Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

The daughter's inexplicable remarks left the mother puzzled.

The next second, the mother crouched down and looked into the cabinet. A boy wearing glasses came into her view.

"what!!!"

Upon seeing Conan with his eyes closed in the cabinet, the woman screamed in fright.

Seemingly startled by the woman's voice, Conan raised his head in alarm and bumped his head directly into the top of the cabinet above him.

"boom!"

"Ah! Hiss..."

Amid the woman's surprised expression, Conan, while covering his head, climbed out of the closet and ran straight away into the distance.

"Mommy? Mommy? Are you still letting the teddy bear out?"

"Uh, um... let's change the cabinet."

……

After running out of the station, Conan checked his watch.

"8:30? I was unconscious in the closet for almost four hours?!"

Thinking of this, Conan rubbed his head in frustration.

This operation can be described as a complete failure. Not only did they fail to obtain the fingerprints of Gin or vodka, but they also lost their only lead and even aroused their suspicion.

Once they learn that Itakura Taku has passed away, they will likely investigate the identity of this "mysterious man" very carefully...

This operation can only be described as a complete mess.

— "Buzzing"

Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket.

Conan immediately took out his phone and answered the call.

"Hey, Shinichi! So, did you find any clues at Itakura Suguru's villa last night?"

"Doctor, actually..."

"What?! You planned to set them up because of a phone call? And it failed in the end?"

"Doctor, although I failed, I promise I won't do it again next time..."

"Next time?! You're lucky you're still alive! Listen carefully, Shinichi, once that black organization discovers your true identity, then... Hello? Hello? He's hanging up?!"

After hanging up the phone, Conan scratched his head in frustration as he hurried on his way.

Although he understood that the doctor was right, he always felt that the doctor was different from before. Since the doctor got a girlfriend, he seemed to have become more "cautious" than before.

She even often made negative remarks to him, such as, "Your own safety is more important than eliminating the Black Organization."

In his view, Dr. Agasa seems to have lost his "enterprising" courage as he gets older.

"Ugh, this is so troublesome. The lead we finally got has gone cold again. What's next..."

……

same moment

In a mysterious base.

"Big brother! I just got news that Itakura Takumi has already been killed! What about what happened yesterday..."

Upon hearing Vodka's information, Gin's lips curled into a long-absent, chilling smile: "Is that so... It seems we've been attracting a lot of attention lately. The FBI? Or..."

Seeing the expression on his elder brother's face, Vodka immediately understood what he meant and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, brother, I've already sent people to investigate, and the car is ready."

"Well, let's go find Cohen and the others first. They've been feeling pretty bored lately too."

"Okay big brother!"

……

Two days later

Didan Primary School

As soon as get out of class ended, Conan walked to Ai Haibara's desk.

"Haibara-san, are you really an elementary school student?"

"Huh? Edogawa-kun, what do you mean by this?" Ai Haibara replied casually to Conan while packing her schoolbag.

Seeing Ai Haibara's nonchalant attitude, Conan quickened his pace: "You should know what I'm talking about! I've seen everything you do. Tell me honestly, is it because of some kind of drug...?"

"Conan! What are you doing now?!"

Before Conan could finish speaking, Ayumi and the other two noticed what was happening to Conan and immediately stepped forward to protect Ai Haibara behind them.

Seeing this, Conan's lips curled into a wry smile.

The reason why Ayumi and the others had this attitude was because he had a criminal record.

The last time he asked Ai Haibara a similar question, she "cried." He was then led by the whole class to their homeroom teacher, Touko Kobayashi's, office, where he received over twenty minutes of "ideological education."

Only after his repeated assurances did Ms. Kobayashi not tell Conan's guardian, "Mr. Mori," about the matter.

At that moment, seeing the gazes of Ayumi and the others, Conan unconsciously scratched his head and gave a friendly smile: "I really didn't bully her, I just wanted to ask Haibara-san some questions. Everyone, please don't get agitated."

Under the suspicious gazes of Ayumi and the other two, Conan broke out in a cold sweat.

Just then, Ai Haibara had finished packing her schoolbag. She walked to Ayumi's side and said softly, "Thank you all~ Edogawa-san really only came to ask me questions, so don't worry."

Then, Ai Haibara walked up to Conan and whispered, "The drug you were talking about earlier? Is it the APTX4869 that the organization gave you?"

After saying that, Ai Haibara ignored Conan, who was still standing there in a daze, and waved to Ayumi and the other two with a smile: "Thank you everyone, my brother is still waiting for me outside, I'll go back now~"

"Okay, goodbye Haibara-san!" x3

Seeing the sweet smile on Ai Haibara's face, Ayumi and the other two were momentarily stunned.

"I knew it! Haibara-san is just shy since she first arrived, but she's actually a very kind person!"

"Yeah! I originally thought she was a cold person, but I didn't expect her smile to be so beautiful!"

"..."

While Ayumi and the other two were discussing, Conan clenched his fist and made a move to rush out of the classroom.

At this moment, the words Ai Haibara had just said kept repeating in his mind.

This guy actually knows about the Black Organization and that drug!!!

Just then, Mitsuhiko and Genta stopped him: "Conan, what are you doing now?! You haven't even packed your schoolbag yet!"

Conan: "..."

Seeing the determined expressions on their faces, Conan's arms fell limply to his sides, and he clenched his teeth inward.

"Damn it! Ai Haibara... just who are you?!"

Chapter 228 What's meant to happen will happen.

outside the school gate

Upon seeing Ryuno, Ai Haibara walked over to him and said, "Shinichi Kudo already knows my identity."

Longye waved his hand casually: "So what if you know? You've been researching that drug based on the information recorded on that floppy disk, haven't you? Having another guinea pig is just perfect."

"Guinea pigs, they might come in handy soon~"

Having nothing to do lately, Ai Haibara has already begun studying the limited information stored on her hard drive and has even developed a preliminary idea for an "antidote" to APTX4869. Given a little more time, she could create the first version of the "antidote." Thinking of this, a glint of light flashed in Ai Haibara's eyes.

Seeing Ai Haibara's eager expression, Ryuno placed his left hand on her head and chuckled, "Looks like you've made progress. Then use him as a test subject. I doubt he'll mind."

"Hmm~"

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go back quickly. Xiaolan knows you're coming back to stay, so she's going to show off her culinary skills and cook a big meal!"

Shortly after

Conan dragged his feet and walked slowly down the street.

At this moment, his thoughts were already immersed in the words that Ai Haibara said before she left.

Although it is only a short sentence, it contains a huge amount of information: "organization", "drug", "APTX4869".

Any one of these words could be a devastating blow to Conan's brain. Combined, even the "big-headed" Conan was somewhat bewildered.

What is certain at present is that Ai Haibara definitely knows about the organization, and may even know more than he does!

Otherwise, Ai Haibara wouldn't have been able to guess that she'd been given a "drug" without saying anything! Speaking of which... "APTX4869"? Could that be the name of that drug?!

Ai Haibara was taken in by Takeda and his crew before, so how much did they really know about her?!

The professor mentioned that she has an older sister. Who is this older sister...?

For a moment, Conan's mind was in complete turmoil.

……

weekend evening

Shiodome Landscape Building - Space Theater

Xiaolan took Longye's arm and walked into the theater building.

"Longye, I've been wanting to see this Josephine stage play for so long~ I can't believe you actually managed to get such great tickets! Hehe~"

Upon hearing this, Longye immediately put his hands on his hips and tilted his head back: "Hmph~"

"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since the two of us went out to play alone~" As she said this, Xiaolan tightened her grip on Longye's arm.

Seeing Ran's joyful face, Ryūno also smiled gently.

Indeed, the two of them haven't gone out alone for quite some time.

Although the holiday time was much longer than the school time due to the chaotic schedule, in reality, the two of them always had "other people" with them whenever they went out.

Whether it's Kogoro Mouri, Conan, or Sonoko, as long as they're around, the journey is bound to be anything but smooth, and "something will always happen."

Even Xiaolan seemed to realize this problem, and she and Longye discussed methods of "exorcising evil spirits" several times in private.

Therefore, when they learned that this "Josephine stage play" was going to be performed, the two looked at each other and understood what the other meant.