The establishment of the Time Travelers Alliance began in the first year of Conan

Chapter 120: A Penny Can Make a Hero Stumble, a Million Can Make a Detective Stumble (Two in One)

For Kogoro Mouri and his crew, shortly after entering the rest car, Xiaolan and Conan stared at Uncle Mouri with contempt as he looked around and tried to take on a commissioned case.

Following the sound of brisk footsteps, two waiters in suits and smiling faces appeared in front of them and said softly in an elegant tone:
"Mr. Maori, Ms. Ran, and Mr. Edogawa, someone would like you to rest in the VIP carriage."

"Hahahaha, I knew my reputation as a famous detective had spread—"

"Dad! Everyone's watching!"

As for Conan who was following the waiter, this time he did not complain about Uncle Maori's unreliability in his heart at all.

Conan is worried about this journey to find the pointer.

That is, when discussing what the "pointer" refers to, Conan suddenly thought of a question -

Yesterday, he had checked with Dr. Agasa about the minimum capital verification starting point for this auction.

"It only costs one million dollars!"

And if the pointer is really in the collection to be auctioned.

"Then getting the pointer means—"

This means Conan needs to buy the collection.

After all, a detective can't just steal things!

Even Dr. Agasa felt a little embarrassed by this question.

The inventor, whose experiments often failed, spent most of his money on inventions and research.

"And Conan, if the minimum cost is one million US dollars..."

Faced with such a goal, Conan faced for the first time a problem that was completely unsolvable by reasoning and detective work.

This is really a million dollars that can stump the detective!
Scratching his head in annoyance, Conan started to worry about money for the first time, and he couldn't help but have an idea.

My father seems to be a very famous novelist, so...

If it really doesn't work, I'll have to call my dad for support.

But wouldn't it be the case that I became smaller...

Just when Conan was struggling with his conscience.

As the group slowly walked through carriage No. 2, they finally arrived at the door leading to the VIP carriage.

It is no longer a simple decorated, automatic telescopic door, but a real mahogany door that is like a work of art.

The door frame was obviously lacquered gold and carved with solemn reliefs, which reflected a charming luster and every tiny detail under the soft light.

For Conan and his crew, it was as if the set had suddenly changed, as if they were not walking on a train, but walking through the corridor of a castle.

The other two waiters who had been standing on both sides of the door bowed their heads and respectfully opened the door for the three distinguished guests.

"Please come in, the master is waiting for you."

The moment the door was pushed open, Conan felt as if he had just walked through an ancient castle.

It was obvious that what he was seeing now was a palace.

The curtains were a noble dark purple, with patterns outlined along the edges with gold thread. Even the air in the carriage was filled with a light, elegant floral scent.

The crystal chandelier above the head, the paintings on the walls of the carriage... everything is so luxurious.

“It’s amazing…”

Even Kogoro restrained his exaggerated smile. He muttered to himself that to be honest, this VIP treatment far exceeded his expectations.

Conan had already seen the truth, and he couldn't help but hold his forehead and said to himself.

"I should have thought of it earlier."

Because the familiar figure standing at the door was Suzuki Sonoko.

"Xiaolan! I just saw you on the guest list and asked those guys to bring you over!"

It was obvious that Sonoko was very happy to meet an acquaintance on this trip, and there was a hint of pride in her voice.

"How's it going? I also had a hand in the design of this carriage!"

I didn’t expect that Sonoko had this kind of aesthetic sense?

Conan couldn't help but complain in his heart. To be honest, he even suspected that the garden in front of him was a fake one.

This guy didn't just rush over as usual, he even straightened his clothes a little.

This feeling of being less impulsive and more elegant made Conan feel strange.

But as the two waiters at the door gently closed the door of the VIP compartment, Suzuki Sonoko immediately put down her "noble lady" attitude.

The elegant smile on her face immediately became even brighter, and she even rushed to Xiaolan's side like a rabbit.

Before Xiaolan could react, she was pulled aside by Sonoko.

Suzuki Sonoko put her hand behind her mouth and whispered mysteriously into Xiaolan's ear.

"You know what? Xiaolan, I recently discovered a handsome guy with super high fighting power!"

Conan almost fell to the ground because of this sentence——

Now that familiar feeling came back immediately.

This is definitely a real garden.

Stars appeared in Suzuki Sonoko's eyes. She clasped her hands tightly to her chest with excitement and anticipation, praying to God for the success of her next love.

"This time, I begged my uncle for a long time before he was willing to bring me up here, so! It's decided!"

Conan was very familiar with that look and tone of longing, so what should happen next is...

Sure enough, Conan heard about Sonoko's new love plan right after that.

"Xiaolan! You must help me choose a famous sword! I want to buy it and give it to him!"

This made Conan, who was standing at their feet, roll his eyes and even twitch the corners of his mouth.

This kind of obsession with romance and love is really exaggerated...

Conan completely couldn't understand Sonoko's train of thought.

But Suzuki Sonoko's fantasy has not ended yet.

"Ran, think about it, how romantic it is! A handsome and loyal warrior by the side of a princess... In the end, the brave warrior protects the princess from danger, falls in love with her, and is even forced to rebel against the daimyo..."

She was so excited when she spoke that she almost forgot her surroundings.

Conan and Kogoro saw that the elder standing behind Sonoko, Suzuki Jikichiro's face became more and more gloomy, and his brows were furrowed more and more tightly.

Even Xiaolan couldn't help but pull Sonoko, who was lost in fantasy, with worry.

"Um, Sonoko? Uncle Jikichiro—"

Just when everyone thought the old man was going to get angry because of Yuanzi's behavior.

"very good!"

Suzuki Jikichiro's contemplation suddenly turned into excitement, and even his voice was filled with infinite enthusiasm.

"A garden should have this kind of spirit!"

The 72-year-old man clenched his fists and then slammed his palms hard, as if he had gotten some inspiration from what Yuanzi had just said.

"This enthusiasm is as hot as a sunflower!"

Suzuki Jirokichi stood up, his eyes suddenly became bright, and he slammed the table hard.

"I've also made up my mind! This time I'm going to buy all the paintings related to sunflowers!"

"I want to collect all the famous paintings related to sunflowers in the world and hold an exhibition!"

The worry on Xiaolan's face instantly turned into helplessness, and she also turned her head and put her mouth close to Yuanzi's ear.

"Uncle..." Xiaolan used a more euphemistic word, "Uncle Jiroji is really very motivated--"

"Yeah," Yuanzi said helplessly, "Actually, Uncle had already decided to hold this exhibition. He'd already spent $3 million on those paintings..."

Then Sonoko's tone also became a little hesitant. Suzuki Sonoko both supported and opposed this matter.

"Uncle wants to use this opportunity to challenge Mr. Kidd. After all, Mr. Kidd hasn't appeared in a long time. So Uncle wants to capture Mr. Kidd while holding an exhibition."

Conan's heart continued to break. Of course, he had heard of the name Kidd, a thief who stole gems and returned them. But just because of this, he spent 3 million US dollars...

Looking up at the crystal chandelier on the roof, Conan didn't want to talk at all.

The same thing happened to Kogoro standing next to him. His mouth was almost drooping to the ground in surprise.

This huge number made Kogoro stutter even when speaking:

"Three hundred million! Just because... because that thief named Kidd spent three... three hundred million US dollars!"

"Kaito Kidd! I will never forgive that man!"

Suzuki Jirokichi's tone became excited because of Kogoro's words.

"No matter how much it costs! I'm going to use that grand exhibition to challenge Kaito Kidd!"

Everyone present could feel the rage burning in the old man.

"But why do you have to catch Kidd? Did Kidd steal your jewel?"

This made Kogoro, a famous detective, a little confused. He remembered that Kaito Kid would never actually steal the gems.

"Kid... Kaito Kid..."

Suzuki Jirokichi's head was tilted towards the sky, his body trembling slightly with anger, as if he was recalling the greatest humiliation of his life.

"I will never forgive him!"

The old man even walked up to Kogoro and pointed his finger at him.

"Listen, and all of you too. I'm telling you, I, Suzuki Jirokichi, will definitely catch that guy myself!"

"I won't let anyone get in my way! Do you hear me?"

Seeing Uncle Jiroyoshi once again getting excited, Suzuki Sonoko couldn't help but feel ashamed.

She held her forehead helplessly and whispered to Xiaolan:

"Alas...uncle has started again."

As Suzuki Jirokichi made his bold statements, the 72-year-old sat back in his seat, his voice growing heavy.

"When a man is seventy-two years old, you can't ask too much of his body."

"So you are..."

Kogoro has guessed the truth. Could it be that Kidd has made this rich man——

"Because he took everything from me!"

Then they got the truth from the angry Jirokichi.

"Let me tell you, over the past few decades, I've accumulated countless glories and made countless headlines. But! There was only one exception!"

Kogoro Mouri perfectly played the role of the old man's supporting actor, and he had already guessed the truth of the matter.

"That time, couldn't it be——"

"That's right! And that guy not only stole the front page, he even stole my second page! My feat of flying around the world in a human-powered plane was only published on page three!"

(A human-powered plane flying around the world... is that really possible?)

The veins on Suzuki Jirokichi's forehead bulged with anger.

The 72-year-old man almost picked up Kogoro. He grabbed Kogoro Mori's collar and shook his body desperately, spitting all over the place.

"Do you understand the humiliation I've suffered?!"

"Can you understand that kind of sad feeling?!"

The strangled Kogoro gave an apologetic smile, "I think I can understand."

"Very good!" Jirokichi released his hand that was strangling Kogoro's neck, "I've heard from Sonoko that you are a very famous detective."

"Even this time, I'm already prepared! In order to completely lure Kidd onto this train, I've already spread the word before the train starts, and I'm confident Kidd will come this time."

"After all, even I had a hard time borrowing the gem called the Wedge of Dawn and Dusk."

The fact that the Suzuki Group used the word "borrow" instead of "buy" is obviously not an ordinary gem.

To be honest, this name surprised everyone even more than what Jirokichi had just said.

"Could it be that gem worth 100 million US dollars?"

"Yes," Suzuki Jirokichi was very satisfied with the performance of the people around him, "It is the national treasure that I borrowed from that country in the name of the Suzuki Group!"

"Anyway! Maori Kogoro, if you can help me catch that thief Kidd and let me return to the front page of the newspaper again, I am willing to pay 10 million--"

"No! I'm willing to pay a commission of 100 million US dollars!"

"Hahahaha!"

This old man and Suzuki Sonoko are indeed from the same family. He has already started to put his hands on his hips and imagine himself catching Kid.

"This time on this train, he definitely won't be able to fly away as easily as before with a glider. When..."

Conan didn't continue listening, his eyes suddenly lit up.

I touched the watch hidden in my underwear pocket, and the hands that matched the dial should be very small.

Even a diamond hand wouldn't be too expensive.

If I help Uncle Maori catch Kidd for such a small item, it shouldn't be a problem to persuade Uncle Maori, who just made 100 million, to buy it for me!
In his heart, Conan had already made up his mind to catch Kid.

And what is Kaito Kid, who Conan, Kogoro Mori and Jiroki Suzuki are always talking about, doing now?

Kuroba Kaito, who has an IQ of 400 (official setting) and has memorized all the guesses given by the League, is looking at the map of the train car to determine which one is his destination.

This feeling of deducing what his future self would steal made him feel a little strange, just like a person trying to guess what he would do next.

Although he had memorized all the contents by heart, Kaito still took out the theft notice letter he had prepared and took a look at it.

Every word on it was written by him personally.

"When the boundaries of science cut through time,
A second shadowless knight will show the way.

I will take the decision of fate,
In the seventh step, reality and illusion intersect.

——There is no need for judgment, the answer has already been engraved on the compass of lies."

At the end is his signature, "Kaito Kidd".

"The boundaries of science cut through time. That's easy to understand. It probably refers to my joining the 'boundaries of science'. But the second invisible knight..."

Kaito recalled the analyses given by the Alliance.

"If time is associated with hands, does 'second' refer to the second of the two auction compartments, namely, the small items and the clocks?"

"'Shadowless' means time has no shadow?"

"But the pointer and compass are in the third carriage. Could 'Guiding the Way Forward' be related to this? Considering those people said the number three is very important..."

"As for 'Destiny's Decision', it's pretty self-explanatory. It refers to the object to be stolen, an object whose name or intention is connected to fate. Then, 'Seventh Step' might refer to the seventh item in the order of auction?"

Kaito put away the notice in his hand, unfolded the auction list for carriage 7 that he had just received, and found the seventh collection to be auctioned.

"Is it the clock called Destiny's Guidance? And what does the last sentence mean?"

"Ahhhh! This is so annoying!"

"If only I hadn't made my previous preview letters so complicated just to look cool..."

——Kid now regrets why he always has to be mysterious every time he sends out a preview letter.

Kaito folded up the auction list in his hand and put it away. He decided to go meet up with Hongzi first and take a look at what was on the auction list for car 2.

If it really doesn't work, just let Hongzi buy them all when the time comes.

The alliance has money anyway.

Coincidentally, Hattori Heiji is thinking the same thing now.

“It’s great to have GSSRA behind us!”

"As long as we can find clues, we can just buy everything that's suspicious!"

(End of this chapter)