Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 189 I Will Uphold Justice
"The murderer is Mr. Higashiya!"

"What nonsense are you spouting, Mr. Mori? At the time of the incident, I was sleeping in the west wing. How could I have gotten into the teacher's dormitory?" Higashiya said.

He looked innocent and helpless.

He glanced at Kogoro Mouri, then his gaze lingered on Shoichi, as if he had suffered a great injustice.

“Yes, you really can’t enter Ms. Su Fang’s bedroom,” Kogoro said.

Inspector Megure walked up to Touya with a frown on his face.

It seems like they wanted to support him.

He looked at Kogoro and questioned, "If Mr. Touya couldn't enter Ms. Su Fang's bedroom, how did he kill her?"

"The murderer went to great lengths to disguise the scene as a locked room, but the fact that they didn't use suicide as a cover is just too bizarre," Kogoro said.

"The killer must have had ulterior motives!" Inspector Megure said.

As he spoke, he looked at Zheng Yi.

Kogoro said, "Because Mr. Touya did not enter the bedroom, he successfully killed Ms. Su Fang."

"What did you say?"

"How can we kill anyone if we don't go in?"

“Of course,” Kogoro said. “We just need to use the power of the Cursed Mask.”

"Mouri! That's utter nonsense!" Inspector Megure said, displeased.

Using the power of the mask.

Is this something a detective should say?
Inspector Megure asked, "Are you trying to brush this off with that curse excuse?"

“Of course I don’t believe in curses,” Kogoro said. “It is Shobul’s mask that is the key to this locked-room murder!”

"I will now rehearse the crime scene once more."

"Do we need to cooperate?" Zheng Yi asked.

"need."

Masashi said to Shuichi Akai, "Moroboshi Dai, why don't you cooperate with Detective Mouri and rehearse the scene again?"

Shuichi Akai was taken aback.

Inspector Megure's facial expression was also quite interesting.

Why do I feel like I'm about to be humiliated?

Is it an illusion?

"Moroboshi Dai, hurry up and cooperate with Detective Mouri. The sooner you cooperate with him to complete the re-enactment of the scene, the sooner you can clear your name," Shoichi said.

Everyone watched Shuichi Akai quietly.

Shuichi Akai stretched his arms and looked at the sleeping Kogoro.

Kogoro said, "First, I'd like to trouble Mr. Moroboshi to borrow a small knife similar to the murder weapon."

"Give."

A bodyguard next to Shoichi handed Akai Shuichi a knife of the same type as the murder weapon.

After throwing it over, he said, "What a coincidence, it's exactly the same as the knife our company prepared."

Inspector Megure looked at Shuichi Akai with suspicion.

You said you hadn't picked up the security company's equipment, so you passed by Ms. Su Fang's door on your way to pick it up.

So, did you not claim the equipment, or did you use it for something else?
Shuichi Akai's face remained expressionless.

The more they try to explain, the worse it gets.

I feel like I'm about to replace someone and become the murderer in this case.

"Alright, then please have Mr. Moroboshi thread an elastic band through the end of the hilt of the sword and throw it into the room through the gap in the wooden planks of that door that can't be opened."

"no problem."

Shuichi Akai did everything according to Kogoro Mouri's instructions.

Kogoro continued, "Now, please help me pick up the masks on the ground and take them to Mr. Moroboshi."

The group cooperated by picking up the mask and handing it to Moroboshi Dai.

“Next is the mask part,” Kogoro said. “Thread this elastic band through the holes in the eyes of all the masks, like stringing beads.”

"Next, use the elastic band with the knife attached to thread it through the mouth of each mask."

Moroboshi Dai continued to do as Kogoro instructed.

The wooden boards were spaced 5 or 6 centimeters apart, but the mask passed through very easily.

After passing through 200 masks, Kogoro said, "Now, tighten the elastic band."

Moroboshi Dai continued to do as Kogoro instructed.

Each mask is 1.5 inches long, so 200 masks together would be at least 3 meters long.

After tightening the elastic band.

Two hundred masks were stacked together, like a venomous snake, reaching towards Ms. Su Fang's bed.

The knife tip was also pointed at Ms. Su Fang's neck.

Inspector Megure said, "The doorway is 3.5 meters from the bed. That's too far."

That short knife wasn't even 0.5 meters long.

“Then let’s add a wooden stick,” Kogoro said.

No sooner had Kogoro finished speaking than...

Shoichi's bodyguard thoughtfully handed Akai Shuichi a wooden stick.

Shuichi Akai is holding a wooden stick.

With just a gentle push of the wooden stick, he could pierce the neck of the corpse on the bed.

Shuichi Akai seemed to be deep in thought.

So that's how the person he saw committed the crime.

"Brother Mori's reasoning is quite correct," Inspector Megure said, somewhat surprised.

This method of murder is truly bizarre.

Now, all they have to do is cut that elastic band, and the 200 masks will immediately scatter throughout the room, just like the scene they found.

Inspector Megure took out handcuffs and looked at Dai Moroboshi with a wary expression.

It seems there was some misunderstanding about Mori-kun this time.

He said he would recreate the scene, and he was right; he did indeed recreate it.

Ordinary people do not have the strength to pull this masked snake.

After recreating the scene, Shuichi Akai finally relaxed.

The police officers who surrounded him made Shuichi Akai rub his temples in annoyance.

When facing members of the organization, he could either kill or run away.

But you can't just kill Japanese police officers, can you?

“Inspector Megure, the culprit is not that Moroboshi Dai,” Kogoro said.

"no?"

You've reenacted the entire scene, and you still say he's not the murderer?
In this murder method, the wooden stick is the key murder weapon.

It has Moroboshi Dai's fingerprints on it, which he can no longer explain.

Saying that the murderer is Higashiya is just trying to mislead Masahiro.

That Mori guy is finally going to abandon his evil ways and embrace the light.

“Mr. Higashiya, while we were sleeping, you stole the key that was in the kitchen, and after you committed the murder, you returned the key,” Kogoro said.

"Stop talking nonsense," Dongya said. "What evidence do you have to prove that I killed him?"

"The fingerprints on it aren't mine!"

Although Touya was puzzled as to why there was Moroboshi Dai's fingerprint on it.

But this is not important.

He did it very cleanly; there were no fingerprints on the wooden pipes or the mask.

He won't admit to things without evidence.

“Actually, you’ve already admitted it yourself; you’re the murderer,” Kogoro said.

"How is this possible!" Higashiya said in disbelief.

"Just now, when we were investigating the alibi, you saw Xiaolan say something. You said you saw them wake up the maid."

Higashiya said, "Of course, because I was sleeping on the first floor at the time."

"Who's the other one of the 'them' you're talking about?"

“Of course it’s that kid named Conan!” Higashiya said.

"That's strange!" Conan climbed out from behind the chair and looked at Touya strangely, saying, "But I didn't say a word at the time, how did you know I was with Ran-neechan?"

A sly glint appeared in Conan's eyes.

Then he quickly shrank under the chair and said in Kogoro's voice:

"At that time, Conan was not with Ran, but went to check the door lock."

You said you saw Conan, but actually you heard me tell Conan and Ran to wake up the maid when I was returning the key on the third floor.

Then, one might naturally assume that their relationship was just an illusion.

Higashiya stood there, stunned.

Kogoro continued confidently, "As for the fingerprints on that stick, it's probably because Daiji Moroboshi picked it up once when he passed by the door."

Conan was almost ready to put the ribbon away.

Another thrilling case-solving session!

The atmosphere at the scene was a bit strange, and Conan felt a chill run down his spine.

Why is everyone silent?

"Master Moroboshi, am I right?"

Shuichi Akai remained silent.

He has decided to say nothing more and not to defend himself.

It has nothing to do with him being arrested by the police.

With his FBI affiliation, he can be released quickly.

But Masakazu was in charge of his sister's safety, and after leaving, he was determined to get Sera out of Japan.

Japan is still too dangerous.

Higashiya said, "Do you think this will make me confess? Mr. Mori, you still have no evidence!"

There isn't even a security camera in this villa.

What makes you say I killed the person? What makes you say I stole the key?

Inspector Megure also looked at Kogoro with suspicion.

Reasoning alone is useless; the police still need evidence to arrest someone.

Kogoro said, "Mr. Shoichi's security team should have installed a lot of surveillance cameras in the villa."

When they were protecting Ran, they installed a lot of surveillance cameras at the Mouri Detective Agency.

A bodyguard dressed in black stepped forward and said:

"Sorry, the boss doesn't like feeling monitored. So those cameras that were installed aren't turned on; they're just there as a deterrent."

"What!" Conan exclaimed in surprise.

Higashiya was also surprised.

Is it really not open?
Inspector Megure asked, "Is it really not opened? Or is there some reason why you don't want the police to inspect it?"

“Inspector Megure, it’s because it really wasn’t opened,” Shoichi said.

What's wrong with him wanting to protect his privacy?

Inspector Megure couldn't completely trust Shoichi's words.

It's very likely that the surveillance footage captured the murderer, and Zheng Yi wanted to protect him.

But he couldn't force his way to see it.

It would be quite a sight if the police and those bodyguards were to fight.

"Actually, the prime suspect is still Mr. Moroboshi," Inspector Megure said.

Mori's deduction of the murder method was correct, but the murderer's deduction was wrong.

Dongya was a recipient of Ms. Su Fang's financial aid and also her student.

Wait ~
Since Ms. Su Fang's charity is fake, then...

No, that's not right. Touya is living a good life now, and he has been trained by Ms. Su Fang to become a popular singer in Japan. She must be doing very well for him.

Even after all this, they're still trying to pin the blame on Higashiya.

Brother Mori, you're blatantly lying.

Uh, no, he had his eyes closed!
“Inspector Megure, this is the first time Moroboshi has been to this villa. He is completely unfamiliar with the environment and layout. How could he possibly use such a method to kill someone?” Kogoro Mouri said.

Inspector Megure frowned.

Kogoro's statement makes some sense.

To kill someone using such a method, one must be very familiar with the villa's environment.

In that case, Higashiya and Kazuyo would indeed be suspects.

"Spiritual medium".

"Sato?"

Inspector Megure looked at Sato.

Sato said, "That medium is very suspicious. He came to this apartment and set a lot of strange rules."

“Sato is right!” Inspector Megure clapped his hands.

If it's related to that medium, then it's much easier to explain.

"Takagi, once we get back to the police station, immediately investigate that medium and see if he has any connection with Dai Moroboshi."

"Yes!" Takagi nodded.

Inspector Megure put handcuffs on Shuichi Akai.

"Now, please come with us to the police station," Inspector Megure said with an upright and incorruptible air.

All evil must be brought to justice.

Even if your backer is Zheng Yi, it won't stop the Metropolitan Police Department from upholding the law impartially!

"Wait! Inspector Megure..."

"Alright, Mori-kun!" Inspector Megure interrupted Kogoro with displeasure.

He looked at Kogoro and said with a slightly sarcastic tone:
"I also have to thank you for your reasoning, otherwise the Metropolitan Police Department wouldn't have solved the case so quickly."

Although the result you deduced is not Moroboshi Dai.

“Inspector Megure!” Kogoro shouted. “Ms. Suho asked me to investigate Mrs. Katagiri’s death. This matter is very strange and may involve Touya’s motive for murder.”

"Oh? Tell me about it." Inspector Megure didn't mind listening to some gossip.

"Mr. Katagiri's wife, the woman who had been taking care of Ms. Su Fang, was hit and killed by a car."

She committed suicide after hitting someone in a car accident, and she was Mr. Higashiya's mother.

Upon hearing this, Higashiya clenched his fists tightly.

He gritted his teeth and looked at Kogoro Mouri, but didn't say a word.

"Oh? You suspect that Mr. Higashiya's mother's death was not suicide, but related to Ms. Su Fang?" Inspector Megure asked.

"Yes."

"The police will continue to investigate." Inspector Megure didn't seem to care much.

You have a point, but the prime suspect is still Dai Moroboshi, since there is evidence against him.

Inspector Megure said to Touya, "You are still a suspect. Don't leave Tokyo during this time, and keep your phone accessible."

“No problem,” Higashiya said.

Inspector Megure nodded and said, "That's it. Takagi, you and Sato take Moroboshi Dai to your car."

"Yes!"

Sato and Takagi pulled the handcuffed Shuichi Akai into the police car.

Masakazu also came outside to see Shuichi Akai off.

"Officer Takagi, Officer Sato, I need to speak with you."

“I have nothing to say to you,” Sato said coldly.

Zheng Yi smiled and said, "Don't be so cold to me."

Sato glanced at Shuichi Akai inside the police car.

"You called me and Takagi over here, leaving him alone in the car. You're not planning to kidnap him, are you?" Sato asked.

“How could that be? That’s something only ruthless bandits do,” Zheng Yi said. “I’m a legitimate businessman.”

He took out two lollipops, intending to bribe the two men.

"Don't take things too seriously, think about your family..."

"Boom~"

As the three were talking, the police car that Shuichi Akai was in exploded, sending flames soaring into the sky.

(End of this chapter)