Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

After regaining consciousness, he was transferred from the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department to Nagano Prefecture, where he served as the head of the First Investigation Division.

After listening to Officer Yui's explanation, Conan immediately asked curiously, "You were in a coma for ten years because of a car accident? How did that car accident happen?"

Officer Yui shook her head. "I don't know, but it's said to be related to some case..."

She understood Conan's curiosity; after all, even they were astonished when they learned that Section Chief Kuroda had been in a coma for ten years.

“I see. So even though he’s already fifty, he was still sent to your Nagano Prefecture.” Kogoro Mouri nodded.

Generally speaking, police officers of this age are not 'assigned' to other regions.

Moreover, this Section Chief Kuroda had previously worked for the National Police Agency and was a genuine 'Tokyo Headquarters' police officer.

Police officers from the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Police Agency are not voluntarily assigned to other posts unless there is a 'special' reason.

For officers from the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Police Agency, being assigned to police stations outside of Tokyo is essentially a form of demotion, a symbol of losing ground on the path to promotion.

For example, even though both are "Chief of the First Investigation Division," the status and power of the Chief of the First Investigation Division of the Metropolitan Police Department are vastly different from those of the Chief of the First Investigation Division of Nagano Prefecture.

However, considering that Section Chief Kuroda had been in a coma for ten years, he was clearly not sent abroad because he had 'lost power'.

After listening to Kogoro Mouri's words, Officer Yui agreed, "Yes, usually they are transferred from the Metropolitan Police Department to local work when they are still young."

“Then the burns on his face…” Xiaolan frowned.

"Yes, it's probably from that accident back then. His right eye also seems to be a prosthetic eye. I heard that the nurse who removed the bandages from his face was terrified," Officer Yui said with her eyes closed.

"Stunned?"

"That's right, his originally black hair turned white due to the stress of the accident, he was a completely different person," Officer Yui recalled.

Officer Yui's words left Kogoro Mouri and the others silent for a moment.

I never imagined that Chief Kuroda, who looked so dignified and had such a terrifying face, had such a tragic past.

Just then, Officer Yamato and Morofushi Takaaki walked over.

"You're talking about Section Chief Kuroda, huh? Indeed, it's your first time meeting him, you must have been quite frightened, right? Who can blame you for looking like some organization's big devil?" Officer Yamato chuckled.

Upon hearing this, Morofushi Takaaki, who was standing next to him, laughed and retorted, "However, your appearance is no less than that of the section chief."

The "Great Demon King of the Organization" mentioned by Officer Yamato reminded Tatsuno of something: Kuroda Hyōe, along with Wakasa Rumi and Wakita Kanenori, were suspects of "Rum," the organization's second-in-command.

Before Rum's identity was revealed, he once suspected that the real person behind 'Kuroda Hei' was Rum.

After all, the story of being in a coma for ten years and having drastically changed appearance and incomplete memory upon waking up sounds suspicious.

In addition, he previously worked in the Security Planning Division of the Security Bureau of the National Police Agency, which is the same department where Amuro Tooru is now located.

Even if he wasn't an undercover agent for the organization, he was a perfect 'undercover target'.

If Ryūno were the organization's boss, he certainly wouldn't let go of such a suitable candidate.

He must have sent someone to the hospital to secretly eliminate Kuroda Hyoue before Kuroda Hyoue regained consciousness.

Then they would have someone from the organization impersonate him and take over his identity.

……

After Section Chief Kuroda and Inspector Yamato finished their discussion about appearance, Inspector Yui looked at the two of them seriously, "So, have you gotten any results from your investigation?"

"Yes, we've roughly reviewed all the cases handled by Mr. Takeda on the computers in the archives. There are two cases that are most noteworthy," Officer Morifushi Takaaki said calmly.

"Those are the two cases where Officer Takeda shot and killed the suspect," Officer Yamato said dismissively.

"Shoot the suspect?!" Kogoro Mouri was utterly astonished upon hearing this news.

Although criminal police officers are allowed to carry guns, let alone shooting and killing suspects, even a deterrent shot requires a detailed report to be submitted to superiors afterward.

Not to mention shooting someone, writing a report and being interrogated by superiors would definitely be unavoidable.

As far as Kogoro Mouri knows, many detectives will never encounter a situation in their entire lives where they have to shoot and kill a suspect.

But according to Officer Yamato and the others… this Officer Takeda has actually shot and killed two suspects?!

Noticing Kogoro Mouri's surprise, Inspector Yamato explained:

"Yes, the first case was nine years ago, when he shot and killed a man who was on drugs and shooting indiscriminately in the street."

"The second incident was six months ago, involving a man who took hostages at a bank and refused to come out."

"Both of them were shot through the forehead by Officer Takeda with a pistol and died."

Kogoro Mouri frowned and said, "So, it's because of the relatives of those two prisoners that they hold a grudge..."

Inspector Morofushi Takaaki glanced at Inspector Yamato, closed his eyes, and said, "We originally thought so too, but the parents of the man who robbed the bank were deeply remorseful for their son's crime and committed suicide long ago. Apart from them, the suspect has no other relatives."

"As for the parents of the man who fired the gun randomly nine years ago, they have all passed away. Only an octogenarian grandmother remains."

"Forget about committing crimes, that old woman even has difficulty walking..."

After saying that, Morobuchi Komei turned to ask, "Speaking of which, didn't you see anything, like suspicious people or smoke?"

"Ok?"

“I think that bridge is the route you would take when you do foot rehabilitation.”

"Well, I had something to do today, so I didn't go," Officer Yamato said casually.

Just as Morofushi Takaaki was about to ask something else, Officer Yamato's cell phone rang.

Officer Yamato quickly pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and immediately said, "Sorry, I have something to take care of. Contact me again if there are any new developments in the case."

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the police station.

Morofushi Takaaki and Officer Yui watched Officer Yamato's retreating figure, remaining somewhat silent.

Conan realized something and asked, "By the way, just now Officer Yamato referred to the suspect's grandmother as 'that old woman,' which makes it sound like he knows the suspect's grandmother?"

"Yes, the man who randomly fired shots in the street nine years ago was actually a close friend of Officer Yamato, whom he grew up with. I remember it very clearly; when we were kids, A-Gan would always play with him until sunset."

"Their relationship is so good that I'm jealous!"

Officer Yi recalled.

Chapter 357 Suspects on the Surface

Kogoro Mouri nodded, resting his chin on his hand, and said, "I see. No wonder he said he would never go back to Chief Takeda's group, even if it meant death. It turns out it was because that police officer named Takeda shot and killed his best friend."

“That’s right, and he was killed right in front of him.” Morofushi Takaaki said calmly, “At that time, Kansuke was still a member of the Takeda Group, so he was also present.”

"However, because there were casualties in that shooting incident, Ganju also believed that the shooting was unavoidable."

Morofushi Takaaki's words caused both Kogoro Mouri and Conan to look serious.

If that's the case... does that mean Officer Yamato...

After chatting with Longye and the others for a few minutes, Officer Yui and Officer Gaoming went back to continue their work.

Since no useful clues have been found so far, Chief Kuroda asked Tatsuno and the others to stay at the police station for a while longer.

Looking at Conan, who was 'observing' around the police station window not far away, Ryuno suddenly thought of something.

The next second, Ryūno slowly walked to Conan's side and whispered, "Oh, right, Conan, there's something I forgot to tell you. Ai mentioned before that the organization's second-in-command is a guy with a terrifying face and a prosthetic eye..."

Conan: "!!!"

After saying that, Longye turned around and walked back to Xiaolan's side, where he discussed with Xiaolan and Uncle Mori what local delicacies they would eat after leaving the police station.

Conan stood there, staring blankly out the window with a look of utter astonishment.

Longye's words instantly stirred up his memories.

"Rum?! So, this Section Chief Kuroda has a prosthetic eye and a terrifying face."

"In addition, he seemed to have been in a coma in the hospital for ten years, and his appearance changed when he woke up. It is said that he also had gaps in his memory..."

"Wait!! That Officer Yamato also seems to be... Hiss!!!"

For a moment, Conan stood blankly by the window, his brain racing.

Shortly after, a loud shout interrupted Conan's thoughts and the discussion of Ryūno and the others.

"Where's Yamato? Where did that guy go?"

Inspector Saegusa, accompanied by Section Chief Kuroda, approached Inspector Morofushi and Inspector Yui, inquiring about the whereabouts of Inspector Yamato.

"What happened?" Officer Yui was slightly taken aback when she saw Officer Saegusa's somewhat unfriendly expression.

Section Chief Kuroda said, "Saegusa and the others just found out that a witness said they saw a man resembling Yamato near the bridge at the crime scene this morning."

Officer Yui's expression changed, and she quickly explained, "Ah? But... no, Officer Yamato said he didn't go there this morning!"

"Let's ask him first," Section Chief Kuroda said calmly.

—"Ring ring"

Just then, Morofushi Takaaki's cell phone rang.

Upon seeing that it was Officer Yamato calling, Morofushi Takaaki immediately answered the phone.

"Hey, can you help me?"

"Is Mr. Kano there?" Officer Yamato asked anxiously, without any formalities, whether Officer Kano was with Officer Takaaki.

Noticing Officer Yamato's tone, Morofushi Takaaki looked up at Section Chief Kuroda and the others, relaying Officer Yamato's question to them.

Upon hearing this, Officer Shinsuke Akiyama immediately spoke up, "Mr. Kano said he noticed something and needs to go home first."

“That person would keep a copy of the case files he handled at home, so he must have gone home to review those files,” Officer Sange speculated.

Upon receiving the answer, Officer Yamato quickly said, "I have over a dozen missed calls on my phone, all from Mr. Kano. I called back, but he didn't answer, so I can only assume something happened to him. I'll be there right away, and you should come quickly too!"

After saying that, Officer Yamato immediately hung up the phone.

Morofushi Takaaki relayed what Inspector Yamato had said on the phone to everyone.

After thinking for a few seconds, Section Chief Kuroda immediately ordered his team to head to Officer Kano's house and meet up with Officer Yamato.

Before leaving, Chief Kuroda stopped Inspector Takaaki and instructed him in front of Ryūno and the others: "Morofushi, from now on, don't let Yamato out of your sight. Today is the anniversary of the mass shooting incident nine years ago, and also the anniversary of that guy's best friend's death. You understand what I mean?"

“Yes…” Morofushi Takaaki nodded.

After giving instructions to Morofushi Takaaki, Section Chief Kuroda turned to look at Tatsuno and the others, bowing slightly.

"I'm sorry to trouble you to stay a little longer. The weather forecast says it will rain today, so you can take shelter here. I'll personally see you off after this is all over."

Seeing this, Kogoro Mouri quickly stood up, scratched his head sheepishly, and indicated that it was no problem.