Stay away from Conan.

"The atmosphere here is definitely not simple."

Inside the banquet hall, Ai, dressed in a new children's style evening gown, arrived earlier with Gao Yuan. Looking at the large crowd and lively scene, Ai couldn't help but notice several people of unusual status among the spectators—

police.

Besides Inspector Megure and his colleagues, whom we are quite familiar with, there are others who are obviously police officers at first glance. These people seem to make up a significant portion of the guests at this banquet.

Even though the bride's brother is Inspector Shiratori, a rising star in the Metropolitan Police Department, the proportion of police officers in this engagement is still a bit too high, isn't it?

Therefore, even Ai Haibara noticed that something seemed off about the engagement party. Perhaps, just as Gao Yuan had guessed, there was some kind of plan behind the engagement party.

For example, could the criminal who shot and killed two police officers appear here?
As for Ai, she doesn't really believe that the murderer will actually appear here, but if she had to say, it's not impossible.

However, given this possibility, the police's actions this time...

Thinking this, Ai looked at Gao Yuan, still seemingly puzzled.

As for this, Gao Yuan didn't say much to Ai Haibara. Partly because his clues about the matter were mainly based on his understanding of the original work, a situation difficult to explain, and partly because he saw Kogoro Mouri leading Conan and the others entering the banquet hall through the main entrance—

Once inside the venue, Eri Kisaki easily discerned from the guests that many of them were police officers.

Therefore, Eri Kisaki couldn't help but say something to Kogoro Mouri:

"Any police officer can tell at a glance. They have a fierce and menacing look, and the atmosphere is so oppressive that it's really uncomfortable."

As she said this, it was clear that Eri Kisaki also felt that the atmosphere at the engagement party was a bit strange.

However, for Kogoro Mouri, a former detective, driven by both his stance and a rebellious desire to avoid discussing the same topics with Eri Kisaki, he replied dismissively:

"That's understandable. They probably had no time for eating, drinking, or having fun while they were busy investigating that case."

"But then, is it really necessary to force everyone to attend this engagement party?"

Eri Kisaki ignored Kogoro Mouri's rebuttal and continued speaking, glancing around at the crowd before letting out a sigh:

"Look at the number of police officers present, isn't there a bit too many?"

"Because it's a matter of face for the Shiratori family, it's not easy to refuse, right?"

Sonoko Suzuki made her guess about this from this perspective.

At that moment, Xiaolan spotted Sato Miwako in the crowd with her sharp eyes. Looking at the situation in her direction, Xiaolan couldn't help but say:
"I think Officer Sato is quite cheerful, and the atmosphere isn't that oppressive, is it?"

Seemingly trying to salvage the situation from her parents' renewed bickering, Ran spoke from a different angle. Reminded by Ran's words, everyone present turned to look at Sato Miwako—

There, dressed in a gorgeous gown, Sato Miwako was chatting and laughing with Takagi Wataru, unlike the other police officers who were in a somber mood.

Ran, Sonoko, and Conan, seeing their expressions, couldn't help but think about their relationship and, given the occasion, couldn't help but imagine how things would develop between them.

However, after observing his surroundings, Kogoro Mouri noticed Toshiro Odagiri among the police officers present. He then spoke to Eri Kisaki and Ran:
"Minister Odagiri is here too? I'll go say hello."

With that, Kogoro Mouri straightened his clothes and went to find Toshiro Odagiri alone.

"Who is that?"

Ran and the others obviously didn't know this Toshiro Odagiri, so they asked Eri about him.

Eri Kisaki was naturally aware of this, and explained:
"Chief Odagiri, back when that lousy detective was still a detective, he was the head of the Criminal Investigation Division, and now he is the head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Metropolitan Police Department."

As she spoke, glancing at Kogoro Mouri greeting Toshiro Odagiri, Eri recounted a past event, which made Ran understand—

It turned out to be my father's former boss.

And so, as the guests seemed to have arrived, the engagement banquet began as scheduled. At the host's announcement, the newlyweds, dressed in their formal attire, made their entrance amidst cheers. After going through a series of ceremonial procedures, the banquet began.

At this buffet-style banquet, Kogoro Mouri naturally let loose a bit, picking up various drinks to try. However, with Eri Kisaki by his side, he was ruthlessly dissuaded several times when he wanted to drink strong liquor, seemingly worried that he might get drunk and behave rudely in this setting.

Left with no other choice, Kogoro Mouri opted for some low-alcohol sparkling wine. And just then, the bride's brother, Officer Shiratori, approached them with a young man to greet them.

Seeing this, Takato, who had been observing the situation from the sidelines, told Ai that he needed to use the restroom and instructed her to go with Kogoro Mouri and the others if she felt uncomfortable being alone. He then left the banquet hall alone.

Ai knew perfectly well that Takato must have something to do by choosing to go out alone at this time, and that she was going to Kogoro Mouri's place because she thought she might have a chance to hear some information.

Faced with this situation, which seemed to have been clearly orchestrated by Takato, Ai could only wave her hand helplessly, sigh, and walk towards Kogoro Mouri and the others.

As it happened, just as Ai was about to walk towards Conan and the others, she suddenly felt a familiar yet terrifying aura spreading around her.

This feeling startled Ai for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure.

After all, no matter what, I had already experienced this kind of aura several times in the past few days...

This aura is unique to members of the organization! (End of Chapter)