Chapter 668

Tokyo, Prime Minister's Office, Cabinet Intelligence Room.

Inside the confidential meeting room, Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda Kimiaki, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Nanko Taro, and several members of the Cabinet Crisis Management Team sat together, while Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji sat opposite them.

Other matters are not actually that closely watched by the old-timers in Nagatacho.

It's just that a few people died; what we in Nagatacho care about is Kyushu's myriad directions!

But the matter of the Aki River Renewal Army is different; since Former Minister Akiyama was assassinated, the Cabinet side has raised the highest level of attention! This is not the first time!

The explosion of Minister Akimoto's Toyota Century sedan deeply pained the nerves of the Nagatacho old-timers! And Former Minister Akiyama also died in a Toyota Century!

Toyota Headquarters has begun emergency public relations, solemnly announcing externally that our produced Toyota Century official vehicles are specially designated high-end government-use cars, not exclusively supplied for various terrorist attack, explosion, and assassination, nor hearses for old Diet members to ascend to the Western Paradise!

"Oh, really? I don't believe it!" The reaction of Japanese society is quite thought-provoking.

Isn't it a good thing to kill a few Diet members? Raising one Diet member for a year costs nearly 100 million yen in taxes!

This is just like how, after several incidents involving Zwilling kitchen knives, Zwilling had to come out and publicly declare that our Zwilling kitchen knives are for cutting meat, not for killing people, but the Japanese reaction is similarly "Really? I don't believe it."

So Japanese humor sometimes is quite difficult for non-Japanese to understand.

In short, this matter has made the Nagatacho old-timers concerned like never before; Watanabe Eiji, having just finished handling the press conference this afternoon, immediately came here to the Cabinet to report.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda Kimiaki wiped his glasses, his expression showing irrepressible fatigue; he also didn't know what was wrong, how come during his years as Chief Cabinet Secretary, major cases have not been few?

Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Nanko Taro's face showed great excitement; he just took office and dealt a heavy blow to terrorists, achieving major results; the notoriously arrogant Red Goldfinch has already fallen silent; the mastermind behind a series of terrorist attacks, Takigawa Tsubasa, has been apprehended and soon died in hospital; now, a group of the Aki River Renewal Army members who directly participated in various murders have been netted all at once!

"You've worked hard, Watanabe-kun." Nanko Taro's expression was efficient, bearing the unique coldness from multiple confrontations with such terrorist organizations during the Cold War; after Watanabe Eiji sat down, he somewhat urgently said: "Trouble you to make a special trip for this; how is the situation now?"

"Chief Cabinet Secretary Onoda, Chairman Nanko," Watanabe Eiji spoke, his voice steady and powerful: "Regarding the 'extremely violent organization' of the Aki River Renewal Army, I now make a special report to the two of you."

He followed the established procedure, clearly stating the "results": the apprehension process of armed core members Kurashi Junxiong, Fujisaki Tatsuya, and Fujisaki Kenji (omitting the details of strange internal strife, emphasizing police assault and timely rescue, as well as the low quality of the Fujisaki brothers), seizure of three Glock 19s, Molotov cocktails, and extreme propaganda materials, regarding the preliminarily determined criminal facts (the Akiyama case, the Bunkyo Ward kidnapping case), nationwide wanted notice for the fugitive leader "Sakamoto Ryoma" and evaluation of his residual influence—"the organization's main structure has been destroyed, and it will not possess the capability to commit major violent crimes in the short term."

Watanabe Eiji's expression always carried a hint of solemnity.

When Uesugi Muneyuki told him he had released the leader of the Aki River Renewal Army, "Sakamoto Ryoma," Watanabe Eiji felt incredulous, and he and his father almost started arguing.

You say you just let go of such a major criminal?

However, when Uesugi Muneyuki spoke about the "Hope Foundation," Watanabe Eiji fell silent; this Superintendent General, who had experienced countless storms of blood since taking office, remained silent for a long time, finally saying that if that's the case, you did right to release him.

Because if the person were caught, that would be a major incident!

In that case, it would be better; Nagatacho's attention would be drawn away by the fugitive "Sakamoto Ryoma," and this side of the Metropolitan Police Department would not only have completed a major task but also appear unaware of the Hope Foundation matter, thus allowing the old-timers to relax, and Watanabe Eiji here would not suffer from suspicions by Nagatacho nor continuous pressure due to "Sakamoto Ryoma" possibly spilling earth-shattering secrets.

"Muneyuki, you could almost be a civil servant!" said the cheap father-in-law and father-in-law with a slight sigh: "The Minamiwave Teaching is good." Uesugi Muneyuki's face darkened, thinking: Are you praising me or disparaging me?

"Father-in-law, you could almost be a politician!" Uesugi Muneyuki retorted: "When will you run for Diet member? Everywhere drawing big pies? Bowing and scraping in business smiles, then immediately lighting a cigar and pouring full brandy upon returning to the office to pretend to be a big shot, having the secretary carry the bag, yes! minister!"

Watanabe Eiji's face darkened, thinking: You're indeed blackening me!

Damn, police are indeed the scapegoat king for the vast majority of society's problems; if it weren't for this son of mine who is like a pillar holding up the sky, white jade, and purple gold beam, I probably would have long since kicked the bucket.

In short, Uesugi Muneyuki's handling here has greatly reduced Watanabe Eiji's pressure; he quickly recounted how the Metropolitan Police Department handled this matter, how they mobilized swiftly, how they handled public opinion, how they utilized Uesugi Muneyuki's strength, and how they would subsequently search and gather evidence.

Fitting, action, perfect!

Nagatacho was extremely satisfied with Watanabe Eiji's handling.

Eiji-kun, you're practically our Zhou Gong, Iron Arm Astro Boy, Doraemon!

What else is there that you and your son-in-law adopted cannot handle?

Onoda Kimiaki put his glasses back on, slightly nodded: "Hmm, Watanabe Director, the Metropolitan Police Department's response this time was swift, disposition decisive, results significant. His Excellency the Prime Minister also expressed concern and affirmation. Public opinion currently leans positive, which is crucial for stabilizing social sentiment and deterring potential lawbreakers."

Onoda's tone was calm, but the four characters "crucial" were slightly emphasized.

"You've worked hard, Watanabe Director." Nanko Taro interjected, voice booming: "Has the source of the case firearms been clarified? Is there a more complex supply network behind? Any abnormalities in funding sources?"

His questions leaned more toward technical and practical aspects, showing greater concern for the case's details.

Watanabe Eiji felt a chill in his heart, knowing the moment of testing had arrived.

Like Uesugi Muneyuki, he also wanted to clarify what exactly was happening within Nagatacho; if every cabinet member were from that side, then this matter would be nearly impossible to investigate.

He kept his composure, answering according to the prepared script: "Firearms preliminarily traced to illegal outflow of contraband from the violent gang Kurashi Group; currently deepening investigation into its circulation chain. Regarding funds, discovered suspects used accounts after multiple layers of money laundering, fund sources complex, involving overseas anonymous channels, investigation difficulty high, currently no leads pointing to clear, specific domestic sponsors."

Watanabe Eiji, having said this, deliberately paused: "This case exposes the serious problem of some youths being eroded by extremist ideologies, using the internet and anonymous financial channels to engage in violent activities; the Metropolitan Police Department has already requested the Financial Services Agency and General Affairs Bureau relevant departments to strengthen coordinated supervision." After saying this, he looked toward Onoda Kimiaki and Nanko Taro.

The Superintendent General particularly emphasized "anonymous channels," "overseas," and "youth ideological issues," thereby blurring and generalizing potential political funding clues.

"Needed, needed; this point the Financial Services Agency and Ministry of Finance will fully cooperate." Onoda Kimiaki said without suspicion, speaking naturally: "Although the matter concluded very beautifully, but after all, that 'Sakamoto Ryoma' is still at large, so we should still notify various police headquarters; as for overseas funds issue, if Section Two there... can also let the Special Investigation Unit lend a hand."

Upon the Special Investigation Unit's mention, Watanabe Eiji knew the situation.

Onoda Cabinet Secretary Chief does not know this matter.

His focus seems entirely on "social issues" and "subsequent prevention," with no particular concern or tension regarding the "abnormality" of funding sources.

Otherwise he would not have proposed letting the Special Investigation Unit investigate.

Nanko Taro then furrowed his brow, fingers lightly tapping the tabletop: "Overseas money laundering channels... indeed thorny. Public Security there should intervene, check whether there are traces of infiltration by international extremist forces. As for domestic..."

Nanko Taro shook his head, tone carrying a hint of bureaucratic common helplessness toward complex problems: "Without solid evidence pointing to concrete entities, excessive speculation is inadvisable. The immediate priority is to handle the existing case, nail down the charges on those apprehended, while fully pursuing the at-large main perpetrator." Hmm?

Watanabe Eiji carefully savored each of their words and subtle expressions.

Onoda Kimiaki's calmness and topic guidance resemble more a politician hoping to quickly quell the incident and maintain surface stability.

Nanko Taro's focus lies on the case itself, public security impact, and possible "overseas factors"; regarding "domestic specific sponsors," he shows neither knowledge nor concern, but also does not wish to overly concentrate on investigating such cases.

Onoda Kimiaki enjoys alcohol; this Cabinet Secretary has three private wine cellars, but he is not greedy for wealth nor lustful; in the Cabinet he is called "Kasumigaseki Whale," with three hobbies: drinking French red wine, eating British steak, playing Nipponbashi cards.

Nanko Taro then has a bit of a greed problem; he likes cars, previously pointed out for having some "special transportation fees" with unclear destinations, especially fond of modifying motorcycles, his home has a motorcycle modification garage, "Mechanical Locust Swarm号," "Mechanical War Chariot号," "Mach Dashers号" a bunch of modified motorcycles, and he even gave his Porsche Cayenne sedan a "Lai Duo Long"中二 name; a man in his fifties still especially likes wearing motorcycle jackets. Fortunately, their own supporters should not have been drawn in.

Also, if the Hope Foundation wanted to buy everyone, how much money would it need to prepare?

"What the two directors said." Watanabe Eiji followed their stance: "Our bureau will certainly have laws to follow, enforce strictly, punish violations!" "Very good, you handle things, I'm reassured." Onoda Kimiaki nodded satisfied.

At this time, Onoda Kimiaki put down his teacup, body slightly leaned forward, changed topic, face showing a smile between official and personal affection: "Watanabe Director, although this matter was handled beautifully by the police, after all it caused quite a stir, Bunkyo Ward is also a gathering place of prestigious schools, parents inevitably have lingering fears. Society needs some...... positive, light topics to dispel tension, gather some positive emotions." "That is, don't report so much social negativity, come more with positive energy." Nanko Taro added.

"That is...... son-in-law Uesugi Supervising Doctor, hasn't he always closely cooperated with Fuji Television's 'Hand of God'? Response very good. His wedding with Minami Miss can be called a match made in heaven, also a beautiful story."

Onoda Kimiaki's smile deepened, tone carrying a hint of non-refusable suggestion: "You see, could we coordinate to let the 'Hand of Hand' program team broadcast some wedding segments...... uh, such as the couple's vows, exchanging rings, or some warm interactions embodying tradition and beautiful combination? Of course, respect privacy, moderate editing. This could both display the positive image of model police elite families and convey signals of happiness and stability to society, diverting excessive public attention from bloody cases. This is beneficial for shaping the overall image of the Metropolitan Police Department and even the government."

Watanabe Eiji: "?"

"???"

??????

Are you even going to use Sōsetsu and Minami's wedding ceremony?

Onoda! You bastard, are you human?