The unscrupulous detective in Conan

Chapter 1479 Ai Haibara: I don't understand, but I'm greatly shocked.
Fujino glanced at Vermouth's somewhat ominous expression, but didn't think anything of it.

I just felt in my heart that this old lady was hiding a lot of things.

When asked about key issues, she would change the subject here. Fujino could understand that she didn't want to talk about this topic because she had her own interests to consider.

Fujino couldn't deduce this, because it was multifaceted and illogical.

In Fujino's view, given the current situation, all they can do is wait for her to speak for herself, since the fact that she doesn't speak when there's no conflict is the main problem in itself.

It's as if Fujino herself has secrets she can't tell, so Fujino feels that her secrets are at least equal to her own.

If the topic dies, the conversation naturally stops.

Finally, after drinking several bottles of red wine, Vermouth got drunk first and collapsed, lying down on the bed and falling asleep immediately.

Fujino came out of the bathroom and glanced at Vermouth, who was lying on the bed looking sprawled out.

Then, she walked from her bedroom to the living room, put her hands in her pockets, and looked out the floor-to-ceiling window.

Tokyo is still filled with singing and dancing tonight, a picture of peace and prosperity, no different from any other day.

As Fujino breathed, the alcohol in his body was constantly being metabolized, making him feel that even his breath had the smell of evaporating alcohol.

Okay, even if it's incredibly advanced, it's still a normal human body structure.

The waste that needs to be eliminated still needs to be excreted through metabolism; it's just that his metabolism in terms of detoxification has been accelerated.

After recovering from the effects of the alcohol for a while, he let out a long sigh: "It seems like figuring out why she doesn't age is going to be difficult..."

"However, it doesn't mean anything to me."

"This world is becoming more and more incomprehensible to me."

Fujino didn't dwell on it or continue to use his tricks on Vermouth. Instead, he started thinking things through in his head.

In the world of Detective Conan, there are simply too many things that cannot be explained by science, and sometimes even Detective Conan cannot explain them.

A chaotic timeline, people growing bigger and smaller, and some outrageous patterns.

Even more outrageous ones, like assassins and temples, Fujino felt that these things couldn't be explained by Detective Conan, because the Conan he watched in his previous life didn't have these elements...

Fujino used to think he wasn't scientific enough, that the world was too scientific, but now he thinks that neither he nor the world seems very scientific.

He even began to wonder if he had traveled to the wrong world.

Just thinking about it, shrinking drugs and mysterious criminal organizations aren't impossible. If they don't investigate too deeply, Conan, as the protagonist, doesn't really have any way to come into contact with either side...

The reason these things were exposed to him was entirely because he was involved in them.

Sometimes a circle of knowledge is self-enclosed. Within a closed circle, anything can happen as it should. But when an external factor enters a closed circle, the circle will no longer remain in the same state as before.

As Fujino pondered this, he suddenly realized something: "Since science fiction has disappeared from this world, is the fact that this old lady doesn't age also related to the absence of science fiction?"

"According to the Assassin's Creed universe, modern humans are all products of genetic modification by the Forerunners."

"The civilization of the previous era, immortality, and their bloodline genes..."

Fujino squinted in thought, then pinched the bridge of his nose: "Does it possess abilities beyond those of normal humans?"

"It seems quite similar to the situation on Koizumi Akako's side."

"Divination, magic, and family inheritance are possible characteristics of those who came before us, that is, those advanced civilizations from the previous era. If the bloodline concentration is high enough and the corresponding gene fragments are awakened, perhaps this is the essence of magic."

"It's not about chanting a couple of spells and taking off; it's about ascending through genetics."

Fujino's mind raced, and then he connected the brewery with the Temple, which was the same Temple that had previously hunted him down: "APTX4869, the rejuvenation drug, is essentially about working on cells. Going deeper, it might also involve genes. If their exchange with the brewery is to conduct corresponding experiments, then it's possible."

"After all, they were a bunch of cheaters from a previous era civilization. If they really exist, then the technology they left behind could really bring people back to life, or even grant them immortality."

Thinking this to himself, he turned around and looked in the direction of Vermouth's room: "However, this old lady shouldn't have such a thing. She must have tampered with it in some way. Most likely, she's like Conan and Ai Haibara."

"However, whether it was the Miyano family that made her like this or the research they organized before is still up for debate."

"After all, judging from her attitude, she seems to hate the Miyano family to the core. Is it just hatred because of their family, or is the root of the problem with them?"

Fujino squinted, not quite understanding this point.

After all, when it comes to hatred, you can never know what emotional logic drives one person to hate another.

The underlying logic is probably only understood by those involved.

…………

That day, early morning.

Yukiko Kudo flew back to Japan from the United States overnight, and after leaving the airport, she went straight to the Mori family's house.

Yukiko Kudo is as beautiful as ever. Although she has lost her youthful naiveté, her mature, wifely charm gives her a different kind of allure.

Indeed, a beautiful woman is beautiful no matter her age.

Ran thought to herself, a little wistfully, as she opened the door and saw Yukiko Kudo smiling broadly.

She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Aunt Yukiko!"

Yukiko Kudo: "..."

This child is really being very impolite!
When you open the door and see someone, you call them "Auntie" or something!

Would you be willing if I called your mom "Auntie" next time?

As the epitome of an old woman who is not serious, Yukiko Kudo immediately had a lot of complaints in her mind, and the expression on her face naturally changed from a smile to a dark look.

I was a little angry, but considering that the other person was someone I had watched grow up, I held back.

Xiaolan also realized that there seemed to be a problem with what she said.

Although I was being very polite, it seemed a bit inappropriate for the woman in front of me who was about the same age as my mother but felt quite young.

So he simply changed his form of address: "What brings you here?"

"I came back to Japan for some business and stopped by to see Conan!"

Yukiko Kudo didn't react to the nickname; for her, it was already quite good.

The other person is my good friend's child, so I can't very well let her call me "sister".

Otherwise, the hierarchy and other things would get messed up.

She can't be compared to someone about her age...

Hey, you know what, calling someone "sister" really does make you feel younger!

After thinking for a while, Yukiko Kudo suddenly came up with an amazing idea.

"..."

Ran Mouri looked at the aunt in front of her, whose expression was shifting between light and dark, and was completely confused about what had happened.

Conan, who had just finished washing his face and brushing his teeth, heard the noise, toothpaste foam still clinging to his skin, and upon seeing his mother, blurted out, "Auntie?!"

"..."

Yukiko Kudo's illusions were shattered.

Yukiko Kudo decided to teach this disobedient, yelling child a lesson.

Yukiko Kudo rushed up and started giving Conan's head a good whack:
"Conan, it's been a long time!"

"It's been so long since I've seen you, you've really gained a lot of weight..." "And you've gained a lot of courage too."

The last sentence was spoken by Yukiko Kudo in a low voice, almost as if she were gritting her teeth, and her face was definitely not good.

Conan didn't even need to feel it; he could tell that his mother really wanted to send him back to school for a makeover.

The look in his eyes that seemed to want to push himself back was impossible to hide.

Conan was overwhelmed with grief, wondering how he could have uttered such a devastating word.

Looking at the two people being so affectionate, Xiaolan couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, blood relatives are the closest!"

"Aunt Yukiko may have a slightly eccentric personality, but she's still a very kind person!"

…………

Fujino returned home early in the morning.

A hot breakfast is ready: porridge made from leftover rice from yesterday, along with pickled vegetables, and simple foods like eggs and ham.

But it was warm.

Sometimes, that's just how home is.

Ooka Momiji also arrived in the morning and happened to run into Fujino, who had just returned.

The two exchanged a glance but didn't say anything more.

"Were you tired last night?"

After the food was served, Ooka Momiji asked the question with a gentle expression, smiling like a virtuous wife.

Fujino paused in his porridge-drinking motion: "What's tiring?"

"Didn't you go to work yesterday?" Ooka Momiji's expression remained unchanged, clearly showing that she was genuinely concerned about Fujino and asking him if he was tired.

Ai Haibara and the others all looked up at Fujino—they knew that Fujino had gone out to work the night before, so they were waiting for an answer to this question.

It was this simple emotion that inexplicably gave Fujino a sense of guilt for being immoral.

Although he didn't actually do anything wrong, he did go out drinking with other women and then made up excuses about work.

Fujino felt inexplicably damned.

Immediately, he said casually, "I wasn't that tired. It was just some trivial matters. Actually, it was all done a long time ago. I wandered around outside for a bit, dealt with some client matters, and then just found a hotel to sleep in. I didn't stay up all night."

Upon hearing this, Ooka Momiji nodded in satisfaction, appearing somewhat relieved.

Ai Haibara lowered her head and silently began to eat, without saying anything more.

"Ding dong!"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Fujino was closest to the door; this was the living room of the Miyano sisters on the third floor. After getting up, he opened the door and went downstairs.

Those who came to visit included Yukiko Kudo, who was wearing an overcoat; Conan, who was dressed in a classic blue suit and red bow tie; and Ran Mouri, who was wearing jeans and a knit sweater and looked even more like a virtuous wife and mother than Yukiko Kudo.

Fujino glanced at the group and didn't let them talk there.

He greeted them and went upstairs: "Let's go upstairs first, we're having breakfast."

"By the way, have you had breakfast yet?"

"Conan and I have already eaten!"

"Where's Yukiko-nee?"

After hearing Ran's answer, Fujino asked Yukiko Kudo a question.

This deeply moved Yukiko Kudo.

Honestly, she genuinely felt that Fujino was a sensible child.

He actually called me "sister"!

This child is definitely a good child. If anyone dares to say he's bad, I'll be the first to get angry with him!
Yukiko Kudo thought to herself that she hadn't, so she answered truthfully, "Not yet. I came back from running errands, and my schedule was a bit rushed."

"Have some, it's just plain porridge, don't be disgusted."

"Of course I would dislike it!"

Yukiko Kudo smiled broadly; clearly, she was already satisfied with just being praised for her youth.

Today, even if it's just for appearances, even if it's something hard to swallow, she has to try it.

Of course, it's being described as proper food.

Asking about one's purpose upon arrival is clearly impolite.

After finishing our meal, we tidied up the dining table in the living room a bit, and then everyone sat down in the living room to relax.

Fujino then inquired about the purpose of their visit: "Speaking of which, Ran, why did you all come so early in the morning?"

Upon hearing this, Ran replied without hesitation, "It's Conan who wants to become your apprentice, senior."

"Ahem!" Suddenly, a pleasant, light cough was heard.

Everyone looked over and saw that Ai Haibara, who was holding a cup of green tea, suddenly choked.

Akemi patted Ai Haibara's back with concern and whispered, "Are you alright?"

"No, it's nothing..."

Ai Haibara responded with a faint smile.

At the same time, she glanced at Conan and leaned against Yukiko Kudo out of the corner of her eye.

She was actually a little confused about what Kudo was thinking, actually becoming Fujino's apprentice...

To be honest, this was a path she had never imagined.

She didn't understand, but was greatly shocked.

At this moment, Yukiko Kudo smiled and brought up the real issue, saying, "It's my and this child's mother's opinion that he should come and become your apprentice, Fujino-kun!"

"Of course, this child really wants to become your apprentice."

As she spoke, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her eyes full of threat: "You agree, don't you?"

"Yes……"

Conan responded with a hum, completely at a disadvantage when facing his elderly mother.

Upon hearing this, Yukiko Kudo smiled again and said to Fujino, "Fujino-kun, this child is very smart. We think he should learn from you, not just in terms of deduction, but also in terms of how to be a good person!"

Yukiko Kudo emphasized the last two words, clearly indicating that she was speaking to someone.

Ignoring someone's reaction, she continued, "Nowadays, there are very few young men like you, Fujino-kun, who are of excellent character, decent ability, and independent!"

"Having someone like this in their life is truly a blessing for this child..."

"Besides, Fujino-kun, you are my junior brother. If he were to become your disciple, it would be a way to fulfill the bond between our sects."

Yukiko Kudo's words are quite formulaic, but thinking about it, there doesn't seem to be anything else to say about her becoming an apprentice.

(End of this chapter)