Let's Go Together

In the Beika Police Station dojo, all police officers not on duty were kneeling there in their training uniforms, listening to Murasaki Tora explain and demonstrate the use of the Riot Baton...

Many police officers were already dozing off!

After all, "not on duty" often meant "just got off the night shift / about to go on the night shift / currently on duty but no urgent matters."

Furthermore, the stress today was even greater than usual.

Because...

Not only was Vice Chief Murasaki demonstrating at the front, but a figure like a small mountain was also seated at the head of the dojo!

Pfft...

Fujisato Seiko had also intended to sneak in a quick nap, but seeing the exhausted faces of Gen and Yamada, she couldn't help but let out a laugh.

"Hey! Fujisato, don't gloat!"

"That's right, Senior Fujisato, do you know how we feel right now?"

Gen and Yamada complained.

"Don't make that face. Maybe... you two will improve! This is helping the boss move! Kawai, we didn't have such good judgment, did we?"

"You jerk..."

The whispering was heard by Murasaki.

Whoosh--

The Riot Baton suddenly pointed over, and the three of them immediately shut up...

"You four, what were you muttering about?" Murasaki snapped.

Kawai: ...

Kawai really wanted to say: It has nothing to do with me, I'm almost asleep!

"Are you watching closely? Then the four of you pair up, two by two, and demonstrate for me! Everyone else, form your own teams and practice! For this year's Metropolitan Police Department Martial Arts Competition, we... must at least place in the top fifty!" Murasaki said with passion.

However, the goal was quite practical. There were only 106 police stations in the metropolis, so the top fifty was just the upper half. Beika Police Station was one of the 22 major police stations...

"Um..."

Someone next to him suddenly raised their hand. Murasaki looked over and saw it was an older colleague, so he softened his tone and asked, "Chief Ohara, is there a problem?"

This was clearly a Koban station chief...

"Well... for the practical training, can I take a leave of absence? Last night... when I was playing horsey with my grandson, I twisted my back..." Chief Ohara said sheepishly.

Murasaki: ...

Another older colleague then raised his hand and said, "Deputy Chief, can I be excused too? I'm fifty-nine this year, and they won't need me for the metropolitan competition, right... If I get injured before retiring, it will be too much trouble for the organization."

Murasaki: ...

Seeing this, Fujisato Seiko shamelessly chimed in, "Deputy Chief, please spare us women and children from this physical suffering!"

"She actually called herself a woman and child..." Gen muttered with a pout, but he immediately raised his hand as well, "Deputy Chief, we were on surveillance all night yesterday, and this morning... we were happy to help. We don't have much strength left now..."

Murasaki: ...

"Those sound like good reasons... I hope the thugs will be just as considerate and not attack police officers who just finished surveillance, nor attack older officers, nor attack female officers... Well, preferably, they wouldn't harm other members of the public in front of them either, or we might not be able to stop them," Vice Chief Murasaki said with a stern face.

Hearing the Deputy Chief say that, everyone understood that there was no escaping today...

However...

Many frontline officers who considered themselves strong and healthy were still grumbling—likely saying that they could control suspects, it's just that... they didn't use "arrest techniques"!

But what did that matter?

A good cat is one that catches mice!

Shiraishi could see their thoughts at this point...

The so-called "arrest techniques" were not grappling holds or locks from "combat skills," but rather the use of various restraint equipment, such as riot shields, riot batons, and so on.

Shiraishi understood their thoughts, but... he didn't agree!

"Deputy Chief, I'd like to say a few words..." Shiraishi stood up.

Although he was new and not old, seeing the new Chief stand up, everyone's expression became serious, and they sat up straighter.

Whether it was from "rumors" or simply from his physique, the new Chief was a "tough guy," not someone who had only risen through the ranks due to his "Professional Group" advantage, especially... in combat!

Even if they didn't believe the outlandish legends, no one doubted his fighting ability just by looking at Shiraishi's build.

"I can understand everyone's thoughts... Indeed, as long as you have plenty of stamina and are physically fit, you can handle most situations where suspects try to escape, but... not all situations are 'most situations'!" Shiraishi began by voicing everyone's thoughts, but of course, there was a "but."

"Do we need officers who can 'arrest suspects in most cases,' but in 'a minority of cases,' either let the suspect go or... suffer casualties themselves?" Shiraishi questioned.

Shiraishi then softened his tone and said, "How about this... we'll use these real police equipment now."

As Shiraishi spoke, he took six towels and hung them on the black belt around his waist, then said, "Everyone... if you can get just one towel from me, I'll give you a day off tomorrow. Don't worry about your current tasks, I'll finish them for you tomorrow, and you won't have to attend the weekly arrest technique training anymore!

"Of course, you can use riot shields, riot batons, and these items... because if you're unarmed, you won't stand a chance."

Shiraishi stood there casually, saying, "Actually, most of the time I don't use combat techniques, because most of the time, I can just use my 'body'... But if I didn't know combat techniques, I probably would have died many times already, or even... if my combat skills were slightly worse, I would have died a month ago."

Although Shiraishi appeared unguarded, his physique and presence alone were enough to create an oppressive aura just by standing there!

This was even with Shiraishi intentionally holding back his imposing demeanor, which finally prompted someone to give in to the "temptation" of a break.

"Chief! I challenge you!"

A young police officer, about 1.6 meters tall but stout with thick eyebrows, stepped forward.

"Ryo! You idiot..." Chief Ohara looked over helplessly.

The first to step up was none other than Kankichi Ryotsu, a patrol officer on duty at the Koban where Chief Ohara worked. (Original character from Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo.)

"Patrol Officer Ryotsu, is it? Hmm, you've been performing well lately," Shiraishi praised him first.

Of course, in reality...

Performing well my foot!

He caused trouble every single day.

However, under Shiraishi's keen eye, he clearly saw that despite Ryotsu being just a "patrol officer" and constantly causing trouble... he was actually an SR-level police officer!

The entire Police Station had no SSRs, and there were only four and a half SRs in total. This included two Deputy Chiefs, as well as the lowest-ranking patrol officer, Ryotsu.

Of course, Shiraishi didn't think this was being "underestimated."

Because...

Ryotsu's abilities truly didn't even measure up to an R-rank. He had plenty of N-ranks, though.

The reason for his overall SR rating was due to a somewhat unscientific special effect – the Power of Uproar: while on duty at a Koban within its jurisdiction, everyone's homicidal intent decreased, and the probability of violent incidents occurring was greatly reduced. The side effect was a high chance of causing other troubles and attracting complaints.

"Hehehe, not really!" Ryotsu chuckled foolishly, seeing that the new Chief seemed to appreciate him.

However, Shiraishi then emphasized, "But... Patrol Officer Ryotsu, what are you talking about... the challenge has already begun, hasn't it? Of course, it's... all of you together! How else would you have a chance..."