Chapter 781

Around two in the morning, reports finally came in from police stations everywhere and the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters.

Police Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji led the way, followed by Criminal Investigation Bureau Director Mouri Takayoshi and Criminal Investigation Department Chief Uchimura Kanji, all three wearing the same expression—the unique blend of fatigue and tension seen in those roused in the dead of night to handle a crisis. Everyone in the office stood up.

When Minami Ojou-sama rose, she steadied herself on the edge of the table—a subtle motion only Uesugi Muneyuki noticed.

Watanabe Eiji's gaze swept over those present, pausing briefly on Minami's face before shifting away.

That look was complex: a father's gaze at his daughter, a superior's at his subordinate, and also the gaze of one who, in such a moment, could show no special treatment.

"Please be seated." Watanabe Eiji said: "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for summoning you temporarily in the middle of the night."

Everyone sat down.

Watanabe Eiji did not sit.

He stood at one end of the long table, hands braced on the tabletop, looking at each person present.

"You've probably already heard about the matter." His voice was lower than usual, but each word was crystal clear, as if etched in glass: "As far as this headquarters can ascertain, the information is that the former forensics division officer of Kanagawa Prefectural Police, now the Patrol Officer Section Chief of the Ayase Police Station under the Metropolitan Police Department, Setouchi Makoto, was arrested in Wuyu County for covertly photographing women's skirts, and subsequently, a large number of photos of female corpses were discovered on his apartment computer. Preliminary confirmation indicates these photos were taken during his thirteen years of service with Kanagawa Prefectural Police, involving at least one hundred female corpses, including foreign nationals."

"Some of the photos have been confirmed to have leaked onto the dark web, and there are indications he profited from selling them to the tune of several million yen."

"FBI investigator Runa-Roshiji-huhuhu confirmed this information for the United States; Americans regulate virtual currency more effectively than we do, and they state there are indeed virtual currency transactions on the dark web, with preliminary estimates suggesting transactions exceeding five million yen involved… and this is only what has been discovered so far."

Watanabe Eiji said.

However, Uesugi Muneyuki's face already bore black lines.

Truly katakana hell.

What Runa-Roshiji-huhuhu—people actually call him Laurence Stralup properly!

"Commander of US Forces Japan George-Burden-Roy Uuran has already been closely monitoring this matter…"

Uesugi Muneyuki even covered his face, unable to look straight… people clearly call him George-Burden-Roy, Commander of US Forces Japan, General! So now everyone can immediately understand why even Japanese people complain about katakana hell, right?

It's truly hell! A barrage of katakana-corresponding Japanese-style pronunciation proper nouns comes at you, incomprehensible gibberish! Moreover, Japanese lacks many of these sounds or doesn't pronounce them.

Take a typical example: "dream" in English is pronounced "junmo," but in Japanese it's pronounced "churimo." Similar examples abound internationally—for instance, the French football emperor Henry is actually pronounced "enri" in French, for example, Zinedine Zidane is a classic case of mistranslation; he is called "Bullets" in France, and Pogba is called "bombo" in French.

But instances where Japanese people stubbornly impose katakana like this, creating heaps of proper nouns and onomatopoeia, are still rare.

"Two hours ago, the office of the United States Vice President sent a formal note via diplomatic channels to the Japanese government. The Prime Minister's Office has already intervened. Now, this matter is no longer merely a police scandal, but a national-level diplomatic crisis."

The meeting room fell so silent one could hear the air conditioner's hum.

Only Uesugi Muneyuki remained speechless, choked with emotion.

Zhamuq He……was the guy who thrice swore anda with Genghis Khan and thrice betrayed him, ultimately failing and having to become a wandering vagabond, leading his followers to seek refuge with the Nenbei tribe's Sun Khan, assuming the alias "Bengbeng Xiaoyuanmao," nicknamed A Mao, yet in the end Genghis Khan tracked him to Hangai Mountain, where he and the Nenbei tribe were smashed together, he was executed by hanging, the Gurkhan Zhamuq He?

Kublai Khan: Yuan god awesome!

Zhu Yuanzhang: No, Ming Chao awesome!

However, his name should actually be "James," and has nothing to do with that Zhamuq He's balls……

Following Japanese transliteration, Snow White should be called "Chaghan Kawa."

Criminal Investigation Department Chief Uchimura Kanji spoke: "Currently our grasp of the situation is very limited. Setouchi Makoto himself has remained silent since last night, refusing to elaborate further. As for Kanagawa Prefectural Police, we have not yet made formal contact. The media has exploded, and public opinion in the United States is fermenting. Before dawn, we must produce a preliminary investigative direction."

Police Bureau Criminal Investigation Director Mouri Takayoshi continued: "The Police Bureau's stance is crystal clear—this matter must be investigated thoroughly, and quickly. The sooner the better. The longer it drags on, the greater the harm to the nation."

Watanabe Eiji looked at those present: "The Special Mission Division is the Police Department's trump card, the last line of defense. I entrust this matter to you." His gaze swept over each person's face: "From now on, all your actions report directly to me. Unconstrained by any department, unbound by any procedure. Investigate thoroughly—what exactly happened, who participated, who knew but failed to report, who is covering up behind the scenes." He paused.

"Before dawn, I want a preliminary conclusion."

Everyone's gaze turned to Minami.

Minami Ojou-sama drew a deep breath, about to speak, when Uesugi Muneyuki spoke first.

"Superintendent Watanabe." His voice was very calm, as if discussing an academic problem: "May I ask a few questions?"

Watanabe Eiji nodded slightly.

"Besides what you just mentioned, what other information do we currently possess? For example, have the identities of the foreign victims been confirmed? Have the specific channels through which the photos entered the dark web been traced? Has a list of Setouchi Makoto's colleagues during his time in Kanagawa been compiled? Are the surveillance records from that period still preserved?"

Watanabe Eiji and Uchimura Kanji exchanged a glance.

"None." Uchimura Kanji said: "Currently we have nothing. Kanagawa Prefectral Police says the surveillance records from that time have been overwritten due to the long passage of years. The colleague list can be retrieved, but it will take time. As for the dark web, our people are still pursuing it, but tracing cryptocurrency is difficult." Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, his face showing no change in expression, as expected.

Why are things in Kanagawa always so awful?

Then he spoke: "This matter is not as simple as it appears."

Everyone looked at him.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and picked up an ink marker.

"First." He wrote "1" on the whiteboard: "Since these photos could be sold on the dark web and have continued for several years, it indicates a mature operational mechanism has been established—photographing, categorizing, pricing, disseminating, collecting payments. This cannot be the work of one person. It requires someone to provide cover for him, someone to help him find buyers, and perhaps someone to help him launder money. Now that foreigners are involved, it shows this mechanism has matured to the point of enabling cross-border transactions. And those capable of cross-border transactions certainly do not lack domestic buyers—in other words, the scale of this industry chain may be far greater than we imagine."

He drew a question mark after the "1".

Everyone fell silent; among them, the women, especially Ozawa Sumiko and Ikeda Erena, already showed extremely angry expressions. Photographing female corpses for profit—simply……intolerable!

"Second." Uesugi Muneyuki wrote "2" on the whiteboard: "The time span is thirteen years. Thirteen years, four police stations changed, dozens of colleagues, countless shift handovers, joint investigations, internal inspections. No one noticed? No one inquired? This is impossible. Either Setouchi Makoto was absurdly lucky to go undetected, or someone was turning a blind eye. Even, someone may have been profiting alongside him."

He turned his head, looking at Watanabe Eiji.

"Thirteen years of silence is not because no one noticed, but because everyone had an unspoken understanding. This kind of tacit agreement is harder to investigate than mere crime, and more terrifying." No one spoke in the meeting room; Okada Masayoshi, Nango Yui, and Kanjou Wataru appeared deep in thought.

Uesugi Muneyuki turned back to the whiteboard.

"Third." He wrote "3" on the whiteboard: "Kanagawa Prefectural Police also inspires little confidence."

He paused.

"To speak frankly, everyone knows the problems Kanagawa Prefectural Police have had these years—low quality, perfunctory work, repeated mistakes—this is not prejudice, it is fact. That case from a few years ago, and the one before that—each time something went wrong, it was 'deep reflection,' yet after each reflection things remained the same. Now letting them investigate themselves—what could they possibly uncover?"

He put down the marker, looking at those present.

"Those involved in this matter are either stupid—stupid to the point of not noticing criminal activity around them for thirteen years—or corrupt—corrupt to the point of sharing profits with the criminals. Either way, letting them investigate themselves yields only one result: they will uncover nothing."

"Corruption, embezzlement, collusion inside and out—stupid and wicked." Uesugi Muneyuki said with a sneer: "Investigating themselves, or claiming this is merely an isolated case, the perpetrator acted alone and they were unaware, or else pushing a scapegoat forward to commit suicide and call it a day."

Losing guns four times a year, the first reaction after reporting an accident is to persuade people to withdraw the case, saving traffic accident victims by putting them on the bed and then forgetting about it, leading to the victims' deaths—this is the daily routine of Kanagawa police.

Watanabe Eiji fell silent for a few seconds, then nodded: "Then what do you suggest?"

Uesugi Muneyuki looked at him: "Woodpecker Tactics."

"Woodpecker?"

"Woodpeckers catch bugs, they don't just peck one hole." Uesugi Muneyuki said: "Peck from outside, peck from inside, peck from above, peck from below. All-around, multi-angle, leaving the bugs nowhere to escape, and if one strike misses, we can quickly withdraw, adjust, and launch a second wave of attack!" He walked back to the whiteboard and drew a simple schematic.

"Split the forces into two routes. One open, one covert."

He pointed to the left side of the whiteboard.

"On the surface, led by Uesugi Minami, Section Chief, officially entering the Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters under the banner of the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Mission Division. Reviewing files, conducting interviews, checking records. Follow whatever procedures need to be followed, ask whatever questions need to be asked. Let everyone know the Metropolitan Police Department is investigating." "This both informs everyone and maximizes attention, making Kanagawa Prefectural Police believe we are seriously investigating this route."

"And then." He pointed to the right side of the whiteboard:

"Covertly, I lead the team, not in police uniform, not revealing identity, secretly seeking out those involved parties and experienced individuals—retired old police officers, resigned forensic examiners, medical personnel who once worked in the morgue, even funeral home staff. These people are outside the system, unafraid of offending others, possibly willing to speak. Even if unwilling to speak, their reactions can tell us much."

He turned around: "Those on the surface are responsible for creating pressure, keeping problematic people busy dealing with, destroying evidence, and coordinating stories. Those covertly strike while they are chaotic, seeking out forgotten corners. A pincer movement from both sides may allow us to breach a gap in the shortest time." The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds.

Mouri Takayoshi spoke: "This plan……is feasible, no wonder, Uesugi-kun, Metropolitan Police Department's Ultimate Weapon."

Uchimura Kanji also nodded, he had nothing to say.

Watanabe Eiji looked at Uesugi Muneyuki, then glanced at his daughter Minami.

Minami stood up: "I'll lead the surface team."

She said, her voice steadier than usual: "Muneyuki takes the covert side. Both sides act simultaneously, with real-time information synchronization."

Watanabe Eiji pondered briefly, then nodded: "It can be done."

He glanced at the clock on the wall.

It is now 2:15 a. m.

"But there is one condition." He said: "I need a preliminary conclusion before 7 a. m. Whether it's what the surface team uncovers or what the covert team finds, by 7 a. m., I need to know the scale of this matter, how many people are involved, and whether there are systemic issues."

He paused.

"After 7 a. m., the Prime Minister's Office will hold a response meeting. I need to bring the answers with me."

Minami Ojou-sama nodded slightly: "Understood."

Watanabe Eiji looked at her.

In that gaze, there was trust, expectation, and a hint of worry only a father could have.

Moreover, a hint of concern over comprehensive consideration, knowing that Uesugi Muneyuki, when investigating a case, will not rest until he gets to the bottom of it.

What if he ends up digging up the roots of all Kanagawa—what then?

But he said nothing.

Because the United States has already intervened in this matter, and General Zachary-Brancater-Uuran on that side……is very difficult to explain to.

You think Americans will believe people? No, from Five-Star MacArthur onward, Americans have known that only by establishing a Prosecutor's Special Investigation Unit can the truth truly be uncovered; otherwise, it's just a round of "Red Bean Paste Private Mosaic" and done.

He turned and walked out. When he reached the doorway, he stopped, turned back, and glanced once: "Special Mission Division."

Everyone watched him.

"The last card of the Japanese Police." He said: "Don't lose!"

The door closed, and the office fell silent.

Minami turned around, looking at the people in the room.

"Did everyone hear that?" Her voice returned to the tone of a Section Chief: "Surface team, follow me. Covert team, follow Muneyuki. In ten minutes, gather in the first-floor lobby."

No one spoke; everyone began to move.

Uesugi Muneyuki walked up beside Minami, lowered his voice: "Are your legs still weak? I'm about to take Eirina away."

Minami Ojou-sama glared at him: "Shut up."

Uesugi Muneyuki smiled.

Then the two each walked toward their respective teams.

Minami Ojou-sama led Okada Masayoshi, Nango Yui, Igarashi et al., and the Prosecutor's Liaison System's Kannari et al., also including Ishihara Mikoto, who, although still asleep in the downstairs vehicle, napping, can provide professional knowledge support.

On Uesugi Muneyuki's side are Eirina, Kai Toru, Date Nagamune, Public Security Police's Ozawa Hyosen Hokutsu Senkawa et al., and moreover, Ozawa Sumiko coldly ordered from underground: Bring guns! And also deployment

2:20 a. m.

In the Metropolitan Police Department building, two groups simultaneously departed.

Before dawn, they must find the answers!

And as Uesugi Muneyuki et al. departed, the media gathered around the Sakuradamon gate instantly erupted!

Moved! Moved!

The Kun character banner moved! The Ransei flag moved! The Bamboo Sparrow Crest, Long Tail Nine Luminous Bata moved! Uesugi Sakura-damon Guardian Muneyuki moved!

Indeed, when things reached this point, the Metropolitan Police Department finally still deployed the Japanese Police Ultimate Weapon—Uesugi Muneyuki!

First Kanagawa Campaign Yokohama Case!

Second Kanagawa Campaign One Hakone Hot Springs Mutual Killing Case!

Third Kanagawa Campaign One One Nikaido Floating Corpse Case!

Now, Uesugi Muneyuki again advances to the Sagamihara Peninsula, Fourth Kanagawa Campaign, about to begin!

At the same time, US Forces Japan Yokosuka Base, General Zachary-Brancater-Uuran also received the news of the Metropolitan Police Department dispatching the Special Mission Division; this tall white general put down the phone, nodded satisfactorily.

"Yo~~West!"

"Tata kai, keep feeling Tata kai!"