Was Japan's current Prime Minister crazy?
Of course not. He was only pretending to be furious.
Anyone who could climb to the highest position in a country, regardless of whether they truly had talent and regardless of whether they were a puppet, was definitely not actually stupid.
The reason he was shouting so wildly was because he knew his position as Prime Minister was finished, and he was only trying to preserve a little dignity before stepping down.
All the cabinet members felt a shared sense of sorrow.
With the Prime Minister's resignation, the cabinet would inevitably be reshuffled.
Aside from a few people who possessed considerable political resources and could secure positions in the new cabinet, those high-ranking officials who had only risen to their cabinet posts by following the current Prime Minister could only leave quietly.
No matter how unwilling they were, there was nothing they could do. No matter how frustrated they were that they had failed to gain political resources during their time in office, it was useless. The only choice left to them was to retire peacefully.
Everyone's eyes unconsciously turned toward Yoshitaka.
The biggest problem in Japan recently had been public security.
As the incident escalated, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department could no longer handle it. Under normal circumstances, the one who should step down would be Yoshitaka, the Chairman of the Japan National Security Committee. He was the one who should take responsibility and resign, yielding his position to someone more capable.
But who told him to have such a good son?
One after another, the cabinet members looked at him with envy or jealousy in their eyes.
Everyone knew that no matter who the next Prime Minister was, and no matter who entered the next cabinet, Yoshitaka, thanks to his connection to Toru and the Fujiwara family's political influence, would absolutely remain in a high position.
He would still be one of the people controlling this country's power.
Was this what it meant for a father to benefit from his son's success?
Yoshitaka's expression remained calm.
Having been an official for so many years, he would not show joy over such a small matter.
Still, Yoshitaka was muttering to himself, the position of Chairman of the National Security Committee really felt like sitting on pins and needles.
In the next cabinet, should I try to switch positions? This job is too dangerous!
The Prime Minister understood that even if he resigned, he still had to clean up this final mess.
If he did not deal with it and simply left a mess behind, he would still be affected even after stepping down.
He asked, "How are the people from the Special Investigation Department?"
"Prime Minister, members of the Self-Defense Forces and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have jointly taken temporary control of the personnel from the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department."
The leaders of the Special Investigation Department were temporarily under virtual house arrest.
Japan itself did not have the authority to directly act against the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office and the Special Investigation Department.
But this time was different from the past.
The evidence was conclusive, it involved a terrorist attack, and it implicated Japan's entire elite class as well as innocent children.
At this point, even if Japan did not act according to the law, America would not say anything.
America's actions this time had incurred the wrath of all Japan.
If America did not provide an explanation, then the allies throughout the entire Western bloc would lose trust in America. If Japan began to oppose America, it would completely damage America's global strategy.
In other words, at this time, even the CIA, the true master behind the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office, would lie low, remain silent, and throw the Special Investigation Department out to take the blame.
If CIA Director Spencer still dared to resist, then for the sake of America's overall interests, it would be time for this Director to be replaced by the President.
Everyone present was involved in politics and understood this clearly. It was precisely because they saw this point that Japan dared to act against the Special Investigation Department.
Some people even fantasized about whether they could use this opportunity to abolish the entire Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office.
However, that was ultimately just a fantasy.
"What have you found regarding those drones?"
The Prime Minister asked eagerly.
With the technology those drones had displayed, anyone would be envious.
"The preliminary investigation results are in. Those drones are ordinary drones. Although they can reach military standards, there is nothing special about them."
"The special part should be the AI software controlling those drones. We suspect that this technology originated from Russia or China."
A cabinet official replied.
Since this technology was not from America, nor from Japan, where else could it have come from? It could only be the other two.
Many cabinet officials had their own thoughts.
Why was Toru able to use this technology? Could it be that he had connections with those two sides?
Of course, whether he had connections or not was irrelevant. Japan itself was full of different factions, with ties to every side.
Especially this time, if not for Toru, these cabinet members would have been in serious trouble. Some of them even had children studying at Shuchi'in Academy.
So they did not ask too many questions.
This was not something for them to question. America was surely watching even more closely.
...
"I am truly sorry!"
On television, the current Prime Minister of Japan held a press conference and once again performed Japan's traditional art, bowing to the cameras in front of him.
After bowing for a full thirty seconds, the Prime Minister finally straightened up and announced to all the media:
"Given this cabinet's dereliction of duty, as Prime Minister, I bear the responsibility and feel ashamed before the people of Japan."
"After careful consideration, I have decided to resign as Prime Minister and prepare for the next Prime Ministerial election."
"This time, I will withdraw from the election. Before the election begins, I will temporarily serve as acting Prime Minister to resolve the various issues currently facing Japan and ensure a smooth transfer of power."
"Once again, I am truly sorry!"
The Prime Minister bowed one last time, bidding farewell to his term in office.
Many people watched the live broadcast and recording of the press conference on television and online.
Those who understood the situation sneered inwardly, thinking that this Prime Minister was lucky to be able to withdraw unscathed.
As for the ordinary citizens who did not understand, they praised the Prime Minister and began reminiscing in various ways.
Look, this incident could not really be said to be too closely related to the Prime Minister, yet he chose to resign.
And after resigning, he was still willing to take responsibility and solve the problems, instead of just abandoning everything after stepping down. That was already the mark of a responsible Prime Minister.
It had to be said that this Prime Minister's abilities might have been average, but he cared deeply about his reputation and protected it fiercely.
At the Shinomiya residence, Kaguya and Hayasaka sat beside the bed, watching the news conference on television.
Kaguya's beautiful hair was spread out, and her gaze occasionally drifted toward Hayasaka, who was still wearing a maid outfit beside her.
Hayasaka's attention was not on her Kaguya at all, but on her phone, where she was scrolling through all sorts of videos of Toru.
Besides the combat scenes where Toru had repeatedly risked his life to save innocent civilians, there were also many uploaders making all kinds of videos about him.
No one knew where these uploaders dug up all kinds of random information, painting Toru as a tragic hero who had relied only on his own efforts...
He had been abandoned by his father at a young age and gone to America with his mother, living a life of uncertainty. After his mother passed away, he lived in an orphanage, but was fortunately adopted. Through his own efforts, he became successful.
His academic performance in middle school and high school was also dug up. Combined with the fact that he had been admitted to Tokyo University, the image of a heroic figure who had started from nothing and succeeded solely through his own efforts instantly came to life.
The strong are respected by everyone!
At this moment, any information related to Toru was the center of attention in Japan, and even around the world.
Everyone admires heroes, everyone respects heroes.
In order to gain popularity, there were naturally many videos about Toru.
Even though much of the content in those videos was fake, Hayasaka still watched them with great interest.
"Cough, cough..."
Kaguya deliberately coughed, trying to get Hayasaka's attention. "...Hayasaka, help me buy one."
"Buy what, Kaguya-sama?"
"Buy a smartphone, one that can watch videos."
Kaguya said, blushing.
Hayasaka was startled.
Kaguya-sama had finally opened up and was going to use a smartphone!
It could only be said that under the subtle influence of Young Master Fujiwara, Kaguya-sama's changes were truly significant.
"Okay, Kaguya-sama, I will have someone buy you the latest iPhone."
"Okay, I don't understand this area, so just handle it."
While mistress and servant were talking, a maid hurried in. "Kaguya-sama, your three elder brothers have arrived."
"Brothers?"
Kaguya's expression turned serious. Why had all three of her elder brothers come?
She coldly told the maid to leave, got dressed with Hayasaka's help, and went to the mansion's hall.
Oko, the current true head of the Shinomiya family, looked very tired. When he saw Kaguya, he forced a smile and said gently:
"Kaguya, Toru-kun saved your life this time. The Shinomiya family is very grateful to him. Find some time to speak with Toru-kun and tell him that we hope he can attend the Shinomiya family's dinner party. I want to thank him properly."
Kaguya was puzzled. Would the Shinomiya family really be grateful to Toru for saving her?
Impossible.
Aside from the previous head of the family, who was seriously ill in bed and was also Kaguya's father, there were actually very few people in the entire family who cared about her. No one cared whether she lived or died.
But Kaguya still agreed. She could not refuse.
Oko spoke with Kaguya for a few more minutes, then left in a hurry.
Kaguya's third brother, Unyo Shinomiya, did not leave. Seeing the confusion on her face, Unyo forced a smile. "This Shuchi'in Academy incident has caused the stock prices of many listed companies under the Shinomiya family to plunge."
"The Shinomiya family originally thought the stock prices would recover after the incident ended, that it was only an uncontrollable event."
"But the Shinomiya family's stock prices have continued to fall without any sign of recovery. The Shinomiya family has discovered that many people are shorting the family."
He paused, and anger and fear flashed through Unyo's eyes. "...It's those people from Wall Street, and the Shijo family is also one of the instigators."
Kaguya's pupils contracted.
If they were being targeted by that group of jackals, the Shinomiya family would likely suffer severe losses.
Moreover, if the Shijo family was involved as well, then what was even more terrifying was...
(To be continued.)
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