Since they had surrendered without a fight, Fujimoto Takuya and his two companions didn’t attempt to resist the interrogation and voluntarily confessed to blowing up Tsunoda Shinro and Noda Jiro.
"It must be said, undercover work really is quite effective."
Aoyama Xiu Xin sincerely remarked as he reviewed the transcript Chi Ben Xinzhang had handed over.
Fujimoto Takuya and his crew had policing experience, were skilled in combat and marksmanship, knowledgeable in counter-surveillance, and had strong psychological fortitude. Without an undercover agent, capturing them would have certainly resulted in a shootout, causing a massive commotion.
The key issue was that they also had remote-controlled bombs.
It wasn’t guaranteed they could be captured all at once during the arrest.
But simply because there was an undercover operative, the police smoothly and effortlessly apprehended the trio by following due procedure.
Therefore, Aoyama Xiu Xin wasn’t too keen on helping Nozaki Cangjian regain his position. Such an effective undercover operative, put to use only once and then withdrawn—was that not too wasteful?
Besides, although Nozaki Cangjian had strong abilities, he was always nonchalant and undisciplined, frequently defying superiors, more resembling a thug than a police officer.
Even if he were to be reinstated, he would either live a joyless life confined by rules and regulations or continue to behave recklessly, offending both superiors and colleagues, and would inevitably make a significant mistake, with no good end in sight.
Getting him to go undercover a few more times would be a good experience.
It would help both him and Aoyama Xiu Xin to gain merit.
"Knock, knock, knock!" At this moment, a knocking sound came from the door.
Aoyama Xiu Xin looked up and called out, "Come in."
Nozaki Cangjian walked in with a heavy heart.
"Police Commissioner, you called for me."
He figured it was to discuss getting his position back and a promotion to Assistant Inspector, but he couldn’t bring himself to be happy.
Because betraying his brothers didn’t feel right.
"Cang Jian, you’ve done well this time. Thanks to you, the police were able to capture the three without firing a single shot or bullet," Aoyama Xiu Xin said with a pleasant expression.
Nozaki Cangjian bowed slightly and said, "It was all due to your excellent leadership, Commissioner. I dare not take all the credit."
See, wasn’t this the result of the tempering?
In the past, when did this guy ever speak so eloquently?
"No need to be so modest; I’m not someone who steals credit from my subordinates." Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled, waving his hand, and pointed to the sofa, "Sit down and let’s discuss."
"Yes!" Nozaki Cangjian bowed again, then walked over to the sofa, sitting upright and attentively.
Aoyama Xiu Xin slowly organized his thoughts and spoke deliberately, "Logically speaking, Cang Jian, you’ve made a significant contribution this time, and I should fulfill my promise to restore your position and promote you to Assistant Inspector, but I have another suggestion personally, which I hope you’ll consider."
"Yes!" Nozaki Cangjian bowed his head, nervously clutching at his pant leg. Based on his many years of policing experience, he knew that when a superior offers such a statement, it usually means that the original promise has changed and that he’s expected to follow another suggestion—often one that goes against his own desires.
"Police work is a discipline force. While we enforce the law, we are also restrained by it. We need to adhere to more rules and regulations than the average person, and with your current disposition, being constrained by this framework would likely be more harmful than beneficial," Aoyama Xiu Xin said slowly.
Nozaki Cangjian pursed his lips. Although reluctant to admit it, he knew these words were true.
"You’re lucky to have met me. If it had been someone else, they might have already dismissed you from service by now. You’ve made a contribution; you are a meritorious officer! I would greatly regret seeing a meritorious officer turned into a disgraced one, slipping away from their post."
"So my suggestion is that you continue to serve as an undercover operative for the Police Headquarters. Your unique relaxed demeanor and temperament make you well-suited to infiltrate various criminal groups. While accruing commendations, you will also temper your impetuous heart. Once you’ve changed your attitude and accumulated enough merit, returning to the Police Headquarters will take you much further."
"Undercover again?" Nozaki Cangjian suddenly stood up excitedly, his voice low as he managed to suppress the revulsion and irritation in his heart: "But, I’ve already exposed my identity when we captured Fujimoto Takuya and his gang this time."
"That’s not a problem," Aoyama Xiu Xin said nonchalantly, shaking his head and smiling, "The entire arrest process was swift, with very few onlookers, and even fewer would remember your face. The officers involved in today’s operation from Special Crimes Division Two also don’t recognize you."
As long as he deliberately downplayed Nozaki Cangjian’s presence in the official report, he could protect his identity.
Nozaki Cangjian stayed silent, his expression fluctuating.
He truly didn’t want to continue being an undercover operative.
Aoyama Xiu Xin stood up from his chair, walked over to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder with earnest gravity, "Leaving aside lofty ideals about fighting evil and promoting good for the moment, let’s talk reality. This is the best option for you. When your merit is great enough, so will be your voice!"
"You’re not from a professional group. Even if I were to promote you to Assistant Inspector right now, even if you somehow avoid punishment for mistakes along the way, the climb to Inspector would still take several years. Serving as an undercover operative is the fast track to promotion."
Different strokes for different folks; some needed high-minded talks about justice and ideals, while others needed to hear about personal gains and losses—the big picture.
"Suddenly I feel like a geisha, except a geisha sells herself, whereas being undercover means selling out others," Nozaki Cangjian said with a detached tone.
"No matter who you’re selling out, it’s ultimately for your own sake," Aoyama Xiu Xin adjusted his collar for him.
Nozaki Cangjian said, "There has to be a time limit, right?"
"Three years," Aoyama Xiu Xin replied with a slight smile, raising three fingers and giving them a wiggle, "Just three years! In three years, I’ll bring you back to the Police Headquarters, at minimum as an Inspector."