Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 177 Zheng Yi's Possessiveness towards Hongzi

Vodka felt he had developed a psychological trauma.

He didn't understand why he was being fed strange little pills.

Both Zheng Yi and he are men.

Moreover, Vodka doesn't remember much about the memory after eating that chocolate.

"What are you thinking?"

"No, no." Vodka's hand trembled, and the hand holding the pistol almost pulled the trigger.

At Gin's signal, Vodka took the box of money from the ground.

After taking the money, Vodka asked in the Porsche:

"Big brother, I'm here..."

“Jundo just happened to see you, so he used you as a test subject,” Gin said.

"Oh." Vodka nodded.

Gin said, "Keep an eye on the research institute lately."

That bastard Cointreau wants to start researching pharmaceuticals.

That guy, when he's poaching people, he likes to target people he knows.

After losing Sherry, the organization's research institute "recruited" some experts in the fields of biology and chemistry. They had only recently resumed research and couldn't afford to let Jundu poach them all.

"Yes!"

……

Ekoda High School.

What were the findings of your survey?

“Shoichi can control that game,” Kaito said.

"and then?"

"That's all." Kaito shook his head.

Hakuba Saguru looked at Kaito, and Kaito also looked at Hakuba Saguru.

Kaito said, "Are you going to say I'm useless?"

"No."

Hakuba Saguru shook his head and sighed softly, without revealing his true feelings.

You can't blame Kaito for this.

They're all too cunning.

Moreover, Shoichi is two years older than Kaito, so it's normal that Kaito is no match for Shoichi.

Moreover, that's Zhengyi's home ground.

"So what do you think is the relationship between Zheng Yi and that artificial intelligence?" Bai Ma Tan asked.

He had little contact with Zheng Yi in the game and didn't know how much control Zheng Yi had over the game.

Kaito said, "I feel that Shoichi can completely control that game."

Bai Matan nodded.

So, that artificial intelligence was controlled by Zheng Yi?

So what's the point of him putting on this show today?
Hakuba Saguru shook his head.

The AI's statements felt incredibly profound, mentioning things like reshaping the new order and giving Japan a fresh start.

Is that guy trying to control Japan?

"So what did you find out?" Kaito asked.

Hakuba Saguru said, "Shoichi might be a descendant of Moriarty."

"Ok?"

Kaito blinked.

Don't lie to me, I know Moriarty is a fictional character.

“Fictional characters also have real-life counterparts,” Hakuba Saguru said.

Moreover, it's only a suspicion, not a certainty.

If you have time, you can go to the United States to investigate.

Hakuba Saguru felt that Shoichi and that criminal had many similarities.

He knew nothing about Zheng Yi's experiences in the United States, and he was unaware of the methods Zheng Yi used to kill.

It was only after he returned to Japan from studying in the United States that he had this.

It's hard to say whether he learned anything in the United States.

“I feel that Zheng Yi is in increasing danger,” Bai Ma Tan said.

Previously, he was just rich and powerful, and he could bully some people without anyone daring to do anything about it.

Zhengyi is such a large company now, providing so many jobs.

Moreover, they began to manipulate Japanese public opinion, housing, entertainment, and even planned to enter the medical field, infiltrating all aspects of life.

Dealing with Zheng Yi has become more difficult.

Even if evidence of Shoichi's murder is found, even if he is not from the Sumitomo family, it is probably impossible to do anything to him.

He also possessed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence, leaving Hakuba Saguru completely unable to guess what Shoichi was going to do.

Hakuba Saguru slapped his head hard.

The more I thought about it, the more terrifying Zheng Yi seemed, and the more powerless I felt.

Zheng Yi is no longer someone that a few detectives can handle.

Hakuba Saguru suddenly seemed a bit dejected.

Can he really bring Zheng Yi to justice?

Kaito felt a chill run down his spine when he saw Hakuba Saguru's dejected expression.

Don't give up!
If you give up and I'm left all alone, how can I be a match for Zheng Yi?

Does that mean I'll have to be Zheng Yi's slave for the rest of my life?
"It feels like we have absolutely no way to deal with Zheng Yi," Hakuba Saguru said.

"Hey, don't say things like that," Kaito said casually, but his eyes were incredibly serious.
"There's always a way; magicians are best at creating miracles."

Hakuba Saguru shook his head.

He took out the newspaper and looked at the news about Sindora.

His case is quite complicated, and the consulate has already intervened and is assisting with the investigation.

Moreover, the blood of the serial killer in his body seems to have caused a great deal of trouble.

Hakuba Saguru leaned against the wall.

Once Sindora's ending is revealed, we'll understand just how much influence the bloodline of a serial killer can have on the chairman of a corporation.

in case……

"Um, do you know that Akako is a little different from ordinary people?" Kaito asked in a low voice.

"Hongzi?"

Hakuba Saguru frowned.

He previously thought that Akako was just an ordinary magician, like Kaito.

But that's what Kaito says now.

Could she possibly have some hidden identity?
When it comes to magic, Hakuba Saguru immediately thinks of Kaito Kid.

"Could Akako be Kaito Kid?" Hakuba Saguru asked.

"How could Phantom Thief Kid be a woman!" Kaito exclaimed.

Your ideas are truly imaginative.

Just then, the door was pushed open by an invisible force.

Koizumi Akako, dressed in her school uniform, walked in with an elegant yet assertive air, carrying her crystal ball in her hand.

"A solution?" Hongzi chuckled lightly, her laughter carrying her usual condescending charm.

"Is your so-called 'solution' just stuck in the logic of ordinary people?"

Kaito was already used to her elusive appearances: "Akako, now is not the time to play fortune-telling games."

Hakuba Saguru stood up, his manners impeccable but his expression scrutinizing: "Koizumi-kun, may I ask how you found this place?"

This is where the school's equipment is arranged in the classroom.

He remembered that he had just locked the door from the inside.

Instead of answering Hakuba Saguru directly, Akako placed the crystal ball on the table. An ominous crimson mist began to emanate from within the ball.

Hakuba Saguru frowned as he looked at Akako's magic ball.

I don't know what kind of magic prop this is.

"I'm not here to play games, Kaito, and also, Hakuba Saguru."

With a wave of her hand, the chair that Kaito was sitting on flew to her side.

Hongzi sat in the chair, her legs crossed.

Zheng Yi's image appeared on the water balloon in her hand.

The white horse's pupils contracted.

Because he didn't notice the thin thread on the chair.

At such close range, even a thin thread couldn't escape his eyes.

Hongzi raised her chin, and a faint yet undeniable magical energy began to emanate from her body.

"Of course you can't defeat that guy, because your every move is being watched by him."

She stretched out her finger, a cluster of eerie red flames swirling around its tip, illuminating her face, which held a hint of mockery.

The image on Hongzi's crystal ball began to zoom in.

Both Hakuba Saguru and Kaito could clearly see their figures appear on the computer screen.

“He really enjoys spying on other people’s privacy,” Hongzi said.

She spied on Masakazu all day yesterday and discovered that he was either spying on Kaito Hakuba Saguru or on several other employees in his company.

Hakuba Saguru was stunned: "Akako, what's going on...?"

Did you install surveillance cameras in Zheng Yi's home?
And that guy Zheng Yi was actually monitoring them the whole time.

When Hakuba Saguru was investigating Shoichi, he kept failing and even wondered if Kaito had betrayed him.

It now appears that their every move was under Zheng Yi's surveillance.

Hakuba Saguru stared at the still-burning flames between the red-clad figures, pondering what they might be.

"but me."

Hongzi's voice carried an ancient majesty, and at that moment her pupils seemed to turn into vertical pupils, and her clothes began to burn, turning into a black witch's robe.

"Koizumi Akako, the rightful heir to the Red Magic, can help you deal with him."

The expression on Hakuba Saguru's face was arguably the most brilliant moment of his life.

Shocked, incredulous, and trying to explain the surreal scene before my eyes with logic.

Ultimately, it all turned into a state of utter bewilderment and emptiness.

"...Witch?" White Horse's voice was a little hoarse.

Kaito felt a pang of sympathy for Hakuba Saguru's discomfiture.

When he was first taken away by Akako, he was not much better off than Hakuba Saguru.

Magic is still too far-fetched.

That's even more outrageous than using a soccer ball to overturn a truck.

"But why are you helping us?" Kaito asked.

He did consider asking Hongzi for help.

But before he could figure out what he was going to give in return, Hongzi came to his door on her own initiative.

"Don't worry, it won't be something you can't accept." Hongzi withdrew the flames, her tone tinged with impatience.

"Now, listen carefully. That arrogant guy, his tricks are as clumsy as a child's scribbles in my eyes."

He thought he was fooling you, but little did he know, in the eyes of beings from higher dimensions, he was nothing more than a clown.

That guy who dared to mock her as a half-baked witch.

They will pay the price for their ignorance.

Lady Hongzi doesn't mind having one more loyal suitor.

Kaito was the first to react. He stroked his chin, his signature sly smile returning to his face: "So, Lord Akako is going to personally lead us two mortals in a counterattack?"

“That’s right.” Hongzi nodded matter-of-factly.

"Although the opponent is nothing special, it would be unsightly to let him continue to be so arrogant."

Hakuba Saguru took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He took a few seconds to temporarily set aside his shattered worldview.

He looked at Hongzi and asked, "Assuming... I accept your explanation, what is your plan? How do we need to cooperate?"

“No, I don’t need your cooperation. To be precise, I just need to know what you want,” Hongzi said.

Hakuba Saguru and Kaito exchanged a glance.

Hakuba Saguru said, "We want to know all of Shoichi's crimes, and whether he is related to 'Moriarty'."

"Is that all?" Hongzi nodded.

This couldn't be simpler.

With just a little truth-revealing magic, that guy will confess everything.

They could even find out how many girls he bullied when he was a child.

Hakuba scouts at Akiko.

What else can you do?
Is it possible to directly turn Zheng Yi into a good person?

If possible, that would be even better.

Hongzi ran her fingertip across her lips and whispered, "So, what price are you prepared to pay?"

Kaito quietly took a step back.

Lacking any sense of martial ethics, he pushed the white horse scout forward.

Hongzi's gaze swept past Bai Masheng.

Her only target is Kaito.

As a witch whom every man in the world should fall for, Kaito is the only exception. Akako's competitive spirit and possessiveness will not allow this exception to exist.

Kaito felt a little uncomfortable hiding behind Hakuba Saguru.

"Look, it seems like Shoichi is waving at us," Kaito suddenly said.

Hongzi's gaze shifted to the crystal ball.

Seeing that Zheng Yi was facing them, he gave them a friendly smile and greeted them.

However, in Akako's eyes, Masakazu's smile revealed sarcasm.

"An arrogant man."

Hongzi squinted, gazing calmly at Zhengyi inside the crystal ball.

Just because you sensed my spying, you dare to provoke me?
Then let's go have some fun together.

……

"Hiroki, analyze for me what Koizumi Akako is using to monitor us?" Masakazu asked.

Hongshu on the screen fell silent.

He didn't know what it was either.

He connected to the school's surveillance cameras and saw footage of Hongzi and the others inside the school.

They also connected to Hakuba's phone and eavesdropped on their conversation.

Working backwards from the angle of that crystal ball, no electronic devices could be found.

“This is beyond my comprehension,” Hongshu said.

“It seems you still have a lot to learn, so don’t rush to die,” Zheng Yi said.

Hiroki was still analyzing how Hongzi had done it.

Zheng Yi continued, "That kind of magic is far more dangerous than yours. And the person who controls the magic is far more unstable than the person who controls you."

Hongshu on the screen nodded.

Or perhaps he simply lacks sufficient knowledge.

I thought I was enough to overturn the world, but I never expected there were other things that could do the same.

He still has a lot to learn.

There are still so many unknowns in this world.

"Hongshu, help me think of a way to get rid of Hongzi's harassment," Zhengyi said.

Because of his words and actions, it seems that Hongzi needs to discipline him.

This proud witch is not easy to subdue.

If you want her to work for you, Zheng Yi will have to put in some effort.

While Hongshu was exporting a large amount of data, Zhengyi said:

"By the way, plant bombs around Hongzi's house and have a dozen snipers snipe her."

Or if they use weapons of mass destruction, then forget it.

Hongzi is the kind of woman who can become his excellent employee.

Zheng Yi treats his employees like his own family; how could he possibly hurt his family?

Macrotree's data export speed slowed down slightly.

"Their goal is to get you to confess to all your crimes."

Therefore, I suggest that you turn yourself in before they come looking for you.

"Papa~"

Zheng Yi couldn't help but clap his hands.

The ability to devise such a strategy is beyond the capabilities of ordinary artificial intelligence.

"I hope you can be of some use," Zheng Yi said.

……

"Where is Zheng Yi?"

"I had to go out on business," Curaçao said.

Ai was picking at the rice in her bowl.

He went out without Curaçao; wasn't he worried about being assassinated?

Does he even realize how much he incurs the wrath of both heaven and man?

Curaçao said casually:

"It seems he's going to meet a girl."

"Hmm?" Ai tilted her head.

Curaçao said softly, "He said it was a seventeen-year-old girl."

After glancing at Ai, Curaçao added:

"very beautiful."

"Oh." Ai nodded indifferently.

Ai's face remained expressionless, not even her eyebrows twitched, as if that little thing didn't concern her at all.

Curaçao's movements slowed down slightly as she picked up food; she chewed her rice more slowly.

The fingertips holding the chopsticks even curled slightly as if deflated, and the corners of her mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

“He said he probably wouldn’t come tonight,” Curaçao said.

"Oh, I'm going to work," Ai said, putting down her chopsticks.

After starting school, I went to work.

Her day is just that busy.

Inside a restaurant, Seiichi heard Hiroki's voice through his headphones.

"Seven of your bodyguards have gone missing."

“That’s really bad,” Zhengyi said.

He didn't bring many bodyguards with him this time; only eight were secretly protecting him.

Zheng Yi looked up.

They saw a commotion at the restaurant entrance, with a group of men enthusiastically surrounding a girl.

The girl waved her hand gently, and they made way for her.

If Zheng Yi wasn't mistaken, his bodyguards were also mixed in with that group of men.

Hongzi walked up to Zhengyi and asked him:

"Mind if I sit down?"

"I don't mind," Zheng Yi said.

Hongzi sat down and looked into Zhengyi's eyes.

She noticed a strong possessiveness in Zheng Yi's eyes.

Hongzi yawned in boredom, feeling somewhat disappointed.

She thought this guy would be different from others, daring to mock her magic and even greeting her mockingly after noticing her spying.

It seems he's no different from those people.

Only Kaito Kuroba is special.

In Zheng Yi's ears, there was still Hong Shu's incessant chatter.

"Be careful of her hypnosis. Those men's reactions are probably all signs that they've been hypnotized by Koizumi Akako."

Her perfume may affect the function of the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and inhibition), temporarily lowering your psychological defenses.

To achieve a hypnotic effect, it is essential to remain awake and avoid distractions.

Zheng Yi pursed his lips.

Little friend, you don't understand magic at all.

Zheng Yi watched as Hongzi took out the recorder and then said:
"Begin now, confess all the crimes you have committed."

"Should we just say it directly?" Zheng Yi asked.

What a direct woman, much more direct than Sato.

"Correct."

Zheng Yi said, "I don't think I've committed any crimes. At least I haven't been caught, so it doesn't count as a crime."

Hongzi was stunned.

That's quite a cunning way of speaking.

Akako felt that Shoichi and Kaito had some similarities.

"So how many bad things have you done?" Hongzi said, "The bad things that others think you've done."

“There are many,” Zheng Yi said.

Hongzi nodded, letting Zhengyi continue.

"When I was five years old..."

Hongzi felt that Zheng Yi was truly guilty of heinous crimes.

He's been doing bad things since he was five years old, and he's been talking about it for almost an hour.

How can one person do so many bad things?

"Nineteen years old?" Hongzi asked.

It seems that Zheng Yi did all the illegal things when he was nineteen.

“At nineteen, I cultivated my character and did good deeds,” Zheng Yi said.

Hongzi frowned.

You talked for an hour about all the bad things you did, like bullying your girlfriend and scaring kids.

When it comes to the real test, you suddenly stop talking, is that it?

Hongzi looked into Zhengyi's eyes.

The possessiveness in his eyes was genuine, and very strong.

This shows that he has already fallen for her charm.

Would he lie to Lady Akako?
“It seems you’re not being honest,” Hongzi said.

She waved her hand and inhaled a burst of red smoke.

"Ah!"

Zheng Yi rubbed his nose, but didn't feel any discomfort in his body.

“Tell me the bad things you did when you were nineteen,” Hongzi asked.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Zheng Yi said.

Hongzi frowned.

Her truth-revealing magic shouldn't have failed.

Akako has more faith in her magic than Kaito.

Under her magic, Seiichi couldn't possibly lie; he said he hadn't done anything wrong.

But that's not what Kaito and his friends said.

Kaito is immune to her magic.

So, Kaito was deceiving her?
Hongzi looked at Zhengyi and noticed that the possessiveness in Zhengyi's eyes had actually lessened.

"Would you like a piece of chocolate?" Hongzi asked, taking out a piece of chocolate.

"Thank you."

Zheng Yi said, "It would be great if it could be made into the shape of a pill."

Hongzi frowned. What a strange request!

Zheng Yi tentatively tried it.

The chocolate tasted good, and Zheng Yi didn't feel any physical or mental problems.

"Why aren't you reacting?" Hongzi asked.

"Perhaps your medication needs improvement," Zheng Yi said.

Zheng Yi said, "Simply falling in love with you is too limited in its uses. I suggest we improve it to..."

Hongzi frowned as she listened to Zhengyi's long speech.

Are you teaching me how to use potions?

"You're immune to my magic?" Hongzi asked.

“That should be the case,” Zheng Yi said.

Seeing Hongzi's puzzled expression, Zhengyi said, "That's only right."

If your magic works on me, then the social order will need to be rebuilt.

Who would like to have superhumans in the world who can threaten them?

Zheng Yi said, "But don't be discouraged."

Although your potion is useless to me, it would be useful to most people; you are of great value.

Hongzi looked at Zhengyi.

His possessiveness intensified once again.

Hongzi was somewhat dazed.

Zheng Yi's possessiveness seems to be directed not at himself, but at his own magic?
She shrank back slightly, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.

"Hongzi, are you interested in finding a job?" Zhengyi asked.

"what?"

Zheng Yi said, "Have you ever thought that your value is far greater than you imagine?"

"I do not know what you're talking about!"

Hongzi stood up, waved her little hand, and no one around her paid any attention to her.

Then she continued to cast spells on Zheng Yi.

However, the magic she cast still had no effect on Zheng Yi.

(End of this chapter)