Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 429 Mihana Municipal Building!

In the interrogation room, Shiraishi arranged all the things that Moriya Teiji used and looked at in an asymmetrical way.

Although he didn't actually extend a finger, he felt even worse than if he had lost a finger.

Especially Makabe, after discovering this...

"Mr. Moriya, you can't accept your imperfections, can you? Generally speaking, this kind of antisocial personality is caused by psychological shadows planted in childhood. I investigated your family background. Your mother died when you were young, and soon your father, who was a designer, started drinking heavily, working less and less, and began to have violent tendencies, right?" Makabe began to verbally provoke Moriya, and... deliberately looked at him with one eye bigger than the other.

Moritani:……

"Furthermore, not everyone with childhood trauma will develop antisocial personality disorder. On the contrary, it is more likely to trigger this trauma after adults achieve excessively high social status. I believe it is because their personality is not yet fully developed and they cannot cope with the psychological advantage that comes with their status."

……

"Still unwilling to talk? Then let's change the subject... As far as I know, you only started to admire this Western Island-style classical aesthetic and pursue perfect left-right symmetry after you turned thirty, right? So why is it only now that you're starting to blow up your previous works?" Makabe leaned closer and stared at Moriya—not forgetting to point out that one eye was bigger than the other.

Moritani:……

"So... what was the direct trigger that led you to do this?"

Meanwhile, the police did not place all their hopes on the interrogation. They were also investigating Moriya's movements over the past few days, hoping to find clues about the bomb planting, and checking Moriya's early buildings one by one.

……

"Minister! Something was discovered at Tsukishima Bridge... about one-tenth of the plastic explosives have been recovered." Inspector Megure reported to Odagiri at this moment.

It’s really rewarding!
The bridge from Chuo Ward to Tsukishima was also designed by Moriya, and the asymmetrical decorative structures on the left and right sides became a target as well.

"When is the time set?" Odagiri asked immediately.

"Ten o'clock tonight." Megure also suppressed his joy and became serious.

Half of the explosives have not yet been found...

Moreover, the other bombs are likely to be launched at the same time. It's already past 8 p.m., so there are less than two hours left.

Just then, Inspector Danhara rushed in and hurriedly reported, "Chief! Moriya just revealed, under pressure, that... the reason he started this plan is because the mayor of Beika Town was involved in the Mikumo Insurance bribery scandal, which directly led to the obstruction of the Beika City Hall project and ultimately failed to achieve the expected results..."

Although it was only a few words after being provoked by Makabe, Moriya still managed to utter half a sentence, revealing some key information.

"Mihana City Hall?" Shiraishi frowned upon hearing this, and at the same time, the other officers also looked at him.

After all, both "Mihana" and "Mikumo" are keywords related to Shiraishi—"Mihana Chief" goes without saying, and the so-called "Mikumo case" is the case within a case when Shiraishi arrested Atsumori Ryuzō...

The reason why a number of officials behind "Sanyun Insurance" have fallen from grace can also be attributed to Bai Shi's actions!

"But isn't that building designed symmetrically?" Inspector Megure muttered to himself, puzzled.

However, Takagi then reminded him, "No, I heard that the double roof had a slight structural difference during the final sealing..."

Shiraishi had already stood up and said, "I'll go take a look!"

Since this is not the Mikado Bureau and he doesn't need to give orders, Shiraishi's actions are more flexible.

Shiraishi also remembered that the last time he heard about the Beika City Hall was from Ran...

In the bombing cases in "Detective Conan", if a landmark is bombed, half of the assets belong to the Suzuki family.

At the same time, more than half of them will be blown up if Xiaolan is present!
Odagiri glanced at Shiraishi, moved his lips, but ultimately didn't say anything to stop him...

Since becoming the director, Shiraishi has grown considerably in terms of "leadership," or rather... adapted considerably.

However, both Director Hakuba and Department Head Odagiri understood that this was merely a "technical" change and did not represent any fundamental change in Shiraishi's nature.

……

Shiraishi then drove directly to the Beika Municipal Building—because of Golden Week, even though it was already this late, the semi-commercial building was still packed with people!

Police cars were already outside before Shiraishi...

After all, Shiraishi came from the Metropolitan Police Department, and the police cars outside were all from nearby police stations, mostly from the Beika Police Station, but some were from the neighboring Beika Police Station.

"Chief, plainclothes patrol officers and detectives have already entered. The orders from above are that if the building is not cleared within four minutes, personnel should be notified to evacuate immediately. However..." Deputy Chief Murasakibara approached at this moment, looking somewhat troubled.

In addition to plainclothes officers going in to search for the bomb, they should also be prepared for the possibility that the explosion might be unstoppable.

Too many people!

At this point, saying there's a bomb in the building could cause a stampede. But time is running out. If there's really no time left, we'll have to choose the lesser of two evils...

"You continue to direct operations; leave the things inside to me," Shiraishi said, walking directly into the municipal building.

"Director..." Zi Yuan instinctively wanted to stop him, but then listlessly stopped herself.

Shiraishi then arrived at the broadcasting room...

At this point, the staff were also very nervous. They had been informed of the current situation and it was clear that time was running out. Although they had various reasons to evacuate the building, the lack of urgency made the process inefficient.

"Director Shiraishi, now we need to..." The manager on duty saw Shiraishi Kuro and immediately asked for instructions as if he had seen his pillar of support.

The Metropolitan Police Department's explanation was vague, mentioning "pay attention to safety," "notify in a timely manner," and "ensure personnel evacuation"... It's like they wanted both!

Ultimately, the decision on how to proceed rests with them on the front lines. It's easy to see that this "wanting both" is essentially a disclaimer!
Regardless of whether they can truly be "exonerated," if something really happens, it will definitely be brought up in the discussion.

"Give me the microphone, start the floor-wide announcement!" Shiraishi said directly.

"Ah good!"

Upon hearing what Director Mika said, the building's duty manager was moved to tears. He hadn't expected Shiraishi to be so agreeable... No wonder he's Director Mika!

Director Mihua's fan count increased by 1.

"Good evening, merchants and guests of Beika Municipal Building. This is Shiraishi Kuro, the head of Beika Bureau." Shiraishi announced over the loudspeaker.

Upon hearing this unusual announcement, guests on all floors paused, listening with curiosity.

"Due to certain reasons, the Mihana Municipal Building is currently facing a huge crisis. I hope that after this broadcast, everyone can evacuate as soon as possible... But don't worry, I am here right now. No matter what happens, I will do my best to ensure your personal safety."

"Please do not crowd. Let those with children and people with mobility issues go first. Do not use the elevator. Follow the instructions of the police officers wearing armbands..."

Upon hearing the chief's words, the plainclothes officers of the Mihana Police Station put on armbands symbolizing their police identity.

After a moment's hesitation, most of the officers from Beika Police Station were able to pull out their armbands and put them on... In addition, the people from the Capital Security Company also consciously obeyed the orders of Beika Police Station at this time—normally, they would contact the Security Department directly and did not take the local police stations seriously.

"Something happened? Or did Chief Mika come in person?"

"Could it be a bomb? It seems like several bombs exploded in Dongdu today..."

"It's said to be related to the previous theft of the Japanese gunpowder depot!"

"Bomb! Bomb... Run!"

"Why are you pushing? Didn't you hear what Chief Mika said? Maintain order!"

"Mom, don't worry! Chief Mika will protect us!"

……

Even without mentioning the bomb, given the previous news, it's inevitable that some people would guess it.

but……

Fortunately, Shiraishi used his personal prestige to reduce some of the fear in the crowd.

At that moment, a large crowd surged out of the entrance to the Mihana Municipal Building...

The uniformed police officers outside immediately took charge of maintaining order and directing the flow of people.

Just when things seemed to be going in a positive direction, something unexpected happened...

Inside the security room, a security guard radioed: "Manager! There are some kids playing hide-and-seek near the movie theater on the fifth floor... We can't find one of them!"

"What? Director Mika..." Upon hearing this, the manager immediately looked at Shiraishi without thinking.

After glancing at the time, Shiraishi said, "I'm coming right now... Everyone else, evacuate immediately, and tell the security guards to take the parents away too!"

Just as Shiraishi was climbing down the emergency exit stairwell, floor by floor, his phone suddenly rang. When he saw that it was Ayako calling, Shiraishi's heart skipped a beat—under normal circumstances, Ayako would never call him when he was busy, especially when he was in a dangerous situation.

"Hey! Ayako, where are you?" Shiraishi asked immediately after answering the call.

"Xiao Hei, I'm on the fifth floor of the Mika City Hall..." Ayako said nervously.

Shiraishi was immediately at a loss, but at the same time realized that this might not be a coincidence.

after all……

The building wasn't constructed as planned because the mayor of Beika Town fell from power, and the mayor fell because he was involved in the "Mikumo Case." The "Mikumo Case" was brought up again because Shiraishi arrested Atsumori Ryūzō...

So, if we consider that, Moriya bombed this place not only because he was dissatisfied with the work, but also very likely to retaliate against Shiraishi. In other words... Ayako was probably lured here.

The specific reasons why this was brought here are not the time to discuss that now...

"Leave now!" Shiraishi interrupted and urged.

"There's a child... there's a child stuck in this bathroom stall, and Ran is here too," Ayako said anxiously.

Immediately, Shiraishi heard Ran's voice from the side: "Ayako-nee, move aside."

Boom——

Xiaolan seemed to have used some kind of violent means to "remove" something in her way, but of course, the commotion wouldn't have been this big. Just then, a bomb was detonated!

Shiraishi then arrived on the fifth floor, only to find that the entrance to the movie theater was blocked by the rubble of the collapsed building...

"Hello! Hello?" Shiraishi called out hurriedly.

"Kuro...it's okay...it seems like...there was an explosion outside." Ayako's voice came through.

Hearing that Ayako was alright, Shiraishi felt somewhat relieved.

Just then, amidst the roar of an engine, Conan appeared on his skateboard...

"Ran! H-How is it?" Conan was startled when he saw the wreckage outside.

"Conan? Is Conan with you, Chief Shiraishi?" Ran asked quickly.

Shiraishi looked over and noticed Conan twisting the voice changer, so he said, "Conan? No, it's Shinichi Kudo."

"The outside is completely collapsed... I'm afraid we can't get in for the time being, Chief Shiraishi, there might still be bombs inside..." Conan said in Shinichi's voice.

Can't get in right away?

Shiraishi really didn't believe that!
At the same time, the child's crying that had been coming through the microphone stopped intermittently, and the child's voice murmured, "The water tank... there's something with a countdown timer in the water tank... is it a bomb? I want to find my mommy... waaaah..."

"Ayako!" Shiraishi immediately tensed up.

After a rustling sound, Ayako said, "Kuro... there is indeed one..."

After Ayako and Shiraishi described the size, weight, and appearance of the bag, both Shiraishi and Kudo felt a sinking feeling—the remaining nearly one-third of the weight was here!
What if this explodes...

Even if the building is sturdy enough and not so easy to collapse, there will definitely be no survivors on the fifth floor!
"How much longer is the countdown?" Shiraishi asked hurriedly.

"Five minutes...four minutes have passed!" Ayako forced herself to calm down.

"Look around and see if there are any other exits," Conan said immediately.

“Ayako-nee, there’s an emergency exit over there, but…” Ran’s voice came through the phone.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi and Conan immediately ran towards the broken window. Shiraishi then climbed out, circled around the building's exterior wall to the back of the movie theater, and climbed back in through a window, but...

Shiraishi discovered a back door, but it was severely deformed, and there was probably something blocking it. Even when Shiraishi shook it, it didn't move!
"No, this area is also blocked by collapsed beams and pillars..." Xiaolan said helplessly.

If it were just a door jammed, Xiaolan could force it open, but in the current situation, she is powerless to do anything about it.

Conan hurriedly climbed in and just then saw...

At this moment, Shiraishi's whole body seemed to be flashing, and his clothes and hair were lifted up by some kind of unscientific and mysterious updraft. At the same time, he solemnly assumed a ready stance for a straight punch towards the blocked door.

"Shiraishi... Inspector?" Conan had originally wanted to take a gamble and teach the people inside how to defuse the bomb, but when he stepped aside to face them directly, he was shocked to see that Shiraishi's eyes were now glowing crimson, which didn't seem scientific at all...

(End of this chapter)