Conan, I'm an actor

As Torata Tatsuei was being carried onto the ambulance, he witnessed the casino members being escorted into police cars one by one, under the watchful eyes of the prefectural police. Whether from fear or anger, he suddenly fainted.

"It's no use fainting. Once you get out of the hospital, you'll still have to go to jail if you're not going to," Shinjo said in a low voice as he walked up to Torata Tatsuyoshi.

"It's all your fault! You're the one who gave those guys the information!" Torada Tatsuei suddenly opened his eyes and roared like a madman.

"How do you know that piece of paper contains evidence?" Xincheng said with a smile. "The paper is blank. We're just putting on an act. Why are you so impatient, old man, jumping out in such a hurry? This tactic is called 'beating the grass to scare the snake.' Learn more about military strategy before you come out and show off."

"A blank sheet of paper?" Torada Tatsuei's expression was somewhat blank, as if he was stunned by the news. Only after the ambulance door closed did a maniacal laugh come from inside.

"To kill someone, you must also destroy their spirit." Yue Shui appeared beside Xin Cheng at some point. "Those guys were really unlucky to run into you."

After everything was settled, Naonobu Torada stood blankly at the door, with his daughter-in-law Yui Torada beside him.

“Torada Shigeji claims he killed Kai Genjin, but that’s not true.” Shinjo walked to Torada Naonobu’s side. “There’s a very important piece of information in the original file: the horse’s hoof was injured. It was probably Torada Tatsuei who fired a shot at Kai Genjin’s horse, causing Kai Genjin to fall off the cliff. It had little to do with him. The people at the casino can also corroborate this.”

"you……"

“Even if he’s a good-for-nothing, he’s still my son,” Shinjo said with a smile. “Let me tell you the truth: Wind, Forest, Mountain, Fire, Yin, Thunder. Kai Genjin, who died at the bottom of the cliff, is Yin; Ryūo Ayaka, who hanged herself in the forest, is Forest; Ryūo Kage, who was burned to death, is Fire. If you remove Wind and Mountain, all that’s left is Thunder. Guess who Thunder is? Uncle Torada, take my advice, don’t remarry. Your judgment is really terrible. If you ruin the Torada family’s only heir, your Torada family will be extinct.”

The Torada and Ryūo families escorted the Mōri group to the best hotel at the foot of the mountain. They should have hosted these distinguished guests at home to prevent their families from dying out, but given the major incident that had just occurred in their homes, it was not appropriate.

During dinner, Shinichi Kudo looked somewhat embarrassed and didn't dare to look at Kogoro Mouri at all.

The "kid" he uttered on his way to the fire was no slip of the tongue; he heard it clearly. Uncle Mori must have already realized that he was Conan.

As he pondered how to explain himself, Ran kept putting food into his bowl. With each bite, Kogoro's face darkened. By the end of the meal, Kudo felt his back was soaked with sweat.

Just as he was wondering how to start the conversation, Shinjo went outside and returned a moment later with a bottle of fine sake in his hand.

Kogoro Mouri's previously gloomy expression flickered with a hint of struggle the moment he saw the sake bottle. He had important things to discuss with the kid later, and drinking could ruin everything, but...

As the bottle was opened and the aroma of sake wafted to his nose, the string of "reason" in Kogoro Mouri's heart snapped completely. Anyway, sake isn't very strong; with his tolerance, it shouldn't cause any trouble.

But as he drank, his senses became dulled, and he only remembered that the later drinks seemed to be somewhat spicy.

the next morning

When Kogoro Mouri woke up, he found himself already on the train, with Hattori and Kazuha sitting in the seats that Conan and Hiromitsu had taken.

"Where are we going?" Kogoro Mouri felt a little dizzy.

“The Nagano Prefectural Police Department. This case is very big. As someone involved in this case, I need to go to the police station to make a statement,” Hattori said slowly. As if he could see what Uncle Mori was thinking, he added, “Kudo went there this morning and even borrowed my motorcycle.”

Thinking of this, his expression became even more resentful. He learned from Kudo that this transformation was only temporary, lasting just a little longer than before. This amount of time was definitely not enough for him to ride the motorcycle back to Osaka; in the end, it would most likely be abandoned somewhere, and he would have to ride it back for him.

"Shinjo, you actually forced me to drink!" Kogoro Mouri said angrily.

Yesterday was such a good opportunity to confront him, but this guy messed things up. If that brat turns into a brat, he'll definitely try to fool me again.

"Don't talk nonsense. I didn't ask you to drink yesterday." Shinjo glanced at the rearview mirror. "Someone said he would drive back to Tokyo, but last night he came up with a glass and asked me for a drink."

Kogoro's expression instantly fell. It seemed that he really was the one who begged for drinks yesterday. How could he not control his mouth?

Chapter 259 Guardians and Documents

The group entered the Nagano Prefectural Police Station to give their statements, while Shinjo and Koshimizu waited outside because they were not involved in the case.

"Can we talk?" Just as Shinjo was about to buy coffee, Morofushi Kagemitsu's voice rang out from behind him.

"What's there to talk about? And what's there to talk about?" Shinjo asked with a smile. "Didn't your brother explain things to you clearly? To tell you the truth, I shot those three arrows in the woods, and I was the one who cut off that arm of the Torada family. But do you dare to arrest me?"

Zhu Fu Gaoming's expression changed, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "I dare not."

"Isn't that enough?" Xincheng stretched his neck. "I know you're smart, but you're not strong enough. Right now, you don't even qualify to step onto the chessboard as a piece. Military strategy emphasizes both orthodox and unorthodox tactics; you can't do without either one."

Zhu Fu Gaoming naturally understood the meaning behind Xincheng's words, but he was unwilling to accept it, and...

“You’re a county police officer. Your brother almost lost his life to escape this game, and he’ll have to live cautiously for the rest of his life. Why are you doing this to yourself?” Shinjo tossed the iced coffee he had just picked up to Morofushi Komei. “Wake up.”

The statements were taken very quickly; they were all completed in just one morning.

Morofushi Takaaki did not show up again until he left the police station. Instead, Yamato Kansuke came over, pulled him aside to give a statement, and asked him a lot of questions he didn't want to answer.

By the time he left the police station, Kogoro Mouri had fully recovered. He plopped down in the driver's seat and indicated that he would drive the way back.

Hattori and Kazuha were originally going back, but since Hattori had lent his motorcycle to Kudo, they could only hitch a ride for now.

"It may be a small place, but the police officers here are really good, much better than those guys under Inspector Megure. How come I didn't notice that last time I saw them?" Kogoro Mouri said to Shinjo in the passenger seat.

"Intelligence, analytical skills, they are very good at gathering intelligence," Shinjo said, putting down his phone and looking out the window.

Meanwhile, Osaka

Shinichi Kudo parked his motorcycle in front of the Hattori house, immediately hailed a taxi, and headed to the nearest station. Before leaving, he had asked Ran for a pill, but he figured he should avoid taking it if possible, since someone wouldn't always deliver it to him.

"I wonder how things are over there, and I wonder if Ran can explain things to Uncle." Sitting on the train, Kudo had a headache and finally decided to call his mother.

However, Kudo Yukiko had never encountered a situation like his. How could someone who falls in love at first sight understand the difficulties of childhood friends?

However, Yukiko Kudo offered a more reliable solution—to go away and hide for a while.

The Kudo family can no longer stay there; who knows if that black-clad organization will launch a surprise attack? However, with the Kudo family's wealth, buying an apartment in Tokyo is not difficult. Before the conflict is resolved, hiding away is a good option.

Looking at the scenery rushing past outside the train window, Shinichi Kudo's face was full of worry. His mother's idea was good, but in doing so, all the pressure would fall on Ran, and he didn't want to see the father and daughter have a conflict.

One week later

Shinjo tidied up the materials in front of him. Most of these materials were forged with Kallen's help. Creating a person out of thin air is no easy task; fabricating a resume and such is too troublesome. Fortunately, "Ai Haibara" was just a child, making it relatively easier to forge.

"So, can you explain to me why you are my guardian, but I have the surname Haibara?" Haibara looked at the materials on the table, especially when she saw the words "father and daughter" in the guardian and relationship section, and felt like she was about to explode.

"Hmm? I didn't think that much about it." Shinjo said casually. "Besides, if you really think the surname is important, I can take you to change your name later. It's just that the name Shinjo Ai doesn't sound very good."

Why didn't you change your name?

“I need to change more documents to change my name, but it’s easier for you and won’t take much time,” Xincheng shrugged. “Besides, it’s just a father-daughter relationship, right? Can’t it be an adoptive father?”

"Heh!" Haibara stopped dwelling on the surname issue and directly changed the subject, "One of the pills you took out was missing. Who did you give it to? Why didn't you have him come over for a checkup?"

"He's probably busy hiding from his enemies lately."

"Your identity has been exposed?"

"almost."

"Not dead? Who was that? Someone from the Black Organization?"

“He’s not dead, and he’s not one of the organization.” Shinjo stroked the stubble on his chin and said with a hint of schadenfreude, “If he were one of the organization, he would just be dead at most. But his enemies can make him wish he were dead.”

"What grudge do you have?"

"They've uprooted all the cabbages in the garden, and they've been doing it right under our noses for over half a year." Xincheng shook his head. "What father-in-law in the world could endure that kind of pain?"

"Boring." Haibara rolled her eyes, turned around and walked into the research room behind her, but when she got to the door she suddenly said, "Let me know when they have the results, so I can arrange a physical examination for that guy."

Watching Haibara's figure disappear into the lab doorway, Shinjo shrugged. "If you want to watch the show, just say so! You're not honest at all."

"Kogoro Mouri is ringing the doorbell. Are you going to answer it or not?" Karen's voice rang in my ears.

"Do you have a knife?" Shinjo asked somewhat timidly.

“No.” Karen paused for a moment. “The possibility of them carrying a gun cannot be ruled out.”

A dozen minutes later, Shinjo, with a bruised and swollen face, and Kogoro Mouri, whose hands were wrapped in bandages, sat on either side of the sofa. Shinjo hadn't really fought back, but as for Mouri, he hadn't held back and had smashed the metal frame directly into it.

"We've already beaten them up, and their anger should have subsided by now," Shinjo said somewhat helplessly. "What are you going to do about these two?"

"Can the medicine be developed?" Kogoro asked, staring at Shinjo.

"Sure, but it will take time." Xincheng leaned back on the sofa. "You came all this way just to ask me this? Can't I ask you over the phone?"

"Beating you up is the main purpose, this issue is secondary." Mori rolled his eyes. "I'm worried that Ran can't wait. Ten years is too big a gap."

"If the little girl isn't worried, what are you worried about?" Xincheng wanted to laugh, but the laugh pulled at the injured area on his face, turning his original smile into a ferocious expression.

"What exactly is going on with that drug?" Kogoro Mouri asked, frowning. "Also, is there any danger if this kid continues to investigate? I have a few acquaintances in the Metropolitan Police Department..."

"Metropolitan Police Department?" Shinjo rolled his eyes. "If the Metropolitan Police Department could handle the trouble, would I need to get involved? Keep your favors for yourself. Besides, Megure is alive and well, why are you in such a hurry to send him on his way?"

Chapter 260 Ai Haibara's School Enrollment

Kogoro Mouri fell silent. Although the kid hadn't given him much information, he knew how difficult the black-clad organization was to deal with. Shinjo's words now seemed to confirm his suspicions.

Xincheng stood up, walked directly to the bookshelf next to him, took out a file folder, and threw it on the table.

"Is this the information on that Black Organization?" Kogoro Mouri took the file folder.

He pulled out the documents and found a birth certificate and a certificate from the orphanage. He looked at Xincheng with some confusion.

"Conan Edogawa's birth certificate and resume, all the documents have been processed." Shinjo coughed. "Now we're just missing a guardian. If you're willing to be his guardian, just write 'father and son' on it. Anyway, he'll call you 'dad' sooner or later, it's all the same."

"Are you kidding me?!" Kogoro Mouri instantly exploded. "I'm not like you, a single dog. Eri and I aren't divorced. If we have another son, won't she come after me?"

“Then go find his real parents.” Shinjo shrugged. “But Yusaku and Yukiko are both people who live in the spotlight. If they suddenly have an adopted son, it will inevitably arouse suspicion from others.”

"What exactly are you planning to do with all this?"

"Someone's become suspicious of Conan Edogawa, so should we investigate?" Shinjo shrugged.

"Who? That organization?"

"Our own people, and the ones at the top."

"why?"

“Chang Sheng, that kid might live ten more years.” Xin Cheng said with some melancholy, “If it were you, wouldn’t you be tempted? Some people feel that living is suffering, while others would never want to live any longer.”

Kogoro wasn't stupid; he understood certain principles immediately. However, looking at the documents in front of him, he simply didn't know what to do.

“That kid’s parents should be returning to Japan soon. Try to get Eri to meet with them and discuss it. If the kid is willing to stop here, that would be best. If he wants to continue investigating, then pretend I never gave you this.”

Kogoro Mouri's expression changed drastically. Becoming Conan Edogawa's guardian wasn't a big deal. But if he became the guardian, it meant he would be involved, and not only him, but also Ran and even Eri Kisaki, who was currently separated from him, would be affected.

He wanted to ask Shinjo what he should do if Shinichi Kudo insisted on continuing the investigation.

If it were up to him, he would probably agree, so he wanted to hear Shin-cheng's opinion.

This time, however, Shinjo seemed determined not to give him an answer. After handing over the items, he went straight back to his room and had Koshimizu come out to see him off.

Seeing Koshimizu in front of him, Kogoro Mouri felt like he had found a savior and asked directly, "Miss Koshimizu, you should know about what Shinjo did, right? Why are you still following him? Isn't it very dangerous?"

"I believe him, that's all." Yue Shui gave an answer that wasn't really an answer.

Kogoro Mouri was also having a bit of a headache. Shinjo was capable and could control everything, but he couldn't do that, and neither could Shinichi Kudo.