Daily Spy Life in the Detective Conan World

Chapter 316 The Thorn Princess is Aunt Joel!
Holding the thin veil in my hand, the world seemed to fall silent.

Snowflakes were falling heavily, and the cold wind whipped their hair around.

After an unknown amount of time, it was Ai Haibara who finally couldn't hold back any longer.

"Aunt Jojo?"

"Aunt Joel?"

The little girl called out twice, then rubbed her eyes hesitantly, thinking it was a hallucination caused by the shrinking and growing.

Although Anya often talked about how powerful her father and Aunt Joel were, she never imagined or believed that Joel was an assassin.

Even if she believed that Gin liked men, she still couldn't believe that the gentle Aunt Joel could actually be the Thorn Princess; it was too disconcerting.

Cosplay, perhaps?
"Xiao Ai."

Joel's words sealed the deal.

The voice, tone, and way of addressing the person were all correct.

Ai Haibara suddenly felt a throbbing pain in her head. Although she was quite intelligent, she had focused all her energy on scientific research. She could quickly decipher Professor Agasa's lame jokes, but in this situation, even Kudo might be dumbfounded!

The killer who is so gentle in everyday life is actually the infamous Aunt Joel.

Her mind was a complete mess; she couldn't even make sense of normal logic.

She's a police officer from the Metropolitan Police Department.

The Metropolitan Police Department's tactical combat instructor is secretly an assassin, and a rather notorious one at that.

Thinking about it this way, Uncle Yuri, who seems so resilient, must be quite something. He was able to go to work full of energy the day after being beaten up by Aunt Joel. Could he have some other hidden identity besides his position in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs?

For example, the professional punching bag used in UFC fighting in the United States.

Joel put his long fingers to his lips, making a shushing gesture.

After Ai Haibara calmed down, she said, "You must keep this a secret from Natsukawa."

"Also, you need to tell me why you shrunk, and what your relationship is with Gin's organization."

Joel actually didn't know much about the distillery.

Most of the information was provided to her by the gardener, and some information about the winery was also revealed to her by the zoo when it took action against the winery last time.

Besides, there is very little information about distilleries available on dark world platforms.

Even Frank, the underworld's intelligence king, only gradually gained a deeper understanding of the organization after accepting a mission from the IRS.

These facts are sufficient to demonstrate the winery's level of secrecy.

As for why the Black Organization is so well-known in the Conan storyline.

This is just the main plot. If the main characters don't even know what a winery is, how can they destroy it?
"Aunt Joel, why is she the Thorn Princess?"

Even Ai Haibara was finding it hard to say it aloud.

So, is it true, as Gin said, that I've latched onto a powerful backer? It seems that's really the case!
Even Gin, in front of Aunt Joel, could only flee in a sorry state.

"Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking questions?"

Joel tried his best to keep his tone calm so as not to trigger another stress reaction from Ai Haibara.

The rooftop remained silent for a long time before Ai Haibara finally spoke.

She made up her mind: now that she had latched onto someone powerful, she would stick with them. With Aunt Joel around, she might actually have a chance to meet her sister and rescue her from the clutches of the tequila.

"Actually, before I was rescued by Uncle Xia Chuan, my real identity was the head of drug research at the Japanese branch of the Black Organization. I was specifically in charge of APTX4869 research, and Gin was my boss. You just saw the effects of APTX4869; it's the kind of drug that makes me shrink."

"Didn't you just get bigger?"

Joel was very curious, his already large eyes widening as big as saucers.

Women are naturally drawn to gossip, especially when they learn that Ai Haibara's transformation from large to small is related to something she mentioned called 369; their interest only grows stronger.

So, if I take this medicine, could I also become ten years younger?

Which woman can resist the chance to look younger? Even Joel is no exception, especially after having a boyfriend, she pays more attention to her face and body.

For example, a veil, besides preventing the exposure of one's identity, also has a protective function due to its special material, which can better protect the face from problems.

"The probability of shrinking is extremely low. Most people who take the drug have already died, and only a small percentage can successfully shrink, like me. Moreover, it's uncertain whether it will turn you into a five or six-year-old child or return your body to its state ten years ago. Aunt Joel, you shouldn't be interested in this drug. Life is precious."

Ai Haibara originally wanted to lure Kudo out, but considering his impulsiveness and behavior today, she decided it was best not to involve him.

When she returns, she doesn't plan to tell Conan about Joel's identity.

If she dared to reveal Joel's identity, she believed Conan would dare to cause trouble for the winery all over the country!

Conan was too impulsive. Today he almost died and exposed the special effects of the drug. Luckily, he was saved by Joel. She can't offer Conan any more significant bargaining chips.

"Then let's forget about it!" Joel shook her head vigorously. She could accept being ten years younger, but she couldn't accept becoming six or seven years younger. In addition, there was an extremely high mortality rate. If things couldn't be done, she shouldn't force it.

"A cold and baijiu (Chinese liquor) seem to produce some kind of reaction that can make me return to my original state. However, as you can see, this recovery is only temporary, and I immediately revert back to my original state. Until a real antidote is developed, the risk of taking medication is too high."

"The pain involved is terrifying to think about now."

Ai Haibara sighed deeply; she really didn't want to go through that again, and besides, this kind of behavior could lead to drug resistance.

Joel nodded and continued, "Then what was the reason you left the Black Organization? If you could really invent such a drug, Gin would definitely treat you like a national treasure."

"No!" Ai Haibara snorted coldly: "They have no idea that drugs can shrink. In Gin's eyes, APTX4869 is just a poison, used to end the target's life when shooting is not allowed."

"Then why are they chasing you now?"

Ai Haibara smiled bitterly: "As a codename member of the organization, I know too many secrets. Even after I escaped, Gin still sees me as a thorn in his side. He will never let me get away with it. Today, I was just accidentally discovered by him, which led to the scene on the rooftop."

"So you don't know that sniper either?" Joel frowned and looked in the direction of the Mihua Grand Hotel.

That sniper appeared just in time.

And why did he shoot and smash that bottle of wine?
What was the sniper's intention? He could have aimed at gin or vodka at that moment, but he specifically aimed at that bottle of liquor.

Does he not want to kill Gin or Vodka, but also not want Ai Haibara to get hurt?
"Isn't that Aunt Joel's friend?"

"No."

Both of them fell into deep thought.

If it wasn't Aunt Joel's friend, then it must be tequila.

Come to think of it, don't I already owe him two lives?

No, and if we add the possible relatives or friends of agave who have been persecuted by APTX4869, there may be three lives.

Joel's heart raced, and he began to have some doubts about Xia Chuan.

However, she has no evidence whatsoever, and this speculation is merely wishful thinking on her part.

Going to the rooftop was a last-minute decision. When she left, Xia Chuan had already returned to the van. How could she have discovered that she was on the rooftop and then prepared a sniper rifle to provide cover for herself on the opposite rooftop?

Unless Xia Chuan could predict that he would end up on the rooftop. But is that realistic?
Not realistic!
It seems that other organizations may be involved, such as the organization that previously hired them.

Joel shook his head and dismissed these thoughts. As long as military force is available, all demons, monsters, and conspiracies are just paper tigers!

Neither of them discussed the topic in depth.

"Ania is waiting for us at the dessert shop across from the Mihana Hotel. Don't reveal my identity to anyone, including Xia Chuan and Anya. Similarly, I won't reveal your identity to anyone either. Let's keep it a secret from each other."

After saying that, Joel carefully cupped Ai Haibara's face in his hands: "We are family, and Natsukawa and I will protect you."

"However, the premise is that you don't do anything dangerous on your own. If anything happens, tell me first. Even if the assassin and the police can't handle it, Xia Chuan can step in."

Hui Yuan Ai nodded.

The two chatted for a while longer, clarifying the situation a little.

Conan sat dejectedly inside the Volkswagen Beetle.

Outside, Dr. Agasa is making a call for a tow truck.

The Mihana Grand Hotel was bustling with activity, surrounded by Mihana residents who had come to watch the excitement.

The crowd was bustling with people, their conversations were constant, and their emotions seemed quite stable.

"Haibara, because I was captured by the organization."

Conan was demoralized, his head drooping, and he felt weak all over.

Gin left no trace, so meticulous that he even decisively destroyed a Porsche 356a to eliminate evidence.

That's right, from his perspective, Gin himself blew up the car.

Perhaps to prevent leaving any clues, and given that he had previously installed a listening device, this would completely prevent him from targeting her again.

Before long, there were several more police cars than before.

Upon hearing the news, Toshiro Odagiri arrived.

Inspector Megure discovered Kenzo Masuyama's body in the Beika Hotel's wine cellar. Combined with the earlier death of Shigehiko Tobuchi, two important figures died at the Beika Hotel in one night.

Although it has been confirmed that Shigehiko Toguchi was killed by Kenzo Masuyama, Inspector Megure has not found the killer who killed Kenzo Masuyama.

With the Porsche 356a exploding at the entrance, the whole case has become shrouded in mystery once again.

He couldn't take responsibility for this, so he had to ask his superiors for help.

News reporters quickly arrived, eager to learn about this nationally sensational case and to contribute their modest efforts to Japan's freedom of information.

Conan is certain that Gin was behind Kenzo Masuyama's death.

Apart from the Black Organization, no one dares to kill two important figures in one night.

As a codenamed member of the Black Organization, and ostensibly the CEO of a car company, Gin showed no mercy to such a high-ranking member. Conan never expected Gin to be so ruthless and decisive, catching him off guard.

Therefore, Ai Haibara's chances of survival are extremely slim.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on installing the bugging device, Gin wouldn't have found out. If I had stopped in time when Gin discovered it, handed the case over to the police, and gone home to wait for news, Ai Haibara might never have been in this situation."

"She was so careful every day, researching antidotes for me and for the people who took APTX4869, but in the end it was all for nothing."

Conan stared blankly at the roof of the car; the dark roof resembled the road ahead.

With Ai Haibara dead, the possibility of him growing bigger again may be completely gone.

"Xiao Lan."

It will take him ten years to grow up again, by which time Xiaolan will be twenty-seven years old. In such a long time, can their relationship really withstand the ravages of time?
For the first time, Conan felt a sense of dread.

Before Ai Haibara appeared, perhaps because he didn't know about the drug, he still hoped that the Black Organization would develop an antidote. But Haibara said that shrinking was just an accident, and the Black Organization didn't know that the drug had this effect, let alone research an antidote.

Therefore, Conan pinned his hopes for the antidote on Ai Haibara, but in the end, he himself sent her to her death.

In a daze, Conan suddenly felt someone calling him. He lowered his head, wiped away his tears, and tried to appear strong.

"What's wrong, Professor Agasa?"

"Ai called and said she's looking for you."

Dr. Agasa handed over the phone with a smile.

To be honest, when he first received Ai Haibara's call, he was a little incredulous. Fortunately, Ai was really alright; not only was she safe and sound, but she had even gone home.

"Is she okay?"

Conan's heart skipped a beat; he couldn't believe it, yet he was eager to confirm it.

He snatched the phone and yelled, "What happened on the rooftop? And what's your situation now?"

"Calm down a little first."

Ai Haibara's voice returned to normal, though it was slightly hoarse, whether from a cold or from shouting too loudly earlier.

"How do you ask me to calm down!"

He had tried so hard to accept the news that Ai Haibara was dead, to accept that even her body had been taken away by Gin, and to accept that his transformation into a giant was impossible.

I've already made a plan to protect Xiaolan for ten years, and to make sure she's single for those ten years.

Before they even started planning how to deal with the Black Organization and avenge Ai Haibara, the other party called.

And the voice is so flat.

"What exactly happened on the rooftop? You crushed that detective badge yourself, didn't you?"

"I'm the one who crushed it. Your voice was too loud, and don't you think some of the things you said were quite rude?"

"Aha?"

Conan's momentum vanished, and his beady eyes recalled that, if he remembered correctly, he had only asked the other person if they were wearing clothes.

"That's clearly concern, okay? And that's what I like."

"Is it your childhood sweetheart, Xiaolan?"

Ai Haibara immediately changed the subject: "Alright! I'm home safely now. Gin didn't see me shrink, so they should have left by now. You should leave too, so you don't give anything away."

Conan still has many questions he wants to know, so naturally he won't let Ai Haibara off the hook easily.

"Hey, what's with the bullets and shards of vodka bottle on the rooftop?"

"It was Tequila, that guy saved me."

To avoid revealing Aunt Yor's identity, Ai Haibara had no choice but to use tequila as an excuse.

(Ask for monthly ticket)

(End of this chapter)