Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister
Chapter 445 - 393: Like Candied Hawthorn, Turning Bad Things into Good Things

Chapter 445: Chapter 393: Like Candied Hawthorn, Turning Bad Things into Good Things

When Fujimoto Takayoshi, reeking of alcohol, arrived at Datoru Park with his inebriated subordinates, the chaos at the scene had already subsided, leaving only a mess. Ambulances were coming and going in large numbers, as medical staff continuously carried away the injured or the bodies of the deceased.

Looking at the horrific scene, everyone sobered up significantly, feeling as if they had fallen into an ice pit; their scalps tingled, knowing the trouble at the Police Headquarters was imminent.

"Ah!" A female section chief screamed.

Everyone instinctively followed her gaze and shuddered. Seven heads with disheveled hair and bulging eyes in anger were strung together, gently swinging in the middle of the stage, with a small puddle of dried blood on the floor.

"Fujimoto Director," said Yamashita Kogoro with a weary face, walking over. His gaze lingered on Aoyama Xiu Xin before turning back to Fujimoto Takayoshi and he said in a deep voice, "Tonight’s stampede resulted in 27 deaths, 106 people sent to the hospital, and 7 police officers injured while maintaining order. The mayor fainted due to high blood pressure and was delayed in getting medical treatment due to the chaos. He was sent to the hospital for emergency care half an hour ago. We are in big trouble now."

"2...27." Fujimoto Takayoshi’s voice was dry as he squeezed out the number, and thinking of the mayor who had been sent for emergency treatment, he nearly blacked out.

Regardless of whether the authorities wished it or not, power inherently represented responsibility. As the direct person in charge of security in Hokkaido, the occurrence of such a major incident meant he couldn’t escape accountability.

"Ding-dong! Ding-dong!"

At that moment, Yamashita Kogoro’s phone rang. He answered it casually. His previously grim expression relaxed considerably and after hanging up, he let out a long breath, "The mayor is out of danger now."

"Sigh—"

Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief.

The death of 27 citizens was already frightening enough.

If the mayor had died, it would have been a massive issue.

"That’s good, that’s good," Fujimoto Takayoshi murmured, his previously deadened mind sprang back to life, a glint of cunning sparking in his beady eyes, "We can’t take responsibility for 27 deaths. Once this spreads, the higher-ups, pressured, will undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation, so the death toll must be kept below 10. Have the Disaster Countermeasures Officer talk to the families of the deceased and make them take money and keep quiet."

A stampede involving thousands that results in only a single-digit death toll would certainly not lead to accountability. With a thick enough skin, one could even boast of having maintained proper order.

"Sir!" The Minister answered obediently as the Disaster Countermeasures Officer reported to him. He then tentatively added, "But where will the money come from?"

There’s no problem that money can’t solve.

The problem is there’s no money.

"I will meet with influential business people from Sapporo and explain the stakes. We are doing this for the reputation of Sapporo City and the Sapporo Snow Festival. I hope they understand and contribute generously," Fujimoto Takayoshi stated earnestly.

But everyone except Aoyama Xiu Xin and Nakamura Shinichi instantly understood, well aware that Fujimoto Takayoshi was preparing to extort those who colluded with the police.

Fujimoto Takayoshi turned, giving Aoyama Xiu Xin a meaningful look, "Mr. Aoyama, I didn’t hide tonight’s events from you because I see you as one of us. You must understand the dire necessity of my actions."

Even now, he was still testing his loyalty.

"Sir! Don’t worry, Director. I’m not one of those rigid types. I understand the need for flexibility, all for the greater good," Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded.

He was now part of the Hokkaido Police Headquarters, naturally wanting to protect the collective interests and honor.

Even if exposing Fujimoto Takayoshi and bringing him down was possible, what benefit would it bring him? He couldn’t possibly succeed him or even advance in Hokkaido, as local police would shun or even despise him.

Uniting to overcome this crisis would instead earn their acknowledgment, being accepted as one of them.

With his own fame and personal charm, once integrated into the Hokkaido Police Headquarters and accepted by other officers, he could attract a considerable following.

This way, competing with Fujimoto Takayoshi or other leaders would simply be an internal conflict, with some supporting him and others remaining neutral.

It would not be a battle against an entire local interest group as an outsider, which would be extremely difficult.

"Hell yeah! Mr. Aoyama truly knows the big picture," Fujimoto Takayoshi nodded in satisfaction, then his expression turned grave as he looked at the seven heads strung together, coldly stating, "The murderer is absolutely heartless, with no regard for human life. We must catch him at all costs to set an example!"

The murderer’s capture was not driven by his body count but by the challenge he posed to the police, causing them trouble.

Nakamura Shinichi was about to step forward when Aoyama Xiu Xin spoke first, "Given the urgency, I, as the Deputy Director of Criminal Affairs, can’t afford to slack off. Let me be the one to drag this guy out from the shadows."

His taking over the case was not to compete with Nakamura Shinichi for credit but rather to protect him.

According to Nakamura Shinichi’s plan, if they couldn’t catch the real perpetrator, they would scapegoat someone. That wouldn’t have been a problem originally, but now, such action wouldn’t be acceptable to Fujimoto Takayoshi, who had resolved to capture the real criminal.

Because by this point, the failure to catch the murderer had caused more damage than if they had caught him.

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