Chapter 143
Even Usuha Izuki hadn't expected this person to be so reckless.
He was actually just casually being contrary to grind some suspicion values, saying things that didn't match his police identity.
But the other side got so worked up they directly silenced him!
Even Usuha Izuki was shocked, let alone the attending physician. Thinking his statement had caused the other to make such a vicious oath made the attending physician somewhat intimidated.
Japanese society was relatively cold—most people didn't care how others behaved as long as it didn't affect them. The attending physician was at most responsible for patients, but usually minded his own business, especially since colleagues had been killed for such involvement, leaving everyone with lingering fears.
However, this didn't mean he opposed others reporting suspicious people to police.
This was entirely about personal social responsibility and sense of justice—some had less, some had more, all very normal. Unless it was a wanted criminal with a bounty, then there was an obligation to report. Other situations didn't involve moral blackmail forcing people to take risks. This police officer being so insistent, acting like reporting was mandatory, and making such vicious oaths made him both depressed and worried.
As a psychologist, he could tell this police officer was somewhat obsessive, so he was very worried that if the oath came true, this person would really eat shit. Maybe after thinking it over, feeling he'd started the topic, they'd come settle accounts with him... such things weren't impossible!
He could only try to mediate.
So the attending physician hesitantly changed his stance: "Actually, actually if encountering something particularly suspicious, reporting when necessary is still appropriate..."
His partner got excited, looking at Usuha Izuki triumphantly: "See!"
Shiratori Ninzaburo took a deep breath and said with forced patience: "Enough, what's worth arguing about this? Use this energy on the case instead—catch the killer quickly!"
Usuha Izuki couldn't be bothered with the other party and directly strode out of the room.
When his partner came out chattering with Shiratori Ninzaburo, Usuha Izuki was long gone.
"Why did he run off?" His partner was disappointed. "Did he admit defeat? I haven't asked him what punishment he'd face if he lost!"
"Stop causing trouble... Samukawa wasn't in our group anyway. Since there's no intelligence worth investigating at the hospital, him leaving directly isn't problematic."
Shiratori Ninzaburo tiredly discovered his partner still hadn't realized the crisis: "Besides, that question's focus wasn't whether citizens have an obligation to risk reporting to police... when he said it might involve high-level people, do you think he was just talking nonsense?"
This was tantamount to clearly indicating Shiratori Ninzaburo seemed to trust Samukawa Shinryu more.
His partner was greatly shocked: "You actually agree with his nonsense! Should police talk like that?"
Shiratori Ninzaburo was even more tired: "I said that's not the point, and that's not what I'm agreeing with... forget it!"
His partner was a senior who had graduated several years before him. Not being from the career track, his attitude toward career-track elites like him was somewhat subtle.
Usually they got along fine—his personality was fairly straightforward. But this sudden obsessive behavior was quite troublesome. Him defending Samukawa Shinryu probably wouldn't get through to his senior... sigh, some people really deserved not getting into the career track.
But what exactly did Samukawa Shinryu know to feel this case involved high-level people?
Shiratori Ninzaburo was very conflicted, regretting being a step too slow earlier. He should have stopped and questioned clearly before letting Samukawa Shinryu leave.
But it had only been half a day! Shouldn't everyone be at the same starting line?! Who was really the career-track elite?!
Leaving the hospital, Usuha Izuki was also rarely this speechless. Who wanted to watch someone eat shit? Winning just earned him the opportunity to watch someone eat shit—he wouldn't be happy about that!
Handstand eating too—how could they swallow it! Really knew how to increase life's difficulty level!
Having spent a long time on preliminary investigation, then convincing doctors and gathering intelligence at the hospital, the sun had already set. Theoretically, it was about time to prepare for getting off work.
But detective work—when you had cases on hand, don't dream of leaving on time. Being able to leave at all was good enough. It was common to work through the night and continue the next day.
Some had even compiled anti-sudden-death meal plans, claiming eating certain things kept you energetic even without sleep...
Samukawa Shinryu's physical condition had no major problems with all-nighters. During his Mobile Investigation Unit days, he could handle 24 hours of vehicle bumping. But detectives weren't on 24-hour shifts—you could rotate back for rest the next day. Now, having to work overtime for group harmony made Usuha Izuki somewhat annoyed.
So he found a place and called Amuro Toru again.
"How was it? Finished asking? What did Rum say?"
If the organization had actions, he'd wait depending on circumstances. If the organization had no plans, he'd proceed with his own.
Amuro Toru was very speechless: "You're too impatient..."
With such high presence, he couldn't understand how Vodka, who could never find Usuha Izuki, managed.
Usuha Izuki urged: "Did you ask? If not, go ask now. This is a serial murder case! How can you not be urgent about such a big matter!"
Amuro Toru: "...I'm not police. Let police worry about such things. Why are you worrying so much for police?"
Usuha Izuki said sincerely: "I want to experience being a good police officer."
"..." Amuro Toru silently took a deep breath, skipped this topic. "I asked. Rum's meaning is to watch the police situation. If they solve the case quickly, the organization will observe. If slowly, the organization will silence Police Superintendent Kitami first."
Usuha Izuki thought for a moment and quickly understood the reason.
Police Superintendent Kitami had already contacted organization-related leads. If police solved cases quickly, Police Superintendent Kitami would have no time to investigate the organization deeply. Being arrested directly would end things there. The low-profile organization would be very safe.
But if police were slow solving cases, and Police Superintendent Kitami made progress investigating the organization during this time, the leverage they'd collected seemed unusable. Buying someone who might be imprisoned anytime was quite a loss. Better to silence him directly to prevent him from talking randomly in prison.
"How do we judge police case-solving speed?" Usuha Izuki asked sincerely.
Amuro Toru said: "One week. If they haven't investigated the Kitami father and son in a week, I'll contact the action group."
From his personal perspective, he naturally hoped police would be effective and solve the case early, arresting these two to see what could be extracted.
Usuha Izuki also hoped to finish this case quickly: "One week? The organization's efficiency is too low. Can't they assassinate today?"
My god! Actually waiting a week! Did he have to work overtime this whole week?! What a joke!
Amuro Toru said: "This is Rum's arrangement. If you're dissatisfied, you can ask Rum... you have his number, right?"
"I do, but..."
Amuro Toru felt relieved: "Actually, you can go to Rum for such questions."
Usuha Izuki was silent briefly: "Are you eager to hang up? Do you have an issue with me?"
"No, I'm just a bit busy..."
After talking with Morofushi Hiromitsu, being supplemented with many details about Usuha Izuki from Morofushi Hiromitsu's side—previously Morofushi Hiromitsu thought they were all just crazy episodes, unnecessary to share in such detail. Now recalling and telling, it wasn't as impressive as the original... things that would eventually be told anyway felt somewhat wasteful.
There wasn't much intelligence on Arak Wine—still the same information. But they'd pay special attention afterward, secretly collecting intelligence. For now, they could only analyze Arak Wine through Usuha Izuki.
Amuro Toru joined the analysis, his mind running at high speed for a long time, actually feeling somewhat tired.
Especially hearing Usuha Izuki's voice somehow doubled the fatigue... strange.
Usuha Izuki wanted to know why these two had been adding suspicion values to him: "So busy—what are you doing?"
Amuro Toru had instinctively wanted to brush it off, but suddenly remembered his busyness involved Usuha Izuki-related troubles, so he quickly adjusted his mindset and plan.
He probed: "Just in case, I'm considering which sniper to find... speaking of which, I heard your sniping isn't bad. Did you practice in the Middle East?"
Usuha Izuki was silent briefly.
System was shocked: [He actually wants to freeload your labor!]
[You're stupid! Is that the point? He originally avoided me, but now suddenly starts asking about Middle Eastern matters, different from Morofushi Hiromitsu's purposeless information gathering... I get it. Has he finally realized Arak Wine might be an undercover agent?]
Usuha Izuki sighed: [What efficiency do Japanese police have? Arak Wine's been gone for years! Only now thinking about making contact?]
System joined the analysis: [Amuro Toru also knows Arak Wine is dead, so asking this isn't for contact, right?]
[...Makes sense.] Usuha Izuki thought again, reaching an uncertain conclusion. [Could it be they're not even sure if Arak Wine is the person they're looking for?]
[That can't be right. Are spy training institutions that casual?]
[I'll know if I ask.]
So Amuro Toru heard Usuha Izuki fall silent on the other end for a while, then suddenly speak.
"Are you asking about Arak Wine? What else do you want to know? Ask together."
Amuro Toru: "...!!!"