Conan: I'm a zaibatsu in Tokyo

Chapter 71 The Deceased Are Gone

Early the next morning.

Conan dressed and rushed out of the Mouri Detective Agency.

"Conan! What are you going to do?"

"Genta and the others invited me to play soccer," Conan shouted.

Ran leaned against the second-floor window, looking down at Conan, and shouted, "But didn't you already promise Sonoko you'd go to the Suzuki family's festival?"

"Oh dear! Genta said they'd jump into the sea if I didn't go play with them, and there's nothing I can do about it!"

Making up a lie on the spot, Conan ran out of Ran's sight.

What's the point of going to a celebration without Kidd?

Organizational matters are more important.

Conan listened at home all night, but that cunning guy didn't say a word about the organization.

Following the locator's instructions, Conan arrived at Kishimoto's workplace.

Sumitomo Bank?

Conan frowned.

Kishimoto is connected to the organization; he works at Sumitomo Bank. Could it be that Shoichi, or Sumitomo Group, is also connected to the organization?

Fortunately, Kishimoto didn't change his clothes yesterday, so the listening device Conan placed on his clothes was still working.

Conan crouched furtively in a corner, eavesdropping on Kishimoto.

But this guy worked normally all day and didn't mention anything about the organization.

This aligns well with Conan's understanding of the organization.

They act meticulously, keep a low profile, and generally never reveal their identities.

Conan's eyes hardened.

The investigation continues.

……

"Let's go, let's get ready to attend the Suzuki Foundation's celebration."

Seeing that it was almost time, Masakazu and Ai Koyo went to attend the Suzuki Foundation's celebration.

Both Momiji and Ai were wearing plain white kimonos. The kimonos were decorated with pale gold and crimson patterns, and a wide vermilion sash was tied around their waists.

To participate in such a celebration.

Naturally, it's unavoidable to interact with some business figures.

Zhengyi's motto is to treat people with sincerity, so he is very enthusiastic towards everyone.

Those who were face-to-face with Zheng Yi, after witnessing his enthusiasm, couldn't help but feel uneasy, wondering if they had any past grievances with him.

However, I haven't heard any news about Zheng Yi killing anyone for several days now.

This put everyone at ease.

It seems that Zheng Yi's group development has stabilized and there are no plans for further expansion through violence.

As the representative of the Ooka family, Momiji naturally had to exchange pleasantries with the daughters of other wealthy families.

"Sonoko, Zhengyi and Hongye are both so busy, how come you seem to be very free?" Xiaolan said to Sonoko.

Sonoko hugged Ran's arm and said, "Of course it's because I want to be with you!"

Sonoko pouted and said, "Besides, I don't want to talk to those hypocritical guys. Let's leave these things to my sister."

Sonoko glared angrily at the crowd surrounding Seiichi.

snort!
It's fine that Kidd didn't come.

Even though Brother Zhengyi is here, he's still being harassed by people like you, giving me no chance to get close at all.

"Ai, come on! I'll take you to get something to eat." Sonoko pulled Ai away.

Ai did not refuse.

She didn't want to stay by Zheng Yi's side or be with those hypocritical adults.

The celebration is always a bit less fun without Kidd.

He was holding a glass full of juice, smiling as he clinked glasses with the person opposite him.

"Bang!" ...

After hearing the door close, Conan quietly emerged from the stairwell.

I followed Kishimoto all day.

Conan, that pervert, finally followed this guy to his apartment building.

Although he didn't overhear any messages related to Kishimoto or the organization, Conan learned about Kishimoto's general situation.

I came from Osaka and haven't been with Sumitomo Bank for very long.

My family and friends are all in Osaka, and I'm currently living alone in a rented apartment in Tokyo.

He arrived in Tokyo all alone, lived there by himself, and was still able to connect with members of the organization.

Living alone makes it convenient for one to act, and one's involvement in organized activities goes unnoticed.

Their sudden arrival in Tokyo suggests that the organization has transferred personnel from Osaka, indicating that a major operation is definitely in the works.

Conan glanced down the corridor and, finding no cameras, quietly approached Kishimoto's door.

I pressed my ear against the door, but I couldn't hear anything coming from inside.

Then I put on my headphones and heard the rustling sound of clothes being taken off.

"when!"

Not long after, an unusual sound came through the earphones—the sound of someone falling to the ground.

The experienced Conan immediately knew what had happened inside the room.
Without any hesitation, he activated his power boots, kicked the goal with the soccer ball, and rushed inside.

Upon entering the bathroom, they found Kishimoto strangled in the bathtub.

Conan looked completely incredulous.

How could a member of the organization be strangled to death in his own home?

Wasn't he about to launch a major operation with the organization? Why did he suddenly die?
Who killed him?
Conan was full of questions, but he still dialed the police first.

"Hello? Is this Inspector Megure? A murder has occurred in apartment 307, 3rd floor of the Hayashi Apartment Building, 7-chome, Beika-cho. An adult male was strangled to death with a metal hose connected to a shower head."

After Conan called the police, Inspector Megure quickly arrived with his team.

"Conan, what are you doing here?" Sato asked first.

Conan scratched his head and began to think about how to lie.

After flashing a silly grin typical of children, Conan pointed to the soccer ball on the ground and said, "When I was playing soccer, I accidentally kicked the ball here."

When I came to get the ball, I heard strange noises coming from inside the room. I was worried that something had happened to the people inside, so…”

"So you smashed the door?" Sato pointed to the broken door and looked at Conan strangely.

Is this something a child could do?

Conan didn't explain, he just nodded with a silly smile.

Forensic pathologist Nagamune glanced at the little brat and was somewhat disappointed not to see Kogoro Mouri.

I really miss the days when we fought side by side.

Adjusting his glasses, Nagamune began his work.

He gently untangled the tangled hose with his hands and moved the deceased's neck.

"There were multiple ligature marks around the neck, which were quite clear and confirmed to have been caused by a metal hose. There were also some abrasions on the surrounding skin, indicating that the victim had struggled beforehand."

The ligature marks were purplish-red, indicating that the death had not been recent.

Choso stood up and said to Inspector Megure, "The preliminary investigation indicates that he was strangled with a metal hose and died of asphyxiation."

"Is that so?" Inspector Megure nodded.

When it's not related to Shoichi, Inspector Megure still has a lot of faith in Chosochi's professional abilities.

This rules out the possibility that the victim died by other means and was then staged as being strangled.

Choso continued, "I have already drawn blood from the deceased to check for signs of poisoning."

If possible, I would like to perform an autopsy to examine the deceased's internal organs and the changes caused by systemic hypoxia.

Inspector Megure shook his head: "That won't do yet. We need to get the consent of the deceased's family first."

(End of this chapter)