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

Chapter 281 Prelude to the Fifth Pointer! Detective vs. Phantom Thief!

A steadfast heart fuels the drive for reasoning, and a sharp eye cuts straight to the heart of the matter.

A new century will begin with Conan, so let's charge forward with fearless courage!

The one who sees through the only truth is the famous detective Conan, who looks like a child but is far more intelligent than ordinary people!

—Detective Conan.
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Perhaps it was due to the power of [Conan Edogawa], or perhaps it was a miracle triggered by the [Cosmic Narrative Engine].

Or, with the help of the universe, the new timeline, on the verge of collapse, switched orders based on its limited survival instincts.

Or perhaps, it was meant to happen at that moment, as arranged by the alliance.

In short, the result naturally precedes the cause.

In the future, many in the Time Sequence Department will have to admit that the prelude to the fifth pointer case did indeed precede the fourth pointer case.

Moreover, they had to admit that this was indeed the most illogical, yet most natural, choice made at the end of time.

However, right now, perhaps only five people know the secret behind it.

Just like how "The Desperate Resurrection" triggered everything in the Fourth Pointer case.

The fifth of those six pointers begins with a character that many people have overlooked and that seems to have long since disappeared.

—Kaito Kid.

On his way to the East Tower, to the terrace on the 33rd floor to obtain the fourth pointer, before he reaches that floor that marks a turning point in his destiny.

Kaito Kuroba watched as the elevator numbers passed thirty-three, reaching the top floor of Kyoto Tower.

The high school student stood atop the tower, looking down at the city that was about to descend into chaos and rebuilding.

He looked at the distant crossroads—

Koizumi Akako stood there, the crimson witch, waiting for a police car named "Destiny" to speed by, carrying Kogoro Mouri and Ireland.

Kaito sighed softly.

He knew that Koizumi Akako had been looking for him for a very long time, so long that he was almost at a loss as to how to face that witch.

Of course, equally difficult to face are the tears that Nakamori Aoko shed not long ago, and her accusations against [Kaito Kuroba]—

"Kaito, how much longer are you going to keep lying to me?"

Kaito not only cannot tell Aoko anything that happened during this time, but he also has to coax Aoko into saying that sentence.

"What the heck! Kaito, why do you always take Kaito's side!"

"That guy either throws away what he steals or secretly returns it later. He's just a hypocrite or a kidnapper."

To be honest, I did induce that scene to happen.

But when Kaito heard the genuine anger and disgust in Aoko's tone, his feelings were still complicated.

However, the most important thing now is to ensure the plan is completed.

The universe "smoothly" chose another path that would allow it to continue advancing the timeline, rather than choosing to fall into eternal stagnation.

This is certainly not a coincidence.

Leveraging historical inertia to deceive and manipulate its mechanisms is a crucial step in the plan.

And the universe unfolded exactly as planned.

"The Dark Star" will soon be on display at an exhibition in an old clock tower in Tokyo.

Standing atop the Kyoto Tower, Kidd set his sights on it.

The telescope, which was directly connected to the Alliance's "lens group," clearly presented every detail of the clock tower square and the clock tower itself.

The ancient clock tower appears sacred and silent in the afterglow of the setting sun.

White terracotta bricks, symbolizing the boundless expanse of time, adorn the towering pylon like snowflakes covering the cliffs of history, separating the luxurious station below from the magnificent main structure of the pylon.

The clock tower itself is decorated with intricate carvings on the outside, and the arches, which look like they are made of gold, hold the huge circular clock face high at the top of the tower.

The two large gemstones embedded in the slowly moving hour and minute hands reflect the colors of the twilight, striking the time and making it emit a deep "tick-tock" sound.

The gem set on the hour hand is the Dark Star.

This will also be Kidd's target tonight.

As for the five detectives who rushed over because of his advance notice and the police officers who were nervously on guard against him—

Kaito Kuroba merely glanced at them and moved on; even without using any of the Alliance's equipment, they were insignificant.

His gaze lingered for only a moment on Nakamori Aoko, who was looking at the tower with a worried expression, before he put down his "telescope" and moved it to the old man beside him.

Kaito Kuroba looked at his assistant, Kinosuke Terai.

The phantom thief's assistant even had a hint of sorrow on his face.

He looked down at the page in his hand, a letter that resembled a script, and the handwriting on it was as elegant yet cold as a stage play.

The letter contained the lines he was supposed to say at that moment.

However, Terai Kinosuke felt that he didn't need any lines at all.

Because he now indeed has the exact same emotions as described in the letter: bitterness, sorrow, worry, and grief.

He slowly raised his head, looking at the boy who was about to put on the cape and become "Phantom Thief Kid" again, looking into Kaito Kuroba's eyes.

Those eyes were like those of a real phantom thief, making them impossible for him to see through or guess.

It even carried the liveliness and optimism of a high school student—an emotion that shouldn't have been there at all.

Kaito Kuroba patted his white cloak. "There are three Iron Crows in the darkness, and two more further in..."

His tone carried a mysterious humor.

"Wow! They've even prepared armored vehicles. As expected of GSSRA! They're full of energy."

And this assistant, who had witnessed Toichi's son disappear for a long time, just like him, and now returning with an incomprehensible and inevitably dangerous goal, spoke up to offer advice:
"Please give up, young master Kaito! I have a lot of unease about this deal."

The emotions expressed are undoubtedly genuine.

"If the young master falls into a desperate situation again, and something happens to him, how can this old man apologize before the spirit of Master Daoyi?"

"Please, you always do this when we're about to make a big score. Have mercy on me."

"But, young master Kaito..."

Kaito Kuroba interrupted him.

He tapped his cloak.

The pure white cloak, along with Kaito's entire body, vanished into thin air in the next second.

Terai Kinosuke then heard that last sound dissipate in the wind.

"Tonight, I am neither the son of Kuroba Toichi, the magician you have served for many years, nor the young master Kaito, a second-year high school student."

"Instead, it is the Phantom Thief Kid who has shocked the world... a hero who saves the world."

The cloak unfurled during the descent, transforming into an invisible glider that flew into the distance.

Feeling the wind rushing past his ears, Kaito Kuroba thought—

I wish I could say that last sentence to Aoko.

……

However, on their way to steal the "Clock Tower" and "protect" the place where Aoko and Kaito first met.

As he watched the last rays of the setting sun stream through the gaps in the clouds, bathing the ancient city in its glow, Kaito Kuroba began to ponder a question.

Although he had to admit it.

Whether it's the actions I need written in the plan, or the prophecies Hongzi made in the past, or those "historical inertia"... they all have a strange consistency.

The notice letter that must have been sent in the "First Pointer Case";

The "Second Pointer Case": Tequila and Calvados who died, and Miyano Akemi who "died";

Pisco, who died in the "Third Pointer Case," and Asagi, who "died."

Perhaps there is also the current fourth pointer case.

Perhaps there will be a fifth or sixth pointer case in the future...

Kaito Kuroba couldn't help but think—

Have any of these cases ever truly escaped the so-called "historical inertia"?
As a phantom thief with an IQ of 400, he did not collect and organize data from various parties like the Narrative Department.

His wisdom directly gave him the answer to the question about "free will"—an even more profound answer.

Then a strange thought popped into my head:
"What has never passed away can never truly die; what is truly lost can never be reversed."

Yes, perhaps prophecies or destinies will come true, but we can change how we interpret them.

This is not a view that everyone can accept.

For example, Kaito Kuroba felt that this was a bit too domineering.

What if the "way of interpretation" itself is also part of fate?
So what exactly did he change?
After careful consideration, Kaito Kuroba even felt that his inability to be honest with Aoko might be "fate".

The opportunity for his first confession was coincidentally interrupted by the arrival of the alliance, and he was even taken on a long trip around the world by Hongzi.

The second point was the disagreement between him and Hongzi regarding "protection" versus "freedom".

What if he had talked things out with Hongzi back then? And there's a third time, which is what he's doing now. Once again, he can't tell her the truth because this plan requires the power of "fate".

Kaito Kuroba thought that perhaps it would be the fourth time, the fifth time, or even in the distant future...

Perhaps, the end of those deaths was simply postponed.

After all, human lifespan dictates that it will eventually come.

But what about those things that are already destined to happen?
Not all destinies are related to death.

If misunderstandings will remain misunderstandings, those who cannot meet will never meet, and those who cannot know the truth will forever remain entangled?
Kaito Kuroba then recalled the connection between Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mouri.

The thought that he might face the same situation as Shinichi Kudo weighed heavily on his mind.

Even his request to the alliance to move the notification date forward within a "reasonable range" was also driven by the desire to verify it.

He wanted to move the phantom thief's operations from the usual late night to dusk.

Thus, the phantom thief case, which should have occurred at midnight, was moved to dusk, before the case of the fourth pointer.

It is impossible for Shinichi Kudo to be in two places at the same time.

When he appears at the top of Kyoto Tower, triggering the final chapter of the fourth pointer case, it's impossible for him to also appear at Clock Tower Station.

But if everything is destined to happen, how exactly should that prophecy be fulfilled?
And there's the prophecy that Hongzi will make soon.

"When the ancient clock tower that tells of time strikes its 20,000th chime, the Demon of Light will descend from the eastern horizon and annihilate all criminals in one fell swoop."

At this very moment, Shinichi Kudo was completely unaware of the impending phantom thief case.

How could he possibly come down from the sky and stop himself from successfully stealing the gem?

According to the arrangements given by the alliance—

Hakuba Saguru, Yata Ikumi, Mogi Harufumi, Chima Kazuyo, Ishihara Aki.

These five detectives will come to identify the "jewel" they are about to steal, at their own invitation, from GSSRA, and from Heiji Hattori.

According to the Narrative Department and the [Loop Computer]'s calculations, the five detectives, plus GSSRA and Hattori Heiji, should be enough to complete this prelude.

Moreover, GSSRA, or rather, Heiji Ikebe, currently equates himself with the "pointer".

Whether it's the impact of the "ritual case" itself, or other factors such as the derivative effects of its own RSI anomaly.

Without Shinichi Kudo going to the clock tower himself, he could definitely steal the jewel.

But that's the miracle of narrative.

The reality is that Kaito Kid did indeed fail.

He disguised himself as a policeman to enter the clock tower, and then, just as planned, his identity was exposed due to an accidental "mistake".

Then, with the help of five meticulous detectives, the police today were surprisingly "capable," relentlessly pursuing him like hounds all the way to the top of the clock tower.

"Kaito Kid! You've got nowhere to run now!"

Nakamori Ginzo, Aoko's father, led a group of police officers to surround Kuroba Kaito.

"The higher-ups have sent a formidable opponent this time. For your safety, you'd better surrender as soon as possible!"

As he made his final declaration to Kaito Kid, a hint of worry flashed in Nakamori Ginzo's eyes.

He did want to capture Kaito Kid, but not kill him.

But now, several armed helicopters are circling around the clock tower.

Night had already fallen.

—Those armed helicopters that discovered the fuel gauges had been tampered with.

Perhaps it's due to the aging of the equipment, or perhaps Chianti added too much oil when draining it.

Several experienced pilots noticed something was wrong even earlier.

They felt that the helicopters today were "lighter" than they used to be when they were fully fueled.

However, GSSRA had not yet noticed anything unusual at that time, since it was only three out of dozens of aircraft.

It may just seem like a random accident.

Therefore, under Hattori Heiji's orders, the three helicopters headed to the second target location, which was related to the "Scientific Frontier".

And so, the course of fate quietly shifted—

Even without Shinichi Kudo and Inspector Megure piloting helicopters circling the clock tower, Kaito Kuroba was still blocked.

He stood alone atop that tower, a symbol of the intersection of time and destiny.

But at that time, Kaito Kuroba was still very confident.

Because Shinichi Kudo is not here.

Even though the helicopter was too close to the clock tower, the wind pressure and rotor made it temporarily impossible for him to use the glider.

Even now, Inspector Nakamori is holding a bulletproof shield and slowly approaching him.

Kaito Kuroba calmly considered which method he should use to break through the encirclement.

Although the improved poker gun, the disguise mask, and the cloak's built-in invisibility and bulletproof functions were more than enough for him to continue dealing with the police surrounding him.

But to prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Kaito Kuroba decides to first rely on the trajectory of "fate".

He suddenly spread his cloak, and a cloud of white mist bloomed at the top of the tower.

Amidst the excited exclamations and screams of the "Phantom Thief Support Group," sponsored by Sonoko Suzuki and surrounding the entire square—the jewel on the clock hands disappeared.

"How did he do that?!"

"The helicopter's wind pressure clearly dispersed it in just a few seconds!"

"When did they start?!"

Immediately afterward, as the police officers looked up at the clock above in astonishment, Kaito Kuroba vanished as the invisibility cloak was activated.

Under the illusion created by the invisibility cloak, he moved silently like a ghost towards the clock, then reached out for the gem—

The lights in the entire city suddenly went out.

As if the heavens and earth held their breath, a sudden darkness enveloped the Clock Tower Square.

And so, in this darkness, the twenty-thousandth "bell" that transcends the past and the present "rang" at this very moment.

A tremendous explosion came from the distant Kyoto Tower. The booming sound descended from the eastern horizon, across a vast distance and through layers of buildings and streets.

The moment his finger touched the gem embedded in the pointer, Kaito Kuroba felt its presence with crystal clarity.

Although the originally violent tremors had weakened considerably by the time they reached the clock tower.

But the faint chimes that it caused inside the clock tower rang softly in Kaito Kuroba's ears along the hour hand.

That's too late.

—This was the only thought that popped into Kaito Kuroba's mind.

According to the plan, he must now rush to Kyoto Tower to retrieve the "truth".

A bitter feeling welled up in Kaito Kuroba's heart.

Shinichi Kudo will definitely not go to the "Clock Tower" in person.

For now, He is commanding the bell tower itself.

He commanded the bell to ring, commanded the eastern sky, commanded the fate of every criminal, leading them toward Himself.

In the echoes of prophecy and destiny, in the interplay of explosions and tolling bells—

The prelude to the Fifth Pointer case.

Phantom Thief vs. Detective.

They met by such coincidence, yet it was also destined that they would meet.

……

And so, at the top of the Kyoto Tower under the full moon.

Ran Mouri watched as the figure that looked exactly like Shinichi disappeared into the night wind.

Kaito Kuroba took the black watch that had rolled onto the ground.

He neither admitted to being who he was, nor denied being who he was.

However, the gears of fate turned once again—

This time, it left a tiny gap.

As the Count Edmond Dantès wrote in his letter to Maximilian—

"Never forget that until the day God reveals the future of mankind, all human wisdom is contained in these four words:"
'Waiting' and 'hope'.
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PS: Please note that in this chapter, including all previous chapters (main text), Kaito Kuroba and others present their own understanding of the plan, which may not all be entirely accurate.

The league's plan only included what he was supposed to do.

After all, it can be seen from the descriptions of Akako, Kaito, Shigenobu Hitomi, and others that their understanding of some key points is not consistent.

The true plan and its meaning are known only to two people, oh, and one book.

(End of this chapter)