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

Chapter 401 Inspector Zenigata's Appreciation

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, First Investigation Division.

After resolving the post office robbery in the afternoon and helping Kogoro Mouri with the robbery, the First Investigation Division finally had a brief period of relative peace, but this peaceful time was soon disrupted.

Inspector Megure looked at Inspector Zenigata, who had appeared before him in the First Investigation Division, and several question marks appeared above his head.

Mu Mu Police Department:?
I understand the reasoning, but why are you searching for a lesson?
The First Investigation Division specializes in handling all sorts of serious incidents and has no idea how to capture Phantom Thief Kid or Phantom Thief Lupin III. If you're looking for help, isn't it a bit absurd to ask the First Investigation Division for help?

Inspector Megure sighed and said,
“Inspector Zenigata, if you want someone to help you deal with the Phantom Thief Lupin III, you should go to Inspector Nakamori next door.”

"Inspector Nakamori has been dealing with Phantom Thief Kid for so many years. Although he has never fought Lupin III, he should have some experience in dealing with phantom thieves. Having Inspector Nakamori assist you in dealing with Lupin III would be twice as effective with half the effort, wouldn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Inspector Zenigata paused in surprise.

He shook his head, then said,
"No good, Brother Megure. The Second Investigation Division's professional competence is really not up to par."

"If we want to capture Lupin III in Tokyo, we'll have to borrow people from you! Anyway, if Lupin III shows up in Tokyo, with all the commotion he causes, your First Investigation Division will have to step in to deal with him."

"Then why don't you learn about Lupin III's situation from me now, so that we can deal with him more easily later?"

Inspector Zenigata's words left Inspector Megure stunned.

—This is certainly not because Inspector Zenigata calls him "brother".

He just felt that Inspector Zenigata's words did make a lot of sense. After all, Lupin III was actually firing a gun, and if there were any casualties, then the Criminal Investigation Department would have to step in to help resolve the matter.

From this perspective, it is indeed more beneficial to learn more about Lupin III.

However, just as Inspector Megure was thinking this,
His phone beeped with a notification sound.

Inspector Megure and Inspector Zenigata exchanged a "wait a moment" gesture. Inspector Zenigata cooperated by not interfering, allowing Inspector Megure to take out his phone and check the information. Then, Inspector Megure froze—

This is a message sent by Chen En.

The contents were quite explosive, claiming that Thomas Sindora, the current chairman of the Sindora Foundation, was attempting to assassinate Tadahiro Kashimura, the chief engineer responsible for maintaining Noah's Ark and the Cocoon game.

Inspector Megure didn't quite understand why this was happening.

Logically speaking, Thomas Sindora, being an adult and a seasoned businessman, should know how important Tadahiro Kashimura is to the Sindora Group's upcoming Cocoon game project.
In this situation, it's absurd that Thomas Sindora would still attempt to assassinate Tadahira Kashimura.

It's like Thomas Sindora has a money tree in his house, but instead of taking care of it, he tries to kill Tadahira Kashimura, who regularly maintains it.
This is completely inconsistent with Inspector Megure's image of a businessman. Generally speaking, a businessman is the type who doesn't let go of any profit, right?

However, since the message came from Brother Chen En, it's not entirely without credibility.
Moreover, the situation at the Beika City Hall is special, with so many high-ranking VIPs at the banquet. If Thomas Sindora were to go mad and assassinate Kashimura Tadahira, and then turn on the other guests, it would be troublesome.

To be on the safe side, let's go and take a look first, no matter what.

Inspector Megure had made up his mind.

He put his phone back in his pocket and said to Inspector Zenigata with some regret,
"I'm sorry, Inspector Zenigata, I have something else I need to do. Please forgive me."

Hearing this, Inspector Zenigata nodded slightly, but some doubt remained in his eyes. ————What is it that Inspector Megure is asked to do now?
Why did they have to go at this time of year? What a coincidence.

Inspector Megure greeted Inspector Shiratori and Wataru Takagi, then prepared to leave the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. Before leaving, he didn't forget to comfort Inspector Zenigata and give him an answer.

"Inspector Zenigata, relax. You can pick any officer from the First Investigation Division."

"Inspector Shiratori and I will only be taking a portion of the team away from the First Investigation Division temporarily. You can teach the remaining members of the First Investigation Division, or you can arrange for them to help you in the future."

Having said that, Inspector Megure and Inspector Shiratori left together.

The officers from the First Investigation Division had mostly left, and the remaining officers didn't seem to satisfy Inspector Zenigata. Therefore, Inspector Zenigata frowned, pondering where to find conscripts for his next request.

Just then, footsteps and voices came from outside the door.

"I think Lupin III is more powerful."

"Regarding the incident in the suburbs, it seems that Lupin III couldn't escape without Batman's help, but someone clearly filmed Lupin III standing on the top of a telephone pole. If he had used a hang glider to escape, he wouldn't have been caught, right?"

"It feels like Lupin III handled the incident in the suburbs with complete ease."

In response, another male voice countered,
"No, I think Batman is stronger."

"Lupin III may be adept at escaping, but in a head-on fight, he's certainly no match for Hawke. However, Batman is capable of defeating Hawke in a one-on-one situation."

Doesn't this prove that Batman is stronger than Lupin III?

Officer Chiba and Officer Sato, who had just gone to organize files, returned to the First Investigation Division's office.
Then, they were stunned—

No, what about people?
Why are Inspector Megure and Inspector Shiratori nowhere to be found? And a whole bunch of Metropolitan Police Department colleagues too? Even Wataru Takagi has vanished. What on earth happened?

Inspector Zenigata, who was already preparing to leave, overheard their conversation.

He immediately looked up at the two of them, his eyes filled with admiration for the sect's genius—dealing with Lupin III was not difficult, but it was difficult to be interested in Lupin III and have the fighting spirit to deal with him!

These two clearly meet this requirement!
Inspector Zenigata immediately stepped between Officer Chiba and Officer Sato, putting his arms around both officers and speaking earnestly.

Want to know who's stronger, Lupin III or Batman?

"It's very simple. As long as you're willing to help me when Lupin III appears in Tokyo, I'll teach you a lesson and give you a systematic introduction to Lupin III. Then you'll know who's stronger!"

Chiba, Sato: ?

No, why are you here?

Furthermore, why are we going after Lupin III? Aren't we the First Investigative Division?

(End of this chapter)