Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 491, Professor Zaizen is Critically Ill

P.S.: This year is an even-numbered TI year, does that mean...?
"Professor Zaizen is critically ill?"

When Uesugi Muneyuki heard the news, he and the forensic pathologists in the forensic department were focused on performing an autopsy on a corpse. Their techniques were precise and calm, his white coat was spotless, and every tool was neatly arranged in the correct position.

Naturally, Uesugi Muneyuki himself did not perform autopsies, because he was very busy. It would be a waste to let someone with such superb autopsy skills waste all his time on dissections and experiments.

However, if needed, Uesugi Muneyuki would occasionally come to the forensic department to participate in some forensic autopsies to avoid his skills becoming rusty.

When Uesugi Muneyuki heard the news from the special care ward of the Medical and Dental University, he was stunned for a moment.

Professor Zaizen wants to see me?

Isn't this right?

Since Uesugi Muneyuki's court appearance, he has lost contact with Tokyo Medical and Dental University. Naturally, the hospital doesn't need someone who doesn't consider the organization's interests. According to the unspoken rules of Japanese society, Uesugi Muneyuki's actions would undoubtedly get him fired from the hospital, and he wouldn't even be able to find a new job in the Kanto region.

It's simply because he has a strong background and is capable enough to withstand pressure, and other hospitals dare to break existing rules to take him in.

Therefore, Uesugi Muneyuki's attitude towards Tokyo Medical and Dental University was to keep to himself and not interfere with each other. Although the university had wronged him in some ways, it had also nurtured him and tolerated and tacitly approved of his crazy side business outside. It even caused a bloody accident that resulted in death because of him, which involved Saijo Yasue.

Why does Professor Zaizen want to see me now?

Uesugi Muneyuki had heard that Professor Zaizen fainted on the spot after the trial because he could not accept the verdict, and was later hospitalized. Moreover, he had to pay tens of millions of yen in compensation and his reputation was damaged because of this. Under such circumstances, it would be good enough if he didn't hate him to death, let alone want to see him.
Damn it, could Professor Zaizen be hiding explosives in the intensive care unit, waiting to blow them up when I arrive?
You have a special package!
Just as Uesugi Muneyuki was pondering, Ishihara Mikoto arrived.

"Uesugi!" The forensic pathologist rushed in, pushing open the door. "The Medical and Dental University Hospital called urgently, they need to see you."

Uesugi Muneyuki didn't even look up: "If it's a forensic autopsy, please ask them to submit the documents according to procedure."

“No, it’s about Professor Zaizen,” Mikoto Ishihara said hesitantly. “He’s critically ill and wants to see you.”

Reina Ikeda looked at the forensic beauty in surprise. At the same time, two notices appeared.

In Japanese culture, this is not a request, but almost a plea.

Uesugi Muneyuki paused for a second with his scalpel, then continued working, saying with a wry smile, "I have no connection with Professor Zaizen anymore."

“But… they said the professor insists on seeing you, saying it’s about an apology.” Ishihara Mikoto said hesitantly, “Professor Zaizen has been given a critical condition notice, and he hopes to see you before he dies.”

This time, Uesugi finally stopped his work. He slowly straightened up, stared at the lifeless body on the dissection table, and remained silent for a long time: "What disease was it?"

"Lung cancer has already spread and metastasized...it's incurable."

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

In the VIP ward on the top floor of the hospital, Goro Zaizen lay on the pale sheets, his hands, which had once held countless lives in their hands, now resting weakly on the edge of the bed. An oxygen mask covered most of his face, but his eyes were still sharp—though the disease had worn away some of their edge.

The door of the ward was gently pushed open.

"You've come." Zaizen's voice was hoarse, yet still carried that unique arrogance. "I thought you wouldn't come."

Uesugi Muneyuki and Ikeda Erena stood at the door. The already accomplished Chief Uesugi gestured for Erena to wait at the door, and then entered expressionlessly: "I didn't expect to come either. But few can refuse an invitation in the face of death."

"Especially for people who frequently deal with death, right?" Zaizen forced a smile. "Is the work of a forensic pathologist still suitable for you?"

"It allows me to speak for those who cannot speak, without the interference of power and ambition." Uesugi's answer was as blunt as a knife. He looked at Zaizen Goro lying on the bed, his eyes filled with an indescribable emotion.

From Uesugi Muneyuki's perspective, Zaizen Goro is an absolute ambitious man. He is like a fire burning within him, an inextinguishable flame called ambition. He is like a great politician with lofty ideals and ambitions, climbing upwards in the white tower, wanting to reach the end of the path of medicine.

But he was also like a traitor; after assimilating with the White Tower, he became a part of the White Tower, a loyal believer and servant, and transformed into its defender and oppressor.

That's how the system works. At first, you hate it and resist it, but in the end, those who are unwilling to assimilate will be purged out, while the remaining people will unknowingly become a part of it. Eventually, you will find that you can't live without it and loyally defend it, becoming its accomplices.

“Yes, you…you’re right.” Professor Zaizen closed his eyes, his breathing becoming more rapid. The monitor beeped rhythmically, the sound particularly jarring in the quiet room. “I’ve been hearing a lot of news about you lately…”

“I am honored.” Uesugi Muneyuki stood in front of the bed. He didn’t know what to say. He felt that his emotions were complicated. There was resentment, sympathy, contempt and regret.

The former master and disciple remained silent for a long time.

But the constant sounds of medical equipment and ventilators told them that time was running out.

“I’m going to die,” Zaizen finally said. “Lung cancer, and it’s metastasized. Isn’t it ironic that a surgeon dies from the disease he specializes in?”

Uesugi took a few steps closer, but still kept his distance: "Medicine is fair to everyone."

“You’re still the same as ever, outspoken and inflexible.” Zaizen gave a wry smile. “That’s why I kicked you out of the surgery department in the first place.”

"I thought it was because I questioned your surgical methods." Uesugi Muneyuki forced a smile. "And, about appearing in court and all that..."

Professor Zaizen doesn't seem to hate him.

Zaizen forced a business-like smile and adjusted his posture: "In that white tower, no one is allowed to question those who have already reached the top. That's the rule, foolish but necessary."

"I believe that medicine shouldn't have 'towers,' only equal pursuit and dedication." Uesugi Muneyuki sighed. "However, ideals and reality are ultimately different." "Haha, as expected, people don't learn by being taught, but they learn by doing... cough cough cough!"

A violent cough interrupted their conversation.

Zaizen was curled up in pain. Uesugi instinctively stepped forward and professionally adjusted the patient's position and oxygen flow. His movements were precise and skillful, exactly the work of a well-trained surgeon.

After the attack subsided, Professor Zaizen collapsed weakly onto his pillow: "You should have been an excellent surgeon."

“I am still a doctor, but my patients don’t complain about my treatment,” Uesugi replied calmly. “They agree every time.”

“I owe you an apology,” Zaizen suddenly said, his voice almost drowned out by the sound of the oxygen pump, “not because of your abilities, but because…”

He paused, searching for the right words—a rare struggle for Goro Zaizen.

“Because I was afraid,” he finally admitted. “Your purity, your uncompromising attitude towards medicine, made me see what I had lost. I ostracized you not because you weren’t good enough, but because your excellence reminded me of what I had lost in the process of climbing the tower.”

Uesugi listened in silence until Professor Zaizen finished speaking, then he said softly, "I was also wrong. I was too focused on the so-called 'truth' and neglected the patient's feelings. At that time, I lacked the empathy that a doctor must have..."

“I’m not criticizing you, let me finish… I’ve spent my whole life trying to reach the top of that white tower,” Zaizen continued, gazing out the window. “I thought there were the most perfect surgeries, the most advanced medicine, and the power to conquer death.”

The only sounds in the ward were the operating medical equipment.

What exactly is at the top of the white tower? Uesugi Muneyuki and Professor Zaizen exchanged glances, both seeing the doubt in each other's eyes.

A question that belongs to a doctor.

Even at this point, the two still have completely different answers, a perpetual conflict between former master and disciple.

But this time, the sharpness in Zaizen's eyes softened.

“Maybe you’re right.” He conceded, unusually: “But this is my way, the only way I know.”

Zaizen raised his hand with difficulty, gesturing for Uesugi to come closer: "I called you here not to seek forgiveness, but to tell you that medicine needs different voices. It needs people who climb the tower, and it also needs people who question why the tower even exists."

“Uesugi.” He gripped his former student’s hand tightly. “You were right that day at the trial; the future of medicine shouldn’t be just about building a towering structure.”

"I'm just... unwilling! I'm so unwilling! I'm unwilling to accept that after all I've given to this tower, after climbing for so long, I'm unwilling! I'm unwilling to accept that it ends here! I'm unwilling to accept why God is treating me like this!!!"

Professor Zaizen finally broke down in tears. He gripped Uesugi Muneyuki's hand tightly and cried, "I may not see patients as everything like Dr. Satomi, nor am I as capable as you of speaking up for the dead and defending the rights of the living, but I have given everything for the path of medicine, and I am so unwilling to accept this!"

“I have always been, always been, always been very serious. I studied diligently, I performed surgeries diligently, and I always strived to do my best in everything I did! I was willing to give up everything for medicine, to give up my mother back home, to give up my surname and marry into the family, to give up my dignity and ask the hospital director for help, and even... to give up those unrealistic morals. I may have been a bit ruthless, but why did I end up like this?”

"I lost the lawsuit! My reputation is ruined! And I've been diagnosed with lung cancer! I was finally becoming the first professor of surgery, a time when I was poised to achieve great things, and now it's all ending here. I'm not reconciled!"

"If I were to give myself a score for my life, I would give myself 100 points! Because at any stage, at any moment, I have given everything I have!"

After saying that, Professor Zaizen, panting heavily and coughing violently, said, "Uesugi, you're a doctor at the University of Tokyo now! Tell me! Am I really less skilled than a surgical professor at the University of Tokyo? Am I really not worthy of climbing to the top of the White Tower???"

Uesugi Muneyuki fell silent. Looking into Professor Zaizen's longing eyes, he knew that the other was waiting for an answer.

A definitive answer to his life story.

Uesugi Muneyuki took a deep breath and then slowly nodded: "You are the most skilled surgeon I have ever met, without a doubt, including at the University of Tokyo!"

Brother Sen, you're really no worse than Jerex!
Zaizen Goro finally relaxed and lay back down on his pillow.

He almost managed a slight smile beneath the oxygen mask.

"Thank you... With your words, my life has not been in vain!" he said softly. "Now, please let me face this final surgery alone. This time, there will be no audience."

Uesugi Muneyuki bowed deeply, more respectfully than he had ever bowed as a student.

At this moment, the master and apprentice, who were once enemies, who had clashed on the path of medicine and ultimately turned against each other, reconciled.

It was at this moment that Uesugi Muneyuki truly began to examine himself at that time—was he really doing the right thing by pursuing the so-called truth and sense of reality without considering the needs and feelings of the patients?

In Professor Zaizen, he simultaneously felt a deep love and hate, a strong attachment to life and a lack of regret about death. No matter how unwilling this controversial professor was, he would eventually face the end of his life.

This is death; in the face of death, all beings are equal.

But just after Uesugi Muneyuki understood all of this, the Azure Stone suddenly shone brightly.

"Ah, such a sweet soul. After so many years, I have finally found another soul that resonates with me."

Princess Rain Woman, with village beauties Jun, appeared in the pale hospital environment, holding an oil-paper umbrella and wearing a snow-white kimono with small patterns. A rare smile appeared on her plain and indifferent face.

"Uesugi, you've given me another huge surprise!"

"Indeed, signing a contract with you was the right decision!"

(End of this chapter)