No one understands the laws of Collider better than me.

To Kitahara Masaki's surprise, the man who suddenly rushed into the food truck and raised his gun to shoot shouted something, and most importantly, his gun was not actually pointed in their direction.

The drones that had already been deployed were now flying onto the ceiling, their infrared cameras providing a clear view of the entire carriage.

Kitahara Masaki first pressed Aoka Aokawa under the table, then threw the knife in his hand. It wasn't to save the stranger named Kagoshi Ryori, but because the pistol bullet might ricochet inside the carriage. If he accidentally got his head blown off, that would be one of the hundred stupid ways to die.

Clang!

The knife knocked the man's gun away, and Kitahara Masaki then shouted:

"Sleep tranquilizer gun, five o'clock!"

Although he didn't call out to Conan, Kitahara Masaki believed that the kid could recognize his voice.

puff!

Conan used the same intoxicating power he had on Mori to give the armed robber a shot.

After the anesthetic needle, which in theory could even anesthetize an elephant, was injected into the man's body, the matter was temporarily resolved.

Instead of getting out of the food truck, Kitahara Maki took a glow stick from his coat and handed it to the mayor, who had been startled awake, and asked him to turn the glow stick on.

If there were snipers outside, the mayor would probably be the first one killed. After he dies, he would attract enough county police, which would be killing two birds with one stone.

However, even after five minutes, there was still no further movement. The passengers who had been crouching with their heads in their hands slowly stood up and shouted to the train conductor to call the police and stop the train.

"Brother Kitahara, what brings you here?"

Taking advantage of the power outage, Conan crawled out from under the dining table and asked in a low voice.

"You think I wanted this! Sigh, I came here to escort this little girl to Hokkaido, and this mess has happened."

After saying that, Kitahara Masaki pointed to the girl behind him.

"Go back quickly, don't tell Ran or Uncle Mori that I'm here."

Upon receiving the report, the county police rushed to the scene. As they were about to take the unconscious prisoner away, one of the policemen suddenly noticed that the man's beard looked crooked. With a gentle tug, he ripped off the fake beard.

After all the criminal's disguises were removed, many people on the dining car recognized the man who had broken into the car intending to commit violence—it was none other than Asama Yasuji, the robber who had failed to rob a jewelry store!

"He's that robber! Asama Yasuji had recently attempted to rob a jewelry store, but failed. The person he wanted to kill wasn't the jewelry store owner, but rather his secretary."

The county sheriff stared at the jewelry store owner's secretary and continued:

“Mr. Kagoshi Toshiyuki, according to the testimonies of those present, you and Asama Yasuji have known each other for a long time, and it seems that you did something to anger him. Moreover, I remember that Asama Yasuji’s gang of robbers consisted of three people, one of whom died from a drug overdose. So it seems that you are the remaining one!”

As the prefectural police were about to take Kagoshi Rinzo away, Kitahara Masaki waved his hand, telling the police he had something to say. He then led Aokawa Ayaka and the police to a separate carriage before taking out his police handbook.

"I am Kitahara Masaki. Please continue your investigation."

The young prefectural policeman gave a salute, and the respectful look made Kitahara Masaki feel a little guilty, but it disappeared immediately a second later.

Chapter 80 Ah, I'm dead.

“Hey, this is what I’m thinking: Asama Yasuji was already wanted, and they were still on a moving train, so why would he rather expose his identity than kill his own comrade?”

The county police officer thought about it and felt there was indeed something else going on, so he asked:

"So, Officer Kitahara, what are your thoughts?"

"Ahem, actually you can search Asama Yasuji and Kagoshi Toshiro's luggage and their text messages and call records on their phones. Maybe the truth is hidden there. Oh, by the way, I came out this time for a very important case, so please help me conceal my identity."

"No problem! Officer Kitahara! I'll go and get to the bottom of this case right now."

Looking at the young police officer who resembled Takagi, Kitahara Masaki, though not much older, always felt a sense of guilt, like a college student deceiving a high school student by saying, "When you get to college, you don't have to study anymore."

The prefectural police quickly located their room and found weapons such as daggers in Asama Yasuji's room, as well as the text messages on his phone.

The text message detailed Kashiwagi Rinzo's belongings and provided Asama Yasuji with a comprehensive account of Kashiwagi Rinzo's relationship with the female bandit he had poisoned.

Finally, it was pointed out that it was Asama Yasuji who introduced the female member to the drugs, and in order to control her, he even went so far as to make her addicted to drugs.

Both the actions and the criminal motives are quite clear: Kagoshi Toshi is going to eliminate Asama Yasuji on the Hokutosei train and at the same time kill the jewelry store owner who secretly sells drugs.

"Oh, so Kagawa Rize was planning to take revenge on his boss and then pin the blame on his former accomplices. But it seems that his plan was seen through by someone else."

"Yes, we don't know who sent this text message. Why didn't they report it to the police since they knew about it?"

"It's simple. They plan to do Asama Yasuji a favor and then have him fire a shot at our side while he's at it."

As Kitahara Masaki had predicted, the sender also sent photos of Kitahara Masaki and Aokawa Ayaka, of course, photos of the two of them disguised, probably taken from the train station's surveillance footage.

However, someone of Asama Yasuji's caliber could not possibly pose any threat. Even after the power was cut off, he continued shouting and yelling, as if afraid others wouldn't know what he wanted to do.

"Officer Kitahara, is the person who sent this text message related to your mission?"

"Hmm, it should be pretty close. But don't worry, if they dare to attack me, I won't let them succeed."

The police officers then took the two robbers off the train, and with the case closed, the train naturally continued on its way to its destination—Hokkaido.

"Kitahara-kun, has yesterday's case been closed?"

"Of course, it's just a drama of two robbers having a quarrel, then turning against each other over a woman, and finally fighting each other."

Uh, Asama Yasuji was clearly about to injure someone with a weapon, but Kitahara Masaki's description of such a thrilling process made it sound like a boring family drama on TV.

"So, Kitahara-kun, was that text message you sent to Asama Yasuji intended to kill the person you were protecting?"

"Well, that's true, but I don't think things are that simple. Although the organization Tsukuyomi has almost zero direct combat ability, it can force those with weaknesses to do things for them."

"That means there will be another attack!"

"Yeah, kid, so stay away from me. I don't want to have to protect two people."

After exchanging words by the sink in the restroom, Kitahara Masaki left. Conan only had one tranquilizer dart, and in this enclosed space, his Martian Power Ball technique was not very effective. Naturally, Kitahara Masaki would have to take over next.

"Miss Qingchuan, are you still awake?"

"Hey, something like this happened today, and I can't sleep."

"Don't worry, we'll be in Hokkaido tomorrow. Once you're in the safe house, those who want to harm you won't have another chance."

After saying that, Kitahara Masaki closed his eyes and pretended to sleep. Not sleeping for a day was not a big deal for him. Once he delivered the girl to her destination, his mission would naturally be over.

Contrary to Kitahara Masaki's expectations, the night after Asama Yasuji was taken away was eerily quiet. The small traps set outside the door showed no signs of being triggered, and the drone's camera didn't capture any suspicious figures. The only sound all night was the girl's soft snoring.

Oh, she was drooling even in her sleep.

When it was 11 a.m., the Hokutosei train had already arrived in Hokkaido.

It's safe to say they had no chance to make another move. Next, Aoka Aokawa will be escorted by the Public Security Bureau's dedicated SP (Security Police) and taken to a safe house where only landline phones are available for electronic devices.

"Miss Qingchuan, we've arrived at our destination. You're safe now. As a police officer, I hope you can reform yourself in the future. Since you have such talent, why don't you use it for good?"

Although it was all just empty talk, Kitahara Masaki didn't want this child's life to be ruined because of something like this. After all, the thought of her committing crimes as an adult and having to be arrested by him was truly unpleasant.

The child kept his head down and didn't answer, probably not having listened much. Kitahara Masaki wasn't discouraged by such a small matter, just a little disappointed.

Their room was in a carriage further inside, so they passed the dining car once during their disembarkation process.

"Mr. Kitahara, my shoelace is untied, please tie it."

After waiting for her for a while, the two stepped out of the car, where they were greeted by police officers. However, the moment Kitahara Maki stepped out of the car, the two police officers reached out as if to stop her from doing something.

Kitahara Masaki turned around and saw Aoka Aokawa raise a pistol, then without hesitation, aim it at Kitahara Masaki and pull the trigger.

Bang!

Kitahara Masaki felt a force slam into his chest; the feeling of being shot was familiar no matter how many times he had experienced it. The bullet seemed to have pierced a water bag, and the blood inside gushed out.

Kitahara Maki fell to the ground uncontrollably, and two police officers rushed up and took the weapon from the girl's hand.

Kitahara Masaki, lying on the ground, had his eyes wide open, his expression filled with resentment.

Conan, who was standing some distance away, froze on the spot, watching this scene in disbelief, before being knocked down by the crowd that was running in all directions.

"Things have really gotten to this worst-case scenario."

Amuro Tooru, who was also standing at a distance, sighed in this way, and then he directed his subordinates to carry out the next plan.

Chapter 81 Oscar-Winning Police Officer

"Officer Kitahara, how are you feeling?"

"Hmm? How does it feel?"

"Well, you were hit head-on."

Kitahara Masaki lay on the hospital bed in the police hospital and shrugged.

“I had already put on my bulletproof vest. The blood that sprayed out was from the blood pack. We had no idea that she would do such a thing to me. It was a matter of course, so why would we feel anything?”

Amuro Tooru smiled, picked up an apple, and asked:

"Would you like me to cut an apple for you?"

"No, let's forget it."

"Hahaha, Officer Kitahara, are you saying you're getting impatient because your girlfriend isn't around?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Amuro Tooru began to tell Kitahara Masaki the results of the investigation.

Two days ago, after Kitahara Maki was shot by Aokawa Ayaka, Amuro Tooru immediately began tracking suspicious passengers who got off the bus. After eliminating some, he identified a passenger and tracked him to a specific area. Since continuing to move forward might expose him, the police officer in charge of the tracking informed Amuro Tooru of the results and then received orders to retreat.

In fact, when Amuro Tooru first asked Kitahara Masaki to protect Aokawa Ayaka, the two had already rehearsed several scenarios before taking action. The most troublesome scenario was undoubtedly that Aokawa Ayaka would be turned against them, and Tsukuyomi would instead target Kitahara Masaki.

But for the two of them, this was just another act. However, in Amuro Tooru's eyes, Kitahara Masaki's acting skills had exceeded his expectations. When Kitahara Masaki was shot, he genuinely thought for a moment that Kitahara Masaki had actually been shot. It wasn't until Kitahara Masaki used ventriloquism to urge Amuro Tooru to take him to the police hospital that he realized what had happened.

In order to provide weapons to Aokawa Ayaka and to confirm whether Kitahara Masaki was really killed by Aokawa Ayaka, Tsukuyomi had to send someone to do these things. The Public Security Bureau's job was to find that person, lock onto him, and then follow the clues to wipe out the Tsukuyomi organization in one fell swoop.

"So, it's confirmed that one of their members exists?"

"Yes, in reality, we have finally come into contact with this group of criminals who like to use the internet to commit crimes."

As if remembering something, Amuro Tooru asked Kitahara Masaki:

"The girl who shot you—Ayaka Aokawa, do you think we still need to protect her? And are you interested in how she was recruited?"

“Officer Sasae, you don’t need to be so cautious. If I had to hate the criminals who shot me every time, my heart would probably be filled with a bunch of lewd old men who only know how to smirk. How to deal with that child is your problem as a police officer, and I’m not interested in her past. In the end, all her actions were already within our expectations, so what exactly she went through—does it matter to us?”

"Haha, Officer Kitahara, you're right. By the way, please take a few more days off. We still need to confirm the whereabouts of the Tsukuyomi members. Also, please don't order expensive takeout. I've received quite a few complaints that our police budget is being used to feed the injured officers of the Metropolitan Police Department."

Kitahara Masaki nodded in understanding, and then said:

"Then please tell them, Officer Sasao, that I pay for all the takeout I order myself. If they're envious, they should hurry back to the front lines and keep making money. Maybe their grandchildren will be as wealthy as I am."