Chapter 968

YokohamaPort·Dockyard International Passenger Terminal.

In early April, YokohamaPort's sea breeze still carried a hint of late-winter chill, but the sunlight was already generous enough to spill across the blue sea surface. The white hull of the Mailu 2 cruise ship resembled a floating palace, quietly docked at the shore, its portholes in the sunlight like a cathedral, the kind of cathedral of black-clad cathedral warriors, and also like the golden throne on Divine Terra.

By the boarding passage, a few scattered passengers were handling procedures—early April is not peak cruise season, so the pier felt spacious and unhurried. This time of year is better suited for guests who don't want to be disturbed by crowds.

Uesugi Muneyuki stood beneath the white sunshade canopy of the Dockyard, holding an unopened magazine, his gaze falling on three people organizing luggage tags not far away.

Today he rarely wore that dark gray three-piece suit, instead opting for a charcoal-gray thin trench coat, with a white cotton-linen shirt underneath, the collar casually left open by one button.

On the third day after his doctoral defense, he felt as if his taut strings had been plucked away; the stern sharpness from before the dissection table had faded, replaced by a hint of lazy leisure.

The doctoral defense at Tokyo University is very strict.

Since the Haruko Obokata incident, Japan's academic circles have tightened scrutiny; previously, having a renowned industry mentor vouch for you and recognition from an obscure field authority no longer guaranteed invincibility, so Tokyo University had to steel itself to review Uesugi Muneyuki.

Tokyo University's declining QS rankings in recent years have two causes: first, reduced government funding, which everyone understands—academia requires substantial funding regardless.

Second, Japan's academic freedom—somewhat excessive—means that while many schools chase KPI and impact factors by churning out Nature, Science, and high-SCI papers, a group can collectively pad papers with mutual citations to inflate impact factors from 0.1 to 3.0, which is difficult for rigid, traditional Japanese.

Tokyo University truly tolerates projects with no concrete direction or results for three to five years, no visible applicable scope.

This allows Tokyo University to still have 12 Nobel laureates, while many projects are essentially boundless, aimless exploration—or even muddling through—naturally causing QS rankings to keep falling.

Kyoto University is even worse: it has 21 Nobel laureates, yet also hosts vast numbers of projects where no one knows what is being researched, yet they still get approved—truly leaning too far left.

Uesugi Muneyuki was questioned relentlessly at his graduation defense; his project and scholarship were entirely "horizontal" (focused on practical use and economic monetization) and "vertical" (focused on disciplinary discovery and deep exploration), and he had no interest in pursuing a Nobel Prize.

Nobel what!

Revive the Nobel in a live performance?

Whenever Uesugi Muneyuki thought of this, he couldn't help but roll his eyes; Tokyo University very much hopes he'll take a shot at the Nobel, as he's an authority in this field—even arguably Japan's strongest forensic science god—and they want him to crush The Lancet, not waste his youth at the Metropolitan Police Department. I'm fine with it—how about you?

Uesugi Muneyuki idly wondered where everyone was.

Shirakawa Mai was the first to notice him.

The senior student pushed her sunglasses to her head, revealing those smiling eyes, then walked over with her suitcase.

She wore a pearl-white woolen overcoat today, knee-length, with a loosely tied belt at her waist, outlining a perfect waistline. The coat's hem revealed a section of clean calf, wrapped in nearly transparent Fogal dark gray ultra-thin silk stockings—those Swiss-made, high-quality stockings that shimmer faintly in sunlight, making one want to look twice.

On her feet were nude patent leather pointed-toe high heels, slender and stable, each step on the pier ground producing a crisp, restrained sound. Mai Xuejie's demeanor has always been open and bright, like a polished mirror reflecting everything around without losing its edge. She pushed the suitcase toward Uesugi, tilted her head: "How come, after the defense, you've become a spectator?"

"I'm a photographer." Uesugi raised his phone, "Fuji TV's vlog—someone's got to hold the camera."

"Then don't let your lens go askew." Mai patted the coat's hem, "This outfit was specially chosen; if you shoot me as five-five, I'll burn your doctoral degree certificate."

"That thing is in Minami's hands—go find her."

"Minami now controls the Metropolitan Police Department's most valuable assets; she won't give it to me."

Between them, few words were needed; a glance exchanged, and both smiled. This tacit understanding grew from their shared lotus birth, and after years of layered wrapping, it has become more relaxed.

At that moment, a small hand tugging a beige suitcase pulled at Uesugi's trench coat sleeve.

Miyawaki Sakura stood beside him, slightly tilting her head up, her face showing an uncontrollable expression of anticipation.

Sakura wore a light sakura-pink knitted cardigan today, underneath a white lace-edged shirt, with a narrow deep red silk ribbon tied at the collar. Below, a deep blue pleated skirt, its hem three inches above the knees, revealing slender, straight legs.

She wore a pair of white Falke skin-toned silk stockings, so sheer in spring they're nearly transparent, almost invisible in sunlight, only making her leg lines appear smooth and clean.

On her feet were a pair of off-white rounded-toe mid-heel Mary Janes, with a tiny bow on the vamp, looking both obedient and exquisite.

Sakura is now twenty, her cheeks still retaining a hint of baby-fat roundness, but she has blossomed more beautifully than last year. Having followed Mai Xuejie in studying inner-world affairs for half a year, she has gradually developed her own resilience.

"Uesugi, someone's handing out boarding commemorative books over there!" Sakura's voice was soft, but she couldn't suppress the excitement inside.

"Go get it, grab one for me." Uesugi Muneyuki smiled.

"Okay!"

Sakura had just run two steps when a hand from behind grabbed her wrist.

Asuka emerged from behind her, half her body visible, face bearing that signature, tsundere-tinged shallow smile.

Asuka wore a black short leather jacket today, underneath a white lettered T-shirt, below a high-waisted black A-line skirt, its hem reaching mid-thigh.

On her legs were Wolford black matte pantyhose—those with subtle texture, slightly revealing skin tone at the joints, making her leg shape appear especially slender and straight. On her feet were a pair of black loafer-style little leather shoes, with a slight three-centimeter heel, pulling her frame into sharper focus. Asuka is also twenty this year, slightly shorter than Sakura, but their temperaments are utterly different.

Sakura is the type who glows quietly, while Asuka is like stepping on tiny springs wherever she goes—petite, exquisite, with a hint of unwillingness to lose.

She released Sakura's hand, turned to face Uesugi, corner of her mouth slightly lifting: "Mr. Uesugi, could you not film me in your vlog? My appearance fee is quite expensive, you know!"

"Then you should tell Fuji TV—they're the ones who paid."

"Isn't Fuji TV's money already in your account? What's that got to do with me?" Asuka continued her tsundere act.

Mai Xuejie suppressed laughter.

Uesugi Muneyuki's theoretical annual income is Tokyo University plus Metropolitan Police Department, around 14 million yen, actual take-home close to 10 million. But in reality, Fuji TV's money, insurance company funds, various ad revenues, commercial appearances—his actual annual income is around 50 million, though this money isn't in his personal account, but in Mai Xuejie's personal studio and private office.

"Isn't Asuka Sauce also supposed to become a Metropolitan Police Department Public Relations Division person? Practicing camera sense early." Mai Xuejie laughed.

Asuka wrinkled her nose, offering no rebuttal.

Since becoming Uesugi Muneyuki's possession, her mouth has grown increasingly sharp, her actions increasingly arrogant—she'll hand you tea while scolding you for drinking too fast.

Mai Xuejie watched this scene from the side, letting out a soft laugh.

She fished out a lip balm from her handbag, touched up her lip color on the phone screen, then casually said: "Speaking of which, how's the Special Mission Division handling your leave?"

Uesugi Muneyuki shoved the paperback back into his trench coat pocket, took the commemorative book from Sakura, flipped through it: "Okada's here. Nanxiang's here. Eirina's here. Missing one forensic expert, but no chaos will ensue."

"The issue isn't whether they can do things." Mai Xuejie put the lip balm away, locking eyes with him, "The issue is—you being here makes them dare to decide. You not here, and each person will wait. Wait for someone else to state their position first, wait for superior orders, wait for an answer to 'What would Mr. Uesugi do if he were here?' Your few days of downtime mean the Special Mission Division is practically halted."

Uesugi Muneyuki offered no rebuttal. He knew Mai spoke the truth.

These past years, he has gradually become the core axis around which the entire Special Mission Division turns.

He fell silent for a few seconds, then softly sighed: "Isn't this just Japanese tradition?"

"What tradition?"

"Japanese tradition." Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but complain: "Layer upon layer of hollowed-out authority, layer upon layer of outsourced dispatch—the emperor hollowed out by regents, regents hollowed out by Insei, court hollowed out by shogunate, shogunate hollowed out by kanrei, kanrei hollowed out by shugo, shugo hollowed out by shugo deputies, shugo deputies hollowed out by powerful retainers, powerful clans, even the nation's populace."

"At its peak, it was nested five layers deep. The emperor on top, below him the shogun, below that the kanrei, below the kanrei was Miyoshi Nagayoshi, below Miyoshi Nagayoshi was Matsunaga Hisahide." Uesugi Muneyuki continued his complaint: "Theoretically, Matsunaga Hisahide is nothing, but during that specific period, he poisoned Miyoshi Nagayoshi's son, everyone knew it was him, yet no one could do anything."

Mai raised an eyebrow: "So when are you going to swallow the ancient Tianming Taira spider kettle and self-destruct?"

"Once I get on the cruise ship, I'll self-destruct immediately!" Uesugi Muneyuki said with a wicked smile.

"Don't jinx it. I don't believe others, but your words... I'm really worried something might happen? Like a haunted cruise ship or something?" Mai Xuejie quickly covered his mouth.

"I'm the one who recognized the nested structure from the very beginning." Uesugi closed the commemorative album, his tone carrying a hint of helpless self-mockery, "Instead of waiting for others to sideline me, I'd rather let everyone get used to waiting for me. That way, when I need to get things done, no one can stop me." "You're just making excuses to slack off."

"Been figured out."

Mai Xuejie laughed and shook her head, not continuing to press further.

She actually knew very well that Uesugi's words weren't just a joke—he had indeed reshaped the power structure of the Special Mission Division in his own way, and after Watanabe Eiji was promoted to Police Commissioner, this reliance would only deepen.

But he now needed this vacation, and she had no intention of bringing the topic back to those bloody crime scenes before boarding.

Meanwhile, Sakura and Asuka beside them had already been completely immersed in the excitement before the trip.

"Look, look, there's actually an open-air hot spring on this cruise ship!"

"Really? The kind where you can see the sea?"

"The brochure says it's a Pacific-facing open-air bath, and there's a sauna too!"

"Then I'll bring my yukata! Did you bring yours?"

"I brought two! One pink, one blue! You can wear mine!"

"I don't want pink, I want the blue one."

"You'll look good in anything!"

The two put their heads together, squeezing in close as they chattered excitedly over the cruise ship guide on the boarding commemorative album, their voices clear and crisp like two elementary schoolers on the eve of spring break. Sakura's face showed pure joy, while Asuka still had a hint of "I'm not that excited" on her face, but her fast page-turning and stretched neck had already given her away.

Uesugi watched them, the corner of his mouth unconsciously curling up. He suddenly felt that this trip after the doctoral thesis defense was worth it.

Mai also glanced at the two, then slightly tilted her head and lowered her voice to Uesugi: "By the way, let's get down to business."

"Hmm?"

"After we arrive in North Kyushu, we'll meet that female death row inmate." Mai Xuejie said in a low voice: "If possible, we need to know the contents of the Bible of the Flesh, but she might not necessarily be willing to tell us, so Sakura's and Asuka's abilities are crucial." "One who can infiltrate the spiritual realm, one who can read the air..." Uesugi Muneyuki narrowed his eyes and nodded.

"Of course, besides that." Mai Xuejie smiled with squinting eyes as she took out a box of Okamoto from her bag: "For this trip, use it all!" Use it all?

Uesugi Muneyuki glanced at it—only 12 in a box.

"Who are you looking down on?!" He instantly brimmed with confidence, arms crossed: "Not to mention you alone, Senior, even if two more came, I'd still destroy them all!"

"Oh? Is that so?" Mai Xuejie laughed and pointed to her checked luggage: "There's still more inside—five big boxes, adding up to 72 in total!" "!!!" Uesugi Muneyuki's face instantly turned green.

Huh, can we reconcile?

Just then, the cruise ship began ticket inspection, everyone preparing to board, when suddenly a woman ran toward them from the front, her horse-face skirt swaying back and forth, the gold embroidery on it flashing so much that Uesugi Muneyuki felt a bit dizzy.

"Uesugi-san! Uesugi-san, what a coincidence, you're also on this cruise ship!"

"Huh?!"

Uesugi Muneyuki was stunned.

How did she also come here?