Conan: I've been linked to the tech tree system.

Unfortunately, he escaped.

Tohru Tohno felt regretful that the hidden bomb he had deliberately planted on the path that would lead to the capture of "Starlight" had only taken away an innocent Calvados.

He planted the bomb so flawlessly... there wasn't a trace visible from the outside, and it didn't even cause Gin any injury that would affect his movements.

Does he really possess Observation Haki?

Or perhaps it's the explosives genius's unique ability to sense bombs...

Tohru Tohno pondered the reasons for a while, but soon stopped thinking about it.

If Bourbon can successfully communicate with "that person" according to his plan, the Black Organization will be temporarily free of threat, and there will be no need to worry about the unkillable Gin.

It might become a help in the future.

—His collaboration with Amuro Tooru was the result of careful consideration.

That's not entirely true, since in the rush he met and had the opportunity to cooperate with Amuro Tooru was the only Black Organization member he could.

"Deliberate consideration" means that because he knew Bourbon's true identity, he was able to completely control the other party before he was caught in the same situation.

However, for a partnership to last, both parties must benefit.

Therefore, Tohno Tooru promised that in the near future, he would bring Amuro Tooru what he wanted most.

Information about Shuichi Akai.

Amuro Tooru ultimately chose to conceal this from the Public Security Bureau and cooperate with him in his personal capacity, an event that is likely to have a significant impact.

Tohru Tohno's mind flashed an image of a person wearing a black knit hat and with dark green eyes, and he couldn't help but recall a famous quote.

"Intelligence is activated and revitalized knowledge."

This quote wasn't said by Confucius, nor by Lu Xun.

Qian Xuesen was right.

......

The beechwood door, which dutifully guarded a warm space in the cold wind, was once again opened without warning.

As autumn arrived, the cold winds relentlessly swept in, causing Tohru Tono, who had already closed his eyes slightly, to unconsciously shrink his neck.

So cold.

"Boss! You're amazing!"

Maya Tachibana, with her "starry" JK-style face, walked in, casually blocking out the chill.

She stood behind Toru Tono and patted his shoulder hard, her face filled with excitement that even her mask couldn't hide.

"You've completely outmaneuvered the Black Organization!"

Even through the clothes, Toru Tono could still feel the coolness emanating from those small hands.

Tohru Tohru sighed inwardly and pulled his hand away.

Considering how much Tachibana Maya admires her "boss," let's let bygones be bygones for her rudeness.

He turned his head, revealing an expression that said, "Isn't this just common sense?"

"If you follow the boss, you'll get what you deserve," he emphasized to Tachibana Maya.

"Mmm." Tachibana Maya nodded vigorously, looking at Tohru Tono with an expression that resembled—Sonoko?

However, it's purer than Sonoko, full of admiration.

It makes sense, considering that as an assassin trained and raised by the Black Organization, practically tethered to a "dog leash," defecting from the organization must have been the most arrogant thing she had ever done in her life.

Not to mention further retaliation against the Black Organization or damage to their interests... This is something Tachibana Maya wouldn't even dare to think about.

Tohno Toru did it very easily.

They even killed a codenamed member of the organization like kicking a stray dog ​​to death on the street...

"In Tachibana Maya's heart, she might already be Tohno God?"

Tohru Tono thought to himself with a touch of narcissism.

Both the assassin who is oblivious to the world around him and the sheltered young woman in her boudoir share some similarities in their susceptibility to being deceived.

"Alright, it's getting late, let's get ready for bed."

Yawning, Tohru Tono dragged his specially bought slippers, a size too big, upstairs with a "clack-clack" sound.

Halfway there, he suddenly called out to Tachibana Maya downstairs, whose sleep schedule was completely opposite to his:

"Remember what I told you during the day—wake me up immediately if there's any news from Bourbon, understand?"

His response was an OK sign formed by spreading his five fingers, bending his index finger naturally, and touching the tip of his thumb.

......

......

Ekoda High School.

"The number of female fans who are obsessed with Kidd is increasing rapidly."

A handsome high school boy with messy hair is staring at his phone screen, reading the freshly published news word by word.

It was just a report about a thief, but for some reason, the expression on his face became increasingly lewd.

“kikiki~”

A strange laugh came from his mouth.

Just as Kaito Kuroba was looking at the news on his phone and chuckling smugly, a pale hand suddenly appeared in his line of sight and forcibly snatched the phone from his hand.

"What do you mean by 'female fans increasing rapidly'?"

Inspector Nakamori's daughter, Aoko Nakamori, held his phone in her hand and waved it around, revealing a disdainful expression.

"A man like him, in my opinion... he's way ahead of the worst kind of man!"

Nakamori Aoko seemed to remember something, her expression gradually turning fierce. She frantically swiped Kuroba Kaito's phone screen repeatedly until she got a "404" error on the webpage. Only then did she press the lock screen button with satisfaction and toss the phone back to Kuroba Kaito.

"Okay, okay, don't be so angry."

Kaito Kuroba took the phone and casually twirled it on his fingertip.

"Even if your bumbling police officer father always gets completely outsmarted by that thief, there's nothing he can do about it."

For some reason, Kaito Kuroba revealed a smug, gleeful smile.

"What did you say......"

Seeing his gloating expression, Nakamori Aoko slowly uttered a few syllables, her expression darkening.

Logically, someone who's trying to annoy others should have toned down their behavior by now, but the person in front of him clearly didn't have that awareness.

Kaito Kuroba even unlocked his phone again, refreshed the webpage, and continued to show the side page of that news article to Aoko Nakamori.

The words "The Great Thief Who Even the Police Can't Catch" were prominently displayed above the article's title.

"So, I don't think your dad will ever catch Kaito Kid in his lifetime."

Kaito Kuroba reached a conclusion.

"Kaito!!!"

Nakamori Aoko could no longer hold back and slammed her hands on Kuroba Kaito's desk. The force of the impact seemed to make the classroom ceiling shake three times.

Anger seemed to burst forth from her beautiful eyes.

What should I do if I've upset my childhood sweetheart? Help!

Kaito Kuroba obviously doesn't need anyone else to answer this age-old question; he has his own way of handling it.

So he took off running.

The boy was fast on his feet and soon he was running in the corridor outside the classroom.

Fuming with anger, Nakamori Aoko grabbed her assigned broom and chased after the sanitation corner as she passed by.

"Kaito! You stop right there!!"

The shouts of youth mingled with birdsong, echoing throughout Jianggutian Middle School.

Chapter 51 The Darkest Star

Shibuya was bustling with people on a rainy night.

Tokyo in the early 21st century was always a bustling city, especially Shibuya, one of the most representative commercial districts, where even on cold, rainy nights, there was never a shortage of people busy making a living.

The office workers who left home in the morning to find the weather was clear and sunny are now cursing as they walk through the fine rain, briefcases on their heads; the sound of their high heels hitting the ground mingles with the "drip-drip" of the raindrops hitting the ground, creating a dense web.

Under the dim glow of the neon lights, retired elderly men and women, with their children, lingered under the eaves to shelter from the rain, quietly waiting for the sky to clear.

Tohru Tono didn't belong to any of them; he simply walked through the crowd, holding an umbrella as usual.

What was unusual was the topic of conversation between the two high school girls next to me.

"...So my dad also plans to take our family heirloom—the 'Black Star' that brings good luck—out for exhibition."

Sonoko Suzuki opened her mouth and spoke to Ran Mouri in phrases that only Celestial Dragons could utter.

"Because I was afraid that it would be stolen by that mysterious thief—that's why my father decided to ask your father to protect our family heirloom."

"But actually, I wanted to invite Tousan to come too."

Sonoko turned her head and gave Tono, who was looking around, a sweet smile.

"After all, we all know that you are also a super-skilled detective, it's just that we don't know why you can never make it into the newspaper."

Tohru Tohno nodded; he was also puzzled by the matter.

However, since the Black Star is a family heirloom, wouldn't it be better not to exhibit it? Wouldn't it be better to replace it with a gemstone that has less commemorative significance?

Toru Tono doesn't quite understand the mindset of wealthy people.

"Eh? A notorious thief?" Ran caught a glimpse of something hard to ignore from Sonoko's words.

"Yes, Phantom Thief 1412! The one who's now in his forties and is loved by many young girls!"

When talking about her idol, Sonoko's voice became louder.