Chapter 24: Reversing the Natural Order

As the Akasaka and Aoki teams resumed their investigation, Shiraishi was hardly sitting around waiting for reports; every department was bustling with activity.

Outside, reporters had caught wind of the situation, and the entrance to the Beika Precinct was swarming with them. Section Chief Maruo of the Police Affairs Division was busy stalling them with procedural formalities, as Shiraishi had no intention of granting interviews just yet.

Within the Metropolitan Police Department, the "Police Affairs Department" and the "General Affairs Department" are separate entities. The former manages intelligence, documentation, accounting, and facilities—essentially handling assets and archives—while the latter oversees personnel, public opinion, and publicity, including the scheduling of media interviews. At a local precinct, however, there is no dedicated General Affairs Division; the Police Affairs Division handles these responsibilities.

There was no escaping the fact that Shirai Jo had engaged in "improper investigation." The critical question, however, was whether this was merely a "procedural irregularity" or a full-blown "wrongful conviction based on a flawed process and conclusion." The difference between the two was immense. Most importantly, Shiraishi refused to let this scandal derail the progress of the case. With public outcry mounting, he had to navigate pressure from all sides to buy time for the investigation.

Just as Akasaka and Aoki departed, a call came through from the Prosecutor's Office.

"Chief Shiraishi, I presume? I believe this is our first time speaking, though I have long been aware of your formidable reputation... I am Manfred von Karma, the Second Chief Prosecutor of the Toto District Public Prosecutors Office," the man said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Shiraishi was not surprised by his attitude. After all, Shiraishi had previously humiliated the Minister of Justice, and a high-ranking prosecutor like von Karma was unlikely to view such defiance favorably. In contrast, the behavior of Haizi Ebihara seemed truly abnormal—which only served to convince Shiraishi that the man’s ambitions were far greater than they appeared.

"You are too kind, Second Chief Prosecutor," Shiraishi replied, feigning ignorance of the mockery.

The Toto District Public Prosecutors Office had one Chief Prosecutor and three Deputy Chief Prosecutors. The Second Deputy Chief was responsible specifically for criminal litigation, making him the primary point of contact for the Metropolitan Police Department. In terms of rank, he was equivalent to a Deputy Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police, specifically one overseeing the Criminal Investigation Department. While the police and prosecution are not strictly hierarchical, the prosecution holds the authority to direct police investigations and request supplementary evidence. Because they decide whether or not to pursue indictments, the Prosecutor's Office had always looked down upon the police. For a Second Deputy Chief to call the chief of a small local precinct was a significant gesture.

However, von Karma’s current attitude was rooted in a genuine wariness of Shiraishi Kuro—a man known for his ruthlessness. Had he been speaking to Ebihara, von Karma would likely have been shouting.

"The pressure on you must be immense, given the court ordered a retrial, Chief Shiraishi. Although you have only just taken office, the public is rarely so understanding," von Karma remarked, feigning concern.

It was true; while the name "Shiraishi Kuro" had been quite famous a month ago, the average citizen had already moved on.

"Indeed, but this is a burden we must bear," Shiraishi replied, steering away from von Karma’s lead with a polished, formal air. "I am confident in my ability to lead the Beika Precinct through this scandal and restore the public's trust."

"Heh, I admire your resolve, Chief. The 99.9% conviction rate in criminal cases is a testament to the unity and cooperation between our offices. Let us work together to uphold judicial justice in East Island! As for the minor flaws in this current case, we will do our utmost to resolve them, and that will, of course, require the full cooperation of your precinct," von Karma hinted.

"I agree entirely. Justice must be maintained together," Shiraishi countered sharply. "I only hope that in the future, when the Prosecutor's Office discovers omissions in our submitted reports, you will provide timely feedback!"

Von Karma: "..."

*Are you actually listening to yourself?* The Criminal Investigation Division of your precinct wrote a report like that, and you’re blaming the Prosecutor’s Office? Traditionally, it was the prosecutors who scrutinized police reports; never had he heard a police officer accuse them of being lax in their oversight.

"Regarding this case, my precinct has already launched a reinvestigation. The officers involved in the improper conduct have been suspended, and I will keep the Prosecutor's Office updated on our findings," Shiraishi continued. "As for the scandal itself, don't trouble yourself, Second Chief Prosecutor. I will take full responsibility."

Von Karma was left speechless. For most precinct chiefs in Toto, von Karma was far more dangerous than Ebihara. But to Shiraishi, this was simple: if he took the lead and accepted responsibility, criticism from the department head was expected and prepared for. But for a Second Deputy Chief Prosecutor to interfere? They weren't even in the same department. In Shiraishi’s eyes, the prosecution shared half the blame—they had approved the reports, hadn't they? Why should he show them any deference?

Shiraishi’s unyielding stance left von Karma momentarily stunned. He had intended to coordinate with Shiraishi to ensure the defendant's guilt remained ironclad, protecting the prosecution's conviction rate. It was supposed to be in their mutual interest. After all, bowing and apologizing in public was hardly a dignified look. Had it been Ebihara, von Karma would have been dictating orders, not "coordinating."

But von Karma harbored a deep-seated caution toward Shiraishi Kuro, the man who had just dismantled the Minister of Justice. Even the Superintendent General, he suspected, wouldn't dare speak to him this way. Yet, by preemptively admitting to the scandal, Shiraishi had stripped von Karma of any leverage. If Ebihara had been this defiant, von Karma would have already been at the Superintendent General’s office, demanding the man be sidelined or investigated.

However, Shiraishi Kuro was a career officer and a "hero" who had just toppled a Minister of Justice. His transfer to a local precinct was already the limit of the rules' flexibility; there was no room to push him further without causing a backlash—not only from the media, who would revel in headlines about a "police hero being persecuted," but because it would violate the unspoken boundaries of their political struggle.

Von Karma cursed inwardly, wishing Shiraishi had been buried in some obscure, powerless department where he could never touch real affairs. But it was too late. As long as Shiraishi Kuro provided no further opening for a serious charge, he was, for all intents and purposes, untouchable.