The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 216 The Caged Bird Becomes Alert
The encounter between the Junior Detective League and Conan was not accidental, but rather the result of Ran Mouri's careful planning.

In fact, after arriving at the campsite this morning, Ran Mouri's premonition that had been lingering in her mind vanished without a trace.

Without warning, it slipped away from my heart silently, like a thorn being quietly pulled out.

For a moment, she even felt a long-lost sense of ease.

However, the sudden release of that sense of constraint did not make Ran Mouri lower her guard; instead, it made her even more nervous.

Beautiful scenery near Hoshimi Tower —

The forest swayed with the waves of the wind, the firewood on the picnic rack crackled, and the air was filled with the aroma of burning wood. Children ran around happily, flying colorful kites, and their laughter echoed in the sky.

These landscapes offer no solace whatsoever to Xiaolan now.

"If Sonoko knew, she would be very surprised."

Ran Mouri never knew she had the talent to be a detective.

However, when he deduced in front of the three children and Professor Agasa that his hat and some of the children's clothes had been stolen, he did not feel any warning.

In the past, perhaps she would have felt a little excited.

After all, the Sword of Damocles that had been hanging overhead suddenly disappeared.

But now, Ran Mouri is more inclined to believe that something is about to happen.

From the moment she arrived at the campsite, she had been observing, watching everyone around her every move and Professor Agasa's various reactions.

Xiaolan never imagined that one day she would become so perceptive, so calm—even with a strange sense of prophecy.

Therefore, not long ago, after Professor Agasa ordered dessert for everyone and left with that casual excuse,

With just a simple question, she cleverly guided the children of the Junior Detective Club to take action.

"Let me tell you, if you want to become a detective, the first thing you need to do is to pay attention to everything happening around you at all times."

Facing the curious gazes of the three children, Ran Mouri deliberately adopted a serious expression, then cleared her throat:
"Ahem, this is a required course for detectives!"

"I wonder if any clever detectives have noticed that since this morning, one of us has been behaving very strangely?"

"It's Ayumi!"

Yuan Tai scooped up a large spoonful of ice cream and put it in his mouth. Immediately afterward, he couldn't help but cover his mouth because of the cold, and the sound came out from between his fingers covering his mouth.

"Her coat was stolen, and she only cried for a short while!"

"Genta!"

Ayumi's face flushed red instantly, clearly annoyed by Genta's words. "You're the one behaving the strangest!"

"You didn't order eel rice!"

"It must be Professor Agasa," Mitsuhiko said, causing the two children to turn their heads.

"Professor Agasa?!"

"After all, it's strange no matter how you look at it."

Mitsuhiko was sitting right in front of the elevator. After Ran asked that question, Mitsuhiko first looked at Ran, and then his gaze fell on the figure carrying the handbag as he walked into the elevator.

"After all, there's a restroom on the fourth floor, so why did Professor Agasa go down to the first floor?"

Mitsuhiko was quick-witted. Following the direction of "Professor Agasa," he quickly pointed out a series of strange things that Professor Agasa had done since the morning.

"And that bag, you could have just put it on the table, why did you have to carry it yourself—"

"And they won't even let us see what's inside!" Genta immediately interjected excitedly.

Then, the three children looked at each other and nodded to one another.

"Junior Detective League! Move out!"

Before Ran could react, the three children ran excitedly toward the elevator entrance not far away.

"Ran-neechan! Let's have a competition to see who can find Professor Agasa faster!"

Then, just as Ran Mouri ran to the elevator, the three mischievous children pressed the close button.

"Yay! We're leading by one point!"

The children's cheers came from inside the already closed elevator doors, and they successfully slowed down Xiaolan's progress.

Given Ran Mouri's physical condition, she could certainly have caught the children's elevator, but she didn't.

She simply pressed the call button for another elevator next to her and then began to wait.

She had already overheard Professor Agasa's meeting place with Conan over the phone.

Ran Mouri wants to use this suitable "reason" to verify something.

……

"Have you seen a child wearing blue clothes? I'm his older sister, and he's lost from me!"

"He was wearing black-rimmed glasses and a silver watch."

With a genuine look of anxiety and worry on her face, Ran Mouri's words made the front desk staff put into thought.

Ran Mouri's appearance immediately caused a sound to come through the invisible earpieces in Kazumi Morimura's ears.

"Act according to Plan A-03, inform Ran Mouri of Shinichi Kudo's previous movements, and also reveal some information related to Heiji Hattori."

For the league, Ran Mouri's arrival is definitely a pleasant surprise.

The GSSRA's imposters haven't entered yet. If they can use Ran Mouri's connection, the Alliance can more easily solve the key problem for the 50th-floor observatory.

Her good fortune is the best disguise.

So, after several front desk staff members said they didn't remember, Morimura Kazuji immediately stepped forward.

A look of sudden realization crossed her face:

"Ah! It's that kid who came with the famous detective Hattori from Kansai!"

The word "Hattori of Kansai" made Ran Mouri's eyes narrow, and then she heard Kazuji Morimura continue speaking.

"The child rushed over, asking how to get to the top-floor observatory, but that observatory is temporarily closed to the public for the next few days..."

Now, Ran Mouri already knows that Shinichi's target is the observatory on the top floor.

"Moreover, tonight's memorial service for film director Akira Sakamaki has booked the entire banquet hall of room 49, which is the most beautiful banquet hall with a view!"

Before Morimura Kazuji could finish speaking, another receptionist walked into the work area carrying a raffle box.

Morimura Kazuji's words made him sigh helplessly and complain.

"Yes, judging from the number of people on the list, it probably won't even fill half the hall. No wonder the organizers insisted that we hold some kind of lucky draw."

This giveaway is the result of a collaboration between the [Real Timeline] and the Alliance.

No one knows whether the story timeline will continue to be a poor sequel at the end of this "reunion with the Black Organization" historical inertia.

In order to have a grasp of the entire scene and to intervene in the situation more promptly, there must be enough GSSRA/Alliance agents in disguise at the memorial service.

Coincidentally, within the original "historical inertia," the handkerchiefs given to the attendees were the most important piece of "evidence."

"Everyone can get a free handkerchief today!"

Another member of the task force had already started setting up notice boards on both sides of the counter, roughly saying:

Visitors who receive the gray handkerchief will not only receive a free pass to the entire Star Viewing Tower today, but will also be able to attend tonight's memorial service for free.

There is no doubt that the alliance made any behind-the-scenes arrangements.

Ran Mouri got what she wanted simply by relying on her own good luck.

After completing the registration, Morimura Kazuji handed her the VIP card that he had prepared beforehand, which could be used to access most of the elevator floors in the Hoshimi Tower, and then gave her a formulaic smile.

"Miss Mori, you're so lucky!"

After casually answering the receptionist's questions and getting the information she wanted, Ran Mouri immediately ran towards the meeting place of Professor Agasa and Conan, based on her memory.

About thirty meters away from the front desk, a child wearing a white hat witnessed everything that had just happened.

She had been back on the first floor from the forty-ninth floor for some time now, and she had watched the staff put those slogans on the notice boards.

Ai Haibara felt that she was pretty lucky.

She waited less than ten minutes before someone drew a handkerchief that could get the access card, and judging from its appearance, it was a high school student.

Next, all I need to do is steal that VIP card.

After all, let's not even mention that I wasn't confident about drawing the gray handkerchief.

The notice alone, which reads, "To prevent tourists from receiving duplicates, please register before receiving," makes this impossible.

I sneaked in without buying a ticket.

Moreover, it's highly likely that the organizers obtained this list, and if the organizers and the organization are connected...

……

Meanwhile, the Detective Boys and Ran Mouri have successfully reunited with Conan and Heiji.

To be honest, the scene was both chaotic and awkward.

An atmosphere of unease, along with the pure white light overhead, transformed into an invisible mist that enveloped everyone.

After all, apart from the three children who genuinely believed it was a "detective game," everyone else at the scene was hiding something from the others.

The moment Conan saw the Detective Boys, the bag containing the skateboard and magnifying glass was immediately handed over to Heiji Hattori, a high school student, for safekeeping.

After all, Conan wasn't confident he could keep it from Genta.

The way the three children stared at the handbag with curiosity was perfectly understandable to Conan.

"Conan? Hattori? What are you doing here?!"

Ran's somewhat surprised tone caused Heiji and Conan to both give each other an awkward yet polite smile.

Ran Mouri's gaze is still quite intimidating.

She frowned slightly, biting her lower lip, with an expression that suggested she had been deceived.

A natural-born imposter, or perhaps a genuine expression of emotion that unfolds naturally.

In the current situation, Heiji felt that he could even read a sense of "catching someone in the act" in her eyes.

"Ah! This..."

Heiji Hattori was instantly drenched in sweat.

Ran Mouri took the initiative to exploit an information gap.

After all, Heiji Hattori wasn't sure if Kogoro Mouri had accurately explained his and Kudo's actions that day to Ran Mouri.

More importantly, what if Ran Mouri suggests joining in, or takes Kudo away to camp with the children at the campsite?!

"A memorial service," Conan whispered to Heiji.

"Ah! It's because Conan is a big fan of the movie director Akira Sakamaki, and we heard there's going to be a memorial service for him today..."

"I see." Ran nodded, seemingly accepting the explanation. "I didn't know Conan would like those really dull movies!"

“Whoosh—” ×3.

Conan, Heiji, and Professor Agasa all breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief.

Then, at Conan's prompting, Heiji Hattori brought up the so-called "case Kudo recently encountered" and "Kudo's instructions."

While everyone else's attention was drawn away by Heiji Hattori, Conan deliberately pulled Professor Agasa to walk at the very back of the group.

He lowered his voice, his tone filled with anxiety.

"Doctor, didn't I tell you to come here secretly by yourself?"

"But Conan, I really can't shake off Ran and the others."

Dr. Agasa also lowered his voice, turned to the side, covered his lips with his hand, and quietly explained what had happened that morning.

"Xiao Lan's hat and several pieces of clothing for the children were stolen, and then the children thought the thief might run off to..."

"Anyway, Doctor, this place might be dangerous from now on. Find a reason to take them to the campsite later."

...The group then left the somewhat secluded corridor and returned to the lobby on the first floor.

Standing in front of the giant constellation projector, Conan, holding Heiji's hand, smiled.

"Bye-bye, Doctor!"

Ran Mouri suggested they continue searching for the "clothes thief" at the campsite, tempted by Professor Agasa's promise of the "Junior Detective League badge."

The Junior Detective League ultimately gave up on the idea of ​​visiting the memorial service.

Besides, these children had just excitedly run to the front desk to draw prizes.

Unsurprisingly, they did not draw the gray handkerchief that symbolized the VIP card.

"Because all the free invitation slots have already been given out."

For some reason, Conan sensed a hint of helplessness in the receptionist's tone.

This is another example of the "real-world timeline" doing something good.

It just sent a large group of GSSRA personnel disguised as tourists to take away all the gray handkerchiefs.

However, the alliance cannot afford to fall out with the [real-world timeline] over such a trivial matter.

In short, the [real-world timeline] does not want the Junior Detective League children to attend this memorial service.

"fair enough."

Looking at the report from the "front line," Shigenobu Hitomi raised her hand and canceled several contingency plans regarding preventing the insertion of new historical inertia into the story timeline.

"While we can't take advantage of Ran Mouri's luck or the Junior Detective League's RSI anomaly, it's also difficult to add more elements to the [story timeline]."

After Conan and Heiji waved goodbye to Ran Mouri, Professor Agasa, and the Junior Detective League children.

Immediately afterwards, a group of people dressed in black formal attire entered the hall.

Guided by several waiters, the men in black arrived at the lavishly decorated elevator entrance to the east of the central projector.

"These people must be attending the memorial service for director Akira Sakamaki."

Conan and Heiji immediately switched into detective mode.

"They will probably take the VIP elevator directly to the 49th floor so they don't have to squeeze into the elevator with the tourists."

"Well, since the VIP card grants access to all floors..."

Conan looked up at Heiji, "We can see if we can find a tourist who won a VIP card and exchange it for one—"

"No need, Kudo."

Hattori Heiji's voice suddenly took on a relaxed, even surprised tone.

"—Our people have arrived."

Conan followed Heiji's gaze and saw a man dressed in casual black clothes running towards him.

Upon reaching Chief Heiji, Sato Shoji instinctively wanted to salute, but upon seeing Conan, he immediately realized he was in disguise, so he pretended to scratch his head.

“Don’t worry about this kid,” Hattori Heiji quickly added to Conan’s defense, “He doesn’t understand Japanese.”

He cursed inwardly for not giving Heiji a better reason, and then Conan forced a questioning look into his eyes.

"Yes, Director Hattori, our undercover agents have all received their VIP cards."

As he spoke, he handed over a gold VIP card.

"This is a note left for you. Then the command asked me to come and ask you if you have made any new discoveries."

"Due to time constraints, we only temporarily deployed thirty agents disguised as tourists to conduct reconnaissance."

Sato Akio raised his wrist to check the time, his tone somewhat hurried.

"It's already 2:30, but the memorial service will be moved up to 4:00."

"If it takes an hour and a half."

Hattori Heiji's expression also became serious. "Then let's split into five groups and go to floors 20 to 25 to look for clues related to Hirota Masami."

"The key must be on the 50th floor. Has headquarters still not obtained the key to the observatory?"

"We are still doing our best. The command center has decided that at five o'clock, which is halfway through the memorial service, two special forces teams will descend from the elevator shaft to the mezzanine between the 49th and 50th floors."

"There will be specialized demolition teams and decoding squads to carry out the operation."

"They will try to move or destroy all the equipment inside the observatory—"

Sato Shoji's words made Conan's heart tighten. He immediately put one hand behind his back and secretly pinched Heiji hard.

"Destroy it?!"

Heiji Hattori tensed for a moment; even without Conan's "reminder," he realized the seriousness of the situation.

Whether it's being transferred or destroyed, it means that the important "pointer" that Kudo mentioned can no longer be decoded.

"This is absolutely unacceptable!"

“We have no choice,” Sato Shōji shook his head. “The higher-ups’ thinking is that we cannot let the Black Organization’s operation succeed, no matter what.”

He paused, then added:
"However, this is a last resort. The intelligence department is currently trying to make contact with that private laboratory."

"If feasible, we will use this memorial service as an excuse to try to obtain the observatory's key by offering a large sum of money for sightseeing."

Regarding GSSRA's probing, Lin Sheng stated—

"Have the lab reject GSSRA's request."

GSSRA's operation was doomed to fail, Lin Sheng saw it clearly. The purpose of the [real timeline] was not just to "help" Conan obtain the key.

After all, the "war alert" issued by GSSRA headquarters now seems to be preparations made in accordance with the [story timeline].

But isn't it also a confrontation with the alliance?
"As long as we agree to this, all GSSRA personnel will immediately change their mission to block the Star Tower while dismantling and removing all decoding equipment."

"Conan's attention is now completely focused on the pointer, and he's already inclined to believe that the decoding device is useful."

"Agreeing to GSSRA's request is simply handing over another form of 'pointer' to the [real timeline]."

Lin Sheng glanced down at the overall structure of the Star Tower in reality.

Now, he is the invisible hand that guides the rhythm of the story.

He is the giver of the truth, the shaper of the logic of reality, and the distributor of the story's direction.

He glanced especially at the GSSRA commandos who were trying to breach the underground floors.

The idea of ​​a [real-world timeline] is wonderful—

The Alliance's climate control system was rationalized by reality to be located on a non-existent fifth underground level.

Although GSSRA's current focus is on the fiftieth floor, as long as GSSRA "accidentally" finds the final location of the climate generator based on the traces left by reality—

This technology can then be used by GSSRA.

This is the charm of the logic of reality—

Once you construct a sufficiently plausible explanation for it, it will "cover up the lie" for you in the most authoritative way.

When it comes to applying the logic of reality in a rational way, Lin Sheng has never been afraid of anyone.

He inwardly scoffed at this "leak" of the [real-timeline].

Then, as Lin Sheng began to "peek" into the future, more orders were systematically transmitted out.

"【Time Trace Weavers】, a team has begun to forge Miyano Akemi's decoding traces according to Plan B-01."

"The second team is carrying out the baijiu replacement plan in accordance with Plan C-01."

"【Plot Guide】A team needs to deliver information about the secret elevator connecting B5 to the 50th floor to Conan for decryption, according to Plan A-03."

"Second Team, you are responsible for monitoring the actions of Chris Vineyard and Kenzo Masuyama. It has been confirmed that Gin and Vodka have infiltrated the Star Tower in advance using 'Disappearance'."

"..."

Their future is destined to be nothing more than a footnote in the detective's journey to the "truth".

It's a clue, not the main point.

Lin Shengrang would have the action team guide them around the third basement level.

All the information they detect only becomes meaningful once it enters the minds of Conan or Heiji Hattori.

……

For Ran Mouri—

Perhaps because a few clouds were blocking the sun, the wind seemed to get much cooler on the way away from the Star Viewing Tower.

After leaving the Star Viewing Tower with the three children and Professor Agasa, everyone lost their initial excitement and merriment.

At this moment, Ran Mouri's mood was like the sun on the horizon, dimly lit and unclear, as if obscured by dark clouds.

She repeatedly recalled every scene she had just witnessed in the Star Viewing Tower:
The expressions on Shinichi and Heiji's faces when they exchanged information, the fleeting worry in Professor Agasa's eyes, and the tension they tried to hide but couldn't.

Ran Mouri now desperately wants to help Shinichi.

Furthermore, from Conan and Heiji's emphasis, she quickly discovered the fact they were trying to hide—

"The Star Tower is about to become dangerous."

This thought was like a nail, slowly being driven into her heart.

Ran Mouri bit her lip. In truth, she had regretted countless times inviting Shinichi to Dorobiga Park that day; she had thought this more than once.

If I hadn't invited Shinichi to the park that day, would everything have been different?
If I had chased after him then and there, would everything have been different?
The images from that day are still vivid in my mind—

Shinichi ran alone into the dark alley, his figure disappearing into the shadows, leaving her standing there.

From that moment until now, Ran Mouri has been imprisoned by this sense of powerlessness for far too long.

Even the recent Mihana branch bombing, the train bombing before that, and even now...

Ran Mouri originally thought she had gotten used to waiting.

Not long ago, she thought that as long as Shinichi was still by her side, it would be enough even if she didn't ask him for the "truth".

But why should I risk being forgotten and learn to be a "detective"?

Even though he has learned to become a detective, it still doesn't mean much to Shinichi, does it?
Moreover, I might become a burden or even a hindrance to Shinichi, wouldn't I?
Despite having a thousand reasons to convince herself, Ran Mouri's steps finally came to a slow stop on the cement path.

But when danger approaches once again, Ran Mouri realizes that she no longer wants to be the one waiting at the finish line.

She didn't want to see that scene happen again, even if it was only a possibility.

Moreover, with Shinichi's current state as a child in mind, no matter what, his fighting skills could always be of some help.

She looked down at her palm, where a pale gold VIP card lay quietly.

She won it in a lottery at the Star Tower and just casually put it in her pocket, never expecting it to become a path leading to Shinichi.

“Professor Agasa.” She turned around, her eyes both gentle and firm. “I suddenly remembered… I think I drew the gray handkerchief a while ago.”

With a nonchalant smile playing on her lips, Ran Mouri pulled a gold VIP card from her pocket and waved it at everyone, her eyes gleaming with a clear light.

Dr. Agasa saw it clearly: that was not a light of bravado, but the courage that the child had burned out.

She spoke softly, shifting her gaze to the tall tower ahead.

"Speaking of which, this is the first time I've heard that Conan actually likes director Sakamaki's works."

The wind blew for a while, she tidied her hair, and turned to look at the three children.

"Professor Agasa, I'm entrusting the Detective Boys to your care."

Ran Mouri was filled with determination—

This determination even caused a long-dormant warning within her to re-emerge today.

Before Professor Agasa could react, the girl turned and ran towards the Star Viewing Tower.

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed on the cement ground, and Ran Mouri ran headlong toward the Star Viewing Tower without hesitation.

This time, Ran Mouri will not let go.

(End of this chapter)