Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

"Catch someone."

The phone screen in Miwako Sato's palm flickered with a faint light, accompanied by that familiar AI-synthesized voice.

Based on Shoichi Sumitomo's voice—the instructions are issued calmly.

The truth has come to light, the murderer's confession is still fresh in our minds, and their all-powerful assistant has given a clear signal to take action.

However, the voice that belonged to Zheng Yi caused the police officers present to hesitate for a moment.

The air seemed to freeze, and everyone understood each other without saying a word.

If we take action now, wouldn't that confirm that they are henchmen who rely on Zheng Yi's every whim?
It feels strange to expect them to obey the commands of this voice.

The police officers were all very reserved.

In the midst of this delicate stalemate, Miwako Sato made a move.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward and deftly fastened the cold handcuffs to Tetsuya Morikawa's wrists.

The surrounding police officers secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It would be perfect if Sato were to do this.

No one would ever associate her with any tycoon's lackey.

If it were someone else, it would inevitably sow seeds of suspicion in the minds of colleagues, eroding the foundation of trust within the team.

That would be detrimental to the unity of the Metropolitan Police Department.

After handcuffing Morikawa, Sato stared at him, his voice clear and steady: "Morikawa Tetsuya, what was your motive for killing Mr. Kubota?"

Morikawa remained silent.

Previously, the AI's ruthless method of breaking through all his psychological defenses, combined with Zheng Yi's extremely oppressive voice, did indeed cause him to lose his mind for a moment and be on the verge of collapse.

But at this moment, the cold touch of the metal on his wrist actually cooled down his chaotic mind.

Behind him is the Toyota Group.

He suddenly remembered a crucial principle in the Japanese judicial system—the exclusionary rule for illegally obtained evidence.

Evidence obtained through illegal means, such as searches without a formal warrant or wiretapping, cannot, in principle, be used as the basis for conviction.

Therefore, the only legal evidence seems to be his own confession that "I killed the person."

Procedural justice is paramount.

"I am not the murderer." Morikawa raised his head, the dejection he had felt while kneeling and confessing vanished, and his eyes regained their calm.

"The evidence is conclusive, and you still want to argue?" Inspector Megure couldn't help but shout.

"Conclusive evidence?" Morikawa sneered, his gaze sweeping over Sato and Inspector Megure.
"Does this so-called evidence obtained by AI through illegal intrusion have any legal validity?"
Did the police have a search warrant? Did their evidence collection process comply with legal procedures?

Inspector Megure silently removed his gloves, thinking to himself: This person is still too young.

Doesn't he know that the police could have supplemented and improved the chain of evidence after the arrest?
Moreover, since he murdered employees of the Justice Group, there will be much less resistance to obtaining supplementary evidence.

As for the legal loopholes in AI-based evidence collection... that's a headache for the courts. The Metropolitan Police Department's job is to apprehend the criminals first.

“Mr. Morikawa,” Inspector Megure’s voice was steady and powerful.

"All police actions to date are in accordance with legal procedures."

If you have any objections to the law enforcement process, you have the right to file a lawsuit in accordance with the law.

Now, please answer Officer Sato's question. What was your motive for murdering Mr. Kubota?

Morikawa pursed his lips and chose to remain silent once again.

His gaze swept over Sato's phone screen, and he felt a little relieved.

All his transactions with the Toyota Group were completed offline, and he absolutely did not believe that this AI could fabricate events out of thin air and find those meetings that left no electronic traces.

He instinctively touched his phone. At the time, both parties had deliberately avoided using any electronic devices, making it impossible for them to be eavesdropped on or tracked. "He was employed by the Toyota Group to eliminate business competitors for Toyota by faking accidental deaths."

"What evidence do you have!" Morikawa roared as if his tail had been stepped on, trying to cover up his inner panic with the volume.

Can this be monitored?

Is this really just AI?
Sato's phone screen flickered, and the AI ​​fell silent, no longer responding to his roar.

Morikawa continued to roar at the now-blacked-out screen: "I'm going to sue you! This is defamation! This is illegal spying!"

Inspector Megure raised an eyebrow.

Why is this guy arguing with an artificial intelligence?

It's just a program, a tool!

Tetsuya Morikawa's gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed on Inspector Megure, his voice carrying an undisguised question:
"Is this so-called 'police AI' actually serving the Metropolitan Police Department, or is it serving one person?"

"Of course, it's the Metropolitan Police Department!"

"Is it under the control of the Metropolitan Police Department, or is it under the control of Zheng Yi?"

"Of course, it's completely under the control of our Metropolitan Police Department!" Inspector Megure straightened his back, his tone resolute and brooking no argument.

Of course, he wouldn't mention that the core technology of this system is still being maintained by the Justice Group's technical team.

But this is only a temporary transition period.

Once the Metropolitan Police Department's own technicians have fully mastered the system, everything will be perfectly legitimate.

A mocking smile curled at the corner of Morikawa's lips: "So, is it AI assisting police officers in solving cases, or are the police officers following the instructions of AI?"

"Of course, the AI ​​will obey our commands!" Megure's voice suddenly rose, filled with anger at being offended.

"No matter how advanced it is, it's just a tool. The real key to solving cases lies in the professional judgment and execution capabilities of our Metropolitan Police Department!"

Morikawa shook his head with a cold laugh, not believing this high-sounding rhetoric at all.

What just happened is the best proof.

The police acted almost entirely according to the AI's instructions.

He could see it clearly: this AI was an invisible hand that Jung-il was extending into the Metropolitan Police Department.

Previously, Zhengyi needed to exert influence through phone calls or emails, but now with AI, that process is eliminated, increasing efficiency many times over.

Inspector Megure stretched his stiff neck, clearly displeased with Morikawa's attitude.

In the past, police often relied on the wisdom of detectives to solve cases, but now, AI is gradually replacing that role.

Inspector Megure looked at the evil criminal.

In the past, when the police relied on detectives, the media always criticized the Metropolitan Police Department.

Now that AI is being used, Inspector Megure doesn't believe that human achievements can be stolen by tools.

The honor belongs to the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Takagi, Sato, take Detective Morikawa away immediately and hand him over to the court for trial," Inspector Megure said.

"Yes!"

Sato and Takagi held Morikawa on the left and right.

But Morikawa showed no fear whatsoever, nor any awareness of being a criminal.

He looked exactly the same as when Zheng Yi was invited to the scene.

Zheng Yi was only there for the event, while he was going to prison.

Why is this guy so arrogant?
This is infuriating. (End of Chapter)