"Another incident?"
Shuichi Hayashi opened the door, exasperation in his voice.
The God of Death hasn't even been born yet, so why is Mihama already a hotbed of trouble?
"Someone died at the Yolo Nightclub," Officer Megure said quickly. "Based on the evidence, the killer is a big shot from the Sumiyoshi-kai."
The Yamaguchi-gumi, Sumiyoshi-kai, and Inagawa-kai were Japan's three most powerful yakuza syndicates, with the Sumiyoshi-kai's headquarters right in Tokyo.
"You've got evidence, so arrest him," Shuichi said, puzzled. "Why do you need me? If you can't handle the yakuza, what chance do I have?"
"It's not that simple," Megure said, urgency in his voice. "We checked the victim's clothes—his jacket was missing a button. And the only eyewitness is Mr. Sada, who claims he saw the murder happen."
"But the suspect denies everything and called in a bunch of Sumiyoshi-kai members. They've surrounded the Yolo Nightclub."
"If this keeps up, the club's going to be a warzone tonight."
A missing button? Shuichi's brow furrowed.
That could mean the victim was Ms. Nishikawa's killer. But Sada being the sole witness? That was suspiciously convenient.
"Officer Matsumoto had no choice but to send me to get you," Megure said, bowing deeply at a perfect ninety degrees. "Hayashi, please, we need your help!"
With such a desperate plea, Shuichi could only nod. "Give me a second to change—"
Before he could finish, Megure, seeing his agreement, grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the stairs.
"Sorry, Hayashi, it's urgent. Pajamas won't make a difference."
…
The Yolo Nightclub was in Mihama's commercial district. In less than five minutes, Shuichi and Megure arrived in the police car.
"Talk about a spectacle…"
Shuichi peered out the window. Over a hundred burly, tattooed men in suits stood silently at the nightclub's entrance, their presence menacing.
"The yakuza are this bold, and the police department's got nothing?" Shuichi asked.
"Yakuza cases are handled by Division Four. I'm not in the loop," Megure said, shaking his head. "Even if the higher-ups want to crack down, that's for later. Right now, we need to defuse this mess. Matsumoto and several Division One officers are still trapped inside."
"Where's Division Four?" Shuichi asked. "Didn't Matsumoto say he'd ask Officer Odagiri to get them involved?"
"They're probably on their way," Megure replied. "Fifteen minutes ago, I called Detective Samezaki, then came to get you."
"Then we wait," Shuichi said, reclining his seat for a quick nap. "Wake me when Division Four shows up."
"Hayashi! Matsumoto and the others are still inside," Megure said, his face taut with worry. "If something happens…"
"Relax. Unless the yakuza have lost their minds, they won't openly attack cops," Shuichi said, yawning. "Look at those guys at the door. See any weapons?"
"They don't seem to have any, but…" Megure's unease lingered.
"If they were planning a fight, us going in would just add two more bodies," Shuichi reassured him. "Wait it out. They're just posturing to make a point. No one's dying tonight."
Time ticked by. Shuichi dozed off, snoring softly, while Megure fidgeted anxiously.
Half an hour later, piercing sirens jolted Shuichi awake. He rolled down the window and looked toward the sound.
Dozens of police cars sped toward them, followed by three buses bearing the markings of the riot squad.
The massive police response stirred the yakuza at the nightclub's entrance. Several underbosses shouted to maintain order among their restless ranks.
Shuichi stretched, stepped out of the car, and Megure hurried after him.
The arriving officers included familiar faces—Officer Odagiri, Detective Samezaki, Officer Sato—and a group of tough-looking strangers who seemed more intimidating than the yakuza themselves.
While the police brass coordinated, Shuichi stayed back, avoiding the fray.
Officer Sato approached, greeting him warmly. "Hayashi, sorry to drag you out so late. Thanks for looking after Miwako at the park last time."
"No trouble at all. Miwako's a sweetheart," Shuichi replied.
After some pleasantries, the brass finalized their plan.
The buses opened, and riot squad members poured out, shields and batons in hand, forming a disciplined line. They advanced toward the nightclub, stopping about ten meters from the yakuza.
A young officer with a buzz cut and a long chin stepped forward to negotiate with the yakuza leader.
"That's Katsutoshi Teraoka from Division Four," Sato explained to Shuichi and Megure. "He's only been with the department six months, but he's already made a name for himself handling yakuza cases. Megure, you're a rookie too—don't let him outshine you!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Megure replied, his confidence shaky.
Teraoka spoke briefly with the yakuza leader, then returned, expressionless.
"What's the situation?" Officer Odagiri asked urgently.
"They insist their boss, Ichiro Ito, was framed by a rival gang," Teraoka said. "They won't leave until we clear his name, even if we move in."
"Can't we act now?" Odagiri asked, his face grim, glancing at his colleague.
"Not unless it's absolutely necessary," the Division Four officer replied, shaking his head. "Ichiro Ito's a major Sumiyoshi-kai figure in Mihama."
"Among yakuza scum, he's one of the tamer ones. These guys out there are his loyal crew."
"If we take them down, it'll create a power vacuum in Mihama. Rival gangs will swoop in, and things will get messier than they are now."
"Damn it!" Odagiri slammed his fist on the police car.
Division Four advised restraint, but letting the yakuza walk would humiliate Division One. Odagiri could already imagine tomorrow's headlines:
"Incompetent Division One Bows to Yakuza, Lets Killer Go Free."
"This is what our taxes pay for? Useless cops?"
"Can Division One, too weak to face yakuza, really keep citizens safe?"
…
(End of Chapter)
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T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
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