Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 330 - 303: Trash-Talking Feels Good for the Moment! The Reluctant Second-in-Command

Chapter 330: Chapter 303: Trash-Talking Feels Good for the Moment! The Reluctant Second-in-Command

Police Headquarters.

Head of Criminal Investigation Division’s office.

"Did he really say that?"

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked at Nakamura Shinichi standing before him.

"Yes, it seems his love for his wife runs deep; his eyes were red. If we can’t catch the murderer soon, he’s likely to hold a grudge against Police Headquarters for life," Nakamura Shinichi nodded in response.

Normally, Aoyama Xiu Xin wouldn’t need to intervene in a standard murder case; Nakamura Shinichi could handle it on his own. However, since the victim’s relative was a political figure like Shimura Ao, he needed to notify Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Aoyama Xiu Xin snorted disdainfully and leaned back in his chair, "Bring him to my office; I want to question him personally."

He had already been displeased watching this old geezer criticize the police force day in and day out.

Today would be a good chance to set things straight.

"Got it!" Nakamura Shinichi turned and left.

About three to five minutes later, the office door swung open, and red-eyed Shimura Ao stormed in, marching furiously to Aoyama Xiu Xin’s desk and slamming his hand down as he questioned angrily, "An innocent woman was brutally murdered in her own car—isn’t that horrifying? Isn’t this case significant enough for your involvement?"

That last question revealed his true intentions.

Aoyama Xiu Xin sat up straight, hands clasped in front of him on the desk, looking interestedly at Shimura Ao and casually said, "I would’ve liked to take charge, but since Mr. Shimura previously criticized me as being undeservedly renowned, I thought it better not to. After all, it wouldn’t be good if I hindered the case with my limited abilities."

Shimura Ao remembered he had indeed made such statements, which left him momentarily lost for words, only capable of staring back at Aoyama Xiu Xin with a flushed and furious face.

After a pause, he managed to squeeze out, "If I’m not in charge of the case, then why did you call me here?"

His initial comments were merely to criticize the police force; he had spoken without thinking—though deep down, he recognized Aoyama Xiu Xin’s capabilities as Heisei’s No.1 Detective, but pride prevented him from admitting it.

A simple comment for a moment’s satisfaction, and now he was reaping the consequences.

"Being the head of Criminal Investigation Division, is it wrong for me to be informed about the cases under me?" shrugged Aoyama Xiu Xin with a slight smile and pointed to a sofa nearby, "Take a seat. I’d like to ask a few questions."

Shimura Ao huffed and reluctantly sat down a few steps back.

"Shinichi, take notes," Aoyama Xiu Xin instructed before asking, "Mr. Shimura, why was Mrs. Shimura not at home during last night’s heavy rain but driving out instead? Did she have an appointment to meet friends?"

"I don’t know; she didn’t tell me, and I wasn’t home at the time," Shimura Ao shook his head then added, "Why don’t you get her phone records from the telecommunications company?"

"It would be more convenient if you could have just told me," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head and skipped the issue, "Mr. Shimura, it seems that you and Mrs. Shimura had a very good relationship, which truly is enviable."

"She was my first love," replied Shimura Ao with a hint of reminiscence and nostalgia in his eyes, tears shimmering as he muttered, "From middle school to university, right after graduating she married me. She was my everything."

As he finished speaking, he sniffed, wiped away the tears, and vowed through clenched teeth, "I must avenge her death. I will!"

"Please rest assured, Mr. Shimura, we will do our best to solve the case," Aoyama Xiu Xin said mechanically, offering a couple of consoling words before continuing to inquire, "Had Mrs. Shimura made any enemies or had disputes with anyone recently?"

"No, she was gentle with people, always patient in handling matters. She never had any conflicts with anyone," Shimura Ao shook his head.

"What about you?" asked Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Shimura Ao was startled, staring at Aoyama Xiu Xin without responding, but his silence spoke volumes.

"It seems, Mr. Shimura, you are well aware of your own remarks," Aoyama Xiu Xin couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity while trying to maintain a straight face, "While it’s infuriating, our police force wouldn’t resort to murdering your wife just because of that. So, who else if not us?"

"There’s no one else," Shimura Ao replied decisively.

Aoyama Xiu Xin tugged at the corner of his mouth, so sure that no one else was offended outside. He just thinks we are easy pushovers.

"Alright, that will be all for today, Mr. Shimura. You may go now," Aoyama Xiu Xin stated.

Shimura Ao stood up and took two eager steps forward, asking in a deep voice, "When can we expect any outcome?"

"Just wait for our notification," Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled slightly, uttering the six most aggravating words.

As a politician, Shimura Ao understood the real implication behind those words, instantly infuriated, he slammed the desk yelling, "Give me a specific time!"

Wait for notification? How long could that take? It might be a day, but it could also be a month, a year.

"Sorry, I don’t know either. After all, we are currently short on police staff, and each officer has many cases piled up," sighed Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Shimura Ao clearly knew this was intended mockery and provocation, especially since he had previously suggested the police were overstaffed and advocated for staff cuts.

"Idiot! You bastard!"

Although those were his own words, having just lost his wife, he couldn’t contain his anger and lashed out with his fist in fury.

Aoyama Xiu Xin just smiled and didn’t even try to dodge.

Nakamura Shinichi quickly stepped in, grabbing Shimura Ao’s raised fist and twisting it, while his other hand pressed down on his left shoulder, pinning him firmly against the desk.

"Let me go! Idiot! Let go!"

Shimura Ao roared and struggled furiously.

But being old and frail, he was no match for Nakamura Shinichi and remained helplessly pinned down.

Aoyama Xiu Xin leisurely took a cigarette and lighter from the desk, lit one up, and took a deep drag, then leaned down and blew the smoke in Shimura Ao’s face.

"Cough... Cough cough cough....cough cough..."

Caught off guard, Shimura Ao choked on the thick smoke, squinting his eyes reflexively.

"Mr. Shimura, this is my personal office, not your platform for speechmaking. Given you’ve just lost your wife and are in deep grief, I won’t take your rudeness into account this time, but next time I might have to charge you with assaulting an officer."

As the words fell, Aoyama Xiu Xin waved his hand.

Nakamura Shinichi released Shimura Ao and stepped back to stand.

"Hmph!" Shimura Ao got up, rubbing his sore shoulder, and glared fiercely at Aoyama Xiu Xin, saying word by word, "One week. If there’s no progress in a week, don’t blame me for being rude!"

After speaking, he turned around with a gloomy face, slammed the door, and left.

"Bang!"

Listening to the loud door slam, Aoyama Xiu Xin shrugged his shoulders, his expression as usual as he flicked the ash from his cigarette.

Ha, this old fool, truly lacking in manners.

"Proceed methodically with the investigation. Don’t rush. If you find evidence, it’s his good luck; if not, handle it as you were thinking, by deflecting the blame for tampering with the crime scene."

It was ultimately a life-and-death matter. It was impossible for him intentionally not to investigate, but he could treat Shimura Ae like any other ordinary complainant without prioritizing the case due to his status.

Of course, treating him like everyone else was a deliberate target and an insult for a legislator like Shimura Ao, who claimed to fight for the citizens’ benefits.

After all, he only claimed to fight for citizens’ benefits, not wanting to really be equal with those groundlings.

"Hi!" Nakamura Shinichi bowed and replied. Then, out of curiosity, he asked, "Did you just suspect Shimura Ao?"

"Just routine questioning. After all, when a spouse dies, the perpetrator is often the one closest," said Aoyama Xiu Xin nonchalantly flicking his ash, casually answering.

Nakamura Shinichi then asked, "And now?"

"It doesn’t seem to be him. His reaction just now was very normal, and his sorrow for his wife’s death didn’t seem feigned," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, adding after a pause, "but, someone like him is adept at acting, so I still don’t rule out this possibility. First, look into Mrs. Shimura’s social connections. She didn’t return home in the middle of a raging stormy night, surely someone must have called her out."

"Moreover, we can’t rule out it was a man. After all, such middle-aged, well-to-do women whose husbands have long ignored them, it’s likely his types wouldn’t satisfy her. Emotionally and physically lonely, with no stress and enough leisure, she could easily have an affair."

"If you really can’t find any suspects in her social circle, then change the direction of the investigation towards Shimura Ao and see if he has any motive to kill his wife."

Marriage has its risks, love must be cautious!

"Hi!" Nakamura Shinichi replied. After waiting a while, seeing that Aoyama Xiu Xin had no further instructions, he bowed and turned to leave, quietly closing the door behind him.

Aoyama Xiu Xin extinguished his cigarette, picked up the cold tea on the desk, and took a sip, frowning in thought.

He personally felt that it probably wasn’t Shimura Ao’s doing. After all, the head was smashed to pieces. If the killer wasn’t just a simple psychopath, then it seemed more like a venting of anger, what a grudge it must have been.

Putting down the tea cup, he looked at the watch only worth a few thousand US dollars, it was almost eleven. Aoyama Xiu Xin decided to visit the Internet Security Department before lunch.

Lately, he had been doing this, working in the investigation office for half a day, then visiting the Internet Security Department either walking around or sitting to deal with some files needing his input.

Though busy and tired, it was necessary.

After all, power abhors a vacuum; if he gave it up, naturally someone else would eagerly take it over.

He meant Kikumura Hazuma.

..........

Kikumura Hazuma was recently feeling very irritable.

For Aoyama Xiu Xin, he had restless, sleepless nights.

He originally thought that being transferred to this newly established department, he could act with the authority of a deputy director, as Aoyama Xiu Xin was very busy and definitely wouldn’t be able to pay much attention to the Internet Security Department side.

To obtain this transfer, he had greased palms and gifted liberally to finally achieve his goal.

But he never expected that Aoyama Xiu Xin, no matter how busy, still clung tightly to the power here, this workaholic was just too damn diligent and dedicated.

Originally, it all sounded good, saying that Kikumura Hazuma would later be troubled with managing the Internet Security Department, but now it seemed he would need the General Affairs Department’s approval for something as trivial as adding an extra chair; it required his personal signature before submission.

Don’t underestimate such things; authority and compliance are established through these trivial matters, quickly fostering a culture in the Internet Security Department where everyone reports to Aoyama Xiu Xin, getting his approval before proceeding.

After all, now wasn’t the time to slack off.

He had to wait until he completely controlled the Internet Security Department before he could promote someone trustworthy from his own people to share some of the power and lighten his workload.

Kikumura Hazuma was aware of this, so he was very troubled. If things continue like this, he would really end up obediently being a deputy director. What was the point of moving to Police Headquarters to set up a new department?

If that really was the case,

He might as well have stayed at the Police Ministry.

After all, being an assistant there, at least he was familiar with the place. Why bother braving new frontiers?

Professionally frustrated, his love life wasn’t doing well either.

From his experienced, sunny perspective, his cute and simple junior Asakura Yurong was clearly being subtly flirted with by Aoyama Xiu Xin, now every time he mentioned him, her eyes changed differently, damn it!

"No, I can’t just sit by and do nothing!"

Kikumura Hazuma took a deep breath, talking to himself.

It was time to do something. If he just let things continue like this, everything would go against his expectations.

The Internet Security Department could only belong to him!

"Knock, knock, knock." Suddenly, a knock on the door rang out.

Kikumura Hazuma asked, "What is it? Speak."

"Deputy Director, Police Chief Aoyama is here, in the main office." A report came from one of his trusted subordinates outside the door.

"Idiot." Kikumura Hazuma muttered a curse under his breath irritably but had no choice but to get up and head out.

Every time Aoyama Xiu Xin came, he had to reluctantly go out and meet him, not out of respect for his superior, but to prevent that guy from covertly winning people’s hearts behind the scenes, making him very annoyed.

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