Chapter 740

The text also mentioned that, theoretically, the highest-ranking Japanese police officer who would personally appear at a crime scene to investigate is a Police Inspector, and since Tanaka Laodeng has been promoted to Section Chief, he no longer goes to the scene unless it's a major murder case or something similar.

With some free time, he also enjoys chatting a few more words with Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena.

Recalling those tumultuous years of the past!

Uesugi Muneyuki took a sip of the rich Nestlé-brewed coffee in his cup, seemingly casually asking: "By the way, Tanaka La…… Section Chief, now that you're in this position, what happened to the former Section Chief Sutō? That 'Sutō Shīgu' senior, I recall his chin's shape…… well, quite distinctive, unforgettable."

I'm such a big Sutō Shīgu?

Where did you send him off to?

He won't be promoted to Shōchō, will he?

"Pfft" Ikeda Erena beside him nearly choked, quickly covering her mouth, her shoulders trembling slightly.

After becoming especially close with Uesugi Muneyuki, he often used nicknames to address those earliest few people.

Tanaka Laodeng, Sutō Shīgu, Kuwabara Mako.

But Uesugi Muneyuki actually saying it to their face is still the first time.

This also shows his status is different now; otherwise, in Japanese society where hierarchy is very clear, this would be "overstepping" and "great disrespect." Tanaka Laodeng also laughed helplessly, shaking his head: "Uesugi-kun, this mouth of yours…… if Section Chief Sutō hears it, he'll surely come after you." Speaking of Sutō Shīgu, he sighed, his originally proud and satisfied expression tinged with a hint of complex emotion: "Section Chief Sutō…… it's a pity." "Oh? How so?" Uesugi Muneyuki raised his eyebrows, showing interest.

Ikeda Erena also restrained her smile, listening attentively.

Ikeda Erena still has many good memories of the Ōtaku Police Station in reality, after all, this is where she rarely felt happy. Tanaka lowered his voice, his body leaning slightly forward, as if sharing an internal police secret not fit for outsiders: "Section Chief Sutō, he has the ability and sufficient seniority. This year was originally his last opportunity window; if he could be promoted to Superintendent, even just 'wearing the plaque' (note: meaning entering the Superintendent-level management tier, even without holding an important substantive post), his retirement benefits and face would be completely different. He put in a lot of effort for this." "Did he run his legs off doing 'visit and greet (9)'?" Uesugi Muneyuki used a common internal police term, referring to the etiquette visits made for promotion, involving gift-giving.

"Not even close!" Tanaka Laodeng gave a wry smile, holding up four fingers, then flipping his palm over: "Just the surface money for various 'commemorative items' (substantial gifts), 'fraternization gatherings' (social events), and 'information organization' (gathering information, smoothing relations expenses)…… this number before and after."

He gestured with his fingers.

"Five hundred thousand?" Ikeda Erena gasped, eyes wide.

Really? Isn't promotion supposed to happen naturally if you have enough merit, solved cases, and prepared for the exam?

"Five hundred thousand? You're joking! It's five million!" Tanaka Laodeng laughed at Ikeda Erena's innocence.

"Five million???" Ikeda Erena blurted out, completely stunned—this was her entire annual take-home pay!

"Yes, Sutō even took the path of the former Superintendent General Hakuba's old subordinates, hoping to hang the title of 'Special Recommendation' on himself." Tanaka Laodeng sighed.

Ikeda Erena clicked her tongue slightly, having heard some things in the Special Mission Division, but such specific numbers and operations still made her feel somewhat uneasy. Is the Japanese police really this dark? Since entering the Metropolitan Police Department, she's always felt things were quite bright!

"Then what happened after……?" Uesugi Muneyuki, being more accustomed to it, having Miharu by his side, continued asking.

His adoptive father Watanabe Eiji has been Superintendent General for quite a while, and everyone is almost forgetting his predecessor was Superintendent Hakuba.

"Stuck in the Personnel Division." Tanaka's voice dropped even lower: "Supposedly, in the end, Assistant Police Inspector Kashiwagi Misa…… that is, the former 'Face of the Metropolitan Police Department,' now holding considerable real power in the Personnel Division, sent the materials back."

Kashiwagi Misa???

Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes flickered, but he gestured to continue.

"The reason is very official: 'comprehensive consideration of age, past evaluations, and future position suitability,' but everyone in the circle understands that Sutō senior's 'details exposed in writing' (meaning his background was seen through, indicating promotion efforts were too obvious), and moreover, his old senior backer, whose influence has waned. Assistant Police Inspector Kashiwagi…… is notorious for being iron-faced and terrifyingly shrewd; trying to get past her eyelids is difficult."

A brief silence.

The ceiling for non-career-track officers often lies right before these seemingly transparent but actually strict rules and invisible thresholds.

This is the Japanese police, as said by Kudō I."

"So, what about Sutō senior now……?" Uesugi Muneyuki sighed, thinking why make things difficult for non-career-track officers?

But upon reflection, the Superintendent quotas for non-career-track officers are originally extremely scarce; must you be promoted just because you worked hard for decades? This is too lenient—Superintendent Assistants didn't just increase from a fixed twenty-plus quotas to fifty people for this reason?

"I've lost heart." Tanaka Laodeng shook his head: "I applied to the Police University, took a teaching post. Also counts as making use of remaining heat, training newcomers. Better than staying in the station watching juniors advance while I stand still."

Tanaka Laodeng's words inevitably carried the chill of a rabbit's death fox's sorrow.

This system is indeed petty.

Can I wear a Superintendent badge for one day when I retire?

"Then…… what about Kuwabara?" Ikeda Erena recalled another acquaintance from Ōtaku Police Station, the honest and diligent Kuwabara Buchō who always rushed to the front lines. "Kuwabara……" Tanaka sighed again: "Still in his old position, but as Police Sergeant, that's probably his endpoint; this kid lacks case-solving ability, and since you, Uesugi-kun, left, he hasn't cracked any notable cases, you know, Uesugi-kun,."

The coffee cup lightly tapped the tray, emitting a clear, faint sound.

The topic grew somewhat heavy.

Behind the police badge lie countless individuals' struggles, efforts, and compromises; the brilliance at the pyramid's peak is often silently supported by more stones remaining on the tower's body.

After chatting and laughing for a while, checking the time, Uesugi and Ikeda Erena rose to say goodbye.

They still needed to rush to Tokyo University to attend that more formal yet also intertwined-with-other-storms retirement ceremony.

On the way, Ikeda Erena mused: "It seems the Police Sergeant rank is hard to promote."

"Otherwise?" Uesugi Muneyuki laughed helplessly.

"I always feel like promotions in our Special Mission Division are fast and natural?" Ikeda Erena pondered, voicing her thought.

"Otherwise?!!!!" Uesugi Muneyuki continued laughing helplessly.

The car re-entered Tokyo University's campus, a thick academic atmosphere utterly unlike the police station hitting them face-on.

The campus today seemed especially lively, with activities everywhere.

Indeed, the retirement ceremony for Professor Uesugi Kuninori was held in the auditorium of the Astronomy Research Building, solemn and warm, attended mostly by academic peers, his disciples, and related figures from the Peerage sphere, the atmosphere strict.

However, the Cultural Exchange Center, just one street away from the Forensic Medicine Hall, was now teeming with people, the atmosphere extraordinarily lively. A huge banner hung above: "Japan-Germany Go Friendship Exchange Summit; New Era Hand Talk."

It turned out this venue was simultaneously hosting a high-standard Japan-Germany Go exchange event.

And the lineup of this German delegation, truly luxurious across eras.

Specifically, Nie Sheng, Chang Gong, and Sōrō.

Each respectively represented a flagship figure of German Go from three eras, appearing together, making this exchange highly anticipated.

Many Go enthusiasts, students, and even media reporters from inside and outside the campus gathered here, the scene grand.

Here is the clear sound of black and white stones landing on the board with hushed discussion; there is the tribute and inheritance of academic retirement; two different "intellectual competition" cultures, in this ancient academic palace of Tokyo University, wonderfully resonating in unison.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena weaved through the slightly crowded campus paths, sometimes hearing faint applause and exclamations from the Go venue, sometimes seeing scholars in formal attire heading to attend their grandfather's retirement ceremony.

Winter sunlight shone on the ancient buildings, the air seemingly filled with the special spark of knowledge, wisdom, and cultural exchange colliding. "What a lively day it is." Ikeda Erena linked her arm with Uesugi's, speaking softly.

"Yes," Uesugi gazed toward the bustling crowd not far off at the Cultural Exchange Center, then turned to look at the quiet entrance of the Astronomy Research Building, his eyes deep: "Quiet honor, lively competition…… both today, hoping Tanaka Laodeng's 'joy feast' tonight also goes smoothly."