Inside the research lab.
Luo Shu, Yukino Yukinoshita and Megumi Kato witnessed the entire Kudo family affair unfold.
From the very beginning, when Conan groggily woke up, Yusaku Kudo had set the tone by letting him "think about it for a while" to amplify his fear.
The trio then watched as Conan progressed from fearful melancholy to calm rationality while observing his surroundings.
Just as Conan realised he was in some laboratory and panicked again, Yusaku Kudo declared it was time to "intensify his fear".
What followed was the series of exchanges they'd just observed.
They'd literally watched Conan cycle through calmness to terror, back to composure before descending into frantic confusion, then angry interrogation, and finally stunned disbelief at his predicament.
After this emotional rollercoaster, even Megumi couldn't help but remark:
"It's a miracle Mr Shinichi Kudo grew up safely at all!"
Megumi felt profoundly grateful for having normal parents. Had she been raised by the Kudos, she'd probably have been driven mad by them long ago.
Come to think of it, Shinichi becoming a famous high school detective was no accident.
Growing up constantly outmanoeuvred by such parents, one would either emerge a genius or not survive to adulthood at all.
While Megumi reflected, Yukino Yukinoshita seemed somewhat approving of the Kudos' methods:
"Though somewhat excessive, considering his tendency for reckless behaviour, perhaps this will teach him a memorable lesson."
"And what a memorable lesson it is," Luo Shu quipped with amusement.
Truly, when it came to tormenting Conan, these parents were in a league of their own!
Chuckling internally, Luo Shu addressed the screen with a smile:
"Little Shinichi Kudo, do you still remember me?"
Hearing Luo Shu's voice, the disoriented Shinichi grasped at this lifeline, forcing himself to calm down:
"You're Director Luo Shu?"
"Why are you with my parents?"
Though already suspecting the answer, Conan clung to faint hope.
"Though you probably don't want to believe this, Shinichi-san, Yusaku Kudo and I are actually colleagues."
Luo Shu's smiling admission struck Conan's nerves like a live wire.
Beside him, Yusaku Kudo offered no contradiction.
After what happened to his son, regardless of previous intentions, his future was now inextricably tied to the SDS.
Under these circumstances, Yusaku saw no need to refute Luo Shu's claim of them being colleagues.
"Colleagues?" Conan's face flushed crimson upon hearing this, his expression caught between laughter and tears as he said, "So... getting me captured was actually your idea, Dad?"
Yusaku Kudo barely hesitated before taking responsibility:
"That's correct."
"Shinichi, regardless of what happens next, I need to remind you - your childhood detective games are over now."
"What you'll be facing next is the brutal world of adults."
Seeing Yusaku Kudo's grave and solemn expression, Conan's mouth opened slightly before closing wordlessly.
This was the first time he'd seen Yusaku Kudo issue such a stern warning to him.
Under these circumstances, even if he disagreed internally, Conan still chose to comply with his father's wishes.
"So... what exactly do you want me to do?"
"I need you to cooperate with the scientists here for research purposes."
Yusaku Kudo adjusted his glasses, the lenses catching the light in such a way that his entire eyes behind them appeared pure white.
"Am I being imprisoned then?" Conan had already realised his fate.
In truth, this was precisely why Conan had avoided contacting Yusaku Kudo after shrinking.
Conan knew all too well that if his father discovered his condition, he would undoubtedly leverage his connections to find a way to restore him to Shinichi Kudo.
The unfortunate reality was that such methods would inevitably cost Conan his freedom.
After all, it would essentially turn him into a lab rat—the sole specimen for scientific research.
For someone aspiring to become a great detective like Sherlock Holmes, this would be a fatal blow to his career.
No matter what, Conan refused to lose his freedom this way.
Thus, he had to persuade both his father and Luo Shu to let him leave.
Yet at that very moment, as if reading Conan's mind, Yusaku Kudo calmly explained:
"Shinichi, it seems you still haven't grasped the crucial issue."
"Crucial issue?" Conan blinked, his expression turning puzzled.
"Yes, the crucial issue..." Yusaku narrowed his eyes, his tone composed. "What gave you the illusion that the side effect of that drug was merely turning you into a child?"
"What?" Conan froze, utterly stunned.
That APTX4869... had more side effects than just shrinking him?
If so, what were the others?
"Have you heard of jinxes?" Yusaku asked in a low voice.
Conan's expression stiffened. He glanced at Yusaku, wondering if his father had lost his mind from too much vacationing.
How could something as superstitious as a jinx actually exist?
"Seems you don't believe it." Yusaku gave a cold smile. "In that case, let Minister Luo Shu—an expert in handling classified cases—explain it to you."
With that, Yusaku stepped aside, allowing Luo Shu to take the forefront.
At that moment, Luo Shu stepped forward with perfect timing, studying Conan before saying:
"Actually, setting aside terms like 'jinx,' Conan-kun, you've already noticed the anomalies, haven't you?"
Conan hesitated, unsure how to respond, when Luo Shu continued with an amused smirk:
"Wherever you appear, cases follow—homicides, accidental deaths, manslaughter, even natural and man-made disasters!"
"No matter how absurd the motive, no matter how meticulous the method, you're entangled in cases like a detective from a play, bringing misfortune equally to everyone around you."
"Stop it!" Conan's pupils trembled as he muttered under his breath.
"The Holmes of the Heisei era, the walking epicentre of cases, the Metropolitan Police Department's saviour—"
"I said, stop it!"
Conan's expression twisted in horror as he shouted.
"Conan Edogawa." Luo Shu's face broke into a delighted grin. "You're the Heisei-era calamity bringer—wherever you tread, death follows. The walking incarnation of the Reaper, destined one day to drag all your loved ones into hell. The eternal Reaper Elementary School student!!"
"AAAAAAAAHHHH—!!!"
At that moment, Conan collapsed onto the metal platform, clutching his head as his agonised scream seemed to pierce the heavens!