Suzuki Chihisa expressed his frustration, stating, “Please let them know that there has been no progress on this matter. If there is any significant development, I will promptly announce it to the national and international media at a press conference.”
The deputy acknowledged, “Understood, Mr. Bankszuki. I’ll inform them right away!”
Before the deputy could leave, Tomohisa Suzuki added, “Oh, and from now on, no media reporters are allowed to enter the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department without prior invitation or permission!”
“Got it!” the deputy replied.
Once the deputy left, Tomohisa Suzuki rubbed his temples, feeling overwhelmed. He muttered to himself, “Why is it that every time you’re in a difficult situation, nothing ever goes right? This case is drawing massive attention, not just from the nation but also from international media. If it’s mishandled, it could ruin my reputation. It’s incrediblyplicated!”<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">
Lost in thought, his phone suddenly rang.
The sound of the ringing made his heart race, and a chill ran down his spine.
He dreaded answering the phone, not only because various media outlets were desperately trying to get in touch with him for interviews but also because many government officials were constantly inquiring about the investigation’s progress.
This situation was weighing heavily on him.
When he nced at the screen, he saw it was his niece, Nanako Ito, calling.
The Suzuki and Ito families had a long-standing friendship. Tomohisa had been close with Ito Yuhiko since childhood, attending the same university together. While they weren’t brothers, their bond was akin to that of siblings.
Thus, Nanako Ito felt like a daughter to him.
Seeing her name pop up eased his agitation. He answered with a slight smile, “Nanako, what a pleasant surprise! What made you think of calling me?”
Nanako Ito quickly replied, “Uncle Suzuki, I heard you recently transferred to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to look into Xion’s disappearance?”
“That’s correct,” Tomohisa Suzuki responded. “How did you find out, Nanako?”
“I heard it from friends…” she admitted. “Uncle Suzuki, have you discovered any useful leads?”<fnc90c> Fresh chapters posted on FιndＮovel</fnc90c>
Tomohisa sighed heavily, “Unfortunately, no. It’s as if Xion has vanished from the face of the earth.”
After a brief pause, Nanako Ito continued, “Uncle Suzuki, I have a very good friend who just called me with some information, so I wanted to reach out to you immediately.”
Tomohisa’s interest piqued. “Really? What did your friend say? Who is he?”
Nanako Ito replied, “I’m sorry, Uncle Suzuki, but I can’t disclose my friend’s identity.”
She then borated, “As for the clue, he mentioned that Xion’s quiet transfer wasn’t due to any issues within the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. It originated from the Banks Family and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces.”
“The Japanese Self-Defense Forces?” Tomohisa eximed, taken aback. “Are they involved in this situation as well?”
“Yes,” Nanako confirmed. “My friend indicated that the Banks Family and the Self-Defense Forces coborated, and Xion left a package, then shifted the me onto the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.”
Tomohisa pressed on, “What’s their goal? Are they trying to rescue Xion and return him to the Banks Family?”
“No,” Nanako corrected. “Their aim is to make Xion a scapegoat for the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, and then the Japanese Self-Defense Forces will capture Xion from the sea, taking all the credit for the rescue.”
“What?!” Tomohisa was taken aback, eximing, “Nanako… are you sure about this?!”
“This is what my friend told me,” she insisted with seriousness. “He believes it’s true. He suggested that if you want to act on this clue, you could leverage your connections within the national security department to detain the Self-Defense Forces members who were patrolling the sea near Tokyo Port yesterday for quarantine review. There’s a good chance this could lead to a breakthrough!”