Chapter 784

After Uesugi Muneyuki finished questioning Tanabe, the time was already 3:40 a. m.

Only a little over three hours remained until 7 a. m.

Everyone was a bit drowsy, but they were all waiting for Uesugi Muneyuki's investigation results.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood beside the black luxury sedan, holding a cup of coffee from a vending machine that had gone completely cold.

Tanabe's words still echoed in his mind: "A tall, thin man, with narrow eyes, speaking with a slight accent... Once, a foreigner came—blond hair, wearing civilian clothes, but driving a vehicle from the U. S. military base."

U. S. military base, is that so?

He raised his head, gazing at the dimly lit street.

The late May night wind still carried a chill, rattling the roadside billboards with a creaking sound.

Inside the car, Date Nagamune was decoding the communication records just copied from Tanabe's mobile phone—one by one, the elderly man had left several phone numbers of police officers who had received red envelopes back then, saying, "Just in case something happens, I can prove I wasn't the one who initiated it."

Uesugi Muneyuki's phone also vibrated once.

It was Minami, on the other end inquiring how things were going here.

"Did Mikoto-nee find anything?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked as he answered the call.

"Time is too short; Mikoto needs to review past case files and documents, and much of the content requires a long time to examine. Moreover, Japanese police typically retain homicide case files and body samples for only three to five years, and most bodies, if unproblematic, are cremated and the case closed." Minami Ojou-sama said over the phone: "From our side, it seems we are destined to find nothing. How about yours?"

"Excellent." Uesugi Muneyuki said into the phone: "But I don't know if we'll make it in time..."

At that very moment, something flashed with light in the distance, approaching.

High beams?!

Uesugi Muneyuki hung up the phone, and the sound of car engines came from afar.

Not just one, but several!

Uesugi Muneyuki looked up and saw three black Toyota Crown sedans turn the corner, driving toward him.

The headlights were blinding, especially conspicuous on the empty street.

Date Nagamune poked his head out of the car: "Uesugi Chief?"

"Stay in the car, don't move!" Uesugi Muneyuki said, his expression shifting slightly.

The three vehicles stopped before him, the doors nearly swinging open simultaneously, and seven or eight men in black suits stepped out, their movements uniform and precise, their waists bulging—sidearms!

The leader, a man in his fifties with a square jaw and eyes sharp as an eagle's, stepped out of the car and walked straight toward Uesugi Muneyuki.

"Are you Dr. Uesugi Muneyuki of the Special Mission Division, Metropolitan Police Department?" His voice was low, carrying an undeniable oppressive pressure.

Uesugi Muneyuki did not move; he nodded slightly: "I am."

The man flashed his credentials—Director General of the Public Security Bureau, Kanagawa Prefectural Police Headquarters, Shinjo Shigetoki.

"Dr. Uesugi, this is an emergency. Please come with us."

Uesugi Muneyuki stared at him, saying nothing.

Shinjo Shigetoki stepped forward, lowering his voice: "What you're investigating here has already exceeded the authority of criminal police. This falls under Public Security jurisdiction. Stand down now, and it's not too late."

Uesugi Muneyuki finally spoke: "Director Shinjo, I am investigating the Setouchi Makoto case under orders from the Superintendent General. What basis do you have for your so-called 'Public Security jurisdiction'?"

Shinjo Shigetoki's expression stiffened for a moment, then grew even darker.

"Basis?" He snorted coldly: "What you're investigating involves the U. S. military base and international relations. This is a national security matter, naturally under Public Security. You're just a forensic pathologist—what do you know?"

Muneyuki did not anger; he simply looked calmly at Shinjo Shigetoki.

"So you know I discovered the U. S. military base?"

Shinjo Shigetoki's eyes flickered for an instant.

"I know nothing. But you're prowling Yokohama's streets at midnight, asking left and right—this can't be anything good." He waved at the people behind him: "Take them away!"

Uesugi Muneyuki glanced back.

As expected, upon hearing that Uesugi Muneyuki was to be taken away, Eirina, Date Nagamune, and Kai Toru immediately exited the vehicle, with Date Nagamune and Kai Toru both reaching for their gun holsters: "Stop! We have authorization from the Police Department!"

Meanwhile, Ozawa Sumiko and others also noticed the situation and rushed over: "Stop! Who authorized you local Public Security officers to take Dr. Uesugi away?"

"Which division are you from?" Director Shinjo Shigetoki's expression shifted slightly; he sensed a similar aura.

"Public Security Section One, Criminal Investigation Division, Special Mission Unit, Metropolitan Police Department—Ozawa Sumiko!" The three behind Ozawa Sumiko—Hyoukawa, Hojo, and Tsugawa—instinctively moved their hands to their waists.

Only Tsugawa seemed odd—he did not reach for his gun holster but pressed both hands against his waist, unclear what he intended to do.

"Headquarters?" Director Shinjo's face first froze—undoubtedly, Police Headquarters outranked local offices—but he quickly flushed with anger, disregarding all else: "Then I don't care, since you're now under the Criminal Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department, you're part of the criminal police chain, and we Public Security officers must uphold national security! Sorry, I've offended you!"

Having said that, this group of Public Security officers immediately surrounded Uesugi Muneyuki and the others.

Seeing this, Eirina and the others were utterly stunned.

Internal conflict within Public Security?

A flood washed away the Dragon King Temple—family fighting family?

What on earth is Director Shinjo doing here...?

Both sides locked in a stalemate, Uesugi Muneyuki's face grim; though these people couldn't actually take him away, time...

What should we do?

The system is his greatest shield, yet equally his stumbling block...

At that moment, another beam of headlights illuminated this street.

A black Chevrolet SUV with U. S. military license plates sped from the opposite direction, braking sharply as the tires emitted a piercing screech. The door opened, and a man in civilian clothes stepped out—around thirty, with thick dreadlocks tied at the back of his head, skin tone a light brown between Black and White, deep facial features, eyes carrying a soldier's unique vigilance.

He walked straight toward Muneyuki, ignoring the Public Security officers.

"Dr. Uesugi Muneyuki?" His Japanese was fluent, with a slight American accent.

Uesugi Muneyuki nodded slightly: "And you are?"

"We are the U. S. Forces Japan Criminal Investigation Division; I am Lieutenant Colonel Morante. Of course, you may call me Rigen according to Japanese pronunciation." He flashed his credentials, then glanced around at the grim-faced Public Security officers: "Looks like I arrived just in time."

Shinjo Shigetoki's face changed.

"U. S. military?" He stepped forward: "This is an internal matter of the Japanese police—you have no right to interfere!"

Morante turned around and looked at him.

He was half a head taller than Shinjo Shigetoki, standing there in a relaxed posture, but that relaxation concealed a force ready to explode at any moment. "Department Manager Shinjo." Morante said, his tone carrying a hint of teasing: "I heard this case 'involves the U. S. military base,' so that's our business. I received orders from above to assist in the investigation. Do you have any objections?"

Steamed bun? You're not convinced?

Shinjo Shigetoki's lips moved, but he said nothing.

Morante no longer paid attention to him, turning toward Uesugi Muneyuki.

"Doctor Uesugi, we know your name. Professor Ken of MIT has mentioned you several times. Our FBI agents found several transaction IPs on the dark web originating from inside Yokosuka Base. I need to share information with you. May we speak privately for a moment?"

Uesugi Muneyuki nodded.

The two walked toward Morante's car. Shinjo Shigetoki tried to follow, but was blocked by the two gendarmes Morante had brought.

"Please stand back." The two tall U. S. Military Police said expressionlessly, then raised the M27 rifles in their hands.

This move startled the public security police into collectively stepping back one step.

Shinjo Shigetoki's face turned dark as iron.

He stood there, watching Uesugi Muneyuki and Morante get into the Chevrolet, the car door closing, and he heard nothing.

"Manager……" A subordinate approached: "What should we do now?"

Shinjo Shigetoki raised his hand to stop him.

"Wait."

He spat out this word through gritted teeth.

Uesugi Chief, you will destroy Japan!

I am serious!!!!!!