Chapter 325: Chapter 323: Morimoto’s Rapid Promotion_1
「The next day, in Okubo.」
Morimoto Chiyoda yawned lazily as she stepped off the train. She hadn’t gotten drunk last night, but she had drunk quite a bit, leaving her head a little foggy. She didn’t like the feeling. The thought of having to repeat such mornings for the next few days. Morimoto Chiyoda sighed softly as she walked to the station exit, where it was pouring rain. The streets shrouded in rain were a little hazy. She opened her umbrella and stepped into the rain. Pea-sized raindrops hammered on the umbrella, and some parts of the road had already turned into little streams. Fortunately, her legs were long enough to take large steps. She watched the ground carefully to avoid wetting her shoes, finding a bit of fun on her way to work.
Morimoto Chiyoda arrived at Hisamatsu Apartment and put away her umbrella at the door, shaking off the rainwater. She walked up to the second floor and raised her hand to knock on the door. Soon, the door handle turned.
Okayama Buji greeted her with a smile, "Good morning, Morimoto."
"Good morning, Okayama," replied Morimoto Chiyoda, stepping into the house casually.
In the living room sat Ito Otome, Kitanotake, Iwaki Kususuke, and Miyaji Yosuke. Her eyes swept around, and she expressed surprise, "Dr. Ditch is actually late today? What a surprise, I thought he was the kind of character who would never be late unless he was dead."
"He’s dead," replied Okayama Buji from behind.
"Huh?!" Morimoto Chiyoda turned around, her face full of shock.
Okayama Buji said with a bitter smile, "Dr. Ditch was killed by Dio in the archives last night, and even his phone was smashed to pieces, just like Pavao’s state when he died. The time of death was at 8:10 pm."
Hearing this time, Morimoto Chiyoda frowned slightly. If her memory served her right, at 8:10 pm, she was pretending to be drunk and dragging Aozawa onto the dance floor. That brat took the chance to cop a feel.
"Why would Dio kill Dr. Ditch?"
"It’s probably related to Ponte," Okayama Buji explained. "Before Dr. Ditch’s death, Ponte and his people were killed by Dio.
"The case we encountered yesterday at noon was intentionally orchestrated by Ponte. Dio might have learned the cause through Pavao and then saw Dr. Ditch as one of Ponte’s associates.
"The Young Dragon, who was responsible for the live broadcast in Shinjuku that night, died before Dr. Ditch, killed just before going on air."
With that, Okayama Buji turned on a computer and played a video. It was footage from a satellite in outer space. The camera showed the blue Earth and the dark expanse of space, and a space satellite within. Completely silver and cylindrical, with a ring of outward-facing metal at the end, it looked like something straight out of science fiction. The satellite suddenly began to rotate, with one side opening and releasing a long tungsten rod, which plunged into the Earth’s atmosphere, fire surging around it. Suddenly, a diamond-shaped, multicolored Light Shield appeared in the sky. It shattered silently. The tungsten rod continued its descent, and a second layer of the Light Shield appeared, once again broken through. Then came the third layer. This time, the tungsten rod couldn’t break through the Light Shield; instead, the Light Shield repelled the rod at an even greater speed back into space. The floating satellite was struck by the tungsten rod and exploded with a roar. After the flames, a bunch of scattered debris floated in outer space, utterly devoid of beauty. The video ended there.
Morimoto Chiyoda said with a bitter smile, "I really wish this was the opening CG of a video game."
"Unfortunately, this is what actually happened last night. Before his death, Ponte used Space-based Weapons, and as you saw, Dio crushed it," said Okayama Buji, his tone complex. The original Dio was strong, but his lethality was limited to single combat. In their understanding, it was still possible to eliminate Dio using weapons of mass destruction. Now it seemed they had been too optimistic. Dio’s power was so immense that not even weapons of mass destruction could be sure to take him out; it was far beyond human imagination.
Morimoto Chiyoda suddenly burst out laughing.
Ito Otome, sitting on the couch, said irritably, "Have you gone mad?"
"Of course not." Morimoto Chiyoda was in good spirits and didn’t bother to argue with her. Successfully confirmed that Aozawa was not connected to Dio. Or rather, even if Aozawa was Dio, it didn’t matter. With such strength, humans couldn’t kill him. "I laugh only because we finally got rid of Dr. Ditch’s kind of fanatical imperialist leadership. I wonder if they will consider letting Emily come back?"
On this topic, Iwaki Kususuke scratched his head and said, "It’s not clear how the higher-ups feel. Emily might not come back. I found out that last night, she was actually collecting criminal data on the Yakuza. I suspect she’s received other assignments and given up chasing Dio."
"’It could also be that she’s in a huff because we didn’t contact her,’ Morimoto Chiyoda said with a smile. She was well aware of Emily’s contrary temperament. Even though Emily knew the task force wasn’t suitable to keep in touch with her, she’d still get upset if they didn’t contact her.
"Okayama Buji, picturing Emily’s face puffed up with anger, couldn’t help but chuckle too. Then, he said seriously, "According to the information I’ve received, the cabinet is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the next Police Director for the Metropolitan Police Department."
"No matter who it is," Morimoto Chiyoda replied, "I hope everything stays the same. That way, I can still have good black tea." She sat down, already missing Katerina’s black tea.
「Prime Minister’s residence, meeting room.」
Kumazo Yasuda watched the ministers discuss the unresolved matters from last night. They were of an older generation and couldn’t pull all-night discussions like the young, dispersing around eleven o’clock last night. They had been talking from seven this morning until now but still hadn’t reached a result.
Unlike last time, where they kept recommending their own people for Police Director, the ministers now appeared rather humble. They actually favored advocating for others to take on the role, shirking the responsibility. The fact that the newly appointed Police Director was eliminated within days showed that promoting someone capable was undoubtedly a dangerous affair. But if they put an incompetent person in charge, it would revert to the previous awkward situation. The cabinet couldn’t just dismiss the previous Matsunaga and appoint someone similar; after all, they still cared about their image. The problem was, capable people didn’t want the position.
While everyone traded officialese, the Minister of State spoke up, "Gentlemen, I have an idea. Why not choose someone from the task force to be the Police Director?
"Let him deal with the task force’s affairs, like Director Ponte, and leave everything else to those below.
"What do you think?"
"Not a bad idea." Kumazo Yasuda immediately backed the Minister of State’s proposal. Appointing someone from the task force as the Police Director could also prevent news about Dio from spreading further. Ministers initially prepared to object changed their minds quickly when even the Prime Minister weighed in.
Someone suggested, "Then let Okayama Buji take over as Police Director. The Okayama Family has been maintaining public security as police officers since the Meiji period."
"That’s exactly why it’s inappropriate. The rumor mill accuses us of bureaucracy, saying our offices are a four-generation inheritance. The new Police Director should be someone without such a background."
"Then how about Iwaki Kususuke? He’s a veteran officer and has the ability."
"Since we want to promote our progressiveness, he obviously doesn’t quite fit; he wouldn’t generate enough public interest."
The ministers present were very familiar with the task force personnel.
The Minister of State spoke up again, "Then let Morimoto Chiyoda become the Police Director. Her record is outstanding; she graduated from Tokyo University. First in every subject and a young woman to boot. ’History’s youngest, most beautiful Police Director’ – now that’s a striking headline that could quickly divert netizens’ attention from Director Ponte’s sacrifice."
"Do you have any objections?" Kumazo Yasuda scanned the other ministers, trying to spot any opposing opinion.
The Chief Cabinet Secretary was the first to speak up, "I have no objections."
Nor did the other ministers; picking someone without a background to take the helm was undeniably in the interest of those pulling the strings. Someone without a background was easier to manipulate and control. And having someone capable lead the task force aligned with the interests of Kumazo Yasuda and the Minister of State. For the onlooking public, the youngest and prettiest Police Director in history would definitely become a topic of conversation. It was a win-win for everyone involved.
...
Morimoto Chiyoda, who had been drinking tea at the Hisamatsu Apartment, was summoned to the Prime Minister’s residence. It was her first time ever setting foot in the nation’s power center. With her personality, it was hard not to feel a tinge of nervousness. Her eyes swept over the scenery inside the residence. Stripping away the veneer of power, it wasn’t much different from those large corporate offices, perhaps not even as fancy as some multinational companies. Morimoto Chiyoda quickly relaxed, settling in on a sofa to await her meeting with the Prime Minister.
After about fifteen minutes, someone notified her, "You may go in and see the Prime Minister. Remember, don’t be too rude."
Morimoto Chiyoda nodded and entered the Prime Minister’s office. The spacious interior had a layout not much different from those of company bosses. She stepped forward and bowed, "Prime Minister Yasuda, good morning. May I ask what matter you need to see me about?"
Kumazo Yasuda looked at the tall woman with long black hair in front of him, even more attractive than the photos had suggested. His face warmed with a gentle expression as he beckoned, "Don’t be nervous, sit down first.
"The reason I called you here is to inform you that, after the cabinet’s decision, we believe your exemplary results qualify you for the position of Police Director."
"Excuse me?" Morimoto Chiyoda was startled by the news, quickly responding, "I am of insufficient learning and fear I may not be suited for the role."
Kumazo Yasuda smiled, "A Tokyo University top graduate calling herself lacking? Who in the Metropolitan Police Department could then be considered learned?
"I think there is no better candidate than you to serve as Police Director, overseeing the task force’s investigation into Dio."
"No, no, I don’t even have a three-story villa in Tokyo, nor a Lamborghini to travel in. How could I possibly fit the status of Police Director?" Morimoto Chiyoda feigned a shake of the head, subtly hinting at benefits. She understood that if there weren’t a lack of suitable people above, they wouldn’t bother with her, a woman with no background.
Kumazo Yasuda laughed. He wasn’t afraid of Morimoto Chiyoda’s greed—only that she wouldn’t be greedy enough.