Yoruichi Toyama was not entirely unfamiliar with this list.

That was a subordinate whom Akechi had worked with when he was the head of the sixth department, as he recounted his past experiences.

However, no explanation was given as to why the members of the Sixth Department were scattered, or why Mingzhi was able to reunite them.

Inspector Megure and Inspector Shiratori, who knew more about the matter, looked even more grim.

That wasn't just because Akechi completely disregarded his colleagues, directly stating that he wanted to kick them out of the investigation headquarters.

Furthermore, any detective with a bit of experience had heard rumors that the then head of the Criminal Investigation Department, Yoshitsugu Saito, had resigned a year and a half ago.

It is said that back then, when Inspector Ming was in charge, he and a few others seized some dirt on the former Minister of Criminal Investigation and ousted him from office.

However, because the inside story involved more than just Chief Saito, but affected many high-ranking officials in the Metropolitan Police Department, those few ordinary detectives with no power or influence were quickly transferred away from the department.

Only Akechi, with his background in the gold watch group, remained unscathed.

Given the current situation, is bringing these people together again an attempt to challenge the new Minister of Criminal Investigation?

Moreover, what makes Mingzhi think that those people can still help him?

The police officers, with these thoughts swirling in their minds, remained silent.

Yoruichi Toyama and Saguru Hakuba exchanged a glance, both looking quite relaxed, but neither of them spoke again.

The atmosphere inside became somewhat awkward for a moment.

Mingzhi, however, remained seated there with a smile, as if waiting for something.

He didn't have to wait long.

A knock and a report came at the same time outside the door, and then a middle-aged man with a stubble beard but who looked very capable walked in.

Behind him was a woman in her thirties, wearing a uniform skirt and comfortable flat shoes, her long hair styled in a ponytail adding to her gentle demeanor.

Akechi stood up, shook hands briefly and firmly with the two men, and then turned to Inspector Megure and the others.

"Let me introduce you: Patrol Chief Takagi and Patrol Chief Nanjo, who will be joining the Investigation Headquarters starting today."

The three officers, led by Inspector Megure, were all completely dumbfounded.

I thought that the wise man's act of presenting that list was mostly a threat and a way to exploit everyone present.

They were warned that if they didn't put in their best effort, they would be replaced.

Who knows if this guy meant "reporting" when he said it was already done?

In the blink of an eye, everyone has been mobilized?

Moreover, these two people, one in the General Affairs Department and the other in the Transportation Department, can't just come over to help by exchanging greetings between classrooms!

For an interdepartmental transfer, shouldn't at least Department Head Odagiri be involved? ...

However, after glancing at Hakuba Saguru, who seemed to be watching a play with an air of nonchalance, everyone knew the answer.

So, this "White Horse Student" has indeed joined the investigation headquarters as the "White Horse Prince".

Is Superintendent General Hakuba trying to get rid of Chief Odagiri?

Wasn't it said that Department Head Odagiri was Director Hakuba's trusted confidant? ...

Several police officers who have some access to high-level information, especially elite professionals like Inspector Shiratori, have already started considering these ideas.

"Where's Kobayashi? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

The capable middle-aged man, who shared the same surname Takagi and was also a patrol chief, but was nearly 10 years older than Officer Takagi Wataru of the Third Division, looked around and asked this question.

Because of his overly casual attitude, he was immediately pulled back by the woman next to him.

"Well, he doesn't work at the Metropolitan Police Department after all..."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a somewhat unnatural voice came from outside the door.

"Reporting! Inspector Kobayashi Ryutaro, reporting for duty!"

His flustered tone was remarkably similar to that of Wataru Takagi.

Officer Nanjo couldn't help but burst out laughing.

The person who walked in was a young man about the same age as Takagi Wataru, but slightly shorter, and his face was more innocent than handsome.

It was the kind of rookie-like innocence that you couldn't even see on the face of a veteran detective who had been immersed in the investigation department for many years.

It seems that in his world there is only black and white, good and evil, nobility and baseness.

The police officers, including Yoruichi Toyama, were all somewhat stunned.

Is this... Inspector Kobayashi? Akechi's former close partner?

He doesn't seem very bright...

Amidst the speculations of the group, each with their own thoughts, Akechi seemed not to even glance at Kobayashi, who had just entered, and simply gestured for everyone to sit down at the table.

"Then please have the colleagues from the Third Department introduce the current status of the case investigation. The next steps will be taken over by them."

The last trace of unease in Inspector Megure and the others' hearts disappeared.

Fine, since I'm definitely going to be kicked out anyway, why hide my true intentions and leave things unsaid, making it difficult for others to find a target to criticize me for?

Inspector Shiratori spoke with that expression on his face.

"The Narasawa Inspector, who was shot and killed earlier, and the Shiba Patrol Chief, along with Officer Sato, who was also attacked yesterday, were all members of the Fourth Division of the First Investigative Division a year ago. Under the leadership of Division Chief Inspector Tomonari, they investigated a murder case."

This is Inspector Shiratori's opening statement, and also the initial cause of the series of events that have just unfolded.

A year ago, a cardiac surgeon at the University of Tokyo Hospital was found dead at home with his carotid artery severed, still holding a scalpel.

Although the scene looked like a suicide, there was even a printed apology letter claiming that the surgery had failed and that they were sorry to the patient.

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