores selling exquisite handicrafts, really want to go stroll around."

Ikeda Erena, while skillfully steering the wheel, joined the discussion: "Cycling is also nice! Karuizawa has many forest trails suitable for cycling, I've already imagined riding a bicycle, passing through those birch forests and larch forests, the wind blowing on the face must be super comfortable!"

"What, you've all been there?" Uesugi Muneyuki laughed, shaking his head repeatedly: "Then I might as well go myself—you guys can just stay home and play Switch."

"I, I haven't been—" At that moment, Asuka said weakly.

"Hehehe." Seeing the girl say that, Uesugi Muneyuki and the several girls in the car all felt a pang of sympathy.

Asuka has indeed suffered a lot.

This time, let her properly enjoy the scenery of Karuizawa!

Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but start humming a tune.

"Hearing you say~Neizhan Letaobo~Abin tuo~Being whipped by your older brother~"

"I've grown accustomed to, your writhing in desperate straits~"

"Advancing to the quarterfinals, BLG turned into a joke~"

"Oh oh oh oh oh~"

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