Chapter 94 The Magician on the Cruise Ship (Part 2)
The light from the crystal chandelier spilled across the empty marble floor, casting sparse shadows. The banquet was to begin in twenty minutes, but the large hall was nearly empty of guests.
The flowers used to decorate the display stand drooped slightly in the cold wind, making the whole hall seem even more deserted.
"I wish Kaito Kid would suddenly appear in front of me." Suzuki Atomo rested his chin on his hands, imagining Kaito Kid descending from the sky.
"Sonoko, there's still more than an hour until midnight." Ran Mouri said, holding a plate of strawberry cake in one hand and a fork in the other.
"Oh, Xiaolan! Don't be such a spoilsport."
Ran Mouri and Sonoko Suzuki were joking with each other, while Conan Edogawa stood next to them, hands in his pockets, muttering to himself.
"When the silvery night sky covers the city skyline,
When the second and minute hands coincide at the twelve o'clock mark
When the water lilies release their first delicate fragrance at midnight—
I will come on the wind and take away the sapphire called "Tears of the Righteous".
Respectfully submitted by Kaito Kid
Three nights before the full moon rises.
He was silently reciting what Kaito Kid had written in the announcement letter.
The announcement time is very clear: it will be the night of the full moon, tonight at midnight.
But Conan always felt that things weren't that simple.
He scratched his head, looked up, and happened to see "Kurosawa Jin" and Gu Ze entering through the main gate.
Kurosawa Jin's silver shoulder-length hair was neatly styled, with a few strands falling in front of his forehead, making his blue eyes appear even deeper. His black suit accentuated his tall and straight figure, and he exuded an air of indifference.
Looking at Gu Ze again, his short brown hair exudes youthful energy, and his almond-shaped eyes are slightly upturned at the corners, with a warm amber color that balances the formality of the suit.
With a meaningful smile, Gu Ze scrutinized the fake Kurosawa Jin walking in front of him.
Kaito Kid disguises himself as a puppet made from Gin's ashes, the remains of Jin Kurosawa.
Uh, that's a bit of a mouthful...
Ahem, let's get back to the main topic.
Gu Ze thought that Kuroba Kaito's audacity in choosing to disguise himself as someone in the eye of the storm was extraordinary.
However, fortune favors the bold! He must have his reasons for doing so.
"Brother Gu Ze, Brother Hei Ze."
Conan greeted them as he walked over.
"Conan, you're here too." Kaito Kid smiled kindly, his eyes crinkling.
Gu Ze glanced at Kaito Kid and thought to himself that the guy's acting was pretty good.
"Conan, have you seen Matsuda and Hagiwara?" Gu Ze asked.
“They should be there.” Conan pointed to a small room in the southeast corner, which was covered by a red curtain.
The banquet hall is high and spacious, with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and carved pillars around it, their bodies wrapped with dark gold ribbons and fresh flowers.
On the north side, there was a trapezoidal booth covered with a velvet black background. Behind the booth was a huge floor-to-ceiling window, and in the center of the booth was a display case with lights outlining the sapphire.
It emitted a deep blue light, and even from a great distance, its dazzling firelight could not be obscured.
The southeast corner was completely covered by a red curtain, behind which was a small, compact monitoring room, creating a stark contrast with the glamorous atmosphere outside.
Conan paused, then added, "They're helping Inspector Nakamori review the surveillance footage to prevent suspicious individuals from sneaking in."
"Let's go take a look." Phantom Thief Kid was eager to try his luck when he saw the jewel.
As the group walked toward the booth, Suzuki Jirokichi, who had been discussing things with Officer Nakamori, spotted them and waved to them from afar.
"Mr. Kurosawa, you've finally arrived." Jirokichi Suzuki stood beside the display case, a broad smile on his face.
The group walked up to the platform and began to admire the dazzling sapphire.
Jirokichi Suzuki raised his head and introduced the gemstone with great pride. He told the story of how he obtained the gemstone, starting with the legends associated with it. It was clear that he really liked this treasure and enjoyed it very much.
Gu Ze had no interest in the old man's endless chatter. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, he quietly went to the floor-to-ceiling window behind the display case.
Outside the window, the stars twinkled, and a jade disc hung high in the sky. Under the bright moonlight, the dark, silk-like seawater shimmered with a bright white luster, sparkling in the sunlight.
Lost in the tranquility of the scene, Gu Ze didn't even notice that Conan had come to his side.
"Brother Gu Ze." Conan called softly, bringing Gu Ze back from his reverie.
"Conan, did you know? Our ship is heading east." At this moment, Gu Ze suddenly said.
"Huh?" A question mark appeared above Conan's head. "Of course I know we're heading east!"
"I'm not stupid." He revealed two crescent-shaped eyes.
Seeing Conan's little expression, Gu Ze suddenly wanted to laugh, "Hahaha, Conan, you're really funny."
"Huh?" Conan felt confused.
"Speaking of which, won't Phantom Thief Kid come in through this glass window?" Gu Ze looked the large pane of glass up and down.
"Ahem, no!" Suzuki Jirokichi heard his question and turned to explain.
"This floor-to-ceiling window is made of bulletproof glass, and it has three layers. It is made in China and is sturdy and reliable."
He tapped on the glass case of the display case again. "The same goes for the glass gemstone display cases."
"We can still blow it open with a bomb, right?" Phantom Thief Kid asked with a smile.
"No, based on my understanding of Phantom Thief Kid, he wouldn't use an explosion method," Inspector Nakamori replied. "Otherwise, this cruise ship would be in trouble."
Jirokichi Suzuki tapped his left palm with his right hand and suddenly spoke up, "I remember now, Mr. Kurosawa, you still have a favor to do for me."
"What?" Phantom Thief Kid blinked, feigning confusion.
Jirokichi Suzuki beckoned a technician over.
The technician brought over a device, shone it into Phantom Thief Kid's eyes, and then, holding a computer, pretended to be coding.
"What's this?"
"It's an iris recognition device, Kurosawa-kun." Matsuda Jinpei, wearing sunglasses and a coat, came out of the small house.
Inspector Nakamori's eyes widened. "Why are you out here?"
"The second-year graduate student is watching over things inside. I just came out for some fresh air," Matsuda said irritably. "Besides, Uncle Nakamori, the second-year graduate student and I are on vacation. We have no obligation to help you!"
Knowing he was in the wrong, Officer Nakamori stopped dwelling on Matsuda's form of address and looked away guiltily.
The technicians typed away at the computer and finished in less than five minutes.
“Now, only my iris and Kurosawa’s iris can open this gem display case.” Suzuki Jirokichi laughed heartily, patting Kaito Kid on the back.
"This isn't quite right." Phantom Thief Kid widened his eyes, perfectly portraying his flattery.
"Oh, Mr. Kurosawa, the Suzuki Group and the Kurosawa Group are very good partners. They were good before, they are good now, and they will be even better in the future!"
"Around midnight, I'll lower the display case into the safe room beneath the booth. The walls there are made of 20-meter-thick, solid stone, and it's completely enclosed on all sides..."
Jirokichi Suzuki gave a sermon-like explanation, believing that his security system was invincible and that the awkward part was unnecessary.
Those present were all prominent figures; it wouldn't be appropriate to publicly humiliate them.
"Pfft." Gu Ze, who knew the inside story, couldn't hold back any longer.
Hahaha, that's hilarious! Hahahaha, Kaito Kid's iris can open this jewel display case, what's the difference between that and giving it to Kaito Kid personally?
10:50, cruise ship banquet hall.
Jirokichi Suzuki stood on the platform and used a microphone to give his opening remarks to the guests.
"Everyone, welcome to..."
"Around 11:45, we will lower the gem display case, and by then, Phantom Thief Kid will have no chance of getting the gem."
"So, before that, please enjoy this beautiful gem and the banquet to the fullest!"
After he finished speaking, a cheer erupted from the audience.
Crystal chandeliers hung down, shimmering with light, and wine glasses were arranged in rows on a long table, displaying a dazzling array of desserts and snacks.
Waiters in sharp uniforms carried exquisite silver platters filled with food, moving among the guests. Ladies wore flowing skirts, while gentlemen wore suits. Whispers and light laughter mingled, occasionally interspersed with cheerful greetings.
Kaito Kid, holding a bottle of champagne, approached the display stand, gazing at the glittering sapphire in the glass case, a look of confidence flashing in his eyes.
He glanced around and felt that it was about time.
"Smack!"
The lights in the banquet hall went out in an instant.
"Oh no, why is it so dark?"
"What happened?"
"It's Kaito Kid! Kaito Kid is coming!"
"But there's still an hour until midnight."
"..."
The crowd was noisy and restless, and an atmosphere of anxiety permeated the darkness.
"Don't panic, everyone! The backup power will be activated soon!" Officer Nakamori maintained order at the scene while instructing the other officers.
As everyone's pupils gradually adjusted to the darkness, the moonlight streaming in through the huge French windows became the only source of light in the room.
By the moonlight, Conan raised his wrist to check the time, which was exactly eleven o'clock.
Why did we arrive an hour early?
At that moment, Kaito Kid's voice, with its reverberant quality, echoed through the banquet hall.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment of the performance is about to begin! Are you ready?"
"Oh no! It's Phantom Thief Kid!" Jirokichi Suzuki was visibly panicked. "Quick! Quick! Lower the jewel display case to the safe house!"
However, it was too late!
"I'm taking this 'Tear of Justice'!" As soon as Phantom Thief Kid finished speaking, a white figure appeared in front of the land window.
Upon seeing that familiar figure, Officer Nakamori shouted with fury, "Grab him!"
"Clang!"
The giant floor-to-ceiling window behind the booth shattered for no apparent reason, without any smoke, dust, or external force.
The sea breeze suddenly rushed in through the hole in the window, making Inspector Nakamori and Jirokichi Suzuki feel a chill in their hearts.
When the two ran onto the display stand and looked out the window, they could only see a white hang glider drifting away over the sea.
Immediately afterwards, power was restored, and the scattered glass shards on the display stand shimmered with a faint glow. The sapphire on the half-lowered display case had vanished without a trace.
"This...this...how is this possible!" Suzuki Jirokichi stared incredulously at the empty cabinet. "How did Phantom Thief Kid take the jewels out?"
"Damn it! This thief arrived an hour early!" Officer Nakamori cursed.
Conan stood in front of the booth, head down, lost in thought.
Why an hour earlier?
Could it be!
"Our ship is heading east..." Gu Ze's words suddenly echoed in Conan's ears.
"Yes! The ship is heading east, and the time zone where the ship is currently located is 12 o'clock, which is one hour ahead of Tokyo time."
hateful!
Conan looked around and found that Gu Ze was gone, as was Kurosawa Jin.
Gu Ze and Kurosawa!
He had a vague idea that Kaito Kid was hiding between these two people.
One was to remind him of the time difference, and the other was to open the gem display case.
He preferred Kurosawa Jin, since the benefits of that identity were the most obvious.
"Officer Matsuda, where did Gu Ze go? And what about Kurosawa?" Conan ran up to Matsuda and asked.
"Gu Ze left before the power went out. As for Hei Ze... he just said he was a little sleepy and wanted to go back to rest."
It was him! Conan had his answer.
"Quick, catch up with him!" Conan turned and ran towards the gate.
I almost bumped into Kenji Hagiwara as he came out of the monitoring room.
Hagiwara asked in confusion, "Conan, where are you going?"
"It's Kaito Kid! Kurosawa Jin was Kaito Kid in disguise!" Conan shouted as he turned around.
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