At ten in the morning, Zhongshan Runmei held the first meeting following her appointment at the Hokkaido Police Headquarters, where she forcefully proposed a severe crackdown on gun trafficking throughout the region to prevent illegal firearms from threatening the safety of the public.

After her compelling speech, the meeting room fell terrifyingly silent, except for Yamashita Kogoro, who appeared utterly indifferent and lost in his thoughts. All other attendees unanimously turned their gazes toward Aoyama Xiu Xin.

The scene was undoubtedly awkward.

"Clap~ Clap~ Clap~" Under everyone's gaze, Aoyama Xiu Xin slowly began clapping, loudly saying, "Director Zhongshan put it well! The Mitsuo Mutou case is a lesson from the past. We must not sit by idly as illegal firearms threaten the safety of our citizens!"

"Yes, yes, yes, well said! We must strictly enforce gun control and crack down on crimes like gun trafficking!"

"We fully support Director Zhongshan's decision!"

Only then did the others seem to switch on and began clapping and echoing in agreement.

Habamoto Youko, responsible for taking minutes, had a face as dark as the bottom of a pot, her fingers turning pale as they gripped the pen.

Yet, Zhongshan Runmei remained composed, smiling as she raised her hand for silence. Once the applause and noise had died down, she said, "I appreciate everyone's support for my work. Since there are no objections, the matter will be handled by the Criminal Department. I believe Minister Aoyama will deliver excellent results."

This matter was indeed the responsibility of the Criminal Department.

And having Aoyama Xiu Xin handle it meant that he, too, would deserve credit: he would not sabotage his own efforts.

"Hey! Please rest assured, Director. I will strictly implement your directives right away!" Aoyama Xiu Xin suddenly stood up, his gaze resolute as he responded.

Zhongshan Runmei nodded, "Alright, no other issues then. The meeting is adjourned; everyone can return to their duties."

After she finished speaking, she stood up, ready to leave.

But she noticed everyone else remained seated.

Only Yamashita Kogoro, who yawned and stretched, got up casually and left first.

"Didn't you hear the Director?" Aoyama Xiu Xin tapped the tabletop leisurely and said, "Meeting adjourned."

"Hi!" Everyone stood up and bowed in response, and then collectively ignored Zhongshan Runmei as they exited in single file.

Aoyama Xiu Xin turned to look at Zhongshan Runmei and smiled, "They were so engrossed, they didn't react immediately."

Zhongshan Runmei also smiled and strode off.

"Auntie, this is too much. They hardly put on any facade of respect and completely disregard you!" Habamoto Youko, holding her folder, complained bitterly, her chest heaving with anger.

"Enough," Zhongshan Runmei replied sternly, stopping in her tracks and turning to her daughter-in-law with a warning, "Don't speak like that again."

"Hi!" Seeing her future mother-in-law genuinely angry, Habamoto Youko didn't dare to behave arrogantly and obediently replied.

Zhongshan Runmei's demeanor softened again, her tone slowing as she spoke, "There's no need for you to state what I can see and feel for myself, Youko. Constant complaints are pointless and might even become a laughing matter."

Her daughter-in-law was good in all aspects, attractive and obedient, only lacking maturity and the ability to handle things on her own. Fortunately, Zhongshan Runmei had no great expectations for Habamoto Youko's career accomplishments; as long as she could manage household affairs well in the Zhongshan family, that would be sufficient.

Meanwhile, once outside the meeting room, Nakamura Shinichi closely followed behind Aoyama Xiu Xin, probing, "Minister, are we really going to crack down on gun trafficking?"

He was well aware of the insider details regarding the proliferation of firearms.

"We surely are, of course, we have to. It's the first directive since the Director took office; as subordinates, we must fully support it." Aoyama Xiu Xin responded without hesitation, his lips curling into a faint smile, "Just pick a few unlucky ones to frame as if we're helping the Titan Gang by eliminating their competitors. But we can't help for free; we'll ask them for some trouble money."

That evening, Nakamura Shinichi contacted Nozaki Cangjian and Jack to meet again at the bar.

"Nakamura Shinichi, I toast to you for looking after us these past days, allowing our business to run smoothly. I'm deeply grateful; it's all in this drink."

During this meeting, Jack showed genuine respect to Nakamura Shinichi, taking the initiative to pour him a drink and offer a toast.

Nakamura Shinichi remained aloof and dismissive, blocking the incoming glass of wine with one hand while flicking ash from his cigarette with the other, speaking breezily, "No need for drinks, today I came just to say one thing and then I'll leave."

"Please speak." Jack quickly consumed the drink himself after embarrassment and chagrin flashed across his face momentarily, then said, "I'm all ears."

Nakamura Shinichi frowned slightly, his voice tinged with impatience, "Now there are two things. First, can you go learn some Japanese? I don't want to have to speak English every time we converse, okay?"

Though the United States regarded itself as the father of Japan and didn't hold the Japanese in high regard, the actual scenario—like the current one—had Nakamura Shinichi dominantly positioned when facing Jack.

"Jack, Detective Nakamura is truly opening his heart to you here. If you want to make big money in Japan, you naturally need to know Japanese," Nozaki Cangjian chimed in from the side.

"Hi!" Jack replied in one of the few Japanese phrases he knew and nodded, "I've been thinking the same. Detective Nakamura, rest assured, I believe by the next time we meet I'll be able to converse with you in Japanese."

"That would be best," Nakamura Shinichi said as he took a drag of his cigarette and continued, "The second thing, if the Titan Gang has any competitors, pick two and give me their information. We, the police, will take care of them for you."

Jack's eyes lit up as soon as he heard this, and though he had just sat down, he immediately stood up again, unable to contain his joy, "This is really great..."

"Don't get excited just yet; this help isn't free, you know. It's going to cost extra," Nakamura Shinichi interrupted him.

The smile on Jack's face instantly disappeared, and he frowned slightly in displeasure, "Detective Nakamura, we've just recently paid a protection fee, and on top of that, you police take a cut from every transaction."

The local police were truly repulsive in their greed!

"You said it yourself, that's a protection fee," Nakamura Shinichi raised an eyebrow and looked at him sideways, "It only protects you from being targeted by us, not from your competitors. That's a different fee."

"What if I don't need your help against competitors?" Jack asked with a dark face.

Nakamura Shinichi smiled, rose, and pointed a finger at Jack's chest while holding his cigarette, "Then I believe there will be others willing to pay us to target you."

"Shit!" Jack couldn't help but curse softly upon hearing this, he took a deep breath, suppressing his anger and frustration, "Fine, I need your help."

"Good, someone will come to collect the money," said Nakamura Shinichi as he patted Jack's shoulder, then turned and slammed the door as he left.

"Bang!"

Jack kicked the table forcefully, turned his head, and vented to Nozaki Cangjian through clenched teeth, "They must be seeing us make too much money recently, so they keep finding ways to extort money, these damn leeches!"

"There's nothing you can do about it, at least we've made a good amount as well," consoled Nozaki Cangjian.

Jack's expression was stormy, "No, we can't go on like this. It'll only make them greedier and more demanding. I came to Japan to make money, not to work for the police!"

"Hey, Jack, promise me, don't do anything reckless," Nozaki Cangjian quickly urged him.

Jack shook his head, said nothing, but a rough idea had already formed in his mind, which was to find a new, reliable support to curb the police's greed.

The US military stationed in Japan!

Being an American, he felt he could seek the help of the US military stationed in Japan, a notoriously domineering presence in any country.

The Japan Police would definitely not dare to disrespect them.

...............

At the same time, at the Sapporo Medical University Hospital.

"Dad, I'm so relieved you're okay, I was scared to death when I heard the news," Miyashita Naoyuki, finally allowed to visit, entered the hospital room with tears in his eyes and took Miyashita Hidekatsu's hand, visibly moved.

His feelings were genuine, for although Miyashita Hidekatsu had never publicly acknowledged him as his son, he had always treated him well.

"It's okay, I'm fine," Miyashita Hidekatsu patted his second son's hand, not wanting to dwell on the topic of his attack, and asked, "What have you been busy with recently? Liangzi says you don't even have time to accompany her."

"I've done a small business with a friend," said Miyashita Naoyuki vaguely.

What he referred to as a small business was naturally tobacco smuggling. He had already received the first batch of goods and was selling it through the channels of his collaborator, Yuan Guzhu.

Smuggled cigarettes were only illegal in terms of the channel, but the quality was fine, making them easy to sell. After tasting success, he had already ordered a second, larger batch.

However, the business was ultimately illegal.

So he dared not tell the truth to Miyashita Hidekatsu.

Of course, he never thought that with his background, running a small smuggling business could cause any issues.

Miyashita Hidekatsu, unaware of the real situation, genuinely thought Miyashita Naoyuki was engaged in a legitimate business and nodded weakly, relieved, "Good, if you encounter any difficulties in business, contact Xiao Lin directly."

"Hey! Thanks, dad, you really need to get well soon," Miyashita Naoyuki wiped his tears and indirectly complained about Miyashita Ritsuki, "I wanted to visit you as soon as possible, but my big brother didn't allow me..."

"I understand," Miyashita Hidekatsu cut him off. He didn't think Miyashita Ritsuki was wrong, on the contrary, he was very right. Yet he said, "I'll talk to him about that. You are my son too, he shouldn't stop you from seeing me."

"Mmm," Miyashita Naoyuki naïvely believed his cunning dad's words, nodding repeatedly with inner joy.

On the other hand, Miyashita Ritsuki, who had just returned home in Asahikawa, was unaware that Miyashita Naoyuki had just sullied his reputation. He had just finished work and, exhausted from dealing with his father's attack and other work matters, closed his eyes for a nap as soon as he got in the car and soon fell into a deep sleep.

The driver saw this in the rearview mirror and thoughtfully slowed down to ensure a smoother ride, so as not to disturb Miyashita Ritsuki's rest.

Focused on driving, he didn't notice a black Honda sedan that had started tailing them halfway and was now closely following behind.

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