Aoyama Xiu Xin shifted his foot, squatted down, and grabbed Sato Yuudou by the hair, saying, "I want you to testify that Mitsuo Mutou is a member of the Imperial Pole Society and that the series of violent crimes he committed were all directed by Ishihara Tairo."

"Ah!" Sato Yuudou exclaimed, his eyes widened in shock, and he shook his head unconsciously, "No! I can't do this; it would destroy the Imperial Pole Society, kill the leader; I can't be a traitor. I can't."

"Bang!" Aoyama Xiu Xin landed another punch on his face, sending blood splattering everywhere. He spoke with a fierce and ferocious look, "Someone must pay for the life of my unborn nephew. If Ishihara Tairo won't pay, then you will. I'll give you another chance to organize your words. Are you really willing to sacrifice yourself for the organization? If so, I don't mind obliging."

Sato Yuudou's teeth chattered like a clapperboard, his inner turmoil evident. It took a long while before he sobbed in agony, tears streaming down his face, "I agree, I agree."

He didn't want to die. He truly didn't.

"Good, a wise choice." Aoyama Xiu Xin let go of him, speaking coldly, "As long as Ishihara Tairo, the main culprit, dies and the Imperial Pole Society is destroyed, then the rest of you can live."

Hashimoto Youko watched this scene with cold detachment. She knew Aoyama Xiu Xin was deceiving Sato Yuudou; of the ten core members of the Imperial Pole Society, it would be a miracle if even three survived.

Most likely none would.

"Woo woo woo woo, thank you, Minister Aoyama, thank you, Minister Aoyama." With a heart filled with joy from a narrow escape, Sato Yuudou cried and nodded repeatedly in gratitude.

He tried to console himself by thinking he had saved most of the people in the Imperial Pole Society, minimizing the guilt of his betrayal.

Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up, sat down on a chair above him, and said from a position of authority, "Mere oral testimony seems weak; we also need physical evidence! As a core member of the Imperial Pole Society, why don't you suggest how we might physically prove that Mitsuo Mutou is a member?"

"Add his name! Add his name!" Sato Yuudou blurted out, looking up eagerly, "The Imperial Pole Society has an internal register listing core members' names. I know it's in the leader's office. If you let me go, with the trust the leader has in me, I can surely get the register and secretly add Mitsuo Mutou's name. Then you can present this register to Mitsuo Mutou and have him stamp his thumbprint on it."

"That's possible but not sufficient," Aoyama Xiu Xin shook his head, adding, "You'll need to come with me to Asahikawa Prison to meet Mitsuo Mutou in person."

He already had a complete plan in mind.

"I'll go! I'll go!" Sato Yuudou nodded repeatedly like a pecking chicken. With the idea of surrender conceived, the vastness of the universe seemed to open up, and his initial pretensions were gone.

Later, Aoyama Xiu Xin took Sato Yuudou on another trip to Asahikawa, not only to arrange for him to conspire with Mitsuo Mutou but also to help them record a video.

The video was filmed in an abandoned warehouse of Asahikawa Prison, showing Mitsuo Mutou in a suit instead of his prison uniform, wearing a wig, while Sato Yuudou, due to injuries on his face, was positioned with his back to the camera; still, his silhouette was recognizable.

The footage was slightly blurry, the angle somewhat skewed.

It was deliberately made to look like it was secretly filmed.

The two of them spoke the lines they had rehearsed earlier.

"Mitsuo-kun, you've done well. The leader has praised and acknowledged your performance recently, urging you to keep it up, but..."

"But what?" Mitsuo Mutou asked.

Sato Yuudou chuckled lightly, "But the leader said you've been killing ordinary people, which while frightening enough, is insufficient; thus, he hopes you seize the opportunity to kill a high-ranking official."

Mitsuo Mutou, expressionless, remained silent.

"What's wrong, Mitsuo-kun? You're not scared, are you?"

"Of course not!" Mitsuo Mutou became agitated, his breathing quick and his face fervent as he gesticulated wildly, "From the moment I joined the Imperial Pole Society, I dedicated my life to our great cause; how could I fear death? Good! Please tell the leader that I, Mitsuo Mutou, will surely meet his expectations!"

"Yosshi, Mitsuo-kun. In the future, those bureaucrats will label you a criminal, but you'll always be our hero!" Sato Yuudou bowed deeply.

The screen flickered, concluding there.

With this recorded video, Sato Yuudou having added Mitsuo Mutou's name to the register and Mutou's own verbal confirmation along with Sato Yuudou's testimony.

Everyone could believe that Mitsuo Mutou was a member of the Imperial Pole Society and that the string of murders he committed were directed by Ishihara Tairo. As an ultra-right organization, proving such extreme actions by them would directly classify it as a terrorist organization.

Next, the responsibility of the police would not be to investigate the case.

But to counter terrorism.

Of course, if anyone looked into it deeply, they would find loopholes, but with even Aum Shinrikyo having accepted the downfall of the Imperial Pole Society, who would care if an ultra-right group was wronged?

Everyone would just think: good riddance.

So this frame-up could be seen as full of holes yet also impeccably executed.

Having returned to Sapporo, it was already nighttime, and Aoyama Xiu Xin had released not only Sato Yuudou but all captured members of the Imperial Pole Society because he wanted to give Ishihara Tairo the faux impression that he had reached a reconciliation after communicating with Asahara Shoko, else releasing Sato Yuudou alone would have raised suspicions.

At the same time, this would also lull the Imperial Pole Society into a false sense of security before delivering a fatal blow.

"Minister, once Sato Yuudou returns, he might realize you were deceiving him, especially since Lady Qingzi's baby is fine," Hashimoto Youko reminded.

Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled noncommittally and counter-questioned, "Do you think that even if Sato Yuudou realizes I was deceiving him, he still has room to back out?"

Hashimoto Youko stayed silent, realizing the truth. Sato Yuudou had been terrified,had recorded the video with Mitsuo Mutou, and had no way back.

At this point, his only option was to follow through to the end.

"You should head home and rest early." Aoyama Xiu Xin dropped the remark and walked outside; he was off to Miyashita Hidekatsu's house; this matter required Miyashita's cooperation.

......…

At the same time, Sato Yuudou returned to the headquarters of the Imperial Pole Society with the members who were arrested today.

"President! I am guilty! Please punish me!"

Upon entering the president's office and seeing Ishihara Taichiro, Sato Yuudou immediately knelt down.

Ishihara Taichiro had been angry about the trouble Sato Yuudou had caused, but seeing his face so beaten and deformed, he suddenly couldn't muster his anger.

In the end, he sighed, "Get up. Why did Aoyama Xiu Xin suddenly release all of you?"

"This... wasn't it you who saved us?" Sato Yuudou asked in astonishment as he got up, then added on his own, "The people who released us didn't say anything."

"It seems that the communication between Asahara Sect Master and Aoyama Xiu Xin was effective." Ishihara Taichiro frowned and muttered to himself, feeling relieved. He turned and made a call to Asahara Shoko. After connecting, he spoke with a nod and a bow, "Thank you, Sect Master. My people have been released, all thanks to your influence."

Asahara Shoko was stunned. Wasn't Aoyama Xiu Xin supposed to destroy the Imperial Pole Society? Why did he release them?

When something is abnormal, there must be a demon.

Although unclear about the specifics, since he decided to sacrifice the Imperial Pole Society, he had to do it thoroughly. If any remnants survived and bore a grudge against him, what would he do? Thus, he didn't remind Ishihara Taichiro, only responding with a noncommittal hum.

"I won't bother the Sect Master any longer." Ishihara Taichiro picked up on Asahara Shoko's lack of interest in further conversation.

Asahara Shoko ended the call directly, shaking his head and saying, "Don't blame me. The existence of the Imperial Pole Society has always been to serve me. For the Sect Master to burn up your lives is also your honor."

"President, how are things? Is it really all right now?" Sato Yuudou asked nervously.

Ishihara Taichiro exhaled, "Though I don't know what price the Sect Master paid to appease Aoyama Xiu Xin's anger, it's probably all right now. We must learn from this lesson. Offending Aoyama Xiu Xin twice, if there's a third time, even gods can't save us."

"Yes!" Sato Yuudou acknowledged, but a chill surfaced in his heart. He already understood that the Imperial Pole Society was abandoned by Asahara Shoko. No wonder Aoyama Xiu Xin, despite not fearing Aum Shinrikyo, still targeted the Imperial Pole Society.

Ishihara Taichiro did not know what his most valued junior was thinking, speaking to himself, "Fortunately, this time Mrs. Aoyama and the child in her womb are all right. Otherwise, there'd truly be no room to maneuver."

Upon hearing this, Sato Yuudou was startled. The child of that woman was all right? Had Aoyama Xiu Xin been lying about the miscarriage just to scare him?

Dammit! What a sinister and cunning bastard.

Although he learned the truth, he had no intention of confessing or snitching to Ishihara Taichiro.

For he had seen Aoyama Xiu Xin's determination to eradicate the Imperial Pole Society at any cost. If he messed up his plan, it would definitely mean a dead end for him.

Besides, even Aum Shinrikyo had abandoned the Imperial Pole Society, which was doomed from the start.

Now, Sato Yuudou could only strive to carry out Aoyama Xiu Xin's command to mitigate his crimes and save himself.

On the other hand, Aoyama Xiu Xin arrived at the Miyashita house.

Miyashita Ritsuki and his wife had already returned to Asahikawa, leaving only Miyashita Hidekatsu and Miyashita Ryouko at home.

"Mr. Aoyama, what brings you here so late at night?" After some small talk, Miyashita Hidekatsu asked.

Aoyama Xiu Xin placed down his teacup and bowed deeply. "I hope the mayor can help me with a favor."

"Ryouko, help me hang the laundry." Mrs. Miyashita noticed that the two were about to discuss serious matters and promptly left.

Although Miyashita Ryouko wanted to eavesdrop, she sighed and reluctantly got up to follow.

After his wife and daughter left, Miyashita Hidekatsu gestured for Aoyama Xiu Xin to proceed, "Please speak, Xiu Xin."

"To be honest, my sister-in-law's due date was actually next month, but due to... she had a premature delivery today, and the delivery process was extremely dangerous."

"Idiot! Those disgusting lunatics of the Imperial Pole Society!" Miyashita Hidekatsu shared his hatred after hearing this.

"This vengeance must be avenged, or the hatred cannot be extinguished." Aoyama Xiu Xin's expression darkened as he exhaled, "Moreover, the existence of such an extreme right-wing group as the Imperial Pole Society is also an unstable factor for Hokkaido. Therefore, both personally and publicly, I want to see this group vanish."

"Xiu Xin, do you know that behind the Imperial Pole Society is the Aum Shinrikyo?" Miyashita Hidekatsu asked.

Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded. "Mayor Miyashita can rest assured. Although I'm not as prominent as you, even the unreasonable Asahara Shoko is willing to give me this respect."

"Oh?" Miyashita Hidekatsu was surprised that Aoyama Xiu Xin could actually make that madman Asahara bow, and his respect for him increased. He nodded and said, "Since that's the case, as a mayor, I am also willing to contribute to the stability of Hokkaido. Just tell me what specifically you need me to do."

"Hey! This is what I was thinking…" Aoyama Xiu Xin explained his plan in detail, finally revealing the purpose of his visit, "So I hope that at this time, the mayor can come forward to denounce the Imperial Pole Society, stir public opinion to label it as a terrorist organization, and strike it."

Miyashita Hidekatsu gasped after hearing this. Not only was Aoyama Xiu Xin ruthless and decisive, but his ability to take action was truly full-throttle; he had already completed the setup to strangle the Imperial Pole Society in just one day.

Revenge wasn't even postponed overnight. Indeed, a ruthless man.

He felt Aoyama Xiu Xin was a bit too extreme.

More extreme than the extremist group, the Imperial Pole Society.

"Alright, no problem. Xiu Xin, you've done most of the work, and all I need to do is come out and shout a few words publicly." Miyashita Hidekatsu readily agreed.

Aoyama Xiu Xin exhaled, stood up, and bowed deeply, "Thank you for your cooperation, Mayor."

Now everything was in place, just awaiting the east wind.

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