Chapter 257, Seventy-Third Cycle (87)
Conan Edogawa's heart hasn't been at peace in his chest for even a minute tonight.
They successfully deflected the Swan's crash trajectory using drones, but the bombs also caused the probe to disintegrate.
The most crucial sample module is predicted to land on reclaimed land in Tokyo Bay, which happens to be the newly opened Ocean Edge Sightseeing Area.
Meanwhile, because it was far from the original crash site of the Swan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, it became an important refuge area assigned by the police, and more than 30,000 people had gathered on that artificial island.
If the sample capsule were to crash directly onto the artificial island, the artificial island and the 30,000 people on it could all be destroyed.
Ran Mouri and her family of three also happened to be taking refuge there.
"What?! You're taking refuge on the edge of the ocean?!" Conan Edogawa suddenly raised his voice.
"Hmm." Ran Mouri, having learned of the situation, immediately reassured him, "But it's alright, we're about to head out. The observation tower that malfunctioned earlier exploded for some reason, it seems related to the previous attack? I even saw Mr. Matsuda and the others... Don't worry, nothing happened. However, it seems dangerous here too, so we've started our evacuation and are preparing to take refuge in the plaza by the sea."
Conan Edogawa, who had been frantically running downstairs, breathed a sigh of relief and gasped for air while holding onto the stairs.
Ran Mouri then worriedly said, "But there are only two bridges to get in and out here, so the evacuation will be very slow. We should be fine up ahead, but there are still many people behind us. I don't know if we can evacuate in time."
Conan Edogawa had regained his composure. He looked away from the map on his phone and quickly made a decision, calmly reassuring her, "It's alright. Even if we can't get everyone to evacuate in time, I have a plan. Don't worry."
After hanging up the phone, he stood on the stairs, looking down intently at the blond youth who had run ahead of him, then turned around and quietly looked up at him as he stopped.
"You have a solution?" the other person asked, their purple eyes, still shining in the darkness, filled with trust and a smile.
"Hmm." Conan Edogawa took a few steps forward, met those eyes at close range, took a deep breath, and extended his hand to him with a smile: "Mr. Amuro, this time you'll be my assistant!"
The blond youth paused for a moment, then smiled and shook his hand.
"Of course, I'll play along to the end."
*
"Mr. Akai! NASA says they can't stop the unmanned probe from crashing. What should we do?" Carmel was frantic, pacing back and forth in the chaotic FBI conference room.
NASA is the world's most authoritative aerospace research institution, possessing the most powerful and advanced technology and resources. Given that this incident is somewhat related to NASA, they originally intended to intervene.
But by the time they were ready, the unmanned probe had already reached an indestructible low altitude. Destroying it with a missile or similar weapon at that altitude would have had even greater consequences than the probe being brought down directly.
Fortunately, an unexplained explosion occurred on the Swan, altering its trajectory. It is likely that it will not crash into the city of Tokyo, but will instead fall directly into the deserted ocean.
Unfortunately, the explosion caused the Swan to disintegrate, and the sample module inside was once again deviated from its orbit. It appeared that it would not fall into the sea, but would instead crash directly into a small artificial island off the coast of Tokyo.
The problem is that there are over 30,000 people currently seeking refuge up there! Even several FBI agents are inside!
Shuichi Akai looked up at the approaching red "star," then looked down at the sniper rifle in his hand, and fell silent.
No matter what, he couldn't possibly shoot that thing down with a sniper rifle.
Suddenly, a familiar white Mazda flashed past him like lightning.
Akai Shuichi: "..."
Shuichi Akai slowly turned around.
He thought he just saw that black-haired child inside?
Judging from their expressions, it seems they've come up with a solution?
Shuichi Akai didn't hesitate much and drove after them, but couldn't catch up...?!
*
"The sample capsule appears to have experienced a secondary explosion? Its trajectory has changed, and the landing site is likely at Pearl Square on the edge of the ocean? Is there still five minutes left?"
Conan Edogawa turned his head abruptly, muttering incredulously, "Pearl Plaza... Ran..."
Why is it such a coincidence?
When Xiaolan and the others took refuge at the edge of the ocean, the sample capsule crashed at the edge of the ocean.
When Xiaolan and the others took refuge in Mingzhu Square, the sample capsule crashed at Mingzhu Square again?
Rei Furuya murmured cryptically, "A second explosion of unknown cause..."
Conan Edogawa turned his head sharply: "Does Mr. Amuro know the reason?"
Rei Furuya sneered: "Probably."
Conan Edogawa wanted to press for more information, but...
"There's no time left, it seems like we can't make it in time, what should we do?" he said anxiously.
He had already gone over the map several times, but the roads were already chaotic, congested, and jammed due to road closures and evacuations caused by the Tokyo Summit. Now, unless a helicopter arrives immediately, there's no way he'll make it to his destination in time...
Rei Furuya said, "We'll make it. Let's take a shortcut."
Conan Edogawa was stunned: "Huh?"
Rei Furuya stared straight ahead: "Grit your teeth and hold your phone tight."
Conan Edogawa still didn't understand: "Huh?"
Then, in the next second, the car flew off.
Yes, they don't have helicopters, but they have a driver who can make cars fly.
"Bang--"
The car landed heavily on the railway tracks below.
Approaching from the front is a high-speed train speeding by.
Amidst the ever-growing roar and blinding white light, the blond youth's smile grew increasingly maniacal as he drove the car recklessly forward.
Conan Edogawa stared wide-eyed.
Unfortunately, he completely forgot Mr. Amuro's instructions.
In the next three minutes, he not only forgot to close his mouth, but his phone also flew away.
A white Mazda brushed past an oncoming train, the small white car standing sideways on the edge of the huge black railway and the train's body, leaving a trail of sparks that fell back onto the tracks below.
Amidst the jolts, the rear of the train nearly collided with the blue train below, but it eventually regained its footing and surged forward again.
Two minutes later, the car was safely back on the road.
Conan Edogawa's heart was still pounding wildly. He felt dizzy and disoriented, his mind completely blank.
Another minute passed, and they were about to reach their destination when Conan Edogawa finally realized what was happening.
He straightened his crooked glasses, looked left and right, bent down to pick up his dropped phone, and then let out a deep breath, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead as he looked at the calm blond youth beside him.
"I thought I was really going to die here." Conan Edogawa clutched his still wildly beating heart, then couldn't help but exclaim, "But you're really amazing! You're really amazing!"
Rei Furuya laughed: "Don't worry, how could I die here?"
Conan Edogawa was taken aback, instinctively feeling that something was wrong with those words. Just as he was about to ask further, the car entered the elevator of the tallest building in the vicinity, which was under construction, and slowly ascended into the sky.
"Don't you want to check on Miss Lan and the others?" Furuya Rei changed the subject.
Conan Edogawa immediately recalled that strange coincidence, felt a chill run down his spine, and quickly checked the situation over there.
Ran Mouri said it's still the same.
Conan Edogawa breathed a sigh of relief, only to then notice that the blond youth next to him had been staring at him with a rather strange expression.
Conan Edogawa: "W-What's wrong?"
Rei Furuya laughed. Even though it was the second time he had experienced it, he couldn't help but exclaim, "The power of love is truly great."
Conan Edogawa knew his disguise was pretty much exposed, but he still blushed at the teasing: "Mr. Amuro!!!"
Rei Furuya, still slumped over the steering wheel, continued laughing: "Don't be shy, I'm genuinely marveling at the power of love. It's probably the most powerful force humanity can possess."
That strange feeling from Conan Edogawa is back again.
For some reason, I felt an inexplicable heaviness in the blond youth's smile and tone.
Furuya Rei changed the subject and laughed, "Besides, when it comes to driving, I'm nowhere near as good as you on your skateboard."
Open, open the skateboard.
That's a very vivid and descriptive way to put it.
Conan Edogawa, recalling the series of dangerous stunts he had performed on his skateboard, was unable to refute them.
The elevator doors opened, and Rei Furuya straightened up: "However, you still can't learn what I'm about to do."
After saying that, he smiled and imitated a safety warning on TV, winking as he said, "Dangerous behavior, please do not imitate."
Conan Edogawa: "..."
Conan Edogawa had no idea that since he was already preparing to ride into the sky with the other person, there was nothing he shouldn't imitate.
The car roared to life and its lights came on again, waiting for the right moment to speed off.
There is one and a half minutes left.
Conan Edogawa turned off the phone he was using to chat with Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mouri. Turning his head, he noticed that the blond youth's phone had actually been lit up the whole time, with countless messages popping up, but he hadn't noticed it because it was on silent.
The blond youth simply looked down at the phone, showing no sign of answering the call or replying to the message.
Conan Edogawa started to feel strange again and asked, "Whose call was that? Why didn't you answer?"
Due to the angle, he couldn't see the text clearly.
"We'll talk about it after everything is over." Rei Furuya put his phone directly into his pocket.
Observing the expression on his face, Conan Edogawa suddenly asked, "Speaking of which, I've always been curious, Mr. Amuro, do you have a girlfriend?"
Rei Furuya gave him a wry smile: "Do you think I look like someone who has a girlfriend?"
Conan Edogawa considered the dangers of his job and his time management skills as a master of juggling multiple jobs, and fell silent.
But Conan Edogawa was still curious and continued to ask, "Mr. Amuro, do you have someone you like?"
Rei Furuya laughed again and said, "If I had to say, there is."
Conan Edogawa instantly perked up, staring intently at him with wide eyes.
“My lover is this country,” Rei Furuya said.
Conan Edogawa was stunned.
While I was a little surprised by the reply, it wasn't actually unexpected; it's definitely in Mr. Amuro's style.
What shocked him even more was the blond youth's expression and tone when he said those words.
He genuinely believed this, and he didn't find it strange or embarrassing at all; in fact, he proudly and firmly stated his conviction.
Amidst the shock and excitement, Conan Edogawa inexplicably felt a vague unease, as if the person in front of him might really give his life for the country he loved at any moment.
"It's almost time, get ready to go." Rei Furuya gripped the steering wheel tightly.
Conan Edogawa realized what was happening and immediately shifted his attention, focusing intently on the countdown on his phone: "Ten seconds left."
The blond youth's face once again displayed that calm yet manic smile as he said, "Don't worry, it won't deviate by a millimeter."
Conan Edogawa gripped his phone tightly: "This is a desperate gamble that will cost us our lives."
Rei Furuya slammed on the gas pedal: "It's all or nothing."
The white Mazda roared like a wild beast, its white image flashing like lightning through the dark building.
Finally, they rushed out of the building.
"boom--"
Shuichi Akai on the top of the building across the street: "..."
His hand holding the binoculars stiffened slightly.
Amidst the flames of the exploding vehicle and the fireworks of the soccer ball bursting and crashing into the sample capsule, he saw Conan Edogawa fall from the sky, followed by the blond youth breaking through the flames and catching the child in his arms.
"I won't let you die," the man said, his mouth slightly open.
Flames and waves tore open his clothes and hair, revealing his muscular, powerful body and the hand holding the gun.
And those sharp, crazed, and resolute purplish-gray eyes, colder and sharper than a knife, hotter and more dangerous than a gun.
"Bang bang bang—"
The blond youth fired three shots at the building, shattering the glass, then hugged the child in his arms and crashed inside.
The shattered iron and glass fragments, glowing in the firelight, fell into the unfathomable darkness, like stars in an abyss, carrying a destructive beauty.
Shuichi Akai remained silent for several seconds before slowly putting away his binoculars.
This is undoubtedly a dangerous and reckless act, so audacious that it is terrifying and unbelievable.
But he liked it very much, he admired it immensely, and he even got excited about it, wanting to join in and create miracles and legends together.
*
In the instant the glass shattered, Conan Edogawa clearly saw that the sharp shards of glass flying past were stained with crimson blood.
He was well protected and was not injured.
Therefore, the only one who is injured is the blond youth who is currently holding him tightly.
"Bang--"
The two crashed heavily to the ground. Fortunately, the floor inside seemed to have been covered with thick mats due to construction, otherwise they would probably have been injured again.
Conan Edogawa was a little dizzy from the fall, and his glasses were long gone. He got up and looked through the broken window. He saw that the sample capsule had only grazed the tower next to Pearl Square and crashed into the sea. He breathed a sigh of relief and immediately ran over to check on the blond youth's injuries.
"I'm fine, it's just a minor injury." Furuya Rei covered his still bleeding arm, stood up and said, "Leave the rest to me, you should go now."
Conan Edogawa frowned, stepped forward and grabbed his hand urgently, saying, "How can you be alright? You're still bleeding, aren't you? Let's bandage it up and stop the bleeding. I happen to have some tools with me."
Rei Furuya stared at him for two seconds, but ultimately had no choice but to give in.
He sat on the bloodless ground, took off his clothes, and reached out to take out the bandages and medicine he had prepared beforehand for the child to bandage him. He then took out his phone and nervously answered a call.
"Are you injured? Where are you now?" Moribu Kagemitsu asked coldly.
"...I suffered a minor cut, on the fourteenth floor of the building next to the original planned location," Furuya Rei replied obediently.
“I’m coming right away,” said Morofushi Kagemitsu.
"Wait! No need, Conan is already bandaging me up. I'll be there to meet you soon," Furuya Rei said hurriedly, making Edogawa Conan almost stick his finger into his wound in his haste.
Conan Edogawa looked up, surprised by the expression on his face, and whispered, "Is it Inspector Matsuda and the others?"
I don't know what was said on the other end of the phone, but the blond youth's expression immediately froze. Then, like a child who had done something wrong, he trembled his eyelashes with guilt and said softly that he really wouldn't do it again next time.
After hanging up the phone, the blond youth immediately regained his composure, coughed, and nodded, saying, "Yes, it's them."
Conan Edogawa tied a bow on his bandage: "So, the ones who texted and called you that you didn't answer were also them? You didn't tell them you did this?"
Rei Furuya met his gaze defiantly: "Did you tell anyone?"
Conan Edogawa: "..."
That's outrageous, there's no arguing with that.
Rei Furuya smirked: "We're accomplices."
Conan Edogawa looked at him helplessly: "But you're still afraid of making Inspector Matsuda and the others worry, aren't you?"
“But if we tell them, they’ll definitely take the risk too,” Furuya Rei whispered. “You probably understand the feeling of not wanting important people to get hurt because of our decision, but there are some things we just have to do.”
Conan Edogawa sighed inwardly, not wanting to continue this mutually hurtful topic, and joked, "Huh? Does that mean I'm not important to Mr. Amuro?"
“You’re different,” Rei Furuya said. “You’ll be fine.”
Conan Edogawa was stunned for a moment by this seemingly casual yet incredibly firm statement of trust.
"...You think too highly of me." Conan Edogawa's heart was pounding with excitement. He tried to hold back, but couldn't help but let out a helpless yet happy smile.
Rei Furuya also laughed.
However, as the door opened and the blond youth saw Matsuda Jinpei rushing towards him with an expression that looked like he wanted to kill someone, his smile froze and slowly disappeared.
"Blonde bastard! This is not what you said at all!!!" Matsuda Jinpei grabbed Furuya Rei's collar, his arm veins bulging, but he immediately let go when he saw the blood-stained sleeve.
In the end, he could only grit his teeth and curse as he inquired about and checked on Furuya Rei's injuries.
Shortly after, Wataru Date and Kenji Hagiwara also arrived.
"Furuya! You lied to us again! I'm really angry this time!!!"
"Furuya! You've gone way too far!"
Surrounded by three people, the blond youth pitifully raised his hands in surrender, completely unlike his earlier crazy driving self.
The unease and worry that Edogawa Conan had been feeling but couldn't quite put his finger on suddenly vanished upon seeing this scene.
Some people, just seeing them together can give you a sense of security, making you feel that no difficulty can defeat them.
Ignoring the blond youth's accusing and pleading eyes, Conan Edogawa smiled, waved, and turned to leave.
He also needed to go and check on Xiaolan's condition before he could feel at ease.
Well, although it's not good, and although he knows that after everything is over, he will definitely suffer a heavier lesson than the blond youth, Edogawa Conan still breathed a sigh of relief at this moment for having temporarily escaped a disaster.
Fortunately, Xiaolan doesn't know anything right now...
Conan Edogawa jumped down the last step, about to leave the building completely and enter the street illuminated by streetlights.
However, at that moment, a hand suddenly pulled him back from the darkness and shoved him into a hidden corner under the stairwell.
Conan Edogawa: "!!!"
He immediately pressed his hand against the anesthetic needle in his wrist.
"Don't move." A familiar voice came. "It's me."
Conan Edogawa turned around abruptly and confirmed, in the dim light of the other person's phone, that it really was Shuichi Akai.
Moreover, it was Shuichi Akai without disguise, with black hair, green eyes, wearing a knitted hat, holding a sniper rifle, and a solemn expression.
After being released, Conan Edogawa whispered, "What's wrong? Mr. Akai, what are you doing here? What happened?"
“I just saw Scotland outside the window,” Shuichi Akai said.
Conan Edogawa suddenly opened his eyes wide and immediately got up to sneak a peek at what Scotland actually looked like.
Shuichi Akai pulled the child back: "Don't be impulsive. We can't go out now, or Scotland will notice something's wrong."
Conan Edogawa was anxious, flustered, and curious all at once. His bones were aching and itchy. He endured it and asked, "Why did Scotland come here? Has he been following Mr. Amuro all this time? If that's the case, then haven't I been exposed already?"
“He must have just arrived; he wasn’t following you the whole time,” Shuichi Akai said. “I was following you the whole time, but I didn’t notice him.”
Conan Edogawa: "..."
Conan Edogawa: "?"
So why do you keep following us?
Shuichi Akai understood his gaze and said, "I've come to see how you plan to resolve this matter. You guys are very capable."
Conan Edogawa: "..."
Could Mr. Akai have witnessed all of their reckless driving and jumping off buildings?
Whether it was due to the dim lighting or his imagination, Conan Edogawa saw that Shuichi Akai's expression seemed to contort for a moment before he said in a complicated tone, "He still drives recklessly. You must have had a lot of courage to ride in his car."
Conan Edogawa: "..."
So, Mr. Akai, have you ever ridden in a car driven by Mr. Amuro?
And it seems he's been left with considerable psychological trauma?
Conan Edogawa, being quite sensible, didn't press the matter. Instead, he turned to look at the doorway and asked, "Is Scotland waiting for Mr. Amuro? Did Scotland also see Mr. Amuro causing trouble?"
Will Scotland share the same concerns and reprimands as Officer Matsuda and his team regarding Mr. Amuro's reckless behavior?
Shuichi Akai stopped his restless hand: "Neither of us is suitable to be here."
Conan Edogawa had no choice but to watch as the three people behind him went downstairs and left. Then, the sound of several cars starting up indicated that they had all left.
The moment Shuichi Akai let go, the black-haired child darted out of the corner like a cannonball and ran out the door, standing on the roadside and quickly observing.
In the end, Conan Edogawa only saw the rear of a blue Mazda, and couldn't even make out the license plate number.
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