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

Chapter 557 Yukiko: Murder? Take me with you! (1st update)
In front of a low-key yet luxurious villa in the port area, Shiraishi E stood holding a silver metal box, a playful smile on her lips.

He looked up and surveyed the three-story villa, and had to admit that Yusaku Kudo was indeed clever—choosing a place three kilometers away from the Kudo residence as his real hideout was both convenient for relocation and sufficiently concealed.

"Ding-dong-"

Less than ten seconds after the doorbell rang, Yusaku opened the door himself.

The famous mystery writer was dressed casually in a dark blue knit sweater, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his nose, looking like an ordinary homebody writer.

"A rare guest, Mr. Shiraishi." Yusaku smiled and stepped aside to let him in. "Please come in."

The living room was filled with the faint aroma of coffee, and several newspapers and a laptop were laid out on the coffee table.

Yusaku gestured for Shiraishi E to sit down on the leather sofa, while he walked to the coffee machine next to him.

"I just brewed some Blue Mountain coffee, would you like a cup?"

"Thank you for your help." Shiraishi placed the metal box on the coffee table with a dull thud. "This is a gift for you."

Yusaku paused, a glint of insight flashing in his eyes behind his glasses. He put down his coffee cup and approached curiously: "Oh? What kind of mysterious gift is this?"

Shiraishi made a "please" gesture.

Yusaku first handed the poured coffee to Shiraishi E, then squatted down, paused for a moment on the combination lock of the metal box, and entered the number Shiraishi E indicated—4869.

With a "click," the lid of the box popped open a crack.

Yusaku slowly lifted the lid of the box, and when he saw the "gift" inside, his pupils suddenly contracted—

A boy of about six or seven years old was curled up in the box, in a drug-induced coma.

The child had delicate features, skin so pale it was almost transparent, and short black hair that clung messily to his forehead.

"What is this...?" Yusaku suddenly looked up at Shiraishi E.

Shiraishi E pulled a document from her suit pocket and tossed it onto the coffee table: "Take a look at this and you'll understand."

Yusaku quickly flipped through the documents, and as he read on, his expression gradually changed from shock to ecstasy. The documents revealed that the boy named Tokugawa Masahiko was originally a professional in the entertainment industry.

After taking a certain drug, she was just as lucky as Shinichi, and unexpectedly shrank, becoming a valuable experimental sample.

"Shiraishi-kun, why did you bring him here?"

"This is a gift for you." Shiraishi E crossed her legs. "I think you should know how to make the most of this 'resource'!"

Yusaku's glasses reflected a cold light, and a knowing smile slowly curved his lips.

He certainly understood Shiraishi's intention—handing over this precious experimental sample to the BOSS would not only win the organization's trust but also allow him to legitimately intervene in drug research!

If that happens, Shiraishi E will most likely take advantage of the cooperation with him and the resources of his organization!
"Brilliant!" Yusaku excitedly closed the file and said, "We can declare that he is a survivor rescued from the gambling ship accident. That fills a gap in the investigation report."

Shiraishi E remarked, "As expected of a novelist, her storytelling is truly professional."

"Haha, at least it'll make him look like that!" Yusaku Kudo laughed.

Shiraishi E did not ask the other party how to get the test subject to cooperate.

If he can't even handle things here, Kudo Yusaku might as well find a block of tofu, smash his head against it, and die.

The two exchanged a knowing smile, the air thick with the tacit understanding of a successful conspiracy.

Yusaku gently closed the metal box, then suddenly changed the subject: "By the way, since we're here, there's something I'd like to ask Shiraishi-kun for a favor."

Since the other party has given him such a generous gift, he will certainly make sure that the other party leaves empty-handed!

Reciprocity and establishing a relationship of mutual benefit are the prerequisites for building unbreakable trust!
Yusaku got up and went to the study. A moment later, he returned with a brown paper bag: "After Rum fell from power, his former subordinates have been quite restless, and I have already collected evidence of their betrayal of the organization."

"Could you please deal with them for me?"

Shiraishi E took the document, glanced at it, and frowned slightly: "One million? That's all the money?"

He had initially thought the pay was too low and wanted to refuse.

But upon closer inspection, the unit was US dollars! "Deal!" Shiraishi E said without changing her expression, readily stuffing the document into her suit pocket, and then asked, "Live or die?"

“The kind that keeps its mouth shut forever,” Yusaku Kudo replied casually.

"Okay, just wait for my news." Shiraishi E didn't waste any more words, finished her coffee in one gulp, and turned to leave.

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As night deepens, Tokyo's neon lights reflect a hazy glow on the rain-soaked streets.

Shiraishi E sat in the driver's seat of the black Mercedes, her fingers lightly tapping the steering wheel as her gaze swept over the list provided by Kudo Yusaku—three names, three addresses, all belonging to restless members of the Rum remnants.

First target: a regular at nightclubs in Roppongi, and the finance manager.

Second target: a high-end apartment in Shinjuku, an intelligence liaison.

The third target: the port terminal, the low-level boss in charge of smuggling.

For a professional like him, achieving this level of goal is as easy as taking an after-dinner stroll.

He was about to start the car when his phone suddenly vibrated—the caller ID showed: Yukiko Kudo.

Shiraishi E raised an eyebrow and pressed the answer button: "Hello?"

Yukiko's energetic voice came from the other end of the phone: "Shiraishi-kun~ Are you free? I just finished filming and I'd like to grab a drink with someone!"

Shiraishi E chuckled lightly: "Not tonight, I have work."

"Eh~ What kind of job is it? Is it more important than drinking with me?" Yukiko deliberately dragged out her words, with a hint of coquetry.

Shiraishi casually said, "Kill someone."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, and then—

"—What?! Murder?!" Yukiko's voice rose instantly, not from fear, but from excitement. "Really? Take me there!!"

Shiraishi E: "...?"

Yukiko continued enthusiastically, "I'm a director! I've been worried about not having filmed a real murder scene! Take me to see one, so I'll have something to refer to when I'm making movies!"

Shiraishi E rubbed her temples: "...Are you serious?"

“Of course!” Yukiko said matter-of-factly. “Besides, it’s not like I haven’t seen dead people before. There was an accident on set when I was filming in America!”

Shiraishi E was silent for a moment, then finally sighed: "Alright, but don't get in the way."

Yukiko cheered, "Don't worry! I promise I'll be quiet and won't bother you at all!!"

Half an hour later, in the back alley of a high-end nightclub in Roppongi.

Shiraishi leaned against the wall, lit a cigarette, and watched Yukiko looking around with great interest. She couldn't help but ask, "Are you dressed like this to kill someone or to walk the red carpet?"

Yukiko was wearing a fitted black trench coat, high heels, and even exquisite makeup, making her shine in the dimly lit alley.

"That's called professionalism!" Yukiko lowered her voice, but her eyes sparkled. "If we're caught on camera, we'll look like we're on a date, and no one will suspect anything."

Shiraishi E thought it made some sense, so she let her do as she pleased.

He stubbed out his cigarette, pulled a silenced pistol from the inside pocket of his trench coat, and cocked it with practiced ease: "The target is in the VIP room inside. He'll come out for a smoke in five minutes."

Yukiko leaned closer and whispered, "How are you going to kill him? Shoot him in the head? Or slit his throat?"

Shiraishi E glanced at her: "How do you want me to kill you?"

Yukiko stroked her chin, thinking seriously: "Hmm... If it were a movie, slitting the throat would be more impactful, but in reality, blood would spray everywhere, which would be difficult to handle. A gun would be better, clean and efficient."

Shiraishi E smiled: "...You're quite knowledgeable?"

Yukiko smiled smugly: "After all, I'm the director!"

(End of this chapter)