76: Chapter 76 The Tough Stance of the Island Cabinet

The next morning, the sky over Tokyo was still shrouded in a layer of grey smoke, and the sunlight struggled to pierce through the clouds, yet it could not penetrate the gloom deep within the city.

At the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department headquarters, inside the makeshift command center, telephones rang one after another, echoing through the room like a death knell.

Police Superintendent General Hakuba had just hung up after a phone call from a high-ranking cabinet official when another red encrypted phone rang urgently, with the words "Suzuki Conglomerate" flashing on the screen.

"Chief of Police Hakuba!"

Suzuki Shiro's voice, suppressing anger, came from the other end of the line, "After last night's missile attack, our conglomerate's freight warehouse at the pier was completely destroyed! The loss exceeds five billion yen! More importantly, my family was almost caught in the crossfire! Can your Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department actually guarantee our safety? If not, we will unite all the Zaibatsu and submit a petition to His Majesty the Emperor!"

"Mr. Suzuki, please calm down."

Chief of Police Hakuba rubbed his throbbing temples, his voice weary yet maintaining composure, "The government has established an emergency response team and is fully investigating this matter; we will definitely give everyone an explanation."

"An explanation? We want safety!"

Suzuki Shiro's voice suddenly rose, "From the bombing of Yasukuni Shrine to the collapse of Tokyo Tower, and now last night's missile attack! You have disappointed us time and time again! If we do not see substantive measures by noon today, all of us Zaibatsu will unite to stop all financial support to the government!"

"Beep, beep, beep..."

The call was rudely hung up. Chief of Police Hakuba gripped the receiver, his face turning ashen.

This was the twenty-seventh call from a Zaibatsu or socialite demanding pressure he had received this morning.

Mitsui, Mitsubishi, Sumitomo... all the top-tier Zaibatsu in Tokyo had united. They not only demanded that the government compensate for their losses but also demanded immediate, tough measures to purge all threats—including the Black Organization, the FBI, and even that "Joker" who remained hidden.

These Zaibatsu controlled the economic lifeline of the island nation, and their combined pressure was enough to completely topple the already precarious cabinet.

"Chief, notice of an emergency cabinet meeting."

An adjutant rushed in and handed over a document, "The Prime Minister requires you to go over immediately to explain the situation from last night."

Chief of Police Hakuba took a deep breath and clutched the document, his fingertips turning white from the force. He knew this meeting would be anything but easy.

Inside the cabinet meeting room, the atmosphere was so oppressive it felt like it could drip water.

The Prime Minister sat at the head of the table with a gloomy face, and on the table in front of him were spread out reports—a list of losses from the pier explosion, a joint protest letter from the Zaibatsu, a statement of condemnation from the international community... each one was like a huge rock, pressing down on him until he couldn't breathe.

"Have the origins of last night's missiles been identified?"

The Prime Minister's voice was hoarse, carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

The Ministry of Defense minister stood up, his face looking ugly: "Preliminary identification shows the first three missiles came from underground armed groups, with low technical levels, but that last thermobaric missile..."

He paused and said with difficulty, "It is a standard US military weapon. We have lodged a protest with the US military stationed in Japan, but they deny any involvement."

"US military?"

A cabinet member slammed the table, "They are challenging our sovereignty!"

"This is not the time to pursue that!"

The Prime Minister roared, interrupting the argument, "The Zaibatsu have already united to apply pressure, and the international community is watching us! If we cannot come up with a countermeasure, we will all have to step down!"

His gaze swept over everyone present and finally landed on Chief of Police Hakuba: "Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, what is the plan?"

Chief of Police Hakuba stood up and straightened his back:

"First, issue a nationwide wanted list for all members of the Black Organization, especially Gin and Vodka, and raise the bounty to the highest level;

Second, list Akai Shuichi as a 'Class-A Terrorist'; any unit or individual who discovers his tracks may shoot to kill without warning;

Third, strengthen security measures for all Zaibatsu and socialites, with the Self-Defense Forces responsible for close protection."

"What about the FBI?"

The Minister of Foreign Affairs asked, "Their people are still being detained by us, and the US side has lodged a stern protest."

Mentioning the FBI made the Prime Minister's face look even worse: "Keep them detained! Keep them detained!"

He said fiercely, "Their Agents appeared at the scene of a terrorist attack and even exchanged fire with our Public Security; they must give us an explanation! If the US side does not cooperate with the investigation, we will expel all FBI Agents stationed in Japan!"

This was a rarely seen tough attitude from the island nation's government.

In the past, when facing the US, they were always cautious and retreated step by step, but this time, the pier explosion and the pressure from the Zaibatsu had left them with no way out.

"In addition,"

The Prime Minister added,

"Issue a national state of emergency order, suspend all non-essential public activities, strengthen immigration controls, and absolutely do not allow any suspicious personnel to enter or exit."

The conference room was silent; everyone knew what this decision meant—the island nation had effectively entered a "wartime state."

Inside a secret Public Security stronghold, Amuro Tooru looked at the wanted list scrolling on the screen, with Akai Shuichi's photo prominently featured, marked with the words "Class-A Terrorist, shoot on sight."

"Mr. Amuro, the FBI has come to negotiate again, demanding that we release Jodie and the others."

Kazami Yuya walked in and handed over a document, "The US side's attitude is very tough, saying that if we don't release them, they will file a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice."

Amuro Tooru did not look at the document, just stared at Akai Shuichi's photo on the screen, his eyes complex.

"Do not release them."

He said coldly, "According to the cabinet's order, continue to detain them and conduct interrogations under the charge of 'suspected involvement in a terrorist attack'."

"But..."

Kazami Yuya hesitated, "They are FBI, after all. Will doing this affect relations between the two countries?"

"Relations?"

Amuro Tooru sneered, "From the moment their people appeared at the pier and fired on our Public Security, there was no relationship left."

He walked to the window, looking at the heavily armed Self-Defense Forces soldiers outside, a flash of worry in his eyes.

The government's tough attitude appeared to be a response to the crisis, but in reality, it was pushing itself into a dead end. Falling out with the FBI, offending the US military, and facing pressure from the Zaibatsu... if handled poorly, the entire country would fall into even greater chaos.

And the culprit behind all of this, the "Joker," was still hiding in the shadows, like a poisonous snake waiting for its prey to tire.

"Continue to monitor everyone associated with Akai Shuichi."

Amuro Tooru turned around, his tone firm, "I don't believe he can hide forever."

Inside the FBI office in Japan, James looked at the protest note in front of him, his face as heavy as a stone.

Jodie and five Agents were detained by Public Security on the grounds of "suspected involvement in a terrorist attack," which was simply absurd!

"What does headquarters say?" James asked into the phone.

"Headquarters has lodged a stern protest with the island nation's government, but the other side's attitude is very tough and they refuse to release them."

The voice from Washington headquarters came through, "They are demanding that we explain why Agents appeared at the pier and exchanged fire with their Public Security. If we do not cooperate, they will expel all FBI personnel stationed in Japan."

James slammed his fist on the table, his eyes full of anger and powerlessness.

He knew that the island nation's government was determined to use the FBI as a scapegoat to quell domestic anger.

"How are Jodie and the others doing?"

"Not very well."

The voice from headquarters lowered, "We learned through secret channels that they are being held in a special Public Security prison, under tight surveillance, and visitation is not allowed."

James closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Jodie was his most capable subordinate, not to mention she was the daughter of his friend... In any case, he could not give up on Jodie and the others.

"Tell headquarters that I agree to cooperate with the island nation's government's investigation, but they must ensure the safety of Jodie and the others and allow our lawyers to intervene."

James said with difficulty, "In addition, I will increase the search for Akai Shuichi; I will definitely find him before Public Security and bring him back!"

After hanging up the phone, James looked at the Tokyo street scene outside the window, his heart filled with gloom.

He had a premonition that this incident would not end easily. The relationship between the FBI and the island nation's government had already dropped to freezing point.

Inside the monitoring room of the Lin Family Manor, Lin Long watched the movements of various forces on the screen, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

The toughness of the island nation's government, the pressure from the Zaibatsu, the predicament of the FBI, the wretched state of the Black Organization... everything was developing in the direction he expected.

"Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's nationwide wanted list, Public Security detaining the FBI, Zaibatsu forcing the government's hand..."

Lin Long swirled his wine glass, a flash of excitement in his eyes, "It's getting more and more interesting."

The Ghost appeared silently behind him:

"BOSS, Akai Shuichi's trail has disappeared. After the pier explosion, he just evaporated into thin air."

"As expected."

Lin Long was not surprised, "He is so cunning, he must have already found an escape route."

"However, it doesn't matter."

"Akai Shuichi is notorious now; if he dares to show his face, do you believe he will be caught within a day?"

The Ghost nodded, then said:

"I don't think so. Even such a chaotic battlefield this time didn't keep him there."

"With all due respect, Boss! I don't believe these salary thieves in the island nation can keep Akai Shuichi within a day."

"Heh! Just wait and see. I admit Akai Shuichi is very powerful, but he cannot fight the power of an entire country alone."

Lin Long smiled and said, downing the red wine in his glass.

Bang!! Lin Long placed the glass on the balcony.

"Checkmate!"