Chapter 863

In the office of the Director of the Commissioner's Secretariat of the National Police Agency, the sky had completely darkened. Outside the window, the lights of Kasumigaseki were blazing, and the dome of the National Diet Building was outlined by the lights into a cold silhouette.

Sugishita Ukyo sat opposite Onoda Kimiaki, the chair not pulled too close, nor pushed too far away.

"Chief of the Secretariat, you mean you want to upgrade the National Police Agency to a Police Agency?" Sugishita Ukyo looked calm, but his voice trembled slightly.

"Are you crazy? No matter how many problems the Self-Defense Forces have, that's their problem. You upgrade the police to an agency, and the police become a political tool. 'The police should be neutral, stance-less, and only responsible to the law.' You turn it into an agency, with a minister above it, the minister is a politician, politicians have factions, factions have stances, and can the interests of the faction and the fairness of the law always remain aligned?" Sugishita Ukyo said calmly: "Doing this will turn Japan into a police state!"

Onoda Kimiaki leaned back in his chair, his hands crossed on his abdomen. His expression showed no change, but the corner of his mouth twitched up in an almost imperceptible arc: "That's not the same. Japan has its own national conditions here. Other defeated nations have defense forces—Germany, Italy—only we have the Self-Defense Forces, and this Self-Defense Force... heh heh."

"The Self-Defense Forces have repeatedly proven themselves disloyal and untrustworthy. February 26 incident, port explosion, Tama River Bridge. Every time, it's former Self-Defense Forces personnel. Every time, they raise their guns against their own countrymen. You say the police should be neutral—what about the Self-Defense Forces? The Self-Defense Forces' budget is several times that of the police, and the Defense Ministry's authority is several times greater than the police's. Their personnel casually carry out terrorist attacks, while ours risk our lives maintaining public order. In terms of achievements, in terms of public trust, in what way is the police inferior to the Self-Defense Forces? On what grounds can they be called an 'agency' while we can only be called a 'bureau'?" "If the Defense Bureau can be upgraded to the Defense Ministry, why can't the Police Bureau be upgraded to the Police Agency?"

Sugishita Ukyo's finger lightly tapped his knee once.

After confirming his hearing was fine.

Onoda Kimiaki didn't wait for his response, his body leaning forward slightly, his voice lowered but each word hammered onto the desk like a hammer: "Do you know why the police's public favorability has surged in recent years? Because of Uesugi Muneyuki, because of the Special Mission Division. Those cases, each one is a national sensation. People saw the police's achievements in the news, saw someone guarding the bottom line for them in this country's darkest corners. This isn't coincidence—it's a once-in-a-decade opportunity. The Self-Defense Forces' credibility has hit rock bottom, while the police's reputation has peaked. This window won't stay open forever. If I don't seize it, in a few years no one will mention 'police upgrade' again."

"I really like one of Park Chung-hee's sayings: 'When the time comes, heaven and earth unite in strength; when luck runs out, heroes have no freedom; heaven does not grant, but brings retribution.' 'Chief of the Secretariat.' Sugishita Ukyo looked into Onoda Kimiaki's eyes—those eyes held no mad flame, only extreme clarity. Clarity that sent chills down one's spine."

Seeing Sugishita Ukyo not agree with him, Onoda Kimiaki's face darkened considerably.

"Although I know Ukyo might not agree with my idea, but... I truly hope to gain Ukyo's approval."

"Ukyo, you are my Xunzi, Li Shan-zhang, Zhang Juzheng!"

After thinking, Onoda continued: "There's also a more important matter. The budget and authority of Public Security have been slashed too severely."

"After the Cold War ended, this country felt the threat had vanished. The Soviet Union collapsed, other nations hadn't risen yet, some nations were still enduring hardship marches and had accepted the Prime Minister's five billion yen in compensation for the large-scale kidnapping of Japanese nationals."

"The National Diet felt public security police didn't need such great power, the Ministry of Finance year after year cut our budget, the public all day complained we were salary-thieves wasting taxpayers' money, but when the day comes that a real threat arrives, what will we use to defend? What will we use to protect this country? You've seen this Self-Defense Forces incident. If Public Security still had the budget and authority of the past, that group led by Furukawa could never have developed to this extent. This isn't alarmist talk—it's fact!"

Onoda Kimiaki stopped here, looking at Sugishita Ukyo's face.

Sugishita Ukyo still said nothing, but he had to admit Onoda Kimiaki was right.

After the Cold War ended, public security police indulged in leisure and martial pleasures, and moreover, because external environmental pressure had greatly diminished, coupled with the bursting of Japan's bubble economy and spending cuts, therefore whenever the bigwigs of Nagatacho looked around, the last thing cut was always this area's money.

This is just like the British Empire after WWII: the Commonwealth and the British system gradually disintegrated, the House of Commons needed to tighten belts, after looking at everything, discussions always ended with "Should we cut military spending a bit?" Thus the army shrank from about 3.4 million after WWII to 1 million, beginning stepwise reductions; by 1991 the army had been cut to 130,000, by 2000 to 100,000, and now the British Army numbers fewer than 80,000, while recent plans even propose disbanding regiments into battalions, further reducing to 70,000.

Seeing Sugishita Ukyo somewhat moved, Onoda Kimiaki continued: "There's also the matter of the career track. You criminal investigation people look down on us public security, because you think we're lurking in the dark doing intelligence work. Society also looks down on police, thinking they're just a bunch of civil servants. Young people with high education, strong ability, and ambition would rather go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry—sit in an office drinking coffee—why go out on field duty? Why sit stably in the rear and not personally go to the front lines to fight criminals, risking life and limb?"

"No one would consider police their first choice... of course, except the Special Mission Division, but how many positions can the Special Mission Division have? We only have one Uesugi Mune... 'If I upgrade it to a Police Agency, the highest position becomes minister, that is, politician. Police bureaucrats can attend cabinet meetings, participate in national highest decision-making, and let those elites see that police are not second-rate civil servants, but one of this country's most important forces.' 'Now this opportunity is right before my eyes, I must consider whether this will be my only chance in life.' Onoda Kimiaki said earnestly: 'Reforge police glory, we have no choice but to do it!'"

"This is not only for the entire police system, but also for this country's safety and future!"

"Each of us has our own great cause—you have yours, I have mine, Uesugi has his, Watanabe has his, Hasegawa still has the sacrificed Yae Ken and Isomura— I don't demand you understand my great cause, but I have my insistence, I must do this."

"So, enough already, Ukyo." Onoda Kimiaki said in a deep voice.

……" Sugishita Ukyo lowered his head: "Justice is not absolute, fairness is not eternal, but..."

"Enough already, Ukyo!!!" Onoda Kimiaki then roared: "Already, enough already?!"

…The Investigation Division 1 Chief ultimately said nothing.

Almost at the same time, in the office of the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Department, Watanabe Eiji was also speaking.

Sitting opposite were Uesugi Muneyuki and Uesugi Minami, the three forming a triangle—behind the commissioner's desk sat Watanabe Eiji, on the opposite chair sat his daughter and son-in-law, who is also his son-in-law adopted as heir and daughter-in-law.

Watanabe Eiji's voice wasn't loud, but each word carried the unique, accustomed-not-surprised fatigue of someone who's soaked in the police system for over thirty years.

"Onoda wants to upgrade the National Police Agency to a Police Agency."

This sentence instantly made Uesugi Muneyuki and Uesugi Minami's scalps go numb!

Upgrade to a Police Agency?

What about the existing National Public Safety Commission?

Moreover... Uesugi Muneyuki thought the police's essence should be a neutral stability-maintaining organ, not involved in political struggles, but if the National Police Agency is upgraded to a Police Agency, then it becomes a cabinet member, and by convention would be filled by a National Diet member of the ruling coalition—this would undoubtedly bring stance and spectrum! And once such a powerful department mixes with this, it begins to drift toward a 'police state'!

Many say back then Japan had no one opposing the war? Of course there were! But the Special Higher Police during that special period arrested over a million people, executed nearly a hundred thousand! Those with fierce attitudes were olived, those with mild attitudes learned to keep quiet, naturally no one opposed anymore. Zhao Hua Evening Pickup?

"No one opposed at all?" Uesugi Muneyuki immediately voiced his concern.

"Everyone is opposing. The reasons are many, but the core one is: police originally should be a neutral stability-maintaining organ—we police have no stance, no faction, only law. We are not subject to any political force's command, only responsible for public safety. Why? Because we are a 'bureau,' not an 'agency.' Bureaus are subordinate to the Cabinet Office, we don't directly report to the Diet, don't participate in politics. Agencies are different. Agencies have ministers, ministers are politicians. Politicians have stance, faction, electoral pressure. If police become an agency, police will become tools in politicians' hands. Today's politicians can use police to strike their rivals, tomorrow's politicians can use police to protect their own party. Once this line is crossed, there's no coming back." Watanabe Eiji said in a deep voice.

"Onoda couldn't possibly not know this?" Minami Ojou-sama's fingers gripped her knee, she pressed her lips together.

"He knows, but after all, Japan's national conditions differ." Watanabe Eiji continued: "He thinks it's worth the risk. Also, something you might not know: Onoda plans to establish a new police force, one with greater firepower and higher mobility. Not a SAT-style small assault team, but a formed unit capable of executing military tasks in cities and wilderness. He wants to use this police force to replace part of the Self-Defense Forces' functions."

"Military police???" Minami Ojou-sama covered her mouth, exclaimed in shock.

Uesugi Muneyuki also furrowed his brow.

Saying 'military police' might not be immediately clear, but saying 'armed police' everyone should understand right away.

That is to say, the newly established this Police Agency, beforehand wants to take over part of the National Public Safety Commission's functions, afterward wants to seize part of the Defense Ministry's functions!

Hilavik?!

"He and Hasegawa share the same idea: public security police cannot continue to be marginalized. But Onoda thinks, if the state won't give the Self-Defense Forces sufficient respect and trust, then let another force fill this gap. He didn't come up with this on a whim—he's thought about it for a long time." Watanabe Eiji said.

"Why doesn't Father stop him?" Uesugi Muneyuki understood, objectively speaking, in recent years the Japanese police's reputation has never been better because of him, and just as the former Self-Defense Forces scandal erupted plus historical factors, it's exactly when the Self-Defense Forces' reputation is at its lowest—even the United States doubts the Self-Defense Forces' loyalty: "You clearly know this is another Special Higher Police!"

The air in the office froze at that moment.

Watanabe Eiji's fingers lightly tapped the desk twice, the rhythm slow, he opened his mouth, finally saying: "You should know, Department Head Miya is about to be dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Department via disciplinary discharge, right?"

"He said a few inappropriate words at the personnel transfer meeting, in short, he was forced, because if you don't do it, there are plenty who will."

"Having reached this position, I can't consider only my own thoughts. The futures of so many in the criminal investigation division aren't something I alone can block by saying 'no.' If I now step forward to publicly oppose Onoda, the criminal investigation division will split, the Metropolitan Police Department will have internal strife, and the only beneficiaries will be those waiting to laugh at the police's jokes, moreover... if I don't want to be Commissioner of the National Police Agency, there are plenty who want to be."

"If I sit in the position of Commissioner of the National Police Agency, I can, by delaying the military police plan and controlling the Special Mission Division, make Onoda's super-department plan fail, and control the military police within a controllable range."

"Muneyuki, you have your great cause, I also have my great cause, I don't demand you understand, but this is my choice."

Uesugi Muneyuki understood everything in that less-than-ten-second silence.

Watanabe Eiji and Onoda Kimiaki made a deal.

Onoda Kimiaki got the opportunity to upgrade the National Police Agency to a Police Agency, Watanabe Eiji got the position of Commissioner of the National Police Agency.

More importantly, Onoda Kimiaki promised not to touch the core interests of the criminal investigation division... and Watanabe Eiji's personal interests.

Minami Ojou-sama also understood, she pressed her lips shut, unable to utter a word.

A Superintendent facing low-ranking police is undoubtedly a high official, in the Metropolitan Police Department also counts as entering the high-level threshold, but in this situation, she is merely a lowly soldier, a lowly soldier.

After parting ways with Sugishita Ukyo, Onoda Kimiaki went alone to the underground parking garage of the National Police Agency.

In the end, Ukyo never agreed with his idea, which made him feel very lonely.

The driver said he would come, but he refused, insisting on driving himself.

He told himself he didn't care.

What he cared about was that the spark of the Japanese police could be passed on—this country could not be without a strong police force that no one dared to look down on; he was doing this for the future of the Japanese police, for the future of the entire nation.

Thinking of this, Onoda Kimiaki's mouth corner curled into a smile.

The day after tomorrow, just the day after tomorrow—tomorrow is a day off, and the day after tomorrow, he will become Superintendent General, taking the first step in executing his grand plan!

His car was parked not far away, a black Toyota Century.

He pulled out his key and pressed it once; the headlights flashed twice.

He walked toward that car, his leather shoes tapping on the terrazzo floor with a crisp sound; in the empty underground garage, each step echoed, like some ancient, undecipherable code.

At that very moment, Onoda Kimiaki heard someone call his name.

"Onoda Kimiaki!"

That voice came from the depths of the garage.

"?" Onoda Kimiaki stopped, turned around. A figure stepped out from behind a pillar in the garage.

Department Head Miyake?

Department Head Miyake, dressed in a classic three-piece suit, his chestnut hair messy, dark circles under his eyes, lips chapped: "Give my life back to me! Onoda!"

Onoda Kimiaki furrowed his brow: "The transfer order has already been issued. If you don't accept it, go appeal to the Police Agency's oversight division. I'm busy now—when would I have time to talk to you?"

"You dismissed me. You humiliated me in front of everyone. You made me a laughingstock. The spiritual leader of the non-career track, a model officer who won commendations for years in a row, ended up with disciplinary dismissal. I did so much, helped so many people, and in the end, not a single person stood up to say a word for me! Not a single one!!!"

Onoda Kimiaki smiled, utterly self-satisfied, everything firmly in his grasp—he didn't care at all. He was about to become Superintendent General: "Miyake, you yourself know your biggest problem is failing to recognize your position. A little whim from the higher-ups, and the sense of duty of a non-career track police commissioner just blows away in the wind………"

"Eight ya!!!"

A flash of cold light—Department Head Miyake drew a Zwilling kitchen knife from inside his suit!

The blade was long, the kind used in kitchens to cut through bone, gleaming with a cold light in the dim garage lighting.

"Give my life back to me, you tooth sound!!!"

"You?!" Onoda only managed to utter that one word before the blade had already plunged into his abdomen.

"Plop~"