Tokyo Unnatural Forensics

Chapter 499, Uesugi Named!
Metropolitan Police Department, Superintendent General's Office.

Ah, it feels so quiet.

What I love most is the scenery of Tokyo, the massive traffic, and the dense steel forest.

Sigh, when will crime and conflict end?

Superintendent General Eiji Watanabe was sipping his coffee when the internal telephone on his desk suddenly rang. The ringtone was unusual, low and urgent, usually indicating an urgent communication from other top bureaucratic agencies or the political core.

Eiji Watanabe put down his coffee and picked up the receiver: "This is Watanabe."

The voice from the other end of the phone made him straighten his back instantly.

It wasn't a typical secretary or vice-minister calling, but rather the Imperial Palace Police Chief, Gondo, calling personally. His voice was hoarse and heavy, even carrying a hint of pleading that he would never normally have.
"Chief Inspector Watanabe, this is the Imperial Palace Police Headquarters. I apologize for disturbing you. An extremely difficult incident has occurred that must be kept absolutely confidential..." Chief Inspector Gondo's voice was extremely low, as if afraid that the air would hear it: "This morning in the 'Imperial Gardens'... we found the body of an Imperial Household Agency employee."

"What?!" Watanabe Eiji exclaimed in shock, almost jumping up from his chair. The Imperial Palace? An Imperial Household Agency employee? A body? The combination of these words was enough to send chills down the spine of any high-ranking police officer. He immediately realized the extreme seriousness and explosive nature of the situation.

"The initial assessment is that it was drowning, but... we can't determine whether it was an accident or something else." Minister Gondo's voice was filled with helplessness: "Imperial Household Agency Commissioner Maeda and I just had an emergency discussion... This matter concerns the face and peace of the Imperial Family, and we absolutely cannot let the outside world know about it, but we must find out the truth as soon as possible. We... we need your help."

Eiji Watanabe's heart sank.

This is not just a case, but a huge political and reputational quagmire!
If an unnatural death occurs inside the Imperial Palace, and is not handled properly, the Metropolitan Police Department will also be dragged into the mess and subjected to unimaginable pressure. His first reaction was deep worry and caution.

Moreover, as the Superintendent General of Police, he will still be affected by what happens in Tokyo, even if he is not the main person responsible!

Thinking of this, Watanabe Eiji felt like crying but had no tears left.

What is this?

I've only been the Superintendent General of Police for three years, and it's been a complete disaster. There's been no peace and quiet since I took office. The day before yesterday there was a serial murder, yesterday there was a dismemberment of a University of Tokyo professor, today there's a series of body dumping incidents in Tokyo Bay and the Fujidai Odaiba building murder case, tomorrow there's the Toshima Ward ghost bulletproof vest incident, and then someone dies at the Imperial Palace.
It's never stopped!

Why am I so unlucky? If it weren't for the incredible luck of meeting the god-like Uesugi who came out of nowhere and saved me time and time again, I would have been knocked down from this position long ago.

I'm probably the unluckiest superintendent of police in 100 years!
Imperial Palace Police Headquarters? Isn't the Imperial Palace Police Headquarters directly under the National Police Agency? Why are you looking for me at the Metropolitan Police Department?

I'm not the person primarily responsible!

Bureaucrats who can reach this level are all masters of non-stick pans, and Watanabe Eiji was temporarily unsure if Chief Gondo had anything to do with him.

However, what Gondo said next was like a bolt of lightning, cleaving through the fog in his mind.

"Commander Maeda and I agree that the fewer people who know about this, the better. We trust your judgment and discretion, therefore, we implore you to appoint an absolutely reliable, top-notch forensic expert whom you can completely trust to secretly enter the 'Imperial Garden' to conduct a forensic autopsy and determine the true cause of death." Chief Gondo paused, his voice becoming even lower, and said almost word by word, "We specifically request... Chief Physician Uesugi Muneyuki to come."

Yes, this is the only feasible solution after discussions between the Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Palace Police.

Uesugi Muneyuki! The prospective son-in-law of Watanabe Eiji! The Metropolitan Police Department's chief forensic pathologist, an absolute authority in Japanese forensic medicine, renowned nationwide and even internationally for his keen insight and countless legendary case-solving experiences. The Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Palace Police specifically requested him!
That's it!

Is it coming to take Uesugi?

In an instant, a thousand thoughts raced through Eiji Watanabe's mind. His initial shock and worry were quickly replaced by an indescribable, secret joy mixed with ambition.

The Superintendent of Police instantly understood why the Imperial Palace Police Headquarters had come to find him.

Someone has died inside the Imperial Palace! And the deceased was a full-fledged employee of the Imperial Household Agency!

This is indeed a hot potato, but at the same time, it is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

An opportunity to demonstrate the Metropolitan Police Department's (especially his subordinates under Eiji Watanabe) extraordinary capabilities and absolute reliability directly in front of the Imperial Household Agency, the Imperial Family, and the cabinet high-ranking officials who would soon find out about the matter!

Appointing his son-in-law, the nation's top expert, to successfully solve the case would not only earn the Metropolitan Police Department immense prestige and trust, but also greatly solidify Watanabe Eiji's own position, and even pave the way for a potentially higher political career. This "appointment" by the Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Palace Police inherently embodies a tremendous degree of political trust and reliance.

What does this mean?
As mentioned earlier, Japan's officialdom, like that of a certain country, also distinguishes between "officials" and "clerks".

For example, in front of a police inspector (who has independent case-handling authority), the patrol chief and patrol officers who can only assist him are called "clerks". In front of a police superintendent (who has independent command authority and the right to report directly), the police inspector and police inspector who have to go to the scene to search and handle cases are called "clerks".

By analogy, in the face of a large number of high-ranking officials in the cabinet, the Superintendent General of Police, although the highest-ranking civil servant, is still just a very high-ranking "clerk".

That's how Japan's bureaucratic system works—one level above the next, with a strict hierarchy.

"Sometimes I think, how high does one have to be to be considered a high-ranking official?"

—Ken, the father of Ultra and captain of the Land of Light's security force

However high the requirements are, once you reach the level of the Commissioner of Police, you are an "official" no matter what.

In the end, we still need to ask Uesugi for help, right?
Eiji Watanabe's expression began to turn amused.

Excuse me, but he's my son-in-law. Everyone in Japan knows that. If you want to get involved with Uesugi Muneyuki, you have to get past my daughter, Minami!
“I understand.” Watanabe Eiji’s voice quickly regained its usual composure and authority, even carrying a hint of unquestionable power: “The situation is very serious, and the Metropolitan Police Department understands the concerns of the Imperial Household Agency and the Imperial Palace Police. Rest assured, we will handle this case with the highest level of confidentiality. Uesugi Muneyuki is indeed the most suitable candidate at present, and I will personally make the arrangements immediately.”

Without the slightest hesitation, he agreed to all of the other party's demands almost immediately. At that moment, any attempt to refuse or bargain would have been foolish.

“Thank you very much, Director Watanabe!” General Manager Gondo’s voice sounded as if he had breathed a sigh of relief, but it was still heavy: “I’m leaving everything to you and Chief Uesugi. We will arrange internal support and a completely confidential passage. Please be sure to… do it as soon as possible, and keep it secret.”

“No problem. I will have Uesugi Muneyuki prepare as quickly as possible, and will only send special missions to assist. All investigation results will be reported directly to you and a very small number of responsible persons, including Commander Maeda,” Watanabe Eiji assured.

"We are extremely grateful!" Chief Gondo said quickly. After thinking for a moment, he seemed to feel that it wasn't enough, so he simply said in a low voice, "We, the Imperial Household Agency, the Imperial Palace Police Headquarters, and the Imperial Palace will never forget the full support of the Metropolitan Police Department this time!"

"It's just my job, I dare not accept any praise!"

After hanging up the phone, Watanabe Eiji didn't move immediately. He leaned back in his large leather chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the desk. The office was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, but his mind was in turmoil. Outside the window, Tokyo continued its bustling traffic, unaware that a storm that could shake the entire upper echelons of Japan was brewing deep within the Imperial Palace.

He took a deep breath and pressed a button on a secure line that led directly to the Special Missions Department office.

Opportunity and risk go hand in hand, and now he holds the key to unlocking the mystery—his future son-in-law, Uesugi Muneyuki.

He must ensure that the key can perfectly open the lock, and that all the glory belongs to the key holder.

Huh~
Once this matter is settled, it will be perfectly legitimate to transfer Daisaburo (Mori Takayoshi) from the Chiba Prefectural Police Headquarters to the National Police Agency as the Chief of the Criminal Investigation Department.

Upgrading the Special Missions Division to the Special Missions Section seems reasonable; who in the cabinet could object?

And, even larger and more substantial budgets.

As Watanabe Eiji pondered, a very slight smile appeared on his face.

I'm probably the luckiest Superintendent General of Police in 100 years.

Who made me meet Uesugi?
Minami, well done, Minami!
That's true. If things are too smooth and uneventful, how can I demonstrate my abilities?

He couldn't help but laugh when he thought of the frustrated look on Tokyo District Public Prosecutor Nishikawa's face. Although the District Prosecutor's investigation into the bulletproof vest case was going very well and had taken down 28 high-ranking officials at the ministerial level or above, it was actually the information provided by Uesugi Muneyuki that gave the District Prosecutor's Special Investigation Team a starting point.

So a historically rare scene occurred: for the first time in history, the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor was half a head shorter than the Metropolitan Police Department's Superintendent General.

This disgusted Chief Prosecutor Nishikawa, but the District Public Prosecutor was powerless to do anything about it, since they didn't have Uesugi Muneyuki or Watanabe Minami.

My Metropolitan Police Department Face > Your Prosecutor's Office Face (if there is one)!
After feeling satisfied, Watanabe Eiji released the object and then withdrew it.

"Hello, Chief Uesugi, this is Eiji Watanabe. Please come to my office immediately with Special Missions Division Manager Watanabe. There is an emergency!"

"You've been chosen!"

(End of this chapter)