Tokyo: Rabbit Police and Her Evil Partner

Chapter 567 Dog-Headed Man Special

This is a true documentary.

There was more than one such videotape; a total of 165 edited videotapes entered the market, all of which contained the trial game of "The New World".

Participating in bloody games, competing in wits and physical strength, and ultimately winning millions or even hundreds of millions in prizes—this kind of 'movie theme' has undoubtedly had a huge impact on today's market.

In another four or five years, similar themes will emerge. The market has proven that audiences love these emotionally engaging settings, which is why the 'gambling game' genre has been popular for over thirty years, especially in Japan, the country that produces the most intellectually challenging gambling games.

Driven by the economic bubble, audiences needed such an outlet.

In just two days, these 165 original videotapes were copied more than 200 times—more than 200 copies of each tape—which is more than 33,000 videotapes, 33,000 pieces of irrefutable evidence.

As time went on, the copying speed of the videotapes continued to increase.

Every second, movie buffs, video arcade owners, reporters, filmmakers, and other viewers would copy down the videotapes they had watched and search for the next episode, trying to complete the entire series.

Masahiro Hijikata spread out the newspaper and projected it onto the screen.

"Weekly Film and Entertainment is a third-rate newspaper. In today's edition, in the far corner, the headline reads, 'Is the New World series really just 'movies'?'"

Hijikata Masahiro looked up and asked the others, "Do you understand the seriousness of the situation?"

The administrative officer didn't understand, and apart from Minamoto no Tamako, none of the Special Investigation Division detectives understood either, leading to an awkward silence in the office.

The administrative officer, tasked with providing the straight man's joke, could only bite the bullet and ask, "Uh... what does this have to do with the murder case?"

Hijikata Masahiro paused for a moment, then realized he hadn't mentioned the most important thing.

He was also overwhelmed by the explosive news and for a moment only talked about the things that impressed him the most.

"Oh right, I forgot to add that last night, someone anonymously called Fuji Radio's hotline—it's a pretty popular late-night radio station that mainly does emotional entertainment and casual chat, nothing much to say—the important thing is that the person claimed that 'if Horie Kei isn't released, the entire list of Cat Island will be released.'"

Masahiro Hijikata added.

The officer still didn't understand: "Does that mean the suspect has accomplices? What does it mean to release the list of cat islands? Is that a threat?"

“It’s a bit complicated to explain,” Masahiro Hijikata paused, clearing his throat. “In short, the minister believes that the suspect’s accomplices planned to fabricate a ‘non-existent island,’ which they called Cat Island, the ‘new world’ in the videotape…”

"And then?" The officer vaguely understood, but she still couldn't quite believe it.

"Then, the suspect's accomplices used this to slander important figures from all walks of life, claiming that 'certain people' were the builders, organizers, and participants of Cat Island, and the culprits behind the massacre game..." Masahiro Hijikata forced a laugh: "It's absurd, isn't it?"

The Special Investigations Division office was deathly silent.

They are all adults, the cream of the crop. Given how things have developed, it's highly likely that the contents of the videotape are real, and the so-called Cat Island is real...

It turns out there really is such a hidden island.

Moreover, there really is such an organization that deceives, detains, and kills innocent people, using them to provide services to the world's top billionaires and powerful figures.

Among those 165 videotapes were men and women, young and old. For example, Otomo Yuri was still in college, but she died inexplicably in a locked room, her head exploding like a watermelon.

All of this was just to amuse a group of 'big shots'.

A moment later, the local detectives from Sugamo Police Station turned around and looked at Minamoto no Tamako.

They vaguely remembered that about half a year or a year ago, Yuan Yuzi had made a fuss about reporting some cat island, claiming that she had been kidnapped, but they didn't take it seriously at the time.

It turned out to be true.

This is undoubtedly a huge scandal.

Masahiro Hijikata scratched his nose, somewhat embarrassed to speak: "The Minister of Criminal Investigation has given a strict order. In order to defend the country's honor and for the sake of the entire Metropolitan Police Department, I urge everyone to do their utmost to investigate, apprehend the suspect's accomplices, and confiscate and destroy all videotapes."

Gen Tamako was somewhat incredulous: "Shouldn't a case be opened and the matter thoroughly investigated? The evidence has already been presented, why isn't it being investigated? There really is such an island, I know where it is..."

Hijikata Masahiro interrupted, "An investigation can be done later. This kind of thing can only be investigated privately and must not be made public. Please think about the bigger picture!"

"What big picture? This is clearly a cover-up!" Yuan Yuzi shouted.

Unfortunately, the only sound in the entire office was her shouting.

Masahiro Hijikata gestured for the clerk to open the door, then made a gesture to dismiss them, saying, "Officer Minamoto is unwilling to participate in the investigation. Is there anyone else who wants to withdraw?"

The group exchanged bewildered glances, all knowing what leaving through that door meant.

Stepping out that door would be tantamount to going against the entire Metropolitan Police Department. These are turbulent times, a test of loyalty; we must unite as one and overcome this difficult period together.

All opposition will be suppressed immediately. Internal strife must precede external resistance. In special circumstances, internal handling will be very simple and brutal.

If someone deserts their post at this point and then turns around and investigates the leaders, it's ostensibly for the sake of justice, but in reality, it's just courting death.

It probably won't be long before they're transferred to another department, or worse, they might be fired... If they have a bad record, then they're in big trouble, and they'll be exposed for all their past misdeeds!
Gen Tamako looked around, and everyone lowered their heads.

Including Masahiro Hijikata.

They said nothing, yet they said everything.

After watching the videotape played by Masahiro Hijikata, Yuri Otomo was a complete stranger to her, but that didn't stop her from having compassion and a sense of justice. She was angry about what happened in the videotape.

In the video, Yuri Otomo mentions several times that she doesn't want to play anymore, that she wants to quit, and she even pleads with the camera.

The photographer remained unmoved, focusing the lens on the faces of the losers until the final loud bang caused their heads to explode into blood and foam, seemingly mocking the weak and sharing the thrill of victory with the winners.

"Really? You're really going to destroy those videotapes?" Minamoto Tamako's eyes darted around, and she recalled the pain of being kidnapped: "Right now, right at this moment, someone is still calling for help on that island—and the first thing you're going to do is destroy the videotapes?!"

The administrative officer, who was also in charge of personnel, was very perceptive. Before Yuan Yuzi could say anything even more undignified, she grabbed Yuan Yuzi's shoulder and pushed her out of the office.

As she walked, Minamoto no Tamako kept looking back. She finally remembered Fushimi Shika. Her gaze swept through the crowd, but she didn't see him. A sigh of relief washed over her. At least Shika-kun hadn't become as callous as they were…

The office door slammed shut. Without lingering, Minamoto no Tamako immediately dialed Fushimi Shika's number, but Fushimi Shika's phone was constantly busy and she couldn't get through.

Genji had no choice but to go downstairs to her office at the Sugamo Police Station and ask her colleagues if they had seen Fushimi Shika.

"Wasn't he in a meeting with you guys upstairs in the Special Investigations Division?" Kinoshita Shojin asked, looking bewildered.

“Oh, I just saw Fushimi-senpai leave through the front door. He’s probably on a mission…” Abe Rokuro reminded him from the side.

All the mid-level elites were transferred to the Special Investigations Division, and there was a shortage of manpower for daily criminal work. Abe Rokuro received a personnel transfer notice the next day and reported to the police station.

“No, he’s definitely skipping work.” Kinoshita Shojin was already used to it: “Isn’t Tamako also in the Special Investigations Division? She doesn’t even know where that guy is, he’s probably slacking off again…”

He lowered his head and continued processing the case files.

Sugamo also has its share of criminal disputes, even minor ones, and they can't just ignore them, can they? Now all the capable members of his team have been transferred away, leaving him with only a handful of underlings, almost like a commander without troops, hence his widespread resentment.

"No, I'm no longer a member of the Special Investigations Division."

Yuan Yuzi pouted, as if she was sulking, but she was very serious, and it felt like there was a fire burning in her chest.

She took off her name tag and slammed it on the desk: "I don't care..."

Yuan Yuzi wanted to say, "I disdain associating with those people"—but she felt that was too harsh, since her colleagues were just following orders.

She paused, then added the second half of her sentence: "I disdain doing bad things!"

After saying that, Genji turned and left, intending to go home to find Fushimi-kun.

Kinoshita Shojin sighed. He wanted to say, "Since you're no longer working in the Special Investigations Division, why don't you come back to the police station to handle your daily work?" But Minamoto Tamako didn't give him a chance to speak. She stormed off, blatantly skipping work. He couldn't say anything because Minamoto Tamako was the only person in the police station who could go to get off work on time and enjoy full leave.

It just so happens that it's time to get off work now.

Yuan Yuzi was completely unaware of the hidden privileges she enjoyed. She hurried home, with only one thought in her mind:
'You absolutely must tell Lu Jun!'

Lu Jun will definitely support her!

They are a team of detectives, partners of justice, and will never yield. They will definitely work together to investigate and uncover the truth, just like before, no matter how many difficulties and dangers lie ahead!
……

Meanwhile, Fushimi Shika is on the phone with Kujo Yui.

Fifteen minutes ago, Kujo Yui called, quickly explaining the whole story and finally stating her purpose: "Tell Tamako not to get involved in this matter... This matter is very troublesome. It will become a political scandal, a bombshell. From now on, anyone who gets involved with it will suffer social death."

"Didn't you already assign officers to destroy the videotapes?" Fushimi Shika asked with a hint of sarcasm.

He was indeed slacking off at home, and upon hearing the news, his first reaction was to buy a few videotapes to watch... To be fair, the games designed by Cat Island are quite interesting.

If everyone participates voluntarily, it will definitely be a lot of fun.

Unfortunately, this is destined to be a niche game, and players are all tricked into getting into it.

“It’s too late, it’s just cutting losses.” Kujou Yui’s tone was cold, as if she had a block of ice in her mouth, blowing it through the microphone into his ear: “Don’t say ‘you,’ this is not something I can decide. It involves a wide range of people, and some of the participants are innocent.”

"Is that so?" Fushimi Shika didn't believe it. He got up, grabbed his coat, and prepared to go out.

Kujou Yui asked, "Haven't you ever watched AV? There are often scenes in AV where actresses are forced to film. Maybe your favorite AV movie was actually made by the production company that tricked the girl into signing a contract of servitude, and in the end, the director forced her to smile and make lewd poses during filming... You've watched AV, does that mean you're guilty?"

She paused for a moment: "Many people just go to take a look."

Fushimi Shika remained unmoved. A seasoned lawyer, eloquent and persuasive, he immediately discerned that Kujo Yui was resorting to sophistry.
"First of all, I must point out that the consumer market for adult videos is abnormal. Obscene products like that should not be circulated in the market. It is itself a product of distorted values, and consumers are the invisible accomplices."

"It's like ivory and bear skin, both are market commodities, just like AV. There's a saying, what's it again? Oh right, no buying, no killing. Without AV, there would be no girls being tricked into filming."

"According to your logic, if consumers are innocent, then why is buying pornographic content innocent, but buying and selling ivory is a crime? Don't you find the logic in this case strange?"

Kujo Yui also did not back down: "I'm not here to argue with you."

Fushimi Shika shrugged, opened the door, pressed the elevator button, and went downstairs: "I wasn't planning on arguing with you, I was just politely refusing... Sorry, I can't influence Tamako's decision."

This time, Kujo Yui didn't threaten or bribe her. Instead, she said frankly, "I've been there, and I don't want Tamako to misunderstand."

Fushimi Shika had long suspected this.

It was Uesugi Shion who gave him the coordinates of Cat Island. He never told Kujo Yui. So how did Kujo Yui know the coordinates and lead the detectives to the island?

The answer is now revealed: she visited Cat Island.

The elevator dinged, and Fushimi Shika arrived on the first floor. Mansions are great; it only has three floors, and they even have an elevator. He could go downstairs in the blink of an eye, without having to walk an extra step.

“You can go and explain to Yuzi. I believe she won’t misunderstand you.”

Fushimi Shika walked out of the small courtyard, opened the gate, and stretched by the roadside.

He strode across the street to the intersection. The light was red, and there was a constant flow of cars and people on the road. He could vaguely see Yuan Yuzi standing on the other side of the road, waving at him on tiptoe, looking very anxious.

The video store was on the other side of the street. Fushimi Shika turned away, pretending not to see it. He planned to sneak off to buy the videotape so that when Minamoto Tamako explained the situation, he could show an expression that said, "I already knew the whole truth."

“I have nothing to worry about,” Kujo Yui said. “The problem lies with you.”

"What?" Fushimi Shika stopped in his tracks.

"There's a videotape called 'Dog-Headed Man Special'... I've already seen it. You should still have the scar on your calf, right?"

Kujou Yui sighed deeply: "You know what I mean."

(End of this chapter)