The cross-dressing master in the world of Detective Conan

"It seems the owner of this villa has grand ambitions, having invited so many renowned detectives. This is going to be quite a show."

Ai seems to have caught Kaoru Kazama's talent for playful banter in the detective world, and she always seems to enjoy it immensely.

"I think if we're going to hire a detective, then hiring Uncle Mori is definitely the most cost-effective option. It's buy one get one free, and he even comes with a case-triggering device. He definitely won't let the client waste their money, it's just that his life is in danger."

Ai Haibara was probably hearing Kaoru Kazama say this for the first time, and she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Actually, Ai has a very beautiful smile, but she's used to keeping a blank expression all the time.

Kaoru Kazama had asked him the same question before, only to be met with a curt reply that laughing too much could cause premature aging.

"Let's go. The savior of the island nation's police has arrived. As a lowly policeman, I should at least go and greet him. Otherwise, how can the great detective be considered the savior?"

After saying that, Kaoru Kazama went downstairs with Ai.

The main reason was that I was just too bored staying in the room.

"Mori-senpai, you've finally arrived! Where's Ran? Didn't she come?"

"Xiaolan went to the restroom first; I didn't expect them to invite you over too."

"Yeah, it's pretty awkward for a policeman like me to blend in with a bunch of famous detectives."

"I never expected the Metropolitan Police Department to have such beautiful police officers now. A lot has really changed since I left Japan."

Harufumi Mogi was a bit of a slacker to begin with. He was a forty-year-old man who was still unmarried. If he weren't an experienced driver, he probably would have been turned to ashes long ago.

"Detective Mogi Harufumi, I've heard of your name before, but it seems you're on the list of those injured in the terrorist attack. It looks like you're doing quite well."

"Sigh, those things are so far away, I've long forgotten them. After all, living in the present is the most important thing."

"Sister Xiaoxun, what brings you here?"

A surprised voice came from behind. Without asking, it must be Xiaolan going to the restroom.

"Yes, I also received an invitation, but I arrived a little earlier than you. The maid just said that she invited Kudo, but she couldn't get in touch with him. I think you should call him when you get back, otherwise you won't know where you'll be fooling around."

Conan, who had been looking around, suddenly froze, clearly not expecting Kazama Kaoru to trick him.

However, when the maid mentioned that she had invited two boys, Ran was noticeably less excited.

As the saying goes, there is no disappointment without hope. It's better to tell Ran in advance that Shinichi Kudo isn't in this villa than to feel like your hopes have been dashed.

"By the way, do you know who owns this villa?"

Uncle Mori asked Kaoru Kazama, who had arrived at the twilight villa earlier, but received a negative answer. He then asked the maid, who also didn't know.

According to the maid, she received the invitation list during the interview, and the entire interview process was very strange. Her interviewee was just a computer from beginning to end.

Moreover, the admission process was even more inexplicable. She found out she had been admitted before she even answered the questions, which left her completely baffled.

After this explanation, everyone's doubts about the banquet only grew stronger, though they kept them to themselves.

Chapter 225 The Most Explosive News of This Century

"This makes me a little eager to try it out."

"To be honest, I was already incredibly excited when I saw that weird doorknob."

Harufumi Mogi smiled, glancing behind him.

"Seriously, the doorknob looks really strange. Something must have stuck to it, right?"

After taking a closer look, Xiaolan said:

"Be careful, honey, I think that's some kind of old bloodstain."

"You, you must be joking, right?"

If such a large area of ​​blood is covered in blood, then it is highly likely that someone has died. Xiaolan, who is usually quite timid, finds this unacceptable.

“He’s right. Based on my judgment, those were droplets of blood that splattered at a 45-degree angle. There are also dripping bloodstains on the floor of this villa and bloodstains left on the walls. There are traces of bloodstains everywhere here.”

As they were talking, a woman wearing a white lab coat, with a ponytail, who looked shrewd and capable, came out. She was wearing white gloves and carrying a small spray bottle.

Judging from the fluorescent reaction that appeared after spraying it onto the handle, it should indeed be luminol reagent specifically used for testing bloodstains.

This is former prosecutor Ikumi Gunta. She probably saw that being a detective was more lucrative, so she resigned from her position as prosecutor and became a detective.

"Senior Gunda, I apologize for not visiting you earlier."

"It's alright, no need to be so polite. It's been almost three years since I resigned from my position as a prosecutor, so I'm no longer your senior. Don't be so reserved."

Ikumi Gunda waved her hand, appearing very easygoing.

There's no way around it; that's just how it is in island nations. Seniority and juniority are taken very seriously. She might not care, but she can't remain silent.

Although he's rather laid-back, he still understands social etiquette.

"Nluminol, once sprayed onto the blood, produces a special bluish-purple fluorescence based on the active oxidases in the blood. I didn't expect you to bring such a thing, former prosecutor, Ms. Ikumi Gunta."

The last one to appear was Hakuba Saguru. Perhaps it was the immature mentality of someone his age that was causing the stir, as if he wouldn't make a splash if he didn't show off.

Hakuba Saguru is depicted with an eagle perched on his shoulder, hands in his pockets, slowly descending the stairs. If the background music of "A Spray of Plum Blossoms" were played at this moment, it would definitely be quite comical.

"I am honored by your praise, young master."

"Hakuba Saguru, so you're the son of Police Commissioner Hakuba?"

The older man was a bit slow to react and only just realized it now.

However, Kazama Kaoru keenly sensed something was wrong; the uncle's scent was off.

Although it was very faint, he had already smelled it when he walked over, and it was definitely not the smell of an old smoker like the uncle.

Although it has a strong tobacco smell, it's not the kind that comes from years of smoking; rather, it smells like concentrated tobacco liquid applied directly to the skin.

He observed the man carefully and already had a guess in his mind.

In the entire world, besides Kaito Kid and Vermouth, only Yukiko Kudo could possibly impersonate someone so convincingly.

"It can't be Conan's mom, so that leaves Vermouth and Kid as the only two options."

Thinking of this, he glanced back at Ai and found her watching the detectives showing off their skills with great interest. Conan couldn't suppress his impulse after seeing Hakuba Saguru showing off, although he suppressed it after glancing at Ran.

The human-powered dark organization detection kit shouldn't malfunction, since it's still under warranty.

Especially when facing Vermouth, it's impossible for her not to sense it, so there's only one possibility.

The man in front of you, disguised as an old man, is none other than Kaito Kid.

That put his mind at ease. This guy still had some principles; at most, he would tease Conan and his wife, but he didn't seem to have any desire for the older man. He was probably hiding somewhere.

While he was speculating about the uncle's whereabouts, the situation in the room had temporarily calmed down.

It seems that after a few detectives expressed their excitement and interest in the matter, nothing more was said.

"I'm so sorry, gentlemen, dinner preparation will take a little longer. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the card and chess room has various entertainment facilities. Please pass the time while we wait. Dinner will be ready later."

When you're in someone else's territory, you should follow their lead.

The fact that the owner has not yet shown up is very strange to everyone.

Kazama Kaoru's intuition told him that, apart from the detectives, only the maid Aki was left in the villa.

Could it be that the owner still lives in the basement?

Kazama Kaoru was very puzzled by this, but he didn't say anything. He also wanted to see what the other party wanted to do by inviting so many famous detectives.

Once inside the card room, Mogi Harufumi and Hakuba Saguru immediately started playing billiards, while Mouri was pulled into playing chess by Chima-san. On the other side, Kazama Kaoru and Ai were also playing chess, but Ai was teaching Kazama Kaoru how to play.

God knows, he actually wanted to play pool.

Finally, Conan plays cards with his sister Ran and Ikumi Gunta.

Xiaolan has always been very lucky; she wins almost every time.

Some people gamble on skill, some gamble on cheating, but the most dangerous gamblers are those who rely on luck.

Everyone was having a great time, but the relaxed atmosphere ended with two playing cards stained with blood.

Clearly, all the facilities in the room were in the same condition as when the incident occurred, and had not been properly cleaned or tidied, which inevitably led to the discovery of bloodstains.

Then, just at that moment, the maid Aki announced that dinner was ready.

So everyone followed her to the restaurant, and this discovery instantly turned their initially cheerful mood into a somber one.

Actually, Kazama Kaoru wasn't too worried. With two main characters possessing protagonist auras in this place, what was there to be afraid of?

If he weren't worried about alerting the enemy, he would have really liked to steal some of Kid's blood to test it. If he could find anything by comparing it with Conan's DNA, it would probably be the most explosive news of this century.

After walking down a long corridor, the group finally arrived at the restaurant.

After the maid Aki pushed open the door, a Western-style dining room came into view. Behind the main seat was a fireplace. Although the temperature didn't require it for warmth, it was clearly not a practical item, but rather there to enhance the ambiance.

However, everyone's attention was clearly not there, but rather on a strangely dressed "person" sitting in front of the fireplace, wearing a mask similar to those worn by medieval pagans.

That's right, Kaoru Kazama sensed it the moment he stepped into the restaurant.

However, the detectives around him didn't seem to notice anything amiss. It seemed that the mannequin was quite well-made, capable of fooling so many intelligent people.

"Hey, come on, what's with this outfit? Have you been watching too many TV dramas?"

Harufumi Mogi was standing at the very front, so naturally he was the first to see the situation inside the house.

To be honest, this outfit would definitely look natural if someone were to cosplay an alien or something. It's even possible that this outfit was stolen directly from a tokusatsu production crew.

"To the seven distinguished detectives present here today, I extend my warmest welcome."

The voice sounded strange; you could tell a voice changer was being used.

However, since Kaoru Kazama knew that the person in front of her was a mannequin, she easily guessed that the voice was pre-recorded.

It's quite normal that he didn't respond to Harufumi Mogi's earlier teasing, since even a recording from thirty years later wouldn't have an automatic reply function.

Chapter 226 transcends the low-level pleasure of self-indulgence.

"The main reason I invited you all here is that I hope you can help me dig out the treasure that is currently hidden somewhere in this villa. It took me many years to obtain this treasure, and I will find it no matter what, even if it costs me my life."

Although the voice was synthesized, it was still very emotionally rich.

Kaoru Kazama could clearly hear the obsession with the so-called "treasure hidden in the villa" in his words. The voice could be changed, but the emotions inside could not be erased.

Regardless, at least the person who invited them from behind the scenes was experiencing some financial difficulties.