Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 272, How can the Japanese medical community be so dark?!

Dean Ukai originally thought he could force Uesugi Muneyuki to comply.

Indeed, academic cliques are an unavoidable phenomenon, even in places like Japan with its deeply entrenched feudal and conservative culture, and in extremely free and open democratic societies like those in Northern Europe, where academic cliques wield considerable power.

A typical example is the study of ice cores. By studying the isotopes and elements in ice cores from various ice layers in the Arctic Circle, we can roughly reconstruct the elemental changes, climate changes, and geological environment of how many years ago it was, much like tree rings.

The research teams in Scandinavia are laid-back and often finish work and go home to rest around 4 or 5 pm. They are also very easygoing and often only produce a major result every three to five years, without any sense of urgency.

Even so, the ice core research team still monopolized the entire project. The project leader made it clear in the industry that all papers involving ice core research must be sent to him privately before being submitted to Nature and Science. Otherwise, as the reviewer for this major area, he would directly reject all ice core research submissions that had not been reviewed by him first.

If academic cliques are so prevalent in places like Northern Europe, one can only imagine how strong Confucian culture is in places like the three East Asian countries.

According to the unwritten rules of the Japanese medical community, if a doctor does something detrimental to his or her hospital, he or she unfortunately must resign. In more serious cases, like Uesugi Muneyuki, who disobeys hospital requirements and affects the hospital's interests, no regular hospital in the entire Kanto region will offer him or her a formal job. He or she will either have to work as an emergency room doctor or as a clinic doctor.

Dean Ukai never expected that just minutes after he dismissed Uesugi Muneyuki, the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare would call his office phone!
That's the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, a vice-ministerial level official! The Kanto Medical Association is nothing compared to him!

Then came calls from the director of the University of Tokyo Hospital and the president of the Japan Medical Association. Professor Funao inquired about Uesugi Muneyuki and happily said, "Great! Since your Tokyo Medical and Dental University doesn't want this person, then we at the University of Tokyo will. You should prepare the file transfer procedures."

What? This isn't in accordance with the rules?
Ushi-kun, are you sure you're not mistaken?
整个东京都23区26市5町8村，70%的综合病院院长是由我们东大医学部毕业生担任。

In the Kanto region, and indeed throughout the entire Japanese medical community, the University of Tokyo School of Medicine is the standard.

Hey!
Uesugi Muneyuki! You bastard! You're a second-rate doctor who was sent from the First Surgery Department to perform autopsies, what gives you the right to swagger around here?

They'll take my bowl and smash my pot!

You even brought back a third-rate female forensic doctor, who was rejected by the Kansai natives, to the hospital as a treasure, treating her like a precious gem. You've completely disgraced the Yonezawa Uesugi family for eighteen generations!
Dean Ukai was so angry that he kicked the back of the sofa and pounded the sofa cushions with his fist.

Unfortunately, there's nothing I can do about him!
Damn it! How can the Japanese medical community be so corrupt?!

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

After deciding to resign, Uesugi Muneyuki returned to his office to pack his things. He packed his files, books, and tools into a cardboard box and then prepared to write his resignation letter.

Seeing this, Mikoto Ishihara also started packing her things and wrote a resignation letter with him.

"Mikoto-nee?" Uesugi Muneyuki was nowhere near as good at writing resignation letters as Ishihara Mikoto. He had only written half of it when the forensic beauty had already finished. He couldn't help but complain, "Actually..."

"Come on! Uesugi, this hospital only accepted me because of you. Now that you're gone, how could I possibly stay?" Ishihara Mikoto was efficient and quick, tidying up her things in no time. "Do you need my help?"

"No need, I just wanted to ask, do you regret leaving with me?" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course I don't regret it." The forensic beauty raised an eyebrow, her beautiful, foxy face showing no concern. "I'll be wherever you are."

"You really don't regret it?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked with a half-smile.

"Seriously, if I were an associate professor, I might regret it if I got fired, but I just started working here, didn't I?" Mikoto Ishihara said nonchalantly. "Although that would mean I'd have to work full-time in the Metropolitan Police Department's Special Missions Unit, Section Chief Minami should be able to help us find a new hospital, right? But... I didn't expect you to be so adamant. There's really no need for that."

“No, this is domestication, or rather, part of the CPU.” Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head: “I must never compromise on this issue, otherwise once there is a first time, there will be a second time, a third time, and then because of the previous evidence, I will have to accept the hospital’s ‘suggestions’ again and again. Over time, I will become part of the white tower, becoming one with the light and dust, you in me and me in you.”

“One by one, young doctors with ideals, aspirations, and morality are gradually corrupted in this way. They either have no choice but to leave or to become part of the white tower.”

"More importantly, I am also the forensic investigator Uesugi of the Metropolitan Police Department. If I compromise on medical skills, it will inevitably involve cases and criminal matters, which is absolutely unacceptable."

"Do you remember what you taught me in the school clinic when we were at Tokiwa High School in Gunma? Forensic medicine is a discipline for the future; forensic medicine is about protecting health rights and speaking for the dead."

“Since you’ve chosen this line of work, you can’t afford to lose your principles!” Uesugi Muneyuki smiled at Ishihara Mikoto: “I’m sorry to have dragged you into this.”

Implicate me? No, not at all.

I used to be the one giving you lessons, but today, you're the one giving me a lesson.

The forensic beauty gazed at Uesugi Muneyuki, her foxy eyes gleaming with a dazzling light, and she couldn't help but purse her slightly thick lips.

My younger brother, who used to be a high school student, has really grown up.

They've grown up to the point where they can be relied upon.

When Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto came out carrying boxes, they ran into Professor Zaizen of the First Department of Surgery in the corridor.

Professor Zaizen, a tall, square-faced man with slicked-back hair, appeared to be in his forties. He had an arrogant and serious demeanor. Upon seeing Uesugi Muneyuki emerge, he intended to greet him, but instead noticed both he and Mikoto carrying large cardboard boxes. "You're Uesugi from the forensic department, right? You should know what to do about the second trial… What happened?" "Nothing much, it's just that because of you, Professor Zaizen, Uesugi had to be fired from the hospital! Fired~" The forensic beauty harbored deep resentment towards Professor Zaizen. Seeing him, Mikoto fiercely blocked Uesugi Muneyuki's pathology report, saying, "Are you satisfied now? You heartless bastard! You altered Uesugi's autopsy report just to win the second trial! Terrible! Terrible!"

"Huh? What pathological autopsy report?" Professor Zaizen was stunned. "I didn't change the report! I didn't do anything wrong, why would I change the report?"

"Hmph~ Still trying to deny it!" The forensic beauty was even more furious at Professor Zaizen's innocent look: "Anyway, we're fired now, are you satisfied?"

"Satisfied? Are you kidding me? Sasaki's death was due to unforeseen circumstances. I had already chosen the best treatment plan, and the surgery was very successful. What does it have to do with me? My judgment was absolutely correct. Why would I change Uesugi's report?" Professor Zaizen, realizing something, reached out and grabbed Uesugi Muneyuki's shoulder: "Wait! Let's go find the dean together. I didn't let them do this!"

"I really don't understand. What's the point of bringing this up again and again? We're doctors, not gods. Don't we even have the right to make judgments and provide the best treatment plans?" Professor Zaizen said urgently, clearly agitated. "I'm not afraid of you testifying in court, Uesugi! Go ahead and testify, I fully accept the challenge. But you're going to be fired because of this? I can't accept that! Come on, let's go find the dean!"

“No need.” Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head: “I wasn’t fired, I resigned voluntarily.”

“I will not accept a hospital that secretly altered my report, nor will I accept so-called admonitions that taught me to disregard the rights of the deceased and distort the truth for the benefit of the organization.”

"Professor Zaizen, thank you for your guidance. Until we meet again." Uesugi Muneyuki gestured to Ishihara Mikoto that there was no need to debate with Professor Zaizen anymore, and that they should leave.

"Hey, hey!" Professor Zaizen called out several times, but received no response. Watching Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto leave with the boxes, the First Surgery Professor's face showed a struggle.

I did nothing wrong, so why are they all like this?! Whether it's Professor Higashi, Satomi, Okouchi, or Uesugi?
Cancer patients die every day, and it's just one or two failed surgeries. If every failed surgery requires doctors to take responsibility and find the culprit, then this white tower will never be able to connect upwards to that strange land.

That promised land that conquers cancer.

I did nothing wrong!!!
Professor Zaizen resolutely turned around and walked in another direction.

He's very busy; he has two surgeries and an international online conference to handle today.

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

In the afternoon, at the famous Japanese restaurant chain, Gyoza no Ohsho (King of Gyoza).

The chain store was nearly empty, as it was afternoon and many stores were closed. Uesugi Muneyuki and Ishihara Mikoto had no choice but to have a quick meal at this chain store.

"I love eating at this place." Uesugi Muneyuki's face showed no sadness or loneliness. He took the menu and ordered a large set meal of dumplings.

Soy sauce ramen + pan-fried dumplings + egg fried rice.

The classic Japanese carb trio, followed by a thick-cut tonkatsu, a yakitori set, and a cup of "Beat Up Today's Orange".

It's worth noting that prices in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo are indeed very high.

A serving of pan-fried dumplings costs 250 yen, but they only give you 5 dumplings.

Humorous old Japanese, don't they understand a simple truth?

Five won't do!

"It's a wonder you can still eat." The forensic beauty had no appetite at all. Seeing Uesugi Muneyuki still smiling even after she resigned, Mikoto said irritably, "You should hurry up and report this to your fiancée, Section Chief Minami, and beg the Superintendent General for help, or go ask your grandfather for help!"

"Why?" Uesugi Muneyuki blinked. "I'm perfectly upright and aboveboard!"

"Now is not the time for Gluttonous Uesugi to make his appearance. Hurry up and transform into a noble Uesugi!" The forensic beauty was genuinely thinking of Uesugi Muneyuki. She whispered, "Dean Ukai said that Professor Zaizen's adoptive father, Zaizen Mataichi, is the vice president of the Kanto Medical Association. If he puts his hand on things, you won't be able to find a job in Kanto! The medical community is a very closed and feudal system. Even if your prospective adoptive father is the Superintendent General of Police, his words may not carry any weight."

"Oh, really?" Uesugi Muneyuki said nonchalantly, "Mikoto-nee, I think you know nothing about the dark side of the Uesugi family."

"Huh?" The forensic doctor's eyes widened.

“I’m going there to negotiate. If the hospital is reasonable, I’ll be reasonable too. If the hospital acts like a thug, tries to manipulate me, or tries to oppress me, I’m not afraid of offending people. Am I afraid of offending people?” Uesugi Muneyuki sighed, “Mikoto-nee, I think you completely don’t understand!”

“Sister Mikoto, you know that even after I join the University of Tokyo Affiliated Hospital, I will still need a forensic assistant, a chief forensic assistant, to handle all professional-related projects for me… What do you think…”

The forensic expert's expression froze.

"Oh!!! Uesugi-kun? Oh... Kamisama-sama!"

How can the Japanese medical community be so corrupt?!

(End of this chapter)