Conan finally recalled why he felt Haibara Ai's voice was so familiar. Back then, when he was captured by the Black Organization, undergoing a surgical procedure to extract his memory, he had heard this voice in a dazed, confused state! However, Conan's consciousness at that time was too hazy; he didn't fully remember the voice.
Now, seeing Haibara Ai again and hearing her teasing words, Conan finally remembered who she was.
Yes, Sherry, that member of the Black Organization!
But why was she so young, looking like a primary school student, just like himself? Wait, could it be...
Looking at Conan's flickering and constricted pupils, Haibara Ai, who was also highly skilled in psychology, immediately guessed what he was thinking.
"You're right. Like you, I also took APTX4869."
"APTX4869? The name of that drug?" Conan asked in surprise, his expression turning frantic. This was the most important information he had obtained since shrinking!
He subconsciously moved to touch the watch on his wrist, intending to use the anesthetic needle on this little girl, then obtain the drug from her, and even try to get an antidote from her.
"Don't move, Kudo Shinichi. You also have a strange pair of shoes on your wrist. Don't think they're useful; you can look around you." Haibara Ai's words brought Conan back to his senses somewhat. His expression was startled, and he was bewildered. He didn't know how Haibara Ai knew the secrets of these gadgets.
Conan, following Haibara Ai's words, looked around. At this moment, the lights in the living room came on, and Conan almost fainted. From the high corners of the living room, the ceiling actually opened automatically, and four machine guns extended out from within!
This... this was no ordinary mansion. It was simply a small fortress. Those four machine guns were precisely controlled by Fujiwara Tōru from Gunma Prefecture. Through the cameras, he watched Haibara Ai's performance with amusement.
Conan was so scared that he broke out in a cold sweat. He mumbled, "Fujiwara Tōru, are you the M?!"
Haibara Ai seemed to pause for a moment, then she chuckled. "How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Is that not true? He..." Haibara Ai interrupted him: "Fujiwara Tōru has nothing to do with my organization. On the contrary, he's actually a CIA agent, currently investigating my organization. It seems even you, great detective Kudo Shinichi, have your blind spots."
"CIA, investigating your organization? Then why are you with him... I understand! You used your identity as a child to trick him!"
Conan's expression was a mix of surprise and anger, and he also felt very angry. He had previously had two suspicions about Fujiwara Tōru: either he was an official agent, or he was related to the Black Organization. However, some of Fujiwara Tōru's actions made him feel that the possibility of Fujiwara Tōru being part of the Black Organization was higher.
Now Conan realized he had been wrong. He had previously thought Fujiwara Tōru was an official agent of Neon. But if the other party was an American official agent, then everything made sense.
The good news was that the organization had indeed entered the government's radar, and he was not fighting alone.
The bad news was that a 'good guy' had been infiltrated by a mole. He didn't know if Fujiwara Tōru would be in danger!
Although Conan was not happy about Fujiwara Tōru 'hooking up' with her, he also didn't want to see a good person suffer harm.
"It seems you, Kudo Shinichi, are not as stupid as I thought. You should still remember the bombing case at a medical research institute in Tokyo's Nerima Ward some time ago."
"That was precisely the organization's research institute. Fujiwara Tōru led people to attack that institute at the time, wanting to investigate information."
"I felt the danger at the time and, in a panic, took APTX4869, never expecting that my body would actually shrink."
"I used my identity as a child to deceive him. He wouldn't have guessed that there's such a medicine that can shrink people."
"Sure enough, Fujiwara Tōru fell for it. I not only survived but also infiltrated the side of a CIA executive. This is truly an unexpected joy."
Haibara Ai made it very clear about her relationship with Fujiwara Tōru, and took all the blame upon herself.
This way, no matter what Fujiwara Tōru wanted to do, her actions would not affect him. Haibara Ai was unwilling to involve Fujiwara Tōru in danger that did not belong to him because of her own reasons.
"He's a CIA executive?!" Conan was shocked. This position was not low, and Fujiwara Tōru was still young and held a high position. His future was limitless. But the Black Organization had used Fujiwara Tōru in this way.
Conan's mind raced. He had to figure out how to tell Fujiwara Tōru the truth without leaving any trace. Haibara Ai saw through Conan's little scheme at a glance. She said coldly, "I advise you not to do that, Kudo Shinichi."
"I've always been by Fujiwara Tōru's side. No matter what you want to do, I will be the first to discover it."
"If you dare to do anything out of line, your father and your mother won't live. Oh, right, there's also that Dr. Agasa. You should think carefully about the surgery we performed on him last time we caught him."
Conan gritted his teeth, punching the floor forcefully. "Damn it!!" This bastard organization actually threatened his family and friends.
But Conan truly dared not act rashly. This organization had such power, and they absolutely would not be merciful.
"Why haven't you killed me then? What exactly do you want to do?!" Conan asked, his eyes bloodshot.
"You are a very good experimental subject. APTX4869 was invented by me, and initially, I never thought it would have the effect of shrinking people."
"When I discovered this secret, I was very excited. An excellent experimental subject like you cannot simply have an accident."
"Oh, right, Kudo. My research on your blood and bone marrow led me to the conclusion that your cells have stopped growing, meaning you won't grow any taller."
Haibara Ai held the silenced pistol in her hand, playfully making faces, completely unlike the serious look on her face when talking to Fujiwara Tōru.
"You're the inventor of this drug? You're telling me I won't grow taller?!" Conan was utterly terrified. How could this be? If he would always be a child, then he...
He felt a deep fear.
"Heh heh, don't be too scared, Kudo. Look, I also shrunk just like you. I don't want to live as a child forever, either."
"So, I tried to research an antidote, and this is it."
Haibara Ai took out another capsule from the small box.
Conan's breathing quickened: "Is that the antidote?"
"I only researched an experimental antidote. The side effects are unknown, and I also don't know if taking it will truly restore you. 0... Please give me fresh flowers."
"You... want to test the medicine on me?"
"That's right, you don't want to be a child forever, do you?"
Haibara Ai tossed the capsule at Conan's feet, saying coldly, like a queen high above, "If you want to take it, then pick it up yourself."
"If you don't want to eat it, that's fine. I'll force you to eat it."
"You..."
Conan glared directly at Haibara Ai. He had no choice but to bend down and pick up the capsule.
Haibara Ai didn't want to be a test subject herself, and Kudo Shinichi was much more convenient.
"Alright, you can leave now, Great Detective Kudo. Remember, don't tell anyone about my affairs, otherwise your family and friends will be in danger."
"If you still want to return to Kudo Shinichi's identity, then you must obediently listen to me. No one understands APTX4869 better than its creator, right?" Haibara Ai urged.
"If I really return to Kudo Shinichi's identity, they'll probably kill me directly." If she really is the inventor of this drug, I actually need her right now. I can just use this opportunity to probe for information about that organization, and then slowly look for an opportunity!
...
Kudo Shinichi was not a person who would give up easily. As long as his life remained, he was extremely bold and daring. With this thought in mind, Conan suppressed his emotions and left the Western-style mansion with the medicine.
After Kudo Shinichi left, Haibara Ai let out a sigh of relief. She actually didn't like this kind of threatening behavior, but there were some things she had no choice but to do.
"You saw my performance just now, right?"
Haibara Ai picked up her phone and dialed Fujiwara Tōru's number.
"I saw it all. You acted quite well. Kudo Shinichi was completely fooled by you."
"That means I am a bad woman, so I acted very convincingly."
Haibara Ai laughed at herself. "There's nothing wrong with being a bad woman. Bad women are charismatic. I'm also a bad man." Heh, but with your performance just now, I estimate Kudo Shinichi will turn into a silly good guy in your eyes, a silly good guy bullied by a bad woman.
Fujiwara Tōru also found it amusing.
"Hmph."
Ai-chan hummed softly, a shallow smile playing on the corner of her lips.
A bad man and a bad woman, they truly were a match made in heaven.
"Oh, right, why are there cameras in my room too?" Haibara Ai's voice suddenly turned cold.
"That's because I'm worried about your safety, you know."
"Heh, worried about my safety, so you install cameras in a girl's room?"
"You should be called 'little girl'."
"Doesn't that just prove you're a pervert?!"
Haibara Ai snorted softly. She returned to her room and said tiredly, "I'm asleep. You should also get some rest."
Although she knew there were cameras in the room, Haibara Ai pretended not to know. She took off her jacket and put on a childlike-style nightgown, suppressing her embarrassment, and climbed onto the bed.
In Gunma Prefecture, Fujiwara Tōru watched Ai-chan on his phone; she was already asleep, and he was also ready to rest. Tomorrow, he would have to accompany Yukiko and Eri on a trip. He heard that one of Yukiko's classmates had given her a commission.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang. It was a call from the US side.
"I wonder if they're having a time difference. Can't they let people sleep?"
Fujiwara Tōru, helpless, answered the phone.
🚨 Note : Consider to Support this Story on Patreon.com/Flokixy to access +200 advance Chapters and To Support The Daily Update