Nearly a week had passed since the pretty high schooler Ryoko Akagi visited the Mouri Detective Agency, and Tsuneo hadn't seen Conan since.
Meanwhile, Detective Mouri appeared in the papers two or three times, solving cases as the "Sleeping Detective," his fame slowly growing. Soon, he'd earn the title of "Sleeping Great Detective."
Though they hadn't met, the grim reaper kid was busy reaping cases everywhere.
Tsuneo's days, however, were unusually calm and peaceful.
He even made a trip to Beika Town, dining at the restaurant where Tohru Amuro worked.
Bourbon, zipping around on his scooter with a helmet and delivery boxes, showed no signs of anything unusual.
Gathering intel? Tsuneo figured he was just earning cash during his downtime.
…
That afternoon, a call came from the Mouri Detective Agency.
"The next full moon night on Moon Shadow Island, shadows will vanish again. Please investigate the cause—Keiji Aso," Conan said, reading a letter after a quick greeting.
"Keiji Aso… doesn't ring a bell, Great Detective," Tsuneo replied after a pause.
He was certain the person he'd met in the park, playing "Moonlight" amidst flames, was Dr. Narumi.
This call shouldn't have come from Conan's crew.
"There were two identical letters. The other's addressed to you, Tsuneo-nii, with a business card," Conan said, his voice deliberately childish, likely with others nearby. "Plus, your envelope had 500,000 yen in cash."
"If there's money to be made, I'll take the job," Tsuneo said, grinning.
Conan, noticing Ran and Kogoro distracted, whispered, "Where the hell are you handing out your cards?"
The Izu Islands? A repairman's business reaching that far?
"Wherever a client needs me. Pay enough, and I'll fix anyone," Tsuneo replied.
"You mean they're paying you to fix someone?!" Conan's expression was like a startled rabbit. Hiring a hitman was illegal!
He had no doubt about Tsuneo's combat skills—his Baji Quan, that ancient Chinese martial art, wasn't for show. One hit could kill or cripple.
"Let's make it a race on Moon Shadow Island tomorrow. Who's faster—you solving the case or me fixing everything?" Tsuneo, ever the competitive repairman, issued a challenge.
Conan tried to press further, but the line went dead.
"Damn it!"
Tsuneo's 500,000 yen, plus another 500,000 wired to the agency, totaled a million yen—no small sum. No one would pull such a costly prank.
"Shadows will vanish again."
If that meant a murder warning, the word "again" carried weight…
From Tsuneo's words, it was clear he knew something.
"Fine, let's see who's faster!" Conan's competitive spirit flared, itching to pack and head to Moon Shadow Island that night.
"Conan, what'd Tsuneo-nii say? Does he know this Keiji Aso?" Ran asked, leaning down.
Before the call, the three had agreed Tsuneo likely knew the client, given the card.
But why would someone pay a repairman 500,000 yen?
Not that jobs had hierarchies, but most private detectives earned less than a repairman with steady clients.
Yet, Ran and Kogoro couldn't figure out how Tsuneo tied to this case.
"He said he doesn't know him but took the job," Conan replied, instantly reverting to his innocent act around Ran.
"Uncle Kogoro, let's go to Moon Shadow Island now!"
"It's two days till the full moon. What's the rush?" Kogoro scoffed. It was dark out—he wasn't indulging the kid. He switched on the TV to Yoko Okino's show, grinning idiotically.
…
The next morning, Tsuneo drove to the meeting point with the Mouris and boarded the ferry.
"Why force me into this? I could be flower-watching!" Kogoro, dragged by a wired payment, grumbled at the bow.
"It's nice! A relaxing trip to an Izu island," Ran said cheerfully, travel bag on her back.
"I could use a break too," Tsuneo added, pulling two beers from his tool bag, tossing one to Kogoro. He sipped his, lounging by the railing, gazing at the sky.
Since Tsuneo offered, Ran, unusually, didn't stop her dad from drinking.
Kogoro, beer in hand, dropped his complaints and sat beside Tsuneo, diving back into Lady Earth talk—clearly forgetting past lessons.
Tsuneo and the Mouris were relaxed, but the great detective stayed serious, eyeing the beer-drinking repairman.
Same gray work clothes, tool bag on his back, as if he were off to fix an appliance.
Tsuneo seemed sharp only when counting his envelope's cash. Otherwise, he played dumb, dodging questions.
Conan was tempted to grab his collar and hit him with a dart.
…
Moon Shadow Island.
"Keiji… Aso," the staff said, searching the resident list to no avail.
"Please check again. I have his letter," Kogoro said, pulling out the envelope.
"No such name. I'm new here, so I'm not sure what's going on," the staff replied.
A bespectacled middle-aged man approached. "What's the matter?"
"Director, these people were invited by an island resident."
"Invited?"
"Yes, a Mr. Keiji Aso."
At the name, the director shouted in horror, "Keiji Aso! That's impossible! He died over a decade ago!"
Conan turned, spotting Tsuneo outside the office, grinning as he petted a cat.
(End of Chapter)
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