Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 547, Another Reversal of Circumstances!

P.S.: I'm going on a blind date today, so the second update might be a bit late and shorter. I'll start with a 3800-word chapter as a main course!
The scene at the port area was chaotic.

The Metropolitan Police Department's medical team has arrived, and nearby hospitals and more medical resources are rushing to the scene.

The explosion at the Toyota Century not only killed Foreign Minister Shinichiro Akimoto's first secretary, his driver, the Cabinet Office's SP (security police), and his most "precious" son, Shota Akimoto, but also seriously injured at least three people, slightly injured fifteen others, and shocked at least thirty or forty others due to the blast wave.

Worse still, the explosion completely destroyed all the Metropolitan Police Department's previous efforts.

Before the bomb exploded, the Metropolitan Police Department and Uesugi Muneyuki and others were heroes, brave men, or at least qualified public servants who did not waste the country's tax money, trustworthy individuals who were worthy of the people's trust.

After the Toyota Century explosion involving Minister Akimoto, which killed four people in the car and injured more than a dozen others nearby, the Metropolitan Police Department became synonymous with "useless, incompetent, and tax thieves."

Shinichiro Akimoto poured all his grief and extreme anger onto the Metropolitan Police Department.

The angry citizens launched into a tirade of insults.

"Are you kidding me! What are the police doing?! Wasn't it already declared safe?"

"This is the second explosion! Is the Metropolitan Police Department's bomb disposal operation a joke? They can't protect the people at all!"

"I think there's a mole within the Metropolitan Police Department! They're silencing witnesses!"

"Or is this a staged performance by the Metropolitan Police Department to cover up its previous incompetence?"

"Regardless of the reason, the fact that the vehicle picking up the victims exploded after the police declared the danger over indicates a major and undeniable flaw in the Metropolitan Police Department's aftermath handling and safety inspection procedures."

Public opinion reversed instantly, all previous praise vanished, and the Metropolitan Police Department was thrust into the spotlight, becoming the target of public criticism.

Faced with this overwhelming questioning, the Metropolitan Police Department was equally shocked and heavy-hearted, but it had to respond immediately.

Eiji Watanabe had to unite his subordinates, whose morale had plummeted due to the bomb explosion, give an explanation to the people, and respond to the furious foreign minister. So he came to the scene in person, both to show how much he valued the case and to hope that Muneyuki Uesugi could accomplish the impossible task of reversing the forensic investigation, just like in all the previous major cases!

Where is my son Zongxue?

Uesugi saved my teeth!

Uesugi Muneyuki never disappointed Watanabe Eiji.

In front of the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency and the Superintendent General of Police, Uesugi Muneyuki calmly and professionally pointed to the wreckage of the Toyota Century after the explosion: "Sir, Superintendent, look here."

He gestured for everyone to focus their attention on the wreckage of the Toyota Century.

In front of everyone and on the live television cameras, Uesugi Muneyuki calmly said, "Look closely at the wreckage of this car."

"Based on key components of the vehicle chassis found in the wreckage and my autopsies of the four victims, gentlemen, I found that all the bones facing the bottom of the vehicle (such as the pelvis and leg bones) suffered the most severe comminuted fractures and internal organ damage, and the metal fragments embedded in their bodies mainly came from components that penetrated upwards from the bottom of the vehicle."

"In other words, the bomb didn't explode inside the car, but under it."

"The explosion point was located in the middle of the vehicle's chassis, near the exhaust pipe. The metal tear marks were most severe there, and they exhibited a typical inward curling."

"Therefore, I can reasonably deduce that the bomb that caused the Toyota Century explosion was not an explosive device that Shota Akimoto might have had on him that was not disposed of, nor was it an explosion that came from inside the car. Rather, it was another explosive device that was located under the Toyota Century and was already attached to the bottom of the vehicle before the vehicle arrived at the scene!"

Uesugi Muneyuki gave a very calm assessment.

His judgment immediately convinced all the police officers present, including Police Commissioner Tamaru and Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe.

The reason is simple: humans are a species that particularly enjoys shifting blame and shirking responsibility. They subconsciously believe what they want to believe and judgments that are in their favor, not to mention that this is the conclusion personally drawn by the legendary forensic pathologist, Uesugi Muneyuki.

When did Uesugi Muneyuki miss the mark?

However, if the bomb wasn't on Shota Akimoto, but brought by Century Toyota, then the responsibility would be completely reversed, and it wouldn't be the Metropolitan Police Department's concern anymore! The security of the Cabinet Ministers is handled by the Security Division under the National Police Agency's Security Department, the Imperial Palace Police Headquarters, and the Special Security Unit (SP) drawn from the National Police Agency's Special Security Forces!

Uesugi Muneyuki's words gave everyone present a jolt.

I knew it! It has nothing to do with us police officers! In mid-July, in the scorching heat of summer, we police officers worked under the blazing sun for seven or eight hours to successfully defuse the bomb for the safety of the minister's son. Now that something has gone wrong, they are frantically trying to shift the blame onto us. Is there any justice in this world?
Even the most righteous Kashiwagi Jin and the most unassuming and stoic Section Chief Sugishita Ukyo showed expressions of approval and satisfaction.

However, Watanabe Eiji remained very cautious. Although the Superintendent General of Police had complete faith in his son's judgment, he still said in a deep voice, "Chief Uesugi, words are not enough. What we need is evidence. We need scientific and reasonable evidence. First, we need evidence to prove that the bomb detonated under the car. Then, we need evidence to prove that the bomb was attached to the bottom of the car and came from another place. Only with evidence can we make an announcement to the outside world."

"...If it's based on empirical evidence..." Uesugi Muneyuki pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to the forensic beauty, Ishihara Mikoto, his only designated forensic assistant.

“It’s not difficult to prove it empirically.” As expected, Ishihara Mikoto never disappointed Uesugi Muneyuki. The forensic beauty calmly said, “First, we can use the Forensic Science Research Institute’s explosion point reconstruction technology to verify that the explosion came from under the car.”

"All four bodies exhibited typical 'bottom-up' blast injury characteristics. The most severe injuries were comminuted fractures of the pelvis and femur, with the most metal fragments from the chassis embedded in the wounds. The lower-facing organs of the thoracic and abdominal cavities suffered far more severe damage than the upper-facing organs."

"As for how to prove that the bomb was brought from elsewhere by this vehicle, it is not difficult. We can apply for assistance from the University of Tokyo to conduct tests and spectral analysis on the undisturbed parts of the chassis of the CRRC wreckage remaining at the scene. We should be able to find some results."

“We will also perform an autopsy on the body,” Uesugi Muneyuki added, “to see what else we find.” Uesugi Muneyuki’s exceptional on-site observation and judgment, along with his unparalleled ability to reconstruct events, combined with Ishihara Mikoto’s solid scientific theoretical knowledge and his ability to find a scientific explanation for whatever judgment Uesugi Muneyuki made, together formed the nation’s number one forensic capability in the Special Missions Unit.

"Excellent!" With Uesugi Muneyuki's assessment, Watanabe Eiji instantly felt confident. The Superintendent General said in a deep voice, "Uesugi, Ishihara, you will receive all the resources that can assist you! Please be sure to analyze the results as soon as possible!"

"Yes!"

"The rest of you, get to work immediately!"

"Section Chief Sugishita, I'd like to trouble you to personally lead the team to search and interrogate Shota Akimoto's social network and..." Eiji Watanabe looked at the arrested Kumiko Ishihara, "and this accomplice of the terrorist! Make sure to investigate all possible lines of defense as soon as possible!"

"Yes!" Sugishita Ukyo replied solemnly.

"Chief Administrator, please investigate immediately regarding the security arrangements for Minister Akimoto and the issue with the Toyota Century. If Chief Uesugi's assessment is correct, then Minister Akimoto's car must have been planted with explosives before he picked up his passengers, and it must have happened recently!" Watanabe Eiji continued, "Thank you!"

"Yes!"

"As for the officers of the Security Department of the National Police Agency, this matter is urgent and sudden. Please provide your full assistance to the Special Missions Unit and the Public Security Bureau in their investigation!" Watanabe Eiji looked at Inspector Kinoshita and others under the Security Department of the National Police Agency: "Especially regarding the matter of the cabinet members and the SP issue."

"Understood!" Inspector Kinoshita and the other police officers from the Security Department looked extremely displeased; such an incident was a disgrace to them.

Uesugi Muneyuki watched coldly from the sidelines, glancing at the guard who had also been blown to a crisp.

The SP who was killed in the bombing was named Masahiro Higashide, and he was a member of the special protection unit provided by the security department.

Moreover, he was very likely the only innocent one among the four who were killed in the bombing. Because whether it was the minister's driver or the minister's secretary, they would inevitably be involved in a lot of the minister's private affairs, which would very likely include a series of dirty deeds by Akimoto Shota. So although being killed in the bombing was very unlucky and a bit of a wish, it was no problem to consider him an accomplice.

As for Shota Akimoto, Uesugi Muneyuki believes that in any country, if he were brought to court for rape, he would not be guilty of the death penalty. Even in South Korea, which has the strictest laws against rape, the death penalty is only possible if the crime results in death.

However, one should not advise others to be kind when they have experienced their suffering. Since Uesugi Muneyuki was killed in the explosion, there's nothing more to say; he deserved it.

If you encounter someone who advises you to be magnanimous without knowing the specifics of the situation, try to stay away from them.

But Masahiro Higashide was indeed innocent. This guard was assigned to the Minister by the Security Department's Security Division, not a privately hired guard. The Minister must be out of his mind to let him know about Shota Akimoto's dirty deeds!
Not to mention that the explosion also resulted in three people being seriously injured and more than a dozen people being slightly injured. In this light... Uesugi Muneyuki turned his gaze to Ishihara Kumiko, who was being taken away, thinking that this policewoman would definitely not escape the punishment of the law, and would most likely be sentenced to 20 years, with a small chance of being sentenced to life imprisonment. But her suffering... All Uesugi Muneyuki could do was to privately submit her experience to the district prosecutor's office to see if she could get a lighter sentence.

The legendary chief forensic pathologist, Chief Uesugi, stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the night sky, knowing that this was destined to be an eventful night.

A new challenge has arrived!

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

Sure enough, the news of the explosion sent shockwaves through the entire nation's power center.

Prime Minister Ōwada urgently summoned all core cabinet members at his official residence.

Shinichiro Akimoto's indignant accusations and Eiji Watanabe's calm report were presented to him at the same time, and the political balance was made in an instant—regardless of the truth, the nature of the incident could not be tolerated.

"This is not an ordinary criminal case; this is war."

Prime Minister Ōwada said in a deep voice, "We must use all our strength to crush the enemies of these countries!"

Finance Minister Hanzawa promised to approve a sufficient budget, Cabinet Secretary Onoda said he would provide the Metropolitan Police Department with all the necessary assistance, and National Public Safety Commission Chairman Kotaro Higashi said he would urgently delegate power to allow the Metropolitan Police Department to mobilize police forces nationwide to the greatest extent possible to find the culprit!
The Metropolitan Police Department headquarters has activated its highest emergency response mechanism. The massive headquarters auditorium was quickly cleared, and technicians began setting up state-of-the-art communication and display equipment.

An hour later, police lights flashed like a sea of ​​stars in front of the Metropolitan Police Department headquarters building.

A line of high-ranking officials in formal attire stood at attention. In front of countless media cameras, Inspector General Eiji Watanabe and Superintendent Tamaru from the National Police Agency stood side by side, symbolizing the unity of the national police force.

Facing the microphone, Eiji Watanabe's voice, amplified through the loudspeaker, resonated throughout the entire square, cold yet powerful:
"Given the extremely serious nature of this case and the grave challenge it poses to the foundation of national security, with the approval of the Cabinet and the Police Force, the 'Special Investigation Headquarters for Serial Major Terrorist Incidents in Hong Kong' is hereby established, effective immediately!"

"I, Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe, will personally assume the position of Chief of Police!"

"This headquarters will integrate all the resources of the Metropolitan Police Department and receive full support from the National Police Agency and even police forces in all prefectures and cities nationwide! There will be no upper limit on the number of investigators deployed!"

"Our goal is singular: to spare no effort in thoroughly apprehending and bringing to justice all those involved in the bombing plot that killed Shota Akimoto, threatened the safety of high-ranking officials, and all those associated with him! This is to uphold the dignity of the law, console the deceased, and restore peace to the nation!"

Behind him, inside the windows of the headquarters building, figures moved about, and the sounds of telephones, radio calls, and keyboard typing converged into a torrent of revenge.

Thus began a full-scale war between the state apparatus and an enemy lurking in the shadows.

The weight of all of Japan rests on this newly established "Special Investigation Headquarters".

The pressure felt tangible, permeating the sweltering Tokyo night air; it was a war without gunfire!

Tata is on!

(End of this chapter)