Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

Ito Taka isn't stupid.

After hearing Sano's words, which were ostensibly "accusations" but actually "explanations," how could he not know why he had been summoned here?

...But the other party's speed in shifting the blame is a bit too fast, isn't it?

Realizing what was happening, Ito Taka's lips twitched. Considering the other party's earlier reminder, he understood that if this problem couldn't be solved...

Then let alone the identity of an organization member.

Even their own lives and safety might be affected.

Logically speaking, at this point, Ito Taka should first admit his mistake, then correct it, and then his boss, who is good at shifting blame, would probably "compensate" him by giving him a severe reprimand or punishment behind closed doors, and then the matter would be considered over.

Of course, Ito Taka could also choose to point out Sano's "mistake" first, and then admit his mistake. If he did that, the "pressure" on him would be much less.

Although it's only openly discussed now.

After thinking for two seconds, Ito Taka did not refute Sano's statement, but instead chose to silently take the blame and said sincerely and apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Rye, I may not have explained it to you clearly."

"What I mean by 'no problem' is not that I won't do it again in the future, but that my actions will absolutely not cause any trouble in the future."

"Although you may see them as outsiders who helped me complete the mission, to me they are my most sincere friends."

Chapter 378 (377): The Army of Mental Illnesses Invades the Winery

"friend?"

Gin interrupted Ito Taka, sneering, "The adult world is all about interests, not friendship, kid."

"Don't be so naive."

...To be honest, if it were anyone else, Gin would probably have already pulled out his pistol and shot them dead. Why would a few executives bother to make a special trip for a mere peripheral member?

Is there still so much nonsense?

It's important to understand that this isn't limited to every peripheral member.

They can all enjoy the same treatment as Sano.

Of course, it was precisely because Ito Taka was Sano's subordinate that Gin was willing to give him some face and make a personal trip instead of simply throwing him away.

However, in response to Gin's "taunts," Ito Taka smiled and said, "There are always exceptions. There are always some true friends in the world. If you are patient enough to find them and talk to them, they might even give their lives for me."

Before Gin could speak again, Ito Taka's eyes turned cold again: "If you still don't believe me after saying this, then I can call my friend over now and... have him commit suicide in front of you to prove that I am not lying."

Upon hearing this, the three people present, including Sano, were all taken aback.

Does this guy even know what he's saying?

To send someone here to commit suicide?

This is insane.

Which idiot would do what he says... Could this guy really be having a mental breakdown?

Sano raised an eyebrow. He had almost forgotten that this guy was also a lunatic, huh?

Why did I use the word "also"?

"Then you should give it a try."

Gin actually agreed... probably out of curiosity about whether what Ito Taka said was true or false.

Sano was actually quite curious too.

Sano was curious because he knew that Ito Taka was definitely not a simple character, so there was a certain probability that what he said was true.

Why would Gin have any expectations for something so absurd?

Sano was lost in thought, and the air fell silent for a moment; no one spoke.

It wasn't until quite a while later that the group arrived at the same time.

Sano looked back and found that all of them had blank expressions and indifferent eyes, like soulless puppets, being manipulated by others.

Just as Ito Taka was about to speak, Sano suddenly raised his hand to signal a pause, then walked up to one of the men, looked him up and down, and instantly drew the dagger from his waist, stabbing it towards his eye.

Finally, the tip of the dagger stopped just 0.1 centimeters away from the pupil. Even if the opponent had only trembled slightly, it could have blinded them. But the opponent did not. There was not even a slight tremor or contraction/dilation of the pupil. The opponent remained completely still and motionless.

Sano narrowed his eyes, sheathed his dagger, and looked at Gin: "A puppet like this would probably not hesitate to commit suicide without a second thought."

Gin didn't answer, but instead looked at Ito Taka: "Hypnosis?"

"No, this is not hypnosis."

"Hypnosis may control a person's behavior, but it can never change a person's will. The difference is huge. I sincerely want to be friends with them. As the saying goes, sincerity begets sincerity."

Ito Taka laughed and said, "If I treat them well, they will naturally treat me well in return. We just help each other and eke out a living in this world."

...What nonsense about making friends? This is clearly brainwashing!

Sano secretly grimaced, but didn't interfere. Instead, he sheathed his dagger and suggested, "How about this: take all these people under the wing of the outer members, but let Itō Taka manage them. That way, even if we send them on missions later, it won't be a problem."

Gin pondered for a few seconds and accepted the proposal: "Okay."

"Alright then, that's settled."

Now that we've reached this point, the matter should be considered closed.

But after turning around, Sano asked Ito Taka, "Where did you make these friends?"

Ito Taka smiled slightly.

"It's in the psychiatric ward of Mihana General Hospital."

really.

Sano glanced again at the man he had almost stabbed to death earlier.

Sano felt he looked familiar the moment he saw him.

Upon further reflection, I realized...

Isn't he the same patient Sano was when he was hospitalized in the psychiatric ward of Beika General Hospital?

Thus, Sano gained a general understanding of Ito Taka's true abilities.

This guy deliberately got admitted to the psychiatric ward... Of course, it could also have been a coincidence, but he did select suitable puppets, or rather, targets with the "qualifications" of puppets, and after brainwashing them, he subdued them and made them his subordinates.

Used by Ito Taka.

This sounds a bit ridiculous.

It's very scientific.

interesting.

...However, if we look at it this way, is the purpose of this guy deliberately getting close to me—that is, the apparent Shinichiro Sano—to brainwash me as well, and then, like catching a Pokémon, to capture me?

Does this guy think I also have the potential to become a puppet?

Sano frowned thoughtfully. The "potential" mentioned here did not refer to the strength of ability or how powerful a puppet one could become.

Rather, it refers to "whether or not one can become a puppet."

After all, such an obedient puppet, even if it is just a weakling who is not good at anything, is still very useful, just like a so-called "death squad".

It can play a certain role in any aspect.

Like that patient recognized by Sano, I've never heard of this guy having any special skills; he's just a "useless person" who's been hospitalized for a long time.

But Ito Taka still accepted him.

Is it that Ito Taka doesn't want to choose?

No, it's just that there's no choice.

So how exactly is this potential determined? Is mental illness the basic standard, or is it simply that mental illness gives one an advantage, in addition to "brainwashing"?

And how exactly is it washed?

Generally speaking, when people hear the word "brainwashing," they think of pyramid schemes.

While that stuff could indeed be described as brainwashing, it was nowhere near as effective as Ito Taka's method; at most, it would only distort people's beliefs.

A person's emotions still exist; it's impossible for someone to simply tell them to die and they will actually die.

It is far removed from the existence of a puppet.

This thing is way more useful than Kaito Kuroba and Vermouth's disguise techniques. I really want to see if I can pull it out and learn how to use it.

Just as Sano was subconsciously pondering, and Ito Taka was leading the team away, the Gin duo standing to the side had a rather strange look in their eyes.

...Did Ito Taka just mention the psychiatric department of Beika General Hospital?

A place that sounds very familiar. Hmm, Sano was hospitalized there before.

What the hell does this mean?

Is Ito Taka a fellow patient of Sano?

Gin didn't hesitate and asked directly, naturally receiving an affirmative answer from Sano.

Gin thus established two points.

First, Ito Taka is ill.

Second, the people Ito Taka brought in were also sick.

Well, that's good now. Originally, the only mentally ill person in the organization was Sano.

There are a lot now.

Huh... Are you crazy?!

What kind of outrageous development is this?

Gin's breath hitched. To be honest, he had been very skeptical of Ito Taka's original claim of a "puppet."

Seeing that Sano didn't directly reject it, seemingly having a little "confidence" or expectation in Ito Taka, Gin became more patient and waited for the result.

It turned out that Ito Taka was not lying.

This is certainly a good thing.

Firstly, Ito Taka's "problem" could be considered over, and secondly, the other party's abilities were revealed. His terrifying ability to control puppets even had more potential than Vermouth's disguise technique, which Gin could almost confirm.