Just as Yoruichi Toyama said, the group of six turned back shortly after leaving the station and went to the lockers inside.
Kindaichi, Miyuki, and one or two groups of police officers who were following them did not dare to follow too closely in order not to be noticed.
Fortunately, there was also a team of police officers stationed near the station who quietly followed the group of six and relayed information to everyone via wireless earpieces.
The group of six took out what appeared to be six identical handbags from the locker, along with a cell phone specifically for receiving messages.
"So who has the ransom now?" Akechi asked from the command center.
“It should be… Hijikata Toshizo,” one officer replied. “When they transferred the money to the new bag, they seemed to check for tracking devices.”
Yoruichi Toyama listened and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
In other words, no one discovered that the ransom was not real money.
Yoruichi Toyama didn't really understand why someone would wisely and boldly use practice notes instead of real money as ransom.
It feels useless except for a sense of psychological victory.
If the kidnappers discover that he is among the six people delivering the ransom, they might use this opportunity to issue an order to cancel the deal, giving the police a hard time.
But now is not the time to dwell on these things.
Now that the money issue is resolved, the only remaining task is to keep a close eye on the six-person team.
For Yoruichi Toyama, there was actually only one target.
The young man who was the first to step forward when he heard that six people were to be chosen to make a deal with the kidnappers was Shinpachi Nagakura.
Or, as he himself called it, the kidnapper "Okita Souji".
...
"Alright, let's go!" Kondo Isami, as the "director," had become the leader of the group of six and issued this call to action.
A group of people dressed in Shinsengumi uniforms walked onto the tram platform, immediately attracting the attention of those around them.
"What? People cosplay on weekdays?"
"Those people don't look young..."
Such discussions could be faintly heard from the crowd of passengers.
Poor Saito Hajime, still a university student, was implicated by Kondo Isami and seen as an idle otaku.
"I bet they'll separate in the car, right?" Akemi suddenly leaned closer to Yoruichi Toyama and whispered.
"Huh? Why?"
"Most people think that if six people are moving together and wearing such eye-catching clothes, they will be more conspicuous."
To prevent others from hearing their conversation, Akemi pressed her face almost against Yoruichi Toyama's ear, her warm breath tickling his ear.
At one moment, Toyama Yoru felt his face beneath the disguise mask become burning hot.
“However, I think it’s quite the opposite.” Unaware of his odd behavior, Miss Mingmei remained engrossed in her own reasoning.
"When six people are together, people will assume it's some kind of hobby club activity and won't care too much."
"But if there is only one person in the carriage wearing a Shinsengumi uniform, and it is impossible to tell what activity they are going to participate in, they will definitely attract everyone's attention."
"This certainly increases the risk for the killer who has targeted one of the people, but it also presents an opportunity."
"This opportunity is an 'alibi'."
"Someone who was noticed by the other passengers on the train has proof of being in a certain place at a certain time... I wonder if the murderer might use this as leverage?"
"After all, the one who planned this event was that magician who loves a challenge, Mr. Gao Yuan!"
These words made Yoruichi Toyama's face burn even hotter.
However, it was because of Miss Akemi's keen insight that I had to admit defeat.
A young lady, a wise woman, do you top students not give other people a chance to live?
Yoruichi Toyama, the famous detective who always solves cases by revealing spoilers, secretly complains.
But then I realized something was wrong.
"When did you become so knowledgeable about Gao Yuan? Was it Ai-chan...?"
Akemi smiled and shook her head.
"Don't forget, you, the head of this detective agency, that 'Mr. Mao' is also a member of our agency!"
"I have a feeling that this incident is like an internal power struggle among our own people..."
"Our own people?"
Yoruichi Toyama scratched her head, wondering which side this young lady was talking about.
Because of Ai, did you consider that guy as a potential brother-in-law?
I don't think he meant that at all.
However, Akemi smiled and winked at him.
"In short, we all need to work hard to solve this problem left by your mother!"
"puff--"
So this is what they call "one of our own"...
To outsiders, Yoruichi Toyama and Akemi's conversation seemed like nothing more than lovers whispering sweet nothings.
At the same time, the group of six on the platform dispersed and stood in different carriages.
The police team, along with Yoruichi Toyama and Kindaichi, secretly made preparations.
"Well then, see you when we get off." Akemi patted Yoruichi Toyama's arm and extended her hand.
Despite a momentary blush and heartbeat, Yoruichi Toyama grasped the other's hand and looked deeply into their eyes.
"Be careful, see you when you get off the bus."
A cat-and-mouse chase has officially begun.
...
To the police's surprise, the group of six, who had already boarded the trains that stopped at various stations on their way to Hon-Yamana, jumped off the train just before it departed.
Then at the last minute, they rushed onto the express train bound for Shinjuku.
Several tracking teams were thus shaken off.
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