Chapter 736

Although the upper floors of Tokyo Chūjō Building experienced gunfights, explosive fireworks, fires, and a once suffocating "bomb threat" panic, the final outcome, in official statements and mainstream media reports, was maximally "simplified" and "normalized."

The next day, the Metropolitan Police Department formally held a press conference, publicly disclosing the scene conditions and findings.

Public Relations Section Chief Togasaki Tomonobu faced the cameras and said: "Based on preliminary investigation, the incident originated from residual personnel of a former radical organization who illegally stockpiled and modified large quantities of fireworks for hazardous purposes. When police acted on a tip-off, the suspects put up desperate resistance and accidentally ignited some hazardous materials, causing localized fires and chaos."

"Facing such special circumstances, the Metropolitan Police Department jointly acted with the National Police Agency, swiftly neutralizing the main suspect who resisted desperately, safely rescuing one female hostage held captive, and bringing all hazardous materials at the scene under control."

"During the process, a former organization member (Honda Atsuhito) provided key assistance. The fire was promptly extinguished, the building's main structure remains safe, no large-scale explosion occurred, and there were no civilian casualties. The incident remains under further investigation."

"Thank you for external attention and support, and please everyone be discerning of many unfounded rumors."

Under the Cabinet's guidance, the Metropolitan Police Department quickly framed this incident, so despite countless rumors on 2CH, Yahoo, and social media, with some claiming to have seen a golden figure and crimson halo on the high-rise during the incident, the Metropolitan Police Department's explanation—"that was fireworks"—was accepted by all.

"Fireworks deity, right?" someone muttered.

"Obviously a fireworks nerve! What era is this, still terrorists using firecrackers as bombs?"

"Hahaha, so retro, just don't know who exactly these people are."

Online commentary is endless, but never lacks various mockery, with some also saying how come there was no explosion, so boring. I want to see the Twin Towers!

"Illegal fireworks," "accidental ignition," "false alarm"... these terms cleverly downplayed the terrorism conspiracy behind the incident, the complex father-daughter grudge, and the deadly explosives that nearly caused the skyscraper to collapse.

For the public, this is a frightening major safety incident ultimately brought under strong police control, with focus shifted more toward the dangers of illegal fireworks and the police fire department's rapid response.

Although social media still had various speculations and "saw strange flashes," "heard sounds unlike fireworks explosions," these were soon drowned out by more authoritative information and gradually waning attention.

Tokyo Chūjō Building only needed one month of repairs to reopen.

Everything looks so harmonious, congratulations, congratulations!

And that afternoon, just as Togasaki Tomonobu was holding the press conference, Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Sakuradamon.

In a small but highly confidential meeting room, the atmosphere differed from the outside world's gradual calm. Here, post-incident review and internal evaluation were underway.

Uesugi Muneyuki, as one of the core personnel handling the scene, underwent questioning by a joint inquiry team composed of representatives from the National Police Agency, Metropolitan Police Department senior leadership, and the Cabinet Secretariat.

Uesugi Muneyuki wore a neat suit, remained composed, answered questions with clear logic, and used rigorous wording.

I am ready!

"Mr. Uesugi Muneyuki, may I ask what you saw when you entered the 35th floor? What prompted you to venture into the smoke? And what exactly happened afterward?"

"The situation was urgent then; I didn't think much. I heard gunfire amid the chaos and a faint cry for help. Concerned about the circumstances, I chose to grope toward the source of the cry." Uesugi Muneyuki replied calmly.

He strictly followed his "agreement" with Honda Atsuhito and based his report on partial facts: Hayase Marie was kidnapped by the Takakura Group and used to blackmail her father Honda Atsuhito, injured during the incident, with her mental state traumatized.

Although Honda Atsuhito was formerly the leader of the "Red Goldfinch," he did not directly participate in new terrorist activities after returning to Japan. Instead, after his daughter's kidnapping, he secretly sought official help through some channel and, at the critical moment, provided key information on Honda's hiding place of explosives, assisting in stabilizing Honda's emotions—though not fully successful—but thereby giving Uesugi Muneyuki an opportunity. His conduct may be seen as a blemished witness with significant meritorious service. As for Honda's final fate, certain unusual destruction traces at the scene, and Honda's more specific "assistance" details: "I'm not entirely clear; at the time, the situation was chaotic, thick smoke obscured everything, and due to black powder fireworks causing extreme visual confusion, I could not confirm what actually happened then."

Uesugi Muneyuki furrowed his brows, stating his focus then was on rescuing the hostage and cooperating with Honda Atsuhito; some details remain unclear, and Honda, in desperation, seemed to have detonated more fireworks leading to self-immolation, with other aspects awaiting technical inspection at the scene.

Representatives from the Metropolitan Police Department and the Cabinet expressed regret and understanding toward Uesugi Muneyuki's some vague points.

Put simply, this is what is called a "misplacement of configuration."

If Uesugi Muneyuki were replaced by a professional SAT team member, his statement would draw criticism.

But his primary identity is a doctoral student at Tokyo University; he isn't even a police officer, so in this context, his vagueness and lack of scene understanding are understandable.

Since he is the only one who remained throughout at the core scene and ultimately made direct contact with the main suspect and key witness, and given his impeccable professional background and reputation, the joint inquiry team, after thoroughly recording his statement, did not raise many difficult-to-explain questions.

Many case details, by nature, became mysteries due to the deaths of Honda and some core accomplices, partial scene destruction, and Honda Atsuhito's vague testimony. Uesugi Muneyuki's report provided the most fitting "conventional logic" and "political need" patch for these mysteries. Meanwhile, those who truly knew the inside story—like the Onoda brothers and Watanabe Eiji—did not want to expand on it, so this procedure quickly concluded, with the Ministry of Justice and District Public Prosecutors Office announcing Uesugi Muneyuki had no issues and could leave.

After the inquiry ended, Cabinet Secretariat Director Onoda Kimiaki and National Police Agency Secretariat Director Onoda Kimiaki intentionally left Uesugi Muneyuki and Minami Ojou-sama, who also participated in subsequent command coordination, behind.

Onoda Kimiaki's fatigue on his face had not fully dissipated, but compared to his fury during the incident's most critical moment, he now bore several degrees of relieved complex expression.

No matter what, the result is good!!

He glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki, then at Uesugi Minami, and slowly said: "This incident……was handled with extreme difficulty and involved enormous risk. Ultimately avoiding the worst outcome, avoiding large-scale casualties and social panic, is a fortune amidst misfortune."

"Uesugi-kun, Uesugi Management Official, well done!" He patted the shoulders of Uesugi and Minami.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Minami Ojou-sama understood.

From this moment on, the Special Mission Division is officially established!

Onoda Kimiaki presented, his tone leaning more toward practical evaluation: "Doctor Uesugi's on-scene judgment under extreme conditions, his maneuvering with dangerous individuals, and his final handling to ensure key evidence and hostage safety demonstrated professional competence and a clear mind beyond the norm. Uesugi Management Official's rear information coordination, resource allocation, and communication with various units also played a crucial role. Although the process had surprises and flaws, the final outcome aligns with the maximum demand for national interest and public safety."

"The National Police Department thanks you for your contribution!"

This constitutes quite high praise, also meaning the official level will not investigate details of the handling process (such as doubts about Marie being "captured" then "rescued," or Honda Atsuhito's overly "coincidental" appearance and "assistance").

Politics and outcome orientation sometimes make the best case closure report.

Onoda Kimiaki finally nodded, his tone easing: "You've worked hard. Subsequent reports and public opinion guidance will be properly handled by the Secretariat and Metropolitan Police Department Propaganda Department. You……should also rest well."

Uesugi Muneyuki and Minami Ojou-suma stood at attention and saluted: "Yes!"

Leaving the meeting room, walking in the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters hallway, Minami Ojou-sama discreetly gripped Uesugi Muneyuki's hand, softly asking: "Really…is it all over?" Her eyes still held undisipped worry, not only about the case, but also sensing her husband had reservations.

She seemed to have understood something.

Uesugi Muneyuki returned her grip, giving her a reassuring look: "At least, the part that should end, has ended." His gaze calmly turned toward the window outside; Tokyo's sky, after a night of clamor, appeared exceptionally clear.

And behind them, a few people who had just finished attending an unrelated meeting happened to walk by.

One was a capable young female officer wearing glasses—Ozawa Sumiko, Police Inspector.

The other appeared sunny and open-minded, even a bit scatterbrained, pushing a delicate food cart—Tsugawa Shoichi, Assistant Police Inspector. "The Special Mission Division, then, has come into being." Ozawa Sumiko pushed up her glasses, the gaze behind the lenses sharp yet thoughtful, her lips curling into a smile of realization tinged with playfulness.

"Yeah, truly great!" Tsugawa Shoichi, Assistant Police Inspector, laughed: "Just explaining it to Chairman Minami is troublesome."

"No problem, Chairman Minami's side—I'll handle it." Ozawa Sumiko said this with full confidence.

They relied on the Special Mission Division, the future vast expanse of heaven and earth, great things can also be done!