Chapter 38 (Chapter 37) Glacial Ruins: The Mission in Ireland...
I have ten virtues:
Fifth, be filial to your elders.
Because they caught the morning train, they arrived in Osaka in the late afternoon. The group took a taxi to the hotel to unpack their luggage.
Kogoro Mouri, clutching several room keys in his hand, watched with considerable displeasure as 'Shinichi Kudo,' who had suddenly appeared there, easily obtained his room key from the blushing receptionist. Conan, standing beside him, also wore a sour expression.
The two men, one tall and one short, both looked down at the high school boy in simple casual clothes with displeasure. With just a few words, the boy had managed to make the saleswoman laugh uncontrollably, and an inexplicable radiance enveloped him, making him shine like a peacock spreading its tail.
"You brat." Kogoro Mouri's lips twitched.
"Damn it, how could I possibly look like this?" Conan crossed his arms and looked up at the Phantom Thief Kid, who was effortlessly flirting with girls.
Silently, the little boy raised his soccer shoe high with a blank expression and stomped hard on the foot of Kaito Kuroba, who was still chatting with the girl. After the girl jumped three feet high, he breathed a sigh of relief, put his hands behind his head, and walked happily to Ran Mouri's side.
The girl, wearing the red jacket he had chosen, was watching 'Shinichi Kudo' jumping around and crying out in pain. Her brows were furrowed, but she looked away when she noticed Conan approaching, and smiled down at the child.
Sonoko Suzuki leaned closer with a gossipy look on her face, teasing Ran Mouri by saying, "Ran, why are you staring at your boyfriend like that?"
Sonoko, you idiot, what are you even saying?! Upon hearing the word "boyfriend," Conan's face suddenly turned red, and white smoke began to rise uncontrollably from his head.
Ran Mouri simply shook her head slightly at Sonoko Suzuki, her expression not lightening. Instead, she asked her friend hesitantly in a low voice, "Sonoko, don't you think... Shinichi is acting a little strange today?"
Ran? Conan was taken aback, and his embarrassment vanished as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.
He looked up at Ran Mouri, whose hands were unconsciously clenched into fists, and easily saw the unease in her heart from these habitual little gestures.
Even though I myself think it looks almost exactly the same, but... did Ran recognize that it wasn't me? Conan's eyes lit up, and joy burst into his heart like a fountain bursting from the ground.
He raised his hand to tug at Ran Mouri's clothes to hint at something unusual, but then Sonoko Suzuki, who had straightened up upon hearing the question, tossed her hair, shrugged, and said, "Really? I think he's always liked to show off, so it's normal."
Hey! Sonoko, you idiot!
Conan couldn't help but stomp his foot in frustration, only to see Ran Mouri say hesitantly, "But, Kaito Kid might be nearby right now, isn't he..."
But Sonoko Suzuki, with her short hair and headband, shook her head, further proving her point. She strode over to 'Shinichi Kudo' and mercilessly pinched his face with both hands, pulling it to the left and right, shouting to Ran Mouri, "Look, Ran! It's him!"
"What are you doing, Sonoko?" Kaito Kuroba, who had noticed the person approaching immediately, wanted to dodge without leaving a trace, but after realizing what this Miss Suzuki wanted to do, he let her grab his face.
After confirming that the other person had grabbed his face and finished checking, Kuroba Kaito gently slapped the girl's hand away, acting as if he was indifferent to Suzuki Sonoko as usual, and said speechlessly, "You suspect I'm Kaito Kid?"
"Well, I don't think Lord Kid would end up like you, a lousy man who leaves his wife all day long." Sonoko Suzuki retorted mercilessly, then swung her wrist and walked back to take Ran Mouri's hand, who was grinning sheepishly, saying, "Alright Ran, is everything alright now? Let's go pack our luggage."
"Ah, ah... okay, let's go."
Left behind, Conan was led down the alleyway, his lips twitching as he watched Sonoko Suzuki and Ran Mouri loudly praise the magnificent Kaito Kid. He then affectionately linked arms with his friend and turned into the guest room next to Kogoro Mouri's.
Sonoko, that woman, is truly something else...
Conan, almost laughing in anger, turned around and gave the imposter a cold look before rushing into the room next to Ran Mouri's.
I absolutely, positively will not let you get close to Xiaolan!
Kaito Kuroba raised an eyebrow as he watched the child run away. With one hand pulling his suitcase and the other in his pocket, he turned to look at the frizzy-haired girl who was standing next to the Kansai high school detective. The little girl, who was about the same height as his suitcase, was holding a pen and writing something in her notebook.
This elementary school student named Zhuge Tongzhi knew his true identity. Kuroba Kaito, whose disguise had been exposed at their first meeting, narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Hattori Heiji hang up the phone and stand up. Zhuge Tongzhi carefully put away his notebook and waved goodbye to the high school student who was going home.
The girl, dressed in a solid black and white outfit, had a sweet smile that softened the somberness of the overly simple colors. She pulled her suitcase toward Kaito Kuroba, who was standing still.
"Thank you for saving me." Zhuge Tongzhi stood in front of the phantom thief, lowering his voice to a level that the other person could just hear, and thanked him generously: "If it weren't for you, I would be game over."
Kaito Kuroba smirked, reached out and ruffled the girl's slightly longer, frizzy short hair, and grinned, "You're welcome, lovely lady. It's such a pleasant surprise to see you alright."
"If it weren't for you, that bomb disposal officer would have died in the line of duty. How did you know the bomb would explode?"
"Oh dear, how could I possibly know beforehand? It was just a coincidence—" Zhuge Tongzhi blinked, looking at Kuroba Kaito with an innocent and inquisitive expression.
The phantom thief shrugged, and together with the girl, they pulled the suitcases and walked side by side toward the guest room opposite Kogoro Mouri and his group.
"Well, everyone has their little secrets."
"Relax—I will protect your secret."
"Is this a threat?" Kaito Kuroba stopped in front of the room opposite Ran Mouri's, looking down at the girl who took out her room key and stood on tiptoe to reach the automatic door.
With a beep, Zhuge Tongzhi pushed open the door, turned to look at Kuroba Kaito, and said seriously, "No, this is a promise."
"I promise, if you need my help, I will do everything I can to help you." The girl, shrouded in mystery, spoke in a clear voice, her eyes as bright as obsidian. She smiled at Kaito Kuroba and then walked into the room.
"Hmm, help?" Kaito Kuroba tilted his head, placed the card in his hand on the sensor area, pushed open the door, and muttered to himself nonchalantly, "Grandpa Terai's help is enough for the Phantom Thief."
But what kind of person could raise such a child?
As the phantom thief threw himself onto the large bed, he thought of the two seemingly legitimate identity documents he had found, and then he recalled his fruitless attempt to follow Mr. Midorikawa Hikaru.
What a huge mystery!
Mr. Phantom Thief sighed, then sat up and opened the door after a knock. As soon as he opened the door, Sonoko Suzuki shoved a Conan into his arms. The child, with a sour face, crossed his arms and looked at his silly childhood friend who had repeatedly dragged him down.
Sonoko Suzuki's reason was that everyone had a single room, so Conan, who was originally supposed to be given to Ran Mouri, was instead given to the more suitable 'Shinichi Kudo'.
However, Conan understood that this woman was simply annoyed that he was clinging to Ran Mouri.
The grumpy kid nimbly jumped off the bewildered high school student's arms, picked up his small suitcase, walked to the bedside, and began tidying up his things in the new room with remarkable adaptability—well, that way it would be easier to monitor Kaito Kid.
The shrunken detective and the yawning phantom thief exchanged a glance, and a fierce fighting spirit ignited in their slightly different blue eyes.
While Conan and Kid were bickering, Zhuge Tongzhi, who knew his friends were no longer of any use, quietly closed the door to his room, slung his small backpack over his shoulder, and walked out of the hotel lobby alone, entering the address of the Lao Bai Gan (a type of Chinese liquor) shop from his notebook.
The girl, who had her cast removed just in time, stretched her arm with the medical shoulder brace, tightened her shoulder straps with renewed energy, and set off confidently towards the store, following the navigation.
Lao Bai Gan! Here I come!
Meanwhile, Kogoro Mouri, who was watching TV, felt a vibration in his pocket. He took out his phone and saw that it was a text message from Hikaru Midorikawa. The man who had been out of contact for three days had replied to his text message after nearly three days.
'
From: Hikaru Midorikawa
Title: Brief Message Reply
I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Mori. I will definitely visit you to express my gratitude when I return to Tokyo.
'
"What? They didn't even mention the kids." Kogoro Mouri glanced at the text message page speechlessly, then casually stuffed his phone back into his pocket and continued watching Yoko Okino on TV, a rather lecherous smile on his face.
The thought of complaining that had just arisen in his mind was swept away by him:
Where did you go that you haven't had a signal for three days...? Hehe, Ms. Yoko, hehehe.
…
Osaka
In an inconspicuous little single room near the 'Glacier Relics' jewelry exhibition
The person who was being criticized had just turned off their flip phone and was staring blankly at the off screen for a while, while their hand fumbled for the rough strap of the violin case beside their leg.
A blond, dark-skinned man walked barefoot up behind him, carrying two glasses of lemonade. Seeing the man's expression and the other phone in his hand, he asked, "What's wrong, Hiro? Did something happen with the ale?"
"Ah, Zero." Morofushi Kagemitsu, who was fiddling with the strap of the violin case, took the water that Furuya Rei handed him, took a sip to moisten his throat, and then gave a helpless smile and replied, "Yeah, I didn't expect that she could still come to Osaka even with a cast on."
"Just Osaka?" Furuya Rei said with certainty after just one glance at his childhood friend's expression, "She's here at this jewelry exhibition too."
“Yes, we’re following Kogoro Mouri to capture Kaito Kid.” Morofushi Kagemitsu looked down at the mint leaves swaying in his water glass and reassured Rei Furuya, who was frowning, “It shouldn’t affect our operation.”
“You’re still too lenient with that kid.” Furuya Rei shook his head and said seriously, “But it’s also because it’s inconvenient for you to contact the police right now, otherwise you should have moved the organization members to a place where the police can guarantee their safety.”
“Zero, you know her situation. This is the most stable situation for her.” Morofushi Kagemitsu downed his lemonade in one gulp, licked his lips, and smiled at his childhood friend, “Let’s take a look at the current mission. How’s your intelligence gathering going?”
"As usual, Ireland doesn't trust me and refuses to tell me his identity. Vermouth is still as mysterious as ever." Furuya Rei's expression turned cold in an instant, switching to bourbon mode, and his eyes revealed a gray quality.
About five days ago, the organization issued a mission to assassinate a neuroscience medical expert. Gin was in charge, Ireland was the operative, Bourbon was the intelligence officer, and some lower-ranking members were added as assistants to form a mission team.
Because the medical expert usually stays at home and focuses on research, but his few hobbies include appreciating gemstones with stories, he booked the second day of the jewelry exhibition last time, but it was postponed due to an accident. This time, he went straight to the first day of the exhibition.
Ireland then disguised himself and infiltrated the jewelry exhibition's staff, while Bourbon was responsible for providing him with relevant intelligence.
Upon receiving the news, the police immediately issued a mission to rescue the expert as much as possible and help him fake his death to escape. Morofushi Kagemitsu, who was originally investigating clues with Furuya Rei, naturally joined the operation.
However, since the identity of the undercover agent in the police station is still unknown, Morofushi Hiromitsu is currently a shadow between the Black Organization and the Public Security Bureau, and has not left a trace on either side.
Those blue eyes, with their upturned corners, were filled with the most comforting tenderness. Morofushi Kagemitsu reached out and squeezed his childhood friend's shoulder tightly, saying, "Don't worry, Zero, I'm here."
Rei Furuya relaxed for a moment and began to analyze the situation in detail with his friend:
"If it's a disguise... I remember Ireland is quite large?" Morofushi Kagemitsu recalled uncertainly the information he knew; he knew more about the organization's snipers.
“Ireland is tall and strong, but not fat.” Rei Furuya scribbled a bunch of names off on the paper with the attendees listed. “Weight and body shape are easy to change, but there aren’t many people who fit this height.”
“Hmm, he also needs to be able to easily reach the mission target… Zero, here…”
“Good idea, Hiro, but…”
Outside the safe house window, the setting sun gradually dyed a large part of the sky red, draping a colorful cloak over the two men huddled together discussing a plan, and similarly casting a red veil-like filter over the short-haired girl standing at the shop entrance.
…
Outside Huaxia Wine Import Store
After following the navigation all the way to the shop mentioned by Hattori Heiji, Zhuge Tongzhi, full of confidence and ready to pay in full for his final victory, was still ruthlessly kicked out by the shop owner because minors are not allowed to buy alcohol. Despite once again using the excuse that he wanted to buy alcohol to give to his uncle, he was still kicked out because of the rule that minors are not allowed to buy alcohol.
The short-haired girl stood forlornly under the setting sun, carrying a backpack. She sighed as she looked at the crimson sky, then decisively took out her phone and called Conan.
"Hey, great detective, I need to borrow Phantom Thief Kid for a bit."
"It's Lao Bai Gan (a type of Chinese liquor), we minors can't buy it... Okay... By the way, remember to have him do a disguise, you're a high school student and a minor too, right?"
"Alright, enough talk, the shop is about to close, hurry up."
After hanging up the phone, Zhuge Tongzhi recalled the size of the Lao Bai Gan bottle, turned around and went into the convenience store next door, and bought two small bottles of drinking water.
Later, she would split the baijiu in half and secretly put it into a mineral water bottle. As long as she tightened the cap, she could fool Sister Xiaolan. The girl, who was good at planning, unscrewed the cap and poured both bottles of water into the greenery by the street.
Half an hour later, two mineral water bottles, each half-filled with a clear liquid, were handed to Zhuge Tongzhi and Conan.
Disguised as a rough-looking middle-aged man, Phantom Thief Kid looked on in bewilderment at the two children who were clutching the liquor like precious treasures, listening to them discuss when it was appropriate to drink it and how to drink it safely.
The two children finally reached an agreement to drink the wine one after the other, and decided to go to Professor Agasa's house to experiment after the jewelry exhibition the next day.
A bottle of mineral water that looked like it was half-finished was put into Zhuge Tongzhi's schoolbag. The rich aroma of liquor was dutifully sealed inside by the tightly screwed-on cap, waiting to be opened a day later.
…
The next day, the moment I stepped into the glacier relic exhibition hall, O-D navigation updated simultaneously.
"Current path: Restart countdown and dazzling magic show (60% complete)"
"Waypoint: Glacier Remnants in Osaka (Completed)"
Next waypoint: The struggle beyond the gems (incomplete)
"Turn right ahead and go straight for 234 meters."
Zhuge Tongzhi turned his gaze away from the blue and white navigation box and looked at Inspector Nakamori, who was explaining the situation to Kogoro Mouri. The burly officer was wearing the same uniform he wore at the Harukawa Tower, with two assistants behind him.
The police officer, whose lifelong career goal has always been to capture the Phantom Thief Kid, spoke with his usual passionate and enthusiastic tone. With a wave of his hand, he introduced the inescapable trap he had set for Kid, which, in terms of scale, was even greater than the one he had set up at Qingchuan Tower.
Conan listened to the seemingly bizarre but well-founded inspection regulations and couldn't help but reveal his crescent-shaped eyes, thinking: These are all good ideas, it would be even better if the Phantom Thief himself didn't understand them all.
The boy, somewhat bored, put his hands in his pockets and looked around at the interior of the egg-shaped exhibition hall. As he turned his head, he saw Zhuge Tongzhi and Kuroba Kaito frown at the same time. Both of them concealed the expression in their eyes, but their gazes were fixed on Inspector Nakamori's face.
What's wrong? Conan paused, looked at Inspector Nakamori again, scanning his chin, neck, hairline and other details, but found nothing unusual.
As Nakamori Ginzo praised the high school detective, Kuroba Kaito touched his cheek sheepishly and waved his hand, indicating that he was naturally not as experienced as the police officer who had been chasing Kid for many years.
As 'Nakamori Ginzo' turned around to lead the Mori group to visit the jewelry storage location, Kuroba Kaito licked his lips, reached into his pocket, and blindly typed a text message to Nakamori Aoko, Nakamori Ginzo's daughter and his childhood friend.
'
From: Stupid Kaito
Title: Untitled
Aoko, is Uncle Nakamori in Osaka on a business trip?
'
A short while later, Aoko's reply arrived. Kaito Kuroba calmly took out his phone, glanced at it, and put it back, secretly clicking his tongue in amazement.
'
From：青子
Title: Reply
Yes, Dad is going to Osaka to catch Kaito Kid. He went there last night.
'
That's troublesome. Kaito Kuroba's blue eyes darkened, and he looked at Ginzo Nakamori with wariness. This wasn't the real Ginzo Nakamori.
Zhuge Tongzhi withdrew his gaze and looked up at the void before him, where blue and white prompts were flashing:
"Pathway point associated individual detected: Nakamori Ginzo (Ireland)"
Please pay attention to your direction of travel.
So who exactly is Ireland?
Conan, Zhuge Tongzhi, and Kuroba Kaito all looked at the burly figure in front of them.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Morofu: Why can he run so fast even with a cast on?
Descending Valley: Bourbon is now available.
Conan: Busy protecting Ran
Zhuge: Diligently pushing forward the main storyline
Ran: I find Shinichi Kudo increasingly strange.
Sonoko: Ahhhhh, I'm going to see Lord Kid! Ahhhhh!
…
Damn it, something came up in the real world.
Tomorrow, definitely
Mwah
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