Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 461 The Retreat of the Sword

Just as Shiraishi was fully imprinting the scene in his mind, Itokuro suddenly received a phone call.

"excuse me……"

As he spoke, Itokko walked to the corridor outside the office where the crime occurred and answered the phone.

"Yes...that's right...this...actually, Inspector Shiraishi is currently...uh...received! No problem...yes! Mission accomplished..."

Ito-giri responded obsequiously, much to Shiraishi's dismay.

The person Itogaku is talking to isn't even a high-ranking police officer, but rather...

Yu Jian Lian Shi!

That is, the first-level prosecutor of the Criminal Division of the Eastern Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office, the "young" among the "three generations of old, middle-aged and young".

Although he has only been in the legal profession for a short time, he has never lost a case and is regarded as the disciple and successor of the Demon Hunter, thus enjoying a great reputation in the legal world.

The reason why Itokko has such close contact with him...

This is also related to the "observer system"—which involves placing new prosecutors in the Metropolitan Police Department to work on the front lines of police work, allowing them to better understand police procedures and lay the foundation for future cooperation.

In the SL-9 case that Shiraishi had previously encountered, the reason why Prosecutor Suicide Gate was attacked and killed in the police station was because he was training in the police force as an "observer".

Although the "observer system" is now practically defunct, and most prosecutors who have been transferred are assigned to positions where they have no contact with the front lines, it was not like that when Mitsurugi was in the Metropolitan Police Department!

Mitsurugi had been working with Itokogiri at the time, and after returning to the prosecutor's office, he would often intervene in cases early in the investigation phase—which is actually quite rare in rapist cases…

The cases in which the prosecution intervenes in advance to provide guidance are generally economic or official misconduct.

The Metropolitan Police Department also tacitly acknowledges that Itokozuke is Mitsurugi's henchman, and he usually gets involved in cases from the Eighth Division...

Although in theory the prosecution and the police are two parallel systems with no subordinate relationship, they are actually related in terms of their business operations because the prosecution has the power to prosecute and the police's search targets are "submitted for prosecution"!

Therefore, the police would naturally adopt a humble stance in their cooperation with the prosecutors, with the exception of a certain guy who kept harassing the second chief prosecutor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Prosecutor's Office...

Now, Itokko hesitated—the “exception” was right there, especially since… he still wanted to “protect” the suspect. If Prosecutor Mitsurugi intervened in advance, would it cause a conflict with him?
However, after only "some hesitation" from Inspector Mitsurugi, Itogaku immediately agreed "from the heart".

All cases involving the Eighth Bureau, especially major criminal cases, are immediately reported to Yujian, and this time is no exception.

Because the victim was a lawyer, Mitsurugi was very concerned. After learning that a death had been discovered at the scene, he immediately urged Itomori to secure the clues and write the examination report overnight!

But just then...

Itogaku was patted on the shoulder.

"Ah!" Ito-zuki was startled.

"What's wrong?" Yu Jian's voice came through the phone receiver.

Itokko turned his head and saw Shiraishi smiling and extending his hand: "May I speak with Inspector Mitsurugi for a few minutes?"

“Uh… okay.” Itokozuke clearly didn’t dare to refuse Shiraishi.

"Inspector Mikken, it's me, Shiraishi Kuro," Shiraishi said politely.

“I know… Inspector Shiraishi, the location of the incident wasn’t in Beika Town, was it?” Mitsurugi asked knowingly.

“That’s right. I’m here as a witness who said that three days before the victim was murdered, I heard her sense that she was in danger and that she asked me to help her sister.” Shiraishi said calmly.

“No, it cannot be proven at present that the victim’s murder was related to any premonition she had. The evidence is conclusive now, and the ‘witness’ that Inspector Shiraishi is talking about is not needed in the prosecution.” Mikami understood Shiraishi’s meaning and thus refuted him.

“Perhaps, but it’s not just the prosecution that needs witnesses,” Shiraishi said even more bluntly.

"What does Inspector Shiraishi mean by that? Is he trying to coerce me?" Mitsurugi retorted directly.

"Of course not. The so-called 'coercion' refers to 'notifying someone of something harmful'... I had no intention of infringing on anyone's legal rights; I was simply stating that 'if invited, I will truthfully state the facts,'" Shiraishi calmly replied.

Upon hearing Shiraishi's words, Yujian's expression immediately darkened on the other end of the phone.

"Inspector Shiraishi, please consider this carefully. For a long time, the police and the prosecution have cooperated to achieve the public's desire to punish evil!" Mitsurugi said in a deep voice.

“The police’s duty is to find out the truth of the case, not to cooperate with anyone or fulfill anyone’s wishes… Even if it has nothing to do with the Mikasa Police Station, as an ordinary citizen, it is my own inescapable responsibility to tell the truth in court!” Shiraishi also retorted seriously.

Although Shiraishi's testimony cannot directly prove anything in the case, it will be devastating to the defendant's "motive for murder"!

Generally speaking, police searches and prosecutions place great emphasis on "motives."

but……

Yu Jian strongly disliked this trend!

Does this mean that no prosecution or judgment will be made without investigating the motive?
Or rather, Miken has always resisted investigations guided by "motives," and is more concerned with "facts."

For a long time, Yujian has also pushed for many prosecutions based solely on evidence. As for motives and such... maybe the murderer is just an extraordinary person or a ruthless one?

Shiraishi could understand his thoughts. Putting aside other things, who could have imagined the motives of prisoners like Moriya Teiji and Sawaki Kohei before their oversights were discovered?

Yu Jian has always been willing to use his abilities to actively promote trials and strive to ensure that no criminal goes unpunished.

But now, hearing Shiraishi's "threat," Mitsurugi has no choice but to take it seriously!

If it were an ordinary person, it wouldn't matter; even if they gave the same testimony, Yujian was confident that he could persuade the court not to accept it.

But if it's Shiraishi...

Although in theory Shiraishi's testimony has no different legal effect than that of an ordinary person, this cannot be judged solely on theory. After all, judges and juries are not AI!

And more importantly, it's not the courts that matter, but public opinion...

"Do you know what you're saying? Does Inspector Shiraishi want to see the police and prosecutors disagree, causing confusion in the public's basic sense of justice?" Mitsurugi questioned. "Of course not," Shiraishi categorically denied.

Before Mitsurugi could even breathe a sigh of relief, Shiraishi said seriously, "I hope Prosecutor Mitsurugi can have a clear understanding... Does Your Excellency really think that as a prosecutor, facing me, a witness, in court will cause any confusion among the public?"

At first, when Mitsurugi heard what Shiraishi said, he thought Shiraishi was pretending to be stupid, but...

Immediately following the silence of the sword, Itogaku, who was standing to the side, also sensed the tense atmosphere and swallowed hard.

Will this cause chaos?

Won't……

There's no need to even know the details of the case.

Once this news comes out, at least 90 out of 100 ordinary people will think that "Chief Mihana is stopping the prosecution from fabricating a false charge," and nine out of ten will think that "Chief Mihana is very likely stopping the prosecution from fabricating a false charge."

This trust was earned by Shiraishi through overcoming numerous challenges...

Not to mention, although Yu Jian is very famous and has a great reputation, his "reputation" is actually quite average - there are actually many doubts surrounding his "undefeated" status, such as "fabricating evidence".

Of course, Yu Jian himself felt "justified" - although he would occasionally wonder why some "perfectly timed" pieces of evidence would always appear, but such doubts would not linger in his mind for long.

Moreover, as Yujian said, under normal circumstances, the public's basic sentiment tends to favor a guilty verdict and does not want to see the defendant acquitted through the defense of a lawyer...

However, this is only the "general case". The public will never pay for wrongful convictions. Once a wrongful conviction occurs, the public will be extremely dissatisfied.

even……

If the "Mihua Police Chief" were to stand in the witness stand before the defendant, regardless of whether his testimony provides direct evidence of acquittal, the public would "predict in advance" that it was a wrongful conviction...

There was silence on both ends of the phone. Even the burly Itozumi didn't dare to say a word.

Finally, it was Mitsurugi who spoke first: "Since Inspector Shiraishi says so... I hope you will cooperate with the investigation. I will also get involved in the case ahead of time. I look forward to working with you!"

Yujian spoke through gritted teeth, resentful that Baishi had caused trouble and tried to exonerate the suspect, but judging from what he said, he was undoubtedly cowardly.

Not only did he ask Shiraishi to cooperate, but more importantly, he stopped mentioning things like "sending the case to the prosecutor's office as soon as possible" and instead said that he would "intervene in the search in advance." In other words, he wanted to "persuade Shiraishi" before formally indicting him!
"I would be delighted and look forward to working with you," Shiraishi said with a smile.

"Today... the interrogation time has already passed, right? Then bring the suspect to the Metropolitan Police Department first thing tomorrow morning. I'll be waiting for you." With that, Yu Jian hung up the phone.

Yu Jian was clearly not satisfied with the outcome of the phone call—not only did he have to persuade the judge and the jury, but even the police had caused him trouble!

But to avoid worse outcomes, we have no choice but to do it.

On the other side, Shiraishi returned the phone to Itokiri, and then, as Itokiri awkwardly took the phone back, said, "Inspector Itokiri, I hope you remember your identity... From now on, no matter what progress there is in the case, as long as it is reported to Prosecutor Mitsurugi, you must give me a copy as well."

"Huh? But...you're not involved in the case...uh, okay..."

Itokko had originally intended to bring up the fact that "you were involved in the case as an important witness, not as a police officer in command," but seeing Shiraishi's expression, Itokko decided to ignore it.

"Okay?" Shiraishi asked in return.

"Yes, Superintendent Shiraishi!" Itokuro quickly corrected him.

Shiraishi nodded, patted him on the shoulder, and left.

Itokozuke escorted him downstairs and watched him go, thumping his chest loudly, indicating that he would further search the scene tonight and report the clues tomorrow morning...

However, as Shiraishi walked out of the building and onto his car, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and... it wouldn't be wrong to say he was looking in Itoko's direction, but his eyes were vacant and particularly frightening!
This made the saw at the door stand nervously in the middle, not daring to move for a long time.

Of course, this wasn't Shiraishi giving Itogiri some kind of riddle, but rather...

【Huh? Attorney Ayari, what's going on...?】Shiraishi noticed that Attorney Ayari hadn't followed them out.

"I can't stray too far from the place of death..." Ayari said, her tone filled with regret, but she quickly added, "Although I should be entering the underworld soon, if there's anything I can help with, I can use my summoning ability once Mayoi has calmed down."

Aya's current state cannot be sustained, and she cannot even stray too far from the place where she was killed.

Chihiro Ayasato was able to maintain her current state for a short time because, as a spirit medium, her soul was much stronger than that of ordinary people. However, even so, it only lasted for a few hours—ordinary people would not have a soul when they were killed.

After that, if she wanted to "come out," she could only rely on the power of a "spiritual medium" to temporarily possess the body.

after all……

Although the phrase "still exists" may have diluted the emotions, the undeniable fact remains... she is dead!

"You... can't stay there forever? Should I go help your sister calm down immediately?" Shiraishi asked, frowning.

Shiraishi, who understands some "supernatural common sense," also knows that if Ayari "leaves" at this time, she is completely dead. In the future, whether she is summoned by spirits or communicates with spirits, what appears will no longer be a complete soul, but only "consciousness."

The current Ayari is merely a soul without a body; from the perspective of her soul alone, she is complete.

However, Ayari shook her head and said, "That's not something a spirit medium can do. A spirit medium's power is only 'communication.'"

In other words, even if Maya Ayari is in a normal state, she cannot truly preserve her soul; she can only connect the deceased soul to her body.

Although she was already dead, Shiraishi still felt a sense of "watching someone die" as he watched her soul dissipate and "enter the underworld."

After all, the concept of the underworld is merely a concept used by the "spiritual medium" school of thought. There is no consensus in the "paranormal science" regarding the description of the afterlife. Some schools of thought believe that once the soul disperses, it is simply dispersed, and the spiritual medium's possession is merely a temporary way of binding together the scattered consciousness remaining in the world...

"How about... you possess my body temporarily?" Shiraishi was unwilling to stand by and watch someone die.

Upon hearing this, Ayari glanced at Shiraishi a few more times, but still hesitated before saying, "No, you only have abundant yang energy; it can't completely offset the side effects of being possessed. True soul possession has far greater side effects than a medium's spiritual possession, and it will affect you sooner or later."

Hearing this, Shiraishi nodded regretfully and said, "I see. Then... wait, what about the effects?" Shiraishi paused, then raised his left hand and said, "Then try possessing only my left hand?"

(End of this chapter)