Out-of-control players in the world of Detective Conan

……

All irrelevant personnel left the scene, leaving only the association's friends and family in the president's office.

Although Kaito Kuroba is also a new friend they just made.

"Look everyone, this is the Emperor's Memory Egg that Phantom Thief Kid wanted to steal."

Masato Nishino carefully placed the wooden box on the table, smiled at everyone, and then gently opened the lid to reveal its contents.

The small, emerald-green egg, which can be held in one hand, is decorated with silver-white carved patterns on its shell.

Like a nesting doll, the little egg can be opened to reveal a golden sculpture of the Nicola Emperor family reading a book.

"Speaking of which, this Egg of Memories has a very interesting little mechanism."

Shiro Suzuki was pleased with everyone's expressions. He picked up the small key that was also in the wooden box and inserted it into the groove at the bottom of the Egg of Memories.

As he turned the small key a few times, the golden sculpture inside the Egg of Memories slowly rose, and Emperor Nicola, surrounded by his family in the center, began to turn the pages of the book.

A small toy with considerable historical significance.

Qi Ming glanced at Kuroba Kaito, whose eyes were shining, and asked:

"What's wrong, Xiao Hei? Do you really want to take it right now?"

Kaito Kuroba nodded unconsciously and said:

"Indeed, this is the first time I've been this close to a treasure when no one was on guard."

"If only I could get this close every time I steal something."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Kaito Kuroba's heart skipped a beat.

What did he just say?

Kaito Kuroba suddenly looked up and saw that everyone's eyes were now focused on him.

"..."

Conan's eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Brother Kuroba, what did you mean by what you just said?"

Hattori Heiji also took a few steps closer to Kuroba Kaito with a strange expression.

"Yeah, what do you mean by being this close to the treasure?"

"You wouldn't happen to be..."

Kaito Kuroba smiled helplessly at the two detectives' aggressive attitude.

That's why detectives are really annoying!

I was just saying something casually, why are you all making such a big deal out of it!

"Well, okay, in that case I won't pretend anymore."

Kaito Kuroba took a deep breath, then pointed to himself with his thumb and said:

"That's right, actually I'm a fan of Phantom Thief Kid, and I was just imitating my idol talking to himself!"

"……Eh?"

Conan and Heiji Hattori froze, never expecting Kaito Kuroba to come up with such an answer.

As if she had found a companion, Sonoko Suzuki asked Kaito Kuroba with some excitement:

"Kuroba-kun, you're a fan of Kaito Kid too!?"

Kaito Kuroba smiled somewhat embarrassedly.

"Hehe, of course, I'm always there to watch Phantom Thief Kid do his thing."

"Actually, I skipped class today specifically to come and see the performance of Kaito Kid."

"Yes! I understand you, I understand you so well!"

……

No longer focusing on the Egg of Memories, Sonoko Suzuki and Kaito Kuroba are enthusiastically discussing Kaito Kid.

Hearing Sonoko Suzuki's constant praise, Kaito Kuroba couldn't suppress the corners of his mouth.

Conan glanced at the two of them speechlessly, temporarily setting aside his doubts about Kaito Kuroba, and asked Shiro Suzuki:

"By the way, Uncle Suzuki, what did the Phantom Thief Kid's announcement letter say?"

Kogoro Mouri asked curiously as well.

"Yes, Mr. Suzuki, did Phantom Thief Kid specify when he would be coming to steal the treasure?"

Shiro Suzuki nodded and took his phone out of his pocket.

Opening the photo album, the picture above is the photo of the announcement letter taken by Shiro Suzuki.

From the Lion of Twilight to the Maiden of Dawn, the clock without a second hand strikes its twelfth mark, descending from the luminous sky pavilion to collect the egg of memories—the magician of the end of the century, Phantom Thief Kid.

"..."

Looking at the contents of the picture, Qi Ming was unsure what expression to make for a moment.

what is this?

Is it written in classical Chinese?

"The glowing Sky Tower, the Sky Tower, why is Osaka Castle glowing?"

Hattori Heiji stroked his chin, pondering the notice, while Kazuha beside him said irritably:

"Idiot, don't you understand that Osaka's development is like the light of Osaka?"

"Yes, that's it!"

A rough voice suddenly came from inside, the door opened, and two middle-aged men in suits walked in.

Chaki Shintaro and Nakamori Ginzo are the two in charge of this operation to capture Kaito Kid.

"Kaito Kid will appear at Osaka Castle's keep."

Chaki Shintaro addressed the crowd, but after a moment he shook his head.

"But all we know right now is the location; we can't understand the time period before that."

Conan and Hattori Heiji looked at each other.

Can't figure out the riddle?

It's alright, they'll take care of it.

Just as the two were gathered to the side, preparing to discuss their thoughts on the notice, Qi Ming tilted his head and shouted at Kuroba Kaito:

"Hey Blackie, come out and solve this problem."

"Little, Little Blackie?"

Kaito Kuroba's shoulders slumped; this nickname for a spirit was getting more and more absurd.

"Kuroko... Hey? Isn't this Kaito? What are you doing here? Aren't you in class today?"

Nakamori Ginzo turned his head and exclaimed in surprise when he saw Kuroba Kaito.

The premise of this world is that every important character has a childhood sweetheart.

Ginzo Nakamori is the father of Aoko Nakamori, Kaito Kuroba's childhood friend, and also the police officer in charge of capturing Kaito Kid. The two are quite familiar with each other.

"Well, I took a day off to come out and clear my head."

Kaito Kuroba forced a smile and said to Ginzo Nakamori.

It's quite a gathering of everyone today.

The detectives who wanted to catch him, the police who wanted to imprison him, and the spirits who wanted to capture him.

Koizumi Akako's divination seems ineffective; this is even more terrifying than a bloody disaster, isn't it?

"Mr. Qi Ming, why did you send Hei Yu here?"

Sonoko Suzuki also came over and asked curiously.

"Is Kuroba-kun a detective too?"

Upon hearing the word "detective," Conan and Heiji Hattori both turned their gazes towards him.

Another competitor has emerged?

"He isn't, after all, it was him who sent the notice..."

Qi Ming habitually answered every question, and seeing the situation was turning sour, Kuroba Kaito quickly said:

"It's a puzzle created by my favorite Phantom Thief Kid. As a fan, I really enjoy studying his puzzles, that's right!"

"what?"

Sonoko Suzuki suddenly felt that she was a terrible fan.

So high-quality fans can even understand the mystery of Lord Kid?

Nakamori Ginzo raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Kaito, you have this skill too? If Kaito Kid has another operation next time, can I ask you for advice?"

Kaito Kuroba put on a smile that looked more like a grimace and said...

"No, no problem."

Qi Ming patted Kaito Kuroba on the shoulder.

"Speak, Xiao Hei. I believe in your abilities. The time and place will definitely not be wrong, right?"

"...I guess so."

Kaito Kuroba is now truly feeling like he's in a bind.

He originally planned to reveal some things while keeping others hidden, so as not to cause trouble for himself when he took action or to arouse suspicion from the two detectives.

But after Qi Ming said that, he had no choice but to tell the whole story.

After all, his identity had already been revealed, so rather than risk being exposed by Qi Ming, he preferred to leave a slight flaw in his identity.

Kaito Kuroba frowned as he looked at the riddle, feigning a moment of thought before saying:

"The Phantom Thief Kid, perhaps he'll fly over from Tsutenkaku Tower around 7:20 tonight?"