Warlords: Rising from the Northwest Border and Sweeping Across the Powers

Chapter 1028 Unexpected Development

The bathroom door was suddenly pushed open, and several armed guards walked in. The leading guard said coldly: "It's time, put on your clothes and follow us."

Fujita Ying and Kobayashi Tanaka were taken out of the bathroom and changed into a clean suit, which Pu Yu specially prepared for them so that they could maintain a decent image in front of the public.

When they were escorted to their destination, Fujita Ying realized the seriousness of the situation. The streets were crowded with protesters holding banners, and slogans such as "Release Fujita Ying" and "Restore the innocence of the author of the Kyoto Secret Report" were heard from time to time.

Asanogawa stood on a makeshift platform and handed a loud speaker to Fujita Ying, his eyes filled with irresistible threats. He whispered in Fujita Ying's ear: "Remember what you promised. If you dare to say a wrong word, you and your family will pay the price."

Fujita Ying took the megaphone and looked at the boiling crowd below, with mixed emotions surging in his heart. These people regarded him as a hero, a fighter against power, but in fact, he was going to shatter their expectations with his own hands.

He took a deep breath and clenched the trumpet in his hand. Kobayashi Tanaka looked at him with complicated eyes, as if to say "You still have one last chance".

"Dear citizens," Fujita Ying's voice spread throughout the square through the loudspeaker, and the crowd gradually quieted down. "I am Fujita Ying. I know there have been a lot of rumors about me recently, saying that I am the author of the Kyoto Secret Report. However, I must clarify one thing here."

He paused, his eyes sweeping across the audience's expectant eyes, and continued, "I am not the hero in your mind. I have nothing to do with the Kyoto Secret Report. I was arrested for other reasons. This is a pure misunderstanding. I implore everyone to stop marching for me. I am not worthy of you doing so."

There was a commotion in the crowd, and some people began to shout: "Don't believe him! He must have been threatened!" Others shouted: "Mr. Fujita, we support you!"

Fujita Ying looked at the excited people in the audience, feeling mixed emotions. He knew that his words just now not only failed to calm the situation, but made the people more convinced that he was the author of the Kyoto secret report.

Asanogawa's face was terribly gloomy, while Kobayashi Tanaka showed a meaningful smile.

The crowd became more and more excited, and the demonstrators began to break through the cordon and approach the platform. "Release Mr. Fujita! Don't be threatened! We support you!" The shouts were deafening.

Asanogawa's face became more gloomy, his hand unconsciously touched the pistol on his waist, and a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. Fujita Ying noticed this detail and his heart tightened. He knew very well that if the situation got out of control, Asanogawa would definitely order the shooting without hesitation.

"Please calm down!" Fujita Ying raised the loudspeaker again, his voice filled with anxiety, "Everything I said is true! I assure you that I am not the author of the Kyoto Secret Report! Those articles that expose the corruption of high-level officials in Fuso and the darkness of the royal family have nothing to do with me!"

Sweat dripped down his forehead, and he could feel Asanogawa's cold gaze, a threatening one. He forced himself to continue: "I know everyone wants me to be the one who reveals the truth, but I'm not! I can't let everyone sacrifice in vain for a false heroic image! Please believe what I say!"

But his explanation only made people more convinced that he was being coerced. Someone shouted: "Look how nervous he is! He must have been threatened! Mr. Fujita, don't be afraid, we will protect you!"

A young man suddenly broke through the cordon, and other demonstrators followed him. The soldiers of the Public Security Bureau raised their batons and tried to stop the crowd from advancing.

The scene was chaotic for a while.

Kobayashi Tanaka stood aside with a faint smile on his lips.

He looked at Fujita Ying, who was sweating profusely, and whispered to himself: "Do you understand now? The truth is no longer important. What matters is what people want to believe."

Fujita Ying's hand trembled slightly as he held the megaphone. He realized that the more he denied it, the more people would believe that he was the hero.

In this case, any explanation would be counterproductive.

Asanogawa whispered a warning in his ear: "If you can't control the situation, you know the consequences." There was an obvious threat in the cold words.

Fujita Ying gritted his teeth and raised the loudspeaker again: "I beg everyone! Please don't do this anymore! I'm really not who you think I am! I..." His voice was drowned out by the thunderous shouts of the people.

At this moment, he was like a protagonist trapped in an absurd theater. The more he denied and struggled, the more he solidified the image of a hero in the hearts of the people.

However, this false identity that he denies in every possible way may become his last straw.

"Bang!" With a muffled sound, the first cordon was pushed down by the angry people. Asanogawa immediately waved his hand, and dozens of fully armed security guards quickly lined up, raised their riot shields and formed a human wall.

"Protect Mr. Fujita! Don't let them hurt Mr. Fujita!" The crowd shouted even louder. Some people began to throw stones and water bottles at the soldiers, and the situation got out of control.

Asanogawa turned around and grabbed Fujita Ying by the collar, lowering his voice and angrily scolded: "You useless thing! Look at the mess you have caused! If you can't control the situation, I will kill you now!"

There was a fierce light flashing in his eyes, "Hurry up and find a solution for me!"

Fujita Ying staggered a few steps after being pushed by him, and the trumpet in his hand almost fell. He looked at the chaotic scene below, and the cold sweat on his forehead increased. The demonstrators on the street had broken through the second cordon, and the soldiers of the Public Security Bureau had to raise their batons to drive them away.

"Stop! Stop it!" Fujita Ying shouted at the top of his lungs, "You will only hurt yourself! I beg you all, please believe what I say! I'm really not a hero!"

But his words fell on deaf ears and were completely unable to calm the angry crowd.

Someone started shouting, "Look! They are threatening Mr. Fujita! Save him! Down with the rough diamond!"

Kobayashi Tanaka stood aside, with a complicated look in his eyes. He looked at Fujita Ying who was trapped in a dilemma and whispered: "Now you finally get a taste of being expected by the masses, right? The more you deny, the more they believe you."

Asanogawa's face was extremely ugly. He whispered to the officers of the Public Security Bureau: "If you can't control the situation, disperse them by force!"

At this moment, on the high platform, Fujita Ying was like a trapped beast. He looked at the boiling crowd below and felt for the first time the terrifying power of the masses.

They used their will to create a heroic image for him, and this image was pushing him towards an unpredictable fate.