Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 500, Daily Life of a Special Missions Unit (4.0)
P.S.: I'm watching The International today, and I plan to finish writing this part all at once, so this is a combined 5600-word super-exciting chapter! Hope you enjoy reading!
8:48 AM, Sakuradamon Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Special Missions Unit.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting dappled patterns on the desk piled high with documents. The air was filled with the mixed aroma of black tea and instant miso soup.

Everyone in the department had arrived, but it wasn't time for the official start of work yet, so the atmosphere was relaxed (the Special Missions Department starts work at nine). Date Nagamune was taking a big bite of a tuna rice ball, while Igarashi Jun opted for a braised Wagyu beef rice ball. The two of them were discussing the baseball game in a murmur.

Okada Masayoshi was still recovering from his injury, so the acting head of the Special Missions Unit was still Nango Yui. This professional police inspector from an extremely wealthy family was very elegantly adding sugar cubes to his Darjeeling tea. After a month of practice, he had begun to get the hang of it and had a very clear understanding of his role.

This is exactly what I wanted!
This is where I wanted to be, and this is why I became a policeman!

Nango Yui had previously been quite puzzled by her father's use of his vast connections and countless resources to force her into the position, but unlike Kai and Okada, Nango Yui had a good relationship with her father, so she didn't say anything.

But once inside, Nango Yui realized how good her father had been to her.

In the Special Missions Unit, the endless meetings and paperwork of the Metropolitan Police Department are no concern. As the last line of defense for the Metropolitan Police Department, the Special Missions Unit's greatest role is to solve cases by relying on Uesugi Muneyuki's exceptional forensic abilities. Therefore, the various routine meetings, case reports, and official documents are handled by other personnel in the Criminal Investigation Department. Thus, the Special Missions Unit's primary responsibility is...

Solve the case!

This allows Special Missions officers to escape endless paperwork, reports, and interrogations, and focus their attention on the case.

So, how capable are the Special Missions Unit members at solving cases?

Need I say more? The legendary forensic pathologist, Uesugi Muneyuki, is here!

Therefore, working in the Special Missions Department is a very fulfilling experience, and any effort and hard work will receive a very strong positive feedback.

As for the other benefits, there's no need to go into detail. Although Nango Yui comes from a very wealthy family and doesn't care much about the extra subsidies and special treatment for the Special Missions Unit, he still feels that eating at an izakaya that costs 5000 yen at the welcome party and celebration banquet is cheap and "commoner's food." However, the sense of difference and hierarchy compared to other police officers makes him extremely satisfied. Moreover, the atmosphere here is great, and he has begun to enjoy this kind of team building.

Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work with Uesugi-san!
Nango Yui thought to herself, "No wonder Section Chief Okada gave up promotion opportunities twice to stay in the Special Missions Division."

Even I wouldn't want to advance at the cost of leaving the Special Missions Department!
However, Section Chief Okada will be back next month. If he, the official section chief, returns, then I, as the acting section chief, will be in a bit of an awkward position. It would be best if we could get one or two big cases during this period so that I can really show off and secure my position when the section chief returns.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Uesugi Muneyuki was chatting with Kai Takeru: "Wow! Kai, is this a bento box your girlfriend made?"

"Yeah, how about it, aren't you envious!" Kai Toru chuckled as he showed his bento box to Uesugi Muneyuki.

Whenever his girlfriend, Etsuko Fuebuki, was resting at home instead of flying international routes, she would make him a bento box. Kai Toru, being a young master, didn't quite like the food served at the Metropolitan Police Department, so his girlfriend, feeling sorry for his hard work, would make him a bento box herself.

Today, Kai Kyou's bento box consists of plum seaweed rice, a huge piece of grilled pork cutlet, takoyaki, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, pickled radish, and Korean kimchi. It looks quite delicious, and I can just heat it up in the microwave for lunch.

"It looks delicious!" Uesugi Muneyuki couldn't help but exclaim. "The color...it looks like it's made of ants, oh dear~"

"Of course... Hey, Uesugi-san, let me tell you, don't even think about taking my bento. Etsuko made it for me. If you want a bento, ask the manager to make one for you!" Kai Toru was both smug and wary.

Uesugi Muneyuki has always had a large appetite. In fact, the Metropolitan Police Department's canteen already provides large-sized meal sets for police officers on the field, but Uesugi Muneyuki sometimes still needs to eat two portions to feel comfortable. Therefore, he has long had the nickname "Gluttonous Uesugi" within the Metropolitan Police Department.

Not far away, Minami Watanabe, who was sitting in the manager's seat watching the news, glanced at Hiru Kai speechlessly after hearing the news.

Hmph~ Although I am indeed terrible at cooking and only good at making pre-made dishes, there are people at home who cook for us!

We, the three giants of Sakata Bridge, each do our own job and live our own lives well. That's more important to us than anything else. We don't need you, Kai, trying to sow discord!
Miss Minami, watching the news, suddenly frowned slightly: "Ikeda?"

"Here!" Erina Ikeda is always so full of energy.

"Turn on the TV and switch to NTV."

The wall-mounted TV in the common area was on, playing the morning news program as background noise.

"...Next is a follow-up report on the recent 'YKC48 female idol Maho Yamaguchi's attack incident'..." The female anchor's clear and articulate voice suddenly attracted the attention of some people.

Date and Igarashi stopped chewing, Nango Yui slowed down her movements as she smelled the black tea, and even Uesugi Muneyuki and Kai Toru looked up at the television screen.

The television footage first showed photos of the bodies at the crime scene, then photos of the main characters, followed by blurred photos of Kakimoto Hiroshi and Takei Masanori and an attack diagram, and finally mentioned Uesugi Muneyuki and Sakura.

"...Suspects XX and XX (pseudonyms) were arrested on suspicion of assault and violation of the Stalking Control Act. After trial by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, considering that they were first-time offenders, had a good attitude in admitting their guilt, there was insufficient evidence that the person they were involved with was dead, and they had reached a certain degree of settlement with the victim's agency, they were ultimately given summary prosecution. The verdict was announced yesterday: the two suspects were fined 500,000 yen and detained for 30 days..."

A suppressed, incredulous smacking sound echoed in the office, coming from Uesugi Muneyuki.

that's it?
A mere 500,000 yen fine and 30 days of detention? Those two should be out by now, right?
Damn it! They got off too easy!
However, there was no way to prove it. All those who knew about the incident and those who orchestrated it were dead, the judicial process had been suspended, and there were no witnesses to prove it. Moreover, the Metropolitan Police Department and the District Public Prosecutor's Office were focused on Imazaki's manager and the two idols.

The scene then shifts to a press conference held by YKC48's management. Idol Yamaguchi Maho, dressed in a simple dress, stands pale-faced with downcast eyes among a row of company executives and managers.

Speaking into the densely packed microphones, her voice trembled slightly, almost choked with tears: "I'm so sorry that this incident has caused such a commotion and trouble for so many people. I'm also very grateful for the concern and support from my fans. I will... I will work even harder and repay everyone with better performances..."

She bowed deeply, and the camera captured her expression as she struggled to hold back tears, feeling wronged yet forced to maintain a professional smile.

"What a joke!"

Reina Ikeda slammed her hand on the table, ignoring the documents that fell to the ground. The tall, beautiful woman was furious: "This is an attack! This is a kidnapping! And all you do is fine them and lock them up for thirty days? Those two bastards tried to drag Yamaguchi away! Yamaguchi almost got taken away! Who knows what happened next?"

“There’s nothing I can do.” Uesugi Muneyuki took the coffee from Nango Yui and shook his head calmly. “Hmph, ‘reached a settlement’? YKC is probably going through a lot right now and doesn’t want to get into trouble because of this. They’re afraid of damaging their image and making money. It’s a typical approach. As for Yamaguchi, she chose to stay and not graduate. The management will definitely ask her to apologize and issue a letter of understanding.”

Kai Toru put down the bento box and sighed, "Sigh, that's reality. Most stalker cases end up like this. That's just how the law is. If we can catch him, we've done our duty. The rest is beyond our control."

His tone was calm, yet it conveyed a deep sense of powerlessness: "We're considered lucky; local police stations have far more problems like this!"

"But!" Reina Ikeda, young and impulsive, was full of indignation. "Why should Yamaguchi apologize? She's clearly the victim! Look at her expression, she looks so wronged she's about to cry! Are those fans and management blind?"

"Fans think she 'mismanaged' the fans, which attracted crazy fans and tarnished the team's image. Besides, it's inherently difficult to distinguish between mild and extreme sasaeng fans. In any case, suing and warning sasaeng fans is extremely damaging to one's reputation." Date Nagamune, who understands idols best, calmly analyzed with a hint of annoyance: "As for the management, they just want to calm things down as soon as possible, and an apology is the fastest way."

Reina Ikeda was speechless for a moment, her chest heaving with anger. She punched her thigh: "Damn it! What was the point of us risking our lives to catch that guy? Just to get him to pay a fine that might only be pocket change for the agency? And then he'd be out in thirty days, watching the victim come out and apologize?"

At this moment, Minami Watanabe spoke up. Miss Minami, dressed in an expensive police superintendent's uniform, placed her hands on the table and sat in her seat, watching the news footage on the television, which had already been switched off.

Her face was calm, but her eyes were sharp: "The significance lies in the fact that we did what we were supposed to do."

Miss Minami's voice wasn't loud, but it carried weight, calming the excited young subordinate down a bit: "The law has its limits, and society has its rules of operation. It's not perfect all the time, and it can even be awful."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over her subordinates, the detectives who had solved countless cases but now seemed somewhat dejected.

"Our duty is to stop crimes, apprehend criminals, and protect public safety within our authority. As for the verdict and what happens after the incident..." Miss Minami took a deep breath.

“That’s beyond our control. Feeling angry shows you still have a sense of justice, which is good. Keep this feeling of displeasure in mind, and next time you encounter a case, you’ll still work with Uesugi to investigate and arrest with all your might! That’s our duty.” Minami said earnestly, “Remember, we are police officers, not prosecutors and judges. Do our job first, then consider other things. This matter was inherently difficult to handle. All the parties involved are dead, the judicial process was suspended, the agency and the individuals themselves chose to forgive, and they did not cause any specific harm. Considering the social impact of Yamaguchi continuing his idol activities… this outcome, though unfortunate, is in line with the spirit of precedent.”

“Moreover, although Yamaguchi was forced to apologize, she actually gained a lot of sympathy. On the contrary, if she keeps pressing the issue, her idol career will be over. No fan will like such an aggressive idol. Being an idol always requires sacrifices.” Date Nagamune said awkwardly, avoiding Erena’s stern gaze. “Yes, being famous for something is still being famous, and a bad reputation is still a reputation. I’ve already spoken to YKC and told them that this matter with Yamaguchi is about over. Just you wait and see, in the next single, Yamaguchi will definitely be in the selection group, and she might even be standing in the front row with Sakura, Sashihara, and Jurina.” Uesugi Muneyuki said.

"Yes." There was a moment of silence in the office, and everyone in the Special Missions Department nodded to indicate that they understood.

The weather forecast started playing on TV.

Just then, the landline on Miss Minami's desk rang.

The expressions of the Special Missions team members changed.

That voice is from the Metropolitan Police Department's internal hotline!

Miss Minami, not daring to delay, immediately answered the phone: "Hello, this is Watanabe, this is the Special Missions Unit..."

“I’m Watanabe too.” Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe told a lame joke to express his secret delight, then said seriously, “Commander Watanabe, this is an important matter. Summon Chief Uesugi to my office immediately! The section chief too!”

"Yes." Minami put down the phone: "Zongxue, it's a major matter for the Special Missions Department. The director wants us to come over immediately."

"And what about me?" asked Nango Yui, who was acting as the department head.

“You…you should come with us too.” Minami nodded.

The three of them rushed upstairs to the Superintendent General's office. When they saw the "Special Missions Unit's Big Three" on the move, the police officers coming and going in the Metropolitan Police Department also sensed something different.

Any event that can get Minami Watanabe, Muneyuki Uesugi, and Masayoshi Okada (currently Yui Nango's agent) to come together is definitely a big deal!
Has something big happened again?
Uesugi Muneyuki also realized that something was wrong.

What could my father-in-law possibly want that required the three of us to come?
Are we, the three maggots of the Special Mission Department, about to start wriggling again?

Ha, you European trio of Topson, Ceb, and Notail might be very strong, or even the double champions.

But what if we send out the three Pokémon Prestige Trio: Maybe, Chalice, and Fy? How will you deal with that?

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

The heavy solid wood door closed silently behind us, shutting out all outside noise.

Instead of sitting behind the huge desk, Eiji Watanabe stood by the window with his back to them, gazing at the rows of Tokyo Metropolitan Government buildings outside.

The air in the room seemed to freeze, filled with a sense of impending doom.

"Father?" Minami spoke first, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible doubt. Her keen intuition told her that something extremely important must have happened.

Watanabe Eiji slowly turned around, his face devoid of the gentleness he usually showed when meeting his daughter and prospective son-in-law, only a deep, unfathomable seriousness and... a complex emotion that was difficult to detect.

“Minami, Muneyuki, and Nango.”

Eiji Watanabe's voice was low and deep. Without any pleasantries, he cut straight to the point: "Ten minutes ago, I received a direct request from Maeda, the head of the Imperial Household Agency, and Gondo, the chief of the Imperial Palace Police. An incident... one that could shake the foundations of the nation has occurred."

He succinctly described the discovery of the body of Imperial Household Agency employee Akio Ishimuro within the Imperial Palace, the preliminary assessment of drowning but the nature of the death uncertain. With each additional sentence he spoke, Minami and Muneyuki's brows furrowed more deeply. Especially when they heard that the incident occurred within the Imperial Palace Gardens, all three of them almost simultaneously held their breath.

“The Imperial Palace Police have reached their limit, and due to the highest level of secrecy requirements, they cannot openly request assistance.” Watanabe Eiji’s sharp gaze swept over the three men: “Commander Maeda and Chief Inspector Gondo… they specifically requested that you, Muneyuki, as the Metropolitan Police Department’s Chief Inspector, secretly intervene to conduct a forensic autopsy to determine the cause of death.”

Something happened at the Imperial Palace? An employee of the Imperial Household Agency died unexpectedly?

Come to life!
Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes lit up, but he immediately feigned surprise and worry.

He immediately understood the weight and danger involved.

The Imperial Palace! The Imperial Gardens! The Imperial Household Agency!
Humans and gods? Old gods and new gods? The secrets of the underworld?

This might be an opportunity!
Uesugi Muneyuki sensed something was off.

Director Watanabe continued, turning his gaze to his daughter: "And this is not just an autopsy. Given the special nature and extreme sensitivity of the incident, the Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Palace Police have agreed in principle that our Metropolitan Police Department will dispatch a Special Mission Unit to secretly occupy the designated area around the Imperial Palace and take full control of the subsequent search."

His gaze settled on Minami Watanabe. "Minami, the Special Missions Unit will represent the Metropolitan Police Department and confront this unprecedentedly difficult case since the war."

In an instant, the pressure in the room increased several times over.

Miss Minami felt a chill creep up her spine, but at the same time, a flame ignited by extreme trust and challenge also surged in her chest.

Unnatural deaths within the Imperial Palace, the Imperial Household Agency's inability to handle the situation, and the highest levels of secrecy requirements... any one of these implies unimaginable risks and responsibilities. One wrong step could not only ruin an individual's career but also trigger an uncontrollable political storm.

However, she also instantly understood the unspoken meaning in her father's words.

Director Watanabe lowered his voice, his tone heavy, almost a whisper: "This matter... is an unprecedented crisis, but it also contains... opportunities."

He chose his words carefully: "The Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Palace Police have shown signs of weakness in this matter. Whoever can resolve this matter cleanly and efficiently will win the absolute trust and enormous favor of the Imperial Household Agency... and even higher levels. This achievement and trust are priceless."

He didn't say it aloud, but everyone present understood perfectly. This "higher level" pointed to something. It was indeed a vast, thorny stage, but once the curtain fell successfully, the reward would be a stepping stone to the core of power.

Uesugi Muneyuki slowly exhaled, breaking the brief silence: "Leave it to me."

Minami Watanabe's eyes shifted from initial shock to sharpness and determination. She straightened her back, quite confidently saying, "Father, rest assured! We will not let you down!"

Watanabe Eiji looked at the two equally outstanding young men before him, whose eyes were now burning with the same fighting spirit, and nodded heavily. His worries remained, but he had even more trust in their abilities and determination: "Nango, thank you for your hard work."

"Rest assured, Director, I will assist Supervisor Watanabe and Chief Inspector Uesugi in developing the most thorough investigation and confidentiality plan. We will investigate this case thoroughly in the name of the Metropolitan Police Department and give all parties a clear explanation." Nango Yui was overjoyed and immediately expressed his loyalty: "Although I don't have the big picture perspective of the Supervisor, nor the superb forensic skills of Chief Inspector Uesugi, I will do my utmost!"

“Very good.” Watanabe Eiji said in a deep voice, “All permissions have been granted to you. You can access any resources within the Metropolitan Police Department. Go back and pack some clothes to change into. From now on, the Special Missions Unit has only one mission—to uncover the truth behind the ‘Imperial Garden Incident.’ Go, and begin preparations immediately. The Imperial Household Agency will contact you shortly.”

Minami and Muneyuki exchanged a glance, both seeing the heavy pressure in each other's eyes, as well as the irrepressible excitement and determination sparked by the enormous challenge.

Uesugi and Minami gave the director a slight bow, then turned and quickly left the secret room.

The door closed again, leaving Eiji Watanabe alone in the room, his gaze returning to the window.

He knew that he had sent the sharpest knife and the most capable wielder into the most sensitive heartland of Japan.

What will happen next? Will it unleash a raging storm, or will it turn the tide?

Zong Xue, it's up to you now!
(End of this chapter)