Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

This time, however, the opponent demonstrated a "limit" in the first two parts.

It seems to be much higher than last time.

It's a pity I couldn't witness it in person.

Shuichi Akai rubbed his temples, forcing the lingering sleepiness to pass quickly: "So, you've already located Gin and Rye's positions?"

"Yes, we just found their hideout. According to our calculations, they will probably leave the country tonight and return to Japan. We have already set up ambushes near the hotel and also planted people to infiltrate the hotel disguised as guests."

Upon hearing this, Shuichi Akai narrowed his eyes.

Tonight is truly peculiar. Not only is the new rye a given, but Gin, who is usually a source of worry because he can't be found, has actually delivered himself to our door this time.

However, with both Gin and Rye involved, even putting everything else aside, just those two alone wouldn't be easy to catch.

Going even deeper, could this "information" have been deliberately leaked by Gin?

Opportunity or trap?

Shuichi Akai didn't know, but he did know one thing.

Given the value of gin, any risk would be enough to make the FBI take the plunge.

"So, you called me to confirm whether the other person is actually a member of that organization?"

However, in response to Shuichi Akai's words, the person on the other end of the phone said, "That's actually secondary. What's more important is that I want to ask you about that guy's information."

"Which one?"

"That's the one!"

"...Which one is that?"

"...That's the one."

Shuichi Akai was speechless. He suspected that it wasn't him who was still asleep, but his boss... What the hell was he talking about?

Ten seconds later, Shuichi Akai, having confirmed that James wanted to ask about information regarding Rye, couldn't help but feel a little emotional—he hadn't expected that his superior, after clashing with the organization's people, would first focus on the new Rye instead of anything else... Although there was nothing wrong with that, it was just that the guy's danger level and instability were indeed a bit high.

Unfortunately, Shuichi Akai didn't have much information about the new rye, and he wasn't even sure how accurate it was.

In the end, Shuichi Akai told James everything he knew about Rye, along with some of his own analysis.

Before Akai could even voice the possibility that he might be an undercover agent, James couldn't help but interrupt and ask, "Then what special purpose or significance does the raven he carries with him have?"

"……crow??"

Shuichi Akai looked puzzled: "What crow?"

James, on the other side, also looked puzzled: "A crow is a crow, what do you mean by 'crow'... I mean, could you have mistaken me for someone else?"

"How is that possible!"

Shuichi Akai immediately retorted, and then engaged in a heated discussion with James.

Finally, a conclusion was reached.

One possibility is that the crow was recently raised by New Rye, so Shuichi Akai didn't know about it.

Possibly, New Rye has actually been raising crows for a long time, but Shuichi Akai has only met them a few times, so he is unaware of this.

...Of course, this is not important.

Realizing the topic had gone astray, James immediately steered it back to the main point—the "challenge" that the new rye had left him.

James wanted to ask two questions.

One question is whether this "challenge" is credible.

Another question is, if they have credibility, how do they take down the other party... After all, judging from the performance of the new rye, it is indeed quite terrifying.

Even if James is confident he can win this "challenge".

However, if we can obtain effective intelligence and formulate corresponding strategies, we can minimize our own "losses" and even complete the game without taking any damage.

Why not do it?

Shuichi Akai responded that the answer was "credible".

The "arrogance" of neo-rye needs no further explanation.

This is such a crazy, unreasonable, and idiotic act.

Shuichi Akai wouldn't dare to guarantee anything if it were someone else.

Chapter 367, Do you know what art is? (Bonus chapter for monthly votes)

But if it's applied to new rye.

That makes perfect sense.

At the same time, Shuichi Akai also understood why James would pay such priority to the new Black Rye, and where the other party learned about this code name.

...They discovered that the FBI neither fled nor fought, but instead chose to issue a "challenge."

Hmm, that's the style.

Very new rye.

Shuichi Akai's understanding of the term "new rye" was refreshed once again, but there was still one point that puzzled him.

Does Gin know about the "challenge"?

If you knew, would you just let the other party do as they pleased?

This question has no answer, nor does it need one.

Next, Shuichi Akai offered some tactical guidance to James from his own perspective, although it's unlikely to be of much use.

After all, the situation on the battlefield can change in an instant, and what matters most is the commander's ability to adapt to changing circumstances.

If "templates" are useful, then everyone should just use the same ones.

Finally, Shuichi Akai revealed his suspicion about the "undercover agent," telling James that if possible, he should try not to harm the other party... but of course, he only tried his best.

Even if New Rye really is an undercover agent, it doesn't mean that Shuichi Akai would be willing to sacrifice his teammates for the other party. In fact, to put it bluntly, which of those who go down the path of being an undercover agent is truly innocent and harmless?

To achieve their goals, they might even "sacrifice" their own teammates, let alone spies from other organizations. And whether a spy is a genuine spy or not is another matter entirely.

James hummed in response to Shuichi Akai's suggestion.

...Even if Shuichi Akai said that New Rye might be an undercover agent, even if he isn't, he's still a high-ranking member of that organization, and he doesn't seem like an ordinary high-ranking member, so he's very valuable, okay?

If he could be captured alive, James would definitely want to be captured alive.

"Oh no! That guy with the crow has driven out of the hotel!"

Just then, the voice of the FBI agent in charge of surveillance suddenly came through the walkie-talkie.

"What!?"

Before James could even hang up, he hurriedly asked into the walkie-talkie, "What's going on? Where did he drive off to? Is he alone?!"

"He's alone. We don't know exactly where he's going, but he's heading southeast!"

southeast?

James paused for a moment. Could this direction be... heading towards the location on the challenge letter?

Looking at my watch again, it was already three o'clock.

If we leave now, we should arrive at our destination around 4 PM.

"Damn it, I forgot about this!"

James leaned out of the car, glanced in the direction New Rye had driven off, then looked at the hotel so close by, his mind filled with conflicting emotions.

It was only at this point that James realized the biggest problem with this "challenge".

That means the goal was split into two parts.

James can only choose one.

Of course, James could also try selecting all options.

But in the end, it's possible that none of them will get a share.

On one side are "unfathomable" super criminals, and on the other side are a few criminals who, while not entirely unfathomable, are at least among the top tier.

Regardless of which one, James must give it his all to have a chance of winning, if he has to fight on two fronts.

It's easy to end up pleasing neither side.

Is this the real reason why Rye issued the challenge?

A diversionary tactic?

This guy definitely couldn't be an undercover agent.

"Go to the rye area."

Just as James was struggling with his decision, Shuichi Akai's voice came through the phone.

"what?"

James turned around in surprise, seemingly unable to believe he had heard this "suggestion".

“Going to the rye area is more worthwhile.”

Shuichi Akai repeated it.

“But isn’t Rye just a newcomer who has just been promoted to a management position? No matter how much potential he has, he can’t compare to Gin’s bar. Besides, there are other management positions here besides Gin, so their value is incomparable.”

James' eyes suddenly lit up: "And the fact that this rye left on its own has reduced the pressure on our side, increasing the chances of success, right?"

During the "discussion," James became more and more excited, almost to the point of convincing himself.

Even though Shuichi Akai immediately poured cold water on James's enthusiasm the next second, asking, "Then what do you think is Gin's reason for letting Rye leave on its own?"

“I’m telling you, he thinks that even without rye, you wouldn’t be able to catch him.”

"If Gin were really that easy to catch, he would have been caught long ago and wouldn't be alive now. On the contrary, if we go to Rye, at least we'll have a chance to make contact with him. And thinking about it even more deeply, could this challenge be Rye's way of giving you an opportunity?"

"Is your purpose to make contact with you, or perhaps you've learned of Gin's plan and understand that you're unlikely to succeed and will only suffer unnecessary casualties? That's why you issued the challenge, hoping to lure you away and avoid pointless sacrifices?"

As Shuichi Akai analyzed the situation, the flame in James's eyes gradually died down. Finally, he took a deep breath, shifted gears, stepped on the gas, and pressed the intercom: "Everyone, evacuate the hotel, follow me!"