Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 358, Ikeda Gets Another Promotion
PS: I fell asleep at my desk while writing and slept until 9:30... So there will only be one update today. I had to write until 12 o'clock in one go. This one update is 4700 words in two parts!
Rena Ikeda never expected that, despite everyone's best efforts, she would end up not only receiving a warning but also being "recommended for additional training"!

Is this my fault?
Why is it that the more you do, the more grievances you suffer? How could I possibly watch her plunge a knife into Uesugi Muneyuki's waist before taking action against such a serious criminal caught in the act? Moreover, she had already killed several people, seriously injured several innocent people, including police officers, and taken a hostage. If we didn't intervene, were we really just going to stand by and watch her continue killing?
Taking action is wrong, and not taking action is wrong too! Taking action will result in punishment, and not taking action will also result in punishment!
These guys at the Ministry of Justice, can't you give us police officers a way out?!

This country is absolutely rotten!

After the Ministry of Justice announced the results of the emergency investigation committee, a shadow fell over Erina Ikeda's beautiful face. She pursed her lips tightly, wrinkled her nose, and inhaled deeply, trying hard not to let her embarrassing tears fall.

She feels wronged!
Erina Ikeda subconsciously looked at Muneyuki Uesugi, her large eyes filled with tears.

If it weren't for Uesugi and Minami, I wouldn't even want to be a policeman!

The emergency review was over. In her dazed state, Ikeda Erena felt a pair of small hands pulling her. The tall beauty's eyes were blurred with tears, making it impossible for her to see clearly. However, she recognized the owner of the small hands. Such small hands and a noticeably soft and boneless feel—it must be Minami's.

"Come with me." Minami's voice carried a hint of amusement.

Five minutes later, in the small conference room of the Ministry of Justice building.

"Knock knock~ Vice Minister, Supervisor Watanabe, Forensic Officer Uesugi, and Inspector General Ikeda have arrived," said the Administrative Vice Minister, Cabinet Secretary, at the door.

The door to the small conference room opened, and Watanabe Minami, Uesugi Muneyuki, and a looking aggrieved Ikeda Erena entered, only to be surprised to find that the Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Investigation Chief, Uchimura Kanji, was also there.

"Oh, oh, oh, the great heroes who protected Tokyo have arrived." Kai Mineaki, the Vice Minister of Justice and Kai Toru's father, gestured for the three to sit down. Unlike the extremely serious and dignified demeanor of the Emergency Review Committee earlier, Kai Mineaki now resembled a kind old man. He was quite old, nearly sixty, and Uesugi Muneyuki always felt that he looked very much like Professor Azuma. He was not tall, had a kind face and a square face, but exuded the aura of a high-ranking bureaucrat. If it weren't for their different surnames, he would have thought they were brothers: "Sit down."

"Thank you for your hard work, everyone." Metropolitan Police Department Criminal Investigation Chief Kanji Uchimura said with a smile, "What would you like to drink? Tea?"

"No need, water is fine, I'm really thirsty," Uesugi Muneyuki said, while Minami led Erina, who looked aggrieved, to sit down.

"I'm sorry, you must have been wronged?" Vice Minister of Justice Kai Mineaki gestured to his secretary to get some water, then clasped his hands together and pushed a disposable cup in front of Erena: "Ms. Erena?"

"No...no..." Erina answered slowly, her voice trembling with tears.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha~" "Hehehehehehehe~" Kaimine Aki and Uchimura Kanji couldn't help but laugh, and even Minami and Uesugi next to them couldn't help but shake their heads and laugh at Erina's appearance.

This made Erena feel even more aggrieved.

Even you guys are bullying me!

"Gentlemen of the Metropolitan Police Department, today's investigation and handling were indeed a bit too harsh." The Vice Minister of Justice coughed. "We all know that the situation at the time was so dire that we had no choice but to use force. Inspector Ikeda, I can tell you that our Ministry of Justice unanimously believes that your on-site judgment was correct. You saved Uesugi's life, and you also saved the lives of many innocent citizens."

"Huh?!" Reina Ikeda was stunned when she heard such a bigwig (the Vice Minister of the Ministry of State Affairs and the Superintendent General of Police are of equal rank, both of which are the highest ranks in the Japanese civil service system) say such soft words. She forgot to cry for a moment and was stunned.

“Ikeda, you should also try to understand the Ministry of Justice. For the Ministry of Justice, if there is a precedent of using force without warning, then this precedent is very likely to be abused.” Miss Minami gently touched Erina’s hand and earnestly comforted her, “The quality of Japanese police has declined rapidly since the Heisei era. Not all police officers are like the First Investigative Division and the Special Missions Unit. Think about the Kanagawa Police. If we set a precedent of omitting warnings… the Ministry of Justice must strictly adhere to the boundaries.”

“Yes, after all, there are precedents with the Special Higher Police and the Public Security Police.” Uesugi Muneyuki nodded. On this point, he was on the same side as Watanabe Eiji and Watanabe Minami, that is, the Public Security Police must exist, but they must also be restricted, otherwise these people have too much power and can create wrongful convictions, false cases and miscarriages of justice in large numbers.

Do you expect every police officer to be righteous, humiliated, and deeply committed to justice, and to shout, "My love is this country"?
"Oh, here's the thing. Listen up, Inspector Ikeda, this record of failing to fulfill your duty of care won't affect your promotion or rewards/punishments. On the contrary, we've informed the Metropolitan Police Department that, due to a recommendation for additional training, your affiliation will be officially transferred from the Criminal Investigation Division, Violent Offenses Section, Otsuka Police Station, Bunkyo Ward to Metropolitan Police Headquarters. That means you'll soon be a full-fledged female detective in the First Investigation Division!" Kai Mineki said with a smile, "You won't have to operate in the Special Missions Division under the guise of a temporary transfer anymore… For a non-professional officer in a local police station, this is practically a miracle!"

"Not only that," said Criminal Investigation Department Chief Kanji Uchimura, "because you, Ikeda, have made great contributions time and time again, leaving a deep impression on the entire nation, and demonstrating the Metropolitan Police Department's efficient, effective, and perfect work style, you have won unanimous recognition from the entire nation... Therefore, in your police inspector promotion exam one year from now, your experience in handling major incidents will be included as a special evaluation item."

"??? Minister?" Ikeda Erena was stunned when a genuine Roman Byzantine-style roasted meat doner kebab fell from the sky and knocked her unconscious.

Although I was punished, because of the punishment, I was given a special assignment and officially transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department?

Is there such a good thing?
This is something that Miss Minami and her father have put in a lot of effort to achieve, and they still need to wait for the right opportunity!
Rena Ikeda's brain completely shut down. She just couldn't understand why she was being transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department as punishment.
Also, what does it mean that experience in handling major incidents is included in the police inspector's promotion exam?
Erena's brain was no longer able to think, so her external brains, Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami, explained: "That means, by this time next year, you'll be Special Missions Unit Inspector Ikeda Erena! Congratulations, Erena!"

"Tsk tsk, a 26-year-old deputy inspector, you'd think she was a professional. No, even if she were a professional policewoman, becoming a deputy inspector at 26 is a remarkable achievement." Uesugi Muneyuki added, patting Ikeda Erena on the shoulder: "Ikeda, aren't you going to thank Vice Minister Kai and Chief Uchimura?"

"Yes! Thank you so much!" Reina Ikeda, no longer feeling aggrieved, immediately stood up and saluted excitedly. "Thank you for informing me. I understand the ministry's difficulties and will do my best to fulfill my duties from now on!"

In Detective Conan, even the dignified professional team member Miwako Sato, at 28 years old, is just a deputy police inspector!

Kai Mineaki and Uchimura Kanji nodded, glancing at Uesugi Muneyuki and Watanabe Minami with a sense of helplessness.

There's really no need to pay special attention to or appease a boss who's a violent and ruthless maniac.

However, Ikeda Erena is Watanabe Minami's person and Uesugi Muneyuki's person. If there was any doubt before that she might be related to Uesugi Muneyuki, then after that revelation, it can be confirmed with 100% certainty that she is Uesugi Muneyuki's concubine and the mistress of the Odaido.

As expected of Uesugi Muneyuki, the Metropolitan Police Department's "father," the man who opened the Ooku inside Sakuradamon!
They had to give face to Watanabe Eiji and Uesugi Muneyuki, so they could only handle it this way: officially they were extremely serious and stern, showing no leniency, but privately they were flexible and conciliatory, promising to give them priority for promotion.

Uesugi Muneyuki also seemed to have some thoughts about the Japanese system.

The idea of ​​making Erena Ikeda accept "systemic grievances" in exchange for job security, and even gain implicit promotion advantages due to high-level attention—forming a system of "superficial accountability, substantive reward"—is indeed something that can almost only happen in Japan. The Japanese bureaucratic system has a long-standing tradition of "symbolic punishment and substantive reward."

Recording flaws is an explanation to "legal principles," while private promises are a reward for "human contributions." Ultimately, all parties maintain systemic stability through "mutual understanding."

It's tough for you, it's tough for us, let's all do our best and endure it for the sake of the country!
This also reflects the stubborn and conservative nature of the Japanese. They always look for precedents in everything they do, and would rather compromise in private than follow the rules in public. For example, Toyotomi Hideyoshi could kneel down and beg Tokugawa Ieyasu in private, hoping that Ieyasu would give him face and submit to him for the sake of peace in the country. But the next day, at the formal meeting in the Ōhiro-mae, he would publicly rebuke Ieyasu and forcefully demand that he perform the vassal's salute, exuding domineering power.

Erina was no longer upset, and the five of them sat in the small conference room and chatted for a while.

According to Kai Mineaki, due to the extremely negative impact of the Kabukicho incident, the Japanese Diet members reluctantly initiated two proposals.

First, the Japanese Diet plans to formally include "host clubs" under the concept of "sexual entertainment industry." This means that the business scope, money flow, and social impact of host clubs will be subject to the same regulatory treatment as the sexual entertainment industry. They will no longer be able to launder money and collect large sums of money at will as before, and will be able to operate openly.

Second, the Japanese Diet plans to revise the "Standards for the Use of Force by Police Officers," which includes provisions that allow for more lenient treatment of police use of force and firearms when a serious offender has been caught in the act and caused serious injury or death. This means that in the future, if cases like the Kabukicho incident or the previous Edogawa case occur, police shooting and killing a serious offender in the act will no longer require urgent review.

The former bill was called the "Kabukicho Bill," and the latter bill was called the "Ikeda Bill."

Then there's the recent corruption scandal on the set of a Taiga drama. NHK was put in a very passive position because of this case. Because of this, NHK President Masayuki Matsumoto bowed deeply in apology on the spot and announced his resignation. The new president, Katsuto Momii, announced that he would fully accept external supervision and judicial investigation. The Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology announced that he would establish an "unprecedented transparent review mechanism" to deal with the NHK corruption case. The district public prosecutors have already arrested seven or eight people and claimed to have a lot of evidence against them.

And behind all three of these events, Uesugi Muneyuki's shadow is present.

Damn it, this kid is always causing us trouble. Is he trying to force us to reform our systems through a campaign-style approach of solving cases?
Unbelievable! The peace of Nagata-cho has been shattered by people like you!

After a brief chat, the Metropolitan Police Department, knowing they were still within the Ministry of Justice and couldn't stay too long, immediately announced their departure.

However, Kai Mineaki gestured for Uesugi Muneyuki to stay behind, saying he needed to go to the restroom with him.

So the two men stood in the men's restroom, which the secretary had specially opened, and relieved themselves.

"Uesugi-kun, I apologize for disturbing your private time for a moment." Kai Mineki, the administrative vice-commander who was on par with Superintendent General Watanabe Eiji, barely had any urine left to say: "He's in the Special Missions Division; he must have caused you trouble, right?"

“No, on the contrary, your son is a very capable and individualistic person. I must say, I'm still figuring out how to work with him, but I think we'll have great chemistry.” Uesugi Muneyuki already knew about the father-son relationship from Kai Toru: “He mentioned you to me…”

Uesugi Muneyuki smiled apologetically.

Kai Mineaki raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "This guy is amazing!" He knew his son's stubborn nature; getting him to bring up his father on his own initiative was no easy feat!
“As an unsuccessful father… well…” The Vice Minister of Justice sighed slightly and gave a wry smile: “I am truly grateful to have been able to arrange for him to work under such an excellent superior as you.”

“I’m already this old, and he’s my only son. Although I know he doesn’t want to have much contact with me, and I know he has his own path to follow, as a father, it’s impossible not to worry. Now that I know he’s working under someone as trustworthy and capable as you, I’m at ease.” Kai Mine Aki said sincerely, “Having such a good-for-nothing son… his success or failure, his honor or disgrace, all depends on your discipline, Uesugi-kun. I earnestly hope that Uesugi-kun will not worry about me!”

This is tantamount to entrusting your only son completely to me!
After speaking, the administrative vice-officer, who was on par with the Superintendent General of Police, bowed deeply to Uesugi Muneyuki.

Uesugi Muneyuki quickly bowed in response: "Your Excellency, I am deeply humbled by your trust! I fear I may fail to live up to your expectations, and I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance!"

Kai Mineaki nodded, paused for a few seconds, and then suddenly said, "Uesugi-kun, I don't mean to criticize you... but the timing of the Taiga drama set incident was a bit ill-considered."

"Please enlighten me, Your Excellency!" Uesugi Muneyuki paused for a moment, then immediately replied, "I would be extremely grateful for your guidance; words cannot express my gratitude!"

He knew that this was the opportunity the other party had been waiting for.

"In short, Uesugi-kun, you've already taken a bite out of many people's pockets because of the Kabukicho incident, and many don't like you. Now, with the Taiga drama incident, even the University of Tokyo... the University of Tokyo is reconsidering your admission and employment." Kai Mineaki said in a low voice, "After all, nobody knows what Uesugi-kun might do. The University of Tokyo was really embarrassed by you last time, and now it's NHK again. Everyone's afraid you'll investigate!"

“It is so difficult to do something.” Uesugi Muneyuki was not surprised when he heard this. He just said casually, “Don’t talk about current affairs or try to be a hero. Be flexible and humble. Be calm in your career and economy. Don’t show off your merits or talk about loyalty. Be calm in all matters. There is no need to discuss or refute. When there is peace in all directions, there will be plenty of food every year. When the country is prosperous, your career will be smooth.”

"Don't worry, Uesugi-kun. We, the Gold Watch Group, will take care of things for you at the Ministry of Justice and the University of Tokyo. After all, if you don't do this job, who will?" Kai Mineaki said earnestly. "What you really need to be careful of are arrows coming from other directions!"

“In those places, we gold watch enthusiasts can’t help you.” With that, Kai Mineki left.

Other threats?
Uesugi Muneyuki's expression was grave as he recalled the paparazzi from Weekly Bunshun.

If someone is impeccable in terms of systems and procedures, then you have to look elsewhere.

So, in what areas do I have weaknesses?

Hmm...that's hard to guess!
Uesugi Muneyuki understood why Kai Mineaki was willing to take the risk of meeting him privately.

After all, she knew his weakness.
Being a father is so hard...

(End of this chapter)