I'm in Conan, I'm not a gangster

Chapter 379 Yusaku Joins the Organization (1st Update)
The morning dew had not yet dried when Rum returned to the manor after his jog, his tracksuit soaked with sweat. He took the towel handed to him by the butler and casually wiped his face.

"Make arrangements, I need to have breakfast with that FBI guest," Rum instructed his assistant standing to the side before going back to his room to change.

Twenty minutes later, James was led to the sunroom. His tense shoulders visibly relaxed when he saw Rum sitting at the dining table.

"Phew—" James let out a long sigh, pulled out a chair and sat down, chuckling, "I thought I was going to die this time, but it turned out that it was your men who saved me."

One of them was the FBI's head in Japan, and the other was in charge of the organization's intelligence work; the two would inevitably come into contact.

Rum is the right-hand man of Karasuma Renya, a wealthy Japanese businessman. He holds a high position and cannot arrest Rum without a legitimate reason. He can only smile on the surface while secretly plotting to stab Rum in the back.

Rum, eating his plain sandwich, burst into laughter at the comment, his knife and fork clattering together. "James," he said, "you're really lucky. I heard the sewage treatment plant is a complete ruin, and it didn't kill you!"

“I’ve always been lucky.” James watched as the waiter brought him fried eggs, bacon, and milk. Without any ceremony, he picked up a fork and ate, casually asking, “So… that ‘fireworks’ at the sewage treatment plant, was that your doing?”

“No, not really… I’m not that extreme, but I did hire them.” Rum wiped his mouth with a napkin, admitting it without hesitation, and laughed, “That madman is as capable as ever, he even brought in a fighter jet!”

"Sometimes I'm also curious about how he manages to avoid military base radar."

James chopped at the fried eggs on his plate and snorted twice, "How else can we avoid it? Those bastards must have taken the money and are just turning a blind eye."

He had long suspected that the ruthless bandit had connections with the military, and the F-22 fighter jets from last time were strong evidence of that!

However, the FBI and the military are two separate systems, and he had absolutely no way to investigate.

Even if orders are given from above, people won't listen to them.

If they dare to investigate, they'll push their luck and the military will crash the plane in no time and wipe out the entire investigation team.

This isn't just James's wild guess; those guys in the military have a history of this, and it's not the first time.

During the casual conversation, James finished his breakfast.

He also knew that if he didn't offer something of value, he might not be able to leave the manor today.

“Speaking of which,” James put down his knife and fork and said in a low voice, “I heard that MI6 has infiltrated your organization with a few spies. Are you aware of this?”

He planned to use the MI6 undercover agents as bargaining chips to secure his own safety.

Since they weren't his own agents, he naturally wouldn't be polite.

Rum narrowed his one eye slightly, revealing a satisfied smile: "I love talking to smart people, it's so effortless!"

He didn't want to push James too hard. The two had been playing against each other for so many years, they knew each other well, and dealing with him wouldn't be too difficult.

If we force the other party to be transferred back to the rear and replaced by an unfamiliar supervisor, we'll waste time dealing with them again.

Just accept it as soon as you see fit.

After seeing that the other party was willing to accept this offer, James sold his MI6 identities without hesitation for a second.

Breakfast continued in an eerily harmonious atmosphere.

When the coffee was served, James suddenly asked, "By the way, what are you planning to do with Yusaku Kudo?"

Rum stirred his coffee and asked, "What do you think?"

"He's an excellent detective who has assisted the FBI in solving numerous cases," James said, not holding back his praise. "And he's a native Japanese, which would be very convenient for him to operate in Japan. I've always wanted to recruit him, but unfortunately, he only wants to live a peaceful life with his celebrity wife."

Upon hearing this, Rum immediately understood what the other party meant—Yusaku was capable, had something to hide, and had a clean background, so he could be recruited into the organization.

By doing this, the other party can save Youzuo's life while also making him the middleman between the two parties.

Rum put down his coffee cup, the porcelain clinking crisply. "Such a smart man, it would be a real shame to kill him. Why don't we ask him if he'd like to join us?"

“You’re very good at judging the situation.” James smiled knowingly.

Since Yusaku was willing to go on an adventure with him, he certainly wouldn't stand idly by.

He subconsciously assumed that Rum was making such a big move in order to help the people inside the sewage treatment plant rescue Gin.

Since Yusaku's son was killed by Gin, he decided to take this opportunity to help his old friend.

Rum had his assistant bring up Yusaku Kudo.

When Yusaku was brought in, he was still wearing tattered clothes, left over from the car accident.

He saw James sitting unharmed next to Rum, and a thought struck him, leading him to make some guesses.

“Mr. Kudo, I’ve heard so much about you.” Rum gestured for him to sit and smiled, “I never expected to meet you under these circumstances.” Yusaku smiled and said, “Not at all, I’m just a novelist… Thank you for saving my life. May I ask… what’s your name?”

"It was nothing, no need to be so polite. Just call me Rum." Rum smiled slightly and began to exchange pleasantries with the other party.

The name Rum gave Yusaku a jolt, making him realize that Rum belonged to the same organization as Gin.

He suppressed his turbulent emotions and went along with the other person's conversation.

During the conversation, he discovered a different flavor.

Rum didn't come here to chat.
They're clearly here to test my limits!

Yusaku was helpless, but he could only truthfully explain the situation of his wife Yukiko and son Shinichi Kudo.

These facts will be clear to the other party as soon as they investigate; there's no way to hide them.

As for Conan... he must be out of his mind to confess.

After some casual conversation, Rum said, "I heard from James that you are a rare talent, and it's such a waste that you're writing novels... How about you come and work for me?"

Yusaku glanced at James, who then said, "I recommended you. With your abilities, it's a shame you're only a novelist."

Yusaku had rejected James's offers several times, and James was well aware of this, yet he still recommended himself to James.

This unusual situation conveys a very clear message—if you don't agree, you won't be able to leave this manor.

Yusaku knew he had no choice but to smile and say, "I am honored that Mr. Rum thinks highly of me. It would be ungrateful of me to refuse."

Rum nodded in satisfaction: "It's so comfortable talking to smart people!"

He leaned forward. "But don't worry, we value talent. We don't need you to do anything violent."

“Investigation and analysis are my specialties,” Yusaku said with a smile. “After all, I used to be a detective.”

“Very good.” Rum nodded in satisfaction, winked at his assistant, and said, “Arrange for a car to take the two gentlemen back.” He turned to Yusaku and said, “I’ll contact you later.”

As the black sedan drove away from the manor, Yusaku looked out the rear window at the receding buildings, his fingers gripping the armrests of his seat tightly, trying to suppress his excitement.

Unexpectedly, I ended up joining the organization by some strange twist of fate!

He looked at James, who said nothing, but simply closed his eyes to rest, and he wisely refrained from asking any questions.

Once they arrived in the city, the two got off at a bus stop.

James gestured for Yusaku to come with him to the coffee shop. After ordering coffee, he gestured for Yusaku to come with him to the restroom.

After arriving at the restroom, he took off his coat and began the inspection.

Yusaku then realized that the other party was worried about a bugging device, and he also began to check his clothes.

James gave Yusaku an admiring look, then went into a toilet stall, took off all his clothes, and carefully examined him.

After confirming that everything was alright, he then went to the restroom to wash his hands.

After Yusaku came out of the toilet stall, he said, "The inspection is complete, there are no listening devices."

James then said with relief, "Rum and I have been playing against each other for over ten years, and neither of us can beat the other."

"Although we are adversaries, as agents... the most important job is to gather intelligence."

"Therefore, we also have a lot of intelligence exchanges, taking what we need from each other."

Yuzaku nodded knowingly and said, "I understand."

He writes mystery novels and often uses this type of plot, so of course he knows the intricacies involved.

Besides, it's perfectly normal for secret agents to do things like buying and selling intelligence.

If you can't get any intelligence, what's the point of being a secret agent?
James understood the situation and knew the other person was intelligent, so he didn't say anything more.

The two had a simple cup of coffee to calm themselves down before parting ways.

James sent the FBI to pick him up, while Yusaku had to deal with Conan's matter and sort out his own thoughts.

(End of this chapter)