Chapter 404
After signing a contract with the undercover system, Bo Yezaki was relieved of one worry—although new worries arose, such as his adoptive father's last words, but they were not serious matters.
When Bo Yezaki was living a carefree life, he didn't even bother to think about his adoptive father, let alone his biological father.
So he quickly put these trivial matters behind him and shifted his attention to the upcoming airship journey.
Soon the day of the airship's departure arrived, and Sonoko Suzuki not only invited Ran Mouri, Kogoro Mouri, and Saiki Usaku, but also Conan Edogawa and his Detective Boys, as well as their guardian, Professor Agasa.
Jirokichi Suzuki is a playful and sociable person, and as expected, he didn't mind at all, cheerfully greeting the children and paying special attention to Conan Edogawa.
After all, Conan Edogawa is the "Kid's nemesis".
Besides these people, there were also TV station staff whom Suzuki Jirokichi had called in to show off—but Suzuki Jirokichi looked very unhappy when he saw the TV station staff.
"You kept saying you valued it, but all you guys showed up for..."
The three people from the TV station explained with a wry smile.
"I'm so sorry, but because of the red Siamese cat incident, only we were able to come..."
The red Siamese cat attacked a criminal group at a microbiology research institute the night before Jirokichi Suzuki challenged Kaito Kid. Because they stole a virus with an extremely high mortality rate that was said to be fatal and burned down the institute, the incident was very serious and directly stole Jirokichi Suzuki's headlines.
Suzuki Jirokichi, who was obsessed with getting the headline, finally managed to snatch it back after two days of effort, and is now full of dissatisfaction with the red Siamese cat.
"Does it have to be today?" Suzuki Jirokichi asked, annoyed.
The TV station's manager said helplessly, "Because the red Siamese cat had announced that they would be making moves within seven days, and today is the last day, the station has entered into emergency preparations..."
There's nothing we can do about it. While Kaito Kid is a popular and high-profile figure in the entertainment industry, a virus leak, which is a matter of public concern, is far more important than Kaito Kid in this situation.
Suzuki Jirokichi understood this principle, so he snorted angrily and stopped complaining.
Moreover, this topic was also of great importance to the others present who came for the sake of Kaito Kid, and they started talking about it.
"I don't understand, why did they steal the virus..."
"It's said to be contagious through droplets, that's really scary."
At this moment, the last guest, an independent journalist who wanted to interview about the matter, stepped forward and said nonchalantly, "Don't worry too much. I've been to many places with the virus and I'm still doing just fine. Humans are much more resilient than viruses."
Bo Yezhai: "Truly remarkable, is this what they mean by 'a scourge lasts a thousand years'?"
Independent journalist: "...?"
Hey, how can this kid talk like that?
Ran Mouri chuckled awkwardly and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Sorry, Bo Ye-nii used to live abroad, so his Japanese isn't very good."
Conan Edogawa: "…………"
Even if things weren't good before, is it really still this bad after living in Japan for seven years? Bo Ye is obviously doing this on purpose!
Mitsuhiko Tsuburaya muttered to himself, "Even I, an elementary school student, know this isn't a nice word... Isn't it obvious from the literal meaning of the words..."
Clearly, the independent journalist thought so too, but after looking at Ran Mouri's sincere explanation and then at Saiki Usaba, who seemed to have simply been being sarcastic or had a moment of lapse in judgment, he said with some skepticism, "It's alright, I understand, they are returning children."
It startled him; he thought it had been discovered that he was actually the mastermind behind the group calling themselves the Red Siamese Cats causing trouble!
However, upon calming down and thinking about it, I realized that this was impossible.
He's still standing here perfectly fine, and even the airship's owner, Jirokichi Suzuki, greeted him normally, treating him like an ordinary reporter. How could someone who looks like just an ordinary college student possibly see through something at first glance?
Hmm... but just to be on the safe side, he should still ask.
"Speaking of which, besides Detective Mori, are there any other detectives here?" the imposter reporter casually probed.
Those in their line of work consider it bad luck to have a detective on the job site!
Kogoro Mouri was there, but he looked like he was about to faint. It was unclear whether he was afraid of heights or airships, so he probably wouldn't be of much use.
Jirokichi Suzuki proudly declared, "I've already invited Kiddex! As for the other police officers... they're just there to make up the numbers."
Inspector Nakamori of the Second Investigation Division has been pursuing the Phantom Thief Kid for almost ten years. Whenever he encounters a case related to Kid, he is incredibly persistent, even though he has come up empty-handed.
If he didn't agree to let him bring the police to participate in the operation, Suzuki Jirokichi was worried that the other party would hang himself at his doorstep.
Compared to the police officers who have been nothing more than atmosphere-maker for so many years, Suzuki Jirokichi has more faith in Edogawa Conan, who has foiled Kaito Kid's plans several times.
The imposter reporter looked down and realized it was just a primary school student, and immediately relaxed.
Haha, what use are elementary school students? Nowadays, detectives need to be at least high school students to accumulate enough knowledge to solve cases!
Anyway, as long as that young man who immediately implied he wasn't a good person wasn't a detective, he's probably just a returned overseas student spouting nonsense in Japanese.
The imposter reporter finally put aside his doubts.
He was a little unhappy that only that young girl offered to explain, while that guy hadn't apologized at all! People raised abroad are just so rude!
Ran Mouri knew that Saiki Usaba had solved cases before and even called himself a detective. She wanted to say something, but Saiki Usaba coughed to stop her.
Conan Edogawa glanced at Saiki Usaku with suspicion.
That's strange. Shouldn't Brother Bo Ye be jumping out and saying he's Detective Conan at this point...? Okay, that joke's been overused, but he should at least mention that he's a detective to show off, right? Why is he being so low-key today?
I have a feeling there's something wrong with this!
Jirokichi Suzuki reassured everyone, "Don't worry, no matter where that red Siamese cat plans to spread the virus on Earth, as long as we stay on this airship, we'll be fine! They can't possibly fly up here and spread the virus, can they? Hahahaha!"
Bo Yezhai: "…………"
Suspicion Value System: [This is truly a standard line for setting a flag...]
Undercover System: [Wow, just one sentence and so many suspicion points gained! You really weren't lying to me, this contractor is amazing... Bo Ye-kun, when can you intentionally increase your trust points?]
Usoya Saiki: [Next time for sure, next time for sure.]
Although the imposter reporter has dispelled his suspicions, it doesn't mean he trusts Usaku Saiki. At most, he believes Usaku Saiki isn't a detective... So the trust value he provides is only a tiny bit, completely insignificant compared to the suspicion value.
But the undercover system wasn't dissatisfied; it just looked enviously at the suspicion value system next door, hoping for a windfall to fall into its lap.
Thanks to Jirokichi Suzuki's comforting words, which at least for now sounded very reasonable, the somewhat somber atmosphere caused by the topic of the red Siamese cat immediately became lighter.
Kogoro Mouri, fearing heights, hid in a corner, while the children happily ran around, looking down in amazement.
Conan Edogawa wasn't that naive. He put his hands in his pockets, walked beside Saiki Usaku, and whispered, "Usaku-nii, you're acting a bit strange today."
"Really?" Bo Yezaki denied it. "What's unusual about it? I've always been like this, okay?"
Conan Edogawa squinted at him: "What did that reporter do to you?"
Although Bo Ye-ge does like to joke around, this kind of near-personal attack is unprecedented. It can't be explained by not being good at Japanese; it must be intentional... But it seems that the reporter doesn't know Bo Ye-ge. Could it be that he provoked Bo Ye-ge on his own?
Usoppei sighed, "He doesn't seem like a good person."
Conan Edogawa: "…………"
Conan Edogawa fell into deep thought.
Usakabe Saiki went to look at the scenery from the airship window with the other elementary school students, while Edogawa Conan remained in place, deep in thought.
Ai Haibara, who had been silent until now, raised an eyebrow and asked, "You don't actually believe Mr. Usuiba's words and suspect that the reporter has a problem, do you?"
Isn't this completely without evidence?
Conan Edogawa hesitated as well: "Usui-san has a keen eye for detail; perhaps he noticed something I missed..."
Ai Haibara glanced at Saiki Usubaba, who was chatting enthusiastically with the elementary school students, and pondered for a second: "But does he look like he's worried about what might happen?"
"...Even if something really happened, he would still act like this." Conan Edogawa sighed, "Bo Ye-san has a really big heart."
Ai Haibara, too lazy to pay attention to Conan Edogawa, said, "Then you and your brother Usui go and do the deduction."
Conan Edogawa felt a profound sense of loneliness, as if he were the only one sober in a world of drunks.
Is he the only one who takes Brother Bo Ye's words seriously?!
Conan Edogawa went to check on the reporter again and found that the reporter was also behaving very naturally, chatting with the people from the TV station as usual, and that Usaku Saiki's words had not affected his mood at all.
After a while, Jirokichi Suzuki finished dealing with some matters and was finally able to take everyone to the observation deck on the top floor to see the gems.
The police were near the cabinet where the jewels were kept. As always, Inspector Nakamori distrusted Suzuki Jirokichi's arrangements and insisted that he demonstrate how to stop the Phantom Thief Kid.
After admiring the gemstone, everyone then admired the mechanism that Suzuki Jirokichi had set up to protect it.
Usakabe Saiki pondered, "Does this Inspector Nakamori always have to have Mr. Suzuki show him the mechanism before he's satisfied?"
Conan Edogawa chuckled dryly: "Pretty much, because he trusts the police's arrangements more..."
"Why do I feel like this is some kind of undercover agent sent by Phantom Thief Kid?" Suzuki Usaba complained. "Maybe Phantom Thief Kid didn't even know what kind of traps were here, but after this demonstration, he suddenly understands everything!"
Inspector Nakamori was furious: "How could I possibly be an undercover agent for Phantom Thief Kid! Look, my face is real!"
As he spoke, he pinched his own cheek.
"But that only proves you're not Phantom Thief Kid, not that you're not his accomplice... After all these years, you've never caught Phantom Thief Kid, and he's even managed to escape several times by disguising himself as a policeman. It's like you're deliberately helping him..."
Suzuki Jirokichi hesitated, wondering if Usaku Saiki's words made sense, and his trust points kept increasing.
Not only him, but even the people at the TV station were starting to believe it, since it's not impossible for police officers to be bribed!
Ultimately, although Officer Nakamori was not actually convicted, Suzuki Jirokichi rejected the police this time, and none of them remained on the observation deck; they all went downstairs with him.
The undercover system was moved to tears: [What an amazing contractor! So many trust points!]
He looked at his colleague with sympathy and suspicion.
Well, spending money is one thing, but when Bo Yezaki will actually buy something is another matter entirely... Let the undercover system be happy for a while.
Because there were too many people earlier, Ran Mouri hadn't been able to examine the gems closely. So, after going to the restroom with Sonoko Suzuki, they decided to go back and take another look.
Anyway, she doesn't steal anything, so she won't trigger any mechanisms.
Sonoko Suzuki was also reassured: "Okay, come down after you've finished watching. It's afternoon tea time."
So Ran Mouri turned back, and as soon as she entered the observation deck, she spotted a suspicious person.
Although the other person claimed to be a waiter who was just curious to take a look, there was actually a band-aid on his arm that she had given to another waiter!
Ran Mouri isn't stupid. In this situation, with a Band-Aid of dubious origin, she immediately suspected that the other party was Kaito Kid.
The captured Phantom Thief Kid was inwardly groaning. He wanted to escape, but considering Ran Mouri's fighting prowess, he knew he couldn't beat her. He could only outsmart her.
So he tore off his disguise, tidied his hair, and turned around to start hacking accounts.
"Look again at who I am!"
Ran Mouri exclaimed, "Shinichi?! It's you?!"
Just as Kaito Kid breathed a sigh of relief that she believed him, he suddenly heard the door open again.
And that guy who never seemed to know when to show up clearly picked up on Ran Mouri's earlier exclamation.
"What? Shinichi's here too?"
Kaito Kid turned his head and saw the flashy, silver-haired youth walking towards him.
Although Ran Mouri still doesn't understand how Shinichi Kudo became Kaito Kid, she still subconsciously wants to protect her childhood friend... what if it's a misunderstanding?
"Yes... it's Shinichi. He wanted to catch Kaito Kid, so he infiltrated the ranks..."
Ran Mouri struggled to come up with an excuse, but she couldn't get over the hurdle in her heart and ultimately remained silent.
Phantom Thief Kid was sweating profusely, and as he began to wonder how he was going to act now that he had been discovered again, he saw the silver-haired youth raise an eyebrow.
"You believed him just because he said he was Shinichi? What if he was Kaito Kid?"
Kaito Kid: "…………"
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