Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

At this moment, Zheng Yi was surrounded by several policemen.

One of the policemen, holding a video camera, said:
"Mr. Zhengyi, to ensure your absolute safety, we will provide you with 24-hour close protection. During this period, we will record your voice and video in real time for security monitoring and archiving purposes."

The policeman also knew that the reason was ridiculous.

But since it was Sumitomo Saburo who gave the order, he could only listen to it. Moreover, since it was his father's order, Shoichi wouldn't resist too much, right?
"Whatever," Zheng Yi said indifferently.

With you all keeping an eye on things, I feel relieved.

If that unfortunate prince is still murdered, then I won't be blamed for this.

I feel very safe.

Soon, Inspector Ayanokoji was dispatched, and Shoichi's security became even tighter.

Momiji stood at the entrance of the temporary "Special Security Command Center" set up at the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum, her mouth agape at the lavish setup before her.

"Wow..." she couldn't help but exclaim, showing absolutely no sign of worry. "Zhengyi, are you going to attack the National Assembly?"

Ayanokouji's eyes flickered.

Thinking to himself, Shoichi might have extreme contempt for the Diet, and might have even said something inappropriate that Koyo overheard, which is why Koyo said something like attacking the Diet.

Zheng Yi sighed helplessly, letting the two burly criminal police officers protect him closely.

“Red Leaf, this is called the highest-level protection measure for national VIPs. If you achieve something like me in the future, you will also be able to experience this kind of protection,” Zheng Yi said.

Hongye was not affected by the serious atmosphere. Instead, she walked over with great interest and poked the miniature camera on Zhengyi's chest that was flashing a red light.

"Is this what they call all-around, no-blind-spot recording? It's on even when you're sleeping? Does that mean even your snoring will be recorded and sent to the Metropolitan Police Department's big screen?" Hongye asked.

Zheng Yi nodded and slapped away Hongye's groping hand: "Yes, even what you say now will be studied repeatedly by a bunch of people, so say less."

Ayanokouji continued to memorize it in his mind. Because he was being watched over at all times, Shoichi would speak less, and every word he said next might contain a lot of information that needed to be carefully considered.

Upon hearing this, Hongye indeed shut her mouth and even moved her body out of the camera's view.

She pointed to a monitor screen next to her, which was playing Zheng Yi's image in real time, and even his micro-expression of rolling his eyes was clearly captured.

Hongye even felt a little sorry for him.

But Shiho didn't feel sorry for Shoichi at all; in fact, she thought Shoichi was probably very happy right now.

Because if that's the case, even if those people carefully study the videos they recorded in the past two days for a month after the prince dies, they still can't pin the blame on Zheng Yi.

Shiho was thinking to herself.

Since it's inconvenient for Zheng Yi to contact Conan right now, what reason should he use to invite Conan to come over when the Prince comes here?

“Let’s go home first. I’ll come and entertain His Highness when he arrives,” Zheng Yi said.

In Ayanokouji Chronicles, Shoichi lives with two women, leading to complicated relationships. These two women also require close monitoring.

……

On the streets of Kyoto, Conan was kicking pebbles on the side of the road, looking rather bored.

Shinichi, look at this!

Professor Agasa, holding a newspaper in his hand, caught up breathlessly, his round face filled with shock.

"Something terrible has happened! Zhengyi has gotten himself into big trouble in Kyoto!"

Conan stopped and leaned closer to take a look. The newspaper's headline was none other than the Kyoto Shimbun:

"Zaibo's outrageous remarks! Sumitomo Shoichi openly challenges the authority of the Imperial Family."

Zheng Yi had previously been reported on by newspapers in a veiled manner, but this time, his name appeared directly in the newspaper, a rare occurrence.

The report vividly described Shoichi's question at the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum, "Whose land is beneath my feet?", and the potential political upheaval that followed.

“This…” Conan frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping his chin.

Are those newspapers reporting nonsense again?

He heard that the media in Tokyo had been attacked, and those people thought it was done by Zheng Yi Ge, so they started to frame him.
Or is it because the president of a newspaper in Kyoto died, and they also believe that it was Masahiro who did it, so they want to frame Masahiro?
Conan immediately took out his phone from his pocket, found Shoichi's number, and dialed it.

However, all that came through the receiver was a busy tone and a cold notification: "The user you dialed is temporarily unavailable..."

"Can't get through?" Conan tried a few more times, but the result was still the same.

“That’s true.” Conan chuckled self-deprecatingly. “At this sensitive time, he’s probably surrounded by police. How could he possibly answer my call?”

"So what do we do now?" Professor Agasa said. "Shoichi may be impulsive at times, but he's not a bad person at heart. I hope nothing serious will really happen to him."

He's being paid by the Justice Group, after all.

The Justice Group bought many of his patents, and the annual patent fees are not a small amount.

Conan put away his phone, looked up at Professor Agasa, and said, "Professor, let's go to the Izumiya Museum."

"Now?"

“Two days later,” Conan shook his head and said, “We were planning to go see the new bronze exhibition anyway, and now it’s perfect.”

Since we can't get through on the phone, we'll just have to ask in person. Brother Zheng is a very gentle person; he would never say something like that.

It must be a frame-up by the newspaper.

Dr. Agasa paused for a moment, then said, "You mean... go to the scene and check the situation? But there's martial law there right now."

“Martial law doesn’t necessarily mean tourists aren’t allowed in,” Conan said. “Now is the time when Brother Zhengyi needs me, and I absolutely can’t be absent! I still need to clear Brother Zhengyi’s name.”

“Okay, then we’ll go together then,” Professor Agasa said.

……

The Hongye family's private car was as spacious as a mobile living room, but at this moment, an eerie silence filled the car.

The miniature camera in the corner, its red light flashing, coldly watches everything inside the car.

Zheng Yi leaned back in the leather seat, closing his eyes to rest.

"Um..." Hongye finally couldn't hold back any longer. She lowered her voice, leaned close to Zhengyi's ear, and said in a volume she thought was undetectable, "Should I help you fight back?"

Zheng Yi pursed his lips and pointed to the earphone in his ear, saying:

"This is for recording, not for listening."

Shiho, sitting opposite him, watched the scene with a cold eye, holding a thick book in her hands.

Now that her phone is being monitored, she can no longer easily contact Conan to help Shoichi kill someone.

Is this prince going to escape unscathed?

That's for the best, after all, a prince's status is too prestigious, and his death would cause a lot of trouble.

It's better to let him live. At most, it will make others think that Zheng Yi is a coward, or that Zheng Yi didn't have a chance to make a move. It will only make Zheng Yi lose face.

Meanwhile, in another command vehicle following the convoy, Inspector Ayanokoji was staring at the screen, listening to the sounds coming through his earpiece.

Silently noting, Zheng Yi's companion showed signs of anxiety, seemingly dissatisfied with the surveillance measures. Zheng Yi, however, demonstrated strong emotional control and calm judgment, attempting to maintain order inside the vehicle.

Two whole days passed like this.

For two whole days, Shiho didn't see Shoichi contact Conan.

She sighed.

It seems we really couldn't contact Conan; all the suffering we endured these past two days was for nothing.

Zheng Yi has never experienced setbacks before, so he must be furious right now.

Shiho was already thinking about how to remind Momiji to comfort Masakazu.

The convoy slowly came to a stop in front of the Sen-oku Hakukokan Museum.

At this time, the museum was surrounded by layers of police tape, with heavily armed police and public security personnel in suits on high alert.

The prince's motorcade is expected to arrive in half an hour.

As soon as Zheng Yi got out of the car, he greeted the security personnel around him with a smile, not at all like someone who was unhappy.

He straightened his collar and glanced around at the security facilities.

Shiho stared at Masakazu in astonishment.

Having lived with Zheng Yi for so long, she felt that Zheng Yi's current mood didn't seem to be an act.

Does she still not understand Zhengyi?

Zheng Yi is actually very open-minded. Even though he was monitored for two days, he didn't have any complaints.
Masakazu whispered to Shiho, "What? Is it abnormal for me to be happy? We've finally gotten through this miserable time, and we won't have to feel so stifled anymore. Can't you be a little happier?"

Shiho's eyes widened; she felt that Shoichi's happiness was definitely not due to that reason.

Meanwhile, Inspector Ayanokoji was on high alert.

Just then, two familiar figures on the sidewalk not far away caught Shiho's attention.

"Wow, it's so lively here!" A little boy wearing a baseball cap was holding the hand of a chubby old man, standing outside the police line and looking around curiously.

Shiho's heart skipped a beat.

Conan? Professor Agasa? What are they doing here?

Before she could react, Zheng Yi had already strode over, his face beaming with a warm smile.

"Hey! Isn't that Conan and Professor Agasa?" Shoichi waved exaggeratedly, his voice loud enough for everyone around to hear. "What a coincidence! Are you here to see the exhibition too?"

Conan paused for a moment, then pushed up his glasses. His sharp eyes immediately caught sight of the group of police officers behind Shoichi who looked like they were facing a formidable enemy, as well as the surveillance equipment that was faintly visible on Shoichi's body.

"Ah, Brother Zhengyi!" Conan smiled and waved at Zhengyi.

"What a coincidence!" Zheng Yi didn't give Conan a chance to refuse and grabbed Conan's hand.

"Since we've run into each other, let's not stand outside. I'm going inside to wait for His Highness the Prince, so you can all come along!"
Moreover, because of the Prince's visit today, many of the collections that are rarely exhibited have been brought out.

"This...isn't this a bit inappropriate?" Dr. Agasa was somewhat flattered, or rather, overwhelmed with surprise.

“We don’t have an invitation, and the police there look very aggressive…”

"It's alright! My men!" Seiichi waved to Inspector Ayanokouji, who stood guard beside him, and said:
“Inspector Ayanokouji, these two are my friends. Let them come in together. It’s more lively with more people, and His Highness the Prince enjoys a lively atmosphere.”

Inspector Ayanokoji frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping over Conan and Professor Agasa.

Our headquarters has conducted a detailed investigation into Shoichi and has a good understanding of the people he knows.

He quickly searched his mind for information on the two: Conan Edogawa, a first-grade student at Teitan Elementary School; Professor Agasa, an inventor.

After weighing the pros and cons, Ayanokouji finally nodded: "Okay, Prince Takeda didn't say anything about clearing the area, but please keep it within our sight."

A small child and an old man together appear harmless.

"That's great, thank you, Masakazu-nii-san," Conan said politely.

Shiho stared in shock at Conan as he rushed over.

When exactly did Shoichi call Conan over?
Having spent all her time with Shoichi, Shiho has no recollection of when Shoichi informed Conan.

Is it just a coincidence?

Shiho looked at Masakazu with a complicated expression.

She felt that the rumors about Zhengyi circulating outside might not all be false.

Although Zheng Yi didn't have the kind of unpredictable and mysterious killing methods they described.

But Zheng Yi does possess that unpredictable method of summoning Conan.

She summoned Conan without her knowledge.

Shiho quietly moved a little further away from Conan and Shoichi.

Conan's arrival means the probability of a murder has greatly increased; hopefully, the blood won't splatter on her.

Suddenly, a deep engine roar came from afar, and a convoy slowly came into view.

The lead car was a black Toyota with dark privacy film on the windows.

"coming."

Inspector Ayanokoji, standing three steps to Shoichi's left, subtly pressed his earpiece and whispered the order:
"Attention all units, the target has come into view. Increase vigilance and ensure absolute safety."

As soon as he gave the order, several policemen came to Zheng Yi's side, surrounding and protecting him.

Zheng Yi stood on the steps of the museum, his hands in his coat pockets, and was clearly taken aback when he saw the police officers who suddenly approached him.

He even had the illusion that he was the one who was to be assassinated by the prince.

Then he inwardly complained that the police were being too sensitive.

At this point, with the prince coming, can I still personally kill someone?

He's the one I need to be least wary of right now.

The car door opened, and a senior official from the Imperial Household Agency, dressed in a tailcoat, stepped out first. He quickly walked to the rear door, bowed slightly, and gestured with his right hand to invite the passenger.

A well-maintained hand rested on the car door frame, and then a middle-aged man in a dark gray suit and wearing medals stepped out of the car.

The prince did not step forward immediately, but stood beside the carriage, his gaze passing over the layers of guards and landing directly on Zheng Yi on the steps.

Zheng Yi's lips curled into a half-smile as he brazenly scrutinized the other person.

The prince frowned almost imperceptibly.

He was clearly displeased by the rude stare, but out of royal decorum, he did not react on the spot.

He walked to the other side of the car, took the princess's hand as she stepped out, and began walking towards the steps. (End of Chapter)