Tokyo: Are you even a proper lawyer?

Kenichi Nakajima's manic laughter and accusations echoed throughout the courtroom.

At this moment, he finally tore off his brother's mask with his own hands, exposing the most unsightly festering sores that were carefully concealed to the light of day.

As for the consequences? He no longer cares!

If we're going to sink anyway, let's sink together!

The audience was already in an uproar.

Ignoring the bailiffs' attempts to stop them, the reporters frantically pointed their cameras at the masked man, the blinding flashes almost engulfing him.

The gasps, curses, and incredulous murmurs nearly lifted the roof off.

Even with the judge pounding his gavel frantically, he couldn't stop the chaos; the situation was completely out of control.

A nimble reporter seized the opportunity, suddenly broke through the last wall of people, pounced on the man wearing a mask and hat, and grabbed him hard!

The masks and hats fell off with a thud.

When the fake equipment was removed, the face beneath the mask belonged to Kohei Nakajima.

Kohei Nakajima suddenly stood up. He no longer tried to hide it. Then, amidst an even more violent uproar and a frenzy of flashing lights, he awkwardly pushed through the crowd and hurriedly fled with his head down.

In such a place, fleeing is tantamount to another form of confession.

With the assistance of bailiffs, the judge managed to restore basic order to the courtroom.

Kenichi Nakajima was firmly restrained by the bailiffs and taken back to the defendant's dock. After a series of outbursts, he was no longer able to resist.

He simply sat in his seat, head down, and no one could see his expression.

After an emergency deliberation with the two accompanying judges, the judges sat down again with solemn expressions.

"quiet!"

The gavel was struck again.

"Given the significant new testimony given by the defendant, Kenichi Nakajima, in court, resulting in substantial and structural changes in the case, including major new leads involving important figures outside the case suspected of joint crimes and obstruction of justice,"

The judge's voice echoed throughout the courtroom.

"In accordance with the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, this court hereby rules that the trial proceedings against the defendant Kenichi Nakajima are hereby immediately suspended."

Abort? !

This word caused a stir in the audience.

"The new facts involved in his confession will be subject to further investigation by the prosecutor's office," the presiding judge continued, "During this period, the defendant shall remain in custody, and his application for bail shall not be granted."

As soon as he finished speaking, the bailiffs stepped forward and lifted up Kenichi Nakajima, who was staring blankly at the ceiling.

But it's not over yet.

The presiding judge continued his pronouncement.

"Furthermore, regarding the alleged criminal acts of ward councilor Kohei Nakajima, including obstruction of justice, this court hereby issues a witness summons and a recommendation to initiate an investigation, and immediately transfers the case to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutors Office Special Investigation Department!"

Special Investigation Department!

These three words sent a chill down the spines of anyone familiar with the Japanese judicial system.

Once a special investigation department dedicated to investigating major scandals in the political and financial spheres gets involved, it almost certainly means that the person being investigated will suffer greatly, even if they don't die.

At this moment, Kohei Nakajima's political life had been sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve.

"The defendant, Kenichi Nakajima, confessed in court to forcibly molesting a minor by coercion. This act violates Article 176 of the Tokyo Social Order Management Law: falsely accusing another person of theft, and is suspected of false accusation. His criminal act directly led to the victim's suicide, which is a heinous crime with serious consequences. The prosecution should investigate and prosecute him for his responsibility for the death, including charges of professional negligence causing death or even more serious charges."

Court adjourned!

As soon as the judge finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience, even mixed with a few suppressed cheers.

The flashbulbs went off again as reporters focused their attention on Masashi Akiyama, who sat expressionless in the plaintiff's seat, and Rio Arimura, whose cheeks were flushed with excitement, standing beside him.

Rio Murakami could imagine how tomorrow's newspaper headlines would portray this astounding reversal and how they would lavish praise on Masashi Akiyama's righteous act.

Thinking about this, Rio Arimura couldn't help but feel her heart surge with excitement.

Amidst the uproar, Kenichi Nakajima was dragged towards the exit by bailiffs.

As he passed by Masashi Akiyama, he suddenly stopped his almost paralyzed steps and raised his head.

"You win," he said.

"I know," Masashi Akiyama replied.

Kenjiro Nakajima stared intently at his indifferent profile, then glanced at Rio Arimura, who was looking at him with disgust, before suddenly flashing a malicious smile.

"Look," Kenichi Nakajima said, his expression twisted as he looked at Masashi Akiyama.

"Your female assistant probably has no idea what you've been doing, does she?"

"To be able to see right through me, to be able to pinpoint my most painful spot and strike... Masashi Akiyama, are you and I from different worlds? Do you really believe in those high-sounding laws and justice?"

Kenichi Nakajima licked his dry lips and continued.

"Admit it, Masashi Akiyama! You're a madman, a criminal, a scumbag too! Someone like you will commit unforgivable crimes sooner or later."

"What will you do then?"

"Masashi Akiyama, I'm waiting for you!!"

Masashi Akiyama didn't look at him, but simply put the last document in his hand into his briefcase and zipped it up.

Then, he looked up at the bailiff next to Kenichi Nakajima, who seemed a little embarrassed, and calmly offered a reminder.

"It's time to get the criminals out of here."

Kenichi Nakajima's incessant cursing was drowned out by the bailiffs' forceful dragging and the increasingly distant noise.

As I stepped out of the courtroom, the afternoon sun cast long shadows on the steps.

Crowds still gathered outside the courthouse, but the gazes directed at Masashi Akiyama were different now.

He didn't linger, ignoring anyone calling his name or offering him a microphone, and left directly.

After returning to the agency with Rio Arimura, Rieko Uchida also arrived.

"We...won, didn't we, Attorney Akiyama?"

Rio Arimura's voice still trembled as she looked at Masashi Akiyama, whose expression remained calm, and asked uncertainly.

"Kenichi Nakajima will be indicted and will most likely be convicted. Kohei Nakajima will be investigated, his political career will end, and he may also face criminal charges."

"From the perspective of the litigation objectives, it can be considered that they have been achieved."

"But... do you consider it?" Rio Arimura sensed the reservation in Masashi Akiyama's words.

“Arimura,” Masashi Akiyama looked at her, “there are no winners in court today. Kenichi Nakajima pleaded guilty not because he regretted his actions, but because his long-standing hatred had driven him mad, and in that situation, he was willing to drag Kohei Nakajima down with him. In the end, there was very little we could do. All I did was lay out the facts and point out the applicable legal provisions to the judge and prosecutor.”

"The law is not justice itself; it is merely a complex set of tools. The lawyer's job is not to act as a messenger of justice, but to ensure that these tools are used, as often as possible, where they should be used in every case."

"Let the guilty receive the punishment they deserve, and let the innocent not be harmed unjustly. As for whether this result makes people feel happy or just, that is everyone's subjective feeling, and has nothing to do with the law, nor with me."

"Then... what is it that concerns you?" Rieko Uchida, who had been listening in, suddenly asked softly. She had been silent ever since she learned about Kenichi Nakajima's fate.

Until this moment, the other person's eyes remained fixed on Masashi Akiyama, as if trying to find some answers in Masashi Akiyama's words.

Masashi Akiyama remained silent for a moment.

Then, under the gaze of the two women, he suddenly smiled faintly, almost imperceptibly.

"I don't know," he gave an unexpected answer.

"Perhaps...the next case."