Chapter 782

Two flowers bloom, each telling its own branch; openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing at Chencang.

2:45 AM, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters.

Several black high-end official sedans tore through the night, stopping directly at the front entrance.

The moment the headlights cut out, the engine's residual hum reverberated across the empty plaza; Uesugi Minami pushed open the car door, and the late-May night wind rushed in, stirring the soft bangs at her forehead.

Minami paid it no mind; her small feet, wrapped in flesh-colored thick-wood-style standard commuter flesh-colored pantyhose, stepped in black patent-leather heels straight toward the glass doors, and behind her Superintendent Okada Masayoshi, Inspector Nango Yui, and Prosecutor Kan'nari from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office followed close.

Black-clothed, black-armored, killing intent soaring to the heavens.

Minami struck first, a lone rider charging alone into the enemy formation, roaring "I am the lawful wife of Uesugi Sakura-damon Guardian Muneshige!" Over ten hatamoto filed down — core members of Criminal Division One and Two, plus three prosecutors from the Prosecutor's Liaison System — their chest badges flashing under the doorway lights.

Prosecutor Kanjou caught up to Minami in quick steps, lowering his voice: "Section Chief Uesugi, the Kanagawa side has already been notified; the people inside are waiting for us."

"Let them wait." Young Lady Minami pushed open the door, looking remarkably imposing.

The duty officer looked up, saw this group, and nearly knocked over the teacup in his hand.

These officers hurried to their feet, lips moving, but no sound came out.

The Special Mission Division is here! They've come!

We are their slaves!

Minami walked past these duty officers without even glancing at them.

All she wanted was speed!

Move like thunder, unfathomable as darkness!

"Please have Headquarters Chief Kobayashi come out." Young Lady Minami said softly.

Her voice wasn't loud, but in the empty late-night hall, every word drove into the wood like a nail.

The officer froze for a second, then grabbed the phone.

Three minutes later, footsteps sounded on the stairs; Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters Chief Kobayashi Shoji came down, suit neat but tie hastily knotted, and on closer look the top button of his shirt was misbuttoned. A man in his fifties, gray at the temples, wearing a professional smile, but the panic in his eyes couldn't be hidden.

"Section Chief Uesugi, honored by your late-night visit, regarding today's matter... actually we've already launched an internal investigation; why would the Metropolitan Police Department still send you out? If a report is needed..."

"Headquarters Chief Kobayashi." Minami cut him off, pulling a sheet of paper from her briefcase: "This is a Special Search Warrant signed by Police Commissioner Tamaru. The Setouchi Makoto case — we need to retrieve all files, monitoring records, colleague rosters, communication records from his tenure in Kanagawa, and all autopsy records he handled."

"Now!"

Kobayashi Shoji took the paper, glanced down at it.

In three seconds, his expression changed three times.

First, shock — he'd seen this thing before, but only in textbooks; this is the Japanese police system's highest-level authorization, a red cover meaning it can bypass all standard procedures.

Second, panic — this thing appearing here means the matter has grown large enough for the entire police system, even the Cabinet, to intervene directly. Third, something complex, unreadable to outsiders.

Roughly — it's finally come! The top has finally sent someone to take over!

He raised his head, the smile on his face replaced by another expression, the kind of "I'm everyone's Headquarters Chief, I can't lose face before my subordinates" expression.

Brothers, don't be afraid, I'm your Headquarters Chief, if the sky falls, I'll hold it up!

"Special Mission Division Section Chief Uesugi Minami." His voice rose a notch, so everyone could hear: "You Metropolitan Police people, is this how you barge into someone else's headquarters, without even a greeting?!"

Young Lady Minami cooperated perfectly, looking at him, voice stiff: "I did greet you! Three minutes ago, I had your officer call you." Kobayashi Shoji choked; behind him, several Kanagawa executives who'd rushed over stood on the stairs, faces varied — some angry, some nervous, some pretending to check their watches — past 2 AM, tired and sleepy, the outside situation exploding, internal inspections ongoing for days, everyone on edge, and now the Public Security Police side's investigation hasn't even concluded, yet Headquarters sends people; no one would have a good face.

Kobayashi Shoji took a deep breath, waved his hand: "Conference room first."

The conference room door closed, shutting out the prying gazes in the hallway.

Kobayashi Shoji sat at one end of the long table, Young Lady Minami opposite him, Prosecutor Kanjou and Okada Masayoshi standing behind her.

The other Special Mission Division members stayed outside, already "cooperating with work" under Section Chief Nango Yui — which actually meant sealing the archives room, pulling files, finding people to question.

"Section Chief Uesugi." Kobayashi Shoji spoke, tone softening, carrying a weary sincerity: "Please, you must tell me the truth — just how big is this thing?"

Minami looked at him, faintly amused, yet her sweet almond eyes held no mirth: "You don't know?"

"I know jack shit!" Kobayashi Shoji swore, then realized his lapse, rubbing his temples: "I know Setouchi Makoto the man, know he was arrested, know what's on TV. But the specifics? Same as you — I only know from the news." Okada Masayoshi couldn't help but retort: "Setouchi Makoto worked here for thirteen years."

"I know." Headquarters Chief Kobayashi covered his face.

Prosecutor Kanjou looked at this Assistant Commissioner with eyes full of the prosecution system's wariness and contempt for the police system: "Thirteen years, and no one discovered he was photographing corpses?"

Kobayashi Shoji smiled bitterly: "He worked thirteen years, I've only been here two! Two years!"

"The Superintendent General's term is only two years too!" Minami couldn't help saying: "My father took control of the whole situation in three months; Headquarters Chief Kobayashi, you wouldn't tell me you've spent two whole years and still haven't gotten a grip on Kanagawa, would you?"

"Section Chief Uesugi, you're twenty this year? You came straight from the police academy into the Metropolitan Police Department, smooth sailing all the way, married a genius forensic pathologist, are a genius yourself. You've never served in local police, you don't know what it's like here." Headquarters Chief Kobayashi complained.

Minami didn't speak.

"Kanagawa Prefecture," Kobayashi Shoji continued, "has US military bases, ports, industrial zones, large population, many cases. We're chronically understaffed, pay can't compare to Tokyo, anyone with ability runs to the Metropolitan Police Department. Forensic Identification Division? That's a disaster zone — filthy, exhausting, facing dead bodies every day, who wants to do it? Getting anyone at all is a win, who cares what they do in private?"

His voice carried a deep helplessness: "You're a forensic pathologist's wife too, you should understand how much our citizens dislike being forensic pathologists! Uesugi-kun got famous, traffic king, the police profession exploded in popularity, employment surveys show police officer consistently top three, but look — anyone willing to be a forensic pathologist?"

"That man Setouchi Makoto, I knew he was a bit odd. Subordinates reported he spent too long alone in the morgue. But in my position at the time, what could I do? Replace him? With whom? The replacement might be worse. Reprimand him? He worked honestly, never made a mistake, what would I reprimand?"

Minami stared at him: "So you just let him photograph for thirteen years?"

Kobayashi Shoji looked up, his eyes holding a complex mix — guilt, helplessness, and a trace of grievance.

"I didn't let him. I've only been here two years... I... I didn't know either." He paused. "You understand? I didn't know. Subordinates don't tell me, superiors don't ask me, so I pretend everything's normal. That's the bureaucratic norm, Section Chief Uesugi. You can't be a Headquarters Chief if you aren't willfully deaf and mute."

"I only found out from the news too!"

Minami fell silent for a long time.

She recalled her father's words: In the police system, the hardest cases to investigate aren't those where the killer is too cunning, but where everyone pretends they saw nothing, and we can't make the dead speak, and much of the time... Uesugi's own primary appointment not being in the Metropolitan Police Department is actually very important. Within the system, there are endless ways to pinch you.

But Uesugi Muneyuki's appointment is at Tokyo University; in this situation, the academic clique instead became his protective coloration, turning him from a Metropolitan Police subordinate bureaucrat into an external collaborator and supporter of the police system — only then could certain cases be pursued.

"Headquarters Chief Kobayashi." She spoke, voice a touch gentler than before: "What do you intend to do now?"

Kobayashi Shoji looked at her: "You ask me what to do? Your Metropolitan Police people have already barged in, there's a herd of prosecutors outside, what can I do? Cooperate with the investigation, clean myself up, those who should carry the can carry it, those who should resign resign."

Young Lady Minami shook her head: "I'm not asking what you plan for yourself, I'm asking — do you want to uncover the truth?" Kobayashi Shoji froze: "The truth?"

"Over a hundred women died, photographed after death, pictures sold on the dark web. Their families don't know, the whole world is laughing. Do you want to know who did it, who helped, who turned a blind eye?"

Kobayashi Shoji looked at her, eyes complex.

"I am the Headquarters Chief." He spoke softly. "With this kind of incident, I cannot escape responsibility. Regardless of whether it is investigated or not, I must bear the responsibility." "Taking responsibility and uncovering the truth are not contradictory." Minami said coldly.

Kobayashi Shoji remained silent for a long time, then he sighed: "Who wouldn't want to? Back then, I followed your father out together, Uesugi Section Chief, I even held you when you were a child!"

Minami was stunned for a moment, then she couldn't help but smile slightly. Indeed, this guy is the direct lineage of her father, and if he weren't the direct lineage, Minami wouldn't speak to him like this; she would have flipped the table long ago.

"Back then, he brought me up himself." Kobayashi Shoji's gaze became somewhat distant: "Thirty years ago, he was an Assistant Police Inspector, and I was also an Assistant Police Inspector. Now he is a Superintendent General, and I am also an Assistant Commissioner. He once told me: Being a police officer, first one must answer to the deceased, second to the living, and only then to oneself. I have always remembered that."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the parking lot downstairs. Several police cars were parked quietly there, the emergency lights on their roofs reflecting the streetlights. "Those people downstairs have already discussed everything." He said with his back to Minami: "Push all the blame onto Setouchi Makoto alone. He is a pervert, he did it all by himself, no one knows, no one participated. This is their arrangement."

Minami stood up: "Do you believe it?"

Kobayashi Shoji turned around: "I don't believe it. But I am the Headquarters Chief. They are my subordinates. If I openly question them, this headquarters will completely fall apart."

Minami walked up to him and said coldly: "So we came to investigate."

Kobayashi Shoji looked at her: "Exactly, I need you to find out the truth. I need the truth. But I cannot openly help you. Once I take a side, those people downstairs will not be able to extract anything."

Minami nodded: "I understand."

Three-pronged approach—morality, law, and human sentiment—Minami finally overcame the Headquarters Chief Kobayashi, and the two people reached a preliminary consensus. Okada Masayoshi stepped forward upon seeing this: "Headquarters Chief Kobayashi, can you help me with a favor?"

"What favor?"

"We need a list." Prosecutor Kannari said.

Kobayashi Shoji frowned: "What list?"

"The list of people who worked with Setouchi Makoto back then. Especially those who have already retired, resigned, or been transferred." Okada Masayoshi said: "Your department personnel are now all passing the buck, and you can't get anything out of them. But those who left might be willing to speak. They have no scruples, they are not afraid of offending people." Kobayashi Shoji remained silent for a few seconds: "You want me to give you the list? That would be betraying my subordinates. If you cannot keep it confidential..." "That is to give an explanation to the deceased." Okada Masayoshi said.

Kobayashi Shoji nodded, then he walked back to the desk and picked up the internal line phone.

"Send over a list of current personnel from the Forensic Identification Division from the past ten years. Want it detailed, including those who resigned and retired."

The voice on the phone said: "Headquarters Chief, the Metropolitan Police Department people are outside..."

"I know. Send it over."

He hung up the phone.

Five minutes later, the General Affairs Section Chief knocked and entered, holding a stack of documents, his complexion complicated.

He placed the documents on the desk, glanced at Kobayashi Shoji, then glanced at Minami, and then left.

Kobayashi Shoji picked up that stack of documents, flipped through it, then handed it to her: "Rest assured, Hoshino is my person, but absolutely do not say it was leaked by me."

Minami received the list, glanced at it: "Thank you."

Kobayashi Shoji gave a bitter smile: "Don't thank me. Once this matter is clarified, this Headquarters Chief of mine should step down."

Minami looked at him and said meaningfully: "Perhaps not necessary."

Kobayashi Shoji's face brightened, but then immediately darkened again: "What about the Uesugi Chief?"

"Sōsetsu, he is waiting for this list!" Minami shook the list in her hand.

Kobayashi Shoji's face immediately brightened.

As long as Uesugi Sōsetsu is present, everything is possible!

When Minami walked out of the conference room, the Special Mission Division personnel in the hallway were busy—some were flipping through files, some were questioning on-duty staff, some were retrieving materials at computers—but Minami glanced around and knew the gains were not significant.

Nango Yui walked over, her expression not looking good.

"Section Chief, this group of people is very tight-lipped. Ask anything and they all say 'don't know,' 'can't remember,' 'too long ago.' He lowered his voice: "I suspect they have already colluded."

"Public Security Police came a few days ago, they have already made preparations, you know, this group of Public Security people are best at making big things small and small things smaller. Important matters involving state secrets are sealed and processed. At this time, asking again yields nothing." Minami Ojou-sama nodded, her beautiful eyebrows slightly raised: "Don't worry, our Special Mission Division is not just criminal detectives."

"Continue investigating, focus their attention, don't let them relax or have idle time!"

"Yes!" Okada Masayoshi and Kanjō Wataru received the order and departed.

Minami Ojou-sama walked to the window, looking at the parking lot downstairs. Several cars drove in and then out, some people hurried up and down, some stood in the corner smoking. She knew that among these people, some were destroying evidence, some were leaking information, and some were just blankly waiting for dawn. However, handling affairs within the system is ultimately bound hand and foot.

Now it's up to Sōsetsu!

But Minami soon noticed a detail.

Since the Public Security Police came a few days ago, they should have learned of this matter by then.

So why haven't they reported it immediately?

There must be something fishy about this!

At the same time, Uesugi Sōsetsu and Ozawa Sumiko's two vehicles had already arrived in Kanagawa Prefecture.

Eirina was driving, Uesugi Sōsetsu was in the passenger seat holding a mobile phone, reading the list with great interest.

"Onodera, sixty-three years old, recently retired, former Forensic Identification Division, once partnered with Setouchi Makoto." Uesugi Sōsetsu said: "He definitely knows something."

"Classic case of the old bringing in the new." Kai Toru complained from the back seat: "Everyone does it this way."

"Being able to bring in a new one is already not bad, you know, who would be a forensic examiner nowadays? The Forensic Identification Division is the same—whenever someone applies, they are inevitably hired." Date Nagamune followed up with a complaint, playing with his M9 pistol: "Just like when I applied as a Self-Defense Official, those interviewers superficially said they don't discriminate against Self-Defense Officials, but in reality they reject you immediately for other reasons."

"If it weren't for now becoming an officer of the Special Mission Division, I and Akane-chan would also be impossible!" Date Nagamune said proudly yet dejectedly. "Hey! You think police aren't discriminated against? Before I transferred into the Special Mission System, Yueko's income had always been higher than mine!" Kai Toru complained: "Before, that group of flight attendants internally looked down on Yueko for finding a police boyfriend, but now... hehehe!"

"Pfft!" Eirina couldn't help but laugh. She knew this is the Japanese way of being reserved.

Just like Japanese people theoretically welcome all refugees, but in reality, when meeting them, they arrange meals that are all pork, then sweep away those who don't eat together, resulting in the total number of this group in Japan never reaching over ten thousand.

"Not unique." Uesugi Sōsetsu complained: "You are the same in the United States—you tattoo your whole body, pierce your ears, nose, tongue, then go to a supermarket or elsewhere to apply, and Americans cannot refuse you because of this due to anti-discrimination laws, but they will still use other methods to weed you out."

"So, what should we do now?" Eirina asked casually.

"First go to Hokutoku Ward to find this Onodera." Uesugi Sōsetsu tapped the list with his index finger, then gestured for Date Nagamune to turn on the walkie-talkie so that Ozawa Sumiko and the following Public Security Police could follow: "You know, the greatest happiness of living in the Soviet Union is..."

"What is it?"

"It is in the early morning hours, when several black luxury sedans suddenly stop in front of your building, and the people who get out are fully dressed in black clothes and black hats, Cheka agents, who tell you, Nikolayev, you are formally arrested for involvement in counter-XX crimes and leaking XX state secrets, as well as passive negligence crimes, please come with us." "At this moment you tell them, Commander, you have made a mistake, Nikolayev is next door, I am Shemiak."

Uesugi Sōsetsu gazed at the list: "These guys are either ordinary police officers or funeral home workers, or ordinary associates. They cannot withstand this kind of pressure, especially since we have Public Security Police following us this time."

"But...... what exactly is behind this......"

The expressions of the several people in the car all became solemn.

Yes, behind this, is there perhaps hidden a great secret?