Masked Rider, but kindhearted

Narumi Shokichi remained silent, but his disciple, Shotaro Sa, spoke first. "Fudu is my own backyard... Master and I are both hardened detectives who specialize in field investigations... Next, we need to search for clues in the field. I'll leave the compilation of these written reports to you."

Shokichi Narumi wanted to say something but stopped himself and simply remained silent, which was considered as an agreement with Shotarou's words.

"What do you mean by 'outside investigation group'... As a detective, you can only solve problems with your muscles?" Detective Makura Shun shouted in a low voice, but when he saw his boss's murderous look, he quickly shut up.

"Hmph!" Zuo Xiangtaro snorted coldly, looking at the stupid detective who didn't understand the aesthetics of a tough guy with contempt. He adjusted his non-existent hat complacently, imagining that he was as handsome as Uncle Minghai now.

After Ming Hai Shouji and the other man left, the huge conference room seemed even emptier.

The leading veteran police officer, Shibata Takeshi, also sat at the head seat, but the opening speech at the meeting was given to Detective Chihiro Hatano.

He himself claimed that he wanted to give the police officers of the new department, the Frequent Case Investigation Section, more opportunities to train, so that he, an old man who was about to retire, would not steal the limelight - of course, according to Detective Makura Shun's private remarks: it was mainly because some middle-aged and elderly people could not keep up with the times and could not grasp the key points when sorting out clues.

Detective Chifu Harano tapped the electronic screen and clicked on the information:

"Recently, there have been numerous cases of dopant-like entities. [Violence Dopant] After being killed, their bodies were reduced to ash, leaving no trace of flesh or tissue. After their memories were shattered, an unknown high-energy reaction was detected within the fragments.

"If Mr. Tiandao controls his power to defeat the doped entity, its memory will be shattered, and its human form will suffer a prolonged period of weakness... If the doped entity transforms for too long or too frequently, even if Mr. Tiandao and Skull—cough, sir—purposely hold back... its human form may die after undoing the transformation.

"Based on the accounts of a few individuals who have transformed into hybrids, as well as experimental testing, scientific research speculates that the power within this memory contains something akin to a toxin, corroding the human spirit. That's all."

"Where is the combat analysis? Makura, I remember you are in charge of this, right?" The old police officer Shibata Takeshi also knocked on the table seriously and looked at the youngest policeman.

Detective Makura Shun stood up and bowed, then walked to the projection stage. He played the combat records from the detective's body camera and some cell phone footage, and introduced them one by one:

"A few years ago, items called Gaia Memory began circulating underground. Depending on the memory, the owner would transform into different monsters. Perhaps it's due to factors like physique and the quality of the memory—even the same memory could transform into different forms in different people."

"As of yesterday, the majority of cases involving adulterated devices were successfully resolved. The memory devices used were classified as 'common goods' and were sold and circulated secretly."

"However... the recent frequent appearance of [Violence Dopant] violent dopants, some of whose survivors claim to have been abducted and forcibly transformed."

Detective Makura Shun clicked pause, cut out several screenshots of the battle records and photos taken by the people present, and played them in several blocks on the same screen for comparison and distinction.

"Because of the lack of a casing, the electronic components in these memories are almost completely exposed, and they are classified as 'experimental memories'."

"Based on analysis of two recent cases and comparisons with cases outside the city, people with short tempers are more likely to be chosen as holders of the Violence Dopant. Upon transformation, they undergo a complete transformation. The main characteristics of the Violence Dopant are: reinforced black-gray armor-like skin, screw-like protrusions on the shoulders, and the left hand transforming into an iron ball with a chain.

He continued playing the video recording of the battle.

"According to actual combat, the [Violence Dopant] has amazing defense, making it difficult for ordinary rifle bullets to cause damage. Its strength and speed are astonishing, and it is almost impossible to undo its transformation without destroying its memory—and it is gradually evolving."

"You can refer to the detailed comparison in the video. The [Violence Dopant] individuals are defeated time and time again. The next one to emerge will have more complete armor, greater destructive power, and a more intense desire to attack... That's all."

After pausing occasionally and showing the battle records, Detective Makura Shun turned off the video, bowed, and walked down the stage back to the conference table.

Seeing the younger generation working so seriously, the old police officer Shibata Takeshi smiled with satisfaction and turned to look at the young man beside him: "Mr. Tiandao, do you have anything else to say?"

"Still can't analyze the power of Kamen Rider?" Tendo Souji unconsciously stroked the cold hilt of the sword at his waist.

Compared to monsters like the hybrids, humans are still too weak... He really hopes that more Kamen Riders will appear, which will definitely save a lot of lives.

"I'm very sorry... The power of the holy sword is difficult to analyze with modern science. If we delve deeper into the power of memory... and use the monsters' powers to fight them... perhaps it will be feasible."

Veteran police officer Shibata Takeshi also lowered his head apologetically - he also hoped to gather a bunch of Kamen Riders and destroy the headquarters of these impurities, but the reality was... it was difficult for the police to deal with these weakest impurities that looked like experimental subjects.

----

"Last topic: The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has decided to provide us with financial and human resources to establish a new department within the Fuuto Police Station. The name will retain the previous name, 'Frequent Case Investigation Section.' Its primary function will be to handle frequent supernatural cases such as doped-up crimes that are difficult for ordinary police to handle. This department will have the highest authority within the headquarters and can make its own decisions in emergencies."

"I, this old man, will be holding the position of Section Chief for now. There's the youngest inspector in history: Ryu Terui, currently only 22 years old. He'll be transferred to Fuuto soon as Deputy Section Chief... When I retire, he'll probably be your boss."

......

Cavalier Terrier Encyclopedia:

[Frequent Case Investigation Division]: This organization was established after Terui Ryuu appeared in the middle of the original work, specializing in dealing with cases involving doped bodies. In this book, it was established in advance under the promotion of Tiandao.

Chapter 23 Entrustment of the Dancer

Veteran police officer Shibata Takeshi also felt a little emotional: the Japanese police rank levels are from low to high: Patrolman → Chief Patrolman → Chief Patrolman → Inspector → Inspector → Superintendent → Senior Superintendent → Senior Superintendent → Superintendent General → Superintendent General.

He worked diligently all his life to become a police captain (equivalent to a first-class superintendent in China, equivalent to the director of a district or county public security bureau or the captain of a township-level police brigade).

If he doesn't make any significant achievements before retirement, it's foreseeable that this is the end of his life...and it seems to be just the starting point for some people.

"The youngest police captain in history... Hey, 22 years old?!" Detective Makura Shun was stunned. At just 23, he had the rank of Patrol Chief (roughly equivalent to a third-level superintendent in China, equivalent to an ordinary police officer) and was even transferred to a newly established special unit. And he still thought he was young and promising..."

Veteran police officer Shibata Takeshi continued, "It's hard to say. Inspector Terui's father was one of the first police officers to discover the doping case, and he himself is also very good.

...Perhaps in a year or two, he could be promoted to Superintendent (roughly equivalent to a third- or second-level inspector in China, equivalent to a deputy director of a prefectural-level public security bureau or a commander of a county-level police detachment)."

Detective Makura Jun's face was already gloomy... He imagined a young second-generation police officer, even younger than him, parachuting in to take the position of his boss's boss. He felt that life was just like this...

The older and kinder Detective Chifu Harano smiled and said, "With such a powerful person joining us, Fuuto will be more peaceful."

Feeling he didn't have much useful information, Tendou Souji asked veteran police officer Shibata Takeshi, "Over a dozen impure-drug crimes have occurred in just a few days, with casualties affecting hundreds of Fuuto residents—and they still can't find the source of the memory cells?"

Shibata Takeshi also shook his head with an embarrassed look on his face. "I'm also a veteran detective who's been on the front lines for a long time... Gaia memories have been popular in Fengdu for many years, but the impurities back then weren't this strong."

"You and Mr. Ming Hai seem to be partners. You should know the story between him and his previous partner, right?" Shibata Takeshi also raised his head slightly, looking reminiscent.

Tendou Souji had no idea...but he remained silent, looking at him and motioning him to continue.

"Mr. Narumi is a typical tough guy, working with his brainy partner... one is responsible for searching and fighting outside, while the other is responsible for organizing information and deducing the criminals inside... They have solved many doping cases in this way, and the firm has become famous. But——"

He changed the subject, "That was years ago. Back then, Mr. Ming Hai could subdue doped creatures with his excellent fighting skills with his bare hands... Today's doped creatures are getting more and more powerful. It seems that memory is constantly being improved and optimized."

Tendou Souji was curious: "So, did Uncle Minghai's previous partner finally retire?"

Shibata Takeshi also sighed: "Mr. Matsui... He and Ming Hai were originally a legendary pair in Fuuto."

"But... he was bewitched by his memories, causing immeasurable damage to Fuuto... and was ultimately killed by Kamen Rider Skull."

Shibata Takeshi also looked distressed, unconsciously tapping the table with his fingers. "Gaia Memory salesmen keep appearing in the victims' accounts, but we haven't been able to actually catch them yet."

"They crawl like nimble snakes in the jungle of Wind City. They only sell memory in absolutely safe places after thorough investigations, and they deliberately hide all information about themselves.

The sales pitch is always: it can empower people, it can make their dreams come true...without mentioning a single word about the dangers!

At this point, Shibata Takeshi's spine, which had been sitting upright, was bent quite a bit. He frowned helplessly, a little depressed: "I don't know if I can see the peace of Fengdu return to its former state in my lifetime..."

Tendou Souji answered him confidently and affirmatively: "That day will definitely come..."

At this moment, Tendou Souji's cell phone rang, "Moshimoshi, this is Tendou... Is that so... I get it."

"Sorry, I have a new commission and I have to go." After saying that, Tiandao Zongsi put the mobile phone provided by the police and his hand into his pocket and left without hesitation.

It is worth mentioning that he now has his own police motorcycle and basic equipment - although he still prefers Uncle Minghai's modified "Tough Guy" motorcycle.

......

Fengdu, Lingming Coffee Shop.

When Tendo Souji arrived, he found Shotaro Sae leisurely drinking coffee. Even the usually serious Uncle Minghai relaxed for a rare moment. A pretty young woman was sitting opposite them.

"Is this... Miss Yuka Ozawa?" Seeing that there was only one seat left opposite this woman, Tendo Souji simply sat over and asked face to face, completely filling up the small square table.

"Yes... Hello Mr. Tiandao... Your companion introduced you to me," Ozawa Yuka said with a look of trepidation.

Shotaro Sae pushed the coffee he had ordered in advance to Souji Tendō and said expectantly, "Brother Tendō, try it... This is the best coffee shop in Fuuto. They use their coffee beans... Even with uncle's craftsmanship, it won't be 'particularly' bad!"

His emphasis on the pronunciation of "special" completely reveals just how bad Ming Hai Shouji's coffee tastes in his opinion...

"Ahem," Ming Hai Shouji said with a cold face, coughing heavily, "You can't drink coffee without sugar or milk, no matter how good the coffee beans are. It only shows that you are not a mature man yet!"

Although Tendou Souji can make coffee, he is not very interested in it - he personally prefers to make tea.

Out of politeness, he took the coffee that Shotarou offered him, took a sip, put the cup down, and examined the woman in front of him:

She sat in a booth in the coffee shop, her hands folded on the edge of the table, her knuckles slightly white from the strain - as if she was trying hard to suppress some emotion.

Her long hair was casually tied up in a loose bun, with a few strands of hair hanging by her ears, trembling gently with her breathing, like thorny vines about to wither in the wind, giving people a quiet and broken sense of difference.

Her pretty face was pale, with red marks still lingering at the corners of her eyes. It was obvious that she had just cried not long ago. Her eyes were evasive as if she was frightened by his scrutinizing gaze.

The straps of her green suspender dress were tightly tied around the hollow of her collarbone. A cute strawberry-printed Band-Aid was stuck on her left collarbone, and the light red around the Band-Aid looked like the traces of a wound spreading out.

...It is said that the other party was once a famous dancer in Fudu, but retired due to injury - she claimed that she was involved in a doping case.

......

......

Cavalier Terrier Encyclopedia:

[Terui Ryu]: Kamen Rider Accel from the original W. He became the youngest superintendent at the age of 24 and was parachuted in as the direct superior of Haseno and others.

Nicknamed 'Brother A', he married Akiko, the daughter of Narumi Shokichi.

Bell Café: Mentioned in the Fuuto Detective movie, this is the best coffee shop in Fuuto. Shotaro buys coffee beans from a man who makes terrible coffee, only to discover that the man also makes his own beans from this shop.

[Yuka Ozawa]: A self-created character, a former dancer with a tragic life story, who is highly compatible with the Thorn Memory.

Chapter 24 Showing off each other’s acting skills

Although this wasn't very friendly, Tendo Souji still controlled his gaze based on his usual habit of observing people, slowly looking down from the side to take in the details:

Generally speaking, her figure is not suitable for dancing - the loose halter dress makes her curves look like a tight bodysuit, and it feels tiring just to exist, let alone dance.

However...the above are just Tendo Souji's subjective first impressions. After all, he is not a professional dancer.

He noticed that Miss Yuka's nails were trimmed smooth and clean, but the fingertips were covered with a thin layer of calluses, like the marks left by long-term gripping of the wheelchair armrests.

The lines of her calves under her skirt were smooth, her knee joints were distinct, and she had the flexibility unique to a dancer, but her thigh muscles were still subtly stiff, as if she was adapting to a long-lost standing posture.

"These details do fit with what she told Uncle Ming Hai and the others, 'She was paralyzed for several years before she recovered and stood up again'..." Tendo Souji analyzed objectively in his mind.

——'Is it really possible to have such plump and round thighs after just recovering and standing again?'

Tendou Souji retracted his rude gaze, held her gaze, and asked seriously, "Mr. Narumi only had time to give a general idea when he called. So, Ms. Yuka... could you please tell me more about your request?"

Yuka Ozawa frowned slightly, looking worried and frightened. She lowered her eyes and stared at the ripples on the surface of the coffee, as if she was considering her words.

In order to ease her anxiety, Tendo Souji silently picked up the coffee cup, used the cup to block his eyes while drinking coffee, and observed her with his peripheral vision.

"Actually... I recently... received some threatening letters." She hesitantly pulled out a few crumpled papers from her handbag and handed them over.

The edges of the paper were charred, as if licked by flames. Crooked words were written on it using newspaper clippings: "I'll kill you if you make a comeback," "If my leg can be broken once, it can be broken a second time," and "Why would an outdated old woman join in the fun?"

Tendou Souji's coffee cup stopped in mid-air and he put it down without taking a sip.

He reached out to take the paper and rubbed the burn marks with his fingertips.

The burn marks are too regular...as if they were deliberately roasted evenly with a lighter.

"Where did you receive it? Where's the surveillance?" Tiandao Zongsi suddenly asked.

Yuka Ozawa's breathing became heavier, and her chest trembled, causing waves in the sea. The strawberry Band-Aid wrinkled slightly with the rise and fall of her collarbone.

"After I lost my job, I lived in a cheap, old apartment. The surveillance camera in the hallway happened to malfunction this week. The landlord said they would fix it as soon as possible..." Her voice faded, her fingers unconsciously twirling her falling hair. "The police said there was no actual damage, so they can only file a case..."

Zuo Xiangtaro, who was standing nearby, slammed the table and stood up, almost knocking over the sugar cube jar next to him. He said excitedly, "This is definitely a precursor to the doping crime—the scumbag was just as arrogant before the last doping jewelry store robbery!"

Ozawa Yuka smiled faintly, pretending to be grateful as she looked at the seemingly immature and reckless young man: "Really... Thank you so much, Mr. Zuo. I've said this to many people... but they didn't believe me. I was really scared..."

"Mr. Zuo...Mr. Zuo?!" Zuo Shotaro seemed to be struck by great happiness. He covered his chest with his hands and had an exaggerated expression. He was stunned for a long time - it was the first time for him to be respected like this!

"Shotaro, sit down." Narumi Shokichi couldn't stand Shotaro Zuo's useless look and glared at him.

There is another problem that worries Shokichi Narumi - he wonders if his disciple has a physical condition that attracts evil women. This has happened many times before: after accepting a commission, he meets a beautiful woman who makes Shotarou feel good about her, but after investigation, he finds out that the other party is the criminal.

"Uncle...you always look down on me!" Zuo Xiangtaro looked unhappy, but seeing the serious look in Ming Hai Shouji's eyes, he sat down obediently, "...Yes." He drank his coffee with a sour face.

"We accept the commission," Narumi Shokichi wrote quickly on his notebook and then closed it, "but we need your cooperation during the investigation."

Ozawa Yuka gave her first genuine smile of the day: "That's great... I finally met someone I can trust."

"Tian Dao, I accepted the commission without authorization. What are your thoughts?"

During their recent collaboration, Ming Hai Shouji had gotten to know Tendo Souji's character a little bit, and he thought that the other party wouldn't be embarrassed about helping others...but out of respect, he still turned around and asked Tendo Souji for his opinion.

Tendo Souji nodded slightly: "I have no objection," then stared at the menu on the table with an expressionless face. He inadvertently reached out his hand from under the table and drew a "?" on Ming Hai Shouji's knee, indicating that there was something wrong with this woman.

A crack appeared in the clouds outside the window, and the sunlight made Ozawa Yuka squint her eyes, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

From this angle, she could vaguely see the two men exchanging glances in the reflection of the window glass - that was the excitement of the prey discovering the bait.

......