Chapter 19: Drawing Resentment—Unreasonable Superiors

“Idiot! Aoyama Hidenobu, what are you doing!” Kiyomizu Saburo barked sharply, “Drinking on the job is bad enough, but now you even dare to be disrespectful to your superiors? You’re really bold! I’ll definitely report this and make sure you get the punishment you deserve!”

Nakayama Akihiro was his superior, Yanagawa Konichi his subordinate. One had been killed by Aoyama Hidenobu himself, while the other had been dismissed because of him. Naturally, his attitude toward Hidenobu was far from friendly.

“Is that so?” Aoyama Hidenobu showed no sign of panic, raising his voice, “Inspector Kiyomizu, it was Inspector Sato from the First Division of the Metropolitan Police Department who invited us for a few drinks to discuss some matters. Do you want me to call him and let him explain for us?”

Fujimoto Ryoichi’s pupils contracted briefly, but he quickly regained composure, quietly watching Hidenobu’s performance.

Hearing the words “Metropolitan Police Department,” “First Division,” and “Inspector Sato,” Kiyomizu Saburo’s expression froze instantly.

Few understood the real story behind Sato using Hidenobu as a scapegoat; most believed his demotion was legitimate and deserved.

Sato, the sly fox, harmed Hidenobu on the one hand while outwardly acting as though he lamented losing such a talented officer, creating the impression that Hidenobu had only been transferred instead of dismissed because Sato had fought for him, all for the sake of his own reputation.

So Saburo believed Hidenobu’s words and, in front of everyone, found himself at an awkward impasse, rendered speechless.

“In that case, I’ll call Inspector Sato right now,” Hidenobu picked up his phone, pretending to dial. He really did know Sato’s number—after all, Sato had been his superior.

“No, no, please!” Saburo, seeing this, forgot all about saving face and hurriedly interjected, forcing a laugh as he conceded, “Inspector Sato is extremely busy; let’s not disturb him. If it was because of work with Inspector Sato that you had a couple of drinks, that’s understandable. I apologize for not knowing the full situation.”

“Is it that you didn’t know the situation?” Hidenobu suddenly raised his voice, pointing at Saburo’s nose and scolding, “I think you simply don’t respect Inspector Sato! Clearly, you have a problem with him! I’m definitely calling him today!”

He was nothing like his predecessor, harmless and meek. Since Sato had set him up and then tried to keep a good reputation, Hidenobu would use Sato’s name to throw his weight around and stir up trouble for him, collecting a bit of interest while he couldn’t yet seek revenge.

“No! Please, don’t!” Saburo broke out in a cold sweat, nearly in tears—Nakayama Akihiro had just died, and if Hidenobu embellished the story and angered Inspector Sato, no one would speak up for him. “Detective Aoyama, it was my mistake.”

“Louder! If you can’t even speak up, do you still want to be a police officer?” Hidenobu pressed his advantage.

Faced with the threat to his career, Saburo quickly stepped back and bowed deeply to both men, “Please, Deputy Fujimoto, Deputy Aoyama, be magnanimous and don’t hold this against me.”

Watching the man who had boasted before him just days ago now bow his head in fear, Fujimoto Ryoichi felt immense satisfaction.

“Humph! Let this be a lesson,” Hidenobu snorted, brushing past him and heading upstairs.

The colleagues gathered in the first-floor lobby hastily made way.

Fujimoto Ryoichi hurried to catch up, lowering his voice, “Are you close with Inspector Sato?”

That’s how it seemed to him—otherwise, how would Hidenobu dare to invoke Sato’s name to intimidate others? Only those with a good relationship could risk such a move.

“Me and him? Not bad, I suppose. He’d love to see me dead, and I’d love to see him dead too,” Hidenobu replied airily.

“Oh, oh, hmm?!” Fujimoto blinked, then widened his eyes and whispered, “You two are enemies? Then how could you dare use his name to intimidate others?”

“Exactly. It’s because we’re enemies that I can do it,” Hidenobu declared confidently.

Fujimoto opened his mouth, but was left speechless.

The Criminal Division and Organized Crime Countermeasures Division were on different floors; they parted ways on the second floor.

“Deputy Chief.”

When Hidenobu entered the office, the officers inside immediately stood up and greeted him.

Thanks to two major achievements and Asai Aya’s support, his prestige in the Ballistics and Explosives Unit had soared.

He nodded in response, walked to his desk by the window, and sat down.

He had barely settled in when the door to Asai Aya’s office at the far end opened, and she called out from the doorway, “Deputy Aoyama, there’s been a murder in Kitashinjuku 2-chome caused by drug-induced psychosis. The mobile unit has already controlled the suspect at the scene. Take two people and handle it.”

“Yes!” Hidenobu stood, randomly selecting two men and a woman, “Sachiko, Nakamura, Inoue, you three come with me to the scene.”

“Yes!” The trio promptly stood and followed Hidenobu out.

…………………………

While Hidenobu was out at the scene, the episode in the first-floor lobby quickly spread throughout Shinjuku Police Station. Chief Asai Takehiko heard about it and chuckled, commenting, “He’s truly a fearless, reckless sort.”

But he needed just such a talent.

On the other hand, Sato Toshitomi had yet to take any action against Hidenobu, leaving Asai Takehiko with no opportunity to recruit Hidenobu for himself.

It seemed a little push was needed.

After pondering, Asai Takehiko summoned his secretary and instructed him to leak the story of Aoyama Hidenobu using Sato Toshitomi’s name to intimidate others to Sato’s camp.

Tokyo’s police circles were small; the secretary soon relayed the news to someone close to Sato, who quickly informed Sato.

“Idiot! That damn brat!” Sato Toshitomi’s face turned livid with rage—Hidenobu had succeeded in infuriating him, and he could not let this continue.

Otherwise, his reputation would ultimately suffer.

The messenger was Hidenobu’s former immediate superior, Takahashi Tomoto, Chief of the Second Robbery Squad in the First Division. He quickly poured a glass of water for Sato, “Inspector, please calm yourself. Don’t let such a scoundrel affect your health; you carry the entire First Division on your shoulders!”

“You’re right. There’s no need to be angry just because an ant crawls across your foot,” Sato said viciously, draining the glass and wiping his mouth. “But I’ll crush it directly!”

Bang! He set the glass down with force, looked at Takahashi Tomoto, and said, “The position of Chief of Criminal Division at Shinjuku is vacant. I want you to go down and get some experience. What do you think?”

“I’ll follow orders,” Takahashi replied, then added with concern, “But Shinjuku is ultimately Inspector Asai’s territory; he won’t likely let go of such an important position.”

“I’ll make him agree. That’s not your concern,” Sato waved dismissively, his face cold and teeth clenched. “Just focus on crushing that troublesome ant for me once you’re at Shinjuku!”

“Yes!” Takahashi stepped back, bowing deeply. “Rest assured, Inspector—I’ll make sure you see a result you’re satisfied with!”