The next morning.
Tsuneo woke early, spotting the Porsche emblem on the table. He couldn't help but chuckle.
Ah, Gin!
Sleep well last night?
Your car's in pristine condition, isn't it?
…
Ring ring ring
"Who's calling this early? It's not even dawn," Tsuneo muttered, puzzled, as he picked up the phone and answered.
"Hello?"
A pleasant female voice came through, though it carried a hint of playful youthfulness.
"Yukiko, do you know what time it is?" Tsuneo sighed. It was barely 4:30 a.m.
"Tsuneo, we just heard about Shinichi," the voice said. After a pause, a magnetic, middle-aged man's voice took over.
"From seventeen to seven. Quite a deal," Tsuneo said sincerely.
Joking aside, a drug like APTX4869 with such effects would be coveted by countless people, even with a one-in-a-thousand success rate. From his analysis, based on that witch's demeanor, the drug might even halt aging—a truly terrifying prospect.
"It's not that simple," Yusaku Kudo's voice deepened.
"I'm planning to ask some friends to see if we can get that drug from the mysterious organization."
"I'd advise against rash moves," Tsuneo said, pouring himself a glass of water and downing it in one gulp.
The Kudo family had no idea what kind of organization they were up against. FBI, CIA, MI6, Japan's Public Security—and who knows how many other shadowy forces were involved. Those high-placed "friends" might not be as friendly as they seemed.
"Yukiko and I will be back soon. We'll talk then," Yusaku said, sensing Tsuneo knew more than he let on.
They hung up before dawn. Tsuneo slipped into his tracksuit and jogged to the park, where he resumed his tree-punching routine.
Thud!
Thud!
The massive tree shook as the sky gradually brightened. A few early risers began jogging along the park's paths.
A young man in a red tracksuit approached, slowing to a stop beside Tsuneo. He watched curiously as Tsuneo practiced his fierce, unfamiliar martial arts.
"You…" Tsuneo stopped mid-form, frowning as he sized up the stranger.
It wasn't the staring that bothered him. This was a public place—people could watch or even mimic him, no issue. But this guy, with his gentle eyes, refined features, long hair, and almost feminine air, gave off the vibe of a cross-dresser.
"Sorry for interrupting," the young man said, crouching to pick up a piece of bark that had flown to his feet. He offered Tsuneo an apologetic smile.
"No big deal. You might need this," Tsuneo said with a complicated expression, pulling a business card from his pocket and handing it over.
…
After returning from the park, Tsuneo showered, changed into his work clothes, and grabbed his tool bag before heading out.
Breakfast was the usual beef sandwich. The cashier's smile was as sweet as ever, and everything seemed normal.
But as Tsuneo reached for his wallet to pay, a tall, masked man burst into the convenience store, brandishing a 30-centimeter knife.
"Nobody move!" he bellowed.
The few customers in the shop froze.
"Hand over the money, now!" The masked man rushed to the counter, slashing wildly at the air, leaving chaos in his wake.
The cashier, pale with fear, trembled as she began to comply.
"And you! Where's your wallet?" The man turned slightly, locking eyes with Tsuneo, who had just pocketed his.
"If I were you, I'd run far from this guy," a small, bespectacled figure said, emerging from a corner. One hand held milk, the other a loaf of bread. He stared at the robber with a look reserved for idiots.
"Damn kid, what're you babbling about?" the masked man snarled, swinging his knife to seem more menacing.
The cashier recoiled in terror.
"Is that milk any good?" Tsuneo asked, glancing down at the boy.
"Too sweet. Only the Doc would like it," Conan replied, shaking his head. The Doc's health issues were worsening, and his laziness was absurd—making Conan run errands for a store less than a hundred meters away.
"Hey, you two!" The robber's rage flared as the pair chatted in front of him. He swung his knife at Tsuneo, aiming to teach him a lesson.
A flash of silver.
Tsuneo had already drawn a forearm-length wrench from his tool bag.
Clang!
He sidestepped the knife, grabbed the man's wrist, and smashed the wrench down.
Thud!
Blood stained the mask as the man's cheek swelled. He staggered, dazed like a drunk, eyes glassy, before collapsing.
Tsuneo released his wrist and kicked the knife away.
"Where were we?" he asked, turning to Conan.
"Could you go easier next time?" Conan said, checking the robber's state with a sigh. "This guy won't be talking clearly for a while. The police will have a hard time."
"I went easy. He tried to kill me, and I only half-killed him," Tsuneo said with a cold smirk, stowing the wrench. He looked at the cashier. "Twelve sandwiches. How much?"
"N-no charge today!" the cashier stammered, nodding vigorously as she regained her composure. She packed the sandwiches with a generous smile.
"Don't mind if I do," Tsuneo said, flashing a grin. He grabbed the bag of sandwiches and left the unconscious robber to the famous detective.
He had work to do and no time to waste.
Since Shinichi shrank, Mihama Town had lost its peaceful charm. Even buying breakfast now came with a robbery.
Mihama Town?
More like the City of Sin!
(End of Chapter)
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