Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

What's the point of romance? That kind of childish game can't compare to the excitement of deduction!

Hmph~ Takeda, you're still too young. You have no idea what the fun of deduction is!

Wait a minute? Come to think of it, that kid from the Takeda family named Ai Haibara always gives him a strange feeling.

That child's knowledge and tone were nothing like a child's; they sounded more like an adult... An adult? That can't be, can it?

……

same moment

In a secluded bar.

"Brother, the men below have been investigating for a long time, but they still haven't been able to find out who that person is. It's as if that guy appeared out of thin air..."

"Hmph! How could someone who appeared out of nowhere possibly know our identities, let alone know so much about us?!"

"But, brother... we investigated a lot based on that person's appearance..."

Before Vodka could finish speaking, Gin exhaled a puff of smoke and said in a low voice, "What we saw in the abandoned building was probably not his real appearance."

Upon hearing this, Vodka was taken aback: "What do you mean, brother? You mean..."

"He means that guy might be a disguiser."

Before Gin could answer, an elegant female voice reached their ears.

"Vermouth... what are you doing here?" Gin asked without even turning his head.

"Oh? If I hadn't come, I might never have seen you again. The boss already knows you were attacked by that 'guy.' He sent me to see if I could help you two losers find that mysterious guy."

“Loser? Vermouth, you’re getting bolder and bolder!” Gin stubbed out his cigarette and said coldly.

Upon hearing Gin's tone, Vodka immediately stood aside and remained silent.

He knew that his older brother was truly angry.

Thinking of this, Vodka quickly shook his head at Vermouth, signaling her not to provoke her older brother any further.

Vermouth paid no attention to Gin's tone and gracefully sat down on the round stool in front of the bar.

"Daring? Let me see, you've already changed two cars, haven't you? And it seems like it was the same person who did it~"

Seeing that Vermouth dared to provoke her older brother, Vodka was so nervous that his sunglasses almost fell to the ground.

Vermouth witnessed this and immediately chuckled, "Don't worry, he's certainly angry, but he won't lay a hand on me."

"Eh?"

Seeing that Vodka didn't seem to understand, Vermouth smiled and said, "Didn't I tell you? The boss sent me to help you guys."

Upon hearing this, Vodka glanced at Gin.

Gin said nothing, only gave a cold snort, seemingly acknowledging Vermouth's words.

"Alright, let's get down to business. Besides his appearance, do you have any other information about that guy?"

……

A week later

Didan Primary School.

Seeing Ai Haibara packing her schoolbag, Conan casually approached her and asked, "Haibara-san, have you been living at Tatsuno-nii's house all this time?"

Ai Haibara glanced at Conan and immediately understood his purpose. Feigning pitifulness, she said, "Yes, my parents have passed away. I was taken in by Ryūno-nii and Ran-neechan..."

At this point, Ai Haibara began to sob softly.

Upon hearing Ai Haibara's cries, Mitsuhiko and the others immediately came over.

"Conan, what are you doing?!"

Why are you bullying Haibara-san?

"Yes, Conan, how could you do such a thing? Apologize to Ai Haibara right now."

The conversation between the group attracted the attention of other students, and several of them came over.

Seeing this, Conan broke out in a cold sweat and immediately bowed to Ai Haibara, saying, "I'm sorry!!"

"N-It's okay, I forgive you..." Ai Haibara whispered.

After saying that, Ai Haibara slung her backpack over her shoulder and walked out of the classroom.

Conan keenly noticed that Ai Haibara had a slight smile on her lips as she left the classroom.

Seeing this, Conan's expression became even more serious.

"This guy... could he really be..."

Chapter 172 The Sigh of the "Mastermind"

Teitan Elementary School

Ai Haibara walked out of the school gate, looked around, and found that familiar figure. She smiled and walked towards the figure.

"Oh? Ai, you're out pretty early today~" Ryuno waved as he saw Ai Haibara approaching.

Since Ryūno doesn't participate in any clubs, Ran always entrusts him with the task of picking up Ai.

At first, Ai Haibara repeatedly told the two that she could come back alone and did not need anyone to pick her up.

However, considering Ai's "experience of being kidnapped," Ran hesitated to agree.

Even now, Ai Haibara has gotten used to it. Whenever she stays at Tatsuno's house, she will actively look for Tatsuno after school every day.

"Just now, Shinichi Kudo came over to test me..."

As they walked, Ai Haibara recounted what had just happened and her analysis to Tatsuno.

After listening, Longye casually waved his hand: "It doesn't matter. Just like when you guessed his true identity, he'll suspect you sooner or later. Don't worry about it."

“Then I will…” Ai Haibara raised her head slightly and frowned.

"It doesn't matter, just let things take their course. No matter what happens, Dad will always be there to support you."

Haibara Ai:"……"

At that moment, a man standing by the railing in the distance caught Longye's attention.

After looking at the man's face for a few seconds, Ryūno casually flagged down a taxi and then picked up Ai Haibara.

"What are you doing?! There are so many people around!"

Seeing Ai Haibara's embarrassed and angry expression, Tatsuno chuckled, "Before we go home, let's go to the art museum first~"

After saying that, Ryūno carried her into the car and drove towards the Mihana Art Museum.

……

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Director Ochiai, Tatsuno and the Haibara sisters entered Haibara Yuki's office.

This office was originally set aside by Director Ochiai specifically for Tatsuno to work and handle documents, but since Tatsuno has always been a "hands-off manager," it has been temporarily assigned to Yuki Haibara.

After closing the door, Longye and the other two sat down on the sofa.

"Ryuno, has something happened?" Ai Haibara asked Ryuno seriously.

Haibara Yukiya nodded, looking at Tatsuno with a serious expression.

Both of them knew that unless something unexpected happened, Longye would not have suddenly asked them to meet.

Could it be news about an organization?!

Thinking of this, their expressions grew even more solemn.

Seeing that the two of them were getting more and more serious, Longye also put away his smile and coughed lightly: "Just now, I saw a member of the organization on the street, it should be Vermouth. She disguised herself as the person I had disguised myself as before."

At this point, Ryuno looked at Ai Haibara: "It's the face I disguised myself as when I saved you in the abandoned building."

After listening, Sachi Haibara grasped her sister's hand, looking nervous. Ai Haibara also seemed somewhat nervous.

Seeing this, Longye smiled and changed the subject: "Actually, there's no need to worry, I'm here anyway. I was just telling you to scare you a little~"

Seeing the black lines appear on their foreheads, Ryūno looked away: "Of course, you should also be more careful in the future. Although in the organization's eyes 'Miyano Akemi' is dead, whether 'Miyano Shiho' is dead is still in doubt. Be as vigilant as possible in the future, and don't be too careless."

After Ryuno finished speaking, Ai Haibara rested her head on her hands and began to think carefully.

Since being rescued by Longye, she has been living a peaceful daily life, and her sense of tension and vigilance has indeed diminished significantly.

If this continues... when faced with real danger, she might not even have a chance to react.

Thinking this through, Haibara Yuki nodded heavily: "I understand, I'll be more careful from now on!"

After speaking, she turned to look at Ai Haibara beside her, only to find that Ai Haibara was also turning to look at her. After their eyes met, they seemed to understand each other's meaning from their gazes and nodded slightly.

Then, the two of them turned to look at Longye at the same time, their eyes flashing with determination and fearlessness, as if they were about to fight the organization to the death.

The serious expressions on their faces left Longye momentarily speechless, so he simply nodded at them without saying a word.

To be honest, his real intention in coming here was simply to remind Haibara Yuki not to be foolish enough to run up to any familiar faces she saw on the street…

Moreover, this was the first time the two of them had mentioned the organization without fear, but rather with courage.

Therefore, he remained silent.

……

A week later

Poseidon Island Hotel.

"Hello, what is the name you booked?"

"I am the famous detective Kogoro Mouri! One adult, three students, and four children."

"Okay, please wait a moment."

"The Daily Mail publishes a jigsaw puzzle every week, right? The super hard one... If no one gets it right, the prize money keeps accumulating. Eventually, it reached 30! Guess who finally got it right~~~"

"..."

After glancing at Uncle Mori, who was showing off to the counter staff, Ryuno and his companions twitched their lips.

After a while, Ran said, "This island is really beautiful~ It's such a pity, I wish Ai could come too."

Upon hearing this, Sonoko exclaimed in realization, "So that's why I didn't see that precocious girl. She didn't come today!"