Conan: No, why aren't you following the script?

Hearing the sound, Kitagawa Isao turned around.

On the side of the road, Kogoro Mouri was driving with a large group of people, waving excitedly at him.

Is this... such a coincidence?

Kitagawa Isao found it somewhat unbelievable, but after a moment's thought, he realized what was going on.

Afterwards, Kogoro Mouri and the others got out of the car and saw Heiji Hattori and Kazuha Toyama emerge from the back seat. Kitagawa Isao realized that his guess was correct.

Unexpectedly, this new case started so quickly; it really caught everyone off guard.

Thinking of this, Kitagawa Isao nodded thoughtfully.

In the following minutes, thanks to Kogoro Mouri's enthusiastic introduction, they officially "learned" the identities of Heiji Hattori and Kazuha Toyama, along with Ran and Conan who were accompanying them.

The Mori family of three, fully equipped once again, are officially ready to go into battle.

Looking at the legendary Osaka Five, Kitagawa Isao felt somewhat helpless.

"Why would Mr. Mori come to Shibuya? Is it to entertain Mr. Hattori?"

"Yup!"

Kogoro Mouri nodded casually, reaching into his pocket for a cigarette, but then sheepishly withdrew it under Ran's warning gaze.

"Anyway, this brat has treated us to a meal in Osaka before. As the host, I can't let these two youngsters explore on their own. They wanted to visit Meiji Shrine, so I brought them along."

"So that's what happened," Kitagawa Isao nodded upon hearing this. "In that case, I won't bother you any longer. I'm going to have a simple meal with this child later. Mr. Mori, you all... have fun?"

Upon hearing that Kitagawa Isao was leaving, Kogoro Mori immediately became anxious: "Hey, Kitagawa, why are you leaving? We haven't eaten yet, let's all eat together. I also have some questions I want to ask you."

"No, no, Mr. Mori, you don't need to worry about me, I actually..."

Just as Kitagawa Isao was about to politely decline a few more times, Hattori Heiji suddenly stepped forward and stood in front of him for some reason.

"Mr. Kitagawa... right?"

The dark-skinned young detective greeted him politely, then chuckled softly, “I have some work to do… Ah, I mean, Conan mentioned some of the cases Mr. Kitagawa was involved in, the National Stadium, the Magic Villa… even that serial killer robber was brought down by Mr. Kitagawa, which is truly remarkable.”

"Ahem, Mr. Hattori, you jest. I was just caught up in those two cases by chance. As for the robber... didn't the Metropolitan Police Department just clarify this morning? He was just a petty thief copying crimes; he wasn't the serial killer at all."

At this point, Kitagawa Isao leaned in mysteriously again, "I heard that Officer Takagi got a severe scolding from Inspector Megure again today because of this, and now he has a huge bump on his head."

"Huh? Really?"

"This must be true. I have no reason to lie to Master Hattori. Besides... Master Hattori has a discerning eye and can naturally see what I'm capable of, can't he?"

"This……"

Upon hearing Kitagawa Isao's words, Hattori Heiji felt a moment of hesitation.

Actually, when Conan Edogawa mentioned Isao Kitagawa before, the two of them did discuss whether this guy was some big shot hiding behind the scenes.

However, Kitagawa Isao did perform rather unremarkable in each case.

In addition to the blunder he just mentioned...

Could this guy really just be an ordinary little detective?

But how do you explain all the cases he's been involved in before?

The robber, who initially seemed certain of victory, died due to an accidental discharge of his weapon; the murderer, who could have escaped, was subdued by Kid...

Although at first glance he seems to have no connection with Kitagawa Isao, Hattori Heiji always felt that Kitagawa Isao was no ordinary person.

So he wanted to go a step further and find out exactly how much this guy weighed.

However, Kitagawa Isao did not give him that chance.

While Hattori Heiji hesitated for a brief moment, Kitagawa Isao had already greeted Mouri Kogoro. By the time Hattori Heiji reacted, Kitagawa Isao and Haibara Ai had already walked quite a distance together.

Watching the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, Hattori Heiji narrowed his eyes and silently straightened his hat.

"Hey, Kudo, do you think this guy is just hiding his true abilities, or is he really that good?"

Hearing Heiji Hattori's question, Conan Edogawa was about to answer when he heard Kazuha Toyama say with a displeased expression:

"Hey Heiji, why do you call this child Kudo again? Do they really look that alike?"

"What Kudo? You must have misheard me."

Seeing this, Hattori Heiji quickly switched to denial mode, "I clearly said 'damn it' just now. I'm not trying to be mean, but Kazuha, your hearing is getting worse and worse. Could it be that you've actually turned into an old woman?"

"You! I'm ignoring you!"

Enraged by Heiji Hattori, Kazuha Toyama stomped her foot and dragged Ran towards a clothing store.

For young women who love shopping, every clothing store and food stall along the way is an important attraction they must pass by!

The three men were clearly already used to this.

Taking advantage of this moment, Kogoro Mouri lit a cigarette and began to indulge his desires, while Heiji Hattori and Conan huddled together to ponder the words that Isao Kitagawa had just said.

"Kudo, why do you think Mr. Kitagawa is so unwilling to contact us? Could he have some ulterior motive related to those cases you mentioned before?"

"I don't think so... Mr. Kitagawa does seem honest and upright, and most importantly... Haibara has been by his side the whole time. If Mr. Kitagawa were acting strangely, I think Haibara would have noticed it long ago."

"Which young lady are you referring to?"

Hattori Heiji recalled that since their chance encounter, the young lady named Haibara Ai hadn't said a word or given any dangerous signals.

So, am I really overthinking things?

No, there are no coincidences in this world. He appeared in three cases in a row and acted like an ordinary person in each one.

Such a thing is definitely not a coincidence.

With that thought in mind, Hattori Heiji nodded firmly, and then an idea for further contact and probing began to emerge in his mind...

………………

Second update, let's go!

I'm going to have a meal. There will be another update later!