Tokyo: Rabbit Officer and Her Evil Partner

After reaching an agreement with Chief Kikuchi, Fushimi Roku went to report to the Investigation Department.

The head of the Investigation Department responsible for the drug crackdown was named Higashiyama Takashi, aged forty-three. He had previously served as the Patrol Chief of Shinjuku Police Station's Traffic Section. Due to his outstanding ability, he was transferred to the Shinjuku Criminal Department as the head. It's said he's quite an old-fashioned detective.

There's no need to elaborate on how chaotic Shinjuku was in 1991.

Higashiyama Takashi's approach to dealing with subordinates and juniors was equally rigid, delivering stern lectures from day one of the Investigation Department's establishment. The daily work atmosphere was mostly high-pressure. If any team member showed the slightest slack, he would immediately unleash a torrent of scolding, much like a scene from an action movie with a worthless subordinate being bullied by a superior.

When Fushimi Roku joined the team, Higashiyama Takashi immediately put him on notice, and in front of everyone, said things like: 'We don't need trash relying on women in this team,' 'A pretty boy who relies on women has no right to be on the battlefield,' 'Don't think you can gain experience here just because of some inside connection'...

After saying that, he ordered Fushimi Roku to get lost.

From this, it's clear that Fushimi Roku's reputation at the Police Department was not good. Although Japanese people are always polite in the workplace, behind closed doors, they might gossip and badmouth others every day.

Higashiyama Takashi straightforwardly stated that Fushimi Roku would not be included in future drug operations, and his name would not appear on the report when the case was closed.

Indeed, he dared not give Chief Kujo face.

For such a steadfast and practical officer, Fushimi Roku certainly wouldn't embarrass the other party. He smiled and nodded, not looking the least bit angry or ashamed, and left the Investigation Department office directly.

When Kinosaki Shoujin saw him return, he couldn't help but ask, "Why did you come back?"

"Team Leader Higashiyama kicked me out," Fushimi Roku casually complained, "He said I got in through connections and didn't qualify to gain experience on the battlefield."

Kinosaki Shoujin frowned. Although letting Fushimi Roku join the team was Chief Kujo's idea, the person was ultimately brought in by him... Did Higashiyama Takashi criticize Fushimi Roku to his face just to embarrass him?

Moreover, even taking ten thousand steps back, Fushimi Roku's capability wasn't lacking!

Kinosaki Shoujin had led the team in a confrontation with the Heavenly Punishment Group on the green train; he knew how well Fushimi Roku could fight. Although this guy was usually as lazy as a sluggard, when it came to a real fight, he wouldn't hold back at all; drug tracking requires such officers who dare to fight and can fight well.

It's probably because he heard some gossip and took it as truth.

Kinosaki Shoujin put down his teacup, got up to reassure him, "Don't rush, let me go and talk to him..."

Fushimi Roku didn't mind, waved his hand, and said: "No need, no need, I can investigate on my own!"

He only needed the title of the Narcotics Investigation Department; with no one above to command and control, he felt freer and had more room to operate the case.

As the head of the Narcotics Investigation Department, Higashiyama Takashi had the authority to coordinate drug operations and lead collaborative investigations. However, he couldn't make personnel decisions; at least a Police Chief-level officer had the qualification to appoint or dismiss temporary investigation course members.

In short, Higashiyama Takashi was assigned as the team leader by the Criminal Department head.

He could ostracize Fushimi Roku, ban him from participating in the entire investigation, or even make things worse by assigning him the dirty, tiring, and lab-intensive tasks given to patrol police... but he simply couldn't kick Fushimi Roku out of the investigation team.

Kinosaki Shoujin, upon hearing this, looked surprised and asked: "So then... doesn't this mean you're working for nothing?"

Without the support of the main team in the investigation, who knows what achievements you have made? Even if you are lucky to catch one or two suspects, it won't be written into the final report, making it all a thankless task by going solo.

Fushimi Roku's purpose in solving cases was not the same as theirs: he's not after promotion, wealth, or reputation, purely because Kujo Yua promised her daughter to him, much like the ancient martial arts competition to win a bride—only with standout performance could he be taken as a worthy son-in-law.

The focus was on outstanding performance, not on merits and rewards; there's a difference between the two.

"How can this be called working for nothing? I contribute to Sugamo's security firmly and practice my own beliefs, which in itself is a kind of reward for me—fame and fortune add nothing to me. Since they care so much about the credits in the case report, let them have it! For me, it's all just fleeting clouds."

Fushimi Roku never missed an opportunity to blow his own trumpet.

Kinosaki Shoujin, after listening, didn't know what to say.

He suspected that Fushimi Roku was possessed by Minamoto Tamako, as only Minamoto Tamako would say such meticulously crafted words that exhaust life.

"Then... then good luck to you."

Kinosaki Shoujin sat back in his office chair and said: "There's nothing I can help you with... All the staff at the station have been called up by the investigation team; I also have to join the drug search operation tomorrow."

Fushimi Roku patted his shoulder, signaling him to rest assured, then filled out an application for field duty and left Sugamo Police Station openly.

One of the new trainee detectives sorting documents at the police station witnessed the entire process. He asked Chief Kikuchi in a low voice, was Senior Fushimi really going to investigate a case alone?

Wouldn't it be an excuse to slack off?

Kinosaki Shoujin instinctively wanted to refute, but then he thought about it and felt that Fushimi Roku might actually do such a thing.

He remained silent for a while, spat out some tea leaves, and said: "Once the drug-search operation is over, you'll naturally see if he's been busy... He is, after all, your senior; you should believe in his capabilities."

Though he said that, Kinosaki Shoujin himself wasn't too sure how much achievement Fushimi Roku could achieve alone.