Conan: Rice Flower Spring

Chapter 431, Section 425: Vermouth's "Heart Attack"
Shinichi Takeda's gaze followed the bag in the air, while Conan on the ground frantically winked at Ran Mouri and Kazuha Toyama.

Judging solely from their mutual understanding, Conan's glance should have been directed at Heiji Hattori.

Unfortunately, Heiji Hattori's skills are all in swordsmanship. Without a suitable weapon, his fighting ability can only be reduced to about 20-30%.

At this critical moment, Lin Longma also received an uninvited guest.

"Brother, Shinichi Takeda wants to see you at the gate," Kaneda said in a low voice to Ryoma Lin as he approached him.

Although it was already very late, Lin Longma did not rest.

Lin Longma has gathered a lot of information today, and he needs to organize and analyze it to see if it can be used in the future.

In addition, the Tokyo City Hotel that suddenly appeared is also worth noting, especially since Taylor, this American, became one of the hotel's partners.

That makes it even more worthy of attention.

Taylor was quite good at hiding his true nature when they first met, but as they spent more time together, his "human side" became increasingly undeniable.

This foreigner's background might be a little troublesome.

Upon hearing Jin Tian's report, Lin Longma glanced at the time. It was already past midnight, and he was heading out towards dawn.

Shinichi Takeda coming to see me at this time... there's something fishy about it.
"Let him in."

Lin Longma tidied up the things he had analyzed and recorded on the table and then put them aside.

These will all be sorted out by Kaneda and taken back to the base when he leaves tomorrow, and then filed in categories.

When he needs them, these items will be found by Kinda and his secretary immediately.

Soon, Takeda Shinichi followed Kaneda in.

When Shinichi Takeda approached, Ryoma Hayashi twitched his nostrils slightly but said nothing, simply looking at him impassively.

"Mr. Shinichi, is there something important that you have come to see me so late?"

“There is indeed a very important situation, but the fewer people who hear about it, the better.” Shinichi Takeda looked troubled and hesitated as he glanced at Kaneda and Shiraishi in Ryoma Hayashi’s room.

"I'd like to speak with Mr. Shinichi alone." Ryoma Hayashi waved to Kaneda and Shiraishi.

Kaneda and Shiraishi didn't pretend to hesitate, nodded and left the room, leaving the space to Ryoma Hayashi and Shinichi Takeda.

"Shouldn't you be with Xiaolan? Why are you sneaking around here so late at night?"

After Kaneda and Shiraishi left, Ryoma Hayashi revealed the true identity of the "Shinichi Takeda" before him.

With a tearing sound, the disguise mask on Shinichi Takeda's face was ripped off, revealing Vermouth's angry face underneath.

"Didn't you say you wouldn't come here?" The Takeda family was essentially a "sweet trap" and a "sugar-coated bullet" prepared by Ireland for Ryoma.

As an ally, Vermouth reminded Lin Longma immediately, and he readily agreed at the time, but what was the result?
So you can't trust what men say, right?
God knows how Vermouth felt when she learned that Ran Mouri was going to the Takeda family in Rukuro Pass, and then saw Ryoma Hayashi's convoy on the way there.

There was definitely some speechlessness, but not to that extent. Until tonight, Ran Mouri and her friends decided to sneak into Shinichi Takeda's workshop at night.

Heiji Hattori and Conan still need to investigate what the Takeda family does, and they can only determine that after they get their hands on that packet of anesthetic.

Experts like Vermouth and Lin Longma don't need to go through all that trouble; they don't even need to go in person. They can analyze the situation with a high degree of accuracy just by listening to it.

Vermouth clearly knew about the Takeda family's schemes long ago, around the same time as Ryoma Hayashi.

So when Ran Mouri decided to sneak into the workshop at night with her friends, Vermouth's reaction was quite intense.

Ran Mouri's fighting ability is beyond doubt; even within the organization, she would be in the top tier.

Even in hand-to-hand combat, Gin might not be able to beat Ran Mouri.

The prestige of karate competitions is truly terrifying.

However, unarmed combat is one thing, but it doesn't represent one's full fighting ability.

For example, if someone suddenly uses the Ashina sword technique during a duel, could you handle that?

Vermouth was also afraid that Takeda Shinichi would disregard martial ethics and shoot her angel right away.

Don't be fooled by Vermouth calling Ran Mouri an angel; it doesn't mean Ran is truly invulnerable.

Judging from the reputation of Rum's subordinates and related professionals, Vermouth's concerns are very plausible.

Because Vermouth's knowledge was gathered in secret, she couldn't directly eliminate the Takeda family unless absolutely necessary.

If that were to happen, Ran Mouri would immediately have to take Heiji Hattori and Conan to investigate Vermouth.

For Vermouth, true security has never been about the organization making some kind of safety assessment of Ran Mouri and Conan.

On the contrary, completely forgetting about these two people is the only way for Ran Mouri and Conan to be truly safe.

If Ran Mouri and Conan were to investigate Vermouth, it would be no different from the Flirting Organization, so Vermouth had no choice but to run to Ryoma Hayashi for help.

As a master of disguise, Vermouth is able to achieve perfection in her disguises; in short, she is flawless.

This time, she deliberately didn't remove the scent from her body while disguising herself, and the perfume she wore happened to be the same perfume she wore when she met Lin Longma last time.

This is also a hint from Vermouth about her identity.

"I really didn't intend to come here, but I met an interesting foreigner," Lin Longma explained to Vermouth.

Since we are allies, the beginning of cooperation is the time to build mutual trust.

Lin Longma wasn't the type to need people guessing his thoughts, so he spoke frankly. He then casually tossed a gold coin to Vermouth.

"By the way, this thing was obtained from that foreigner."

Vermouth nimbly caught the flying gold coin, and upon holding it in her hand, she immediately saw the familiar crow on the back of the coin.

"This is?!"

This made Vermouth forget all about her business.

"The ticket to a special service at the Tokyo City Hotel is for work that is part of an international intermediary company's plan."

When I get back, I'm going to check it out and see what kind of hotel it is.

"You're interested too? Then count you in!"

“Okay.” Vermouth nodded without hesitation, then she realized that she hadn’t come to see Lin Longma about the hotel.

"Get to the point! Ran might be in danger! She and her friend just went to Takeda Shinichi's workshop to investigate."
Shinichi Takeda was in a business where he risked his life; how could he so easily allow someone to investigate his workshop?

"Think of something quick, or I'll just alert them!"

Vermouth was anxious, but Lin Longma advised her not to rush. "Don't worry, I already knew when Ran and her friends sneaked out of the room."

Lin Longma didn't travel light this time; he brought two cars full of equipment and people with him.

It can be said that when Ryoma Hayashi decided to stay overnight, his men had already begun to secretly investigate the Takeda family's residence.

Meanwhile, some high-tech surveillance equipment was also quietly placed in the Takeda family home.

Without anyone noticing, the master of the Takeda family suddenly changed.

"I see that Ran has successfully entered the Takeda family's warehouse and is heading towards the workshop."

"Yes, it seems the three Takeda brothers received the news shortly after they went in. They've now met up at the mansion and are heading towards the warehouse."

Lin Longma glanced at his phone; on the screen, Bai Shi's subordinate was giving him a live text update.

"Then hurry up and go! Something bad might really happen!" Vermouth transformed into an anxious queen; she was genuinely worried.

"Alright, alright, let's go." Lin Longma sent a text message first, then led Vermouth out of the room that Takeda Shinichi had arranged for him.
-
Inside Shinichi Takeda's workshop, Ran Mouri finally noticed Conan's frantic firing "gaze" and realized that the most dangerous thing now was the pistol in Shinichi Takeda's hand.

But it seemed a little too late for her to realize this now, because Shinichi Takeda had already successfully caught the "anesthesia" that Conan threw at him and started grinning at the group.

"Eh?!"

Ran Mouri was suddenly startled because she saw several unusual figures appear behind Shinichi Takeda.

To be precise, someone pressed the cold muzzle of a gun against the heads of Takeda's second and third sons.

As drug dealers, Takeda's second and third brothers had a strong will to survive. Although they had never experienced the cold touch of a gun muzzle, it didn't stop them from thinking outside the box.

Besides, even if they can't see the gun barrel pointed at their own heads, can't they at least see the other side's?
The shape is very similar, the material is very similar. Isn't this the real thing?!
The second and third brothers of Takeda didn't dare to move. As the direct beneficiaries of the drug trafficking, they were quite different from most drug dealers.

Even though ordinary drug dealers are utterly depraved, they are still willing to risk their lives when necessary.

But neither of them dared to fight to the death; they simply didn't have that kind of fighting spirit.

When they discovered that the second and third brothers of Takeda had been subdued, Hattori Heiji and Conan were secretly delighted, but on the surface they showed no sign of it.

They are experienced; in situations like this, they just need to cooperate.

Unfortunately, Ran Mouri and Kazuha Toyama didn't have that kind of acting skill, and their expressions immediately gave them away.

Shinichi Takeda was the first to notice the unusual look on the two girls' faces. Had something happened behind them?

impossible!
Shinichi Takeda scoffed at this assessment.

Even if my two younger brothers are useless, they shouldn't be so useless that they were subdued by someone without anyone noticing, right?
Even if someone really schemes against you, at least you can call out.

This shows that the two girls were just trying to lure him back for one last gamble.

The evidence, in turn, consists of two boys, one big and one small, who have absolutely no chemistry with the two girls.

Those two bastards look so expressionless, it's obvious they have no chemistry with the two girls. What a bunch of losers!

Shinichi Takeda even had the mind to mentally criticize the two "useless" boys.

What kind of waste from the Heisei era?

"Alright, now it's time to play house. You two girls go find a rope and tie the boy up."

Then you two tie each other up. If I'm in a good mood, maybe I'll consider letting you go?

It was still just empty promises, even less sincere than what the company's boss put into it. But at this moment, they were in a situation where they were at the mercy of others, and Takeda Shinichi wasn't worried about them not obeying.

Facing the dark muzzle of a gun, few people can truly remain calm.

"What, you really think I wouldn't dare to shoot?!"

Shinichi Takeda felt embarrassed when he realized the men hadn't moved. He didn't want to fire, but that didn't mean he could be ignored like this.

Are all young people these days so brave?
Shinichi Takeda may not want to fire, but that doesn’t mean he can’t or dares to.

If it really comes to the point where he has no choice but to shoot, he won't hesitate; he'll just go on a killing spree.

Just as Shinichi Takeda was about to show the youngsters what he was capable of, a strong and powerful arm suddenly wrapped around his neck.

His arm tightened instantly, and Shinichi Takeda's face turned bright red.

His arm was immediately restrained, and with a slight application of joint locks, the pistol fell to the ground.

Then a pair of large hands covered Takeda Shinichi's mouth before he could speak. When he turned his head, he saw his two younger brothers standing obediently under the muzzles of two guns behind him.

At this moment, Takeda Shinichi undoubtedly wanted to curse.

He discovered that his two younger brothers were simply being held at gunpoint without any restraint.

Unlike me, who still has my mouth gagged.

But since he wasn't completely under control, couldn't he at least shout out to warn him?!

Damn it, these kids these days are really wicked! Those two bastards clearly saw what was happening behind him and didn't want to alert him.

Those two girls really are the ones who have no guile.

I anticipated your prediction, but you didn't even move.

Shinichi Takeda felt he had been utterly wronged in his defeat.
Just after the three Takeda brothers were subdued, Ryoma Hayashi, accompanied by Kaneda and Shiraishi, came to the outside of the warehouse.

Two of Bai Shi's men were guarding the warehouse at the entrance. When they saw Lin Longma arrive, they opened the warehouse door.

"It's quite lively, everyone." Lin Longma ignored the second and third brothers of the Takeda clan, and then glanced at the eldest brother of the Takeda clan, whose eyes were blazing with anger, but didn't pay any attention to them.

These kinds of people are basically not qualified to talk to Lin Longma. All Lin Longma has to do is hand them over to the police station.

Then Rum will send someone to silence them.
He was accumulating his slush fund in this dangerous way. Even Rum didn't want this kind of thing to be exposed within the organization.

When Rum, as Karasuma Renya's confidant, began to have his own little secrets, and even when these secrets were brought into the open, his trust in Karasuma Renya's heart was rapidly diminishing.

That speed was even faster than the gas pump nozzle at a gas station.

Rum's rating with Karasuma Renya is already low enough; it's best not to let it get any lower.

With Takeda Shinichi exposed, silencing him became the most cost-effective option.

Anyway, the source of goods and channels are all in Rum's hands, and as for the transportation methods, Beika Town has never lacked creative talents.

(End of this chapter)