Detective Conan: Becoming a Tycoon in Tokyo! [14]

"Shōichi-san, while the Sumitomo family is indeed powerful, you're new to the construction business. Getting a project like this isn’t that easy."

A balding old man chuckled, patting Shōichi’s shoulder.

He looked at him mockingly.

Just because you’re born into a zaibatsu doesn’t mean everything comes easy.

In construction, if you don’t drink and entertain the right people, how do you expect billion-yen projects to fall into your lap?

Still acting all high and mighty like a zaibatsu heir—reality will teach you soon enough.

A slightly drunk President Takeda waved off his driver and drove himself home.

"He’s already chosen death."

Shōichi stared at the woman in black standing before him.

She frowned. "I won’t help you do something like that."

"Why not? Think of your little sister. Don’t you want to see her sooner?" Shōichi said. "You robbed a bank for her—why not do me this one small favor?"

Miyano Akemi’s voice turned cold. "I won’t keep making the same mistakes."

She wouldn’t become a weapon for people like them again.

"No matter what, I won’t kill anyone for you."

Shōichi raised an eyebrow, almost amused. "You’re so intense. I only asked you to scare him a little."

Miyano Akemi’s fingers twisted at the hem of her shirt.

But you just said he chose death—that doesn’t sound like “just intimidation” at all.

"Where’s my sister?" she asked.

"No idea. Maybe the Organization found her and had her executed in secret," Shōichi said with a cruel smile.

Miyano Akemi clenched her fists. "What will it take for you to let us go?"

"You’re really strange," Shōichi replied. "I’m a law-abiding citizen. I only hired you as my secretary. You’re free to leave anytime—I’m not restricting you or your sister."

...

The first business competition ended in total defeat.

He’d lost his company’s first contract and been thoroughly humiliated by his rival.

Dragging his secretary along, Shōichi made her watch The Godfather and Romance of the Three Kingdoms to “learn business tactics.”

Miyano Akemi sat stiffly.

What do these movies have to do with business strategy?

Have you completely misunderstood what “commercial competition” means?

Even if there’s “battle” in the term, it’s not actual war!

"Excuse me, are you Sumitomo Shōichi-san?" A group of police officers entered the office, flashing their badges.

"Yes, that’s me."

Takagi stepped forward. "Takeda Tarō was found dead at home around noon today. You’re under strong suspicion. Please cooperate with our investigation."

Miyano Akemi turned to Shōichi in shock.

When did you kill someone?!

"Officer, I’m an honest citizen," Shōichi said innocently.

...

At the Takeda residence—Inspector Megure glanced at the pitiful corpse of Takeda Tarō and covered it with a white cloth.

Eight shots to the back.

What kind of grudge leads to this?

"Inspector Megure, there are currently three suspects," an officer reported. "First, Takeda Tarō’s son, Takeda Kazuo. He recently lost a huge sum speculating on copper futures. Mrs. Takeda said he’d asked his father for money, but was refused—Mr. Takeda thought he’d just waste it again."

"Second, the butler. Mr. Takeda had a bad temper and often beat or cursed at him. Plus, the butler once had an affair with Mrs. Takeda. Maybe it was revenge."

"The last suspect is Sumitomo Shōichi from the Sumitomo family. He’s been rebellious since childhood. He recently founded a construction company and lost a contract to Mr. Takeda. Murder out of resentment is quite possible."

Inspector Megure nodded. Those three were indeed the prime suspects.

He turned to the mustached man beside him. "Mouri-kun, what do you think?"

"Hello, everyone."

Shōichi strolled in, cutting off Mouri Kogoro before he could even start his random deductions.

He sat down casually. His gloomy-faced secretary handed him a cup of tea. Shōichi took a sip and passed it back.

"Add sugar next time."

"Eating too much sugar isn’t good for you," the secretary replied flatly.

Shōichi crossed his legs and waved lazily at Inspector Megure.

"Please, continue. Don’t mind me."

Mouri Kogoro leaned toward Megure and whispered, "Is this guy really a suspect?"

He remembered meeting him once over something involving Conan—only knew he was loaded.

Would a guy this rich really kill someone himself?

"He’s very likely the suspect," Megure said quietly.

"Does he know that?"

"He does."

"A suspect acting this cocky? If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was your boss," Mouri muttered.

Megure sighed.

Zaibatsu heirs—always a headache.

Ignoring Shōichi, who was enjoying his tea like it was a café, Megure turned to the forensic expert. "How’s the examination?"

The expert adjusted his glasses, speaking seriously.

"He was shot eight times in the back. Cause of death: suicide."

"Huh!?"

Conan, who was looking for clues, froze in disbelief.

Shot eight times in the back—a suicide?!

Could you say anything more ridiculous?

Megure’s mouth twitched. "You mean… poisoning?"

"Exactly," the forensic expert nodded. "His body contained excessive copper. Death by copper poisoning. The shooter may be guilty of indirect murder."

Eight copper bullets were still lodged in the body; none had been removed.

The expert continued, completely straight-faced. "Of course, it’s also possible Mr. Takeda poisoned himself."

"The world is such a beautiful place. Why would anyone take poison?" Shōichi sighed.

"Yes, quite incomprehensible," the expert agreed immediately.

"What kind of nonsense is this?" Mouri Kogoro groaned.

Megure muttered, "The killer is probably Sumitomo Shōichi. This forensic expert must’ve gotten into the academy thanks to Sumitomo funding. That’s why he’s giving this absurd conclusion."

Turning a shooting into copper poisoning—the man’s shamelessness was truly world-class.

Even if they found proof Shōichi pulled the trigger, he’d twist it around as ‘indirect murder by copper poisoning,’ then hire a top lawyer to make conviction impossible.

Mouri Kogoro slammed his fist into his palm. "That guy is definitely the killer! I won’t let him get away with this!"

Inspector Megure patted his shoulder.

Too few people these days dared to stand up to power—they needed more like Mouri-kun.

"Hmph!"

Mouri shot a glare at Shōichi, who was chatting easily with his secretary, then turned away—only for his eyes to roll back as he slumped into a chair.

"I’ve already figured out who the culprit is!"

Ventriloquist Master Mouri Kogoro had officially gone online.

"Mouri-kun!?"

---

T/N: erm this is an original death! by that i mean it wasnt a canon one

This is a fan translation of 柯南：我在东京当财阀 by 倒霉的菜狗. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!