More than an hour later,
Aoyama Xiu Xin and two others returned to Police Headquarters.
The meeting continued.
With her long hair cascading over her shoulders, wearing a silver-gray suit, Asai Ayumi stood at the forefront, pointing at a map as she briefed on the terrain of the arrest site happening tonight.
"This is the Maple Restaurant, located at the crossroads, surrounded by a variety of shops, so there’s a high volume of pedestrian traffic, especially in the evenings..."
"The Maple Restaurant isn’t large, with only four staff members. Takeda Ichiro must have memorized their faces by now, so we can’t go undercover as waitstaff. The three private rooms on the second floor by the window can see all the street activity, and with Takeda’s cunning, he will most likely book the entire restaurant first and then choose one of the private rooms upstairs."
"So it’s best if the arresting officers don’t show themselves on the street, but it’s also not advisable to hide in nearby shops, because Takeda might not go straight to the Maple Restaurant for the meeting but might first hide in other nearby shops to observe the restaurant’s movements and ensure his safety before going."
"We can’t be sure which shop he’ll hide in to observe, so if we run into him, it’s very likely that he’ll sense something’s wrong. Look, there’s a parking lot. I suggest parking two trucks there, with most of the team hiding in the trucks waiting for orders, leaving only two or three people in the nearby shops around the Maple Restaurant to monitor and tail him, ready to report at any moment."
"At the same time, considering the safety of Sato Police Chief, as well as the difficulty of the arrest and the attempt to avoid injuring bystanders, it would be best if Sato Police Chief leaves the restaurant first, then the rest of the personnel can trap Takeda Ichiro inside the Maple Restaurant, closing the door to beat the dog!"
As her voice fell, Asai Ayumi turned and bowed deeply to everyone, signaling the end of her speech.
"Clap clap clap!" Sato Rich started clapping.
Immediately, the conference room burst into enthusiastic applause.
Aoyama Xiu Xin smiled and clapped along. These weren’t things he taught Asai Ayumi, after all, in his past life, he only had experience in killing, not capturing, so Asai Ayumi had a natural talent and ability for command.
When the clapping faded, Sato Rich praised Asai Ayumi with admiration, "Police Chief Asai’s thinking aligns perfectly with my own. Truly like father, like daughter. I believe given time, she will definitely become a shining star in Japan’s police ranks."
"You flatter me," Asai Ayumi responded, bowing again, her tone hiding the rage and disgust inside her.
Asai Youki stood up and declared, "If there are no other questions, I will proceed with the operation plan."
Everyone stood up at the ready.
"Wait!" Sato Rich raised his hand, stood up, and spoke to Asai Youki with a gentle voice, "If possible, I would like our Investigation Section 1 to take the lead. After all, Takeda Ichiro slipped away from me before, and I want to make up for that disappointment."
His words were sincere and earnest.
"Haha, since that’s the case, I’ll grant you this favor," Asai Youki agreed. After all, tonight’s opportunity to capture Takeda Ichiro was based on information from Sato Rich, so it wouldn’t be appropriate to refuse this request.
Sato Rich bowed solemnly in thanks.
Asai Youki nodded and continued assigning tasks.
"Team one is responsible for..."
"Then let’s start preparing. I wish everyone success in the operation, to overcome all obstacles and achieve victory!" Asai Youki bowed deeply to everyone at ninety degrees.
This was a great honor, and everyone bowed even lower in unison, responding, "Sir!"
Asai Youki left the conference room first.
Aoyama Xiu Xin and Asai Ayumi followed him out.
With three hours until nightfall, those frontline officers involved in the arrest, including Aoyama Xiu Xin, changed into bulletproof vests, received spare ammunition, and headed to the area around Maple Restaurant to lie in wait, ready for Takeda Ichiro to fall into their net.
Hiding in the second-floor private room of a coffee shop opposite Maple Restaurant, Aoyama Xiu Xin peered through the gap in the window at the bustling street outside, feeling an odd sense of déjà vu—as if even after the war against the invaders had ended, he still found himself lying in ambush.
Meanwhile, Sato Rich quietly awaited Takeda Ichiro’s call in his own office.
Time passed, second by second.
The daylight outside the window grew increasingly darker.
Soon, the streetlights along the curb lit up.
"Ring ring~ Ring ring~"
The sudden ringing of the phone, jarringly loud in the vacant, pitch-black office.
Sato Rich opened his eyes, exhaled, and swiftly picked up the phone to answer, "This is Sato."
"Be at Maple Restaurant, room 202, within half an hour," Takeda Ichiro’s voice was low and grave.
"Okay!" Sato Rich responded crisply.
Takeda hung up the phone.
Sato Rich, clutching his cellphone, immediately rushed out of his office, calling Asai Youki as he left, "Takeda Ichiro just contacted me. He told me to get to Maple Restaurant, room 202, within half an hour. He might be nearby already. Tell everyone to be on alert."
"Okay!" Asai Youki, serving as tonight’s overall commander, was inside a command vehicle disguised as a refrigerated truck. After hanging up the phone, he immediately relayed the message to Aoyama Xiu Xin and a few others who were disguised and hiding in nearby shops to observe, "Headquarters to sentries, calling all sentries, respond if you receive this."
"Sentry 1, received."
"Sentry 2, received."
Aoyama Xiu Xin also heard the call in his earpiece and replied, "Sentry 3, received."
"The target might already be nearby, stay hidden, observe carefully, and report any activity immediately, over," Asai Youki spoke in a firm voice.