Chapter 177: The Powerful Japanese Police
The setting sun cast a slanting orange-red glow across the walls of the abandoned warehouse.
The structure was dilapidated, its exterior walls crumbling and peeling, the wide-open door eaten through with rust.
The interior was dimly lit, with only slivers of light filtering through small windows illuminated by the fading sunset.
Through them, one could vaguely make out ruins and scattered debris. The walls were covered in graffiti, including several crude human figures, adding to the desolate and broken atmosphere.
As the sun sank lower, the sky darkened, and the warehouse fell into an eerie silence. Outside, the road was deserted, though the engines of semi-trailer trucks roared on the surrounding streets—a stark contrast to the stillness here.
At this moment, two groups of people were facing off inside and outside the abandoned warehouse.
Aside from the three-way standoff at the warehouse door, the atmosphere inside was growing increasingly tense as Yuya and Miyano Akemi eyed each other's subtle movements warily.
"Suspect?"
Conan muttered, sensing something off about the statement.
If this guy were a criminal, he certainly wouldn't call Miyano Akemi a "suspect." The only people who would use that term are police officers.
But—!
This guy is a cop?
Impossible!
This guy had a baby face—he clearly looked like he hadn't even graduated from university yet. Only criminals hire people regardless of age. Police officers aren't young enough to be high school students.
Besides, he'd seen all the officers working under Inspector Megure, and he didn't recognize this guy at all.
Yuya caught the extreme distrust and disdain in Conan's eyes and felt a sharp pang of irritation.
This face was his only sore spot.
It was cute, sure, and it made him look young.
The problem was that his job and this face were completely incompatible—downright jarring, even.
When interrogating criminals, they usually mocked him for it.
Although they'd be mercilessly tortured afterward, it still hurt like hell.
The criminals suffered physical pain, but Yuya endured mental anguish!
"I'm not some high school student!" Yuya glared at Conan, flashing his badge. "I'm with Public Security, and I'm placing you under arrest on charges of planning a robbery, murder, illegal firearm possession, and membership in an illegal organization.
You have the right to remain silent, but I won't bother listening if you do."
Yuya explained succinctly, then revealed the handcuffs attached to the back of his badge and continued, "Are you going to put these on yourself, or should I do it for you?"
Miyano Akemi was just a weak woman, and Yuya wasn't worried in the slightest, even if she had a gun.
Public Security investigations were always incredibly forceful because their opponents were all professional criminals—none of whom deserved pity.
If Miyano Akemi made any sudden moves, he swore he'd break her left hand—the one holding the gun—first.
For some people, a gun might be fast and accurate within seven steps, but that didn't apply to him.
Besides, he had a gun too.
"Public Security?"
Conan muttered, his heart settling somewhat. At least this guy wasn't a criminal.
Wait!
He suddenly realized a very important problem!
He had no connections whatsoever with Public Security—he didn't even know anyone there. If Miyano Akemi was arrested by Public Security, wouldn't he be unable to see her even if he wanted to?
If Miyano Akemi were arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, he could visit her through one of his two identities—either as Uncle Mouri's assistant or as himself—but who could he turn to at Public Security?
He didn't know a single person in the Japanese Public Security Bureau!
"No way! The crimes Akemi-neechan committed should be handled by the Metropolitan Police. Public Security is responsible for external national security threats. Internal affairs should be handled by local police. Public Security has no jurisdiction here!
Besides, Officer Takagi is right outside. If you want to arrest someone, you need Officer Takagi's permission first."
"Heh, this kid knows quite a lot."
Yuya smirked. "However, you said it yourself—Public Security is responsible for national security. Right now, I have strong reason to believe that Miyano Akemi has joined an organization or group that poses a threat to national security.
Public Security has every right to detain and interrogate her."
"Where's your evidence?! Robbing a bank threatens national security?" Conan felt he could still fight back. He figured the guy wouldn't discuss the Black Organization with a child.
However, this confirmed that Japanese Public Security had discovered Gin and his group. Judging from this guy's behavior today, he was clearly targeting Miyano Akemi specifically.
He dared to come alone, which meant he must have received solid intelligence.
Perhaps there were Public Security agents planted within the Black Organization.
But if that were true, why hadn't they taken down the entire organization yet?
Could it be Tequila?
The reason Tequila came to mind was because he still hadn't shown up, which was extremely strange.
Even if he were running late, he should have arrived by now.
One billion yen was no small sum—the Black Organization must be taking it seriously. Yet they still hadn't appeared. Conan suspected this so-called Tequila might actually be a Public Security spy planted within the Black Organization.
Damn Public Security!
What the hell were they doing?
If they could have dealt with the Black Organization a few months earlier, he wouldn't be in this state now.
Although sometimes bathing with Ran was nice... if he hadn't shrunk, he might have been able to bathe with her anyway if he'd confessed at Tropical Land that day.
After doing the math, he still felt like he'd gotten the short end of the stick.
Conan wasn't just confused—he was furious. Public Security completely disregarded public safety!
Of course, he conveniently ignored that his shrinking was entirely due to his love of sticking his nose where it didn't belong and his detective's curiosity.
If he hadn't insisted on following Gin and Vodka that day, none of this would have happened.
"Kid, I don't think I need to explain myself to you."
With that, Yuya suddenly moved, appearing before Miyano Akemi in a flash. Taking advantage of her still-stunned state, he swiftly snatched the pistol from her hand.
Then, with a sharp click, heavy steel handcuffs were already locked around Miyano Akemi's wrists.
By the time Miyano Akemi processed what had happened, it was too late. Feeling the cold metal on her wrists, her heart turned equally cold.
Damn it!
Conan didn't care about anything else—he just wanted Inspector Megure to arrive quickly.
Without thinking, he raised his watch-type tranquilizer gun and aimed it at Yuya, ready to fire.
"Hey, kid, what do you think you're doing?"
Whoosh—
Conan's bangs fluttered in the sudden breeze. In a flash, his arm felt light—the watch that had been on his wrist was gone.
He was still frozen in the same shooting position, crouched and aiming, looking rather foolish.
"There's a scope here, and this must be the switch, right?"
Yuya examined the watch, trying to figure out how it worked.
When Conan had raised the watch just moments ago, Yuya had sensed a hint of danger.
This toy looked potentially hazardous.
How could a kid play with something so dangerous? Confiscated!
He pressed the time adjustment dial, and from an angle Yuya hadn't noticed, a semi-transparent needle shot out.
Whoosh—
"Ah... ah... I..."
Conan felt a wave of dizziness wash over him, experiencing for the first time the true state Uncle Mouri went through when knocked unconscious.
The tranquilizer dart lodged in his arm crumbled to dust, but the anesthetic inside had already been injected into his bloodstream.
His steps faltered, and he collapsed to the ground.
"How can a kid be this timid?"
Yuya, not quite understanding what had happened, tossed the watch aside, assuming Conan had simply been frightened unconscious.
After all, he was just a child. It was normal for him to be scared.
Being unconscious was actually better—it would avoid complications.
Before Miyano Akemi could say anything, he delivered a precise chop to the back of her neck, rendering her unconscious as well.
There was still the situation outside that needed handling.
However, based on what had just transpired, it seemed Miyano Akemi hadn't actually been here to meet Tequila—or rather, Tequila hadn't come at all.
Instead, it was Natsukawa and Conan who'd shown up. And who was this other person who knew Natsukawa and was standing guard at the front door?
If he were a police officer, what kind of cop would stand watch for a child? That would be ridiculous.
If he were from the Black Organization, and Tequila hadn't come, then who was this guy guarding the door for?
Wait—Conan had just mentioned the other person's name was Officer Takagi.
Seriously, his name is actually Officer Takagi?
He'd only ever heard of the impressively-named Professor Agasa, so having someone literally named "Officer Takagi" wouldn't be too strange, he supposed.
If the guy really was a police officer, it wouldn't make sense for him to let an ordinary civilian watch over a child—that would be a disgrace to the force.
"Kazami, ask if the man in the dark gray suit is from the Metropolitan Police."
Yuya had no intention of meeting with Natsukawa directly.
His sister's contact information listed him as a diplomat from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If Natsukawa learned his true identity, it would be the same as his sister finding out, which absolutely couldn't happen.
Kazami Yuya was momentarily taken aback.
His eyes suddenly locked onto the cherry blossom emblem on Takagi's chest. He hadn't noticed it before, but Yuya's reminder made him recognize the Metropolitan Police Department's distinctive sakura pattern.
And he had a service revolver too.
So he wasn't from the Black Organization after all!
What was going on? He'd been completely misled this whole time.
"Are you with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police?"
Kazami Yuya flashed his badge. "I'm with Public Security, currently on duty."
Takagi: ...
After all that tense standoff, it turned out they were on the same side?
Just moments ago they'd been on the verge of drawing on each other, and now they were showing badges. Takagi, lacking any real tactical experience, instinctively turned to Natsukawa, the "ordinary civilian," for guidance.
The implication was clear: Strategist, give us some ideas here.
"Is Public Security really planning to interfere with a Metropolitan Police case?" Natsukawa asked.
"No, we received intelligence from an informant that there was a transaction here that could harm national security, so we came to investigate.
Now that we've confirmed it's true, we're taking over the case.
We've already taken Miyano Akemi into custody. Once we locate the one billion yen, we'll submit an official report to the First Investigation Division.
Beyond that, this case ends here. We're also taking custody of the bodies of the other three robbers and all gathered evidence."
Kazami Yuya's words left Takagi completely bewildered. How was he supposed to respond to that?
He was just a lowly patrol officer—arguing with Public Security was pointless.
Just then, sirens wailed in the distance, and Takagi Wataru, as if grasping a lifeline, broke into a relieved smile. "You can discuss this directly with Inspector Megure. My rank doesn't give me authority to make that decision."
Yuya's voice came through the earpiece: "You handle them. I'm taking Miyano Akemi out of here first. Tequila probably isn't coming. Wrap things up and get back as soon as you can."
"Understood."
Yuya had barely left when continuous wailing sirens filled Pier 4.
It truly lived up to the saying: The Tokyo Metropolitan Police may be mediocre at solving cases, but they're excellent at cleanup.
Inspector Megure arrived at the scene and stood there dumbfounded, staring at the three-way standoff.
"Natsukawa, Takagi—where's Miyano Akemi?"
Takagi scratched his head awkwardly. "I think she's still inside?"
He added uncertainly, "Conan went in there too."
"What?! How could you let a child make contact with a dangerous criminal!" Inspector Megure's eyes flashed with anger, furious at his subordinate's lack of judgment.
Upon hearing this, Kogoro Mouri rushed into the warehouse in a few quick strides.
Although Conan was annoying, he was still technically the kid's guardian. He'd taken money from Conan's mother, so while a little roughhousing was fine normally, in a real crisis, he did care about whether the brat lived or died.
Inspector Megure waved his hand, signaling Detective Sato to follow.
After Sato Miwako led her team into the warehouse, he finally turned his attention to the man who'd been facing off with Takagi.
The man was dressed in a suit and tie, his posture ramrod straight, with an air of righteousness in his eyes. He actually looked more like a police officer than Takagi did—except his clothes were somewhat shabby, covered in rust stains of unclear origin.
"And you are?"
Kazami Yuya nodded in greeting. "My name is Kazami Yuya, Public Security Bureau!"
He pulled out his badge again for verification.
Inspector Megure's eyes immediately narrowed as he scanned the man up and down.
The relationship between the Metropolitan Police Department and Public Security had never been friendly.
No—whether it was the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the Prefectural Police, or the Regional Police, relations with Public Security were universally poor.
Because Public Security was notoriously domineering, using national security as an excuse to steal countless solved cases from them.
"This one billion yen robbery... is Public Security getting involved in this too?"
Takagi, noticing Inspector Megure's confusion, stepped forward to explain the situation.
"So this billion-yen robbery involves national security?" Inspector Megure asked skeptically.
"Yes, there are people behind this case. Miyano Akemi is merely a pawn. That group is Public Security's target, and we need to take over this investigation."
Kazami Yuya finished speaking, and seeing the inspector's expression darken, immediately added:
"But don't worry—we'll find out where the billion yen is located. The stolen money will be returned to the Metropolitan Police Department. We only want the suspects. We don't care about taking credit for the case."
The Black Organization was a terrorist organization hidden in the underworld, so Public Security naturally wouldn't expose them or hold any press conferences.
The best way to handle this case was to treat it as a regular robbery, return the money, and make it look like the robbers had killed each other.
The sky had gone completely dark, and Kazami Yuya couldn't see Inspector Megure's expression clearly, but he felt this approach was reasonable and that the inspector should be satisfied.
After all, the Metropolitan Police usually solved cases by requesting outside assistance anyway, so this could be considered the Metropolitan Police asking Public Security for help—theoretically no different from their usual detective consultations.
Inspector Megure was secretly pleased that he could slack off a bit, but outwardly remained composed, saying, "I need information about the people behind this case. Otherwise, the report will be difficult to write, and I won't be able to explain it to my superiors."
[End of Chapter]
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