Toru was resting at home, watching the news on the TV in front of him.
This year was another election year. Major positions in Tokyo would be changing hands, and many candidates were going all out, showing off their abilities with all kinds of absurd and bizarre tactics.
Anyway, in Toru's view, these campaigns were more like entertainment shows than elections for government officials.
The campaign materials of the vast majority of candidates were laughable, and these people were basically just there to fill the numbers. If they actually got votes from the constituents, then that was good luck. If they didn't get elected, it didn't matter either.
Although there were still more than two months until the actual election, most people had already begun preparing by this time.
This time, Toru was preparing to run directly for the position of District Mayor of Koto Ward. In his opinion, with his current prestige and the Fujiwara family's political resources, this was already a certainty.
So Toru was not in a hurry. Instead, he watched those bizarre candidates like he was watching a variety show, listening to them talk about their embarrassing childhood stories, occasionally laughing out loud.
Just then, Toru's phone suddenly rang. He originally thought it was another girl contacting him, but after seeing the caller ID, he raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting."
Toru pressed the answer button. "...Mr. Inoue, your Special Investigation Department should be under investigation right now, so how do you still have time to call me?"
The person calling Toru was none other than Inoue Akihiko, the former second-in-command of the Special Investigation Department.
As for the Special Investigation Department, if the previous Toru had seen them as his tools, as weapons to do whatever he wanted in Japan's political world, then the current him saw the people of the Special Investigation Department as enemies.
This time, there was already complete evidence proving that batch of weapons and equipment had been let in by the Special Investigation Department.
As for whether the entry of that armed group from Colombia into Japan was also related to the Special Investigation Department, Japan's security department was still investigating it.
In other words, the people from the Special Investigation Department had known about this attack on Toru in advance, yet they said nothing and coldly watched him walk to his death.
Toru could understand this result.
The Special Investigation Department took its orders from CIA Director Spencer, not from him, and their power also came from Spencer.
Before, the people from the Special Investigation Department had fawned on him and bowed to him, but that had also been because of Spencer, not because of Toru himself.
That was his rational thinking, but emotionally, Toru would not forgive these traitors.
This also made him even more certain that power had to be held in his own hands.
In this society, unless you can wield extraordinary power capable of standing against an entire nation, then you must control power. No matter how strong your personal martial strength is, when facing the vast machinery of the state, you have no ability to resist.
"Mr. Fujiwara, only you can save me now."
Inoue Akihiko's voice trembled, filled with fear.
"Why should I save you? You knew long ago that those people were coming for me, but you didn't notify me in advance. In my eyes, you are already an enemy. Why would I save my own enemy?"
"I'll give you three minutes, Mr. Inoue Akihiko. If you can successfully persuade me, then perhaps I can save you."
"But if you can't, then your fate is already sealed."
Toru leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, picked up some snacks from the side, and spoke unhurriedly.
"Thank you, thank you, Mr. Fujiwara."
Inoue Akihiko said tearfully.
"Crying also counts toward the time."
"Okay, okay, I understand."
Inoue Akihiko quickly organized his words. "...It's not that I didn't want to tell you, Mr. Fujiwara, but after Sakai Takaaki arranged for me to do this, I was under his surveillance the whole time."
"Under his surveillance, I truly had no way to contact you, Mr. Fujiwara."
Toru said coldly, "That reason won't make me believe you. Trying to make me save you with something that can no longer be investigated is simply wishful thinking."
"If you keep giving me such boring reasons, I'm going to hang up."
"Don't, don't, Mr. Fujiwara, please don't hang up."
Inoue Akihiko desperately searched for words. "...I, I can become your loyal dog, Mr. Fujiwara. I'm willing to pledge loyalty to you and obey your every command from now on!"
Toru chuckled. "Right now, you're no different from a dead man. I don't need loyalty from a dead man."
"Mr. Fujiwara, please listen to my explanation. Sakai Takaaki had already prepared for this matter to be exposed when he did these things. All the evidence points to me. In the end, I will be the one taking the blame, while Sakai Takaaki will at most receive some punishment."
"Mr. Fujiwara, you must hate Mr. Spencer very much... No, Spencer. He is your enemy. After Sakai Takaaki makes me take the blame, he will still be the head of the Special Investigation Department and will continue to oppose you."
"Furthermore, your bad relationship with him is already public. He will only become even more reckless in causing trouble for you and the Fujiwara family."
"The power of the Special Investigation Department will not disappear. America cannot abandon the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office. If you are constantly harassed by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, then even you will definitely feel annoyed."
Toru narrowed his eyes slightly.
Inoue Akihiko had indeed hit the nail on the head.
Sakai Takaaki really was a clever man, having found a scapegoat in advance to protect himself.
Thinking back to what Inoue Akihiko had told him at Advanced Nurturing High School before, that Sakai Takaaki no longer trusted him, the number two figure, and had already started cultivating a number three figure, this was actually also an internal political struggle within the Special Investigation Department.
Sakai Takaaki completed Spencer's mission, killed him, and then framed Inoue Akihiko. He could then sit back and relax, completing the mission beautifully while also eliminating a political rival. This series of actions was extremely skillful.
"So, what can you do for me, Inoue Akihiko?"
When Inoue Akihiko heard Toru's words, he knew Toru was somewhat moved. He was overjoyed and quickly said, "As long as you, Mr. Fujiwara, can make Sakai Takaaki take full responsibility for this matter and make me an innocent man, then once Sakai Takaaki steps down, I will naturally become the head of the Special Investigation Department. I will become your loyal dog and make the entire Special Investigation Department serve you."
"At that time, I will pretend to obey Spencer's orders and act as your spy. You will have evidence against me and can make me step down and go to prison at any time. You can completely trust my loyalty."
Toru nodded to himself.
Inoue Akihiko had indeed pointed out the most important issue.
Why do so many criminal organizations make officials their protectors? There are several reasons for this.
Aside from those who are already colluding with each other, ordinary criminal organizations usually obtain evidence of an official's crimes and then force that official to help them.
Many officials are controlled precisely because evidence of their crimes has been obtained.
This was indeed the best way to control someone, especially since Inoue Akihiko's crime was even greater, and his life could be taken at any time.
Thoughts raced through Toru's mind.
Should he help Inoue Akihiko after all?
If he helped him, he would gain control over the Special Investigation Department of the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and could use this department to indirectly control officials throughout Japan.
If he didn't help him, then no matter who became the next head of the Special Investigation Department, that person would oppose him.
But Inoue Akihiko had indeed participated in this incident, so he should not forgive him.
Toru knew this was the moment to judge whether he had the character of someone capable of achieving great things.
Those who achieve great things do not bother with trifles. Personal likes and dislikes are unimportant. Everything depends on whether it can bring benefits to oneself.
This was the method of someone who could achieve great things!
Toru immediately made his decision.
Acting recklessly based on temporary preferences was not the mark of a qualified ruler.
A true strong person acts for greater benefit!
Toru acted decisively. He smiled and said, "Congratulations, Inoue Akihiko, you have successfully convinced me."
"I will save you and give you a chance, but if anything happens in the future that goes against my will, then death will only be your best outcome."
Inoue Akihiko was ecstatic and shouted excitedly, "Thank you, Mr. Fujiwara, thank you, Mr. Fujiwara! I will definitely listen to you and serve you wholeheartedly."
Toru hung up the phone.
"Then the best method is for Sakai Takaaki to commit suicide out of fear of punishment."
Toru murmured.
...
In a certain mansion in Tokyo.
Sakai Takaaki, the head of the Special Investigation Department, was enjoying his comfortable life at home.
Even though he had committed such a major offense, Japan had no way to deal with him and could not actually send him to prison. Before all the evidence became conclusive, they could only keep him under supervision in a form of house arrest.
Sakai Takaaki did not care about this. He had prepared for everything already.
Once Inoue Akihiko took the blame and all the evidence pointed to Inoue Akihiko having acted alone, he could return to the Special Investigation Department and wield his power once again.
Sakai Takaaki leaned lazily back in his chair while trimming his nails, and frowned. "This time it didn't go well. Although it was mainly the fault of that group from Colombia, Mr. Spencer is also angry with me."
"All of this is because of that Fujiwara Toru."
Since Spencer hated Toru and wanted to kill him, Sakai Takaaki immediately knew what he should do and followed his superior's will.
He had to keep opposing Toru and constantly make trouble for him. Only then could Spencer trust him even more.
Sakai Takaaki looked at a list in his hand, which contained the names of officials related to the Fujiwara family.
Most of those officials were corrupt, and if the Special Investigation Department wanted to, it could investigate them at any time.
If problems were found during the investigation, they would be sent straight to prison. If no problems were found, it would still disgust the Fujiwara family.
Moreover, the Fujiwara family also had political enemies, and he believed those people would be willing to cooperate with him.
At that time, the Fujiwara family would definitely suffer attacks from all sides. If the Fujiwara family learned that all of this had been brought about by Toru, would they directly expel him from the family?
Thinking of Toru being abandoned by everyone, Sakai Takaaki could not help but burst into loud laughter.
"Fujiwara Toru, you little brat, you're still too green to fight me!"
(To be continued.)
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