Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 458, I taught him!

Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters - Special Investigation Headquarters Conference Room

The air in the Special Investigations Headquarters conference room seemed to freeze, filled with a suffocatingly low pressure.

Criminal Investigation Department Chief Kanji Uchimura's face was so dark it seemed to drip water, his fingers tapping impatiently on the table. The First Investigation Division Chief, Ukyo Sugishita, frowned, staring at the open case files, his eyes darting around, clearly under immense pressure.

Although Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe was seated in the main seat, the heaviness and fatigue between his brows were hard to hide.

A nationwide arrest warrant has been issued for Masayoshi Okada, and the SAT's elite squads are deployed throughout the city. The volcano of public opinion could erupt at any moment, and the Metropolitan Police Department's behemoth is heading towards the iceberg of its century-old reputation.

Just then, the conference room door was flung open! Kashiwagi practically rushed in, his face no longer displaying his previous confident assertiveness, but rather a mixture of shock, confusion, and a pallor born of scientific disillusionment. He clutched the summary of the forensic department's preliminary analysis report tightly in his hand. "Chief Uchimura! Section Chief Sugishita! Director!"

Kashiwagi Jin's voice was breathless and even slightly distorted: "The forensic department... has made a groundbreaking discovery!"

All eyes instantly focused on him. Uchimura Kanji abruptly stopped tapping his fingers and demanded sharply, "Speak! What did you discover?!"

Kashiwagi Jin took a deep breath and, speaking rapidly but clearly, reiterated Uesugi Muneyuki's core discovery made through Kashiwagi Meisa:

The 185cm+ mysterious shoe print does not match Okada's height.

The fact that the perpetrator could skillfully pick locks in the back door garbage room and that he was over 185cm tall was enough to escape through the window contradicts Okada's injuries and height.

Miki's fingernails were deeply embedded with dark blue polyester fibers and brass fragments, pointing to a third party as the murderer, which did not match Okada's clothing (Okada Masayoshi did not wear such clothes, and his suit fabric would not have such things inside)!
Okada's back injury was still severe and had not healed. There were no new open wounds or bloodstains at the scene, making it impossible for him to complete high-intensity fighting and climbing.

"Therefore, our conclusion is that Inspector Masayoshi Okada is extremely unlikely to be the direct culprit! There is a possible fourth culprit at the scene! Characteristics: over 185cm tall, strong, strong counter-surveillance ability, wearing a dark blue polyester jacket, and has a financial or grudge connection with Miki!" Kashiwagi Jin almost shouted out the last sentence.

Dead!

The conference room fell into an even more eerie silence than before! You could hear a pin drop!
A few seconds later—

"We've got them all!" A short, relieved exhale, even tinged with relief, escaped Sugishita Ukyo's lips. His tense body instantly relaxed, he leaned back in his chair, his tightly furrowed brows finally unfurrowed, and his eyes behind his glasses brightened, filled with the satisfaction of "I knew it" and a steadfast pursuit of the truth.

"I knew it! It doesn't make logical sense! As expected of Kashiwagi-kun!"

Minister Uchimura Kanji's gloomy expression melted away like ice and snow. Although he remained serious, the oppressive feeling of an impending storm had clearly dissipated by more than half.

He slammed his hand on the table, this time not in anger, but with decisiveness: "Good! Well done! Kashiwagi has done a great job this time!" He immediately turned to the communications officer, his voice loud and resolute, carrying an unprecedentedly clear command:
"Immediately! Issue an emergency update order to all pursuit units!"

"The target's danger level has been changed! Okada has removed Inspector Shigemitsu from the 'extremely dangerous' category and downgraded him to 'important suspect and key informant'!"

"The primary objectives have been changed to 'safe retrieval' and 'protective control'! The use of lethal force is strictly prohibited! Repeat, the use of lethal force is strictly prohibited!"

"Upon identifying the target, we prioritized communication, emphasizing that the Metropolitan Police Department had obtained new evidence and believed that the target might have been framed, requesting their cooperation in the investigation to clarify the truth!"

"At the same time, immediately adjust the focus of the investigation! Establish a special investigation team for the 'Dark Blue Ghost'! Targets: Individuals over 185cm tall who may have had close contact or conflict with Okada Miki recently, and who have a history of violence, theft, or extortion. Pay special attention to individuals who are seen wearing dark blue overalls/hooded jackets! Focus on investigating Miki's social circle, debt relationships, and threatening individuals mentioned in her online statements!"

The order was issued swiftly, and the atmosphere in the entire Special Investigation Headquarters instantly reversed! The desperate all-out manhunt shifted to a two-pronged operation: a protective search for Masayoshi Okada, and a full-scale manhunt for the real culprit, "Deep Blue Ghost"!
Eiji Watanabe's tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

He apologized, found a secluded corner, took out his phone, took a deep breath, and dialed the private number of Financial Services Agency Commissioner Masahiro Okada.

This time, his voice carried a sense of relief and confidence: "Commander Okada! This is Eiji Watanabe! I have a major development to report to you!"

On the other end of the phone, Masahiro Okada's voice remained low and tense: "Speak!" He was clearly still immersed in the shadow of his son being a murderer.

"Sir! We've just received the forensic report from the scene!" Watanabe Eiji's voice quickened, tinged with excitement. "The report's conclusions overturn our initial assessment! Conclusive scientific evidence was found at the scene, including traces of intrusion, biological and physical evidence pointing to the true culprit, and chronological evidence on the key evidence (the murder weapon)! This evidence consistently indicates that Inspector Okada Masayoshi is highly unlikely to be the direct perpetrator of the murders of Mrs. Miki and Koizumi Ryosuke! He was simply caught up in it!"

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone. A deathly silence.

Eiji Watanabe could even hear the other person's breathing suddenly become heavier.

"What...what did you say?!" Okada Masahiro's voice finally rang out, trembling with disbelief and a huge, suppressed...ecstatic shock! "Masahiro...isn't the murderer?! The evidence...is conclusive?!"

“Yes, sir! The evidence is conclusive! It was Kashiwagi, the man in the bulletproof vest case, who personally investigated and reached this conclusion! We have completely adjusted our investigation and pursuit strategy based on this!” Watanabe Eiji answered confidently. “Good! Good! Good!” Okada Masahiro said “good” three times in a row, his voice filled with relieved excitement, even with a slight, barely perceptible sob. The boulder that had been weighing on his heart, almost suffocating him, had been instantly removed! His son was not a murderer! The Okada family bloodline was not tainted!
But immediately, the domineering and calculating aura belonging to the Financial Services Agency Commissioner and the head of the Okada family returned. His voice instantly regained its usual coldness and unquestionable authority, even more decisive than before: "Director Watanabe! You handled this matter very well! At the crucial moment, you withstood the pressure, brought in genuine authority to investigate the doubts, and prevented a wrongful conviction! This demonstrates the professionalism of the Metropolitan Police Department and your judgment as a leader! I am very satisfied!"

He abruptly changed his tone, becoming extremely firm and filled with an urgent need to protect the family's reputation: "But! That's not enough! Masayoshi is still out there! He's wanted! He's still stigmatized as a suspect! This is a huge blow to him! And an unacceptable disgrace to our Okada family! I demand that your Metropolitan Police Department do the following two things!"

"Find Jiang Yi safely at all costs! Make sure he is unharmed! He is injured, exhausted, and needs the best medical care and protection! If he suffers any unnecessary harm during his escape, I will hold you responsible!"

"Use the full force of the Metropolitan Police Department to solve this case with the fastest speed and the most perfect execution! The real culprit who framed my son, the 'Deep Blue Ghost,' must be brought to justice! I want irrefutable evidence! I want the whole of Japan to see clearly that my son, Okada Masahiro's son, is a true hero, a victim who was framed! His reputation must be restored in the most thorough and perfect way! Not a single stain or doubt can be left behind! Understand?!"

Finally, Okada Masahiro lowered his voice, adding a blatant, tacit meaning that only Watanabe Eiji could understand, like a cold blade pressed against his throat: "Watanabe-kun, you've already served in this position once again..., haven't you? This incident is a huge crisis for the Metropolitan Police Department, but handling it well will be the best proof of your personal abilities. Clearing Masahiro's name perfectly and solving the case flawlessly... this will be a very, very important boost to your future career. I think you understand what I mean?"

Cold sweat slowly seeped from Watanabe Eiji's palm as he gripped the microphone. Okada Masayoshi's implication couldn't be clearer: successfully handling this "perfect" case, safely finding and clearing Okada Masayoshi's name, was Watanabe Eiji's "ticket" to the next level! Otherwise... the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Yes, sir! I understand completely! Please rest assured! The Metropolitan Police Department will do everything in its power to ensure the safety and reputation of Inspector Okada Masayoshi! We will bring the real culprit to justice and restore your son's and the Metropolitan Police Department's innocence!" Watanabe Eiji's voice was firm and resolute, filled with a do-or-die determination.

"Very well, I'll wait for your good news." Okada Masaharu coldly said this and hung up the phone.

Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Watanabe Eiji let out a long sigh of relief, but the pressure on his shoulders was a hundred times heavier than when he was hunting down the "murderer" Okada Masayoshi! This was no longer just about arresting people and solving cases; it was a political mission and a battle to protect his reputation that required perfection and allowed no flaws!
He returned to the conference room, where Uchimura, Sugishita, and Kashiwagi, their fighting spirit rekindled but also feeling immense pressure, said in a deep voice, "Did you all hear that? Objective changed: First, safely retrieve Okada Masayoshi! Second, perfectly solve the case and expose the 'Deep Blue Ghost'! Third, completely restore Inspector Okada's reputation! This concerns the survival of the Metropolitan Police Department, and it concerns the future of each of us! Action!"

"Lift all restrictions on the Special Missions Unit, and dispatch Uesugi and the others for a joint operation!"

"Yes!!!"

Meanwhile, Okada Masahiro, after hanging up the phone, did not feel relieved. He slowly sat back in the huge leather chair that symbolized power, as if all the energy had been drained from his body. He covered his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling slightly.

Regret, like a cold tide, surged in belatedly and instantly overwhelmed him.

He meticulously planned a media storm... He used the media to attack that supermarket cashier... He thought he was just clearing away a "stain"... But he never expected that this fire would not only kill Miki, but also almost burn his son... his only son... to ashes!

Jiang Yi wasn't the murderer… Behind this immense relief lies an even sharper sense of self-reproach. If he hadn't launched that media campaign… perhaps the supermarket cashier wouldn't have met such a tragic end? Would Jiang Yi have been in such a desperate situation?
“Jiangyi… is Dad…” A barely audible sigh, filled with endless weariness and deep regret, escaped from between the fingers of this financial affairs official and cold father, dissipating into the empty and cold office.

He still couldn't bring himself to say it.

The lights of Tokyo outside the window still shone brightly, but they could no longer illuminate the cold and regretful abyss in his heart left by the backlash of power struggles. Protecting his son and clearing his name had become his only and last hope.

He can't apologize, he never will. He may admit his mistakes and correct them, but he will never admit his mistakes to his son.

Because he is his father!
Okada, only after experiencing something like this do you realize that your father always did it for your own good!

While Okada Masahiro was experiencing mixed feelings, the Special Missions Division of the Metropolitan Police Department finally received the order to unfreeze.

"What?! That Kashiwagi Jin, is he really that strong?" Kai Toru couldn't help but complain within the Special Missions Division. "How come in my memory, all he ever did was cause trouble and do bad things?"

"Tsk tsk tsk, one should look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation." Miss Minami relaxed a lot when she heard that Kashiwagi Jin actually thought that Okada-nii might not be the murderer: "Isn't that why we kept him around in the first place?"

Just then, Uesugi Muneyuki walked in from outside.

"Hey! Zongxue, why are you so late!" Minami complained, a little annoyed. "Look, even without you, Kashiwagi Jin could have solved the case!"

“I taught him,” Uesugi Muneyuki said casually.

"Huh???" The Special Missions Department was filled with shock.

“Yes, I taught you step by step,” Uesugi Muneyuki continued, gesturing towards Erena, “but that’s not the key point.”

"The key is that I have already found Okada's hiding place."

"Special Missions Unit, deploy!"

(End of this chapter)