Conan: Above all force, there is truth!

Ran was also a little confused by Sonoko's words, and blinked in bewilderment.

Before Ryūno and Ran could ask, Sonoko spoke again on the other end of the phone: "So you guys didn't know! I'll send you the link to that interview video right now!"

After saying that, Sonoko hung up the phone.

Less than two seconds later, Xiaolan received a link from Yuanzi.

Seeing this, Longye and Xiaolan exchanged a glance and curiously clicked on the link.

Amidst their puzzled gazes, a young man with a wheat-colored complexion appeared before them.

Upon seeing the young man's appearance, Longye's lips curled into a smile.

Xiao Lan frowned, vaguely feeling that she had seen this young man somewhere before.

A few seconds later, the interview officially began:

—As the youngest competitor to have just won the "American Youth Karate Championship," why did you suddenly choose to return to your home country? Did you feel you had no more rivals in the youth division and were preparing to return home to compete professionally?

The young man with wheat-colored skin first scratched the back of his head and smiled sheepishly, then suddenly became serious and said:

"No! Actually, the reason I chose to go abroad was to train myself specially! Because... I've always had an opponent I wanted to defeat!"

Upon hearing this, the reporter quickly followed up with, "The opponent you want to defeat?"

“That’s right! Takeda Tatsuno! The reason I went abroad to train was so that one day I could defeat him!”

"What? Could it be that you previously..."

"..."

Although separated by a screen, Longye and Xiaolan seemed to see a 'fiery and fighting spirit' emanating from the young man's eyes.

The interview video ended shortly after it began.

That's different from what He Yuanzi said.

Although the young man expressed his desire to have another match with Tatsuno during the interview, he did not directly declare war.

The so-called "declaration of war" is probably just an exaggerated version of the story told by Sonoko.

After turning off the video, Xiaolan looked at Longye in confusion, "Longye, who is this person? I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?"

"Yes, I have seen it before. Do you remember a karate style exchange conference I attended a few years ago?" Ryūno patted Ran's head.

Xiao Lan thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I remember now! This person was your rival back then!"

“That’s right, he’s a very capable guy, his name is… Makoto Kyogoku.” Ryuno chuckled.

Upon hearing this, Xiaolan seemed to recall the scene of Longye competing against this person back then.

The reason I didn't think of it immediately was because the incident happened before their match was over.

Aunt Yukiko was taken hostage by an armed robber, and later...

Seeing that Xiaolan's eyes were vacant and she seemed to be lost in memories, Longye picked her up in one go.

"Hey! What are you doing? You scared me..."

"Hehe~ Let's forget about this 'declaration of war' for now. Anyway, Auntie's gone... Instead of watching a movie, how about we do something more meaningful?"

"Hmph~ You really are! But... um... okay~"

"Chirp~"

Chapter 428 The Fog Before Our Eyes

same moment

Mokuma Apartment, 5-chome, Beikacho.

Under the moonlight, a man with brown hair leaned against the railing of the balcony, looking up at the night sky in a daze.

If before he was thinking about how to do his undercover mission well, trying to risk his life to find an opportunity to defeat the organization and thus protect the country…

He's starting to lose sight of his own position.

The series of events that have occurred so far point to a terrifying argument—there are problems at the top and the organization is rife with corruption.

Although he completed many missions for the organization, none of those missions touched the organization's 'core'.

Before infiltrating the organization, he had heard from his superiors that the organization seemed to be researching and developing some suspicious drugs.

But after he actually joined the organization and earned the 'name' through hard work, he began to vaguely realize...

The organization doesn't seem to be just researching drugs; their reach extends far beyond what they previously imagined.

Over the years, he has also received many assignments such as "investigating the information of a computer expert" and "infiltrating the mansion of a neurology professor to search for information".

Although he had never been in contact with the organization's core secrets, he had a vague idea of ​​what was going on based on these missions alone.

The organization isn't just researching drugs; they're scouring for talent in various fields!

This only includes the tasks and related people he knows about; if we add those he doesn't know...

What is the purpose of organizing surveys and recruiting talent from various fields?

What kind of drug requires so many interdisciplinary talents to work together in its development?

Or is it that... besides researching drugs, the organization is researching something else...?

——'Buzzing'

Amuro Tooru took out his cell phone from his pocket and answered the call.

A calm yet slightly serious voice came from the phone:

"I'm about to be transferred to the Metropolitan Police Department's First Investigation Division."

"Okay, I understand..."

After hearing Amuro Tooru's reply, the person on the other end gave a soft response and then hung up the phone.

After putting down his phone, Amuro Tooru couldn't help but frown.

At this time... why...

The person on the other end of the phone was his current direct superior—Kuroda Heibei.

Why did his superiors suddenly transfer his boss to Tokyo?

It's important to know that his superior is currently nominally under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The relationship between the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Police Agency is not exactly 'irreconcilable,' but it's not far off.

In addition, his superior, Kuroda Hyōe, was a former member of the National Police Agency…

To be able to so easily transfer his superior, who held a fairly high rank, to work at the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department headquarters...

The decision to transfer him must have been approved by both the Metropolitan Police Department and the National Police Agency.

This incident itself illustrates a certain problem!

As for why it had to be now... it must be related to the organization's recent actions.

Thinking of this, Amuro Tooru gave a self-deprecating laugh.

After graduating from the police academy, he struggled all the way to where he is now, never thinking... nor doubting the police leadership.

In his mind, no matter how corrupt the higher-ups were, they were ultimately doing it to protect the country and its people.

He and Morofushi Hiromitsu could have avoided the path of 'undercover agents' after graduation.

But in order to protect what was important to them, the two resolutely embarked on this perilous path to death.

But now… he feels like he can’t see things clearly anymore.

If things really turn out the way he thinks, then their high-ranking police officers must have connections with the organization that he is unaware of.

The exposure of Morofushi Kagemitsu's undercover identity may also be related to their superiors.

After sighing, Amuro Tooru looked up at the moon and murmured, "Tatsuno Takeda, Shinichi Kudo..."

……

A few days later

Osaka Station.

The group of Ryuno took the train to Osaka early in the morning.

Due to the recent airship incident and the murder of three kidnappers, Tatsuno and his companions' original plan to travel in Osaka was completely ruined.

Feeling bad about it, Jirokichi Suzuki specially asked an acquaintance for some VIP tickets to Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.

He planned to have Sonoko treat Ryuno and the others well.

After getting the tickets, Sonoko immediately contacted Tatsuno and Ran.

Because there were so many tickets, Sonoko specially invited Professor Agasa and the Detective Boys, among others.

After exiting Osaka Station, Tatsuno and his friends immediately spotted Sonoko waving at them from a distance.

The appearance of Ryūno and his group clearly delighted Sonoko.

"You guys are finally here! I've been so bored staying in Osaka all by myself lately!"

"Yuanzi~ Thank you for inviting us~" Xiaolan said with a smile.

"Thank you! Sonoko-neechan!" x3

Mitsuhiko and the other two smiled and thanked him.

"What's the big deal? Besides, those tickets were given to me by Uncle Jirokichi. He originally planned to invite you personally, but he seems to be busy with something lately and has already left Osaka by plane. So he entrusted the task of hosting you to me~" Sonoko waved her hand with a smile.

At this point, Sonoko looked around. "Hmm? Professor Agasa, Aunt Fusae, and that little girl who looks like a little adult aren't here?"

Ran nodded, "Yes, Professor Agasa went to help Aunt Fusae with her company matters. Ai has been staying at her sister's house these days."

“Is that so? That’s a shame…” Sonoko said, shrugging.

The next second, Sonoko suddenly raised her voice: "By the way! Guess who I saw the other day?!"

"Hmm?" Longye and Xiaolan blinked in confusion.

"It's the guy who declared war on you!" Sonoko looked at Ryuno excitedly. "He even helped me chase away some thugs a few days ago..."

"—Ahem! Are we just going to stand here forever?"