Detective Conan: The System Takes Me to Zero's World

The clock had just struck ten in the morning when the laboratory door was gently pushed open.

Ai Haibara walked ahead carrying a portable testing kit.

Akemi Miyano followed closely behind, the two of them walking very quietly, afraid of disturbing Mary Akai in the next room.

Pushing open the door, I bumped into Tsutomu Akai sitting on the edge of the bed peeling an apple.

The morning light fell on Mary Akai's cheeks, making her face glow and her cheeks flushed with pink, making her gray-green eyes even clearer.

"It's time to retest cell viability." Ai Haibara opened the testing kit and took out the miniature probe. "There won't be any pain, just cooperate."

Mary Akai opened her eyes and reached out to place her fingertips on the detection probe.

The data stream on the screen was changing rapidly, and Akemi Miyano's eyes were fixed on the numerical changes.

"The inhibitory enzyme activity is stable at 89%, exceeding the safety threshold by 12 percentage points," Ai Haibara reported the data. "The compatibility between the antibody and the cell is still slowly improving, with no signs of attenuation. In the short term, the treatment plan is fully effective."

Akai Tsutomu paused in his apple-peeling motion, a long-lost sense of relief appearing on his face: "Thank you all, otherwise..."

“It’s too early to say thank you.” Ai Haibara put away the probe. “The Karasuma Group headquarters hasn’t made a move yet. Before the residual effects of APTX4869 are completely eliminated, I will adjust the subsequent dosage and do another in-depth test in three days.”

Akemi Miyano handed her a glass of warm water: "Aunt, how are you feeling now? Is anything bothering you?"

Mary Akai took the water glass, her fingertips no longer trembling: "I'm much better. Thanks to you all last night."

Her gaze swept across the doorway, as if searching for something. "Oh right, where's that guy named Kudo Yuki, and Mr. Amuro?"

"They went to Poirot Cafe." Conan walked in from outside carrying a mystery novel. "This morning, Professor Agasa said he needed to replenish some experimental supplies, and Mr. Amuro said he would go to the cafe to exchange information. Your sister went with you, saying she wanted to bring back some light snacks for you."

Kudo Yuki's laughter came from the end of the corridor: "As expected, Conan understands me best!"

She pushed open the door and entered, carrying a white paper bag in her hand.

Amuro Tooru was holding several documents in his hand.

“Aunt Mary, I brought you Poirot’s signature sandwich. It’s without mustard and onions, all light ingredients, so it won’t upset your stomach.” Kudo Yuki handed over the paper bag. “Toru, while you’re at it, contact your informant and get information about Representative Saeki.”

Amuro Tooru unfolded the documents, which contained a record of Representative Saeki's recent itinerary and fund flows: "Representative Saeki has been frequently visiting the biotechnology company under the Karasuma Group recently, and has had three secret meetings with Rum. The fund transactions are unusual, and he is suspected of providing political support for the 'ES Dark Amber Project'."

Akai Tsutomu put down the apple knife, took the document and quickly scanned it: "That old fox Saeki has been colluding with the Karasuma Group for many years, but I didn't expect him to dare to directly interfere with the core plan."

Amuro Tooru's gaze fell on the end of the document: "According to reports from informants, Rum recently transferred a batch of special reagents from a biotechnology company. The purpose is unknown, but it is related to the residual components of APTX4869."

Mary Akai's expression changed slightly, and she tightened her grip on the water glass: "What does he want to do?"

“He probably wants to replicate similar enhancement experiments or find a way to crack the antibody.” Kudo Yuki sat on the edge of the bed. “However, he doesn’t know that the antibody in your body is produced by Conan’s stress antibody in conjunction with your own immune system. Without the complete gene sequence and conditioning parameters, it is impossible to replicate.”

Ai Haibara added, "Even if Rum gets some of the samples, he won't be able to crack the key information that's triple-encrypted. As for Gin... his stance is quite delicate."

Tsutomu Akai frowned. "This man is extremely cunning. When I was investigating him back then, I discovered that he always left himself a backup plan."

Amuro Tooru leaned against the doorframe: "From the current perspective, his actions are objectively restraining Karasuma Renya and Rum, which is advantageous to us. However, Gin is never one to take sides easily."

Mary Akai held the glass loosely, her body still weak from the high fever and cough, but the warmth couldn't dispel the seriousness in her eyes: "Rum wants to crack the 'ES Dark Amber Project' and also covets the APTX4869 sample. He can tamper with things right under Karasuma Renya's nose, and there are other forces hiding behind him."

"No need to guess." Kudo Yuki took out a strawberry-flavored candy from her pocket and handed it to Akai Mary.

“We have traced his funds to Representative Saeki’s trail, and Representative Saeki is currently pushing for a special security bill to facilitate the implementation of the ‘ES Dark Amber Project.’ Rum needs political leverage, and Representative Saeki needs technical support; it’s simply a matter of mutual exploitation.”

Akai Tsutomu placed the document on the bedside table: "Relationships based on mutual exploitation are the most fragile. Once Representative Saeki loses his usefulness, Rum will show no mercy."

He looked up at Kudo Yuki, his eyes filled with inquiry, "Where do you plan to start?"

"The hearing on the security bill by Representative Saeki." Kudo Yuki opened the wrapper of strawberry candy and held it to Akai Mary's lips. "It will be held at the Diet Building in three days. Rum will be there in person to put pressure on us. This is our best chance to find out the implementation schedule of the 'ES Dark Amber Project'."

Amuro Tooru added, "I've already obtained entry to the hearing through public security channels, under the name of a supplier to Poirot Cafe. As for the FBI..."

His gaze inadvertently drifted to Subaru Okiya in the next room outside the window.

Subaru Okiya was wearing headphones and leaning against the bedside, holding a book in his hands, listening to the entire conversation.

"They will likely cooperate from the FBI's perspective to contain them."

Subaru Okiya's lips curled into a smile as the miniature communicator in his palm vibrated—a message from Kagemitsu Morofushi:

Rum has deployed three groups of ambush agents: east, west, and south of the Capitol. The east and west groups are his former undercover agents, now replaced by Gin and us. The south group consists of recently promoted newcomers, mostly wearing black hoodies with no obvious markings, their positions unstable. Watch for any unusual activity. —Kagekawa Raku

The smile faded from Subaru Okiya's eyes, and he quickly replied, head bowed:

Received. The FBI will hold off the ambush on the south side, while the east and west sides will provide support as planned, avoiding revealing any signs of a substitution.

After sending the message, he tucked the communicator into his sleeve, leaned back against the headboard, and remained relaxed, as if he were simply listening to a book quietly.

The atmosphere in the laboratory gradually became heavy.

Akemi Miyano tucked the blanket around Mary Akai: "Aunt, you haven't fully recovered yet. Don't worry about the hearing. We'll handle it."

Mary Akai shook her head and struggled to sit up: "I am an MI6 agent, after all. I have no reason to stand idly by when Rum did things in the Haneda Koji case."

She coughed twice, her voice slightly hoarse from just recovering, "I can help you analyze Rum's behavior patterns. There must be a backup plan hidden at the hearing."

Ai Haibara took out a nutrient solution from the testing kit: "Drink this first to replenish your strength."

Her eyes were serious. "Although your cells are stable, there is still residual APTX4869. Strenuous activity will trigger a stress response. We will set up protective measures at the hearing site. You only need to provide support from a safe area."

Mary Akai took the nutrient solution and drank it all in one gulp. The slightly cool liquid slid down her throat, carrying a faint herbal scent, and her fatigue seemed to dissipate a little.

She raised her hand to her chest, suppressing the urge to cough, and a glint of light flashed in her gray-green eyes: "Safe zone support is possible, but I have one condition: Rumi Wakasa must be present."

"Ms. Asaka?" Akemi Miyano paused for a moment, "You want her to go to the hearing with you?"

“She is the only survivor of the Haneda Koji case and the person who knows Rum’s style of doing things best.” Mary Akai tapped her fingertips on the edge of the bed. “Maybe she can see the potential activation point of the instrument from the setup of the hearing.”

Kudo Yuki looked up at Amuro Tooru, and the two exchanged a glance, finalizing their plan without needing to say a word.

“I will contact her.” Kudo Yuki chuckled. “Wakasa Rumi already hates Rum to the core, so she probably won’t miss this opportunity. However, she’s always been a loner, so I’ll arrange for her to enter as a media reporter so that we can communicate at any time.”

Kudo Yuki swiped his phone screen and pulled up Wakasa Rumi's contact information.

Amuro Tooru was leaning against the door frame organizing documents, his eyes constantly fixed on her.

The little mouse peeked its head out of Kudo Yuki's pocket: "Are we going to call that female teacher with the highest combat power? She was super fierce when she knocked Amuro Tooru unconscious last time!"

Amuro Tooru's ears twitched slightly, and a helpless smile appeared on his lips.

That surprise attack by Wakasa Rumi was indeed quite unexpected.

Kudo Yuki responded telepathically: "Wakasa Rumi just wants to find the amulet that Haneda Koji gave her."

As she pressed the call button and held the phone to her ear, she looked up at Amuro Tooru with a smile in her eyes.

The moment the call connected, Rumi Wakasa's slightly aloof voice came through the receiver: "Detective Kudo, did you find out where Rum is, or... do you have other instructions?"

Kudo Yuki's gaze swept past Akai Mary's gaze from the bedside, and she said softly, "There's a security bill hearing at the Capitol in three days, and Rum will be there in person. Asaka, this is your best chance to observe his next move up close."

The silence on the receiver lasted for three seconds.

Rumi Wakasa's voice trembled slightly, yet maintained its usual aloofness: "The Capitol... Rum will go there in person?"

“Yes.” Kudo Yuki’s gaze fell on Akai Mary’s tightly pursed lips. “The security bill promoted by Representative Saeki is essentially paving the way for the ‘ES Dark Amber Project.’ Rum needs to confirm the possibility of the bill being implemented on-site. This is your best chance to get close to him.”

“I will go.” Rumi Wakasa’s voice suddenly became firm, all distance gone. “But I have one request: at the hearing, I want to be close enough to Rum.”

“No problem.” Kudo Yuki chuckled. “The third row in the media area, by the window, has the best view and is also convenient for you to observe. I will take care of the press pass and disguise. You just need to arrive on time, and I will arrange the rest of the disguise and entry procedures in advance.”

The sound of airflow in the receiver suddenly stopped, followed by the soft rustling of fabric, as if Rumi Wakasa was clutching something tightly, but it was being pressed into a cold, hard texture: "Close enough... close enough to see the scar on his left eye, close enough to hear the frequency of his breathing, right?"

Kudo Yuki glanced at Akai Mary's thoughtful expression and smiled lightly, "The third row of the media area is right opposite the VIP seats. Rum's seat is there. You can not only see his face clearly, but you can even hear his subtle movements."

“Very well.” Rumi Wakasa’s tone suddenly dropped, revealing only the hatred that had been building up for twenty years. “I don’t need you to lift a finger. What Rum owes me, what he owes Haneda, what he owes Amanda, I will take back myself.”

Kudo Yuki responded softly, "I'm only responsible for providing you with opportunities; the rest is up to you. By the way, has Cohen left your side and never come back?"

Rumi Wakasa said with relief, "Cohen? He hasn't shown up for a long time. Last time in the alley of Beika Town, he was aiming at me, but he put away his gun, turned around and left, as if... his orders had been switched."

After hanging up the call with Rumi Wakasa, Yuki Kudo put her phone back in her pocket and looked up to meet Tooru Amuro's smiling gaze.

"Wakasa Rumi has such a strong presence," the mouse muttered. "Will she take action at the hearing this time?"

Amuro Tooru's smile deepened: "If she really makes a move, we still have to protect her according to plan. After all, she's the only one who can provide the most direct evidence of the truth behind the Haneda Koji case, and besides..."

He looked at Mary Akai and softened his tone, "Ms. Mary also needs her help to confirm Rum's backup plan."

Kudo Yuki chuckled softly and responded to the mouse telepathically: "Wakasa Rumi knows very well that the hearing is not a place for head-on confrontation. What she wants is to get justice herself, not to die together with someone else."

She looked up at the Akai couple. "We're all busy with plans. Masumi is still eavesdropping at Supervisor Kuroda's safe house... What are your plans for her?"

A smile flickered in Mary Akai's eyes: "That girl, Masumi, is just like me, always on the go. It's good to have her eavesdropping in the safe house; it'll allow her to utilize her talent for sensing sounds. However... I'll have to trouble you to look after her."

A thoughtful look crossed Akai Tsutomu's eyes: "Shinju is curious about the commotion at the hearing, so why not have her monitor the radio frequencies at the scene? Her sensitivity to sound waves is far beyond that of ordinary people, and she might be able to hear any encrypted signals that we might have missed."

Mary Akai nodded in agreement, coughed twice, and added, "Have Administrator Kuroda equip her with a directional listening device, and tell her not to act on her own. This child is impatient; don't let the chaos at the scene cloud her judgment."

Kudo Yuki sent Kuroda Hyōe an encrypted message:

Kuroda, please equip Sera Masumi with directional listening equipment (covering the core frequency band of the National Diet Building, including an encryption and decryption module) so that she can monitor on-site radio signals in the safe house and use her acoustic sensitivity to capture any missed signals.

Please emphasize: Stay within the safe area and strictly prohibit unauthorized actions. The equipment has a positioning and locking function and will automatically alarm if the range is exceeded; please supervise its operation.

Equipment debugging and intelligence synchronization with Yingchuanluo.

PS devices are designed for high school students, with simplified operation and accidental touch prevention. —S?

To be continued...