Reasoning quickly identified the true culprit and clearly revealed the entire modus operandi before everyone. Faced with conclusive evidence, the murderer collapsed to the ground and was taken away by the arriving police.
With the case solved, the gloom hanging over the Roller Coaster project seemed to dissipate a little. Shinichi Kudo habitually straightened his collar, his face wearing the characteristic glow of confidence after solving a case. He turned toward Ran and Sonoko, his tone carrying a hint of showing off, expecting their amazement and admiration:
"How was it? Wasn't my reasoning incredi—"
His words came to an abrupt halt.
Because he saw that Kanjuro had at some point let go of Sonoko's hand. He was now standing in front of Ran, leaning down slightly, watching her with those deep and gentle eyes, his voice soft as a feather brushing past:
"Ran, you were scared, weren't you? I'm sorry, I was just focused on comforting Sonoko. It's okay now, the case is solved, don't be afraid."
As he spoke, he even reached out and naturally brushed away a small leaf that had fallen onto Ran's shoulder at some point, his movements considerate to the smallest detail.
Ran's originally low mood instantly warmed up because of Kanjuro's timely and focused care. Looking at Kanjuro's gentle face so close at hand and feeling the apology and concern in his words, the grievance and doubt in her heart vanished instantly, replaced by a warm current.
(Brother Kanjuro... he still cares about me. He just didn't notice me earlier~...)
(He really is still that gentle and considerate brother.)
A smile of relief returned to her face, and she shook her head gently at Kanjuro, "I'm fine, Brother Kanjuro. Thank you."
As for Sonoko, although she had just enjoyed Kanjuro's exclusive attention, seeing him go to comfort Ran didn't cause her much displeasure for some reason. Instead, she felt Brother Kanjuro was truly a great person who cared about everyone.
Shinichi Kudo swallowed back his unfinished boast. Seeing the smile of reliance and relief Ran gave Kanjuro, he found it incredibly eyesore. He had solved such a complex case; didn't he deserve a word of praise?
Just then, Kanjuro seemed to finally notice that Shinichi Kudo had solved the case. He turned around, his face wearing an impeccable expression of admiration, and clapped his hands lightly, saying sincerely:
"That was a brilliant piece of reasoning, Classmate Kudo. As expected of the famous high school detective of Kanto, truly impressive."
To Shinichi Kudo, this applause and praise sounded full of irony. He suddenly frowned and said coldly, showing no gratitude, "Kanjuro! I don't need your applause! Stop being so hypocritical!"
"Kudo!" Sonoko immediately flared up like a lit firecracker, hands on her hips as she glared at him, "What kind of attitude is that! Brother Kanjuro was kind enough to praise you, and you're being ungrateful! All you care about is your case and your reasoning! Have you considered how Ran and I feel? We were scared to death just now! Especially Ran!"
Her words hit the mark. Shinichi only then noticed that Ran's face was indeed still a bit pale. He froze for a moment, his momentum weakening by several degrees. He scratched his head awkwardly, his tone softening, "...Ran, are... are you okay?"
Looking at Shinichi Kudo's late realization and his slightly regretful look, Ran sighed softly in her heart. She shook her head and said calmly, "It's okay, Shinichi. I... I'm much better now."
However, after saying this, her gaze unconsciously and quickly stole a glance at Kanjuro beside her. That look contained relief, gratitude, and a complex emotion that transcended the boundaries of "siblings," which even she hadn't fully clarified.
Kanjuro took in Ran's subtle movement. While maintaining a gentle smile, his heart was filled with cold understanding. Shinichi Kudo's sharp edges and poor expression of feelings served as the perfect backdrop to highlight his own "gentleness and consideration." He had successfully appeared when Ran needed comfort most, once again consolidating his image as a "reliable older brother" and "one who understands her," while making Shinichi Kudo appear even more "unfeeling."
This trip to the amusement park had become increasingly turbulent due to the sudden murder case and Kanjuro's precise emotional manipulation.
Shinichi Kudo was feeling distracted and irritable because of Kanjuro's presence and Ran's attitude. His gaze swept aimlessly over the crowd that was gradually dispersing after the chaos. Suddenly, two tall men dressed in black caught his eye—the very two who had been sitting in the back row on the Roller Coaster and had quietly left after the incident!
The cold aura they exuded, which was completely out of place in an amusement park, and the sharp, hawk-like gaze of the silver-haired man among them, instantly captured all of Shinichi Kudo's attention as a detective. A strong intuition told him that these two were definitely not simple, and might even be more dangerous and profound than the murder case just now!
"Those two guys..." Shinichi's pupils constricted. Without any hesitation, he dropped the words, "I'll be right back!" and dashed off like an arrow toward the direction where Gin and Vodka had disappeared.
"Shinichi!" Ran shouted worriedly, instinctively wanting to follow him. The feeling those men in black gave her was very bad.
"Ran, don't go!" Kanjuro reached out in time to stop her, his tone steady and carrying a reassuring power, "The situation over there is unclear, it's too dangerous. I'll go take a look and ensure Classmate Kudo's safety."
He turned to Sonoko and instructed, "Sonoko, you take Ran back first, or find a safe place to rest. Leave Classmate Kudo's side to me."
Although Sonoko also wanted to follow Kanjuro, she looked at the pale-faced Ran and nodded, "Alright... then Brother Kanjuro, you must be careful!" She suddenly remembered something and hurriedly added, "Let's meet near Kyobashi Bridge later, okay? My car is parked near there. I... I have something I want to say to you!"
There was an undetectable hint of nervousness and anticipation in her words, clearly referring to that sudden kiss earlier and the feelings she wanted to clarify afterward.
Kanjuro looked deeply at Sonoko, as if seeing through all her thoughts. He smiled gently and nodded in agreement, "Okay, no problem. You two be careful, I'll be back soon."
With that, he didn't delay any longer. His figure moved, blending into the crowd like a ghost, silently pursuing the direction where Shinichi Kudo had disappeared. His speed was extremely fast, yet his movements were elegant and composed, as if he were not tracking someone but taking a leisurely stroll.
Kanjuro easily locked onto Shinichi Kudo's figure and the two black-clad men exuding an ominous aura further ahead. Like a master bystander, he hid behind shadows and the crowd, calmly observing everything in front of him.
He saw Shinichi Kudo tracking them cautiously, saw him being discovered at the transaction site, and saw the silver-haired man (Gin) showing a cruel and cold smile... (Oh? Are they going to make a move...)
(Is this... the turning point of Shinichi Kudo's fate?)
Kanjuro stood at an absolutely safe distance, leaning against a wall corner, as if enjoying a play that had nothing to do with him. He had no intention of intervening, even finding this development quite "interesting."
Next, he saw Vodka approaching silently from behind, and saw that high-raised iron pipe gleaming with a cold light...
"Thud!"
A dull sound of a strike rang out.
Shinichi Kudo didn't even have time to make a sound before he collapsed limply.
Kanjuro saw clearly as Gin, expressionless, walked over to the unconscious Shinichi Kudo and took out the mysterious poison newly developed by the organization—APTX4869. He roughly pried open Shinichi Kudo's mouth, stuffed the pill inside, and then, as if disposing of trash, casually dragged the unconscious youth to a hidden corner and discarded him.
(APTX4869...)
(Supposedly, this is a poison that causes death without leaving a trace...)
(However, it seems that in this 'world', it might have some... unexpected side effects?)
The corners of Kanjuro's mouth curled into a meaningful, almost cruel arc. He witnessed the entire process, yet remained a cold spectator from start to finish.
Only after Gin and Vodka confirmed the "target" was eliminated and quickly drove away did Kanjuro slowly step out from the shadows. He paced to that corner, looking down at the unconscious Shinichi Kudo, whose body seemed to be undergoing some strange transformation.
(So... what happens next?)
(Is it death, or... 'rebirth'?)
Kanjuro did not offer any help; he just watched quietly for a few seconds as if confirming something. Then, he turned and left without hesitation, as if everything he had just witnessed was merely an inconsequential street farce.
He still had to go to Kyobashi Bridge to meet Sonoko. There, another emotional drama awaited his lead. As for Shinichi Kudo's fate, he would leave it to so-called "miracles." To his long life, this was but a small, interesting interlude. Just as Kanjuro, trailing like a ghost, calmly observed the entire process of Shinichi Kudo being attacked and drugged, and prepared to leave quietly, a cold, raspy voice suddenly rang out, breaking the dead silence of the alley.
"Hmph, it seems there's another piece of small fry seeking death, spying from the dark."
It was Gin! He had actually keenly sensed Kanjuro's presence! He and Vodka turned almost simultaneously, two pairs of cold eyes locking onto Kanjuro like searchlights just as he stepped half a pace out of the shadows. Two Beretta pistols were instantly raised, their black muzzles pointed straight at him.
However, facing this lethal threat, Kanjuro did not panic; instead, as if he had heard something extremely ridiculous, he let out a low, pleasant laugh. The laughter echoed in the empty alley, carrying a hair-raising eeriness.
"Hehe... Hahaha..."
This abnormal reaction caused both Gin and Vodka to startle slightly. Vodka subconsciously tightened his grip on the gun and shouted gruffly, "What are you laughing at?! Do you want to die!"
Kanjuro stopped laughing and slowly raised his head. At this moment, the usual gentle smile on his face vanished completely, replaced by an ultimate arrogance, as if he were looking at ants. Within those deep eyes, dark vortices seemed to swirl, emitting a cold luster that did not belong to humanity.
"Small fry? Ignorant and pathetic humans..." Kanjuro's voice became ethereal and full of majesty, carrying an ancient echo. "I intended to ignore you crawlers, but... since you've actively sought death, so be it."
He slowly raised a hand, his tone casual yet carrying an indisputable sense of control:
"From today on, you two shall begrudgingly serve as my subordinates."
"What?!" Killing intent surged in Gin's eyes; he had never been so insulted! "You're asking for it!"
Without the slightest hesitation, he pulled the trigger! Vodka fired almost at the same time!
"Bang! Bang!"
Two bullets, carrying searing air currents, shot toward Kanjuro's forehead and heart at a speed the naked eye could barely track!
However, what happened next completely overturned all the perceptions of "reality" that Gin and Vodka had built up over decades!
Facing the incoming bullets, Kanjuro didn't even move his feet. He simply raised his other hand casually, fingers splayed, as if making a random grasping motion in the air.
Those two brass bullets, capable of taking lives, hit an invisible mire several dozen centimeters from his palm. Their speed plummeted, and finally... they were easily pinched between his thumb and index finger like plucking a flower!
The metal casings of the bullets were slightly hot against his fingertips, but they couldn't harm him in the slightest.
"!!!"
Gin and Vodka's pupils instantly contracted to the size of pinpoints, their faces filled with extreme shock and disbelief! This was completely beyond their scope of understanding! Catching bullets with bare hands?! How was this possible?!
...But the even more terrifying part was yet to come!
Before they could recover from the shock, the shadows behind Kanjuro seemed to come alive and boil! Several thick, slimy, pitch-black tentacles covered in eerie scales and suckers, like monsters from the abyss, instantly tore through the void. With a speed the eye couldn't track and a whistle that tore the air, they swept toward the two men!
"Argh!"
Gin and Vodka didn't even have time to react before they were deathly entangled by those cold, powerful tentacles! The force from the tentacles was immense, easily crushing the firearms in their hands and binding their limbs and torsos like iron bands, lifting them into mid-air! The powerful pressure made it difficult for them to breathe, their faces rapidly turning flushed and purple.
They struggled desperately, but their proud fighting skills and strength seemed laughable before this inhuman restraint. The cold, evil aura emanating from the tentacles, which seemed capable of eroding the soul, made them tremble with fear from the very marrow of their bones!
Kanjuro remained standing where he was, playing with the two bullets between his fingers, looking coldly at the two men struggling in vain in the air, like a god looking down at struggling insects.
"Now, do you understand?" His voice returned to a flat tone, yet it was more chilling than any threat. "That pathetic power of yours is not worth mentioning before me."
"M-monster..." Vodka squeezed out a broken voice from his throat, filled with terror.
Gin stared fixedly at Kanjuro. Having traversed the dark world for many years, he had never felt a moment so close to death, so powerless to resist! The power displayed by the opponent simply did not belong to the human realm!
The shadow of death drenched their minds and bodies like ice water. Faced with an absolute gap in power and an incomprehensible horror, their so-called organizational loyalty and assassin's pride collapsed in an instant.
"Spare... spare us..." Gin spoke with difficulty, his usually cold voice now carrying an uncontrollable tremble.
"I beg... I beg you... don't kill us!" Vodka pleaded directly in a breakdown, no longer caring about his dignity.
Kanjuro saw the pure fear and submission in their eyes and knew his goal had been achieved. With a thought, the terrifying tentacles retracted into the shadows as eerily as they had appeared, vanishing from sight.
With two "thuds," Gin and Vodka fell miserably to the ground, gasping for air. The looks they gave Kanjuro were filled with the terror of surviving a disaster and deep, profound awe.
Kanjuro walked up to them, looking down at the two kneeling on the ground, like a monarch inspecting newly acquired slaves.
"Remember the choice you made today. From now on, you have only one master."
"Now, clean this place up. Then, wait for my contact."
Having finished, he no longer looked at them, as if he had just done something trivial. He turned and stepped away calmly, his figure soon disappearing at the alley entrance, heading toward the Kyobashi Bridge where he had agreed to meet Sonoko.
Only Gin and Vodka were left slumped on the cold ground, looking at each other, foreheads covered in cold sweat. Their hearts were filled with endless fear of that mysterious, terrifying youth and uncertainty about their future fate. The balance of power in the dark world, due to the intervention of the variable named Kanjuro, had begun to quietly tilt.
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