Detective Conan: Is Miss Haibara planning to assault a police officer again today?

After stepping down, Higashino Ning was covered in sweat. Just as he was leaving, a woman suddenly appeared with a photographer from who-knows-where.

Upon closer inspection, wow, it's Rena Mizunashi!

"Hello Inspector Higashino, I'm Rena Mizunashi, a reporter from Nichiri TV. May I ask you a few questions?"

Higashino Ning waved his hand and shook his head, "No."

Rena Mizunashi persisted, "I want to know the truth about what happened this afternoon with a very sincere attitude. You should also know that most media outlets are misinterpreting what you said this afternoon. Nichiri TV wants to give the public the truth."

Her eyes held a glimmer of hope.

Rena Mizunashi came here with a mission.

On one hand, there's Nichiri Television itself. Tono Yasushi helped a lot by solving the National Stadium incident in time, and now we need to repay that favor.

On the other hand, there's Gin. I don't know what's gotten into this paranoid lunatic now, insisting that I come over and observe Higashino Ning up close.

What's there to observe?

Isn't he just a police inspector who's a bit handsome, very tough, young and promising, and has a cold attitude?

At this moment, Higashino Ning, who had already taken a step forward, pulled his leg back.

He coughed twice, "Well... cut out that part from before, um... it's an honor to be interviewed by you."

Rena Mizunashi: "..."

Okay, we can remove the "aloof attitude" part.

Chapter 172 One Dead After Another

Rena Mizunashi's interview was perfectly normal, without any mishaps; she simply wanted to present the truth to the public.

This was somewhat unexpected for Higashino Ning, but it also made him very satisfied.

After all, the current public opinion is really targeting him, so having a "companion" to relieve some pressure is not bad.

As for whether Rena Mizunashi has other motives... it's not clear yet.

Even if the other party has ulterior motives, it doesn't matter. How should you deal with their question, "Are you the CIA or Kiel?"

Well, there's nothing we can do about it. Don't you Red Team members dislike exposing your identities through communication?

I'll live with this petty mess of yours for the rest of my life!

The interview is over.

Higashino Ning saw Mizunashi Rena and the others off.

Stretching makes me feel incredibly comfortable, as if my soul has been elevated, and I feel like I'm floating on air.

"Time to go home, time to go home and have dinner and play fun games with my little girl~"

Higashino Ning took a step forward, and his phone immediately started vibrating.

It was a call from Inspector Megure.

connected.

"Brother Higashino, Officer Shiba is dead. We received the call twenty minutes ago."

Higashino Ning: "......"

He was completely stunned and immediately questioned, "Inspector, didn't you say you were going to warn him? How come something still happened?!"

Megure said helplessly, "I reminded you! Inspector Shiba was killed in his own underground parking garage. It looks like he was caught by the killer as soon as he got out of his car."

Ah... alright then.

Higashino Ning instructed again, "Inspector Sato must be recalled now, and we must stop her from taking any further action."

After hanging up the phone, he was still a little worried about Inspector Megure's efficiency, so he immediately called Miwako Sato and told her to either stay home or stay in the Metropolitan Police Department and not go home, and preferably have Wataru Takagi protect her.

Regardless of whether Miwako Sato agrees or not, Nene Higashino will make Wataru Takagi do the last thing.

After giving instructions to Sato Miwako, Higashino Ning sent a text message to the little girl saying that he would be home very late tonight and that she should go to bed early.

Although he doesn't need to go to the crime scene, Higashino Nei has to stay at the Metropolitan Police Department. He's in charge of the case, so he definitely can't escape now.

The reason he didn't call Ai Haibara was because he suddenly didn't feel like speaking.

Maybe I'm just tired.

That's what being a police officer is like—a constant cycle of mental and physical exhaustion, sometimes even occurring simultaneously.

Rather than letting a poorly controlled tone affect Ai Haibara, it's better to express it directly in writing.

...

The busy night is finally over.

Higashino Ning's bloodshot eyes and incessant yawning went very well together.

Yesterday was another day with zero reward points earned.

It seems the theatrical releases are also influencing the occurrence of everyday cases.

"Brother Dongye, let's leave it at that for now. This matter... should still be kept secret as long as possible."

Hearing Inspector Megure's words, Higashino Ning was furious. "Still hiding it? Three detectives have already died because of Chief Odagiri's delays. What more does he want?"

"Anyway, he just wants to confirm whether his son has committed a crime, so let me investigate!"

"Wouldn't it all become clear if we just looked it up?"

If this were a normal anime storyline, Higashino Ning would be grabbing Inspector Megure by the collar right now.

But he simply couldn't do that move.

After a moment of silence, Inspector Megure sighed and said, "It is precisely because things have become extremely unfavorable for Director Odagiri that we must continue to conceal the truth."

"The news of internal discord within the police force must not be leaked. No matter how chaotic things are, it must appear to outsiders as a scene of unity and solidarity."

He gave Dongye Ning a deep look and said, “Brother Dongye, you are a flower blooming in a corrupt system. You must learn to protect yourself so that you can eventually turn this quagmire into a clean land.”

"After this incident is over, you should be transferred to Nagano. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back. The Tokyo police system needs a breather right now, otherwise that roaring beast that feels threatened and uncomfortable will devour you completely."

...

Higashino Ning was silent on the way from the Metropolitan Police Department to the Kudo residence, and fell asleep quickly after taking a shower and lying in bed.

Inspector Megure is right.

Too rigid and easy to break.

This incident is no longer a simple case of serial murders, but rather a covert struggle between the old and new factions.

Although it was just the beginning of a small conflict, Higashino Ning was still a little overwhelmed.

After all, he was already considered a leader among the "new generation," while he was just a lowly police inspector.

The "old-school" Director Odagiri only subconsciously put some pressure on him, but the feeling of suffocation was overwhelming.

Fortunately, Chief Odagiri wasn't really trying to do anything to him, nor was he deliberately using this case to stir up conflict between the two factions. He simply wanted to find out the truth about last year's case.

Based on this, as long as Higashino Ning solves this case properly, Chief Odagiri will not be an obstacle in his path.

Since the other party is already a member of the Shiratori family's ship, it's only a matter of time before they accept the new school.

If Higashino can become the main driving force behind the other party's change of attitude and give them a reason to accept change, then Director Odagiri will definitely cultivate him as an important figure and provide him with assistance.

After all... simply changing attitudes without taking action does not align with the Shiratori family's own interests.

go to bed.

Get a good night's sleep and go to work.

After serving a period of time away from home, he should be able to be promoted to superintendent upon his return.

Why is Higashino Ning so certain?

Because without Higashino Ning, the entire Tokyo police force has to rely on Mouri Kogoro to solve cases.

This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!

Only then will those above truly see Higashino Ning's value and importance.

...

the other side.

Maori Detective Agency.

The bumbling detective had just finished a phone call with Inspector Megure.

News reports and newspapers this morning are saying that another police officer was killed last night.

As a former detective, Kogoro Mouri was naturally indignant about this.

Unfortunately, Inspector Megure's attitude towards his questioning was quite direct, telling him outright not to get involved.

Conan, who was reading the newspaper and listening in, immediately realized that there might be a problem within the police force, otherwise there would be no reason for Inspector Megure to remain silent.

In the past, although Inspector Megure might have hesitated to speak, he would eventually have explained the situation to Kogoro Mouri.

Today is really too unusual.

"It's an internal police issue... How about we ask Officer Higashino?"

Conan was also very concerned about the case, so he naturally thought of finding his "police informant" to get information.

After hesitating for a while, he decided to call back in the evening.

Higashino Ning is in charge of the case, so he definitely didn't have time to rest last night and is probably already asleep.

At that moment, Ran Mouri suddenly spoke up.

"Oh, right, Dad, Inspector Shiratori's sister is having her engagement party tomorrow. They sent over an invitation beforehand, so don't forget."

Kogoro Mouri rolled his eyes. "They really know how to pick their timing, choosing a time like this to hold an engagement party."

“But they can’t predict the future,” Ran Mouri said, pulling out an invitation from the documents on the table. “They set the date a long time ago, so you can’t blame Inspector Shiratori and the others for this happening.”