The Suzuki Financial Group's gala continued in an orderly fashion. Neither Kaito Kid nor Lupin had managed to dampen the festive atmosphere aboard the ship.
Taking a small sip from his champagne flute, Kogoro narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath,
"Honestly... What's taking Ran so long? She only went to the restroom."
Knowing his daughter better than anyone, Kogoro naturally guessed why Ran had hurriedly left the ballroom.
Hearing his complaint, Sonoko laughed.
"I'm sure she got lost somewhere. She's always had a terrible sense of direction!"
"And who are you calling directionally challenged?"
Having heard every word, Ran returned with a faint blush on her face.
Sonoko was about to tease her further when Inspector Shintaro Chaki of the Second Investigative Division stepped forward with a microphone and solemnly announced,
"I am Inspector Chaki of the Tokyo MPD. I believe everyone here has heard my name before. The infamous criminal we're pursuing appears to have already infiltrated this ship.
As many of you know, he is a master of disguise. He conducts thorough investigations into anyone he intends to impersonate. Whether it's appearance, voice, or personality, his imitations are flawless. He is a criminal of extraordinary skill who cannot be judged by common sense."
Listening to Chaki's lengthy speech, Ran bent down with a smile.
"Hey, Conan. What secret code should we use?"
Conan blinked twice before standing on tiptoe and whispering into her ear.
"How about this? If I say 'Holmes', then I'll answer with 'Lupin.' Sound good?"
Ritsu raised an eyebrow as he glanced at the red dot displayed on his phone.
'The signal... is right in front of me?'
His gaze settled on Ran, who was crouching nearby with her feet turned inward. A hint of surprise flashed across his eyes.
'Never expected Mr. Thief to disguise himself as a girl just to steal a jewel. Interesting.'
As Ritsu was about to tell Akemi beside him, the lights in the ballroom suddenly dimmed. Immediately on guard, he pulled Akemi closer.
Neither Kid nor he had planned anything involving the lights.
'Could it be... someone from the Zoo?'
But it didn't take long for him to realize it was simply another one of Tomoko's planned attractions, complete with a performance by the genius magician Sanada Kazumi.
"Tomoko-san really loves having fun," Akemi chuckled. "I guess keeping a childlike heart really does help you stay beautiful."
Having been completely fooled, Ritsu could only wear his trademark half-lidded expression.
'Seriously... I got worked up for nothing. I honestly thought the Zoo had sent someone.
With this many guests onboard, there'd be no way to guarantee everyone's safety if that happened.'
"Sir, would you like something to drink?"
'That voice...?!'
Turning around, Ritsu found himself face-to-face with Rei, dressed as a waiter and wearing black round-framed glasses.
'What's he doing on this ship?'
Keeping his expression perfectly composed, Ritsu answered in deliberately awkward Japanese,
"No, thank you."
"Very well."
Rei didn't notice anything unusual about the foreign gentleman before him.
The reason he had boarded the ship today wasn't to investigate Kaito Kid. He was here for someone else.
Arsène Lupin.
That morning, after waking up in his apartment, Rei had turned on the television while eating breakfast and watching the morning news.
The moment Lupin appeared on screen wearing a black kimono, every trace of sleepiness vanished.
His memories of Ritsu remained crystal clear. He remembered that kimono vividly.
Three years earlier, while doing Ritsu's laundry near the end of the year, he had noticed that exact black kimono.
It was then that he had realized Lupin's true identity was Ritsu.
He never exposed him, believing that Ritsu was investigating another mysterious organization on behalf of the Organization.
Then, after Ritsu had supposedly died in Rei's arms two years ago, Lupin had disappeared as well. That only strengthened Rei's belief that they had always been the same person.
'So what's going on now? Why has Lupin suddenly returned? Did Ritsu survive after all? Or is the Lupin shown on television merely an impersonator?'
Determined to uncover the truth, Rei postponed his scheduled meeting with his handler. He had managed to board the luxury cruise ship disguised as a waiter for one reason only.
To investigate Lupin.
"..."
Watching Rei walk away, Ritsu frowned slightly. He had a pretty good idea why the guy was here.
'He probably knows that I'm Lupin.'
Feeling someone tug at his sleeve, he turned around and met Akemi's puzzled gaze.
"Don't tell me... Furuya-kun knows you're the Phantom Thief?"
'Akemi really is both sharp and perceptive. She figured it out immediately.'
Ritsu had long since told Akemi that Bourbon's true identity was Rei Furuya.
After all, someone's first love happened to be Akemi's mother.
"Probably," Ritsu admitted.
"Looks like I'll have to be extra careful."
"I think you should—"
Before Akemi could finish suggesting that he openly meet Rei as Lupin, the piercing cry of an eagle interrupted her.
A majestic eagle swooped overhead before landing on the outstretched arm of a young man dressed in a dark navy suit.
Tilting her head, Akemi studied the newcomer curiously.
'That light brown hair...'
It instantly reminded her of her younger sister.
"An... an eagle?!" Kogoro exclaimed.
Sonoko had also noticed the handsome young man calmly handling the bird.
'Wow... what a gorgeous mixed-race guy!'
The moment Ritsu saw the young man, he couldn't help frowning.
'Did I forget to check my fortune before leaving the house today? Having Rei here is bad enough... Now even that British detective I've only met once has shown up.'
The newcomer was none other than Saguru Hakuba.
The moment he learned that Lupin had resurfaced, he rushed to Yokohama without delay and used his father's influence to board the ship.
Gently calming his beloved eagle Watson, who seemed restless amid the large crowd, he apologized to everyone nearby.
"My apologies. Watson doesn't like crowded places. Please excuse me."
As Hakuba departed, the distinguished guests quietly began discussing him.
Naturally, the topic was his father, Inspector General Kenichi Hakuba of the Tokyo MPD.
Conan tilted his head while watching Hakuba walk away.
'Did he just say "Watson"? Don't tell me... he actually thinks he's Sherlock Holmes?'
Carrying a serving tray, Rei also noticed Hakuba's arrival.
While gathering intelligence for the Organization in London, he had heard plenty about the high school detective nicknamed SherlockHolmes.
But right now, the most important thing was leaving the ballroom as soon as possible.
His eyes briefly swept over Kogoro and the others. His face might have been remembered during the Moon Shadow Island incident.
To avoid attracting unnecessary attention, it would be wiser not to appear before them again. Currently, he found himself regretting not following Augier's advice.
'I really should've worn a disguise.'
Taking advantage of Conan's attention being elsewhere instead of on "Ran," Ritsu quietly stepped closer and whispered,
"So... when are you planning to make your move, Kuroba-kun?"
The instant "Ran" heard his words, "she" nearly jumped in shock.
Fortunately, Kaito had nerves of steel and managed to keep his expression perfectly composed. Slowly turning his head, "Ran" looked at Richard, who wore the refined smile of a gentleman.
'I never imagined this guy was also skilled at disguise and voice imitation.
So that button he gave me wasn't meant to protect me... It was actually a tracking device so he could pinpoint my location.
Damn it... I got completely played.'