Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 243, Under the Public's Attention

When the topic shifted from the Yokohama case to the Yokohama Tanker Race, the level of attention actually increased.

At this point, the presenter at the Metropolitan Police Department's press conference changed from Uesugi Muneyuki to Kobe Takeru, the spokesperson for the Public Security Department. He briefly explained the process of the attack and defense of the Kudo-kai's stronghold and the reasons why the SAT fired their guns.

The press conference, held in a dark gray setting, was packed with over two hundred media outlets. Cameras and lenses were focused on three impeccably dressed high-ranking officials on stage. The cherry blossom badges embroidered in gold thread on their left chests gleamed coldly under the spotlights. After a brief explanation of the Yokohama Tanker Race, Police Chief Kudo Tsuyoshi rose and bowed for ten seconds, his Adam's apple bobbing as he stood: "This operation has completely eradicated the most dangerous yakuza group of the Heisei era. It is a victory for the entire nation and the country against yakuza and terrorist extremist organizations."

Kudo Tsuyoshi spoke in a steady tone, as if reciting criminal law articles, until the Asahi Shimbun reporter was the first to raise his hand.

"Ministry of Public Security, does the fact that Genichi Kudo escaped the encirclement on the day of the raid prove a major flaw in the police intelligence system? Rumors suggest he obtained the route map by bribing local police officers. Has an internal investigation been launched?"

"All operations in this case are being carried out in accordance with the law and with confidentiality. The details of Kudo and the others' escape are currently being analyzed by the special inspection team. The National Police Agency will not tolerate any dereliction of duty."

A Reuters correspondent then asked, "Did the police officer who died in the line of duty, Shota Yamada, violate security regulations during high-risk operations by patrolling alone and not being equipped with a bulletproof vest? Is the police treating the compensation as 'hush money' to the family?"

Criminal Investigation Department Chief Uchimura quickly interjected, "Yamada-kun's equipment meets the standards for regular patrols. The compensation measures are implemented based on the National Public Employees Disaster Compensation Law and have nothing to do with freedom of speech."

A reporter from Weekly Gendai went even further: "The Kudo-kai's ledgers record donations to political parties over the years. Which specific groups are involved? Will the police investigate thoroughly?"

Minister Kudo looked directly into the camera: "The criminal evidence directly related to this case has been transferred to the prosecution. The National Police Agency's duties are limited to combating yakuza groups; for questions regarding political donations, please consult the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Justice."

"The father of the fallen patrol officer Yamada said, 'The police used my son's life to make headlines.' How do you respond to the family's questioning of the 'priority of the operation'?"

"Yamada-kun's courage is a torch that illuminates the path of the fight against organized crime, and it is something that every police officer should learn from. We will soon hold a study and discussion meeting to vigorously promote Yamada-kun's brave and fearless spirit."

An NHK representative asked a reporter, "The police claimed that 'the worst yakuza gang of the Heisei era has been eliminated,' but the fact that a yakuza leader easily shot and killed a patrol officer while fleeing exposes a problem with the SAT's capabilities? How can citizens trust the 'declaration of public order'?"

"The SAT's specialization and local security are different tasks with no universal applicability. This case prompts us to further deepen the collaboration between our department and the grassroots security defense lines..."

The intense news battle left the high-ranking Japanese police officers drenched in sweat after a series of questions and answers.

Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but suppress a laugh, exchanging a glance with Minami beside him, both sensing a similar sense of humor and helplessness.

Minami blinked, indicating that she would have answered the same way if she were in her shoes.

Uesugi Muneyuki, on the other hand, was contemplating the art of bureaucratic speech.

Instead of responding with a narrative of glory, they use established policies to shift the focus, repeat legal clauses to build walls and avoid substantive answers, and if all else fails, they pass the buck to the district attorney general, and if that still doesn't work, they refuse to give a direct answer on the grounds of national security.

Reporters surrounded the three high-ranking police officers and asked them many pointed questions, but to no avail.

Seeing that they couldn't get any juicy material, the reporters turned their attention to Uesugi Muneyuki.

Just then, this guy had a slightly suppressed laugh expression.

He'll be the headline tomorrow!
"Forensic Officer Uesugi, what are your thoughts on the final gunfight in the Yokohama case?" a Kyodo News reporter asked.

"Sorry, I wasn't involved in the final gunfight. I'm just a forensic pathologist, not a member of the SAT." Uesugi Muneyuki helplessly spread his hands: "Do you see me carrying a gun?"

A burst of laughter erupted from the scene.

“However, I do have some personal opinions. To be frank, I am also heartbroken by the sacrifice of Inspector Yamada.” Uesugi Muneyuki said bluntly, “We could have avoided this tragedy. I think this tragedy was caused by the failure to inform Kanagawa Headquarters during the Yokohama Special Operations. But as the previous points have shown, if Kanagawa Headquarters had been informed, the SAT’s surprise attack would not have happened, and we would not have been able to wipe out the Kudo-kai’s base in Yokohama and find the ledgers and a large number of narcotics and firearms. So I don’t know what to do. After all, I’m not a professional.”

This argument is clearly a case of "minor criticism leading to major assistance," but the Japanese media present generally accepted it.

The Kyodo News reporter then asked, "Thank you for your answer, Forensic Officer Uesugi. Considering your performance in recent years, we would like to turn our attention to the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Police Agency: Will we see the Special Missions Unit active outside of Tokyo in the future?"

"Regarding the Special Missions Unit, we are indeed considering it very actively. At present, our Metropolitan Police Department is only focused on having the Special Missions Unit handle cases within Tokyo. However, if necessary, we do not rule out dispatching the Special Missions Unit to conduct joint investigations with other police headquarters in other areas," Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe said earnestly. "Provided it is necessary."

"The National Police Agency and the Metropolitan Police Department have reached an agreement on this matter. We both believe that the Special Missions Unit, led by Forensic Investigator Uesugi, has proven its value through its actions in a series of cases. Therefore, the National Police Agency is open to the Special Missions Unit handling cases across regions." Chief Cabinet Secretary Kimiaki Onoda added with a smile, "However, as the Superintendent General said, the Special Missions Unit will prioritize solving cases within Tokyo... After all, the Special Missions Unit is the Special Missions Unit of the Metropolitan Police Department~ Hehehehe~"

Onoda Kimiaki smiled meaningfully and glanced at Watanabe Eiji.

Our police department respects your Metropolitan Police Department and you, Eiji Watanabe, ownership of Muneyuki Uesugi, but you'll have to help if needed!
"Thank you. The next question is for Witness Uesugi." The JNN Fuji TV reporter stood up and asked, "It's said that a local TV station is planning to adapt your story into a TV drama. What are Witness Uesugi's thoughts on this?"

"I respect the Council's decision on this matter," Uesugi Muneyuki said with a smile. "Wouldn't it be interesting if possible?"

At the board meeting in the Fujidai Odaiba building, Uesugi Muneyuki's answer was observed by all of Fujidai's top executives.

President Kameyama took the opportunity to address the board members and the head of the production department: "...Gentlemen, what do you see in Uesugi-kun?" "President?" A board member below replied: "I think I see huge commercial potential in Uesugi Muneyuki. He is the kind of person who naturally generates a lot of buzz. If we can get the support of the Metropolitan Police Department to develop his screen value, it will definitely become Fuji TV's flagship program."

“Yes, Managing Director Takamatsu is right.” President Kameyama nodded, but his emotions were even more agitated: “But that’s not all. Have you noticed? Uesugi Muneyuki is only 23 years old this year!”

"He's only 23! And doctors are in high demand as they get older, and men have a longer shelf life!"

"As long as he can maintain his performance, as long as he can continue to build his legendary status as a forensic pathologist and the last line of defense for the Metropolitan Police Department, do you know what will happen?"

Kameyama Chihiro excitedly slammed his fist on the table: "He may not be able to stay in his sixties or seventies, but at least from now until Uesugi Muneyuki is around fifty, he will always be the center of national attention and the king of traffic!"

"As long as we design programs, adapt TV dramas, and broadcast cases live around him, our station will have firmly grasped a gold mine that can be mined for at least twenty years! Our station will have another flagship program and a top-rated show!"

"Furthermore, everyone, Uesugi Muneyuki and Fuji TV have always had a very good relationship. As long as we offer a good price and show enough sincerity, Uesugi Muneyuki will definitely give priority to our station."

"Gentlemen, let's not hesitate any longer. Let's formally extend an invitation to the Metropolitan Police Department now."

"We'll start by doing a special variety show interview about Uesugi Muneyuki, with Mai Shirakawa as the host. Then we'll get the TV drama adaptation under discussion as soon as possible. We want to get the whole project going by the year after next! Let all of Japan witness the legendary forensic pathologist Uesugi Muneyuki solving cases!"

"In addition, we can invite him to create a special case-based program, where he can personally explain the complex and bizarre cases he has encountered. The public will absolutely love to listen to that!"

President Kameyama wrote three things on the blackboard: variety show interviews, case study programs, and TV drama adaptations.

Finally, the three things intersected.

"Let Fujidai be great again!"

The eyes of all the board members lit up as they looked at President Kameyama's plan. They sensed a new era of glory and a flagship program rising under President Kameyama's direction.

“But there’s a problem, President.” Just then, the head of the production department, Kazuhiko Abiru, suddenly raised his hand: “Uesugi-kun does have a good relationship with our station, but… what advantages do we have over other TV stations? We can invite Mai Shirakawa, and we can invite other stations as well. In terms of financial strength and connections, NTV and Asahi are no less than us, not to mention that Uesugi-kun seems to like tokusatsu quite a bit. TBS is a close partner of tokusatsu films.”

"Hmm..." President Kameyama paused for a moment, "Let's do a survey. What are Uesugi-kun's hobbies?"

"For example...women?"

Upon hearing President Kameyama's words, all the senior executives of Fuji TV showed knowing expressions.

I think this is a good idea.

After all, Fuji TV has this glorious tradition~
Hehehehehehehe~
Thus, during the discussion at the Fuji TV board meeting, the press conference regarding the Yokohama case officially came to an end.

At the same moment, on TV Asahi's "Music Station," the famous female idol group YKC48 had just finished recording a program.

Wearing a modified schoolgirl-style blazer paired with a red plaid skirt and over-the-knee socks, Miyawaki Sakura hurriedly returned backstage. However, the Metropolitan Police Department press conference was already nearing its end, and she only had time to catch a glimpse of Uesugi Muneyuki. Miyawaki Sakura was somewhat disappointed, but thinking that she was, after all, the top performer who could go on stage, while the backstage maids didn't even have a chance to show their faces, she couldn't help but raise her head, feeling quite proud.

I'm different from them!
Sure enough, the maids backstage were also discussing the Yokohama case and Uesugi Muneyuki's "reversal of evidence," looking on with envy and infatuation.

I'm different from them!
Sakura was very proud of herself. She was the only one in this super-large female idol group who had actually met and spoken to Uesugi Muneyuki. She had been bragging about it for a long time!
The other members of the group were incredibly envious.

This guy is a self-generating traffic king!
Sakura has told the story of meeting, talking to, and asking for autographs from Mai Shirakawa and Muneyuki Uesugi countless times, but they still manage to get them. For idols, who are at the very bottom of the entertainment industry with very low status, being able to get even a little bit of attention is a victory, let alone being a popular figure like Mai Shirakawa and Muneyuki Uesugi.

It really was a great opportunity for Sakura to get some freebies.

But today's situation is a little different.

One of the trainees pointed at Uesugi Muneyuki's face in surprise: "I've done it with him!"

"Huh?!" The dozens of female idols backstage, who were originally chattering noisily about how handsome Uesugi Muneyuki was and how strong Japan's own Sherlock Holmes was, fell silent as soon as the trainee said this.

The trainee seemed to realize he had said something wrong and quickly covered his mouth.

But it was all too late. She was immediately surrounded by everyone and brutally tortured.

Miyawaki Sakura, who had just stepped down and was trying to distance herself from the maids, was stunned when she heard this.

What's the meaning?
(End of this chapter)