The Phantom Thief of Heart! But Conan.

Everyone in the teahouse undoubtedly heard this piercing scream.

Soon, a crowd of people crowded at the door of the basement, and the following process was a very familiar operation.

If there is any difference, it is probably that the police arrived very quickly, even faster than the search team.

Standing on the stairs, Ran Mouri looked down at the phone she had just hung up, then looked at Ayanokouji Fumimaro who was already greeting the proprietress and the waiter in front of the teahouse, and was unable to recover from her shock.

"Uh, is there a police station or something nearby?" she muttered in surprise.

When Kogoro Mouri discovered Sakura Masazao's body, his reaction was similar to the previous ones. He stopped others to protect the scene, asked people he knew to call the police, and went into the scene to check the situation himself.

Mao Lilan also reacted quickly. She ran towards the terrace where they had just been sitting, picked up the cell phone she had left there, and called the police.

Who knew that just after I finished the call, the person was already at the door...

"As expected of the Kyoto Prefectural Police, they are so efficient, right?" Hattori Heiji put his hands in his pockets, leaned against the corridor, and deliberately made sarcastic remarks in a voice that everyone could hear.

Of course, he also saw Ayanokouji Fumimaro who had been observing them from the riverbank, and he also knew that this policeman had been following them almost the entire day, except when they were going to distant places like Kurama Temple, where it was really difficult to follow him.

Whether this person wants to learn more about Genji Hotaru, or is actually keeping an eye on Tang Ze, fearing that they might cause some trouble, remains to be verified.

Ayanokouji Fumimaro glanced at Hattori Heiji, ignored him, maintained his composure, and walked towards the crime scene with the police officers behind him.

"Huh? You didn't bring your chipmunk?" Conan glanced at Ayanokouji and found something different.

Ayanokouji paused, turned around, and seeing it was a child, he couldn't get angry, so he could only reply calmly, "I can't always carry it with me, and I'm on duty."

There is nothing wrong with bringing pets to work or meetings. At most, others will take a few more curious glances. But taking them to the crime scene is a bit outrageous. It will easily cause misunderstandings if the news gets out.

Ayanokouji deeply suspected that these people from Tokyo and Osaka were taking over Hattori Heizo's shift and coming here to cause trouble for the Kyoto police.

Thinking of this, he completely ignored the boys and girls in the corridor and walked towards the underground warehouse.

Only after Ayanokouji's figure disappeared did Hattori Heiji put away his expression and looked at Conan with a questioning look.

When they followed Kogoro Mouri into the scene just now, he clearly saw Conan take something out from the deceased's waist, which looked like a bunch of keys.

After that, Conan was scolded and kicked out of the room by Kogoro Mouri for causing trouble at the scene again.

This lost the opportunity to continue the investigation of the scene, but also gave them the opportunity to investigate the keychain. After all, if it was left at the scene, the deceased's personal belongings would definitely not be left to the detectives.

Of course Conan understood what Hattori Heiji meant, and turned his head to look at Karasawa and Okita Souji on the other side.

Next is the time for detective investigation. Although it is okay to bring Tang Ze, it feels like there are too many people if Okita is added.

Not to mention that Tang Ze might be the Kyoto police's current key target. If they bring Tang Ze with them, it would be difficult for them to get access to the investigation results in the first place.

"It's getting late, and this kind of thing has happened again. Okita, let's go send Xiaolan and the others back first." Tang Ze, who understood what he meant, turned his head and suggested.

The detectives are going to go treasure hunting, and Tang Ze happens to have his own things to do, so it is of course best to act separately here.

However, to be honest, Kogoro Mouri's action of letting Conan succeed first and then driving him out was really deliberate. Tang Ze deeply suspected that if Conan couldn't keep his mouth shut again, he would get a good beating.

Thinking about someone else's daughter is one thing, but secretly living in their home to think about her is another. It would be strange if you don't get beaten by your father-in-law.

"Hmm?" Okita Souji, who finally came to his senses, was stunned for a moment, but did not object to Tang Ze's request. "You are right, we should not let the ladies see this kind of scene."

Not only did Sakura Masazo die in the warehouse downstairs, but his carotid artery was also cut directly by a sharp object. He didn't even have a chance to struggle and died on the spot.

The murderer's technique was skillful and decisive. Although there was not blood everywhere, the large area of ​​splattered blood was shocking enough. The situation at the scene was quite shocking - at least for Souji Okita, who had not experienced many murders.

Tang Ze didn't say anything, but just agreed with what he said. However, when he followed him upstairs, he had other thoughts in his mind.

Suzuki Sonoko and Mori Ran used to often come into contact with Kudo Shinichi. Later, when Mori Kogoro emerged, they still followed him. Not to mention Toyama Kazuha. The side effect of being inseparable from Hattori Heiji is that murders really follow them like a shadow.

We have all been through this, and the one who is least adapted to this situation is obviously Okita Souji himself. It's hard to say whose mental health he is protecting.

The police and Kogoro Mouri were engaged in on-site investigation. These high school students had no motive and did not even know the deceased before today. They also had no opportunity to take action. They were almost together the whole time and were always in everyone's sight. Their connection with the case was very weak.

Soon, after a brief explanation of their actions and observations, they were released by the police.

"It's impossible that this was done by an outsider," Hattori Heiji analyzed as he walked. "The sliding door at the main entrance makes quite a noise. If someone were to go in or out, the proprietress and the waitress would definitely notice. The teahouse only has this one entrance and exit, and it can be climbed through the window on the street. We can all see it, so it's impossible for anyone to go in or out."

Sakuraya also has a traditional townhouse structure, with an overall slender structure and private rooms and lounges on both sides.

The private room where they were and the platform where several people were staying below had a wide view and was the best viewing spot facing the Kamogawa River. If someone went in or out through the window, they would definitely be noticed.

"It was already late when we arrived, and only Uncle Mori and his friends had a private room open in the teahouse. When the deceased went to rest, we were the only ones left in the teahouse." Conan nodded in agreement.

"Excluding those who stayed together the entire time, there are actually only three people who are suspects and who had the opportunity to commit the crime. Mizuo Harutarou, Nishijo Taiga, and Master Ryuen. They all went to the bathroom." Hattori Heiji stroked his chin. "But Mizuo is unlikely, right? When he went out, Miss Chiga Suzu followed him."

Even if you go to the bathroom to wash up, the accompanying dancer will stand up and accompany you. This can be regarded as part of the customer service in this kind of high-premium consumption.

"What if He Ling is an accomplice?" Conan made a guess.

"Isn't that unlikely?" Thinking of Chiga Ling's gorgeous face in her finery, Hattori Heiji retorted reflexively, "She wouldn't have any reason to kill Sakura Shozo... But, I can't deny the possibility."

If you really want to explain it, it is clear that Sakura Masazo is a frequent visitor here and knows the geisha, so it is also understandable that he needs to go to the storage room to look for something.

"Searching" is a more euphemistic term. It looked like he was going to steal something.

The deceased seemed convinced that the warehouse here contained something important, and he searched with great determination and patience—although judging by the scene, it really only contained business materials, clothing, and common maintenance and cleaning tools...

"Don't rule her out as a suspect just because she's pretty, right?" Okita Souji said suddenly, not quite understanding what was going on.

Toyama Kazuha's death ray swept over them instantly. Hattori Heiji shuddered and immediately said seriously, "No, it's mainly because the murderer's movements were too smooth. This requires a lot of experience and excellent skills, basically the same as Genji Hotaru's other victims. Therefore, I don't think the murderer is a woman like Chika Suzu. Of course, I can't completely rule out the possibility that she is an accomplice or a cover-up."

It's a bit righteous, but it sounds much more reasonable.

Toyama Kazuha finally withdrew her gaze, and Hattori Heiji also breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, Mr. Sakura Masazo is an antique dealer, right? Where is his shop?"

"During the introductions this morning, Monk Longyuan seemed to have mentioned it... Oh, didn't he give Uncle Maori his business card? It must have had the specific address written on it."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier? How can you go back and ask me now?"

"You don't need to say anything, right? Tang Ze, you were standing behind Uncle Maori this morning. Did you see what was on the business card?"

"...Yes. 23 Teramachi-dori."

"Look, isn't this..."

"Hey, hey, you two shouldn't take advantage of Tang Ze's illness like this, you damned detective..."

Half playing and half discussing, the group arrived at the intersection of Gion.

Hattori Heiji decisively took Conan on a motorcycle and collected clues before the police sealed off the victim's shop, while the others headed back to their residence in another direction.

No matter who was escorting whom, the group returned to the B&B booked by Suzuki Sonoko.

Fortunately, it was Suzuki Sonoko who booked the room. She didn't feel bad about spending her own money, and there were extra rooms in this machiya. Otherwise, there would be no room for the extra people like Hattori Heiji and Toyama Kazuha, and Okita Souji who lied and said it was too late and he was afraid of missing the last bus, so he just stayed overnight.

After everyone had completely dispersed and returned to their rooms, Tang Ze finally had time to take out his cell phone and contact his teammates who had been out for a whole day.

【Joker: How is it, what are the results of the investigation? 】

[Lunar: The existence of a temple in Nishijo Taiga has been basically confirmed. The specific location is still being searched.]

Joker: I roughly know where it is. I'll send Noah a map and try again.

[Fuse: In other words, the members of this bandit group are now almost completely wiped out, with only the murderer, "Benkei," who holds a position roughly equivalent to the vice-captain, remaining, Nishijo Taiga himself, right?]

【Joker: Well, he just killed the last survivor. 】

【Fuse: Oh, what a pity.】

【Trigger:? 】

[Trigger: I remember someone was hesitant about becoming a Phantom Thief a while ago, so why is it such a shame now?]

[Fuse: I'm not feeling bad about this. According to Saijo Taiga's style, if a few more people from their team had survived, I feel like the hall and the shadow would be connected to the legend of Minamoto no Yoshitsune.]

【Trigger: So?】

[Fuse: So that means you've missed out on a lot of appreciation opportunities. Aren't they a gang that specializes in stealing historically valuable artifacts?]

【Trigger: ...If you want to complain about not being given the chance to travel, just say so.】

Tang Ze coughed and put away his phone to avoid being discovered by his teammates' jokes. He lay down in the quilt and finally had some free time to sort out the emotions that he had not expressed all day.

After returning to Kyoto, especially returning to this familiar street, many thin memories that seemed to be just background introductions and monotonous images began to gradually become fuller as familiar scenes emerged.

No matter how much he wanted to break away from the influence of the environment, no matter how much he wanted to get rid of subjective emotions, and not have any attachment to the place where he lived, after getting familiar with it, some things were uncontrollable.

About his parents, about his past in Kyoto, about the people and things he had seen...

Others may forget them as time goes by, but for Tang Ze, these things seem to have happened yesterday. The more they are awakened, the clearer and deeper they become.

The organization destroyed Tang Ze's life and everything that belonged to him.

This originally somewhat insignificant fact now carries such a clear meaning.

No matter how lonely and monotonous such a life is, it was once happy and worth remembering.

It’s time to urge Ireland to speed up and contact Vermouth as soon as possible to confirm the next steps.

It's time for some people to pay the price for what they did.

----

"...におしおいけ、あねさんろっかく..."

Heiji Hattori slowly opened his eyes to the familiar sound of the song.

There was darkness in front of him, and it took him some time to let his eyes slowly adjust to the environment and see the things around him clearly.

He was lying on a tatami mat, with a dark wooden wall in front of him. A little moonlight came through the window grilles, casting a faint glow.

It was the night in a certain room, a night in a room he had recalled more than once.

With a subtle sense of familiarity, Hattori Heiji got up, supported his still aching head, and walked out of the cramped inner room by feeling the wall.

Under the cherry tree with petals flying, a figure in a blue and white kimono was singing with his back to him.

It was only after he walked out of the darkness that Hattori Heiji realized how short he was now. This should have been the day eight years ago when he came to Kyoto and met the singing little girl.

So the person in front is actually... huh?

Feeling that something was wrong with the scene, Hattori Heiji slowly walked down the stairs and walked towards the brown-haired child.

It seemed that he finally noticed the person coming from behind him, and he turned his head slowly at a slow pace.

Revealing a pair of pale, lifeless blue eyes.