59: Chapter 59: Basic Three-Star

Just as Fujino suspected, Maru Denjiro hadn't actually sold Suwa Yuji's ancestral sword, Kikuchiyo. He'd simply stashed it in his private collection, intending to keep it for himself. Telling Suwa it was sold was just a lie to get rid of him... Unfortunately for Maru, he hadn't anticipated Suwa being willing to kill over ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠a sword.

Faced with death, however, Maru proved quite rational. After the immediate threat subsided, he retrieved Kikuchiyo from his collection room and returned it to Suwa Yuji.

A famous sword was valuable, but his life was more so!

As for calling the police... Maru himself engaged in shady dealings. Why would he invite police scrutiny? That would be asking for trouble.

In the end, Suwa Yuji recovered his precious Kikuchiyo. Fujino smoothly collected his 500,000 yen "protection fee." While Maru Denjiro was undoubtedly a scoundrel, he knew better than to cross a detective, especially one who had just saved his life (and potentially knew about his less-than-legal activities). He understood that in this world, you could afford to offend many people, but offending a detective was rarely wise.

After leaving Maru Denjiro's estate, Suwa Yuji approached Fujino.

"Thank you so much!" Suwa bowed deeply.

"If it weren't for you, Fujino-san, I might have acted rashly today and dishonored the way of the sword."

"Don't worry about it. What matters is that you came to your senses. I could tell your swordsmanship wasn't meant for killing," Fujino waved dismissively.

"Besides, Maru Denjiro was technically my client. I couldn't just stand by and let you kill him."

"I am deeply indebted to you," Suwa said, straightening up.

"This might be presumptuous, but could you tell me what school of swordsmanship you practice?"

"School?" Fujino frowned ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠slightly. Honestly, he wasn't sure himself. The Compendium of Sword Knowledge contained techniques from countless schools.

When he fought, he instinctively mimicked moves from various styles – maybe some Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū mixed with others. He couldn't pinpoint just one.

He shook his head with a wry smile.

"It's not really a specific school. Just some techniques from an old family scroll I practice occasionally... mostly useful for subduing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠criminals..."

"You're too modest!" Suwa interrupted earnestly.

"Your technique is incredibly versatile, yet grounded in tradition. With your understanding of the sword, you could easily establish your own school."

Suwa offered Fujino his business card.

[Suwa Yuji, Age 46, Head Instructor - Beika Konoha Kendo Dojo... Kendo 7th Dan?]

Fujino took the card, momentarily surprised by the rank.

"Yes," Suwa nodded proudly.

"I'm expecting to reach 8th Dan this year."

"I see..." Fujino nodded thoughtfully. Kendo 7th Dan... no wonder he was so skilled.

Japanese kendo ranks went up to 10th Kyu and 8th Dan, with 8th Dan being the highest attainable rank through examination. 7th Dan was just below the pinnacle. And Suwa was testing for 8th Dan this year – the absolute peak of practical kendo proficiency. Those holding 8th Dan were legends in the kendo world. Even 7th Dan holders were highly respected, often serving as head instructors at police academies or universities. (9th and 10th Dan were purely honorary.)

"Honestly," Suwa continued, "from our exchange, I noticed that while you possess profound knowledge of swordsmanship, Fujino-san, you lack practical application experience... If you're ever willing, please visit my dojo."

"I may not have your natural talent, but with decades of kendo experience, perhaps I could offer some guidance."

"In that case, I'll definitely take you up on that offer sometime," Fujino replied after a moment's thought.

He'd been acutely aware of his own limitations recently. There was a gap between his theoretical knowledge and his ability to apply it effectively in combat. Training with a 7th Dan master like Suwa Yuji could be exactly what he needed to bridge that gap.

Night enveloped the city. Fujino stood on his balcony, gazing thoughtfully at the half-moon hanging in the sky. A cool breeze drifted past, seeming to carry away some of his lingering thoughts.

[Congratulations Host! Antique Collector Murder Case Complete! 500,000 Yen Bounty and +50 Detective Reputation awarded.]

[Congratulations Host! Detective Rank ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Up: Basic Three-Star!]

Suddenly, the familiar system chime broke the peaceful silence.

Fujino blinked, then mentally opened the system interface:

[Name: Fujino]

[Current Classes:]

Primary: Detective (Rank: Basic, 3-Star) | (Reputation to next Rank: 500)

Skills:

Professional Focus

Zone of Concentration (Basic)

Detective Enhancement (Boost: Basic 2-Star, +150%; Duration: Basic 1-Star, 2 mins)

Detective Aura (Basic)

Available Skill Points: 1

Sub-Classes: [List unchanged]

[Current Funds: 1,802,000 Yen]

"Five hundred reputation points needed now?" Fujino noted the increased requirement.

"Doesn't seem like that much more than last time..."

He immediately allocated the new Detective skill point to Detective Enhancement's power boost.

[Detective Enhancement Upgraded:]

(Boost: Basic 3-Star: +175% Physical Ability)

(Duration: Basic 1-Star: 2 minutes)

"So, with the Bodyguard passive... my total enhancement boost should be around 395% now?"

Fujino considered the combined effects, stroking his chin in satisfaction.

Nearly four times physical enhancement, plus almost three times reaction speed... It might not be top-tier in the crazy Conan world, but it was respectable.

Enough to handle someone like Toyama Kazuha's 'human Tyrannosaurus' best friend, at least.

Against ordinary criminals? He was confident he could subdue even a desperately resisting suspect within ten seconds.

And if he encountered tougher opponents, elite monsters...? No problem.

He still had that Purple Strength Enhancement Card giving a +200% boost.

Over 500% Strength plus 300% Reaction Speed... With that kind of power, he felt confident he could even take down a solid B-rank opponent.