August 18, 2016, Night.
On a large passenger plane flying from the East Island Nation of the Old Continent to the United States of the New Continent...
In the first-class cabin, Hei Baishi was reclining in a spacious seat, pretending to nap. Although he was nominally on vacation, he wasn't on this flight for leisure or relaxation. Instead, he was pursuing an important investigation!
Just then, a sharp scream suddenly echoed from the economy-class restroom. Despite the distance between the first-class cabin and the economy-class restroom, Baishi, with his keen hearing and habitual alertness, instantly snapped out of his feigned sleep.
Moments later, the lights in the business-class cabin flickered on, and an announcement came over the intercom, requesting assistance...
"Dear passengers, during this flight, we have encountered a passenger with a sudden medical emergency. If there are any doctors, nurses, or medical professionals on board, please contact the nearest flight attendant..."
A sudden medical emergency? That scream seemed a bit too dramatic for that, didn't it?
Due to his professional instincts and the ongoing investigation tied to this flight, Baishi sensed something was off. After a brief moment of hesitation, he raised his hand to signal a nearby flight attendant.
"Hello, do you need assistance?" the flight attendant asked.
"Hello," Baishi lowered his voice, pulling out his credentials from his jacket pocket. "I'm a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department. Is there really an emergency patient?"
"Ah! Well, actually..." The flight attendant, relieved upon seeing his credentials, leaned closer and whispered an explanation.
Just moments ago, a flight attendant had discovered... a male corpse in the restroom!
Although protocol prevented them from touching the body, it was clear the man was thoroughly dead, his eyes wide open in a ghastly expression.
The announcement seeking a doctor was merely a formality; no one genuinely expected the person could be saved.
"A male corpse... Take me to see it," Baishi said, a bad feeling creeping into his gut.
He had originally wanted to monitor his target in economy class in real-time, but... the reality of his situation didn't allow it. He had no choice but to sit in first class!
As Baishi made his way to economy class and approached the restroom, he noticed police were already on the scene—and he recognized one of them...
...
Megure Juuzou, Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Department, Criminal Investigation Division, First Investigation Section, Third Unit for Violent Crimes.
Inspector Megure hadn't expected that, while escorting Officer Takagi to the U.S. to retrieve an extradited criminal, he'd stumble upon a murder case!
That's right—Megure had also sensed something was amiss and revealed his identity to the flight crew, coming to investigate.
With no local police to assist, the investigation conditions were rudimentary. And to make matters worse...
He spotted the son of an "old friend" causing a scene at the crime site!
While Yusaku Kudo had helped Megure solve cases in the past, and Megure trusted Yusaku's detective skills, that didn't mean he trusted a cocky high school kid... even if that kid was Yusaku Kudo's son.
This was, indeed, Shinichi Kudo's first chance to tackle a murder case on his own!
"Honestly, Shinichi, this isn't a place for playing detective games!" Megure scolded.
Just then...
Thud, thud, thud—
Baishi approached, his footsteps unmasked.
Takagi Wataru, who had been standing in the aisle, turned at the sound. Instinctively, he said, "Sorry, the restroom is temporarily out of—uh... gulp..."
Takagi had intended to block civilians from approaching the scene, but when he turned and saw the figure's imposing stature, his scalp tingled, and he swallowed hard.
Having recently transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department from a local precinct, Takagi didn't know Baishi. But...
Baishi was the type who exuded an oppressive presence without needing an introduction!
Hei Baishi, Inspector of the Metropolitan Police Department, Organized Crime Countermeasures Division, Third Section, Fourth Unit. Height: 226 cm. Weight: 159 kg.
(For reference, Yao Ming's height with a physique slightly bulkier than Kyogoku Makoto's [Kyogoku Makoto: 184 cm, 79 kg]. See the novel's cover for a visual comparison.)
This was why Baishi couldn't sit in economy class—he simply wouldn't fit, nor could he recline comfortably. Even the plane's ceiling height was barely sufficient.
Baishi glanced down at the seemingly "new" officer, then flashed a "friendly colleague" smile.
"You're new to the First Investigation Section, right? Nice to meet you..." Baishi said, smiling as he extended his hand.
Baishi knew most of the detectives in the First Investigation Section, especially those in the Third Unit for Violent Crimes, having worked with many of them. But he hadn't seen this somewhat scrawny young colleague before.
"Uh, um..." Takagi, faced with this "wall" of a man, felt his thoughts scramble. Seeing Baishi's grin and outstretched hand, he instinctively took a step back.
But at that moment...
"Hm? Isn't that Brother Baishi? You're here too? I didn't see you earlier," Megure said, immediately recognizing the towering figure.
When Baishi first joined the force, he spent most of his first year in the First Investigation Section's Third Unit for Violent Crimes—under Megure's command. So, even though Baishi was now an inspector of equal rank, Megure still warmly called him "Brother."
"Takagi, don't be nervous. This is Inspector Baishi, head of the Fourth Unit in the Third Section of Organized Crime Countermeasures," Megure said, shooting a glance at the "spineless" rookie before introducing Baishi.
"Oh... Oh! Inspector Baishi! My apologies!" Takagi quickly apologized.
At the same time, Takagi thought to himself...
He'd heard that people in "Organized Crime" always looked intimidating, but... this was too intimidating, wasn't it?
The Third Section of the Organized Crime Countermeasures Division, once part of the Criminal Investigation Division alongside the First Investigation Section, was known as the "Organized Crime Countermeasures Section."
Due to the unique circumstances of the East Island Nation, where numerous legal yakuza groups operated, their crimes differed from typical civilian offenses. Thus, the police had a dedicated division to handle crimes caused by organized groups—the "Organized Crime Countermeasures Section." Over time, as control over these groups tightened, it was restructured and expanded into the independent "Organized Crime Countermeasures Division."
For convenience, people typically referred to it as "Organized Crime" or "Zutai." The Third Section, formerly the Organized Crime Countermeasures Section, was the ace unit handling organized crime, much like the First Investigation Section was the ace of the Criminal Investigation Division.
Since they constantly dealt with violent criminals, "Zutai" officers often appeared intimidating. Without revealing their identities, it was hard for ordinary people to distinguish them from actual yakuza members based on appearance, speech, or demeanor.
"Hahaha, Officer Takagi, you're not thinking, 'As expected of a Zutai guy,' are you? If you look closely, my face is pretty friendly, right? Not to brag, but in our section, I'm one of the kindest-looking guys," Baishi said, bending down slightly to get closer.
Takagi instinctively leaned back but, looking more closely, realized—well, just judging by the face... it wasn't *that* intimidating!
But with that physique, it was hard for anyone to "just look at the face"!
"N-No, not at all! I was just surprised that Inspector Baishi is so accomplished at such a young age, already a unit chief..." Takagi, unable to admit "you scare me," quickly came up with an excuse.
Indeed, upon closer inspection, Takagi realized Inspector Baishi seemed... young, maybe only a couple of years older than himself!
Takagi Wataru, age 25, had spent three years in a local precinct. Due to his outstanding performance and perceived potential, he was transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department. For an ambitious field detective, the First Investigation Section—"Souchi"—was a legendary department.
But, like most new transfers to Souchi, Takagi was quickly humbled. Even an excellent precinct detective like him became a rookie in this elite division.
"Come on, Takagi, that's rude. Brother Baishi is a golden... cough, an elite of the career track," Megure said, giving Takagi another exasperated glance.
It was bad enough that Takagi got intimidated by Baishi's appearance...
But don't let Baishi's burly, muscle-bound look fool you—his mind was extraordinary too!
(End of Chapter)