Stay away from Conan.

On a highway dozens of kilometers away from the pharmaceutical factory, Rena Mizunashi was driving her car smoothly.

Meanwhile, Shiho Miyano, sitting in the passenger seat, was still deeply affected by the identity of the "CIA," and was filled with worry for her sister's safety and uncertainty about the future.

"My sister...who exactly are you...?"

With many thoughts swirling in her mind, Shiho Miyano was still unsure about the situation, even though the man in front of her said he was going to take her to see her sister. Already exhausted from continuous high-intensity work and mental stress, she finally couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with worry for her sister's safety and uncertainty about the future.

Therefore, faced with Shiho Miyano's question, Rena Mizunashi herself was actually somewhat uncertain about the current situation.

Escaping the organization's surveillance with Sherry is only the first step, but whether they can safely reach the rendezvous point is highly uncertain, so which path they will ultimately choose is unknown.

Although the mysterious collaborator provided the route and some support, his identity and purpose remained a mystery. If it weren't for the fact that his own identity had been exposed and he was threatened by him, and that the other party's claims, once confirmed, would make the matter worth the risk, he would never have done it.

after all……

Thinking of this, Rena Mizunashi didn't show any outward expression, and said in a calm tone:
"For details, you should ask that mysterious 'collaborator' directly..."

That mysterious "collaborator"?
Suddenly, upon hearing this address, and recalling what Rena Mizunashi seemed to be reporting to someone earlier, Shiho Miyano couldn't help but picture Takato in her mind—

Could it be him?

but……

At this moment, Shiho Miyano still couldn't fully trust the woman beside her who claimed to be a CIA undercover agent, but there seemed to be no better option at the moment.

So, with necessary vigilance and shock and unease still lingering on her face, Shiho Miyano remained somewhat huddled in her seat.

Rena Mizunashi noticed this reaction and knew that it was unlikely that Shiho Miyano would trust her immediately, but as long as she remained quiet like this, it would be fine.

And so, Rena Mizunashi gazed ahead, preparing to head to the agreed-upon place as usual—

"Ok?"

However, suddenly, Rena Mizunashi frowned slightly and quickly glanced at the rearview mirror.

"what happened?"

However, Shiho Miyano keenly sensed her unusual behavior. Although Shiho Miyano did not intend to ask any more questions, the sensitive reaction of Rena Mizunashi just now made Shiho Miyano uneasy.

"nothing."

Rena Mizunashi shook her head in reply, but her grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly:

"Maybe I'm overthinking it."

That being said, however, in the traffic she had just glimpsed to the side and behind, a dark gray, seemingly inconspicuous Toyota Century sedan had maintained a subtle and constant distance ever since it merged into the traffic from some side road.

With Rena Mizunashi's professionally trained counter-tracking awareness and sensitivity, this distance control was too "perfect," which made it seem a little unnatural.

What made her even more uneasy was that when she tried to accelerate or change lanes, the car didn't follow closely, but it also didn't leave her behind, as if an invisible eye had already locked onto them.

Rena Mizunashi didn't fully reveal her unease, but she quietly became more vigilant and secretly considered what to do next.

"Are we... being followed?" Just as Rena Mizunashi was pondering this, Shiho Miyano proactively raised the question—

Although Shiho Miyano did not actually notice any signs of being followed, Rena Mizunashi's reaction seemed to express this situation, even if she didn't say it.

Hearing that Shiho Miyano had asked this question, Rena Mizunashi simply didn't hide anything and nodded, saying "Mm."

Upon receiving a definite answer, Shiho Miyano stiffened, glanced sharply at the rearview mirror as if trying to identify the person following her, and asked in confusion:

"Someone from the organization? So fast? You've been discovered?"

As she said this, Shiho Miyano didn't see anything in the rearview mirror, but she was certain of what Rena Mizunashi had said. She closed her eyes and sighed, as if imagining her fate.

"Uncertain. The style is unlike the tracking methods commonly used by Gin or Rum's men. More... professional, and more covert."

As Rena Mizunashi responded to Shiho Miyano, she also attempted to change lanes, even deliberately slowing down after a bend. The car behind her made corresponding but extremely natural adjustments, always following her closely.

"Like a ghost."

In this situation, an ominous premonition enveloped Rena Mizunashi—

This stalker is clearly experienced and extremely patient, but their motives are unclear. If they are part of an organization, why not intercept them directly? If not, then who could they be? The "other collaborators" mentioned by the other collaborator?
Rena Mizunashi was quickly planning an alternative route in her mind, and then, as if she had finally made up her mind, she drove the car off the original route and onto another road.

About five minutes later, Rena Mizunashi drove the car off the highway and onto a side road leading to a remote industrial area. Here, traffic was noticeably lighter, and the roadside was lined with somewhat deserted factories and open spaces.

But the Toyota Century continued to follow behind, even closing the distance slightly, as if it was finally about to take action and was no longer waiting.

"Hold on tight, it might be a bit bumpy."

Seeing this, Rena Mizunashi said something to Shiho Miyano, her eyes sharpening—

Following the instructions of the "collaborator" in the backup plan, drive the car to a dead-end road near an abandoned factory area.

But just as the vehicle slowed down and was about to enter an empty stockpile, something unexpected happened!
At the intersection ahead, a gray van without license plates suddenly cut in and blocked the way.

Seeing this, Rena Mizunashi had no choice but to slam on the brakes. With a screeching sound of tires scraping against the ground, the vehicle she was driving almost went out of control.

Almost simultaneously, the Toyota Century that had been following behind accelerated and closed in, directly blocking Rena Mizunashi's escape route.

The doors of the van and the Toyota Century opened simultaneously, and several men dressed in dark civilian clothes, wearing masks, and moving with practiced agility, quickly got out, holding compact submachine guns, and surrounded them in a semi-encircling formation.

Their movements were well-trained and their teamwork was seamless; they were by no means ordinary bandits. Rather, it seemed as if they had deliberately dressed like this to conceal their identities.

"Stay in the car and don't move!"

Faced with this situation, Rena Mizunashi could only let out a low shout and quickly drew her pistol from her waist, but her heart sank in the end—

The enemy had a numerical advantage, superior firepower, and clearly had planned this in advance.

Faced with this situation, Shiho Miyano turned deathly pale, her fingers gripping the car door handle tightly. She already knew in her heart that these people were not members of the organization… (End of Chapter)