Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 311 - 289: The Internet Security Department, true to its name, the unscrupulous politician

Chapter 311: Chapter 289: The Internet Security Department, true to its name, the unscrupulous politician

"Director, you called for me."

Aoyama Xiu Xin pushed open the door to the director’s office.

Upon entering, he found that, apart from Renping Kuniaki, there were two strangers, a man and a woman.

The man appeared to be around thirty, not taller than 175 cm, in a black suit, with a side-parted hairstyle, fair skin, glasses, and meticulously dressed, presenting a prim and proper appearance.

The woman looked to be just over twenty, but that was probably because of her youthful face; in reality, she was older. Her face, the size of a palm, was adorned with a pair of slightly goofy-looking black-framed glasses. Her small nose and rosy lips complemented her watery, large eyes, which reflected a sense of clear foolishness.

But upon evaluating her figure, Aoyama Xiu Xin involuntarily gasped in surprise. Her slightly old-fashioned suit couldn’t hide her voluptuous and well-proportioned body, her ample bosom, and her round buttocks that stretched the fabric of her pants tightly and smoothly, with the outline of her underpants faintly visible.

Women are sensitive to the male gaze. She lowered her head more and more, her cheeks growing redder, her small hands clutching the edge of her pants and twisting them vigorously, her nervousness and shyness palpably intense, probably down to her tensely curled toes.

Cute, I’d like to bed her.

In bed, she must be the type to cover her face and whimper.

"Asakura Police Chief, I’ve heard much about you. I am Kikumura Hazuma, and I look forward to working with you," just then, the young man took the opportunity to introduce himself, stepping in front of the woman and bowing to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

With the view obstructed, Aoyama Xiu Xin could only regretfully withdraw his gaze and responded with a slight smile, "Hello."

"Xiu Xin, the budget and office space for the Internet Security Department have already been arranged, located on the fourth floor of the Police Headquarters. Police Chief Kikumura is your partner, and he is also an expert in this area," said Renping Kuniaki.

Aoyama Xiu Xin extended his hand, "The first section of the investigation is rather busy, so my work focus might be more on this side. The Internet Security Department is in its infancy and there are many busy tasks, I will have to trouble Police Chief Kikumura to take extra care."

One look at this guy, and you knew he was the real person in charge appointed by the higher-ups. His concurrent title as the head of the department was purely nominal, just to sound better when mentioned.

After all, he didn’t understand the technical side and the first investigation section was the busiest department of the Police Headquarters, he couldn’t afford to focus on the Internet Security Department, so the arrangement from the higher-ups was quite reasonable.

But reasonable as it was, he was irritated. Even if he was busy, for the sake of the citizens, he wouldn’t mind taking on more responsibility. He was determined not to be content with being just a nominal head of the Internet Security Department; he wanted real power!

"Of course, and it’s thanks to you, Asakura Police Chief, for your visionary proposition to establish the Internet Security Department, that I have found a place to work," responded Kikumura Hazuma, shaking Aoyama Xiu Xin’s hand, smiling and humble in tone.

"Then let’s work together to make this new department shine in maintaining social order," said Aoyama Xiu Xin, withdrawing his hand and glancing unintentionally at the dimwit, "And who might this be?"

Such a simple and silly girl he had not yet tried; driving her must indeed have a unique flair.

"She’s my junior, Asakura Yurong Police Chief, previously worked at the scientific research division and is a computer expert. I specifically requested her transfer to serve as the technical lead for the Internet Security Department," introduced Kikumura Hazuma.

Asakura Yurong hardly dared look directly at Aoyama Xiu Xin, bowing with restraint, "Asakura Police Chief."

Even with a shirt and suit constraining her, the moment she bent over, one’s conscience fluttered too, hinting at how bountiful she’d be without restraints.

Truly a case of the name matching the reality, ’Yurong’ implying ample space.

"Asakura Police Chief, you certainly seem quite technical, pleased to meet you," said Aoyama Xiu Xin, extending his hand.

Looking at the large hand before her, Asakura Yurong puckered her red lips and carefully reached out to shake it.

Aoyama Xiu Xin parted with a polite touch.

"How many people are in the Internet Security Department now? As the division chief, I’d like to treat everyone tonight, to welcome and dust off the journey."

Those individuals allocated by the higher-ups were the framework of the Internet Security Department, the core, and as the division chief, he had to show welcome and respect.

"Including myself and Yurong, there are fewer than twenty people. We need more staff to gradually fill in," Kikumura Hazuma calmly replied.

Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded, "Police Chief Kikumura and Asakura Police Chief must come, as this will be our Internet Security Department’s first internal dinner. Oh, let’s exchange numbers, and I’ll inform you after I’ve made a reservation."

Saying so, he took out a business card from his pocket.

"Hey!" Kikumura Hazuma received it with both hands, then pulled out his own card to pass to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"Alright, Police Chief Kikumura and Asakura Police Chief should get going now. If you need anything else, get in touch with the General Affairs Department. Asakura Police Chief, stay, I have something to discuss with you alone," said Renping Kuniaki.

"Hey!" Kikumura Hazuma bowed to both Renping Kuniaki and Aoyama Xiu Xin, then strode off.

Asakura Yurong followed their example with a bow and hurriedly caught up, head down. But because she walked too fast and her bangs blocked her vision, she stepped right on the heel of Kikumura Hazuma’s shoe, promptly causing it to come off.

And Kikumura Hazuma, broad-browed and wide-eyed, though neatly dressed on the surface, never would have imagined his socks would have a hole, his big toe cheekily poking out for some air.

"Pfft~"

Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Wearing torn socks out, weren’t you afraid of situations that required taking off your shoes today? So it’s a hard gamble.

Renping Kuniaki’s mouth twitched twice, but as a seasoned senior, his control over facial expressions was more adept.

Kikumura Hazuma’s face alternated between green and white with embarrassment.

He’d bet on not needing to take off his shoes today. He’d won that bet, but he never expected to undress his shoes in such a situation, truly embarrassing.

"Ah! Senior! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to," stammered Asakura Yurong, both awkward and remorseful, her little face flushed, and she fumbled while bowing repeatedly in apology, her ponytail swinging in tandem, her hefty conscience also heaving perceptibly from behind.

So big, hard to manage.

"It’s okay, just watch where you’re going," said Kikumura Hazuma, taking a deep breath to quell his anger and pacifying her softly. After putting on his shoe, he bowed once more to Renping Kuniaki and Aoyama Xiu Xin, "That was very discourteous of me."

Then he turned and left again, his steps even quicker.

Asakura Yurong shrank his head and followed closely behind. After walking some distance, he remembered something, hurriedly turned around with his head lowered, and closed the door to the office.

"Bang!"

"This Police Chief Asakura..." Renping Kuniaki paused for a moment and finally found a word in his mind to describe him, "is really naive."

What they say about low emotional intelligence is that the person is "a few cards short of a full deck."

"A bit impulsive, maybe all his talent is in technology," Aoyama Xiu Xin also couldn’t help but chuckle.

Renping Kuniaki shook his head, then his expression grew solemn as he broached a serious subject, "The robbery case at the door of the Agricultural and Forestry Bank’s East Shinjuku Branch, is there really no progress now?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin saw his expression and knew there was new pressure from above, so he quickly released a bit of news.

"We’ve got something. The perpetrators are six Russians who have smuggled into the country, probably ex-military. We haven’t found their whereabouts yet, but I estimate we will soon."

He had not reported this to Renping Kuniaki immediately before, planning to use it as a response when questioned about progress. Otherwise, he would have had no progress to report now, which would have made him look incompetent.

"It’s good to have a lead, good to have a lead," Renping Kuniaki let out a breath, relieved to have a clue, which meant there was a direction for the investigation and a chance to solve the case. He said in a stern voice, "We must not let them get away!"

"Don’t worry, Director. I have already notified the Maritime Security Bureau to strictly inspect all outgoing vessels to ensure they can’t fly away even if they had wings," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied.

Renping Kuniaki nodded, then added another sentence, "Solve the case quickly. The daylight murder of ten people has already caused panic and anger among all the citizens. If the perpetrators are not caught soon, that anger will be vented on the police force."

"Some unscrupulous politicians, in order to pander to the public for support, criticize our police force’s incompetence without caring about the facts and question our professional standards. They even propose to cut the budget allocated to the Police Headquarters for next year. The pressure on the Chief is tremendous."

Aoyama Xiu Xin instantly understood why Renping Kuniaki was so urgently pressing the matter. Politicians were starting to lead public opinion, which indeed called for urgency.

Public opinion wouldn’t form on its own.

But with politicians guiding and inciting, it became possible for public opinion to surge uncontrollably, and relevant departments might really take the opportunity to cut the Police Headquarters’ budget, especially since the economy wasn’t doing well this year and cost-saving was the priority.

This was unacceptable for the Police Headquarters.

With the economy struggling and crime flourishing, the cost of maintaining public order rose, and cutting funds at such a time would only add pressure on the Police Headquarters. How could the Chief manage?

Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn’t accept this either.

"Hey! Please rest assured, Director, I will do my utmost!" Aoyama Xiu Xin promised solemnly.

Renping Kuniaki gently patted his shoulder.

"I’ll take my leave now!"

After bowing, Aoyama Xiu Xin turned and left.

Upon leaving the Director’s office, he went straight to Asai Ayumi’s office, entered, and found Asai Ayumi watching television. The screen was showing a politician making a speech that captured his attention.

The politician, in his fifties with a receding hairline, slightly overweight, and with plump cheeks, stood on a makeshift stage in the street and spoke passionately into the microphone.

"What are our Japanese police good for besides wasting taxpayers’ money? Besides protecting their own power, they can’t protect anyone else!"

"In broad daylight, in this clear universe, ten lives were taken by armed criminals right on the street; they could threaten the safety of citizens’ lives and property at any moment, yet the police have made no progress thus far. Even the Police Chief Aoyama, known as Heisei’s No.1 Detective, hasn’t made any public response. We want safety! We want justice!"

His arm waved in the air, his voice loud and strained.

"Safety! Justice!"

The supporters below, with bands around their heads and holding banners, chanted back furiously, like a zealous congregation.

"Idiot! Who is this old fart?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin frowned as he asked.

Even he was subtly trampled on.

This must be the politician Renping Kuniaki was talking about, who was exploiting the bank robbery case to attack the police force’s incompetence in exchange for national sympathy and support rates.

Asai Ayumi replied, "Shimura Ao, a district councilor from Shinjuku, has gained massive public support by boldly speaking out against government inaction."

"Nothing but a demagogue, a clown. Let’s hope he never finds himself in need of the police," Aoyama Xiu Xin scoffed, sitting down heavily on the sofa.

"Politicians are clowns performing all sorts of ridiculous acts for the people before an election, but once the votes are cast, it’s the citizens who become the clowns," Asai Ayumi laughed, commented, turned off the television, walked over, and sat down in Aoyama Xiu Xin’s lap, hugging his neck, "What brings you here?"

"Not here for anything particular," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied, casually pinching her shapely buttocks, "I need you to find and set up a place for tonight. I’m treating the Internet Security Department to dinner, remember it has to be high-class. Don’t look for the most economical option; choose the most expensive one instead."

He wanted the Internet Security Department to feel his generosity and the importance he placed on them.

It’s cliche, but sometimes the amount of money spent really does reflect how much someone values others.

"Has the Internet Security Department arrived in full?" Asai Ayumi asked in surprise at first, and then, "Am I going too?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin thought of Asakura Yurong and answered without changing his expression, "Tonight is the Internet Security Department’s first internal dinner. You’re not part of that department; why would you go? It’s not really appropriate, we can talk about it another time."

"Alright then," Asai Ayumi responded nonchalantly.

Aoyama Xiu Xin pecked her on the lips and then let go, "I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be going now."

He needed to contact Nozaki Cangjian. It wouldn’t do to just keep waiting for the Russians to make a move.

This case was too big to be delayed.

The longer it dragged on, the less likely the public would forget it, only accumulating more resentment and indignation.