CHAPTER 713: CHAPTER 583: ONE PERSON IS BORN WHILE MANY DIE

October 20th, a Wednesday that should have been just an ordinary day, shocked the nation with a piece of news.

Mitsuo Mutou, who had been sentenced to death the day before for a shooting spree that included an attack on Miyashita Hidekatsu, suddenly recanted his confession and, through his lawyer, claimed he was a member of the Imperial Pole Society, and several murders including the assassination of Miyashita Hidekatsu were orchestrated by the society’s chairman, Ishihara Taichiro.

This statement stirred up a storm.

Mitsuo Mutou, who had already faded from public view, returned like a superhero, reappearing on the front pages of various media outlets and stirring up national outrage.

In related reports, reporters, fearing the public might be unaware of what the Imperial Pole Society was, specifically introduced the organization, highlighting its deep connections with the notorious Aum Shinrikyo.

"So that’s it! I wondered why Mitsuo Mutou suddenly went crazy killing people. Turns out he’s a member of an ultra-right-wing organization. That makes sense, they’re all lunatics. Why doesn’t the state strike them down?"

"Idiot! They even dare to assassinate a high-profile official like the mayor. This is no longer just an ultra-right group but a terrorist organization. We must strike hard! Wipe them out!"

"Linked with Aum Shinrikyo? Then it must also be a cult! We must eradicate them and give an explanation to the innocent citizens who died! It wasn’t Mitsuo Mutou who killed them, but the Imperial Pole Society!"

Not long after the incident involving Mitsuo Mutou, it was still fresh in the nation’s memory, so the revelation that it was organized caused great anger. With Aoyama Xiu Xin fanning the flames, the public outcry to condemn the Imperial Pole Society was formidable.

Mayor Miyashita Hidekatsu also held a press conference immediately to publicly address the matter, "Japan is a politically clear, open, and inclusive country. We accommodate different political views and groups, respecting different beliefs, but we will never tolerate anti-human cults and extreme terrorist organizations! Fighting terrorism is a responsibility shared by all humanity!"

"As the chief executive of Sapporo City, I will immediately urge the police to investigate, and once it’s confirmed that what Mitsuo Mutou said is true, I will apply for the Imperial Pole Society to be recognized as a terrorist organization and take severe action..."

"Crash!" Startled, furious, and panicked, Ishihara Taichiro grabbed a glass ashtray and violently smashed the television screen, cutting off the picture and sound.

"Idiot!" he cursed angrily, breathing rapidly, "What nonsense is Mitsuo Mutou talking about? What does he have to do with our Imperial Pole Society? This is a slander! Slander!"

Once labeled as a terrorist organization, it would be disastrous.

They could be subjected to military strikes at any time.

"Chairman, the urgent task is to immediately clarify publicly and announce that we will cooperate with the police investigation to prove our innocence," a senior member of the Imperial Pole Society said.

"Yes, yes, Mitsuo Mutou is just a mad dog. Knowing he is doomed, he’s lashing out, trying to prolong his life. He has no evidence to back his claims, and we don’t need to panic."

"Exactly, we can’t just sit back and allow his baseless slander to label us a terrorist organization. We can’t be paralyzed by this, nor can we panic."

Listening to his subordinates’ various opinions, Ishihara Taichiro also calmed down, but his mood remained heavily burdened, worrying that this might not just be Mitsuo Mutou desperately lashing out.

Could this be a move by Aoyama Xiu Xin?

After all, the timing was too coincidental, and why did Mitsuo Mutou implicate only their Imperial Pole Society?

If that was the case, then there were surely more efforts coming.

This matter wouldn’t be so easily resolved.

"Gentlemen, my concern isn’t just with Mitsuo Mutou himself, but that this might possibly involve Aoyama Xiu Xin..." he voiced his concerns.

Hearing this, Sato Yuudou, always a rebel, quickly stood up and said, "Chairman, I think the likelihood is very small. You’re overthinking it. Isn’t Asahara Sect Master on good terms with Aoyama Xiu Xin? Would he go against Asahara Sect Master’s considerations?"

"Yes, that’s Asahara Sect Master!" The people present held a special respect for Asahara Shoko.

After all, Aum Shinrikyo’s track record was verifiable.

"His sister-in-law is fine, and so is his child. Under these circumstances, there’s no need to risk offending Asahara Sect Master by unnecessarily targeting us."

"I think so too. Chairman, you’ve been startled by a false alarm; this has nothing to do with Aoyama Xiu Xin."

Hearing his subordinates, Ishihara Taichiro also saw the sense in this and thought perhaps he was overthinking. He sighed and said, "I’ll report this to Asahara Sect Master first."

After saying this, he turned around, picked up the phone, and dialed.

Seeing this, everyone else promptly fell silent.

"I am Asahara Shoko, what’s the matter?

"Master, this is Ishihara Taichiro." After the phone was connected, Ishihara Taichiro bowed slightly and said with trepidation and utmost respect, "Have you seen the news today? The Imperial Pole Society is in trouble..."

"I’ve already seen it. I was about to call you to ask what’s going on. Is Mitsuo Mutou really with the Imperial Pole Society?" Asahara Shoko asked sternly.

Although he had already decided to abandon the Imperial Pole Society, if what Mitsuo Mutou said was true, he would be enraged because it would mean Ishihara Taichiro had been deceiving him, leading the society astray.

"No! Of course not!" Ishihara Taichiro shuddered and quickly denied, swallowing his saliva and quickly added, "Master, I have always remembered your teachings to form the Imperial Pole Society as a purely political group, not involved in any criminal activities. How could I possibly arrange for a lunatic to go around killing people?"

Hearing this, Asahara Shoko decided that this trouble must have been instigated by Aoyama Xiu Xin. His tone also calmed, "That’s good then. Since Mitsuo Mutou has no links with the Imperial Pole Society, you should clarify this publicly right away."

"Right!" Ishihara Taichiro replied, but still uneasy, he tentatively asked, "I am a bit worried, could this be related to Aoyama Xiu Xin?"

"Idiot! Are you questioning me, thinking I can’t handle him?" Asahara Shoko snapped angrily.

Ishihara Taichiro got startled and hurriedly denied.

"I dare not, I dare not, please forgive me, Sect Master. I absolutely didn’t mean that. I was just worried that Aoyama Xiu Xin was too cunning and deceptive, deceiving you."

"Hmph!" Asahara Shoko hung up the phone directly.

Ishihara Taichiro sighed with relief. From Asahara Shoko’s reaction, he was sure this matter had nothing to do with Aoyama Xiu Xin, and he completely let his guard down and turned to everyone, "Immediately hold a press conference to clarify."

"Yes!" Everyone responded immediately.

At the same time, Aoyama Xiu Xin and Miyashita Hidekatsu had already submitted forged evidence through their connections that Mitsuo Mutou was a member of the Imperial Pole Society.

As the saying goes, having connections in high places makes things easier.

Moreover, the Aum Shinrikyo and the Imperial Pole Society were already loathed, and the assassination of a high-ranking official like the mayor had angered the public. The authorities quickly made their decision.

The Imperial Pole Society was officially designated as a new terrorist organization that threatened national security and societal stability.

There was still some time before the news would spread. Aoyama Xiu Xin had already begun organizing police forces for a counter-terrorism operation while the Imperial Pole Society was unaware.

He called Sato Yuudou, speaking briskly, "Mr. Sato, immediately find a way to gather all the high-ranking members of the Imperial Pole Society, including Ishihara Taichiro, and then inform me of the location."

"Aoyama Minister, are you initiating the operation?" Sato Yuudou, having just attended a clarifying press conference, trembled and anxiously asked, "What about me afterward?"

"Don’t worry, I will instruct those involved in the operation that you are one of us. Just find a place to hide during the operation. Even if a shootout occurs, it won’t harm you. As for afterward, as someone who assisted our police in annihilating the Imperial Pole Society, you will naturally be treated leniently," Aoyama Xiu Xin said calmly.

Sato Yuudou exhaled, relieved as long as his life was safe. After panting heavily, he clenched his teeth and said, "Minister, wait for my call."

After hanging up, he stood still, his expression changing uncertainly. He then slapped his face and immediately pretended to be frantic, running to find Ishihara Taichiro.

He barged in with a bang.

"Disaster, Chief! A huge disaster!"

"What are you panicking about? Has the sky fallen?" Ishihara Taichiro, startled by the sudden intrusion, chastised unhappily.

Sato Yuudou, who had run too fast and was panting, took a moment before saying, "A friend at the police headquarters told me that Mitsuo Mutou’s actions weren’t baseless; he has evidence. Please gather everyone right away to discuss this."

"What?" Ishihara Taichiro was shocked and stood up from his chair instantly. "Mitsuo Mutou isn’t a part of the Imperial Pole Society? What kind of evidence does he hold?"

Could it be that he had indeed once given such outrageous orders to Mitsuo Mutou, only to have forgotten himself?

"Chief, what if someone from within us did this behind your back? Don’t forget, there are radicals among us!" Sato Yuudou retorted.

"Idiot!" Ishihara Taichiro thought of this possibility suddenly and nearly blacked out, slamming his fist hard on the table, "Notify everyone to come to a meeting!"

Since the Imperial Pole Society was derived from the Aum Shinrikyo, many of its core members were from the Aum Shinrikyo; they indeed might have done some extreme actions behind his back.

"Yes!" Sato Yuudou responded and hurriedly left, calling those high-ranking members back one by one. Once everyone was assembled, he hid in the stairwell to inform Aoyama Xiu Xin, "Minister Aoyama, all the high-ranking members are now in the headquarters’ meeting room on the third floor, at the end of the corridor to the left."

"Good! Mr. Sato, you have done well. Take care of yourself," Aoyama Xiu Xin said meaningfully.

Sato Yuudou pursed his lips, "Yes! It’s my privilege to serve you, Minister. Please inform the police involved in the operation that I will be hiding in the ladies’ restroom."

He planned to slip out for a toilet break during the meeting in case the police opened fire and accidentally injured him.

"Understood." Aoyama Xiu Xin hung up the phone, grabbed his police cap, and walked out while hundreds of police officers had already assembled in front of the office building.

Standing at the forefront were dozens of heavily armed SWAT officers, who were the main force for the counter-terrorism operation.

"Salute!"

As Aoyama Xiu Xin stepped outside, everyone who had been at ease immediately snapped to attention and saluted.

"Attention!"

Though it couldn’t be called perfectly coordinated, it was still an awe-inspiring sight.

Aoyama Xiu Xin returned the salute, standing on the steps with a stern expression, scanning the scene. His voice rang out clear and forceful, "Gentlemen, the operation you are about to conduct is a counter-terrorism mission, so the primary objective is not to capture suspects but to eliminate terrorists! I have confirmed reports that the high-ranking members of the terrorist organization, the Imperial Pole Society, are currently meeting at headquarters. You must not allow any of them to escape! They might possess offensive weapons, and anyone who resists should be shot on sight!"

In reality, he didn’t know whether the Imperial Pole Society members had weapons, but having been designated as a terrorist organization, it was natural to assume they were armed.

"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.

"Move out." At Aoyama Xiu Xin’s command, as the officers boarded their vehicles, he pulled Nakamura Shinichi aside, "Sato Yuudou is hiding in the ladies’ restroom; don’t let him live."

Only the dead can keep secrets. As long as Sato Yuudou was alive, the framing and entrapment of the Imperial Pole Society could be exposed. But if he were dead, even if someone suspected something fishy, they wouldn’t be able to find substantial evidence.

"Yes!" Nakamura Shinichi nodded heavily.

A few minutes later, a dozen police cars sped away.

Aoyama Xiu Xin stood in front of the office building, quietly watching them disappear into the distance, knowing that because his son had come into this world prematurely, many would be leaving it.