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

Chapter 238 The Death of Yusaku Kudo
The Hoshimi Tower case: a non-existent loop.

Lin Sheng, or rather ZC-01, now stands in a void within the timeline.

The case is still trying to flow backwards in the "last moments".

The power surging within Lin Sheng gathered up the countless tiny specks of light that had scattered from it, the fragments of timelines, and returned them to the "Star Tower" that stood in the boundless darkness.

The tower is now almost entirely composed of the CYZ effect, and every time Lin Sheng ponders something, it causes the tower to emit a low hum.

Shinichi Kudo was hanging upside down in the center of that tower.

The blood in His hands is the "source" of the new timeline, and the light in His eyes is the guide that determines where time should flow.

The tower formed by the CYZ effect resonated with the "Hanged Man," the moonlight that shone into Shinichi Kudo's pupils, every breath of air surrounding Him, every drop of rain that fell upon Him...

Lin Sheng's power is attempting to permeate [Shinichi Kudo] himself.

He has always been like this—patient, wise, and never leaving his fate in the hands of others.

Lin Sheng then devoted every bit of his increased strength and every string effect he saved to the transformation of that pale white sun.

Now, even His sense of time, His eyes that could see the true future, became deeper and more weary.

But it was undoubtedly worth it.

This statue, which has been reshaping the origins of the new timeline, has its gaze piercing to the very end, seeing a picture clearer than ever before.

Every "possibility" flowing from Lin Sheng's hands into the future converges like a stream.

Those pale rays of light that propelled time forward were then tinged with the colors of the CYZ effect as the "stream" flowed in.

A fiery gold, like the flame of a newborn star, intense and solemn, symbolizing hope and glory.

Lin Sheng clearly observed the mechanism of the [cycle]—

This ritual, belonging to Shinichi Kudo, forces the normal universe to submit to its rules.

It carves out a "pond" in the timeline, encompassing everything in the new timeline, including the characters, events, and even fate itself...

They are all woven into a cage from which there is no escape.

In this process, this "shell universe," or what could be called the Conan universe-001 universe, is...

It now has to explain some of its mechanisms to Lin Sheng and is forced to reveal some of its secrets to him.

It unwittingly revealed more of the truth about Shinichi Kudo, and even told Lin Sheng why the pale sun had shown some unusual signs not long ago.

This also resolved the long-standing doubt in Lin Sheng's mind:

Why are ritual cases so unique?

Why are those "pointers" so important?
Why is the third case the most crucial link?

"Once Conan obtains the third pointer, the path to the ending will be determined."

The past history then came into Lin Sheng's view; this was a fact He saw.

It was one of the most valuable pieces of information that Lin Sheng obtained from Koizumi Akako's divination and the prophecy.

The symbolism of the number "three," the significance of Tsukikage Island in the original historical trajectory, and Shinichi Kudo's own serious reflections on the themes of "detective" and "deduction"...

All of this gives the [Moonshadow Island Ritual Case] ​​even more meaning.

But how can it steer the future toward a positive outcome?
[Historical inertia] is the embodiment of [cycle]. If the trajectory of Moonshadow Island proceeds as in the original history, what can Conan change by obtaining the third pointer?
Restrain yourself and try to make your abnormalities harmless?
To give timelines "freedom" to everything?
If that's all there is to it, rather than gambling on an unknown outcome, it seems the safest and most effective approach is to let the third ritual case continue indefinitely.

After all, Shinichi Kudo's power increases with each pointer he retrieves.

Just as He, after learning the truth in the "Star Tower Case," was forced to choose "forgetting"—

His stagnation is a good thing for everyone else.

Ultimately, just like Lin Sheng and Kudo Shinichi discussed back then, how do we create a "perfect" future?

"I already have a plan."

At the time, Shinichi Kudo said this.

Lin Sheng now understands why those "accidents" still occurred in the new timeline created by the two of them.

His gaze then turned to Shinichi Kudo, the pale sun hanging over the other side of the timeline.

Compared to the figure that had been hanging upside down at the top of the tower, it was now burning so fiercely that all the light in the universe combined could not match the brilliance of a single ray of its light.

But now, a shadow has appeared at the edge of this sun, and the brilliance of reasoning has taken on a sorrowful hue.

Shinichi Kudo's brilliance shines ever brighter, and every spark of his deduction creates ripples on the timeline.

This is the lament of the pale sun.

The third cycle, the middle track of the ritual, the beginning of the end.

The gears of the cycle started moving with a single sentence from Hattori Heiji.

He led Conan quietly to a corner of the corridor, his expression serious, and said in a solemn tone, "Conan, the escape coordinates of that submarine... are Moonshadow Island."

The flame of deduction immediately ignited in Conan's mind.

"In other words, the Black Organization should have a base or even a stronghold on Moonshadow Island."

Conan looked up; he still remembered what Kento Oi had said, about Akimoto Kazuta's unusual behavior.

"What about Akimoto? Is the corpse dealer that Kento Oi mentioned connected to the Black Organization?"

“He doesn’t know that,” Hattori Heiji paused, “and he’s already dead. He committed suicide when the guards weren’t looking.”

"However, some information was found in the GSSRA database. They voluntarily changed their place of residence to Moonshadow Island three months ago."

"That fisherman named Akimoto Kazuta was actually an archaeologist at the University of Tokyo three months ago."

"He hired Kento Oi, a fisherman, to teach him the relevant skills, and then went to Tsukikage Island as an assistant."

Conan nodded with a serious expression as well. "I understand."

However, he did not immediately say that he wanted to go to Moonshadow Island.

—The connection with "pointers" is missing.

Only Shinichi Kudo himself knows what the "pointer" is and where it is.

This was also the final step that Shinichi Kudo took.

Two pointers among the six elements:
[Judgment of Decision] and [Pupil of Clarity] demonstrated their true power at this moment.

In the first two "ritual cases," even though Conan Edogawa was in a daze and unconsciously activated them, he was still able to guide the flow of the timeline and anchor a future that suited his wishes.

Now, these two pointers are being driven by the pale sun itself.

They immediately shone with unparalleled brilliance.

【Decision】, the effect called "always having a choice", allows the holder to make the absolutely optimal judgment when faced with choices that are three or multiples of three.

At the same time, it will make a judgment based on the holder's "determination" and provide an option that meets the holder's wishes.

Now, it has given Shinichi Kudo an option that can fulfill all of His unreasonable desires.

The Clear Eyes ensure that the path to "truth" is always correct.

The effect called "Miracle of Compassion" ensures that, before the holder perceives the truth, every clue he makes will be accurate, as long as his actions simultaneously meet the three elements of "salvation," "compassion," and "sacrifice."

Now they all work.

……

The GSSRA Strategic Command is located on three underground floors, with a safe house corridor.

As the heavy safety valve slowly slid down with the meshing of gears, a dull thud was heard, and the steel gate locked shut.

Outside the door, the footsteps of the soldiers who had been patrolling regularly immediately disappeared.

"Immediately notify higher-ups to call for backup!"

The lead sergeant activated the communicator the instant the valve was closed.

"Requesting backup! The valves on the third floor have been shut off. Level A safety status!"

However, Koizumi Akako could no longer hear the soldiers' attempts to come to her aid.

This impenetrable barrier now completely isolates Akako and Kaito from the outside world.

The overhead lights were a cold, bluish-white light, as if a gate had been lowered and cut off the external cables as well. From inside the walls came the hum of an independent power station, and the air was filled with a faint smell of metal and ionization.

This safe house has a Cold War-era style; it may have been converted from a Cold War-era shelter.

They were in a slightly large semi-circular space with dozens of corridors in front of them. The cold light cast from the deep corridors divided their shadows into dozens of projections on the wall behind them.

At the end of this area, at least thirty identical walkways connect.

At the end of each path was a metal security door designed to the same specifications, with randomized numbering and no distinguishing markings.

Opening one door might lead to a real safe house, or it might trigger a high-voltage electric fence, a gas trap, or even a cage disguised as a room.

However, through her magic, or rather, divination, Hongzi had already glimpsed the only correct door from within the crystal ball.

"So now all we need to do is take Mr. Yusaku away!"

Koizumi Akako's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement, yet she controlled herself not to speak too loudly, as if afraid of disturbing some mechanism.

Her heart began to pound—

Hongzi never imagined that one day she would be able to personally "break through" or even "reverse" the trajectory of her fate.

She even unconsciously gripped Kaito Kuroba's hand tightly, her palms becoming slightly sweaty.

She's about to succeed!

Hongzi knew very well that now that the dual timelines had disappeared, everyone's timelines were free—

She will step out of the script of fate for the first time, starting with reversing the death of Yusaku Kudo.

Kaito Kuroba turned to look at her, a signature confident smile playing on his lips.

"Don't worry, Akako," he said softly, his eyes revealing a focus and determination. "I will bring Mr. Yusaku away safely."

Kaito Kuroba had already fully understood Koizumi Akako's explanation.

"Do you remember what we did on that auction train before?"

"The key is not how to follow the prophecy, but how to interpret its fulfillment."

"I already have a plan."

And now, whether it's Kaito's wisdom or his actions—

The fact that they are now standing in the corridor proves that Kaito Kuroba's plan has succeeded.

With a long-lost joy sparkling in her eyes, Akako grabbed Kaito's hand and was about to run down that path.

"That's it!"

She lowered her voice, but quickened her pace with excitement, "What I see is this corridor! Mr. Yusaku is behind that door!"

"Wait, Akako." Kaito Kuroba grabbed Akako, who was about to pull him towards the correct corridor. "We can't just head straight for the target like this, it's too obvious."

"If someone follows closely behind, and if Mr. Yusaku is discovered before he leaves, then everything we've done will be ruined."

"We need to leave some options that may mislead those who come after us."

Kaito Kuroba looked at Akako and said, "Go wait for me in Yusaku's room. It would be best to explain the situation of the alliance to Yusaku."

"It just so happens that I can clean up the traces you left behind."

Koizumi Akako nodded. "Okay, I'll wait for you at the entrance."

She spoke softly, but her gaze lingered on Kaito's face for a moment longer, and a hint of worry appeared in her voice.

"Kaito, be careful."

"Don't worry." Kaito chuckled, then turned back and winked at her. "You know, for a phantom thief, misleading the pursuing 'police' is a piece of cake."

Watching Koizumi Akako's figure disappear at the entrance of the corridor, Kuroba Kaito looked at the thirty branching paths in front of him and quickly walked towards one of them—he did need to do some preparation for dealing with those who came later.

Because Kaito knew that Gin, Vodka, Chianti, Korn, and Vermouth were almost there. Outside that impenetrable security door, all was quiet now, with the bodies of GSSRA soldiers lying scattered all over the ground.

These ordinary soldiers were utterly powerless against the distillery members who wore cloaks that granted optical invisibility.

Even the communicators scattered on the ground only emitted static that played on a loop: "Support is coming soon!"

They would never receive the support they needed, because the soldiers who arrived later, belonging to Kudo Yusaku's faction, were stopped by the soldiers who had been sent to guard the entrance to the third basement level because they were in league with Karasuma Renya.

The soldiers were ordered not to allow anyone to go to the third basement level.

"Our intelligence indicates that members of the Black Organization are attempting to use the pretext of providing support to reach the third basement level!"

The leading officer clashed with the others who followed, and his reasons were quite valid.

"We have already sent down a core group of guards personally appointed by Mr. Yusaku. If there is any unexpected intelligence, they will immediately notify the command headquarters."

Clearly, the enemy is not elsewhere; they are right here in the command post.

"Vermouth, is it ready yet? The blood is starting to flow."

Chianti looked at the pools of blood that had flowed over with some disgust, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

"After three incorrect password attempts, the key will be re-randomized to a 42-key random key, which can only be opened from the inside."

Vermouth connected the decoder in her hand to the command system, a slight smile curving her lips.

She knew someone had changed her password the moment she entered it wrong the first time.

She even knew in her heart which side those who changed the password belonged to.

—The thirty-three “divine pronouncements” that Lin Sheng personally issued earlier were not just for show.

Although she doesn't remember what happened at the "Star Viewing Tower," Vermouth remembers everything about the "Funeral Home Case" very clearly.

On the first day of the new timeline, at the Beika Hotel, it was she who deliberately let Shinichi Kudo go.

Moreover, it was that "close call" of trying to let Conan escape under the "Boss's" orders that convinced Vermouth of her premonition.

Boss can no longer "reset" her.

So instead of reporting her discovery immediately, she deliberately entered the incorrect password three times.

The moment Vermouth sent the edited text message, Boss's command appeared on Gin's phone.

"GIN, go connect the decoder to the gate's control interface."

Karasuma Renya decided to try decoding it himself, and those overlapping sounds echoed in the empty room.

Karasuma Renya ultimately stole a sliver of control over the [story timeline].

Therefore, as his thinking ability was "exhausted" for the day, the indicator light on that door turned green three minutes later.

With the sound of gears turning, the safety valve slowly rose.

Immediately afterwards, Gin and his group appeared in the same semi-circular room.

Faced with the deep corridors that stretched out before him, Vodka frowned. "Which way should we go?"

He glanced at his older brother beside him and said, "I feel some of the corridors are dangerous; this is not the time to take chances."

Gin nodded, walked to the edge of the room, and began to scan the various intersections along the arc.

Vodka spoke for him, saying that he wouldn't take any risks until a safe path was confirmed.

So Vermouth sent a text message to the Boss.

But this time, she received no response.

"It might be a signal problem."

When Gin cast a glance her way, she shook her head, indicating that her group might not receive any support.

"Damn it!" Gin slammed his fist on the wall. "We've come all this way!"

Then he saw something come down from the corner of the wall as he slammed his hammer down.

“Check the hallway floor,” Gin immediately looked at the others, “The presence of footprints in the hallway indicates it’s the right place!”

Finally, at Gin and Vodka's insistence, every entrance to the thirty-three corridors was inspected.

Chianti turned his gaze to the third passageway. "There's only a trace at intersection number three."

"I even found a single hair."

Vodka held out the hair from his palm to the crowd as if it were a priceless treasure—in his eyes, it was a symbol that could save his life.

Meanwhile, in Kudo Yusaku's office, "Kuroba Kaito," no, [Kudo Shinichi] looked at his father sitting in the center of the office.

That historical event that should have appeared in the revised version of "The Shadow of the Black Iron Fish," where "Kuroba Kaito" impersonates "Kudo Shinichi"—

Shinichi Kudo then used it in the present day.

Because Ran Mouri's sacrifice was not enough; she only lost her memories.

For Conan Edogawa, this could even be considered a return to the right track.

More importantly, as the CYZ effect permeates "himself," Shinichi Kudo discovers a problem with the ritual.

Of course, a solution was also found.

As for Yusaku Kudo, he was looking at Shinichi, who had appeared in front of him, with a strangely complicated expression.

He could hardly recognize Shinichi anymore, or rather, the two figures in his memory could no longer be reconciled.

The hints, the information, and even the answer he had deduced in the past phone conversations with Professor Agasa—

"time".

It's all so incredible.

He watched—watched Koizumi Akako walk into the office hidden at the end of the maze, and on the terminal belonging only to the highest authority, pull up that astonishing string of information.

The cold, detailed text and images slowly appeared, revealing a secret called the "CYZ Alliance".

Koizumi Akako then told Kudo Yusaku everything.

About [Shinichi Kudo].

About [Conan Edogawa].

About his son.

Then, the young man who the girl had described as "bringing a solution"—Kaito Kuroba—walked in.

Without warning, he delivered a clean and swift chop to the girl's neck, leaving Hongzi no time to even utter a cry before she slumped limply into the chair.

At the same time, Kaito skillfully bent down and activated a device on the wrist of the unconscious Akako.

The witch's figure then vanished from the office.

Everything quieted down.

The next moment, Kudo Yusaku saw the young man slowly take off his hood, revealing a face that he knew all too well.

That's his son's face.

However, the childishness on his face had long since disappeared, as if something heavy was pressing down on him, making it hard for him to breathe.

Shinichi Kudo's voice sounded unusually hoarse and sad; his voice was very soft.

"Yeah, Dad, it's been a long time... I never imagined you'd become the president of the world..."

"So, how about a cup of black tea?"

Yusaku Kudo stood up, his tone as usual, as if they had only been apart for a few days.

This leader of GSSRA is one of the most deductive reasoners in the Conan universe, and also... the father of Shinichi Kudo.

He then pushed the still-steaming cup of tea toward his child.

But Shinichi Kudo didn't react.

His eyes were filled with exhaustion and struggle, and he spoke with a choked voice.

"Dad... do you think a righteous detective... when faced with a huge problem or an immense responsibility, could... be sacrificed?"

Time stopped flowing at that moment.

Yusaku Kudo did not answer Shinichi Kudo's question immediately; he simply remained silent.

A long, long silence followed.

He watched as his son pointed the gun at him, watched his eyes fill with tears, and watched his wrists tremble.

Kudo Yusaku stood up to meet his son's pained gaze, then turned his back to him.

—This would lessen Shinichi's psychological pressure. He thought, to make a child sacrifice his own father with his own hands, it's just... just...

But he comforted his somewhat confused and helpless child.

"If you believe this is justice..."

Yusaku Kudo reached out and touched the glass of the bookcase with his fingers. He could see all of this through the reflection in the glass.

"Then go for it, Shinichi."

No one will blame you.

Just as Gin and the others arrived at the office door, at the very moment he pushed open the door leading to the predetermined destination.

A muffled gunshot rang out in the office.

Then, everything fell silent.

In the office, only one young man remained, slowly kneeling on the ground, burying his face in his hands, and not raising his head for a long time.

The gears of the universe have jammed.

Then, through the machinations of [Shinichi Kudo], the "story" took a turn for the worse.

Gin walked out of the room under the watchful eyes of the others, and a wisp of gunpowder smoke appeared in the barrel of his gun.

The edited text message was then sent back to Touka Renya's phone.

"Mission went smoothly - GIN."

……

What kind of "sacrifice" could ensure that the path to the end would never waver?
Since Conan Edogawa has become a "mad god," how exactly does he fix the ending at the very beginning of the loop?

after all--

Everything ended before it even began.

Therefore, the outcome does not depend on who strikes first, but on who can ultimately leave the knife behind.

As is widely known, Koizumi Akako's divinations were never wrong.

And the death of Yusaku Kudo.

This was the first bell to ring in the "Moon Shadow Island Case".

Now, driven by the boundless brilliance of boundless anger, that new timeline has shattered any historical inertia that attempted to obstruct the occurrence of the "Moonshadow Island Case."

The golden CYZ effect surrounded him, reflecting the complex expression on Lin Sheng's face.

A sigh was heard during the "Star Viewing Tower Case".

"Is this... a righteous detective?"

Shinichi Kudo has made his decision: He will never allow himself to treat anything as a plaything.

That eternal detective game was not what He desired.

P.S.: Today is Shinichi Kudo's birthday, let's wish him a happy birthday.

(End of this chapter)