I'm in Detective Conan, and the system has appointed Batman.

These words silenced Toyama Ginjiro, who was standing nearby.

He worked at the Osaka Police Headquarters for many years.

I know a fair bit about the amazing people in Osaka Prefecture, but I've never heard of such a powerful figure before... Well, not that there aren't any, but none of them are as concerned about public safety as he is.

Not to mention that when chasing Lupin III on his escape, he also helped dispel the smoke.

Not dropping a couple of bombs would be considered a sign of high moral character.

Standing next to Ginjiro Toyama, Heiji Hattori knew who was chasing Lupin III and had casually dispersed the smoke, but he didn't reveal the person's identity. He simply remained silent, pretending to know nothing.

As is widely known, Batman has never left Tokyo.

Although he didn't know why Chen En left Tokyo under his own identity and then secretly flew back to Tokyo as Batman to perform acts of chivalry, he didn't tell him the reason when he left.

But you can usually guess pretty accurately about these things.

Most likely, people think he's a big mouth and might accidentally let something slip.

In that case, Hattori Heiji needs to revive his image as a Kansai detective.

It's as if detectives from Kansai are always bad at keeping secrets.

He kept the secret that Shinichi Kudo was Conan Edogawa very well!

I guess so……

"Report: There are signs that the entrance to the nearby underpass has been opened."

An Osaka police officer who was conducting the search rushed back to report the incident.

Inspector Zenigata's eyes lit up, and he immediately waved his hand and said.

"Alright, everyone follow me, charge! Boar charge!"

"We absolutely cannot let Lupin III get away!"

...Hey, hey, hey, if Lupin III had this much time, he would have run away by now, right?

Hattori Heiji couldn't help but mutter to himself.

He was somewhat curious whether Batman could catch up with the famous phantom thief.

Unfortunately, he wasn't there and couldn't watch the live broadcast.

We can go to the hotel where Chen En and Suzuki Sonoko are staying and ask them about it.

That guy should be back at the hotel by now, right?

……

A little while before that.

After creating a large amount of smoke to cover the area, Lupin III, along with Daisuke Jigen and Goemon Ishikawa, rushed towards the entrance of a nearby underground passage, preparing to leave through it.

As a famous phantom thief, scouting the location before taking action is a must.

Therefore, this was an escape route he had prepared long ago.

Although it was originally planned to be used against Inspector Zenigata, it has now come in handy with Batman, so at least it's not a waste... However, things don't seem to be developing as he imagined.

Just then, Ishikawa Goemon, standing beside him, used his Zanetsu no Tsurugi to slice open the locked door of the underground passage.

A figure draped in a black cloak had appeared behind the gate at some point.

As the dust settled from the gate, the figure came into full view of Lupin III and his gang.

A black cloak, a streamlined battle suit, and a bat emblem that looks like it could be used to chop someone up with an axe.

Who else could it be but Batman?

"The underground passage is full, Lupin III."

Chen En said in a low, hoarse voice.

"Give me back the jewels that were stolen from the Flying Dragon Warriors."

They were somewhat surprised that Batman was already waiting for them there.

However, upon hearing this, Lupin III's lips curled into a smile, and he immediately spoke.

"Batman, you know the rules."

"If you want it, you'll have to come and get it yourself."

The next instant, colorful smoke grenades exploded at the entrance of the underground passage.

When facing a ruthless character like Batman, Daisuke Jigen doesn't need to worry about whether his pistol will hurt the other party.

All I can say is, don't try to make your Batman brother laugh.

Even a revolver might not be able to break through someone's defenses.

Therefore, Daisuke Jigen drew his gun instantly without any hesitation, firing all six revolver bullets in less than half a second, which shot in different directions into the smoke.

He had already changed to a new magazine before the bullet hit its target, and then fired again.

These bullets were certainly not intended to kill Batman.

His revolver caliber did not support him doing so.

He fired the gun merely to provide Lupin III and Goemon Ishikawa with a source of sound, allowing them to locate the Dark Knight lurking in the smoke.

Ishikawa Goemon and Lupin III never disappointed Daisuke Jigen.

The entrance to the underground passage, shrouded in smoke bombs from Lupin III and Batman, was instantly sliced ​​open by the Zanetsu Sword, and the sharp blade capable of cutting through anything shot straight toward Batman.

Goemon Ishikawa wasn't after Batman's life; he merely wanted to force Batman to retreat.

As one of the world's few sword masters, he naturally has the confidence and ability to do this.

To his surprise, the Iron-Cutting Sword was intercepted just as it was unleashed, before it even touched the edge of Batman's suit or scratched it.

Ishikawa Goemon immediately showed a surprised expression.

The reason was simple: the tip of the iron-slaying sword was blocked by a small net that looked like it could be easily cut through.

That's a net woven from konjac.

It is also the only thing that the Iron-Cutting Sword cannot cut.

"Lupin III, give me the jewel."

Batman said in a low voice.

Chapter 1213 Return of the Gemstone?

The air seemed to freeze the moment the konjac net blocked the iron-slaying sword.

Lupin III and Daisuke Jigen simultaneously turned their gazes to the net woven from konjac, then turned to look at Goemon Ishikawa in perfect unison, asking in perfect unison.

"Teacher, didn't you say last time that you would try to overcome this difficulty?"

"How come you've been training so hard for so long, but you've only improved your cultivation level and not your swordsmanship?"

In response, Ishikawa Goemon simply drew his sword silently.

The monstrous strength of a swordsman instantly acted on the hilt of the Zantetsu sword. Normally, although the konjac would stick to the blade of the Zantetsu sword, preventing it from cutting through it, it should have been able to do so.

However, with his monstrous strength, he only needed to exert a little force to pull out the konjac and the iron-slaying sword together.

However, at this moment, Ishikawa Goemon miscalculated.

Just like King and Lupin III's previous assessments of Batman.

Don't overlook this person's stats just because of Batman's abilities.

In terms of strength alone, Chen En's power is in no way inferior to Ishikawa Goemon, not to mention that he has already quietly activated the electric stimulation function of the Bat Suit.

Chen En, whose original strength was in no way inferior to Kyogoku Makoto's, is now even stronger.

Compared to Ishikawa Goemon, he is far superior.

"...It seems you've run out of options."

Chen En turned his gaze back to Lupin III.

"Should I retrieve the gem myself, or will you give it to me now?"

Upon hearing this, Lupin III shrugged and then said.

"Oh dear, Mr. Bat, that's hurtful to say."

"I still have a use for this gem. I'll return it to you after I've used it."

“I see you’re pretty busy over there. Even if you take the gems back now, you won’t have any use for them, right? It’s better to wait until I’ve used them before returning them. It’ll only take a day or two anyway.”

I think you have absolutely no idea what you can do in one or two days.

Clearly, this veteran phantom thief had no idea what a day or two meant to the worldview of Detective Conan.

If it's in Beika Town, the schedule might be a bit full.

In two days, at least nine heinous murders could be identified.

If it happens at the end of the week, there's a chance of a terrorist attack that could endanger the lives of thousands or even tens of thousands of people.

Therefore, Chen En's thoughts remained the same as before.

Since it can be taken out in advance, there is absolutely no need to wait until later to take it out.

Therefore, Chen En had already exerted force with both hands at this moment.

Even with his hands covered by the konjac net, the strength he wielded was more than enough to contend with, or even surpass, Ishikawa Goemon, and thus snatch the Zantetsu sword away in this manner.

At this moment, even Ishikawa Goemon couldn't help but take it seriously.

For a swordsman, having his signature sword taken away in this situation is extremely rude... For some swordsmen who value their dignity, they might even commit seppuku.

Originally, Ishikawa Goemon had planned to hold back a little and simply get out of trouble.

But now he activated the realm he had comprehended in his previous battle with Hawke, called "The Visible Without Image," instantly making everything around him complex and ever-changing, with countless double images.