People are in Conan, but Ace Attorney

Chapter 881 A Dragon-like Reversal (85)

As time ticked by, Akira Nishikiyama, sitting in the lounge, grew increasingly uneasy.

Logically speaking, he should have been summoned to testify by now, but so far, no bailiffs have come from the first trial court to the lounge to summon him to testify.

This is really too strange.

Akira Nishikiyama couldn't help but recall his conversation with Hikaru Mukamoto in the interrogation room of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department yesterday. Mukamoto said that they might find all the evidence before the trial, and Kazuma Kiryu even advised him to plead guilty and get a reduced sentence because of this.

However, at the time he did not believe that Xiang Yuanguang and the Japanese Public Security Bureau were capable of doing that.

But now, this situation, which is not in line with his expected plan and is unfolding in an unpredictable direction, has forced Nishikiyama Akira to bring up the old matter again, and a few doubts are lingering in his heart.

Could it be that Xiang Yuanguang and the Japanese Public Security Bureau could really gather all the necessary evidence before the trial even begins?
If Xiang Yuanguang and the Japanese Public Security Bureau are truly capable of such a feat, then the trial will likely end much faster than anyone anticipated.

This is what Akira Nishikiyama thought to himself.

He tried his best to suppress the growing unease in his heart and instead seriously considered how he should testify in court so that he could extricate himself from the assassination of Seragi Katsumi unscathed.

The situation is now very clear.

To become the fifth chairman of the Tojo Clan, one must prove that he has no connection to the murder of Sera Katsumi. Otherwise, the members of the Tojo Clan would never allow someone who killed the old chairman to become the new chairman.

So, the best way to prove that you have nothing to do with this matter is to create an alibi for yourself.

However, since he's with him every day, all the people who can prove his location are members of the Jinshan Group, so their alibis are probably meaningless...

Akira Nishikiyama's thoughts were slowly spreading.

He knew that Xiang Yuanguang had already decided that he was the real murderer in this case, so presenting such suspicious evidence to Xiang Yuanguang would be tantamount to courting death.

Therefore, it is no longer feasible for him to prove in this trial that he has no connection to the matter.

So, as a second-best option, the only recourse is to follow the previous line of thought, claim that he did not possess the murder weapon, and demand that the Japanese police and Mukamoto Mitsuko produce proof that he possessed the murder weapon, along with the weapon itself, in order to clear himself of suspicion of killing Sera Katsumi.

—This is actually not difficult.

Although Akira Nishikiyama never testified as a witness.

But as the youngest leader of the Dongcheng Gang's most trusted organization, what hasn't he done to raise funds for himself? He knows exactly how to clear his name after committing a crime and make the police leave empty-handed.

The murder weapon is the only crucial element that the suspect can ensure is completely disposed of.

He knows this very well.

Therefore, after assassinating Sera Katsumi, Nishikiyama Akira had already disposed of the sniper rifle, dismantling it into parts and having it sent to an incinerator for complete destruction.

Neither the Japanese Public Security Bureau nor Hikaru Mukamoto could possibly find the real murder weapon.

Therefore, although Akira Nishikiyama was uneasy, he was still somewhat confident that he could get away with it. After all, if the murder weapon could not be found, there would be no way to prove that he was the murderer of Sera Katsumi.

However, just as he was thinking this, the door to the lounge was suddenly pushed open.

Two bailiffs from the First Trial Court appeared outside the break room. Their gaze fell on Akira Nishikiyama, who was being guarded by several Japanese public security officers, and then they spoke earnestly.

"Mr. Jinshan, the presiding judge requests that you appear in the first courtroom immediately to testify."

"If you don't have anything else to take care of, then please come with us now."

—Is it finally my turn to testify in court?

A look of understanding appeared in Akira Nishikiyama's eyes.

He stood up and, under the watchful eyes of several Japanese public security officers, followed the bailiffs toward the First Trial Court. However, as soon as he got close to the First Trial Court, he realized something was wrong.

Akira Nishikiyama's original confidence has now vanished.

The reason was simple: he saw someone who shouldn't be in the corridor outside the First Trial Court at this time—he saw Seiichi Nagashima, a core member of the Nishikiyama Group.

"Long Island, what are you doing here?"

Unable to contain his excitement, Nishikiyama Akira questioned him.

Upon hearing Akira Nishikiyama's voice, Seiichi Nagashima, who was already feeling down because of the torture he had endured at the trial by Hikaru Mukamoto and Kazuma Kiryu, felt his heart skip a beat when he saw Akira Nishikiyama.

He never expected that he would barge into the courtroom where Nishikiyama Akira was to be brought to testify. It was too much of a coincidence!
Seeing Akira Nishikiyama's angry expression, Seiichi Nagashima's lips moved slightly.

However, he said nothing, only lowered his head, hiding most of his face in the shadows, and then left in another direction led by two Japanese police officers.

Seeing that Nagashima Seiichi remained silent, Nishikiyama Akira grew increasingly uneasy and spoke loudly.
"Wait, Long Island! Long Island!"

No matter what he said, Seiichi Nagashima didn't seem to turn around to explain the situation.

Upon seeing this, Akira Nishikiyama's mood finally sank to rock bottom.

The reason is simple: if there is anyone who can convict someone after he has destroyed the murder weapon, then Seiichi Nagashima is definitely one of them.

As one of the core members of the Nishikiyama Group, although Seiichi Nagashima's abilities are not outstanding and he can't do anything big, Akira Nishikiyama is still willing to let him work with him on some key matters.

After all, he's been with him for many years, so he's more trustworthy than the newcomers.

Therefore, he didn't keep the plan to assassinate Sera Katsumi and the purchase of guns too secret from Nagashima Seiichi, because as a core member of the Nishikiyama Group, Nagashima Seiichi would also benefit if the plan succeeded.

When Akira Nishikiyama becomes the fifth president of the Tojo Clan, the Nishikiyama Group will be the absolute core organization, and Seiichi Nagashima will naturally become one of the Tojo Clan's high-ranking members.

He had absolutely no reason to betray him.

However, seeing Seiichi Nagashima's behavior, Akira Nishikiyama realized that things were not going well.

This guy has probably really betrayed us, revealing everything in court. If that's the case, then he needs to prepare for the worst.

(End of this chapter)