Tokyo Detective

Chapter 409 Warning the Puppy Minister
Koinujiro said in a deep voice.

"I am deeply saddened by the terrorist attack on the agricultural cooperative and will urge the government to give the agricultural cooperative an explanation as soon as possible. However, for the sake of the country, I really hope that the agricultural cooperative will back down on the issue of food."

"What about the agricultural cooperative's foreign trade contracts? Can the government step in and negotiate on their behalf?"

"."

Seeing that the other party was unmoved, Koinujiro sighed, never expecting to encounter another setback just when he was about to succeed.

"This is different from the outcome we agreed upon in the previous discussions."

"Times change, and we must adapt to the changing circumstances before signing a contract."

Ten minutes later, Koizumi Jiro finally straightened his suit, put on a stern face, and left first. The agricultural cooperative was unwilling to compromise when it came to interests, so let's see who can withstand the pressure better.

Koichi Yamano's expression was equally unpredictable. This time, the negotiations failed, and he was going to engage in so-called confrontation again. The power behind Koinujiro was not like that of the former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, who was at the mercy of the agricultural cooperatives.

But what could he do? A few hours earlier, he had received bad news: ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), one of America's four (or five) major grain traders and a trading partner of the agricultural cooperative, was planning to take advantage of his misfortune.

This behemoth that controls global food supplies is actually planning to take advantage of the difficulties faced by its trading partner, Japan, to switch roles from importer to exporter.

It doesn't matter if we can't gather enough new grain for the contract, as long as we help persuade the Japanese government to grant ADM some tax-free grain quota. They're not greedy; how about 50 tons per year? Otherwise, they'll have to pay a penalty of 20% of the total contract amount, which is close to a trillion yen.

This news was provided by Koichi Yamano's friend in ADM. It immediately made Koichi Yamano anxious. He didn't care about rice prices anymore. He believed that everything he had done was for the sake of Japanese agriculture. If he really gave external forces an opportunity, it would be a serious blow to Japanese agriculture.

As for losing money, don't even think about it. We would never spend trillions of yen.

"Let's go."

Koichi Yamano left with more than a dozen bodyguards, all of whom were legally armed. It wasn't that he was afraid of dying; ever since he learned that the agricultural cooperative had been targeted by the so-called Youth Salvation Association, he felt that traveling with only a dozen bodyguards was not safe enough.

"Damn terrorists."

Meanwhile, Koinujiro, accompanied by several assistants, headed to the parking lot, complaining to his uncle and right-hand man.

“Uncle, that old man in the mountains is simply obsessed with money. I’ve already made my opinion clear, but he still wants to control this quarter’s new grain. What does he want to do? Does he really think I won’t dare to open up new tax-free quotas? If he really dares to make a move, I will open up the quotas immediately.”

The uncle mentioned by Koizumi Jiro is Kurokawa Haruaki, a close friend of the former prime minister.

“Minister, don’t worry. I think Chairman Yamano is the one who’s really worried. There are less than two weeks left until the October harvest, and most farmers already have partners. He’s worried that he won’t be able to supply rice to ADM. In previous years, the agricultural cooperative didn’t have many foreign trade channels. It was only by signing a ten-year contract with ADM that we could share ADM’s channels and supply Japanese rice to all parts of the world.”

"ADM?"

Koizumi Jiro had no desire to deal with the ADM. Once America's four major food producers, now the five, they were not only giants influencing global food supplies, but also tools for the American government to exploit other countries and launch food wars.

Japan's fragile agriculture, barely self-sufficient, cannot withstand the devastation caused by the five major grain traders.

In fact, Koizumi Jiro didn't want to talk about opening up food imports at this time. The video requesting the National Salvation Youth Association had just come out, and you were already eagerly opening up import quotas. In the end, would the credit go to him, the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, or to that terrorist organization that dared to threaten him?

"Damn it, it's all that damned National Salvation Youth Association's fault."

Just then, a sniper bullet suddenly pierced through the car door next to them. It happened so fast that no one had time to react. After two seconds, everyone pulled Koinujiro aside in a state of panic.

"There are attackers! Protect the minister immediately!"

Several security personnel drew their pistols, but looked around and did not see any suspicious figures.

"Could it be a sniper from the YMCA?"

"Call for backup immediately."

"Quickly cover the minister as he gets into the car."

And so, under the cover of a group of assistants and bodyguards, Koizumi Jiro got into the bulletproof car, which made him feel a little safe. He never expected to encounter a crisis so close to death.

Support arrived quickly, and a group of police officers cordoned off the area. They didn't find the criminal, but they did find a piece of paper left behind by him.

Koinujiro's expression changed drastically as he read the contents of the note.

"This time I'm just saying hello to Minister Koizumi. I have to say your security is really terrible. They could kill you with a flick of their fingers. Enough of the nonsense. I hope to see the results of your efforts within a week. Otherwise, I will visit you in person, and I won't be so polite then."

Koinujiro's face turned from white to green, and he angrily tore up all the papers.

"Arrogant! Those guys are too arrogant! I want them!"

Before Koizumi Jiro could finish speaking, Kurokawa Seimei quickly stopped his senior.

"Please, Your Excellency, do not be angry. There are outsiders here. Let's discuss this further when we get back."

"I lost my composure, Uncle."

Koinujiro's vehicle left under police escort, and the news of the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Koinujiro, being assassinated became breaking news and the headline for tomorrow morning.

This was, of course, the work of Naoki Hanyu. It must be said that, in his opinion, Jiro Koizumi's security capabilities were really weak, far inferior to those of the other ministers. However, he also encountered some unexpected "trouble".

The next morning, Sunday, Akimoto Seiko was taking Suo Yuki and a caregiver for a walk, greeting various neighbors along the way.

The biggest difference between Seiko Akimoto and Naoki Hanyu is their affability. One makes the neighbors feel comfortable and happy to interact with her, while the other is a man that makes the other people in Matsukaze Street feel disgusted and fearful. Since the other moved in, various cases have occurred frequently, such as shootings, arson, and disappearances. How could people not be afraid?

Soon, Akimoto Seiko ran into her neighbors, a family of three: the Arimura family, father Arimura Danzaburo, stepmother Arimura Takako, and daughter Arimura Reiya.

Four years have passed, and now 11-year-old Reiya Arimura has grown into a beautiful and adorable child, but she doesn't have the smile of an ordinary child and always looks preoccupied.

"Hello, Mr. Arimura, Mrs. Arimura, and Rei-ya."

"Hello, Aunt Seiko, hello, Sister Yuki."

"Hello, Ms. Akimoto."

Arimura Danzaburo nodded in greeting, but his attitude was a bit cold. It seemed that he had been somewhat indifferent to the Hanyu family for the past few years. They were neighbors, and Hanyu Naoki was a high-ranking police officer and a very wealthy man. Even if he didn't want to curry favor, he wouldn't be so cold.

Takako Arimura, on the other hand, chatted warmly with Seiko Akimoto. Several years had passed, and it seemed that her relationship with Naoki Hanyu had been severed. When they met, they would only chat for a few words, but she had a very good relationship with Seiko Akimoto.

"You're all out for a walk too. Miss Suoh looks much better. She's gained some weight and is already showing the features of a great beauty. She'll be absolutely stunning when she gets a little fatter."

"Hopefully it will recover this month."

Two women chatted in front, while Arimura Danzaburo walked behind with his daughter, glancing at Suo Yuki from time to time. The people of Matsukaze Street already knew that the Yuzuru family had a relative who seemed to be a fool, but they never expected him to be so kind.

The daughter's voice suddenly interrupted the father's observation.

"Father, I heard that Sister Suoh is not Uncle Naoki's sister."

"Yes, she's definitely not my sister."

The mention of Naoki Hanyu made Danzaburo Arimura turn his attention back to being a dutiful husband and father in public, while he didn't care about his daughter's hidden resistance.

Just as Akimoto Seiko and her friend were talking about Naoki Hanyu, a tall, scruffy, and thin old man suddenly appeared in front of them. He was very tall, nearly two meters tall, and although he had white features, his skin was very dark from the sun. His long hair and beard were dirty and unkempt, and he was carrying a bulging burlap sack.

Seiko Akimoto paused for a moment, then asked professionally.

"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

The old man asked in broken neon.

"You know Naoki Hanyu?"

This problem put Akimoto Seiko on alert, and she was ready to draw the pistol strapped to her thigh at any moment.

Why do you ask that, sir?

"Don't be afraid, little one. I'm not here to cause you any trouble. I've just heard that Naoki Yuzuru is very strong, so I'd like to have a match with him."

"Discussion?"

"Yes, I am a martial artist from Brazil."

"."

Akimoto Seiko had long known this day would come, after all, Hanyu Naoki was known as the number one martial artist in Japan, but seeing how thin the old man was, she couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Sir, are you really here to exchange skills? What kind of martial art do you practice?"

“Capoeira, you call it Brazilian Capoeira. I’m 93 years old this year. Ever since I watched Mr. Yuzuru’s fighting videos, I’ve had this idea. If I don’t come now, I won’t have the chance to spar in a few years.”

"93 years old?"

Everyone around was astonished. Was it a joke that a 93-year-old was challenging a young man to a duel?

Seiko Akimoto was also suspicious, but out of respect, she still planned to take the person back to meet Naoki Hanyu, since that guy was still at home watching TV.

"Would you like to come to my house for a visit, sir? Naoki is home."

"Excuse me then."

Those around were immediately dumbfounded, not expecting to find such juicy gossip so early in the morning, and they all followed along.

At the Yuzuru residence, Naoki Yuzuru was speechless as he looked at the old man in front of him who resembled a beggar.

"Old man, this is the crime of provoking trouble."

"Be serious."

Seiko Akimoto rolled her eyes at her boyfriend. She'd never heard of any crime of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble."

Oh, Naoki Hanyu almost forgot that Japan doesn't have a crime of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," only a crime close to violence, etc. However, it doesn't have the same vagueness as the crime of "picking quarrels and provoking trouble," since "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" can be used in various situations.

(End of this chapter)