Chapter 106: Teach the Drug Dealers a Lesson (BONUS)
Upon receiving the intel, the tactical team immediately split into two groups.
One team advanced toward the center of Tsukikage Island, while the other headed for the back mountain.
However, these two teams couldn't act independently, they needed to move in perfect sync to avoid alerting the enemy.
As a result, both teams launched their operations simultaneously.
The police presence targeting the community center was scaled down; their main task was to secure the area.
In contrast, the back mountain required more manpower due to its larger size and potential dangers.
Thus, the sweep operation officially commenced.
At that exact moment, back at Metropolitan Police Headquarters, many high-ranking officers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Good… we made it just in time."
Seated in the center of the room, Superintendent Shiratori wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
This entire ordeal had been nothing short of a nightmare.
"This situation… has been far too close for comfort."
He glanced around the room and addressed the gathered officers.
"Everyone, today's incident is a failure on our part."
"For two months, we've been investigating this massive drug trafficking network and yet we let them establish operations on an island so close to Tokyo."
"This is our responsibility."
The superintendent ran a hand through his hair, visibly frustrated.
"If we don't handle this properly, I wouldn't be surprised if the Cabinet calls me in for questioning."
The identities of the targeted young women were anything but ordinary.
If these girls had been harmed by drug dealers, the entire Metropolitan Police Department would have become the public face of incompetence.
Their names would've been etched into history on a plaque of shame.
"Those young women represent the future of this country's economy."
"And we must not forget the Saginomiya shrine maiden and the Sanzenin family's young heir."
"If anything happens to them, this country will suffer severe consequences."
His gaze darkened.
"Especially the Sanzenin family."
The Sanzenin conglomerate was heavily involved in international trade.
If their operations were disrupted or damaged by this incident, the economic fallout could destabilize not just Tokyo, but the entire nation.
"And let's not forget the Saginomiya shrine maiden."
He shuddered.
"The Saginomiya family has been solving supernatural incidents for generations."
"And their current shrine maiden is considered the strongest in history despite her young age."
"If she ends up as collateral damage…"
He trailed off, his face growing pale.
If that shrine maiden died here, the public backlash alone would be enough to sink his career.
He might even become the scapegoat, sacrificed to appease the Saginomiya family.
Just imagining it sent a cold chill down his spine.
"If that happens, I might as well resign and become a watermelon farmer in Egypt."
He cleared his throat and turned to the officers.
"From today onward, cracking down on drug trafficking is our top priority."
"We cannot allow these criminals to continue operating in Tokyo."
"We will never let this situation repeat itself."
He slammed his fist onto the table for emphasis.
"If—and I mean if—I hear about another major drug operation slipping past us…"
"I will personally hold the responsible officer accountable."
"Is that clear?"
The officers immediately responded:
"Yes, sir!"
The warning wasn't just for show.
The officers knew that Superintendent Shiratori was dead serious.
The drug dealers had nearly sent the entire police command structure into panic mode.
And there was no next time.
As for the drug dealers themselves?
Their fate was already sealed.
Anyone caught participating in this operation would be treated as an example, a lesson for the underworld.
The island's fate was already determined:
Swift justice.
And for those drug dealers?
Life imprisonment, if they were lucky.
But considering the high-profile nature of their crime…
A few "unfortunate incidents" might occur during transport.
Community Center - Tsukikage Island
Meanwhile, at the community center, dozens of villagers had gathered, many of them holding protest signs.
The messages on the signs all referenced environmental pollution.
Kogoro and Conan who had come to the island as private investigators also arrived, accompanied by the local doctor, Asai Narumi.
"There are quite a few protesters here," Mouri Kogoro noted.
"Yeah…" Conan's eyes narrowed behind his glasses.
The signs all mentioned pollution, specifically issues affecting the local marine environment.
Curious, Kogoro turned to Asai Narumi.
"Ms. Asai, are there any factories or facilities here that might cause pollution?"
The doctor shook her head, equally puzzled.
"I only come back to Tsukikage Island on weekends, but I can confidently say there's no such facility here."
"The island is too remote for that."
"It's an archipelago, far from Tokyo. The power supply is unreliable, and the water supply has to be transported in from the mainland."
"No company would invest here."
The economic stagnation of Tsukikage Island was well-known.
Its only asset was its pristine environment, the very thing these protesters were worried about.
"But if there's no factory here, where's the pollution coming from?" Conan muttered to himself.
Before anyone could respond—
Click-clack.
The rhythmic sound of heavy boots echoed through the square.
A group of heavily armed men marched into view.
They wore tactical gear, thick body armor, and carried submachine guns.
S.W.A.T.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Special Assault Team.
"...!?"
Asai Narumi froze.
Her mind went blank for a second, struggling to process the sight.
"Th-The… police? Special forces?"
Kogoro immediately recognized the unit.
"That's the Special Investigation Unit from the Metropolitan Police."
"I didn't think they'd deploy them here…"
Conan adjusted his glasses, his mind racing.
"What exactly are they preparing for?"
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