Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

"Seriously, what did that guy call me over for if he's writing an autobiography?"

Kogoro drove a rented car to the villa where the writers lived.

"Uncle, you didn't have to come," Conan said from the back seat.

Why shouldn't I come?

Kogoro pursed his lips.

Since Zheng Yi paid to invite him over, why not come?

But this request was quite troublesome.

They actually had to consult those writers about the case from back then.

Damn it, how come I have absolutely no recollection of the case?

Kogoro rubbed his head, looking annoyed.

"Alright, Dad, Conan, let's go inside," Ran said with a smile.

"it is good."

Conan, with his short legs, walked towards the villa.

He held Xiaolan's hand and said, "Brother Zhengyi said he invited the editor and writer of 'Detective Kagura' over."

"Yes, don't you really like this TV series?"

"Uh-huh."

……

Before they began writing, the writers had to look at the materials that Zheng Yi gave them.

The limited information available during their studies abroad gave them a lot of room for interpretation.

During this time, I can write a lot of things to flatter Zhengyi.

There is a lot of information available about starting a business in Japan.

But it's also strange.

The entrepreneurial process is closely related to many cases.

The information clearly states that Mr. Zhengyi's entrepreneurial venture has nothing to do with those cases.

It was just a coincidence that they all came together.

But Zheng Yi handed them all the detailed information about those cases.

If there's no connection, then what's the point of giving us detailed information about these cases?
That's really puzzling.

"Takeda, it's not lunchtime yet. Are you in such a hurry to eat lunch?"

Takeda rubbed his stomach and said, "I'm a little hungry."

Matsumura laughed and said, "No wonder you're so fat now. You were very thin when you were in college."

Takeda rubbed his belly and said with a helpless expression:

"I don't know what happened. It seems like it started last year. I've been getting fatter and fatter, until I look like this now."

He put down the bread in his hand. "I've decided, I'm going to start losing weight."

“Losing weight is not an easy thing,” Matsumura said.

The two sat down and began to reminisce about their university days.

Both of them sighed with regret.

They both majored in physics in college, but unexpectedly, they both became writers after graduation, and quite famous ones at that.

"Tell me, what exactly does Mr. Shoichi want us to write for him?" Matsumura asked.

“How would I know?” Takeda shook his head.

The information provided by Shoichi was too deceptive; Takeda couldn't figure out Shoichi's intentions at all.

"So, what direction did you choose to take when writing your autobiography?" Takeda asked.

“I haven’t even started writing yet,” Matsumura said.

Zhengyi did not give a time limit, so there is no need to rush to start writing.

If you choose the wrong direction, you're doomed.

Moreover, he is now a competitor of Takeda, so how could he possibly share his writing ideas with him?

"Fine, don't tell me then."

Takeda lowered his voice and said furtively, "I plan to write about Masakazu as a criminal genius."

"Are you crazy?" Matsumura's face showed shock.

This is an autobiography.

Are you worried that Zheng Yi will get into trouble?

“Of course I’m not crazy,” Takeda continued. “I write it subtly, vaguely, without naming names, only hinting.”

Leave the room for the reader's imagination.

Takeda felt that this was what Shoichi wanted to express.

Matsumura nodded, feeling that Takeda was heading in the right direction.

He lowered his voice and said, "We're competitors now. You're just going to tell me your writing ideas like this?"

“We’re friends,” Takeda said generously.

He had read the people Matsumura had written about.

That's all utter nonsense. It's unbelievable that something written like that could become a bestseller. It's as if God has no eyes.

They are far inferior to themselves.

Even if someone chooses the same path as me, I can still crush them.

Moreover, Matsumura never had the chance to finish writing this book.

Takeda patted his belly and said, "I didn't see the details of those cases very clearly. It felt like something was vaguely blocked."

"I heard that Detective Kogoro Mouri is coming today, I'm going to ask him about it."

Matsumura's eyes lit up when he heard the name Kogoro Mouri.

He whispered, "Tell me, is Kogoro Mouri really Shoichi...?"

"Oh dear! It's so cold!"

Kogoro and his two companions were led in by Miki. Kogoro stomped his foot as he entered.

Conan was also blowing warm air into his palm.

The wind outside is very cold.

"Detective Mori?"

When Takeda and Matsumura saw Kogoro Mori rushing over, they both warmly came over.

I want to have a proper conversation with this detective who has a close connection with Shoichi.

Kogoro straightened his clothes and smiled when he saw the two enthusiastic people.

"Detective Mori, I've heard so much about you."

Matsumura grasped Kogoro's hand and said, "This must be your daughter, right?"

"Hello, I'm Ran Mouri." Ran then pointed to Conan and said:

"This is the child who is staying at my house. His name is Conan Edogawa."

Conan looked at Matsumura with his big, adorable eyes and said, "Hello, Uncle."

The lively scene downstairs quickly attracted other writers to come down as well.

When Xiaolan saw so many celebrities, she took out her notebook.

I asked them for autographs one by one.

Conan pursed his lips when he saw Ran's actions.

I don't know why Xiaolan has a hobby of asking celebrities for autographs.

Are they going to sell them for money in the future?
During lunch, Conan kept asking Takahashi and the others about "Detective Magure".

The three members of the Takahashi trio were also very friendly to this little fan.

He patiently answered Conan's questions and even discussed which cases had logical flaws.

Takahashi also praised Conan, saying he was very talented and could apply to be an editor for "Detective Magure" in the future.

Of course, there's a premise to that.

It's only because Conan grew up that "Detective Magure" was still being serialized.

After lunch, the writers began their work.

After agreeing on the division of Kogoro's time, everyone started doing their own thing.

This afternoon's Kogoro belongs to Matsumura and Takeda.

"I've long heard that you are the Sleeping Kogoro, who has solved countless cases!" Takeda said with a fawning smile, offering a high-end cigar.

"This was specially brought back from Cuba." Kogoro's eyes lit up, and he took it without hesitation, striking a pose like a famous detective.
Thank you.

He took a puff; it tasted quite good.

"Shoichi said he invited me here to provide you with a consultation, so you can just ask me any questions you have," Kogoro asked.

Matsumura adjusted his glasses and said:
"We are writing Mr. Zhengyi's autobiography and want to learn about those sensational cases."

"For example, the art museum murder case, you were reportedly present at the time?"

Kogoro's heart skipped a beat.

He remembered that case because it was very late, and then he fell asleep. When he woke up, the criminal had already been arrested.

Everyone was praising him.

How to do?
to be honest?
Saying you're sleeping?

Wouldn't that mean the consulting fees would be wasted?

Kogoro's eyes darted around, he cleared his throat, deliberately lowered his voice, and adopted a mysterious demeanor: "Oh... that case."

He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before he said mysteriously:
"The gallery owner was secretly in debt to loan sharks. If an ordinary person got involved in a feud of that level, they would have been drowned long ago. That's why he sold the gallery to pay off his debts."

Kogoro rubbed his temples.

He had forgotten what happened during the case.

But he seemed to have seen such a report in some newspaper.

Which newspaper was it from?

Takeda and Matsumura exchanged a glance, their hearts racing.
"And then... what happened next? It was Mr. Zhengyi..."

"And then?" Kogoro took a puff of his cigar, exhaled a smoke ring that blurred his vision.

"Later, the guy who wanted to buy the art museum was killed by the curator."

"The boss had a change of heart the next day, turned himself in to the police, and returned all his illegal gains."

"In this world, what else, besides the police, can turn a desperate criminal into a good boy overnight?"

The police can't turn desperate criminals into good boys.

If the police had such a strong deterrent effect, there wouldn't be much crime in the world.

Only someone even more ruthless than a desperado could do it.

That gang?

Or is it Zhengyi?

Hiss—as expected, Mr. Zhengyi intervened!
Gangsters wouldn't do that kind of thing; they're still counting on the boss to pay them back.

It must be that Zheng Yi used some kind of terrifying method to coerce the prisoner!
In this way, Zheng Yi was able to acquire the art museum quickly and at a low price.

Furthermore, the gangsters dared not cause trouble for Zhengyi.

Kogoro's last, seemingly joking remark seemed to have explained everything.

The two looked at Kogoro with even greater awe.

"Then... what about that actress kidnapping case?" Matsumura, unwilling to give up, brought up an even more sensitive case.

"You seemed to have fallen asleep at the scene?"

An actress is kidnapped and extorted, but Kogoro Mouri solves the case and rescues her.

That actress now works at Zheng Yi's entertainment company, making money for him.

This case doesn't seem to have anything to do with Zheng Yi, and there's no mention of him in the newspapers either.

But Zheng Yi still gave them the case files.

Kogoro's head is as big as a bucket.

During that case, his screen went completely black, and when he woke up, he only saw Conan eating cake.

But he couldn't show weakness.

Kogoro's expression suddenly darkened: "That case... is very dangerous."

He paused, lowering his voice even further: "It involves more than just kidnapping; it also involves a clandestine underground organization."

He was just stating the facts based on the results in the newspaper.

The newspaper described it as a secret organization and provided a very detailed analysis.

Kogoro leaned closer to the two of them and said in a voice only they could hear:
"It's strange, I've forgotten how I rescued that actress. I only remember falling into a deep sleep after the rescue."

Kogoro scratched his head.

Don't ask me for details, I really can't explain it.

Takeda shrank back in fright: "Could it be... Mr. Seiichi...?"

"Shoichi? What does this have to do with Shoichi?" Kogoro asked, puzzled.

He doesn't remember having any connection to Zheng Yi.

Did Zheng Yi appear while I was sleeping?
“Yes, yes, yes! It has nothing to do with Mr. Shoichi.” Matsumura and Takeda waved their hands repeatedly.

It has nothing to do with Zhengyi, it has absolutely no relation to him.

Takeda even slapped his own mouth.

Why did you speak so recklessly, directly bringing up Zheng Yi?

The two looked at Kogoro's aloof "I understand, but I won't say" expression.

Cold sweat appeared on his face.

"I see! Detective Mori is a hidden talent!" Takeda wiped away his cold sweat, his tone filled with awe.

Matsumura said with admiration, "Detective Mori is really amazing for rescuing people from dangerous places."

“That’s right.” Kogoro proudly raised his chin.

Conan, who had been listening to Kogoro being praised the whole time, couldn't help but complain:

"Uncle Mori is just a third-rate detective."

Kogoro's smile instantly froze.

He punched Conan on the head: "Kid, if you talk nonsense again, I'll throw you out."

Takeda and Matsumura gasped in shock.

It is said that children do not lie.

If even children think Kogoro Mouri is a third-rate detective, then what is Kogoro's true level?

What made Kogoro become the famous detective he is today?
In a daze, Takeda remembered a newspaper he had once seen.

On the newspaper, there was a blurry figure handing a check to Kogoro.

That news story is now forbidden to be mentioned.

"Heh... What do kids know?" Kogoro chuckled dryly, sweat beading on his forehead.

"I am the famous 'Sleeping Kogoro,' who is skilled at solving cases in my sleep. How dare you, a brat, look down on me?"

Conan held his head, pouted, and didn't refute Kogoro Mouri anymore.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!" Matsumura exclaimed in sudden realization.

Kogoro looked at him in surprise.

Can you tell from my few words that I have superb crime-solving skills?
"Detective Mori can solve cases even in his sleep; that's clearly an instinct honed over many years!"

“That’s right!” Takeda nodded emphatically, his gaze toward Kogoro shifting from awe to admiration.

"Only by experiencing countless cases can one reach this level of 'being able to control life and death even in one's dreams'."

Kogoro was so embarrassed by the praise that he became shy.

How do these writers' thought processes work?

I just took a nap, and they praised me like this.

but,

"Hahaha, that's definitely it." Kogoro said with a loud laugh.

As expected of a writer, he knows how to speak.

If anyone else asks me about it in the future, I'll just say the same thing.

This is an instinct honed over many years.

The smiles on Takeda and Matsumura's faces grew increasingly awkward.

You really have the nerve to agree to that?

Solving a case in one's sleep is utterly insulting to the intelligence of the general public.

The three chatted intimately and naturally.

The two authors kept praising Kogoro with their words, and through Kogoro's words, they gradually came to understand the terrifying nature of Shoichi.

Kogoro became increasingly pleased with the conversation; as expected of a writer, his words were always delightful to hear. (End of Chapter)