"Tell him to pull out every one of those rusted nails. Make absolutely sure they're pulled out cleanly."
After hearing the message relayed by Megure, Ritsu nodded in satisfaction and crushed out the cigarette in his hand.
With the MPD now involved, everything would become much easier. After all, he already knew the identities of the two umbrellas protecting Nishida from behind the scenes.
While undercover at SevenDS, he had spotted a familiar face.
As he was heading up to the second floor, he'd noticed a red-haired young man wearing a black eyepatch sitting in one of the VIP booths on the first floor.
The man's name was Keisuke Sakuma, leader of the Sakuma Group under the Nisan-kai. He was one of the syndicate's key executives and had been active throughout Ibaraki Prefecture for years. He had only become group leader within the past two years.
This wasn't information Ritsu had uncovered himself.
Back when the Tropical Land transaction had been linked to the Nisan-kai, he'd gotten bored and read through all the intelligence the Organization had gathered on the syndicate.
Sakuma's profile had been compiled by someone he knew very well.
Right now, that person was probably assisting Vermouth on a mission in New York.
That person was Rei.
"You really helped me out, Zero."
As he reviewed Sakuma's background information, Ritsu finally understood why the Ibaraki police had been so inactive.
Sakuma and Nishida were actually half-brothers.
They shared the same father, though neither used his surname. Both had taken their mothers' family names.
Ritsu narrowed his eyes and stared at the father's entry. The name was extremely familiar.
...
Daigo Nojima
Male, 58 years old.
Chief of the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters.
Rank: Superintendent.
...
Who would've thought?
Just one superintendent working together with the Nisan-kai had managed to stain all of Ibaraki black.
If not for this murder case, who knew how many more years these rusted nails would have remained buried where they were?
Nishida would undoubtedly suspect that the man who had visited SevenDS was either an undercover journalist or a police officer.
However, he was accustomed to having his cheap father clean up every mess he created.
That meant he probably wouldn't immediately call for help and that made right now the perfect opportunity.
"Hayasaka."
"Onizawa, why has your phone been off this whole time? Takagi and Sato have already arrived and linked up with us ahead of schedule. Are we still waiting?"
"No."
Ritsu finished putting on his earpiece while driving toward the Ibaraki Police Headquarters.
"It's time to start reeling in the net."
"Reeling in the net? You already know who's behind all this?"
"Yeah. The Nisan-kai is involved too."
As he drove, he continued,
"Have Takagi and Sato head to SevenDS. One person watches the front entrance, the other covers the back. The moment Nishida appears, arrest him on the spot. I've already emailed you his photo."
"Got it. What about me? You're not seriously making me stay here, are you?"
"Head to the pickled plum shop I mentioned before. Your target is Asahi."
Ritsu's lips curved upward.
"The MPD has approved the operation. Go all out."
Hayasaka blinked. "The MPD is backing us now? Does that mean we're even allowed to use firearms?"
"Uh... let's avoid shooting unless it's absolutely necessary."
He rubbed his forehead. "I'm on my way to the police headquarters. You all move out immediately."
"Roger!"
After ending the call, Ritsu removed the earpiece and slipped it into his pocket.
Now all he had to do was wait for dawn.
Once the big fish received word from the smaller fish, everyone connected to the case would inevitably gather for an emergency meeting.
...
Parking in a nearby lot,
Ritsu entered a coffee shop across the street from the police headquarters. He deliberately chose a window seat and calmly observed everything happening outside.
"I wonder if they'll promote my rank after this."
Resting his chin on one hand, he muttered to himself. After all, he'd just done the MPD a massive favor.
Who knew how many pieces of human trash would be uncovered once they started following the trail?
Several hours passed.
Not long after sunrise, several Nissan vehicles drove into the police headquarters parking lot.
This certainly wasn't because everyone had enthusiastically shown up early on the first day of the new year.
The big fish were simply trying to leap over a dragon gate called the law.
Ritsu slowly finished the last sip of coffee.
Wiping the corner of his mouth, he picked up his phone and sent a group message to the three officers conducting surveillance.
[Onizawa: The fish has taken the bait. Time to reel in the net.]
Straightening his tie, he crossed the street toward the Ibaraki Police Headquarters with light, unhurried steps.
At the reception desk, the officer on night duty had actually fallen asleep.
Completely unacceptable.
Ritsu knocked twice on the counter with the back of his hand.
"Wha—?! Y-Yes? How can I help you?"
The young officer jolted awake, still half asleep.
The eye gunk at the corners of his eyes was clearly visible beneath the fluorescent lights.
"Could you tell me where the Chief's office is?"
Ritsu smiled politely.
"Or perhaps where the largest conference room is?"
"You're looking for the Chief?"
The officer became noticeably more alert. "Can you identify yourself first?"
Ritsu sighed and produced his credentials.
"Onizawa Takashi, Metropolitan Police Department, First Investigation Division, Violent Crimes Unit Three. I'm currently investigating a homicide case."
'A superintendent-level investigator from headquarters?!'
The young officer immediately straightened.
"E-Eighth floor! Both the conference room and the Chief's office are on the eighth floor!"
"Thank you for your cooperation."
...
Inside the eighth-floor conference room,
Nojima sat at the head of the table with a grim expression.
After every attendee had explained their whereabouts the previous day, he swept his gaze around the room.
Once he confirmed no one appeared to be lying, he released a heavy sigh.
Looks like headquarters has finally come to collect.
Perhaps... This time there was no escaping it.
Still, things shouldn't move that quickly. He still had enough time to find someone willing to take the fall.
Narrowing his eyes, Nojima folded his hands beneath his chin and looked around at his trusted subordinates.
With a regretful tone, he asked, "Well? You've all heard the situation. Any thoughts?"
Everyone looked at one another.
No one spoke. Given the circumstances, being the first to open one's mouth could only bring trouble.
The conference room fell completely silent.
"Hmph."
Nojima sneered.
"A bunch of spineless cowards. You've all benefited from helping bury these cases before. The rewards weren't exactly small."
His gaze sharpened. "What? Thinking about running now that trouble has arrived?"
A balding man seated nearby hurriedly responded, "No, Chief. That's not it."
He forced a nervous smile.
"We just don't know what to do. We're waiting for your instructions."
That was exactly what Nojima had been waiting to hear. He slowly raised one hand and spread his fingers.
"This amount."
A smile appeared on his face.
"Anyone willing to make the trade? It's far more money than you've ever earned before."
The room remained silent. Everyone glanced around but nobody answered. The amount was certainly tempting. But the price was prison.
Every person in the room was a police officer.
Not a single one wanted to become an inmate.
Creeeak—
The conference room door slowly opened. Along with it came the sound of deliberate, unhurried applause.
Everyone turned toward the entrance.
A white-haired young man wearing glasses stood there with a faint smile on his lips. Clapping slowly as he walked forward.
No one could tell what he intended.
"Chief Nojima."
The young man smiled. "Sorry to interrupt your meeting."
The moment Nojima recognized him, his face changed drastically. Cold sweat immediately began rolling down his forehead. What filled his heart wasn't fear of the young man standing before him.
It was fear of the future awaiting him.
"...Who are you?"
Leaning casually against the doorway with one foot crossed over the other, Ritsu played with a gleaming pair of handcuffs in his hand.
The harmless smile he wore was his trademark. Yet there was unmistakable delight in his voice.
Like the villain in a television drama.
"I'm Onizawa Takashi of the Metropolitan Police Department."
He spun the handcuffs around one finger.
"I came all the way to Ibaraki..." His smile widened.
"...to pull out every last one of you rusted nails!"
----
bonus chap every 20 PS
read ahead on my p@treon / Siamus404