Wasabi

Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, affectionately known as Hubert, is a French policeman with a reputation for employing unconventional methods to get the job done. With an impressive track record of success, he has managed to earn the respect of his peers, if not always their admiration due to his unorthodox approach. However, his boss, not a fan of Hubert's, decides to send him on an extended leave, citing the need for the seasoned detective to take some time off and recharge. The real reason behind the boss's decision lies in Hubert's penchant for disregarding rules and pushing boundaries. His boss fears that the French police's carefully constructed image will be tarnished by Hubert's antics, and so, he decides to temporarily reassign him to a desk job, forcing Hubert to take two months off. While Hubert begrudgingly accepts the decision, he cannot help but feel a sense of restlessness, knowing that he has more pressing matters to attend to. Hubert's primary concern lies in settling the probate of his estranged wife, Marie, who left him without explanation shortly after their wedding. A native of Japan, Marie had a troubled past, having spent time in a Japanese prison for a crime committed during her youth. The two met while Hubert was working in Japan, and despite their vastly different backgrounds, they fell deeply in love. However, their relationship was not without its challenges, and the couple's troubled past eventually led to Marie's untimely departure. Hubert returns to Japan, a country that holds a special place in his heart, having spent a significant portion of his career working there. As he delves deeper into the complexities of Japanese culture, he is struck by the stark contrasts between the tranquil surroundings and the harsh realities that lie beneath the surface. With the help of a local contact, Sakumi, a Japanese detective, Hubert sets out to uncover the truth behind Marie's disappearance and the events that led to her untimely departure. As Hubert navigates the intricate web of Japanese society, he finds himself drawn into a complex tale of love, loss, and redemption. His methods, though unorthodox, prove to be an asset in his search for answers, allowing him to gather information and piece together the puzzle that is Marie's life. With every new discovery, Hubert is forced to confront the darker aspects of human nature, as well as his own demons, which threaten to sabotage his investigation. Hubert's journey takes him from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene landscapes of rural Japan, as he searches for any hint of Marie's whereabouts. With every step forward, he edges closer to uncovering the truth, but also finds himself facing a host of new challenges. From the ruthless yakuza to the duplicitous members of Marie's family, Hubert must employ all his skills and cunning to stay one step ahead of those who seek to undermine his efforts. Throughout his investigation, Hubert is aided by a host of characters, each with their own unique perspectives and motivations. There's Sakumi, the local detective who becomes his unlikely ally, providing insight into the complexities of Japanese culture. Then there's Mochizuki, a mysterious figure linked to Marie's past, whose true loyalties remain unclear. As the stakes grow higher, Hubert finds himself drawn into a world of espionage and counter-intelligence, where allegiances are tenuous at best, and the line between good and evil is constantly blurred. Through it all, Hubert's methods continue to raise eyebrows, but his unyielding determination and unwavering commitment to the truth see him through even the most treacherous of obstacles. His search for Marie, a woman who left him without explanation, ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery, as he grapples with the complexities of love, loyalty, and the human condition. As the investigation reaches its climax, Hubert is forced to confront a world of corruption and deceit, where nothing is as it seems, and allegiances are constantly shifting. With his trademark blend of humor and grit, he navigates the treacherous landscape of Japan's underworld, determined to uncover the truth behind Marie's disappearance and bring closure to the unfinished business of their doomed love affair. In the end, Hubert's unwavering commitment to justice and his own unshakeable sense of purpose lead him to a heart-wrenching revelation. The truth behind Marie's departure proves to be more complicated than he ever could have imagined, and the consequences of his actions threaten to upend everything he thought he knew about love, loyalty, and himself.