Tokyo and Capital City were less than four hundred kiloters apart.
Hasegawa Zexi and his two companions set out in the morning and arrived in Tokyo by noon, finding a small shop for lunch.
"After a while, you guys will divide the tasks—one finds us a place to stay, another finds a car, and I’ll go et a friend to gather so intelligence on Matsuboto Hirokuni," Hasegawa Zexi instructed the other two as he ate.
The two naturally had no objections, "Okay!"
After finishing the al, Hasegawa Zexi left first.
He and Matsuboto Hirokuni had both served as personal bodyguards for Takai Baoyu and knew where his residence was, so there was no need for inquiries; he simply wanted to confirm that the guy had not changed his living place after the incident with his boss.
Approaching Matsuboto Hirokuni’s ho from a distance, he saw the gate tightly closed. He scoped out the surroundings and not spotting anyone tailing him, he lowered his hat’s brim and walked over.
He raised his hand to press the doorbell.
"Ding-dong, ding-dong—"
After pressing it three tis, no one ca to the door.
Hasegawa Zexi sneered coldly, it was clear Matsuboto Hirokuni understood him well, fearing he would seek revenge for Takai Baoyu, so he must’ve moved to another place.
He then pressed the neighbor’s doorbell.
"Mosi Mosi?"
"Hello, sorry to disturb you. I’m a friend of Matsuboto Hirokuni who lives next door. Is he not ho?" Hasegawa Zexi communicated with the hoowner through the intercom in the doorbell.
"Ah! You an Matsuboto? They moved out yesterday; you should give him a call and try that."
"Ah... is that so? That’s really unfortunate," Hasegawa Zexi feigned annoyance, "I’ve just been discharged from the army, and it’s been a long ti since I’ve seen him. I specifically ca from the countryside to see him, but I don’t have his number. Surely, Mrs. should have their contact information, right? Could you call and ask for ?"
"Alright," the kindly Mrs. agreed.
"Hi! Thank you, Mrs.," Hasegawa Zexi quickly expressed his gratitude and continued, "Please don’t say it was looking for him; I want to give Hirokuni-san a surprise."
"That’s such an enviable friendship. I’m sure Matsuboto-kun will be delighted to see you appear so unexpectedly," the neighbor’s wife said, her voice filled with laughter.
"Ha ha ha ha, that guy will definitely be in disbelief. It’s amusing just thinking about it."
After a while, the neighbor’s wife’s voice ca through the doorbell, "Matsuboto-kun is not at ho. It was his wife who took the call just now, and their new address is at East Shinjuku 1-cho, No. 123-124."
"Hi! Thank you, Mrs., sorry to trouble you, have a pleasant day, farewell," Hasegawa Zexi left.
He took a taxi to Matsuboto Hirokuni’s new residence, carefully surveyed the terrain, and then departed with a stern face.
In the afternoon, inside an abandoned house serving as their foothold, Hasegawa Zexi pointed to a map and briefed Big Black Moles and the one with the small braid about the kidnapping details, "This is Matsuboto Hirokuni’s house. Whether he is leaving or returning ho, he will pass this street. He has the habit of carrying a gun with him, so we can’t just go in strong; we have to outsmart him."
"I’ve got an idea," Big Black Moles stroked the long hair on his mole and asked with rolling eyes, "You’ve figured out his car license plate, right?"
"I know it." Hasegawa Zexi nodded.
Big Black Moles grinned and pointed to the road in front of Matsuboto Hirokuni’s house on the map, "In that case, let’s split up and act separately. The one with the braid stays at the street corner; you stop your car on the side in the middle of the road, and I’ll pretend to be a drunk pedestrian near his house."
"When the one with the braid spots his car at the corner, he alerts us. When his car enters this street, you drive in front of him, controlling his speed so he can’t go too fast. I’ll pretend to cross the street and get hit by his car. Once he has hit soone, he will definitely get out to check."
"After he gets out and slls the alcohol on from a distance, he’ll let his guard down. When he cos closer to check, I’ll suddenly burst into action to control him, and you two rush over to support. That way, even if he has a gun, he won’t have the chance to use it."
"Big brother, what a brilliant plan!" the one with the small braid flattered.
Hasegawa Zexi pondered for a mont, pulled out a gun, placed it in front of Big Black Moles, and said, "Then take this gun. Matsuboto Hirokuni is skilled, and you might not be able to control him without it."
Big Black Moles looked down at the gun, then looked up at Hasegawa Zexi. Any wariness and suspicion he might have had in his mind toward him vanished in an instant, realizing that Hasegawa Zexi giving him the gun was a sign of genuine collaboration.
"Alright!" Big Black Moles pocketed the gun and nodded.
Once the plan was agreed upon, there was no ti to waste. The three imdiately took action, heading to their designated locations.
They waited there until six in the afternoon.
But Matsuboto Hirokuni’s car never showed up.
Luckily, all three were seasoned hunters, patient at heart, still silently waiting at their spots.
anwhile, Aoyama Xiu Xin unusually worked overti that day, mainly because the leadership had a eting. He could skip work, but he definitely couldn’t miss the eting.
Around seven in the evening, he returned to the Asakai family ho with Asai Ayumi and his father-in-law, Asai Youki.
"Mom, big brother, good evening," Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed and greeted Mrs. Asakai and Asai Zexi.
Seeing her son-in-law, Mrs. Asakai was a mother-in-law pleased with her daughter’s husband, and she bead with joy, "Xiu Xin, please take a seat."
"Hi!" Aoyama Xiu Xin nodded and sat down next to Asai Zexi, asking, "They haven’t arrived yet?"
"They’re on their way," Asai Zexi replied.
Aoyama Xiu Xin took out a cigarette, offering one to his father-in-law and elder brother-in-law respectively, then used a lighter to ignite the cigarettes for both, "What’s the background of the other family?"
"The Chief of Cabinet at the Ministry of Finance, Iihara He’s youngest daughter, Iihara Nishi," Asai Youki casually responded.
Aoyama Xiu Xin was stunned; Fujimoto Yoshi had been manipulated by Iihara He and Asai Youki to kill the Kitanohara family and was subsequently forced to flee to Korea.
It appeared that Iihara He and the Asakai family were very close.
But clearly, the hierarchy favored the Iihara family.
Marrying his daughter to Asai Zexi would be considered a step down.
Aoyama Xiu Xin quickly regained his composure, teasing his oldest uncle with a smile, "Having such a well-connected wife at ho, elder brother, I fear your days ahead might be tough."
Even though Japanese families are patriarchal, a woman with a strong family background can be particularly formidable in her husband’s household.
"So many are eager to marry a daughter of the Iihara family, yet not all get the chance; this is a great match I struggled to secure for him," said Asai Youki.
Asai Zexi bowed slightly, "Hi! Father, you’ve gone to great efforts, and I’ll maintain this marriage well."
"Ding-dong—ding-dong—"
The doorbell interrupted their conversation.
Asai Youki imdiately crushed out his cigarette, stood up to adjust his tie, and strode forward to open the door—sure enough, it was Chief Iihara with his wife and daughter Nishi.
"You’re here!" Asai Youki bowed.
"Youki, it’s a family dinner tonight, no need to be so formal," Iihara He said with a pleasant smile.
"Hi!" Asai Youki didn’t see Iihara Guiyi, Iihara He’s son, and asked, "Guiyi didn’t co?"
Iihara Guiyi was off on a sudden business trip, Iihara He explained before turning back to instruct his daughter lightly, "Nishi, go say hello to Uncle Asakai."
"Uncle," said Iihara Nishi with a bow.
"No need for formalities, please co in."
In the living room, Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Zexi had also extinguished their cigarettes and risen to greet the guests, bowing as they saw them approach: "Good evening, Chief Iihara."
"Please, sit down everyone, no need for courtesy," Iihara He said, lifting a hand and then, turning back to Asai Youki with a smile, he added, "Youki, you have a fine son—truly handso and distinguished."
"You flatter ."
"Police Chief Aoyama isn’t bad either—it’s a pleasure to finally et Heisei’s No.1 Detective, haha..."
"Hi!" Aoyama Xiu Xin bowed politely.
Glancing at Iihara Nishi as he sat down, he thought she had a fine figure and pretty looks, though her expression seed sowhat aloof; it was hard to tell if this was just her personality.
After exchanging pleasantries, Iihara He took the initiative to suggest to Asai Zexi, "Zexi, dinner seems to be a while away, perhaps you could take Nishi out for so fresh air, she feels a bit carsick."
"Hi!" Asai Zexi rose and said to Iihara Nishi with polite warmth, "Please, Miss Nishi."
Iihara Nishi got up and followed him out.
No sooner had the two of them left than Iihara He began discussing wedding plans with Asai Youki, deciding to skip the engagent ceremony and go straight for a wedding before the end of the year.
About half an hour later, Asai Zexi and Iihara Hezi returned, their expressions revealing nothing about whether their ti together was pleasant.
But the very fact that nothing could be discerned suggested that it probably wasn’t pleasant.
Shortly after dinner, the Iihara family took their leave.
The previously polite and humble Asai Zexi’s face instantly darkened.
"What’s the matter?" inquired Asai Youki.
Aoyama Xiu Xin also cast a concerned look.
"Slap!" Asai Zexi slamd his palm fiercely onto the table and, grinding his teeth, said, "Iihara Nishi told she has a boyfriend and that they’ve already been intimate. She doesn’t want to marry and hopes I’ll reject this marriage so that her romance can flourish."
"Idiot!" cursed Asai Youki, taking several deep breaths to contain his anger, "This marriage must go through, no matter what—it’s important for your future, and Chief Iihara must save face."
"I know, it’s just hard to swallow this pride," Asai Zexi said, closing his eyes.
Aoyama Xiu Xin volunteered, "Elder brother, leave this to , and I’ll handle it to your satisfaction."
As a son-in-law who shared in the fortunes and misfortunes of the Asakai family, he certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to cuckold his elder uncle.
"Thank you," nodded Asai Zexi.
Aoyama Xiu Xin responded with a smile, "It’s the least I can do."
He was particularly adept at thwarting love affairs.
At the sa ti, in East Shinjuku 1-cho, a youngster with braids sitting outside a restaurant finally spotted Matsuboto Hirokuni’s car and swiftly called Hasegawa Ze.
Hasegawa Ze imdiately started his vehicle.
Unaware of anything, Matsuboto Hirokuni turned right into the street where his house was, only to find a car driving slowly ahead. He couldn’t help but slow down too, close to ho and not in any rush.
At that mont, a person staggered and collapsed onto his car. Instinctively, he braked, and then the person just fell backward onto the ground, motionless.
Wary, Matsuboto Hirokuni felt for the gun at his waist before getting out to check. Once the door was open, he was t by a strong sll of alcohol—it appeared to be a drunkard. His hand moved away from the gun’s handle, and he approached to kick the person lying on the ground.
But there was no reaction.
He crouched to see if the person was injured.
He had barely gotten halfway down when his body froze in place, as a gun was pressed against his abdon. "Don’t move; hands up or I’ll kill you."
Matsuboto Hirokuni raised his hands, his face grim.
The braided youth, wearing a hat and a mask, along with the quickly arriving Hasegawa Ze, forced Matsuboto Hirokuni into the car and took him away, driving off in his car as well.
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