"That look on your face—you find it unacceptable?"
Verde glanced sideways at Luo Shu, chuckled coolly, and said calmly:
"It's only because I'm considering your sensitivities that I'm going through this troublesome five-month process. Normally, three months would suffice."
"Should I be thanking you for that?"
Luo Shu retorted irritably. He'd finally realised that expecting a mad scientist like Verde to understand him was pure wishful thinking.
"I'll find another way to obtain the Calamity Jade Seal. After I've discussed it with Lacus, I'll inform you of the outcome."
"Until then, don't actually proceed with research on live human pharmaceuticals."
"Pointless scruples," Verde sneered.
"Let me correct that—it's the brilliance of human nature." Luo Shu shot Verde a glare and said irritably, "It's precisely because you always act so recklessly that the Director of the Research Department still hasn't made a decision."
"Frankly, after hearing what you just said, I'm inclined to support Ania taking over instead."
Hearing this, Verde merely gave Luo Shu a calm glance and scoffed:
"Hormone-driven."
Luo Shu's eyelid twitched as he forced a smile. "While Ania is indeed a lovely girl, and I admit I quite like her, I can't just sit back and let you slander me like this!"
"Whatever. All I need is funding."
Verde adjusted his glasses before turning to face the large screen ahead:
"AI Core."
[I'm here!]
A composed female voice echoed through the room.
As Luo Shu and Megumi Kato glanced around for the source of the voice, Verde took a sip of coffee and said calmly:
"Administer No. 7 sedative to Room 054. Ensure he wakes up when I need him."
[Understood, Dr. Verde.]
With the AI Core's response, a hissing sound came from the surveillance screen showing the room where Conan lay.
A visible white gas seeped into the room from all sides, spreading rapidly.
Once the No. 7 sedative was administered, Verde set down his coffee and spoke to Luo Shu without turning around:
"It's about time."
As soon as he finished speaking, a phone rang from Megumi's pocket.
Luo Shu glanced at her, and Megumi, after checking the caller ID, looked up and reported:
"Director, it's Senior Yukinoshita calling."
Luo Shu glanced at Verde before replying, "Answer it. The Kudos must have arrived."
"Understood."
Megumi took the call, exchanged a few words with Yukino Yukinoshita on the other end, then hung up and reported to Luo Shu:
"Senior Yukinoshita says the Kudos have arrived at the department garrison. She's currently escorting them here via the underground Hidden Management Zone through the Star Gate."
Luo Shu nodded in understanding, then smiled and said to Megumi:
"By the way, wasn't Yukiko Kudo quite a famous actress back in the day? Would you like to ask for an autograph later?"
Megumi tilted her head slightly, her expression as placid as ever, and replied:
"Wouldn't that trouble Mrs. Kudo? After all, I don't really know her..."
"Don't worry about inconveniencing her. It's just a strategy to ease tensions."
Luo Shu spread his hands. "Having a fan where their son is being held is better than nothing, right?"
Megumi responded in her usual mild tone:
"I can't help feeling you're teaching me to be sneaky, Director."
"No, I consider this doing good."
Luo Shu chuckled, then looked up at the screen showing Conan, his expression gradually tinged with pity:
"After all, even I can't be sure if this will be the last time the Kudos see their child."
Megumi replied softly, as always, "I'm sure the Director will find a way to satisfy both sides, won't you?"
"Then I'll take your words as a good omen." Luo Shu smiled faintly before muttering to himself, 'I've mentally prepared myself for killing, but cannibalism... that's still a bit too much psychological burden for me.'
As the two conversed, Verde's expression grew increasingly grave, even biting his thumb in concentration:
"How strange... why can't I detect it..."
"Who is that person communicating with Luo Shu?"
"Why aren't the instruments picking up her presence?"
"What kind of ability is this?"
Unable to identify the issue, Verde was forced to abandon his investigation when a knock on the door interrupted him. Pressing a button on his glasses, his eyes shone with excitement as he declared:
"It seems my detection equipment requires updating!"
"Someone undetectable by instruments... heh, this makes for an excellent research subject."
After finishing his monologue, Verde waved his hand, causing the silver metal door of the laboratory to slide open upon command.
At that moment, Yukino Yukinoshita, standing outside the doorway, became visible, along with Yusaku Kudo and Yukiko Kudo behind her.
The instant the door opened, Yusaku and Yukiko's eyes immediately locked onto the screen displaying Conan Edogawa lying on the metal platform.
"Shinichi?"
The sudden sight drew an uncertain gasp from Yukiko.
Compared to his wife, Yusaku remained more composed.
After carefully examining the image of Conan on screen and comparing it with both the photos Professor Agasa had sent him and his memories of his son's childhood appearance, he couldn't help but acknowledge reality with a sigh:
"It seems this child really has turned into a little boy, just as Professor Agasa said!"
At that moment, Yukiko Kudo quickly stepped past Yukino Yukinoshita and rushed to the screen. After repeatedly checking Conan Edogawa's condition on the display, she turned to Yusaku Kudo and said:
"Yusaku, Shinichi he..."
"Leave it to me."
Yusaku Kudo nodded to his wife, then approached, glancing at Luo Shu and Verde sitting on the chair before greeting:
"I'm Yusaku Kudo, here as a parent to discuss arrangements regarding Shinichi Kudo."
After speaking, Yusaku looked at Verde and sighed:
"It's been two years, hasn't it, Dr. Verde?"
Verde calmly adjusted his glasses, causing the oversized lenses covering half his face to reflect light, making him look like some mad scientist.
Responding to Yusaku's familiar greeting, Verde replied calmly:
"Indeed, it has been a while, Chief of Staff."
"Chief of Staff?" Megumi Kato curiously glanced at Yukino Yukinoshita standing near Luo Shu.
Noticing her junior's confusion, Yukino lowered her voice to explain:
"During the SDS's early days, Mr. Yusaku Kudo worked in the advisory team under the former chairman, Mr. Siegel, father of Miss Lacus."
Truth be told, Yukino had only learned this yesterday after receiving Conan. Under Luo Shu's arrangement, she conducted background investigations and reported the findings, which led to this meeting.
After all, when something like this happens to the son of a former SDS advisor, necessitating confinement, it would be unreasonable and impractical for both sides not to communicate.
"Eh?" Megumi sounded surprised about Yusaku being one of their own, though her expression remained completely unchanged. Luo Shu, who'd been keeping this information secret, felt slightly disappointed at not seeing the reaction he'd hoped for.
Meanwhile, Yusaku, having heard the explanation, smiled wryly:
"That was two years ago. Now I'm just a retired man." He looked up at his foolish son on the screen and sighed:
"I never thought retirement would still see me dragged back into these matters."
After sighing, Yusaku turned to Luo Shu, who had been watching him with a smile:
"You must be Director Luo of the Hidden Management Department?"
"That's me, Mr. Kudo." Luo Shu smiled in response before asking: "Any thoughts on returning to the Research Department after so long?"
"Thoughts?" Yusaku blinked, then smiled bitterly: "Rather than being summoned over my son's affairs, I'd prefer visiting for a reunion."
Facing reality with resignation, Yusaku shook his head before addressing Luo Shu:
"My colleagues in America have briefed me on the basics."
"If it's not too much trouble, Director Luo, could you explain the details?"
"Please don't worry about us—we came prepared."
'Already prepared mentally?'
Luo Shu gave Yusaku Kudo a meaningful glance before saying:
"In that case, let me explain the current situation."