Chapter 594: , Red and Black Showdown!

PS: Next up, I have to write another high-intensity, explosive case—give me a moment to think it through. For now, here's everyone's favorite 4,700-word double-chapter super edition!

August, near Tokyo, a secret facility of Japan's Public Security.

Behind the heavy soundproof door, a suffocating sense of being tightly wrapped hits you head-on.

The windowless room is bathed in the cold glow of harsh fluorescent lights, casting a chilly light on the long metal table—bare except for its immaculate, mirror-like cleanliness, reflecting an unsettling brightness.

The low hum of the air conditioning running at low temperature is the only continuous background sound here, amplifying the stillness. The air carries the faint scent of old paper dust, cooled coffee residue, and a sharper note—the metallic and plastic smell emitted when electronic devices warm up.

A massive LCD screen hangs on the wall, and the long conference table below is already filled with people in dark suits, their shoulders tense, with no unnecessary movements.

No one speaks; everyone's gaze is fixed on the newly appointed Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Kōtarō Minami, seated at the head of the table.

During this period, Tokyo has seen so many incidents. The former Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Kōtarō Higashi, who had served less than three years, has formally resigned, taking responsibility for the recent series of terrorist attacks and linked events, stepping down decisively to become Chairman of the Party National Assembly Countermeasures Committee—effectively jumping out of the fire.

There's no helping it—recently, major cases have erupted frequently in Tokyo, nearly reaching the point where several months each year dominate front-page headlines. Adding to this, the Police Agency and Metropolitan Police Department offended the Foreign Minister in handling this matter, so Higashi Kōtarō decided to resign, not wanting to clash with Akimoto Daijin over this issue.

In the Diet, Higashi Kōtarō's reputation is quite good—despite numerous incidents occurring during his tenure, he handled every major case exceptionally well.

His successor as Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission is Minami Kōtarō, a 53-year-old Diet member and protégé of Prime Minister Ōwada. Formerly an arc welder in his youth, his eyes are intensely sharp, giving the impression of welding sparks flashing in his gaze—sharp eyebrows, star-like eyes. He was reportedly quite handsome in his youth, and even now, in old age, he retains remarkable dignity. Given the frequent occurrence of malicious incidents, compared to his predecessor Higashi Kōtarō, he is far more radical and resolute—a hardline hawk.

We can't hesitate any longer! Against these far-left organizations, we must strike with overwhelming force!

Upon taking office, he proposed the "Shadow Moon Project," aimed at precisely striking terrorist groups like the Red Gold Canary and Saisawa Restoration Army. It's said he's already been discussing with U. S. officials how Japan and the U. S. can cooperate.

Seated below are the senior officials of Japan's Public Security:

Kōden Kōken, Director-General of the Police Agency Secretariat.

Sōshirō Shinchou, Director of the Police Agency Security Bureau.

Sōmu Hasegawa, Chief of the Security Planning Division, Security Bureau, Police Agency.

Mikoto Kobe, Counselor, Public Security Bureau, Police Agency.

Kaoru Ichijō, Management Officer, Public Security Bureau, Metropolitan Police Department.

Tōya Kinoshita, Inspector; Shōichi Tsuji, Assistant Inspector; Sumiko Ozawa, Assistant Inspector—subordinates of the Security Bureau.

These people are currently in a meeting.

The briefer is Sumiko Ozawa, Assistant Inspector of the Security Bureau, Police Agency—rumored to be a genius with an IQ over 180, graduated from MIT in the U. S.

The screen displays information about the Red Gold Canary and Saisawa Restoration Army.

"Based on the main negotiations between Dr. Uesugi from the Special Missions Unit and the suspect, we were just one step away from confirming Saisawa Restoration Army's contact dark web and encryption method." Assistant Inspector Sumiko Ozawa, wearing a summer short-sleeve police shirt and skirt, said on stage to everyone present, including Chairman Minami: "But every time, we fall just short—Saisawa Restoration Army is extremely alert, abandoning their current contact method at the slightest disturbance."

"They communicate via the dark web, most using names from the Shinsengumi—like Sakamoto Ryōma, Hijiki Toshizō, Saitō Isamu, etc. —with Sakamoto Ryōma as their leader. He should be a high-IQ criminal; considering Ōsumikawa's description, he's likely a university student exposed to far-left ideology, and—Ōsumikawa concluded the suspect definitely possesses firearms."

"If they're this vigilant, they're clearly not just a bunch of chuuni teenagers." Chairman Minami Kōtarō clasped his hands on the table, face grave: "Or perhaps—at the very least—they're a group of high-IQ chuuni teenagers."

"Given our people keep coming up empty-handed, the other side has gone completely underground. To catch their trail, we must wait until they act again." Director-General Kōden Kōken also frowned: "It's regrettable—if they're just a bunch of delinquent college youths, funding would normally be a major issue for such groups, but Ōsumikawa admitted he transferred most of his severance compensation to them, so the biggest obstacle—funding—has already been solved for this terrorist movement."

"What about Ōsumikawa?" Chairman Minami asked Director Shinchou of the Security Bureau: "Security concerns?"

"Rest assured—since they're collaborating with the U. S. CIA and operate as an overseas-funded hospital, security is not an issue. We've encountered a few suspicious individuals probing, but our personnel blocked all possible threats." Director Shinchou said solemnly: "Currently, Ōsumikawa's condition is stable—he's not in immediate danger of death, but he's also lost most of his value—"

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement—Ōsumikawa's utility has reached its end. His greatest value lay in his knowledge of the Saisawa Restoration Army and the inside story behind the Foreign Minister's son's bombing case. But once he speaks, that value vanishes.

"If it weren't to save face for the criminal investigation side..." said Inspector Tōya Kinoshita, in charge of security, coldly.

He didn't finish the sentence—but there was no need to.

The one who persuaded Ōsumikawa to surrender was Sōsetsu Uesugi, along with the criminal investigation faction police behind him. Public Security had been passive in this case, but Sōsetsu Uesugi first proved the bomb in Akimoto Daijin's car was pre-planted, then successfully negotiated Ōsumikawa's surrender in the Sea of Trees, preventing a possible second explosion.

The terms he negotiated: Public Security must both repay his favor and uphold the promise—this is the rule within the system.

"So what's the situation with the Red Gold Canary?" Chairman Minami didn't overthink it—he saw this as an opportunity to expand and intensify the crackdown on Akimoto Daijin's faction using the Ōsumikawa case.

Prime Minister, Finance Minister, Chief Cabinet Secretary, Foreign Minister, Defense Minister—positions are limited! If you don't want them, plenty of others do!

"The Red Gold Canary is a splinter group born from the Japanese Red Army after its split—an extreme left terrorist organization. Strange, but according to our investigation and the Foreign Ministry's overseas intelligence network, its core members in the 1980s were either arrested or fled overseas. Its leader, Motoharu Inohara, is still in prison awaiting execution, while leaders like Atsuhon Honda remain at large abroad. It's unclear what caused the domestic resurgence of Red Gold Canary activity, or whether it's connected to the overseas fugitive network." Said Assistant Inspector Sumiko Ozawa.

"Also, we still don't know what happened in Shizuoka Prefecture." Assistant Inspector Sumiko Ozawa displayed photos of the incident in Shizuoka to everyone present.

The image shows exactly that moment: four Red Gold Canary members "fusing into one"—a horrifying scene.

"Initial observation—no external trauma. Cells at the junction—showing—an abnormal, highly active—chimeric state. Like—like being instantly melted by extreme energy, then re-solidified"—leading to—forced genetic unification?"

」

"Could they have been exposed to some—unknown—high-energy biochemical or radiation weapon? Causing—rapid, unnatural—cell proliferation and fusion?"

"The scene was so horrifying that many who participated in the raid still see psychologists today."

"To prevent the Red Gold Canary from succeeding and causing mass panic, we ordered the bodies burned and imposed a gag order on the matter." Said Management Officer Kaoru Ichijō of the Metropolitan Police Department's Public Security Bureau.

Assistant Inspector Shōichi Tsuji, who participated in the raid, said afterward, still shaken: "At the time, someone suggested having Dr. Uesugi conduct the autopsy, but the Metropolitan Police Department refused, saying he was on vacation in Karuizawa and accepting an invitation from the Imperial Household Agency."

"When facing terrorists, we don't need to talk about reason or rules!" Chairman Minami bluntly interrupted his subordinate: "Keep going!"

"After confirmation, we verified these individuals were indeed members of the Red Gold Canary, but due to their highly unusual manner of death—we can only conclude they suffered the same fate as other extreme left groups: internal purges, where dissenters were executed using mass-casualty chemical weapons." Said Counselor Mikoto Kobe: "This also explains why Takahashi chose to kill the daughter and—grandson of Senator Kurokawa—though, based on our post-investigation, while the Red Gold Canary wanted to take hostages, their main goal remains intimidating legislators and raising funds."

"This fits the stereotype perfectly—these terrorists love wrapping themselves in a 'left' or 'red' skin to do what they want." Said Director Shinchou dismissively.

"Regardless, everyone—this is, since Aum Shinrikyo, another major challenge to our Public Security." Said Director-General Kōden Kōken coldly: "If we fail to properly resolve these two organizations and the problems they bring, we will be etched into history's pillar of shame, to be mocked by future generations."

"Moreover, everyone—please note: none of these three cases have been fully resolved. In the Imperial Palace case, the mysterious individual who infiltrated the Palace via physical exchange to plant a bomb remains at large. The Red Gold Canary's status is still unclear, and the Saisawa Restoration Army has only one person captured—a dying old man." Said Chief of the Planning Division, Security Bureau, Sōmu Hasegawa.

"Truly, it's a troublesome autumn." Chairman Minami couldn't help but curse: "We must think of a way, reverse the current situation! We need to immediately devise an effective plan to wipe out these terrorists once and for all!"

"————————————————" The many senior officials of Public Security fell silent.

The Saisawa Restoration Army is extremely alert—once Ōsumikawa was exposed, they shed their tails like lizards and fled faster than Western reporters. Because they vanish so quickly, despite Public Security acting swiftly, we've come close several times to finding their temporary hideouts—but ultimately lost them. Meanwhile, all members of the Red Gold Canary are dead.

"Hey, say something!" Chairman Minami, seeing everyone silent, pressed on: "Can't you think of anything? For example—I know Inspector Sōsetsu Uesugi from the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Missions Unit is incredibly capable. This is a national matter, concerning the state's very foundation—we can't bring him in to assist? The criminal side only lost a few people, but we in Public Security defend the eight corners of the world under one heaven!"

"Speaking of Sōsetsu Uesugi—just a few days ago, he solved a bizarre, head-scratching charcoal-burning suicide case in Karuizawa." Director-General Kōden Kōken interjected, humming: "After reviewing it several times, I finally figured it out—on-site, he instantly connected illegal landlord-tenant disputes, charcoal suicide, illegitimate inheritance, Karuizawa property, childhood playmates, class decline—truly astonishing."

"Even His Majesty has heard of this, praising him as a 'bulwark of the state.'" Chairman Minami nodded.

Hearing the term 'bulwark of the state,' the faces of the Public Security senior leaders showed both admiration and resentment.

Sōsetsu Uesugi's abilities are truly beyond words—no one can deny this. Public Security Police have seen it proven countless times.

Yet, the one who should have become the state's bulwark, whom His Majesty should have praised as such—shouldn't it have been us, the Public Security Police?

It is we who, through countless espionage operations, special reports, counter-terrorism, and anti-* missions, have repeatedly protected and saved this nation!

They are the ones who constantly sacrifice, who bleed! They are the ones who hide behind the scenes, acting as unsung heroes!

If criminal police are the lush, leafy trees on the ground, then we public security police are undoubtedly the roots deeply buried in the earth, supporting the great tree!

However, after the Cold War ended, the international situation changed, and public security police have increasingly lost their former status and glory, becoming more and more reduced to mere foils for the criminal faction and janitors for the bigwigs! Budgets have been cut, responsibilities ignored, and they are even despised by society, called lackeys of the imperial court and special police thugs!

Politicians indulging in pleasure! They completely fail to understand who is truly guarding national security, and instead keep letting public security lose its authority!

Everyone's face showed unwillingness, each person clenched their fists.

This time, we must prove ourselves!

This is a showdown of red and black!

This is quite humorous, actually—within the police organization, those representing red are naturally the criminal police, and those representing black are naturally the public security police.

But when facing such terrorists, public security police instead whitewash themselves into becoming the red-system representatives defending the nation, while those representing black turn into this group of terrorists wearing red skins.

"Regarding how to obtain Doctor Uesugi's cooperation, we already have a plan." Onoda Kimiaki said: "Please, Kobayashi, introduce yourself."

"Yes, everyone please look at the big screen." Kobayashi Sumiko on stage said.

She clicked the mouse, and the image on the big screen suddenly changed—for some reason it switched to Tokyo TV, which was currently airing an advertisement.

"You, unlike others~you~like last-hitting!" A supremely powerful blue cat flashed onto the scene!

"8884844 Samsung phone! Packed with dragon skin wrapped around Lan!"

"Happiness often means winning the league, yet on the world stage we're always stuck in the semifinals or quarterfinals."

"This is supremacy, my happiness, you guys don't get it~"

Everyone:

"

"Ah! Wrong channel! Please wait a moment, the signal is a bit unstable!" Ozawa Sumiko softly exclaimed, hurriedly adjusting the signal.

After adjusting for a while, we finally switched to the footage about Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi Muneyuki was in Karuizawa holding hands with Minami on vacation, plus there were on-site forensic investigation photos, and with imperial family members playing tennis, and a friendly chat with Professor Sakawa, the Tennō.

"Uesugi Muneyuki, currently 25 years old, a doctoral student in forensic medicine at Tokyo University, Chief Medical Examiner of the Criminal Investigation Division 1 of the Metropolitan Police Department, born at ————" Ozawa briefly introduced Uesugi Muneyuki's background, then began analyzing his political stance and private life.

"According to our public security police's secret investigation and intelligence gathering, we have discovered weaknesses in Uesugi Muneyuki's character and his private hobbies!"

"According to our investigation, Uesugi Muneyuki has a special preference for women! Moreover, based on his purchase records and multiple probes followed by his personal reactions, we found that Uesugi Muneyuki himself is a heavy stocking fetishist and uniform fetishist! He has a special fondness for women's beautiful legs in stockings and the demeanor of uniforms!"

Nanko Taro: "————

Onoda Kimiaki:

Everyone: ".

Senior public security officials at the scene remained silent for a long time.

Until Security Bureau Director Shinzou Kamiya could no longer bear it, he quietly spoke up: "Ozawa."

"Huh?!"

"Say something nobody knows."

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