Tokyo: From Lawless Madpolice to Minister

Lawrence woke up to find a group of subordinates surrounding him, his head splitting from the hangover.

"Hiss~ What are you all doing here? Did something happen?" he asked, clutching his head in confusion.

He looked outside again, and it was already dark.

Everyone exchanged glances but no one spoke.

Finally, James considered his words and said, "Sir, Smith and Allen..."

"Oh, I know, they've already surrendered, right?" Lawrence interrupted him with a sigh.

"No." James shook his head, pursed his lips, and said calmly, "They're dead."

The others lowered their heads in grief and silence.

"Dead?" Lawrence was taken aback, then immediately stood up, eyes wide with anger as he grabbed James by the collar and shouted, "Didn't they go to surrender? How could they be dead? Are you kidding me?"

"Sir! Although it's hard to accept, they're truly dead. Please accept my condolences." Another colonel spoke up at this moment.

Lawrence looked at the others, and only after seeing everyone's expressions did he believe it. He let go of James, slumped into a chair as if drained of energy, and stared blankly ahead.

Upon waking up, it felt like the sky had fallen.

"Sir, are you okay?" James straightened his disheveled collar and asked concernedly.

Lawrence closed his eyes in pain, tears streaming down as he hoarsely asked, "How did they die? Why did they die? Weren't they going to surrender? Why did they die? Why!"

"They didn't go to surrender. Captain Smith took your credentials, got weapons and ammunition from the armory, and attempted to escape with Allen. They attacked police on the airport highway, leading to a massive police chase. They were cornered in a building, and the grenades they carried inexplicably exploded, killing both on the spot." James explained the events.

Lawrence instinctively reached into his pocket after hearing this, finding it empty. He laughed and cried, then shouted and swept everything off the table in a breakdown.

"Shit! Fools! Fools!"

He naturally cursed at Smith, who could have just served a few years in prison but instead sacrificed his life.

"Sir, please accept my condolences." The others urged.

After intense anger and grief, Lawrence's emotions gradually stabilized, and he rationally began to suspect something was wrong. "Why did the grenades Smith and Allen carried explode mysteriously?"

Grenades are quite safe, and Smith and Allen were professional soldiers, unlikely to misuse grenades and blow themselves up.

"The police didn't provide an explanation because they don't know either." James shook his head and replied.

Lawrence asked, "Who was in charge on the scene?"

"Aoyama Xiu Xin." James answered.

Hearing this name, Lawrence became even more suspicious about his godson's death, because Aoyama Xiu Xin dared to fight even him, and it's possible for such a reckless person to do anything, "Immediately draft a letter questioning the police department about the deaths of Smith and Allen, demanding a joint investigation team from our military and their police to get to the bottom of this."

However, none of the officers in the room responded to him.

"Damn it! Didn't you guys hear what I said?" Lawrence roared in frustration.

The others instinctively looked at James.

James was a Lieutenant Colonel, theoretically two ranks lower than Lawrence and one lower than the two Colonels present, but he had good connections at the Army Headquarters, and high prestige, supported by the financial influence of Aoyama Xiu Xin, making him quite popular in the military.

Who in this room hasn't taken his money?

Even Lawrence had often received his gifts.

"Sir, stop making a fuss. Because of your godson, we've already lost enough face. Please save some dignity for the Army." Although James's tone was respectful, his words were not.

"Fuck you!" Lawrence, already extremely angry, exploded, pointing at James's nose and shouting, "You are just a Lieutenant Colonel! Wait until you're a Lieutenant General before speaking to me like that. In the meantime, go execute my orders immediately! Or take off your epaulettes and get out of my camp!"

After saying this, he looked around and said to the others, "And you guys! You're all the same, a bunch of bullshit!"

"I think the Sir is no longer fit to command us in his current mental state. I will request from above to assign a new Commander." James said and looked back at the others, "Everyone will agree, right?"

Having taken so much money from Aoyama Xiu Xin, he felt he should help him by removing the General who was hostile towards Aoyama Xiu Xin from Japan.

"I agree," his aide Tom supported.

"I agree."

"In favor."

Others chimed in, having been greased, and they believed that supporting James could get them more.

Moreover, Lawrence had just disrespected everyone. As soldiers, they also had some pride.

And seeing so much support for the removal, Lawrence's diehard loyalists didn't dare step forward to save him.

"You... you... what do you mean by this? Are you crazy?" Lawrence watched this scene with shock and anger. Being pushed for removal by most subordinates below, the higher-ups could consider for any reason to remove him, "Guards! Guards!"

He shouted twice, but no one came in.

"Stop shouting, your guards have already been sent away by me." James sneered, looked around at the people, and said, "Due to General Lawrence's erratic mental state after losing his godson, he shouldn't be allowed free roaming until the higher-ups arrive. The camp is filled with lethal weapons; it's dangerous. Let's arrange a platoon to ensure his safety 24/7."

It's a classic case of young officers usurping authority.

Even American troops adapted to local practices.

"Damn bastards, you want to confine me!" Lawrence roared in fury, then swung his fist at James.

James pushed him down effortlessly, sneered disdainfully, and said to the others, "Let's go."

Everyone left, joking and laughing.

Lawrence tried to follow, but soldiers James arranged outside slammed the door shut with a bang.

"Let me out! You insubordinate bastards! You're all going to face a court-martial!"

Lawrence pounded on the door, yelling.

"Keep a secret watch on Lawrence's loyal followers." Back at the barracks, James instructed Tom and then called Aoyama Xiu Xin to report.

"Mr. Aoyama, hope I'm not disturbing you."

"James, what's up?"

"It's like this..." James explained truthfully.

Aoyama Xiu Xin was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, "Nice work, James, brilliant. If you can replace Lawrence, I think you should be promoted, and I'll finance the maneuver."

He originally intended to deal with Lawrence afterward.

Unexpectedly, James preemptively relieved his worries.

"Thank you for your kindness, Sir! I owe you eternally!" James said excitedly.

Aoyama Xiu Xin chuckled, "Keep up the good work; I have high hopes for you, the future Commander of US Forces in Japan."

"Yes, Sir."