Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 271, The White Tower

Professor Okouchi's words brought a smile to Uesugi Muneyuki's face, and also made Ishihara Mikoto behind him look on with envy.

Why didn't I encounter a mentor like that when I was at Osaka University?

"Does the professor also believe that Professor Zaizen did not misdiagnose?" Having said that, Uesugi Muneyuki was no longer so concerned.

“From a purely medical perspective, this is already the best possible solution.” Professor Okouchi nodded. “However, if signs of potential metastasis are discovered before the operation, and the medical records and autopsy reports are then modified after the operation, it only shows that Professor Zaizen has absolutely no sense of responsibility as a clinical medical scholar. Such a thing is intolerable.”

"Do you know, Uesugi-kun, the hospital is using your reputation and prestige to promote itself," Professor Okouchi said slowly. "Ukai-kun is really cunning. Doing this is wrong, and not doing it is also wrong."

Uesugi Muneyuki remained silent. He looked around at the specimens preserved in formalin in the jars and pots, at Professor Okouchi who had been living a secluded life since arriving at the hospital, spending all his time conducting research in the pathology department, a place squalid for hospitals. Then, looking at the piles of documents and the high-precision instruments conducting tests in the distance, he suddenly exclaimed, "Is this the White Tower?"

"Yes." Professor Ōkouchi nodded, and said quietly, "The path of medicine is all bones. The white tower is made of bones. Every doctor strives to climb this path and eventually becomes a part of the white tower."

“Without becoming part of the white tower, you will never reach the top. But as long as you want to keep moving forward, you will eventually become part of the tower.” Professor Okouchi said in a deep voice, “Since you are part of the tower, you must maintain the tower, otherwise the tower will abandon you without hesitation.”

"It's the same with this. The hospital is using you because you're a member of the hospital. If you refuse to protect the hospital's interests, you'll have to leave. So I'll take care of this."

"Even if this tower is leaning?" Uesugi Muneyuki laughed.

"Didn't I say it before? This country is sick." Professor Ōkouchi vaguely sensed Uesugi Muneyuki's meaning: "So, you've thought it through?"

"I'm just a forensic doctor. My job is to clarify things." Uesugi Muneyuki had finally come to a realization: "What I find out is what it is, and I will never change it. If you want me to cooperate with the hospital to falsify reports, use my influence to force the deceased's family to comply, or make the court and prosecutor's office wary, I'm sorry, I can't do that!"

“If the deceased’s family hadn’t entrusted me, I would have said the same thing: Professor Zaizen’s diagnosis wasn’t a misdiagnosis, but the fact that he altered my autopsy report after the surgery is unacceptable! So I must testify in person to live up to the trust of the deceased’s family!”

"As for offending people, Professor, do I look like I'm afraid of offending people?" Uesugi Muneyuki spread his arms wide: "Aren't there any other towers besides the White Tower?"

"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more." Professor Okouchi's eyes flickered.

"Thank you, Professor." Uesugi Muneyuki gestured for Mikoto to let us go.

"Uesugi-kun." Professor Okouchi called out to him as Uesugi Muneyuki reached the door.

"professor?"

"Although I only reluctantly accepted you as my disciple because of your grandfather, I have always held a prejudice against you because you are impatient for quick success and you like to give conclusions before giving reasons. You are too utilitarian. I thought you might just be another Zaizen." Professor Okouchi said, "But a year and a half has passed, Uesugi-kun, I have never regretted taking you as my disciple for a single day."

"If you want to stay, just let me know."

“Thank you, Professor, me too.” Uesugi Muneyuki also turned around and bowed. “It is a great honor for me to become your student.”

After saying that, Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto left.

Professor Okouchi watched Uesugi Muneyuki leave, thought for a moment, and finally picked up the phone.

"Hello, is this Shimazaki-san? Yes, it's me, Ōkouchi. Ah, it's been such a long time..."

There's something I need to tell you.

........................

"Hey~ Uesugi-kun? What brings you here?"

In the dean's office, Dr. Ukai, the dean of Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, smiled broadly as he looked at Uesugi Muneyuki who had come before him: "You've been incredibly busy lately, with the Metropolitan Police Department and the TV station. Why didn't you stay at Sakuradamon and be your forensic officer Uesugi? Why did you come back to our hospital? I remember the finance department hasn't shortchanged you on your salary."

"Dean," Uesugi Muneyuki placed his altered pathology report in front of Dean Ukai, "did you authorize the alteration of this report?"

"Hmm?" Dean Ukai took the report, glanced at it briefly, and put it down. "I don't remember, Uesugi-kun. As the dean, you're very busy. How could I remember so many things? You're just as busy, aren't you, Uesugi-kun? There's so much to do in the Special Missions Division. Why waste your time here?"

“Very well, if the dean doesn’t recognize this report, then it’s fake.” Uesugi Muneyuki pretended to pick up the report: “Then I’ll void it, because I don’t acknowledge that this is my report! I’ll write a new one!”

“Uesugi-kun~” Upon hearing this, Dean Ukai could only quickly wave his hand: “Don’t be like this! Why are you suddenly so concerned about Sasaki’s case?” “Because I discovered that someone has tampered with my report.” Uesugi Muneyuki calmly looked at the old fox in front of him: “Dean, do you know who it is? If you don’t know, then I’ll go find Professor Zaizen.”

"Who is it? I don't know." Upon hearing Zaizen's name, Dean Ukai finally stood up and slowly walked to Uesugi Muneyuki. His small eyes, mostly white with small pupils, looked at him. "So, Uesugi-kun, you really want to explain things clearly?"

"Then can the dean tell me who altered the autopsy report?" Uesugi Muneyuki sighed.

"Tokyo Medical and Dental University is your alma mater, Uesugi-kun!" Dean Ukai said sarcastically. "We finally produced a top-notch surgical master, a member of the International Federation of Surgical Societies!"

"I know."

"It was I who approved an extra 20,000 yuan in special salary for you every month! It was I who limited your residency training to only three months!"

"I know."

"Uesugi-kun! We've been training you for this moment! The hospital has nurtured you, and now the hospital needs your help! Our Tokyo Medical and Dental University has done nothing to wrong you!" Dean Ukai's voice grew increasingly urgent: "We just need you to produce a report that benefits us! We're on the same side, not Professor Azuma or the deceased's family! Zaizen did nothing wrong!"

"All the trouble you caused before! The hospital took responsibility for it! The things you messed up, the hospital cleaned up for you!" Dean Ukai's voice gradually quickened: "You haven't performed too many autopsies, have you? You've become empathetic towards the dead, have you?"

"Never, ever sympathize with those patients, especially those who like to cause trouble at medical facilities! We don't have the time or extra beds for these insatiable people. Believe me, if you side with those who cause trouble at medical facilities today, and you're harassed by them tomorrow, the only ones who can truly save you, protect you, and treat you like one of their own are the hospitals!" Dean Ukai patted Uesugi Muneyuki on the shoulder: "Is the life of a stranger really that important compared to your own life?"

“That wasn’t a medical dispute. The death was indeed caused by Professor Zaizen’s surgery. Why won’t the hospital admit it?” Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head. “I know. It’s because if Professor Zaizen, who has finally made a name for himself, is found to have diagnostic problems, it would ruin the hospital’s reputation, right?”

"...You don't understand!" Dean Ukai was quite exasperated. "You stupid child, you have no idea how terrible the dark side of the medical field is! I'm doing this for your own good!"

"Doing it for my own good means kicking me from the First Surgical Department to the Forensic Department? Do you mean using my influence to coerce the District Prosecutor and the court into submission? If the deceased's family hadn't contacted me, I wouldn't have known my report had been altered." Uesugi Muneyuki waved the report in his hand. "Furthermore, in the past year and a half, the hospital has done quite a few things using my name and influence, hasn't it? And the Metropolitan Police Department, they've even proactively sought cooperation with our hospital on some projects? They've established three funds worth hundreds of millions of yen alone, haven't they?"

"Dean, how many people have you convinced with this rhetoric?"

"Sigh... Uesugi-kun, so you're determined to go against your alma mater, aren't you?" Dean Ukai was speechless after Uesugi Muneyuki's words. He could only sigh and say, "Unfortunately, our hospital doesn't need doctors who don't consider the hospital's reputation."

“No problem, I can resign on my own.” Uesugi Muneyuki nodded.

He was utterly disappointed with everything about the hospital.

“What’s even more unfortunate is that, according to convention, Uesugi-kun, doing something like this means that all the hospitals covered by the Kanto Medical Association… you might have to find a job in Kansai. But then again, running back and forth between the Metropolitan Police Department and Kansai might actually be a better option for you.” Dean Ukai made a final effort: “Are you really sure?”

Uesugi Muneyuki stood up: "I've made up my mind. I'll resign voluntarily."

After saying that, Uesugi Muneyuki turned and left: "Also, Dean, you are completely unaware of the darkness in the medical field."

"Tsk!" Dean Ukai watched Uesugi Muneyuki leave, his eyes filled with displeasure.

You know nothing about the dark side of the medical world! You should know that Professor Zaizen's godfather is the vice president of the Kanto Medical Association. You'll never find a legitimate hospital job in Kanto again!
Just as I was thinking that, the phone on the table rang.

"Hello!" Dean Pelican answered the phone.

Upon hearing the voice of the person who had arrived, Dean Ukai instantly sprang up from his chair and stood at attention!

It is Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Shimazaki Josuke!
After only a few questions, Dean Ushii was already drenched in sweat.

That wasn't the end of it; a few minutes later, another call came in.

Professor Funao is the director of the University of Tokyo Hospital and the president of the Japan Medical Association!

"Chairman of the Ship's Tail?! This...this is against the rules!" Dean Ukai said on the phone.

"Rules? Excuse me... Dean Ukai, in the medical field, our University of Tokyo School of Medicine is the rule!"

(End of this chapter)