Chapter 148: Ekoda Landmark Clock Tower
Shirahata Pharmaceutical's vacation only lasted a few days before Gin quickly returned with funds.
Although not a substantial amount, it was barely enough to support research operations.
Thus, Sherry, the "research tool," was back online.
During this time, Natsukawa noticed something different.
After Gin returned, his gaze toward him seemed much gentler—not as sharp and penetrating as before.
This was likely related to the kidnapping scheme he'd proposed.
It seemed Gin had been persuaded and was seriously considering taking action against Suzuki Lupin.
However, Natsukawa didn't approach him to ask for details. Wouldn't that just be volunteering himself for the job?
After several encounters with Gin, Natsukawa had learned his lesson.
He could get the details from Vodka later—there was no need to ask Gin directly.
As for Conan...
The Mouri family had gone on a three-day trip, and upon their return, Natsukawa felt that Conan's gaze toward him was somewhat strange.
However, Natsukawa didn't particularly care. This was probably related to Hattori Heiji.
It seemed that Hattori Heiji had very likely discovered Conan's true identity. As expected, the world's corrective force was quite powerful. At least the relationship between the protagonist and important supporting characters couldn't be permanently altered by Natsukawa's few misleading words.
After seeing Conan and Anya off to school at the gate, Natsukawa turned and drove to Franky's house.
Nothing major had happened on Conan's side these past two days, but there had been some activity regarding Kaitou Kid.
Since the "Azure Wonder" incident, Kaitou Kid—who had disappeared for eight years—had reappeared in the public eye and had already issued three heist notices.
This meant the unfilial son had already fooled his clueless father-in-law three times.
What caught Natsukawa's attention today was that Franky had received news that a transfer student named Koizumi Akako had joined Kuroba Kaito's class.
Franky had received the news rather late.
Natsukawa remembered that the witch and the magician's first meeting occurred on Valentine's Day, by which time Koizumi Akako had already transferred to Ekoda High School. So Franky's intelligence was at least four or five days delayed.
This was likely related to the fact that Franky now had a girlfriend. That damned fool's work enthusiasm had been corrupted by romance!
He wasn't even properly monitoring the tasks he'd been assigned.
However, it wasn't a major problem. Even if Franky had learned the news before Valentine's Day, Natsukawa wouldn't have had time to witness Koizumi Akako's magic circle. After all, nothing had been more important than his future brother-in-law's visit.
Fortunately, this was on Kaitou Kid's side. If intelligence from the Black Organization had been mishandled this way, it could have endangered his safety.
Speaking of which, Koizumi Akako should have already confirmed that Kaitou Kid's identity was Kuroba Kaito, and Kuroba Kaito also knew that one of his classmates was the heir to Red Magic.
Now that he had some free time, Natsukawa wanted to learn more about Koizumi Akako.
"Have you found any information about Red Magic or Koizumi Akako?" Arriving at Franky's house, Natsukawa didn't bother with pleasantries and asked directly.
Franky scratched his head, shaking it in frustration. "Magic is completely unscientific! It can't possibly exist in reality!"
After years working in intelligence, this was the first time Franky felt utterly stumped. Magic, theoretically, only existed in fairy tales and fantasy stories.
He'd never encountered anything like real magic in his career before.
Natsukawa explained, "Magic might also be a product of advanced technology. Maybe Koizumi Akako's presentation was just exceptionally convincing, and we simply didn't notice the tricks.
I was also surprised initially. You must have heard that on Valentine's Day, everything within a kilometer radius of Tokyo Tower supposedly turned red.
I have confirmed information that this happened because Koizumi Akako set up a magic circle there."
Franky remained silent. Damn rumors! I hadn't heard about this!
A red Tokyo Tower?
He'd had dinner with the daughter of the National Tax Agency director at Tokyo Tower on Valentine's Day, and apart from Kaitou Kid's appearance, he hadn't seen anything unusual.
What red Tokyo Tower? Isn't Tokyo Tower already red normally?
Natsukawa ignored Franky's skeptical expression and asked, "Have you found out anything about the Koizumi family history?"
Natsukawa was genuinely interested in the Koizumi family's background.
Franky continued shaking his head. Like an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object, Franky hadn't obtained any useful information.
This so-called Koizumi Akako seemed to have appeared out of thin air, and so did the Koizumi family—appearing quietly without any trace of their past.
"Alright."
Natsukawa was somewhat disappointed, but this was actually normal. For something unconventional in the realm of the supernatural, this level of mystery made sense.
"Speaking of which, Kaitou Kid's target this time is the Ekoda Clock Tower, right?"
"Yes, several large gemstones are embedded in the clock tower's hands. That must be Kid's target. You think Koizumi Akako will also appear, so you want to observe her?" Franky smiled, then his expression suddenly turned peculiar.
Natsukawa nodded. "What's wrong?"
Although he didn't know if Koizumi Akako would directly confront Kid, she would definitely be there.
If they'd already clashed once, she should have been charmed by this elegant phantom thief by now.
A witch being so easily captivated by a magician—was this a sign of moral decay or a distortion of values?
"Actually, those gems were already sold by the clock tower's owner, Kitano Tomoaki. The gems currently embedded in the hands are just fake crystals."
"Because the crystals were embedded in the hands of a clock tower nearly 100 meters high, this matter went unnoticed until I discovered a large sum of money of dubious origin in Kitano Tomoaki's account. Kid might have been deceived too."
Franky pulled out several photocopies of jewelry transactions. Kitano Tomoaki had sold the gems to a wealthy European businessman.
According to the records, this businessman was quite renowned—a top aristocrat and gem collector. Between eight and ten years ago, that gem collector had been visited three times by the previous Kaitou Kid.
The gems that caught the Phantom Thief's attention were all exceptionally large or precious. Therefore, from that point on, this businessman had gained considerable fame.
"Do you think Kaitou Kid knows about this?" Natsukawa asked.
Franky shook his head. "How would I know? He probably doesn't. Otherwise, he wouldn't need to send a heist notice—he could just go to Europe to find that businessman.
Speaking of which, Kaitou Kid is quite peculiar. Both Phantom Thieves—father and son—steal for the sake of stealing, then return the gems each time. What kind of logic is that?"
Franky was somewhat puzzled and could only categorize the father and son as eccentric thieves.
There was nothing particularly strange about it. The world was full of unusual people, and sometimes a compulsion to steal was simply a psychological condition.
Natsukawa didn't explain, thought for a moment, and shook his head.
Regardless, Kuroba Kaito had already sent out the heist notice—he would definitely go. As for what would happen afterward, they'd find out then.
"Kitano Tomoaki, huh?" Natsukawa's mind raced, and he smiled. "This kind of unscrupulous businessman is definitely not reporting properly. Check the dark web—people who steal and sell gems like this are bound to evade taxes. It'll be easy to investigate. I haven't produced any results since getting the NTA credentials. We can use him to boost my performance record."
"Understood," Franky nodded.
This was indeed an excellent choice. While credentials brought benefits and convenience, they also needed to be maintained through producing results—and tangible achievements were the best way to establish credibility.
"Kid's heist is tomorrow night. I'll also visit his company tonight to search for evidence of illegal transactions. We'll coordinate our efforts."
Then Natsukawa seemed to remember something and whispered a few words to Franky.
Franky raised an eyebrow, gave a knowing smile, and nodded in agreement.
Interesting.
As evening approached, the famous detective finished his routine day at Teitan Elementary School and headed home.
On the way, he seemed absent-minded, as if lost in thought.
"Conan, are you thinking about that Kid announcement on TV at noon?" Anya asked.
Conan nodded. "Yeah, speaking of which, that clock tower in Ekoda has stood for fifty years. If it weren't for Kid's announcement, I wouldn't have known it was facing demolition.
It's quite a story. I remember my dad took me there when I was little. It's a treasure with immense artistic value and historical significance. I never expected..."
"When you were little? Conan is only six years old now. When you say 'when you were little,' you mean when you were a baby? Do you actually remember that far back?"
"Huh?" Conan coughed awkwardly. After spending several days with Hattori Heiji, his behavior had unconsciously reverted to that of a high school student.
Hattori was quite the character. Initially, he'd actually suspected that Heiji was his father's illegitimate son!
If it weren't for Conan's revealing actions, Heiji would probably have gone down that absurd investigative path.
According to Conan's explanation, this misunderstanding was also related to Natsukawa. Apparently, Natsukawa had reached this conclusion after some creative analysis.
No wonder Natsukawa hadn't objected to his investigation when cases occurred—he'd assumed Conan would call Shinichi Kudo for assistance.
That took quite an imagination—to make his father suddenly have a secret second son!
But this was actually beneficial. The fewer people who knew his secret, the better. Right now, besides his parents, only Professor Agasa and Hattori Heiji knew—which was acceptable.
And these people were all trustworthy and wouldn't easily reveal his information.
"Slip of the tongue! I meant my grandfather took my dad there when he was little."
"Oh." Anya sneered internally. Little brat, trying to play dumb with me? I've completely seen through you!
Anya knew everything, but she wouldn't say anything. Everyone had secrets, and she understood how to keep others' confidences. In doing so, she was also protecting herself.
"So, Conan, are you planning to go to Ekoda tomorrow night?"
"No!"
I definitely have to go, but I can't tell Anya. Otherwise, that little tagalong will definitely follow me and might even film me again. I don't want to give Anya another opportunity to catch me off guard.
I was disappointed that I didn't even see Kid's shadow at the museum last time.
This time I absolutely have to go and observe, and it would be even better if I could catch him.
Although Kaitou Kid doesn't hurt people, stealing jewels is still illegal. And as long as it's illegal, this famous detective has to get involved.
Before that, I need to visit Professor Agasa's house.
The special sake Professor Agasa ordered for me last time has arrived. That time at the Tsujimura residence definitely wasn't a dream!
That sake has some incredible effects!
I'll test it out tomorrow, Saturday. If I can temporarily return to normal, it will be beneficial for participating in the Kaitou Kid case tomorrow night.
I know my own reputation. Returning to my original form will definitely allow me to get more involved in the case.
Unlike last time, when Kid had already escaped by the time I arrived.
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(End of Chapter)
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