Japan is in a huge problem. With a 200 trillions of bad debt, it has started to affect the international scene. So, pressurized by international community, the Prime Minister passed the Misappropriation Enforcement Act to investigate and shut down the corruption in Japan.
Enter Nijino Seiichi, an employee of Tozai Bank blessed with Photographic Memory and considered as the key person knowing of Tozai's corruption. One day, he met Hayashi Taro who informed his status as wanted man for Tozai's massive corruptions. Unable to withstand how his fugitive status destroyed his life, he jumped into an oncoming train...
...Only to wake up on a hospital bed, three days later with Hayashi Taro beside him, who re-introduced himself as Nakabo Rintaro, Misappropriation Investigator who's tasked with investigating and exposing Tozai Bank's corruption. Nakabo explained how he forged Nijino's death certificate, and now free from the shackles of his old workplace, he will require Nijino's cooperation to take down the massive corruption plaguing the bank, which also implicates some of the most powerful men of the nation.
A short-lived manga by Tetsuo Hara of Fist of the North Star fame, which was serialized from 1998 to 2000.
Misappropriation Investigator Nakabo Rintaro provides examples of:
- Alas, Poor Villain: Adviser Mishima's death. Stripped of his position, he asked for his superior's support for a comeback, only for them flip the table on him, explain how he's just their pawn which has outlived his usefulness, and left him with the restaurant bill. Having left his wallet at the restaurant, he had to walk back home in the rain, at an elderly age and with a heart condition. He stopped to take a break on a swing in a park and died on it.
- Berserk Button: Say anything related to Nakabo's parents, and he will shed his Clark Kenting, take out his cigar, lay down his feet on a table, and be more willing to resort to violence.
- Big Bad Duumvirate: Matsumaru Inejiro and Suenomatsu Seijiro.
- Clark Kenting: Under his civilian persona, Nakabo is 'Hayashi Taro', a mild-mannered and well-manicured banker. Press his Berserk Button, and he shifts back to his Investigator persona.
- Corrupt Corporate Executive: The primary antagonists of the series, who are in cahoots with Corrupt Politician.
- Guile Hero: Nakabo relies a lot more on planning and traps rather than his fists. Often involving threats and Blackmail as well.
- Intimidating Revenue Service: Unusually, they're on the good guys' side for once. Nakabo tipped the Marusa (the Japanese version) off to investigate Ogawara's funds, sending him in a frantic effort to hide his money, thus delivering it right to Nakabo's hand.
- Unscrupulous Hero: The Misappropriation Enforcement Act gave Nakabo a lot of leeway. He's allowed to negotiate plea bargains, normally illegal in Japanese courts, and blackmails and threats are among his favorite tools.
