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

While pondering this, Kitagawa Isao slowly approached the wall of the Mori family's villa.

Looking at the tall, white wall before him, Kitagawa Isao held his breath, his feet leaving the ground, and in mid-air, before he plummeted, he reached out and grabbed the second-floor handrail, applying slight pressure...

The next second, Kitagawa Isao appeared on the second-floor balcony.

This place is called a balcony, but it's actually just a large, protruding semi-circular window sill.

Having steadied himself, Kitagawa Isao did not rush to hide. Instead, he began to quietly examine the magnificent and splendid interior of the room.

Compared to most traditional families, the Mori family's overall decoration style leans towards Western style, which is also influenced by his study abroad experience in the United States in his early years.

In that era, this was a very normal thing. Not only was Morizono Mikio, the head of the Morizono family, but even Shinichi Kudo's father, Yusaku Kudo, was a representative figure of this group who were pro-Western in society.

Culturally, they completely admired the West, and in terms of customs, they completely adapted to the West. This can be roughly seen from the differences in the decoration style of the Kudo residence and the Hattori residence.

Thinking about this, Kitagawa Isao couldn't help but feel a little curious.

If that's really the case, then it's quite strange that Hattori Heiji and Kudo Shinichi didn't argue after meeting.

However, he quickly realized what was happening.

Yusaku Kudo moved to the United States with his wife when Shinichi Kudo was very young. For a long period of Shinichi Kudo's life, he probably spent more time with Kogoro Mouri than with Yusaku Kudo.

Therefore, it is only natural that it was not greatly affected.

But then again...

Could Kudo Yusaku be considered to be hedging his bets to facilitate future family investments?

Kitagawa Isao couldn't understand this either.

After wandering around the study for a while, Kitagawa Isao put on his gloves, slowly opened the door, and prepared to leave.

During that period of time, he had already figured out his specific plan, so now that he had a clear goal, he had nothing to hesitate about.

At this moment, the Morizono family's banquet had just ended. Morizono Mikio, as the head of the family, was exchanging pleasantries with Kogoro Mouri. Kitagawa Isao, hiding in a dark corner on the second floor, overheard their conversation clearly.

It's nothing more than mushy phrases like "You must come visit another day" and "My door is always open for Mr. Mori."

What an interesting fellow! He's so eager to invite Kogoro Mouri to visit his home. Could it be that this lame patriarch thinks his family is too large?

Do you want to actively reduce it by using this external force?

Thinking about it, it's really quite terrifying...

Kitagawa Isao shook his head speechlessly. After eavesdropping in the corner for a while, he finally got his chance.

The frivolous man named Kikuto Morizono, a rich second-generation heir and also the eldest son of Mikio Morizono, suddenly whispered a few words to Mikio Morizono for some unknown reason, then left his seat and headed towards the corridor.

Seeing that the man was making a move, Kitagawa Isao quickly suppressed his nervousness and followed him to the other side of the villa.

No one lives here normally, so there's virtually no chance of anyone coming here to wander around.

Kitagawa Isao was well aware that this was the location where Morizono Kikuto was preparing to negotiate with Butler Shigematsu, but he had gone ahead of him and Butler Shigematsu was not yet in place.

Watching Kikuto Morizono pacing nervously back and forth in the room, Isao Kitagawa realized that this was his best opportunity at the moment.

Decisive action has always been one of his standards for dealing with people. Almost as soon as an idea popped into his head, Kitagawa Isao had already darted out, like a big black rat, suddenly rushing out of the shadows and startling Morizono Kikuto.

"You are……"

Before he could even utter a question, or even see the person's face clearly, Kikuto Morizono was struck by Isao Kitagawa's karate chop and his vision went black. He slowly fell into a coma, collapsing limply onto the carpet like a noodle.

Seeing how easily he had captured this person, Kitagawa Isao felt no joy whatsoever. He knew that his plan had only just begun...

……

After about half an hour, they figured it was getting late. Although they hadn't seen their eldest son return yet, Morizono Mikio, who was getting restless, waved his hand and ended his conversation with Kogoro Mouri.

He has to attend his son's wedding early tomorrow morning. Given his current health condition, if he can't get enough rest, who knows what kind of embarrassing situation he might make in front of all the guests tomorrow.

Knowing his own condition well, Morizono Mikio politely saw his guests off and accompanied Kogoro Mouri, Heiji Hattori, and others as they slowly walked toward the villa gate.

However, at this moment...

The butler, Shigematsu, who had been nowhere to be seen before, suddenly walked towards him in a hurry for some unknown reason.

This was the first time he had ever seen such an expression on his 30-year-old friend, and Morizono Mikio was immediately puzzled.

After the butler Shigematsu came forward and whispered something to him, Morizono Mikio's face quickly turned extremely ugly, almost like a change of expression.

Upon seeing this, Kogoro Mouri frowned and asked:

"Um... Mr. Morizono, has something happened? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Although he was reluctant to associate with this completely Westernized guy, he had benefited from a meal, and Kogoro Mouri wanted to find an opportunity to return the favor as soon as possible, so that they would be even.

That's why he spoke up at this moment, to see if there was anything he could do to help.

To his surprise...

Perhaps Kogoro Mouri was just being polite, but to Mikio Morizono, it sounded like heavenly music.

The man, who was physically disabled but had an unusually solemn appearance, quickly took two steps with his cane and came to Kogoro Mouri's side, then grabbed his hand.

This courtesy greatly surprised Kogoro Mouri.

However, before he could even voice his doubts, he heard Morizono Mikio there, looking anxious, say:

"Mr. Mori, we really need your help this time. Kikuto... Kikuto has been kidnapped. He's been taken away from our Morizono family villa..."

"You, what did you say?!"

……

Second update, my head is so dizzy...

One more chapter to go, keep going!