In the Marvel Universe: I can summon items from all dimensions.

Chapter 77 The Witch of Ekoda High School

Of course, it's possible that Koizumi Akako in this world isn't a witch, but rather someone who genuinely has a serious illness, which is why she hasn't come for a month—that's also plausible.

But what if she has magic?

What could possibly trap a witch who can concoct potions in her life, like illness or some family situation? What, did she go off to fight in the Holy Grail War?

Even a fool could tell that something was wrong.

If it's the former, then I've made a wasted trip, but if it's the latter, things seem a bit more complicated.

Mason returned to his car, pondered in silence for a while, and finally made a decision.

Find some excuse to sneak into the school, go to the teachers' office to find Koizumi Akako's home address, and then go there in person.

Yes, go to a hardware store and buy a set of equipment, then go in during lunch break pretending to be a repairman.

Without further ado, Mason inserted the car key and was about to drive off when the security guard from before suddenly came running towards them, panting heavily.

"Wait! Wait!"

He waved his hand vigorously and said, "Wait a minute!"

Mason frowned, then pulled the handbrake, rolled down the window, stuck his head out, and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"Um—" the security guard rushed to the car window and asked somewhat urgently, "Um—what's your relationship with Koizumi-san?"

"Why are you asking this?" Mason asked, puzzled. "I already told you, I have something to give her, that's all. It has nothing to do with the school, right?"

"I'm sorry—Koizumi hasn't been to school for a while, and there's been no news from her family either. People in her class are saying she's gone missing. It's rare to find someone like you who seems to have some connection to her, so her teacher urged me to come and ask if you have any leads—"

"snort?"

Mason smiled slightly and said, "You're quite enthusiastic about being a security guard."

The security guard scratched his head: "It's my duty, huh?"

"Fine, I'll tell you then. It's not a big deal anyway." Mason leaned halfway out of the car window, put his arm around the security guard's shoulder, and whispered, "My relationship with Koizumi Akako is—"

The voice suddenly stopped. The security guard's eyes widened. He looked down and saw a dark gun barrel pressed against his chest.

"Isn't it inconvenient to talk while wearing a mask?" Mason whispered. "Let's just show our true faces."

"What are you saying?!" the security guard trembled. "What is this?!"

Mason sneered, "The fact that I dare to say such a thing means I know who you are—stop pretending, Phantom Thief Kid, or do you need me to help you rip off your mask?"

'

The security guard froze.

After a moment, he gave a helpless, bitter smile: "Who exactly are you? Did Hongzi tell you something?"

Haha, you guessed right.

In fact, Mason did not see through the security guard's disguise.

He just thought it was a bit strange that a security guard would chase a complete stranger so far. Considering the amazing disguise skills in the Conan world, he naturally suspected Kaito Kid. Anyway, why not give it a try? It wouldn't cost him anything to scam him. Even if he mistook the person for someone else, he could just knock the security guard out and pretend nothing happened.

Mason released his grip, shrank back into the driver's seat, and said calmly, "Come in and talk. If you're too scared, don't delay me."

"Hmph, do you think I'd fall for such an obvious provocation?"

Kaito Kid straightened up, walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and got in. Without flinching, he asked, "So? Who are you? What's going on? Do you know what happened to Akako?"

"Your ability to say one thing and mean another is truly exceptional, Mr. Kidd."

Mason's lips twitched slightly. "Fine, just give me directions. How do I get to Koizumi Akako's house?"

"ha?"

Kaito Kid exclaimed in surprise, "Shouldn't you prove your identity first in a situation like this? What if you're a bad guy?"

"Then why did you get in my car?" Mason rolled his eyes. "If I were a bad guy, would I be so bored as to obediently go to the security booth to ask about the situation?"

"—That makes sense." Phantom Thief Kid hissed. "Wait, are you a magician like Akako? What can you do? Teleportation or lightning?"

"ah----"

Mason's smile deepened.

See, we came to the right place!

Sure enough, this is a timeline with supernatural elements.

"Yes, yes."

Mason nodded, then suddenly pulled a dagger from under his seat, made a cut on his hand, and activated light energy to heal the wound immediately.

"Behold, magic."

"————?" Phantom Thief Kid's eyes widened. "You call this magic?"

"Why not?" Mason shrugged, tossing the dagger back. "Isn't it supernatural enough?"

"Yes, right?"

Kaito Kid was momentarily caught in a dilemma: "This seems to be different from Akako's style—it's not in the same vein—?"

"Enough with the nonsense, give me directions." Mason curled his lip. "And while you're at it, explain what's going on."

Meanwhile, several cars were already parked outside Professor Agasa's house.

They were the Kudo couple, FBI agents James, Jodie, and Andre, along with some security personnel, totaling more than a dozen people, creating a crowded feeling in the spacious Agasa mansion.

The important figures gathered in the living room, and after hearing Conan's description of last night's events, they all rushed into the room that had been temporarily used as Vermouth's ward. Shiho Ichimino chose to avoid it; she did not intend to appear in front of so many people.

Please note that the following description is a metaphor and does not represent the actual situation.

As a powerful melody began to play (a Showa-era classic played by Yukiko Kudo), seemingly an old song, several well-known figures who wished to remain anonymous appeared before Vermouth.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Vermouth felt an overwhelming sense of fear, and cold sweat poured down her back!

So, who exactly are these experts who came?

Hey, YANGMAN, turns out they're five big guys wearing lots of cloth!

Their varied gazes and expressions, their lewd (to Vermouth) actions, all indicate that they are renowned as top-tier in the industry.

Wow, looking at the few people in front of her hospital bed was more terrifying and horrifying for Vermouth than facing a billion serial killers!

(Conan drinks and smiles smugly)

Hehe, in this era, ordinary interrogations are nothing special. I know you, Vermouth, are one of the strongest members of the Black Organization, which is why I specially invited these top agents to entertain you.

I nicknamed them "Kid Head Four" because I believe they can bring you endless joy.

Don't underestimate them. Their status among agents is as powerful as Gin and Rum in the Black Organization. Each of them has extraordinary abilities and unique skills. Their secret weapons will give you unexpected surprises!

(Vermouth shakes her head in horror)

You fucking can't, you can't do that!

Why not? I'd film the interrogation process, make billions of copies, and offer them to the world for free!

I'll kill you all! I'll slaughter you all!!!

For Vermouth, lying in bed, tied up, and facing this group of people was roughly the experience described above; for others, it was naturally a different story.

"Ah, isn't this Sharon?"

After seeing who was lying on the bed, Yukiko Kudo rushed over immediately, reached out and pinched the person's face twice to confirm that it was indeed the real person and not an imposter wearing a mask.

Then, she revealed a wicked smile, leaned over the bed, and mocked without any attempt to hide her sarcasm: "Ever since I realized you were faking your death back then, I've been wanting to see this expression on your face, hahahahahahaha!!!!"

Hmm, it doesn't seem to make much difference.

"Yukiko, calm down." Even Yusaku Kudo couldn't stand the scene anymore, so he came over and dragged Yukiko Kudo back two steps.

The latter was clearly very dissatisfied and shouted, "If I don't do this, wouldn't all the tears I shed at her funeral have been for nothing?!"

"That's enough, that's enough, there are other people watching."

Yusaku Kudo's eye twitched twice: "We didn't come here for this—"

Vermouth stared at the ceiling without saying a word, her expression seemingly calm but actually as if she were dead.

Saying anything now will only humiliate me; let her laugh if she wants to.

It doesn't matter anymore.

At that moment, FBI agent Jodie walked in with a grim face, scrutinized Vermouth's face, and then revealed a cold smile: "It really is you. Ha, you devil, did you ever expect this day to come?"

Unlike Yukiko Kudo, she genuinely had a blood feud with Vermouth for killing her entire family. The fact that she could restrain herself from rushing up and shooting her dead at this moment was a testament to her extraordinary self-control.

Vermouth glanced at her and said indifferently, "Everyone in this line of work will eventually have this day; it's just a matter of time."

Judy trembled with anger at her nonchalant attitude, her eyes red with fury as she gritted her teeth and said, "Fine, then whatever I do from now on, you can't complain—"

"Judy, don't be impulsive."

James grabbed Judy's arm from behind and whispered, "There are more important things to do now."

"----whispering sound."

Judy closed her eyes and simply turned around and hid in the corner.

After everyone calmed down, Yusaku Kudo straightened his tie and said solemnly, "Ms. Sharon—or should I just call you Vermouth?"

"Whatever, I don't really have any choice right now anyway."

Vermouth sighed: "I advise you not to waste your time. You just want to know information about the organization from me. If you're going to use force, you'll use torture; if you're going to use soft tactics, you'll use things like the witness protection program. Why not just skip to the end—I won't say anything."

"Ms. Vermouth, you are a friend of my wife. In principle, I don't want to use too harsh methods on you, but the Black Organization problem must be resolved. You should know that in the face of modern interrogation techniques, no matter how firm one's will is, it is meaningless."

As he spoke, he turned and exchanged a glance with James, who understood and immediately pulled out a metal box from his pocket. Inside, there was a medical syringe and an ampoule containing blue liquid.

James stepped forward, showed Vermouth the two items, and said, "This is the FBI's latest truth serum, which is more powerful than any previous version. However, once used, it has a high probability of causing irreversible damage to the brain. So there's no point in you trying to hide it. We can get the answer we want with medication, but we don't want to do it unless absolutely necessary. We hope you can think it over carefully."

Conan, standing on the other side, felt an instinctive aversion to this scene.

When he was training at a special agent school in Hawaii with Yusaku Kudo in his early years, he was taught that sometimes you have to do some cruel things to achieve a better outcome. But from a personal point of view, Vermouth was someone who had saved him several times, and it was really hard for him to watch her end up being turned into an idiot by the truth serum.

Sometimes, death isn't the worst ending. Compared to becoming an idiot who just stares at the ceiling and keeps saying "abba aba," being shot to death might seem more merciful.

"Sharon."

At this moment, Yukiko Kudo also put aside her exaggerated emotions, walked back to the bedside, and sat directly next to Vermouth. She frowned and said, "I don't know what that so-called organization means to you, but is it really worth taking this risk? —Let me make this clear first: as a friend, if you become a helpless person unable to take care of yourself, I will cry and mourn for you, but if you really intend to say nothing, I won't stop them."

"It would be best to reveal what you know."

Conan added, "You're probably not some staunchly loyal member of the organization, otherwise you wouldn't have gone easy on me."

"There's no need for the 'good cop' role—"

Vermouth smiled wryly and said, "Yukiko, I know what you mean, but the problem is—even if I tell you everything I know, it's no use."

Yusaku Kudo's eyes widened slightly. His keen instincts detected a strong sense of danger in those words, and he immediately pressed, "What do you mean? Aren't you a high-ranking member of the organization? What do you mean by 'useless'?"

"This isn't a riddle; it's just the literal meaning."

Vermouth sighed. "Yukiko, you already know about the amazing abilities of Konek, who helped your son last night, right?"

"Isn't that guy a cyborg created by your organization through some kind of means?" Yusaku Kudo felt the problem was getting more and more serious. "That's why Yukiko and I rushed over from the Philippines."

"Why don't you think about this—"

Vermouth chuckled softly, "As a high-ranking member of the organization, why wouldn't I enjoy the benefits of that technology, which would make me so easily captured?"

"iii————

Kudo Yusaku and Conan almost simultaneously felt a chill run down their spines.

"Wait, wait, wait—" Conan exclaimed, his eyes wide, "Could it be that something—has happened—within the organization?!"

"This is where Akako's house is."

"1

——————————————————————————————————————

Kaito Kid, stroking his chin, said to Mason, "She disappeared twenty-six days ago without any warning. She didn't tell me anything. From that day on, she vanished as if she had evaporated into thin air. I can't contact her no matter what. I went to her house a few days ago, but I didn't find any trace of her except for a note."

"A note?" Mason asked.

"I left a note on the table in her living room saying, 'Our family has to go out for a bit, we'll be right back.'"

Kaito Kid pursed his lips: "That is definitely Akako's handwriting. Even if it isn't, it must have been done by some very skilled handwriting imitation master. I was worried that something might have happened to her, so I've been investigating recently, but I haven't found anything. So coming here is probably not of any use."

"This kind of thing probably depends on the person."

Mason shrugged. "Maybe I'll find something different if I look into it?"

Kaito Kid scoffed, "What, the skills of a magician?"

Throughout the journey, he appeared very honest and melancholic, quite different from the carefree young man Mason knew—perhaps it was because Koizumi Akako's disappearance had dampened his spirits and made him reluctant to bring Mason here, perhaps as a last resort.

No matter what, at least we have to find the person first—that's probably the mentality.

Mason really liked this clear-headed attitude.

However, he didn't really know much about criminal investigation; he just wanted to try his luck—if the hands of his watch reacted to the Black Organization, would they also react to a magician like Koizumi Akako?

To be honest, it's not entirely the client's fault for not explaining things clearly, given that he was somewhat confused. In fact, the being seemed to have explained everything to him all at once, but unfortunately, the information density was too high and his ability to process it was insufficient, causing most of the information to slip through his brain. He should have just asked again honestly instead of being afraid of the being's anger.

"Maybe?"

Mason gave an ambiguous answer, then parked the car and said, "So, are you really going to continue using this security guard's face? It looks kind of awkward to me—or do you really want me to reveal your real name before you'll show your face?"

Kaito Kid raised his head and looked at him with a chilling gaze, saying, "Knowing too much might get you silenced."

"Then let's give it a try?" Mason retorted without fear.

"Fine, fine, you win."

He shouted, then raised his hand and ripped off the mask from his face, revealing Kaito Kuroba's face.

The two then got out of the car and walked towards Koizumi Akako's house.