Anime, but the Phantom Thieves of Heart

"Is it something like the Titanic?"

Yashiro Hideto was obviously very interested, while Kusaka Kansei smiled, nodded, and shook his head.

"Although it's a 'disaster film,' it's not a 'natural disaster' but a 'man-made disaster.' The protagonist of my new work is a retired 'Maritime Self-Defense Force' officer. He accepts an invitation to serve as a bodyguard on a ship's maiden voyage, but unexpectedly, the new ship is attacked by pirates. Although the protagonist's leadership eventually repels the pirates, the pirates plant explosives on the ship in an attempt to blow it up..."

Following the other party's introduction, Yashiro Hideto nodded in understanding.

Although he doesn't watch many TV series or movies now, he thinks that compared to those profound things, these exciting "popcorn movies" are more suitable for investment.

Initially, he had simply wanted to see if he could secure the "naming rights" for the new work by the "famous screenwriter" Kusaka Kansei, which involved ships, but now it seems he could invest in the series itself...

It just so happens that the new ship in the dock will be launched soon, and maybe we can work out some linkage by then.

As for whether it will be unlucky?

ha?

Anyway, the drama said that they were attacked by pirates, so why not go to such a dangerous place? Isn't it enough to just run to the north?

But he still couldn't help but ask.

"Is it okay that this exposes the story?"

"Of course~ After all, it's just a dry outline. It's far from enough to attract the audience. The real key lies in..."

Kusaka Kansei tapped his head, indicating that the answer was in his mind.

Facing the confident Kusaka Kansei, Yasiro Hideto was not annoyed at all, or rather, in his opinion, the more confident the other party was, the higher the probability of his investment success.

This is a good thing!

"In that case, let's discuss this in detail. What is it you wish to ask, Writer Kusaka?"

At this time, Yasiro Hideto seemed to have forgotten the threat of the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts', and his eyes were only flashing with the desire for 'money'.

"It's actually quite simple. I want to know some basic knowledge about ships. After all, although I'm a writer, I don't know much about technical matters. For example, I'm not familiar with the design of cruise ships or some of the functional cabins. Oh, and then there's the issue of pirate attacks on ships... President Yashiro, as the president and chief designer of Yashiro Shipyard, I believe you're well-versed in all this, right?"

"Haha~ Of course. After all, I've been dealing with this stuff for almost half my life, and I've been exposed to related things... Oh, and before that, a cargo ship at our shipyard was attacked by pirates before it sank..."

As the other party continued to speak, Kusaka Hironari took out a portable recorder.

However, he did not open it directly, but asked first.

"President Yashiro, I'm worried I might forget. Could I record it?"

Looking at the smiling Kusaka Kansei, Yashiro Hideto naturally did not refuse. After all, he had already developed an interest in Kusaka Kansei's "plan". In his opinion, the more professional the other party was, the more trustworthy he was.

"Of course, no problem. By the way, let's continue with the topic of pirates..."

With a smile on his face, Yasashiro Hideto told Kusaka Kansei about the "pirate attack on the cargo ship" as if he had been there in person. During this period, Kusaka Kansei would ask some questions from time to time, and Yasashiro Hideto answered them very professionally.

However, as he was speaking, Yashiro Eito suddenly spoke.

"By the way, we at Yashiro Shipyard have just completed the construction of a cruise ship, and it will be having its maiden voyage soon. If you, screenwriter Kusaka, are interested, you can come and film on board..."

"Oh? Is that okay?"

"Of course! I'm very interested in your story, Director Kusaka. If necessary, our Yashiro Group can invest in it."

"Ah?! Thank you so much!"

Although the time was not too long, both sides had a very pleasant conversation. Finally, after Kusaka Kansei and Yasashiro Hideto made an appointment to visit again tomorrow, he couldn't help but ask a question.

"President Yashiro, I wonder what the name of this new ship is?"

"'Aphrodite', named after the mythical 'goddess of beauty', what do you think?"

"Aphrodite...huh? I think it's pretty good~"

The smile on Kusaka Kansei's face was very bright...

Chapter 33: Have you evolved without telling me?

With the departure of Kusaka Kansei, Yasiro Hideto returned to his previous ruthless and cowardly appearance - he said the toughest words, but asked the police to protect him well.

Faced with such a cooperative reporter, Josuke Higashikata, as the police representative, naturally would not refuse, or rather, this would be a good thing for him.

But at the same time, it also made him more curious about what the 'treasure' that the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts' were talking about was.

After all, he had personally experienced the other party's 'greed'.

But since everything was fine for the time being, he simply returned to Yashiro Hideto's office.

"senior!"

Kagami saluted Higashikata Josuke almost immediately, and Higashikata Josuke nodded at her seemingly casually, while asking with his eyes.

In response, Kagami shook her head slightly, indicating that Lan Ke and the others had not done anything suspicious.

Josuke Higashikata remained noncommittal about this, after all, the backup plan he had in place wasn't just for Kagami.

You know, Yashiro Hideto said that there is "surveillance" in his office, and you just need to confirm it when the time comes.

Arranging Kagami was more to express the attitude. If no one was arranged, it would seem more deliberate. After all, the four people present were all "suspects."

So he didn't waste any words and gestured for the four of them to come out with him.

When the group arrived at an office that had been cleared out at midnight, Josuke Higashikata lay down on a chair seemingly casually, and then motioned for the four to sit down first.

Although they had been almost sent to the police station several times before, Kitahara Iori and Imamura Kohei, who were actually caught for the first time, seemed a little nervous.

On the contrary, Lan Ke and Kudo Shinichi acted very casually, looking so contented as if they were back home.

Seeing this, Higashikata Josuke simply tapped the table with his middle finger to attract everyone's attention.

"Okay, now tell me, what was your purpose in sneaking down the cliff into the Yashiro Shipyard..."

Almost the moment Higashikata Josuke opened his mouth, Kitahara Iori and Imamura Kohei instinctively began to blame each other.

"It's this guy..."

"Nonsense, it's obviously you..."

It was just that the two of them had just spoken for a short time——

"boom!!"

An extremely sudden knocking sound hit everyone's heart like a heavy hammer. Kitahara Iori and Imamura Kohei, who stopped instinctively, also unconsciously looked at Higashikata Josuke who lowered his head slightly.

"I would like to remind you that this is a formal police inquiry. I hope you will not speak nonsense, as it may affect our trust and judgment of you. I hope you will be careful."

After saying this, he stopped looking at Kitahara Iori and Imamura Kohei, who were frightened like quails, and turned to look at Kudo Shinichi.

"Now continue questioning, one by one."

"Little Detective, let's start with you. What was your reason for illegally invading the Yashiro Shipyard?"

Although Kudo Shinichi was very unhappy with Josuke Higashikata who had caused him trouble in the past, he had to admit that the other party was indeed good enough.

Whether it is solving cases or controlling the scene, he is among the best police officers Shinichi Kudo has ever met.

But he was not afraid at all, after all, the other party was handling the case very seriously.

This not only shows that the other party is strict with the criminals, but also means that the other party will never wrongly accuse you.

In that case——

"I saw the news about the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts' online. Since the 'Yashiro Shipyard' refused to be interviewed by reporters, I suggested trying to enter the 'Yashiro Shipyard' from another source to conduct an investigation."

In response to Kudo Shinichi's reason, Higashikata Josuke nodded without comment.

Although he couldn't be sure whether the other party was telling the truth, he at least accepted this reason. After all, it was consistent with the other party's words and deeds.

When he suspected that Kudo Shinichi might be the Phantom Thief of Hearts, he investigated him.

This includes but is not limited to helping the police solve cases since he was a child. Initially, he was just an assistant to his father, and later he simply relied on his reasoning ability to help the police solve cases directly.

This also led to the other party violating regulations and entering the "crime scene" more than once, which is indeed something the other party could do.

Then he looked at Lan Ke, a young man he had also investigated in detail, although for different reasons.

Compared to Kudo Shinichi, Lan Ke is more honest.

In Lan Ke's opinion, who had no idea that Josuke Higashikata was suspicious of Jotaro Kujo, given the relationship between the two, even if he taught him a lesson afterwards, it would only be for education.

"I'm a little curious about the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts', and since I happen to be good at diving and rock climbing, I came here just in case."

After all, although Lan Ke participated in the "Hall of Heaven Strategy" this time, he really did not participate in the "distribution of notice letters" at all, and left it all to Lucy and others to carry out, so Lan Ke was indeed a little curious about how they did.

Looking at Lan Ke who looked like a "spectator", Josuke Higashikata's mouth twitched, and he looked at Kohei Imamura again without saying anything.

But this time he couldn't help but remind her again.

"I need to remind you that you two are different from those two brats. After all, no matter how they get spanked when they get home, as long as they haven't actually committed any crime, our police force will prioritize education. However, you two are adults now, and you need to be responsible for your words and actions. So I hope you understand the seriousness of this matter. Think carefully before you speak, and don't cause misunderstandings on either side."

After he finished speaking, he extended his hand, signaling the two of them that they could speak.

But Imamura Kohei and Kitahara Iori, who had rushed to speak, fell silent. It was obvious that they had gradually realized the seriousness of the problem.

But Kohei Imamura didn't have anything worth thinking about. Since he decided not to talk nonsense, there was nothing worth thinking about.

He simply spoke first.

"Because I want to confirm whether the members of the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts' actually wear sailor uniforms and plaid skirts and carry magic wands."

"?"

As Imamura Kohei finished speaking, a big question mark appeared in Josuke Higashikata's head.

Unlike Jotaro Kujo who is already 37 years old this year, Josuke Higashikata, who is 13 years younger than him, is only 24. In terms of age, he is actually only a few years older than Kohei Imamura, so theoretically there should be no so-called "generation gap" between the two.

But Josuke Higashikata suddenly realized that perhaps the gap between the two sides was no longer a "generation gap" but a difference in "worlds".

"It's only been a few years, and are young people nowadays so abstract?"

He even suspected that Imamura Kohei was deliberately trying to trick him, but after observing carefully, he helplessly discovered that the other party was probably serious.

After all, the other person's eyes were gleaming with the clear stupidity that is unique to college students.

In other words, the other party really did this for such a "weird" reason?

Josuke Higashikata couldn't help but rub his brows. While lamenting the disparity in the world, he looked at the last person present.

Although it is not said explicitly, the meaning is already very clear, which encourages the other party to take the initiative to explain.

Kitahara Iori, who had also thought deeply, took a deep breath and spoke again.

"I heard that the 'Yashiro Shipyard' is discharging sewage into the ocean, but because the location of the sewage outlet is extremely hidden, I can't determine the location of it. So I want to take this opportunity to find the location of the 'sewage outlet'..."

After he finished speaking, he also let out a breath.

It was obvious that he was under more pressure than anyone else present.

But precisely because of this, he almost instinctively defended himself.

"Officer, in my opinion, the sea belongs to everyone. I cannot accept the selfish behavior of Yashiro Shipyard!"

At this point, Kitahara Iori recalled the helpless yet sad expression on his uncle's face when he mentioned the 'Yashiro Shipyard', as well as the silence of Nanaka and 'that guy'.

Having just learned to dive not long ago, he doesn't have such a deep affection for the sea as they do, but he cannot forgive him for making Chisa, who has been silently helping him, and Nanaka, who has taken care of him, sad!

At this moment, Kitahara Iori has changed from his usual unruly demeanor and looks full of courage.

This even made Lan Ke and Kudo Shinichi look at each other with curiosity, as if they were really getting to know each other for the first time.

Kohei Imamura widened his eyes and looked at Iori Kitahara with surprise, as if saying - No, buddy, you evolved secretly without telling your brothers?

However, Higashikata Josuke acted quite calm, as if he didn't care what the other person said.

But from the fact that he unconsciously stopped tapping the table, it can be seen that he may not be as indifferent as he looks.

"Oh? Discharging sewage secretly? Tell me, what's going on?"

Although Josuke Higashikata is not in charge of the relevant case, such matters should be handled by Special Department 1.

But Josuke Higashikata was still curious and asked Kitahara Iori, because he was very curious about why Yasashi Hideto was targeted by the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.

After all, he has always been a loyal supporter of "defeating the enemy first".

In his opinion, since the 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts' had taken the initiative this time, the probability of catching them would naturally decrease.

In this case, why not turn this 'failure' into your own 'experience' and apply it next time!

If we can find the logic behind the Phantom Thieves' activities, we can identify their next target and formulate a plan accordingly.

Although none of the 'predecessors' seemed to have caught the 'Phantom Thief', their experience gave Josuke Higashikata a lot of inspiration.