Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 141 Zheng Yi: This is a good thing!
"You went and started shooting at Tokyo Tower?"

"Are you this well-informed even in prison?"

“We’re getting a new cellmate, so of course we need to keep an eye on things,” Sumitomo Saburo said.

"I'm sorry, I probably won't be able to come with you for the time being," Zheng Yi said on the phone.

"Heh, I have a feeling the day when you come to keep me company isn't far off."

Saburo Sumitomo was pessimistic about his son's future.

I used to think he just liked killing people, but I never expected him to evolve into a terrorist so quickly.

"Hurry up and give me a grandson, I don't want my family line to end," Sumitomo Saburo said.

He glanced at the skin and picked it up.

I'm perfectly fine, so how come you've run out of children?
The old man is being far too pessimistic.

Besides, who would curse their own son to die young?
Saburo Sumitomo continued, "Just find any woman, whether it's through money or deception, it doesn't matter."

"Is it really that casual? Won't that taint the Sumitomo family's bloodline?"

“Pollution is better than eradication,” said Saburo Sumitomo.

Judging from his son's behavior.

It probably won't be long before the army comes to suppress him.

“By the way, after you give birth to our son, you can cut ties with me. Don’t drag me down with you in the future,” Sumitomo Saburo said.

Zheng Yi pursed his lips.

Coward, no wonder you're in jail now.

"Contrary to what you think, I won't be wanted by the police. In fact, I'll become an inspiring entrepreneur during a time of widespread panic." Zheng Yi hung up the phone.

Ai Haibara sat beside him, drinking tea with a blank expression.

He overheard the entire conversation between Zheng Yi and his father.

Shoichi gently tugged at Ai's face, and a smile finally broke out on her face.

Ai angrily punched Seiichi.

Rubbing his face, he said, "Try to hold on a little longer, and don't attract the army too quickly. It would be best to wait until I recover."

"Hehe, your wish can't be fulfilled." Zheng Yi forcefully pulled Ai's face.

Ai's face turned bright red.

"Ding dong~"

"Curaçao, go open the door."

After the villa door was opened, a woman with a ponytail entered, followed by several men carrying equipment.

The woman has a distinctive hairstyle with a few wisps of hair curled up on either side of her forehead.

"Hello, I am Rena Mizunashi, a reporter from Nichiri TV."

"Hello, I am Shoichi Sumitomo."

When Tokyo is in darkness, it needs someone like Shoichi, who can be a ray of light, to step forward.

Just when everyone was panicking, Masakazu brought some good news, giving the people of Tokyo hope.

"Is it convenient for you to talk now?" Rena Mizunashi asked.

"convenient."

Rena Mizunashi nodded and said to Masakazu, "Don't worry, we are a television broadcaster, so we won't show our faces."

"know."

After communicating with Shoichi, Rena Mizunashi and the others began adjusting the equipment.

Zheng Yi flicked Ai's head: "Go play somewhere else, don't cause trouble here."

"Ow~"

Ai barked loudly at Masakazu.

However, she didn't listen to Zheng Yi at all. She just sat on the other side of the sofa and listened to the nonsense he would say during the interview.

Rena Mizunashi glanced at the interaction between the two, took out the microphone and said, "Then let's begin the interview."

Mr. Zhengyi, who do you think was responsible for the attack on Tokyo Tower by armed helicopters?

"Kaitou Kidd."

Rena Mizunashi asked, "Why are you so certain that it was Kaito Kid who did it?"

"Because Kaito Kid is an antisocial person, he often steals jewels."

My company is also frequently harassed by Phantom Thief Kid, who is an absolute villain.

Moreover, that armed helicopter was exactly the same as the one used by Phantom Thief Kid; someone even filmed him piloting the hang glider at the scene. "Zhengyi said.

Moreover, neither the public nor the police know who Phantom Thief Kid really is, so is there anyone more perfect to take the blame?
Rena Mizunashi nodded.

If she hadn't heard that the organization had been active, and that the person on Tokyo Tower was Irish, she would have been fine.

She's starting to believe the culprit is Kaito Kid.

"Where do you think Kaito Kid's helicopter came from?"

“Supported by foreign forces,” Zheng Yi said.

Rena Mizunashi nodded again.

She probably knows less about this than Zheng Yi does.

"So what's your opinion on the shooting at Tokyo Tower?" Rena Mizunashi asked.

"I think this is a good thing."

"Um... ah?"

Rena Mizunashi stared at Masakazu in disbelief.

good thing?

The whole of Tokyo is in a state of agitation, and the whole of Japan is in a state of panic. Do you think this is a good thing?

Do you really enjoy standing on the opposite side of the Japanese people?
“You… did you misspoke? We can cut this part out,” Rena Mizunashi said softly.

“You’re not wrong, because this really is a good thing,” Zheng Yi said.

Zheng Yi said, "Although it is a very embarrassing thing for Tokyo Tower to be shot at, and it makes Japan a laughing stock among foreigners."

However, the benefits it contains cannot be ignored.

"What are the benefits?" Rena Mizunashi asked, puzzled.

She really couldn't think of any benefits.

Is the goal to put the public in a state of panic, to create a greater sense of urgency, and to encourage them to indulge in a life of debauchery and rampant consumption, thereby stimulating the economy?
She racked her brains, but these were the only things she could think of.

"There are many benefits, and it will greatly help Japan's economic recovery," Masakazu said.

"The repair and routine maintenance of Tokyo Tower require a large number of workers. Do you know how many jobs that provides?"

"How many?"

“Thousands or even more people,” Zheng Yi said. “The repair and maintenance of Tokyo Tower was carried out after communication with Tokyo Tower Corporation and the government.”

It has been handed over to my company to handle.

Based on the extent of the damage to Tokyo Tower, our company estimates that at peak times, we might need as many as a thousand workers.

These are thousands of families!

Rena Mizunashi nodded.

She actually felt there was some truth to it.

This includes the workers directly involved, the materials used for repairs, and even the workers' food and water needs.

Both can boost the economy.

Countless unemployed families have been saved.

Rena Mizunashi then asked, "Where does the money for repairing Tokyo Tower come from? Is it government funding, insurance company compensation, or..."

"Next question."

Rena Mizunashi was taken aback, then reluctantly skipped over the topic.

"So, what do you think about the helicopter crashing into the Yasukuni Shrine, causing a fire that killed 18 people, including staff and worshippers?"

"I deeply regret it," he said without changing his expression.

Zheng Yi said, "I have always been a very socially responsible person, and our company is also a socially responsible company."

Therefore, I rallied the company's employees to fold many origami cranes and burn them for the victims.

"Fold a thousand paper cranes?" Rena Mizunashi asked.

"Yes."

Rena Mizunashi nodded slightly.

A very simple approach.

This can be considered as some psychological comfort to the families of the victims. It's truly admirable that such a large boss like Zheng Yi still has such a simple and kind heart.

Zheng Yi continued, "Although the Yasukuni Ghost Toilet was burned down, it's actually a good thing."

"Is this a good thing?" Rena Mizunashi asked.

"of course."

Zheng nodded and said, "Every time at a certain time, there are many anti-war protesters gathering there."

Now that place has been burned down, they have nowhere to gather.

The situation has improved significantly, especially in terms of public security.

Is there another way to explain it?

Rena Mizunashi's lips twitched.

I feel like her thinking is on a completely different level from that of wealthy people.

Perhaps, those who are wealthier have a higher perspective and see more?

Or is it simply a matter of Zheng Yi looking at the problem from a different perspective?

Zheng Yi continued, "Moreover, we have already reached a cooperation agreement, and this time it was my company that made the move."

They also bought some nearby land for expansion.

This will allow us to hire many more workers and save countless families.

Moreover, once completed, it will attract many businesses to move in, boosting the local economy.

Rena Mizunashi nodded.

It feels like Shoichi is really contributing to Japan's economy.
Having only heard about Zheng Yi from newspapers and rumors, I always thought he was some kind of vicious and ruthless guy.

Now it seems that everything he said was for the sake of the Japanese economy.

"Then, Mr. Zhengyi, the money..."

"Don't talk about money. We need to talk about the economy, how many families we've saved, how many jobs we've created, how much tax we've paid, and how much we've contributed to society," Zheng Yi said, dissatisfied.

This reporter has a serious problem; all he talks about is money.

Where does the money come from?
It was funded by social donations at the time.

The government contributes a portion, insurance companies cover a portion, and the remainder is collected through social donations.

Landmark buildings like Tokyo Tower and unique structures like the Haunted Toilet would likely attract a lot of donations.

Zhengyi has no interest in money.

What interests me is how much I've done for Japan.

Rena Mizunashi said, "You are a true entrepreneur who cares about the good of Japan."

“Of course,” Zheng Yi said.

No one can deny this.

After the interview, Rena Mizunashi politely said goodbye and left.

After leaving Shoichi's villa, Rena Mizunashi recalled what Shoichi had said, and the one that impressed her most was, "This is a good thing."

The fact that Tokyo Tower was shot at is actually a good thing.

The burning of the haunted toilet is actually a good thing.

“In Zheng Yi’s mouth, everything is a good thing,” said Mizunashi Rena.

……

"Why does everything sound like a good thing to you?" Ai asked Masakazu.

"Isn't this a good thing?" Zheng Yi said.

He has already made the benefits very clear.

It's just that we lost face, lost a lot of money, and caused panic among the public.

Anyway, this is all good for Zheng Yi.

"Ai, is there anything you like? I can give you some," Masakazu said generously.

"Really?" Ai asked.

"When have I ever lied to anyone?"

Ai took a magazine out of the drawer, pointed to the bag on it, and said, "I want this."

"What do little kids need bags for?" Zheng Yi scoffed.

Don't you think it's strange for someone your age to want a handbag?

"How about I buy you a Lego set?" Zheng Yi said.

That's what you need at your age.

Ai snorted and put the magazine away.

If she doesn't want to buy it, she doesn't want to buy it; she doesn't really want it anyway.

She now works on weekends and gets paid, so she can afford to buy her own bags.

"I'll buy you a Harley," Zheng Yi said.

"really?"

Ai then brought over another magazine.

“I like this,” Ai said, pointing to a red motorcycle.

Shoichi shook his head and slapped Ai's hand away: "No, I like this."

"Weren't you going to buy it for me?"

"Can your short legs even ride a motorcycle? I bought it for you, but I'm the one who has to ride it."

……

Kaito stayed home all day and didn't go out at all.

He couldn't even be bothered to answer calls from Hakuba Saguru and Aoko.

Wanting to escape reality.

"By the time I take action again, the police will probably just arrest me with an armed helicopter," Kaito said dejectedly.

I'll go to Aoko's place tomorrow to sound her out and see what methods her father will use next time he catches Phantom Thief Kid.

He washed his face and just turned on the TV.

The sky has fallen again.

"Mr. Zhengyi, who do you think was responsible for the attack on Tokyo Tower by armed helicopters?"

"Phantom Thief Kid." "Supported by foreign forces."

Kaito recognized that voice all too well.

Zheng Yi, that bastard! He knew perfectly well who the murderer was, so why did he frame me?!
Even if you don't plead guilty, at least help me clear my name.

It's absolutely outrageous to pin the blame on me like this!
Kaito continued listening to the interview.

He felt that the TV station had taken money from him.

They kept praising Zhengyi and saying good things about him.

The question initially focused on the Tokyo Tower incident, but it eventually turned into praising Shoichi and talking about how many good things he had done for society.

You don't even ask him how many bad things he's done!
Kaito was so angry he gritted his teeth.

The thought that Zheng Yi, who was the one who strafed Tokyo Tower with a helicopter, actually made a lot of money and enjoyed being adored is unbearable.

But he was blamed and made a fool of himself, which made Kaito feel restless and itchy.

"Sumitomo Shoichi!"

Zheng Yi held the phone further away and picked at his ear.

“You sound very angry,” Zhengyi said.

Kaito gritted his teeth and said, "Why are you saying I'm the culprit who attacked Tokyo Tower?"

“Because that’s what everyone thinks, I can’t go against everyone’s opinion,” Zheng Yi said.

Nonsense.

"When you said attacking Tokyo Tower was a good thing, why didn't you think about not going against the public's perception?" Kaito questioned.

“Because I’m on your side. I’m speaking up for you,” Zheng Yi said.

"Thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

Kaito wanted to go over the phone and strangle Shoichi, but he was afraid that he wouldn't have the courage to do so when he faced Shoichi.

"Because you added fuel to the fire, I don't even dare to appear as Phantom Thief Kid anymore," Kaito said.

“That’s good,” Zheng Yi said. “Now you can enjoy your vacation properly, and it’s paid.”

(End of this chapter)