CHAPTER 134: CHAPTER 132 THE TRUTH IS ONLY ONE_1

Ito Otome was a medical student who graduated from Tokyo University. With her qualifications, she could have easily chosen high-paying jobs with great benefits at prestigious hospitals. There was absolutely no need for her to become a forensic pathologist at the Metropolitan Police Department.

But unlike others, Ito Otome pursued a career in forensic pathology out of pure interest.

She had been an orphan since childhood and didn’t have many friends, fitting the type who would be content as long as she herself was well-fed.

Ito Otome didn’t care about money.

She was more inclined to choose a job that interested her personally.

Take forensic pathology as an example.

To her, it was an amazing job. It involved no interaction with the living and no need to bother with maintaining so-called interpersonal relationships.

Bodies were simple and never lied.

Forensic pathologists who had been in the field for years knew how to determine the correct cause of death based on the information from a body.

Ito Otome surveyed the scene, noting the position of every body after death.

Typically, forensic pathologists would photograph the deceased’s position and then use a computer to simulate their standing pose before death. Then, based on the wounds on the body and the firearm used, they would deduce the shooter’s standing angle and firing position.

Ito Otome required the same procedures.

She noted the positions of the bodies purely as a mental exercise, not with any real intention of recreating the scene in her mind.

It was said that some could perform such incredible feats, but Ito Otome couldn’t.

She could only simulate and deduce using a computer.

After concluding the scene survey, Ito Otome went to the truck carrying the bodies to meet up with Morimoto Chiyoda and Okayama Buji.

"I’ve told you to use less of that reeking perfume."

As soon as they met, Ito Otome immediately smelled a scent different from disinfectant. To her, who was accustomed to the smell of disinfectant and even found it fragrant, the perfume on Morimoto Chiyoda was overpowering and acrid.

"What perfume I want to use is my freedom. Not everyone has a problematic nose like yours."

As she spoke, Morimoto Chiyoda took out a perfume bottle and deliberately sprayed it into the air.

"Rude."

Ito Otome pinched her nose, an expression of disgust on her face.

Morimoto Chiyoda arched an eyebrow. "The one commenting on how others smell the moment you meet them is the one with the thick skin," she retorted.

"Haha, the bodies are inside, Ito, get to work quickly," Okayama Buji hurriedly intervened, trying to ease the tension. He feared that if the two continued, the air would once again be filled with the metaphorical smell of gunpowder.

Ito Otome snorted and didn’t continue speaking with the "uncivilized woman," heading towards the truck carrying the bodies.

Opening the truck’s compartment door, a gust of cool air billowed out.

Inside were autopsy tables and various instruments, with bodies neatly stacked on multi-tiered shelves.

One truck could hold ten bodies; there were five such vehicles here.

These trucks were not provided by the Metropolitan Police Department but were converted from Sumitomo Group cargo trucks.

As for how the Sumitomo Group could so quickly convert refrigerated cargo trucks into vehicles for transporting bodies, complete with examination tables, Ito Otome simply attributed it to the extraordinary power of money and didn’t dwell on other possibilities.

She put on her gloves and mask and began inspecting the bodies.

Despite her slender figure, her arms possessed considerable strength, enough to easily move a person’s body.

Provided it did not exceed one hundred kilograms.

With lights in the truck’s ceiling, Ito Otome could clearly see the marks of prior dissection on the bodies. The technique indicated a forensic pathologist whose skills were on par with her own.

The Sumitomo Group had also provided the Metropolitan Police Department with Mayers’ autopsy report.

However, Ito Otome trusted her own skills more than someone else’s report.

She wasn’t afraid of hard work or exhaustion and intended to re-examine the wounds on all the bodies, hoping to find new information.

She changed vehicles several times along the way.

Upon arriving in Shinjuku, the bodies of the six conglomerate heirs were taken away first. The remaining bodies were left with the special investigation team.

After completing the autopsies, Ito Otome felt somewhat deflated because her findings hadn’t surpassed those in Mayers’ report.

She removed her gloves and mask, ready to proceed with the next steps of her work.

「In Shinjuku, at Okubo Ni-chome.」

「Apartment 201 in Hisamatsu Apartment.」

This was the headquarters of the special investigation team.

Morimoto Chiyoda saw it was past five-thirty and sent a message to Aozawa, saying she would be eating out tonight.

She didn’t have time to cook.

With such a major case, if they maintained normal working hours, the six major financial groups would undoubtedly question the special investigation team’s commitment.

Even if she did nothing, she had to be present to show her commitment, especially since the higher-ups were taking this case very seriously.

The moment Morimoto Chiyoda hit send, she inwardly cursed the bastards—whether Dio or someone else—for causing her so much trouble.

"Morimoto, quit slacking off over there and come over."

"Team Leader Emily, I was just stepping out for some fresh air," Morimoto Chiyoda replied. She returned from the balcony to the living room, walked over to the sofa, and asked, "What conclusion have you reached?"

Ito Otome hit the enter key, and a simulated video of the killer’s shooting scene began to play.

"Based on the victims’ identities and times of death, I deduce that the first to die were the people in the surveillance room."

"The surveillance room? If I remember correctly, that should be inside the mansion."

"Exactly. The enemy first infiltrated the surveillance room, disabled the surveillance system and drones, and then proceeded to kill the others."

Ito Otome said gravely, "Mayers’ autopsy report was correct. From the wounds on all the bodies, it can be determined that there was only one killer. Furthermore, the deaths occurred within fifteen minutes, at various locations around the mansion—east, south, west, and north."

"Could it be that the murderer gathered them together to kill them and then scattered the bodies?" Morimoto Chiyoda voiced her theory.

Ito Otome shook her head. "You’re a layperson, so you wouldn’t understand. To a forensic expert of my caliber, it’s immediately obvious whether it’s the primary crime scene or not. Moving bodies elsewhere can never perfectly replicate the original scene. I am certain those were the primary crime scenes."

Okayama Buji said with a look of shock, "Could it be... as Mayers’ report stated, Dio really is a Superpower User?"

Ito Otome shook her head. "I can’t say for sure, but based on the condition of the bodies, this isn’t something a normal person could do."

Emily frowned. Simultaneous deaths in one place could be attributed to technology, but different locations... trying to link that to technology is a stretch...

She thought for a moment and said, "Is it possible they were killed using drones?"

"If that were the case, some traces should have remained at the scene," Ito Otome countered. "If drones flew to the killer’s firing altitude, it would surely have alerted the others, causing them to take evasive action. But judging by the victims’ postures, they were clearly caught completely off guard and killed in a state of shock."

Ito Otome ruled out the possibility of drones.

All clues pointed to an absurd and outrageous conclusion: Dio was a Superpower User.

With current technology, it wouldn’t be impossible to quickly kill those in the Iwasaki residence, but not in the manner Dio did.

Emily knitted her brows. Hirano Toda being scared to death... that sudden attack by Dio at my home... Yasuda Masao’s death... She mentally linked all these clues.

Could it be that Dio can appear out of nowhere, ignoring any alarms?

"The last time Dio had a knife to my back, I didn’t detect anything beforehand either. It was as if the knife suddenly appeared there," Morimoto Chiyoda added.

"That only shows you’re not as good as you think you are," Ito Otome remarked.

Ito Otome didn’t consider this testimony as proof that Dio was a Superpower User.

Morimoto Chiyoda’s expression darkened. "Before you get any closer, I guarantee I’ll blow your head off. Want to try?"

"Is Dio really a Superpower User?" Emily did not seek to mediate the conflict between the two but simply repeated the question, her face a mix of skepticism and excitement.

Because from the perspective of a Superpower User, the methods Dio employed in his series of crimes became entirely plausible.

It was too plausible, leaving Emily still somewhat doubtful.

As a detective, faced with a case I can’t crack, attributing it to a Superpower User... isn’t that a bit unrigorous?

Yet my knowledge and understanding can’t find a more reasonable explanation.

Do Superpower Users really exist?

Emily took a deep breath. I’ve made a bold decision, she thought, then said solemnly, "If Dio truly is a Superpower User, then the three individuals we have under surveillance are not connected to Yasuda Masao’s death. Arrest them immediately and interrogate them to uncover the truth."

"Alright." Morimoto Chiyoda nodded.

The special investigation team got busy.

「Inside a research laboratory under the Mitsui Group.」

007 was placed on a platform, its disassembly directed remotely by a specialized R&D team instructing the on-site researchers.

Iwasaki Yizo and the others watched the disassembly through a glass partition, listening as the lead R&D manager detailed 007’s materials, structure, performance, and so on.

Listening to the manager, one would think 007 was the pinnacle of global advanced technology, even more effective than a missile in certain situations.

Iwasaki Yizo’s anger grew as he listened. He said sternly, "The fact remains that 007 ceased functioning without any major external damage, aside from five broken blades on its right hand."

"Mr. Iwasaki, there must be some misunderstanding. Such minor damage shouldn’t have halted 007’s operations. By design, even if all its limbs were severed, 007 could still fire lasers from its eyes to attack enemies. It could even detonate its power core to take out enemies along with it. Its shutdown is absolutely unrelated to the damage to its right hand."

"Good. I hope you don’t waste our time," Iwasaki Yizo replied, reining in his anger.

He had thought he could control his rage, but after seeing Iwasaki Taro’s body, an uncontrollable fury had surged anew.

As one gets older, one becomes more susceptible to emotions.

Driven by this anger, his only desire was to find the killer and dismember him in the most brutal way imaginable to appease the hatred in his heart.

And disassembling 007 was a vital clue.

According to the manager, disabling 007 must have involved some special method. Perhaps by understanding that method, they could deduce the culprit.

Just then, the disassembly team removed the protective casing over 007’s main chip. The chip inside was clearly snapped in two.