Stay away from Conan.

Hearing Takato mention that he had eavesdropped on Gin and Vodka's conversation surprised not only Rena Mizunashi herself, but also Shinichi Kudo and Shuichi Akai.

This guy makes it sound simple, but when it comes to the details, how he got close to the other person and managed to eavesdrop on their conversation without being detected is something that can't be summarized in such a casual sentence.

Therefore, the three people who knew about the organization were all secretly curious about Gao Yuan's ability to do this.

However, this matter will be left aside for now, and the three of them will simply continue listening to Gao Yuan's story—

"Based on what Gin and Vodka said about your past, what I learned is:"
"The reason you went from being an ordinary member of the organization to eventually gaining the favor of that person and receiving the codename 'Kil' is mainly because when you were captured by a mysterious spy who had infiltrated the organization, you not only failed to be interrogated by the spy but also killed him, which is how that person noticed you, right?"

After Gao Yuan finished explaining the situation, Mizunashi Rena nodded and affirmed:
"That's how it is, then... what happened?"

With a slightly grave expression, Rena Mizunashi was unaware of what the problem was that allowed Takato to see through her disguise.

After all, everything after that incident clearly indicated that he hadn't been exposed, that person...

His own father's choice to sacrifice himself played a decisive role in securing his position within the organization!

"certainly--"

Faced with Rena Mizunashi's counter-question, Takato changed his tone, his voice becoming calm and unhurried:

From the organization's perspective, there was nothing wrong with this matter from beginning to end.

He looked at Rena Mizunashi:

"You noticed something amiss and followed the undercover agent, but you were captured by him and shot in all four limbs, leaving you with almost no chance to resist..."

"But in the end, he managed to seize the opponent's gun in a desperate situation, killed him, and caused his companion, who arrived later, to realize that his plan had been exposed and choose to commit suicide. Such an experience, if it happened to anyone, would only make one think..."

He paused for a moment:
"You, Rena Mizunashi, are ruthless enough, and loyal enough!"

Hearing this, especially as Takato recounted the details, everyone present, except for the narrator Takato and Rena Mizunashi herself, was secretly shocked.

With such integrity, it's no wonder he was later given important responsibilities; he's an absolutely loyal and ruthless character!

but why……

Doubts arose, and everyone's gaze turned to Gao Yuan—

"Gin believed it, and that person believed it too. Not only did you not attract any attention, but you gained even deeper trust because of this battle. Therefore, the organization needs people like you—"

"In dire straits, they will not yield, but will instead bite the enemy's throat."

Rena Mizunashi did not respond, but her eyelashes trembled slightly as she realized what Takato was about to say next.

"but--"

Suddenly, Gao Yuan lowered his voice slightly, as if he wanted to single out a key point:
"What if we change our perspective?"

Perspective?

What Takato said was overheard from Gin, so it naturally falls under the organization's perspective. Therefore, shifting the perspective refers to...

Shuichi Akai and Shinichi Kudo both frowned slightly.

"This isn't the organization's perspective, nor is it your perspective—"

Takato continued speaking, his gaze towards Rena Mizunashi becoming calm yet penetrating:

"It's from the perspective of the undercover agent you killed." These words startled Shuichi Akai, Shinichi Kudo, and Rena Mizunashi, who then all wore thoughtful expressions.

"An undercover agent who had infiltrated the organization was discovered. Instead of immediately eliminating the tracker or fleeing, the agent spared the tracker's life, intending to extract information from him on the spot..."

"Even if you weren't a core member of the organization at the time, and you were in a high position, you must have possessed extremely valuable intelligence. If he wanted to interrogate you, did he not notice that you had a tracking device installed on you?"

Tracker?
Upon noticing this detail, Shuichi Akai was the first to realize it—

At the time, Rena Mizunashi was someone who had not yet been fully trusted by the organization, so a tracking device was secretly installed on her body, which was a common practice of the organization to test its members.

So, if the person who captured her discovered the tracking device, what would he think?
If Rena Mizunashi's whereabouts become unusual, it will definitely alert the other members of the organization. Then, he will be facing more than just one member of the organization!

"Therefore, unless he was completely unaware of the tracking device, his actions at the time were illogical. Furthermore, the subsequent appearance of the spy's accomplice at the scene suggests that his actions were intended to rendezvous with his partner. Given that his presence had been discovered at the rendezvous location, and the other party was also equipped with a listening device, would a competent spy remain at the scene?"

"You know, this isn't just about his safety; it also concerns the safety of his accomplice who's coming to make contact, completely unaware of the situation!"

As Takato said this, Shuichi Akai immediately realized what was going on—

"So, the reason that person did this is because, for him, protecting Mizunashi Rena was a much higher priority than protecting his own life and that of his companion?"

"Or rather, the spy at the time simply didn't have the luxury of thinking about his partner who came to make contact with him; he was only focused on protecting you, Rena Mizunashi, right?"

Gao Yuan offered a speculative explanation.

After he finished speaking, the silence in the ward became extremely long.

Rena Mizunashi was still lying on her back in the hospital bed, but her face looked even paler, and her gaze was fixed on the ceiling, as if she was lost in some very deep thoughts.

Her lips moved, but no sound came out for a long time.

Hondo Eisuke stood to the side, as if all his strength had been drained away. His clenched fists unconsciously loosened, and as if realizing something, they hung limply at his sides, trembling slightly.

Shinichi Kudo's gaze swept back and forth between Takato and Rena Mizunashi, his mind racing as if he were reassessing every aspect of the reasoning.

Shuichi Akai remained standing by the door, arms crossed, his expression calm, but something flickered slightly in his eyes, as if he had begun to consider his next plan.

After a moment, Rena Mizunashi slowly spoke, her voice slightly hoarse:

“You just said that you only eavesdropped on Gin and Vodka’s conversation.”

She turned her head, her gaze finally shifting from the ceiling to Gao Yuan:
"Can you really deduce this much from just a few words?"

"You sensed the unusual nature of my relationship with that spy, so when you discovered Yingyou's motives for trying to find out my true identity, you finally learned about it?"

At this moment, without Gao Yuan needing to explain further, Mizunashi Rena had already clarified the reason for her exposure—

"Or rather, this analysis is actually not difficult, it's just hindered by..."

"Whether it's you, your father, Gin, or the organization, they all only care about themselves and haven't tried to put themselves in each other's shoes."

Gao Yuan responded in this way, then changed the subject:
"Of course, I've also heard it said that the best undercover agents are either too self-centered or have no self at all..."

"It seems you all belong to the former category. Perhaps this is also your..."

"Limitations." (End of Chapter)