Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 554, Madam, what do you mean by this?
P.S.: This update is 4400 words long and was written in one go. You're welcome!
8:20 PM, Shizuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters Building.

Sato, the night shift patrol chief of the Personal Injury Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department, was yawning while looking at a dry report of a stolen bicycle on his computer screen. The phone rang, and he answered listlessly, "This is the Personal Injury Division..."

"This is the Chief! Activate the emergency response procedures immediately! Level 1 incident!" The voice coming from the other end of the phone was urgent, unlike anything Chief Oshima Shigeo had ever heard before, and even carried a slight, almost imperceptible tremor.

Sato choked back his yawn, sat bolt upright, almost knocking the chair over. "M-Chief...?!"

"Congressman Tetsuro Kurokawa's daughter, Yukiko Uno, has been suspected of being kidnapped! She's four months pregnant! Immediately notify the Minister of Criminal Investigation, the Minister of Police Affairs, and all relevant personnel to assemble in the top-floor emergency command center within five minutes! Hurry!" Chief Oshima spoke rapidly and hung up the phone without giving any room for argument.

Inspector Sato put down the phone, his hands still trembling slightly.

He glanced at the wall clock; less than an hour had passed since Yukiko Uno was reported missing!
If this were an ordinary citizen, let alone filing a case, even registering the case would probably take until tomorrow morning. The standard response would always be, "The adult has been missing for less than 24 hours. Please contact your relatives and friends again."

But now she's the daughter of a member of Congress, and she's pregnant... The efficiency of this bureaucratic machine has instantly switched from an old-fashioned car to Shinkansen mode.

Let me show you what Japanese speed really means!

He shook his head with a wry smile, grabbed the internal phone, and began frantically dialing numbers.

This is truly... a typical example of Japanese dark humor.

However, it should be understood that police resources are limited. If a large-scale search is launched for every adult who cannot be contacted, then Japan's 30 million police officers, let alone 300, might not be able to handle it.

The atmosphere in the top-floor emergency command center was somber.

The top brass of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police—Chief of Police Oshima Shigeo, the Chief of Police Affairs, the Chief of Criminal Investigations, and others—were all present. A large screen displayed a photo of Yukiko Uno and a map of her last known location.

Criminal Investigation Department Chief Nakazawa reported the initial situation with a grim expression: "...According to the clues provided by Representative Kurokawa, the kidnappers are highly aware of counter-surveillance and have demanded a ransom of 1 billion yen along with political demands. We judge that this is not an ordinary crime and is very likely related to an extremist organization."

Chief Oshima rested his hands on the table, his brow furrowed. "Political kidnapping...this is a blatant provocation against the Japanese police! We must rescue the hostages safely and arrest the criminals at all costs!" His voice was low, yet carried an undeniable determination.

As long as our professional police team takes decisive action, everything will be alright!
However, while the determination was expressed, slogans were shouted, and speed was achieved, the on-site emergency command center appeared silent and lacked confidence.

The reason is simple: because of the car bombing case involving Foreign Minister Akimoto, a total of 108 key criminal investigators and public security elites have been transferred from the Shizuoka Prefectural Police Headquarters!
Don't underestimate just over a hundred people; the mobilization of these people is enough to bring the entire Shizuoka Police Headquarters to a state of semi-paralysis!
The Japanese police force, as a bureaucratic system, suffers from all the drawbacks of bureaucratic systems: a bloated, inefficient, and overstaffed system with few people actually doing the work and many just loafing around in offices doing nothing!

So even though Uesugi Muneyuki's Special Missions Unit costs the Metropolitan Police Department 500 million yen a year, he actually saves the Metropolitan Police Department a lot of money! Many major and serious cases that would normally require hundreds of police officers and several months to solve can be handled by him in just a few days or at most ten days!

The atmosphere in the meeting room was tense for a moment. Police Chief Yamada hesitated for a long time, seeing everyone looking at him, and knowing that personnel matters were undoubtedly his responsibility, he could only manage a strained "Chief... um..."

"what?"

"We don't have enough manpower to set up a special investigation headquarters right now..."

Oshima's expression visibly stiffened.

"Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice, a hint of disbelief in his tone.

A collective gasp filled the command center. This was utterly shocking!

All prefectural police departments in the Kanto region, including Kanagawa, Chiba, Saitama, and even Shizuoka, were ordered to dispatch their elite forces to the Metropolitan Police Department to assist in the investigation and maintain order in Tokyo.

In an instant, the command room fell into dead silence.

The department head, who had just been full of enthusiasm and vowed to "spare no expense," now seemed to have all his strength drained away. He slowly sat back down in his chair, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table.

Manpower! The most critical issue is manpower!
Kidnapping cases require a massive police force: surveillance, investigation, negotiation, tracking, raids... every step requires experienced elites. But now, the most elite force of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police has been transferred to Tokyo to deal with that bigger political storm. What remains under his command are mostly officers responsible for daily security and traffic management, as well as junior administrative officers like Inspector Sato, who are simply unable to handle such a professional and dangerous kidnapping case.

"Chief," Criminal Investigation Chief Nakazawa broke the silence, his voice hoarse, "our current forces... I'm afraid they can't even maintain basic surveillance and control, let alone deal with any complex firefights or negotiations that might occur. The safety of Representative Kurokawa's daughter..."

Chief Oshima closed his eyes.

Should we leave it to Shizuoka to handle alone? If they fail, not only will Yukiko Uno's life be in danger, but Shigeo Oshima's political life and even the reputation of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police will be ruined.

A few seconds later, he suddenly opened his eyes, a look of determination flashing in them, but also a hint of humiliation.

“Go to the Metropolitan Police Department for help.” He said this almost through gritted teeth.

"Minister?!" Several cadres looked surprised.

Asking Tokyo for help is tantamount to admitting the incompetence of the Shizuoka Prefectural Police!

"There's no other way!" Oshima said sternly. "The case in Tokyo is a matter of utmost importance, but our case in Shizuoka is equally important to us! It's true that we're short-handed, but we must save Representative Kurokawa's daughter! Immediately, in my name, through the National Police Agency, formally request support from the Metropolitan Police Department! Request that they dispatch... the First Investigation Division, the Organized Crime Countermeasures Department, and... elites from the Public Security Bureau to Shizuoka immediately to establish a joint investigation headquarters!"

He paused, then added, his tone tinged with a complex meaning: "Tell them that we... also have a war to fight here."

"Help, help now!"

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

Late at night, Metropolitan Police Department, Sakurada Gate.

After a day of hustle and bustle and high-speed operation, the massive Special Investigation Headquarters has entered a different mode of "operational status".

Nearly a thousand police officers, like sardines stuffed into a can, were crammed into a brightly lit, stuffy space. The pungent smell of tobacco mixed with the bitterness of fast coffee, sweat, and exhaustion, creating a greasy yet authentic atmosphere unique to the high-pressure battlefield.

In the corner, the young patrolmen, clutching their issued blankets, leaned against the wall or curled up on chairs pushed together, snoring unevenly, their faces still bearing the traces of childishness and obvious weariness.

Middle-aged police inspectors huddled in small groups around whiteboards or makeshift tables, debating the current leads in hushed tones, ashtrays overflowing with cigarette butts. Many others seized this rare "wait time," wolfing down their already cold bento boxes or instant noodles, the sounds rustling as they ate. Even with the auditorium's air conditioning blaring, the air was still quite hot, and the space was filled with a cacophony of background noise—keyboard clicks, whispers, snoring, the hum of the air conditioner, and the occasional, deliberately muted static from the radio. It was a peculiar balance; the tension hadn't dissipated, but had been temporarily suppressed, transforming into a dull, charged state of tension, awaiting an explosion.

Uesugi Muneyuki needs time to assemble a professional team. The University of Tokyo, the Forensic Science Research Institute, and Sumitomo Forestry also need time to mobilize manpower and resources. It will probably be ready by tomorrow morning. At this moment, the Special Investigation Headquarters can finally get some time to adjust. Watanabe Eiji and others discussed it and decided to rest first and regroup tomorrow morning.

"Zongxue, let's go back too." Watanabe Minami said softly, hands on her hips. The young lady's back was a little sore from standing.

There was no way around it; there were too many big shots present, and it was really inappropriate for her, a mere guard, to sit still.

"Yes, Muneyuki, let's go back to the hotel. There's no point in you staying up like this." Reina Ikeda felt a little sorry for Muneyuki as she watched her constantly thinking, investigating, reasoning, and testing.

"You all go back first, I'll finish arranging things." Uesugi Muneyuki didn't say much, he indicated that it was about time for everyone to go back and rest.

But at that moment, in this somewhat rough scene dominated by male hormones, the appearance of a figure was like an ice crystal thrown into a murky lake, instantly attracting countless eyes, both open and hidden.

Someone pushed open the door to the Special Investigation Headquarters.

Meisa Kashiwagi, the former head of the Metropolitan Police Department and a police inspector in the Personnel Section of the Police Department, was surprisingly present here.

Even in the Metropolitan Police Department, a place teeming with beautiful women, she remained one of the most dazzling figures.

A single red flower amidst a sea of ​​green—she possesses a sculpted, deep profile rarely seen in Japanese people. Her skin is a healthy honey color, and her long, jet-black hair is neatly tied into a powerful bun at the back of her head, revealing her smooth forehead and bright, slightly sunken eyes with mixed-race features.

Her beauty was not gentle and charming, but rather a sharp, icy quality that carried a sense of distance.

At this moment, she was not wearing a police uniform, but a well-tailored dark gray women's suit, which perfectly outlined her tall and well-proportioned figure.

Beneath the skirt were a pair of long, slender legs encased in high-quality, sheer black stockings, their lines flowing smoothly down to the ankles. On her feet were a pair of seven-centimeter black suede pointed-toe high heels, the heels clicking crisply and rhythmically on the corridor floor tiles, each step exuding an undeniable aura.

She carried a high-end insulated bag and a tote bag containing clean clothes. Her expression was calm, and her cool gaze swept over the tired or surprised faces along the way. She walked straight toward the area where the Third Division of the First Investigation Section was located.

At this moment, Kashiwagi was discussing something with several subordinates. His face was shiny with oil and stubble from staying up late for days. When he saw Mingsha, he was obviously stunned for a moment, and then his eyes welled up with undisguised emotion and a hint of unease.

"Mingsha? What brings you here?" Kashiwagi Jin hurriedly stepped forward to greet her.

"I've come to bring you some clean clothes and a midnight snack." Kashiwagi Meisa's voice, like her personality, was somewhat clear and sharp, but her tone softened slightly when speaking to her husband.

She handed over the tote bag, then opened the insulated bag, inside which were her homemade late-night snacks—carefully shaped Japanese rice balls. Not the kind from convenience stores, but made with high-quality Koshihikari rice, each filled with grilled salmon flakes, mentaiko (spicy roe), and pickled plum, all wrapped in perfectly grilled seaweed and carefully sealed with plastic wrap. There was even a small box of pickled ginger to cut through the richness.

Surrounded by cup noodles and bento boxes, this simple yet heartfelt late-night snack seemed especially precious.

"You've worked hard, eat it while it's hot." She said, reaching out and very naturally straightening Bai Muren's slightly crooked tie. This subtle gesture was seen by the group of rough men around them as a textbook example of "virtuous wife" care, drawing a chorus of low admiration and envy.

"Kashiwagi-san, you're so lucky!"

"Miss Meisa is still so beautiful and considerate!"

"Waaaaah, I want a beauty from the Metropolitan Police Department as my wife too!"

"The previous generation is gone, and this generation is gone too. Dongcheng, you'll have to wait for the next generation~"

Amidst his colleagues' teasing, Bai Muren blushed slightly, but the emotion in his eyes deepened.

"Thank you, Mingsha," he said softly, picking up a rice ball and taking a bite. The familiar taste of salmon and plum seemed to relax his tense nerves for a moment.

However, beneath the seemingly warm interaction between the couple, Meisa Kashiwagi's gaze, which appeared to casually sweep across the room, paused for a fraction of a second when it passed over the tall, slender figure in the independent work area not far away.

I've found you! Uesugi!
The icy beauty's gaze sharpened. She feigned asking Kashiwagi about the progress of the case, but upon hearing her husband say that Chief Uesugi was assembling a professional team, she naturally looked over.

As if by telepathy, the moment Kashiwagi Meisa looked up, Uesugi Muneyuki also looked up, and their eyes met briefly in the air.

There were no words, no change in expression.

Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze remained calm and unwavering, his eyes asking: What is it?

Can't I come to see you if there's nothing wrong? Kashiwagi Meisa gritted her teeth, thinking, "You haven't come to see me lately, and Jin is always out fooling around with other bath girls. I'm all alone in this empty room, so bored! That's why I'm here in person."

Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes flickered as he pointed to the whiteboard in front of him.

Madam, we're busy right now! There's a big case at work!
What does it mean that you've come to my door at this time?
However, Meisa Kashiwagi just looked at him without saying a word.

Uesugi Muneyuki sighed helplessly. His gaze remained calm and unwavering, but he subtly, almost imperceptibly, tapped the outside of his thigh three times with the little finger of his right hand, which was holding the marker.

Upon seeing this, Kashiwagi Meisa's icy expression remained completely unmoved. She seemed to have simply noticed a busy colleague by chance, and her gaze naturally shifted back to her husband. She even reached out to brush away a speck of invisible dust from the shoulder of his suit.

But only she knew that in that instant, her heart felt as if it had been gently tickled by a feather.

Those three taps were their secret code—meet at the usual place in three hours.

"The usual place?" A thrill mixed with excitement and guilt swept through her heart, but her face remained that of a flawless elite policewoman who cared for her husband.

She was able to be favored by Uesugi.

A smile immediately bloomed on the face of the mixed-race, icy policewoman. She earnestly instructed Kashiwagi Jin to be careful, pay attention to safety, and take care of his diet, which deeply moved her husband. Kashiwagi Meisa also looked at her husband with deep affection.

Ren, everything I've done is for your own good!
(End of this chapter)