Asahikawa Police Station, interrogation room.

"Zhongshan Tetsu, you were once a policeman, so you should know our methods," Nakamura Shinichi tapped the table and asked. "Do you think you can withstand them?"

Upon hearing this, Zhongshan Tetsu involuntarily recalled the interrogation techniques he had used on suspects, his face growing pale, but he just pursed his lips and remained silent.

Nakamura Shinichi leaned back, crossed his legs, and said, "I'll have your parents come to interrogate you."

"You're despicable!" Zhongshan Tetsu burst into anger upon hearing this, his voice trembling as he said, "My mother is in poor health, her emotions can't be too agitated…"

"What does her poor health have to do with me?" Nakamura Shinichi scoffed coldly, cutting him off.

Zhongshan Tetsu clenched his fists, glaring with bloodshot eyes, and said, "Always using my parents, don't you have parents of your own? Put yourself in their shoes!"

"What a joke, why should I empathize with a criminal?" Nakamura Shinichi said with disdain as he tapped the table again, "Admit it or not, if you don't confess, I'll start with the torture, then have your parents come."

Zhongshan Tetsu trembled with rage. On one hand were his frail and sickly parents, and on the other, his comrades with whom he had shared life and death. He was torn inside and struggled.

"Go get his parents over," said Nakamura Shinichi, adding fuel to the fire upon seeing this.

"Yes, sir!" His subordinate immediately stood up.

"No!" In his internal struggle, Zhongshan Tetsu could no longer ponder his options and, in severe anguish, covered his face and said, "I confess, I confess to everything, it was all me, it has nothing to do with anyone else."

"Trying to shoulder it all and be a hero, huh? Being a hero comes with a price," Nakamura Shinichi sneered and said, "Go get his parents."

"You idiot!" Zhongshan Tetsu cursed, on the verge of collapse, fiercely glaring at Nakamura Shinichi and clenching his teeth, "I've already confessed, you could close the case, why do you have to do this?"

Nakamura Shinichi just looked at him coldly.

After a while, he said, "They dared to threaten Minister Aoyama; that is an unforgivable sin. Missing even one is a failure of my duty!"

He didn't need to be accountable to the public or society.

But he must be accountable to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"So it is to suck up to your boss," Zhongshan Tetsu's eyes showed disdain, and he laughed bitterly as he said, "Do you know why we took this path? It's because of crappy superiors like you!"

The more he spoke, the more agitated he became, standing up and bellowing spittle, "You said everyone would get a share, but all the money collected went into your pockets! The pittance promised to us wasn't even paid in full, and when I went to Kato Gen to demand it, he insulted and hit me! When we retaliated, you dismissed us; on what grounds? On what grounds?!"

"Are you done?" Compared to the emotionally out-of-control Zhongshan Tetsu, Nakamura Shinichi had been calm from the beginning and indifferently said, "You can go to Minister Aoyama for justice if you feel wronged. But, you shouldn't have committed such a serious crime and threatened him. Kato Gen's kind of scum will be dealt with by the Minister himself, but let's not talk about him right now, let's focus on your issues. Where did you guys hole up?"

"Aoyama Xiu Xin would deal with Kato Gen?" Zhongshan Tetsu was suddenly taken aback, skeptical as he said something.

Nakamura Shinichi nodded, shifting into a more comfortable position, "Minister Aoyama knew nothing about these things; it was only when you four were identified as suspects that he heard some related remarks. He was furious and personally told me that once verified, he would severely punish Kato Gen's greedy and unrestrained kind, so you suffered injustices but didn't tell him. How would the Minister know, and how would he vindicate you? Now you direct all your anger at him. What's the rationale?"

Minister Aoyama was benevolent and wise; it was the treacherous underlings who deceived him. The fault wasn't with him, but with the treacherous.

Zhongshan Tetsu's face turned white and green, sitting back down despondently, his lips quivering as he said with little conviction, "I thought… I assumed…"

"What you assumed is just that, an assumption. After all, everything has come to this point because of your own fault," Nakamura Shinichi interrupted him, sighing as he said, "So even if you harbour unwillingness and grievances, you have now made a grave mistake, and you must pay the price! I'll ask you one last time, where did you lay low, if you don't confess honestly now, I'm going to employ some methods."

"In the Sapporo East District, on 15-chome…" Zhongshan Tetsu hesitantly confessed, filled with guilt towards Miyamoto Ryou and the others, but he was very clear that he couldn't withstand the punishment, and he couldn't accept bringing his elderly and seriously ill mother to persuade him to confess.

Nakamura Shinichi immediately queried, "Are Miyamoto Ryou and the other two there as well? How many guns, how many bombs?"

"They're all there, four guns, two bombs of the kind used in the jewelry store robbery…" Zhongshan Tetsu responded mechanically as if his soul had been sucked out, his eyes devoid of life.

After obtaining all the information he wanted, Nakamura Shinichi immediately called to report to Aoyama Xiu Xin.

After hanging up the phone, Nakamura Shinichi's gaze returned to Zhongshan Tetsu, "You said Kato Gen withheld your money, do you have any concrete evidence?"

Zhongshan Tetsu's eyes finally showed some spirit.

"No evidence; how could he possibly leave any? But if you ask the police, everyone will tell you whether I'm telling the truth or lying."

"I will inquire," Nakamura Shinichi said as he got up to leave, "Take him back to Sapporo."

"Yes, sir!"

"Detective Nakamura, how did it go? Was the interrogation process smooth?" Kato Gen, who had been waiting outside, immediately greeted Nakamura Shinichi as he came out.

He was somewhat nervous because he had just overheard Zhongshan Tetsu loudly accusing himself, but he hadn't heard what Nakamura Shinichi's attitude was, so he was anxious.

Nakamura Shinichi nodded, "Not obstinate, he confessed, and has explained everything. I am now returning to Sapporo; thank you for Mr. Mitsuo's cooperation."

"Not at all, I'm ashamed that such scum came from under me, and I didn't really help much," Kato Gen said with a face of embarrassment, feeling relieved inside. It seemed Nakamura Shinichi didn't believe Zhongshan Tetsu's words, or frankly, didn't care. The director is truly far-sighted with a clear vision.

Nakamura Shinichi said, "I have pressing official business, so I won't stay long. I'll take my leave now, there's no need to see me out."

"Wait until Detective Nakamura comes to Asahikawa again, and then I'll make up for the lack of hospitality today," Kato Gen personally escorted Nakamura Shinichi out, watching them get into the car and leave before turning and going back to the police station.

But he failed to notice that the vehicle from headquarters took a different turn at the fork outside, with one team taking Zhongshan Tetsu back to Sapporo and Nakamura Shinichi leading another team to stay and visit grassroots police officers at the Asahikawa Police Station.

The internal anti-corruption effort of the corrupt group had begun!

At the same time, in Sapporo, at the police headquarters,

Aoyama Xiu Xin was arranging an arrest operation.

"There are three suspects in total, all former police officers with extensive training and experience, armed with guns and homemade bombs of great destructive power, all within this two-story building. The area around the building is densely populated residential, so to avoid causing innocent casualties by their explosives, we can't arrest them directly here. I plan to use Zhongshan Tetsu to lure them out, separating them from the bombs first, and then proceed with the arrest. Does anyone have any opinions? Speak your mind," Aoyama Xiu Xin said, finishing his brief and raising his hand slightly.

A murmur of low voices erupted from below.

"Minister, you've been very thorough, we have no objections. Just command us, and we will carry it out," Nishihara Tatsushi said after a moment.

The others also chimed in agreement.

Aoyama Xiu Xin looked around the room, nodded upon seeing no objections, and continued, "Let's discuss the specific arrangements then. There is an open-air sports stadium next to the hideout. The personnel from the first investigation division will ambush inside beforehand. Once the three suspects enter the stadium, personnel from the second division will seal off the perimeter and capture them all at once."

"Yes!" Everyone responded in unison.

Two hours later, well past midnight, Zhongshan Tetsu arrived at Sapporo headquarters and was immediately brought before Aoyama Xiu Xin. Facing Aoyama Xiu Xin, his confidence seemed to wane, "Minister Aoyama."

"The one who called me was you, right? I still prefer you with your defiance," said Aoyama Xiu Xin, a smile playing on his lips, speaking gently.

Zhongshan Tetsu's complexion changed and he kneeled down with a thud, pleading, "Minister, please spare the lives of my three subordinates. This was all my idea; I deserve to die, I am willing to take full responsibility."

"I want to give them a chance to live, but it depends on whether you're willing to cooperate," said Aoyama Xiu Xin.

Zhongshan Tetsu answered repeatedly, "Willing, very willing."

"Good. Call them to meet you at the stadium next to your spot. My people will be there beforehand to ambush. Once they are surrounded, you come out and persuade them to lay down their weapons and surrender. This will ensure they're not sentenced to death," Aoyama Xiu Xin said calmly.

Out of guilt and wanting to save the lives of the three as compensation for betraying them, Zhongshan Tetsu didn't hesitate to reply, "I will follow your arrangement."

Habamoto Youko handed him a phone.

Zhongshan Tetsu hesitated before accepting it and slowly dialed a number. After connecting, he glanced at Aoyama Xiu Xin and turned on the speakerphone, "I am Zhongshan Tetsu."

"Brother Zhongshan! How's it going, are uncle and auntie alright?" The call was answered by Uesugi Shinryu.

"They're safe, blessed by Amaterasu, they've passed the critical period," Zhongshan Tetsu exhaled.

Miyamoto Ryou and his company all breathed sighs of relief.

"That's a relief. They really are fortunate, and since they're fine, you should come back soon. We're always uneasy without you."

"I'm already on my way back," replied Zhongshan Tetsu, then continued, "Do you remember the sports stadium behind the place we're staying?"

"Of course, Brother Zhongshan, what about it?"

"I'll be there in about half an hour, meet me there in half an hour, and bring Mr. Hashimoto and Mr. Miyamoto. Remember to carry your guns, we have business to handle."

He intentionally asked the three to bring guns to avoid alarm and suspicion.

After all, faced with hundreds of armed police, surrender was their only option.

It wouldn't affect the outcome.

Sure enough, Uesugi Shinryu and the others showed no suspicion, just curious, "What business?"

"I'm driving and can't explain over the phone. We'll talk when we meet. Bring my gun too. That's all for now," Zhongshan Tetsu said impatiently.

Uesugi Shinryu had no choice but to acknowledge, "Yes!"

Zhongshan Tetsu hung up the phone and looked towards Aoyama Xiu Xin.

"You did well. The three of them might not understand your actions for a while, but they will certainly thank you in the future," said Aoyama Xiu Xin with a slight smile.

Then he pointed to Habamoto Youko, "Follow Chief Hashimoto; abide by her directions."

It was like catching turtles in a jar; a near-certain success. He couldn't be bothered to supervise on-site, awaiting news at headquarters would suffice.

"Yes!" Zhongshan Tetsu replied obediently, standing up to follow Habamoto Youko out. He stopped at the door, turned back, and asked, "Detective Nakamura said you would deal with Kato Gen, is that true?"

"Of course. Every single extra income is earned by everyone's collective effort, and each person should get their due share. Kato Gen's embezzlement is extremely heinous. I will never tolerate it," the usually calm Aoyama Xiu Xin suddenly spoke sternly, his words laced with menace.

Anyone who dared to undermine him, he would take their life.

Zhongshan Tetsu bowed deeply, then turned and followed Habamoto Youko out of the office.

Deep inside, he felt a twinge of guilt and apology towards Aoyama Xiu Xin. Minister Aoyama was only deceived by those beneath him, after all. The wrongdoer was the likes of Kato Gen. How could he blame the Minister?

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