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

Stepping out of the venue and into her white Mazda RX7, Kudo Yuki flipped through the documents in her hand and said with a slight smile, "The first step went smoothly, at least I've gained his initial trust. In two days, I should be able to extract clues about the ES Dark Amber Project from him."

Amuro Tooru started the car and looked at her gently: "You did a great job. Now all you have to do is wait patiently. I've already coordinated with Matsuda and the others. In two days, we'll set up even tighter security around the venue to ensure your and Kishitani Hidehiko's safety."

The mouse chuckled in its pocket: "Amuro Tooru has been coordinating with Vermouth and the secretary of Representative Saeki on the tasks assigned by Rum. I think I'm going to be exposed at the hearing in two days."

Kudo Yuki's eyes curved into a playful smile as she lightly tapped her chin with her fingertips: "You little rat reminded me—how about I get you a human skin mask? So that Representative Saeki's secretary won't recognize you."

Amuro Tooru's eyes flashed with amusement: "The human skin mask is safe, but what Representative Saeki's secretary saw was my disguise when I was on a mission. Changing my hairstyle and lowering my voice will allow me to get away with it."

He glanced at Kudo Yuki and tapped his fingertips on the dashboard: "Besides, an assistant doesn't need to reveal too much personal information. Just keep a low profile, and he might not pay much attention."

Amuro Toru turned the steering wheel, and the car smoothly merged into the traffic.

"Be careful with the pace during the interview two days later. Hidehiko Kishitani is extremely wary of rum and patent topics, so don't rush to ask him questions," Amuro Tooru reminded him.

Kudo Yuki lightly tapped her knee with her fingertip: "Rum's remaining men are all impatient and eager for quick success. This time, they will be too eager to make a move, which will make them more likely to expose their weaknesses."

Amuro Tooru's lips curled coldly: "Gin has purged the marginalized people who are easy to turn, leaving behind either die-hard loyalists or reckless fools. The ambush in the fire escape was most likely carried out by the latter."

The car smoothly drove onto a secluded side road. The mouse curled up in the pocket, its chubby little paws tugging at the fabric: "What if some reckless person opens fire randomly? Xiaoxue and Kishitani Hidehiko will be in danger!"

"Don't worry." Kudo Yuki chuckled. "The jammer can block communications within fifty meters, so they can't ask Rum for permission; the smoke bombs at the entrance of the passage will create chaos when triggered, and we'll take the opportunity to evacuate Kishitani Hidehiko."

“There’s another risk.” Amuro Tooru turned to look at her. “Hidehiko Kishitani carries an encrypted USB drive with him to back up core data. Rum may have arranged for another group of people to steal it in the chaos, rather than simply to silence him.”

“I’ve thought of that.” Kudo Yuki pulled up the encrypted file. “Miyano Akemi cracked his private email. I will confirm the location of the USB drive during the interview and help him transfer it if necessary. Switching the data is easy to detect. As long as we protect the USB drive, he will naturally hand over the data to us once it is safe—after all, we are his only way out.”

As the car drove into the city's main road, a large screen on the roadside was playing news about the hearing, with the camera panning across the faces of several political figures.

Kudo Yuki looked up and tapped her phone screen lightly: "These people are all potential targets of the ES Dark Amber Project. Rum will not give up this excellent opportunity to brainwash them, which is why he insisted on taking action despite knowing the risks."

The little mouse rummaged around in the pocket with its tiny paws, its eyes full of excitement: "Then can we use someone else to do the dirty work? Let Rum's men and dogs fight each other!"

"Don't rush," Kudo Yuki reassured it through telepathy. "The most important thing now is to keep Kishitani Hidehiko calm and obtain the core data of ES Dark Amber."

Kudo Yuki took out the note that Miyano Akemi had given her, which recorded Kishitani Hidehiko's award-winning experience. She traced the words "International Biomedical Innovation Award" with her fingertips.

“Hidehiko Kishitani is very obsessed with his research. As long as we talk about his scientific ideals and casually mention the rumors that Rum misappropriated his patents, we will most likely be able to sway him.”

The car stopped in front of Poirot Cafe, and Kudo Yuki opened the car door. She looked up at the second-floor window, where a photo of her and Amuro Tooru hung, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up: "Let's go back and rest first. Tonight, Kuroba Kaito will send over the preliminary survey map of the Karasuma Group headquarters, and then we'll discuss the final plan with Manager Kuroda."

Amuro Tooru followed her into the coffee shop and took her backpack. "I'll make you an iced Americano, you can go upstairs and organize the documents. By the way, Gin just sent a message saying that the vodka test subject's number is 734. This number may be related to the core components of ES Dark Amber, so we should keep a close eye on it."

Kudo Yuki nodded, then suddenly remembered something as she walked up the stairs and turned back to look at him: "Remember to put in a couple more sugar cubes, I was a little tired from looking at the documents earlier."

"Understood, Miss." A gentle smile appeared in Amuro Tooru's eyes as he watched her figure disappear around the corner of the stairs before turning and walking towards the bar.

In the study on the second floor, Kudo Yuki spread the documents on the table. A little mouse, perched on the blueprints, pointed its tiny paws at the third basement level: "Yuki, look! This is marked 'Core Test Area.' Vodka is definitely being held here! If Kuroba Kaito can infiltrate here, he might be able to get the prototype data for ES Dark Amber!"

Kudo Yuki responded telepathically: "The security level here must be very high. Kuroba Kaito's primary task is to evacuate safely. Get as much data as you can."

She traced the route of the ventilation duct with her fingertips, "However, this passage connects to the emergency exit, which may serve as a backup route for rescuing vodka later."

Amuro Tooru walked in carrying an iced Americano and placed the glass beside her: "Chief Administrator Kuroda just sent a message that Subaru Okiya has confirmed that Rum's men planted a miniature bomb at the hearing venue, inside the ceiling of the fire escape. Matsuda and his team will infiltrate the venue tonight, disarm the bomb, and replace it with a fake one."

“These people are really persistent.” Kudo Yuki took a sip of coffee, a cold glint in her eyes. “Rum has to kill Kishitani Hidehiko, carry out the brainwashing plan, and also guard against Karasuma Renya and Gin. He’s really overwhelmed.”

Mouse yawned and curled up on the data booklet: "Once we get the data and destroy ES Dark Amber, he'll be completely out of options!"

Amuro Tooru sat down next to her and reached out to tuck the stray hairs that had fallen across her forehead behind her ear: "Don't put too much pressure on yourself. We have so many people helping us."

He paused, then added, "The Kudo couple also sent word that they have contacted Interpol. Once we obtain the final evidence of their human trafficking activities, we can completely cut off their source of test subjects."

Kudo Yuki looked up at him, her eyes full of trust: "I've never worried."

She reached out and took his hand, feeling the warmth of his touch on her fingertips. "The hearing in two days will be the beginning of our operation."

As darkness fell outside the window, the lights in Poirot Cafe became warm and bright.

In the study, the blueprints of the ES Dark Amber Project shimmered under the light on the open pages of the document book, while the clasped hands of the two people at the table exuded a power that could pierce through the darkness.

The little mouse slept soundly beside him, muttering "Down with Rum" in its sleep. Amuro Tooru listened to its soft, sweet murmur and couldn't help but smile. [This struggle, spanning multiple forces, doesn't seem so difficult anymore, thanks to the company of those around me.]

As the lights in Poirot Café warmed, a secret meeting was quietly taking place in the underground laboratory of the Karasuma Group headquarters.

Morifushi Kagemitsu held the test tube between his fingertips and slowly poured the purple reagent into the petri dish, but his gaze fell on the silver envelope that suddenly appeared on the corner of the table.

While tidying up the experimental equipment, a figure in a cleaning uniform brushed past him, seemingly unintentionally slipping an envelope into a folder. The fleeting glint of cunning in her eyes stirred something within him.

The envelope was unsigned, bearing only an image of a magician's tarot cards, with a line of very small writing engraved on the back:

The safety passage on the west side of the top floor, midnight.

A look of understanding flashed across Zhu Fujingguang's eyes.

He had seen the design of this divination card in Kudo Yuki's bag before. And the only person who could leave a letter unnoticed in a heavily guarded laboratory was the master of disguise, Kaito Kid.

At midnight, the laboratory lights switched to nighttime security mode on time, with only the emergency exits illuminated by a faint green light.

Morobushi Kagemitsu bypassed the infrared surveillance in the corridor and followed the instructions on the envelope to the top floor.

The emergency exit door was ajar. He pushed it open and saw a figure dressed in a suit belonging to a senior executive of the Karasuma Group with his back to him, twirling a black top hat between his fingers.

"Mr. Kagekawa, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." Kuroba Kaito turned around, took off his wig, revealing his signature short white hair, and his eyes flashed with interest. "As expected of someone my cousin trusts, you're right on time."

Zhu Fujingguang closed the door behind him, his gaze sweeping over the suit he was wearing, which was identical to his own: "Your disguise skills have improved rapidly; you can even find out the model of the pen I just changed last week. Xiaoxue asked you to come to me; what's the matter?"

“Of course I’m here to get the ‘pass’.” Kaito Kuroba pulled a mini USB drive out of his pocket. “My cousin said that only you can crack the iris access in the core test area on the third underground floor. This is a replica of your ID card that I made. You need to enter your real-time iris information.”

He handed over the USB drive and added, "Also, she asked me to pass on a message to you—Rum will be sending his trusted men to keep an eye on the lab soon, so you must be careful."

Zhu Fujingguang took the USB drive; his fingertips were icy cold.

He had noticed the recent quiet increase in security at the laboratory, especially the entry and exit records for the core testing area, which were checked daily by designated personnel.

“I understand. Rum’s people have already planted an informant in the lab. He’s an intern in the technical department, and he’s been approaching me lately under the pretense of asking me questions.”

“What a coincidence, I’ve seen that intern before.” Kaito Kuroba raised an eyebrow and pulled a photo out of his pocket. “When I was pretending to be a senior executive on inspection earlier, I took a picture of him. My cousin said that he’s a man who’s eager for quick success and easy to get ahead.”

Looking at the young man in the photo, a cold glint flashed in his eyes: "I'll handle it. Iris access to the core testing area requires two-hand verification. When you infiltrate, I'll create equipment malfunctions to delay the security system's reaction time."

He pulled a chip out of his inner pocket. "This is the lab's emergency exit password card. It can bypass all surveillance. Keep it safe."

"Thank you!" Kaito Kuroba took the chip and casually slipped it into the lining of his top hat. "By the way, my cousin asked me to ask you, is the vodka test subject number 734 related to the core components of ES Dark Amber?"

When vodka was mentioned, Morofushi Hiromitsu's expression softened slightly: "734 is the core code of the neural transmission chip. The first generation chip was implanted in vodka's body. Rum wanted to use his body data to optimize the chip's brainwashing stability."

He lowered his voice, "Karasuma Renya has already noticed Rum's underhanded tactics and has been secretly collecting evidence of his tampering with experimental data recently."

Kaito Kuroba twirled his top hat between his fingers, a sly glint in his eyes: "So, we can sit back and watch the tigers fight? Let Rum and Renya Karasuma fight amongst themselves first?"

"My cousin's idea is to use Karasuma Renya to weaken Rum's power, and then we can take the opportunity to obtain the core data."

Morofushi Kagemitsu nodded: "Vermouth has also been paying attention to the core test area recently. She seems to be looking for something. Try to avoid her when you infiltrate."

Kaito Kuroba snapped his fingers. "I'm Kaito Kid, and avoiding surveillance cameras and informants is one of my specialties."

He suddenly leaned closer and lowered his voice, "I heard you have an older brother named Morofushi Takaaki, who recently shut down a brewery trading company in Nagano Prefecture? That's impressive."

A hint of warmth flashed in Zhu Fujingguang's eyes: "He has always been outstanding."

He glanced at his watch. "It's almost time. You should go. The patrol will come if you stay any longer."

Kaito Kuroba nodded, put his wig back on, straightened his suit collar, and instantly transformed back into the composed and reserved "Kagekawa Raku".

He saluted Morofushi Kagemitsu: "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you, Mr. Kagekawa. I will return with the core data of ES Dark Amber at this time tomorrow."

Morofushi Kagemitsu watched his figure disappear into the safety passage, his fingertips tightening around the magician's divination card.

Moonlight streamed through the rooftop window, illuminating the unwavering resolve in his eyes: [In this battle against darkness, they had no way out; they could only proceed cautiously, step by step, until they completely destroyed that evil lair that had devoured countless people.]

Just as Kaito Kuroba's fingertips touched the doorknob of the emergency exit, a deep, magnetic laugh suddenly came from the shadows: "In a hurry to leave? I have a more complete version of what you're looking for."

The wind on the rooftop swirled moonlight past the corner of a coat, and a figure in a black trench coat slowly stepped out, raising his hand to remove his top hat, revealing short hair exactly like Kaito Kuroba's, with a cunning and composure unique to magicians in his eyes—it was Toichi Kuroba.

Kaito Kuroba froze on the spot, his top hat nearly slipping from his hand: "Dad? What are you doing here?"

Instead of answering directly, Kuroba Toichi took out a folded dark blue drawing from the inside pocket of his trench coat and handed it to him.

The moment the blueprints were unfolded, the complex circuits and markings became clearly visible, revealing the core energy circuit distribution diagram of the "ES Dark Amber" project.

"You think Kudo Yuki sent you to infiltrate headquarters just to survey the map and find the location of vodka?" Kuroba Toichi's voice carried a deeper meaning. "This energy circuit diagram is the key to destroying the entire plan."

Kaito Kuroba's pupils contracted slightly as his fingertips traced the dense markings on the blueprint: "How did you get this?"

Zhu Fujingguang pondered to himself: [The appearance of this father and son might be the key to breaking the deadlock.]

To be continued...