Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 525, Fuji TV's Invitation!
The next day, in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, at the seaside tower.

The chief priest of Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, Muramatsu Shunsuke, a director of the Kanto Shrine Alliance, turned off the television.

In the news footage, the office building he knew all too well was being reported lightly with the absurd reason of "an accidental explosion caused by a gas pipeline leak." The anchor added in a flat tone, "It is reported that Ms. Mai Shirakawa, a national actress who was present at the time, is unharmed."

"All right... Haha... Hahaha..." Muramatsu chuckled softly, the laughter forced from the depths of his throat, tinged with bitterness and self-mockery. His meticulously planned scheme to kill with a borrowed knife had not only failed to harm Shirakawa Mai in the slightest, but instead served as a mirror, reflecting the unfathomable strength of that young chief, and... his own doom.

You made the wrong bet.

He didn't try to call anyone, nor did he check his phone. From the moment he stepped into this secret apartment in Kamakura and discovered that his trusted bodyguards, who should have been on duty downstairs, had vanished without a trace, he already knew what was going on.

This seaside tower has a very special design. If outsiders don't know the secret, the so-called door downstairs and the card-swipe elevator can only lead to the warehouse upstairs. Only those who know the secret can reach the actual elevator through the side passage next to the elevator lobby.

This was the temporary place he had prepared in advance, but there was no one there.

The tide is gone.

He walked to the liquor cabinet and took out the top-grade Scotch whisky that he had treasured for many years and whose packaging had never been opened.

He roughly tore open the packaging, unscrewed the cap, and without even using a glass, tilted his head back and gulped down several mouthfuls. The amber liquid burned his throat and stomach, but couldn't dispel the bone-chilling cold.

He slumped down onto the expensive Italian leather sofa in the center of the living room, oblivious to the wrinkles in his expensive suit. The apartment was deathly silent, save for the faint sound of distant waves. He stroked the cold wine bottle, his gaze vacant as he stared out the window at the night view of Kanagawa, its lights gleaming, yet utterly irrelevant to him.

After a long silence, he suddenly seemed to give up all struggle, and in a polite tone that was almost calm, even tinged with weariness, he asked the empty room:
Anyone have a cigarette?

His voice sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet space.

A few seconds later, as if emerging from the shadows, several men in well-tailored black suits with a cold demeanor appeared silently in the corner of the living room. They were like emotionless sculptures with sharp and empty eyes.

Muramatsu looked at them, his face showing no surprise, but rather a sense of relief, as if to say, "I knew it."

He shrugged nonchalantly, his tone even carrying a hint of mockery:
"We've come this far, letting me have a smoke isn't too much to ask, is it?"

The man in the suit at the head of the group, a man with a resolute face and hawk-like eyes, silently watched him for a moment. Then, he slowly took out a pack of Marlboros from his suit pocket, pulled one out, stepped forward, offered it to Muramatsu's lips, and lit it for him with a "snap" using a finely crafted chrome lighter.

The orange flame flickered, illuminating Muramatsu's slightly pale face. He took a deep drag, the smoke swirling in his lungs before slowly exhaling through his nostrils and mouth, forming swirling bluish-gray smoke rings. He closed his eyes, seemingly savoring this final solace in life.

The cigarette burned out quickly. He stubbed it out in the crystal ashtray with unhurried movements.

“What a fine day…” Muramatsu suddenly murmured, a complex smile playing on his lips, a mixture of mockery, defeat, and a strange sense of relief. He looked up, his gaze sweeping over the men in suits before him, his tone becoming serious:

"Remember to pass on a message to Chief Shirakawa."

The men in suits remained silent, but their eyes indicated that he was listening.

“That guy from Kansai… the one named Kishibe Masaomi,” Muramatsu said, emphasizing each word, his eyes growing deep. “His goals are far more ambitious than you or I can imagine. Beyond imagination, he seems to have little interest in worldly affairs, and his involvement in secular matters seems to be merely to utilize worldly resources… to pursue something, but I don’t know.”

This is his last bit of value as a loser, and perhaps a belated and insignificant remedy for his betrayal.

Several men in suits nodded expressionlessly, indicating that they had received the message.

Then, they took a step forward in unison, forming a small circle around Muramatsu Shunsuke. There were no superfluous words, no rough actions, just a silent declaration.

Muramatsu closed his eyes, offering no further resistance or words. He accepted his defeat, always believing that Higashitenkaku had died from his injuries sustained in that battle.

Since Chief Shirakawa possesses such power, then... it is indeed only right that Chief Shirakawa wins!
I lost my bet!

Unfortunately, I won't get to see the war between Shirakawa and Nishita.

Ah, what I love most is the scenery of Odawara, the distant mountains, and the solitary birds flying high.

When will this chaotic world end?
Three minutes later, a bungee jumper descended from the sky.

"Aa ...

The following morning, Kamakura police received a report that Toshiaki Muramatsu, the chief priest of the famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and a director of the Kanto Shrines Association, had been found dead after falling from his high-rise apartment building in the seaside area. The preliminary conclusion of the on-site investigation was suicide. It was reported that Chief Priest Muramatsu had been experiencing significant work pressure and depression recently.

He left a suicide note expressing his gratitude for everyone's care and stating that he had chosen to end his life because he could no longer bear the current pressure and burden. He asked everyone not to worry, apologized for his choice to end his life, and said he was very sorry for causing everyone trouble.

The Kanagawa Police Headquarters took the case very seriously and immediately launched an investigation. According to the forensic report, Muramatsu Shunsuke's death met all the characteristics of a suicide by jumping from a building. Furthermore, the review of the surveillance footage showed that only Muramatsu Shunsuke entered and exited his apartment that day, thus ruling out homicide and confirming it as suicide.

The news caused an uproar among the Kanto leadership, but everyone tacitly remained silent. Only a very few knew that this undercurrent surrounding the position of leader had temporarily come to a bloody end with the complete disappearance of the traitor.

And the shadow from Kansai became even more intense and enigmatic as a result.

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

With the conclusion of the Imperial Palace bombing and the Special Missions Division's respite, June came to an end, and July followed. Tokyo officially entered the summer season, with temperatures rising rapidly, much to the dismay of the Metropolitan Police Department, led by the Special Missions Division.

Bunkyo Ward, Sakata Bridge Tower, 1802.

Minami didn't come here today. When I woke up this morning, the TV was showing news about the suicide of Muramatsu Shunsuke, the chief priest of Tsurugaoka Hachiman Shrine, a member of the Kanto Shrine Alliance. Mai-senpai, as the head of the Kanto Shrine Alliance, expressed her deep condolences and personally attended his funeral ceremony. There were more than a hundred shrine maidens and various Shinto religious figures present.

Saito Asuka watched TV with great interest. The breakfast the girl made for Uesugi Muneyuki this morning was a sweet and refreshing seaweed plum rice ball, grilled saury, chicken miso soup, and various side dishes.

For Ikeda Erena, a cup of (extremely hot) hot milk and toast were prepared.

"Wow, Mai-nee looks so good in her shrine maiden outfit!" The girl stared intently at the screen. She had no idea what was going on, but she was amazed by Mai-nee's beauty and the terrifying power she exuded as she passed by two rows of Shinto bigwigs bowing to each other.

"Such quick cooking!" Uesugi Muneyuki glanced at the television and nodded slightly in approval.

"By the way, Ah Xiu Xiu, I'm going to Kanagawa Prefecture to film an outdoor program these few days. Do you want to come with me?" Uesugi Muneyuki suddenly said, "It's an invitation from Fuji TV!"

"Huh? Really? I want to go, I want to go!" Sure enough, the girl perked up instantly.

"Zongxue, I want to go too!" Reina Ikeda stuck out her tongue, which had been burned, and became interested as well.

“Alright, let’s go together!” Uesugi Muneyuki nodded with a smile, then watched Asuka without making a sound.

It's time for the girl to awaken her inner world abilities!

(End of this chapter)