Seeing Fujiwara Yoshitaka, the Chairman of the Japan National Security Committee, appear, Hakuba was greatly alarmed.
Why would the Chairman show up here?
He knew full well that the Chairman wouldn't normally appear for something like this. At this level, showing up in person at such a time was a foolish move.
Most ordinary people didn't understand the government's internal structure. They wouldn't know there's a Security Committee above the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department.
In the public's eyes, the Commissioner of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department was already the highest-ranking figure in law enforcement.
And technically, they wouldn't be wrong. Hakuba was the top-ranking officer actively handling operations, and he was the most visible public official.
During a time when the police were being criticized and distrusted by the public, someone like Chairman Fujiwara didn't need to make an appearance at all.
Who would be foolish enough to come out just to get scolded by the media?
Hakuba's position was high enough. If anything happened, he could just take the blame, bow, and resign. No matter how serious the incident was, it wouldn't reach Chairman Fujiwara. He alone was enough to take responsibility.
Wait a second. Chairman Fujiwara... and Fujiwara Toru?
Could they be related?
Just as that thought occurred, Hakuba saw Fujiwara Yoshitaka looking at Toru with a complicated expression equal parts stern and reproachful as he said:
"Toru, you're not hurt, are you? You did well this time, saving so many people, but something like this is far too dangerous. Next time you encounter something like this, you must prioritize protecting yourself."
After speaking, he glanced over at the Yukinoshita sisters, clear displeasure in his eyes.
He had seen the video online. The situation had been far too dangerous. Watching Toru step forward and take on a gang of armed thugs had shocked him.
The Fujiwara family only had one male heir. Nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
What made him even more displeased was that Toru had clearly gotten involved in the terrorist attack to protect the Yukinoshita sisters.
In Fujiwara Yoshitaka's view, Toru had been placed in danger entirely because of them.
Haruno stood quietly beside Toru. She immediately sensed Fujiwara Yoshitaka's dissatisfaction toward her and her sister.
She didn't dare say a word. One wrong move could deepen his displeasure.
Yukino, seeing her uncle, was about to greet him politely.
But Haruno reacted quickly and pulled her back, stopping her from speaking.
Fujiwara Yoshitaka was clearly unhappy right now. The more they drew attention to themselves, the more he'd resent them.
Yukino didn't understand why, but in this room full of adults and authority figures, she was timid and didn't resist. So, facing her sister's restraint, she obediently stayed silent.
Haruno sighed inwardly.
My foolish sister, you really don't understand how to read a room.
At that moment, Hakuba also gasped inwardly. As expected, Toru really was connected to Chairman Fujiwara. From the looks of it, they were father and son?
He suddenly regretted not investigating this earlier. That kind of background wasn't something to miss.
Son of Chairman Fujiwara, adopted son of the CIA Director... what kind of absurd relationship was that?
Hakuba's brain was in chaos.
But one thing was clear—Toru was not someone to mess with.
He recalled his actions just now. Thankfully, the first thing he had done was bow to Toru. That probably saved him.
No wonder Chairman Fujiwara had personally shown up. His son had been in danger.
Thinking about it another way, the hero who saved countless lives turned out to be Chairman Fujiwara's son.
Once the public found out, they would definitely shower Fujiwara Yoshitaka with praise. No matter how furious they were with the police, they'd still admire the Chairman.
That's how you rise in politics, by appearing at the perfect moment to seize the spotlight.
I'm still too inexperienced.
As Hakuba was busy reflecting on his shortcomings, Fujiwara Yoshitaka turned toward the group of police officers.
Unlike the gentle expression he had shown Toru, his face turned sharp as he snapped, "You useless lot, what good are you!"
"How did these thugs make it into Japan without any intel beforehand?"
"Japan has always been one of the safest countries in the world, but now even that reputation is collapsing. Do you really want foreign countries to start issuing travel advisories warning tourists about visiting Japan?"
"If Japan's economy collapses, it'll be because of your incompetence!"
At his roar, all the police officers led by Hakuba instantly dropped to their knees with a loud thud.
"We are truly sorry!"
Every officer lowered their heads to the ground in a deep dogeza.
The reporters were ecstatic. This was a rare scene. Normally, even in a scandal, a simple bow was the limit.
A full dogeza, with this many high-ranking officers, was front-page material, second only to Toru saving civilians.
"Have you found anything about those terrorists?"
"Chairman, Mr. Fujiwara mentioned that the terrorists were speaking Filipino. They're likely from the Philippines."
"Then investigate all of them! I'll have the National Security Department assist you."
"Yes!"
After unleashing his fury, Fujiwara Yoshitaka's expression softened as he turned back to Toru and said kindly, "Toru, you should leave first. I'll take care of the rest."
"Got it."
Since outsiders were present, Toru didn't show any resistance. Instead, he acted very respectfully, giving Fujiwara Yoshitaka plenty of face.
That made Fujiwara Yoshitaka even more pleased.
This son is too considerate. I must nurture him with everything the Fujiwara family has.
Toru, the Yukinoshita sisters, and Eri Kisaki left the conference room.
As for the unfinished statement? At this point, no police officer dared say another word. They were treating Toru like their own father.
Once they left, Eri Kisaki sighed and said, "It looks like I'm not needed anymore."
Toru smiled. "I really appreciate how quickly you came to represent me, Ms. Kisaki."
Eri shook her head. "This is just professional ethics. You don't need to thank me, Fujiwara-kun."
She then looked at the Yukinoshita sisters, raised an eyebrow playfully at Toru, and said, "I'll stop bothering you. Call me if anything happens."
"Will do."
After parting ways, Eri didn't walk far before stopping in her tracks. Her heart was pounding uncontrollably. It felt like she had returned to her youth, gripped by a sudden impulse.
A woman at thirty is like a wolf, at forty like a tiger. She had been divorced for many years, with no new relationships, burying herself in work.
But now that her career had stabilized, the loneliness only grew stronger. That suppressed longing she'd ignored for years was starting to flare up.
And now, Toru had walked into her world.
He was young and handsome, a top student at Tokyo University with excellent grades.
In the terrorist attack, he displayed the one thing most irresistible to a mature woman—a powerful sense of safety and reliability.
Unable to resist, she pulled out her phone again and rewatched the video. Her heart beat faster.
Eri was not like her daughter Ran. She was a mature woman. She didn't have the bashfulness of a young girl.
With a man like this, she had to be more assertive.
Her gaze shifted, and she immediately made a decision.
As for Toru's messy private life, or whether he had a girlfriend, she didn't care at all.
She wasn't looking for a husband anyway. Why should that matter?
It was even better this way. No one would interfere with anyone.
The question is... would Fujiwara-kun even be interested in an older woman like me?
That was the only thing troubling her.
Elsewhere, Yukino looked like she wanted to speak but hesitated. She looked up at Toru, then lowered her head again, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.
Toru noticed and asked, "Yukino, what's wrong? Are you hurt? This is a hospital. You should get checked out."
Her heart trembled. The way he called her name was too natural. They had only met today.
But she didn't show any resistance to it. Instead, she acted as if she didn't notice and said quietly, "At the library, I found something."
She then told him about the rock candy hidden in the mezzanine.
Toru frowned. "Looks like the fire and the terrorists were probably after that."
"No wonder they ignored everyone else and came straight at you. He must've been hired to silence you."
Yukino's face instantly turned pale.
Haruno frowned and scolded, "Yukino, why didn't you tell the police earlier?"
Yukino lowered her head. Her lips trembled. "I... I didn't dare. And I didn't trust them."
Haruno was speechless. She couldn't argue with that.
It really was hard to trust the police these days.
Toru said calmly, "This needs to be dealt with. Whoever's behind this will come after you again once they find out you're still alive. And next time, it might be harder to stop."
Just the thought of being targeted by those terrifying criminals again made Yukino's legs go weak. She nearly collapsed.
With tears in her voice, she asked, "Th-then what should I do? Should I ask the police to protect me?"
"Don't worry. I'll handle it."
She nodded immediately, full of trust.
She assumed he'd go to Fujiwara Yoshitaka for help.
But Toru had other plans.
Back in South America, he had wiped out entire drug cartels. But back then, he hadn't been able to launder the cash easily.
Now, seeing drug dealers again, he decided to go all in. Not just eliminate them—he'd take every yen they had.
They might not be as rich as the cartels, but they'd definitely have something stashed away.
As for laundering the black money, he couldn't use CIA channels this time. He needed another network.
The Black Organization definitely had the means.
And Mizunashi Rena, as a CIA undercover agent embedded within them, could get it done.
Toru made up his mind instantly.
(To be continued.)