Ke Xue: He mastered the steel-cutting divine skill at the start.

Kogoro Mouri pondered for a moment and said, "So, this case is a serial murder case?"

Hattori Heiji nodded: "That's right, this is the third person to be killed. This case has caused panic throughout Osaka. I didn't want to tell everyone, but now that you know, there's nothing I can do."

Miyazaki Yu pondered, "Generally speaking, in serial murder cases, unless it is a random crime committed by a madman, there must be a hidden thread between the victim and the murderer. This thread will connect those seemingly unrelated victims to form a complete storyline."

Finding this clue is key to solving the case. Have the Osaka police found any connection between the victims?

Hattori Heiji scratched his head.

"No, the police have also investigated this. The first victim was named Hidetoshi Nagao, who was the manager of a supermarket. The second victim, Mrs. Tayo Nishiguchi, was the owner of a small hotel. And the person killed this time, named Kazuto Noyasu, was a taxi driver."

These three people have absolutely no overlap in terms of educational background, profession, or social circle.

Miyazaki Yu stretched and said, "Perhaps, but I'm more inclined to think that you haven't found their hidden connection yet, rather than that these people aren't connected. This killer is not only extremely vicious, but also has a sense of ritual. In particular, the death of Yasuhito was both dramatic and intimidating."

Obviously, if it's not a psychopath, then there's only one reason that would drive someone to commit murder and go to such lengths: hatred.

Everyone nodded in agreement as they listened to his analysis. His words were insightful and logical, making them convincing.

However, one of the people in the crowd broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this.

"Who exactly is this person? Heiji didn't introduce him much, but this person is so amazing. The coincidences I deliberately designed even fooled Heiji and Kogoro Mouri, but he deduced such a deep level based on just a few clues. No, this can't go on."

After leaving, he began to follow the pre-designed script and quickly 'investigated' their commonalities. He then took out a videotape and played the scenes from it.

It was a news video of a sensational event from six years ago, and everyone was surprised when several key figures were recognized.

"Sitting in the car is Sōtarō Goshi, the prefectural councilor who made headlines for corruption and dereliction of duty. Next to him is his secretary, Hidetoshi Oo. And the driver is Kazuto Noyasu. We've finally found their contact!"

However, Kogoro Mouri clearly knew something about this Sōtarō Kōsō.

"Don't be too happy yet. This guy, Sōtarō Kōsō, really hates the police. It won't be easy for you to see him, will it?"

However, Hattori Heiji didn't take it to heart.

"Even so, we have to do it. Although quite a few police officers have already gone there, we should go too."

With that, he led Sakata Yusuke away quickly. Kazuha was anxious to speak, but Hattori Heiji had already gone far away.

"Seriously, I wonder if Heiji is carrying that amulet."

Xiao Lan couldn't help but ask curiously, "What kind of amulet?"

Kazuha explained, "It's the amulet I gave to Heiji. This amulet always protects Heiji's safety."

Kogoro picked at his ear: "It's not that exaggerated, it's just a talisman."

Kazuha became very serious: "I'm not lying to you. Heiji wasn't wearing that amulet before, and he got seriously injured during the kendo tournament!"

As he spoke, he glared fiercely at Miyazaki Yu, which made Miyazaki Yu rub his nose. At that time, although he had shown mercy to Hattori Heiji, that guy was not completely unharmed.

"Alright, that's enough about this, Uncle Mori. Let's go harvest our spoils. I was just gambling before, but now it seems that woman is indeed the murderer's next target."

Kogoro Mouri chuckled and said, "You're amazing, kid. That's what I was thinking too. Even if the killer's original target was that guy, Kōsei, now that so many police officers have arrived, he won't be in any trouble. So all we have to do is keep watch."

Just then, a deep voice suddenly rang out:

"It seems that Detective Mori and Lord Miyazaki have already made their own judgments on this case. I just wonder if they could tell me about them. After all, what I want to do more than solve the case is to reduce unnecessary casualties."

The group looked up and saw a tall, resolute figure walk in, dressed in a black suit with a serious expression, looking extremely imposing.

"Uncle Hattori! What brings you here!"

Hearing Kazuha's words, everyone realized that the person who came was obviously Hattori Hanzo, the Osaka Prefectural Police Chief and Hattori Heiji's father!

This department head is highly respected in Osaka. He usually squints, making it difficult for people to see his thoughts, like an old fox hiding in the dark, so he is also known as Fox Eyes.

"Oh, it's Commander Hattori! I am Kogoro Mouri, it's a pleasure to meet you!"

Seeing Kogoro's enthusiasm, Hattori Heizo smiled slightly, reached out and shook hands with Kogoro, and nodded to him.

His gaze then fell on Miyazaki Yu, a hint of seriousness appearing deep in his eyes.

After learning of Miyazaki Yu's whereabouts and that he had arrived in Osaka, he couldn't contain himself and was determined to meet this young man, to meet this terrifying figure who made the nation tremble!

But when I actually saw it, my heart still trembled.

This wasn't Miyazaki Hayao using his imposing presence, but rather a feeling of standing on the edge of an abyss or gazing at a towering mountain.

It's like someone in the ocean suddenly seeing a whale next to them. The whale is very gentle and doesn't show any aura or open its mouth to bite, but you can definitely feel that sense of fear and insignificance!

"Sword Saint Miyazaki, it's an honor to meet you, I am Hattori Heizo!"

"Miyazaki the Sword Saint?" Ran and Kogoro Mori were both puzzled. Miyazaki Yu was a swordsman. Had Hattori Heizo made a mistake?

Kogoro hurriedly said, "Chief Hattori, you've got it wrong. Miyazaki is excellent, but he's still a swordsman. And the Swordsman Association only has one Sword Saint, right?"

However, Fubuhei shook his head and said, "I'm not mistaken, Mr. Mori. You don't know yet, do you? Lord Miyazaki has successfully ascended to the rank of Sword Saint and has become one of only two Sword Saints in the world. This has been confirmed."

Chapter 470 A backup plan had been in place

"Sword Saint, you..."

Kogoro Mouri was dumbfounded.

Xiao Lan was also stunned: "Xiao Yu..."

Miyazaki Yu reached out and patted Ran's head with a smile, saying, "I originally wanted to tell you about this later, as it's a surprise, but it seems I have to tell you all ahead of time now."

Hattori Heizo continued, "The Sword Saint is the pinnacle of swordsmanship, the ultimate goal a swordsman strives for in his lifetime. It is truly a cause for celebration that Your Excellency Miyazaki has become a Sword Saint, standing alongside Chairman Kawakami. This is a blessing for swordsmanship and for Japan."

However, I also hope that Miyazaki, the Sword Saint, can restrain the sharpness of your sword. Your sword is too sharp. Your disciple underwent the Sword Master Trial, but such a tragedy occurred. Although swords have no eyes and it is a rule that everyone agrees on, it is still best to avoid such bloodshed.

"A bloodshed? Xiaoyu, did something happen at the Sword Master Association?" Xiaolan couldn't help but ask curiously, as they weren't familiar with this department head.

However, the other party couldn't help but bring it up as soon as they met, which clearly indicated that the matter was very serious.

Miyazaki Yu smiled faintly and said, "You all know about the Sword Master Trial. The requirement is that the challenger must fight against the sword master, and the challenger must try to show off their sword skills as much as possible."

You can advance to the next rank as long as you gain the approval of three or more sword masters.

However, this trial is not easy to pass. Over the years, many skilled swordsmen have perished during the trial. This is the rule of the Path of the Sword Master!

In a recent trial, a challenger initiated the trial and successfully passed it. However, injuries and fatalities were inevitable during the trial, which is something to be careful about. Chief Hattori is right, and I will raise this suggestion in future meetings.

Seeing Miyazaki Yu describe the fall of a swordsman so casually, a surge of anger rose in his heart, mixed with the pain of knowing the truth about the military base, which he almost couldn't suppress.

But he also knew that this was the limit of how much he could express his dissatisfaction!

If I continue to say things I shouldn't, the consequences could be unbearable. The entire Hattori family might vanish, and a powerful clan that has been passed down for hundreds of years could also disappear.

"What Miyazaki Sword Saint said is correct. Thank you for your hard work, Sword Saint."

Seeing Hattori Heizo's respectful demeanor, Kazuha could hardly believe her eyes.

Her uncle, Heizo, who was always so dignified and solemn, was showing such respect to Miyazaki Yu at this moment, which was beyond her comprehension.

In her eyes, although Miyazaki Yu was the champion of the kendo tournament and a swordsman, he was still just a high school student.

However, she also vaguely realized one thing: this guy was really extraordinary.

"What you just said, Minister, must have been the truth. You care more about the lives of the people than solving the case."

Hattori Heizo nodded: "That's right, it's a policeman's responsibility. It's like a doctor's responsibility. A doctor's most important duty is to prevent people from getting sick when they have minor illnesses, rather than trying to make amends after the patient is seriously ill, because then it's too late."

People's lives are precious and irreplaceable!

Miyazaki Yu smiled and said, "That would be great. Detective Mouri and I have discovered something. According to my deduction, a middle-aged woman has become the next target of the serial murder case. So Detective Mouri and I are about to go and check it out. Moreover, Hattori Heiji may have already gone there."

However, he is currently with the person we suspect, and their operation may be fruitless. But I have prepared a small backup plan that may allow us to capture the murderer in one fell swoop.

........................

Meanwhile, Heiji Hattori and Conan learned the address and phone number of the middle-aged woman, Sumie Okazaki, from Yusuke Sakata in the car. After all, with the license plate number, finding out this information was quite simple.

So Officer Sakata dialed the woman's home directly.

However, Ms. Okazaki Sumie was already terrified after witnessing the taxi driver fall from a great height.

He was trembling at home when he heard the police call, and immediately became agitated, desperately demanding police protection.

After calming her down, the three people in the car unexpectedly discovered that they had missed the turnoff leading to the other person's apartment. This meant that it would take too much time to find a way around by taking the next turnoff.

So Conan and Heiji Hattori, those two reckless guys, jumped out of the car on the highway and ran towards each other's address.

Little did they know that after they left, Okazaki Sumie, who was shivering in her room, received another phone call.

“Ms. Gangqi, this is the police officer who just called. Your current residence is far too dangerous. Staying there will endanger your life. So I suggest you go to the public restroom next to the apartment immediately.”

The prisoner won't know where you're going. You'll be safe once I get there!

After hanging up the phone, the figure let out a long sigh of relief. Only then, under the sunlight, did his true appearance become clear. It was none other than Sakata Yusuke, who had just parted ways with Conan and the others.

After the two men left, he immediately parked his car in an alley and chased after them on foot, calling the woman out of her room by phone.

Although the two were a step ahead of him, it didn't matter. With this arrangement, the two would become his perfect cover.

The police officer's identity, the familiar friend, and the familiar presence in sight.

These are blind spots in people's thinking; even Heiji Hattori wouldn't easily connect them to himself.

I have been preparing for this moment for far too long!

The time has finally come to take revenge on my enemies!

He arrived at the public restroom at just the right time.

At this moment, Ms. Okazaki was anxiously waiting. When she saw Yusuke Sakata come in from outside, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This person was the policeman who had just spoken to her; she was finally safe.

"Officer, you've finally arrived! That's wonderful!"

Yusuke Sakata nodded: "Ms. Okazaki, don't worry, I will definitely ensure your safety. However, we, the police, also have some questions for you, namely about what happened twenty years ago."

As she said this, a hint of fear flashed in the woman's eyes.

"I'll tell you everything. Back then, it all happened during that training camp and driving test. That instructor named Daoye Chezhi was just too strict. We couldn't stand it, so we tried to play pranks on him..."

She was completely lost in her memories and didn't see that Sakata Yusuke was standing behind her with a blank expression, his eyes gleaming. His docile, corporate slave-like image had vanished, leaving only a ferocious look.

"Take your repentance and go down to the underworld to atone for my father's sins!"

With that, he took out the rope and slammed it around Okazaki Sumie's neck. Then he pulled hard, and Okazaki Sumie immediately struggled to breathe. She struggled desperately, but her life was also slowly slipping away with him.

Just then, a meow suddenly rang out, and a small figure stood atop the wall!