Chapter 788

As US Forces Japan General Zakari-Burden-Roy Uuran entered the room, behind him four US soldiers holding M16A4 rifles, two US Military Police holding M4A1 rifles, a US military civilian official, and two Agence France-Presse journalists entered the room in succession.

"General? General-General-General-General... General?" Molant saw General Zakari actually appear here, already frightened into a cold sweat all over his body, and when he saw the camera, his face turned ashen.

"Major Molant, you are this." Uesugi Muneyuki gave Molant a thumbs-up: "You really are a genius." "This case has no corpse, plus your genius-level setup and meticulously prepared scheme, even I don't know how to find decisive evidence, so I decided to approach from another angle, you know, throughout history all genius high-IQ criminals have a habit, that is they think they're too strong, too awesome, they're extremely arrogant, so they very much desire to let everyone know their skills." Uesugi Muneyuki sneered: "Just like... me, I am this kind of person, every time I solve a case I have to personally explain the whole process, otherwise how would everyone know I'm awesome."

"Therefore for Mr. Molant, your idea should be, me too, right?"

"You... you you you..." Molant couldn't speak.

It was another person's turn to speak, a man in his fifties, at least 185 centimeters tall, broad-shouldered and thick-backed, with a head of flower-white blond hair neatly combed, wrinkles on his face as if carved with a knife.

He wore US Army service uniform, his left chest covered with medals, the four stars on his shoulder boards shining with a steady luster in the light—Commander of US Forces Japan, General Zakari-Burden-Roy Uuran, of course according to German translation it's actually General George-Burden-Roy.

His face was ashen.

That ashen wasn't angry red, but icy cold to the extreme. He stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping over the fallen Shinjo Shigetoki—accurately speaking, it swept over Shinjo Shigetoki's suit that had a bullet hole punched through it, and the bright red exposed beneath the suit, then his gaze moved to Molant's gun in hand, finally landing on Molant's grayish face that then flushed red.

General Zakari stared at Molant for a full five seconds.

During those five seconds, no one in the conference room dared to speak, the AFP photographer steadily bore his machine, lens trained on Molant. Eirina noticed the general's right hand trembling slightly—not from fear, but from restraint, a man who'd served in the military for over thirty years, seeing his subordinate point a gun at allied nation police, attempting to kill and silence, even trying to frame someone, that anger had already transcended personal honor and disgrace, touching something deeper—one is a soldier's honor, and the reputation of the US military in Japan and before the world. "Molant." The general spoke. His voice wasn't loud, but each word seemed squeezed from his chest, carrying a pressure only those who truly wield power possess: "Your gun in hand, where did it come from?"

Molant's lips moved.

He wanted to say something, but said nothing, his hand dropped, the gun muzzle finally pointed at the floor.

Four M16s, two M4s pointed at him, he had already lost the courage to fight.

"I TMD am asking you!" General Zakari took a step forward: "Your gun in hand, who gave it to you?"

"It... was issued by the military, Commissioner." Molant's voice was dry as sandpaper.

"The military issued it to you, to protect this nation's security, or to let you kill and silence on allied nation territory, frame people?" Molant gave no answer.

He stood there, dirty braid hanging at his temple, the whole person like a tree struck by lightning, or like a helicopter suddenly crashed—outside intact, inside completely scorched.

General Zakari's gaze swept over the laptop on the table, the screen already smashed, storage device also destroyed.

Evidence stacks like mountains!

Then he looked toward Uesugi Muneyuki.

That gaze held scrutiny, gratitude, and a deep, unwilling-to-be-shown-in-public embarrassment.

"Doctor Uesugi." Zakari said, his voice softer than when speaking to Molant just now, but still carrying the military's particular hardness and rigidity: "When you invited me, you said there was a good show. I was very angry then."

General Zakari paused, rather angrily saying: "I'll tell you why. Because I've sat in this position for four years, I've spent four years telling the Japanese, US Forces Japan are their friends, are the power protecting this country. I've seen too many people treat the US military as enemies, treat bases as scourges. I don't want to believe there would be such people among my subordinates."

He looked at Molant, the temperature in his eyes dropping to freezing point: "Now it seems, I was wrong, I was wrong again."

He turned toward the AFP photographer, then looked at Uesugi Muneyuki: "You didn't just invite me, you also invited AFP. You know what I thought when I saw reporters? I thought you were setting a trap, thought you wanted the US military to embarrass itself before the world's cameras. So I came with a belly full of fire." The corner of his mouth twitched, that wasn't a smile, but some kind of bitter self-mockery: "The result you let me see wasn't the US military embarrassing itself, but US military people betraying their own people!"

He took a deep breath, that breath drawn so deep it seemed to suck all the air in the room.

Then he turned toward Molant, his voice suddenly rising, exploding in the small conference room, making the windows buzz.

"Molant, listen well. I now, in my capacity as Commander of US Forces Japan, formally charge you with the following crimes!"

"First, attempted murder—you fired at the Japanese Public Security Bureau Director, intending to kill and silence."

"Second, destruction of evidence—you fired to destroy key evidence in the case under investigation."

"Third, obstruction of judicial justice—you tried to pin the blame on Japanese law enforcement personnel."

"Fourth, abuse of authority—you used your position to long-term purchase illegal content via the dark web, transacting with known criminals." "Fifth, damaging US military reputation—you committed serious crimes on allied nation territory, severely damaging the honor and image of the United States Armed Forces."

"Sixth—betrayal. You betrayed this uniform, betrayed every person wearing it!"

With each charge he spoke, his voice rose a notch.

By the end, his face flushed crimson, his flower-white hair in the light seeming to catch fire.

"You bastard, you're done! Wait for the military tribunal!"

Date Nagamune couldn't help but curl his lip, thinking the US military's honor and reputation, does this stuff really exist?

Don't make fun of you, Date Brother!

But having served as a Self-Defense Official, he also had some understanding, namely that US military discipline, when viewed globally, is actually so-so, because the US military actually has to bear a large amount of actual combat and external duties, meaning in concrete operations it's easy to lose control, whereas like their Ground Self-Defense Force, such a model army, naturally discipline is good, because they fundamentally can't do anything, every day just locked up working, training, clocking in, signing in, naturally scandals are few, but even so, retired Self-Defense Officials seeking employment still generally face discrimination.

Humph, the US military has already declined, while our Self-Defense Forces are thriving!

Date Nagamune thought thus, his heart still not feeling pleased.

At this moment Molant's face was already as white as paper. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but General Zakari had already turned toward the MPs behind him: "Confiscate his gun. Take him away. Put him in confinement, no contact with the outside world, await military tribunal judgment."

Two MPs stepped forward.

Molant offered no resistance. When he handed over his pistol, he glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki. That gaze held hatred, incomprehension, and a trace Muneyuki couldn't read—perhaps admiration, perhaps sorrow, perhaps just a person realizing they've utterly lost, feeling dazed. The two MPs were about to take him away, however Molant's legs were stiff, he couldn't walk, whereupon one Black MP couldn't help but curse, then shoved a foot into his knee.

"Bastard! thisisforyou!"

Molant cried out and fell, four soldiers and two MPs together dragged Molant away, they propped him up onto the elevator, faces all holding anger and disgust.

Soon singing came from inside the elevator.

"Rakuraku Rakuraku Janji~ Rakuraku Rakuraku Janji~"

"Rakuraku Rakuraku Janji~ Rakuraku Rakuraku Janji~"

The conference room fell silent.

General Zakari stood there, his chest heaving violently.

He remained silent for a long time, long enough that Uesugi Muneyuki thought he wouldn't speak again.

Then he turned around, facing the AFP photographer.

The camera trained on him, the red recording indicator light on, he knew every word he spoke would be transmitted worldwide.

"I want to apologize to the Japanese people, to the victims' families, to the Japanese government." His voice returned to calm, but that calm was the embers after a volcanic eruption: "Unfortunately, there have appeared rotten apples within US Forces Japan, this is unforgivable, I pledge the US military will fully cooperate with Japan's investigation, bring all involved parties to justice. At the same time, I thank the Japanese police—especially the Special Mission Division—thank you. It's you who let the truth come to light, let justice be done."

He turned toward Uesugi Muneyuki, proactively extending his hand.

The AFP photographer pushed forward a bit, the camera trained on the two people's handshake.

General Zakari's hand was very large, very thick, palm with old calluses, he gripped firmly, not that kind of perfunctory, political handshake, but a military man's respect for another professional.

"Doctor Uesugi." He lowered his voice, only two people could hear: "Today's affair, I've taken note. You saved many people's face, including mine. Thank you."

Uesugi Muneyuki held his hand and nodded slightly: "General, truth is the best diplomacy."

General Zakari looked at him, stunned for a moment, then smiled.

That was his first smile today, brief and faint, but genuine.

Yeah, 200,000 US dollars just to scheme against me?

Do I have a brain problem? My normal retirement pension after one month of discharge is 20,000 US dollars, and it fluctuates in real time with prices!

You want me to risk my life for this little money? This is an insult to me! Even scrapping a batch of firearms and leaking a bit yields more than this! Twenty years for only 200,000 dollars?

"Truth is the best diplomacy." He repeated it: "Good line. I'll frame it and hang it in my office when I get back."

General Zakari pushed the door open and left.

Footsteps echoed in the hallway, fading away.

Then came the sound of car engines starting at the building entrance, several vehicles driving off in succession.

Only Uesugi Muneyuki's people and Shinjo Shigetoki remained in the conference room.

Department Manager Shinjo was still sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, his chest stained red, his face ashen, eyes vacant, like a person drained of all strength.

Uesugi Muneyuki walked over, crouched down, and looked into his eyes.

"Department Manager Shinjo, can't you stop dreaming all day about welcoming a glorious evolution…… oh no, a glorious seppuku ceremony? Your sacrifice is…… utterly pointless, merely self-indulgence, solving nothing."

Shinjo Shigetoki shook his head.

His lips moved, spitting blood, his voice hoarse and barely audible: "This is my choice, unrelated to you, Uesugi Chief. I am protecting the US-Japan alliance in my way, upholding the great righteousness of this nation in my way."

"You have your great righteousness, I admire you, but I have mine too. You need not comfort me."

Great! Righteousness!

Uesugi Muneyuki said nothing.

He stood up, turned back, and glanced at the others in the room.

Date Nagamune was tidying equipment, Ikeda Erena and Kai Toru were photographing and collecting evidence, the AFP photographer checked the footage he had just recorded before retreating: "Stupid pig~Ah Dut though special~"

Everything proceeded according to plan.

"Let's go." Uesugi Muneyuki said: "Back to the Metropolitan Police Department, to report."

At that moment, Date Nagamune couldn't help but speak, young, carrying a hint of dissatisfaction, and also a barely concealed excitement.

"Uesugi Chief! You really are, taisu la today!"

"There's one thing to say, indeed." Kai Toru couldn't help but give a thumbs-up: "Absolutely, I never imagined the US military commander would be outside!" Erena said nothing, she just clamped her legs, feeling a bit moist.

Being with Uesugi Muneyuki truly brings endless novelty and surprise, tooth sound!

Date gestured for you not to interrupt, his voice holding an irrepressible excitement: "Mina-san, do you know? You don't? I know, I served as a self-defense official! Do you know?"

"We are the top in our national command structure and military rank, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Self-Defense Forces, when meeting this General Zakari, must nod and bow, extremely respectful! That is our nation's highest military post, and in his presence we act like subordinates."

"But what about Uesugi? One phone call summons someone, saying 'Come watch a good show,' and they really come. After arriving, they discover their own people have problems, yet still have to thank you in front of reporters. Isn't this using the general as a gun?"

He paused, as if thinking of something even funnier: "Also, why AFP, why not NHK, our own Japan Broadcasting Corporation?"

"Good question, Date-kun, good question." Uesugi Muneyuki spoke, voice calm, but within that calm lay a hint of black humor: "Do you know why I called AFP, not NHK, nor Reuters, AP, UPI, or TASS?" "You ask me?" Date Nagamune retorted: "It's you I'm asking!"

"Because French people aren't afraid of Americans." Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but laugh.

"We Japanese aren't afraid of Americans either!" Date Nagamune couldn't help but say.

You just said the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff before the US Forces Japan commander is like a lackey…… Erena and Kai Toru all showed contemptuous expressions, this kid Date is truly hopeless as a battle rabbit.

"Americans are used to being domineering. In this world, few countries can make Americans sit down and talk properly, France is one of them." "Do you know why? Not because the French military is strong, not because the French economy is large. It is because France represents something: bourgeois legal rights and world progressivism. This sounds grand, but simply put: France believes some things are more important than national interests. Human rights, dignity, justice—these, in their view, are universal. So French reporters dare go where others won't, French media dare report what others won't."

Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze fell on Date: "I called AFP not because I have personal ties with the French. I need a media that Americans cannot pressure, cannot bribe, cannot threaten."

"Few countries in the world can and are willing to do this. France is one. Not because French people are nobler than Americans, but because French history—one by one—they are among the origins of modern civilized civilization. The Enlightenment, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, bourgeois legalism—these all began in France. Whether a nation's media dares speak truth is closely tied to its history." Date Nagamune fell silent.

He lowered his head, as if digesting these words.

Uesugi Muneyuki was not wrong; even essentially, modern nationalism, populism, and later Marxism, Hengjing, Aijing, Kaijing, and many others, essentially originate from the French Revolution.

Uesugi Muneyuki turned, looking out the window: "Americans may be strong, but they cannot deny their historical origins. When French people raise their cameras, Americans know, that is not some small country's reporter causing trouble, but 'civilization' itself recording. This is why I called AFP."

The conference room fell silent for a long time.

Date Nagamune was silent for a moment, then gave a bitter smile: "I think NHK could actually do this too, but you're right, chrysanthemum, crane, star—these three are our reporting taboo."

Uesugi Muneyuki waved his hand: "I know what you mean. Calling the US general a gun is correct. But remember this." He looked at Date, eyes calm and serious: "You can use the US general to strike others, others can use him to strike you, just like Morante. I am a forensic pathologist; I just need to make things clear, that simple. But if you always think you can rely on power and status to do something, you lose the初心 of a forensic pathologist, just like Morante."

Date Nagamune nodded. He said nothing more, but his gaze changed.

That change was subtle—from worship, to something deeper.

Uesugi Chief! You are my right minister Oda Saburo Taira no Ason Nobunaga!

I am willing to be your wise Tenbei Ijin Hyuga Mamoru Mitsuhide!

Loyalty! Sincerity!

At this moment, Uesugi Muneyuki had already turned, picked up the documents on the desk.

The time now was 6:20 a. m.

"Let's go, we return to Tokyo, to Nagatacho, to report this situation to everyone."

Uesugi Muneyuki stood with hands behind his back, outside the window, the sky had fully brightened.

Yokohama's streets began to have voices, the early tram from afar passed by, emitting a familiar rumble.

A new day began.

I am still Japan's top forensic pathologist!