SCIAW: Chapter 497/498

Chapter 497: Hattori Heiji’s Resolve

The two who had just returned from the beach suddenly felt unusual gazes on them, and Hattori Heiji and Edogawa Conan instinctively looked over.

Little girls?

What they saw were two little girls.

They were not old, but the gazes of the two little girls felt particularly strange.

However, the two little girls only looked at them for a moment, then turned and left.

"Edogawa, were those two little girls strange?"

"Yes, their gazes felt strange… but those two should be from wealthy families."

Conan also found the two little girls strange, so he paid special attention to observing them. All he got was that they were very wealthy.

"Both were dressed exquisitely. Especially that kimono, it did not have overly elaborate patterns, but it was surprisingly delicate."

"I cannot tell the price, but it is probably much more expensive than an ordinary kimono."

"Yes."

Heiji agreed.

"The silver-gray haired girl was the same. Her outfit, dress, and shoes were all custom-made, and not cheap. These two should be from rich families, but why are they out so late?"

With two consecutive murders nearby, would a wealthy family let their children out this late?

"Heiji, first think. Do you think their family is stupid? Do you think they would not know what everyone else knows?"

Conan did not believe a young lady dressed like that would be without protection.

Just like Sonoko, who never flaunts her wealth at school, he never worried when she was with Ran. If Ran and Sonoko could not handle something, the family bodyguards could. What was there to worry about?

"…You are right."

Heiji chuckled a few times, then pulled his attention back.

The two quickly returned to their rooms.

They had solved a case yesterday and played hard all day today, and now both were exhausted.

They sat opposite each other again.

"This time, after I go back, I will also follow up on that organization's case."

"Now that news of that organization has leaked, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Those guys will probably think twice before acting."

"Right now, that organization is probably going all out to find the missing Miyano Shiho and Miyano Akemi, as well as the third party who helped them escape."

Originally, Heiji had no intention of letting that organization off.

They had caused huge turmoil, and the drugs they manufactured had killed many people. There was also Kudo Shinichi's share. He would not forget it.

Conan nodded slightly, while reminding,

"Heiji, it is fine to keep an eye on that organization yourself, but you need to be more careful in some areas. Even though they have exposed a lot, they certainly do not want more exposure, and they will act more directly if anything risks further leaks."

"Therefore, do not expose yourself."

"You will not be the only one hurt. Everyone around you will be too. I have already tasted that bitter fruit."

Conan bluntly used himself as the most failed example.

His current state was caused by excessive self-confidence. If he had been a little more careful, it probably would not have come to this.

Seeing Conan's dejection, Heiji naturally understood the risk of exposure.

Conan's situation was a warning. And this was still the best outcome after exposure.

"Do not worry."

Having learned much about that organization from Takagi, he now understood how dangerous it was.

Even the Old Man needed to be very careful facing them, let alone him.

Any information about that organization should not be acted on impulsively. Some might be traps, and a stick might be swung from the darkness at any moment.

"Before investigating, I will definitely make a backup plan and tell the Old Man my whereabouts so he can bail me out if needed."

Heiji might be more impulsive in other situations.

But facing that organization, he would not take chances. Any impulse could lead to irreversible consequences.

Conan breathed a sigh of relief. He had worried Heiji might act rashly.

"That is for the best."

"No matter what, if you go to investigate that organization, call the Police first. They have broader experience dealing with situations. And if you call, your warning will draw their attention, and they will be more cautious in their actions."

"Our individual actions are still too weak. We cannot face such a large organization."

"In the end, we are just detectives, and can only be detectives."

He now had a deeper understanding of being powerless.

"I understand."

Heiji naturally understood Conan's reminder.

Being careful is never wrong.

"In an emergency, you can tell your father about my situation."

"!?"

Heiji's heart skipped a beat.

"Edogawa, this is not a joke."

"I know."

Conan naturally knew the fewer people who knew his situation, the better, but that was only ideal.

"Sometimes, to get more information, you need to exchange some."

"Your father has his own considerations. He cannot leak everything to you. If you want information, you need to compromise."

"No one knows my current situation, but I do not know if the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department's upper echelons already know the drug's effects, and I am not sure if your father knows."

"But my guess is he does not."

"So, Heiji, you need to use some of my information to compromise with your father."

Heiji understood all that Conan said.

"But if that… leaks, you are finished."

Heiji could not imagine it. If the information leaked from him and then leaked again by the Old Man, Kudo Shinichi might face death again.

"Yes, I know. If it comes to that, I probably will not be able to go on living. If I continue, everyone around me will face that organization's threat."

"But for me now, I might only be able to bet everything."

Looking at Conan's resolve, Heiji took a deep breath, and determination appeared on his troubled face.

"I understand, Edogawa."

"But this time, I will not let you face such danger alone. I will talk to the Old Man, in my own way."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 498: Confessing

After a weekend of fun, Conan and Heiji returned on Sunday afternoon.

After dropping Conan off at home, Heiji went back to his rental room to pack and organize his luggage, then boarded the train home.

"I am home."

Pulling his suitcase, Heiji walked into the very classical Japanese-style mansion.

Placing the suitcase at the entrance, Heiji sat on the floor of the entryway and took off his shoes.

"Heiji."

The voice was a bit loud, and even with his back turned, he could sense a hint of anger.

"Kazuha…"

Heiji's body stiffened slightly. He turned around, still sitting on the floor, and saw his barefoot childhood friend standing there, staring at him angrily.

He knew what Kazuha was angry about.

It had to be because he had decided to go to Tokyo to investigate Kudo Shinichi's situation without telling her.

"Heiji, do you not have anything you want to tell me?"

"Uh… Oh, the food in Tokyo was really good. Next time, next time I will take you with me."

"…"

A hint of disappointment flashed in Toyama Kazuha's eyes. She knew this idiot had many reasons, but he had no intention of telling her anything.

"Idiot!!!"

Shouting, Kazuha had nothing more to say to this idiot at the moment.

Watching her stride out of the house, Heiji could only stand there awkwardly, not knowing what to do.

Right now, he knew he could not tell Kazuha the reason for his trip to Tokyo, especially after learning about Kudo Shinichi's fate.

Composing himself, Heiji decided to put Kazuha's matter aside for now.

He pulled his luggage into the house.

After tossing his suitcase into his room, Heiji headed to his father's usual weekend spot, the tearoom.

"Old Man!"

Pulling open the tearoom door, he saw the Old Man in a kimono sitting in the main seat, and another person sitting opposite him.

"Uncle, you are here too."

It was Toyama Kazuha's father, Ginshiro Toyama.

"Oh. After wandering around Tokyo for a week, you finally returned, Heiji."

Ginshiro looked at Heiji, smiling, and raised his teacup in greeting.

Heizo Hattori's face did not show much emotion. He only cast a sidelong glance at his son.

"How was the investigation?"

"It is even bigger than I imagined."

Heiji unceremoniously sat down at the side of the tea table.

"Before things got chaotic in Tokyo, I had already found that Kudo Shinichi's death was extremely unusual. The matter of that organization and the appearance of those two members at Tropical Land were also confirmed."

"But that is not the key."

"After Takagi told me about some of what happened in Tokyo, I also learned some interesting things."

This topic piqued the curiosity of both men present.

"The true effect of APTX4869, and part of the truth deliberately hidden by the highest levels of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department."

Their eyes sharpened instantly.

They both knew the specific formula and effects of APTX had been withheld, and the hidden truth behind it was likely directly related to the establishment of that organization.

However, even the highest levels of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department kept such a secret tightly guarded, with no intention of releasing it at all. Why would a high school detective know about it?

That was the key question.

As senior officials of the Osaka Prefectural Police, neither Heizo Hattori nor Ginshiro Toyama were incompetent.

Both confirmed that Heiji had met someone in Tokyo and confirmed some truths from them.

Considering Heiji's main reason for going to Tokyo this time, they immediately thought of Kudo Shinichi.

"Do not try to test me, Old Man."

Before Heizo Hattori could say anything, Heiji's single sentence completely blocked any further conversation.

"I understand interrogation very well. As a rookie, I cannot compare to you, so I will not say anything or show any reaction."

At the same time, Heiji wore a triumphant smile.

"Moreover, from your and Uncle's reactions, you are not clear about the drug's effects either."

"My guess is accurate."

Heiji intentionally confessed suddenly because he knew his Old Man was an old fox. Only by saying something beyond his imagination in an unpredictable moment could he draw conclusions from his reaction.

Facts proved his guess was correct.

He was also very glad that he and Edogawa had guessed correctly and gambled right.

Heizo glanced at his son.

"So, you tested me to find out why I did not know that information?"

"I need direct intelligence on that organization."

Heizo looked at his son's extremely serious expression and understood even more that his son had truly met someone in Tokyo.

"The reason… you probably will not say it either."

"I probably also know you investigated that organization because of Kudo Shinichi, and I also guess you want that organization's intelligence because of his death."

"But I need to warn you, that organization is not as simple as it seems."

"I know."

Heiji knew this better than anyone.

Heizo shook his head slightly. He did not know who his son took after in stubbornness.

"Since you have prepared, there is no harm in telling you."

"Tell me what you know."

"Rejuvenation."

"!?"

Heiji's blunt word nearly made the two prepared men jump in shock.

Then Heizo reacted in the next second.

"So, the person you met in Tokyo was Kudo Shinichi, who had turned into a child?"

He had been wondering who this kid ran into in Tokyo to be so determined to gather intelligence on that organization.

He did not expect it to be the person himself.

Heiji nodded slightly.

"I went to investigate Kudo Shinichi's cause of death and determined there was a direct connection with those two men in black."

"However, before that, I first went to the Mouri family to look for clues. I found the corresponding clues."

"At the same time, I also received a warning from a child named Edogawa Conan."

"The Kudo couple sent their young son to the Mouri family for refuge, and they have already gone abroad. Then there is the information that the Kudo couple only have one child."

(To be continued.)