Chapter 235

Seeing that the two of them didn't seem to react, Conan Edogawa got a little anxious: "Really, really! You'll see for yourselves when you go take a look, he's just like Moriarty..."

For some reason, when he got to this point, Conan Edogawa noticed that the expressions of the two policemen had become subtle.

"Okay, okay, Moriarty, right..." Kenji Hagiwara's tone was so perfunctory that even an elementary school student could tell. "Then Conan-kun needs to grow up quickly, otherwise by the time you become Sherlock Holmes, Moriarty might not even be working anymore."

Conan Edogawa: "…………"

Well, during these days of shrinking, he gradually got used to the fact that his words weren't taken seriously.

Anyway, that person is inside; they'll understand once they see him.

Conan Edogawa thought this with a hint of revenge, hoping the two policemen would leave quickly.

The activity center emptied a room for this second anniversary of the death, with the portrait of the former village chief displayed in front, and many people already kneeling there.

However, compared to the eye-catching portrait, the strong sense of presence that most people feel upon entering the room comes from the person kneeling in the corner.

An inexplicable sense of danger enveloped that corner, leaving the area around the person completely empty.

Even though no one present recognized him, no one dared to approach him and ask who he was to the former village chief or why he was there.

Because they had thought about too many things, no one dared to ask, for fear that they might find out something shameful about the former village chief, which would make the two-year anniversary celebrations unbearable.

Even if you don't ask who the other person is or what they're there for, they might cause trouble once everyone is there... but the point is, you don't have to ask them yourself.

But now, a brave warrior has appeared!

As someone watched the two young men walk toward the corner where the dangerous person was, someone gasped: "Who are those two?"

Why are there so many unfamiliar people again? There weren't this many people at the funeral the year the former village chief died. Why are there so many this year?

Kogoro Mouri casually explained, "They are two policemen."

"I see."

Police? Oh, it's alright then. So you were just going to question the other party, weren't you?

Everyone couldn't help but prick up their ears, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation in that corner.

But when you want to listen to others, you unconsciously stop talking, and by the time you realize it, the room has been unusually quiet for several seconds.

Then, realizing that it was too obvious, everyone quickly resumed their previous casual conversation, only daring to glance over there out of the corner of their eyes.

Kenji Hagiwara and Jinpei Matsuda are police officers, after all. If they can't even figure out what these people are looking for, they should just resign as soon as possible.

However, considering that everyone was paying attention to them, the two of them were quite Zen and simply pretended not to know anything. They knelt down on the cushion next to Usakata Saiki and started chatting.

Kenji Hagiwara asked, "Why did you come here?"

Little Fukami shouldn't be interested in such a boring activity!

Bo Yezaki replied, "I woke up and came to check on you, is that not allowed?"

That's just his routine, there's nothing he can do about it. Anyway, he goes out for a walk after waking up, and he runs into Asai Narumi. They chat for a bit, and after they finish, he asks Asai Narumi where he's going later. Asai Narumi says he's here to attend the second anniversary of the memorial service, so he comes along with him.

Matsuda Jinpei rolled his eyes: "You really know how to pick your days."

What are you doing here at this memorial event for the deceased? Are you here to make sure everyone is laughing, just to create a solemn atmosphere?

Bo Yezaki said expressionlessly, "After all, we have acquaintances here."

Out of the corner of Edogawa Conan's eye, who was eagerly watching the scene unfold, the two policemen, after sitting down, seemed to finally realize the danger posed by the other party. Without even exchanging polite greetings, they went straight to the point.

But this conversation...

Conan Edogawa's expression grew increasingly serious. Are police interrogation techniques really this simple and brutal these days? I feel like I could do that myself.

Could they know each other? It's much more normal for acquaintances to chat like this.

etc!

Conan Edogawa suddenly realized that if the two policemen knew the dangerous person, then it would be no wonder they reacted so subtly to what he had just said at the door!

Could they be corrupt cops?!

No, if it were a corrupt cop, they wouldn't have any contact with him in public...

Now that you mention it, their subtle expressions earlier seemed vaguely familiar...

After racking his brains for a few minutes, Conan Edogawa finally realized—it was that! A few days ago, when he pressed the "advisor," Inspector Hagiwara had that same subtle expression on his face!

Could it be that...?

Conan Edogawa restrained the urge to turn and stare at the other person, since he already knew that the other person was very sensitive to gazes. He was now observing with his peripheral vision, and could only catch general movements, not see anything clearly.

But he was so emotional that his breathing became rapid.

—Could this person be the "consultant"?!

That's why the two policemen reacted so strangely. It might be just as they suspected: this "consultant," despite constantly walking the line between crime and criminality, would never leave any evidence for the police to use against him.

For the police, the existence of such a person is a provocation, but they really have no way to arrest him. So, the complicated feelings when mentioning this person, and the current impolite and seemingly provocative conversation, are completely understandable!

So that's how it is. No wonder those two policemen were sitting so close to that guy; they wanted to monitor him closely and see if they could find the contact.

After all, it's unlikely that they came simply to attend a funeral or specifically to see the police; they must have a personal purpose, most likely related to business.

He had a rough idea of ​​what the "consultant's" business entailed. Just from the title, he knew it was definitely related to criminal planning. But if he could find a way to prevent others from talking to the "consultant," and since he couldn't remotely input his plans into other people's minds, the crimes could naturally be stopped.

Conan Edogawa breathed a sigh of relief and observed the people around him more carefully. Anyway, these people were different from that "advisor," so it didn't matter if he looked at them; he could look at them openly and honestly.

However, the ceremony soon began. The monks chanted sutras in front, and everyone else, regardless of their thoughts, became solemn.

However, some people couldn't sit still. After exchanging a few words quietly with the current village chief, the wealthy Kawashima Hideo of Tsukikage Island left the venue under the pretext of going to the restroom.

Since someone started it, others followed suit and quietly went out for a while before returning. Even Kogoro Mouri couldn't resist his craving for a cigarette and went out for a smoke.

Ran Mouri couldn't stand the atmosphere inside and wanted to go out for some fresh air. Conan Edogawa wanted to stay, but Ran thought about how he always wandered around and felt she couldn't leave him in a place without himself, so she decisively took him out with her.

Conan Edogawa was filled with regret.

Damn it! He wanted to stay there and see who that guy, who might be the "advisor," was going to meet with!

Oh well, it's only the time it takes to smoke a cigarette, it won't take too long. I can continue to observe when I get back.

It's unlikely that something would happen in such a short period of time...

Just then, a familiar melody suddenly came from the activity center. It was the "Moonlight Sonata," a song from the legend of Moonshadow Island that was associated with fire and death.

Conan Edogawa's pupils contracted, and he immediately realized the problem, turning around and rushing into the venue.

Oh no! He might have made a mistake! Maybe the "consultant" isn't here to meet someone!

On the contrary, he might have come to admire his own "work," or even deliberately moved closer to the police. Such provocative behavior is all too common among highly intelligent and arrogant people who treat crime as art!

Perhaps, an irreversible tragedy has already occurred, and this melody symbolizes it…

Because of the rumors about the cursed piano, and the fact that the former village chief died in the room where the piano was kept, Conan Edogawa rushed straight to the room. As he got closer, the music grew louder, confirming his suspicions.

Sure enough, the moment he opened the door, "Moonlight Sonata" no longer lost its somber feeling from behind the wall, and flowed clearly into the ears of the people who had also found the room and were standing at the door.

However, no one cares about the melody anymore; everyone's attention is drawn to Mr. Kawashima, who is hunched over the piano, his whole body dirty and wet.

Just as Conan Edogawa was about to rush forward, someone suddenly grabbed his shoulder.

“Ms. Mori, please keep an eye on this child…” Kenji Hagiwara took out his police ID. “I’m a police officer. Please wait a moment at the door and do not disturb the scene. I’m going in to take a look.”

Matsuda Jinpei casually flashed his police ID and then followed him inside.

“He’s already dead.” Kenji Hagiwara quickly finished his examination.

Matsuda Jinpei sighed: "So something really happened..."

Conan Edogawa frowned upon hearing this.

This feeling of anticipation... if it had happened before, he would have thought it was because they knew about the strange invitation Kogoro Mouri had received.

But now, Conan Edogawa suspects that these two policemen might be following the "consultant." In other words, after finding out the "consultant's" whereabouts, they immediately realized what might be happening on the island. However, they lacked evidence and couldn't arrest him, so they couldn't waste their colleagues' time and had to use their own vacation to keep an eye on him.

Speaking of which, what about that "consultant"?

Conan Edogawa looked around and realized that the "Advisor" hadn't come to join the fun at all; he was probably still in the venue!

They didn't react to such a big incident, as if they didn't care at all what happened here... Maybe it's because they already knew! So they have no curiosity!

"Is it...is it Aso Keiji's curse?" someone who had heard those strange rumors said uneasily. "This piano is really eerie. The former village chief was here..."

"No, this time someone must have committed a crime. Look." Matsuda Jinpei took a player out of the grand piano. "The sound is coming from here. Anyone who would use this method must be human, right?"

"...In that case, I have someone I suspect."

Kogoro Mouri frowned.

"I don't know if you've noticed, but there's that dark blue-haired guy sitting in that corner... Does anyone know him? Why is he here for this anniversary? Don't you think he looks suspicious?"

Conan Edogawa: "…………"

No, that kind of person doesn't look like someone who would actually do it themselves! They're too suspicious, which makes them stand out, and everyone's watching their every move!

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If there are bullet comments:

Okay, Kogoro Mouri has identified the guy. Let's rule out the one in the corner first!

.

Although Hagiwara and Matsuda weren't identified as corrupt cops, they were considered good police officers who voluntarily gave up their holidays to keep an eye on Kanakawa... It's a good thing, at least this time they weren't scheming advisors...