Conan: Science Cartoonist Kudo Yuji

“My colleague works in the kitchen for this memorial service, so I can arrange for two of you to go in and assist the head chef. You don’t need to be too conspicuous; just prepare some side dishes.”

When the man returned to Sayoko and the others, he did not return the envelope to her, which meant that the deal was done.

He repeatedly emphasized that the dishes served at the memorial service were controlled by chefs from various cuisines, so the two of them should absolutely not go near the hot food area to avoid revealing their identities and implicating their companion.

"Don't worry, when it comes to infiltration, our family is the professionals."

Sayoko gave Conan a thumbs-up and nudged him in the back. The kitchen helpers in the restaurant couldn't possibly be children, so the man was clearly referring to Hattori Mamoru and Sayoko.

"Is there any way to let this child in as well?"

Seeing that he had no choice but to go in, Hattori Mamoru, worried about leaving Conan alone outside, offered to pay more to send the child into the memorial service as well.

"To be honest, my father, Hattori Heiji, is the Chief of the Osaka Police Department."

He leaned close to the man's ear, took out his wallet from his pocket, and pulled out two 10,000 yen bills printed with "Minami Masamune," intending to stuff them into the man's pocket.

“Let me tell you, we also have dignity. Taking money directly is an insult to our detective assistants.”

The man turned his head and snorted: "You want to give me money? I don't want it. If you keep arguing, you can all go in yourselves."

Clearly, Hattori Mamoru's reputation wasn't very effective in Osaka. He glanced awkwardly at Sayoko and Conan, then silently shut his mouth.

"You claim Heiji Hattori is your father? It's obvious you're not a native of Osaka. Old Hattori did a great job, but his life was ruined by putting his own son in power. How many people in Osaka don't criticize him? Yet you're still claiming to be his son. You're making up stories about family background like this."

The man complained that in other southern regions, people gained military merit and benefits through war, but only in Osaka, because of the Hattori family, no Osaka-based group other than the Sasaki family was allowed to send supplies to the southern government, and they also refused to take sides.

"A step behind means a step behind. No matter which side wins in the end, those who are opportunists and fence-sitters will definitely not have a good ending. It's better to join the Eastern Capital government's organization as soon as possible and completely wipe out those guys in the North."

Sayoko restrained Hattori Mamoru, who was annoyed by the man's complaints, and waved to the man, signaling him to hurry up and make the arrangements.

"That guy knows nothing. He thinks war is only about victory and excitement, but he can't see the people who die on the battlefield!" Hattori Mamoru gritted his teeth and clenched his fists: "Killing your own compatriots, killing people who have hopes for the future of your country, is that something to be proud of?"

“It’s pointless to tell him these things. Such a person doesn’t think he will be sent to the battlefield. Even if he does, it’s only because of the joy and excitement of victory that he forgets the cruelty of war.”

Conan looked at Sayoko, who was talking to the man: "I think Captain Hattori did nothing wrong. He has a deep love for his hometown, which is why he refused to send the people of this land to a meaningless battlefield to lose their lives."

Whether in the North or the South, the highest-ranking official is the same person. The purpose of the internal war is not to lead the country to a clear future, but merely to escape the power struggle among major nations.

[Perhaps there was also some... that guy's personal scheming mixed in.]

"I never expected that a child like you could say such philosophical things." Hattori Mamoru quieted down and looked at Conan with a reassuring and gentle gaze.

"Which branch of the Kudo family are you related to?"

"Edogawa".

"Okay, don't worry, little brother, I'll do everything I can to get you in." "Actually, I don't really want to go in and see dead people..."

……

"I'm telling you, it's one thing to cramm people in, but what's with cramming in a whole family of three?"

In the southwest corner of Sasaki Manor, the man in black successfully delivered Hattori Mamoru, Sayoko, and Conan by transporting ingredients. The chef, who was waiting there in advance, was speechless when he saw that there was also a child.

“It doesn’t make sense to have another child.”

"Don't worry about him, people will think he's the guest's child."

Who would bring a small child to a funeral? It's not a cocktail party.

"Ahem, never mind, I'll be going somewhere else tomorrow anyway, and the Sasaki family won't be able to find me." The chef nodded to the three of them: "Introduce yourselves, or I might forget your names later."

"My name is Sayoko Mouri, this is my husband Mamoru Mouri, and this is my younger brother Conan Mouri, who was raised by us because our parents died young."

Kudo's name is too famous, so it's definitely not an option. The Hattori family's reputation isn't great locally these days either. After thinking it over, I think it's better to use Mori.

Walking behind the chef, Hattori Mamoru was actually quite excited. He leaned close to Sayoko and spoke in a voice that Conan could hear.

"That's great. The old man always tells me I have to live up to the Hattori surname. It's made me want to change my surname a long time ago. Sayoko, I was too embarrassed to ask your dad in front of the old man before, does your mom mind having another godson?"

“She minds, she minds quite a bit.”

Conan glared at Sayoko, who was smirking, and then glanced at his unfilial son.

"Why don't you just change your name to Yuanshan?"

"My mom would kill me. Every time she gets drunk at home, she talks about her past, like how the heiress became her love rival and she fought with all her might and was almost invincible. How could such an outrageous plot happen to an old man like me?" Hattori Mamoru shuddered.

“You have no idea how much my mom wanted to be called Hattori back then, she was obsessed with it.”

I do know that...

"Wouldn't it be fine if we just changed his name to Mori?" Sayoko asked curiously.

"...Aunt Mori's fighting power is unparalleled."

"Ahem." Conan coughed twice.

"Her surname is Kudo!" (End of Chapter)