After bidding farewell to the other members of the Detective Boys, as well as the client and the kidnapped artist,
the Death God Elementary School Student walked home alone, his hands clasped behind his head.
No, it wasn't on his way home; it should be said he was on his way to Dr. Agasa's Laboratory.
Because if he didn't go home so late, and went back to the Mori Detective Agency, he would hundred percent get a Mouri God Fist from Uncle Mouri, and even Ran would nag him for an hour or so. It was better to spend the night at Dr. Agasa's place.
Anyway, Ran had probably already called Dr. Agasa, and Dr. Agasa had probably already dealt with it, right?
“Seriously, how did Genta and the others even get involved with such a dangerous person…?”
Conan mumbled to himself.
Less than five minutes had passed since he left the Detective Boys to make a phone call.
When he turned back, he found the Detective Boys were gone, and when he reached the third floor, he saw all the other Silver Fox accomplices lying on the ground, and even Silver Fox was scared stiff by that Black-Clad Person…
If the Mihua Town police were as efficient as that Black-Clad Person, most Detectives would be out of a job, wouldn't they?
“This time, I’ll ask Dr. Agasa to help investigate this urban legend.”
“I always feel like this person wearing black clothes, skilled in holding a gun, and exuding a frightening aura, resembles a Black Organization member… But then again, Black Organization members don't seem like the type to do something like this…”
He walked on and on, then suddenly stopped.
Because, not far from Conan’s line of sight, he seemed to see a figure leaning against a wall.
That posture didn’t look like resting; it was more like simply waiting for someone. But who would wait for someone in Mihua Town at night?
“How strange…”
The Death God Elementary School Student pushed up his plain glasses.
A white light flashed from the lenses, making this shrunken Detective look exceptionally dangerous.
His hand pressed on his belt, and a deflated soccer ball popped out from the belt’s opening, falling to the ground, rapidly expanding into a fully inflated soccer ball.
Conan leaned forward, stepping on the surface of the soccer ball, causing it to slightly indent.
His fingers were vaguely on the button of his shoes; with a slight twist, the shoes Dr. Agasa gave him for self-defense would release an electric current, stimulating his muscles and boosting his kicking power to an exaggerated degree—
Thus transforming him into a superhero soccer player, possessing the mighty strength to kick a satellite flying ( ).
In reality, he couldn't do it, but that didn't negate the fact that if the shoes were continuously modified for half a year, they might reach that level.
“Please explain clearly why you aren’t home, but instead appeared on the path I must take to Dr. Agasa’s house, Ai Haibara.”
The Death God Elementary School Student asked.
He had found Ai Haibara very strange from the beginning; neither her behavior nor her demeanor was like that of a child.
And at the Owatari Press, after being held hostage by Silver Fox and after the Black-Clad Person fired a gun, the other Detective Boys fell into a certain state of panic, but Ai Haibara did not at all.
This mysterious transfer student seemed to maintain that calm attitude from the very beginning.
She calmly observed the situation, as if always ready to intervene and turn the tide, only relaxing after the Black-Clad Person fired and left.
“As expected of the Detective Kudo Shinichi; even shrunken, he possesses such keen observation skills.”
The figure waiting by the wall stepped out of the darkness.
Revealing a small girl’s physique, proving Conan’s deduction was correct.
…It seems my true identity has been exposed?
Conan’s brows furrowed slightly.
“Although I know the Black Organization’s power is vast, I didn’t expect them to have such young members.”
“That Black-Clad Person who appeared at the Owatari Press was also a member of the Black Organization, wasn’t he? He only intervened to protect you, so he dealt with Silver Fox’s crime syndicate…”
“Of course, the Black Organization doesn’t have members around ten years old, Kudo Shinichi. I am just like you.”
Ai Haibara noticed the soccer ball at Conan’s feet.
So, she slightly changed the subject to avoid being sent to the hospital for recuperation with a single kick.
“The drug you took is called APTX4869. It’s a poison. Besides you, whose whereabouts are 【unknown】, everyone else who took it is 【dead】. Therefore, you have long been within the organization’s investigation scope.”
“So, I, codenamed 【Sherry】, also took this drug and shrunk to approach you for investigation.”
“Now, your true identity has been exposed, so the organization has already acted. That Black-Clad Person sent to protect has now entered Dr. Agasa’s Laboratory and has… 【disposed】 of that chubby old man.”
…What?! They’ve already acted against Dr. Agasa?!
A trace of shock flashed through the Detective Kudo Shinichi’s heart, then it was filled with anger.
He almost instinctively wanted to twist the button on his shoes for a powerful soccer ball impact.
This kick would definitely be enough to collapse both the person and the wall behind her.
But Conan ultimately abandoned this plan and instead sped up, rushing towards Dr. Agasa’s Laboratory.
The shoes couldn’t stimulate the human body too many times in a short period.
If he wasted one here on this shrunken organization member, then he might not be able to defeat that Black-Clad Person!
Tap, tap, tap.
The sound of footsteps gradually faded away.
Only then did Ai Haibara calmly follow.
Everything she said was, of course, a lie. The organization certainly hadn't noticed Kudo Shinichi's situation, because she had changed 【unknown】 to 【dead】. And that Black-Clad Person?
That Black-Clad Person was completely opposed to the organization and couldn't possibly be here to protect her, a former organization member.
This was merely a prank, to make Kudo Shinichi realize the danger of his childish make-believe Detective games, to make him give up his fantasies and face reality…
However, just as she had walked a couple of steps, she suddenly froze.
Because, at that moment, Dr. Agasa’s Laboratory actually had lights on!
This made no sense. Dr. Agasa should have gone to bed by this time. It was impossible for lights to be on in Dr. Agasa’s Laboratory unless there was someone else inside Dr. Agasa’s Laboratory…!
Creak—
The door to Dr. Agasa’s Laboratory was not locked.
Therefore, Conan pushed hard and directly opened the laboratory door.
His gaze fell upon the scattered, messy furnishings, and he didn't see Dr. Agasa's figure, making him even more anxious.
Then, the Death God Elementary School Student’s heart suddenly tightened, because he saw a terrifying figure.
Immediately, he almost without thinking released a soccer ball, set his shoes to maximum power, and kicked a powerful shot!
Whoosh—
The soccer ball’s speed was extremely fast, audible from the sound of it cutting through the air.
But what Conan never expected was that the figure actually turned its head, caught the rapidly advancing soccer ball with a backhand, then threw it down, stepped on it forcefully, and directly burst the soccer ball!
“What time is it, and you’re still playing soccer?”
Even Nara Hikaru, at this moment, had a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Did this Death God Elementary School Student eat gunpowder? He came in with a kick? Was this power meant to kill?
His gaze fell on Ai Haibara, who appeared right behind Conan, seemingly a bit out of breath from running too fast.
Then, Nara Hikaru said,
“Kudo Shinichi, you are too emotional and not very calm. You are not accustomed to thinking with your brain.”
“You should understand one thing… If I wanted to kill you, then you wouldn’t have the chance to kick a soccer ball!”