The Pirated Onmyoji of the Detective World

The three people, having eaten and drunk their fill, walked out of the restaurant carrying a lot of packed food.

"The food at this restaurant is really delicious!" Ran, having filled her stomach, looked at Kazuha walking beside her with satisfaction.

"Of course!"

Kazuha was also pleased that Ran was so satisfied with the restaurant he recommended, and even her steps became lighter as she hurried on her way.

Just as the group was walking onto a wooden bridge, they suddenly noticed a person wearing a raincoat standing motionless by the bridge railing.

What's wrong with him?

Ran looked at the somewhat suspicious figure not far away and asked Aragaki Yu with a slightly worried expression.

Even Kazuha subconsciously moved closer to Aragaki Yu.

After all, on a rainy night, it's hard to believe that such a strange figure was standing motionless by the bridge, admiring the scenery.

Aragaki Yu was also somewhat confused about the situation, so he could only shake his head.

Of course, the observant Ran and Kazuha noticed that although Aragaki Yu said he didn't know, he subconsciously took a step forward and shielded the two of them behind him.

Just as Aragaki Yu was about to send the Yuki-onna over to check the situation, the figure who had been standing motionless on the bridge seemed to sense that something had noticed him, and his body moved slightly.

Just when Ran and Kazuha thought the other was about to leave.

He seemed to be taking something out of his own body.

In Japan, where crime and danger are rampant, Aragaki Yu, Ran, and Kazuha immediately assumed that the other party had pulled out a weapon similar to a handgun and were about to turn their heads to dodge.

The next second, as a spark appeared in the figure's hand, the three realized that the other party had simply pulled out a lighter.

Then, amidst the shocked expressions of the group.

The figure on the bridge actually used a lighter to set his own clothes on fire.

With a scream, the burning figure writhed in agony on the bridge before tumbling over the railing and falling into the river.

Does this work?

"Ah?"

∑(O_O;)

Upon seeing this, Ran and Kazuha were stunned for a moment. After exchanging glances to confirm their suspicions, they burst into two ear-piercing screams.

It didn't take long.

Kogoro Mouri and Conan, who had heard Ran and Kazuha screaming from not far away, rushed over anxiously.

Officer Otaki and his police officers followed closely behind.

……

"The deceased was named Katagiri Maho, and she was also a member of the tour group we were just in."

Soon, everyone learned from Aragaki Yu, Ran, and Kazuha what they had just witnessed.

"According to Kazuha and the other two, she suddenly set her coat on fire and then fell off the bridge," Officer Otaki said gravely, squatting beside the body that had been pulled from the water, confirming with Aragaki and the others.

We've only been separated for a short while, and yet another person has already been burned to death in this place.

This is a disgrace to the Osaka police.

"However, his most important cause of death was a severe blow to the back of the head." Toyama Ginjiro stood to the side, holding an umbrella, squinting at the corpse as he pondered something.

“I think when she fell, her head must have hit that stone pier first before falling into the water,” Officer Otaki said, standing up from beside the body and looking at the stone pier on the bridge.

So, you mean it was suicide?

Kogoro Mouri frowned.

Of course, the reason he frowned was not because he had encountered a difficult case.

Instead, he felt that the sudden death of another person would solidify his status as a "Grim Reaper" in Officer Otaki's eyes.

Thinking of this, Kogoro Mouri quickly shook his head and dismissed the unreliable idea.

Such an unlucky guy must be that brat Hattori!

"That's the only explanation we can offer for now." Inspector Otaki nodded, though he naturally couldn't guess what Kogoro Mouri was thinking. Instead, he mistook Kogoro's worried expression for sympathy for the deceased.

the other side.

At this moment, Hattori Heiji stood excitedly in front of Toyama Kazuha and asked, "Hey, Kazuha! Katagiri-san, is it really just a lighter in your hand and nothing else?"

"Ah... um, I only saw the lighter," Kazuha replied weakly, clearly still reeling from the memory of someone setting themselves on fire and falling into the river in front of her.

"So, is there anyone else around her?" Conan asked Ran at this moment.

"There was no one else with her at the time, but there seemed to be someone at the entrance of the bridge!" Perhaps because she had encountered too many similar cases, Xiaolan seemed to be in a slightly better state. At this moment, she suddenly remembered a figure she had vaguely seen in her panic.

However, perhaps worried that she was seeing things because she was too nervous, she turned her gaze to Aragaki Yu standing to the side as if seeking confirmation.

Chapter 573 Thoughts

"Ah."

Yuu Aragaki nodded, confirming Ran's statement, "There was indeed a figure standing at the bridgehead at the time, but it ran away very quickly."

"It must be him! He must have started the fire!"

Upon hearing this, Hattori Heiji became excited.

He didn't believe anyone would actually do something like setting themselves on fire.

"No, I think that's impossible!"

However, to Hattori Heiji's surprise, Aragaki Yu immediately retorted.

Hattori Heiji looked at Aragaki Yu with some doubt and dissatisfaction, only to see him looking at him with the same conviction and replying, "Putting aside the fact that the person was quite a distance away from where the deceased lit the fire, we three also witnessed the deceased taking out a lighter and setting himself on fire."

“That’s right, that’s right, she must have committed suicide!” Kazuha Toyama nodded in agreement.

"That would be a lie!"

However, Hattori Heiji wouldn't believe such a thing so easily, so he angrily yelled at Kazuha.

Then, seeing Kazuha's terrified expression, Hattori Heiji dropped his umbrella and rushed to Katagiri-san's body, squatting down and grabbing her clothes to examine her. "I refuse to believe I can't find any evidence of homicide!"

"Heiji!?" Seeing Hattori Heiji acting somewhat irrationally, Officer Otaki wanted to try and persuade him.

Before Officer Otaki could say anything, Hattori Heiji was grabbed from behind by the collar and lifted up.

Then, a huge fist landed hard on his face, sending him flying.

"!!!"

Everyone was startled by what they saw.

Caught off guard by the punch, Hattori Heiji fell to the ground in a disheveled and bewildered state, his head buzzing.

When he finally came to his senses and looked up, he found his father, Hattori Heizo, staring at him with a serious expression.

Whether it was because of Hattori Heiji's reckless actions or his attitude towards Kazuha just now, Hattori Heizo's eyes were full of hostility.

"Dad!?"

Ignoring Heiji Hattori's astonishment, Heizo Hattori instead reprimanded him bluntly, "Heiji, even if you're impulsive, you should choose the right place! Do you know how much trouble you'll cause our police if you destroy the crime scene?"

"Chief, please don't be angry!"

At this moment, even Kogoro Mouri noticed the strange atmosphere and quickly interjected to comfort him, saying, "I think Heiji just wants to solve the case as quickly as possible using his own methods."

Upon hearing this, Hattori Heizo glared at Hattori Heiji before turning to look at Mori Kogoro. "Mr. Mori, if it were you, I could accept this explanation, but this kid isn't investigating the case at all; he's just causing trouble!"

"When someone appoints him as a high school detective, he gets all cocky."

Hattori Heizo's words are filled with disdain for Hattori Heiji.

Faced with Hattori Heizo's words, Hattori Heiji, who was lying on the ground, also became distorted in expression.

Clearly, these words were a huge blow to him.

"This unconventional, layman's search method will not only fail to find any clues, but will only increase our burden!"

"He watched two people die right in front of him, and he didn't even know to take precautions. This is the best proof that he really thought nothing would happen as long as the police were around."

As he said this, Hattori Heizo didn't forget to glance back at Hattori Heiji.

For a moment, those around Hattori Heizo were at a loss for words due to his domineering presence.

"However, our police force did have some oversights."

At this moment, Ginjiro Toyama, who was standing to the side, interjected and offered an explanation on behalf of Heiji Hattori.

Although he vaguely guessed Hattori Heizo's purpose in saying these words, he still couldn't help but make an excuse for his "son-in-law".

Upon hearing this, Hattori Heizo merely glanced at Toyama Ginjiro indifferently, gave a slight snort of dissatisfaction, and then spoke to Hattori Heiji: "In short, we don't need an outsider like you here. You'd better disappear from this place right now!"

Hearing his father's merciless words, Hattori Heiji instinctively clenched his hands, his fingernails digging deep into his palms.

Clearly, he was quite dissatisfied with this assessment.

When the people around saw what was happening, they were all deeply worried for Hattori Heiji.

However, due to Hattori Heizo's status as a father or department head, he was unable to say anything.