Chapter 676

"No, no way!" Date Nagamune stepped back in disbelief, his face twisted with terror as he shook his head desperately. As someone who had served as a Self-Defense Official, Date Nagamune had of course participated in bear extermination and prevention work, and naturally knew the terrible consequences bear attacks could cause. Normally, bears are more afraid of humans, but if winter comes and there's nothing to eat, bears will inevitably enter human settlements to forage for food.

Japan's handling of bear problems mostly involves so-called driving away or intimidation, but when necessary, they also choose to hunt them. However, in recent years, due to increasingly strict civilian gun control, hunters with hunting licenses often have their licenses revoked by sting operations. Moreover, under the Meiji Emperor's constitution, the Self-Defense Forces cannot use firearms, so bear incidents have become quite frequent in recent years, especially in the Tōhoku region where mountains are many and forests dense, and human settlements are becoming increasingly sparse. Bears have begun boldly entering towns, rummaging through garbage bins and entering homes in search of food.

Could it be that Uesugi-san has already been......

Uesugi Muneyuki was alone, completely unprepared......

"Uesugi-san!!"

As the roar burst from his throat, Date Nagamune's body had already moved.

He violently pulled out the tactical flashlight he carried on his person, the strong beam shooting straight into the bear's eyes, while his other hand had already reached toward his waist— but there was no sidearm, nor a baton or spray.

After all, he was just out for fun— how could he possibly be carrying equipment?

Where's my M9?

Without his gun, Date's courage instantly lost more than half. The fear of the beast and the remnants of his training tore at him: he couldn't turn and run now, he had to create a deterrent, otherwise the bear's speed— especially uphill— would be extremely fast, but what if the bear had already......

This adult Japanese black bear, startled by the strong light, let out a low growl and turned around, its muzzle stained with food remnants slightly parted, its small eyes reflecting the flashlight's glow and Date Nagamune's deathly pale face.

It did not attack immediately, seemingly assessing this newly appeared two-legged creature.

What is this? Rotating sushi?

The black bear wondered: does this guy have anything to eat on him?

At that moment, Date Nagamune's gaze swept past the bear's shoulder and locked firmly onto the empty space before the tombstone.

Good news— no bloodstains, no clothing fragments...... but the bear might have dragged him away...... swallowed him......

"Damn it! Get away from there, you bastard! Damn it!" he bellowed, his voice distorted by fear and anger, waving the flashlight, trying to create a greater presence, though he dared not recklessly charge forward.

Don't underestimate this black bear— one swipe can crush a human skull!

Date Nagamune's heart pounded wildly, almost bursting his ribs, his mind filled with only one frantic thought: "Immediately contact headquarters, request support, search the vicinity, alive we want to see the person, dead we want to see the corpse— no, no way, that guy who always says calmly, 'Call everyone over, I want to lay out the situation'— how could he just die like this?"

The Japanese black bear let out another low growl, seemed to weigh the moment for a moment, then finally picked up another unopened food bag from the ground and slowly retreated deeper into the tree shadows, disappearing.

The pressure eased slightly, but a greater chill gripped Date Nagamune.

He trembled, forcing himself to quickly scan the scene, the inspection box scattered, the Snickers bar licked and dragged away by the bear, no obvious drag marks on the ground...... but the bear's strength might have directly......

Uesugi-san, where did you go?

He staggered forward and collapsed before the tombstone, his fingers touching the icy ground. No warmth, nothing at all.

The ossuary stood silent as usual, only the air retained a faint, indescribable sense of urgency, like after a thunderstorm mixed with... old books and blood? Perhaps an illusion? Perhaps the bear's scent.

Date Nagamune trembled as he pulled out his phone, the screen's light illuminating his bloodless face.

He quickly switched to the emergency call interface, yet his eyes involuntarily turned again toward the patch of ground that had swallowed Uesugi Muneyuki, and the direction where the bear vanished into the shadows.

"This is... Uesugi Shinai... Kenshin's Grave... Emergency situation! Someone may have encountered a bear attack... gone missing... repeat, possibly encountered a bear attack and gone missing! Request immediate support!"

His voice echoed in the silent cemetery, reporting based on the most reasonable, most terrifying speculation.

Damn it! I can't collapse here!

Date Nagamune thought it over, decided to give chase.

My goal is to become a man like Date Masamune-kō!

I'll take on this black bear, watch me pull off a sliding tackle!

Uesugi-san, don't be afraid, I, Date, am coming!

Just like that, Date casually grabbed a wooden stick from inside the shrine and ran after the bear.

The news reached the rear— the recording set, originally buzzing with holiday preparation atmosphere, suddenly seemed to have its sound sucked away.

From the director's walkie-talkie came urgent, incredulous reports from outside coordinators: "Director, director! Not good! Just received news, at the rear mountain of the shrine, near Kenshin's Grave, Uesugi Chief who went to pay respects to Kenshin's grave... possibly, possibly encountered a bear attack! The scene found his belongings scattered, person missing! Date Patrol Officer has already reported to police!"

The news struck like a boulder dropped into still water. Staff members adjusting lights, preparing for YKC48 and Akai Saka 46 members to take their positions, froze instantly, faces blank, expressions full of shock and bewilderment.

Uesugi Muneyuki, gone?!

"Bear attack......? In this kind of place? Uesugi-sensei he......" a young female AD in charge of props said, voice trembling, her script slipping from her hand to the floor. The show "Hand of God" basically relies entirely on Uesugi Muneyuki's content output— if something happens to Uesugi?

Oh boy, it's over, astronomical compensation, sponsors pulling out— and most importantly, the Metropolitan Police Department side......

Fuji TV's on-site director's face turned iron-blue, suppressing shock, he quickly barked into the walkie-talkie: "Confirm the news source! Blockade the surrounding area, non-essential personnel do not approach! All performers stay in the safe zone! Notify headquarters!"

At this moment, in the studio, Fuji TV's top female anchor, Tei Reiji, had just finished touching up her makeup, chatting lightly with several members of Akai Saka 46, preparing to record the blessing segment afterward.

As Fuji TV's top female anchor, her hosting style is steady and approachable, able to build good relationships with guests from all walks. At this moment she was calculating: Shirakawa Mai's route, I heard they encountered heavy snow blocking the road, will be very late...... maybe I can use this time...... hehe, Uesugi-san last time said that set of cervin vintage non-elastic nylon suspenders stockings looked good, this time I brought two pairs......

When the executive producer rushed in, face ashen, quietly delivering the bad news, Tei Reiji's professional warm smile on her face instantly froze. She dropped the "breaking evil arrow" prop she was playing with in her hand onto the tatami mat, making a crisp sound.

"Bear......? Uesugi he......?" she instinctively used the familiar term of address, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

She jumped to her feet, her skirt nearly knocking over the low table beside her. "Where is the scene? I want to go there!"

Her tone was an indisputable urgency, but the producer hurriedly stopped her: "Tei-san, now it's chaotic there, police and rescue teams have already intervened, too dangerous! And the program........."

On the other side, Sohō Hinata, operations for YKC48 and also a member of this program's production committee, was furrowing his brow checking the schedule. This time he came to the recording site with a very important task, namely...... originally he planned to take advantage of the New Year wish recording ending, then use sightseeing as an excuse to stay here a few days looking for opportunities, but Uesugi Muneyuki suddenly met with misfortune?

This might be an opportunity!

Uesugi Kenshin's bone ash, I'm taking it!

When he heard the staff's murmurs and the gradually spreading commotion, learning that "Uesugi Hōi went missing in the shrine's rear mountain, possibly attacked by a bear," he first froze for a moment, then immediately, a mixture of shock, instinctive calculation, and a certain near-cruel realism emotion surfaced on his resolute face. He quick-stepped to beside the director's group in urgent discussion, his voice not loud, yet carrying a kind of unyielding coldness, instantly drawing attention from those around:

"Bear attack? In this kind of mountain forest holy ground? Belongings scattered, person missing?" he repeated the key information, the corner of his mouth pulling down slightly, as if evaluating a project's failure probability.

Everyone fell silent, everyone knew how serious Date Nagamune's report was, but no one dared to make a judgment.

Only Sohō Hinata, he glanced around at the production team with varied expressions and vaguely heard noises, idol members beginning to feel uneasy, he spat out that ice-cold, bone-piercing sentence:

"If life or death is unclear, then they are dead!"

The air in the tent seemed to be instantly sucked dry.

"Sohō-san!" someone couldn't help but whisper in shock: "Now is not the time to say this!"

Tei Reiji looked at Sohō Hinata in disbelief, her eyes full of astonishment and anger.

Sohō Hinata, however, seemed utterly indifferent, continuing in his pragmatic, near-cruel tone: "Now is not the time to cling to unrealistic hope! How will the program recording proceed? How to adjust subsequent plans? How to explain to sponsors and viewers? Uesugi Chief's segment is almost irreplaceable! Immediately activate the emergency protocol, consider substitute guests or revise the schedule! This is what should be done now!"

"I'll immediately take people to check the graves of past generations at the Uesugi Shinai! You guys wait here!" Suou Hinata whispered, giving a glance to the two unfamiliar subordinates following him.

Let's go!

Find Uesugi Muneyuki!

Regardless of whether he's alive or dead, let's just kill him!

Then, according to the plan, seize Uesugi Kenshin's bone ash!