98: Chapter 98: Superintendent Mouri's Brilliant Deduction!

Beika Museum Exhibition Hall.

"Ever since my grandfather acquired this Black Star pearl, our Suzuki family's fortunes began to soar."

Suzuki Shiro explained the history of the Black Star displayed in the case, concluding with heartfelt sentiment,

"The Black Star... it's like a guardian deity to us. Its significance to the Suzuki family is immeasurable."

Fujino examined the Black Star in the display case, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Changing family fortunes... In his past life, he wouldn't have believed it.

But since this was the Conan world...

Could this black pearl actually possess some magical power?

Decades ago, the Suzuki family already had the wealth to purchase such a large black pearl.

This indicated that even back then, the Suzuki family was already quite influential.

The so-called soaring fortunes probably just meant transitioning from a large family to Japan's number one conglomerate.

Starting with just a bowl and creating Japan's top conglomerate... did they think everyone was Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang?

"Speaking of which, today is just the day before the date on the notice card. Why is security already so tight?"

Mouri Kogoro glanced at the police officers hurrying past, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Although the notice card does indeed mention tomorrow,"

Suzuki Shiro paused, then continued,

"we don't know when or where Phantom Thief 1412 might suddenly appear. That's why the police have implemented such strict security measures..."

"Didn't I just say it?! The riverbank! We need to move most of the police force to the riverbank! Phantom Thief 1412 definitely plans to infiltrate the museum via the Teimuzu River!"

Before Suzuki Shiro could finish, a man's voice interrupted him loudly.

Hearing this, Suzuki Shiro walked over and asked the man curiously,

"Superintendent Chaki, have you already deciphered the code?!"

"That's right!"

The superintendent named Chaki nodded firmly.

"The phrase 'Invited onto the waves' in Phantom Thief 1412's notice card must mean he plans to infiltrate from the direction of the Teimuzu River! Besides the Teimuzu River, there's nowhere else nearby with 'waves'!"

"Officer, your thinking is far too naive!"

Just then, Mouri Kogoro burst out laughing.

He immediately began sharing his own brilliant deduction.

He argued that the 'star' in Kaito Kid's notice referred to a celebrity (star). 'Invited onto the waves' meant the ocean (Oki), which naturally led to thinking of fields (No), thus Oki-no!

Coincidentally, his beloved idol, Okino Yoko, was holding a concert nearby tomorrow. Her final song was titled "Moon Girl."

Therefore, he concluded, Kaito Kid would definitely infiltrate the Beika Museum tomorrow night at 9 PM, right after Okino Yoko finished her last song, approaching from the vicinity of the Beika City Concert Hall.

"..."

This utterly baffling train of thought left Fujino stunned.

Good grief, how does Uncle Mouri manage to connect everything back to Okino Yoko?

This nonsensical, baseless, completely random gibberish... surely no one would actually believe it, right?

"That actually makes quite a bit of sense!"

Someone actually believed it!

Fujino turned his head and saw Superintendent Chaki Shintaro stroking his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

Beside them, Suzuki Shiro even remarked with admiration,

"As expected of the famous detective, Mouri Kogoro!"

Despite the sheer absurdity of the reasoning, Suzuki Shiro bought it, and so did Superintendent Chaki Shintaro, the head of the MPD's Second Investigation Division.

Simultaneously, Chaki Shintaro even dispatched two police units to the Beika City Concert Hall to guard against Kaito Kid.

Witnessing this ludicrous scene, Fujino suddenly recalled something Inspector Megure once said:

"Thanks to Mouri Kogoro's brilliant deductions, every time we follow his lead on a case, it's like entering a maze, getting further and further from the truth."

Suzuki Shiro believing it was one thing, but Superintendent Chaki too?

This guy was the head of Division Two, for crying out loud!

Even though Chaki's initial theory was wrong, suggesting infiltration via the Teimuzu River was far more logical, wasn't it?

Did this guy buy his Superintendent position?

As for Uncle Mouri, Fujino could only offer one assessment:

I say, Superintendent, brilliant deduction!

Ring ring!

Just as Fujino was internally roasting the situation, his phone suddenly rang.

He pulled it out, glanced at the caller ID, and paused slightly.

Okino Yoko.

"More work coming my way?"

Fujino stared at the screen for a moment, then answered the call.

"Detective Fujino, are you free tomorrow?"

Okino Yoko's voice came through the phone.

Some background noise could be heard as well.

"Is there something you need, Yoko-san?"

Fujino asked, slightly puzzled.

"I remember you have a concert at the Beika City Concert Hall tomorrow."

Okino Yoko paused, surprised.

How did Fujino know about her concert?

True, it was a major event, the organizers had even rented out the entire Beika City Concert Hall.

But non-fans wouldn't usually know the specifics.

Could it be... Fujino is secretly her fan?

She initially thought Fujino wasn't interested in popular idols like her.

Looks like she was mistaken.

Damn it, why am I feeling a little happy knowing that the famous 'Idol Detective' might actually be my fan?

"That's right, I do have a concert at the Beika City Concert Hall tomorrow. I happen to have a few premium seat tickets, and honestly, I couldn't think of who else to give them to."

"If Detective Fujino is free, would you like to come, maybe bring some friends along?"

"Tomorrow... I should be free. Coming to show support should be fine."

"Great, it's settled then!"

Okino Yoko nodded happily.

"About the tickets, my manager and I are at the concert hall now and can't leave. Would you mind coming over to pick them up?"

"Sure."

After hanging up with Okino Yoko, Fujino sighed softly.

He initially thought Yoko was calling to refer another client.

Turns out it was just about concert tickets?

On the way home, Fujino stared at the premium seat tickets in his hand, completely perplexed.

Logically, tickets like these should be in high demand. Even if the organizers gave her some, it wouldn't be many.

With her current fame, she could easily sell them herself for a good price...

Who knows?

Anyway, free stuff is free stuff. Only a fool would refuse.

"Frozen fish! Get your frozen fish! Freshly frozen fish for sale!"

A vendor's cry suddenly reached his ears.

Fujino turned towards the sound and saw a frozen seafood stall at a nearby fish market.

The owner, wearing a blue apron, was shouting his wares. On the stall in front of him were many styrofoam boxes filled with frozen fish.

"Speaking of which, wasn't Kuroba Kaito afraid of fish...?"

Observing the nearby ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠seafood stall, a mischievous grin spread across Fujino's face.

He walked over and asked the stall owner,

"Boss, do you have any really long, really hard, meter-long frozen fish?"