Conan: I'm Really Not Tokyo Ghost Story

What other situation could possibly make a murderer obediently commit suicide?

……obedient?

Conan was taken aback: "Hypnosis?"

"what?"

As the effects of the drug were about to wear off, Shiho Miyano, whose consciousness was gradually becoming blurred, failed to hear Conan's words and subconsciously asked a question.

"……nothing."

Conan quickly dismissed his unfounded conjecture.

Hypnosis, in fact, is a semi-scientific thing.

Conan has always maintained a rigorous attitude towards everything.

Hypnosis does exist, but only a very small number of people can master it.

Or rather, only a very small number of people can master it.

This is similar to how ordinary people disguise themselves, and those guys' disguise skills are similar to the same principle. Even if you can master them, it's not that mysterious... that guy that Shuichi Akai called Fox.

This is a very good example.

They can use hypnosis to manipulate the emotions of those with weak wills or those in a bad state to achieve their goals, but that's about it. It's impossible for them to do what people say like robots, as depicted in movies... Brainwashing is possible, though.

But that's another issue altogether.

all in all.

Conan felt that he had been influenced by that guy named Fox, which was why he had such a ridiculous and absurd fantasy... After all, even that guy himself couldn't have done such a thing, so how could it be a suicide through hypnosis? It was too outrageous and impossible.

Absolutely impossible!

But then again.

Conan suddenly pulled out his phone, looked around, and broke out in a cold sweat.

...Who could be the person who sent me this text message? Since this person knows about the children being locked up, it means that this guy must have seen it from the side, or even that he came specifically to keep an eye on Ai Haibara.

Of course, there could be other reasons as well.

But damn it, the text message was sent precisely to my phone.

Conan couldn't help but overthink it!

If that person keeps staring at Ai Haibara, and then after staring for a while, they find that Ai Haibara has turned into Shiho Miyano... No, since they're already staring, they must already know of her existence, which is why they're staring, right?

Furthermore, if that person was keeping an eye on things, then wouldn't they have had contact with the person Shiho Miyano mentioned who was "giving orders" behind her back?

They're in cahoots.

Or perhaps the two people are actually the same person?

...It's so messy.

Conan frowned and scratched his head, his thoughts in disarray, causing him to mutter something unconsciously.

"My head is about to explode."

But this muttered remark finally pushed Shiho Miyano to her breaking point, and she kicked Conan in the butt: "Your head is about to explode! If you don't go find Professor Agasa soon, I'm going to explode!"

"...Okay, I'll go right away."

Conan rubbed his butt and responded with a sour face... He actually imitated Sano kicking people's butts, how annoying! He can only bully me because he's grown up. If you're so capable, give him a temporary antidote before you talk.

...and just as this matter was coming to an end.

On the other side, with Sano's black cat clone, things started to go wrong.

It's not that Sano crashed or something went wrong.

Since the mission was already completed, and he was just finishing up with Sano's main body, he was about to open a spatial channel to teleport back and retrieve his equipment when an unexpected figure appeared.

It came into Sano's view.

It's Ran Mouri.

Besides Ran Mouri, there's also Sonoko Suzuki... Sera Masumi isn't here because she went to Gunma to find Conan, but instead, she's replaced by another guy that Sano also finds familiar—

Black Dragon.

...This guy has recovered and been discharged from the hospital, which doesn't surprise Sano.

What really struck Sano as odd was...

This guy hadn't even left Japan yet; in fact, he'd gotten close to Ran Mouri, chatting and laughing like this, making one unconsciously wonder if what happened that night was just a dream.

In fact, it never happened.

In a moment of distraction, Ran Mouri had already noticed Sano...

Then, they got to work.

That's right, no nonsense, we got straight to the point.

Given Sano's unbridled actions under the guise of the Black Cat, it is undeniable that this persona is 100% legitimate, and direct arrest would not cause any problems; it would only be seen as an act of heroism, making him a thoroughly villainous individual.

This is somewhat different from the rye vest that seems to be more menacing... After all, even if Sano wore the rye vest and let the police take him away without resistance, they probably couldn't do anything to him.

The black cat vest is quite different.

"...Xiao Lan!?"

Just seconds later, Sonoko Suzuki's startled and worried scream rang out.

Of course, Ran Mouri is definitely not qualified to go up against Sano.

In just one exchange, Ran Mouri was kicked away by Sano... Unable to dodge or block, such a level of suppression.

Trying to confront them head-on is undoubtedly a foolish move.

This was only because Sano held back a bit; otherwise, if he had really pushed his strength and speed to the limit... it would be questionable whether this girl would need a cast tomorrow. If he had activated his cat demon form and struck again, her head would have been severed from her body.

Ran Mouri was well aware that it was irrational for her to stubbornly insist on her position.

But what else can we do but argue?

Ran Mouri's inherent sense of justice would not allow her to remain indifferent and choose to protect herself while witnessing a ruthless killer.

If it were just a chance encounter, Ran Mouri could have chosen to secretly follow him and then call the police for backup... but this is a direct confrontation.

Furthermore, Ran Mouri doesn't really see herself, or rather, her side.

There is absolutely no chance of winning.

"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on with you, you white pig? How dare you lay a hand on my Black Dragon's friend? Do you think I don't exist? If you admit your mistake now, I might let you off the hook. Otherwise, hehe."

Black Dragon stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

...Back then, Ran Mouri and two others ganged up on the Black Dragon, and Sano even managed to get the upper hand by taking on the challenge of being outmaneuvered. But when they met again, the tables had turned completely.

It was Sano's turn to be ganged up on and beaten by these two guys.

As the black dragon approached him step by step, Sano raised his hand to adjust his glasses.

Given this guy's strength, if Sano doesn't go all out, he definitely won't be able to take him down in one go. And if he doesn't activate his cat demon form, he probably won't be able to "instantly kill" him, especially once the black dragon realizes the true situation.

They will inevitably tacitly allow Ran Mouri to interfere.

That would be quite a problem... But all of this depends on Black Dragon giving it his all and dealing with Sano seriously, unlike last time. However, it's clear that this guy doesn't have the habit of learning from his mistakes.

...Too close.

The distance was too close, even considering the Black Dragon's abilities and normal logic.

Since we're going to fight, closing the distance is definitely the right thing to do.

but.

Sano isn't... well, a normal person.

Not only were we so close, but I was also completely relaxed and didn't feel very tense.

It seems that Sano went easy on Ran Mouri earlier, which is why the Black Dragon couldn't see his true level... So it's time to end this.

"you……"

Just as Black Dragon was about to launch into his second wave of trash talk, the sound of wind whistling past his ear made his expression change.

Make sense.

The black dragon came to Japan because of the black death; going further up the line, you'll find Kyogoku Makoto.

The skill levels of these two individuals are roughly the same.

These are arguably the two most formidable opponents Heilong has ever faced since his debut.

In Heilong's view.

These two non-human beings already represent the strongest individual combat power of humans relying on the most primitive fighting methods... and that is precisely why.

The black dragon will only become more and more arrogant.

Over the years, Heilong has fought against so many people, but the ones who came out stronger than him were the ones he fought against.

There are only two of them, how could they not be arrogant?

...But now the Black Dragon knows about the existence of the third strongest being.

It's even possible that an even more formidable villain than the previous two has emerged.

Even Black Dragon's normal dynamic vision couldn't see clearly; it could only rely on its muscle instincts to try to dodge and block, but...

There was simply not enough time.

It's so fast, incredibly fast.

From the moment Heilong realized something was wrong, the world before his eyes had already blurred.

The person instantly entered a state of weightlessness, with both feet off the ground.

Only the immense force of the kick to the head made Black Dragon feel a buzzing in his head, along with a slight pain... well.

It hurts a lot, it hurts so much, it hurts so much I feel like I'm going to die.

"boom!"