Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 313, Metropolitan Police Department Annual Meeting
PS: I was watching my brother's match yesterday when the Emperor fainted on the spot, which resulted in only one update yesterday. I'm sorry. So today's first update is a full 4600-word chapter as an apology to make up for yesterday. Please forgive me!

Having lost his position at the hospital, Uesugi Muneyuki is temporarily unable to perform autopsies legally and can only wait for special approval from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and a personnel update appointment letter from the University of Tokyo. However, the time is already very close to the New Year holiday, which is a bit awkward.

The University of Tokyo is currently on winter break, and the formal onboarding procedures for Uesugi Muneyuki will not be completed until January 12, when the winter break officially ends. Professor Funao even suggests that it may be delayed for a few more days, because it would seem a bit deliberate for Uesugi Muneyuki to resign from the University of Tokyo and then be enrolled and hired immediately, as it would appear as if the University of Tokyo had instructed Uesugi Muneyuki to appear in court. Therefore, it may be delayed until January 20 or even February.

The University of Tokyo naturally has its own dignity. As the country's top university, the University of Tokyo's current QS World University Rankings are lower than Tsinghua University, Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, and the National University of Singapore, ranking only fifth in Asia. But the University of Tokyo is still the University of Tokyo.

Similarly, the Japanese civil service organization is also slow. Even though the Metropolitan Police Department has intervened, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said that since Uesugi-kun is directly testifying against his alma mater, if we immediately approve his qualification, wouldn't that make the Kanto Medical Association and Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital think that Uesugi Muneyuki's testimony is supported by us? So, give us some face and we'll process it for the Metropolitan Police Department as soon as the New Year holiday is over!

Therefore, from late December until the end of the New Year holiday, Uesugi Muneyuki was unable to legally conduct autopsies. Of course, he could still conduct autopsies, but the criminal sketches and scientific inferences he produced would no longer have legal effect and could only be used as a reference.

Around the same time, another case occurred in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo.

There was a chef who was impatient and would cause trouble wherever he went. He changed jobs several times but was still not well-liked by his colleagues. Because of his frustration at work, he started drinking heavily and secretly inhaling nitrous oxide. Soon after, he began to experience hallucinations and auditory hallucinations. Also, because of his job, he always carried a Yanagiba knife with him.

One day in mid-December, the cook suddenly attacked passersby indiscriminately on the street without warning. After killing one person and seriously injuring two others, a mother happened to be passing by pushing a stroller.

She was pushing a stroller with her child inside. With nowhere to hide, and seeing the cook stabbing at her with a knife, the mother turned her back to the man and lunged at the stroller.

However, the cook's knife pierced through the baby's back and also through the baby's head, killing both mother and child.

The nearby police had arrived, but they were all afraid of the situation and dared not fire their guns or engage in hand-to-hand combat. They could only wait for backup while trying to surround the enemy.

Finally, Inspector Kosaka from the First Division and Inspector Shiratori from the Second Division arrived. Seeing that the cook was still injuring people and had injured another policeman, Kosaka and Shiratori finally drew their guns and shot the serial killer who had caused three deaths and three serious injuries, killing him on the spot.

Because of the shooting and killing, Inspectors Kosaka and Shiratori were forced to undergo an emergency judicial review. Fortunately, the Ministry of Justice ultimately determined that the shooting was an "emergency avoidance procedure" to arrest a serious criminal caught in the act and to prevent further serious harm. The shooting was deemed legal, and the Ministry of Justice did not pursue the shooting and killing, but affirmed their contribution to "justifiably protecting the people." However, considering that the impact of police shooting and killing is ultimately negative, no public reward was given. Instead, it was recorded internally and the Metropolitan Police Department held a private meeting to express its appreciation.

The public expressed understanding and support for the Metropolitan Police Department's actions, mainly because the tragedy of the mother and baby dying shocked the entire Tokyo metropolitan area, and such an incident at the end of the year cast a shadow over the New Year in Tokyo.

But Uesugi Muneyuki's focus was not on this.

After arriving at the scene and examining the body, he frowned.

The killer was the cook, and yet, he wasn't the cook.

The cook had already died suddenly due to alcoholic cardiomyopathy, nitrous oxide-induced hyperhomocysteinemia, electrolyte imbalance, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and malignant arrhythmia while indulging in alcohol and nitrous oxide.

The killer is possessed by Saijo Yasue; this serial killer has returned!

Indeed, only she could pierce through the back and then the skull with a single cut.

However, in the end, Hironaka Mariko absorbed too much of Saijo Yasue's curse power, making her much weaker than before. In addition, the police had guns, so Saijo Yasue was unable to escape as she wished and was forced to abandon the corpse and flee again.

"We can't continue like this," Uesugi Muneyuki said to Hironaka Mariko and Miyahara Toru. "We need to find a way to proactively resolve this threat."

"That's true. You can't guard against a thief forever." Mariko Hironaka twisted her neck. "But she always stays out of my sight. I need to find a way to lure her out."

"I think we can think of a way, otherwise... Mr. Uesugi has me and Hironaka by his side, but what about the safety of the others..." The chain smoker, Miyahara Tetsuya, also expressed his support: "She hates you the most. Perhaps Mr. Uesugi needs you to be the bait... I will try my best to protect you with my smoke."

The process of transforming from a human into a vengeful spirit is quite difficult. It took Miyahara Tetsu several months to gradually adapt to the process. His last wish now is to watch his two children grow up.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Miyahara didn't really love her husband. After her husband died, she was quite happy because she didn't have to accompany this ugly man and she received a large sum of compensation. Yoshimoto Kogyo paid 200 million yen in compensation, and the rest of the money was to be paid in installments over 20 years.

Fortunately, Mrs. Miyahara loved her two children more, and although Miyahara Tetsu was dead, he did not completely disappear. He appeared with the help of Uesugi Muneyuki and scared Mrs. Miyahara so much that she never dared to go to male escorts again.

"I'm not afraid of myself, what I'm afraid of is Saijo Yasue targeting the people around me." Uesugi Muneyuki thought for a moment. "I think I need to discuss this with Mai-senpai."

Mai-senpai hasn't appeared for a long time, mainly because she's a very busy person. Besides her entertainment affairs and the management of the Kanto Shrine Alliance, Mai-senpai also has many other areas in the underworld that she needs to maintain. Especially during the year-end season, she has to check the underworld seals of the major shrines in Kanto one by one, and she also has to spend time cultivating. She's extremely busy.

No wonder she had no intention of marrying him, nor did she want to be a wife or mother at all.

However, the day they agreed upon for their joint practice at Meiji Shrine is only a few days away.

December 22nd of the second year of the Uesugi calendar, a Sunday.

This year's Metropolitan Police Department annual meeting was held at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan. Naturally, this was partly due to the fact that the director of the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan is Uesugi Muneyuki's father, Uesugi Hironori. However, all the procedures were legal and compliant, and you couldn't find any problems. It was all done openly and legitimately!
"Oh ho ho ho~ Wow, how come my club business is getting better and better even though Father is about to retire~" Uesugi Hironori said to his wife with a smug look on his face.

"Dream on!" Uesugi Tomoko said, though she meant no part. "Aren't you going to prepare properly? Don't embarrass yourselves in front of our in-laws!"

That night, Ueno Park was shrouded in the winter chill, but the bright lights of the Cultural Center illuminated the area as if it were daytime. In front of the main entrance, more than ten black official cars silently slid into the driveway, and as the doors opened and closed, high-ranking officials from the Metropolitan Police Department, dressed in dark blue and black suits, appeared one after another.

The stage of the Grand Concert Hall was temporarily transformed into the main venue for the celebration. A giant LED screen played a loop of the Metropolitan Police Department's annual major events: the investigation of the Yokohama case, the Yokohama tank track, the second Fujidai case, and Uesugi Muneyuki's figure was present in every scene... The screen finally settled on the golden seal script words "Sakikawa X Year Metropolitan Police Department Year-End Commendation Ceremony".

The crystal chandeliers that originally hung under the dome were dimmed to their lowest setting, replaced by dozens of deep blue beams that projected huge police badge patterns onto the ground. In front of the red velvet seats in the audience area, there were long ebony tables, each with a small silver table lamp shaped like a cherry blossom branch in the center. The soft halo illuminated the nameplates and gold-stamped menus.

Meanwhile, Eiji Watanabe, the head of the Metropolitan Police Department, was the center of attention. Dressed in a sharp dark blue Armani three-piece suit, he received congratulations from everyone for his successful re-election. Everyone knew that Watanabe's future was limitless after this re-election. Since the Cold War, no Metropolitan Police Commissioner had been successfully re-elected. The longest-serving Metropolitan Police Commissioner in Japanese history was Eiichi Tanaka during the Showa era, who served for more than five years (1948-1954). However, that was due to the special circumstances after the war. During the Cold War, some Metropolitan Police Commissioners were re-elected for more than three years, but after the end of the Cold War, no Metropolitan Police Commissioner was re-elected.

If Eiji Watanabe serves two full terms, he will serve anywhere from 4 years and 6 months to 4 years, making him the longest-serving Superintendent General of Police since the Cold War. Those Superintendent Generals who served more than 3 years were promoted afterward, completing a remarkable leap from administrative officer to political officer.

"Congratulations, Superintendent Watanabe, congratulations on your re-election!" Watanabe Eiji and his wife Watanabe Michiko stood in the center of the venue, receiving congratulations from the high-ranking officials of the Metropolitan Police Department. He was all smiles. Being re-elected as Superintendent Watanabe was not the best outcome for him, but it was the second best outcome. The most important thing for bureaucrats is to accumulate seniority and have an impressive resume, and he had both.

"Congratulations!" One by one, high-ranking officials came up with their wives to offer their congratulations. We won't go into the Donghua Gate's announcement here.

After a while, the high-ranking officers, including the Superintendent General, finished their congratulations. Criminal Investigation Department Chief Kanji Uchimura finally found an opportunity to offer his congratulations. This usually arrogant and domineering chief was incredibly humble and ingratiating towards Watanabe Eiji, offering a toast and saying a few flattering words before immediately turning his attention to Watanabe Michiko: "Today, the main character doesn't seem to be Chief Inspector Watanabe, but rather you, Madam! You are dressed so elegantly and gracefully!"

"Hehehe~ Is that so?" Watanabe Michiko, who came from a powerful political family, smiled like a flower when she heard Uchimura Kanji congratulate her and thought of her husband's successful career. She was wearing a black tomesode kimono with bauhinia flowers by Meifudo Karaka, exuding the aura of a wealthy lady. Although the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes and the nasolabial folds were faintly visible, it was still clear that she was once a stunning beauty: "This was specially made for me. Minister Uchimura has a good eye!"

"Uchimura, you old codger, you're getting better and better at flattery. This is my wife, go find your wife!" Watanabe Eiji said with a hint of reproach.

"Oh dear, I'm just telling the truth!" Uchimura Kanji pretended to be wronged and misunderstood.

"Hahaha~" Watanabe Eiji laughed loudly, not taking it seriously at all.

"Godfather!" Uesugi Muneyuki made a dazzling entrance, holding Watanabe Minami's little hand: "Congratulations on your re-election."

Uesugi Muneyuki wore a custom-made dark navy blue fine wool suit, with a white poplin shirt underneath, a navy blue jacquard tie, and a V-neck cashmere vest in the same color. He was also wearing a double-breasted Chesterfield coat, exuding a cool, extraordinary, and noble aura.

As Miss Minami's 7cm black heels with red soles stomped on the ground, they produced a rhythmic sound of complete control. The hem of her midnight blue herringbone wool suit skirt billowed with each step, and her dark gray 20D velvet pantyhose, like a second skin, outlined her straight legs. A delicate silver necklace pierced through the collar of her silk shirt, and her long hair was styled in a princess updo behind her ears, revealing a silver pearl earring on her left earlobe. The subtle light and shadow created by the soft gray stockings behind her knees perfectly complemented the upward curve of her eyes, creating a captivating beauty befitting a Metropolitan Police Department officer.

The appearance of the golden couple was absolutely dazzling.

"Wow! Muneyuki, Minami, you've arrived?" Watanabe Eiji was naturally delighted to see his daughter and son-in-law... or more accurately, his son and daughter-in-law. He patted Uesugi Muneyuki on the shoulder without saying much, simply gesturing for a drink.

My successful re-election is all thanks to you, my son.

The fact that we were able to solve the case legally is all thanks to you, my godfather.

Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Eiji exchanged a smile and said nothing more; everything was resolved in a toast.

Mikoto didn't come today; she's an unofficial staff member and doesn't like participating in these kinds of events. Erina, on the other hand, came and followed behind Minami. The tall beauty was wearing the exact same midnight blue suit and dress as Minami, paired with gray pantyhose. The two beauties, one tall and one short, instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Judging from their physiques and ages, Erena is a great beauty and Minami is a little beauty, but in reality, Minami is the first wife and Erena is the second wife.

Anyway, it's always the three of them together. Minami is too delicate... Uesugi Muneyuki looked at the two beauties, one big and one small, and revealed a playful smile. He was used to holding Minami and Erina at the same time.

However, Erena was indeed very bad at interpersonal communication. She only gave a polite congratulation and then didn't know what else to say. Fortunately, Minami was there to help her. The petite Minami protected the tall and beautiful Erena behind her, holding her hand and teaching her what to say to different guests. Erena just followed along and let Minami do as she pleased. The scene was quite harmonious.

Michiko Watanabe gave Erena and her daughter a meaningful look.

Is that so? Okay.

"I'm so happy today!" Eiji Watanabe raised his glass to the melodious sound of a cello.

Originally, Uesugi Hironori had invited the recently famous old Kyoto girls' band auv mujica to perform Kyoto opera at the event today, but Uesugi Muneyuki rejected this nonsense "Aiyo Wei Mujica," feeling that this kind of Kyoto opera was not authentic.

Sorry, I hate the vibe of girl bands!

"Father, Kosaka and Shiratori have arrived." Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Eiji exchanged a secret conversation: "I suspect that shooting that day was Kosaka's idea."

In the distance, Inspector Kosaka, the head of the first division, and Inspector Shiratori, the head of the second division, had arrived. However, Inspector Kosaka, who was not a professional, was already over forty years old, and his wife was also quite old. She was very plain-looking and had gained weight, and her kimono was obviously rented and didn't fit her well. Shiratori, on the other hand, was only 28 years old. His girlfriend, professional model and mahjong player Okada Saka, was wearing a white pearl-embellished chiffon Grecian-style long dress. Although it showed off her slender and graceful figure, it also seemed too flashy. After all, the Metropolitan Police Department's annual meeting was a rather serious occasion.

"Removing 'should' was Kosaka's idea." Watanabe Eiji nodded meaningfully: "Shiratori has always been a very conventional person. As a member of the Tokyo University Gold Watch Group, Shiratori only needs to avoid mistakes and he can be promoted as soon as he reaches his goal. Kosaka, who is not a professional, however, insists on making huge contributions... This person is destined for fame and fortune."

"But the head of the First Investigation Division, Sugishita Ukyo..."

At that moment, another commotion arose at the annual meeting, and Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Eiji paused their conversation and looked up.

Oh wow, it's Inspector Kashiwagi Jin from the Third Division and his wife, Kashiwagi Meisa, making their appearance.

They were the golden couple of the previous generation in the Metropolitan Police Department.

However, although Kashiwagi Jin has been making headlines outside the hall recently, things haven't been going so well inside. Nevertheless, the couple arrived as promised today.

And without pausing after they appeared, they walked straight toward where Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Eiji were!
The instant Kashiwagi Jin's sharp, arrogant gaze met Uesugi Muneyuki's half-smiling eyes, a thunderous explosion erupted!

(End of this chapter)