Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

The organization's secret sanatorium is located on a hillside in the suburbs, surrounded by dense forests and isolated from the world.

Only core members who have bled and been wounded for the organization, and who have not yet been deemed useless or undercover agents by Gin, are qualified to come here.

Chianti lay in a single room on the innermost side of the third floor.

The air was filled with the smell of disinfectant, mixed with the lingering gunpowder smell on her body, which made her feel inexplicably irritated.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it!"

She looked at her bandaged leg and scratched her short, reddish-brown hair in frustration.

"Click".

The door was gently pushed open, and a tall figure walked in.

The person who arrived was Cohen, Chianti's most compatible partner and one of the few people she could trust in the organization.

"You've come." Chianti's eyes softened slightly when she saw Cohen, but then turned into resentment again. "Look at me like this, I'm so embarrassed."

Cohen didn't say anything, but silently walked to the bedside and put a bunch of white wildflowers, which he had picked from somewhere, into a vase.

“I saw the news today,” Cohen said. “The car accident on Sanhua Road.”

"Don't even mention it!" Chianti exploded the moment she heard the word. "I've had the worst luck imaginable! I was just walking when that beat-up truck came rushing at me like it had eyes. If I hadn't reacted quickly, I'd be in line at the crematorium right now!"

Although she dodged it, she was still injured.

"I was just trying to take a shortcut, and I got caught in the crossfire. That truck driver deserved to die!" Chianti cursed through gritted teeth.

Cohen listened quietly to her complaints until she finished venting, then slowly shook his head.

That wasn't an accident.

"What did you say?" Chianti paused, then frowned. "Are you kidding me?"

Cohen said in a low voice, "There aren't that many coincidences. The police have classified this case as murder, and the killer wanted to kill that truck driver."

"Then I'm the one who's unlucky?"

Chianti said irritably, "That murderer deserves to die. He only killed one person, why make such a big fuss? I got caught up in it too."

However, Chianti suddenly realized that Gin was also someone who liked to make a big deal out of things.

He's done plenty of things like blowing up buildings.

Thankfully, Vodka didn't come this time, otherwise that sycophant of Gin's would definitely have reported it to Gin.

“No, I mean, this is a murder of you,” Cohen said.

“Me?” Chianti asked, puzzled. “Who? Who wants to kill me?”

Chianti didn't understand what Cohen was saying.

Didn't he already say it was a murder of that truck driver? How come it's about murdering me?

"Jundu wants to kill you."

“Cointreau?” Chianti was taken aback.

Why did he want to kill me?
Is it just because I argued with him a little? He wants to kill me over such a trivial matter?
That Cointreau is so stingy, even more stingy than Gin.

“Ahem, you should know that Cointreau is known for its vindictiveness,” Cohen said.

Chianti remained silent.

Everyone who knows Cointreau knows how petty he is.

Looking at her leg in a cast, she imagined an explosion.

Flames, heat waves, flying shards of glass... If she hadn't reacted quickly, she would already be a charred corpse.

“But…” Chianti still couldn’t quite accept it, “This is insane. Couldn’t… would he really dare to lay a hand on a high-ranking member of the organization?”

“He not only dared to, he actually did.” Cohen pointed to Chianti’s leg. “This is the price.”

Seeing that Chianti still seemed somewhat doubtful, Cohen said, "Think about the reasons why Pisco and Ireland were killed."

Chianti fell silent again.

Gin's reasons for killing Pisco and Ireland were simply absurd.

She realized that for some people, killing a codenamed member of the organization might require a simple or even absurd reason.

Or, as long as no one finds evidence that he committed the murder.

“But,” Chianti sat on the bed, looked up at Cohen and said, “isn’t it a bit far-fetched to link this car accident to Cointreau?”

"Not far-fetched."

Cohen said, "Do you know Subaru Okiya?"

“I know,” Chianti said. “That unlucky guy who was almost killed as an undercover agent after being recruited into the organization by Gin.”

"He went through the same thing as you."

Chianti: ...

“Is Cointreau really this unscrupulous?” Chianti said.

Why are you using the same methods you've used before to deal with me? Are you looking down on me?

Chianti was very angry.

“Am I in great danger right now?” Chianti asked.

Cohen shook his head. "I don't know."

Zhengyi has always liked to eradicate evil completely.

Subaru Okiya was spared that time only because Gin intervened.

But this time Gin was given a break, and Shoichi attacked Chianti. Perhaps it was because Chianti was opposing Shoichi that made Shoichi think that Chianti was on Gin's side.

If Chianti asks Gin to mediate again, Shoichi might think she's provoking him.

“Then what should I do?” Chianti asked.

“You could try asking Vermouth for help,” Cohen said.

Vermouth is someone who can talk to Shoichi, so seeking her mediation would be more suitable than dealing with Gin before.

“Vermouth?” Chianti felt a pang of discomfort as she uttered the name, and she shook her head violently.

Vermouth harbors wolfish ambitions.

If I ask her for help in mediating, who knows if Vermouth will ask for a 'reward'?

"So what are you going to do?" Cohen asked.

Chianti was speechless.

Just as Cohen and Chianti mentioned "Vermouth," a rhythmic knocking sounded abruptly at the door.

"Tap, tap, tap."

Before the person inside could respond, the doorknob turned gently.

Vermouth walked in, carrying a beautifully packaged fruit basket.

She wore a well-tailored beige trench coat, and her long golden hair was casually draped over her shoulders.

"Chianti, I heard you had an 'accident,' so I came to see you."

Chianti's already pale face instantly turned even more ashen, and she instinctively gripped the sheets beneath her: "What are you doing here? You're not welcome here!"

"Oh dear, don't be so cold." Vermouth showed no sign of being kicked out; she walked into the room with elegant steps.

Vermouth casually placed the fruit basket on the bedside table, then pulled over a chair and sat down by the bed.

She ignored Chianti's angry glare and instead focused her gaze on her right leg, which was hoisted high in the air.

Vermouth stared at the leg for a long time, making Chianti feel uneasy and a chill run down her spine.

She instinctively reached out to grab the blanket, but her hand grasped nothing.

She then noticed that Cohen was clutching a corner of the blanket in his hand. Cohen looked at her expressionlessly and said, "The doctor said it's best not to have anything pressing on your legs, as that will affect blood circulation."

Chianti gritted her teeth, a surge of anger rising within her, and could only let Vermouth's gaze roam freely over her legs.

Vermouth looked at Chianti thoughtfully.

She also heard how Chianti got injured.

Like everyone else, she also believed that Zheng Yi had made the move.

But if that guy already sent me to teach Chianti a lesson, why did he send someone else to do it?

Vermouth pondered to herself, her brow furrowing slightly.

Could it be that he's getting impatient because I'm not moving? Zheng Yi is really impatient; he has no patience at all.

Just then, Cohen suddenly coughed.

"Ahem." Cohen stood up, glanced at Chianti, then at Vermouth, "Jundu gave me a task, so I'll be leaving now. You two chat."

He was afraid that Chianti would be too embarrassed to ask Vermouth for help in front of him, so he chose to leave first to give the two women some space.

With the door closed, only Chianti and Vermouth remained in the room.

After Cohen left, Chianti's fear intensified.

Now that I can't move my legs, am I going to be at Vermouth's mercy?
The thought grew wildly in her mind, and her expression became increasingly terrified.

Vermouth, however, was completely oblivious to Chianti's fear, lost in her own thoughts.

What is Cohen's mission? Is it also to investigate Shinichi Kudo?

Vermouth frowned. Zheng Yi was in too much of a hurry. He had just dealt with Chianti and was already so eager to deal with Cohen.

How can someone who can't stay still manage a complex organization? But... it's not necessarily a bad thing if he can't manage it well.

Thinking of this, Vermouth looked at Chianti and felt a sense of emptiness.

Since Chianti has already been dealt with by Zheng Yi, there's no need for me to take action myself.

So she slowly got up, preparing to say goodbye to Chianti.

"Vermouth!"

Just as she turned around, Chianti suddenly spoke. Her voice was soft and trembling slightly.

Vermouth stopped, turned around, and raised an eyebrow: "What?"

“Vermouth…”

Chianti spoke again, her voice so low it was almost inaudible, carrying an unprecedented awkwardness and unease.

She dared not look Vermouth in the eye, her gaze shifting unfocused.

Vermouth sat back down in her chair, resting her chin on her hand, and looked at Chianti with interest: "So, what do you want to say to me?"

Chianti bit her lip, her face flushing red and then pale, struggling with her inner turmoil for a long time, as if she were engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

"Um... could you please pass on a message to Jun Du for me?"

Vermouth paused for a moment, then chuckled softly: "Deliver a message? What do you want to say to Cointreau?"

Chianti took a deep breath and said quickly, "Just say... I was too rude before, and I definitely won't do it again. Tell him not to take it to heart."

After saying this, Chianti breathed a sigh of relief.

Vermouth nodded.

It's basically giving in to Xiang Zhengyi.

She didn't mock Chianti, because yielding to Zheng Yi would have been the wise thing to do.

Those who offend Zhengyi, both inside and outside the organization, usually meet a terrible end.

"Then why should I help you deliver this message to him?" Vermouth suddenly asked.

Chianti abruptly raised her head, looked at Vermouth, and her face instantly turned deathly pale.

She knew it!

Vermouth will definitely have to "repay" her.

Since that's the case, she has no choice but to...

Chianti closed her eyes tightly, gripping the sheets with both hands until her knuckles turned white from the force.

She bit her lower lip hard, turned her face toward Vermouth, and her eyelashes trembled violently.

Humiliation is only temporary. As long as I can save my life, I'd even give myself to Vermouth to be brutally violated...

Seeing Chianti's helpless state, Vermouth was stunned at first, then immediately understood what was going on and instantly flew into a rage!
She said sternly to Chianti with a dark expression:
"Keep your filthy thoughts to yourself! I have absolutely no interest in you!"

Chianti, that idiot, how could she think I'd be interested in you?

Don't you even realize how attractive you are? How could you possibly think I have dirty thoughts about you?

She's not that hungry!

Vermouth looked at Chianti's face and grew angrier the more she thought about it. Finally, she snorted coldly and left, slamming the ward door shut as she went.

Chianti looked in the direction Vermouth had left, her face showing even greater humiliation.

Why are you staring at my legs if you're not interested in me?
I've already let you take advantage of me, so what are you pretending for!

Chianti slammed her fist on the hospital bed in anger and couldn't calm down for a long time.

"Will that bitch even help me deliver a message to Cointreau?"

She wasn't appeased, and neither was Vermouth.

Zhengyi hates the person who spreads rumors, but what she hates most is Chianti, the stupid thing who creates rumors.

After suppressing her anger, Vermouth called Shoichi.

"Chianti said she was wrong and asked for your forgiveness."

"Oh." Zheng Yi nodded.

She must have already seen my little bit of sincerity.

Sincerity is still as effective as ever, no matter who you're dealing with.

Vermouth asked, "You sent Cohen to investigate Shinichi too?"

“That’s right,” Zheng Yi said. “Now that Chianti has a problem with his leg, we have no choice but to give the mission to Cohen.”

Vermouth's anger, which she had just suppressed, resurfaced.

You're never still for a moment.

“I know what the next task is,” Vermouth said irritably.

The person on the other end of the phone nodded.

You'd better act quickly, you must get ahead of the Grim Reaper's aura.

A few days later, Chianti gained another patient.

"Cohen, your leg?"

“He’s injured too,” Cohen said expressionlessly.

Chianti looked surprised: "It was a car explosion that affected you too?"

Cohen shook his head.

"Why is that?"

“What I’ve encountered is far worse than what you’ve encountered,” Cohen said.

While investigating Shinichi Kudo, he encountered Vermouth and was then accidentally drawn into a murder case.

While committing the crime, Vermouth acted as if she were having a seizure, behaving inexplicably. Then, she accidentally knocked over a ladder, which crushed his leg. (End of Chapter)