Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 129 - 125: Clue, Hype, Self-Directed

Chapter 129: Chapter 125: Clue, Hype, Self-Directed

"I repeatedly checked the surveillance footage near Ayase Mihiko’s home to look for suspicious individuals," Xiu Xin recounted. "Eventually, I spotted someone whose face was unclear, but their physique was very similar to that of Kimura Yakuo. I also asked Kimura Yakuo’s secretary, who confirmed that at the time of Ayase Mihiko’s death, Kimura Yakuo had gone out to meet a client and wasn’t at the bank."

"Kimura Yakuo had steadfastly claimed he did not visit Ayase Mihiko that day. So, why would his figure appear in the surveillance footage? It’s highly unlikely that by sheer coincidence someone else exactly resembled him in build."

Nakamura Shinichi became increasingly agitated, clenching his fists and slamming them down on his desk. "Other than hiring Xiao Lin to employ Noda to take the fall, Kimura hasn’t hired any other hitman to kill Ayase Mihiko. He personally took action to kill him, which aligns with his cautious nature."

"The absence of any signs of a struggle at the scene indicates that Ayase Mihiko didn’t even have a chance to defend herself. Only he could have caught her completely off guard and acted swiftly, leaving her no chance to struggle desperately."

"A blurry surveillance video alone can’t serve as evidence," Aoyama Xiu Xin pointed out.

"I know," Nakamura Shinichi replied with a dry lick of his lips. "I just wanted to tell you this to prove my investigative direction is correct; more and more clues are coming to light, and eventually, the truth will out!"

"You seem very obsessed with this case," Aoyama Xiu Xin remarked, indifferent to whether the case was solved unless it brought significant recognition.

Nakamura Shinichi exhaled, "Because I despise those bank people, these bloodsuckers. Now that it’s in my hands, I must ensure they are brought to justice."

"Suit yourself. Come report to me when you have anything new," Aoyama waved him off dismissively.

"Understood!" Nakamura Shinichi turned to leave, then suddenly stopped, turned back, and asked Aoyama Xiu Xin, "Senior Director, do you need help with the serial murders from 1990?"

"How do you know about that?" Aoyama Xiu Xin responded in surprise, his expression betraying astonishment. He had only disclosed his involvement in that case to Asai Ayumi.

"That was all over the Police Headquarters this morning," Nakamura Shinichi replied matter-of-factly. "It’s said that you are taking on that case, and it’s been the talk of many."

"Really? What are they saying?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked, faintly frowning, yet maintaining his cool.

"Some are hopeful that you’ll solve it and even want to reinvestigate with you. Others are skeptical, saying quite a few unflattering things; overall, everyone is quite expectant," Nakamura Shinichi explained.

Whether they were anticipating his success or looking forward to his failure, it was all expectation indeed.

"Alright, I’ve got it. You don’t need to help me for now; just focus on your own tasks," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a calm smile after hearing everything.

"Understood!" Nakamura Shinichi turned and left.

"Bang!"

As the door shut, Aoyama Xiu Xin’s smile slowly faded; he leaned back in his chair and casually tapped a pen against the desk.

This information couldn’t have been leaked by Asai Ayumi.

The facts being known by everyone at the Police Headquarters within a day was undoubtedly orchestrated by Renping Kuniaki.

Renping Kuniaki had mentioned yesterday his desire to promote himself, so it was expected that when the Police Headquarters promoted him, they’d also mention his taking over this case.

By elevating himself, he would give everyone the illusion that he could undoubtedly solve the case.

But if he failed to solve it and catch the murderer, he would be attacked for failing to live up to his reputation, losing face and becoming a laughingstock in many people’s eyes.

Naturally, those envious of him at the Police Headquarters wouldn’t miss the chance to kick him when he was down.

Idiot! They were indeed trying to teach him a lesson!

Thinking about it, he had stolen the woman meant to marry his younger son and spoilt his elder son’s career prospects. How could a father not be furious?

Aoyama Xiu Xin understood this well; just as he was prepared to retaliate against others, he was also prepared for retaliation. In these matters, he was never a hypocrite.

An eye for an eye, quite standard, unless one party completely admits defeat and subservience. Otherwise, with each act of retaliation, the hostility only deepens.

But understanding was one thing, resistance another.

No matter what, he couldn’t let Renping Kuniaki’s scheming succeed. That would be too humiliating.

Thus, he must solve the serial murder case, or crack an even bigger case to shift everyone’s focus and cover up the fact that he couldn’t solve the serial murders.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A sudden knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," Aoyama Xiu Xin called out.

Asai Ayumi pushed the door open and entered, her pretty face filled with urgency and anger, "Now, everyone at the Police Headquarters..."

"I know," Aoyama Xiu Xin immediately guessed what she was about to say and cut her off.

Asai Ayumi walked up to the desk, leaning on it and fuming, "How could Uncle Renping do this? It was Ninpei Oshiro who first targeted you, and now it has backfired on him."

"Because Ninpei Oshiro is his son!" Aoyama responded with a laugh, watching her chest heave with each breath. He reached out and pinched her side as he added, "Supporting family over justice is the norm."

He would do the same.

"You still find this funny? So many are waiting to see you fail," Asai Ayumi slapped his hand away, her eyebrows furrowed as she continued, "If only the Police Headquarters knew this, it would be a shame kept behind closed doors, among our own. But I’m afraid it will be worse if he speaks about this to the press."

"That’s not something to worry about," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head. "Because he will definitely do that."

"Do you have confidence in solving the case?" Asai Ayumi sighed, then suddenly asked after a moment of silence.

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked at her as if she were foolish. "What nonsense are you talking? You think I’m some sort of detective god? Many policemen couldn’t solve it, how could I? Unless I’m extremely lucky."

It always takes a bit of luck to accomplish anything.

"Sigh," Asai Ayumi sighed again but quickly regained her spirit. "Regardless, we can’t just do nothing. Let me introduce someone to you."

"Who?" Aoyama Xiu Xin asked curiously.

Asai Ayumi pointed at the files, "The Senior Police Director who was fully in charge of this case back then, Ashida Shuichi. Although he didn’t solve it eventually, he definitely knows the most about it."

"And besides, he might be obsessed with this case; you can invite him to reinvestigate it with you, not only do you get an extra hand, but if it can’t be solved, you also have someone to share the pressure,"

"Ok, you arrange it," Aoyama Xiu Xin agreed, after all, what Asai Ayumi said made sense.

Indeed, just as Aoyama Xiu Xin had expected, during an interview with reporters on an unrelated case that afternoon, the Police Headquarters’ PR department inadvertently revealed that Aoyama Xiu Xin would be reopening the investigation of the serial murders from 1990.

The reporters immediately followed up with continuous questions, and the spokesperson for the PR department responded further, saying that the entire Police Headquarters had confidence in Aoyama Xiu Xin, praising his talent in solving cases extensively.

To others, it seemed like positive publicity for Aoyama Xiu Xin, fully expressing the Police Headquarters’ high regard for him; hence, the generous praise. But only Aoyama Xiu Xin himself knew what it felt like to be under fire.

...

Time quickly reached the evening.

Since he had backstabbed Ninpei Oshiro, Saihara Ichiro had called him many times, but Oshiro didn’t answer.

Although this had won him acclaim from the public as the most righteous media person, he was still very nervous inside, worrying about reprisal from Ninpei Oshiro.

As a result, he seemed rather gloomy.

He was distracted all day, lost in his thoughts. When he came back to his senses and turned to look out the window, he realized it had already grown dark.

"Sigh—"

Saihara Ichiro exhaled, gathered his things, grabbed his briefcase and phone, and walked out.

The corridor was still lit but empty.

When he arrived at the elevator, he saw Matsubara Zizhi, who had just been transferred to the Political Affairs Section today, also there.

"Chief Editor Cangji," Matsubara Zizhi saw him and bent over in a slightly awkward bow.

"Hmm," Saihara Ichiro responded and casually asked, "Zizhi, why are you leaving so late?"

He observed Matsubara Zizhi, her hair tied in a ponytail, beautiful with fair skin, wearing a white T-shirt and jeans. Her enthusiasm for fitness made her curves enticing, especially her pert, peach-shaped buttocks beneath the jeans, which looked smooth and well-rounded.

But the thought of this woman having been with Aoyama Xiu Xin immediately turned him off, especially since he still had a weakness that Aoyama Xiu Xin could exploit.

"I’m getting used to the work in the Political Affairs Section," Matsubara Zizhi replied somewhat unnaturally; she also hadn’t been able to concentrate on work today for fear of Ninpei Oshiro’s reprisal.

In this regard, the two were in similar straits.

"Ding~"

The elevator arrived.

"Chief Editor, after you, please."

The two took the elevator down to the parking garage. As they were looking for their cars, they suddenly heard the roaring sound of an engine behind them. Instinctively turning around, a white Volkswagen sedan with its lights on came barreling towards them.

Matsubara Zizhi was immediately frightened, her mouth agape wanting to scream, but she couldn’t make a sound.

Saihara Ichiro reacted even faster, jumping to the side in a panic, and thudding to the ground.

"Bang!"

Just then, a Honda suddenly started and sped out from a parking spot, ramming the Volkswagen off course.

The Volkswagen, after being knocked askew, crashed against a nearby pillar and then shifted into reverse to flee the scene.

The window of the Honda rolled down, and the young man in the passenger seat looked at them and asked, "Are you alright?"

"No... no harm, thank you, thank you," Saihara Ichiro answered, covered in cold sweat, still in shock.

"It’s good to hear you’re unharmed. We’re here to protect you as per Mr.Aoyama’s arrangements. He asked you to rest assured. He will handle things with the Renping family. Once he has sorted things out with them, we will withdraw," said the young man in the Honda, his tone calm.

Saihara Ichiro had never felt as grateful to Aoyama Xiu Xin as he did at that moment, especially since the man had just saved his life. If that car had hit him, he would have lost his legs if not his life.

"Thank you, thank you Mr.Aoyama, thank you Mr.Aoyama," Saihara Ichiro panted.

At this moment, he completely abandoned the idea of seeking forgiveness from the Renping family. After all, they were trying to kill him.

Yes, he had betrayed Ninpei Oshiro, but he had been forced! He didn’t want to, yet they wanted to kill him without even giving him a chance to explain!

Feelings of rage and resentment filled Saihara Ichiro.

With his connections and influence, if he teamed up with Aoyama Xiu Xin to tackle the situation head-on, why should he fear reprisal from the Renping family? They might as well go for broke!

"Wow! Waaaaaaa..."

Matsubara Zizhi, having come back to her senses, was so frightened her face turned pale. She squatted down on the ground and sobbed loudly.

The stresses had been too much for her.

Tonight’s car accident made her realize she had to cling tightly to Aoyama Xiu Xin if she wanted to survive, lest she get killed by someone on any given day.

However, what neither Saihara Ichiro nor Matsubara Zizhi knew was that the person who had saved them and the person who had tried to hit them were both arranged by Aoyama Xiu Xin through Yamakawa Ichiro.

After all, Renping Kuniaki was a rational man, and retaliating against Saihara Ichiro now would serve no purpose. Instead, forgiving him would likely make him feel even more guilty towards the Renping family.

He might even help the Renping family plot against Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Thus, in order to eliminate this possibility, Aoyama Xiu Xin had arranged the events of tonight. Saihara Ichiro and Matsubara Zizhi would assume that the car that almost hit them was Ninpei Oshiro’s act of revenge.

As for Matsubara Zizhi, she was even more helpless and fearful, thus completely loyal to Aoyama Xiu Xin, who could then use her to keep an eye on Saihara Ichiro. This way, he had gained the upper hand in the situation.

At this moment, the puppet master Aoyama Xiu Xin was on his way to meet Ashida Shuichi, the former head of the 1990 serial murder case, accompanied by Asai Ayumi.