I'm in Detective Conan, and the system has appointed Batman.

Chapter 400 The Plan Proceeding Smoothly

Numerous guests moved about the hall, chatting with other unfamiliar people, turning the press conference into a social gathering.

Thomas Sindora, who spearheaded the Cocoon Games announcement, remained completely unperturbed. He waited for the numerous celebrities to finish their rounds and for the social gathering to have served its purpose before moving on to the next stage.

During this time, Chen En noticed that Kashimura Tadahira had already appeared among the guests.

He had just stopped the two kids from kicking the soccer ball around and warned them not to play soccer in the banquet hall, then started chatting with Yusaku Kudo, who had just arrived at the scene.

So, according to the plan, the next step was for Kashimura Tadahira to lure the snake out of its hole.

Chen En's gaze swept over Kashimura Tadahira.

Based on his experience, he could determine whether Kashimura Tadahira had hidden anything with just a glance. In fact, if this place weren't so unsuitable, he could have simply pulled out the tracker and checked its location to find out.

After noticing that Kashimura Tadahira was indeed hiding something, he nodded slightly.

Regardless of what happens next, at least Kashimura Tadahira won't die. This incident at least provides a safety net. After talking with Kashimura Tadahira, Kudo Yusaku approached.
The world-renowned mystery novelist greeted Sonoko Suzuki, then whispered something as he passed Chen En.

"Tadahiro Kashimura is ready."

—It seems that Kashimura Tadahira did indeed do as he was told.

Chen En nodded slightly, indicating that he understood.

This doesn't mean that Tadahiro Kashimura has prepared a plan to lure out the snake and take down Thomas Sindora, but rather that he has prepared the other necessary conditions for the "end-of-life care" plan.

He knew that both Kashimura Tadahira and Kudo Yusaku believed that the necessary condition was merely an emergency measure.

However, Chen En dared to say that neither Yusaku Kudo nor Tadahiro Kashimura could have guessed the true purpose of Chen En's request for Tadahiro Kashimura to prepare that necessary condition—no one else but himself and Noah's Ark would know.

Well, Noah's Ark wasn't made by a person, so no one else would know about it.

"Thomas, I have something to talk to you about."

Tadahiro Kashimura has already approached Thomas Sindora.
He was talking intently to Thomas Sindora, and then Kashimura Tadahira walked backstage without looking back, while Thomas Sindora's face darkened and his hands quietly clenched into fists.

This indicates that Thomas Sindora has been angered by Tadahira Kashimura and is likely to take action against him.

The plan to lure the snake out of its hole should proceed as expected.

"Sonoko, you'll get the test qualification badge for Cocoon Games later, right?"

"I remember you kept some of the extra test qualification badges to give to the Junior Detective League. Have you ever considered entering the Cocoon Game yourself while wearing a test qualification badge?"

Chen En's attention was mostly focused on Thomas Sindora, and then he asked Suzuki Sonoko a question.
To this topic, Sonoko Suzuki answered with a perfectly reasonable tone.

"I'm not interested in these games, especially detective and mystery games."

"I've found it troublesome enough just listening to Shinichi Kudo's deductions in my ear since I was a child, let alone having to deduce things myself, and even have to cooperate or compete with other players. What's the point of that?"

After saying that, Sonoko Suzuki muttered to herself.

"Besides, I'm not sleepy at all, and I can't even become the 'Teitan's Queen of Deduction'." — The title of Teitan's Queen of Deduction is similar to that of Sleeping Kogoro, given to Sonoko Suzuki after she was drugged and rendered unconscious by Conan, who then solved a case using her voice.

Sonoko Suzuki felt that only at that time did she possess truly outstanding reasoning abilities.

Unable to fall asleep at all and unable to enter that legendary deduction mode, Sonoko Suzuki naturally had no interest in participating in this Cocoon Game, adding that...
"I'll just give my medal to Xiaolan later. Besides, A'en, you don't play, so what's the point of me playing?"

Chen En did not answer.

That was indeed the case. From this perspective, he really had no right to persuade Sonoko Suzuki to try the cocoon game. He hesitated only briefly before preparing to change the subject.

At that moment, a figure made a dazzling entrance onto the stage.

Thomas Sindora is already on stage.
He picked up the microphone and began to promote the greatness and revolutionary nature of the Cocoon Game to everyone, saying that this Cocoon Game would definitely give a big surprise to everyone who does not believe in the existence of artificial intelligence.

"Everyone, please let me explain the situation."

Thomas Sindora delivered the usual, tired-to-hear phrases and opening remarks, while staff from the Cocoon Games launch event began to appear on site, distributing test qualification badges to players.

Sonoko Suzuki was already used to this.

She took a player test qualification badge when the staff member approached her, and then tossed it to Ran Mouri, completely unaware of what was happening around her.

Just as Suzuki Sonoko turned around, about to say something to Chen En,
Chen En had vanished without a trace behind her at some point, leaving Suzuki Sonoko quite helpless. She could only hold the juice beside her with both hands and mutter to herself,

"Honestly, why do people always disappear as soon as I turn my head?"

"Who exactly did Arn learn her stealth skills from?"

------

Conan noticed Chen En's sudden disappearance.
He turned thoughtfully to Thomas Sindora, who was giving a promotional speech and even had Yusaku Kudo come on stage to explain the script. He knew that Sindora would probably soon announce the official start of the game and then leave the hall.

Finally, he went to the database room in the back office to assassinate Kashimura Tadahira.

—The assassination was merely Chen En's speculation and plan; Conan wasn't certain whether Thomas Sindora had actually murdered Kashimura Tadahira, but he knew that now that Chen En had disappeared…
So, the real Chen En has probably already gone into hiding, preparing to deliver a fatal blow to Thomas Sindora.

"Little friend, this is your test badge, don't drop it."

The staff member spoke to Conan with great concern.

Conan finally snapped out of his daze and said seriously,

"Okay, thank you, sister. I'll keep it safe."

Conan accepted the game's test medal.

His gaze, however, fell on the backstage entrance, and he wondered to himself whether Thomas Sindora would actually go backstage, and whether he would go to kill someone. What if Thomas Sindora wasn't there to kill?
Wouldn't that have become a blunder?

(End of this chapter)