Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

The cold hospital corridor was filled with the pungent smell of disinfectant, and the sirens of ambulances rose and fell in the distance.

Everyone was evacuated here.

The student who was injured in the explosion while protecting the karuta board is receiving treatment for his arm wound at the hospital.

Chairman Achiba, looking disheveled, was having his head injury bandaged in another ward.

An unused men's restroom deep inside the hospital.

The door clicked shut from the inside, cutting off the noise from the outside.

In the dim light, two people who knew each other well stood face to face.

"Kudo, I didn't expect you to be one of Shoichi's men too!" Heiji's voice was extremely low.

Conan tilted his head back and said, "I'm friends with Masakazu."

What do you mean he's Zheng Yi Ge's man? That doesn't sound like a compliment.

Heiji said with a stern face, "As a detective, have you been aiding and abetting evil all along?"

"I didn't!" Conan's voice rose half an octave.

His help to Zheng Yi Ge was very limited; in many cases, he was the one helping himself.

Moreover, why use the phrase "aiding and abetting evil"?

Conan knows the reason why Heiji misunderstood Shoichi.

He told Heiji, "I solved all those cases myself, and the murderers had nothing to do with Masahiro."

Conan pursed his lips: "I solved all those cases myself."

Every clue, every deduction, was done independently by me.

In the end, the murderers who were finally caught had absolutely no connection to Brother Zheng.

"Kudo, you're too confident in your reasoning." Heiji took a step forward, his aura intimidating.

"It is precisely because you have solved these cases that you should be able to see the unusual aspects of them!"
"Coincidence, Kudo, have you ever thought about it? There aren't that many coincidences in this world."

Conan curled his lip, a hint of disdain in his eyes: "If you don't believe in your own reasoning, what kind of detective are you?"
Besides, with so many cases, I can't possibly make mistakes on all of them.

Heiji, aren't you being too sensitive?

"Sensitive?" Heiji took a deep breath, trying to suppress the emotions surging in his chest.

"You haven't thought about it at all! Those cases may really have nothing to do with him, but he always manages to benefit from them. You really haven't had any doubts at all?"

Conan shook his head without hesitation, his movements firm: "No doubt."

Heiji looked at his stubborn expression and rubbed his forehead, almost squeezing out the words through gritted teeth: "Are you... are you really stupid or just pretending?"
With so many coincidences piled up, and not a single doubt arising, you're truly extraordinary.

Conan remained unmoved and said, "Some people in this world are just that lucky. Zheng Yi is one of those people."

He thought of Xiaolan, his childhood sweetheart whose luck was ridiculously good.

Therefore, he could easily accept Zheng Yi's good luck.

"You don't understand Shoichi at all!" Heiji finally couldn't hold back.

"You don't understand Brother Zhengyi!" Conan immediately retorted.

He said with an upright expression, "How many times has Brother Zhengyi helped me? The clues he provided, the trust he placed in me, and him..."

Conan's words were filled with unwavering trust in Shoichi.

"Didn't you ever suspect that Shoichi was a member of that organization?" Heiji said.

Conan's agitation and indignation froze for a moment.

He slowly and firmly shook his head and said, "Impossible."

He looked at Heiji with pity in his eyes, as if he were looking at a pathetic wretch blinded by conspiracy theories.

"Absolutely impossible."

He paused, then spoke slowly and deliberately, as if stating a fact:
"If Brother Zhengyi were really a member of the organization, I would be dead by now, or I would have been captured and used as a guinea pig by them."

In his view, this was the most powerful rebuttal.

This clumsy attempt to sow discord is utterly ineffective.

Heiji and Conan argued for a while longer.

The two were both stubborn and unable to persuade each other, so they had no choice but to cease hostilities.

……

The entrance to a hospital ward.

"President, how is it?"

"It's nothing, just a minor injury." Achiba came out of the ward and nodded to the people who came to visit him.

Upon seeing Momiji and Seiichi, Achiba frowned.

Because the karuta tournament was sponsored by Achiba, Momiji was still very concerned about Chairman Achiba and worried about whether the tournament could continue.

With nothing else to do, Zheng Yi naturally followed along.

"I never expected something like this to happen before the competition," Zheng Yi said.

“Uh, yeah.” Achiba nodded. “I really didn’t expect that this year’s Satsuki-kai competition would have to be canceled.”

“Absolutely not!” Hongye said. “I think now is the time to show the world the Satsuki-kai’s unwavering resilience.”

Perseverance?

Achiba couldn't help but glance at Masakazu next to Momiji.

Is this your idea, or Zheng Yi's idea?
How much more perseverance do you want from us?

Before the competition even started, the previous champion was already dead, and the competition venue was blown up.

Even with unwavering perseverance, what else could happen?
Achiba said regretfully, "But it seems that the karuta cards we need for the finals have been burned."

The chorus cards they used were the same deck used in every final, and they had been stolen once before, but were recovered.

This deck of cards is quite valuable.

“You don’t need to worry about that, the karuta cards are in excellent condition,” Hongye said with a smile.

"Huh?" Achiba asked in surprise, "What's going on?"

Achiba's secretary said, "Miss Hiramoto brought the karuta cards with her when the explosion happened."

The Ms. Heimoto she mentioned was Kazuha and Heiji's classmate.

Upon hearing that the karuta was intact, Chairman Achiba became somewhat agitated.

He asked urgently, "Were the karuta cards really not burned?"

Momiji was surprised by Achiha's emotional fluctuations.

But he nodded and said, "It was indeed taken out, but whether it is well preserved has been taken to the museum for staff to check."

Achibo also realized that his emotions were fluctuating too much.

He took a slight step back and asked calmly, "I didn't expect the chorus cards to be so well preserved."

What happened to Ms. Hiramoto, who brought out the karuta?

The secretary said, "I heard that Ms. Hiramoto Miraiko is not in any life-threatening danger, but she is still undergoing examination."

Achiba nodded.

He glanced at Zheng Yi, "But the safety of the competition venue is not reassuring. I would feel very guilty if there were any more casualties."

“There won’t be that much danger,” Hongye said.

As he spoke, he nudged Zheng Yi with his elbow.

Zheng Yi dodged.

Why does everyone automatically assume I'm the murderer? Is it just because I sent someone to discuss cooperation on rebuilding the TV station right away?
That's how fast business moves.

It wasn't premeditated.

As they were talking, the door to a nearby ward opened, and Miraiko, with a bandage on her arm, came out.

Achiha walked up to Miraiko and said, "Thank you for bringing out the karuta representing the Satsuki-kai safely."

As the president, my gratitude to you is beyond words.

Achibo spoke with exceptional sincerity.

Both Miraiko and Kazuha felt that President Achiba was very grateful to her.

Miraiko was feeling very down.

She lowered her head and said, "But President, my arm is broken. In this state, I can no longer participate in the Satsuki Cup."

“It’s a real shame that a player as talented as you can’t participate in the Satsuki Cup,” Achiba said. “But for now, it’s best to focus on recovering from your injury.”

"Yes."

Kazuha nodded and said, "We can still participate in the competition next year."

"Impossible," Miraiko said dejectedly.
"If we don't achieve good results in this year's Satsuki Cup, our club will have to disband."

“Chairman, the police are still waiting for us,” Achiba’s secretary said.

"it is good."

Achiba nodded and went with his secretary to see the police.

Miraiko wore glasses and looked very forlorn.

The karuta club is going to be ruined in her hands.

Kazuha stroked her chin and said, "That is indeed troublesome. Apart from you and me, the others in the karuta club are not very good."

“Yes, Kazuha, you can represent our school in the competition,” Miraiko said.

Miraiko looked at Kazuha and said, "You practice with me often, and your skill level is very high."

Moreover, he has good physical strength, quick reflexes, and, most importantly, thick skin.

"Is that a compliment?" Kazuha asked.

“Of course.” Miraiko nodded.

When competing in front of so many people, you definitely need to be a little thick-skinned.

"So, Kazuha, you're replacing..."

"no!"

Heiji immediately stepped forward and pulled Kazuha away.

"Why?" Miraiko asked, puzzled.

Kazuha also looked at Heiji with surprise.

Heiji said with a grave expression, "Because Kazuha's opponent is extraordinary."

Hongye, who had overheard their conversation from afar, smiled reservedly.

That's her dominance in the world of karuta.

It has already instilled such fear in the enemy that they dare not participate in the war.

Miraiko said, "Although Ooka Momiji is very good at karuta, Kazuha has never participated in any competitions."

But Kazuha might still have a chance of winning. Kazuha trains with me often, and I know her skill level.

Even if we are outmatched, we must not back down before the battle even begins.

“That’s not what I meant at all,” Heiji said.

It was just a small karuta competition.

It doesn't matter if we lose.

but,

Heiji said, "Didn't you hear about the death of last year's champion, Mr. Yajima?"

“I heard you.” Miraiko nodded.

What does this have to do with Kazuha not being able to participate?
Heiji analyzed in a serious tone: "Because he had a chance to win the match, he died before the match."

These words plunged Hongye, who was feeling delighted, into an icy abyss.

Heiji continued, "If even an exhibition match is like this, then what about a formal match?"

Miraiko glanced in the direction of the red leaves.

I've heard that Hongye comes from an extraordinary family.

Furthermore, is the person next to Hongye Zhengyi?
That Zheng Yi who is rumored to be extremely ruthless?

Future Child shrank back.

Zheng Yi listened to their conversation with great interest, never expecting that his reputation would begin to help Hong Ye.

He touched his neck.

But in Miraiko's eyes, this action was exactly the same as slitting a throat.

She couldn't help but shudder.

Quickly averting her gaze from Masakazu, Mirai whispered to Kazuha:
"Actually, the karuta club isn't that important, so it's understandable that you don't participate in the competition."

No matter what, human lives are more important than karuta club members.

Withdrawal is mandatory.

"Can't!"

Hongye pushed aside Zhengyi, suppressing her anger, and walked up to Heye. She looked at Heye and said:

You must participate in the karuta tournament!

Hongye was extremely angry.

When did she become this kind of person in other people's eyes?
Because he was afraid of losing the match, he killed his opponent before the game?
This is a despicable frame-up.

She is fully capable of winning the game on her own merits.

and,

Hongye looked at Heye with a hint of disdain in her voice, "You, a complete amateur, think I'd be afraid of losing to you?"

How could you possibly beat me!

They're worried I'll use underhanded tactics, which is completely unfounded.

Ai blinked her eyes.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Momiji fight the other side.

I don't know how these girls fight.

She tugged at Zheng Yi's pants and looked at him with her eyes, asking if he would go help fight.
Zheng Yi ignored Xiao Ai because he was also watching the show.

“Indeed, Kazuha is just an amateur player, and she will definitely lose to you,” Miraiko said softly.

Miraiko's tone was very soft, and her voice trembled slightly with fear.

But this fear of backing down only fueled Hongye's anger.

Is it now confirmed that she will use unfair means to deal with her opponents?
Hongye glared fiercely at Zhengyi behind her.

It's all because of this guy that his reputation has been ruined.

Just standing next to him, and I was misunderstood like this.

"You must participate in the competition. I will defeat you fair and square on the field!" Hongye said through gritted teeth.

When she said the words "upright and honorable", Hongye emphasized them.

"The competition doesn't start until the day after tomorrow, so you still have time to train."

Hongye turned around, "If you want to withdraw from the competition..."

Hongye pointed at Zhengyi.

The meaning is self-evident.

Shoichi even reached out to greet Kazuha.

Kazuha gave an awkward response.

Hongye walked up to Zhengyi and pinched his arm. "Why are you being so kind?"
You should act fierce now, or at least have a blank expression.

"In any case, you must participate in the competition." Hongye pulled Zhengyi's arm and left.

Ai followed behind the two.

Suddenly, she paused, then turned around and looked at Kazuha and the others expressionlessly.

The sunlight fell perfectly on her face, half of it bright and half hidden in shadow, making her delicate little face appear somewhat unfathomable.

Her gaze was calm as she looked directly in the direction of Kazuha and the others, making a throat-slitting gesture.

However, while they were still in shock, Ai turned around as if nothing had happened.

Then he quickened his pace and caught up with Zheng Yi and Hong Ye ahead of him.

After turning a corner, Ai finally couldn't help but laugh.

But why was there laughter coming from behind her? (End of Chapter)