Chapter 65

A simple test doesn't really reveal much about the principles and knowledge of bombs.

Anyway, Kenji Hagiwara was able to answer all the questions asked by Saiki Usaku and solved some of the problems he asked. Kenji Hagiwara even dug out a bomb model that Jinpei Matsuda had designed when he was bored and gave it to Saiki Usaku to disassemble, which he did smoothly and without any mistakes.

But Kenji Hagiwara's expression grew increasingly serious.

Because he vaguely realized one thing—that Fukaru was probably very talented in this area.

This level of assessment is insufficient to determine the other party's true skill level; a different approach is needed.

“…Shinryu.” After a moment of contemplation, Kenji Hagiwara said, “Design a bomb. Don’t worry about whether you can get the materials or not. As long as it’s based on the principles, it’s fine. Don’t hold back. Let me see your skills.”

If the previous test assessed his grasp of the basics, this test will assess the extent to which he can apply what he has learned.

Some people may understand the principles of bomb disposal, but when it comes to designing a bomb, their thinking is immediately limited to a few models. It's not that they don't study hard, it's just that they simply don't have the talent in this area.

What Kenji Hagiwara needs to confirm now is Shinryu Sakkawa's talent in this area.

How could Usui Seiki possibly let such a good opportunity to raise suspicion levels slip by! It was Hagiwara Kenji who said not to hold back!

So he took a blank sheet of paper and began to draw and explain at the same time.

There's not much to say about bomb boxes; there aren't many tricks to them. Most of the technology for designing bombs lies in the control box—the place that triggers the explosion.

"--The outer shell is made of metal, with iron, insulating glue and aluminum from the outside to the inside. If the bomb disposal expert tries to cut it, the iron and aluminum will come into contact, energizing the circuit and causing an explosion."

"A mechanism is installed under the screw like this, which compresses the spring contacts. If you want to remove it from the screw, just loosen it a quarter turn, and the spring will extend and connect the circuit... The pressure mechanism is very useful and can be used at several connection points to prevent the outer casing from being pried open by force."

"If it's intended for use as a threat, it needs to be prevented from being moved to a safe area and detonated. A tilt detection device must be added inside, a metal pendulum will suffice, with two PVC pipes connected by aluminum foil. It can detonate as soon as it's tilted..."

Kenji Hagiwara stared blankly at the design drawing that was gradually taking shape.

After taking precautions against damage to the outer casing, removal of screws, prying open the control box, and relocation, Hanchuan Shenliu cautiously added water (foam) detonation, countdown detonation, switch detonation, and deceptive detonation options...

Almost as soon as Kenji Hagiwara had a possible method for defusing the bomb in his mind, Shinryu Kazukawa immediately patched it up, turning the bomb defusing action into a detonation action.

In the end, all the bomb disposal methods he could think of were predicted and utilized in advance by this design.

If the bomb's internal structure hadn't been explained beforehand, allowing the person in charge of defusing it to rely on their experience, the bomb would probably have exploded after only a second of tightening the screws.

Even if you use an X-ray machine to scan the internal structure, it will only increase the pressure caused by this meticulous design and will not help with bomb disposal. At most, it can eliminate some wrong answers. After eliminating them, the only options besides compromising with the criminals are to evacuate the crowd and detonate the bomb directly.

Therefore, if the bomb is installed in a troublesome, unexplosive location, then there is almost no solution.

However, after finishing the design drawings, Han Chuan Shenliu's tone still carried a hint of regret: "This bomb isn't without its flaws..."

Kenji Hagiwara was shocked: "What?"

What else could you possibly be dissatisfied with?

"It's too big, and some mechanisms need to be assembled on-site. However, it's quite effective as a threat. Just put the blueprints on-site, and those in the know will know it's best to agree to my terms."

Hagihara Kenji: "…………"

Little Deep Flow, you don't need to get so into character saying things like "agree to my conditions," or I'll be tempted to handcuff you!

It must be said that although Kenji Hagiwara did have some expectations, thinking that Shinryu Samikawa should be very talented in this area, he did not expect that a casual test would produce such a terrible result.

Although this bomb has limitations in its use, once successfully planted, the police will be completely at the mercy of the person who planted it.

The scariest thing is that even though he said there were no restrictions on the raw materials, Han Chuan Shenliu still used only the most basic materials.

He didn't choose the more advanced alternatives that were based on the same principle. The raw materials he chose were all available to ordinary people, and the structure was purely mechanical. He could make it whenever he wanted—or rather, Hanchuan Shenliu might have already planned to make one to try, which is why he considered such details so thoroughly.

"Did that organization teach you this? Or did you design it yourself?" Kenji Hagiwara asked without much hope, not even knowing what answer he hoped for.

Han Chuan Shenliu's deep red eyes seemed to see through his evasiveness: "The organization is unaware of this design yet."

That was his own idea.

In a way, bombs can also be considered works of art, offering a glimpse into the designer's thoughts.

Kenji Hagiwara saw in this design a great deal of meticulousness, caution, calmness, and ruthlessness—designed using the most basic theories, leaving the enemy no way out except detonation and compromise.

...Shinryu is indeed very talented at committing crimes.

But this does not mean that he will turn to crime.

"It's very good." Kenji Hagiwara was silent for a while, then picked up the design drawings and looked at them carefully again. He even praised them, "You have truly reached the pinnacle of expertise when it comes to bombs... I'd even recommend you for the explosives disposal class."

Wouldn't knowing more than the criminals be a better way to prevent crime? Who says having a talent for crime means you have to commit crimes?

Hanchuan Shenliu replied, "I'm not very interested in bombs; I'd rather be on the front lines."

"Hmm." Kenji Hagiwara folded up the design drawing, feigning composure. "Perfect timing. Since the Mobile Investigation Unit has been reorganized and is short-staffed, you can just work with the Mobile Investigation Unit during your internship. Anyway, you're not going to work at a police station after graduation; you'll definitely be recommended to the Metropolitan Police Department."

Hanchuan Shenliu nodded.

"...Regarding the situation over there, you should try to keep your abilities to yourself and not reveal how capable you are." Kenji Hagiwara couldn't help but bring it up again. "If you really encounter a situation that's hard to refuse, be sure to tell me. Maybe the two of us can come up with a solution."

"Okay, don't worry, as long as I don't want to do it, the organization won't force me to do anything for the time being."

Kenji Hagiwara sighed: "I hope you're not just here to comfort me..."

"It's true."

Hagihara Kenji didn't believe it.

Someone like Xiao Shenliu is clearly a talent coveted by illegal organizations. Having finally found a way to coerce someone into joining, how could he possibly let it go to waste?!

Which organization is so audacious as to poach people directly from the police academy?!

The explosives disposal team has absolutely no access to this kind of information.

He really did end up becoming a criminal investigator.

Although Xiao Shenliu told him not to investigate, he was never one to listen to advice. How could he possibly do nothing when he knew his friend was in danger?

After seeing off Shinryu Hanchuan, Kenji Hagiwara went back to his office to process documents as usual, ate dinner as normal, and then went back to his dormitory to rest.

At two in the morning, unable to sleep, he opened his eyes, painfully took a picture of the design and sent it to Matsuda Jinpei.

[Xiao Zhenping, come and look at this bomb. What level is it?]

Matsuda Jinpei wasn't on duty tonight, but because of what happened during the day, he had a nightmare in the middle of the night. He dreamt that instead of Kazukawa Shinryu catching the bomber, the building where Hagiwara Kenji was located exploded right in front of him...

After waking up from a nightmare, Matsuda Jinpei couldn't fall back asleep, so he got up to check his phone and saw that Hagiwara Kenji had sent him an email, which he opened casually.

Because of the limitations of internet speed and mobile phone models in this era, the photos didn't load immediately; he only saw the text.

He and Kenji Hagiwara used to design bombs together, giving each other challenges, so at first Matsuda Jinpei didn't take it seriously, only feeling a little annoyed—Hagi actually had the nerve to design bombs! He clearly hadn't taken what he said during the day to heart at all!!!

But once the photos appeared, Matsuda Jinpei's attention was completely drawn to the design drawings.

The resolution isn't high, so it's a bit blurry, but I was definitely amazed by it.

Matsuda Jinpei, seeing an opportunity, became excited and immediately called Hagiwara Kenji: "What's the label on the left? I can't see it clearly, and what about the line below..."

Kenji Hagiwara explained it to Jinpei Matsuda, who became increasingly alarmed as he listened.

This line of thinking doesn't seem like Hagi's.

It was only then that he realized the handwriting was off: "...Wait, could this be Han Chuan's design drawing?!"

"Well……"

Not refuting it means admitting it.

Matsuda Jinpei stared at the design for a long time: "How did you teach him?"

Kenji Hagiwara downplayed the issue, but still helped Shinryu Kagawa conceal it for a while: "I think that at this point, it's no longer a problem that can be taught by someone."

“You’re right, it’s all about talent.” Matsuda Jinpei frowned. “This kind of bomb can only be detonated; it’s practically a perfect bomb… Tsk, I don’t want to see this kind of bomb on site.”

"Shinryu wouldn't do that kind of thing."

"In the end, you shouldn't have taught him in the first place. It's not like you can't be a policeman just because you don't know how to defuse bombs! Look at him, he dared to defuse bombs right after learning. What wouldn't he dare to do!"

Matsuda Jinpei sighed, "He's already easily misunderstood. Today he almost got beaten up by the search team because of the bomb disposal. If he had just helped evacuate the crowd like last time, this wouldn't have happened."

"What?" Kenji Hagiwara exclaimed, "He almost got beaten up? By the search team? That's a bit much..."

Matsuda Jinpei: "...Your main point...Aren't you being a little too lenient with Kankawa? He's not a child anymore!"

“But he’s a real worry,” Kenji Hagiwara sighed. “You don’t know, the instructor has said several times that he’s glad I was chosen as his teaching assistant, otherwise he would have lost all his hair.”

"Even foreigners have their day..." Matsuda Jinpei replied absentmindedly, unable to resist looking at the design drawings again and again, liking them more and more with each look. "I want to make a model of it."

"No, what will you say if someone sees this?" Kenji Hagiwara said immediately. "Delete this email right now."

"Just say it was something an acquaintance heard about from the FBI. Isn't it normal for bomb thieves to appear in the US? Just find a case to use." Matsuda Jinpei started making excuses. "It's also good for training. It's confidential internally. Anyway, this thing is so complicated to install, even if someone finds out, they'll most likely be reported during the installation process."

Kenji Hagiwara sensed that Jinpei Matsuda was getting a little too excited. He didn't think the reason was very good, but he didn't want to directly discourage him, so he could only try a roundabout approach.

"...I'll go ask Xiao Shenliu."

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This bomb has a prototype; it was the perfect bomb that the real-world FBI encountered in 1980, and they still couldn't solve it in 2008. However, there should be a better way now; technology is developing quite rapidly.

In short, there's no need to dwell on whether any method will work or whether Hagiwara and Matsuda could come up with something. The FBI's bomb disposal experts in the real world have already confirmed that the existing bomb disposal methods are ineffective. Methods like liquid nitrogen aren't being used either because they're ineffective or because there are other concerns.

P.S.: The experts' final bomb disposal plan was to use a small, fast-acting plastic explosive to destroy the bomb's control box. This explosive had a reaction time of only half a millisecond, and with luck, it could destroy the control box before the bomb was activated. However, this plan ultimately failed. The impact of the explosion still activated the bomb, and the 1,000 pounds of explosives blew through several floors of the casino. Fortunately, because the casino had already been cleared, there were no casualties.

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Based on the information gathered, the FBI reconstructed the model to train technicians, but the real bomb had already detonated, and only those involved knew what it actually looked like...

Nowadays, many parts could be replaced with integrated circuits with the same effect, but purely mechanical structures are simple and reliable, while electronic circuits are more prone to problems...

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Matsuda: I love it so much, I want to make a model of it.

It's like a figure fanatic seeing a limited edition figure.

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Hagiwara: I'm worried. If they threaten you into doing something, you'll have to talk to me about it.

Thin Leaf: No, they can't threaten me.

Hagiwara: You don't need to comfort me.

Vodka: ……………… (Can't laugh)