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

The gem that the Flying Dragon Warrior lost was also recovered.

Lupin III and his gang have disappeared somewhere and haven't been caught.

In response, Inspector Zenigata stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He always felt that something was off about this.

Lupin III was definitely not the kind of person who would easily return the dragon rider and the jewel. He had been entangled with that phantom thief for so many years, so he naturally knew the phantom thief's character very well.

This clearly shows that they were humiliated and defeated in front of someone, and had no other choice but to send the person back.

But are there really such people in Osaka Prefecture?

Inspector Zenigata couldn't help but recall what had happened in the shopping district the night before last.

At the time, Lupin III was apparently fighting with an unidentified person and had no choice but to lead his team to retreat. He activated a large-scale smoke device to cover himself, but in the end, he seemed to be intercepted at the entrance of the underground passage.

In the end, Ishikawa Goemon escaped by using the Zantetsu sword to cut through the wall of the underground passage.

Could it be that this time it was that mysterious person whose true identity is unknown who made the move again?

Thinking of this, Inspector Zenigata couldn't help but turn his gaze to Hattori Heiji, who had followed them into the conference room.

That's right, Hattori Heiji.

This high school detective from Kansai, despite his reckless behavior and being scolded by Hattori Heizo after the operation, still managed to bring Hattori Heiji to the conference room with him.

Putting everything else aside, Hattori Heiji at least proved that he was indeed capable, rather than just talking the talk.

This made Hattori Heizo look at Hattori Heiji with new respect, which is why he let Hattori Heiji participate in the post-event debriefing.

As for Toyama Kazuha and the others who appeared outside the blockade line with Hattori Heiji.

Hattori Heizo and Inspector Zenigata, along with officers from the Osaka Police Headquarters, did not see this when they were leaving, thus allowing Toyama Kazuha to escape being lectured by Toyama Ginshiro.

As for why the two girls weren't spotted by the well-trained officers from the police headquarters...

Naturally, the responsibility would fall on Chen En.

As the Dark Knight of Tokyo, Chen En's stealth skills can be described as superb.

After defeating Lupin III and his gang and leaving the blockade with the Flying Dragons, he immediately had Noah's Ark send the Batplane over. Using optical stealth, he quickly traveled to and from the Osaka Police Headquarters, then returned to the original location to pick up Kazuha Toyama and Sonoko Suzuki.

Of course, the shuttle service is not conducted using a Batmobile.

Although Sonoko Suzuki did know that Chen En possessed the advanced technology of the Batplane.

However, involving Kazuha Toyama would be too dangerous for her. Heiji Hattori shared a similar view, which is why he didn't tell Kazuha about it.

He would naturally not do anything that went against Hattori Heiji's ideas.

Therefore, Chen En simply borrowed a car from the local Suzuki Group branch to pick up the person.

While Hattori Heiji was returning to the Osaka Police Headquarters in a police car, Chen En was at a nearby restaurant explaining to Toyama Kazuha why Hattori Heiji hadn't come out with him.

The Batman, who was adept at navigating the world of coffee, took a sip and said with certainty.

"If I'm not mistaken, Heiji should have gone back to the Osaka Police Headquarters with Mr. Heizo."

"After we infiltrated the blockade together, we split up. I went to find Lupin III, while he went to protect the Flying Dragons... However, the situation was too chaotic at the time, and I can say that I returned empty-handed in this regard."

"So he turned around to look for Heiji, only to find a bunch of police officers lying haphazardly where Heiji was protecting the Flying Dragon Warriors."

"Inspector Zenigata and Mr. Heizo seem to be talking about something in front of Heiji."

"Because the two of them were so close, even I couldn't pull Heiji out right under their noses. But I think that since it's Mr. Heizo and Inspector Zenigata, nothing should happen to Heiji."

As he finished speaking, he casually scooped up a mouthful of char siu.

Chen En was being stared at by a number of local Osaka diners nearby.

Feeling the unfriendly gazes of the crowd, Suzuki Sonoko nudged Chen En with her elbow, somewhat embarrassed, telling him to put down his coffee cup for now and not do something that would push others to their limits.

However, from Chen En's description, she could tell that the situation at the scene was indeed chaotic.

After all, in my memory, Chen En would never do anything to harm his teammates.

If he could get Hattori Heiji out as well, he definitely would. Since he hasn't gotten him out yet, it means he really can't. It's probably exactly the same situation he described.

However, when Sonoko Suzuki glanced at Kazuha Toyama eating ramen, she still showed some concern and couldn't help but ask on Kazuha's behalf.

"What exactly is the situation at the scene? Is Heiji in danger?"

"Ah, I didn't mean that Uncle Heizo or Inspector Zenigata would put Heiji in any danger. I meant that during the Lupin III arc, there was a very skilled swordsman and gunman in there, right?"

"No matter how you look at it, the Zanetsu sword and the revolver are both very dangerous weapons."

These words also caught the attention of Toyama Kazuha, but Chen En simply said with certainty.

"Don't worry, no one is in danger."

"Didn't you see it too?"

"No ambulances have arrived at the scene... If that sharpshooter had really used a real gun, then there would definitely be officers who were shot, but since no ambulances have come, it means there's no problem, right?"

Chen En was about to take a sip of coffee when he glanced at the stares of the person next to him. In the end, he put down his coffee, took a sip of soup, and then changed the subject.

"Instead of this, you might as well consider whether Heiji will betray us later."

Kazuha Toyama immediately declared with conviction.

"No, Heiji isn't the kind of person who would be disloyal!"

Meanwhile, in the Osaka Police Headquarters conference room.

"No, I went alone, why?"

Hattori Heiji said firmly.

Chapter 1241 This is Jack's first battle against two monsters.

Inside the Osaka Police Headquarters meeting room, Hattori Heiji's resolute answer immediately drew suspicious glances from the three high-ranking police officers beside him, and even Toyama Ginjiro sensed something was amiss.

Although he genuinely trusted this high school detective, who was practically his son-in-law, he was quite trusting.

However, there must be something wrong with Hattori Heiji's statement because he spoke so confidently.

This kid has never known how to lie since he was a child. He usually just makes up a few random things to cover up his original story, or he makes a lot of noise to cover up the original topic.

There must be something wrong with what Hattori Heiji said, right?

Inspector Zenigata stared at Hattori Heiji for a while before frowning and asking a question.

"Are you sure you didn't go with other people?"

“If I remember correctly… last night you said you would come with us to fight Lupin III, but this morning, Mr. Heizo told me that the friends you were supposed to accompany you on your trip to Osaka Prefecture can’t come.”

"But now you're back inside the blockade, and you're fighting with Daisuke Jigen."

"...Were those the friends who came with you on your trip to Osaka Prefecture?"

As a renowned detective with decades of experience in the police force, Inspector Zenigata gets straight to the point with his first words.

These words also attracted the attention of Hattori Heizo, who was standing nearby.

The head of the Osaka Police Headquarters stroked his chin and said suspiciously.

"That's right, I specifically reminded Jinghua."

"How did you manage to get past Jinghua?"

Although Ginjiro Toyama didn't know what was going on, he still asked along with the crowd.

"Uh, Kazuha didn't come with you, did she?"

Although he asked the question, he already had a definite answer in his heart.

If it's true that Hattori Heiji's friends who were traveling in Osaka Prefecture went to the cordon with him, then Kazuha would definitely have gone with them too—that's a no-brainer.

The only problem is where Kazuha is now. They searched the outer perimeter of the blockade but couldn't find her.

"...If that's what you're saying, then you're not wrong."

Seeing that he couldn't hide it any longer, Hattori Heiji twitched the corner of his mouth and finally said.

"However, they only went with me to the food street next to the blockade, and then they went to explore on their own. I sneaked in by myself, and Kazuha acted as their guide."

"Uncle Mori got drunk halfway through and went back to his mother's place with Sister Ran ahead of time."

"If you don't believe me, you can ask Uncle Mori and Sister Ran, right?"

Uncle Mori? Sister Ran?

What kind of nonsensical pronouns are these?

Inspector Zenigata, who knew little about Hattori Heiji, scratched the back of his head and turned to look at Ginjiro Toyama next to him. Ginjiro Toyama stroked his chin, then clapped his hands and said with sudden realization.

"Oh, right, it's that Kogoro Mouri, isn't it?"

"The nationally renowned sleeping detective Kogoro Mouri, although we haven't seen him perform well before, he has such a great reputation, so he must be a very powerful detective."

"Mr. Zenigata, the 'Miss Ran' he mentioned is the daughter of Detective Mori."

"Since Mr. Mori can testify for Heiji, I don't think it's impossible not to believe Heiji's words. Although if it were Kogoro Mori, he would definitely be determined to break into the blockade to investigate and capture Lupin III."

"But what famous detective would get himself completely drunk beforehand to catch such a skilled phantom thief, only to go home and sleep it off? Even Inspector Zenigata would be on high alert, wouldn't he?"

Upon hearing this, Inspector Zenigata and Heizo Hattori, who had been harboring suspicions about Kogoro Mouri, Ran Mouri, and others, were immediately distracted by Ginjiro Toyama's words. They thoughtfully stroked their chins and nodded slightly.

If you put it that way, it does seem to be true.

He's a nationally renowned super detective, after all; he shouldn't be so easily fooled by such a trivial matter.

If even the famous detective Kogoro Mouri simply went out for drinks and ended up getting completely drunk, forcing him to go back to sleep, then the others who came with him probably had no reason to interfere in this operation either.

As for why Hattori Heiji knew where they would be operating, that's not surprising.

Although they did not disclose the contents of Lupin III's proclamation or even indicate that Lupin III would take action today, Hattori Heiji did participate in the capture operation of Lupin III last night.

Upon seeing a place specifically marked by a blockade, he would immediately realize that Lupin III was preparing to attack the Flying Dragon Warriors. Therefore, it is quite normal that he went out early in the morning to investigate various places in Dayuan Prefecture and eventually pinpointed the exact location.

...Then let's put this matter aside for now.