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

"Interesting. No wonder he's an undercover agent trained by the organization; there was absolutely no warning before he made his move."

Tohru Tono said in an affected manner.

"Heh, you managed to figure that out, not bad at all."

The two engaged in a sarcastic exchange of business compliments.

"It seems you're not as simple as I thought... This time, I wasn't prepared enough."

Shinji Kamijou looked at Toru Tono with a cold gaze.

The brief exchange made both sides realize that their opponent was not someone who could be easily defeated. In this situation, Tohru Tohru, who had concealed his own information very well, had a great advantage.

“I’ve always been rather low-key.” Toru Tohno lowered the muzzle of his gun slightly, keeping himself in a position where he could see the other person’s eyes. “Alright, stop trying to play tricks. Put the knife down and tell me why you’ve kidnapped me.”

Shinji Kamijou obediently tossed the knife, which had missed its target, onto the floor, and then continued the conversation as if nothing had happened: "Before this, you still haven't answered my question from earlier—are you a member of the organization or not?"

“Strictly speaking, no.” Tohru Tono didn’t dwell on his attempt to control the pace of the conversation; he didn’t care at all.

"Strictly speaking? So you actually have connections with the organization." Shinji Kamijou frowned genuinely this time. "I don't recall anyone like you?"

With such alertness and skill, he's most likely a codenamed member, right? But the problem is, as an undercover agent sent by the organization, one of the boss's trusted members, he has very high authority within the organization and is remembered by all the codenamed members. This person can't possibly be one of them.

The periphery?

To reiterate, someone with that level of skill couldn't possibly remain unknown; they must have at least completed some highly challenging tasks.

Such a person would definitely have an impression of themselves.

Tohno Toru observed the changes in his expression.

"Don't make wild guesses. I've only had a little cooperation with your organization... Look, this plasma gun, I made it."

"Cooperation? Plasma gun..." Shinji Kamijou was suddenly startled, an unbelievable thought popping into his mind, "Could you be that 'Starlight'?"

"If there's no one else with the same code name as me, then that's probably it."

The moment the words left his mouth, Toru Tono suddenly felt that the person opposite him had completely lost the desire to resist.

What's the situation?

"..."

Shinji Kamijou gave a wry smile. "'Starlight' isn't a woman?"

"By disguising oneself as a disadvantaged person of the opposite gender, the probability of one's identity being discovered is minimized. This is a very simple line of reasoning."

Tohru Tono directly quoted what he said when he was arguing with Shiho Miyano.

"...That was quite a misunderstanding." Shinji Kamijou sighed.

Tohru Tono stared at him, completely bewildered.

Chapter 123 Who do you say you are?

"So, you're after 'Starlight' for a favor, which is why you've set your sights on my public identity, hoping to use me as a so-called 'gift'?"

After figuring out the cause and effect, Tohru Tono was slightly speechless.

“Yes, I heard that ‘Starlight’ doesn’t have an assistant, so I thought I’d try to persuade you, this seemingly impressive up-and-coming inventor.”

"Who knew you were the same person?"

Shinji Kamijou was also a little dizzy.

"...Fine, but aren't you a high-ranking member of the Black Organization? Someone who can go undercover must be of a high rank, right? Why didn't you ask someone like Gin or Chianti for help, instead of asking someone like 'Starlight,' who is practically an outsider?"

"That's why I'm looking for you, 'Starlight' is not a formal member of the Black Organization."

"Oh?" Toru Tohno looked at him with interest. "You were infected by the police officers' passion for fighting evil and turned against them?"

“How could that be?” Shinji Kamijou smiled weakly. “No matter how enthusiastic those idiots are, it only makes me loathe their stupidity more.”

"That is......"

"I can only turn to you for this matter. I'll do anything you ask after this, please don't tell anyone."

Shinji Kamijou suddenly became cautious and his tone became humble.

"Let me tell you a story first."

“I actually have an older sister who grew up in the Black Organization just like me.”

“We trained together since we were little and depended on each other for survival... However, I had a little more talent and was noticed by the boss. Not long after, I became a code name member.”

"My sister didn't have much talent, and in the end she was just an ordinary peripheral member."

“I have no interest in the so-called glory of being a code name member, so I often refuse the missions assigned to me by the organization, and I want to spend more time with my only family member.”

"But the instructor in charge of training me told me that only by following the organization's arrangements would the organization give my sister special care, allowing her to survive the high mortality rate even as an outer member."

"Gradually, I started going out more often and carried out countless missions. Eventually, I was noticed by the boss and planted as an undercover agent in the police force."

"I also rarely see my sister."

"I have worked hard for ten years to ensure her safety and to become her safe haven."

"But..." Shinji Kamijou's clenched fists turned white and trembled slightly.

"It was by chance that I saw a news report... that my sister had become a wanted fugitive for suspected murder."

“I went to question Gin, the person in charge here, and he couldn’t even explain where my sister was. His tone was full of indifference.”

"Ha, how could he, as the person in charge, not know? I think it was he who gave my sister a dangerous task that led to the accident."

“I wanted to investigate this matter through the organization’s resources, but I found that although I was of a high enough rank, because of my undercover work, I had no one under my command and no way to start an investigation.”

"And I always feel like someone is intentionally or unintentionally hindering my investigation... I guess they're afraid I'll discover something?"

"I can't rely on my connections with the Metropolitan Police Department either. If I get too close to them, the other undercover agents will definitely report my actions secretly, which will eventually arouse suspicion from both sides."

"So... I remembered you, 'Starlight'."

“You are capable enough, and you are not subordinate to the organization, so contacting you will not be noticed by other undercover agents.”

"I hope you can help me find my sister."

Shinji Kamijou spoke at length before finally catching his breath and looking at Toru Tono.

What met his gaze was one of great complexity.

After Tohno finished speaking, he hesitated before asking, "If I may ask, is your code name in the organization 'Porto'?"

"Huh? You know that too?" Shinji Kamijou was taken aback. "I've heard you know a lot about the organization... but I didn't expect you to even know my codename? Logically, only the boss and a very limited number of people should know me..."

"Ah." Tohru Tono slapped his forehead. "You've come to the right person about this."

No wonder the beginning of the story sounded so familiar; it turns out I'd heard the same story from another perspective.

How could it be such a coincidence?

"Why?" Shinji Kamijou frowned upon hearing this. "Have you handled any cases related to my sister?"

"Oh, by the way, my sister's name is..."

“Tachibana Maya, right?” Tohru Tono sighed as soon as he mentioned the name.

"Oh right...you really know the relevant information?!" Shinji Kamijou became visibly excited.

"So Kamijou is an alias? What's your real name?"

"Of course, the undercover agent used a pseudonym... his real name is Shinji Tachibana."

Tohru Tohno sighed again, pondering whether he should tell him the truth.

But since I've already shown my true self, it probably doesn't matter anymore.

"Alright... come with me."

Shinji Tachibana gradually calmed down: "Wait, do you even know anything about my sister?"

"You'll understand once you come with me."

Tohno Toru got up and walked towards the door.

"Hey, wait for me."

......

As always, Tachibana Maya ate potato chips while watching TV.

I touched my belly and realized I've gained some weight recently; my abs are almost gone.

It's not a big problem, just do a few more cardio exercises and you'll lose the weight again.

This confidence comes from years of training!

"Click"

The sound of the door lock clicking meant the boss had probably returned.

It's a bit early today. Didn't you say you wouldn't finish until midnight?

Thinking this to myself, I habitually greeted them aloud.

"Welcome back!"

After greeting him, I didn't receive the usual lazy response.

She turned around, displeased: "Why so early today...?"

Turning around, I realized there was more than one figure standing in the entryway.

Tohno Toru watched her with his arms crossed, as if it were a good show, while the other person's gaze was fixed on him.

The familiar face that appeared countless times in my dreams came to life, just like a real dream.

Her voice trembled for the first time in a long time.

......

After watching the family reunion for a while, Tohno realized he couldn't bear such a touching scene, so he simply went down to the underground laboratory to give them some privacy.

As I walked down the stairs, I saw Shiho Miyano walking up.

She was carrying a large bottle labeled "NaOH," apparently on her way to purchase more.