Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 542, God of Counter-Strike!
Wearing a low-brimmed baseball cap and a face mask, the Ju-on news anchor immediately recognized Shota Akimoto when Uesugi Muneyuki called out to Mariko Hironaka.

Of course, to put it humorously, Shota Akimoto is Shota Akimoto, the son of Shinichiro Akimoto, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

However, Uesugi Muneyuki's strong sense of déjà vu is not wrong!
If you recall, during the incident at the Ebisu gym of Suo Ryohei, son of Suo Masao, at the Burning bar, when Uesugi Muneyuki was having a smoker exhale smoke, he noticed that the security guards were escorting a so-called VIP out of the bar and hurriedly getting into a car!

At the time, the VIP was covering his mouth and wearing a baseball cap. Because he was protected by people on both sides and he himself was trying to hide it, Uesugi Muneyuki did not recognize who this guy was.

Moreover, Akimoto Shota's demeanor at that time was very different from his current one. Although he faced danger back then, he remained calm and composed, exuding an air of nobility and pride in every gesture, and even a hint of kingly composure.

But where is the demeanor and aura of Shota Akimoto now? With an explosive collar around his neck, he is anxiously tearing at his hair one moment and crying out for help to his father the next, looking depressed and in pain. He doesn't look like a noble prince at all.
As a result, Uesugi Muneyuki didn't recognize him for a long time!
So it looks like Li!

That VIP who escaped from Burning Bar!

Good heavens! I searched high and low in Ikeda, and here it was, without any effort at all!
However, Uesugi Muneyuki hesitated for a moment, and despite the gazes of everyone present, he still didn't say anything: "Alright, let's continue!"

"?" The Special Missions Division members were all a little puzzled, but a genius is a genius after all, and they always have some strange behaviors and remarks. Everyone was used to Uesugi Muneyuki talking to himself from time to time and saying strange things. Seeing this, Date Chomune continued to play the video: "Everyone, look here."

“Shota Akimoto got off the bus at about 2:38. He was probably having too much fun, so he stood there for about two minutes after getting off the bus before heading to the elevator.”

"It can be confirmed that Shota Akimoto definitely pressed the elevator button, but when the elevator arrived at 2:45."

Date Nagamune then retrieved the surveillance footage from inside the elevator.

At 2:45, the elevator arrived at the station, but Shota Akimoto was not seen when the doors opened.

"So, Shota Akimoto was kidnapped within those few minutes." Masayoshi Okada nodded, making his judgment: "Then we just need to investigate the period before and after that..."

“Yes, but that’s where the problem lies.” Date Chomune continued playing the video: “Although the apartment building isn’t the most luxurious tower, it’s relatively new and has excellent security. We reviewed the video footage from one or two hours before and after the kidnapping and didn’t see any suspicious vehicles or people.”

"Before the kidnapping, most of the vehicles entering and leaving the underground parking garage belonged to the owners, and we could find their license plate numbers and the owners themselves. However, in the hour or so after Akimoto Shota was kidnapped, only one car left the underground parking garage. We also found the owner of that car, and the dashcam footage proved that he entered and left normally."

“Similarly, we didn’t find any suspicious persons on the surveillance around the basement, nor did we find any at the several fixed entry and exit points. In other words, if this group of people kidnapped Akimoto Shota, then either they successfully kidnapped Akimoto Shota through the cooperation of the owners, or…” Date Nagamune hesitated for a moment: “The kidnappers have been successfully hidden.”

“Hide!” Miss Minami chewed on the word, feeling a chill run down her spine.

Invisible?
Just like the mysterious person in the Imperial Palace case who was never found!
Although we all know that such a person definitely exists, and although we all understand that this person kidnapped Akimoto Shota, he hid it!
If it cannot be determined through monitoring and verification, then this person is as if they do not exist!
How do you find a person who doesn't exist? And how do you apply for a search warrant and arrest warrant for such a person?
Meanwhile, Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze was fixed on a certain spot in the underground parking garage, and a hint of anger appeared in his eyes.

Sure enough, it's that guy again!
You were responsible for the Imperial Palace scandal, and now you're responsible for the bombing incident involving the son of the Foreign Minister!
How can it hide like that?

Then I'm willing to call you—the God of Counter-Strike!
The goal is the Major championship! Major Stanscon!
The trail went cold, leaving the Special Missions Unit members perplexed.

Of course, they could check every apartment in that building, but firstly, criminal police don't have that authority and must apply for a search warrant; secondly, even if they used the privileges of public security police to check each apartment one by one, they wouldn't have enough time!

"Has the Foreign Minister not replied yet?" Uesugi Muneyuki asked.

"No, it's said the cabinet is holding an emergency meeting, and our country's attitude towards terrorists is the same as Russia's: never compromise." War Wolf Date Chomune gritted his teeth in hatred: "Never forget, never forgive!"

Everyone was silent for a while.

"Management Officer, Chief, Department Head, I have an opinion, may I share it?" Just then, Nango Yui suddenly spoke up, gesturing for everyone to listen to him first: "Don't you think something's a little strange?"

"What's strange about it?" Uesugi Muneyuki replied.

Nango Yui considered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Could you all please tell me about the time, place, and environment?"

Minami gestured for Nango Yui to continue.

“Of course, we know that these kinds of extremist organizations use the most extreme means and methods to attract like-minded people and attention both at home and abroad, but I think this organization’s way of doing things is very strange. First of all, they chose this place, and the fact that they haven’t revealed their names yet is also very strange. And there’s something else that I find very strange.” Nango thought for a moment, then gestured for a while: “I mean, why, why did they wait until all of our police officers were here before they started to state their conditions? Since it was being broadcast live, couldn’t they have just stated them directly?”

"Furthermore, as you all saw, when Uesugi-san went to deliver the stamina, he clearly stopped at a distance of 12 meters as required, but the other party quickly discovered that Uesugi-san was communicating with Akimoto, so they flashed the indicator light in response. Doesn't this mean that the other party was monitoring him nearby?"

“You’re right.” Uesugi Muneyuki nodded, waving his phone. “So we had the Public Security Police investigate the nearby buildings, onlookers, and possible surveillance equipment, right? But we haven’t found anything yet.”

“No, that’s not what I meant!” Nango Yui continued, “What I meant was, is it possible, I mean, maybe… as you know, Akimoto Shota has a long history of misconduct, with multiple suspected rapes, but he always managed to silence the victims through threats, bribery, or enticement, but…”

Nango Yui stated his judgment, and the moment they heard it, everyone in the Special Missions Department widened their eyes.

Including Uesugi Muneyuki. If Nango Yui's speculation is true, then this would be a scandal that could very well destroy the entire Metropolitan Police Department, and even the entire Japanese police force!
However, if all the impossible answers are eliminated, then the seemingly most unlikely option is the truth!
"Management Officer, Chief Executive Officer, what... what do we do now?" Sure enough, Kai Toru's voice trembled slightly upon hearing this assessment.

“If Nango’s assessment is true… then we’ll have to see if Foreign Minister Akimoto is willing to save his son.” Uesugi Muneyuki said coldly, his expression complicated. “Investigate as Nango says, but don’t take any action yet. Let’s see what they’re planning first.”

"……………………" It was very hot outside, but inside the temporary command post, it was as if a dark cloud had been cast over it.

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

At the same time, in a secret meeting room at the Prime Minister's official residence.

The air conditioning silently filled the austerely decorated conference room, yet it couldn't dispel the heavy atmosphere. Prime Minister Ōwada sat in the main seat, his brow furrowed, a tablet computer in front of him displaying live footage of the port square. His staunch ally, Foreign Minister Shinichiro Akimoto, sat opposite him like a statue, his face a bloodless, ashen gray, his eyes fixed on the screen showing his son crying out "Dad."

“Akimoto-kun,” Prime Minister Ōwada broke the silence first, his voice low and steady, yet carrying an undeniable pressure, “the situation couldn’t get any worse. The eyes of the entire nation, no, the whole world, are on it. The kidnappers’ demands… what do you think?”

Shinichiro Akimoto did not answer immediately.

His gaze remained fixed on his son, as if trying to see through the screen and pierce through the good-for-nothing young man who bore his blood. Time ticked by, and the only sounds in the conference room were the low hum of the air conditioner and the faint, intermittent sobs of Shota Akimoto coming from the screen.

Finally, Shinichiro Akimoto slowly, extremely slowly, raised his head. He looked at Owada, the previous panic and anger in his eyes completely gone, replaced by a chilling emptiness. He picked up the now-cold tea in front of him, took a small sip, his movements stiff but deliberately maintaining his composure.

Then, he spoke softly, his voice low but penetrating Owada's ears like a venomous snake:

“Prime Minister…I have more than one son, Shota.”

Prime Minister Ōwada's pupils contracted sharply, and a look of undisguised astonishment flashed across his face. He leaned forward slightly, as if he hadn't heard clearly, or rather, couldn't believe what he had heard.

Shinichiro Akimoto ignored the Prime Minister's astonishment and continued in that flat tone, as if discussing someone else's family affairs: "His mother... passed away early. I may have indeed neglected to discipline him. Over the years, he has used my name to indulge in debauchery and cause trouble... He has enjoyed all the glory and convenience that the 'Akimoto' surname brings."

He paused, his gaze sweeping once more over the screen at Shota's face, contorted with fear, the last trace of warmth in his eyes vanishing completely.

"Now, the group (referring to the kidnappers) wants him... wants us to pay this price. For the stability of the cabinet, for the future of the country and the expectations of the people, and to prevent the existing stability from being ruined by this scandal..."

He looked at Ōwada again, a faint, almost cruel smile curving his lips.

"He should... give me, and the cabinet, something in return."

Owada was even more astonished. He leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

After a brief silence, Prime Minister Ōwada slowly nodded, his voice regaining its statesmanlike composure, yet carrying a subtle hint of coldness:

“I understand.” He said in a deep voice, his gaze sharp as he looked at Akimoto: “Akimoto-kun, you put national affairs first and have a strong sense of righteousness… I admire you very much.”

"Prime Minister, I'm willing to do this for you!" Minister Akimoto said emotionally, "For me, the most important person isn't my family, but you!"

"Shinichiro!" Prime Minister Ōwada called out the name of his staunch ally with tears in his eyes.

"Prime Minister Ōwada!" Minister Akimoto, suppressing his grief and resentment, looked back at Ōwada.

I wish I could be the river, so that we may meet again!
At this moment, the two men at the pinnacle of power reached a silent, blood-stained consensus.

Instead of focusing on the "son" on the screen who was about to be sacrificed by his father and allies, they began to whisper among themselves about how to use this "tragedy" to seize the high ground in public opinion, how to guide the direction of the investigation, and... how to ensure that after 7 p.m., all the secrets would be annihilated along with the possible explosion.

The air conditioning in the Prime Minister's official residence seemed to have gotten even colder.

After the discussion was over, Minister Akimoto said he needed to use the restroom. He stood silently for a while in front of the sink, then couldn't help but lower his head and sob. But he quickly recovered and forcefully wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.

Shota, I'm sorry, Daddy had no choice.

You've had your fun all these years, haven't you? Now it's your turn.

This country's tradition is to never compromise with terrorists!
For the sake of my future and Owada's future... we... can only be father and son again in the next life!

Meanwhile, time was ticking away, dusk was approaching, and Shota Akimoto, kneeling in the center of the square, was still anxiously waiting for his father's response and promise.

Father, save my teeth!!!
(End of this chapter)