Conan: Chief of Rice Flower's Science Points

Chapter 473 Memorial Service
After dinner, Shiraishi's phone rang.

"Hmm?" Shiraishi answered the call while going to the bathroom after seeing it.

"Hey, this is Shiraishi... Calling me at this hour, oh good news? I see... You're really patient... I hope you succeed! Oh, by the way, there's something else I need you to find out for me..."

It was Yujian's call.

Higashiyama Hideomi, who was just released from prison yesterday, couldn't resist going to that little wooden house to destroy the "evidence."

As a result, he was arrested on the spot by Itogaku, who had been following him!

Having already evaded punishment for five years, Higashiyama Hideomi was naturally not going to confess honestly. He had already prepared his excuse—that he had heard about it from Yamakawa Akira and came to see it out of curiosity...

However, Yujian saw through his plan—Shiraishi had already instructed Yamakawa not to reveal the exact location when discussing this matter, but to simply pretend to accidentally mention that "it was put back."

In this way, apart from Akira Yamakawa, theoretically only the murderer who placed the shovel there would know where Yamakawa was referring to!

Higashiyama wasn't giving up yet, insisting that Yamakawa Akira had let it slip, but...

Shiraishi gave Akira Yamakawa a voice recorder right then and there!
It wasn't to record anything, but simply to prove that Akira Yamakawa definitely didn't reveal the exact location.

Even so, it is not conclusive evidence. After all, even if this is proven, it would only prove that Higashiyama did have a plan that required the use of a shovel and was carried out in the Mika Forest. However, Mikazuki has already told Shiraishi that he will still file a lawsuit!
Compared to the previous evidence which was all circumstantial, Yujian is now confident in filing a lawsuit.

……

On Saturday morning, May 27, 2016, many men and women dressed in black suits could be seen outside the auditorium on the first floor of the Beihu Hotel. They registered and entered the auditorium.

Outside the auditorium stood a sign that read "Memorial Service for Sakamaki Akio"...

Shiraishi and Yukiko entered Beika Hotel together—the two had met beforehand and exchanged "children" who had already been made up.

As for Ayako...

Shiraishi specifically told her not to come!

Although there might not actually be any danger, Shiraishi is after all plotting against the "Black Organization," and if Ayako were present, Shiraishi would have more to worry about.

"Hmm? That's... Chief Mika, right?"

"That's right. I heard that he was invited because of Ms. Suzuki."

"But Ms. Suzuki didn't come today..."

"Isn't he right there...wait, that's not right! Look who's next to him!"

"It looks like... Yukiko Fujimine?"

"Huh? And she's holding a child's hand... What kind of relationship is this?"

"Tch, you didn't know that? Of course Chief Mikasa and Yukiko Tengfeng know each other. It's said that they even worked together during the case of Liu Zao, the Atsumori!"

The arrival of the two prominent figures attracted considerable attention.

This was a "memorial service," not a "funeral service," so although everyone was dressed in solemn dark colors, there was no somber atmosphere. The venue was filled with clinking glasses and laughter.

After registering at the concierge desk, Shiraishi and Yukiko walked into the auditorium together.

Although Shiraishi Kuro and Fujimine Yukiko were guests invited at the last minute, they immediately attracted everyone's attention as soon as they entered.

At first, you'll naturally notice Shiraishi Kuro, but you'll soon start to notice Yukiko too!
Because it was a memorial service for a famous director, there were naturally many people in the industry present.

To them, Yukiko was a "legendary" star...

As for those who pay more attention to Shiraishi, they are all "people from all walks of life" in Tokyo, who have long heard of Shiraishi Kuro's great name!

Soon, people came over with wine glasses to greet the two of them and exchange pleasantries.

Shiraishi also took the opportunity to separate from Yukiko and Conan (who was dressed as Ai) with Conan.

Just then, she suddenly sensed something and looked towards a corner of the auditorium, but all she could see was a black skirt disappearing behind the curtain.

"Director Shiraishi, is this your sister?" the person who greeted him asked Shiraishi.

“That’s right, the kid has a cold… Call him Uncle.” Shiraishi said, ruffling Conan’s wig.

At this moment, both Conan and Ai were wearing masks, which served as double insurance!

After all, there are likely people here who have seen them before, and Yukiko is not so disguised that even people she knows wouldn't recognize her.

Therefore, the two wore masks to cover most of their faces, so that even if someone knew them, they would not suspect anything.

In critical situations, if you discover a target of the "Black Organization," you can try to let them see their entire face directly. This way, the information the Black Organization receives will be that "they just look a bit like Sherry/Shinichi Kudo when they were young."

"Hello, Uncle..." Conan's voice was completely Ai's because of the voice changer.

Meanwhile, the child that Yukiko was with also attracted everyone's attention...

"Hehehe, that's right, this is my second son... Just kidding!"

"It's a relative's child..."

"Yes, she caught a cold too. Too many kids have been getting colds lately."

……

After exchanging pleasantries, taking advantage of the fact that there was finally no one around Shiraishi, Conan, who was looking around, asked in a low voice, "Hey! Why don't I see any Public Security personnel?"

"Public security? Why would public security officers be here?" Bai Shi asked, sounding puzzled.

Conan:? ? ?
"You...didn't you call the police?" Conan asked in surprise.

“I didn’t say I would call those guys, did I?” Shiraishi asked matter-of-factly.

"Aren't you in contact with the Public Security Bureau investigating the Black Organization? You were involved in Attorney Ayasato's case before, weren't you..." Conan had also heard about that case.

Xiao Zhongda is also a member of the "Black Organization" and seems to be a glove figure used by the "Black Organization" to communicate with political and business figures.

Conan was getting a little anxious—he had thought that Shiraishi would definitely notify the police, but after looking for a long time, he still couldn't find any guests who were "suspected to be plainclothes police officers".

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi shook his head and said, "That Koichi... was the murderer who killed Attorney Ayasato. He was silenced the day before yesterday."

Conan: ...

This is why Shiraishi has a new assessment of the police's capabilities!
Shiraishi already knew that the reason the Public Security Bureau established an independent department to handle the "Black Organization" was because some high-ranking members of the Public Security Bureau had shady dealings with the "Black Organization," and if the department wasn't independent, nothing could be found out...

However, the fact that Xiao, Zhong, and Da were silenced also tested the capabilities of this independent department.

If they were to arrest ordinary members of the Black Organization, they might be able to keep their jobs. Even someone like Waki ​​Kojiro, who hasn't been officially recognized yet, could be released as bait.

Although those within the public security system, as well as politicians who can exert pressure on the public security system, may not want to see this department make any discoveries, they will not make their intentions public or expose themselves.

However, when it comes to important members...

Especially people like Xiao, Zhong, and Da—their status in the Black Organization may not be that high, but their positions are crucial. In fact, it could be said that as long as you get them to talk, you can find out who in the political and business circles has any connection or cooperation with the "Black Organization"! However, such people are obviously not people that the police can control.

Within two days, Shiraishi learned that he had been silenced—the official explanation being that he had fallen ill while in custody…

Afterwards, Shiraishi called Kazami to confirm. Although Kazami was embarrassed, he could only admit that this was not a lie they made up to protect Konaka, but rather... Konaka had been assassinated!
The ability to do this depends not on the skill level of the assassin, but on the influence of the forces behind them.

Clearly, many people don't want this guy, who has "incriminating evidence against countless people," to fall into the hands of the police, and the police are powerless to protect him...

Because of this incident, Shiraishi reassessed the capabilities and credibility of the department that Furuya Rei was in charge of.

"Hmm?" Conan, who had been silent because of the news that Koichi and Dai had also been silenced under the protection of the Public Security Bureau, suddenly turned his head to look around suspiciously.

"What's wrong?" Shiraishi asked upon seeing this.

"It's nothing..." Conan didn't say anything, but... he just felt a gaze on him!

Conan also has strong intuition and is very sensitive to gazes directed at him.

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi also looked in the direction Conan had just been looking, but...

Too many people.

Some of the people Shiraishi knew, such as Kenzo Masuyama, with whom Shiraishi had some unpleasantness before, and Yasuo Sanpei, whom he had met a few times at other gatherings.

The former is the chairman of the Masuyama Group. He had some dealings with Shiraishi before. However, when they first met, Shiraishi confiscated his luxury car as a gift. A few months later, Shiraishi also taught a lesson to one of the group's perverted department heads. Although Masuyama Kenzo would not openly break off relations with Shiraishi afterward, their relationship was indeed quite strained.

The latter was also the president of a large company and the investor of a professional baseball team. Because much of his business was in Beika Town, he had met Shiraishi a few times on various occasions.

As for those I don't know...

That's even more!
After all, this was a memorial service for Director Sakamaki, and most of the attendees were people in the industry. Shiraishi didn't know many people in this field, but he was more likely to know important figures in politics or business.

Just then, a minor disturbance broke out at the entrance of the auditorium...

Shiraishi and Conan looked over and saw a group of reporters surrounding another "acquaintance" of Shiraishi, asking questions and recording videos.

“That Congressman, there’s been a lot of news lately about him taking bribes, and there are even rumors that the prosecutor’s office is already keeping an eye on him… Could he be the one who’s about to go to jail?” Conan asked in a low voice.

That's right, this guy is none other than Shigehiko Tobuchi, who came to Shiraishi to show off his "beep" skills many times shortly after Shiraishi took office!

This guy is a member of the Metropolitan Assembly and also from Beika. He was the one who introduced Shiraishi to Masuyama. When Shiraishi refused to accept the car, Masuyama hadn't said anything yet, but this Assemblyman, Tobuguchi, got flustered like a clown. Later, because of the matter of the department head of the Masuyama Group, he even brought a lawyer to the Beika Police Station to cause trouble for the victims, only to be "slapped in the face" by Shiraishi...

Later, more and more people were "dealt with" by Shiraishi, especially after faction leaders like Atsumori Ryozō were arrested by Shiraishi, Tonguchi Shigehiko no longer dared to come to Shiraishi.

This guy has been getting a lot of negative press lately...

Upon hearing Conan's question, Shiraishi nodded and said, "Yes, I asked some acquaintances at the prosecutor's office... they are indeed investigating this guy."

Although such cases are not under the jurisdiction of the Criminal Division II, as a first-class prosecutor, Miken can certainly hear some important news in the prosecutor's office.

The reason Conan asked about it, and even yesterday Shiraishi specifically confirmed it with Mitsurugi, was precisely to see if he was "about to go to jail".

After all, the person the Black Organization wants to kill today is someone who's "about to go to jail," otherwise they wouldn't have said "kill them before they go to jail"...

The security guards at the entrance of the auditorium stopped the uninvited reporters, and only then did Tun Kou squeeze in, escaping the siege of "long guns and short cannons".

"These bastards, what the hell are you asking! It's none of your business!" He muttered under his breath, his face no longer beaming with smirk.

but……

Having just escaped the reporters' jaws, he immediately ran into a "wall".

Looking up, Tunkou's face immediately turned even more bitter.

"Director Shiraishi...what a coincidence?" he swallowed and chuckled dryly.

“Councilor Tobukuro, everyone’s been saying you’ve taken bribes lately? How much?” Shiraishi asked with a wide grin.

When Tunkou heard Shiraishi ask this, although he was angry, he still smiled apologetically and said, "You're joking...it's all just rumors!"

"Oh, you were so angry when I refused to accept gifts. I thought the rumors were true, hahaha," Shiraishi said deliberately.

Upon hearing this, Tun Kou's face darkened, but he still managed a forced smile and said, "You must be joking..."

Shiraishi mocked Tunkou fiercely, but did not mention Masuyama. After all, Masuyama was also a big shot, and Shiraishi had no reason to offend him.

at this time……

click-

Suddenly, it got dark.

Shiraishi was also surprised for a moment, but then realized as the stage lights came on that it wasn't a power outage or anything like that, but rather the main activities of the memorial service were beginning.

After the lights went out, images were projected onto the stage in the style of old film reels, accompanied by the host's voice.

This is also to reflect the status of Sakamaki as a veteran director, using this method to review Sakamaki's life...

Although it was pitch black all around, Shiraishi wasn't in a hurry—after all, with Shiraishi's eyesight, this level of darkness was nothing.

The only thing that affected Shiraishi's view was the projection screen in front of him!

The moment the lights dimmed, Shiraishi's eyes immediately switched to "dark vision" mode, but this made the projection screen seem a bit too bright.

Because of the incredible strength of his visual cells, Shiraishi didn't find it dazzling or cause any damage; however, it was somewhat affected by excessive brightness.

Shiraishi squinted and saw Tunkou sneaking around in the crowd, so he immediately followed.

……

at this time……

Biu——xiu——

Suppressor! Bullet!

Shiraishi realized something, but just as he was about to turn his head to look in the direction the gun had been fired...

Jingle Bell--

Shiraishi heard the sound of metal shattering from the chandelier above him, and...

Upon seeing the enormous chandelier, it suddenly crashed down, and standing directly beneath it was none other than Shigehiko Tobuchi!

"Squat down!"

Bai Shi roared and charged forward without thinking!
A mere chandelier weighing a little over 100 kilograms... how can it compare to my well-trained trapezius muscles!

(End of this chapter)