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

However, it makes sense – a detective needs a rigorous and meticulous nature, the ability to unravel complex cases, and exceptional observation skills.

The phantom thief is always enthusiastic and creative.

So, does that mean Kuroba Toichi was a mischievous child when he was young?

Seeing Kaito Kuroba's relaxed and carefree attitude after realizing his identity had been exposed, Toru Tono thought it was quite possible.

“Prisoner of war sounds awful.” Kaito Kuroba looked up at the night sky and continued, “I call this ‘tactical subjugation’.”

"Choosing a nice-sounding name won't change the fact that you've been caught."

"The truth is—you only found out my true identity through despicable means. If you can guarantee not to expose me, I am confident I can escape from here."

"Boring provocations won't work; the adult world is just that unfair and cruel."

"I see."

Kaito Kuroba nodded, looking like he understood.

"Did you understand what I said before?" Tohno asked him.

“I understand, you just want me to work for you.” Kaito Kuroba sighed. “But I also have to attend classes and occasionally go out for ‘work,’ so if you’re going to give me a task, try to tell me as soon as possible.”

Tohno nodded, indicating that his efforts had not been in vain.

"Do you want to know where your father is?" he asked.

"?!"

Kaito Kuroba, who was secretly regretting his actions, suddenly froze, then straightened up as if about to jump, grabbing Toru Tono's shoulder.

"You know where my father is?" His voice was filled with barely concealed excitement.

"I understand part of it," Toru Tohno said honestly. "I'll tell you after you help me complete a few tasks."

This is a combination of kindness and severity.

"My father isn't dead?!" Kaito Kuroba stared into his eyes.

"..." Tohru Tono didn't speak, remaining silent.

After a brief silence, Kaito Kuroba calmed down.

He let go of his hands and leaned back against the railing to enjoy the cold wind.

But then he felt the air was too fishy, ​​so he turned his head away.

"Sorry, I lost my composure just now," he apologized to Tohru.

"I understand." Toru Tohno yawned, probably because he'd been working overtime lately.

"If you understand the situation, you should go now." Toru Tohno glanced at the time. Ran had suddenly disappeared, and he figured Conan should have figured out the clues by now.

"By the way, where did you put this girl?"

Tohru Tono suddenly remembered this and pointed to the clothes that Kaito Kuroba was wearing.

"..." Kaito Kuroba looked down and saw the fair and delicate hills.

Her face gradually turned red.

They'd completely forgotten they were dressed as women!

It's so embarrassing to look like this!

He quickly threw a smoke bomb on the ground, and when the smoke cleared, he transformed into the elegant and dashing Phantom Thief Kid, dressed in a white tuxedo and wearing a white top hat.

Is it really necessary?

Tono remained silent.

Since there's no "audience," can't they just honestly take off their clothes and change?

Toru Tohno doesn't understand Kaito Kuroba's persistence.

"The girl is in the lifeboat on the southwest side of the deck."

Wearing a top hat, Phantom Thief Kid seemed to have regained his former confidence. He bowed to Tohno, looking every bit like a debonair gentleman.

"Well then, farewell, mysterious detective."

He stood on the railing, leaned back, and disappeared into the night.

Posturing.

Tohru Tono went back to find Ran and gave her this evaluation.

Chapter 55 Who is Weaving Beautiful Lies?

"Sister Xiaolan!"

Conan moved across the deck, calling out Ran's name.

He was so engrossed in his deductions in the lobby that he didn't notice Ran and Tohru sneaking off to the deck.

By the time he came to his senses, the two had already disappeared.

Damn it, it's all that Phantom Thief Kid's fault!!

......

There's a reason why Conan only now remembered to look for the two of them.

He recalled what had just happened.

Just as the banquet was about to end, Phantom Thief Kid appeared. Taking advantage of the chaos caused by the explosion of the fake "Black Star" that he had switched, he leaped out from the crowd and snatched the Black Star from Suzuki Tomoko's neck, which she had been guarding so carefully.

As a result, the Second Investigation Division members acted like they were just sitting around doing nothing, and their own internal situation became chaotic even before the guests!

Before Phantom Thief Kid even appeared, they were already pulling each other's faces because the fake "Black Star" had exploded at their location, making it impossible for them to keep up with Phantom Thief Kid immediately... What an idiot.

Conan can only rely on himself.

So he chased after the phantom thief all the way to the deck, finally leaving the thief with nowhere to run—that's what he thought at the time.

As it turned out, they didn't even consider him, saying things like "a gem that doesn't have a beautiful reaction under moonlight is not worth having," and threw over the real, jet-black star whose appearance had already lost its luster.

Conan had no choice but to frantically catch the pearl with his bare hands.

By the time he finally managed to get his hands on it, Kaito Kid had already disappeared.

It's really nasty.

No wonder there are rumors that Phantom Thief Kid often returns stolen jewels to the police, seemingly as a form of provocation.

Conan doesn't think so.

While he doesn't deny that there are people in the world who simply enjoy the thrill of stealing, he clearly saw when he caught up with Kaito Kid that Kaito Kid pointed the black star in his hand at the bright moonlight above, as if he was observing the inside of the gem through the moonlight.

What's inside the gemstone?

On the way back with the Black Star, Conan examined it carefully, but since he wasn't a professional gem appraiser, he couldn't draw any conclusions...

What exactly is it?

Conan pondered for a moment, then took the pearl back to the cabin and handed it back to Tomoko Suzuki.

That's when they realized Xiaolan had disappeared.

After asking Sonoko and learning that she also didn't know Ran's whereabouts, he rushed out and anxiously searched for her...

......

"Conan."

On his way back, Tohno Toru ran into Conan, who was shorter than his leg.

"Oh dear, Conan, you can't run around on the deck, it's dangerous."

Ran crouched down and gently reminded Conan to be careful.

Conan stopped in his tracks, and the anxious look on his face vanished without a trace.

He frowned, pursed his lips, and looked at Ran on the left and Toru on the right.

Can anyone tell him what's going on?

I feel like I've suddenly put a hat on my head, and my fists are harder...

"Is Daddy still down there?" Xiaolan asked.

"Yes, Phantom Thief Kid suddenly appeared just now, and he's searching for him with the police officers," Conan answered with difficulty, his mind in turmoil.

"Kaito Kid!" Upon hearing this name, Ran seemed to ignite a raging fire of anger.

The unexpected situation made Conan exclaim "Huh?"

Did Kaito Kid offend her?

"...I really have to thank Tohru-san." Ran muttered to herself about Kaito Kid throwing her unconscious body into the life pod to be exposed to the cold wind, and then thanked Tohru Tohru again.

Tohru Tono waved his hand, indicating that he didn't care: "I just happened to be passing by."

"How gentle you are," Xiaolan said with a smile.

"Sister Xiaolan, what happened?"

Conan tugged at Ran's sleeve, suddenly realizing that things weren't quite as he thought.

I'm so relieved.

"Your brother Tohru discovered that Kaito Kid was impersonating me..." Ran lowered her head and told Conan what Tohru had told her on the way.

Conan nodded repeatedly as he listened.

It's a misunderstanding!

But Kaito Kid actually disguised himself as Ran to sneak in... I never expected that.

Damn it, Tohno Toru tricked me again!

......

The operation to capture Phantom Thief Kid was a success, and Tohru Tohno, who had gained an extra "subordinate," hummed a song as he went home.

Upon opening the door, he saw a chubby figure in a white coat sitting on his sofa, drinking tea and chatting with Tachibana Maya sitting opposite him.