Toru leaned against the headboard, not listening to what the news on the television was saying, lost in his own thoughts.
His father was the Committee Chairman of the Japan National Security Committee, responsible for part of the country's national security.
And now, with so many dangerous terrorist attacks occurring in Tokyo, it had started to affect his position.
Although the Fujiwara was a thousand-year-old political family, when it came to power and interest, plenty of people were willing to go against them.
Right now, Fujiwara Yoshitaka must be in total chaos. Whether he could hold onto his position was hard to say.
With such a huge power vacuum, countless people would fight tooth and nail to seize it.
"The surge in crime rate can't be controlled, and that's the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's responsibility. It has little to do with the Public Security Committee."
"But terrorism falls under the Public Security Committee. To stabilize the Fujiwara's power, the only thing to do is reduce the frequency of terrorist incidents in Japan."
Toru was starting to get a headache.
This situation was incredibly tricky. Terrorist organizations didn't take orders from him.
For example, the Black Organization. If they insisted on causing chaos, there was nothing he could do.
"So I need to change my way of thinking. This is a society where people compare who's worse. To calm the anger of Japan, besides reducing the chances of terrorist attacks, the best method is to make the public feel that the Public Security Committee is doing its job."
Toru pondered.
If some large-scale terrorist attacks also occurred in America, even if they didn't reach the scale of 9/11, as long as they caused a big enough headache, that would be enough.
At that time, the Japan Public Security Committee could say, "Look, even America couldn't detect the attacks in advance. Terrorist attacks happened right under their noses. You can't blame us."
This needed to be considered in the long run. It wasn't impossible. On the contrary, this kind of thing was what Toru excelled at.
The CIA liked doing this kind of operation. Except this time, the chaos would happen on American soil.
"Also, the Black Organization. Since they're so arrogant, they'd definitely dare to cause trouble in America too, as long as the profits are high enough."
"I need to find a way to get the Black Organization to stir up trouble in America. I could even cooperate with them."
"However, if my father can't handle the pressure and resigns, it might not be a bad thing either."
"The Fujiwara is facing a generational gap. I can take this opportunity to have the family pour all their resources into me and help me enter politics."
Toru's eyes flickered as he considered various strategies.
In July this year, two months from now, there would be a Tokyo district election.
Originally, Toru hadn't planned on entering politics so soon. His initial thought was to wait a couple more years, but now it seemed he might need to act earlier.
"Tokyo has twenty-three districts. My reputation is soaring right now. Maybe I can take a big leap and secure a Diet seat, and at the same time compete for a District Mayor position."
Toru's biggest weakness was his youth. He had almost no experience in governance, making him a blank slate in politics. Theoretically, it would be extremely difficult for someone like him to directly aim for District Mayor.
But if actors could become governors and presidents, why couldn't a university student like Toru become a District Mayor?
"Being young and inexperienced is my weakness, but I also have strengths."
"First, I have the Fujiwara's backing. The Ōoka Family owes me a favor. I'm not running for Prime Minister, just District Mayor. The resources of the Ōoka and Fujiwara families are more than enough to pave the way."
"Second, I currently hold the title of National Hero and have received Japan's highest medal. The election happens to fall within the period of my popularity. The country won't forget me anytime soon."
The Tokyo Diet seat required electoral support from the entire population of Tokyo.
But the District Mayor was elected internally, and had nothing to do with the general vote.
The resources of the Fujiwara and Ōoka families were enough to help Toru win the internal vote. What he needed to consider most was public support.
To gain public support, besides presenting campaign goals and platforms, the most important things were media promotion and personal popularity.
He was currently in a honeymoon phase with the Shinomiya family, and they happened to own some media outlets that could help with publicity.
And what was most popular in Japan right now? Karate, detectives, and girl bands.
The last time Toru solved the case in Gunma Prefecture using detective methods, the media could do an extensive report on it.
As for Karate, the National Karate Tournament was set to begin in July. If he could win the national championship, his popularity would peak.
For the detective angle, the Hattori Family owed him a favor too. As one of Japan's two most famous high school detectives, Heiji—and even Shinichi—could help promote him.
With reputation, media coverage, funding, and political backing, entering politics and becoming the youngest District Mayor in Tokyo was practically in the bag.
Girl bands were also a priority. With their massive following among young people, getting the support of a famous girl band would give him a big chunk of that demographic's support.
However, there wasn't enough time to form a new girl band and make it famous. That would have to be a long-term plan for when he ran for Diet member or even Tokyo Mayor in the future. For now, his current resources were more than enough.
"Out of the twenty-three districts in Tokyo, which one to choose... No, there's no need to choose. It has to be Koto Ward."
Toru was already thinking about which ward he would govern before even becoming a Diet member.
And with barely any hesitation, he chose Koto Ward.
Because Advanced Nurturing High School was located in Koto Ward.
The Sakanayagi had sold off half the land owned by Advanced Nurturing High School. This matter hadn't been leaked to outsiders yet, and negotiations would likely take a few months.
Once the deal was finalized and that section of land was officially in the hands of major financial conglomerates, those corporations would immediately begin investing and developing that prime real estate to turn a profit.
In other words, for the next few years, the District Mayor of Koto Ward wouldn't have to do anything, yet would receive massive investment from financial conglomerates, driving up GDP growth.
It was practically free political achievements, and Toru himself had orchestrated it. How could he let someone else take credit?
Using that achievement and experience, he could climb even higher.
"Becoming the Prime Minister of Japan, imprisoning the Emperor, and becoming a Shogunate General is just around the corner!"
A promotion roadmap appeared in his mind.
He hadn't realized it before, but now that he thought about it, he was startled. In just two or three months, he had already woven such a massive web of connections throughout Japan.
One day, he would completely take control of this country.
"What is are you thinking about?"
Vermouth, who had finished washing up, lay on the bed, inching over like a puppy and hugging his neck.
Smelling the scent of Vermouth's freshly washed body, Toru gave her a firm squeeze. As Vermouth let out a soft, flirtatious cry, Toru stood up.
"Don't tempt me. Get dressed. I'll go wash up, and we'll have breakfast in a bit."
By the time Toru came out from washing up, Vermouth was already dressed, and the hotel staff had pushed the dining cart into the room.
After breakfast, they had nothing to do that morning, so they sat together on the sofa, chatting and scrolling on their phones.
Toru leaned on one side of the sofa, eyes lowered to watch Vermouth's slender toes clad in black stockings wriggle, occasionally stirring up his desire and making him feel hot.
When he looked up, Vermouth was still focused on her phone, smiling slightly. Without even looking at him, she playfully used her beautiful, silk-covered legs to tease him.
This woman, of course, stirred his lust. If not for his incredibly strong self-control, Toru would've ended up spending the whole morning in bed again.
At noon, after finishing lunch, Vermouth reluctantly kissed Toru goodbye.
She had promotional roadshows to attend that afternoon and would be busy until evening.
"Boy~ Are you coming back here tonight?"
"If I come again, you'll wear me out. Even if I'm young, I need to take care of my health."
Of course, that was a lie.
With Toru's physical condition, let alone one Vermouth, he could handle several more.
But Toru had too many women to deal with. He couldn't let Vermouth monopolize his time. He had to leave space for the others.
"Next time, should I bring you some medicine? I don't want my little lover to lose his performance at such a young age."
Toru chuckled and scolded, "You witch. I'm strong and healthy. I don't need any medicine."
Vermouth brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled charmingly. "Yes, I am a witch, but I'm only your witch."
"Darling, I have to go to work. See you the night after tomorrow."
Blowing him a kiss, Vermouth left the room in her high heels, striding like a top model.
After cleaning up, Toru also went to the hotel's parking lot and drove his Porsche 911 toward Otsuka.
Yesterday, he had arranged for Curacao to stay in a safe house there.
He parked in a roadside lot about 500 meters away from the apartment. Wearing a baseball cap and carrying a box, Toru walked toward the building.
He carefully scanned the area around the apartment once more, confirming that no one was tailing or watching him before entering.
This safe house was absolutely secure before he had told Curacao about it.
But whether Curacao would truly obey him, Toru couldn't be certain. He still had to stay sharp and vigilant.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)